®

YOUTH  MINISTRIES AT

EDEN   PRAIRIE

 UNITED  METHODIST  CHURCH

Empowered by God's love, we are a community of Christ's disciples, centered in worship 

and fellowship with:

OPEN HEARTS to live and serve with compassion and to share God's love

OPEN MINDS to seek spiritual formation and encourage each person's faith journey

OPEN DOORS to invite and welcome all to join in discipleship

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ANDREW'S  MONTHLY  MESSAGE

for  February 2012

Greetings Higher Grounds!

From what I hear, Punxsutawney Phil might be seeing his shadow tomorrow... and if that's the case, that's just fine by me considering the beautiful winter we've had so far!

There are a couple things I want you all to be aware of:

Mission Trip Silent Auction and Italian Dinner

I've received over $4,600 in donations!  Now the trick is to auction it all off for that much... and get people there.  We've sold some tickets so far, and the event is in 11 days.  Tell your friends and family to buy tickets!  Higher Grounds: be sure to come tonight to see how you find your role in making this year's silent auction a success!  If you are planning to go on the mission trip, you are expected to help.  Most of the work will be done on Sunday so that you have time to rest if you are dancing the night away at Selgae's.  If you can't come tonight (Confirmation class will be at EPHS' production of "Sticks and Stones") be sure to check-out the sign-up sheet on Sunday.  If you have questions, please call or email me ASAP.  Also, youth: we still need your donations.  Babysitting and lawn care are a couple of great ideas to get you started!

Benton Harbor Mission Trip: June 29 - July 6

Unable to attend the January Mission Trip Meeting?  Attached to this email is the information packet I passed out that day.  There are a couple of date shifts so stay tuned if you've turned in your deposit and are committed to going on the trip.  If you haven't turned in your deposit and are interested in committing to the trip, please have your $50 deposit / youth in to me ASAP.  I need to have firm numbers by February 14, 2012.  I have no doubt that this will be a fun and Spirit filled week for all of us.

Higher Ground's and Lent

On February 21, I'll be donating a kidney to my cousin (you can read more about that in February's Tumbleweed).  Because I'll be home resting and recovering for a few weeks, the plan for Lent is the Tuesday Night Confirmation for Adults (You Have a Spiritual Life: Confirmation for Adults).  This will include small group discussions and a group just for Higher Grounds will be available (there's more about this in February's Tumbleweed as well).  We'll be back to our regularly scheduled programing after Easter.

7to9 Childcare
The 7to9 Dinner Group will be in need of babysitters on Saturday, February 18.  If y ou are able to care for the kids, please let Laurie and Michelle know by emailing epumc7to9@yahoo.com.  Donations to the babysitters go toward youth activities and mission trips.
 
Giving More than Expected
In November of 2010, I learned that my cousin’s kidneys were failing.  The doctors in his home town didn’t know why and the doctors at Mayo Clinic didn’t know why.  All they knew was that there were two options: begin dialysis or search for a donor.  I and others in my family turned in blood samples to determine if we were eligible donors.  It turns out that I matched five of six antigens to be a donor for my cousin.  As time passed, little happened.  In September 2011, my cousin called me to say that his kidney’s weren’t getting better and that he didn’t know if a donor had stepped forward yet.  I called Mayo and found out that they wanted me to come in for two days of testing – which I passed with flying colors.  On the 21st of February, I’ll be giving my cousin my left kidney.  In January 2010, I had jaw surgery at which time I was given the prayer below, a prayer for healing:

Gracious God, giver of life and health.  Comfort and relieve those who are sick.  Give Your power of healing to all who minister to their needs that those for whom we pray may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in Your loving care through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen

I share this prayer for all who are sick, who are recovering, who are in need of God’s healing touch.

Higher Ground Email Newsletter & Calendar
Did you miss Higher Ground’s email newsletter?  Sign-up at  http://bit.ly/HGEmailNewsletter!
Wondering what’s coming-up?  Be sure to check-out the Higher Ground Google Calendar at http://bit.ly/HGCalendar!

Okay, so that turned out longer than I expected, so thank you for reading it all!

Blessings,

-- 

Andrew A. Hagen

Director of Senior High Youth Ministry

YIAT Twin Cities District Coordinator

Cell: 952.820.5643

andrewh@prairiechurch.org

BLJ - Be Like Jesus

It's a 24/7 job!  You may be the only Jesus a person sees -- make it count! Philippians 2:1-11, The Message

All are always welcome, whether you are a visitor or a member of our church. We’d love to meet you and join with you in ministry!

Andrew Hagen - Youth Director, High School Ministries

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