Hello Students and Guardians!
We hope that you have had a great start to your advent season so far - you all are truly the greatest gifts we could ask for! We love hangin' out with you and hope you'll join us for more fun, discipleship, serving, and learning this winter. 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 6: BLAZE BRO/GAL NIGHT
- WHO? Middle schoolers and their friends, classmates, teammates, etc. are invited!
- WHAT? We are having a BRO/GAL Night! On these nights we split by gender for a meal, practical teaching, and fun. Splitting our group by gender allows for a greater community to be formed and deeper questions to be asked. The gals will be heading to the Beltman's house (1821 Tremont Blvd NW) and the bros will have the youth room all to themselves! Join us for a meal together (so, don't eat beforehand!), a short devotional, and friends. We will be talking about the biblical theme of community.
- WHERE? ALL students will meet in the gym at FirstCovGR for drop off and pick up. The gals will then walk over to the Beltman house (1821 Tremont Blvd NW) as a group - bring your coat! The guys will have free reign of the youth room for the night!
- WHEN? Wednesday, December 6 from 6-8p (PLEASE NOTE THE EARLY START TIME)!
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. How do we do that? Why is it important? Meet in room 112.
- CONFIRMATION: 8th graders are invited to join our confirmation and discipleship class. Join Pastor Josh as he leads us in a conversation about Jesus Christ! Make sure to have session 10 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 10: RADIATE SERVE NIGHT! Take a look:
- WHO? High Schoolers and their friends, classmates, teammates, etc. are invited.
- WHAT? On this night, we will be partnering with The King's Table Ministry to provide Christmas gifts for a family in need. In order to provide these gifts, we are asking that each life group would support a member of the family - that means bringing money to buy the gifts for your person. Rumor has it, there is something special for the life group that brings the most money!! Stay curious and come find out! Take a look at which member your group has:
- 9th grade girls: Javier (boy), Age 1
- Baby learning toys, clothes (size L), sweaters, things babies would like
- 9th grade guys: Moises (boy), Age 7
- Batman toys, games, books, learning games, clothes (size 14-16)
- 10-11th grade girls: Jessica (mother), Age 33
- Pillows, sheets/comforters, clothes (size L), sweaters, things mothers would like
- 10-11th grade guys: Issac (boy), Age 18
- Sweaters (size L), gift cards, pillows
- 12 grade girls AND guys: General household supplies!
- Laundry soaps, groceries, toilet paper, etc.
- WHERE? Meet at FirstCovGR for dinner! We will then load up the bus and head to Meijer to buy gifts. After, we will come back to wrap the gifts and pray over them/for the family.
- WHEN? Sunday, December 3 from 6-8p.
At 4pm, on December 10, we have our third student leadership team meeting! We will meet at the Droski's house (3716 Bradwood Ct.) again!! Please complete the spiritual gifts assessment (send your results to Lauren before Sunday) as well as chapter 2 (humility) in your I Am a Leader book. If you have any questions or are interested in joining the 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!
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! Find out more info and register HERE. REGISTRATION IS DUE DECEMBER 10!
- 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!
- Keep an eye out for our Spring 2024 calendar! We will send it out next week :)
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.
HOORAY! You successfully made it to the end - thanks for reading and being diligent will all the details. We are looking forward to seeing you so soon!!!