Youth Group

“Souper Bowl” Sunday
Each year thousands of youth across the nation collect donations for local charities on a day that most in our country spend money on the Super Bowl football game. We’ll collect money after Sunday School and after 11am worship for Manna House. Manna House is our localfood pantry that Zion helps to support. Help spread the word and askeveryone to bring a few extra dollars for the soup pot! This is also Scout Sunday. We will give special recognition to those who participate in our scouting program at Zion.

February Events
Wednesday, February 1st 6:00pm – 7:30pm: LIFE! (Living in FaithEveryday!) Come join us for Bible study! Remember, meal starts at 5:15pm. Youth should be finished eating by 6:00pm.

Sunday, February 5th 11:00am worship: Souper Bowl SundayYouth will lead the entire service and collect money for the national “Souper Bowl” campaign. All youth are asked to be there by 9:45am.

Sunday, February 5th 6:00pm – 9:00pm: Super Bowl Party – Youth/Parent Meeting At 6:00pm there will be a brief youth/parent meeting. I have registration forms for All GA and AFFIRM. Information about these events and a youth program update will be shared. Youth are invited to come join an evening of football, cool commercials and fun! Pizza and drink will be provided. Bring your favorite snacks and desserts to share. Also, bring any fun games you have and bring a friend!

Wednesday, February 15th 6:00pm – 7:30pm: LIFE! Come join Bible study!!

Plan Ahead
April 27th – 29th: All GA – 6th thru 12th grade
June 17th – 22nd: AFFIRM – 6th thru 12th grade

December Highlights

LYO Singing Carols

Thanks to everyone who joined us in caroling! We had a wonderful group of 34 carolers! Special thanks to Effingham chapter of Thrivent for providing money to purchase gift bags filled with goodies to distribute while caroling. Also, thanks to WELCA and all those who helped to prepare the meal for the carolers and all our 80+ year old guests. We all had a great time!

January Events
Wednesday, January 18th 6:00pm – 7:30pm: LIFE! (Living in Faith Everyday)
Come join us for Bible study! Remember, meal starts at 5:15pm. Youth should be finished eating by 6:00pm.

Sunday, January 22nd 12:15pm – 2:00pm: Planning for Souper Bowl Sunday
Bring a sack lunch to church. Following worship, we’ll eat and make plans for Souper Bowl Sunday service.

Sunday, January 29th 12:15pm – 2:00pm: Souper Bowl Sunday Rehearsal
Bring a sack lunch to church. Following worship, we’ll eat and rehearse for Souper Bowl Sunday. Youth are in charge of leading worship on Souper Bowl Sunday.

Plan Ahead
Sunday, February 5th: Souper Bowl Sunday – Youth Lead Worship
Sunday, February 5th: Youth Super Bowl Party
April 27th – 29th: All GA – 6th thru 12th grade
June 17th – 22nd: AFFIRM – 6th thru 12th grade

All youth in grades 6 – 12 are invited to participate in youth activities. Our youth program meets on most 1st and 3rd Wednesdays for Bible study. We meet on 2nd and 4th Sundays for service and social projects. For additional information about youth activities, contact Dana Lee Smith at 665-1377.

Calling all Carolers!!!! If you enjoy singing and spreading some holiday cheer, please make plans to join us for our annual Christmas Caroling trip. We invite all congregation members to join us for caroling and dinner. Please let Dana Lee know by Sunday, December 11th if you plan to attend so that transportation and dinner arrangements can be made.

December Events
Wednesday, December 7th 6:00pm – 7:30pm: LIFE! (Living in Faith Everyday) Come to LIFE! Join us for Bible study and fun as we discover how to put our faith into action.
Saturday, December 10th 10:00am – 12:00pm: Christmas Program Practice This is our dress rehearsal for the Christmas Program. This will be our only group rehearsal. We need everyone to attend so that we can put the final touches on our production.
Sunday, December 11th 5:00pm: Christmas Program Invite your friends and family to attend!
Sunday, December 18th 4:00pm – 8:00pm: Christmas Caroling It’s Christmas Caroling time! We’ll leave Zion at 4:00pm. We’ll travel to the Effingham Care Center and visit some of our homebound members as we spread a little Christmas cheer! We’ll return to Zion as we host a special dinner for our special 80 + year old members.

Plan Ahead
Sunday, January 8th: Social/Service
Wednesday, January 18th: 6:00pm – 7:30pm: LIFE
Sunday, January 22nd: Social/Service

All youth in grades 6 – 12 are invited to participate in youth activities. Our youth program meets on most 1st and 3rd Wednesdays for Bible study. We meet on 2nd and 4th Sundays for service and social projects. For additional information about youth activities, contact Dana Lee Smith at 665-1377.

Get your singing voices ready! It’s time for Christmas Caroling! Zion’s youth will go Christmas Caroling on Sunday, December 18th. We’ll meet at the church at 4:00pm. We’ll arrive back to church by 6:30pm for dinner. This is a youth sponsored event, but we invite anyone who wishes to join in singing to attend. Please contact Dana Lee Smith at 728-3227 if you wish to attend.

What’s that you hear?

The holidays are drawing near!

Baking, decorating, cleaning the house,

More work than can be done by this mouse!

Help, you declare

As you sit and stare!

Where will I find someone to rake?

Who will come to help me bake?

Zion Youth “Work for Hire” you say?

Well that could really make my day!

Lower that stress level and pick up the phone, Alex, Christian, & Anna Lee won’t make you do it alone!

So, give them a call and schedule today, Hurry up and don’t delay!

For additional information, please contact Dana Lee Smith at 728-3227.

August Highlights

Thanks to everyone who supported our Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser. After expenses, we raised almost$300!

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

Also thanks to all who helped us raise $243 at our car wash!

LYO Car Wash

In addition to our fundraising activities, we managed to enjoy a “Back toSchool” pool party and cookout.

September Events

Wednesday, September 7th 6:00pm – 7:30pm: Youth Bible Study
Wednesday meal and Bible study program begins. Join us for games,music and fun as we kick off our Bible Study program. The meal beginsat 5:15pm. Please make meal reservations with Norma Ralph at(912) 313-2465.

Sunday, September 11th 9:45am – until: Anniversary Sunday
Join us for Sunday School, worship, fellowship meal and fun as we celebrate Zion’s anniversary. Please make plans to attend and join in this special occasion!

Wednesday, September 21st 6:00pm – 7:30pm: Youth Bible Study
Join the fun as we continue to grow and learn together.

Sunday, September 25th 12:15pm- 2:00pm: God’s Work – Our Hands!
Youth will meet to work on the fair booth for the Effingham County Fair.If you are interested in being a part of this special outreach, please join us! Bring your lunch to church, we will meet immediately following the service.

Plan Ahead

Wednesday, October 5th 6:00pm – 7:30pm: Youth Bible Study
Sunday, October 9th 12:15pm – 2:30pm: Work on Fair Booth
Saturday, October 16th 9:30am – until: Put booth in the Effingham County Fair
Sunday, October 23rd: Social – TBA

Please Note!!!! All youth who are assigned as crucifer and acolyte are asked to meet in Pastor Barb’s office at 10:50am for a time of instructions and prayer. All youth in grades 6-12 are invited to participate in youth activities. For additional information, contact Dana Lee Smith at 728-3227 or 665-1377.

Citizens With the Saints Logo

Zion Lutheran Youth Group is making plans to attend the ELCA National Youth Gathering July 18th-22nd, 2012 in New Orleans, LA. This event only happens every 3 years and hosts approximately 30,000 youth and leaders. The theme is “Citizens With the Saints”. The Gathering program is built around three core practices in which participants will be immersed. These core practices are discipleship, peacemaking and justice. Part of this experience will include service to others as we continue working to assist with recovery efforts associated with Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf oil spill. Each day of the Gathering, thousands of youth will be out serving others. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make such a large impact and truly make a difference on such a large scale. The Gathering will also provide opportunities for us to experience worship and renewal as we gather daily. We estimate that this trip will cost approximately $1,200 per person. Through Zion’s “Youth for Hire” project, each youth attending is working to raise $500 towards the trip. This will also provide an opportunity for youth to experience what it is like to work towards a goal and what it feels like to enjoy the benefits. Please make checks payable to Zion Lutheran Youth. Thanks for helping us to achieve our goal!

As youth information is received, this list will be updated. Please contact youth director, Dana Lee Smith at 728-3227 or 665-1377
if you have any questions about this project.

Alex Peth – 728-3495 Yard Work, Babysitting, Painting, Household Cleaning, Pet sitting
Alex says, “I am willing to do many things. Just call and ask!”
Christian HeidtHarris – 728-9184 or 601-2469
shootingstars@usebs.net
Yard Work, Babysitting, Painting, Household Cleaning, Crafts, Cooking, Office Work, Laundry, Organize Rooms/Closets. Call and ask about other possible jobs, too!
Anna Lee HeidtHarris – 728-9184 or 601-2469
shootingstars@usebs.net
Yard Work, Babysitting, Painting, Household Cleaning, Office Work, Wash Cars, Cook/Bake, Crafts. Call and ask about other possible jobs, too!

July Highlights
Thanks to all who will help and support our spaghetti dinner fundraiser following our annual “Backpack Sunday”. We are very fortunate to have such a supportive Zion family. We also say thanks to those who are supporting our “Youth for Hire” project. Please check the special article in Zionews for additional information.
August Events
Sunday, August 7th 12:15pm-2:00pm: Back to School Pool Party
Bring your bathing suit, sunscreen and towel to worship. Following worship we’ll head out for a hotdog cookout and pool party.
Sunday, August 28th 12:15pm to 1:00pm: Carwash Fundraiser
Come prepared to get wet! Immediately following worship, we’ll wash cars in the parking lot. Parents are invited to help us with this project!
Plan Ahead
Mark your calendars! Our 1st and 3rd Wednesday Bible Study program will resume in September. Come join us as we enjoy games, music and Bible study. Meals will start at 5:15pm each night. Please make meal reservations with Norma Ralph at 912-313-2465. Check Zionews for meal prices.

All youth in grades 6-12 are invited to participate in youth activities. For
additional information, contact Dana Lee Smith at 728-3227 or 665-1377.

The ELCA National Youth Gathering will take place July 18-22, 2012. We have 7 youth and 2 adults that are making plans to attend. The Gathering happens every three years and in 2012 we will return to New Orleans, LA. The theme will be “Citizens with The Saints”. At the 2009 Gathering in New Orleans, over 30,000 participated in various service projects to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The ELCA has made the decision to return and provide more opportunities for youth to help. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity as youth can immediately see the benefits of what can happen when we all work together. It is also an awesome experience to gather in worship and take over a city with over 30,000 other Lutheran youth!

We estimate that the trip will cost about $1,200 per person. So, we need to do a lot of fundraising! Church council has approved for youth to begin our “Youth for Hire” fundraiser this summer. For a donation, youth have agreed to work doing various small jobs such as babysitting, yard work, cleaning, etc. This will also provide an opportunity for youth to experience what it is like to work towards a goal and what it feels like to enjoy the benefits. There is a complete list of youth names, contact numbers and jobs on tables in the entrance of the education building and church building. This project will continue through next summer. So, if you’ve been putting off those extra chores because you need an extra hand…..we’ve got “Youth for Hire”! For additional information, please contact Dana Lee Smith at 728-3227. We really appreciate the support from our congregation!!

Lutheran Youth Organization News
submitted by Dana Lee Smith

April Highlights

Thanks to everyone who helped with the preparation and cleanup of the Sunrise Breakfast. Special thanks to all who joined in the meal and fellowship following the service. Also, thanks to everyone who helped with the carwash and for letting the youth give your car a shine! We appreciate your support!!

May Events

Sunday, May 1st 10:00am-2:00pm:
Sunday School Convention Youth are encouraged to attend Sunday School Convention starting at 10:00am at the Methodist Campground in Springfield. All churches in Effingham County are invited to be a part of this special day. There is special music, a guest speaker and each church shares a song with the group. Following the service, all of the Lutheran churches in Effingham have been invited to share a covered dish picnic lunch together. The bus will be leaving Zion at 9:00am.

Wednesday, May 4th 6:00pm-7:30pm: Youth Bible Study
Come join the fun as we explore God’s word. This is our final Bible study of the school year.

Sunday, May 8th 9:45am: Mother’s Day Project
We need all extra hands to complete a special project for all the ladies of Zion. This will be completed during Sunday School.

Saturday, May 21st 9:00am-1:00pm: “I Was Hungry” Serv. Project
This is a special project to reach out to those who are in need. We’ll meet at church at 9:00am to assemble bag lunches. Then, we’ll go and distribute these bag lunches around the squares in downtown Savannah. We should arrive back at Zion by 1:00pm.

Summer Plan Ahead
Saturday, June 20th – Friday, June 25th: AFFIRM @ Berry College in Rome, GA – Travel arrangements are being made, stay tuned for details!

All youth in grades 6-12 are invited to participate in youth activities. For additional information contact Dana Lee Smith at 728-3227 or 665-1377.