CHRISTMAS PARTY MANIA!

Don't forget to come over to our house for the Youth Christmas party on Wednesday! Bring a "White Elephant" (AKA free/cheap silly gift) to share with the group! We will play Wii and hang out! HEY, if you are lucky maybe I will show you the garage-toilet!

See you then and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Heroes- Middle School Youth Gathering

Over the weekend 8 junior high youth and a bunch of awesome adults went to Anaheim for the Middle School Youth Gathering. The theme of the weekend was "Heroes." On Friday night we listened as Pastor Tim Huff gave his first talk, we went to the Superhero Dance Party and Hall of Heroes game room. Saturday was more general sessions and workshops followed by an evening at Disneyland! Sunday morning we had worship with communion, and I had the honor of being asked to be presiding minister. All in all we had a great time! Phyllis the Motorhome was a trusty chariot and we are so thankful for our great sponsors: Julie, Tom, Theresa, and Kevin!

Day 3- Lots and lots of worship!

On Day 3 we went to worship at Ascension Lutheran and Chapel of Peace. They were both great worship services, emphasizing the importance of patience and hope as we await Jesus' return. (They were both around 2 hours long too, but we didn't really notice after the coffee kicked in!) Then we were treated to a great lunch of food traditionally from the nation of Belize before we headed to CityWalk for fun and then hit the road for home.

Urban Immersion Day 2- Chillin' in the Neighborhood

On day 2 we began our morning with some delicious Chicken and Waffles from Roscoe's and then went to hang out with Pastor Brian Eklund at Messiah in Los Angeles. Pastor Brian, Intern Mark, and Pastor Vivian took different groups out on neighborhood walks so we could see a little bit of what life is like in this urban area. After lunch and discussion we went to distribute food at Holy Trinity, watched Randy skate at the park, took showers at the YMCA and headed to Torrance for the banquet.

At the banquet we went to a lively worship service, had an amazing dinner, and received the Angel Award on behalf of Saint John's. Afterward, we headed to the Santa Monica Pier for some chill time before heading back to Inglewood for sleepy time.

You're going where?- Urban Immersion, Day 1

It was a long car ride, but we arrived in Inglewood at Chapel of Peace Lutheran Church ready to go! In the first few minutes along, Randy met some other kids who came back to skate with him the parking lot. We had pizza, got settled in our pews for the night and spent some time discussing the Sermon on the Mount using the Message translation. All in all it was a great trip down, with great kids, and a whole lot of impromptu karaoke from Savallie-OH!

Savannah shares why she wants to go to New Orleans

The National Lutheran Youth Gathering is something that makes me so excited. The Western States Youth Gathering was the highlight of my summer! I loved it so much. All the workshops, concerts and speakers were great. It was a cool thing to have so many Lutheran teens around you. You know that you have at least one thing in common with them; everyone is a Lutheran. That is why I am so excited about this once in a lifetime chance to go to the National Gathering!

Going to New Orleans to help and give my service with 35,000 Lutheran teens around me sounds like the most amazing thing. To see first hand, New Orleans and what has happened would be breath taking. Everything about this trip sounds cool. Working in New Orleans, fellowshipping with other Lutheran's, listening to the great speakers and musicians sounds great! And I know that everything that we'll be doing there is for God. The National Lutheran Youth Gathering will be a blessing to all who attend.--

By Savannah Schallen

Getting Ready for the Big CIty

I'm getting very excited for our trip to LA with the High School this weekend! We will be leaving tomorrow afternoon for Inglewood, CA and our Urban Immersion experience with the New City Parish. This is going to be a great way to learn about what it means to do ministry in the inner city and to get a chance to meet some amazing people in the process. It is my hope and prayer that God will open our eyes to see beyond the differences that often end up separating us from others- whether it be age, race, socio-economic conditions, cultural differences-- you name it. We have a lot of reasons to focus only on the differences- yet in God's eyes we are all the same.

So High Schoolers, we will see you at 5:15pm!!! Check back in a few days for pictures and stories!

Heroes Middle School Gathering

Just a reminder to all you Junior High Kids- your $25 needs to be in by Wednesday, October 22! (That's tomorrow) I hope you can come for this awesome event and don't forget to pack your Superhero Costume!

November 21-23 in Anaheim!!!!!

Youth Olympics This Sunday!

Kids of all ages, make sure to come to Saint John's this Sunday, October 5 from 1-4pm for the 2nd Annual Youth Olympics! There will be games, food, and tons of family fun!!!!! Oh yeah, and prizes- that's the best part!

Jesus, Justice, Jazz- this summer!

Theme Verse: “If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care - then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends.” Philippians 2:1-2

This summer our high school youth have the amazing opportunity to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime event: the ELCA National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Over 35,000 high school youth from all over the nation are projected to come, and as of today over 20,000 have already signed up. National Youth Gatherings happen every three years, but this year is going to be especially unique for a few reasons:

1. This year the gathering is focusing on Service. There is going to be a lot of fun, great speakers, and amazing music, but the heart of the event meant to encourage and inspire young people to share the way Christ’s love can and does make a difference.

2. The people of New Orleans need our help now more than ever after the devastation of this year’s hurricanes. Each day 12,000 high school youth and their sponsors will be out in the community serving God through helping the citizens of New Orleans.

3. As far as I know, this is breaking new ground for the youth of our church—this is the first time in anyone’s memory that our youth will be going to the National Gathering!

I get chills imagining our youth being surrounded by 35,000 people who share the same Christian faith, rooted in the Lutheran lens, the same heart for serving, and the same mission of hope. Please pray about going and consider signing up!

God’s Peace,

Pastor Sarah

Bring Your Parents This Sunday

Hey Everyone-
Don't forget this Sunday is the Parent's Meeting for families with youth in 7-12 grade. Come with your parents to learn about all the cool stuff that we are doing this year in EPIC and to sign up. Lunch will be served!

At 1pm we'll "dismiss" all the Junior High parents, and anyone interested in learning more about the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans this July is welcome to stay!

We nabbed us some 7th graders!

On Saturday we got up at the crack of dawn to "kidnap" the 7th graders for a morning of cinnamon rolls and goofiness on the Pismo Beach Pier! Now I know how that sounds, but we did not actually "kidnap" them in scary ways- although some of them looked a little freaked out when they opened their eyes and saw several, unbathed older kids staring at them. No, their parents knew we were coming, but for the kids it was a surprise.

Some highlights from the morning include Madison's older sister repeating over and over "Are you serious!?!?!," Jeremy opening, then closing, then reopening his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things, and THE MOST IMPORTANT, NOT A SINGLE PERSON GOT STUNG BY BEES, YELLOW JACKETS, WASPS, OR EVEN MOSQUITOES!!!

Hopefully you feel welcome 7th graders! We are glad to have you all join the EPIC!

God Bless and Protect You from Bees!
Pastor Sarah

New Fall Schedule!

Beginning on Wednesday, September 10 we will have a new schedule for youth night! Last year we had a blast being all together, but we've decided to try something a little different for the fall.

Wednesday Nights
4:30-6pm Confirmation/Jr. High EPIC
6-7pm "I Like Snacks" Time (Time for people to hang out, have a snack, etc.)
7-8:30pm High School EPIC

We are going to have a great time- you won't want to miss it!

FINAL FAMILY BEACH BONFIRE TONIGHT!

Don't forget that tonight is our last Family Beach Bonfire of the summer! We'll meet at the end of Grand Ave. Bring a side dish or dessert to share! All ages are welcome!

Pastor Sarah with Nellie

Here is a picture of me with John "Nellie" Nelson. He was our keynote speaker in Session 3. The theme of the Session was "Your Network." Nellie was born in Singapore with severe physical disabilities. He has lived his whole life in a wheel chair and has always struggled in feeling love from others. But God is a big part of who he is now. And his message is one of acceptance and love. He believes that God is using him to spread hope to others, especially in his part as one of the Assistant Coaches to the Pacific Lutheran University Football Team. He shared that he would never change a thing about himself, because he knows now that God loves him inside and out!

More from the Western States Youth Gathering

Here's another shot of us goofing off after Session 3 (Your Network). Allie- looking good and I believe that is one of Leslie's eyes in the corner.

There are tons of pictures available at www.wsyg.com. You can also get a highlights video if you want one!

WIRED!!!!

So the Western States Youth Gathering was officially amazing! The theme was "Wired: Live Connected" and we learned about the way that God has connected all of us together.

Even though I was really busy being one of the MC's, I still had a few chances to hang out with our group in the hotel and hear about everything they were doing. Besides going on late night medicine runs to Valu-Plus and going to both Six Flags and Knott's Berry Farm, our group also went to mass gatherings, workshops, and even enjoyed Kevin singing a little karaoke. (Savannah, I totally need that video!) Here is a picture of us on the stage by the "magic" glowing orb from Session 3.

The whole event made me so proud to be a Lutheran Youth Pastor. I love the way that the over 1,000 kids who were there were such a fun and gracious group who cared about worshiping God and reaching out to help others in need. I only cried once, backstage, and I am going to blame that on the lack of sleep and maybe just a little bit on how humbled and honored I was to be a part of such an amazing, Christ-centered event.

Peace, Pastor Sarah

Getting ready for the Gathering

Well, it's been a long year of planning, but the Western States Youth Gathering in Anaheim is finally almost here! I'm so excited that Ryan, Denise, and Kevin will be bringing a crew of 6 youth with them from Saint John's!

I'll also be one of the MC's for the Mass Gatherings- well actually the title is "Connection Specialist." So I won't get to hang out a ton with our youth, but it will still be fun!

Lifehouse skit

This is the video that we watched both in Confirmation class and at EPIC this spring.

Junior High Boomers Night- This Tuesday!

Hey Junior High Kids! We're headed to Boomers on Tuesday, June 17th! Get dropped off at the church at 3:30pm and picked up at 8pm. We will drive down together, have pizza, and unlimited games for 3 hours!

You asked for it...

The famous Hamster video

Chill Night- Luau Style

Eric and his parents graciously hosted us for Chill Night- Luau style last night (Friday the 13th!). People went swimming, sat in the hot tub, had coconut shrimp, watched me be awesome at Mario Kart, played Life, and Apples to Apples. For the record- "Cleaning the Bathroom" should have won the "Cruel" category Randy!

Ryan tried to eat the leg of a cute little frog that we found swimming in the pool, Brian was "El Presidente" in Life, Anthony was a cop, and Eric laughed every time he put down a card in Apples to Apples. Best of all- neither Randy or Sean got hurt! Stay tuned for the next Chill Night later this summer...

Welcome!

Welcome to the *NEW* Saint John's Lutheran Church EPIC blog! This blog will have invitations to upcoming youth events, stories, links, and all sorts of other fun stuff! Put this link in your favorites and come back often!