May Newsletter
Dear Grace Youth Parents, The 2017-2018 school year has been packed with so many exciting happenings at Grace Youth: we took over 100 students to the Big Chill Winter Retreat, we raised over $450 to be donated to our partners in Belize, we donated 47 units of blood when we hosted a Red Cross Blood Drive, and we had almost 50 students attend the lock-in recently! However, by the looks of what we have planned for this month, the good work is far from over. If you haven’t heard so already, I want to inform you about the May teaching series focusing on purity & pornography – it’s something I am expecting the Lord to move through in big ways. Pornography is a rapidly growing problem for young people. Today’s teenagers can access pornography free of charge with complete anonymity and ease. Recent studies confirm that the average age of first exposure to Internet pornography is 11, and children under 10 now account for 22 percent of online porn consumption under the age of 18. Consequently, never before have adolescents needed more skill and motivation to stay “clean”. We feel called to minister to our youth by providing support and speaking biblical truth into this issue. Our desire through all of this is to walk alongside families, providing education, information, and community. I want to encourage you to visit gracewired.com/clickherefordamage for ways the Grace Youth team, parents, and students can link arms as we pursue purity together. As always, I am available to connect with you at any time. I am confident that pornography is an issue the enemy does not want to see tampered with because it’s an area he has gained much ground in. However, I am even more confident that the Holy Spirit will be breaking down barriers and strongholds this month at Grace Youth! I cannot wait to experience it! Lily Smith Director of Grace Youth
May Teaching Series
Click Here for Damage: The Hidden Sin of Pornography
Pornography & purity is a rapidly growing problem for today’s youth and a conversation we cannot afford to sit out on. Through biblical truth, education, and openness we want to make the next generation aware of the damage that pornography can bring from a single click – and the hope and beauty that they can instead choose in Jesus.
WEEKENDS AT GRACE YOUTH Students join us either Saturday at 5PM or Sunday at 10AM for a time of worship, teaching, and discussion geared just for youth!
WEDNESDAYS AT GRACE YOUTH | 7-9 PM Week 1 | Wednesday May 2 Join us for Event Week, where we will be having a Worship Night. Invite your friends! Week 2 | Wednesday May 9* Join us for Meet Week. There will be worship and teaching, followed by specific age/gender small groups. Week 3 | Wednesday May 16* Join us for Eat Week. We will have dinner and a Q&A session with two counselors from Grace Counseling Center on the topic of purity and pornography. Bring $3 for pizza, pop & breadsticks! Week 4 | Wednesday May 23* Join us for Street Week. Students will spend time making blankets to give to women rescued from human trafficking. Week 5 | Wednesday May 30 There will be NO Grace Youth this week. Enjoy the end of the school year and stay tuned for summer gatherings and events! *Indicates an activity/message connected to our series on purity and pornography. 2 2
A Note to Parents We understand that purity & pornography is a serious topic, and one that needs to be addressed with wisdom, correct information, and biblical truth. While it is our desire to partner with you through this process and walk alongside parents by providing education and community, we fully respect the discernment and decisions you make for your students and family in allowing or abstaining your student from participating. To inform your decision regarding your child’s participation in this series, we have provided various resources: • • •
Outlines of the series’ message topics & schedule of teachers. Access to manuscripts of the messages prior to being given. Helpful resources, such as FREE Parent Guides on addressing pornography with your child.
Find these resources, plus additional information and events, by visiting: gracewired.com/clickherefordamage
Upcoming Events + Announcements
Parent Sessions: Parenting, Purity & Pornography It is our desire to provide education and support as we talk about purity & pornography at Grace Youth. Join us on Wednesdays in May for sessions that are free to attend & open to the public. Session 1: Wednesday, May 9 | 7-8:30PM | Café Grace “Growing Healthy Passion: How to give your youth a positive spirituality of sexuality” Speaker: Dr. Tim Hogan, Director of Grace Counseling Center Session 2: Wednesday, May 16 | 7-8:30PM | Café Grace "Guarding & Guiding Well: Biblical tools for safeguarding your home and family" Speaker: Gerald Coleman, Pastor of Discipleship, & Penny Blum, Shepherding Pastor Session 3: Wednesday, May 23 | 7-8:30PM | Cafe Grace "Stuck in Traffic": Video and discussion on trafficking in Michigan Speaker: Doug Kempton, Lead Pastor
Little Caesar’s Fundraiser Purchase Little Caesar’s pizza, breadsticks and dessert kits immediately following each service on Saturday, May 19 & Sunday, May 20 to support the Ball State Mission Trip. A portion of the proceeds made will be donated to the team! Cash and credit cards (MasterCard/Visa) are accepted. Questions? Email Lily at
[email protected].
May Prayer Requests
ü Protection & power throughout our series on purity & pornography ü The Graduating Senior Class of 2018 ü Five additional male small group leaders for Wednesday nights ü Seven additional female small group leaders for Wednesday nights ü Successful pizza kit fundraiser for the Ball State Mission Trip Team ü Living into our calling to be a mosaic at Grace & Grace Youth
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