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.

Parents of 7/8th graders, just a reminder that we only have two more Faith Decisions classes left. Please encourage your child to complete his/her workbook pages and bring them on Sunday so we can put together a notebook for them. Additionally, you’ve been asked to share stories in writing with your child that we’d like to include in the workbook, so please bring those as well if you haven’t done so already.

Here’s what the remaining schedule looks like:

May 4 - Rule of Life and plan of action. This Sunday, we’ll review what we’ve studied and challenge our teens to take the next step, whatever that step might be. We’ll talk about developing goals and pursuing them.

May 11 - Blessing. During this class you’ll be given the time to spread out around our campus and bless your child just talking and praying with him/her about things discussed. We’ll provide a blessing outline for those of you who have never done anything like this. I want to strongly encourage you to be here for this Sunday because it will be a great opportunity for you to encourage your child.

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.

We’re continuing to answer questions raised by students tonight during Refuge. A couple of students have asked questions about discerning God’s will, so tonight we’re going to talk about how to know God’s will.

A few things I plan to cover include:
1. God’s will concerning our ethic and morality are never ambiguous. His Word is very clear. Jesus’ teachings are very clear.

2. God’s will is never random. It aligns with his redemptive purposes for all of creation.

3. We shouldn’t let what we don’t know spoil what we can do. Use these times as opportunities to grow in faithfulness.

Given things things, we are going to discuss three principles that help us identify God’s will for our lives:
1. Scripture teaches that we are to glorify God with our entire lives. We are to seek first his kingdom. In other words, live according to his Word. Any attempt to discern what God wants from our lives must begin with our desire to please him. ( Peter 4:10-11; Colossians 3:16-17; Psalm 37:4)

2. Discover what you’re passionate about. Explore your talents. As you desire to glorify God, do what you’re passionate about, what you’re good at. (Ecclesiastes 11:9; Psalm 37:4; 1 Peter 4:10-11; 2 Corinthians 12:7; 2 Timothy 1:6-7)

3. You’ve got to go for it! Don’t sit back and keep waiting for a sign. Don’t keep watching. It’s good to take time to pray, seek counsel, but at some point you need to take action. Take a risk and live boldly. Make it a way of life. Live in such a way where it’s essential for you to trust in God (Ecclesiastes 11:1; Ephesians 2:8-10).