A Night Out is coming!

The date for our annual fundraising dinner and silent auction is coming up quickly! We’ll be setting up, serving and providing entertainment to the many people who are supporting our summer mission trips.

Youth and Parents --  here’s what you need to know:

Donations:

~ Parents and Youth - Bring in some auction donations! With the additional expense of rental vans, we’ve got a larger amount we need to raise.  Ask businesses to donate, or relatives or friends who own businesses. Letters to businesses are available on the bulletin board at church.

~ Youth - think about what service YOU can auction off. What are you good at that people will want to pay for?

Here are some suggestions:

Are you good in the garden? Planting or pulling weeds would be a good service to offer. Can you babysit? A Night of babysitting would be excellent to offer. Do you like to cook? A dessert of the month or a special complete dinner would be very much appreciated! Are you known for your love of animals? Maybe a weekend of pet-sitting is the thing for you. Can you clean a car inside and out? Auto detailing is always a big hit with bidders! Do you like kids? Maybe you could offer your services at a child’s birthday party. Do you like to paint nails? Offer some manicures! Maybe you don’t think you’ve got much to offer… how about taking in mail and watering plants while people are on vacation? Talk it over with your parents if you aren’t sure what you can offer.

All donations and forms need to be returned by Thursday, April 4!

Time commitment:

~We put out auction items for bidding the week before the auction, Sunday April 14. I will need some help on Saturday, April 13 and Sunday morning, April 14 in setting up the auction.

~Between Sunday, April 14 and Saturday, April 20 we need ironers! Plan on spending an hour or two up at the church in the afternoon or evening ironing tablecloths and napkins.

~On Saturday, April 20 we’ll start setting up at 9:00 AM for several hours, then give you a break, then expect you back later in the afternoon to start serving.  Once the evening is over, we’ll expect EVERYONE to help clean up.

Entertainment:

Youth must participate in at least ONE piece of our entertainment. Youth (AND Adults) can participate in as many of the entertainment pieces as they want to. (The only requirement is that for part three (testimonies) people must have been on a mission trip.)

~Skits will be performed in several parts. (see below)

~Musical pieces will be performed in between each act.

~We’ll perform a reader’s theater.

~We’ll also present something about Minnesota and the need for us to mission there (not sure how we’ll do this yet.)

Skit information:

Part One- Game Show  (Performed Live)

Cast:

Game Show Host                   Nathan                      

Contestant 1                          Jessica

Contestant 2                          Josh                            

Contestant 3                          Drew

Prize Girl                                Caitlin                        

TV Announcer                       Steven

Commercial Man                   Luke                           

Commercial Woman             Beth

Whammy                               Louie                          

Parent                                    Angie 

Part Two - A Van Ride (Performed Live)

Each participant will work with Jake Zinke to create a sketch revolving around a van ride to a mission trip. We’ll start writing this skit on March 24 @7:00 PM. 5-7 youth plus one adult are needed for this sketch.

Part Three - Testimonies (Video-Taped)

Individuals or pairs will share true stories about events from past mission trips that they’ve been on. There is no limit to the number of participants. Youth AND Adults can take part in this. 

Possible Part Four- Another Van Ride

Depending on how part two works out, we may add a sketch revolving around a ride home from a mission trip. 

8 Ways to Pray

Lent offers us all a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to following Christ.  In our busy world, Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect and to pray more deeply. As you prepare for Easter, here are some (possibly new) ways for you to pray and reflect on scripture:

1. Journal your prayers.

But don't just journal requests. Write out questions, heartaches and struggles. Don't forget to journal praises, too. Be creative. Put your prayers into poems. Write a letter to God.

2. Take a prayer walk.

Yes, even when it’s cold! Walk around your neighborhood and pray for the family in each home you pass. Or take a "prayer walk" on the sidewalk around your school, or while you’re walking to or from school(s).

3. Pray over your calendar and schedule.

Got a test coming up? Pray for peace of mind. Pray for the players of Friday night's basketball game-both sides. Pray for our youth group night!

4. Pray Scripture.

Let's say that during your Bible reading time you come across 1 Peter 5:7: "God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him." Turn that verse into a prayer: "Lord, I'm going to trust you and give you all my worries. I know you will take care of me." Do this with Scriptures that express needs and also with those that praise or thank God. Hey, why not personalize the Lord's Prayer? Take each sentence or phrase from this well-known prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) and write it in a way that applies directly to your life.

5. Pray about the news.

When you read or hear about a troubling issue, pray for the people involved. Pray for politicians and other national and community leaders who make the news.

6. Partner up.

Find someone to pray with regularly. Plan to meet somewhere once or twice a week, or get together before school. Praying with a friend is great for personal accountability. It's also a cool way to take a friendship to a deeper level.

7. Be quiet.

If prayer is a conversation, then you also need to listen in silence. And silence means getting away from distractions like music and TV. A quiet, little-used corner at the library could be the best place. As you listen, don't expect to hear a voice. But do expect God to tug at your heart, move your conscience, or help you realize something you need to do or change.

8. Keep a prayer on your lips.

Dozens of thoughts pass through your mind daily. You daydream. You may think bad or gossipy thoughts. Turn those daydreams and not-so-great thoughts into prayers. Ask God to help a person hurt by gossip. Ask him to forgive you for thoughts that take your mind places it shouldn't go. Turn daydreams and other passing thoughts into moments to recognize God's presence in your life. As you learn to keep a prayer on your lips, you'll come a little closer to understanding what it means to "pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).