Gift Ideas for OCC

We're filling shoeboxes and volunteering for Operation Christmas Child at Youth Group on Sunday night from 4:30-7 p.m.

Here is a list of gift ideas for the shoeboxes! If you can, bring a donation or two for our shoeboxes!

TOYS
small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

HYGIENE ITEMS
toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

OTHER
Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)

A PERSONAL NOTE
In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)

DO NOT INCLUDE:
Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans

Camp Loucon Pictures

High Ropes Pictures









Waiting for the Ropes Course:






S'mores.

Cornerstone, the band that led worship during the weekend. They are a student band at First Korean Presbyterian Church in Clarksville, TN (they are in our Presbytery and sent a group to the retreat).

Pictures from icebreakers:








Some group pictures



Ginny was the saintly adult who went with our group

Elle, BJ, Katie, Brianna

David and Aimee

Brianna, BJ, Elle, Katie--it was cold.

Videos from Loucon

(Please note that these videos were used in context, and that context might not be clear to a casual blog reader. None of these videos were created or used in an offensive way.)

First, the Vintage 21 Jesus videos (created to make you glad Jesus wasn't really like that)











THE CHRIST FOLLOWER/CHRISTIAN VIDEOS












iBible video

Loucon: Sealed Orders

I'm posting some Loucon Resources today because 1) I know that no one who is going will have time today to check this site and 2) I have time right now and I know that won't be the case on Monday and if I do have time to post on Monday, it will be pictures from the weekend.

SATURDAY MORNING SEALED ORDERS (individual quiet times; we will start with the Nooma video "Sunday."

1. Do you attend church because you have to, because you want to, or because you think it's what you are supposed to do?

2. When it comes to church, what do you think God has in mind?

Read Isaiah 29:13

3. Consider this verse. What does it mean to honor God with your mouth, but have your heart be far from God?

4. In the video, Rob Bell said, "God does not want our empty rituals, God wants our hearts." How do we know that God has our hearts and we're not just going through the motions?

After you have considered these questions, spend a few moments in prayer. Be sure to listen to what God might say to you.

SEALED ORDERS, SUNDAY

1. How much time do you spend worrying about what other people think of you?

Read Matthew 23:1-12

2. The problem was that the Pharisees were doing things NOT to please God, but to please and impress other people.

Have you ever done the church thing just to please or impress other people?

3. What do you need to do to become the follower God is calling you to be?

Middle School Youth Group Nov 2

Spiritual Discipline: Sacrifice

A talented teenager gives up going to art school to stay home and work to help his sick mother.

A child donates a toy to a children's charity.

A youth group gives money each month to help an orphaned child in another country.

A group of college students sacrifice one meal per week and gives the money they save to a charity that helps hungry people.

These are all sacrifices. Consider what these people each sacrifice? Who gave the most?

Do you give regularly of your time, money, or talents? Do you sacrifice popularity or plans? Do you ever have to lay your dreams aside for others?

What are some of the sacrifices you make for others?

What are some sacrifices you make as an offering to God?

READ Mark 8:34-37. What do you think Jesus means?

What might you lose when you follow Jesus?

What might you gain when you follow Jesus?

How can sacrifice build your faith in God?

Take some time to pray. What might God be calling you to sacrifice?