To us, that’s reason to celebrate. So we are pleased to cordially invite all our current 9th grade students to the first annual 9th Grade Night Out!
We will grab some dinner in Minneapolis before heading to Uptown for some improv comedy at Comedy Sportz! It’s going to be a night full of fun, laughter, and celebration of your time in the NSL Junior High
Information and sign-up is at www.northwoodcc.org/9
If you’ve been keeping up with the LIVE Spring Blitz Updates, you’d know that we arrived safely in Duluth this evening. The drive up was a blast, our 4 vehicle caravan meant tons of fun during the drive. There was a thunderstorm, watching of movies, card games, and an all out, loud as can be sing-a-long of “A whole new world” from Aladdin. Nice.
We arrived in Duluth in time to kick things off Spring Blitz style. We are in the arena of the DECC, the same place the UMD Bulldogs play hockey. It’s really cool to see so many other Christian teens all together. The band Remedy Drive led us in worship, those guys are crazy! They were jumping off of everything, it was a blast.
Our seats are the best we’ve ever had at Blitz. We’re usually up in the nosebleeds, but this year we are in the 5th and 6th row. It’s way more fun to be able to see everything right there, even though the 3 giant screens are helpful.
We followed it up with some good questions about the things we’re passionate about in life and what we commit our time to. Luke asked where we were on a scale of 1 to 10 how passionate we were about God. It was interesting because some people said 2 and 3 and some people said 8 and 9, and
everything in between. It’s nice to know we’re at different places and not alone.
Tomorrow morning is almost here already (man, we should sleep!) and we’re excited to start talking about the soul. Thanks for your prayers, we’re having a great time!
And remember, keep up with our live updates on Twitter:
We are just hours away from departure for Spring Blitz! For those of you who are going we will be offering a way to share your thoughts in real time during the event! For those of you who are staying we will be posting live updates throughout the weekend! Just click the link below and you’ll see all the updates on the NSL Twitter page!
And though we all enjoy chocolate bunnies and delicious meals, there is a depth to what we celebrate that is hard to capture in words. Jesus beat death! That’s sweet!
On Easter there will be 3 services at Northwood, 9am, 10am, and 11am. Because of the different schedule and various family activities that take place on Easter, we will not have youth group that morning or The Table that night. Have a great Easter!
Warning: Nerd alert.
The mathematical function of Pi is simplified to the digits 3.14, which translates to 3/14, or March 14, on the Calendar, making March 14 annual Pi day.
And the best way to celebrate Pi Day? Eat tons of Pie! So that’s what we’re doing. Hopefully you’ve had it on your calendar, but this is just a reminder that Family Pie Night will be Saturday, March 14 from 6:30pm- 8ish at Luke & Katie’s home in Albertville. For info & directions, just visit: http://northwoodcc.org/pie
Thanks, we’ll see you there!
RECAP
Who: Junior and Senior High
What: Roller Skating Dressed As Nerds
When: Saturday, January 24, 6:30pm - 10:00pm
Where: Meet & Return at the Maple Grove Community Center
Why:God has a sense of humor. (Need proof? Read this: 2 Kings 2:23-24
How Much: $10* [transportation, admission, and skate/rollerblade rental]
*Any Non-Northwood friends you invite can come at no cost, we want them to feel FREE to join us. (Ha! Get it? Free… haha!)
Helpful Links:
Need tips on being a nerd? Click here to learn “How To Be A Nerd”
YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR THIS EVENT
We need to arrange transportation, so please sign up by January 22nd.
Nerd Night is one of the annual traditions for Northwood Student Life. Each year we dress up like nerds (which doesn't take much effort for some of us) and find something fun to do.
[Check out video from the first ever Nerd Night]
This year we are leaving it up to you what we do at our Nerd Night on Saturday, January 24. We could repeat an activity we've done before with Bowling or Roller Skating, or you can come up with your own activity!
So vote for your favorite or suggest a new activity, voting ends Sunday night and we'll fill you all in about it on The Update next week.
The NSL White Elephant Potluck Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties are coming up next week. Aside from awesome food and crazy gifts, it’s all about the gnarly sweaters that we’ll be sportin’.
For those still struggling, I found a scorecard for the Christawesomeness of your sweater over at the perpetually hilarious Stuff Christians Like blog. So here it is:
Official Point System of Sweater Christmaweseomeness:
2. If your sweater has lights on it = +1 point
3. If your light is for Rudolph’s nose = -1 point
4. If your light is for the star of Bethlehem over your nativity scene = +4 points
5. If your sweater has actual bells and whistles from the Polar Express tied on by pieces of yarn = +2 points
6. If you can hear the bells = -2 points
7. If every time one of the bells rings, you get excited because an angel just got its wings = + 1 point
8. If your sweater has Luke 2 written out on it (the entire chapter) = +3 points
9. If it is KJV = +2 points
10. If it is actually a puff paint sweatshirt, which is really just a Christmas sweater wannabe = -3 points
11. If your sweater was knitted from the wool of a Bethlehemian sheep = +5 points
12. If you have more than 5 snowmen/women on your sweater = +2 points (+1 point for each additional snowperson)
13. If any of your snowmen are inspired by Calvin and Hobbes = +4 points
14. If it is a maternity sweater that reads “Mary is My Homegirl” = +10 points
15. If your sweater has stockings with your kids’ names on it = +1 point for each child
16. If the stockings are your kids’ used socks = -2 points for each sock
17. If it has a 3-D hologram of baby Jesus on it = +3 points
18. If it has candy canes on it = -4 points… I’m going to use this platform of SCL to take a stand against candy canes, a.k.a. carnage canes. Candy canes become sharp and dangerous once licked. It's like putting an ice pick in your mouth and poking it around. I'm sorry, but if I want the flavors of mint and blood to mix in my mouth, I'll go to the dentist. This injustice needs to stop now, so we're starting a boycott of candy canes effective immediately. I think it’s the Southern Baptist roots in me that really wanted to start a boycott. That’s why I started Humans Against Candy Knives, or H.A.C.K. Join the fight on the Facebook group I started.
19. If it has any other kind of cane on it= +2 points. This could be one of the wise men’s canes, sugar canes, or even hurricanes. Just as long as they’re not candy canes.
How did you score?
0-3 points= Sorry to break the news, but you might be a cotton-headed ninny-muggins.
4-7 points= You’re rockin’ a mighty fine piece of holiday merriment, my friend. Just don’t wear your sweater and your light up reindeer antlers at the same time. That would be tacky.
8-10 points= “Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.” –Job 40:10
11-13 points= Bill Cosby called. He wants his sweater back.
14+ points= You are the embodiment of Christmawesomeness. There are probably three men coming from afar to shower you with gifts as you read this.
Less than zero points= Apparently you love candy canes.
Did you miss the Famine? Did you go, and you can’t wait to relive the memories? Either way, we’ve got a visual tour of memory lane ready for your viewing. So check the video from last weekend’s 30 Hour Famine.
[E-mail and RSS readers, there’s a video embedded, so visit The Update: Online to check it out]
Hey, the NSL Halloween Night Bonfire is in just 1 week! Everyone will be there, will you?
Probably not, unless you know how to get there. So here’s a direction love for all of you planning to join us for some food, some fun, and a whole lot of fire!
(click the fire symbol for direction options)
Burn, baby, Burn! Halloween Night we’re going to have a huge Bonfire at the Bergren’s place in Otsego.
(We’ll get a map out soon).
There will be food, night games, candy, and a big ol’ bonfire! And of course, it’s FREE!
We're doing a bonfire instead of a hayride this year for a few reasons, but the one I'm most excited about is that it's a great event to invite friends to.
We're gonna have some food to cook, some night games to play, and a HUGETASTIC fire. At one point we're going to take just a couple moments to share about the HOPE and LIFE that a relationship with Jesus can bring. (The whole point we do anything!)
It's a simple way to follow through on the whole reason that Jesus was around, that people can "believe in the one [God] has sent." (John 6:29)
So send out invites, call your friends, and when someone asks what you’re doing for Halloween tell them “I’m going to a HUGE bonfire, you should come!”
We’re going to try and keep track of who’s coming, just so we know how much food and stuff to bring. So please e-mail studentlife@northwoodcc.org if you’re coming and each time a friend says yes!
PS> Costumes are encouraged!
Halloween Night Bonfire
6:40pm – 9:30pm
Halloween, October 31st
Bergren’s Home in Otsego (map coming soon)
Free Food Fire and Fun!
The date for 30 Hour Famine has moved. The event will be held 1 week later, on November 14-15. We will begin by meeting @ the Maple Grove Community Center at 6pm on Friday, November 14.
In addition to the date change, we’ve also been able to reduce the price. Here is the new pricing:
1 student - $10
Bring-a-friend – you and the friend(s) all come at $5/each
So sign up and join us for:
You can sign up by visiting the 30 Hour Famine page on the NSL Website or by sending an e-mail to studentlife@northwoodcc.org
30 Hour Famine is in 5 weeks and the sign up is now online!
Changing lives and serving others, that's what we're all about here at Northwood Student Life.
Which is why 30 Hour Famine is one of the best things we do every year.
30HF is a 2 day event where we not only help others, but we also experience some of the hardship that millions of people experience by not eating.
On Friday, November 7, we stop eating at Noon. That night we head to South Minneapolis and Urban Ventures, where we'll spend time serving the Philips Neighborhood through different ways. Then we gather together with our families on Saturday night to break our fast, share a meal, and talk about our experiences.
An experience like none other and a chance to make a difference in other’s lives. 30 Hour Famine has it all. It’s also a great event to bring a friend (plus it’s cheaper!)
Head on over to the 30 Hour Famine Website and Sign up!
Here is the cost breakdown for this year:
Sign up by 10/20 - $20
Sign up after 10/20 -$30
Bring a non-Northwood friend - $15/each
Tomorrow is the last day of the "Early Bird" registration for the MEA Retreats. So far, here is who is signed up.
Junior High MEA:
The websites for the Junior High MEA Retreat and Senior High MEA Retreat are now online. You can find them on the NSL Website under Info & Events>Upcoming Events, or click “Visit the Page.” Here’s a quick description of each of the trips taking place MEA weekend (October 15-19).
Take NSL:jh, (some of the craziest 7-9 graders we know) and put them together at a camp where they can enjoy some group challenges, chill time, devos, Prayer, Worship, and a high ropes course suspended in the trees, bake for 2 days. Do you smell what's cookin'? The Juinor High MEA Retreat!
Jesus was a busy guy, crowds in the thousands following him around and wanting a bit of his time. He understands the stress that comes from too many people wanting too many things from you at once. The way he dealt with it was to go into the wilderness for prayer.
There is an important need in everyone's life to get away from the day-to-day things and recharge, relax, reconnect, and retreat. That is why we have the Senior High MEA Retreat each year, a chance to refresh and grow without the normal distractions of everyday life.
Wednesday nights are back. The Gathering (the midweek meeting for Junior High students) starts tomorrow night!
We are meeting at our new location, the Cases’ home in Maple Grove. We meet from 6:30pm – 8:30pm each week for great conversations and a bit of a ruckus. It’s a blast!
For directions to the Cases’ and more information just head on over to The Gathering website,
northwoodcc.org/thegathering
Part 3 in our “Coming This Fall” series is Junior High Wednesday Nights.
Just 2 weeks from today we are kicking off at our new location, the Case’s home in Maple Grove. Wed. Nights is the craziest weekly event we have. The chaos of wild activities mixed with some pretty flippin’ sweet Jesus Stuff (+10 points) is always a winning combination.
For a better explanation of what Wednesday Nights are all about, check out this page on the NSL website.
2 weeks and counting… are you excited?
Second up in our “Coming This Fall” Series is The Table.
The Table is the weekly evening meeting of the Senior High at Northwood Student Life. It is one of the most unique things we do in Northwood Student Life. It is a wide-open opportunity to wrestle with the tough questions that life and faith bring with them. It meets on Sunday nights from 6pm-9pm at the Kraemer's House (visit the NSL Map for directions). This is the place to bring your questions, bring your friends whoa re wondering about this God stuff, or bring your struggles.
We kick off on September 7, we’ll save you a seat at The Table!
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