Middle School Orientation Aug. 31, 2016files.constantcontact.com/42b174f7001/cd842a05-ba51-48e8-81f3-f… · Middle School Orientation -Aug. 31, 2016 Welcome Goals of Confirmation

Middle School Orientation - Aug. 31, 2016

Welcome

Goals of Confirmation To assist parents in their God-given responsibility of teaching the Christian faith to their children. To help 6th, 7th & 8th grade students grow in their life of discipleship. To provide further instruction in the basics of the Holy Scriptures and Christian Doctrine. To enliven the faith of young Christians and help them to become excited about their relationship with

the Lord Jesus and other Christian students.

Course of Study – We rotate between Biblical study, Christian doctrine and Journey through God’s Word. This year will Journey through God’s Word.

Middle School Ministry Times SoFoCo Confirmation w ill meet every Wednesday from 6 - 7:30 p.m. in the student center.

Our schedule will follow the Poudre School District Holiday and Weather schedule. During Advent and Lent we will conclude at 7:00p.m. so that you and your family may attend our evening worship services at 7:15p.m.

Greeley Confirmation w ill meet every Sunday 8:40 a.m. and w ill follow the Greeley School District Holiday and Weather schedule.

A Meal of a Deal for You—SoFoCo only: Starting September 14, a simple meal for those interested begins at 5:30p.m. in the Lower Atrium for

$5.00 per person or $20 for a family of 4 or more. We are offering punch cards again this year - you can purchase a card for 6 meals ($30) and either

have the card kept with the dinner crew, or with your student. Paying ahead this way will allow you to pay a lump sum and not worry about sending money on a weekly basis. Our meals at this time are catered by a different restaurant each week.

Materials Needed: New International Version of the Bible, copyright 2011 or newer (Available here at Redeemer for $8 or $18), three ring binder, pen or pencil.

Sermon Reports: (15 Required each year) Located at the Ushers Stand.

Confirmation Covenant: Please read over and turn in to your small group leader on Wed. Sept. 14.

Parent and Family Involvement: Small group mentors, respond events, retreats, activity team and memory work. If you are interested in serving as a mentor or any of the other areas, please sign up on the clipboards going around room, at the volunteer table at door or contact Pastor Ryan or Wendy Gorman. Mentor training is Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 7—8 p.m. at SoFoCo in the Fellowship Hall.

Registration: Confirmation: There is no online registration this year due to changing databases. Please

be sure to check-in at the doors, or contact Wendy Gorman. Fall Retreat: Please watch for information to be emailed out in the next 2 weeks on how

to register your student for this retreat.

Stay Connected: Please sign-up on the Redeemer Website for NextGen Student News and our text messaging service. You can do this under “NextGen”, then click on “Get Connected” under the Opportunities on the left side of the page.

First Communion: September 17 & 18 at worship services at both sites. Please talk to Pastor Ryan if your student hasn’t already been through First Communion.

Adult Life Groups/Classes: SoFoCo: Starting Sept. 7 LifeLight is offered on Wed. nights, 6 - 7:30 p.m. in SoFoCo

Fellowship Hall and Thursdays, 9:30—11 a.m. in the SoFoCo Life Center - both times will start with Acts 1. For more information on other LifeLight times and Life Groups or support/fellowship for parents with teens—contact Laurie Bowen at [email protected].

Greeley: Meets the first and third Thursday of the month from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at SoFoCo Greeley. For more information contact Pastor Gerry at [email protected]

Other Student Ministry Events: SoFoCo NextGen Student Sunday Bible Study 9:30 a.m. in the Student Center Greeley Student Life Groups meet the first and third Sundays of each month, from

12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at host homes for fun, fellowship and Bible studies.

Respond Events & Retreats: 1to 2 retreats for 6 th & 7th graders; 1 to 2 retreats + 1 lock-in for 8th-graders

Fall Retreat - Sept. 23–25, 2016 TBD Winter Retreat Eighth Grade Rite of Passage Lock-In: Friday March 24 at 4 p.m. to Saturday March 25 at noon. 2017 Summer Mission Trip: June 11-18, 2017 to Rapid City, South Dakota

Costs: Curriculum — $25 Fall Retreat — $115 Eighth Grade Rite of Passage Lock-In $15 Checks made payable to Redeemer can be given to Wendy Gorman at anytime. If you want to

pay by credit card, please see Wendy after this meeting or contact her. Full and partial scholarships available, more than anything, we just want your child to attend.

Rite of Confirmation Weekend for Eighth Graders, 6th & 7th Graders and their families Host the Confirmation Brunch—see sign up

Brunch and Faith Sharing: Saturday, May 6, 2017 starting at 9 a.m. Celebration Service: Sunday, May 7, 2017: 10 a.m. service at Greeley & 11 a.m. at SoFoCo

SoFoCo Contact Information: Pastor Ryan, Director of NextGen Ministries

Email: [email protected] Phone: 225-9020, ext 103

Matthia Duryea, Music & Student Ministries Associate,

Email: [email protected] Phone: 225-9020, ext. 121

Wendy Gorman NextGen Ministries - Student Assistant

Email: [email protected] Phone: 225-9020 ext. 134

Greely Contact Info: Matt Furister, NextGen Students Greeley Coordinator

Email: [email protected]

Chapter 1 Creation Noah

Questions about Adam & Eve 1. Let’s call the Garden of Eden God’s perfect plan, or Plan A. In Plan A, God created Adam and

Eve in His image. Do humans still have his attributes? Does a newborn baby have the same amount of “the image” as Osama bin Laden? Why or why not?

2. After Adam and Eve sin, God gives them consequences, (Page 5&6) commonly known as “the

curse.” Do you think that God loves Adam and Eve any less than on the day He created them? Why or why not?

Questions about Cain & Abel 1. The sibling rivalry between Cain and Abel led to hatred and pain for everyone in the family.

What can you do to increase peace and decrease pain in your family relationships? 2. Do you think that God loves you more when you are “good” than when you are “bad”? Why or

why not?

Questions about Noah 1. Describe how sin changed “everything” in Noah’s day. 2. What about today’s society deeply troubles you? Why do you think God was “deeply

troubled” (page 8) by the society of Noah’s day? 3. On Page 9 - Read the second full paragraph about Noah and his family disembarking from the

ark. Does this passage sound familiar? How does this show that God is committed to His original order for things?

Together DATE

EXAMPLE

EXAMPLE

Questions about the attributes of God

1. What attributes of God do we see in The Story, Chapter 1? What evidence do we see that God is righteous? What evidence do we see that God is faithful? Merciful?

2. What is one encouraging thing you can say to the person who says “I can’t believe in a God

who allows so much evil and suffering in the world”? 3. Many people perceive God to be vengeful when they read or hear about The Flood. Is this

really a story of vengeance? Why or why not? Extra Credit Questions

What have you made with your own hands that you are proud of? When God created the world, He did it out of nothing. There’s a Latin word for that; it’s called “ex nihilo.” That concept makes atheistic scientists squirm—why do you think that is?

Take Home

EXAMPLE

Check out the announcements on the back of this sheet.

1. What are some things you really like about yourself? What are some things you really like about others in your family?

Prayer: God, we thank you that you are our creator! Thank you for making each one of us special and unique! Help us to remember we are your precious creation! In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

2. On a normal day, what gets in the way of taking a walk with God and talking with him about what is on our mind?

Prayer: Lord, you are amazing! We thank you for your grace and forgiveness. Help us to recognize your plan of redemption. Help us to spend time with you daily. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen

3. God created all people to be in relationship with Him, so all people matter to God. Consider what local organization or food bank you can support this week with a donation- it’s an easy way to show people God’s love!

Prayer: God, thank you for how you have blessed our family. We pray that you would bless others in our community with our donations for them. In Jesus name, Amen.

4. Find a family photo album with pictures from a family vacation. Look at it together and ask: What do you remember most about the pictures? What are some of your favorite things about God’s creation? How can you see God’s handiwork in the outdoors?

Prayer: God, thank you for our time together. Thank you for being able to spend time learning about how you made us and everything around us! Amen.

5. Noah was called to do something so big that he couldn’t have done it without God’s help. Share times when you were taking on a challenge that was too big to complete alone.

Prayer: God, thank you for always being with us. Help us to remember we are never alone and that we can always trust you! In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

CHAPTER 1: Creation Noah

DATE

Parent’s Signature Student’s Signature Date

EXAMPLE

This Week: Sat., April 30 Confirmation Brunch 9 a.m.

Worship 5 p.m., SoFoCo Sun., May 1 South Fort Collins

Worship 8, 9:30, 11 a.m. Confirmation Pre-Celebration 9:30 a.m. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Confirmation Celebration 11 a.m.

Greeley Worship 8:40, 10:30 a.m. Greeley Student Sunday 8:40 a.m. Confirmation Celebration 10:30 a.m.

Wed., May 4 6—7:30 p.m. M iddle School 6:20—8 p.m. High School 7:30—8 p.m. OPTIONAL Middle School Connecting Time

Upcoming Events:

If you have any questions or comments, please contact: Pastor Ryan Meyer, Director of Next Generation Ministries ~ 225-9020 ext. 103 ~ [email protected] Matthia Duryea, Music & Student Ministries Associate ~ 225-9020 ext. 121 ~ [email protected]

Wendy Gorman, Next Generation Ministries Assistant - Student Ministries ~ 225-9020 ext. 134 ~ [email protected] Redeemer Website - www.redeemerconnect.com

NextGen Student Wednesday Night - Schedule Change

SoFoCo: NextGen Wednesday Night moves to its Wednesday night's summer schedule next week at SoFoCo. Wed Night begins at 6 p.m. and concludes at 7:30 p.m. (No 5:20 p.m. dinner). This will be the schedule until Fall 2016.

Greeley: Continues w ith their current schedule. Contact Matt Fursiter at [email protected] for more info.

Mentors - we still want you to be involved! Summer NextGen Studeny Wednesday nights are much more relaxed, so sign up at for a couple nights, www.volunteersignup.org/LEJR9 (for planning purposes) and remain a part of the students summer!

Summer mission trip prep meetings Please make it a priority to attend these meetings if you are going on either of the trips. Contact Wendy Gorman if you have questions.

Wed., May 4, 6—7:30 p.m.: NYG meeting for Student attendees & adult leaders

Wed., May 11, 6—7:30 p.m.: Middle school mission trip attendees & adult leaders

Wed., June 15, 6—7:30 p.m.: FINAL Middle School meeting for students, parents & adult leaders

Wed., July 13, 6—7:30 p.m.: Final NYG meeting for students, parents & adult leaders

Vacation Bible School - June 6—10 needs volunteers NextGen Kids is looking for energetic youth to help with this year’s Vacation Bible School! Register at the Redeemer website under the Children and Summer Events tabs. Contact Missy Salzer at [email protected] with any questions you have.

Upcoming Dates - Here are some dates to look forward to in the fall, so put them on the Calendar NOW:

August 24 & August 31: NextGen Students First Communion classes for 6th graders

August 31: NextGen Students Middle School Orientation

September 7: NextGen Students officially begins

September 23-25: Middle School Fall Retreat Next Gen Students will continue on Wednesday nights throughout the summer, so continue to come and connect with God and your friends! Watch for more information in the Student online news.

Middle School – Tentative Schedule 2016-2017

Date Lesson Notes

August 31 Orientation

September 7 Back to School event

September 14 #1 - Creation

Sept. 17 & 18 1st Communion Services All Services

September 21 #2 - God Builds a Nation

Sept. 23-25 Fall Retreat - Camp Timberline Meet Fri. @ 4 p.m., return Sun. by noon

September 28 #3 - Joseph: From Slave to Deputy Pharaoh

October 5 #4 - Deliverance

October 12 #5 - New Commands and a New Covenant

October 19 #6 - Wandering

October 26 #7 - The Battle Begins

November 2 #8 - A Few Good Men...and Women

November 9 #9 - The Faith of a Foreign Woman

November 16 #10 - From Shepherd to King

November 23 Thanksgiving Eve - No class Thanksgiving eve Worship 7:15 p.m.

November 30 #11 - The King Who Had it All Advent Worship @ 7:15 p.m.

December 7 #12 - A Kingdom Torn in Two Advent Worship @ 7:15 p.m.

December 14 #13 - God’s Messengers Advent Worship @ 7:15 p.m.

December 21 Christmas party

December 28 PSD Christmas Break - No Class

January 4 PSD Christmas Break - No Class

January 11 #14 - The Beginning of the End

January 18 #15 - The Kingdom’s Fall

January 25 #16 - Daniel in Exile

February 1 #17 - The Return Home

February 8 #18 - The Queen of Beauty and Courage

February 15 #19 - Rebuilding the Walls

February 22 #20 - The Birth of a King

February 24-26 Feed My Starving Children Packing event Offsite

March 1 #21 - Jesus’ Ministry Begins Ash Wednesday Worship 7:15 p.m.

March 8 #22 - No Ordinary Man Lenten Worship @ 7:15 p.m

March 16 PSD Spring Break - No class Lenten Worship @ 7:15 p.m

March 22 #23 - Jesus, the Son of God Lenten Worship @ 7:15 p.m

March 29 #24 - The Hour of Darkness Lenten Worship @ 7:15 p.m.

Mar. 24-Mar. 25 8th Grade lock-in

April 5 #25 - The Resurrection Lenten Worship @ 7:15 p.m.

April 12 Holy Week - No class

April 19 #26 - New Beginnings

April 26 #27 - Paul’s Mission

May 3 #28 - The End of Time Confirmands’ final papers & banners due

May 6 Confirmation Brunch

May 7 Confirmation Sunday

TBD Winter Retreat? Meet @ 4 p.m., return by noon

15 Sermon Reports will be required from all youth. (Located at the Ushers Stand)

Every worksheet will be considered complete when signed by Parent.

Please attend all sessions and retreats unless sick, excused, or in case of emergency.

Every family is responsible for getting make-up work online or make arrangements to pick it up at the church.

Pastor Ryan, Director of NextGen - Student Ministry - [email protected]

Matthia Duryea, Music & Student Ministries Associate—[email protected]

Wendy Gorman, Student Ministries Assistant - [email protected] 225-9020, ext. 134

PACKING LIST Bible Confirmation Notebook Pen or Pencil Toiletries Towel Sleeping Bag / Pillow Clothing for 2 days and 2 nights

Sleeping clothes

Jacket / Sweatshirts

Jeans

All Clothing must honor Christ!

(No belly buttons showing, tank tops, appropriate PJS, etc.. Pastor Ryan will have the right to ask you to change)

Tennis Shoes

Extra socks, etc.. Extra money for camp store if desired Camera

Please do not bring iPods, videogames, knives, tobacco products, or prank items etc.

Limit yourself to one bag as packing conditions will be tight.

Payment $115 and Permission form

A weekend of fun, friendships, and faith with our Lord and friend Jesus

Christ.

Camp Timberline 1207 Longs Peak Road Estes Park, CO 80517 Phone: (970) 586-7777 Pastor Ryan Cell Phone - 970/214-4992

Here’s Where:

September 23-25, 2016 Meet at Redeemer Friday the 23rd @ 4:00p.m.

Returning to Redeemer around noon on Sunday the 25th

Cost: $115 This includes Dinner on Friday—>Breakfast on Sunday Lodging for two nights Materials for the weekend Scholarships are available contact Pastor Ryan 225-9020 Parent mentors are needed, contact Wendy to sign up!

Parents Signatures: _______________________________________________________ Date: ___________ _______________________________________________________ Date ____________

Please see other side for Insurance Information and Medications/Allergies

Functions and Activities

I, herby, give permission for my child listed above to participate in the event(s) listed above. I acknowledge that there are certain risks associated with the activities, including, by way of example, physical injury due to activity-related accidents, physical injury due to transportation-related accidents, illness, or even death. I / We here by give our permission for the representatives of Redeemer to administer necessary First Aid and Medical aid to our child when seen appropriate. I realize that every effort will be made to contact me before any emergency treatment, if the leaders of Redeemer Lutheran Church cannot reach me; I give them permission to admit my child into the care facility at that location. I release the agents of Redeemer Lutheran Church from any claim that my child may have or that I may have against them as a result of injury or illness incurred during the course of participation in the activities. I / We hereby give permission for our child to ride in any vehicle designated by the adult in whose care the minor has been entrusted while attending and participating in activities sponsored by Redeemer Lutheran Church.

I do NOT want my Child/Student picture to be published in any location by Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Redeemer Lutheran Church 7755 Greenstone Trail

Fort Collins, Colorado 80525

PERMISSION / WAIVER FORM

Name of Child/Student or Adult Participant (please print)_______________________________________ Parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) of Child/Student participant ________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________ Street City State Zip Home Phone (_____) ________________Cell or Work Phone (____) __________________ Age of Child/Student or Adult _________________Birth Date ________________ Activity: Next Generation Ministries Activities June 2016-June 2017

If there are any past medical surgeries or major injuries please list them on below Please also list current medications that the participant is using specific instructions, along with any allergies.

Insurance information:

Company _______________________________________________________________

Policy Number _____________________________ Phone number _________________

Insured Party ______________________________ _____________________________

*Please include a copy of your insurance card below

Surgeries /Major Injuries:

Current Medications:

Allergies (including food):

NextGen Students Confirmation Family Covenant Together as a family of faith we agree to support and encourage one another through the pro-

cess of growing as Disciples of Christ during Hearts Afire Confirmation by:

Praying together

Worshiping weekly together,

Partnering with the church to learn and understand God’s lessons for us,

Attending weekly Hearts Afire Lessons,

Attending Hearts Afire Retreats,

Discussion and completing “Back Home Assignments, memory work and home projects”

Communicating with Confirmation Leaders when help or make up is needed,

Participating in Student Ministry activities and Bible Studies,

Acknowledging that you are not alone in this journey. Together as a family, a church, friends, and with your mentors, we will work together to build a deeper relationship with God and each other.

Parent’s Signature Date

Pastor Ryan Meyer, Director of

NextGen Student Ministries

Pastor Tim Runtsch, Senior Pastor

Mentor Signature Small Group #

Students Name Student’s Signature