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Congregational Church of Amery UCC
201 North Harriman, Amery, WI 54001
715-268-7390
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Mission Statement
Our mission in youth and family ministry is to provide programming for kids of all ages that promotes family and church community, while guiding, encouraging, and preparing youth for a life of faithful discipleship in Jesus Christ. We believe that youth are vital to the life of our church and invite them to engage fully in all activities as they explore and discover their faith.
I recently learned of a man by the name of Nick Vujicic. He’s a guy from Australia who travels globally, teaching the word of God and sharing his testimony of faith. He lays out the promises God made to us and is a light of the hope we have in Christ. What makes him unique is that Nick Vujicic was born without arms or legs with zero medical explanation. In fact, his parents and doctors were unaware that he was without arms or legs until he was born. The struggle he and his parents endured as Nick grew up only led them to a life filled with faith and a great love for the Lord. Now Nick is 26, lives virtually independently, and has shared his message with millions across the globe.
(You can check him out at (lifewithoutlimbs.org)
If anyone understands that God has a purpose far greater than our eyes can see, it’s Mr. Vujicic. Although he didn’t always see a purpose for his life, he learned that God certainly did. He states, “For God took my life, one that others might disregard as having any significance and filled me with His purpose and showed me His plans to move hearts and lives toward Him.” Jeremiah 29:11 says:
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
Growing up, I remember my mom giving us the same words of wisdom every time we faced a plight we didn’t think we could handle – she’d say, Now remember, God can see things you can’t see. He knows what the bigger picture is.(continued on Our Family page)
Verse for any and every Month
...you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your
strength. - Mark 12:30Love is often a misused word that is mentioned sometimes even at the very thought of ice cream. But when the word love is used to describe how we feel about our creator, Lord and Savior, it is to mean more than our love for frozen dairy. Jesus told his disciples to love God entirely - whole heart, soul, mind and strength. Do you love God with everything you have? Just something to ponder.
So Glad You Came !
Youth Programs
School days are back!****************************
YOUTH DIRECTOR’S NEWS…
By Kathy NelsonWelcome back to fall life!! Students, I’m sure you are just as ecstatic as your parents to be back in school! It’s hard to believe that summer has already come and gone. It seems this summer was busier than ever, with families rushing to take vacations and the youth rushing to enjoy time with friends. The rain, although a huge blessing, made summer seem even shorter. Now it’s September and we find ourselves back in the grind of school, schedules, and social uproar. My article this month is more directed toward the youth of our church, but parents and grandparents, I’m sure you will relate. Students: You are another year older. You have a fresh start with a new school year. You are about to see your friends again with the hope that last year’s troubles are gone and your relationships renewed. With the start of school comes change. For some, you change schools. For others, you change activities you’re involved in. Still some, you simply change clothes and showed up. The thought I want you to hold onto as you walk into new classes is that with all the change you face year to year, day to day, hour to hour, one thing never changes – God’s love for you.
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus
our Lord. Romans 8:38-39.
There are two points to notice here. One, NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. Most of us relate love to condition. Parents fall out of love. Your peers fall in love one day and hate each other the next. Yet we have a God who loves us unconditionally – nothing can make Him love us more and nothing can make Him love us less. Our behavior, our disobedience, or even our sinfulness, cannot take God’s love away. I had a second grader at camp ask me: Will God ever stop loving me? I asked her if she had any pets. She said she had a dog and a cat. I asked her if her dog was naughty and peed all over the house if she’d still love him. She said of course! God’s love is like that. We can do wrong, fall away, forget to pray, and so on, yet God’s love remains. The second point I see that we often forget, but is crucial is this: The love of God resides in Jesus Christ.
Romans 39: …Nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is Christ Jesus our Lord.
The love God loves us with; the love that holds us blameless; the love that forgives us, comes from the very person who paid the price for our sins. Before Christ, God dealt with man on the basis of condition. You do what I command, and I will grant you blessings. Now, by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, we are
freely given unconditional love. Jesus is the very reason we have a relationship with God. Jesus is the very reason we can stand firm in faith and know that despite what the world around us says and does, we have the love of God which can never be taken away. You are all in my thoughts and prayers as school starts and another year’s adventure begins. Stand firm in Christ and remember God’s love for you as you face new challenges and new beginnings.
I look forward to the start of youth group and seeing you all there!
God bless!
Peace, Kathy
News Beyond the Pews
Hey there CONGO YOUTH!! It is September and you know what that means—youth group is back!! Well, it also means school, but we won’t go there. I’m SO excited to get back into the swing of things and can’t wait to see you at our events! Mark your calendars with the upcoming activities listed below and make sure to join us for the first day of youth group on September 8th! I hope you’ve all had a wonderful summer vacation. Now it’s time to light the fire and get back to church for another great year! Call me with any questions!
Peace ~ Kathy
September
8th: YOUTH GROUP BEGINS!
M.S. Youth Group (grades 6-8) @ 5:30 – 6:30pm
H.S. Youth Group (grades 9-12) @ 7:30-9:00pm** High School Youth Group will be playing water balloon volleyball, so come prepared to get wet!!
See You At The Pole
6th: Planning Meeting 6:30pm at East Lincoln Alliance Church
(Yes, we know it’s Labor Day)22nd: SYATP 7:00 –8:00am
22nd: SYATP Rally 7:00-8:30pmBoomball
September 12, 19, and 26 @ 6:00pm!!Farmer’s Market Fundraiser
We are scheduled to hold a Bake Sale Fundraiser at the Balsam Lake Farmer’s Market
Friday, Sept 17th.
We NEED your baked goods even if you can’t be there!October
3rd: Prayer Partner Brunch
11:30am - Church Fellowship Hall17th: Mystery Meal Dinner Theatre Youth Group Fundraiser @ 6:00pm
*We need actors!!! Call Kathy today!
Office 268-7390 ex 12
congo_youth@yahoo.com
