This week we are beginning a three week series that will come from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. To give parents a better idea of what we’re talking about and to help them bring the discussion home, we wanted to make sure you have an overview here.  Take a look and make a note to discuss each after church or sometime the week following each message.  The series is titled “I Have To Do What?!?!” because the Sermon on the Mount has some revolutionary ideas. Jesus gives a lot of life instructions in this sermon. Most of the time when we read it, we are overwhelmed by the challenge that Jesus puts before us. It is almost like Jesus says, “You think you have your life under control, but you actually don’t.” We are going to take a close look at three different chapters that make up this Sermon and see how what Jesus is asking us to do is actually possible and that it will certainly change our lives for the better.  Jesus did not give us impossible commands; He gave us the blueprint on how to live a happy, healthy, fulfilling life.

• 5/6 – Above and Beyond – We’ll take a look at Matthew 5:38-42. Jesus tells us that we should not retaliate when we are injured by other. We will learn what exactly it is that we are supposed to do in those situations. Instead of retaliating, Jesus calls us to respond with love and forgiveness, not the last laugh.
• Think of a situation at school or home when you have retaliated and tried to get someone back. What did you do? How did you feel? Would the scenario have played out differently if you had responded in love and forgiveness?
• 5/13 – Anxiety Away – We’ll take a look at Matthew 6:25-34 to see what Jesus has to say about worry. Worry seems to be an accepted part of everyday life, but Jesus calls us to live a life free of worry. That worry will disappear as we begin to truly trust in Him.
• Worry seems to be a part of everyday life. What is it that you worry about most often? What area of your life do you need to trust Jesus with? Think about why it is that you worry about certain things.
• 5/20 – Judge Not – We’ll take a look at Matthew 7:1-6 and take a look at what Jesus says about judgment. It is a difficult call to follow. There are situations where we have to be able to make judgment calls. We will learn what Jesus meant when He told us not to judge.
• We make judgment calls all day, but we also judge many people that we see. What causes us to judge others? How do you feel when someone judges you? When is it okay to judge?

• All 6th Grade Boys – 6:30-8:00PM, meet at the new YMCA (Illes & Archer Elevator Rd), bring swimsuit & towel.
  
• Jon, Stewart & Corey (7th) – 6:30-8:00PM, meet at West Side, pizza & games.
• Jerry, Tony & Curtis (7th) – 6:30-8:00, meet at Culver’s on Wabash, bring money for food.
• All 8th Grade Boys – 6:30-8:00PM, meet at West Side, Pizza & Dodgeball, bring your own drink.
• All 6th Grade Girls – 6:30-8:00, meet at Smashburger & Cherry Berry. Bring money for food.
• Bethany, Amy & Angie (7th) - 6:30-8:00PM, meet at the Harney’s house, see flyer for more info.
• Bridget, Brenda & Maddy (8th) - 6:00-8:00PM in E205, pizza and a movie.

While we will no longer have our weekly V-Group times over the summer, we will still have monthly opportunities to see each other (in addition to Velocity on Sunday mornings). Check back soon for more info on what we’ll be doing over the summer.

There are a lot of exciting things on the horizon as we plan to open the new student center this August.  Our student ministry team is working hard to think and dream about the future of Jr. High and High School ministry at West Side and we need your help.  We want to make sure that our efforts go toward things that will best equip you and your family to thrive at West Side.

Parents, please take 10 minutes and complete this short Parent Survey. Your feedback will help us greatly as we move forward into the new year!

Students, we’ll be asking you to fill out a paper copy in the next week or two but if you miss it or would prefer to do it now, you can complete our online Student Survey  instead.

Thanks for helping us take West Side Student Ministries to the next level in 2012!

This week we’re beginning a three week series in Velocity called Heart of a Champion.  We’re taking a closer look at someone the Bible says was, “A man after God’s own heart.”  To give parents a better idea of what we’re talking about and to help them bring the discussion home, we wanted to make sure you have an overview here.  Take a look and make a note to discuss each after church or sometime the week following each message.

•  4/15 – A Look Inside – We’ll take a look at the story of David & Samuel found in 1 Samuel 16.  We’ll learn that people tend to look at external appearance but God looks at the heart.
• Thinking about the people at your school, what do they tend to judge people on?  If you’re honest, what are the things you tend to think about first when you think about people?  Are they internal or external?
• 4/22 – Measuring Up – We’ll take a look at the battle between David & Goliath found in 1 Samuel 17.  We’ll learn that God doesn’t need the biggest and strongest to go great things, just the people who will trust Him with their whole heart.
• What do you think is standing in the way of God using you or your friends to do great things?  If you knew God was going to work through you, what one great thing would you want to do for Him?
• 4/29 – Learning to be Loyal – We’ll take a look at the friendship of David & Jonathan in 1 Samuel 20.  We’ll learn that even people with a great heart need loyal friends to help them through the toughest times.
• Do you have someone in your life like Jonathan who will always be there to help when you need it?  Who are the people in your life who you know you’ll always be there for like Jonathan was for David?

Coming up on April 25, 6:30-8:00PM at White Oaks Mall Food Court we’re planning this fun event in place of our regular V-Group time.  You do not want to miss it!  We are going to meet up at the food court at the mall at 6:30PM.  We’ve got a scavenger hunt and several other challenges planned.  Plus, we’ll have some fun prizes for our winners.  It should be a GREAT time so pick up some invite cards start inviting your friends.  We hope to see you there!

NOTE: We will NOT meet at the church.  Students should be dropped off and picked up from the mall food court.

Next Sunday, April 1st at 10:15AM, Velocity is going to to be HUGE!  As a wrap up to our How To Save A Life series we’re going to have an extra special program for April Fools day and we’re encouraging EVERYONE to invite a friend.  We’re making it a perfect Sunday to bring friends and we’re hoping to have a record breaking number of students with us for all the fun we have planned.  Not only will we worship together and play some extra fun games, we’re going to have a GIANT ice cream sundae.  We’re talking epic.  You won’t want your friends to miss it!

Invite Idea: Consider having a sleepover the night before.  Pizza and video games (or late night giggle sessions for the ladies) are a great lead in to fun worship and a giant banana split.  Have a sleepover and then come to church together in the morning!

Beginning this Sunday, March 11th we’ll be going through a new series in Velocity all about how to share the life changing message of Jesus with those around us.  Sometimes that means breaking the rules or going against the norm but God has big things in store for us if we’ll learn to step forward in some simple ways.

On March 18th, we’ll be beginning the series in adult worship as well as we lead into Easter early next month.  There are some big things planned for that kickoff on the 18th so our student minitries are planning to all attend the 11:30AM service together.  That day we will NOT have our regular Velocity programming at 10:15AM.  Instead, we’re planning a fun breakfast and some games (we’re even breaking out 9 Square-in-the-Air!) at 11:00AM in E205.  Then we’ll all head down to the worship center in time for the 11:30AM service to begin.  You won’t want to miss it!

If students cannot attend the 11:30AM service with us, they should plan to attend worship that day with their families.

We encouraged students to take two challenges this week based on Ephesians 4:29:

1. Go 24 hours without saying anything negative.  No put downs, complaints, gossip, etc.  (Tell people around you if you’re taking the challenge and have them give you a thumbs down as a reminder if they notice you using negative language).
2. Begin using postitive lanugage and give at least 5 compliments/encouragements in 24 hours.

The dogeball tournament is almost here!  Next Wednesday, March 14 from 6:30-8:00PM we’ll be gathering in the gym for our most highly attended event of the year.  Make sure you come and invite your friends!  It’s a super easy excuse to come to church and meet some fun people.  Also, don’t forget that the students with the best dodgeball outfits get prizes so figure out something fun to wear.

Parents: We’re looking for some additional snacks for the night. If you’d be willing to bring some chips or cookies or send them with your student that night, please contact ChrisS@wschurch.org to let us know.

The week of Wednesday, February 15th each of our V-Groups are planning their own opportunities to serve and make a difference in our community.  We will not be meeting at the church during our regular time that night.  Instead, check the list below to make sure you know your group’s plans.  If you’re not in a group or aren’t sure which is yours, contact Chris.

• 8th Boys – Meet at church – 6:15-8:15PM – River Birch Senior Center
• 7th (Jon, Stuart, Corey) – Meet at church – 6:30-8:00PM – Lewis Memorial
• 7th (Jerry, Tony & Curtis) – Meet at church – 6:30-8:00PM
• 6th Boys - Meet at church – 6:30-8:00PM – Community Clean Up
• 8th Girls – Meet at Inner City Mission – 5:00-6:30PM – RSVP to Brenda
• 7th Girls – Meet at church – 6:30-8:00PM – bring cookies for fire stations
• 6th (Melissa & Heather) – Meet at church – 6:30-8:00PM – Bring $3
• 6th (Brigette & Michelle) – Meet at church – 6:30-8:00PM to deliever cookies