Youth News

Make plans now to be a part of our February is for FaithStation Lovers! Week. We'll kick off the week with our annual FaithStation Super Bowl Party on Sunday, February 3. We'll have our regular Youth Dinner at 6 PM, followed by the game! We'll have plenty of snacks and drinks and we'll even have a game table set up for the non-football lovers out there. Also for entertainment, we'll get to watch Jessica throw a pie in Marty's face! At the party, you'll find out who your Secret Sweetie is and you'll get some helpful hints on how to make Secret Sweeties Week an awesome time for all! Secret Sweeties takes place from February 4-8. The week concludes with the Famous Couples Party on Saturday, February 9 at 6 PM. Grab a friend, pick a famous couple, and come dressed as that couple. This is a costume party and prizes will be given in several categories, including best costumes, most original, most creative, and more! Of course, there will also be food, dancing, and games! Make plans now to join us for this exciting week!

SECRET SWEETIES SIGN UP DEADLINE IS TOMORROW!
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL STEPHEN TO SIGN UP!

JUBILEE Retreat - See Below for Special Discount Information!
All youth are invited to join us on a retreat February 15-17 with Cornerstone Baptist (Warrenton) as we explore the idea of Jubilee. We will investigate how God seeks reconciliation in our relationships locally, globally and environmentally in our world today. On the retreat we will pray, have conversations, and work together to bring jubilee into reality. We'll also have lots of fun! Jon Middendorf will be our speaker and we'll have a guest worship band. We'll be staying at the LivingStone Monastery in Newport News. We hope you can make it! Feel free to bring a friend! The cost of the retreat is $125. A $50 deposit is due Sunday, February 3. Special Discount Available - Save $25 off your total cost if you turn in your deposit on time! Cost includes retreat T-shirt along with all meals, lodging, and activities for the weekend. Financial assistance is available - see Stephen.

Special Ash Wednesday Service
The youth will observe Ash Wednesday in a special service on Wednesday, February 6. The service will be from 6:45-7:30 PM in the sanctuary. This meaningful service of reflection and repentance marks the beginning of Lent. Scripture, music, prayer, and the imposition of ashes will highlight the service. As always, Church Family Night begins with a meal ($3.50) at 5:30 PM. Join us for this special evening!

PlanetWisdom Student Conference Is Coming Soon!
The PlanetWisdom Student Conference is coming to Hylton Memorial Chapel on March 7-8. The cost is $40. The conference will be led by Mark Matlock, Sean McDowell, The Skit Guys, and Addison Road. The theme is Become More and is based on 1 Peter 5:6. This theme of complete surrender to God fits in nicely with this year's youth group theme of "Whatever." Join us for an exciting and unforgettable experience! See Stephen to sign up and/or to discuss financial assistance.

THINGS YOU MIGHT FIND INTERESTING
Tonight, Friday, and Saturday

South County One Act Plays (featuring Scott Morgan and Justin Alderson)
7:30 PM in the auditorium; COST: $7

Friday

Lake Braddock Chorus Silent Auction and Swing Dance
(featuring Erin Donnelly and Andrew Rothwell)
7-10 PM in the cafeteria; Cost: $5 (includes food, fun, and dance lessons)

Saturday

Region One Act Play Competition at Lake Braddock SS

Don't forget to check the calendar at the bottom of the blog for more event information!

"He put a new song in my mouth..."

In response to our discussion last night at FaithStation, we crafted songs to God that are expressions of our "God moments" - those times in our lives when we know deep in our souls that God is present. As promised, here is mine. If you'd like to share yours, please add it in the comments section.

Your love, O LORD, is beyond words.

When I find myself at the end of my rope;

When I find myself without hope;

When I feel that I am all alone;

You are there.

You are there, in the shadows.

You are there, in the silence.

You are there, in the middle of all the chaos that is life.

In unseen and unexpected ways, O LORD, you make your presence known.

And that makes all the difference.

Thank you LORD.

If only there were words to adequately express your love and your presence.

Thank you LORD.

You are enough.

Movie & Dinner Saturday Night!

JOIN US FOR A MOVIE & DINNER ON SATURDAY!

DATE: Saturday, January 26

TIME: Meet at 4 PM; Pick up at 7:30 PM

LOCATION: Kingstowne 16 in Alexandria

MORE: Bummed you couldn't go skiing? Come watch Juno with us.

Juno is nominated for best picture this year. We'll get dinner afterwards and talk about the movie over at Johnny Rockets (next to the theatre). Bring money for the movie and for dinner. The movie is rated PG-13. Please bring a note from your parents saying it is okay for you to see the movie. A great review from a Christian perspective can be found here.

RSVP to me so I know to look for you!

Parents and Youth Workers are welcome to join us!

Youth News

February is for FaithStation Lovers! Week
Sign up this Sunday to be a part of our February is for FaithStation Lovers! Week. We'll kick off the week with our annual FaithStation Super Bowl Party on Sunday, February 3. We'll have our regular Youth Dinner at 6 PM, followed by the game! We'll have plenty of snacks and drinks and we'll even have a game table set up for the non-football lovers out there. At the party, you'll find out who your Secret Sweetie is and you'll get some helpful hints on how to make Secret Sweeties Week an awesome time for all! The week concludes with the Famous Couples Party on Saturday, February 9. Grab a friend, pick a famous couple, and come dressed as that couple. This is a costume party and prizes will be given in several categories, including best costumes, most original, most creative, and more! Of course, there will also be food, dancing, and games! JOIN IN THE FUN BY SIGNING UP THIS SUNDAY OR SIGN UP NOW BY EMAIL!
Sign up for Secret Sweeties by Thursday, January 31!

JUBILEE Retreat

All youth are invited to join us on a retreat February 15-17 with Cornerstone Baptist (Warrenton) as we explore the idea of Jubilee. We will investigate how God seeks reconciliation in our relationships locally, globally and environmentally in our world today. On the retreat we will pray, have conversations, and work together to bring jubilee into reality. We'll also have lots of fun! Jon Middendorf will be our speaker and we'll have a guest worship band. We'll be staying at the LivingStone Monastery in Newport News. We hope you can make it! Feel free to bring a friend! The cost of the retreat is $125; a $50 deposit is due February 3. Cost includes retreat T-shirt along with all meals, lodging, and activities for the weekend. Financial assistance is available - see Stephen.

What's Happening On Wednesday Nights?
Wednesday nights are Church Family Nights. We begin with a meal ($3.50) at 5:30 PM, followed by youth topical seminars at 6:30 PM. Currently, we're talking about dating and relationships on Wednesday nights. Come join in the conversation! We meet in the Green Room from 6:30-7:30 PM. We'll kick each night off with a game and then we'll get down to our discussions. Come this next Wednesday as we explore these topics: Friendship Before Romance, Being the Right Person, and Finding the Right Person. Don't miss it - you might even hear some embarassing stories from my dating days!


PlanetWisdom Student Conference

The PlanetWisdom Student Conference is coming to Hylton Memorial Chapel on March 7-8. The cost is $40. The conference will be led by Mark Matlock, Sean McDowell, The Skit Guys, and Addison Road. The theme is Become More and is based on 1 Peter 5:6. This theme of complete surrender to God fits in nicely with this year's youth group theme of "Whatever." Join us for an exciting and unforgettable experience! See Stephen to sign up and/or to discuss financial assistance.

Make sure you check out the Youth Ministry Calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

New Newsletter

I sent out the first of our revamped Youth News newsletters this afternoon. I hope you will look at it, read through it, and then send me feedback on it. If you didn't get it, shoot me an email and I'll get you on the list. I'd like to know if you like it, what you think of the new format, any suggestions you have, etc. I'd really like our newsletters to be great communication tools, not just another email in your inbox. So please send your feedback.