Youth and Family Ministry Calendar
December 2008

December 5 - 7, Friday - Sunday
Chrysalis High School Retreat
This is the D.C. Synod’s High School retreat at the 4H Retreat Center in Front Royal, VA.

December 12, Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Family Movie Night and Pot Luck Dinner
This month’s movie is Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! Everyone is invite to come out to watch a great movie and bring a potluck dish to share. See below for more information.

December 14, Sunday, Following the First Service
Santa Lucia
Immediately following the First Worship Service, the Santa Lucia celebration will begin.

December 15, Monday, noon
Fun Bunch Lunch
Come join us for the Fun Bunch lunch this month as we gather for food, fellowship and Christmas Carols.

December 15, Monday, 4 pm
Gift Wrapping
The youth will offer gift wrapping in the Fellowship Hall. They will gladly accept donations to go toward their trip to New Orleans for the 2009 Youth Gathering. See details below.

December 21, Sunday, 4 pm
Caroling at the National Lutheran Home
Everyone of all ages are invited to join us at the National Lutheran Home to sing Christmas Carols to the residents. We will meet in the lobby. Afterward, we will gather at the Beardall’s Home for a Pot Luck supper. Contact Pastor Lewis for more information.

December 24, Wednesday, 5 pm
Christmas Eve Family Service
Everyone is invited to join us for the Christmas Eve Family worship service. This is a great service for the whole family as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Come and see what Pastor Lewis has planned for this year.

December 25, Thursday, 10 am
Christmas Day Service
Come and celebrate the Birth of Christ with us on Christmas morning.

January 10, Saturday, 6 pm - Sunday 9 am
Youth Lock-in
This is the first Youth Lock-in of the new year. All youth are invite to this lock-in that will be full of surprises as we spend the first part of it away from the church.
Bring a snack to share, and $20.
We will wake-up and breakfast in time to make Sunday School and attend the 11 am Cantata service.

Mark Your Calendar
January 10 - Together in Mission
January 18-19 - Confirmation Retreat at Hallowood
January 23-25 - Ski Retreat

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Family Movie Night
and
Pot Luck Dinner

December 12, 2008
Friday, 6:30 p.m.

Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Horton is an Elephant who has no trouble believing in a world that extends beyond his own., Many of the other characters do. As he sees it, "maybe they aren't small, maybe we're big." Maybe there is even someone out there bigger than him and his world, and he and his friends are actually the small ones. And what about the fact that he does not have any more proof than a tiny voice only he can hear? As long as that voice calls out for his help, Horton is not about to tell it that it does not exist. Hmmm, sounds familiar.

This is a wonderful movie for all ages. Bring a dish to share and a friend that will enjoy the movie with you.

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Gift Wrapping
December 15, 2008

The youth will be provide gift wrapping services on Monday, December 15, 2008 in the Fellowship Hall. They will begin at 4 pm and continue accepting packages to wrap until 7 pm. You can bring your own wrapping paper, or have the youth use the paper they have. If you would like to drop packages off on Sunday, December 14, we will secure them until they are ready to be picked up on Monday. The youth will be accepting donations for the wrapping service with the proceeds going toward the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans.
Please contact Pastor Lewis if you have any questions.

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SPECTACULAR

YOUTH SKI RETREAT
January 23 - 25 2009
Seven Springs Ski Resort

All youth (and some adult volunteers) are invited to come on the SPECTACULAR Youth Ski Retreat on the weekend of January 23-25, 2009 at Seven Springs Ski Resort, Somerset, PA. We will depart from Emmanuel at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 18 and stop at McDonald’s in Breezewood, PA for supper (bring money.) We will sleep Friday and Saturday nights at Trinity Lutheran Church in Somerset, PA, ski all day Saturday and Sunday, and return to Emmanuel around 7 p.m. on Sunday, January 20.

You do not have to know how to ski to come on this trip. We will teach you. In fact, it’s a great way to learn how to ski, and many of our youth have learned to ski on previous years’ trips. The cost is $180 per person, which includes transportation, lodging, food Saturday and Sunday, and lift tickets. Adult volunteers are needed to help with driving and to assist as mentors. A large van is needed to transport the skis, boots, and poles.

Sign-up packets will be available in the Narthex in Mid-December.

If you have any questions, contact Pastor Lewis (301-365-5733).