Nativity Story & Dance

This past Sunday was all about looking at the Story of Jesus being born.

We began the morning with some fun with wrapping paper. A student from each grade was wrapped by the students in their grade and 'presented' to our own Randy, Paula, and Simon (played by our volunteers staff) to be judged.

We had an incredible violin solo of "The First Noel" performed by one of our 7th graders, Zach Jones.

Bruce Corless, a dad of one of the high school students and an incredible story teller, read the Christmas Story.

We then visited interactive stations around the room that represented different people in the story, Mary, Joseph, Wise Men, and the Shepherds.

The final challenge to the students was to tell this incredible story to their friends. This story is too amazing to tell in a boring way. It is also too incredible of a story to keep to ourselves. At the end of the morning, our fantastic staff leaders came out to demonstrate how fun it can be to tell the story of the birth of our Savior!

It was a super fun Sunday!

A great one to end the year with. That's right, no Middle School Service next week! We will see you again next year, January 3rd.

Merry Christmas and remember to keep telling the story!

December Drop In

Sometimes middle schoolers just need to a place to drop in and hang out. Drop In is a Riptide Event in Student Center B, filled with fun games.

This month's theme is Christmas! There will be Christmas Movies, Christmas Cookies, and Christmas Games. We will also be doing a Christmas gift exchange so bring a wrapped present that was $1 or less. Look in your room, your garage, or gift wrap a candy bar and bring it in for our first-ever

Drop In Gift Exchange.

Our Riptide Cafe will be open selling snacks and dinner items, but other than that...it is absolutely free!

So bring a friend and DROP IN next Saturday!

Current Sunday AM Series:

For the next two weeks we will look at the life of a teenager who was told by an angel that she would carry the Messiah. Along with this news, she faced judgment, worry, and through it all she was able to fully worship God. All of this was probably not in her 'ten-year life plan' and yet, she was willing to follow God's much bigger and better plan! God used the obedience of a teenager to fulfill the Old Testament Prophecy. This complicated story truly shows how much God genuinely loves each one of us.

Happy Thanksgiving Riptide Families!

As we enter this holiday season each of us can all tell so many stories of both highs and lows from this past year. No matter what this year has brought, one thing that has truly remained constant and what I'm so thankful for is the goodness of our God.

"But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge."

Psalm 73:28

"The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him;"

Lamentations 3:25

"The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made."

Psalm 145:9

"You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you."

Psalm 86:5

"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you."

Psalm 116:7

As we reflect on the amazing goodness of God, I hope you all will have a opportunity to spend some quality time with your families and loved ones this holiday weekend. The Riptide Adult Leaders are truly thankful to have you and your middle schooler a part of this ministry.

See you Sunday!

Did you miss Drop In?

Don't miss the next one: December 19th!!

Sometimes middle schoolers just need to a place to drop in and hang out. Drop In is a Riptide Event in Student Center B, filled with fun games. This month's theme is Turkey! There will be Turkey Movies, Turkey Dodge Ball, Turkey Bowling, and other Turkey Games. Our Riptide Cafe will be open selling snacks and dinner items, but other than that...it is absolutely free! So bring a friend and DROP IN this Saturday!

A Letter from Director of Parks and Recreation

Two weekends ago, several middle schoolers and parents spent their morning working really hard cleaning up Collier Park. Here is a letter from the Director of the La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation:

Thanks to all of your for your help with Park Appreciation Day on Ocotber 24^th. Some 291 volunteers picked up 95 yds of green material and about 16 yds of trash were removed from 12 of our parks. Many thanks to volunteers and staff for a great day! It’s amazing the difference in the appearance of our parks. Save the date for next year October 23^rd 8- 12 noon!

Yvonne Garrett

Great Job Everyone!!!

Current Sunday AM Series:

There are billions of stars and yet each one is different and specifically placed in the sky by the God who created them. We are the same way. There are 6 billion people on the earth and not one person is exactly like another. During the next four weeks we will look at how we were created by God with our own unique heart, abilities, personality, and spiritual gifts. God brought all those elements together in each of us so that we could serve him and the world in our own unique way.

When we understand each of these areas of our life, we will begin to see who we are and how we're designed to serve. We’ll stop serving because that’s what we’re “supposed” to do, and start serving from the depths of our heart and soul because it’s what we were created to do.

We will be diving into the Bible, exploring practical tips from book, Congratulations, You're Gifted by Doug Fields, and providing opportunities for the Riptide Students to begin immediately serving in Riptide. We have also invited guests from the La Mesa Community to present practical ways the students can serve the La Mesa Community.

November 1: Spiritual Gifts: Unwrapping God’s gifts for you!

November 8: Heart & Personality: Discovering your true passion

November 15: Kingdom Impact: Why God put you on this earth

November 22: Your Turn To Serve: Responding with a Generous Heart

Winter Camp Twenty-Ten

SIGN-UPS HAVE BEGUN!

Imagine This:

48 unforgettable hours in a valley, on a mountain, off-line, on-track, unplugged, getting real with God, meeting new friends, and having a blast. This weekend, students will be able to actively discuss, unpack, and discover truth behind the questions of life.

To Sign-up:

Bring a non-refundable $75 deposit any Riptide service or to the Journey Office.

(the total cost: $200)

Then turn in completed Journey and Forest Home Camp forms.

Tips to raise money for

Winter Camp Twenty-Ten:

1. Give the Gift of Winter Camp (from you or extended family). I can provide a Riptide Winter Camp Certificate that can be wrapped and given on Christmas Morning.
2. Encourage your child to raise half or all. By doing jobs for neighbors or family members (car washes, yard work, ect...) the money can be raised fairly quickly.
3. Payment Plans. $75 to sign up, $75 in December, $50 in January (email Christina to set up a plan.)

Spots are limited so sign-up today!

La Mesa Park Appreciation Day

Do you have a few hours to give La Mesa on a Saturday morning? Sign-up for

La Mesa Park Appreciation Day!

Riptide will be adopting Collier Park on Palm Avenue in La Mesa. We will paint picnic tables, stain park benches, pick up trash, and trim trees. Free t-shirts for all participants. You don’t have to be a La Mesa resident – just love La Mesa!

Sign-up this Sunday in the back of the Riptide Room. Also, parents are welcomed to stay and help as well!

Please note: All participants will need to fill out the following waiver.

3union visits Riptide

For the past five years, these brothers have been traveling with their family all over the world. They began their adventures with a Christian school tour in Beirut, Lebanon where they performed 30 concerts in ten days. They enjoy entertaining a crowd, but their main desire is to make a difference in people's lives, especially the lives of this generation.

We are so excited to have 3union join us in Riptide next Sunday Morning to lead our morning worship. They will be performing a few of their original songs as well as some familiar worship songs.

Their CD's, will be available to purchase after each service.

If you would like to preview a few of their songs, check out their myspace page.

Below is one of their music videos.

Current Sunday AM Series

With good looks, brains, and muscles, you'd think Daniel had it all. But when his people were taken captive by the feared King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel had a few decisions to make. Was he going to give up his convictions or was he going to resist changing his good habits even if it meant being thrown into a den of hungry lions. These four weeks, we are going to look at a young man that held strong to his faith and see how God took care of him along the way.

Week #1: Training Takes Dedication

Week #2: You've got Talent...for a Reason

Week #3: When You Find Yourself in the Pits

Week#4: Entrance into The Hall of Fame

GURLY in Review

Great Day For GURLY! Below are pictures from the day and the photo scavenger hunt.

"Snap Shot" Art Contest cont.

BEST FRIEND

"Snap Shot" Series Art Contest

Along with our last series, "Snap Shot" we had an art contest. Middle schoolers took a picture or drew a picture of the different characteristics of God that we looked at.

Here were the submissions:

LIGHT

ROCK

WATER

LISTENER

GURLY & BURLY are back!

Because of popular demand GURLY and BURLY are back!

GURLY is for Girls Only! BURLY is for Guys Only!

Separate events, same day.

Both are Top Secret!

Details for Students:

Event Hours: 10:30am-8pm

To Sign Up: Bring $40 and a signed permission slip to any Riptide event. Price will cover food and transportation for the entire event.

Parents, if you would like the itinerary of the day, please email christina@journeycom.org for the details. We just ask that you keep to the "code of secrecy" to add to the fun for the middle schoolers.

Due to the nature of the event, the last day to sign up is this Sunday, September 27th.

Beach Baptism

So proud of each of these middle schoolers!!!

Sunday, September 13, 2009 they joined many others from Journey at the Crown Point in Mission Bay and got baptized! How cool is that!

Drop In

It's a Saturday Night, and your middle schooler has nothing to do, where can you send them?

DROP IN! Drop In is a Riptide Event in Student Center B, filled with fun games, movies, and just a great time for middle schoolers to hang out. Our Riptide Cafe will be open selling snacks and dinner items, but other than that...it is absolutely free! Bring a friend and DROP IN!

Baby-Sitting Fundraiser

The married couples of Journey Community Church are having date night so we are taking care of the kids. Your middle schooler can volunteer to baby-sit that night and help raise money for Student Ministries. Middle Schoolers meet at Journey at 5:30pm this Saturday. We will go over instructions and assign you to an age group. For more information please email christina@journeycom.org.

CHURCH WIDE BAPTISM

Sunday, September 13th Journey Community Church will be having a Church-Wide Baptism. It will be held at Crown Point Mission Bay at 2:00pm to 4:00pm. If you have a middle schooler that is ready to be baptized this would be a great opportunity. I will meet with them briefly to talk about what baptism is, the awesome decision they are making, and what to expect and bring that day.

If you do not have anyone in your family that is getting baptized, this is still a great opportunity to come hang out while supporting those who are taking this exciting step in their Christian walk. There will be hamburgers, hotdogs, and drinks. All you have to do is come and bring a side dish or dessert to share.

If you have any questions feel free to email me at christina@journeycom.org or check out the Journey Community Church website here. Also, feel free to download the Riptide Baptism booklet in the download section to the right.

This is definitely a day you and your family will not want to miss!

Summer Youth Jam 2009

The youth pastor from North Park Apostolic Church invited our Middle School Worship Team to play at the Youth Jam they were hosting for the community this past Saturday. It was a great time of live music from every genre, a BBQ grilling contest, and games. It was so much fun!

SMALL GROUPS BEGIN SEPTEMBER 9th

WHAT ARE SMALL GROUPS?

Riptide small groups have been designed just for middle school students. They are groups of 5-10 students (same gender and grade) that meet weekly with two Riptide adult leaders. It's a time filled with Bible study, prayer, fellowship, accountaibilty and fun.

WHEN AND WHERE DO THEY MEET?

Host homes in the East County area beginning Sept 9th. They meet 7:00pm-8:30pm.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO COMMIT TO?

Being part of a small group is a privilege and we ask a few think of you when getting involved in a group. Come prepared for group. This means bringing a bible, pen, and notebook. Come constantly. This will help build relationships within your group. Respect your Riptide leaders and the others in the group.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

A typical night will include, hang out, Bible Study, discussion, prayer time, and possibly snacks.

WHO ARE MY LEADERS?

Riptide has incredible, trained adult leaders, ready to serve and teach middle school students. From college aged to parents, each small group has a pair of adults excited to help you strengthen your walk with Christ.

HOW DO I REGISTER?

Fill out the registration card below and turn it into Christina at any of the Riptide weekend services by September 6th. Once we receive your card, we will place you in a group. Email christina@journeycom.org if you have any questions!

DYE WARS ROCKED!!!

Current Sunday AM Series & Art Contest

For the next five weeks will be getting to know God better by looking at snapshots of who he is. In a sense, the Bible is a photo album with self portraits of a God who wants to be known. God has put these pictures in the Bible to reveal his character. By examine them, we discover who God is and why he's worth knowing better. And we discover something else: who he wants us to be. He wants us to copy his picture into our own character.

Along with the teaching, we will be having an art contest. Around the room we have six large picture frames. We are looking for photographs your middle schooler has taken or pictures they have drawn to fill those picture frames. Each frame represents one of six characteristics we will be looking at:

Inventor
Water
Rock
Listener
Light
Best Friend

Middle Schoolers can submit up to one entry per category. All entries will be displayed in the Riptide Room. Contest ends September 27th and prize winners will be announced October 4th.

Road Trip Series Wrap up...

Week #4 Jesus in the Garden:
Tough part of life is people not being there when we need them. Then what feels worst is when we are not there for people we care about. During one of the toughest times of Jesus' life, his closest friends let him down. Jesus is an example for us forgiveness does not include revenge, and He will never let us down.



Week #5 Jesus at the Beach:
Breakfast has always been known as one of the most important meals of the day. How cool is it, that there was a day that Jesus made breakfast on the beach for his disciples. It was during that time, that Peter once again jumped out of the boat to meet his savior!




Week #6 Jesus at Home:
Who comes over to your house? Who eats around your dinner table? What would you do if, Jesus stopped you on the way home from school and said he was coming over to eat...today! That is exactly what Jesus did to Zacchaeus and he didn't care what anyone thought!

Happy New School Year!

This Sunday we celebrate a new school year! Below is our Fall Calendar filled with stuff you definitely do not want to miss! Also, be sure to stop by Student Center A for our 2009/2010 Student Ministries Orientation Parent Meeting. We will be discussing a sure-proof plan to have one of the greatest school years EVER! See you there!!!

DYE WARS 2009

This year Riptide will be joining the city-wide water wars held at College Avenue Baptist Church. Churches from across the county will be bringing their middle schoolers to participate in one of the craziest and biggest water wars of the year. The student will be divided into three teams representing three different colors. The color represents the color of water that will be provided for that team to fill their super soaker with.

The result: an awesome madness of colors. (FYI:The food coloring does wash off skin and mostly out of clothes). The cost includes dinner, raffle, and a soaking great time.

2009/2010 Student Ministries Orientation

Calling all students and parents of middle school and high school students in the 2009/2010 school year!!!!

want to know:

when are the retreats and events and what will they cost?
when do small groups start?
how do I stay informed on the latest updates?
what can I do to serve?
what topics will be covered on the weekend?

If so... then you're in luck. Come to Student Center A for a brief but very thorough meeting from 12:20pm to 1:20pm on Sunday August 16th and you'll get all the info you need and be able to ask all the questions you want.

Week #3 Jesus in the Desert

Last week we talked about how it's not always easy to do the right thing. We looked at a story of Jesus being tempted in the desert by Satan. Jesus had the power to withstand that temptation and show his obedience to God. The cool thing is that he has given us that power too!

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

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