UPCLOSE

News Updates!

2010-04-20T20:05:00.001-07:00

*Billy's Bunch
--Who's Walking?
Join us, May 2nd! Contact me for more info!

*Confirmand Binders due May 23rd; Confirmation is the first week of June!

Hey Girls! Check this Out!

2010-04-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

Found this...thought you all may be encouraged!

Click here.

You are beautiful! Don't forget it!

Some News for Tomorrow...

2010-03-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

Here are some important reminders for tomorrow, March 21st, 2010!
-Confirmation Meeting @ 12 with Pastor Steve
-Confirmation Page--"Scripture Spotlight"--due tomorrow

First day of Special Olympics tomorrow @ 3:30 @ Monmouth University.
Meet us on the track then! (If it rains, I'll text you all with the change of events. There is availability in the gym, so the event will not be cancelled, just changed a bit.)

Human Video--Take 2!

2010-02-27T11:02:00.000-08:00

So we're on again, tomorrow morning, at the 9:30 service performing our human video to "While You Were Sleeping" by Casting Crowns.

Be at the church @ 8:30 (in Fellowship Hall), wearing black (unless otherwise told).

If you cannot make it, you must email Liane (emailliane@gmail.com) to tell her...

Also, if you didn't participate in the video before, but are free tomorrow, email Liane, because there are some easy parts that could use someone's help!

See you all, bright and early!!

Permission Slips for Ice Skating...

2010-02-20T09:15:00.001-08:00

...available by email. Send me a text or email and I can give it to you. Otherwise, have your parents sign one before we leave tomorrow in the Fellowship Hall @ 2.

(c) 732.804.1754
(email) emailliane@gmail.com

Cancelled Girl's Night!

2010-02-20T09:14:00.000-08:00

Girl's night CANCELLED [again] tonight....everyone's a bit too busy, so we'll try again when more people can come!

Important--COMING UP!

2010-02-19T15:06:00.000-08:00

Girl's Night In --Sat. 2.20.10
*Liane's house
*7-9pm
*bring Bible & appetizer
*email Liane (emailliane@gmail.com) if attending

Confirmation Meeting with Pastor Steve--Sun., 2.21.10
-Fellowship Hall
-12:00 (after service)
-bring Bible & binders

Ice Skating--Sun., 2.21.10
-meet in Fellowship Hall
-1:00-5ish?
-bring $20 (and skates, if you have them!)

Youth Group--Mon., 2.22.10
-Fellowship Hall
-7-9pm
-bring Bible, Binders, and $1 for snacks

HELP WANTED!

2010-02-05T07:42:00.001-08:00

Here are some great opportunities to serve our church and local community:

We need 3 volunteers to help with the nursery during worship hours (2 for the 9:30 and 1 for the 11:00).

Volunteers needed to participate in the Special Olympics w/Kim Hansen March 14th, 21st, 28th, April 11th, 18th, 25th, and May 2nd @ Monmouth University Track (2:00 ~ 4:00.)
Sign up with Liane (on the sign up sheets handed out) or contact Kim/ 908-692-6808 or hanseni597@MSN.com.*

*All Confirmands--You must inform Liane of your participation in any event you volunteer at, along with filling in your respective charts and service sheets found in your confirmation binder.

Please email me, emailliane@gmail.com if you are interested in serving in any of the above ways!

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men," Ephesians 6:7

Who Are You Living For?

2010-02-02T18:04:00.000-08:00

This Monday, we took a look at our lives and how we can choose to live in Christ and abundance or in death and condemnation. Take a look at this video Kim showed me today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z15FlTONVo

It's definitely worth a viewing! It's awesome! Then, once you see it...think about this: who's YOUR King? Who are YOU living for? Our lives last for but a breath; His life lasts eternally. You tell me who's worth living for!

Special thanks to Kim!

HUMAN VIDEO --Take 2!

2010-01-30T08:57:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder--our human video will be performed at the
11:00 service on January 31st, 2010.

Please wear jeans with a black shirt (unless you have been otherwise told to wear white)...
We're meeting at 9:30 in the youth room.

If anyone has any questions, shoot me a text!

2010 --Here We Go!

2010-01-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

With the New Year comes some exciting new events and activities at All Access and Passage youth groups. Check out below for some of the NEW ways you can stay in tune with the occurences at youth group:

A CALENDAR of EVENTS is now available online! Click here to access the calendar of January: January
CONFIRMATION MEETING in JANUARY (TBA) Service points and other questions will be addressed at this meeting.
MORE FUN with the "SON" Check the monthly calendar for upcoming events including a Small Group Bible Study, Ice Skating Trip, Girl/Boys' Only Nights, and a retreat getaway. See the calendar for details.

Any questions or concerns? Email me: emailliane@gmail.com

I look forward to starting off the new year with everyone!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation; the old has
gone, the new has come!"
2 Corinthians 5:17

No Youth Group 12.28.09

2009-12-26T10:19:00.000-08:00

Enjoy your last Monday of the year off! There will be no youth group on Monday, December 28th.

Youth Group will resume with on January 4th, with new opportunities and a different spin, so be sure to be there!

Let's Change Our Plans Again, Shall We?

2009-12-21T08:20:00.001-08:00

ONE LAST LOCATION CHANGE:

We're changing the Junior High Christmas party place to the church due to snow problems at the Nelson's. The party will begin tonight at 7 in the youth room.
Please bring the food and gifts there!

Service Opportunities

2009-12-20T06:08:00.001-08:00

With the snow covering every inch of our area, take advantage of the opportunities you have to shovel and plow your neighbor's driveways and areas. Confirmands--if you shovel someone's driveway, get their signature on a piece of paper and it will count as a service point (keep in mind--you need to be collecting those!).

Galatians 5:13
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love."

WEATHER UPDATE: 12/20/09

2009-12-20T06:03:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm on main street and snowed in, so chances are, a lot of you are too.
If you can make it to the 11:00 service today, I'd love to see you all, but if not, don't worry about it. We will plan on showing the human video at a later date.

Enjoy the snow!

SLIGHT CHANGE OF PLANS--

2009-12-19T18:10:00.000-08:00

Only the 11:00 service is planned to be continuing as usual tomorrow. Therefore, plan on meeting in the santuary at 10:00 to practice for the human video tomorrow morning.
As of now, we will still be doing the human video in church tomorrow ! (12/20).

I will post any other updates as soon as I recieve them.

REMINDERS

2009-12-17T13:29:00.000-08:00

For the human video:

wear plain, black tops with Jeans (unless you're Austin or Peter who is wearing white)
be at the church promptly at 9:30 am in the youth room to prepare for showing of the human video at the 11:00 service

For the Christmas parties:

RSVP by THIS FRIDAY, the 18th
remember the grab bag gift (up to $15)
remember to bring drinks, appetizers, desserts, or paper products

email me (emailliane@gmail.com) with your RSVP and the item you're going to bring.

JUNIOR HIGH CHRISTMAS PARTY -- LOCATION CHANGE

2009-12-14T10:25:00.000-08:00

Due to sudden flooding in the Librizzi's basement this weekend, the Junior High Christmas party has changed locations to

the Nelson's
1732 Azure Dr.
Wall, NJ 07753

There will be flyers with directions to the house tonight at youth group. To contact Mrs. Nelson for further directions or questions, call 732.681.4995.

Also, be sure that you email me with your RSVP and the dish you are bringing! (emailliane@gmail.com)

IMPORTANT -- YG Requirements --Monday, 12/14

2009-12-12T16:57:00.000-08:00

Everyone--be sure to wear black on Monday, 12/14 (unless otherwise told) for our dress rehearsal of the human video at youth group. Also, if anyone has a video camera, please let me know, as we could use it that night as well!

See you all soon!

Oh Snow!

2009-12-08T18:01:00.000-08:00

Now that the weather will be getting colder, snow is sure to be on its way eventually. If anyone is interested in becoming a part of a snow-shoveling team in the future for people in the church who could use some clear driveways, shoot me an email. I'll be compiling a list of people interested in this and other community service acts.

Email emailliane@gmail.com and label the subject "Snow Service" if you are interested in joining our youth community service team.

'Tis the Season For Christmas Parties!

2009-12-08T17:52:00.000-08:00

It's official! The Christmas Invites have been handed out! Here is the information for those of you who weren't at youth group this week and won't be receiving your invitation until next week).

For SENIORS:
Place: the Matthews (see the invitation for address or email me, emailliane@gmail.com)
Time: 7-9 pm
RSVP: Stu, shooten@optonline.net by 12/18/09

*bring a grab bag gift with you (up to $15)

For JUNIORS:
Place: the Librizzi's (again, see invitation for address or email me)
Time: 7-9pm
RSVP: Liane, emailliane@gmail.com by 12/18/09

*bring a grab bag gift with you (up to $15) and your favorite appetizer or dessert (email me with your what you're bringing ahead of time)

Our Human Video

2009-12-06T19:01:00.000-08:00

"While You Were Sleeping" by Casting Crowns is the video we're going to do act out on Sunday, December 20th at the 11:00 service. Youth group tomorrow and next week will be centered around preparing for this exciting event. Click on the link below to hear what it sounds like!

"While You Were Sleeping"

Sunday, 12.6.09 -- Keepin' It Real

2009-12-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

Youth of all ages (Junior & Senior High): Join me this Sunday, December 6th in the youth room during the assembly time hour (9:30-10:30) as I kick off a new series titled, "Keeping it Real." Over the last few weeks, we've talked about what it means to get "closer" to a God who's everywhere, and how we can develop a personal relationship with Him. (Remember, being thirsty for more of God and opening our eyes to see Him everywhere?)

Now, the next couple of weeks will reveal the realness of God in our lives as we reflect upon the one time in history that God "became real" to man in the form of the Christmas baby of Bethlehem.

This Sunday, we will be beginning our search of the real God with a "reality check," understanding our legitimate need for an active God in our everyday life. So, come to the meeting with prepared to answer this question: where do you need God in your life? Why do you need God in your life? If you don't know the answer now, that's certainly OK...but be sure to meet with us Sunday to find out the truth!

Ten Commandments-- A Final Review

2009-11-29T16:08:00.000-08:00

So, here you have it: a review to end all reviews of the Ten Commandments! Below I've listed the commandments and the lessons we when we discussed them. Any of them ring a bell?

1. You shall have no other gods before me.

Remember we created skits of various things that we "worship" (aka Ryan's rubix cube!). We learned that worship is something we value and spend a lot of our time with, and God should be the first in our lives when it comes to worshipping something.

2. You shall make no idols.

Peter Maus was our main character in this skit. He acted as the boy sitting on the bench reading his Bible when his different friends walked by. One friend was too busy listening to music (who played this part?) to pay attention to what Peter said, while another pair of "girlfriends" (Tyler and Nate!) were too fixated on each other to notice Peter's excitement in his Bible reading. Lastly, his other friend (was it Kenny?) was too preoccupied in sports to talk to Peter. Really, these three friends had found idols in sports, friends, and the media.

Peter was the only one not to make idols in this scenario, and will be blessed by the choice to put God first.

3. You shall not misuse the Lord' s name in vain.

Here, we talked about value, and what the phrase "in vain" meant. We learned that it means, "without purpose," and God was stating that He wants us to value His name. We also talked about the worth of a penny, a 20 dollar bill, a bag of tissues, and a laptop. After looking at the worth of these things, we realized that, depending on the value of the object, you treat it with respectively different care. For instance, pennies are trampled on and thrown on the grown because of their little value, but a laptop is often cared for and carried in protective cases because of its greater value. Likewise, we are to treat God's name with a high value in our lives and with our mouths.

4. Observe the Sabbath by keeping it holy.

This week, I became a chef for the first (and probably only) time. Remember when I showed you guys a clear cup of water? Then, we went through and poured different things in the cup to show various things that take place in our lives during the week. Some things we poured in our cup:

Monday-- garlic powder-our attitude stinks
Tuesday--pepper-we listen to the lies of Satan
Wednesday--blue dye-jealous of something someone else has
Thursday--Red dye-we hold anger against others around us
Friday--sprinkles-we have too much of a good thing (too many video games!)

By the "end of the week," your once clean cup was a mess, full of dirt and deposits from the week. In order to get rid of it, you couldn't just pour more water in there; the residue still remained. Instead, you needed to take a day to rest and empty it all out before God. Therefore, God gives us the Sabbath to find rest and empty ourselves before him, that we might be made pure and clean again before the week that is to come.

5. Honor your father and mother so that you may live long.

With this commandment we talked about honoring our parents, and what it means to "honor them." We talked about how when we "honor something" we hold it high in esteem, exalting it and obeying it. We also mentioned how this is the first commandment with a promise. If we are to complete this commandment, God has promised so much more in store!

6. You shall not murder.
Here, we talked about the understanding that life isn’t ours to handle—murder comes from extreme emotions that we have to control. Remember when I took out the chocolate coins and spoke of what Jesus said in Mark 12:13-17? We have God's imprint on us; therefore, we are God’s and belong to him, especially with our lives.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

With this commandment, we talked about God's faithfulness. Remember: He's like Superman, ready to rescue us in our time of need! This commandment urges us to be faithful in our relationships as well, being committed no matter what happens. We looked at these scriptures to show how faithful God is:

Strength
Psalms 91:13
Unbeatable power
Psalms 118:6
Protection
Psalms 91:14
Examples in history
John 16:33
Reliability
§Genesis 28:15

8.You shall not steal.

Ryan's candy was stolen during this night! So, we had to hold our "mock election" to determine what stealing really was, and whether or not someone "stole" Ryan's candy as he suspected. During this night, we realized that stealing is taking anything without the acknowledgement of the other person. Unfortunately, the girls did steal his candy--good thing this was all an act!

9.You shall not give false testimony.

When we lie, it's as if we are acting as part of a different family. In stations, we looked at John 8:31-47 we learn that Satan is the father of lies. In Romans 8:14-15, we see that we are children and heirs of God when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. So, we're fooling ourselves when we lie: that's not our father! Like when we were a child and hugged the leg of a stranger in the store, we are "hugging the wrong person" when we lie, obeying Satan's ways, and not God's.

10.You shall not covet.

We did two stations with this commandment: the competition with looking at the other person's project (picture or rubix cube) and the contentment guidelines. We see that it's important to be content with what we have, in order that our eyes would be fixed on our property, and not tempted to look elsewhere. When we do focus at other places, as we saw with the competition, it's much harder to do a good job at what's in your hand. You'll never succeed with your eyes fixed on what's in your neighbor's hand!

(5 basic rules of contentment:

1) Never allow yourself to complain about anything (even the weather).
2) Never picture yourself in any other circumstance or someplace else.
3) Never compare your lot with another’s.
4) Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
5) Never dwell on tomorrow—remember that tomorrow is God’s, not yours.)

Thinking Thankfulness

2009-11-25T06:35:00.000-08:00

Colossians 3:17:

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

We've got a lot to be thankful for, gang. Just take a few minutes and think: everything you have was given to you in some way. Whether directly by God in your genetic makeup or indirectly by him through your parents or siblings, I can almost guarantee you could not name one thing that you conjured up yourself, even if you tried.

So, as you sit around the Thanksgiving table and are urged to complain about your sister's whining or your mom's lumpy mashed-potatoes, remember the truth that there are those in the world who aren't as fortunate as you to even have such luxuries as a family or food.

Everything you have was given to you in some way, by God the Father himself. So show your thankfulness to him this week by living a life for Jesus, as Colossians says, in everything you say and do.

And as you do, keep in mind-- I thank God for you!

Praise Band Preferences and Human Video Reminder

2009-11-25T06:31:00.000-08:00

If anyone has any song suggestions for the Praise Band to play, please email them to me at emailliane@gmail.com. I'd be happy to introduce them to the group!
Also, if you are interested in participating in our human video, please email me at that same address. Here's an example of one in case you aren't sure as to what a Human Video is (this is AWESOME! I recommend checking it out, even if you aren't interested in participating in our video): Lifehouse Skit.

How Thirsty Are You?

2009-11-21T18:12:00.000-08:00

This week, during the Assembly Time hour (9:30-10:30), we're going to be continuing our "Closer" theme. So far, we've talked about the "traces" God leaves around and the "marks" He places on our lives that allow us to remember that He exists. This week, we're going to look into one specific truth found in Psalms 107:9, Isaiah 55:1, Matthew 5:6, John 4:14, and John 7:37-38: thirsting for more of God and being satisfied by it.

So often, we get distracted by the things of this world: facebook, texting, movies, and the media. The thing is, we too often allow these things to take the place of the real satisfying substance found in a growing relationship with God. Like choosing soda over water, we vie for the "fake," temporary time-filler rather than "liquid" we were made for: Jesus himself.

For this week's challenge:

Fill up your cup of water to the line marked on the side of the cup.
Throughout your week, fill up your cup to each line marked as you follow out the actions listed on the line (i.e. when you decide to skip the TV and read your Bible, pray, or spend time with your family instead, you can fill it up to this line. Basically, once you have overcome one of your distractions, you can fill your cup to the next line).
Bring your cup into church next Sunday, with the water still in the cup.

If this seems a little confusing, shoot me an email: emailliane@gmail.com or give me a call, and I'll explain it better in person!

Good luck!

Praise Band MUSIC UPDATE

2009-11-17T17:52:00.001-08:00

Below are links for the Praise Band (and anyone who wants to listen). Click on the song title to go to a site where you can hear the how the song is actually recorded.

Solution by Hillsong
What the World Will Never Take by Hillsong (You think I like Hillsong? I do! And there's a reason...check them out!)
You can also hear "You'll Come" by typing in "You'll Come Hillsong" in the search box of www.playlist.com. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the link to work before. :(

Praise Band practice begins tomorrow promptly 6:30-8:30 in the Fellowship Hall.

NEW! Praise & Prayer Reports

2009-11-17T09:31:00.000-08:00

Have a prayer that was answered? Post here on the blog and it will be added to our Praise & Prayer Report list to the right. It's always cool to see how God works continually...and this will be our proof!

Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

Week of 11-16 --> "Thou Shall Not Steal..." So Do Something Else!

2009-11-16T13:22:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 4:28: "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need."

God can use anything, even our weaknesses, and turn them around for the good of those who love him. Having trouble with this week's commandment? Pray through this scripture, and you might find that the one thing that used to mess you up is the very mechanism God uses to impact the world around you.

CLOSER Challenge * For Week of 11/15

2009-11-14T16:46:00.001-08:00

Any scavenger hunters out there?

This week, I'm sending you all on a challenging quest into the depths of one of the biggest and most intimidating books you'll ever read--the Bible. But don't worry! I wouldn't present you with the task unless I knew you could complete them. So, here you go!

Look up the following verses about getting "closer to God" and write them down on a piece of paper:

Old Testament:

Jeremiah 29:13

New Testament:

John 10:27
John 17:3
2 Corinthians 4:18
Ephesians 1:17
Ephesians 3:17-19
Hebrews 11:1

How Do You Claim the Prize?

bring your list of scriptures for me to check off next Sunday, 11/22 (or Monday at youth group, 11/23)
memorize one scripture and repeat it to me when you hand in your list.

Good luck!

Getting Closer to Our Creator

2009-11-14T12:22:00.001-08:00

So, for the past month or so we have looked in detail as to how we can get "closer" to God at our Sunday Assembly Time (9:30-10:30). Certainly, He is all around us, all the time, but relationships take work, and our walk with God is no different. Stay tuned as we explore the intimacy of a loving God and the power of a living One!