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Parents,

This last week went great with Chris Chaney teaching on Silence.  This is the last lesson before the Advent Retreat on December 5 and 6.

Each student has so many things calling for their attention.  Video games, Ipods, texting, and other background noises often distract them from hearing God.  Our challenge to them this Sunday was to think about how regular times of silence in their lives would affect their relationship with God.  We also asked what are some hindrances to silence in their lives?  If there are hindrances, how can we overcome them and find times of silence with God.

For our scripture reference, we read James 1:19, 26, and 3:3-10 silently.  While reading, we asked them to think about these questions:
-Why do you think James refers to the tongue as such a powerful force?
-How do our words reflect what's in our hearts?
-According to these verses, what are some potential benefits of "taming the tongue"?
-How can practicing silence help us grow in our faith?

Some of the youth gave input that our words are an indirect correlation to the state of our heart and that by taming our tongue we will not hurt people.

We ended our time together by asking the youth to head into worship and practice silence.  We gave them some questions to help them process their experience of silence during this time. 

Thank You!
Ryan Wong:  Helped out with the Kindness San Jose Wii tournament at SJSU.  Ryan donated his Wii console, controlers, and games.  He was on his way to win Smash Brothers, but then had to leave.  Thank you, Ryan, for all your help in setting up the game systems and donating your Wii.

Kassy Carson: Helped out with the Heritage Home.  Although she was unable to be there for the actual event she helped choose, purchase, and wrap gifts for the mothers.  Thank you!

Upcoming Events:

- November 23rd: Bagel Shop Sunday and Small Group

- November 30th: Family Sunday:  All the youth will be in church.  Some youth will be helping with the Advent candle and with Kid's Community kids.

- Sunday, December 5th and 6th: Youth Advent Retreat.  We are doing this retreat with the adults, but will have separate break out and activities for the youth.  You can register the youth through me.  Here are the details:
- Friday 5th, Starts with dinner at 7pm
- Saturday 6th, Ends with dinner at 5:30pm.
- Why the youth should come:  Dreading the frenziness of December, end of school, and the business of the holidays. and want to find rest, peace, and deeper significance of the season of waiting.
- What to Bring: Bible, journal, pen, warm clothes, a ready heart.
- Where: Mission Springs Conference Center, 1050 Lockhart Gulch Rd, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
- Cost: $84 per person for a quad.  There are scholarships available.

- Sunday, December 7th: Parent Meeting after church.  Lunch will be served at 12:00 and the meeting will be over at 1pm.  More details to come.

- Friday, December 19th: Youth Christmas Party, More information to come

- December 22 - 31: I will be on Holiday to Minnesota visiting Amy's family.

- Wednesday, December 31st: New Year's Eve Party, More information to come

Kyle Guerrero

Parents,

Last Sunday Martin and Meredith taught on "Solitude", our second lesson leading up to the Advent Retreat on December 5 and 6. 

In this lesson, we wanted the youth to experience a glimpse of what solitude is.  We looked at scripture to see where Jesus was in solitude and then we practiced it.  For our scripture reference we looked at Jesus example of solitude in Mark 1:35-39, 6:45-51, and 14:32-43.  For the application of solitude the youth were given a guide.  Here were some of the things that they were asked to focus on:

- Consider what's important in life.  What really matters?  How do you spend most of your time and energy?  How should you spend most of your time and energy?  What needs to change in your life?
- Consider your relationship with God.  What's good about that relationship?  What about that relationship is not healthy?  What's missing?  What are you thankful for?
- Read a favorite scripture pas