Dec 4, 2017

Purpose: Serving Others

God showed us first had how to serve. One of his last acts before his crucifixion was to wash the feet of his disciples.  He, the Almighty Ruler, knelt down on the dirty floor to wash dusty, dirty feet-without hesitation.


One of our more important PURPOSES is to serve others. Let's look at everyday at how we can serve someone- even in the smallest action.

Can you open a door for someone? Smile to a stranger? Bring cookies to a neighbor? Think this week of a way to serve others.


Coming Up...
Be sure to sign up and turn your money and permission slip in to join the Youth Group on February 11th to see the Grand Rapids Drive Basketball team. Turn it in to the church office or at youth group.

If you need a permission slip grab one from church or GR Drive Permission slip and I will send you one.



Nov 28, 2017

Purpose

The Unit we are in is on "Purpose".

What is my purpose?  Our purpose is not a job, sport, hobby, etc.  If we open the Word we will learn our purpose.  God asks us for 3 things

  1. To love
  2. To glorify Him
  3. To live Forever
If we want to live forever in Heaven we must follow and love God with all our hearts.

Learn to act with the Fruits of the Spirit.


Galatians 5:22-23New International Version (NIV)22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.


Operation Christmas Child Boxes

This group of kids is AMAZING!  With all the help of the kids and parents we were able to make 22 boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  What a blessing this will be for kids around the world.

Oct 30, 2017

Mind Games Week 4

BATTLES OF THE MIND
Verses:  Colossians 3:1-17
Theme: When your heart and mind are set on Jesus, you live above the "mind games" of life.

We didn't have any  pictures from this week but had some great discussions.  

Here are a few questions we dug into:

1.  Who is the biggest influence in your life? Why?
2.  Every day we’re being molded by our influences. How are you being
     molded each day by your influences? How about by God?
3.  What is your mind “set” on?
4.  What are some ways we can be more “set” in our minds on things above?
5.  How can we get rid of all the things in Col. 3:5-10 that are in our earthly
     nature? (earthly nature - our natural desire to do wrong)
6.  What is the hardest thing in your life to trust Jesus with? Why?
7.  What’s Col. 3:17 mean to you?
8.  What is the hardest part of doing everything in the name of Jesus?
9.  Why do you think it’s so hard to do what Jesus wants and so easy to do
     the wrong thing?


Next week we begin a new series titled Purpose.

Reminder: Donations for Operation Christmas Child are due by November 12.  On November 12 we will be packing all the boxes.  If you need to sign up but haven't please do so when you can.  We still have some items needed for the boxes.  If you are having trouble with the sign up site just email me and I can sign you up.

Oct 23, 2017

Serving Others

Last night we had current and past Sonseekers Youth Group students visit our group.  They all shared some of the places they have been on mission trips with Sonseekers; along with the serving and fun they had on each trip. I hope this encourages each of our Crossroads Kids to continue Youth group as they enter high school. Not only will they grow in there faith, but they will have opportunities to impact their lives and the lives of others through service.


We also had a chance to talk about serving in our own church.  We looked at a few opportunities specifically on Sunday mornings.  We would love for Middle School students to start plugging in with singing, playing instruments and slide switching. If they have any interest please have them reach out to us and we can help connect them.

Reminders:

Operation Christmas Child Sign Up:http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a49afae2b0-operation

Snack Sign Up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4da8ab2da3fc1-snack

Harvest Festival is this Wednesday, October 25- All are welcome.
(family friendly costumes)
Hot dog dinner 6:15-7
Games and Crafts 7-8
Treat Maze: 7:30-8






Oct 15, 2017

Mind Games Week 3 - Attitude Adjustment

Bible Focus - Ephesians 4:17-31
Bottom Line - When you change your mindset, you change your attitude which changes your life.

The balloon game was fun, yet frustrating at the same time. This week we talked about the attitude of our minds. How do we take our mindset of being sad, angry, or frustrated and not let it pop-like a balloon??  We must keep our eyes on Jesus to help us handle our attitudes--and keep ourselves from popping!

We then closed with a video and challenged the kids to ask themselves every day....HOW AM I LIVING? Parents- watch this video, you won't be disappointed!









Oct 10, 2017

Operation Christmas Child

Every year our church supports Operation Christmas Child, and Crossroads takes it personally to get involved.  I am asking each student to earn $10 or use $10 or more toward this project. We would like to complete 20 boxes in our group alone.  Check out the Sign up Genius for what we need. If you have questions please feel free to email me.

ALL items can be turned in when you get them, but we MUST have them ALL by November 12. We will be hand packing the boxes November 12th.  IF you won't be there that night just drop off your donations before that evening.

Thanks so much for being the presence of Jesus to kids around the world. To learn more about OCC check out the website.

Here is the link to our SignUp Genius, thanks again for signing up!!




Mind Games #2 - Thoughts of Peace

Reading - Philippians 4:4-9
Key - Change what you think about and your life will be changed.

REJOICE! REJOICE! - this word was used twice to show the importance of rejoicing...in EVERY situation.  How do we do this? By prayer and petition, along with thanksgiving. We must take those things that make us anxious, worried, stressed and fearful and take them to God.

The peace of God goes beyond our understanding!

We watched this video to see how someone can be positive even in a terrible situation.  Let's change how WE think and our lives WILL be changed!


Oct 2, 2017

Amazing Race

Sunday we had an amazing time doing Amazing Race.  What a great night of laughs and fun.

Sep 27, 2017

Mind Games week 1-Muck comes in and never really goes out.

Using a small glass cup with some milk and a pitcher of water I demonstrated how the "world" gets into our brain, but how it will never fully get out
The milk represents things we see, hear, or do that get in our mind. Often negative things of the world that cloud our decisions.
Adding water (bible reading, prayer, Christian music) into our brains can help "clear" the muck, but never get rid of it.  We talked about ways to keep our minds clear, helping us make better choices each day.
Ephesians 5:26
“ to make her holy cleansing her by the washing with water through the word” To be transformed into the new
creation Jesus makes us, we must have our minds renewed and change how we think.
To do that, it takes filling it with God’s word.




Sep 17, 2017

Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-1110 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.


Tonight we discussed the Armor of God and what pieces of armor we all have in knowing Christ. Groups created there own armor.  This verse will be our theme of the year so my hope is each student will memorize this and know the power they have with Christ in their life.


  1. Shield
  2. Breastplate
  3. Belt
  4. Helmet
  5. Shoes
  6. Sword
It was another fun...and crazy night. Working with 25 kids is a blast, but I forget how much time it takes to do activities with them all!!!  I PROMISE more time at the end of next week for dodge ball 😁

Thanks for the amazing snacks tonight!!! Check out a few pictures and our theme song video.








Sep 13, 2017

Kick off Success!

We had a great time last SUNDAY evening at Crossroads Youth Group!
 Thank You all for coming.

We are looking forward to this coming Sunday 6-7:30pm.

If you are willing to help out with snacks the kids would be grateful!!  Here is a link to the sign up. If you can help out.  If you have trouble with the sign up email and we can sign you up.



If you still need to turn in a registration form print one off and have your child bring it in.  This is the permission slip needed for any activity that is off church grounds. It is also the way we get contact information in the event that we need to contact you about a date/time change, cancellation or an emergency. If you need a form it can be found on the website.













Sep 10, 2017

SNACK SIGN UP

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4da8ab2da3fc1-snack


Please sign up to help bring snack to youth group this year. We are planning for approximately 20 kids and will update the blog if numbers change. We will have water or lemonade available to drink unless you would like to bring a drink (it's totally up to you).

Ideas for snack:

  • Chips & Salsa
  • Chips 
  • Cupcakes
  • Muffins
  • Cookies
  • Fruit/Veggies Tray
Thanks for helping contribute this year!

Aug 22, 2017

It's GAME TIME!



Crossroads Youth Group @ JRC begins on September 10th 
We will meet from 6-7:30pm on Sunday evenings
All are welcome from 6th-8th grade - and feel free to bring a friend

We look forward to a fun year. We will have a fire, snacks and yard games. Be ready for a few competitions too!

campfire

Games
...and more games!