The Handy Dandy Youth Ministry Blog

Book Review

2010-11-03T13:02:00.002-05:00

Here is a book review done by Elayne Werges of St. John Lutheran Church in Nashua, Iowa.

Book Review: Book of Uncommon Prayer, Books I and II
Elayne Werges, Director of Ministries/Diaconal Minister Candidate
St. John Lutheran Church, Nashua, Iowa

So, one night we were having a lock in at our church, and it occurred to me that I had not planned the late night worship time for our group….yikes! what should I do. If I just skipped it, what would make this time together any different than all the other really cool fun things that our youth go to? So I went to the hymnal…filled with super things, but not what I was looking for….so I went to the internet, found some things, still not exactly what I was looking for, but I made it work, we had worship and off they went, another successful youth event.

Determined never to have that happen again, I began looking for resources that I could keep on file to grab at a moments notice. One of the books, actually two books I found were “The Book of Uncommon Prayer-Contemplative and Celebratory Prayers and Worship Service for Youth Ministry” Book I and Book II by Steven L. Case.
These books have been an indispensible tool that I have used over and over for everything from lock-ins to mission trips, to middle school worship experiences.
Chapters include prayers, responsive readings, and devotions for youth workers are found in book I. Book II includes outlines for services, blessings, and a scripture index. Both books come with a cd with music that can be used for the experiences described. The wording used in both books is that of youth today. It speaks to them in a way that they understand.

I like that it keeps the traditional order of service-Gather, Word, Meal, and Send. You can easily add video clips that illustrate the lesson for the day. All resources lend itself to adapting and changing to your context and situations.

Bible Study from Junior High Lock In October 15-16, 2010

2010-10-20T10:01:00.002-05:00

This is the Bible study written by Katelyn Haw and Jessica Steen, seniors at UNI, for the Junior High Lock In held at the Wellness and Recreation Center of UNI on October 15-16, 2010.

What Makes a Church?
Opening
• Have the kids get into groups of 20-30 kids (and at least one adult chaperone), when they find their group sit down in a group and be silent
• What is the theme of the night???

Ephesians 2:19-20
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”

• Our bible study tonight is about the different things that it takes to build a church. There are many different things that make a church but Christ is the cornerstone that holds all of those things together.

• Explain that they will be visiting 8 different bible study stations.

• Rules!!
o If you arrive at a station where there is already a group wait patiently for them to finish
o Be safe, no running
o Stay together as a group, if you lose your group try to find them or come back to the main gym

• At each station you will receive a puzzle piece. When you have found all 8 pieces return to this gym

1. What Makes a Church: Forgiveness

a. Location: Main Floor behind the elevator

b. Description:
Will it Blend? : Sin!

After you have read the bible verse, each person in the group is to write down all of the sins they know that they have committed recently and haven’t asked for forgiveness. When they are finished have them each tear the piece of paper up and put it in the blender.

Explain that because they were baptized in the name of the father (add a splash of water to the blender), and the Spirit (add another splash), and the Holy Spirit (add another splash) and they have asked for forgiveness their sins are forgiven…

TURN ON THE BLEND TO BLEND THEIR SINS AWAY!!!!!!!

Give each group a puzzle piece before they leave. When they are done, the group is free to move on to another station.

c. Bible Verse: Acts 3:19 19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

d. Supplies Needed:
i. Blender
ii. Piece of paper for kids to write on
iii. writing utensils
iv. water
v. slop bucket

2. What Makes a Church: Faith

a. Location: Near front door

b. Description:
When a group arrives read the bible verse to them and explain to them that sometimes life will test our faith but when we believe in Christ he will always guide us to him even when we cannot see him.

Have each member of the group reach into the large container in search of “faith” they each must pull out a symbol of faith before they can move on.

Give each group a puzzle piece before they leave. When they are done, the group is free to move on to another station.

c. Bible Verse:

Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

d. Supplies
i. Big Container
ii. Crosses
iii. Tarp
iv. Goop/ice-water

3. What Makes a Church: Community*

a. Location: Anywhere away from other stations

b. Leader: Jessica Steen

c. Description: Father, Son, Holy Spirit Bracelets
When a group has arrived at your station hand out a piece of string (that will fit around their wrist) to each person.

Tell them to tie a knot in the very middle of their piece of string. Explain that this knot represents god and our goal is for him to be at the center of our lives.

Then have them tie a knot a ¼ - ½ inch to the right of the first knot. Explain that this know represents God’s Son , Jesus.

Then have them tie one more knot the same distance to the left of the first knot. Explain that this knot represents the Holy Spirit.

Describe how the white string represents how Jesus’ death on the cross purifies us of our sin. Have each person find someone next to them and tie the string around their wrist in a double knot. This represent how Christian community helps us with our faith.

Give each group a puzzle piece before they leave. When they are done, the group is free to move on to another station.

d. Bible Verse: 1 John 1:7 “ if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

e. Supplies
i. White String (precut) 6-7” x320
ii. Scissors

4. What Makes a Church: Followers of Christ
a. Location: Upper Gym

b. Description: “Jesus Says”
When a group arrives read them the bible verse and explain that they are going to be playing “Jesus Says”. Play a 5 minute game of “Jesus Says” with the group (just like Simon says). When someone makes a mistake and would normally be “out” instead of ousting them from the game, walk over to them, place your hand on their head and say “child you are forgiven” and continue playing.

Suggestions for things Jesus might say:
• Hug your neighbor
• Pat someone on the back
• Follow Jesus around the gym
• Dance for joy
• Make a joyful noise
• Say the Lord’s Prayer
• Hi-five your neighbor
• Shake another person’s hand
• Recite your favorite bible verse
• Run around and “baaaaaaaaaaaah” like a sheep
• Recite one of the ten commandments

Give each group a puzzle piece before they leave. When they are done, the group is free to move on to another station.
c. Bible Verse: Luke 9:23 23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

d. Supplies:
i. Megaphone

5. What Makes a Church: Prayer *
a. Location: Main Gym

b. Description: Prayer wall

When a group arrives, read them the bible verse and explain to them that we are creating a prayer wall.

Encourage them to write as many prayer requests as they can come up with in 3 minutes on pieces of paper and tape them to the wall.

After 3 minutes have the group sit in silence to pray for all the prayer requests on the wall for 1 minute.

When the minute has passed give each group a puzzle piece before they leave.

c. Bible Verse: 1 Timothy 2:8 “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.”

d. Supplies:
i. Paper
ii. Writing utensils
iii. Masking tape

6. What Makes a Church: Service
a. Location: Near a trash can and away from other stations

b. Description: Washing of the Feet
When a group arrives at your station read them the bible passage about Jesus washing the disciples feet. Explain to the group that like Jesus washed the feet of the disciples they are going to wash each other’s feet.

Have the group pair up and wash each other’s feet with a baby wipe.

Give each group a puzzle piece before they leave. When they are done, the group is free to move on to another station.

c. Bible verse: John 13:14 -17

14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

d. Supplies:
i. Wet wipes

7. What Makes a Church: Worship
a. Location: A Dance room off of the main Gym

b. Leader: Tanner Howard + Friends

c. Description: Camp Songs/ Camp Worship led by Tanner

Tanner will come up with a fun worship song or activity to do with each group in 5 mins.

Give each group a puzzle piece before they leave. When they are done, the group is free to move on to another station.

d. Bible Verse:
Psalm 100:1 - 3 “1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. “

e. Supplies:
i. Guitar???

8. What Makes a Church: Scripture*
a. Location: Anywhere away from other groups

b. Description: Mark favorite bible verse in bible
When a group arrives read them the quote by Martin Luther and explain how scripture can help us build our faith. Have each person in the group mark their favorite bible verse with a manger sticky note. Use the Temporary stick glue sticks on the piece of paper to turn them into sticky notes.

If someone has already marked their favorite verse they can mark it again or mark another verse or mark it in another bible.

Give each group a puzzle piece before they leave. When they are done, the group is free to move on to another station.

c. Bible Verse: "Scripture is the manger in which the child is laid." – Martin Luther

d. Supplies:
i. Manger “sticky notes” x 350
ii. Temporary stick glue sticks
iii. Bibles x10-15

Closing
• As groups arrive have them sit together in a group on the floor

• When all of the groups have come back, tell them that it’s time to put their puzzles together

•

• Explain that the missing piece is the cornerstone…
o Who is the cornerstone???? A: Jesus

• Without out Christ as our cornerstone our puzzle is incomplete. So where is the final puzzle piece? Inside each of u! Christ is inside each of us.

Ephesians 2:19-20 “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”

New Ministry Ideas

2010-08-19T18:22:00.002-05:00

The Youth Worker Network of the Northeast Iowa Synod met and held a swap meet with some new ideas for Rally Day and Family Ministry.

From Elayne Werges (Elayne@butler-bremer.com)
Teaching Faith at Home Packets: These packets that parents can check out of the church library is a packet of activities, stories, games, crafts, coloring sheets, action figures, videos and more that help parents teach a Bible story to their children. It contains an introduction letter on how to use it and any copies needed for the activities. It was all contained in a Five Star three ring binder notebook. Elayne put one together on Moses for right around $50. She used things from VeggieTales (www.bigidea.com), Christian Book Distributors (www.cbd.com), as well as other resources and websites (DLTK and Catholic moms). For more information, contact Elayne at the email address above.

Also from Elayne: Graham Cracker Banquet
Elayne is using this as part of the Milestone for 3 and 4 year old children entering Sunday school. The families are invited to attend this banquet that consists of graham crackers with frosting, fruit and juice. The are blessed during worship, get introduced to their teachers and have some ice breakers and mixers. Contact Elayne for more details.

Sara McCaw (sjmccaw@qwest.net) brought an idea for Rally Day
Her children's ministry put together an activity fair with introductory activities to all the lessons the children will be studying that year. Families can go to as many activities as they want. They pull all families together in the middle of the Sunday school hour for a short devotion and a time of announcements. There is a picnic following the worship service that day as well. Sunday school registration goes on during this time as well. Contact Sara for more details and a list of the activities.

Sara also gave us some great Advent ideas, including an easy Advent wreath and Advent banners. Email Sara to get the handouts on these great ideas!

Book Review from Elayne Werges

2010-07-07T21:50:00.001-05:00

Book Review: For Everything A Season- 75 Blessings for Daily Life

"For Everything A Season- 75 Blessings for Daily Life" by the Nilsen Family (published by the Youth and Family Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1999.)

This book is a great resource for a family or for congregational use. It is really more of a tool box. It contains 'blessings' that can be used to mark both ordinary and important times of the life span. The book contains an introduction that contains the theme for the book, and introduces ways to celebrate rituals. These suggestions are practical and doable.

The book is divided into sections that include Seasons of the Day, Seasons of the Year, Seasons of Our Lives, Seasons of Our Relationships, Seasons of the Christian Life, and Seasons of the Church Year. Each blessing outlines a welcome, prayer, Bible text, a suggestion for a song, and questions for Reflection, Ritual Action. In preparation there is a 'prop' that goes with the blessing that is used in the blessing. These are usually things that are readily available and hold special significance to the participants.

These Blessings can be adapted to be used in "Milestone" ministry programs in congregational settings. Particularly the Blessing of the Car Keys.
It is not easy to raise children these days. This is a resource that helps families connect and celebrate and pass on faith practices.

-Review by Elayne Werges

Book Review

2010-02-26T13:17:00.001-06:00

If you are going to read only one book on youth ministry this year let it be Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry: From a Strategy of Influence to a Theology of Incarnation by Andrew Root published by InterVarsity Press in 2007 (Amazon Page).

In "Part One" Root gives us some badly needed historical perspective reminding us that adolescence, age specific ministry, and relational ministry are all concepts unique to modern history. He helps us to understand that until the industrial revolution and public education there were no "teens" and the organization "Young Life" developed the relational model of ministry. The temptation in relational ministry is to develop a "cool" place and program where youth will interact with a "cool" youth minister who will relate to youth in order to manipulate them into being the kind of kids the congregation wants them to be.

In "Part Two" Root walks us slowly and carefully through Bonhoeffer's theology of Incarnation. Root also copies Luther's didactic technique of feeding the reader small spoonfuls of theology each followed by a "Why Does This Matter" section. Using this format Root explains the questions upon which Bonhoeffer develops his ethics: "Who Is Jesus Christ? Where Is Jesus Christ? and What Then Shall We Do? In the seventh chapter, Root demonstrates the difference between relational youth ministry to "influence" and relational youth ministry as "Place-Sharing."

If you are going to read only one chapter of one book on youth ministry this year let it be Chapter 9 where Root casts his vision of a "place sharing" incarnational relational youth ministry. In his vision Root sees a youth pastor who has contact with many kids but a relationship with only a few. The youth pastor also works with other adults in the congregation who also have many contacts but few relationships. In these relationships the adult does not try to "influence" the youth but shares in their suffering (here Root seems to assume that most youth suffer most of the time). Root's vision includes congregations without youth groups but groups of adults who are in relationships with youth. Youth ministry also focuses on the youth's family which is strengthened and resourced by the congregation. The congregation in Root's vision is welcoming of youth in all aspects of ministry and calls and commissions adults to be "place sharers" with youth. If you are only going to read three pages of one chapter of one book on youth ministry this year let it be pages 207, 213, an 216 where all this is summarized.

Would a strict implementation of Andrew Root's vision of congregational youth ministry win a youth worker in Northeastern Iowa praise or unemployment? Probably the second, but the book still has a great deal to say to us about our role as manipulators or ministers or discipleship coaches.

Parent Group Idea

2010-02-24T15:01:00.001-06:00

From Our Savior's in Mason City:

EWOK's (Evening Without Your Kiddos) is the new start up Parish Life group for those in the "I-have-kids-who-I-want-to-leave-with-a-babysitter-for-an-evening-but-I'd-like-to-hang-out-with-those-in-the-same-boat-from-our-church."

More or less, we're a group of parents who would like a night out without the kiddos. Childcare will be provided on a volunteer basis with confirmation kids and others who are old enough to do so.

We'll have an event monthly.

A Junior High Sunday School Idea

2010-02-24T14:59:00.000-06:00

At St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Waverly, we have started a new kind of program for junior high Sunday school. We call it Drama and Devos. Every Sunday during education hour, junior high students meet for this fun group. We start each time with some singing, using some of the groups favorites and letting a student or two pick a song they want to sing. Then we do a lesson, generally based of off one of that week's lessons, involving a short bible study and discussion. We also usually do some type of activity to go along with the lesson, whether it is a group builder or game that we can tie into our discussion. Then we have the group's favorite part: we rehearse and prepare a short skit or drama to present at the confirmation opening time on Wednesday nights. We have even presented dramas to the congregation at two worship services. The students love the chance to act and share what we have been doing with
their friends. At the end, we share highs and lows for the week and pray together. It is a great opportunity for the junior high kids to spend time with each other, get a little silly sometimes, and learn more about God and each other.

Here's what some of our regular attendee's have to say about Drama and Devos:

"The skits are really fun. It's fun to hang out with people and you learn a lot" - 7th grade boy

"My favorite things are the singing, friends, acting, and learning about God. It's FUN!" - 8th grade girl

"I like the friends, skits, and the treats. It's FUN!" - 7th grade girl

"For me, the singing, skits, friends, and learning more about God are the best parts of Drama and Devos." - 8th grade girl

We get the materials for the skits from books and on-line. We try to make them tie into that weeks lesson so the kids have a different way of getting the message.

Christian Formation Group Ideas

2010-01-27T12:45:00.003-06:00

Quarterly, the Christian Formation Group meets to swap ideas for family ministry. Below you will find ideas from their January meeting focusing on the season of Lent.

Kathryn and Sara from Redeemer-Waverly
Redeemer does a Rotation Model Sunday School that has been written to meet their needs. Kathryn shared information about the “Last Supper Rotation” for 2-5th grade they have done in the past. They have five stations that focus on different activities.

“The Arcade”-learning games
Bible Jeopardy Take a heavy shower curtain with ziplock bags taped on with packing tape.
Tic Tac Toe

“Solid Rock Productions”-Recreation
Bowling

“Creation Station”
Arts and Crafts

“Computer Station”
Computers donated by members with software for kids to play on

“Cinema on the Mount”
Puppets, dramas, and skits

They also shared some other activities that they had done during Lent.
• Hosted a Sader Supper-presided over by a Rabbi
• Reenactment of the Last Supper
• Sunday Software
• Eastern WI Synod-swap lessons (http://www.feautor.org/en )

Bev and Diane from Zion-West Union
Shared they had made Bulletin Inserts on half sheets of paper. There was clip art printed and given to kids to be colored. The inserts were placed in bulletins throughout lent. People were encouraged to place the art on their fringes at home.

They host a Christian Ed Sunday in May-All classes present something from what they have been working on all year. .
• Sing the books of the Bible
• Preschool- Table prayer
• K -1 Lords prayer
• 3-4 Ten Commandments
• 5-6 Apostles Creed

Lisa from First in Cresco shared:
Resources she had found at the Congregational Resource Center in Clear Lake (www.lutheranresourcecenter.org )
• Before and After Easter by Debbie Tafton O Neal
o Lenten Candle Cross
She has found Creative Communications for the Parish a valuable resource. They purchase Lenten calendars that families can use during Lent (or advent) ( www.creativecommunications.com )
Lisa shared some Ways to Celebrate Lent and Holy Week that she encourages others to use and has used with her own family-
• Decorate for Holy Week-
Palm Sunday-Palm Leaf from the Worship service
Maundy Thursday-Challis and bread
Good Friday-Cross
Easter-Butterflies
Veggie Tales Easter Carol-Fun video to be used during the season. (www.bigidea.com) Also have event kits for movies/DVD’s that are being released.

Paul from St. Paul, Waverly shared:
Kinderlent/kinderadvent- family friendly service aimed at small children held at 5:30 and lasts for 25 minutes max.
• 6 services during Lent-4 services during Advent
• Songs
• Children’s message
• Something to take home/work on
• Puzzle create a piece a night scripture, artsy activity
• Cross made out of heavy paper-family tapes together

They are working on forming a Mime drama team-

Teresa from Bethlehem shared some information about a Mission Trip to Minneapolis she is planning this summer for middle schoolers.
A possible worksite is: Mary’s Place-Minneapolis more information can be found at www.sharingandcaringhands.org

Other resources are:
www.30minuteseder.org downloadable resource to learn more about the Seder meal. Cost involved

Elayne from St. John in Nashua did a Lenten Fair last year. It was a family oriented event that was done during the Learning Hour on Sunday Morning. There were booths/tables that Sunday School Classes rotated to. If you want to use a Marti Gras theme, you should schedule the Lenten Fair before Lent. The following are some examples of the activities that have been tried and are successful:
• “Prayer placemats” that can be colored with markers and decorated with stickers. There was a small booklet with meal time prayers that went with it.
• “plant a seed”- planted a seed to watch it grow
• “butterflies”- made from tissue paper and clothes pins. The kids made the butterflies and then wrapped them with a strip of paper with the words from II Corinthians 5:17 “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new.” Then the butterflies were wrapped in a small brown bag and sealed with a label that said “do not open until Easter” They were encouraged to open them on Easter morning.
• Cross necklace made out of beads and string.
• Pretzels-premade pretzels that were snacks
• Fish pond- (no connection to Easter, but nicely cleaned out the directors supply closet)
• Guess the number of eggs in the jar. Prize for the person guessing the closest without going over
• Information tables about camp and family ministry
• Past activities have been:
• ID cards
• Pancakes
• Decorate a cookie or cupcake
• Witness bracelets’
• Easter in an Egg-Plastic egg filled with symbols for Easter
• Kings Cake-joyful celebration from Marti Gras- Part of the fun is finding the baby Jesus in the cake that is very similar to a cinnamon roll/braid. There are many recipies available on line but this link will take you to a simplified version and some background of Marti Gras that is tied to Epiphany. http://www.holidays.net/mardigras/cake.htm Cakes are also available at local grocery stores but must be ordered in advance or they will not come before Ash Wednesday. From the standpoint of the traditional use, It would be inappropriate to have King’s Cake during Lent.
• Music and Decorations reflecting the season

LYO Hunger Challenge and LYO Assembly

2010-01-26T18:14:00.001-06:00

Dear Partners in Ministry,

At the 2009 Synod Assembly we affirmed our support for the fight against hunger being made by the ELCA Hunger Appeal . The Northeastern Iowa Synod's Lutheran Youth Organization would like to support this effort by offering the annual Hunger Challenge to congregations and especially their youth.

The challenge is to raise as many funds as possible for the ELCA Hunger Appeal and/or for local food shelves between now and the LYO Assembly in Dubuque on March 13. This will include the traditional date of the "Souperbowl Sunday " on Feb 7. In addition, the LYO Board has many resources available on the web page .

All congregations who participate will receive a certificate and thank you letter from the LYO. The congregation which raises the most funds (per member) will be presented a trophy, an original ceramic artwork created by an LYO Board member of a football in a Bowl with hearts.

By the way...the 17th Annual LYO Assembly is almost here:

March 13-14, 2010
Grand River Center
Dubuque, Iowa

Sponsored by:
Northeastern Iowa Synod, ELCA with help from Lutheran Services of Iowa

The event will include Worship, a "poverty Simulation" hosted by LSI, improv and music hosted by outdoor ministry staff, and great food.

Registration Information:
Each Congregation must pre-register for the Assembly by submitting the
LYO Assembly Congregation Registration Form (pdf)
by March 5, 2010 at a cost of $60 per participant.

Hotel Reservation:
Each Congregation should make its own housing reservations at the
Grand Harbor Hotel at 563-690-4000 and identify yourself as making
a registration for the "LYO Assembly."

LYO Assembly Menu:
Lunch
Traditional and Vegetarian Lasagna served with Garlic Bread Sticks, House Salad, Season Vegetables, Rolls, Butter, Dessert and Iced Tea & Coffee

Dinner Buffet
Mixed Greens with Diced Tomatoes, Y Diced Scallions, Spice Ranch Dressing, Beef Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, Refried Beans, Chef's Sizzling Cooked to Order Fajita Bar Including: Beef, Chicken, Shrimp, Onions, Peppers, Flour Tortillas, Shredded Lettuce, Dice Tomatoes, Pico de Gallo and Guacamole with Iced Tea.

Breakfast
Choice of Chilled Juice, Farm Fresh Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Breakfast Potatoes, fresh pastries and coffee

How you can help in Haiti

2010-01-26T18:12:00.000-06:00

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Individuals and congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have contributed more than $1.2 million to fund relief efforts of ELCA partner organizations working on the ground in Haiti, said the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director, ELCA Global Mission, in a Jan. 19 conference call.
Malpica Padilla said the figure includes gifts sent to the ELCA through the Web and those contributed by callers using credit cards. Checks that have been sent to the ELCA are not yet included in the total, he said.
"We anticipate we are close to $2 million," he said.
Funds sent to the ELCA are being channeled through three partner organizations for earthquake relief in Haiti, said Malpica Padilla. Recipients include:
+ The Lutheran World Federation, Geneva, working through Action by Churches Together to provide shelter for people left homeless by the earthquake
+ Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, providing material aid such as hygiene kits and materials to be used to care for babies
+ Church World Service, New York, for construction of temporary water systems and distribution of water purification materials
Financial contributions to support relief efforts in Haiti can be made at http://www.ELCA.org/haitiearthquake or by calling 800-638-3522.
100% of your gift will be used in full to bring life sustaining support to this crisis. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

Planet Wisdom Conference

2010-01-13T15:07:00.004-06:00

From Mark Beard at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Dubuque, Iowa.

I am not sure if you know of the Planet Wisdom Conference that happens across the country each year. This year their convention theme is based on the last 14 hours of Jesus' life before the cross. They call the convention "A Walk with Christ To The Cross". I have taken my high school youth group to Minnesota to this event for the past four years. It was a great event with over 2400 people attending. The Skit Guys and the band Dutton along with Mark Matlock (Planet Wisdom) and radio personality Dawson McAllister work and perform together for this high power weekend. It was a great experience as my youth and the adult leaders were in deep discussion throughout the weekend.

Well now to my point. On Friday, February 19th and Saturday, February 20th, theevent will be presented live via satellite. This event is a community wide outreach and discipleship event that will be shown in a theatre in Dubuque. This is the first of a year full of events that I plan to present. I hope that you can bring some of the youth and their friends. This is a Friday night and Saturday day event. For those of you that need a place to stay on Friday night, you can use the youth house at St. Peter to crash. I just ask that you have at least one adult leader that will stay. This message is already long enough so I have attached information and promotional information. Because Northeastern Iowa Synod rocks! - if you order tickets before January 25, contact me and mention the code word MEB and the cost per ticket will be only $15.80 with one ticket free (for leaders) for every ten tickets purchased. Hope you can make it to this great and worhshipful event.

2010 Hunger Challenge

2010-01-06T10:35:00.001-06:00

At the 2009 Synod Assembly we affirmed our support for the fight against hunger being made by the ELCA Hunger Appeal www.elca.org/hunger The Northeastern Iowa Synod's Lutheran Youth Organizationwww.neiasynod.org/youth (LYO) would like to support this effort by offering it's annual Hunger Challenge to congregations and especially their youth.

The challenge is to raise as many funds as possible for the ELCA Hunger Appeal and/or for local food shelves between now and the LYO Assembly in Dubuque on March 13. This will include the traditional date of the "Souperbowl Sunday" on Feb 7 http://souperbowl.org. In addition, the LYO Board has many resources available on the web page
www.neiasynod.org/youth/hunger.asp

All congregations who participate will receive a certificate and thank you letter from the LYO. The congregation which raises the most funds, per member, will be presented with a trophy, an original ceramic artwork created by an LYO Board member of a football in a Bowl with hearts

To help the board be efficient please send us an email to let us know you have accepted the challenge. You can email Pastor Mark Anderson at andersonm@neiasynod.org to accept the challenge!

Book Review

2010-01-02T01:45:00.002-06:00

This is a book review from Mark Anderson, Assistant to the Bishop.

Book Review

After The Baby Boomers: How Twenty-and Thirty-Somethings Are Shaping the Future of American Religion by Robert Wuthnow, published by Princeton University Press in 2007. $28.00 at Amazon - See page.
Wuthnow begins by asserting his dislike for material based on anecdotes or interviews and not on scientific research. He follows through by making 80% of his work read like a dissertation with references to hundreds of studies complete with charts and graphs. If you like this kind of detailed analysis the middle of the book is for you. Otherwise the first and last chapter contain the material which is urgent to the Christian Church.

Even on page 1 we are shocked when Wuthnow states that "Babyboomers are no longer the future of American religion, As they grow older, they are rapidly becoming its past." He looks to the Baby Boomers as becoming "high-maintenance members" while resisting chance and lamenting that the church is not as good as it used to be. In the day of the Baby Boomers young people stayed in their town or neighborhood, married their high school sweetheart, by age 21 they had already started their careers had their first of several children. In this paradigm it made sense to have confirmation at age 16, youth group until high school graduation and expect young adults to fall into women's groups, men's groups, join choirs, and teach Sunday School.

In the 21st Century, young adults, between the ages of 21-45, make up not the future but are already a significant part of the population at over 100 million members. However, many will not start their careers until they are 28, will not marry until they are 26. In fact, many people are not settled down into a home, marriage and family until much later in life. This has created a group of "young adults" who single, have no children, are facing economic uncertainty, live far away from their families and are often lonely. So when the congregation is putting most of its efforts into children and elderly it is oblivious to the large numbers of absent young adults.

After 200 pages of reviewing the latest facts and figures the author gets around the answering the question how to make a congregation attractive to young adults? First, what does not work: 1) a lively high school group does not mean the congregation will have a lively young adult ministry; 2) contemporary worship and projection is the preference of 40-45 year olds but 21-29 think "church should feel like church" or as Wuthnow puts it "the "so-called seeker services that were geared toward people who disliked church are not passe;" and 3) megechurches do NOT draw young people more than mini- churches.

On the other hand, congregations which have at least 35% of worshippers who are between the ages of 21-35 have these characteristics in common:
There are young adults in the population of the community
There are other young adults in the congregation. Note that one pastor commented "What young people at my church dislike more than anything else is sitting alone."
Worship includes a choir, silent prayer of meditation, and a time for people to meet and greet each other, and there was a written order of service or program
The congregation would also welcome concerts, art festivals, poetry readings, and opportunities to discuss literature, music, and art.
Classes in Bible study but also parenting, financial management, and groups for single adults
Service projects and mission trips

In short, this book points out that congregations offer a surround-sound of ministries for people ages 0-21 and then nothing until they are shut-ins. "Yet nearly all the major decision a person has to make about marriage, child rearing, and work happen after the support systems have ceased to function.

-Mark A. Anderson

New Beginnings

2009-12-31T14:53:00.002-06:00

The new year brings a great time to celebrate New Beginnings. A great way to mark events in the lives of youth as well as families is to use a blessing. Below you will find a copy of what the LYO Board does as a blessing of their new year together. It was modified from the book "For Everything a Season: 75 Blessings for Daily Life." It can be easily adapted to fit a new year! More blessings can be found in the book "For Everything a Season: 75 Blessings for Daily Life" by the Nilsen Family. It can be purchased on Amazon or from Vibrant Faith Ministries.

Synod LYO Blessing on New Beginning

**Adapted from 75 Blessings for Daily Life by the Nielsen Family

Prayer: Dear Lord, give to the members of the LYO Board direction during this time, clear focus on the possibilities for their new beginning, help in the many preparations and meetings and trust that all will work out well in Your name. Amen.

Read Philippians 4:6-7

Reflection Time: Have everyone have a piece of paper and writing utensil. Have each youth finish these four sentences quietly:
I hope that…
I worry about…
I will be disappointed if…
I am excited about…

I gave them the option of sharing if they wanted to and had a few share, but not required.

Ritual: Individually, the youth came up to the fire and said: “I give all my hopes and worries to God who wants only what is best for me” then put their piece of paper with their answers into the fire, signifying those worries and hopes being given to God.

After everyone finished, pastor stands and says:
Let us end our night together with a blessing. Make the sign of the cross and say with me: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over you. Amen.

We pray the prayer you taught us to pray: (Lord’s Prayer)

We confess our faith together in the words of the Apostle’s Creed. (Apostle’s Creed)

Let us pray: I give thanks to you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected me today. I ask you to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously to protect me tonight. Into your hands I commend myself, my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Movie Clips from WingClips

2009-12-31T14:48:00.003-06:00

A great tool to help reinforce points or lessons with today's youth is the use of video clips. This website is a great site that has video clips available, both of movies on DVD as well as some movies still in the theaters. You can sign up to get updates and the last email update I received was from WingClips was for movies clips from Avatar.

You can sort movie clips by keyword, title or theme. You can download video clips for free! If you want full access to the site, including sermon helps and higher resolution videos, you can subscribe for $15.95 a month. Just another resource out there to help us out!

WingClips - www.wingclips.com

Baptismal Remembrance

2009-12-31T14:44:00.002-06:00

Sunday, January 10th is the Baptism of our Lord Sunday. This is a great Sunday to help the entire congregation remember their baptisms, but also to specifically lift up those who were baptized this past year in your congregation. Below is a blessing that can be included as part of a worship service to remember and celebrate baptism. This was modified from the Milestones Ministry Manual from Vibrant Faith Ministries.

Baptism Remembrance Blessing

Epiphany means “show forth” or “make manifest.” During the epiphany season, the lessons tell of how Jesus showed himself to be the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Today we hear of Jesus being baptized. And today we honor all those who were baptized this past year and we recommit ourselves to the live from the identify God has given each of us in baptism.

We invite those families who are being recognized this morning to come forward and gather around the baptismal font and Christ candle.

Renewing the Baptismal Promises

ALL: At your baptism, you heard the words of Jesus, who says to you and all who are baptized, “You are the light of the world; let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven.” Today we celebrate your new life in Christ and ask you to renew your baptismal covenant. We, the congregation, renew our promise to support and equip you to use your gifts to follow Christ in daily life.

PASTOR: A voice from heaven declared, “You are my son, my Beloved!”

ALL: In the name of the Father…

PASTOR: John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River and declared, “I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

ALL: In the name of the Son…

PASTOR: The Spirit, descending from heaven like a dove, came upon him.

ALL: In the name of the Holy Spirit.

PASTOR: With a splash of water and a promise, we are called children of God. We are gathered together to remember our baptism as we say…

ALL: In the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.

Rite of Remembrance

LEADER: When you were baptized, the pastor spoke the same words and also made the sign of the cross on your forehead and on your heart.

ALL: Receive the sign of the cross as a sign that you have been redeemed by Christ who died on the cross for us.

(A parent or parents of the child or sponsor for a teen or another adult make the sign of the cross on the one whose baptism is being recognized.)

LEADER: We gather to remember that baptism is not just an event. We affirm that these individuals are on a journey of faith that continues today and for the rest of their lives. Regardless of age, they are beloved children of God.

ALL: Help us Lord, to continue our journey with you.

PASTOR: Will you continue to be among God’s people, to hear God’s Word and share in God’s meal, the Holy Communion?

BAPTIZED, SPONSORS, AND FAMILIES: Yes, with the help of God.

LEADER: Will you practice your faith when you rise and when you go to bed, when you are at home and when you are away?

BAPTIZED, SPONSORS, AND FAMILIES: Yes, with the help of God and support of this Christian community.

LEADER: The following were received by God as God’s children through baptism this past year.

(As each one’s name is read, invite them to light their candle from the Christ candle.)

LEADER: As we see your light burning, let it remind us to reflect the light of Christ and let Christ’s light shine through us in our homes and in our daily lives.

ALL: We are beloved children of God. Let us celebrate!

PASTOR: Let us pray together: Gracious God, at the baptism of Jesus you proclaimed him your beloved son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized into Christ faithful in their calling to be your children. Help us to serve you, cherish your forgiveness and grace and always live in honor of you. Amen.

Welcome!

2009-11-17T13:52:00.002-06:00

Welcome to this new blog! The Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) of the Northeast Iowa Synod of the ELCA is creating this blog to help congregations and those working with youth and families share ideas and resources. We want to equip those working with youth to have the best youth and family ministry possible in their settings. This place will have ideas and resources you can use as they are, tweak, or be inspired for your own ideas. We'll update about once every two weeks and we'll open to guest posts and ideas. We are looking forward to sharing lots of new ideas and resources in the time to come!