Youth Groups

By Pastor Bryce Cooley

June and July have been interesting and full to say the least! With two weeks of Summer Camp and one week of fireworks booth, I have been running around non-stop. Two weeks later I am finally recovering.

Summer Camp was an amazing experience for both student and counselors. There were about 400 students at each camp, a great worship band (Between the Trees) and very energetic and engaging speakers. Each night our students were challenged to go deeper with God and were challenged in their current outlooks on God, Faith and Life. Cabin discussions were honest and encouraging. I couldn’t have asked for more out of camp this year. I know for those Seniors who went for their last year as a camper this was a high note to end on! For those who went for their first time the future looks bright!

Fireworks Booth. For those of you who did not hear, on July 2nd in the early morning someone stole all our fireworks. This started off as a bad day but over the next week showed itself as an opportunity for God to provide. Though we would have preferred not dealing with this situation we have seen God come through in this situation through many avenues. Our church and community both showed up with donations and prayers which was a huge encouragement to us. Phantom Fireworks and our Insurance company are both trying to work with us in order to make sure we end up somewhere in the black. Considering Phantom does not offer theft insurance for store containers on site, this is a huge blessing. All in all I have seen a situation that was bad turn into an opportunity to see God do great things. That you for all involved.

Upcoming Events Now that we are back from camp and settled in we are working on our schedule for the end of summer and spring. Please continue to check link name for updates.

On a personal note. For those of you who have not heard, I am now engaged to my long time girlfriend Bethany Broughton. Our wedding is set for December 18, 2010. We are doing everything in our power to get as many people — Family, Friends and Church family — involved as possible. We would appreciate your support in prayer. If you are interested, you can check out our website at http://www.bryceandbethany.net

By Youth Pastor Byce Cooley

CAMP – Welcome to the longest two weeks of my life! I am very excited for this year’s Summer Camp Xtreme 2010. I have only been here one night and know that God is going to change these students in powerful ways. Please keep them in your prayers as they are going to get a heavy dose of God’s word and will be incredibly challenged in it. The worship thus far has been great and has really accomplished drawing the kids into meeting with God. The games likewise have been great. I can’t wait to see what this week has to offer us!

SUPPORT – Another way you can help our students is by sponsoring a student for camp. I understand that they are already at camp but many students were still very short in how much money they were able to raise and your contributions would be a huge blessing to them. I would ask you to pray about this and consider giving to our students. Another way you can support our students is by working in the fireworks booth. Sign ups are on the ledge in the main entrance of the church. I know for a fact that the last few days still have spots.

Thank you for all your help and support. If you have any questions I can be reached at bryce@cnchurch.org.

In Christ,

Bryce

By Youth Pastor Bryce Cooley

Well, it’s Spring and that means Summer is right around the corner! With Summer comes Summer Camp and we can’t wait for it this year! This year we are going to have a blast and one of the biggest camps ever. Not only will there be an estimated 400 students at each camp but Alliance Redwoods has made huge upgrades since last year. This promises to be a great year!

The theme for camp this year is “Inside Out” and will challenge students to be Christ followers on the interior not strictly appear that way on the exterior.

With camp comes fundraisers and they have already started. Track down a student and ask them if they are selling Cookie Dough Gift Cards. These cards (seen on the left) cost $20.00 but allow $40 – $50 dollars worth of savings. For each card you receive
1 Tub of Cookie Dough + Shipping FREE ($20 value). Then you also get:

* Round Table (on Folsom) – 15% off total purchase

* Wingstop (on Zinfandel) – 10% off total purchase

* Arby’s (on Sunrise) – Buy 1 get 1 Roast Beef Sandwich

* Chevys (off Sunrise) – 10% off anything excl. alcohol

* Rubios (on Zinfandel) – Free Drink w/ purchase

What a deal! Students will be selling them individually but you can also purchase them Sunday mornings in Rudat Hall. Please stop by our table.

Look for other fundraisers too: Youth Car Washes, Fireworks Booths and Rent-a-Youth which will be scheduled and on the church calendar by Friday April 23, so keep looking back for that.

Other Events Upcoming:

April 30 – Youth Game Movie Night (6:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the church) FREE

May 8 – Dead Sea Scroll Exhibit (9:00 am – 1:00 p.m.) $10.00

May 30 – End of School Party (7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.) FREE

If you have any questions about the youth ministry, please feel free to e-mail me at bryce@cnchurch.org or call me at 916-635-5992 ext 15. I am be glad to help in anyway I can.

In Christ, 
Bryce Cooley

By Youth Pastor Bryce Cooley

It has been an interesting time in our youth ministry as of late. A good time, a difficult time, a fun time and everything in between. Last month we talked about the writers of the Psalms and hymns, pulling God’s truth and lessons on perseverance from the lines of their songs. It is always encouraging to look back on the rich history of Christians and see the trials they persevered through. God was and is faithful!

This month has been bittersweet. Mike and Jessica Garrison have moved on up to Oregon in order to be closer to Mike’s job as a fireman. This move is great for them but leaves us with a hole in our youth staff and our circle friends. Please be praying for Mike and Jessica as they settle into their new place and get plugged into a local church, which I am told they may have already found!!

Gabe Edmondson, who has been gone at YWAM Montana for 3 months, started his three month outreach in Cambodia on  March 16. Please be praying for him for strength, health and success in ministering the Gospel of God to all those he comes in contact with.

In the months to come we are delving into the world of Christian music, opening our students up to different styles of music and the message of God within music.

Due to the gradual depletion of youth staff, from ten to four, we are looking for college or parent volunteers to help out on Thursday nights. This does not need to be a commitment for youth events or fundraisers, strictly someone who is willing to be there on Thursday nights to pour love into teenagers and build relationships. If you are interested, please speak to me about this. I will be talking to people about this over the next few weeks. Please be praying about the possibility of volunteering. The youth are the future of this church and are in desperate need of people actively loving on them. Thank you for your consideration.

Upcoming Events:

• April 2 – All night Lazertag – 10:00 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. $30.00
• June 13-18 – High School Summer Camp – price should be around $350
• June 19 – 24 – Middle School Summer Camp – price should be around $350

Fundraisers will begin shortly for summer camp! For more details on the happenings in our youth ministry go to www.cncyouth.org or e-mail me: bryce@cnchurch.org.

By Youth Pastor Bryce Cooley

Has it already been a month since our last newsletter! Time flies when you’re havin fun!

Since our last newsletter we have had two awesome events.

First we did a progressive dinner. An event in which gracious hosts opened up their homes to our students to enjoy food and fellowship. We had a great time. Thank you to Taylor McQuilliams, the Gossards, the Drakes and the Cooley’s. It was a very nice night for all of us.

Wintercamp 2010 was great this year. Fritz Moga, our speaker, challenged students to have an understanding of God that leads to service and in turn a changed heart towards God and men. God is truly good and worked through Fritz in great ways. Not only that but we had more activity options then we have ever had at WinterCamp including: hiking, football, archery, snowboarding and much more. We can’t wait to see what God has for us next year.

Looking Forward: Upcoming Events

• February 26: photo scavenger hunt guided by dice
• March 26: All Night Lazer Tag
• (see www.cncyouth.org for details)

On a personal note:

As I sat in church a couple of weeks ago and listened to Pastor Bill discuss the very true reality of spiritual warfare I was encouraged. In our ministry there have been a lot of “fires” to put out. At times this has felt overwhelming. In truth on my own, it is. But at Wintercamp as well as back home God has impressed upon me the power of prayer. Prayer is not only a conversation with God as we so often use it. But it is a trusting and a channeling of His power that we bring into our situations. Not that it is easy to trust, but I have seen God faithful throughout my life so I trust He will continue in this regard. The more difficult situations arise the more we need to retreat and let God stand front and center. After all, the battle belongs to God, we are not in it alone.

If you have any questions about our ministry or are interested in volunteering please contact me at bryce@cnchurch.org

By Youth Pastor Bryce Cooley

The holidays are over and the new year is starting off with a bang! We had three fundraisers right out of the gate, gearing up for WinterCamp 2010. A special thank you to all who supported our students in raising money towards camp. Those who did all three fundraisers were able to raise half of the cost of camp. Also, thanks to scholarship donations, those students who are still having money troubles will be able to go to camp. We are very excited to have Fritz Moga back at camp this year and he is pumped to join us! He told me all about the lessons and group discussions we will be having and is so excited to meet with our students again. Please be praying for our retreat which is January 29th – 31st at Diamond Arrow in Nevada City. Pray for safe travels, unified staff and students, good weather, great attitudes and that God would change the hearts of these students!!

For those of you curious about what we have been discussing in youth group, please read on! With the new year comes a time for “do overs” or “second chances.” On Wednesday and Thursday nights we have been talking about just that. We first looked at two Old Testament examples(David, Adam & Eve) where God gave second chances despite their sin. We pointed out however that though God shows forgiveness and grace, often we will need to deal with some of the consequences of our actions. This week we will be paralleling last Sunday and discuss what kind of second chances that believers are to give others. We will close out the month with a gospel presentation of how God gives everyone a second chance through His Son Jesus. This is a very exciting series for me as I have been reading the stories straight from scripture and students have been listening eagerly. Please pray that God works through these.

Wednesday night youth group with the middle school has been a blessing. It is slowly growing; please pray for more students. If anyone has it on there heart to be a part of the ministry here or has any questions about the ministry, please e-mail me at bryce@cnchurch.org.

By Youth Pastor Bryce Cooley

It’s January again and time for Winter Camp 2010 at Cordova Neighborhood Church! As usual, camp will be held at Diamond Arrow Christian Conference Ground in Nevada City, CA (see map below). However we are changing quite a few things around this year at camp and that is getting me very excited!

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Optional Snowtrip – Instead of being mandatory, students can opt-out of our snow trip in order to save a little money! Those who do not go to the snow will have the opportunity to relax or play group activities that we will have planned for the day of Saturday, January 30.

We are getting T-Shirts! For the first time in Winter Camp history, we will have our own tailor made T-shirts with a cool design. They will only costs the students $5.00 (which is included in the overall cost of camp). This way students can remember camp long after we have gone home!

We are even re-thinking the way the messages are being delivered and some of our activities are going parallel our discussions. Fritz has come up with a very cool theme for this year’s camp, “Head, Hands, Hearts (Total Body Fitness).” This theme brings with it the idea that our knowledge and understanding of God leads us to serving others in His name which in turn deepens our love for Him. I am very excited to interact with students in this new way. We are also including some solo devotional time, small group discussions and more!

The cost of camp is as follows:

• With snow trip: $135 (includes rentals, lift tickets, transportation, lodging, t-shirts, food, games)
• Without snow trip: $105 (transportation, lodging, t-shirts, food, games)

In order for our students to raise this money we are attempting to do three fundraisers in January. The goal of these fundraisers is to provide services to our church and our community. The fundraisers include:

• Christmas Tree Haulaway / Christmas Light takedown service from 10:00a.m. – 3:00p.m. on Saturday, January 2 Call Bryce at 916-719-8074 to sign up.
• A Christian Rock Concert open to the community from 7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. on Friday, January 15 If you are interested in volunteering, call Bryce at 916-719-8074.
• New Years Bake Sale This will be on January 17 before, during and after church. If you wish to donate food please bring your goodies by 9:00 a.m. the day of the bake sale.

We know times are tight financially but we are trusting God to provide so His children can draw closer to Him at Winter Camp this year. Thank you in advance for all of your support.

In Christ,

Bryce Cooley

By Pastor Bryce Cooley

It’s a busy month for Cordova Neighborhood Church and the youth group is no exception!

We have officially gone through one month of the middle school / high school split and it is going well.  Slowly but surely the middle school numbers are rising and we have opened up opportunity for high school student leadership to connect with the younger students.  Please be praying for our student leadership Tiffany French-Piatt, Sarah Edmondson and Katie Bandy as they learn to tread water in the sea of youth ministry.  It has already become evident that our relationships have grown with the middle schoolers; it has been a blessing to see.

Wintercamp is coming up January 29 – 31.  We are going to be at Diamond Arrow conference Ground again this year.  The theme of the weekend is Head, Hands, Heart (Total Body Fitness).  We are learning about the necessity for knowledge of our faith, action within our faith, and devotion to our faith.  It is going to be a great time.  Make sure your child signs up by January 13.  Our speaker this year is Fritz Moga, professor of Student Ministries at William Jessup University.

We will be doing a lot of upcoming fundraisers: putting up Christmas lights, Carol-a-Thon, bake sales, Rent-a-Youth and more. Be sure to check your Sunday bulletins!

Upcoming Youth Events:

• December 18: White Elephant Gift Party (at the Cooleys)
• January 22: Youth Progressive Dinner (4 course meal)
• January 29 – 31: Wintercamp 2010
• February 19: Driving with Dice / Photo Scavenger Hunt

If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me bryce@cnchurch.org or call 635-5992 ext. 15.