CONFIRMATION

Calling all 6th, 7th, and final year confirmation class (normally 8th grade) participants and their parents… Confirmation is kicking off September 13th. Sunday the 13th will be a group meeting in the Silver room for all participants and parents at 9:20.
Regular classes will begin September 20th. 6th and 7th grades will meet in the gold room, and final year students will gather in the Silver room. At least one parent representative is expected to attend the 8th grade classes on an ongoing basis. All classes end at 9:30 each Sunday. Any questions, please contact Pastor Brown.

TRAVELING YOUTH GROUP

During the months of September, October, and November, we are going to try something a little different at Praise with our youth groups. Our youth group meetings will still take place as previously scheduled on Wednesday evenings, but we’ll change the location. Our goal is to have a different family of the youth host a youth group gathering each Wednesday.
Our thought is not only to get more parents and families involved, but also that this will provide a great opportunity for the rest of the group to get to know the host family on a more personal and individual level. I believe this will help strengthen the relationships of our youth by having others over to discover and learn more about their lives at home.
There will be a sign-up sheet in the entrance way of the church that will list all the upcoming youth group gatherings and the needs for each family that volunteers to be a host. Please sign up at your earliest convenience, or contact Pastor Brown to schedule a day. Pastor Brown will contact you and work with each individual family to arrange details of snacks, games, and devotion.
A reminder that the youth group meetings are held as follows:

3rd – 5th grade youth – First Wednesday of each month at 5:30. We only need 3 family volunteers for this.

6th – 8th grade youth – 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 5:30. We need 6 volunteer families.

9th – 12th grade youth – Every Wednesday at 7pm. We need 12 volunteer families to each take one turn.

ASKING FOR HELP

Most around the church would say that they are more than willing to help if someone would just ask. Well, I’m asking. Both our youth board and the outreach board have undergone a few changes recently which have left us seeking new and further assistance with a variety of projects. The people we have are doing a marvelous job, but there are just too few of us to efficiently and effectively do all that needs to be done. Many hands makes for light work… and we’re asking for you to lend a hand. Youth board members don’t necessarily have to be parents of youth. Anyone can participate if they have a heart for young people. Note that we are not asking for help from those already involved in 2, 3, or more boards and committees at Praise. There are plenty of people who are not currently serving on a board, committee, or taskforce, that may be available to step forward and share the privilege of furthering the Kingdom of God and supporting Praise. If you’d like to know a little more about how you might be able to serve in these areas, please see Pastor Brown ASAP. Pray about it and see if the Lord is putting it on your heart to serve in this capacity.

2010 JUNIOR HIGH TRIP

For those who missed the meeting concerning the Junior High 2010 Spring Break trip, there is still time to get involved. See Pastor Brown for more info. Deposits for our trip will be due soon.

NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING FOR SENIOR HIGH

For those who missed the meeting concerning the National The gathering, there is still time to register. See Pastor Brown right away – as deposits for our trip will be due soon. We will send in the initial deposit on October 1st The gathering will be open to all those entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grades in Fall of ’10. Those older may go as long as you haven’t yet reached the age of 21 by July 17, 2010. Those 21 and older may attend as chaperones.

YOUTH GROUP EVENTS FOR SEPTEMBER, 2009

3rd – 8th Grades Sept. 12th 9:30 – 11:30 Service event – Our water bottle distribution that was rained out last month is rescheduled for Saturday the 12th. Come and help hand out water bottles and let people know about Praise. Afterwards we will all go to lunch at KFC. Bring your own lunch money and arrange transportation in advance.
9th – 12th Grades September 27th. The Senior High is invited to join Pastor Brown this Sunday morning by traveling to the Lutheran Home to volunteer and provide a worship service for the elderly residents. Please sign up in advance with Pastor Brown so transportation and other arrangements can be made. We will stop for lunch after the service project.
All youth September 26th. Saturday from 6 – 9pm all youth 3rd – 12th grades are invited to meet at Praise at 5:45 for a fun event at the neighboring YMCA. We’ll begin at the Parkview Y at 6pm with some Wallyball, and then head into the pool from 7:00 – 8:30. There is no cost for this event and you do not need to be a YMCA member to participate.

BREAKING BARRIERS

Last month on August 23rd, Pastor Brown was invited to share his Breaking Barriers presentation at Cedarville Park for the North Leo Mennonite Church. It was a great opportunity to share the Gospel and teach a true Biblical exposition of Jesus Christ and the free gifts of salvation and grace that He alone offers.
Next month on September 13th there will be an evening Breaking Barriers presentation at Peace Lutheran Church in Fremont, Indiana. Check the website at www.SinBusting.com for pictures and more information on upcoming shows.

EXTRAORDINARY NEWS FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE

Heath Trampe unveils an exciting new devotional book that will open your eyes to the extraordinary plans that God has for your life!

In a world which equates “ordinary” with “not good enough,” author Heath Trampe uses powerful examples from the Bible to prove that even ordinary people can accomplish amazing things. As you read about the lives of such Biblical characters as Jonah, Zacchaeus, and Esther, remember that they were simply ordinary sinners in the hands of an extraordinary God. They each experienced their share of hardships and struggles, but when God took hold of their lives, remarkable things began to happen. As you journey through these 12 stories of inspiration and hope, you’ll discover that “ordinary” is a pretty amazing thing to be.

This 160-page book includes Bible study questions for each chapter, with in-depth answers and commentary. It is ideal for both individual and group study. ($14.95, Tri-Pillar Publishing. Bulk discount available for 6+ copies.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Heath A. Trampe, a graduate of Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, just completed a 1-year missionary assignment for the Lutheran Church in Riga, Latvia. He is a student at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and plans to graduate with a Masters of Divinity in 2010.

Buy your copy here at Praise on Sunday, August 23rd & 30th . Also, Heath will be joining us in person on Sunday, September 6th, to give a presentation on his missionary year in Latvia, and books will be available for purchase and signing.
For more information on Extraordinary News for Ordinary People, please visit www.tripillarpublishing.com, or see Pastor Brown.

WITH GREAT APPRECIATION

Dear saints at Praise, Thank you so much for all your prayers, gifts, cards, hugs, and warm wishes concerning my recent 40th birthday. You helped to make this milestone in my life very special. The Lord certainly has blessed me with a wonderful church family at Praise and I thank God that He has surrounded me with such a loving and supporting group of people. I consider myself very fortunate to be where I am! Pastor Brown