Information
from
the
Student
Ministry
Transition
Team
can
be
found
here.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject: Graduation
Milestone
Sent:
May
22,
2008
Graduation Milestone
Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8
PoP would like to acknowledge all of our graduating students during the services on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. During all three services, all graduating seniors (high school, college, graduate programs, etc.) will be presented with a gift from PoP. This is a long standing tradition that PoP is very excited to share with you all. In order to make sure we have all of your information, please submit the following information and picture to Jessica Wenger by June 5:
*Name
*High school or College
*High school students, please include the college you will be attending in the fall or your career goals.
*College students, please include the degree you received and future plans you would like to share.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:
Karin
Meissner
Subject: Jr.
High
Mission
Trip
Sent:
May
14,
2008
Jr. High Mission Trip Opportunity!
This summer will be our first ever jr. high mission trip to Denver Colorado, July 19-25. We will be participating in Week of Hope: Community Service run by Group Workcamps, and we will be working with various ages of people around Denver who need our help and our message of God’s love. This trip is open to current 7th and 8th grade students as well as rising 7th grade students. We will also be needing a few adults with a heart for ministry with youth to serve as adult leaders on the trip. For more information, contact Karin Meissner. See Flier (pdf)
Karin Meissner
Director of Christian Education Intern
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
Springfield, VA
703-451-5855 ext. 103 (work)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject: Annual
Spaghetti
Dinner
Sent:
March
25,
2008
The SrHi Student Ministry Presents:
The Annual Spaghetti Dinner
Saturday, April 19
6:00-7:30pm
Fellowship Hall
Adults: $7
Children: $4 (ages 6-12)
Children 5 years old and younger eat for FREE!
There will be "to-go" containers for our busy costumers.
Purchase you tickets in the Narthex after the church services.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject: Thank
You
Sent:
March
24,
2008
THANK YOU!
The Student Ministry would like to thank everyone who participated in the Easter Egg Hunt. We would especially like to thank Jennifer Fortney and Beth Samec for all of their time and efforts that went towards planning this event. We hope that all of you had a great time and were able to celebrate Easter with this fun event! Thanks again!
The SrHi would also like to thank the families who attend the Easter Breakfast. Thank you to all of the SrHi families who donated food along with their time throughout the morning. We would especially like to thank: Conny Schiller, Ann Stevens, Richard and Susan Wenger, Dennis Renoll, Sally Proctor, and Christine Boyette.
Thank you to everyone who offers their time, support, and prayers! You all are a blessing to the Student Ministry!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject: Bob
Lenz
@
POP
Sent:
March
17,
2008
BOB LENZ @ POP
THURSDAY, APRIL 3
7 PM
You are invited to a very special event! Prince of Peace is pleased to welcome nationally recognized speaker, Bob Lenz to speak to all young people (and their parents). Bob Lenz, founder and president of Life! Promotions, is a national speaker who connects and communicates a message of hope, love, and value to over 250,000 young people each year through school assembly programs, community outreaches, conferences, festivals, and other events.
The SrHi students who attended last summer’s National Youth Gathering in Orlando, FL were able to hear his powerful message about acceptance and how each and every one of us is chosen by Christ. This past month, SrHi students also were able to listen to Bob Lenz during the Youth Encounter’s VA Beach Zone Conference. Bob spoke about how hard it is to let go in life, but how awesome our God is and how much He cares for all of us, no matter what we feel the need to hold on to.
We would love for our Fellowship Hall to be packed with young people and their parents as we all listen to Bob’s amazing stories. Bob has a passion for young people and an even greater passion for sharing God’s love and acceptance.
Also, Bob isn’t coming to Prince of Peace alone! Opening the night will be AJ, The Animated Illusionist! This is sure to be a great start to the evening!
Doors will open at 6pm in our Fellowship Hall for FREE PIZZA! We will then start the event at 7pm. Free Admission!
For questions or to RSVP please contact Jessica Wenger
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject: Report
from
VA
Beach
Sent:
March
4,
2008
Report from VA Beach
What's holding you back from being closer to God? What do you need to LET GO of? These questions were asked to 1100 high school students who attended last weekend's VA Beach Zone Conference. Twenty POP students joined this annual retreat to learn more about how we can LET GO of what is keeping us from being what God created us to be. The students learned more about the theme, LET GO, by studying the theme's verse, Matthew 11: 28-31. What burdens do you need to LET GO of in order to receive rest from our Lord? Our students heard from the nationally recognized speaker, Bob Lenz, who has such a gift when it comes to speaking to teenagers. Each night we talked more and more about things each of us need to LET GO of in order to take the next step with Christ. We ended our retreat with our traditional midnight prayer on the beach. Although cold and windy, twenty students huddled closely together and prayed out loud.
Once again I was so lucky to be a part of such an amazing group of students. These students are going through more than any of us could imagine, but they are still able to say that God is standing with them and they are willing to LET GO of whatever is holding them back so that they can walk with Christ. So, what is holding you back? What should you LET GO in life? Anger? Hurt? Lust? Appearance? We pray that we all become honest with ourselves in order to know what we need to LET GO.
God’s blessings,
Jessica
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject:
Attention
SrHi
Youth
Students:
(UPDATED)
Sent:
January
8,
2008
Attention SrHi Students:
The Sr. High Student Ministry’s Youth Council is a group of active youth that meet once/twice a month to plan the calendar, participate and lead small group devotions, help organize events, and brainstorm with each other on how to improve our group. This is a very important time at Prince of Peace and as you know it is also a time for transitions. Our SrHi group has grown so much over the past year and because of that we have so many possibilities that I would love to share with this year’s Youth Counsel. I am also excited to hear the ideas that I’m sure you all have for the group’s future. So, I would like to encourage any current SrHi student to attend the first meeting of the new year.
Please join me on Sunday, February 3rd from 12:30-2pm in the Youth Room. We will meet after the late service ends and share lunch before diving into the meeting. Once at the meeting you can decide if this is something you would like to commit to or not. Parents, I will ask that you look over the paper work and sign after your student makes their decision. Our former members will also need to attend and sign their commitment forms.
I look forward to building the future of the SrHi Student Ministry with you all.
Blessings,
Jessica
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject:
SrHi
Youth
Join
Compassion
International
Sent:
November
26,
2007
SrHi Youth Join Compassion International
At the National Youth Gathering, this past summer, our SrHi youth heard Bob Lenz talk about an organization called Compassion International. Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, physical, economic and social poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.
Founded by Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, Compassion began providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training. Today, Compassion helps more than 900,000 children in 24 countries! God has led our SrHi youth to sponsor a child in need in order to help break the cycle of poverty. We have been blessed to sponsor Krista Arnisia Sinurat from Indonesia.
Krista was born on January 18, 2001 and lives on the plains of Sesetan. Krista lives with her parents along with one other sibling. She is too young to attend school, but enjoys playing with dolls at home.
Our SrHi students have made the commitment to not only financially support Krista, but to also pray for her along with sending letters and pictures. If you or your family would like to help the SrHi with this commitment, then please contact Jessica. If you would like to learn more about how to sponsor a child, then please visit www.compassion.com.
Most importantly, our SrHi youth would like to ask that you pray for Krista and her family. We also ask God to continue to guide us as we share the good news of Jesus Christ with Krista.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” -Proverbs 31: 8-9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject:
National
Youth
Gathering
Report
Sent:
August 7, 2007
The stage is set; the performers are ready. The lights are flashing and the music is so loud that you can feel it in the bottom of your stomach. Thousands of teenagers are finally let into the convention center as they rush the stage trying to find the perfect seat. That’s right! It was opening night for the 2007 LCMS National Youth Gathering in Orlando, FL! By far, LCMS raised the bar on this 30 year NYG anniversary! Thousands upon thousands of youth jumped up and down while singing “This is the Noise We Make” and what a noise it was! Each night a different keynote speaker took the stage for our Mass Events that would conclude that day’s events. Throughout the day students had tons of options to attend different sessions that all focused around either: CHOSEN for Others, CHOSEN for Christ, or CHOSEN to the World. Our students heard many testimonies from presenters that truly brought the words from 1 Peter 2:9 to life.
While in Orlando, it was apparent that we had our congregation praying for us. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who kept us in their prayers! Thank you for your support during the last three years as we prepared for this event. Another huge THANK YOU needs to go out to our two amazing adult leaders: Conny Schiller (our token “mom” on the trip) and Mary Elizabeth Sorenson (she came as an interpreter, but left as a best friend for so many of our students!) These two women were such a support throughout the week and our group was blessed that God CHOSE them to help lead our group while in Orlando.
We look forward to sharing more stories and pictures throughout the next few weeks and we praise God for reminding us all that we are a CHOSEN people!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject:
Kidnapping Report
Sent:
July
17, 2007
Kidnapping Report
This weekend marked one of the Senior High Student Ministries biggest traditions ever…KIDNAPPING! As the rising 9th graders slept in their beds dreaming of year long summers and sitting at the pool, our senior high youth split up into groups and traveled to the rising 9th graders’ homes. With marshmallow guns and water guns in hand, 9th grade students from Burke to Woodbridge were asking the same question, “Am I dreaming?” Nope, you’re not dreaming! This exciting event happens each and every year in order to formally welcome all rising 9th graders into the Senior High ministry. The new students are then rushed into the cars where the wonderful parent volunteers drop them off at our secret location…better know as Burke Lake Park. The older students tell stories that usually start with, “Well, when I was kidnapped…” while the 9th graders continue rubbing their eyes and trying to wake up.
The 20 students quickly bonded over 3-legged races, bandana tag, and the “frozen t-shirt” game. And what kidnapping is complete without the use of water balloons? But, good news, no cell phones were hurt during this year’s water balloon fight! All parents were then invited to join us at the park for a great lunch and to hear about all the events that took place throughout the day. New friendships were made, and old friendships were strengthened. I think I can speak for all the SrHi youth when I say: we thank God for each and every new face that will be joining our group this summer. We thank you for being good sports and look forward to kidnapping the new bunch with you next year. As someone who can remember her kidnapping experience like it was yesterday, I know how great it felt to be welcomed by all the SrHi kids, and I hope our new members never forget how blessed we are to have each other.
Until the next report,
Jessica
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject:
Scrip
POP
Quiz
Sent:
July
3, 2007
The Youth would like to ask you a few questions about your weekly schedule…
#1 How many times do you run to Giant or Shoppers each week?
#2 How many times are you having to go to the mall to grab a quick gift card for someone’s birthday?
#3 How many times do you eat out at a local restaurant?
#4 How many times have you walked by the “Scrip Station” in the Narthex after the services and asked yourself, “I wonder what that Scrip stuff is all about?”
Take a look at your answers and see how buying SCRIP from the youth is your best solution! Each week the Youth Ministry sells Scrip after all three worship services. We sell these gift cards at face value, so you are not paying a cent more than what you would at any of the stores, but you are still supporting our youth! How great is that?!? So if you spend $100 a month on groceries, we’ll sell you $100 worth of gift certificates for $100. For each card we sell, the stores send us a kick back percentage that helps students earn money towards events throughout the year. It’s as simple as that! But, it gets even better because we just added new vendors to our list. Come by and grab gift cards for T.G.I. Fridays or Bed, Bath, and Beyond. And don’t forget, we also carry gift cards to other local restaurants, along with Starbucks, AMC Theater, Borders, and Barnes and Noble.
Supporting POP’s Youth Ministry can’t get much easier than this!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject:
Report
from
the
8th
Grade
Confirmation
Retreat
at
Mar-Lu-Ridge
Sent:
June
4, 2007
Report from the 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat at Mar-Lu-Ridge
Sleeping bags, suitcases, and pillows filled the Narthex this past Friday as the 8th graders gathered around anticipating the road trip to Mar-Lu-Ridge Camp in Jefferson, MD. The leaders stood in the parking lot discussing which way would be quickest and easiest as the students stuffed their belongings into the four cars. Although we kept with tradition and left an hour late, we made it safely to the Camp that evening. Our cabins were…well…rustic, but with a large storm developing nearby we were very thankful we had a roof over our heads instead of tents! During an exciting game of “Back-to-Back” the youth learned how to rely on communication and team work. Sitting on the floor, with their backs together, the youth had to link arms and then push against each other in order to stand up. As a leader, it was great to see these youth take charge and start to realize that it took more than strength to accomplish this game. As the night came to an end, PK, talked to the youth about the different ways we view God. We started by discussing how sometimes we push God out of the picture and lead our own lives while looking at Him in the rearview mirror. Throughout the next and final day, students learned more about letting God “drive” our lives while allowing him to sit in the driver’s seat. Our final talk had the youth think about God in the horizon, leading us on our paths. As the youth took time to pray on the cliffs over looking an amazing view, PK, read aloud Psalm 139 which explained how God is with us no matter where we are in our lives. Our hope is that with these discussions, our 8th grade students will be able to begin their Faith Statements in preparation of their Confirmation in September. We continue to pray for all our students during this time and look forward to seeing them present their Faith Statements to the congregation. Blessings, Jessica
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject:
An
important
note
from
Jessica
Sent:
March
13, 2007
Dear
SrHi
Parents
and
Students,
Last
night,
after
our
Bible
Study
had
concluded,
a
few
remaining
students
went
on
to
our
family
computer
to
visit
a
website
that
one
student
had
mentioned.
This
website
claimed
to
be a
"fortune
telling"
type
site
that
was
capable
of
reading
the
viewers’
minds.
As
the
students
asked
the
website
questions
they
were
amazed
that
it
"actually
worked".
After
finding
the
students
visiting
this
website,
I
noticed
that
a
few
of
them
were
understandably
scared
of
what
they
had
experienced.
We
had
a
good
talk
about
how
this
sort
of
thing
is
not
appropriate
(especially
right
after
Bible
Study)
and
how
Satan
can
use
any
tools
in
our
lives
to
try
and
test
our
faith
in
God.
After
the
students
had
left
my
house
I
then
learned
that
this
website
was
actually
a
joke
that
went
a
little
too
far.
From
my
understanding
the
website
was
created
by a
few
students
(not
from
our
POP
family)
and
then
used
to
scare
their
friends.
The
website
has
been
passed
along
to
others
and
was
brought
into
my
house
as a
joke,
but
unfortunately
wasn’t
as
funny
as
it
was
meant
to
be.
I
was
only
able
to
pass
this
knowledge
on
to
two
of
the
students
(one
being
my
sister),
and
wanted
to
make
sure
anyone
who
had
heard
of
this
website
knew
that
it
was
just
that,
a
website,
and
nothing
more.
This
website
only
knows
the
answers
to
questions
if
the
person
typing
knows
how
to
type
in
the
code.
(It’s
amazing
what
you
learn
from
high
school
students
regarding
computers!)
Because
I
would
rather
not
give
this
website
anymore
"publicity",
I
will
not
include
the
address,
but
as
parents
I
understand
you
might
want
to
block
this
site
from
your
own
family
computers.
Parents,
please
contact
me
if
you
would
like
any
additional
information.
Thank
you
for
your
time.
Blessings,
Jessica
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject:
How
Can
You
Support
the
Youth
Sent:
February
7, 2007
How Can You Support The Youth?
Easy! There are tons of ways you as the congregation can help support the youth as they attend multiple events. Most importantly, please keep all of our youth and their leaders in your prayers. Prayer is an amazing thing! Pray that our students grow through all the events their Student Ministry offers them, and that God continues to demonstrate His love and grace in all of our lives.
Ongoing, yet significant, ways to financially support the youth include making generous donations when you enjoy donuts and coffee between Sunday services, recycling newspapers at POP, recycling printer ink cartridges (located at the Welcome Desk), and purchasing Scrip (which are used like cash -- dollar for dollar -- when you shop). Those Scrips automatically bring a % of your purchase back to the youth group.
The youth will also be planning several, larger fundraising events to give the whole POP family an opportunity to support our youth in their efforts to go on trips like the upcoming National Youth Gathering in Orlando, FL. These will include pledging car washes, the annual Spaghetti Dinner (March 10th-save the date!), and other ticketed events (such as a possible Ice Cream Social and Variety Show). Please make the most of all these opportunities to encourage and support our youth as they commit themselves to learn and experience the love of God!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject:
FUNDRAISING
OPPORTUNITY
Sent:
January
31, 2007
Dear
POP
Families,
Many
of
you
may
not
realize
that
selling
donuts
after
every
early
Sunday
service
is a
guaranteed
way
to
raise
funds
for
your
child’s
POP
youth
account!
This
is
such
a
simple
way
to
earn
money
for
trips
like
Quakes,
Zones,
and
NYG…not
to
mention
weekend
POP
events
like
cosmic
bowling,
movie
night,
miniature
golf,
and
many
more!
At
this
point
are
you
thinking,
“How
would
I
get
all
that
done
on a
Sunday
morning?”
This
is
all
that
it
takes…
- Sunday morning you buy donuts…(use another fundraiser to help your kid out by buying Shoppers Scrip and then using the scrip to buy the donuts!!!!)
- Bring them to POP’s kitchen, slice and place them on the platters
- Make coffee (this scares a lot of you, but the directions are SOOOO EASY, so no worries, my friends!)
- Once the service gets out, stand back and watch out…that donut table can be a busy and dangerous place on a Sunday morning!
- After the crowd has finished their rush to the line, go ahead and collect the donations.
- Then, you reimburse yourself from the cash donations, (ie: if you spent $20 on donuts, then you pull $20 from the donations and put it in your pocket). Afterwards, you can put the remaining donations into an envelope marked “donut money w/ the date and your name” and then drop it in the safe located in the main church office.
- Once you’re done with clean up you can relax because you know a % of the earnings is going into your account….did I mention this is a pretty easy fundraiser?!?!?
I
will
have
the
sign
up
located
at
the
Donut
table,
so
don’t
forget
to
stop
by!
FYI-we’ve
noticed
in
the
past
that
it’s
easier
if
one
or
two
families
want
to
sign
up
for
one
full
month,
that
way
we
can
just
say,
“____
has
March”,
instead
of
going
back
and
forth
with
dates.
(But,
you
can
still
sign
up
for
one
or
two
Sunday’s
a
month
if
that
works
best
with
your
schedule.)
Believe
me,
I’ve
seen
families
earn
around
$100
a
month
just
from
these
silly
donuts!
Can’t
wait
for
this
weekend
and
want
to
get
your
name
on
the
sign
up
sheet
now?!?!
Just
send
me
an
email
or
give
me a
call
and
I’ll
make
sure
to
add
your
name!
Blessings
to
all
my
donut
warriors!
Jessica
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject:
Piano
Lessons
for
Beginners
(taught
by
one
of
our
very
own
POP
Youth
Members)
Sent:
January
30, 2007
Dear
POP
families,
Kristen
Samec,
a
senior
at
Lake
Braddock,
asked
if I
could
pass
along
this
message.
Please
contact
her
if
you
would
like
to
sign
your
child
up
for
piano
lessons.
Thanks
and
I
hope
you
take
Kristen
up
on
this
great
offer!
J
Blessings,
Jessica
Piano
Lessons
for
Beginners
-
10
years
of
piano
experience
-
Superiors
in
Virginia
Piano
Guild
Competition
-
Accompanying
experience
with
Lake
Braddock
Secondary
School
Chorus,
students
for
performances
in
Solo
Ensemble,
Un-Plugged,
and
other
performances
and
competitions
-
Excellent
with
children
-
$10
per
½
hour
lessons
-
Please
call
Kristen
for
availability
(703)
455-0977
Home
Or
ksamec07@hotmail.com
email
Thank
you!
Kristen
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jessica Wenger
Subject:
Youth
Report
From
West
Virginia
Sent:
January
29, 2007
Youth Report From West Virginia!
PoP’s Sr. High youth joined St. Andrew and St. Mark’s youth this past week for an adventurous retreat. The group of 21 students enjoyed an amazing 2 day/2 night ski retreat in Timberline, WV. (Make sure to go to the Youth Board in the Narthex to see some of the pictures from the trip.) Over the 2 days our students made new friends and strengthened the relationships they already had within their group. Some of us learned how to ski or snowboard for the very first time, while others jumped on the double black diamond slopes with no problem…(and even more importantly, everyone came home in one piece!) Along with all the excitement, we were able to take time and talk about how God reveals himself to us everyday. Whether we felt God’s presence while on top of the mountain or through the new friendships we made, we all knew God’s love was with us throughout the retreat and remains with us everyday. Thank you for all your prayers while on this trip and we look forward to reporting back to you after our next adventure. Until then, God’s Blessings!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PS: I've started to notice that even church youth groups have started their very own myspace pages. If your parents have allowed you to have a myspace account, then make sure to check out your new POPyouth page! Go to www.myspace.com/princeofpeaceyouth and add as one of your friends. This can be a great tool to use to get connected to other POP youth members! :) ENJOY!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
