JESUS CULTURE EMERGE SESSION 4- November 4th
GOD IS A LOVING FATHER

To our beloved parents,

What an honor it is to partner together in your student’s life! We are excited for what is developing and advancing even in this first month of pressing in. We want to stand together and believe for the fullness of the relationships surrounding your child. This week, we are going to discuss the foundational truth that God is an extravagant, loving Father. We will be looking at the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.

Here is some information to help you serve your student by empowering and enabling them to receive everything available to them:
● The story of God’s people is filled with the tales of fathers and sons. This week, we are going to take a look at how God has revealed Himself as a personal Father for each of us.
● A heart understanding of God as our perfect loving Father is at the core of Jesus’ ministry on Earth as well as our way of relating to God.
● Jesus tells a parable of two sons and a father that is commonly called the Parable of the Prodigal Son. In it, we see a picture of a “rebellious” son and a “rule-keeping” son and how they relate to their father. The parable is a redemptive one, yet sadly, it shows that neither son really knows the heart of their father.
● Knowing in the depths of our beings what our Father has done for us is the center of our identity and the beginning of our destiny as sons and daughters — He has fully opened His heart and given His love completely to make us His children.

We hope this letter serves to keep you informed about what your student is learning so you can connect with them throughout the week.

Sincerely,

Pastor Traci and Team

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JESUS CULTURE EMERGE SESSION 3- Covered on Onctober 21st
GOD IS IN A GOOD MOOD

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As we enter week three of the Jesus Culture Emerge curriculum, we want to thank you for your participation so far in helping your student get the most they can out of this teaching series. If you have not been able to discuss this material with your student during the previous two weeks, we want to encourage you to set aside a 5–10 minute time slot for discussing this week’s lesson with them.

Here is a basic overview of what they will be learning this week:

Main Scriptures:
1. Psalm 2:1–6
2. Hebrews 1:5–9
3. John 17:6–19

Teaching Points:
1. God is in a good mood on purpose. It is His very nature and is not affected by external factors.
2. Jesus is the expression of God’s good mood by displaying a life filled with joy.
3. Jesus is seated in a place full of great enjoyment.

This week we are attempting to help students further understand the character of God. God does not see us through condemning eyes that seek to destroy us; rather, He is in a good mood and is for us in all things.

For His glory,

Pastor Traci and Team

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JESUS CULTURE EMERGE SESSION 2-October 14, 2012
GOD IS GREAT AND GOOD

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As we enter week two, we hope you had the chance to talk with your student last week about their thoughts and feelings regarding the lesson. These first four lessons are an important foundation to understanding the nature of God. Thank you for participating with us and allowing us to have the opportunity to pour into the life of your teenager.

This week we are going to focus on the greatness and goodness of God. This is a concept that we really want students to grasp. It is in understanding His greatness and His goodness that we can build other healthy views of God. The passage we will be studying is Psalm 145:1–9. King David writes:
■ No one can even fathom God’s greatness (v. 3).
■ God is great because of His wonderful works (v. 5) and His power and great deeds (v. 6).
■ God’s goodness is abundant (v. 7) and that He is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in love (v. 8).
■ As if that weren’t enough, “the Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made” (v. 9).

Thanks again for allowing us to minister to your student. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

God is great and good,

Pastor Traci and Team

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JESUS CULTURE EMERGE SESSION 1
GOD IS WORTHY OF WORSHIP

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This is the introductory lesson to 40 weeks of our JESUS CULTURE Emerge curriculum. We hope you have read the introductory letter and know that this is going to be a life-changing study. During this lesson, your young person is learning to receive God’s lordship and acknowledge His worth. Through the anchor Scriptures of Revelation 4:3, 11 and Revelation 11:15, we are exploring how God is a sovereign King who is worthy of our worship.

The main teaching points of this session are:
● Teaching Point 1: Creation declares God’s glory (Psalm 19:1).
○ David writes that God’s glory is actually declared from the heavens (Psalm 19:1–4).
○ God is worthy of all worship and praise because He is the Creator and Engineer of all things.

● Teaching Point 2: God is Sovereign King and sits enthroned in Heaven above all things (Revelation 4:2–6).
○ Not only is God the Amazing Creator, the Alpha and Omega, but He is also the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 17:14).
○ Like an earthly king, God’s Kingship also requires our everything.

● Teaching Point 3: The heavenly beings worship God constantly (Revelation 4:8, 11).
○ Six-winged creatures endlessly declare, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty” (Revelation 4:6–8).
○ Twenty-four elders bow before God, crying out to Him, “You are worthy, our Lord God, to receive glory and honor and power” (Revelation 4:10–11).

We pray that this week, you and your family will have even greater encounters with God and that your relationship and intimacy with Him grow!

Pastor Traci

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09/04/12
Dear Parents,

I am writing to let you know about some upcoming changes to the youth group. These changes are occurring after much prayer and discussion based on some circumstances beyond our control. Several of the youth leaders have scheduling conflicts on Wednesday and will no longer be able to come on that night. We strongly feel this may be a shift orchestrated by the Lord because it impacted so many. Although it will be different for all of us, we believe it will be in the best interest of our students. Many students have other commitments on Wednesdays and are unable to attend regularly. We hope this change opens the door for many more students to know and grow in Christ.

Starting in October (7th) we will have our youth group meeting on Sunday from 6:30pm until 8:15pm. Young Adults (college students) will meet in a separate room for a small group bible study. Wednesday nights we will continue to meet from 6:30pm to 8:00 pm; we will have a more personal small group focus where we can deepen relationships.

You are the Spiritual Giants in your teenager’s life and our partnership is also with you. We are expecting God to do amazing things as we make the most of every opportunity we have with your teenagers in addition to what you are already doing. We are committed to seeing them living out their faith.

There will be weekly updates on the Highland Church Web Page. (Click the Ministries tab and then click on The Source Youth.) This will help you reinforce what we are teaching and keep you informed.

We would appreciate your prayers and support as well as you encouraging your teen to consistently attend and be involved.

Finally, I just want to remind all of you that Youth Convention will be on October 26th, 27th, and 28th. The cost is $130.00 per student; this cost covers gas, hotel and the cost of attending the conference. Each student will also need additional money to purchase 5 meals. The deadline for payment will be October 7th, please attach payment to the enclosed form. More details will be provided when available.

As always please feel free to contact me with questions.

Blessings,
Pastor Traci Koziczkowski & Team
715-340-2842

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04/25/12
Dear Parents,

We are wrapping up a series on “Defending Your Faith” and May starts our “SEX Series”; Here is the letter I sent to all of you~

Every day, your teenagers are bombarded with hundreds of messages about sex: at school, on TV, the internet – sex is everywhere they look.

There are some harmful messages and inaccurate ideas that lead people to make foolish decisions for their life. These bad decisions can result in people carrying around deep wounds, hurts and painful memories.

I wanted to share with you that we will be exploring the sensitive topic of sex over the four weeks in May, during our Wednesday night services. We will be using The Truth About Sex, featuring Biblical teaching from Doug Fields.

Doug Fields has been a pastor to teenagers and ministry leaders for over 30 years including 18 years as youth and teaching pastor at Saddleback Church with Rick Warren. He is the author of over 50 books including, Purpose Driven Youth Ministry.

The Truth About Sex is a candid and up-front study about the topic of sex. We are going to dive into the Biblical purpose of sex and purity while also tackling some of the temptations that are out there in our culture today. We feel it’s better to be straightforward and real so that students can talk honestly about this topic.

In the four video sessions, we will hear students share authentic stories about the struggles they face regarding sex. Doug Fields will offer Biblical insight into how all teens can make right decisions, live within boundaries, and seek God’s forgiveness when needed. After watching the video, we will dig into our Bibles and study Scripture together.

We encourage you to use this time to ask your teenager what they’re learning in the series and to continue the discussions and honest conversations at home. We are committed to partnering with you, as parents of youth, to help your teenager grow in their faith and pursue purity.

If you have any questions or would like to preview this Bible study video, please call or e-mail me at 715-340-2842 or Traci@highlandag.org

Thank you for the privilege of serving your family.
Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Traci

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT:

Here is an overview of what we’re talking about. Listed below the summary is a “parent cue” to help you dialog with your child about the session. The question
is intended not just to be asked by you, but to be responded to by BOTH of you. Use this opportunity to find out what God is teaching your child, and allow your child to see what God
is teaching you as well.

Forward Motion:

Series Overview

We’ve all made resolutions and set goals, but too often we fall short of what we expected to accomplish. Unfortunately it’s often the same when we try to become the Christian we really believe God has called us to be. We fall short of the goal and become increasingly discouraged. In this series, your student will learn that following Christ is more about the small steps we make every day, not about the huge leaps of faith that we think we need to make. They will set a goal, determine the first step and then make it. The series will end with a celebration!

Session One (02/15/12)

So many times we look at our lives with great expectations, thinking we should be leaps from where we are. We expect perfection. We expect to arrive at some level. The reality is that following Christ isn’t about leaping to instant perfection. We’re walking with Him daily–a walk that involves steps, not leaps. Following Jesus Christ is about the small steps we make every day, steps of obedience, steps in relationship with Him. Sometimes those steps are small, sometimes they are big–but they are all still steps, moving us forward.

Session One Parent Cue: Following Christ is about steps, not leaps. This week your students will be introduced to the myth: that Christianity is all about taking big leaps of faith. They will encounter some of Scripture’s most daunting verses, and wrestle with what it means to have a life of consistent spiritual growth. Each student will set a goal for himself or herself, and the next few weeks they will revisit their goals. Discuss with them what you think may be some unrealistic goals you have for yourself.

Session Two (02/22/12)

The goal of every Christian is to become more like Jesus. But the problem comes when we think we’re going to achieve that today. It’s a lifelong journey, a process, a walk. Following Jesus is about the steps we take every day, and as Christians, we have divine help in taking those steps–the Holy Spirit. What is the step God is asking to take? What’s holding you back from taking it?

Session Two Parent Cue: The way you get from where you are to where you want to be is one step at a time. This may sound ridiculously obvious, but we all forget it. We want to go to the gym one time and look like a model; we want to make one smart comment at work and be promoted right to the top. But we know deep down that isn’t the way things work. The good news is that in our spiritual development, God has not left us alone to work out the mess. He has sent His Spirit to guide us. This week, students will look at the power of the Holy Spirit to guide their paths, and they will make a plan for beginning to take the first step toward their goals. What is an obtainable goal that you can work on achieving this week?

Session Three (02/29/12)  What if you acknowledged the steps you took every day in your own “walk” with God? What if you realized that even though you may not be where you want to be, you may be exactly where God wants you to be, learning the things you need to know one step at a time? It brings a lot of freedom, doesn’t it? But not only that, what if we started celebrating not only the steps we take every day, but the steps those around us do as well? Because what may not be a big deal for you, may be huge for someone else. And all that celebration begins to turn into one big party.

Session Three Parent Cue: Celebrate the steps you take in your relationship with God, and celebrate the steps others take as well. It’s all about celebration, not the cheap kind of celebration that comes from making a big deal out of nothing, but the real party that comes naturally when we know that we have made even the slightest move in the right direction. Your students will talk this week about what it looks like to encourage each other and celebrate with each other whenever they make progress toward one of their goals. What are some specific areas of growth you have seen in your teen in the last couple of weeks, months or even year?

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT:

Here is an overview of what we’re talking about. Listed below the summary is a “parent cue” to help you dialog with your child about the session. The question is intended not just to be asked by you, but to be responded to by BOTH of you. Use this opportunity to find out what God is teaching your child, and allow your child to see what God is teaching you as well.

The NeverEnding Story:

Series Overview

A manger. A baby. Shepherds. Stars. The Christmas story is one we look at with great reverence. The peaceful scene is recreated and plastered on everything from phone backgrounds to lawn decorations. But the Christmas story is more
than a just a story we look back on and remember. It’s ongoing. It’s active. It’s a story that required a response over 2,000 years ago, and one that requires a response today. It’s a story that invites us to participate in it even today—because the Christmas story is the neverending story.

Session One: invited to (12-14-11)

When a story is small and distant, it really doesn’t have much impact in our lives, does it? It solicits a nod, a smile, a “that’s nice.” But it doesn’t affect us. It doesn’t move us. It doesn’t shake us. And while many people, us included,
tend to approach the Christmas story, the story of Jesus’ birth, in a familiar, typical and remote sort of way, it’s not that kind of story. The Christmas story, at its very core demands a response—good or bad—from you, from me—from anyone who hears it.

Session One Parent Cue: How has the Christmas story become too familiar to you? Read the story together in Matthew 1-2 and in Luke 1-2:40. Did you notice anything in the story you may have
forgotten about or ignored in the past? 

Session Two: participate in (12-21-11)

The Christmas story is more than just one we respond to individually, it’s one we participate in—and we’re not talking bathrobes and kids in sheep costumes. The participation the Christmas story calls for is more earth shaking than a quiet
stable and a clear sky with a bright star. This story shook the way the world operates when it started to unfold thousands of years ago. But it has the potential to do the same thing today when we become an active part of it. What would our world look like if we became a part of the vision God has for the world—a vision revealed with the birth of His Son, and rests on us now?

Session Two Parent Cue: What can we as a family do to respond to the Christmas story?

SUMMIT GROWTH TRACK OCT. 26th – NOV. 16th

Hey Everyone I’m excitted about the entire church going through the Summit Growth Track together, you are all a part of the Vision for Highland Church!!  This will bring us together as a family as well as discover the gifts God has given you. Please plan to be there all four weeks, I’m looking forward to growing with you!! So excitted for ALL GOD is doing !!! Keep praying for the Source and invite your friends

Pastor Traci and Source Leaders

NEW SERIES–FRIEND REQUEST

Summer Missions Trip

We are going to Special Touch Getaway this summer to take part in the Caregiver in Training program.

Special Touch is an organization whose goal is to provide disabled individuals around the United States or their families with a summer camp.

If you are interested in taking part in this amazing opportunity email Pastor Nathan and download this application.

Here we come

2011!
Friday 9:00pm – Saturday at 7:00am
We are going all night long to welcome in the new year and all that God has for us. Games, Food, Friends, Fun in many forms. $15.00 covers it all.

Permission slip found here http://www.thesourceym.com/permission-slip-2010-11-all-nighter.pdf

See you there!

p. Nathan

Welcome to The Source website. We have all kinds of things for you to be a part of. God has great things instore for your life. See you soon.

God bless you, P. Nathan

We have some exciting changes coming to The Source.  Small Groups, Activity Nights, Service Nights and more.  Also Chase The Lion to the big dream God has for you.  Keep checking back here for schedule changes and fun events.