Don't miss Sunday!

Sunday morning 11/24/13 we'll have a guest speaker. Come and hear Aaron Treadway at 10:45 in the youth room!

Sunday night 11/24/13 at 6:00 is the CORE Fun night. Join us for some crazy Thanksgiving fun in the CHILDREN'S THEATER.
Feel free to invite friends.

Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens...

         Sunday night is the time for Fun and Fellowship!

November & December Dates - Don't miss out!

Sunday Morning - November 17th @ 10:45am
This Sunday morning we will be starting a three week series on Spiritual Disciplines. Over the next few weeks come and be learn about Hanging with God, Prayer, and scripture.

November 17th - Spiritual Disciplines
November 24th - Spiritual Disciplines
December 1st - Spiritual Disciplines
December 8th - Being used by God pt. 1
December 15th - Being used by God pt. 2
December 22nd - Christmas Concert
December 29th - No Youth worship


Sunday Evening - November 17th @ 6:00pm
Join us for continued discussions on everyday temptations and learn how you can win the battle over the temptation of "Doing Nothing."

Upcoming dates for Core - Middle School Small groups:
November 17th - Temptation: Do Nothing
November 24th - Fun Night
December 1st - Off - thanksgiving weekend 
December 8th - Global Market - A chance to serve and/or shop
December 15th - Temptation: Dishonesty
December 22nd - Temptation: Cruel Temptations & Christmas Party
December 26th - Off
January 5th - Off

Author, Donald Miller, encourages parents.

Parents, check out this blog post from Donald Miller Copyright © 2013 Donald Miller Words, LLC, All rights reserved.

Great Parents Seem To Do This Well
Secretly (until now), I’ve noticed a common theme amongst well-adjusted kids. The theme seems to be this:

Kids with parents who are open and honest about their own shortcomings are better adjusted, and parents who want to be seen as perfect have kids that often aren't.

Is it just me, or have you noticed this, too?

Many of my friends who’ve confessed to me they’ve had problems in life come from families in which parents (and mostly the Dad, honestly) have a hard time admitting they’re wrong. Often they come from religious families in which the parents felt they had to be a model of perfection.
Of course, there are many reasons kids struggle in life. But truthfully I’m not talking about kids. I’m talking about adults. People in their twenties and thirties who come from grace-oriented families with parents who do not control with guilt and shame simply do better in life.
My friend Paul Young (who wrote The Shack) is more open and honest about his shortcomings than any person I’ve met, and his family is simply amazing. Paul keeps no secrets from his kids. He doesn’t hide his shortcomings and yet he has grace on himself and others. This is the main way Paul teaches his children that it’s okay to be human.
Imagine having a dad who’d be willing to say something like, “You know, you get your temper from me. It’s one of the terrible things I’ve handed you. I’m so sorry about that. Here’s how I’ve learned to handle it. Let me know if you need help. I love you so much I would hate for you to have to feel any pain on account of me.”
If you sit down with a fully transparent parent they have absolutely no problem admitting their faults. And this gives children a sense of comfort because they realize it’s okay to be human. In fact, they can really connect with their parents because they’re vulnerable and honest and open.

On the other hand, there are many kids who wander through the world lost. And often, secretly (until now), I’ve noticed their fathers are men who are constantly spinning the truth to make themselves look good. If anything negative happens in their families, they blame it on some other factor. They never admit their mistakes. They are constantly trying to “set an example” by hiding their true humanity.

Kids who grow up in homes like this don’t feel permission to be human or flawed and don’t trust God has forgiven them. Can you imagine living in such pain and isolation?

If we want families that are less ordinary and more healthy, lets teach our kids, by example, that it’s okay to be human. When they’re old enough, lets begin to confess our sins to our children, even letting them know how sorry we are that our humanity has hurt them in some way.

Kids who have parents who confess their sins grow up believing in grace, in honesty, in transparency and are much more likely to connect deeply with others rather than hide.

Lets teach our kids how to be transparent, open and human by being transparent, open and human ourselves.

UPCOMING DATES

Get involved.... Dates you need to know.

Saturday, November 2nd, 12:30 - 5:30 - Service Day!

Put your faith into action and "Do Something" to show God's love to others.

We will be doing a variety of projects both at the church and off the property. 

Dress for the weather.

Please bring $10.00 to help cover the cost of the necessary supplies. If you bring an unchurched friend they do not have to pay. 

RSVP - ASAP - So that I can make sure I have enough drivers.

margo@fellowshipcleveland.com

Friday, November 8th, 9:00pm to 9:00am - Middle School lock-in/Sleepover at the church.

Come for a night of fun and fellowship. 

Guys and Girls will sleep in seperate rooms.

Please bring a snack to share.

CORE - 6:00 to 7:30 Sunday nights 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 11/24 

Fun Sunday!!!!

Join us this Sunday afternoon at Derthicks Corn Maze!

This will be in place of the CORE Fun night.

Where: Derthicks Corn Maze
           5182 State Route 82
           Mantua, Ohio 44255

Time: 2:00 to 4:30 Drop off and pick up at the corn maze

Upcoming events: November 2nd - Service project and a bonfire
                          November 8th - Lock in at the church

Details will be sent home soon!

Review week 1 How to Shout Without Screaming

Yesterday morning we talked about "making some noise" about the Good News, and how to share our faith with our friends.

Here's a quick review.

God put you in a position to reach your friends.

"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere ..."
Mark 16:15

You can share the good news with your friends by:

1. Taking an interest in their lives.

"Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others." 

     Philippians 2:4 NCV

2. Being available

"There are "friends" who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 RSV

3. Speaking less and listening more

"My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak." James 1:19 NLT

4. Using words that build others up

"Good people have good things in their hearts, and so they say good things. But evil people have evil in their hearts, so they say evil things." Matthew 12:35 NCV

5. Tenderly correcting

"It is better to correct someone openly than to have love and not show it. The slap of a friend can be trusted to help you, but the kisses of an enemy are nothing but lies." 

Proverbs 27:5-6 NCV

How to Shout without Screaming...

This Sunday morning in the  Middle School worship service we're starting a new series called "How to Shout without Screaming." Join us at 10:45 in the youth room.

Here's a sneak peak into the next three weeks!

Week 1:

Making Noise with Your Friendships
Our peers are often the most difficult group of people to reach with the Gospel message. It's intimidating and sometimes our fears get the best of us. What if I don't know what to say? What if I say the wrong thing? What if I lose friends? What will they think of me? It seems easier to stay in the safe zone & not say anything at all. But, what if God has called us to something greater? The truth is God doesn't want us to leave our friends in the dark. We are His plan for reaching them. This week, we'll tackle some practical ways to share with friends the greatest news in all the world. 

Week 2:

Making Noise with Your Lifestyle
God has called his followers to be salt and light; that our lives would look so radically different from the world that people are drawn to Jesus. But statistics tell us that most Christians live no differently than those who do not have a faith in Jesus Christ. In week 2 of the series, we'll discuss the importance of living a changed life, and helping students ask if they want to live a life that seeks the attention of others to honor themselves, or if they want to live a life that grabs the attention of others while seeking to honor God.

Week 3:

Making Noise with Your Words

Scientists say on average, we all speak about 16,000 words each and every day. It's obvious that we all understand how to have conversations, but why does that suddenly change when it comes to Spiritual matters? Why do we clam up and think we have to give a mind-blowing presentation when we share our faith with others? This week we will dive into the reality that conversions take place through conversations and not presentations.

Put off your old self...

It was so exciting watching everyone walk into the new youth room and seeing the shock and excitement on all of your faces! 

We talked about becoming "new" and putting off the "old." Remember that in order to get rid of something "old" or undesirable in your life you first need to:

1. Recognize it - search yourself with God's help.

2. Remove it - do what it takes to get rid of it.

3. Rebuild it - make a plan of keeping the "old" thing out. This plan might include sharing this with friends that can help you, and should definitely include a lot of prayer.

Ephesians 4: 20-24 

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

I can't wait to see you all on Sunday!!!!!

Be in the know

Here is all the info you'll need so you don't miss anything:

• Middle School Worship begins September 15th at 10:45am - this will be "kick-off" for the student ministry! In the newly renovated Youth Room!
• CORE will begin at 6:00pm September 15th in the youth room. Snack will be at the beginning of the evening - not during small groups - so don't be late!

Name changes: 

24/7 - will now be called Middle School Worship
CORE - will now be called middle school small groups.

This is much easier for new people to understand.

I can't wait to see all of you - it feels like it's been forever.

1 Timothy 4:12 "12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

Start strong!

I feel like it was only yesterday that I was singing "School's out for Summer," and now everyone is already back in school.

The routines you establish at the beginning of the school year will generally stay in place throughout the year with a little persistance on your part, so start out strong with good routines like...
     *Getting enough sleep
     *Not procrastinating
     *Taking pride in your work
     *Being organized
     *Making time for your family
     *Making time for God

Because school can be so demanding and so much stress is put on school work, homework, and extra curricular activities that spending time with your family and spending time with God are the two things that most people struggle to "fit" into their schedules. My advice to you is don't make those two things optional - make it as important and as mandatory as you do with your school work, sports, band, etc.

How can you do this???
Prepare ahead 
- each weekend pick a passage of scripture that you want to read throughout the week. This doesn't have to be long. It might be 7 verses and you can read one a day - Any time with God is better than no time with Him!
- each weekend figure out, as a family, when you all have time to spend together and then don't let other things get in the way of that time. Again, this doesn't have to be an all day event - just long enough to "catch up," create some memories, and have a little fun together. 

Finally, as you start to struggle with the stress that school can bring - both academically and socially, remember this passage:

Philippians 4:6-8

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Family Promise Update

Family Promise put on a great Luau to celebrate the changed lives of so many people that have "graduated" from their program, and the Fellowship students and adults did a fantastic job seving. 

I had a brief conversation with a resident who had only moved into Family Promise 2 days prior to the Luau. She didn't go into any details other than she had to leave the place where she had been staying "immediately" with her 5 month old baby and had no place to go. She was quickly brought into Family Promise and she is so excited and thankful for the help that she will be receving while she's there. Praise God for so many people willing to help others. 

During the two hour party there were countless bags of popcorn and sno-cones given out, several basketball games played, lots of bungee run races, oodles of little kids jumping in the bounce house, a plethora of cheeks painted, and street dancing all evening. Seeing so many smiling faces makes serving easy!

Family Promise Luau

There will be no Sunday evening event on August 4th - Instead consider serving at the Family Promise Luau.

The Family Promise Luau is Monday August 5th. This is an organization that provides temporary housing and education to homeless families until they find a job and a permanent home.

Each year Family Promise throws a Luau for the alumni of the program to celebrate their success as well as for the current residents as a way to encourage them. This is an event that is both fun and rewarding to be a part of. We need families and/or students to face paint, make and hand out popcorn and sno-cones, play basketball with the resident kids, monitor the bounce houses and photobooth, and mingle with the residents.

If you are able to attend please let me know ASAP margo@fellowshipcleveland.com 

If you are going you can meet at the church at 5:00pm August 5th and caravan, or drive directly to family promise and meet there at 5:45pm.
There address is: 3470 East 152nd Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44120

Matthew 25:40

 (NIV)

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

What's happening...

This past Sunday we went to Squaw Rock and discussed some verses on prayer (Philippians 4:6-7, Luke 5:16, 1 John5:14-15) followed by a time of prayer.  We then went to the river! The higher water level made it fun to jump off the falls.

Meeting outside on Sunday evenings has been a great time for the kids to have fun together and to enjoy the summer weather! If you haven't joined us yet we'll be meeting:
July 21st at Fellowship for fun, fellowship, and ice cream 7-8:30pm
July 28th at Tanglewood Lake for swimming 7-8:30pm.

Wednesday and Thursday

Sorry for the delay with the updates, We don't have much extra time on our hands.

Wednesday we went canoeing and there were lots of life lessons that were learned such as: How to ask for help, how to depend on others, and being willing to accept help from people other than their typical friends. The river was beautiful and gave us the opportunity to really see and reflect on God's creation. This was a fun team building experience. 

Today half of our team put on a block party for adults with special needs while the other half went to a camp to work with children that had special needs. It was a joy seeing the students helping and serving these kids and showering God's love on them.

The celebration services have been fun, exciting, and challenging. The students have been challenged with asking themselves "What is God wanting them to say yes to?" and "What is getting in the way of them saying yes, and are they willing to let go of it?" We have been reading through Hebrews 11 and 12 during the services and focusing a lot on building our faith.

Tomorrow we'll be doing free car washes and water giveaways. The kids usually really enjoy this outreach and have great opportunities to connect with many people who may not know the Lord.

Pray for the kids to take the opportunities that God gives them to share His love with the people they'll be serving tomorrow!

The baptism service is tomorrow night and we have several kids getting baptized. You can see the service live by streaming in from the Vineyard's website. The service starts at 7:00 pm. https://www.summerofservice.com/  On the website click on the "streaming" tab at the top of the page.

SOS Tuesday

We woke up to heavy rain this morning, but the rained cleared and the sun came out as we were heading out for our work projects! Answered Prayer!

After the kids packed bags full of groceries they prayed and set out to find people to give the groceries to. Through this act of love several of the students ended up praying with quite a few of the people they had met.

After the grocery give away some of the students went to homes and weeded gardens, washed windows, and power washed houses; while some other groups went and served in a half way house.

The kids were amazing! I am still in shock at how hard they worked today.

Tonight's celebration service was about obedience leading to righteousness and the fact that often times as Christians we're going to have to stand alone. The service ended with many students praying and receiving prayer.

Someone from another church told me how amazed she is that our Fellowship kids love the Lord so much and that she can see a big difference in them. Praise God!

Tomorrow is our Canoe experience. 

    

service project

Today we're heading out on the streets of Cincinnati to hand out free food for those in need. Pray for us to be open to where God takes and to be bold for Him.

 Also pay that the rain stops!

We arrived safely around 3:00. After having dinner at Cici's Pizza we went to the evening celebration service and heard from Ephram Smith, a speaker who the students really connected with. He talked about how God wants every part of our lives and will use us to make a difference for His kingdom.

For our outreach tomorrow we will be providing food for people in need.
Pray that the kids will be bold for Christ!

SOS CHECK-IN

Check in at Fellowship on Monday at 9:30am. We will pack the vans, gather for a picture, pray, and then leave. Parents are welcome to stay and pray with us, but it's not required.

          

SOS PACKING LIST

What to bring:

Packed lunch for the way to Cincinnati

Clothes:

·         Shorts – no short shorts. We will ask you to change if your shorts are too short

·         Shirts – enough for the week – no spaghetti strap shirts or camis

·         Sweatshirt

·         Pajamas

·         Swimsuit – No bikinis – if that’s all you have then please wear a shirt over it.

·         Tennis shoes – MUST be worn to the work projects and while canoeing

·         Other shoes

Toiletries:                                                                      

·         Soap

·         Shampoo

·         Toothpaste

·         Toothbrush

·         Contacts/glasses

Bible and Pen

Sunscreen

Water bottle

Drawstring bag – (You’ll need to take things with you to each work project)

Towel – For the canoe trip

Snacks - that can be easily packed and taken to work projects

Spending money – The amount is up to you. They may want to buy snack/drinks. Students will                                                 sometimes purchase things that different ministries might be selling.

No phones, lap tops, or gaming systems.