Sr. High Update

Hey Parents!

A lot is going on with our Sr. High ministry here at Northside. First of all, I need you all to understand the topic we are conquering next. It is one of the top most relevant topics for Sr. High students these days: Relationships and Dating. This focus is titled “Him + Her,” and yes, we will inevitably be preaching and having separate discussion groups on the specific topic of sex! If you would like to talk to me about content, scripture used, or anything else. Please contact me via phone or in person. I prefer face to face, or phone communication when dealing with such a subject in order to minimize any possible miscommunication. My cell phone is 66-351-5404.

Also, CIY MOVE is coming up quick! We are going to MOVE in Joplin, MO this year for our week of CIY. For Freshmen parents, CIY MOVE is pretty much like a weeks worth of the CIY BELIEVE trip your student took in Jr. High. For anyone else that is confused as to what CIY is, I offer this brief explanation, and invite questions:

CIY(Christi in youth) MOVE is a week long conference that is held on college campuses throughout the United States (Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO in our case). During this week your student will be a part of dynamic worship, deep and challenging teaching, small groups, lots and lots of fun, and most importantly, a call to kingdom work. For more info visit http://www.ciy.com/move/about/what-is-move

You can also find a great movie telling you what move is all about at https://vimeo.com/ciy/movekingdomworkers

This trip is schedule for the 2nd of June through the 7th. The cost is going to be $200. We urge you not to let money hold you back though. If you honestly don’t have the funds, we will work with you to get your student on the bus to Joplin. Money is a non-issue. As I said earlier, if you have any questions give me a call or send me an email at Breandan@nccburg.com.

Until next time,
Breandan

Jan. Newsletter

Hey parents,

Here is what is going on in January:

Focus:

Our new focus is titled “Simple.” In this focus I will be preaching through key concepts found in the book of Ecclesiastes. So, it would be beneficial to read though it yourself and talk to you student about it! The big ideas for each sermon along with the titles will be posted before Sunday each week on our facebook page at http://www.northsidesm.com. While your there, mite as well like our page

Events: 

We had an amazing winter retreat this January.

The big idea was “Transform.” 

You students were led by Luke Wright in three sermons to WAIT, WITNESS, and WATCH.

Wait: The big idea for this message was simple: Your ability does not matter, your availability does. After Jesus left the disciples by ascending into heaven he gave them one simple instruction: wait. They went to Jerusalem and waited. During this time they prayed. Pretty simple, yet so often we are busy trying to do, or figure out what is next that we forget that at times God has us wait in order to prepare, focus, or train us. Brass Tax: God can’t call us into action if we aren’t waiting on him.

Witness: The big idea in this message was, “We can continually be a witness through both our actions and our words.” The focus here was on the the simple things. On the mundane behaviors that set us a part from the world. The challenge was to be different, so that when we spoke of Jesus, we would have ground to stand on.

Watch: This was a good one too! Many times we pray, “God, give us opportunities to share Jesus with people.” Then we go to work, or school, or to the store, or wherever and wonder why the prayer wasn’t answered. The truth is, there are opportunities all around us. If we are waiting on God and actively witnessing through how we live and what we say; God will present opportunities all around us. We just have to watch for them. The trouble for some people is that sometimes God is in the whispers of a soft breeze and not the rumbles of an earthquake. We want big signs, instead of small opportunities and nudges from the Holy Spirit. Maybe we wait for big signs because we are cowards? Hmmmm… Anyway, watch for God, and he will open doors like its going out of style.

This, in a nutshell, was our winter retreat. Now that you know, go talk to you students about it! Also, don’t be afraid to call me if you want to talk about it in more detail or have questions about HOW to talk to your students about this stuff.

One last thing, if you want the booklets that we printed and handed out for winter retreat so you can walk through them with your student, just let me know. I can email you a PDF or you can pick one up at church.

For Your Radar: 

We are wanting to launch one service project a quarter this year (4 total projects). The problem is, I have only been in Warrensburg for two years. So, if any of you have any ideas at all that would be great service projects, contact me about it. We would love to hear ideas!

Dec. Update

Hey Parents,

For the month of December, and a bit of January, here is what is coming up:

Focus (Commonly known as sermon series):

This week we are starting with a Focus titled “The Stories of Christmas.” It will explore the truth that there is an upper and lower story in the story of Jesus’ birth. We hope to challenge your student to see their life through the context of the upper story, God’s bigger story.

Events: 

This Sunday night (Dec 9th) we are having our annual Yankee Swap Christmas party! Have your student bring a wrapped gift to Pulse Beat at 6:00 PM in the Upper Room at Northside Christian Church. Gifts can be something from around the house, something bought (no more than $10), something funny, something nice, or anything in between. The one rule we gave to the students was no animals…dead or alive. It is going to be a ton of fun, so push, nag, and otherwise persuade your student to be a part of this with us.

WINTER RETREAT is also coming up quick! If your student wants to go we ask that they be signed up and paid as soon as possible. We will be staying at the Embassy Suits in North Kansas City. Manhattan Christian Bible College president Kevin Ingram will be our guest speaker. Of course, we will be snowboarding and skiing as well. It is going to be a lot of fun, and more importantly, spiritually inspirational and inspiring. So, get your student to come along with us. It is $85 per student, and we have scholarships available.

That’s it for now! If you have any questions you can call, email, or comment them to me at any time. My email is Breandan@nccburg.com. Phone is 660-351-5404.

Grace and Peace!

Breandan McTighe

Parent Night

Hey Parents,

I wanted to shoot an idea your way and see what you all thought. So, here it is:

I want to have a parent night for Sr. High parents at some point. I had January or February in mind. The goal would be three fold:

1. Allow the parents to get to know me and the rest of the Sr. High leaders that work with your students on a weekly basis.

2. Get to know the other parents of Sr. High students.

3. Have a good time. Since we are a student ministry we know how to have fun…we know what awkward situations are like, and we know how alleviate them Trust me, you would have a good time.

Please email, text, call, or comment below on what your thoughts are for this, and any ideas you may have! Thanks and have a great Thursday!

Nov. Newsletter

Hey Parents!

There are four things I want to communicate to you all:

1. We are having a parent meeting to discuss what is going on in the student ministry through January! We want to keep you all plugged in, as well as give you an opportunity to have a voice. Join us on the 11th of November after second service in room 100!

2. On Saturday, the 17th of Novemeber we are going to the Unashamed tour in Kansas City. This is a concert featuring Christian rap & hip hop artists! We will be leaving at 5PM and returning at 10PM. Tickets are still available for $22 per person. Contact us if you are interested!

3. Turkey Bowl is coming up soon. On Sunday, Nov. 18th Pulse Beat will be hosting our annual flag football competition! It will start after second service and end at 5PM. Pulse Beat, as a result, will not be meeting at 6PM that night. NOTE: Northside Christian Church’s annual meeting is that night as well.

4. Winter Retreat is coming up soon! Friday and Saturday of January 4th and 5th we will be heading to KC for our annual Winter Retreat. Yes, we will be snowboarding and skiing, yes Kevin Ingram is going to be our guest speaker, and yes, it will be an amazing time! Do everything you can to make sure your student attends this event!!! The cost is $85, and scholarships are available. Money is a non-issue. If $85 is too steep for you, just let us know and we can work it out!

5. Our focus for Sunday mornings “Pulse Air” this November is titled “Fearless.” The them is “We are Young…And Bold.” We will be preaching through, and having discussion on fear in the life of a Christian. The big idea is, “We can be fearless as we follow Jesus who had no fear.” It will be jam packed with relevant, and applicable scriptural truths for your student to bring into there everyday life!.

As always, if you have questions comment below, or feel free to contact me at your convenience!

Grace and peace,
Breandan
660-351-5404

CIY Summer Retreat Preperation

Hey Parents,

If your student is going to CIY, this post is for you. If they are not, you can skip it.

Our departure day is coming up quick! While the leaders and I dot the i’s and cross the t’s in preparation I wanted to send out a reminder of what we have talked about in past meetings! We will be leaving Northside at 5:00AM this Monday the 11th; which means you should be here at 4:45AM with your student (or make them drive for those of you that have kids that can drive). Obviously we are not going to leave anyone behind, but in order for us to get there on time, this is when we will need to leave.

If you have yet to pay please bring cash, or a check to me when you drop your student off. If this won’t be possible, please just contact me at 660-351-5404 so I have a heads up!

As far as things to pack, when we are at CIY there will be a lot of daily activities. Activity options include tennis, volleyball, basketball, swimming, running track, lots of green space for frisbee, etc., and a game room.

Every student is responsible for bringing their own bedding and linens as well.

So, here is a rough idea of what to pack:

- Clothing for 6 days

- Modest swimming attire

- Shoes for whatever activity your student will be participating in

- Sleeping bag & pillow

- Towel for drying after showers

- Towel for drying after swimming

- Wash cloth for showers

- Toiletries

- Bible (if owned) if your student does not have a Bible, we have one to give to them.

- Entertainment for bus ride (cards, book, mp3 player, etc…)

With all that said, the rough itinerary provided in the CIY packet is our plan. However, things happen, and plans change. So, we will do our best to keep that schedule, and will absolutely keep you informed to changes that affect our arrival time on Saturday the 16th. These updates will be published to our Facebook page here. So follow that link and add it to your favorites! If you don’t know how to add favorites you can search NorthsideSM (all one word) in the Facebook search bar to find us too. Our page is the one with our logo. Of course, you could simply type www.facebook.com/NorthsideSM in your browser bar to navigate to our page as well. Your students will also be able to call you on the bus ride home to inform you of any deviations from our plan.

For the top ten most asked CIY questions you can follow this link.

With all that said, comment any questions below, or give me a call at 660-351-5404. Be in prayer for the week!!!! Here is a prayer schedule with scripture reference for the days that we will be gone:

Day 1: Matthew 4:12-15 Pray that your student will hear the teachings of Jesus this week.

Day 2: Matthew 6:25-34 Pray that your student will respond to the invitation to trust God as their heavenly Father (even if they have made this choice in the past, realize that this choice must be made daily).

Day 3: Matthew 5:17-48, Matthew 6:16-24 Pray that your student will see the importance of the church, and understand the implications of their sin.

Day 4: Matthew 6:5-15, Matthew 7-16 Pray that your student will put the words of Jesus into practice and forgive others as God has forgiven them.

Day 5: Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 7:7-27 Pray that your student will be a light in the dark places of their life. Pray for them to let their light shine!

Day 6: Matthew 13:1-23 Pray that your student will exemplify the good soil and that this CIY experience was not just an emotional time for them to grow a shallow root in rocky soil. Pray that the relationships they made at CIY would continue to encourage, convict, teach, and hold them accountable in their relationship with Christ. Then of course, pray for our travel!

May Newsletter

Hey Parents,

It is the beginning of May and that means it is time for another newsletter! Please remember that you can contact me with questions and post to this blog by following the link in your email.

First things first, our Summer Retreat to CIY in Indiana is coming up quick! So, I just wanted to remind all you parents to get the registration forms filled out, make your payments, and/or fill out a scholarship application if need be. These forms can be found at the landing in the foyer at Church (or you can contact me to email you a copy). The deadline will be May 27th. Now, with that said, I know that in the past we have been pretty lenient with deadlines. However, this year we need to be pretty strict, as there are a limited number of seats open for this event. If we do not get our reservation correct, we may not have seats open. Also, there is a $50 per person fee to any changes made after this date. So, seriously, the deadline is the deadline this year. Sorry parents!

This event is going to be amazing, so if your student is on the fence, encourage them to go!  They will not regret it

Here is what is happening this month:

Focuses:

Pulse Beat (Sunday night youth group) will move from our focus “Ouch” into our focus titled “The King Jesus Gospel.” This focus is about exploring the gospel beyond salvation, and discovering how it can change us. Today we have reduced the Gospel down to a plan of salvation. This is only a portion of the Gospel that Paul preached, that Jesus lived, and that Israel navigated through history. The Gospel is bigger than a salvation plan, and when we discover this, it opens us up to all the Good News has to offer!

Pulse Air (Sunday morning) is starting a focus titled “The Great Banquet” this May. This focus will hone in on Jesus, the Kingdom, and what it means for us. There are a number of subjects that Jesus spoke a lot on. The kingdom is one of them. This focus will be the perfect preface to our Summer Retreat to CIY in Indiana this summer where we will take it even deeper.

Events:

Car Wash:

On May 27th we are going to have a Car Wash at Insight Eye Care to support our Summer Retreat and spread the love of Christ. The students will be served lunch after church at 12:00 PM in the Upper Room. We will then head to Insight Eye Care to wash cars from 1:00pm until 5:00pm. This car wash is a FREE service we are providing to the church and community. It is our way of loving to serve and showing our gratitude for the donations  that made our trip possible this year! This event will be in place of our Pulse Beat that night, so, we will not have service at 6:00pm that night.

For Your Radar:

The Adult Leadership Team and I are making plans for summer! We will not be discontinuing programing this year, but we may be altering it a bit. Stay tunned for next months newsletter where you will get the details!

Contact Me:

You can contact me 9-5 Tuesday through Friday, and Sundays at 660-351-5404, email me any time at Breandan@northsidechristianchurch.com, or comment on these newsletters.  I would love to here from you.