General Youth Group Information

For 7^th-12^th graders and their parents.

At First Church, the mission and goal of the Youth and Children's Programs is to come alongside parents and assist them in training their children in Godliness.

Our highest priority is to see youth commit their lives to Christ.

Discipleship Groups

Because it is unrealistic to think that each of the youth staff will have a close enough relationship with all of the youth so that any of them can confide in any of us, and knowing that having no accountability checks (or very loose ones) will lead to kids being left behind, small groups provide a simple and powerful channel into the kid's lives.

Each Youth Worker is responsible for up to 10 youth. The responsibility of the Youth Worker is to check-in with their youth throughout the week in person, via phone or email. Ideally we will focus on becoming more invested in the lives of their kids, rather than trying to be a little-bit for everyone.

We believe that these smaller groups will allow us to develop deeper relationships with the kids and be more equipped to serve them appropriately.

The Youth Program

Sunday Morning Café

When: Every Sunday morning from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM
Café starts out with coffee, cocoa, and donuts in an informal setting so that youth can comfortably prepare for teaching and discussion from Scripture in a non-threatening and non-traditional environment. Café is an environment designed to facilitate conversations and intimacy. One of the Youth Staff teaches and leads a discussion spurring participants to consider what Scripture says and how it relates to them. Café always concludes with a time of prayer. Participants are strongly encouraged to be on time each week and to bring their own Bible.

Youth Group

When: Sunday Evening
Youth Group on Sunday Evenings is intended to be a time of fellowship, relationship building and discipleship.

We divide the monthly meetings as follows:

Evening Worship Service

Providing a different speaker each month who will specifically address the Junior High and High School students in an environment of Contemporary Worship, this service is designed to be youth and seeker sensitive while still modeling the essential components of a worship service. Youth are strongly encouraged to invite their friends and parents. FCCB staff continually works to make this service available to other youth groups and churches, so as to become a regional monthly meeting for youth to attend.

Discipleship Groups

It is highly unlikely the youth will remember all of the individual lessons we spend hours preparing. What they will remember is their relationships with us. Therefore as time permits, we use certain weeks to spend time in smaller groups so we can get to know each other better. Youth will keep meeting with the same leader throughout the year so as to build a stronger personal relationship.

General Youth Group

If there is such a thing as a "typical" youth group, it would be meeting up in the youth room for a night that includes: hanging out, some type of activity or game, and a devotion.

Visiting Other Churches

We will frequently travel to other churches (Such as Park Street Church or Grace Chapel, etc.) to worship with them. We place a high value on the experience of worship and helping youth to participate in a variety of different formats.

Hour of Power (HOP)

When: Wednesday Night
This single hour has the potential to be the best used hour of a student's week. The focus of HOP is prayer and the majority of our time is spent doing just that. The session always includes a brief devotion from Scripture, generally as it relates to prayer in our lives or specific teaching on a certain aspect of prayer.

Urban Salt & Light (USL)

When: all day Saturday
Urban Salt & Light is an opportunity to live-out your faith in a real and dynamic way. Starting preparations at 9:00AM on Saturday morning, this all day commitment allows you to invest in the lives of others who have real needs. From food preparation and service, clothing and toiletries prep and distribution, to a listening ear and the sharing of the gospel message, USL is one of the best run youth service projects on the North Shore.

Youth are asked to promptly arrive at 9:00AM at the Meyer's house in West Boxford.
We normally depart from the church around 12:30-1:00PM.
Because the day holds so many uncertainties, we can only estimate that we will return to the church around 5:00-5:30PM.

USL can be used for community service hours, however our new requirements mandate that you formally request this before you intend to count any time towards your personal requirement. Youth are strongly encouraged to commit the whole day or only the morning session to USL.  [More]

Annual Retreats and Trips

Rumney Snow Camp

When: generally in February
Formerly the Happy T Ranch, the now Rumney Bible Conference hosts their annual Snow Camps each January-March. A time of fellowship with other Christians, this Friday-Sunday retreat is filled with teaching and play sessions. We go to Rumney to:

• Develop closer relationships with those in our group
• For students to see their peers in the larger church
• For a fresh voice of sound Biblical teaching
• An additional bonus is skiing or snowboarding at an area mountain on Saturday
• Cross Country, skating, tubing, hiking, snowmobile rides & snowshoeing
• Huge inside Game Room, ping-pong, foosball, pool tables, bumper pool, board games
• Music, worship, speakers, small groups

Creation

When: June
Creation is a week spent with up to 100,000 other Christians listening to and worshiping with some of the most current and cutting edge Christian speakers, musicians, and bands. Creation is our biggest retreat of the year in terms of tradition, preparation, attendance, bonding and memories. We go to Creation to:

• Develop closer relationships with those in our group.
• For students to see their peers in the larger church (on a very grand scale).
• For fresh voices of sound Biblical teaching.
• To introduce and renew an interest in Christian music.
• To have a short opportunity to live in community together.

Shiloh

When: December
Shiloh is our own Spiritual Retreat that takes place annually in December. Located in Jefferson NH, Shiloh is a place of solitude and rest for the soul as we bond together with each other and in Christ. This Friday-Sunday retreat is one of the most anticipated each year. We go to Shiloh to:

• Develop closer relationships with those in our group.
• To look back on the last year and see where we a year ago spiritually and to evaluate where we are now.
• To set a plan in action for the next year for spiritual growth.

Student Missions Trip

When: April Vacation
Although many youth have participated on missions trips in the past, in 2004-2005 we hope to begin a new tradition of serving together on a work based week long trip during the April School Vacation.

Walking Wisely Weekend

When: September
A new retreat in 2005, Walking Wisely will be a unique experience that will encourage an introspective look at the very essence of who we are, what we need, and what life is all about. Students should be at least in moderate physical condition and bring both a backpack and comfortable walking shoes. This Friday-Sunday retreat should be a much talked about experience. We go on the Walking Wisely Weekend to:

• Develop closer relationships with those in our group.
• To gain an appreciation for our current lifestyle and the blessings God has poured out on us.
• To help students set a definite plan for their school year.
• To deepen personal faith.

Nursery

Our newly remodeled nursery is staffed on Sunday mornings during both the Contemporary and Traditional Services and durin Sunday School. Additionally, we staff the nursery for Family Night (on Wednesdays) and for special services.

Families or individuals interested in using or volunteering for the nursery should simply stop by.

Sermon Time

We continue to offer toddlers (age 3 to kindergarten) a sermon time story while their parents remain with the congregation for the weekly message. We desire to offer parents the opportunity to fully concentrate and participate in worship. Kids leave the Worship Service just before the sermon and are picked up by their parents immediately after the conclusion of the service.

Junior Church

First graders through fourth graders are also able to attend Junior Church while their parents remain with the congregation for the weekly message. Kids are taught from Scripture at a level that is appropriate for them. Different from Sunday School (and much shorter) one of our goals is to prepare them for being able to sit with their parents and listen to a sermon by the time they are in fifth grade.

GEMS and IMITATORS

GEMS and IMITATORS are our after school programs for 1^st through 4^th graders. We generally have four different sessions during the school year. GEMS, which stands for Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior is for girls only, while Imitators (which is about learning to imitate Christ) is for boys only. Both groups meet for a 90 minute session once a week after school. Kids can relax, have fun, eat healthy snacks, make crafts, and hear the gospel message applied to their lives.

Craft Workshops

Throughout the year we offer a craft workshops for children up through 6^th grade. These generally occur just before Easter and Christmas.

Club 56

Club 56 is a club for 5^th and 6^th graders that gives them an opportunity to meet together, have a great time, talk about current life situations, and focus on using Scripture to guide their life. Club 56 meets at the church on Fridays from 5:00PM to 6:30PM during the school year.

5^th & 6^th Grader's Night Out

A monthly meeting for 5^th and 6^th graders to hang out at the church and get know the Youth amd Children's staff. Kids are encouraged to bring their friends.