Meet Kevin Best

Kevin Best is currently leading the high school youth group through The God Questions. He has been an invaluable addition to the youth team and in his own words . . . . .

I'm originally from Whitehall, Michigan. I graduated HS in 1997. I went to Concordia University Nebraska and graduated in 2001 with a B.S. in Education. I'm 30 years old and this is my 7th year teaching. I've taught in Detroit, CHicago, and now Las Vegas. In Chicago I was a Social Studies & PE teacher along with the high school vice principal for 2 years. I've coached soccer, baseball, and basketball throughout the years. I'm currently a teacher at Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School. I teach both religion and social studies classes. In my spare time (what little there is) I enjoy reading, volunteering, watching sports, punk music, and travel.

Thanks to Kevin for all he does.

World Vision 30 Hour Fast

As a growing tradition at Faith Communitiy and with our youth, we will participate in the 30 hour fast for World Vision's hunger ministry on February 28, 2009 in the Family Life Center.

During the fasting time, we will be working with the Las Vegas Rescue Mission to either assemble food boxes or serve a meal. This is a great cause and we need to get the word out early.

Line up your potential sponsors and mark the date.

Proof that Not Every Youth Event Needs Great Planning

The party at Sue's house was outstanding. Thanks Sue for opening your home and the cleaning and repair bills that followed.

Exciting Happenings in January-Mark Your Calendar

Cosmic Bowling. Cosmic Bowling. Yes. Cosmic Bowling. Sunday, January 11, 2009 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm the Senior High Youth will be going Cosmic Bowling at the Red Rock Hotel and Resort to raise money for the American Cancer Society. All proceeds from bowling will go to ACS. Meet at church at 1:30pm. We will need a headcount by January 4, 2009 so mark your calendars and tell Kevin and Sue if you are coming.

On Sunday, January 18, both the Senior High and Junior High youth groups will be working to put some finishing touches on wooden toys from the Happy Factory. Both the junior high and senior high will be working on this at 9:30am and 11:00am. Dress appropriately and to learn more about this great project, visit http://www.happyfactorylasvegas.org/. By the way, Rex is one of the coolest guys from church to work with.

Shout Out

Congratulations to Garrett G. for landing the lead role in his school play. He has promised to tell us when and where he will be performing so we can show up and cheer him on.

Great job Garrett.

Welcome to John and Jessica

Welcome to John and Jessica to the FCLC youth team. Great role models of what cool Christians are like.

If you have not met them, please introduce yourself.

DYG Sunday and the Ride Home

On Sunday, our speaker was on fire. Saved by Grace. Made to be an example to others. We may be the only Jesus that anyone may see. We don't follow the rules, we follow Jesus. A couple of killer stories. Tears.

New car assignments for the ride home. The carnivores stopped at In N Out burger. Six bathroom stops. Home.

Observations and Memories from the ride home:

1. Kelly K. has interesting IPod music.
2. Boys are pigs.
3. Garrett G. can sing very well.
4. John and Alec are getting along like long lost friends.
5. Dodge trucks go fast.
6. Coed riding arrangement have a much different vibe.
7. The conference shirts could walk home by themselves.
8. Laughter is contagious.
9. Our church and our faith is in good hands.
10. The girls of FCLC are tough.

DYG-The Night of Day 2

No words will adequately describe Saturday night. We ate at a very nice Italian restaurant in family style. Great fun and fellowship.

Saturday night also marked a communion service done in a pavilion tent. All acoustic. Lights low. Powerful message.

Extra fellowship time followed with both the participants and adults enjoying each other's company.

Other notes and memories from day one:

1. Everyone likes each other.

2. Our people are not afraid of hard work.

3. Matt S. ordering a Hot Pocket at the fancy Italian place.

4. The mom ranking and Nathan Z. Joan gets street cred.

5. Jessica gains massive street cred with the dance off challenge.

6. Lizzy L. is a maniac with any competitive event.

7. Curfews are for losers.

8. The poor people trying to have an anniversary party at the hotel.

9. The triangle.

10. Spiritual growth is seen in inches.

DYG Day 2-The Daylight Hours

On day 2, DYG became much more personal and real. We worshiped together in the morning. Left for an amazing service project at lunch time and worshiped again in the evening. So much happened, we need to break the day in half to report everything that happened.

Breakfast together in one of the hotel rooms was followed by our first session led by The Anthony Celia Band and our awesome speaker, Travis Hartjen. To learn more about both of them, you can visit http://www.onedyg.com/Download_files/DYG%2008%20Registration%20Packet.pdf and view a copy of their biographies.

At lunchtime, we traveled together to our service project and ate pizza provided by Thrivent Financial and began our work at Second Harvest Food Bank. We repacked boxes and crates of donated food for three hours and were pretty moved by their organization. Hard work, good fun and "void" stickers.

DYG-The Drive and Night One

Faith Community sent 13 participants and 5 chaperons to the 2008 District Youth Gathering in San Diego. Our spirited and spirit filled group had a great drive over and on Friday night, we received our schedules, tee shirts and for the first time, saw our theme for the weekend.

One. One faith. One community. One church.

Our bible verse theme is “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God the Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6

Other notes and memories from day one:

1. Pastor Craig and the mouse.
2. Leaving at 3:15pm really means leaving at 4:00pm.
3. Journey songs can be overdone.
4. Four boys in a room is three too many.
5. Starbucks closed at 9:00pm.
6. New chaperons are fresh meat.
7. Curfew at 11:00pm really means curfew at 12:30am.
8. Surrendering control of the truck stereo was a bad idea.
9. Lutherans rock and get it right most of the time.
10. Sue Zieg did a lot of work to get this pulled off.

Coutdown to DYG

18 committed youth and their chaperons leave tomorrow afternoon for District Youth Gathering in San Diego.

We will be posting comments and pictures from the event on this blog so check back often.

Pray for our safe travel, open hearts, joyous spirit and fun.

Senior High Youth Unveils New Logo Design

The senior high school youth group, XJL has adopted a new logo design. Please look for this logo on coming annoncements and communication.

Car Wash and Bake Sale Huge Success

The car wash and bake sale to raise money for the District Youth Gathering was a huge success. Over 40 cars were served and at one time the line stretched onto Town Center. Great job kids and volunteers.

DYG Registration

DEADLINE FOR DYG REGISTRATION/MONEY: October 19th

October 19 Concert

CONCERT: OCTOBER 19TH!!!!!!!
Sanctus Real, VOTA, 10th Avenue North - all DOVE award winners!!
Valley Bible Fellowship
Time: 6pm
Ticket Price: NO CHARGE

I'd like to start a list of kids who want to go so we know if we should pull together a carpool, or what. Please let me know if you'd like to go to this concert.

Carwash and Bake Sale Dates

DATE 4 R CARWASH/BAKE SALE: October 18th. There will be an afternoon wedding at the church, so the only time we'll be able to do the car wash will be in the morning. I blocked out 8 -12 noon on the church calendar, but we can talk about the details this coming Sunday. We need to start making plans, and getting the congregation behind donating stuff for the bake sale (in addition to what we'll bring ourselves). This fundraiser will help with costs for the DYG in November. My plan is to spend the money in the following order: Gas, food, extra (but required) adult chaperones. If we have extra, we can then decide what to do w/it - maybe save it for a future event.

We will also be selling baked goodies on Sunday, 10/19, so we'll have to set up shifts at all 3 services so we can sell at all of them!!