Tuesday December 15th
Whoever Small Group
at Bojangles with Bob and John 6:00

Chick-fil-a Fundraiser for the District Mission Fair from 5 to 9 at Triangle Town Center

Wednesday December 16th
Revolution Bible Study
6:30 in the Youth Lounge

Senior High ADHD at 7:30 to 9:30
Christmas party and Gift Swap At Keela’s House
1710 Waterclose Ct. Apex NC

Thursday December 17th
3:30-until
The final take down of the Christmas Tree Lot…if you did not help on Monday or work a tree shift this will count as your service hours.

Friday December 18th
LAST DAY TO SIGN UP FOR THE SENIOR HIGH CHRISTMAS PARTY

Sunday December 20th
Sunday School Small Groups
Las Pasadas Celebration at 935 in the White Trailer
Divided classes 9:35 and 11:00
Worship 8:15, 9:35, and 11:00
4:30-5:30 Middle School POINT Christmas Party
(No need to bring anything Middle School! We have it all!)
Parents Please Pick Up at 5:30
NO Dinner
5:00 Senior High Christmas Gift Swap-Meet in the White Trailer. Please bring wrapped gifts $5 or under…Dinner at Kanki to follow( You will need about $20 to eat)…We will provide all transportation…we should return between 830 and 900.

You must sign up by noon Friday December 18th.


2009 Light Your World Christmas Tree Lot is closed! Thanks to your help we have remarkable sales and remarkable help this year. We will be closing the lot and cleaning up on Thursday at 3:30. If you have not been able to serve cleaning up the lot will count as your service requirement.

Hey Youth Sunday School Small groups! On Sunday December 20th the 6th-8th classes will be having a Las Pasadas celebration in the trailer.

We are still taking baby items for our Aulander single parent project. Please bring them to the POINT and put them in the basket by the check in table.

Hey folks there is a fundraiser at the Chick-fil-a at Triangle Town Center today from 5 to 9 for the Stop Hunger now Event we will be attending on January 10th. If you are out

Don’t forget to spread the word by emailing your youth and your church about the event – find out more at www.facebook.com/raleighyouth

Wednesday December 2nd
No Christmas Tree Sales-b/c of bad weather
Revolution Bible Study
6:30 in the Youth Lounge

Senior High ADHD at 7:30 to 9:30
At 1710 Waterclose Court-Apex, NC

Thursday December 3rd
Christmas Tree Sales 3-9
(Spaces still available...check the youth bulletin board and online see below)

Friday December 4th
Christmas Tree Sales 3-9
(Spaces still available...check the youth bulletin board and online see below)

Saturday December 5th
412 Junior High Small Group 5:30
Christmas Tree Sales 9-9
(Spaces still available...check the youth bulletin board and online see below)

Sunday December 6th
Sunday School Small Groups
Divided classes 9:35 and 11:00
Worship 8:15, 9:35, and 11:00
4:30 Middle School POINT
5:30 Yummy Dinner
6:00 Big Time in the CLC
6:30 Senior High POINT
Christmas Tree Sales 12-9
(Spaces still available...check the youth bulletin board and online see below)

Monday November 7th
Christmas Tree Sales 3-9
(Spaces still available...check the youth bulletin board and online see below)

Tuesday December 8th
Whoever Small Group
at Bojangles with Bob and John 6:00
Christmas Tree Sales 3-9
(Spaces still available...check the youth bulletin board and online see below)

Signups for the 2009 Light Your World Christmas Tree Lot are Posted on the Youth bulletin Board . Hurry up and get the best spots. Go to the POINT website at apexumc.org to sign up online! If you work a Christmas Tree Lot Shift , make the required meetings for ASP, AOSP, or Track Out Missions, and pay your funds on time you are GAURANTEED a spot on these mission experiences.

We will have The POINT this Sunday afternoon so see you there!
We will begin sign ups for our youth Christmas Parties Coming up December 20th this Sunday. Please sign up on the Youth Bulletin Board at the POINT!

We are still taking baby items for our Aulander single parent project. Please bring them to the POINT and put them in the basket by the check in table.

Sunday November 8th
Sunday School Small Groups
Divided classes 9:35 and 11:00
Worship 8:15, 9:35, and 11:00
3:30 Pilgrimage Information Meeting
All afternoon youth Activities will be held in the Sanctuary or Fellowship Hall 2
4:30 Middle School POINT
NO Senior High Hang Time
5:30 Yummy Dinner
6:00 Big Time in the CLC
6:30 Senior High POINT
Junior High Hang Time in the Parlor
Tuesday November 10th
Whoever Small Group
at Bojangles with Bob and John 6:00

Wednesday November 11th
No Revolution Bible Study

Senior High ADHD at 7:30 to 9:30
Location TBA in email next week

Thursday November 12th
Noon until 8:00 PM
Pilgrimage luggage drop off in the White Trailer

Friday November 13th
4:00 Meet to leave for Pilgrimage
NEWS:
Please remember that all afternoon youth activities occur in the sanctuary and fellowship hall 2
Pilgrimage Information: Please check the Youth Bulletin Board in the CLC to make sure your spot is reserved for Pilgrimage 2009. In addition we will be having an information meeting in the sanctuary at 3:30 on Sunday November 8th if you or your parents have any questions.

Tuesday October 27th
Whoever Small Group
at Bojangles with Bob and John 6:00

Wednesday October 28th
Revolution Bible Study
6:30 -8:30 in the youth lounge
Senior High ADHD at 7:30 to 9:30
Location TBA in email next week

Saturday October 31st
NO 412

News:
How to keep up with Youth online at Apex UMC:
Check Out OUr New WEBPAGE at: http://www.apexumc.org/point/
Youth Blog: http://leesweeklynews.blogspot.com/
Parent Blog: http://apexumcyouthparentspage.blogspot.com/

Pilgrimage Registration is closed.

We get Back to regular youth at the POINT on Sunday November 1st!

Coming Up This Weekend!

Saturday October 24th
5:30 412 Middle School Bible Study

Sunday October 25th
Sunday School Small Groups
Divided classes 9:35 and 11:00
Worship 8:15, 9:35, and 11:00
3:30 Middle School meets to go to the Corn Maze
(Pre-registration Required)
5:00 begin decorating for Trunk or Treat
6:00 Trunk or Treat Begins
Around 7:00 Middle School Returns from Corn Maze

Next Week

Tuesday October 27th
Whoever Small Group
at Bojangles with Bob and John 6:00

Wednesday October 28th
Revolution Bible Study
6:30 -8:30 in the youth lounge
Senior High ADHD at 7:30 to 9:30
Location TBA in email next week

Saturday October 31st
NO 412

News:
How to keep up with Youth online at Apex UMC:
Check Out OUr New WEBPAGE at: http://www.apexumc.org/point/
Youth Blog: http://leesweeklynews.blogspot.com/
Parent Blog: http://apexumcyouthparentspage.blogspot.com/

Pilgrimage Registration is closed.

We get Back to regular youth at the POINT on Sunday November 1st!

Week 2 evaluation...

Youth Council Please do not forget our meeting at 6 this Wednesday…please let me know if you cannot be there.
Hey Youth Leaders and Youth Council! Here is our next evaluation of the year!!!! Here is a form I hope you will respond to help us make each Sunday and each event better than the one before. My evaluation is listed below:

Weekend Scale of Difficulty: 7 out of 10..tech went well… you guys are awesome

Attendance: Junior High: 70 Senior High 70

Meeting Length: minutes junior high and 50 minutes senior high 55 minutes..I think the game time was good..lesson was not too long and small group time should always be 15 minutes..is that enough?

Understandable Message: I Like using the video elements..did they talk about them in the small groups
Volunteer/Student Involvement: a little long in the small groups…but we will try something new next week
Element of Fun/Positive Environment: Good time…boys hate losing to girls in the games
Big Time: Great to be back to the BIGTIME format!
Favorite Moment: the Tyler Video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Overall grade: A-

What do you guys think:

Understandable Message:
Volunteer/Student Involvement:
Element of Fun/Positive Environment:
Big Time:
Favorite Moment:
Thanks and see you on SUNDAY!
Lee

New News...

Wednesday April 15th
Confirmation in the CLC 3:00-4:45
Revolution Bible Study 6:30 in the youth lounge
ADHD 7:30 –location TBA

Friday April 17th
Cards and Caffeine at Boodas Beans
3:00-5:00

Sunday April 19th
Sunday School Small Groups
Divided classes 9:35 and combined class 11:00
Worship 8:15, 9:35, and 11:00
SUNDAY CONFIRMATION THIS WEEK AT 11:00
Here is the afternoon schedule:
4:00 Hang Time Begins
Youth Brass Ensamble meets at 2:00 in the Sanctuary
Youth Handbells meet at 3:30 in the choir room
Junior High-4:30-in the CLC
Supper-5:30-in the CLC
Youth Choir Meeting Sunday at 5:45 in the Choir Room:
Big Time (Junior High and Senior High)-6:00-in the CLC
Senior High-6:30-in the CLC
7:30-Hang Time Ends

We will be practicing for youth Sunday on the Morning of Saturday April 25th at 9:30 in the CLC Gym.

Youth Sunday is coming up the Weekend of April 25th and 26th. Check the youth bulletin board for ways to help out.


Check the Youth Bulletin Board out for ways to get involved in Youth.

Hey Seniors Only
Toby White Scholarship forms are available at the youth bulletin board.

Hey Folks Interested in Summer Missions
If you are interested in Applacaian Service Project or Apex Outreach Service Project Please contact Toby White in the church office for more details.

Seniors and Juniors
Invitations will be going out soon for Graduation Sunday on June 7th.

Youth Council Applications will be available in May!

This Week's News!!!!4/6/09

Wednesday April 8th

Junior and Senior High At the Movies!

See below and the youth bulletin board for more information!



2009 Spring Break Dinner and a Movie!!



Junior High!

We will meet on Wednesday April 8th at the Beaver Creek Commons Movie Theater at 12:30 noon to see Race to Witch Mountain. After the movie we will go to Coldstone Creamery for some icy cold treats. We will call parents when we are done at Coldstone. Parents please drop off at the movie theater at 12:30 and pick up at Coldstone.



Senior High!

We will meet at 6:00 on Wednesday April 8th at the Beaver Creek Commons Movie Theater to see Knowing.
After the movie we will go to Red Robin for supper. We will call parents when we are done. Parents please drop off at the theater and pick up at Red Robin.





Hey Traditional Schoolers have a gr8 spring break!! Hey Year-rounders hold in there until track out!





Sunday April 12th

Sunday School Small Groups

Divided classes 9:35 and combined class 11:00

Worship 8:15, 9:35, and 11:00

Here is the schedule:
No Afternoon Youth Activities

Here is the small group questions we did not get to this week!

1. What is the absolute, number one, biggest, most important priority in your life?
2. Imagine for a minute that your life priorities could not exceed a certain point value. You, as a teenager, have 50 points total. How will you use them? Pick the items from the list below for a total of 50 points.

Six points each—
Having a job
Being a disciple of Christ
Having a good time
Improving my looks
Wearing the right clothes
Studying hard
Spending time on the Internet
Owning a car
Being a leader in the church

Five points each—
Attending church regularly
Consistently participating in youth group
Telling others about Christ
Volunteering to help others
Staying active in sports
Regularly studying the Bible
Having a boyfriend or girlfriend

Four points each—
Watching music videos
Turning homework in on time
Helping other teenagers
Buying music CDs
Working on musical talent
Playing video or computer games
Participating in extracurricular activities

Three points each—
Keeping a best friend
Going out on Saturday nights
Getting along with parents
Spending time with friends
Staying in shape
Seeing the latest movies

Two points each—
Remaining alcohol and drug free
Having Christian friends
Praying every day

One point each—
Watching television
Getting to class on time
Reading magazines
3. How do you think your priorities will change in the next two years?


4. Which do you think is worse—God not being a priority in someone’s life or God being a
low priority in someone’s life?
__ God not a priority at all
__ God low on the priority list

5. Check out these verses and finish these statements in your own words.
Proverbs 3:6 When your priorities recognize God, then—
Titus 1:16 My actions reflect that my priority is—
Revelation 3:14-18 Choose God’s priorities because otherwise—

what is news this week!

Wednesday April 1st
Confirmation in the CLC at 3:30
Youth Council Meeting at 6:00
Revolution Bible Study at 6:30

Thursday April 2nd
6:30 Youth Alpha

Friday April 3rd
Cards And Caffeine at Boodas Beans 3:00-5:00

Sunday April 5th
Sunday School Small Groups
Divided classes 9:35 and combined class 11:00
Worship 8:15, 9:35, and 11:00
SUNDAY CONFIRMATION THIS WEEK AT 11:00
Here is the schedule:
No Afternoon Youth Activities

Wednesday April 8th
Junior and Senior High At the Movies!
See the youth bulletin board for more information!

This week's Evaluation...

March 1 Evaluation
Hey Youth Leaders and Youth Council! Here is the next Blog Page!!!! Here is a form I hope you will respond to help us make each Sunday and each event better than the one before. My evaluation is listed below:

Weekend Scale of Difficulty: 7

Attendance: Junior High:66 Senior High: 34 (Weather related..)

Service Length: minutes junior high and 60 minutes senior high 45 minutes

Understandable Message: Junior high was a different from Senior High (jr high B+ senior high B)

Volunteer/Student Involvement: games great with junior high-welcome back small groups for senior high

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: what is your evaluation

Big Time: tech issues will be fixed next week , but I liked the video

Favorite Moment: seeing the Junior Highs faces when Tigner called them “weasels”

Overall grade: B

This weeks evalation

Sunday February 8th Evaluation
Hey Youth Leaders and Youth Council! Here is the next Blog Page!!!! Here is a form I hope you will respond to help us make each Sunday and each event better than the one before. My evaluation is listed below:

Weekend Scale of Difficulty: 6 (guest speakers make things easy!)

Attendance: Junior High:86 Senior High: 51

Service Length: minutes junior high and 60 minutes senior high 65 minutes

Understandable Message: Junior high was better and different from Senior High

Volunteer/Student Involvement: I do not think we had a problem with youth talking or not paying attention

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: what is your evaluation

Big Time: A

Favorite Moment: Bobby the inmates talk

Overall grade: A

Sunday January 25th Evaluation

Jan 25th Evaluation
Hey Youth Leaders and Youth Council! Here is the next Blog Page!!!! Here is a form I hope you will respond to help us make each Sunday and each event better than the one before. My evaluation is listed below:

Weekend Scale of Difficulty: 9 (group times were ok, but we miss something without the band at Big Time)

Attendance: Junior High:90 Senior High: 48

Service Length: minutes junior high and 60 minutes senior high 45 minutes

Understandable Message: Junior high was way better from Senior High (jr high B+ senior high D+)

Volunteer/Student Involvement: youth led the small groups pretty well

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: what is your evaluation

Big Time: different without the band but good

Favorite Moment: the plan to skewer the intern made my night

Overall grade: C+

great story from the Matthews

Kurtis the Stock Boy and Brenda the Checkout Girl

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry-out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand, a distant smile caught his eye - the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.

Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work.. She simply said it wasn't possible.

He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly, she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday. That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us."

She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought. Then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome.

Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - he had a different mindset.

That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.

A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids.

So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona, where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals, celebrating Sunday's victory and preparing for the Super Bowl.

Kurt Warner quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI and has been the NFL's Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player. As great as these accomplishments are, the most important thing he has ever done, according to Kurt himself, was to trust in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. When you check out his website, "First Things First" (based on Matthew 6:33), you will find the following testimony...

"I was raised in the church, so faith and God were part of my life, but for me it was just kind of there - there on Sundays and when I was going through a tough time. I always had God as a background, but I never truly accepted Jesus until I was about 25 years old. My arena league teammates, a pastor friend of mine, and my future wife were constantly asking questions about my beliefs, and I began to question where I was and whether I had really put my complete faith in God. Their questions led me to the Truth - that faith is about a relationship, and it's about Jesus. Up to that point, I had never really considered that I struggled for so long and so many things went against me. I was swimming upstream. When I finally gave my life over to God - it was then the joy and happiness came into my life. Now, I realize my role here on Earth is not to throw touchdown passes and win football games, although that is the position and the platform that I have been given. I realize my goal is to win as many people to Jesus as possible. I have an open-door policy, where I'm able to talk about what is most important to me, and obviously, God is #1."

great discipline information

Apex UMC The Point PARENT NEWSLETTER
January 22, 2009
CONTENTS
1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Links to Learn From
3. Inside Your Teen's World
4. Learn Their Lingo
5. A Little Encouragement...And Humor
===========our sponsor===========

WHEN CHURCH KIDS GO BAD
In this practical book, youth ministry veteran Les Christie will help you take a positive approach to discipline when it becomes necessary. "When Church Kids Go Bad" will:
- Reveal the reasons behind problem behavior and show you how to take a positive approach to discipline
- Teach you how to use rules and consequences effectively
- Help you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses in discipline situations (and improve your areas of weakness)
- Give you dozens of specific, practical, helpful ideas you can use immediately with your students
Learn more about and purchase "When Church Kids Go Bad" here:
http://www.youthspecialties.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=431
*Save 30% off the retail price of "When Church Kids Go Bad" when you use Coupon Code YPN193 and order by 2/4/09.
================================
1. TOOLS FOR PARENTING TEENS
This week is all about discipline don'ts. These four ideas will help reinforce approaching discipline in a positive manner. This excerpt from "When Church Kids Go Bad" (and they do!) will help you. (Editor's Note: This was originally written to youth workers, but applies to parenting as well.)
FOUR DISCIPLINE DON'TS
I've spent most of this chapter offering a variety of ideas about what you can do to respond effectively to everyday discipline challenges. But before we close, let's look at a few important "don'ts" of discipline:
DON'T EXPECT YOU'LL ALWAYS BE POPULAR
When youth leaders complain they can't control their young people, I frequently ask, "Do they do what you ask them to do?" The answer is often, "Yeah, they do it--but I don't like the way they do it. It's their attitude, you see." When I pursue the issue, I find that many leaders think teens should not only be compliant, but also should be delighted over the opportunity to comply.
But teenagers are usually not happy about being corrected--that's a lesson we all learn eventually. One ministry I worked with had a rule that no smoking was allowed during our week at camp. One year, a counselor saw a kid lighting up during free time. Since this kid had never camped with us before, the counselor went to the young person, explained the rule, and asked the camper to put out the cigarette. The camper complied, but the counselor was upset the student didn't look thrilled at being told he wouldn't be allowed to smoke all week. Rather than getting bent out of shape, the counselor probably should have been appreciative that the camper complied with his wishes. Agreeing not to smoke for the week may have been very difficult for this kid--especially since he didn't share the counselor's opinion on the value of cigarette smoking (or lack of it).
Don't expect your students will like every single thing you ask them to do. Simply because you want a young person to stop a certain behavior does not mean she'll no longer have that desire. Don't hassle a kid who complies just because she doesn't seem happy about it. I'm not saying you should accept backtalk or nastiness, but don't declare war just because the kid has an expression on her face that says, "This is a dumb rule." Don't even try to convince her immediately that it is a good rule. You can explain your reasoning at a later time when the person is ready to talk.
DON'T EMBARRASS TEENAGERS PUBLICLY
If you've spent hours preparing a lesson, the last thing you want is a disruption in the group. It can be tempting to say something in response that might embarrass the troublemaker, and make him or her feel humiliated. But before you do so, consider the consequences.
Teenagers are incredibly self-conscious. Your remark may stop the troublemaking behavior, but the resulting embarrassment could cost you a group member. And that one embarrassed teenager will probably tell five or six friends what you did--and you may lose them, too. Most outbursts are designed to get your attention. You reward troublemakers when you stop everything to focus on them.
DON'T RESORT TO DESTRUCTIVE CRITICISM OR NAME-CALLING
A pinch of constructive criticism is part of the recipe for any good youth group. Unfortunately, many youth leaders shovel the criticism out by the truckload--and that can do more harm than good.
Here are some helpful hints on using criticism constructively. First of all, critique the behavior, not the person. Criticizing someone lowers that person's self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. Separate the behavior from the person.
Remember that it takes eight positive comments to make up for a single negative one--and that includes those critical comments we intend to be constructive. Be sensitive to the individual. Share your insights with a young person at a time when he's not surrounded by his peers, when both of you are not rushed, and after you've taken time to gain his respect.
Maybe a young person has a problem with hygiene and you know other kids are avoiding him because of his body odor. This problem needs to be pointed out to the young person, but it must be done very gently--not with a condemning attitude, but with a spirit of love and support. If you are going to point out a problem or concern, make sure you also offer practical solutions; otherwise your criticism can merely destroy the person you want to help.
No matter what happens, never resort to name-calling. All teenagers have certain imperfections about which they are overly sensitive. The world takes notice of them to tease and ridicule. If a teenager is small, he's called "shorty," "squirt," "shrimp," or "runt." If he's tall and thin, he's "beanpole" or "stick." If he's overweight, it might be "fatso" or "blimp." If he's weak or uncoordinated, he might be "wimp" or "geek." Teenagers suffer deeply from such nicknames, even when they feign indifference.
In general it's best for adult leaders to avoid teasing their young people, even in jest. Insults cut deeper and last longer when they come from an adult youth leader. We can learn to communicate without sarcasm and ridicule. There is no place for biting comments in conversations between adult leaders and young people. Sarcasm evokes hatred and provokes counterattacks.
Criticism of personality and character gives a young person negative feelings about herself. A young person who is made to feel stupid accepts such evaluation as fact. She may give up intellectual pursuits to escape ridicule. Since competition means failure, her safety depends on not trying.
DON'T THREATEN WHAT YOU CANNOT OR WILL NOT DO
Have you ever gotten so frustrated--after trying every method imaginable to quiet your group--that you yelled out a threat so idiotic your kids knew you would never follow through on it? Something similar to, "If you kids don't shut up, I'll never allow you to go on another church activity as long as you live!" They may stop the noise for a second, until they realize you'd never do such a thing. Empty threats don't help at all. In fact, such false statements just let kids know they have you!
The freshmen who enter our youth group each September are often a bit intimidated because they are the youngest ones in the group. One skit we do each year breaks the ice and helps those young people get a glimpse of one aspect of our discipline methods. As the young people come into the room on a particular week, I start trying to quiet them down--but I don't try very hard. Eventually, I pretend I'm getting mad and finally yell out, "If you kids don't shut up, I'm going to rip your arms off!"
Well, it always gets deadly silent--except for one eleventh-grader in the front row who continues to talk loudly. I walk directly to that student (who's still talking) and repeat, "I told you--if you don't shut up, I'm
going to rip your arms off." At this point you could hear a pin drop in the room. Every eye is on me and this one young person (who is still the only one talking). I reach over and grab him by the arm...
What the new freshmen don't know is that I got together with this eleventh-grader before the meeting and fixed him up so he has a mannequin's arm up his sleeve. After I grab the arm, I yank it right out of his sleeve. The freshmen kids in the back are screaming, "He did it! He really did it!" The kids quickly realize we were kidding--and everybody has a good laugh. But then I explain that if we say we're going to do something in this youth group, they can bet we will follow through on it.
**
Les Christie has spent more than forty years in youth ministry, including more than twenty years in the same church. An energetic speaker, Les also chairs the youth ministry department at William Jessup University. He's the author of more than a dozen books and lives in California with his wife, Gretchen, where he no longer has to discipline his two grown sons, Brent and David.
Learn more about and purchase "When Church Kids Go Bad" here:
http://www.youthspecialties.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=431
*Save 30% off the retail price of "When Church Kids Go Bad" when you use Coupon Code YPN193 and order by 2/4/09.
**
2. LINKS TO LEARN FROM
Teen Smokers Dismiss Peer Pressure [Press Association UK]
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hgxbuDOBFGlcIpMTEkqewpG-fjIA
Communicate Openly About the Tough Issues Too [San Marcos Record]
http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/features/local_story_020125523.html
Friendship at the Center of Adolescent Life [Irish Times]
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2009/0120/1232059660968.html
Future of Abstinence-Only Education in Limbo [Associated Press]
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jp6w3u-FGlN-0E0LAtik9qdRYBpQD95PN0PO0

3. INSIDE YOUR TEEN'S WORLD
...Random things you may not have heard about...
Sponge Bob Square Pants Turns 10
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.aspx?Feed=PR&Date=20090116&ID=9520906&Symbol=VIA
MTV/AP Partner on a Survey of What Stresses Out College Students
http://www.ypulse.com/mtv-surveys-college-students-on-what-stresses-them-out/

4. LEARN THEIR LINGO
...Some slang and texting lingo for you to speak (or at least understand)
- Mall feet = Tired feet from walking too much.
- For reals = Means the same as the variants "for real" and the now- archaic "for serious", but in 2009, the extra "s" is essential for comprehension.
5. A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT...AND HUMOR
"Always end the name of your child with a vowel, so that when you yell the name will carry."
~ Bill Cosby

*All outside Internet links are here to inform or entertain you...we at YS and Apex UMC don't necessarily endorse or support every link you find here.
copyright 2009 :: Youth Specialties and Apex UMC

happy new year an dback to the POINT

Happy New Year From the POINT! Here is what is up!
No Cards and Cafeine at Boodas Beans Today, Friday January 2nd!

Sunday January 4th, 2009
(All Point Activities will occur in the Sanctuary and FH 2 because of our hosting Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network)
Here is the schedule:
Youth Brass Ensamble meets at 2:00 in the Sanctuary
Youth Handbells meet at 3:30 in the choir room
Junior High-4:30-in the Sanctuary
Supper-5:30-in Fellowship Hall 2
Youth Choir Meeting Sunday at 5:45 in the Choir Room:
Big Time (Junior High and Senior High)-6:00-in the Sanctuary
Senior High-6:30-in the Sanctuary


We will be continuing to take a Special all God’s children offering in January to help sponsor three All God’s Children UMC youth to attend FCA Camp this summer. This will be a part of our Christmas gifts to them. Please bring your offering in an envelope and put it in Lee Barnes’ mailbox by the nursery in the CLC. Thanks for Helping Out!

What is Hang Time? Come out for a special announcement this Sunday at the POINT for junior and Senior High!!!!!!!

Coming UP at the POINT:
We will have youth on our Regular Schedule January 11,18,and 25th .
Here is the schedule:
Youth Brass Ensamble meets at 2:00 in the Sanctuary
Youth Handbells meet at 3:30 in the choir room
Junior High-4:30
Supper-5:30
Youth Choir Meeting Sunday at 5:45 in the Choir Room:
Big Time (Junior High and Senior High)-6:00
Senior High-6:30
(all events take place in the CLC)

We will have our Cards and Caffeine small group at Boodas Beans on Friday January 16th from 3:00-5:00.

We will be having our parent/youth Confirmation 2009 organizational meeting on Sunday January 25th in the Sanctuary from 3:00-4:00. All ages are welcome to attend if you have not been confirmed. Meeting schedule, retreat dates, and small groups will be discussed.