Trek games...

We played some fun games at Trek the other night (thanks to Mr. DeVries) that got everyone moving and shaking.

One was "tails". Each person is given a tail and the person still standing with their tail at the end of the game is the winner. So basically you have to run around and try to pull everyone else's tail off.

The other game was "steal the bacon". The bacon (not real bacon, just a piece of cloth) is set in the middle of the floor. Each person on each team is given a number. When their number is called they run out towards the bacon with the people from the other teams that had their same number. So like if 2 is called, a 2 from each team comes out. The point is to get the bacon and get out of the circle before you get tagged by your opponent. This game takes quickness and smarts and maybe a little craftiness as well.

All to say, we had a good time playing games and since I got a few good pictures of the action, I thought I would share it with you. Notice the quick moves by Jenn and Bryan.

Birthday Parties for Jesus...

Thanks to all who helped with the Birthday Party for Jesus at LifeSpring on December 2nd. We had a fun time with the kids and adults there whether it was singing songs, playing games, learning our memory verse, listening to the lesson or eating pizza.

I hope everyone had a great time sharing about Jesus Christ.

Be in prayer for the next two parties. December 16th at CBC and December 20th at Elssy Febela. Thanks also to Mrs. Ward for training us and being there at LifeSpring to help us out. We appreciate her!

J.O.Y.

Everyone is invited to CBC this Wednesday night, November 22nd for a FREE Bluegrass Gospel Concert by J.O.Y. (Just Over Yonder). We will not be having Trek, instead we will be having this great concert. By the way, this concert does involve some of our very own Trek members - Kathleen and Johnny DeVries. And their dad and one of our Trek leaders, Mr. DeVries is part of the band. See if you can pick him out in this picture.

So we really hope to see you there. The concert starts at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary at CBC.

And, in addition, just want to tell you all Happy Thanksgiving. Don't get so caught up in all the food, football, family, and fun that you forget to focus on the Lord and give Him thanks - not just for all the stuff we have but even just for who He is. Thankfulness should be a constant attitude for us as believers. Thankfulness should even extend to trials and tribulations in our lives.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

So enjoy your turkey and all the other food. Watch your football game. Have fun with your family. But don't put the Lord on the back shelf and forget Him. The reason we can be thankful is because of Him!

CEF Ministry Opportunities

Hey Sr. and Jr. Highers, you have some great ministry opportunities upcoming to help with Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) and our favorite CEF Missionary, Jodi Ward.

The first opportunity is one we have been involved with before. It is the Birthday Parties for Jesus. 3 of these events have been scheduled:

1. December 2nd - 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at LifeSpring
2. December 16th - 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at CBC
3. December 20th - TBD at the Elssy Febela Foundation

If you can't come to all of these that is ok, your involvement in any of these would be great!

If you are going to help with these, however, you must attend the training this Sunday night after our evening service at CBC. This training will be from 7:10 - 8:30 p.m.

Birthday Parties for Jesus are focused on sharing the Gospel with kids as we celebrate the birth of Jesus and remind kids what the real reason is that we celebrate Christmas - Christ's birth. And why was Christ born - to ultimately die for and pay for our sins so that by faith in Him we can have eternal life; salvation.

There are many ways you can participate in this. You don't necessarily have to do a lot of upfront talking. There are games and crafts and all sorts of things you can help with.


The second opportunity that we have to help with CEF is through the Gospel for China Conference. This is an opportunity to help with childcare for a big conference focused on reaching China with the Gospel.

This will take place on Friday, December 29th and will be an all day event. If you can only come part of the day that is fine too. We are glad to have any help at all.

Here are the details:
- We will probably leave CBC around 9am and return to CBC around 9pm
- All meals will be provided (lunch and dinner)
- We will be going to the Crown Plaza Hotel at Ohare
- Transportation can be arranged if necessary
- We will be helping care for 200-250 kids ages 3-7
- CEF will take care of all the planning, we will just help implement these plans
- You need to attend an informational meeting, Sunday, December 10th immediately
following our morning worship service (around 11:35 a.m. - about a 20 minute meeting)
- Please sign up at the CBC information desk for this event
- You will need to fill out CEF's Safe Child Policy

This is a very practical ministry opportunity and through this you have a part in helping spread the gospel in China. You are acting in a support role.

Please strongly consider and pray about these ministry opportunities with CEF that will take place over the next couple of months. Being part of the body of Christ involves service when we know it is what the Lord would have us do. It is very important for me that our youth (you!) be involved in service opportunities.

Your involvement in service opportunities now may also make a difference in future service opportunities that I ask you to be a part of; like maybe missions trips (hint hint). This is not to try and pressure you into anything and I'm not saying that you have to do everything, but I do expect to see some involvement in service opportunities if you are going to be involved with future missions trips.

Many times service involves sacrifice....remember service is not about ME! it is about serving God as we serve others.

Sr. High Game Night...

Sr. Highers (you know who you are), we are having a game night this Saturday, November 11th from 5-9 p.m. at the Anderson's home.

Meet at the Anderson's home at 5 p.m. and come prepared to have a great time together. We will play pool, ping pong, darts, air hockey and board games. We will also have dinner together and a devotion. And if the weather is nice we will head outside for a fire and maybe some smores (sounds a little sticky)

This is a FREE event (always everyone's favorite kind), but please let me know if you plan to be there so I can plan for food. If you have a favorite board game, bring it.

Thanks a ton to Gary and Debbie Anderson for letting us use their home once again.

See ya Saturday night!