BIGHOUSE Youth

COMING TO A CAFETERIA NEAR YOU!

Greetings Students!

With the return of the school year comes the return of student lunches! We would love to come to your school and have lunch with you! Please invite us and let us know when you are available!

:)

 

UPCOMING EVENTS!

Hey BIGHOUSE Family!!!

Just wanted to let you guys in on some upcoming events that you don't want to miss!

HalfwayHOUSE: September 8th @ 7pm in the OutHOUSE! Come and relax in the presence of your Creator and hear a message from Kristin Dwyer!

Special BIGHOUSE Sunday School (BIGHOUSE AM): September 19th @ 10am at the Corner! We will have a combined sunday school time for all BH students!

BIGHOUSE Kickoff Event: September 19th @ 4:30pm over at the Corner! Don't miss it! We are going to be 'Bringing Heaven Down' this year!

Remember, you are loved.

See you around!

JP,Kristin,Tommy

ACTS 2:42-47: THROUGH A STUDENT'S EYES

At our BH Summer Bible Study, we've been looking at the book of Acts; the story of the explosive beginning of the early church.

We've been asking the questions, "What did they do that we aren't doing?", "How did they grow in such numbers?"

Acts 2:42-47, gives a clear description of the kind of people they were: 

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

I decided to rewrite this passage, to better reflect the youth group (and even church experience) I see today in America…

They occasionally read the Bible, (as long as someone remembered to bring one), and they hung out for a bit, and maybe said a quick prayer before they ate…or not. Every so often a few of them vaguely sensed God’s presence, but usually only on a retreat or if the band was really good. Everyone had their own stuff, and unless an offering was taken, they cherished it and held onto it so they could trade it in for more and better stuff. They met once a week, (unless the weather was nice or they had something better to do, or their boyfriend or girlfriend didn’t want to go). When they did get together, there was lots of gossip, drama and infighting… and tons of texting. Many people on the outside called them hypocrites. Once in a while someone who accept Christ and maybe get baptized. Their group basically stayed the same size, and they were OK with that.

I then asked my students to look at our lives; our church; our youth group, and translate Acts 2:42-47 into their own words; words we as a group could strive for and aspire to. This is what Ashe, one of our amazing students wrote:

They devoted themselves and their lives to God and His commands, and to fellowship with His believers. People were amazed by the love and compassion exhibited by the Christians. They came together as the Body of Christ despite their differences. Anything that belonged to one member belonged to the entire Body. They loved and cared for one another with glad and sincere hearts. They thanked God every day and praised His name for all they had. The people saw how authentic their faith was, and longed to be a part of it. God added greatly to their number as the people saw what was good.

May it be so.

 

AN INVITATION

The following is a partial list of people who are warmly invited to BIGHOUSE this Fall:

 

Christians

Non-Christians

Weirdos

Freaks

Oddballs

Cool kids

Smart kids

Rich kids

Poor kids

Jocks

Goths

Punks

Rockers

Emos

Preppies

Posers

Losers

Loners

Outcasts

Class Clowns

Americans

Non-Americans

Lovers

Haters

Holy Rollers

Atheists

Agnostics

Popular kids

Conformists

Troublemakers

Geniuses

Failures

Phonies

Frauds

Believers

Doubters

Skeptics

Lost Causes

Party Animals

Bookworms

Straights

Gays

Bi's

Goody Goodies

Overachievers

Underachievers

Rebels

Misfits

Introverts

Extroverts

The strange

The silly

The unloved

The gassy

The tattooed

The lost

The grieving

The hurting

The hopeful

The helpless

The breathing

 

This list is by no means comprehensive, but hopefully it will give you some idea of whether or not YOU would be welcome when we gather, beginning on Sunday, September 19th at 4:30PM

BIGHOUSE is an open door, come-as-you-are community.

It is a home for anyone who walks through the door.

It is not for perfect people, but for people who seek to uncover the best life possible.

We strive to be clique, gossip,  judgment and bigotry-free.

No need to RSVP. Your name is already on the Guest List.

See you soon!

NO TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!!!

There will be NO TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY on August 17th.

We will return on Tuesday, August 24th!

Thanks!

The Cost of Compassion.

$1.26 a day...

For that amount of money, you can change the course of a human being's life forever.

Is that worth more than a Red Bull?
Is it worth more than a newspaper?
Is it worth more than a McMuffin?
Is it worth more than another download?

The Bible teaches that our love for God is directly proportionate to our love for the poor.

Invest $1.26 a day, to love a God who provides that all you have.

 

Vist http://www.compassion.com

BIGHOUSE SUMMER BIBLE STUDY BEGINS ON JULY 6TH!!!

This and every Tuesday this Summer at 11AM, we are gonna "eat the Word' together!

We'll gather at the Fountain at Rivergate for some great conversation and some delicious food!

Bring a Bible and 5 bucks to contribute for lunch if you are able. 

This Bible Study is open to any and all Middle School, High School and College students who can get there.

We will be finished at 1:00!!!

See you there...

JP

CREATION TRIP MEETING THIS SUNDAY!!!!

 
Our trip to Creation East is just 10 days away!!!

We have a mandatory meeting this Sunday at 1:00 at the Corner Campus. 

Every student (or parent of a student) attending Creation must be there. You'll get last-minute instructions, turn in all necessary paperwork, and have a chance to ask any questions you may have.

This meeting will last no longer than 40 minutes!

NOTE: If you are registered for Creation but cannot attend, please notify us IMMEDIATELY. We have a waiting list, and need to notify students if spots will open-up. If you do not cancel by Sunday's 1:00 meeting, you are responsible for the full trip cost.

Get ready for a life-changing week!!!

Also: There is NO BIGHOUSE This Sunday, in honor of Father's Day!
 

BIGHOUSE ROCKS MEAL-PACKING EVENT!!!

LAST NIGHT AT BIGHOUSE, NEARLY 200 TEENAGERS AND ADULTS ASSEMBLED AND PACKED 45,000 MEALS FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD!!!

 

We danced, sang and worked until the food was gone.

In addition, 50 BIGHOUSERS fasted all-day in solidarity with the hungry of the world, and the offering received tonight was enough to make another 1,000 meals! 

You all literally changed the world tonight.

Well done BIGHOUSE Family! :)

BIGHOUSE ANNOUNCES SUMMER TRIP TO CREATION FESTIVAL!!!

 BIGHOUSE is taking a road trip, heading to Creation Festival in Mt. Union, PA!

Creation is the nation's largest Christian musical festival; with 60 bands, 20 speakers, and amazing times of worship, teaching and outdoor fun!

Switchfoot, Newsboys, David Crowder, Toby Mac, Skillet and tons of other bands! Check out the complete lineup of bands and speakers here: http://www.creationfest.com/ne/artists.php

The trip is June 29-July 4th and is only 150.00 per person, which includes 4-day admission to the festival, as well as all meals onsite, and travel costs.

Creation is a camping event, held at beautiful Agape Farm in Central PA! We will spend our days in the sun, being inspired and encouraged. We'll end each day around the campfire and sleep in tents under the stars.

The deadline to sign-up will be Sunday, June 20th. A 50.00, non-refundable deposit will be required by that date. The balance for the trip can be paid over the Summer! (We don't want money to keep you from this amazing experience! 

We will also have an INFO/PLANNING Meeting on Sunday, June 20th at 1:00PM at the Corner Campus. All students and/or at least one parent is required to attend.

To sign-up, email johnpavlovitz@gsumc.org. You can sign-up at GS, at Sunday School and at BIGHOUSE too!

For all kinds of information and lost of photos, go to:http://www.creationfest.com/ne/


BIGHOUSE takes a road trip this Summer. It will be amazing!!!