Here are a few updated announcements for the next few weeks.

Jr. High Trek - Those going on Jr. High Trek, please be at LRC by 5:30 PM. We will have hot dogs and drinks available when we arrive at Kyle’s Landing so you may want to snack or eat something before arriving at LRC. We will return Sunday around 1-2 PM.

Sunday AM classes - This Sunday is the last high school class on Ecclesiastes. Please take time to thank Tom King and Rusty Fry for teaching this past quarter. There will be no Jr. High class this Sunday due to Jr. High Trek. We will begin a combined Jr/Sr. High class on May 25. It will be led by Daniel Goad, Jon and Bethany Aven, Stephanie Graham, myself and Deana.

Senior Trip - We are offering a 2-day trip for our graduates June 1-3 (Sun-Tue) at the Erwin cabin. The weekend includes an afternoon canoe trip on the Buffalo River. We will leave LRC Sunday, June 1 at 2:00 PM and return Tuesday, June, 1 by 1:30 PM. Cost is $30. Students need to bring clothes that can get wet (swim suits are great), sunscreen, a towel and a pillow. The Erwins have beds for most of us, but I can’t remember if they have enough pillows.

Senior Celebration is Wednesday, May 21. Thanks to Ashley Philbrick and others who are working had on this. Please make plans to be there. We will serve dinner from 6:00-6:40 PM and begin the program right at 6:45 PM.

Just a reminder that we are not going to Crosswalk this Wednesday night. However, we will have a cookout for the teens here at LRC. Hamburgers, fries and drinks will be served from 6:00-6:40 PM here. Refuge will begin promptly at 6:45 PM and end right at 8:00 PM. The youth room and gym will remain open until 8:30 PM.

For most of the school year, RAMP groups have been studying the same topics. In the fall, all RAMP groups studied the book of James. January-March, all RAMP groups studied Song of Solomon.

For the months of April and May, each RAMP leader will choose the topic of study for RAMP times as well as where they will meet. Most RAMP groups will continue to meet at the building, but please check with your teen’s RAMP leader. Please encourage your teen to be a part of RAMP groups. Our RAMP leaders work hard to build mentoring relationships with our teens. The last RAMP group time of the summer will be Sunday, May 18.

The Journey
Teens may sign up for the winter retreat that is Jan. 18-20 by turning in a signed and notorized medical release form along with their $30 payment. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Jan. 9.

Girls Revolve Tour
Final payment for the Girls Revolve Tour is Sunday, Jan. 13. Please make checks payable to LRC. Only those paid in full will be registered unless you’ve spoken with me about payment arrangements.

Parent/Teen meeting
Hopefully you have received a letter detailing Jan-May plans as well as listing some of our summer 2008 ideas. We will meet Sunday, Jan. 13 immediately following our morning worship gathering to go over those plans. Lunch will be provided in the Nichols Ministry Building.

Tonight is the last Refuge of 2007. Refuge will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 9.

RAMP Groups are taking a break until Sunday, Jan. 13. All RAMP groups will resume meeting in the Nichols Ministry Building then with a study of Song of Solomon for teens.

THIS WEEK (Dec. 2-8)

Sunday AM Bible class (Dec. 2) – We will continue our 7-12th grade combined class this Sunday morning. We’re currently focusing on how to meet the physical needs of others as an expression of the good news of Jesus Christ. As part of our study the teens are participating in the intramural food can challenge. One of our teens is also organizing a blanket drive. See below for more details.

RAMP Groups (Dec. 2) – RAMP Groups will meet Sunday night. Check with your child’s RAMP leader for details.

Refuge (Dec. 5) – We will have Refuge as usual this Wednesday night from 6-8 PM.

LOOKING AHEAD

Blanket Drive (Now-Dec. 12) – One of our students, Katie Keen, is organizing a blanket drive at her school and we’d like to support her by participating. You are invited to donate new or slightly used sheets and blankets. Katie said she’d even wash them for you. Blankets and sheets will be passed out at the Salvation Army in Little Rock. We will try to arrange a time for the teens to help with that.

Winter Retreat (Jan. 18-20) – Information and medical release forms for our annual winter retreat are available on the table at the back of the auditorium. Please return a signed and notorized medical release form for your child along with the $30 registration by Wednesday, Jan. 9 to sign up.

Girls’ Day Out (Dec. 8 ) – Girls in grades 7-12 are invited to join Deana for a girls’ day out on Saturday, Dec. 8. The girls will meet at LRC at noon, go eat together and shop. They will return to LRC around 6 PM. See Deana for details.

Don’t forget to check the youth web site. You can keep up with different aspects of our youth and family ministry there. We try to post what we’re discussing, share pictures of events and it’s a great place for prayer requests.