Archive for High School Youth
Change is a Coming!
As I sit at my computer today, one theme keeps coming into my mind… Change!
This is the time where our students head back to school… Where our young children head off to the first day of PreSchool. Where other young children head off to their first day of Kindergarten. Where our freshmen head into different high schools and colleges. Where some of our adults go back to educate our students OR they are going back to get educated themselves.
This is also a time where the parents of the above mentioned begin to adjust to a different lifestyle. The house is empty during the day. The house could be empty as well at night as they have just sent their last child off to college.
Yep, Change is a Coming!
For me personally, there is so much change coming as well. For starters- I’m a new uncle. My sister-in-law Cheyenne had her baby, Isaiah Dean, a few weeks ago. I still can’t believe that my little brother is now a daddy! I know he and Cheyenne will be fantastic parents and I can’t wait to meet my nephew and can’t wait to be in attendance at his baptism!
There will be another family baptism this year… In just 2 months, Nicole and I will be welcoming our first baby into the world! And, for those of you who don’t know already… IT’S A BOY! It has been one of the neatest things in my life watching my little boy on that ultrasound, hearing his heartbeat on the whatever it is machine, and feeling him try to kick his way out of his momma’s tummy! It has also been one of the neatest things in my life watching my wife go through this pregnancy. I am so proud of her and know that she will be an awesome mommy!
Change is a Coming… In fact it is already here! My mom used to always tell me that when I have kids, my life will change… I will not be able to focus on all my sports because my focus will be elsewhere. Well, this Fall, I will not be getting Season Tickets for the Iowa games 
And, this past Monday, instead of watching the Bears on Monday night football… I WAS IN CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION CLASS! Yes my friends, CHANGE IS A COMING!
I pray that whatever changes you are going through, you know the ONE thing that doesn’t change- and that’s the Good Lord and His love that He has for you! Always remember the words from Malachi 3:6- “I the Lord do not change!” Let those be comforting words to you in this every changing life that we are living!
Change is a Coming… Enjoy!
Embrace the Season!
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven” -Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is a huge winter storm coming this week! I have no idea how much snow is coming- 10 inches, 20 inches, 30 feet… how really knows!
I have lived around this area of the country for my 32+ years of life. Every year, this is the time where people are just sick and done of Winter and want it to be Spring so much! But, I want this to be the year that I stop complaining and just embrace whatever comes my way. There are so many things in life that we just can’t control.
My prayer for you and for me is that we start embracing each day that we are given. Things may not turn out the way we would like them to, but we know that God is still with us and that He always will be! No matter what is going on in your life- embrace it… knowing that whether good or bad- it won’t last! If it is good- praise the Lord and embrace it! If it’s bad, praise the Lord and embrace it as well, knowing that it won’t last!
As for me, the snow may be coming this week, but I’m going to grab my snowblower and embrace it! How about you??
Peace to you my friends!
-b-
Victory might not be for the Bears, But it is for us!
I’m still upset. I didn’t like the outcome of the Bears game and I’m still struggling with it! I know- sports means too much for me! I just love my teams and I want them to win. I have seen many people saying, “it’s ok, they had a great season.” Yes they did have a great season- they far outplayed their expectations for this season. But the fact is- a bid for the Super Bowl was on the line at home against their biggest rival and they lost! That’s frustrating! And if you are a fan- you should be frustrated too!
As a sports fan, I love when my teams win, and I hate when my teams lose. But, we are all a part of something much more important than sports. We are on God’s team! And the great thing about God’s team… We are always victorious! You know, even when Christians die- they don’t lose! It bothers me when we tell people who have loved ones that have died that we are “sorry for your loss” Christians don’t lose! Victory is always ours because of what Jesus did for us on the cross! I love you guys and hope that you always know- Victory is ours- we are Champions thanks to Christ Jesus!
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” -1 Cor. 15:57
Blessings my friends!
Thankful for my Faith, Family, and Friends
14 years ago from right now I was at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics with my family. We all have a day where we will meet Jesus face to face, and 14 years ago, even though he was only 39 years old… it was my father’s turn.
I have gone to Iowa City many times over the years, including 5 times this Fall to watch the Hawkeyes play, but that was by far the longest ride home from Iowa City ever. I remember thinking… “How am I ever going to live the rest of my life without my dad?”
It has in fact been a long 14 years. I miss him a lot. He would have loved the career that I have and he would have loved Redeemer and the fact that I am working with Jeff Shoumaker. He would have loved Nicole and her family. Even though he was a wrestler, he would have loved watching her be a Chicago Bulls cheerleader, and certainly would have loved her other dance experiences with professional sports teams. It is unfortunate he never got to meet the woman of my dreams.
But, 14 years later, I can tell you that I am so thankful to God! I am so thankful that He has surrounded me with the best family and friends in the world! The Lord has blessed me with an awesome step-dad! I’m so thankful Jeff came into our lives, especially because he has taken good care of my mom and my sister. I’m thankful that even though I have a very large family, (my grandma had 15 kids!) we are a very close family. We continue to be there for each other and support each other, and that’s a huge blessing that unfortunately not everyone has. I’m blessed to have so many friends. I have had so many good times with all of my friends, I think I have forgotten half of them! God has put so many awesome people in my life!
And finally, I’m so thankful for my faith in Jesus. I do not deserve any of the blessings I have, but especially my salvation. I don’t deserve to live forever, but thanks to Jesus’ awesome love for me… I will! Thanks to His awesome love, my dad continues to praise Him in Heaven and someday, I will be re-united with not only my earthly father, but my Heavenly Father as well!
One of my friends asked me, “How did you ever deal with losing your dad at such a young age?” The answer is simple… The Lord is my strength and He is my hope! He has blessed me with so much but especially with Faith, Family, and Friends! God is so good my friends!
Thanks for being such a blessing in my life!
Happy Thanksgiving my friends!
Redeemer’s High School Youth in Service
Redeemer’s High School Youth Group is in the middle of a 4-part video series from Max Lucado, entitled, “Made to Make a Difference.” In this series, Lucado has been challenging our youth group to go out into the world and make a difference for Christ. They have heard many stories on how youth are impacting the world, and have been encouraged by all the success stories from others. Our youth have been challenged to take their faith to the streets! In response to this, our youth have been busy serving the Peoria Community in the past week.
Last Saturday, members of Redeemer’s Youth Group went to Loaves and Fish Soup Kitchen in downtown Peoria. They helped prepare for and serve lunch for the 200+ people who came to the meal. The youth did a great job serving the meal and witnessing to the guests who came to the meal. And, this Saturday, youth will be hitting the rakes as they rake leaves in two different locations.
Acts 1:8 says that we are to serve God as much and wherever we can. Praise be to God that the youth of Redeemer Lutheran Church are doing that very thing!
High School Back to School Event!
I LOVE Fall! I love that the weather is still fairly warm during the day and a little chilly at night! I love that all the kids are back in school! And, I love that football is back!
I would like to invite all of our high school kids over to my house on Sunday September 12 from Noon-3pm for a Back to School/Back to Bears party! Come over as we celebrate the start of school and the NFL Season as we watch the Chicago Bears first game! Brian will provide you with a great lunch, just come and celebrate with us!
Contact Brian for more info and directions to his house!
An awesome end to an awesome summer!
Last weekend was amazing! We had 29 high school youth spend the weekend at church as they came together for our annual Heart and Soul Weekend.
On Saturday, the youth were broken into teams and sent out in the Peoria community to serve the Lord. A team was sent to help with the American Cancer Society’s first “Walk-N-Roll”. Their leaders were so excited that we were there helping and many times expressed their appreciation. Another project was a car wash that benefited a local organization called Paws Giving Independence (PGI). In the end we were able to raise $600 for PGI which will sponsor at least 1 service dog for an entire year. Finally, our youth were sent out into the community and knocked on doors giving people information about Redeemer’s ministry and asking for food donations to fill our pantry at Redeemer. Through their hard work, our youth were able to collect more than 600 items for Redeemer’s pantry!
On Sunday, we concluded our weekend with a powerful worship service at 10:45 a.m. The Service was designed with themes and songs from the 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering. After the amazing Worship Service was over, we celebrated with some pizza in the Life Center as youth and adults who attended the Youth Gathering were able to share pictures, videos, and stories of how God impacted them during that experience.
This summer our kids have had a lot of great experiences and have certainly done their best to serve, love, and praise the Lord! It has truly been an awesome summer and I look forward to seeing what God is going to do with our kids this school year. They know what God has done for them in Jesus, and they are fired up! We are going to provide a lot more opportunities for them to grow in their faith and share that faith with others! Get ready… This is NOT the end, it’s just the beginning!
Service… Faith in Action!
Our high school kids are already putting their faith into action after the National Youth Gathering. Last Saturday, a few of our high school youth pick 38 dozen ears of corn that were then donated to Redeemer’s Care Ministry Pantry. Thanks to Ross Pauli who donated the corn!
Next weekend, our high school youth will be able to gather at church and serve God some more! We have our annual Heart and Soul from August 13-15. 30 high school youth will be broken into teams and will go out into the community and serve. And, we will end with a Worship celebration based on the Youth Gathering theme as well as a celebration lunch!
Service… Faith in Action! Yet another way to praise our risen Lord!
The Trip Home: The Beginning Not The End
The 2010 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA is over. But what a ride!
The official programming ended Wednesday morning with a final 2-hour party to infuse energy into the departing crowd to go and “Make disciples of all nations!” The kids heard from Jeffrey Meins, DCE, about how to apply what they’ve learned at their schools and with their friends. And there were many laughs along the way!
After the Mass Event, our group was privileged enough to get a guided tour of several area churches that are have been or will be repaired after Hurricane Katrina through the work of LCMS’ Camp Restore. Our youth travelled to New Orleans back in 2008 and worked on one of the churches, so it was great to see the finished product!
The destruction Katrina caused in the Lower 9th Ward is well chronicled, but it takes being here to actually begin to comprehend the enormity of it. In that parish, houses … disappeared. They were there on August 28, 2005, and at daybreak the next – they were gone.
Robert Green, a local who lost two family members and his house in the storm, opened his heart and the door of his new home to our kids by sharing how God is bringing good things out of a terrible disaster.
“More good came out of this than bad. I feel blessed because, you know, I only lost two family members. I’m blessed to be alive.”
His humbleness was striking to me. We find ourselves complaining about the littlest of details. We’re hungry and want to eat something. We don’t like the curtain in the living room and want to replace it. Our water bill goes up and we don’t like it. This … this is a man that gets it. Praise be to God for his story and his willingness to share it. What a lesson!
Today’s agenda is simple – GET HOME SAFE! We will be leaving our hotel around 11am this morning to get to the airport. We have a connection in Orlando (yes, that Orlando) before flying into Midway. If all goes well, we’ll be touching down around 8pm CDT in Chicago. We’ll get our luggage and get on a bus … and we should be at Redeemer by midnight tonight.
Then … the real test begins. Before bedtime last night, our group noted that this journey is only yet beginning. Our kids – not the adults leading them – were saying that we have proven little about what we’ve learned, and now only getting back to Peoria and putting that faith into practice will be the difference! I look forward to the powerful Wednesday night “UNPLUGGED” Youth Group sessions to come. I look forward to seeing what God does through the servant hearts that were born here.
You should, too. As was said by the keynote speaker on Monday night, this group does not represent the Redeemer Lutheran Church of the future. This is the Redeemer Lutheran Church of NOW! Tomorrow begins the beginning of the journey leading up to the 2013 National Youth Gathering in San Antonio, TX.
Prayers for a safe travel day today, and prayers for a wonderful day in Jesus Christ for you! Amen!!!
Signing off from the Bayou.
Day 3: A Tale of Two Stories
Our ”then” is now.
Rev. Matt Popovits brought a terrific message to our kids at Monday evening’s Mass Event in the New Orleans Superdome on Day 3 of the LCMS National Youth Gathering. Several of our kids – and adults - shared that they related Pastor Popovits’ comments about a “Sunday Life” and a “Monday Life,” and that keeping those lives separate never works.
He told the audience, “No more!” Amen.
Our “Monday Life” drives ego and centered on self. Pastor Popovits drew huge applause from the 25,000+ strong when he applied a Facebook analogy by saying that “we don’t need a ‘Like’ button, we need a ‘why does this matter?’ button!”
Later, he challenged the teens in the audience by asking who the hero is in the stories of each of their lives. He said so many come to the realization that God is the hero (and not ourselves) very late in life, and those will say, “If I only knew then what I know now.”
He then delivered the lines of the Gathering to date: “This is our ‘then’! This is our moment!”
This is indeed our “then,” and the lives of our kids are certainly being changed. God is working in this place and in this moment, and we are thankful for it! God be praised! Please keep your prayers coming, as they are having an impact here in the Big Easy.
Today (Tues 7/20) is the final full day of the National Youth Gathering. I can’t believe it is almost over! As I write this, our group is attending a Bible Study being led by Rev. Ryan Peterson from St. John’s in Ellisville, MO. Our group has started each of the last two mornings with Bible studies centering in the book of John. (I bet all of our kids know the story of John 4 now! Ask them when they get back!)
Later, we will be travelling offsite for a view of the cemetaries in New Orleans as part of the “Look” track featured here at the Gathering. A group picture and a team building exercise will wrap up our time here at the Convention Center.
Tonight, we look forward to a remarkable experience, as the LCMS will commune 25,000+ in the Louisiana Superdome as part of the spectacular “Worship Service.” I will particularly look forward to a Gathering tradition – the Processional Cross. Part of the service will include a re-enactment of Jesus carrying the Cross through the stadium. It was amazing three years ago in Orlando, and I still remember it vividly. I pray our kids are equally as impacted.
A quick note about the cross being used tonight (as taken from the daily newsletter distributed to the adult leaders): the cross was made by youth from Bethany Lutheran Church in Slidell, LA. Slidell was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina, and it is constructed with materials (stained glass, wrought iron) salvaged from the damage the storm caused. This cross will represent Christ’s presence and hope He brings, even through tragedy!
So tune in tonight at www.lcmsgathering.com starting at 7:30pm to see what a remarkable God we have!
One final note – our youth have been simply amazing. Our adults had a meeting yesterday that lasted almost 90 minutes – why? Because we could not stop talking about the individual stories we’re seeing up close and personal. I think I can speak for all of the adults on this trip by saying that we have not only been privileged to have been on this trip, we are even more fired up for God after seeing Him work through these young adults!
Thanks again, Redeemer! We can’t wait to come home and share the enthusiasm!