Making and hanging around the right kind of friends is one of the most important things you can do as a Christian.  The people you hang around with are the ones who usually influence you the most.  Often when we give excuses for doing things that we shouldn't, we say something like "everyone's doing it".  The fact is not everyone is doing it, the people you chose to hang around with don't have to be doing it.  Your friends influence the way you act and look and think, just as you influence them in the same way.  Are your friends influencing you in the way of Christ?  What does the Bible say about making friends?  What qualities should you look for? 

The Bible gives us many examples of good friendships.  Just look at Moses and Aaron or Paul and Barnabus.  Let's not forget about the best example we have, Jesus and His 12 best friends. 

The Bible also has some words of wisdom on this subject.  Take a look at John 15:12-17, Proverbs 18:24 or Proverbs 27:17.  Remember our friends can influence us for good or bad.  This week look at the qualities in your friendships: Are they influencing you for the good or bad?  What are you doing about it?  Also look at yourself: Are you influencing your friends for the good or bad? 

On November 1st we will spend our time together working as a team.  We will be concentrating on the details of our Youth Service.  You and the adults will join forces to accomplish a great and awesome game plan.  All of us will come together to devise a strategy that will knock the socks off the congregation.

Saturday the 7th is the next event that we will do together, it will be the Church Workday.  We will be working on cleaning up the Youth Room.  This is your chance to make the Youth Room what you want it to be.  This will also give us a last minute practice for the Youth Service.  Make sure that you bring lots of energy and wear grungy clothes.  Lunch will be provided.

The moment we have all be waiting for. The Youth Service!  It is happening on the 8th.  Make sure that you are in the Sanctuary at 8AM.  That evening we have a fun night of games, the theme will be retro 70's.  Come dressed in your favorite 70's duds and be ready to dance.

Friday the 13th, Ravin is having a dinner for people in our church who are unable to get out much.  She is looking for some youth that will help serve the dinner.  She is also looking for the few volunteers to perform a skit.   This is just another way that we can serve another in the body of Christ. 

Sunday the 22nd Rich will lead you all on an adventure of a lifetime. This is a program that you don't want to miss. It is sure to be full of off the wall fun and excitement.  Come prepared to have tons of laughs and to seek what it truly means to be THANKFUL for what God has given us.

The time is here!  On Sunday the 29th of November we will be hosting the new and improved Turkey Bash/Advent Workshop.  We will need everyone's help with this undertaking.  We will start setting up the church at 3:00 PM and then spend the rest of the night running game booths and swing dancing. 

Missions Service is one of the areas that Christ calls us to. Primavera  is one of the mission projects that make us accountable to what Christ wants for us.  In this serving we are able not only to feed others but we are also able to have our souls fed. Compassion International  is another mission project that we are a part of.  This month we will be asking for donations to help with the child we adopted.

The meal after lunch yet before dessert. The answer is DINNER!!! Come at 5:30, eat, commune, and enjoy each other's company. A $2 donation will be greatly appreciated for these fabulous meals.    These meals will be served on the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd. Dinner will be available on the 29th at the Advent Festival but it is a youth fundraiser.

MOTHER THERESA She is revered for her life long dedication to the poor in Calcutta, India.  Although she was not of India origin she was compelled to care for the outcasts of the great country.  While she was there she moved into the slums of the city and founded the Missionaries of Charity.  Her selfless commitment savings lives helped nearly 8,000 people in Calcutta alone.  Mother Theresa understood what Jesus meant when He spoke about laying your life on the line for a friend.  She embodies everything that you would want in a friend. Here are a few quotes that you might want to ponder. We can do no great things -- only small things with great love. I do not pray for success.  I ask for faithfulness. Many people mistake our work for our vocation.  Our vocation is the love of Jesus.