January Midweek

Come hang out with the Sr. High Youth at our weekly Wednesday evening gathering, and join in for what’s sure to be a unique discussion. All Senior High in grades 9-12 are welcome. For more information, email david@tarrytownumc.org

Join the Sr. High Youth every Wednesday night 7-9pm for our Midweek discussion. For the month of January we will be meeting at Katie Pastor’s house:

1508 Hardouin Ave
Austin, TX 78703

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Youth Newsletter for Dec 12

 

Wait, is it really December 12???

Can you believe it’s almost Christmas!? Things are either winding down (if you’re in school and about to go on break) or they’re picking up speed (if you have lots of relatives coming into town, and you still haven’t finished your shopping). Here in the church office, it’s a little bit of both. Everyone is rushing around preparing for special services and bulletins. On the other hand, we’re also getting ready to spend a few days off relaxing with our families.

What are you doing for Christmas? Do you have tons of family coming into town? Are you planning on traveling somewhere? Or maybe you don’t have any special plans. Maybe all of your friends are going off to travel, and you are slightly depressed at being left alone for the next few weeks until school starts up again.

Whatever happens at Christmas, try not to loose sight of what it’s really about. Yeah, maybe your family gets on your nerves sometimes, and sure you’re probably stressed out about something, but take advantage of this time off and spend time with your family! That other stuff can wait until January.

You’ve heard the saying, “The gift doesn’t matter; it’s the thought that counts.” Most people say it when they’ve received a present that isn’t much to look at or isn’t what they wanted. But I think it works both ways. Don’t just buy a loved one some random gift because it was on sale at JC Penny’s–try to find something that will let them know you love and cherish them! It doesn’t have to be expensive–some of the best gifts I’ve given were things I ended up making. It may not seem like much to you, but that extra effort could mean all the world to them.

As December starts to wind down towards the holidays, try not to get caught up in all the muck that usually turns up around Christmastime and keep your eyes focused on the real gift of the season: a chance to not only spend time with your family, but a great opportunity to let them know how much they mean to you.

Spring Break Ski Trip 2012

Spring break is just around the corner, and we’re going to spend it skiing at Winterpark, CO!

The trip will be March 9 – 14, and all youth grades 6 – 12 are invited. Cost is $450 per person and includes all expenses except for the 6 meals we’ll have while traveling to and from Colorado on our awesome charter bus. Registration forms are available on the right side of the website!

Youth Newsletter for Dec 6

Have you been enjoying this cold weather? I know a lot of my friends have been complaining about it, but I for one have been very thankful for it. I may have to wear a coat and gloves and a scarf when I take my dog out to use the bathroom, but at least it feels like Christmas! I remember one Austin Christmas when it was super sunny and the low was in the 90’s. It was very hard to feel festive that year.

Someone recently told me a cool allegory for God’s love that today’s weather reminded me of. Go outside right now and look at the sky. (Don’t worry, I’ll wait.)

Pretty cloudy, right? Can you see the sun? From my window, the Sun is completely blocked by drabby, gray clouds. There is no sunshine, and everything just looks kind of blah. But the thing is, even though we can’t see it, the sun is still shining! We might not be able to see it due to clouds (or maybe it’s night), but we can take comfort in the fact that sun is still shining and will always shine.

God’s love is like that. There are times in our lives when something horrible happens or things just don’t seem to be going our way. Like the clouds, these things can sometimes trick us into believing that God doesn’t love us anymore (or that he loves us less). But that’s not true! Like the sun, God constantly loves on us. He never stops. And even though it might be hard to feel it sometimes, we should take comfort in the fact that our God is one whose love is never ending.

Peace,

Nathan Strange

Director of Jr. High Youth

Lead Creative for Student Ministries

December Midweek

Come hang out with the Sr. High Youth at our weekly Wednesday evening gathering, and join in for what’s sure to be a unique discussion. All Senior High in grades 9-12 are welcome. For more information, email David@tarrytownumc.org

Join the Sr. High Youth every Wednesday night 7-9pm for our Midweek discussion. For the month of December we will be meeting at Maya Kelp’s house:

3401 Bonnie Rd
Austin, TX  78703

Next week, 12.14, will be our Christmas Party and last Midweek of the year! We’ll be doing a white elephant gift exchange, so please a bring a gift (or gag gift) worth no more than $10. We are also looking for houses to host Midweek at the end of spring 2012. Email David if you’re interested.

 

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Like Making Music? YOUTH BAND starts back up January 8

Do you imagine yourself singing on the American Idol stage?  Are you at home practicing your major scales while your friends are pushing buttons on their ‘Rock Band’ video game?  Are your teachers always telling you to quit tapping rhythms on your desk?  Or your knee?  Or your chair?  Then the brand new youth band at TUMC is for you!!

We need singers and instrumentalists who love to make music to join us on Sunday after church from 12:00 – 2:00 pm starting Jan. 8.  We welcome anyone with a passion for music.  The music we do will be chosen by YOU…  The direction of the band will be based entirely on who joins us for the ride!  Our first project will be putting together some music for the youth worship service on Sunday, February 12 and 19.  So, if you want to be a part of this brand new exciting adventure with us, join us on Sunday Jan. 8 in the Jr. High room downstairs.  Bring a lunch if you’d like, bring your instruments, and bring your ideas about what this band is going to be all about.  We Need YOU!!

Questions? Ideas? Email Kati.Strong@gmail.com.

Want to Play Music on Youth Sunday?

Youth Led Worship will be two Sundays, February 12 and 19, and we are looking for some talented musicians who want to help lead music for the entire congregation! Do you play a classical instrument like the clarinet, flute, piano or french horn? We would LOVE to hear you play a solo! Email David@tarrytownumc.org for more info on playing a solo. Do you like to sing or play guitar, drums, bass, or tambourine? We would LOVE to have you join up with the band play all the hymns! Email Kati.Strong@gmail.com for more information on playing or singing with our Youth Band.

Tarrytown Youth now on Twitter

Seeing that it’s almost 2012, we decided it was time time for us to get on twitter! I’ll be tweeting random things and retweeting things I find inspirational, as well as tweeting the latest updates about the youth program. And pictures of cute kitties and doggies! You can find us @Tarrytownyouth. Check out our twitter feed on the right!

Yuletide Madness!

Tarrytown Movie House 2011!

Come on over this Sunday, November 20th for the annual Tarrytown Movie House! We will be running our own restaurant out of the Fellowship Hall and watching National Treasure (think Alamo Drafthouse), serving other youth groups from the Austin area. Come join us for a fun night of service, food, fellowship and of course, National Treasure!