The River Church Community

Parents,

This last Sunday Chris and Lis continued our Digging Deep series on the topic of prayer.  It was our first in a series leading up to the Advent Retreat on December 5 and 6. 

We looked at different aspects of communication and looked at how those apply to prayer.  We first set out to look at what communication is.  The youth defined communication as an exchange of information between different parties.  The youth felt that trust, listening, freedom of speech, and no distractions were good for healthy communication to happen between people.  They also felt that these were important when communicating with God. 

We talked about the ways prayer helps us know God, hear from God , and express dependence on God.  We looked at Philippians 4:6-7 and broke into groups to practice prayer.

We engaged in this by giving instruction and allowing a minute to practice each of the following. 
- Ask God to make his presence known to you and to help you focus on prayer
- Praise God for who he is
- Praising God for the incredible things he does
- Confess our sin to God.  Talk about the wrong things you've done and acknowledge your need for God's forgiveness
- Spend time in silence, listening to God
- Pray for other people's needs.
- Share your personal requests to God.  Talk to God about struggles you're facing in your life.
- Thank God for listening to us, for providing for us, for loving us, and for everything else God does.

As we ended our lesson, we encouraged the youth to use these in their regular times with God. 

Upcoming Events:
- Sunday, November 9th: Youth Lunch.  Pizza My Heart located at East San Carlos.  The average cost is between $5 - $10. 

- Sunday, November 9th: Youth Small Group: GIRLS AND GUYS WILL BOTH MEET AT THE MINISTRY CENTER.  PLEASE PICK UP AT RMC at 3.  This week we are going to be looking at, "How is Jesus Different From Mohammed and Buddha?"

- Sunday, November 9th - Sunday, November 14th: Kindness San Jose.  This last Sunday, I asked the youth to sign-up for one event.  There will be a volunteer or myself at each event.  This will be a great opportunity for them to meet other people in the church and to serve the community around them.  Please let me know if they are interested or they can sign-up at church.  MANY YOUTH HAVE SHOWN INTEREST BUT NONE HAVE SIGNED UP.  PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THESE WORK WITH YOUR FAMILY SCHEDULES.

- Sunday, December 5th and 6th: Youth Advent Retreat.  We are doing this retreat with the adults, but will have separate break out and activities for the youth.  You can register the youth through me.  Here are the details:
- Friday 5th, Starts with dinner at 7pm
- Saturday 6th, Ends with dinner at 5:30pm.
- Why the youth should come:  Dreading the frenziness of December, end of school, and the business of the holidays. and want to find rest, peace, and deeper significance of the season of waiting.
- What to Bring: Bible, journal, pen, warm clothes, a ready heart.
- Where: Mission Springs Conference Center, 1050 Lockhart Gulch Rd, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
- Cost: $84 per person for a quad.  There are scholarships available.

- Sunday, December 7th: Parent Meeting after church.  Lunch will be served at 12:00 and the meeting will be over at 1pm.  More details to come.

Kyle Guerrero