YOUTH NEWS

High School Update: Welcome to a New Season-School!

Summer has passed quickly, with many comings and goings. I took a “holiday” for four weeks while many of our group started their first “real” job: Jeremy at the Boardwalk, Taylor at Business with Pleasure, Marie as a Nanny, Annie at the local pool/tennis club (whose name I cannot remember!!), Katherine at Limited-Too!, Sam (from Los Gatos) working construction for family, and others I may have forgotten.

We continued with the reading of When God Whispers Your Name, and welcomed 3 new members from Middle School: Nathaniel, Serena and Andrew, and transfer student from Los Gatos: Sam.

The Wednesday Night Bible Study that started last fall, led by Marie Sanguinetti, will take on a slightly different look as we broaden the members from Freshmen (now Sophomores) to all who have desire to attend. We may have some older group member lead small groups if necessary, but we shall see what God brings to us. I encourage all of you to open your hands and ask God to fill them with wisdom and possibilities for this group.

We are facing some new challenges in the High School group now that four grades have entered. We are not the same, small group of two years ago, and with that comes change–positive change. I know you all will be a big help with some of the newer structure that will be needed to accommodate the needs of such a broad group.

NEWSFLASH!!!! We will be resuming our original schedule: the last Sunday of each month will be in church. NO SUNDAY SCHOOL ON THE LAST SUNDAY (this may be the 4^th or 5^th week of the month.)

Love you guys! And remember, it does not matter how long you have been unable to be in church or Sunday Night Bible Study or whatever. You are ALWAYS welcome, any time.

God is.

Sally Arcarese, Senior Youth Group Director
Sally@surfnetusa.com

Text Box: For Smiles… A man fell into a pit and couldn't get himself out… A subjective person came along and said, "I feel for you down there." An objective person walked by and said, "It's logical that someone would fall down there." A Pharisee said, "Only bad people fall into pits." A mathematician calculated how deep the pit was. A news reporter wanted the exclusive story on the pit. An IRS agent asked if he was paying taxes on the pit. A self-pitying person said, "You haven't seen anything until you've seen my pit." A fire-and-brimstone preacher said, "You deserve your pit." A Christian Scientist observed, "The pit is just in your mind." A psychologist noted, "Your mother and father are to blame for your being in that pit." A self-esteem therapist said, "Believe in yourself and you can get out of that pit." An optimist said, "Things could be worse." A pessimist claimed, "Things will get worse." Jesus, seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit.

Text Box: Changes in the Middle The Middle School Youth Group is going through some major changes this year: First of all, we have a big group of new sixth-graders joining us! Last month we welcomed them by rolling them out of their warm beds for breakfast and a pajama fashion show down Scotts Valley Drive. We’ve already discovered that it’s a group that loves to bowl: thirteen kids showed up for Bowling Night in August. Next, we have a new teacher, Geoff Karna! Geoff will bring a lot of energy to our classes, not to mention some exceptional bike-repairing skills. Thanks goes to Michelle Sanguinetti for many months of teaching and guidance. Finally, we are beginning the two-year Rite-13 program this fall. It is a wonderful curriculum which will culminate in a very moving weekend in the spring of 2006. Looking forward to a great year with you guys!!! Bruce Clift, Middle School Teacher

PS, whoever has any idea where to find my folder of addresses and e-mail, let me know. Maxim?? In the meantime, PLEASE SEND ME YOUR UPDATED E-MAIL AND ADDRESS.