New Core Group Study

Core Group Bible Study for High School students (grades 9-12) returns on Sunday, January 11, 2009, at 6:00pm. We will be studying, God's Blueprint for Bible Prophecy by Kay Arthur. The cost for the book is $10.00. Look for sign up sheet at LIFE Groups on Sunday, AREA 51 on Wednesday or by calling the Student Ministry Office, 664-0122.

Project #53

The last project of 2008 consisted of assisting the Salvation Army with bell ringing at the Wal-Mart in Alabaster. This project was a lot of fun (once we got used to talking to people). The group consisted of Courtney W, Dianna T., Josh P., Sidney M., Andrew W., and recent youth members Liz H., and Jordan M., and former youth Kenneth S., We laughed, cut up, and rang the bells for over five hours and collected a total of $340.04 for the Salvation Army (which averages to about $65 per hour in donations). Several shoppers commented on the enthusiasm of the group and how special it was to hear "Merry Christmas" from someone. As we finished the day it was interesting to note that three of the four people who where left also worked on the very first project on January 1st. Congratulations on a job well done.

Kenneth

Big Honkin' Christmas Party-Project #52

Congratulations on Project #52! We had over 200 students show up for our end of the year Christmas Blowout and Project #52. The praise band was all deck out in white dress shirts and ties and played Christmas songs while the students enjoy pizza, cupcakes with red and green icing, chex mix and sodas. After the music Jason brought a fantastic Christmas message for all to think about over the Christmas break. Even though Project 51 is over we still have a couple of more service projects that will be done over the Christmas Break, from ringing the Salvation Army bells to raking leaves.

Don't forget that there will be NO LIFE Groups on Sunday, December 28. The student ministry would like to wish you a safe and blessed Christmas. The students collected $556.10 worth of gift cards and money that will be used to purchase Christmas gifts for the family we adopted.

PROJECT # 51

Wow, 51 Service Projects. When this idea was first discussed, I remember people saying, it's crazy, but I love it! What an awesome way for our students to experience God's blessings by serving others. One of the goals of this project was for our students to make an impact in the community and that has been accomplished in so many ways. From regular visits to the Kids First Awareness Center, helping out with the Hispanic Church, packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child, painting, yard work and cleaning house for some senior adults, cooking and feeding people and even face painting these all have helped the people of Alabaster and the surrounding communities. Some provided much needed work, others provided a night free from doing their own dishes and some just provided laughter and smiles for an afternoon of fun! Whatever the purpose of the project, they all had one thing in common, they all glorified God! Another goal was to create a service mindset among the students of Westwood. So let's continue to serve others and make an impact on the community of Alabaster!

For Project 51, all the students participated in the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes project. Each class signed Christmas cards that will be sent to soldiers and their families in the United States and around the world. This was a great way to share Christ this Christmas season and bring joy to those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

Christmas Party

Wednesday, December 17, at 6:30 PM

Fun, Food, Games and Music!

Don't forget to bring a gift card to Target, Wal-Mart, or Toys R Us for the family that we adopted for Christmas! This is will be project #52 for Project 51!

This will be our last Wednesday night until January 7!

Project #50

On Wednesday, Dec. 3, the 8th grade girls made another wonderful trip to Kids First Awareness Center in Alabaster. This time our goal was to provide homework assistance, a Bible story and share homemade Christmas cookies.

The afternoon started out great with some shared tumbling techniques and a few stunts by the Thompson cheerleaders. All of the students had a great time showing off their skills and cheering for each other!

Next, in keeping with Mrs. Hawkins rules, we spent time doing homework and reading books together. We shared a Christmas Bible story and distributed our Christmas cookies--everyone enjoyed the cookies decorated by the hands of our 8th grade girls--they were stunning!!

As always, the fellowship was sweet and we are already counting the days until we return. Project 51 maybe finished, but our relationship with Kids First will go on. Andrew Wash has joined us too. Thanks to Andrew's genuis, we hope to bring the Westwood student drama team with us in January, 2009!!

Stay tuned for more updates about Kids First...next time we would be glad to take anyone along who might be interested. It's full of good times!!!

Ms. Martha

Project #49

On Sunday, November 23rd, the 11th grade guys collected books, dvds, shaving cream, deodorant, snack food along with other items and are sending them to Sergeant First Class Jemar L. Ford so he can distribute the items to his fellow troops. The class found Jemar on the website anysoldier.com and chose him because his army unit is from Ft. Rucker, Alabama! Jemar’s unit are air traffic controllers stationed in Iraq until July of 2009 and he was asking for snack food, toiletries, and entertainment stuff during their slow off-duty hours. Also, everyone in the class wrote a small letter of encouragement for Jemar to also distribute to the troops.

Chris

Project #46

We had many students help out in the Operation Christmas Child Alabaster Relay Center from November 17-23. Students helped to greet guest dropping off shoe boxes and made them feel welcome by offering them refreshments.

They also took information from guests for Operation Christmas Child's records. Once the shoe boxes were unloaded and counted students helped pack them in cartons so they could be shipped to Atlanta.

There was also a lot of waiting for people to bring shoeboxes (did you know that balloons make your hair stick up?) to the relay center. While they waited some volunteers folded up the decorated Operation Christmas Child boxes, taped cartons to prepare them for the shoeboxes and other brought their toys and gifts and packed their own shoeboxes while waiting.

Thanks to all of the students that volunteered, the relay center was able to collect 2,145 shoeboxes. Each shoebox represents one life that will be changed and one family that will learn the truth of God's love for them.

Project # 48

On November 15th, the 10th grade girl’s life group cooked dinner for the families at the Ronald McDonald house. The Ronald McDonald house provides families with a place to stay while their child is receiving medical care at Children’s Hospital. The girls cooked enough soup, cornbread, and dessert to feed forty people, and set up the meal for the families.

The girls who participated in this project were Katie, Courtney, Ellen Anne, Mallory, Jennifer and Mille.