The Great Escape: An EPIC Adventure

9 middle school youth and 2 adults have returned from Cleveland, TN where we had an amazing time playing games, learning new songs, refreshing and deepening our relationship with God and growing closer together as a group. We learned about the importance of trusting God even when life doesn't make sense, being who we were created to be no matter what those around us are doing, and we were challenged by the statement "you may be the only Bible some people ever read."

Jessie Price won the girls chess tournament, Colby Shumate was on the 2nd place boys soccer team, and we all had fun in the church volleyball tournament. We also had a blast every day in recreation with water balloons, shaving cream and the 'mud pit.'

Check back soon for a video of our pictures from the week!

The Great Escape

We have 9 students from the Middle School group and 2 adults traveling 6 hours to Cleveland, TN for THE GREAT ESCAPE, June 15-20! We're ready for some good times, new friends, and a fresh relationship with God.

Those going on the trip: if you're available, come help tie-dye shirts on Friday at 3pm in the Fellowship Hall kitchen. Also, don't forget our "last-minute-questions/comments-and-other-stuff-to-get-us-excited" meeting this Sunday, June 14 at 11am in the Fellowship Hall (so don't forget to go to early worship!).

Made 2 Worship

What does that even mean? We were MADE to worship? Doesn't that imply we're like robots that have no other choice? When my mom MAKES me clean my room and do my homework I feel enslaved, not empowered.

The great thing is that with worship, we are given the choice. We can worship whatever we want to. Many people choose to worship money, popularity, status, and other 'stuff.' In Matthew 6:21, Jesus says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." What he's saying is, whatever you find most valuable is what you worship. Where is your treasure?

We have the ability to make a choice to worship our creator. Through this worship, we are freed to enjoy all the other "things" in life without them taking us over. Later in Matthew 6, Jesus says "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these other things will be given to you." We are MADE to worship. WHAT we worship is our choice.

Flocking Fundraiser

Don't you have those friends that you've always wanted to 'get' but you didn't know how? Well, here's an opportunity to prank your friends while helping the youth of BPC at the same time!

Here's how it works: You can request (anonymously if you'd like!) 24 plastic yard flamingos for 3 days ($25) or 7 days ($45) to be placed in someone's yard, in front of their business or any other outdoor area. The BYG Flocking Crew will sneak to the location, flock the area, post the "You've Been Flocked" banner and leave a letter of explanation. The next morning your friend/victim will shreak when they see the display on their lawn.

Afraid they'll try to get revenge? You can protect yourself from the pink parade by purchasing "Flocking Insurance" for $40. This will protect you from any applications that come in after your insurance purchase (so if someone has already paid to get you, your insurance will only cover future attempts).

We're keeping the FUN in FUNdraising and hope everyone has a blast with this one. For more information or to schedule your flock, call 704-753-4223 or email youthdir@bethlehemchurch.net.

BYG Beach Weekend

On the weekend of April 17-19, we'll be going down to Cherry Grove Beach, SC for a weekend of fun, relaxation and time to get closer to God. The trip only costs $25 per person, with a $5 discount if you bring a friend or sibling. Anyone in the 6th-12th grades are welcome to join us! If you haven't yet signed up but would like to go, email Andy at: youthdir@bethlehemchurch.net ASAP!

More Details:
Friday, April 17
5:00pm Pack vans
5:30pm hit the road
(we'll stop for dinner on the way down, so bring extra money for that!)
10:30pm arrive in Cherry Grove

Sunday, April 19
11:00am leave Cherry Grove
(we'll stop for lunch on the way home, so bring extra money for that!
4:00pm arrive back at church

24-Hour Famine

26,000 children under the age of 5 die every day from preventable causes such as malnutrition, disease, poverty and hunger. Thats about 1 child every 3 seconds. To make matters worse, we were fortunate enough to be born in a country where we have more food than we know what to do with.

A shortage of food is not the problem. The lack of awareness and people willing to help is the problem.

On Saturday, March 14, we're going 24 hours without food to catch a small glimpse of what people throughout the world experience every day. We'll learn some, play some, discuss some and help raise awareness in our community. Meet at the church at 6:00 on Saturday for our "Last meal," we'll spend the night, attend worship, and share a "Break-fast Meal" on Sunday at 6:30pm.

Anyone that would like to know how to contribute money to World Vision in honor of our cause, visit our group's Famine Page to make a donation.

Rocking Raffle

This Granny Rocker and Children's Rocker have been rewoven and refinished by our very own Tommy Aldridge and now they can be yours! We're selling raffle tickets for $1 (or 6 for $5) for a drawing to be held at the conclusion of our church BBQ on Saturday, March 7. The chairs can be seen in the lobby of the Multi-Purpose Room on Sunday mornings and tickets can be purchased by calling the church office or through any ticket seller on Sundays. All proceeds from the raffle will help offset the cost of our Summer Youth Conferences.

Youth Fundraiser

The Multi-Purpose Room is filling up with 'stuff' and that means we're preparing for a great sale! We need lots of hands all week to help sort and price donations and even more hands on Saturday to help run the sale. You can work from 6am-10am, 10am-2pm, or all day if you'd like! All proceeds from the sale will benefit our youth ministry at Bethlehem, offsetting costs of our conferences, trips and activities. Contact Andy to find out how you can help!

Super Sunday

Field Trip!

What happens when we die? Our answer to that question determines a lot about how we live. On Sunday, February 8 we're going to First Baptist Church in Indian Trail for a drama presentation titled "Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames." Hopefully the drama will make us think, bring some questions to mind and help us grow closer to God. We'll leave the BPC parking lot between 6:15 and 6:30 and return around 9pm. This event is free and open to the public.

SOUPer Bowl of Caring

BYG December!

Frostbite Night

It's time to kick off 2009 at youth and you're invited to 'Youth Frostbite Night'!!! The past few weeks have been unnaturally warm for the wintertime, so we're going to make things chilly ourselves.

Bundle up in your warmest clothes and come to the church at 6:30pm on Sunday, January 4 for games, music, snacks and discussion. We just might have to take this party outside!!!

Do your best eskimo impression by obnoxiously over-bundling and prepare to have a great time. All youth 6-12 grades are invited. We'll finish up around 7:30pm.

Youth Progressive Dinner

The best way to spread Christmas cheer...

Is to sing loud for all to hear! We need your beautiful voice and smiling face to join us as we travel around to different elderly church members homes and serenade them with their favorite Christmas tunes. I know what you're thinking: "I can't sing!" Buddy the elf's answer to you: "Sure you can, it's real easy. It's just like talking only you hold your words out and move your voice up and down!"
We'll leave the church at 4:30, go on tour, turn down some record deals, then return to the church for dinner. We'll be done by 6:30pm.

Summer Youth Conferences

Montreat Youth Conference (rising 9th-graduated Seniors)

The Great Escape (rising 6th-rising 8th graders)

Youth All Nighter

Saturday, November 22--It's a party all night long! We'll start at the church at 6pm with a Chili Dinner (bring your pennies to vote for your favorite) and your choice of two holiday movies: It's a Wonderful Life or Elf. Then we'll head off to the bowling alley for some cosmic bowling. Finally, we'll come back to the church for a night of games, hanging out and having fun. Sleep? Maybe. We'll conclude with worship and Sunday School on Sunday morning and be done by 11am.

If you'd like to participate, click on 'comments' below this post and leave your name, shoe size and favoite snack food. Sign up by Thursday, Nov. 20. Please bring $10 and a snack to share.

Operation Christmas Child Project

Can you imagine having no gifts to open at Christmastime? It's hard for us to think about, but there are kids all over the world that live in families that can't afford Christmas gifts.

That's where you come in. On Sunday, November 9 we're going to stay after the 10:30 worship service, have pizza for lunch and help pack shoeboxes full of toys, candy, school supplies and more to be sent to some other area of the world for kids who would otherwise have no Christmas gifts.

Between now and then, go by your favorite 'everything store' (Wal-Mart, Target, Dollar Tree, etc.) and pick up some small items that could be added to the boxes. Bring as many empty shoeboxes as you can find, and come help us reach our goal of 100 boxes! For more information on suggested items, visit the Operation Christmas Child website.

Sunday Mornings

Bethlehem Presbyterian Church is a congregation focused on the youth in our community. On Sunday mornings, we have a multi-media contemporary worship service at 8:30, with music led by the praise band and a strong message delivered by Pastor Nathan. This is definitely a place to experience God's presence.

After worship, all youth are invited into the youth room for a time of discipleship with Chad and Oscar. This is a chance to explore the basics of Christianity and find out what the Bible is all about. Through Bible study, discussion and explorations, your faith will have a foundation that will not be rattled.