Children & Youth Ministries @ TLC

(August2007-August 2008)

Welcome to a new year at Trinity Lutheran Church! We are a faith community that gathers all ages and genders for the sake of growing in faith. We believe we are all workers in God's service no matter how young or old. Our mission is "The making and maturing of Christian disciples." This means that life in Christ is a relationship which is encouraged, modeled, and studied in age-appropriate ways.

Our theme this year is "GO AND DO LIKEWISE." In one of his most recognized stories, the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10), Jesus defines one's neighbor as anyone who needs any assistance. Jesus calls us beyond our reasons and excuses for not helping our biblical neighbor to a life that experiences joy in showing mercy. Because Jesus first shows us mercy, therefore, we are to

SUNDAYS @ TLC

Pre-School – 5th Grade
Sunday Spirit

Sunday Spirit is an activities-based faith formation hour for all the kids who are Pre School—5th Grade. Join us for music, crafts, Bible stories and fun! Sunday Spirit runs 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Sunday mornings September– early June. Just check in at Ulrich Hall (room by the kitchen). Parents are welcome to participate, too!

6th - 8th Grade
Creative Discussions

Discussions will deal with key topics and include interesting activities, challenging questions, and eye catching graphics. They will challenge your kids to think about opinions, learn about themselves, and grow in their faith.

9th - 12th Grade
Reading the Message w/ Aaron

All High School Youth are invited to spend the school year reading “The Message Remix” (the Bible in contemporary language). We meet every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in Aaron’s office to discuss what we have read, and to answer any questions you may have on your mind. We will begin Sept. 16. Talk to Aaron if you are interested. You can start any time.

Middle School & High School Youth Groups

Middle School Youth Group (6th-8th Grade)   New schedule! The Middle School Youth will meet twice a month after second service in our new Youth Room.
Senior High Youth Group (9th-12th Grade)   Meets on Sunday afternoons from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Our time together includes: fun and games, study time, planning future events, and of course, food.

“Go and do likewise” will be our theme for the 2007-2008 school year. Along with our discussions, and activities listed below, the Middle School & High School Youth Groups will also continue to live out our vision statement.

Music:   Singing, Instruments
Fundraisers:   Bag Sales, Dinners, and Yard Sales
Projects:   Rainbow Bags (school kits), Health Kits, Gingerbread House Building, Bracelets, Paper Mache’, Decorating Brostrom Hall, Gift Baskets
Activities:   Bowling, Skiing/Snowboarding, Retreats, Gatherings, Hiking, Kayaking, Mini Golf, Ice-Cream

Thursday Night at Trinity (TNT)

4Years (by October 1st) thru 6th Grade

“Thursday Night at Trinity” is our weekly program for children 4 years through 6th grade that consists of choir, Bible stories, arts & crafts, singing, play, and dinner. TNT’s schedule follows the MB school schedule for vacations and days off. The choir groups are focused for preparation in worship and worship leadership. We look forward to parent support and participation in the Thursday and Sunday schedule.

TNT 2007 – 2008 Schedule

Fall: September 20 – November 29
Spring: January 10 – May 29
No TNT: Nov. 22, March 20, and April 10
Special Rehearsals for Christmas Eve: (December rehearsal dates to-be-announced)
Times will be announced in the November newsletter. With a full slate of programming for youth, Thursday nights are always exciting at Trinity!

Registration Information

Children must be 4-years-old by October 1, 2007 to ensure they are fully ready to participate in all TNT activities. Register on-site or contact Aaron 310.372.4380 ( atbridge-builder@earthlink.net ) for more information.

Suggested donation per year to help cover staff and program cost is $180 per child (member); $210 per child (non-member). Plus a meal cost of $90 per child per year OR $5 per week OR $180 per family per year. (Children may also bring their own meals.) TNT shirts will be available. New color & new logo!

TNT Activities

Bible Studies
Kids of the Kingdom (4 & 5 year olds)
This creative program introduces children to God through the guidance of caring adults. Each week the children will receive one primary concept, such as God cares for me, the Bible teaches me about God, etc…

Joyful Noise and New Creation (1st – 6th grade)
The children will learn about God through stories and various activities. Music and arts & crafts will play an important role in the learning process.

Choirs
The choir groups are focused on preparation for participating in worship and worship leadership. Each of the choirs will be taught a variety of anthems and will often sing as part of Sunday morning worship services. This means that many Sundays in the course of the year, the children will be involved in Sunday morning worship. Parent support and participation are important to prepare the children to be musical leaders in the church and worship services.

TNT Schedule
Pre-K - K	Kids of the Kingdom (4 & 5 year olds)
4:00-4:45	Choir
4:45-5:00	Singing
5:00-5:30	Dinner
5:30-6:15	Bible Stories & Crafts
1st-2nd	Joyful Noise (1st-2nd grade)
4:00-5:00	Activity Center
5:00-5:30	Dinner
5:30-6:15	Choir
3rd-6th	New Creation (3rd-6th grade)
4:00-4:45	Activity Center (3rd-5th)         Bell Choir(6th Grade & Up)
4:45-5:30	Choir
5:30-6:15	Bringing Scripture Alive/Dinner (3rd-5th)         TLC Puppeteers (6th Grade & Up)
7th-12th	Youth Choir (7th-12th grade)
5:30-6:00	Dinner
6:15-7:15	Choir

Spring Musicals
One of the highlights of the year is our Spring Musicals. All children in the Joyful Noise and New Creation Choirs are eligible to participate. The Youth Choir also has a Spring Musical. It is important for the children to be involved in TNT throughout the year so that they will have already had the opportunity to lead singing in worship. The many opportunities to sing in worship during the year offer the children some of the skills to be able to participate in worship at TLC. All children and families are welcome at worship every Sunday.

TNT Program Leaders

~Aaron Tidwell is the Director of Youth & Family Ministries at TLC and will be working with the children in the Activity Center.

~Karla Devine is the TLC Pre-School music teacher and is church organist. Karla is the choir director for the Kids of the Kingdom, Joyful Noise, New Creation, and Youth Choirs.

~Thelma Weber is a longtime member of Trinity and a tireless volunteer, who keeps our TNT children fed, and is in charge of the kitchen.

TNT Volunteers Welcome & Essential!
The success of this program depends on volunteer help. Families are responsible for helping to prepare, serve, and clean up after dinner. We also need help with our craft session for our 4 & 5 year old class after dinner. When you arrive the first night, you will be asked to sign up for the week you will be able to help. If something comes up for you on that week, please try to arrange to switch with another family. If you cannot arrange a switch, please contact Aaron at the church (310.374.4380 atbridge-builder@earthlink.net ) and he will assist you.

MORE CHILDREN & YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES!

3rd-5th Grade
Seekers-n-Sneakers
Seekers-n-Sneakers is our 3rd-5th grade youth group. We have events about once a month to build upon the community that we have at TNT. Events for the coming year will be miniature golf, hiking, bowling, Advent party, service projects, a weekend retreat in February at our local Lutheran camp, El Camino Pines, and our annual trip to Knott’s Berry Farm in June. Friends are always welcome, so come and join us for all the fun!

6th-8th Grade
Confirmation w/ Pastor Luther & Aaron
An exciting, all-new Confirmation format at Trinity Lutheran Church is now in its second year. Confirmation at Trinity includes fun family study groups, on-line components, retreats, and service projects. Together we will learn God’s story, learn to interpret God’s story, then learn to confess God’s story in the world. Confirmation is supervised by Pastor Luther and Aaron Tidwell, Director of Family Ministry.

6th Grade & Up
TLC Puppeteers
The TLC Puppeteers program (TLCP) needs volunteers to be puppeteers, prop masters, and sound and light technicians. The TLCP will help with Sunday Spirit and have a few performances at area churches throughout the year. If you are interested in being a part of this experience, please contact Aaron (31.374.4380 atbridge-builder@earthlink.net ). Sixth-grade - adults are welcome!

6th Grade & Up
2007-2008 TLC Youth Band
 

6th Grade & Up
TLC Youth Ministry Team (YMT)
The Trinity Lutheran Church Youth Ministry Team (YMT). The YMT will consist of 7 members– 3 youth (1 Middle School youth, 2 High School youth), 2 adult volunteers, 1 council member, and the Director of Family Ministry. The YMT will be in charge of planning programs for the Youth Group– various social events, service projects, fundraising, and other aspects that fall within the Youth Group’s jurisdiction. The meetings will be held once a month starting in August and ending in June. Each meeting will be one hour long and include Bible Study. The members will be appointed by the Director of Family Ministry. Look for news and information about this Youth Ministry Team in the near future!

SUMMER 2008                                 Mark your calendars!

~ Vacation Bible School (VBS) - June 23-27
For children ages 3 through 5th grade, with youth helper volunteer opportunities available for 6th-12th graders.

~ Middle School JCBB Service & Adventure Trip to Colorado -June 29-July 3
For middle school youth (6th-8th grade).

~ Confirmation Camp at El Camino Pines - July 6-11
For middle school youth (6th-8th grade).

~ ELCA Western States Youth Gathering, Anaheim, CA - July 29-August 1
For high school youth (9th-12th grade). This event will be held at the Hilton Hotel and Anaheim Convention Center. The theme is “Wired: Live Connected!’ and is based on Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge God, and your paths will be made straight.” For more information on speakers, music, Servant Projects, workshops and more, log onto www.wsyg.com .

~ High School JCBB Service & Adventure Trip (destination to be announced!) - August 2-9
For high school youth (9th-12th grade).

OUTREACH

Social Ministry Projects
If you would like to help with any of these projects please contact Aaron Tidwell (310.374.4380 atbridge-builder@earthlink.net ). All ages welcomed!  

• Food Drives
• Serving the Homeless
• Spring & Fall Tijuana Trips
• Used Children’s Books (during November we collect used books to give to those who do not have any books)
• Thanksgiving & Christmas Baskets (during the holidays we gather and put together baskets with food so less fortunate families can enjoy a holiday meal)
• Used Toy Collection (we collect and donate used toys in good condition to needy children to help brighten their day during the holiday season)
• “For the Children” Gift Program (during the holidays the congregation picks name tags off the Christmas tree in the narthex and buys a present for the child on the tag. The wrapped presents then go to the children of St. John’s Lutheran Church, and six other churches of the New City Parish of inner city Los Angeles)
• Foster Kids Party (in December we host a Christmas party for about 100 children who are in foster care)
• Wrapping & Delivering Christmas Gifts
• And much more…!

Trinity’s Director of Youth & Family Ministries

Aaron Tidwell, Director of Youth and Family Ministry, has been a part of the Trinity community since 1993. Aaron, who spent many years working in Lutheran Camping Ministry before arriving at TLC, is full of enthusiasm for his work. Aaron’s wife, Gen, and two daughters, Erin and Laura, are an important part of his life and help support his ministry at TLC. Aaron believes it is very important for us to step up and make a positive difference in this world. Aaron recently spent part of his summer doing post-hurricane Katrina relief work in New Orleans. According to Aaron, “The job is not finished…it’s so important that we do not forget about all the people...” Check out Aaron’s New Orleans photos and blog at www.aaron-bridgebuilder.blogspot.com . To involve your children in TLC programs and events, call Aaron at 310.374.4380 or email him at atbridge-builder@earthlink.net .

 
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