NEW YEARS THROWN DOWN LOCK OUT!!

Believe it or not, it's time to welcome another new year! (Assuming we all make it past Dec. 21.  Makes me wonder...are the doomsday believers just not doing any Christmas shopping? MAN, they're gonna feel silly on the 22nd..)

ANYWAY, we're gonna do things a little differently this year and I'm REALLY excited about it!

We're joining forces with Southside and Bentonville for a LOCK-OUT!!  It's gonna be a great night, and what's even better is the fact that we're offering 2 options.  One for the folks that wanna welcome the new year and then call it a night, and one for the folks who ain't goin' down till the sun comes up!  Both are totally fine and everybody can choose their own option without effecting the rest of the group's price or options.

Ok, so here are the options:

The "DONE AT 1" package: $10
This is for the folks that wanna have a blast and be with their friends to welcome the new year, but who also value their sleep very much! We will meet at church at 10:00, do our own thing as a group until 11:00.  We will then go in the bus to the Rogers Bowling Center and bowl until 1:00.  We will, of course, count down the new year there.  We will then come back to the church building to let those in this package meet their parents and go on home.

The "UP ALL NIGHT" package: $20
This is for those who are gonna keep the party goin' as long as they can!  Those in this package will go on from the church, after the dropping off the "Done at 1"ers, to Lokomotion for unlimited access to laser tag, go-karts, mini golf, more until 4:00.  We will then travel to the Bella Vista movie theater for a 4:30 movie.  When that ends at about 6:00, we will return to the building for everybody to be picked up at about 6:30.

SO...take your pick!!  There are two sign up sheets on one page on the board at the end of the hall.

So here's the at-a-glance rundown..

WHO?  All RAVE teens, friends, and family, joined by other folks from Southside and Bentonville
WHAT?  A New Years BASH with good clean fun, and solid Christian friends
WHEN?   Um..New Year's Eve
WHERE?  Various locations (see above), we will start and end at Robinson Ave.
WHAT DO I BRING?  Be sure and bring socks for the bowling, warm jacket/clothes for Lokomotion, and the cost of your chosen package ($10 or $20), plus any snack money that you would like to bring.  NOTE: The cost for food at the movies will be GREATLY reduced.

254L: Clothe the Naked!!

ANOTHER CHANCE TO SERVE!!

This Saturday is the annual Robinson Avenue Clothing Giveaway!!

December is also our month to focus on those in need of clothing, so it works out perfectly!! I've spoken to those in charge of the giveaway and we have jobs worked out for the teens to tackle, so all they have to do is show up!  (I should clarify, they've already worked hard preparing for this, while raising money for the thirsty at the same time!! These teens are amazing..)

So here's the skinny!!

WHO?  ALL RAVE TEENS

WHAT?  Giving away TONS of clothing to those in our area who really need it

WHEN?  This Saturday, Dec. 8, from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM (The official start and end times are 8 and 11.  This is a little early and late to prepare and clean up!)

WHERE?   Robinson Ave Church of Christ Family Center

WHAT DO I BRING?  Just a great attitude and a servant heart!

CRAZY LOVE CLASS!

It's time for a new quarter, a new series, and a new batch of conversations you can have with your teens!  This time, it's gonna come from two great guys:  One is Francis Chan, and the other is Greg Hughes!

Here's a little taste of what Mr. Chan's book is about:  God is love. Crazy, relentless, all-powerful love. Have you ever wondered if we’re missing it? It’s crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe--the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor--loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss. Whether you’ve verbalized it yet or not...we all know somethings wrong. Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn’t working harder at a list of do’s and don’ts--it’s falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, you will never be the same. Because when you’re wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.

Greg is going to take us on this amazing journey during the winter quarter!  THIS IS A PERFECT SERIES TO BRING FRIENDS TO!!  (Let's put what we've just learned about sharing and inviting to use!!)

So here are the details!

WHO? All RAVE teens AND THEIR FRIENDS!!!

WHAT?  A class series on God's amazing, CRAZY love, & the AUTHENTIC faith that follows!

WHEN?  Sunday mornings at in December, January, and February

WHERE?  Rob Ave Youth Room (aka the RAVE CAVE)

WHAT DO I BRING?  a BIBLE, a thirst for God's love, and if you want, a copy of the book!

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER FAMILY NIGHT LIVE

TIME FOR ANOTHER FAMILY NIGHT LIVE!!

A huge thanks to Stacey Smith and Kellie Madewell for putting together an AWESOME FNL in October!  It was a blast!

The next one is being planned out by BILL AND TAMMY MCCAIN, and is going to fall on the Sunday between the regular November and December dates, since those dates would fall on Thanksgiving and Christmas weekends.  They're still working out specific, Christmassy details, but from what they've already told me, it's gonna be a great family night!  I don't wanna spoil it, so MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!!

WHO?  ALL RAVE TEENS AND THEIR FAMILIES!!  (that means YOU!!)
WHAT?  A time of playing, eating, worshiping and bonding AS FAMILIES!!
WHEN?  Sunday, December 9 after evening services
     NOTE: We are going to meet at Culpepper Place Assisted Living Home (across from Harber High school) and go Christmas Caroling for the folks there!  We will meet at 6:00, sing for them, meet and greet them, sing one final song, and then head to the McCains' house.  THIS IS FOR TEENS AND THEIR FAMILIES!!  How great will it be to have that many voices singing to these people!!
WHERE?  Culpepper Place and then Bill and Tammy McCain's house
WHAT DO I BRING?  Just yourself with a smile!

Families are putting a LOT into planning these Family Night Lives, so PLEASE make a point to be there!

254LIFE PROJECT: THIRSTY

PICS FROM AN AMAZING WEEKEND!!  These guys did some awesome stuff and raised money for an awesome cause, all without speaking!  Didn't think they had it in em?  THEY DID!!

FOLKS, I'm pumped about this!!  

Long story short, I've recently contacted the head of a Oklahoma Christian based non-profit organization called "Wishing Well" and discussed what it would take to put a well in a village in Africa, where women and children have to walk miles every day to fill dirty containers with dirty water so their families can have water for the day.  The total cost, start to finish, is $2500.  We can make this happen!!  Here's the plan..

The teens are going to go on a journey like you've never seen.  They're going to have a 24 hour fast from speaking.  24 hours of silence.  We will raise money by asking friends and family to sponsor each teen by pledging a small dollar amount per hour that they survive this process.  The more teens participate, the more money we raise, and the closer we get to saving lives by providing clean water!

While going through this 24 hour period (the details of which are being worked out as we speak), we will do service projects, spend time alone with God, and even come up with ways to worship together, all without using our voices.  WHO KNOWS what kind of amazing things God will show us while we get silent enough to listen to Him!

We passed out pledge sheets on Sunday, and I'll have more available at any time, so be sure they get theirs!

UPDATED INFO!!

MORE SPECIFIC DETAILS COMING VERY SOON!!

Who?  ALL RAVE TEENS

What?  A total fast from using our voices for 24 hours to raise money for a clean water well in Africa

When?  From 9:30 AM on Saturday to 9:30 

       OUR TIME TOGETHER WILL NOT BE THE FULL 24 HOURS

       We will begin the time together at noon on Saturday with the work day for the Clothing Giveaway

       We'll be together till 7, or as each person in able.  We'll finish up at the start of class on Sunday!

Where?  On our own until noon Saturday, then together at Robinson Ave until 7:00 pm

What do I bring?  a VERY open mind and flexible attitude! 

HERE IS THE BASIC SCHEDULE!

Saturday

9:30                Begin on our own

12:00-3:00    Work day for clothing drive

3:00-3:30       Clean up, regroup, and plans for the night

3:30-4:00       Worship music, video, focus time

4:00-5:00        Service time

5:00-5:30       Dinner and games

5:30-6:00       Worship

6:00-7:00       TAWG

7:00                Head home with assignments

Sunday

9:30                Finish at start of class

IT'S GONNA BE AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE!!

RAVE CHRISTMAS PARTY!!

It's CHRISTMAS TIME AGAIN!!  Believe it or not, it's time for our annual, famous RAVE Christmas Party!  We'll dress up in our "best" sweaters, play games, gather round the table and laugh together, play some "dirty Santa" with gag gifts, and go on our infamous Christmas SCAVENGER HUNT!!

Here are the details!

WHO?  ALL RAVE TEENS, parents welcome!!!
WHAT?  An AMAZING Christmas party
WHEN?  Saturday, Dec. 15, from 4:30-7:15, then off to a special surprise!
        We will meet at church and ride the bus at 4:15!! (anybody not going to the surprise will
        need to be picked up at the Valentines' house at 7:15)
WHERE?  the home of the Valentines at 5601 E. Nevada St in Fayetteville
WHAT DO I BRING?
        Wear a BAD SWEATER
        Bring a GAG GIFT, $5 max
        Guys bring drinks, Girls bring desserts!!
        $5 for the special surprise, if your teen wants to go!

The plans are looking awesome, some ready for a yuletide blast of a time!!

The EVENT this Sunday!!

This is gonna be really cool, folks!  The EVENT (formerly known as Sunday Night Live) is bigger and better than ever before, and this Sunday night, we're hosting!  We've got a great speaker, 400 teens worshiping together, food, fun, friendships, the whole 9 yards!!  Youth groups from ALL over NWA, and some from MO and OK will be joining us to worship together!

This is for teens, but EVERYBODY IS INVITED!!  We'll be in the family center at 5:00 for games and fellowship and then we'll dive into some amazing worship time.  

A couple things we're going to do a little differently, that I'm SUPER pumped about:

 1. We've invited one teen guy from each youth group to lead a song for us.  This should be a great chance for these guys to step up and lead.

2. We're asking EVERYBODY to bring cans of soup for the Springdale Samaritan House.  Whether you can come or not, please bring a few cans of soup and help feed some families this winter!

SO here are the basics.  SEE YOU THERE!

WHO?  ALL RAVE TEENS, their friends, AND their families!

WHAT?  A HUGE area-wide worship for teens

WHEN?  This Sunday, Nov. 11 from 5pm to 7pm

WHERE?  Robinson Ave Family Life Center

WHAT DO I BRING?  a BIBLE and SOME CANS OF SOUP!!

OCTOBER FAMILY NIGHT LIVE!!

It's time for another Family Night Live!!

This one is being organized by Stacey Smith and Kellie Madewell, so a big thank you, in advance, to them for all their work on this thing!  Here's the rundown..

WHO?  ALL RAVE TEENS AND THEIR FAMILIES!! (teen, brothers, sisters, parents, etc.)

WHAT?  Bonfire, chili bar, s'mores, hot dogs, HAYRIDE, the whole 9 yards

WHEN?  October 28, following evening services (always the 4th Sunday night)

WHERE?  Smiths' house at 148 Madison 7145 Hindsville, AR 72738

WHAT DO I BRING? Just get that homework done and bring your family!

25 4 LIFE!

UPDATE!!  HERE ARE SOME PICS FROM AN AMAZING DAY!!!  I can't begin to do it justice to describe it, but I'll say this:  These teens walked into an unknown situation, some had to deal with massive changes of plans, all were doing things that were WAY outside their comfort zones, and they came through like you would not believe!  They cooked, served, and cleaned up after dinner, and had conversations with the people they were serving!  My mind was blown!  ENJOY THE PICS AND JOIN US NEXT TIME!

Folks, I haven't been this pumped about anything in a long time!  This school year is gonna be different from anything we've ever seen.

WHAT DOES 254L MEAN?
In Matthew 25, Jesus talks about six different needs that we are called to meet.  He even puts himself in the place of those in these needs.  He says when we feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, take in the stranger, and visit those who are sick and in prison that we do these things for Him.  That's pretty powerful stuff.  It speaks to what matters most to Jesus.

We're going to spend this school year reaching out to each of these people.  There are so many different ways we'll serve over the next 7 months.  Here's the basic breakdown..

• September has been spent brainstorming with the teens ideas on how to meet the needs of the hungry, thirsty and naked.
• We'll then spend October, November, and December meeting those needs through all manner of service projects.
• We'll take January as another brainstorming month, coming up with ideas to serve the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned.
• Then February, March, and April will be spent meeting those needs.

Like I said, I can't wait to see where this road takes us!  We already know God has our back on this.  Keep watching for more info as we come into the next few months!

OUR FIRST 254L PROJECT:  HUNGRY
In October we'll be focusing on feeding the hungry.  We have two main efforts on the table.

• On Sunday October 14, we'll be going to both the Fayetteville and Bentonville Salvation Army locations and preparing and serving a meal to the poor and homeless.  WE CAN ONLY FIT 8-10 AT EACH LOCATION, so please sign up for that outside my office.  This will be from 4:00 - 6:00, and we'll meet at the church building at 3 to head in both directions.
• Also, all throughout the month of October, we'll be gathering soup cans (in all sorts of creative ways) for the Samaritan House.  You'll be hearing more about these creative ways over the next week.  We've also invited other youth groups to help us in this effort.  This will go to feed hungry families all through the winter.

Keep checking back here for more info as we get closer to these things!  THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IN MEETING THESE NEEDS IN THE NWA!

JR HIGH RETREAT!!

With the gorgeous NWA fall comes the chance to have amazing retreats like this one at beautiful camps and parks.  I love stuff like this so much!  This is always an amazing weekend, so let's jump at the chance to be part of it!

This is an area-wide event, meaning Jr High kids from churches of Christ all over the NWA come together and meet each other, worship together, grow together, and make memories and friendships that will literally last a lifetime!  Our theme is "THE BODY", and it's shaping up to be one amazing weekend!

Here are the basics!

WHO?  RAVE Jr High (this means 7th, 8th, and 9th graders) AND PARENTS!!
WHAT?  A weekend full of worship, growth, and tons of fun
WHEN?  October 26-28
WHERE?  Camp Siloam in Siloam Springs
HOW MUCH?  $43
WHAT DO I BRING?  All the usual stuff: Bedding, toiletries, clothes for Fri-Sun, BIBLE

It's gonna be a GREAT WEEKEND, so sign up on the board outside my office!  PARENTS NEEDED!!

NOTE:  Our new official policy is that parents will be half price on trips.

RUTH RALLY!

There is a beautiful thing going on at Mt. Comfort this weekend!  (We discussed this at the parents' meeting) There is a youth rally, or Ruth Rally, going on with a beautiful twist...it's for GIRLS ONLY.  Let's not miss the chance to get our girls (and any moms that can come and be a part of this amazing event) together with girls from all over NWA to worship, learn, fellowship, and grow together!

NOTE:  There will be a lock-in SLUMBER PARTY at the Mt. Comfort building overnight on Friday night.  This is the easiest option.  But if you can't spend the night, we can work something else out.  Just let me know!

Here's the skinny...

WHO?  ALL AGES of RAVE teens AND their moms!
WHAT?  A youth rally just for GIRLS!
WHEN?  Friday, September 28 at 6:00 to Saturday, September 29 at 5:00
WHERE?  Mt. Comfort Church of Christ
HOW MUCH?  $15
WHAT DO I BRING?  An extra change of clothes and sleeping bag, pillow, and bathroom stuff IF you're gonna spend the night.  Otherwise, just a BIBLE!

A SIGN UP IS POSTED BY MY OFFICE, OR YOU CAN EMAIL TO SIGN UP THAT WAY.

NOTE:  WE ARE IN NEED OF A MOM OR TWO TO ACCOMPANY OUR GIRLS TO THIS RALLY, SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN DO THIS!

SEPTEMBER FNL PICS!

WHAT A GREAT DAY!!

Thanks SO much to the Valentines and Mohorns for kicking off the FNL season with a great day of kickball!  AND thank you to everybody that came out and had a blast with us!  We played, we laughed, we cried, we worshiped.  GOD IS GOOD!

These are certainly not all of the pics, but these are some hi-lights.  Be sure and check out all the details in each one! (You can click on individual pics to see a bigger version)

We'll start with the FNL PLAY OF THE WEEK..