Hello Students and Guardians!
Only a few more weeks of school until winter break - you can do it! We are praying for you all through this busy season of final exams and holiday festivities. Come take a break from the rush and come hang out with us! Check out the rest of our FirstCovGR Student News to hear about some important upcoming events.
BLAZE (MIDDLE SCHOOL)
What is BLAZE? BLAZE is a community of 6th-8th graders that meet every Wednesday evening at FirstCov. We gather to seek God and to be changed by him. We will focus on the word of God through the reading and teaching of scripture, prayer, worship, service, life groups, and some super fun games!
Wednesday, December 13: BLAZE CHRISTMAS PARTY
- WHO? Middle schoolers and their friends, classmates, teammates, etc!
- WHAT? We are having our middle school Christmas party! Come dressed in all your Christmas swag and get ready to celebrate the birth of Christ. We will play some games, eat some sweet treats, and reflect on the story of Jesus’ birth. One of our games will be a gift exchange game. We are asking that students bring a wrapped item to contribute to the game. It can be something that you already own and are looking to pass off, or it can be something brand new. The limit is $5. You won’t want to miss it!
- WHERE? In the Youth Room at FirstCovGR
- WHEN? Wednesday, December 13 from 6:30-8p
We have some learning opportunities for our middle school students on Sunday mornings! Check them out:
- ABIDE 67: 6th & 7th graders are invited to build community, practice spiritual devotion, and learn what it means to abide in the presence of God. Join Lauren Abrell as we talk about what it means to abide in God. More specifically, we will be talking about how to trust the Vinedresser. Meet in room 112.
- CONFIRMATION: 8th graders are invited to join our confirmation and discipleship class. Join Pastor Michelle as she leads us in a conversation about Baptism! Make sure to have session 11 in your books done by Sunday. Meet in room 109.
RADIATE (HIGH SCHOOL)
What is RADIATE? RADIATE is a community of 9th-12th graders who gather to seek God and to be changed by him. We will focus on the word of God through the reading and teaching of scripture, prayer, worship, life groups, and some super fun games! We meet every Sunday evening at FirstCovGR.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17: RADIATE CHRISTMAS PARTY
- WHO? High Schoolers and their friends, classmates, teammates, etc. are invited!
- WHAT? We are celebrating the birth of Christ with a Christmas party! Come dressed in your craziest Christmas swag and get ready to party. We will eat dinner together, play a couple of festive games, worship the Lord, and reflect on the story of Jesus’ birth. Please note that one of our games will be a gift exchange game. We are asking that students bring a wrapped item to contribute to the game. It can be something that you already own and are looking to pass off, or it can be something brand new. The limit is $5. We hope to see you all there!!
- WHERE? In the Youth Room at FirstCovGR
- WHEN? Sunday, December 17 from 6-8p.
At 4:15 pm, on December 17, we have a praise band and tech team practice! Meet in the youth room ready to rehearse. If you have any questions or are interested in joining our team, please contact Lauren Abrell or Josh Hinken!
Life in 4-D is this Sunday! Join Patty Hansma in room 224 at 9 am for donuts and discussion on how to die to yourself by delving into the Word of God. You won't want to miss it!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
- WHO? Middle and High School students & their friends are invited!
- WHAT? Need volunteer hours? Want plans for winter break? Come hang out with your friends and help us with some work around church! We need students who are willing to serve and put in hard work. We will carry some heavy things, clean some smaller things, and organize lots. Plus, there will be donuts for breakfast and pizza for lunch!
- WHERE? Meet in the youth room at FirstCovGR
- WHEN? Wednesday, December 27 from 9a-2p
- QUESTIONS? Contact Derrick Popa at (616)249-0222
SUMMER TRIPS AND FUNDRAISING
This summer, our middle schoolers and high schoolers are each taking a discipleship trip! Check it out:
- COLORADO (current 7th & 8th graders) is our middle school adventure and worship experience. Our students will engage in a week filled with activities that challenge them to step out of their comfort zone and into faith. Join us for heartfelt prayer, exhilarating excursions, tight-knit community, & so much more! Questions? Contact Lauren Abrell.
- UNITE EAST (current 9th-12th graders) is a Covenant High School event gathering groups from across the US. Join us for a transformative five-day event filled with powerful worship, engaging youth group sessions, heartfelt prayer, exhilarating afternoon activities, meaningful acts of service, & so much more! Find out more info and register HERE.
We have put together a sign-up to fundraise on Sunday mornings through a bake sale. Sign up HERE! Please note that you MUST be signed up and have your deposit paid for your respective trip BEFORE you can sign up to sell baked goods :)
SUPPORT
Are you in a sport, band, choir, school musical, and/or something else that we can cheer you on at? Send us your schedules! Our leaders would love to come and support you! Send any schedules/details to Lauren Abrell at (630)750-6458 OR
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REGISTRATION/WAIVER
Please note that you must have a FirstCovGR Student Registration/Waiver for the 2023-24 school year submitted in order to participate in FirstCovGR's student ministry events. Students will also need a form filled out for summer trips. Please fill out THIS form. We need one form per student.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS
This fall, we began using a curriculum called HYFI with both our middle school and high school students. Through HYFI, students will examine, and leaders will teach, 12 biblical truths about their identity: I am Known, I am Forgiven, I am Made for Community, I am Never Alone, etc. Each “I am” statement will point back to a “God Is” truth revealed in that session’s Bible story. Sessions will rotate through Passion, Position, and Purpose truths to ensure balance regardless of when a church begins the curriculum and when a student comes to youth group.
The goal of this curriculum is to foster relationship-building that leads to discipleship and to help students find their identity, belonging, and purpose within the Word of God. Each session also has a cultural connection point that provides discussion around topics that our students face. It is a great resource and we are excited to continue using it.
For more information, check out the HYFI website! Contact Lauren Abrell or Josh Hinken with any thoughts, comments, or questions. We would love to talk with you!
STAY CONNECTED
- Join our Facebook group: FirstCovGR Youth Group. We often post about upcoming Middle and High School events, post ETAs when we have group outings, and upload lots of pictures to this page!
- Follow us on Instagram @firstcovgr_ms & @firstcovgr_sh
- Check out our High School LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/firstcovgr_hs
- Want to find out more about our student ministry? Click HERE to visit our website!
- Our spring calendars are here! Check out the attached documents for the schedules :)
QUESTIONS?
Our team would love to connect with you! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to Josh, Michelle, or Lauren via phone call, text, email, or office visit.
YAHOO! That's all for now - thanks for reading and being diligent will all the details. We are praying for you all always!