Information on this year's 30 Hour Famine can be found on the Mission Moments Page of this web site. Click the Button above.

Fifties Night: May 31, 2008

What’s New for 2008 – 2009? The newly elected youth leaders have set goals for the upcoming year. Two of the major goals are to expand the current membership to help replace the members who have left for college. Our Bring a Friend night will be held later this year, on October 5th so that the group will have met several times and is ready to reach out to any newcomers to make them feel at home. A second goal the leaders set is to enhance our interactions with the church. Yes, we are the youth group from the basement but there is a supportive church that meets above us and that enjoys our interaction in their services. The leaders want to increase this interaction. The first thing decided was to increase the frequency of the Bible and Bagels events. This year there will be a Bible and Bagels the first Sunday morning of each month. We chose the first Sunday because there is no Sunday School on Communion Sunday which would allow members to remain throughout the entire service. The first Bible and Bagels will be held on October 5th at 9:30 AM. After a bagel breakfast and a brief review of the mornings scripture lesson, we will sit together through the service together. We recognize that worshipping together brings us closer to God and to each other and we hope all youth members will join us for this event. It is also hoped that we can plan other events of active participation in some services this year. Another new event is the International Bible Treasure Hunt. This will be held one Sunday evening in the beginning of January 2009. It is a challenge to find ten to twelve treasures in the Bible and will involve a Bible search, some decoding of word puzzles, a requirement to determine the time frame needed to verify these treasures if we lived in A.D. 50 in the Holy Lands and more. Nine youth groups have signed up including our friends in Africa and Asia that we have met through the website. There are also teams from Texas, California, New Jersey and upstate New York who have infornmally registered for the event.

What’s New for 2008 – 2009? For Current Updates on the schedule for Christians Under the Stairs, click 2008 Calendar of Events: See what we do!

Youth Leaders' Vision for 2008-09 We, the youth leaders have many insightful ideas for our youth group community. Last years' themes included friendship and leadership. However, this year we decided to change our themes to faith, hope and trust. With these themes, we believe we can accomplish our goals for the youth group this year. We have high hopes for new faces, more support for our nation and more participation in the church. We want to lure new participants into our youth group. We would also like to send a helping hand to those who need it most. We have reached an agreement in which we will help charities such as the Red Cross foundation. Lastly, we would like to not only continue our leadership in church services but to also make them more frequently. Therefore, we have agreed to make these visions achievements. We hope to have a great year. Chantel Durgana, Danny Ermert, John Gower and Dennis Marsh

** Bringing a Youthful Spirit The Christians Under the Stairs Youth Group received a challenge from the elders of the Deer Park Community Presbyterian Church – to bring a “youthful spirit” into the midst of the church. First, on April 13, 2008, there was the “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” Sunday service (see Guestbook entry by Steve Bodden). Youth sang with energy and did a candle prayer in earnest. But that, to our youth, was not enough. Now what could possibly bring more of a youthful spirit to an eagerly awaiting church than a Fifties Night? There were Hula Hoops and Ed Sullivan, The Mickey Mouse Club and I Love Lucy, Elvis and The Kingston Duo (the third member was home writing the group’s new hit song), a recreation of the broadcast of Bobby Thompson's home run heard “round the world” and, of course, “Teenager in Love”. So browse through the below pictures and see if you think the Community Presbyterian Church got a little “Youthful Spirit” on May 31, 2008. Maybe you will get some and it's a great event for any youth group to do. So, under your breath or perhaps out loud sing along to: Each time we had a quarrel … why did it have to start And I am so afraid … that we will have to part Each night I ask the stars up above … why must I be a teenager in love. Fifties Night : the Youthful Spirit Fun ... Fun ... Fun Friends and more Friends Christian Youth creating Fun

Youth Group Schedule: September to November 2008 Fall Calendar of Events Sunday, October 5th … Bible and Bagels @ 9:30 AM Bring a Friend Night @ 7:00 PM. Since so many of our members went away to college this is an important night to help expand the group by introducing friends. A variety of interactive events will be held including Listomania and “The Jury Speaks”. Sunday, October 12th @7:00 PM … Game Night led by youth leaders featuring “The Great Race”. Sunday, October 19th @ 7:00 PM (sharp) … Movie Night features “Facing the Giants”, a full length movie about a losing football team which faces its losing tradition through faith. A true story. Discussion to follow. Note: due to the length of the movie, we will not have our usual “hang out” time at the beginning and will start the movie by 7:05 PM). Don’t be late or you will miss the beginning of the movie!! Sunday, October 26th @ 7:00 PM Halloween Costume Party features the 491 Rules and other games of the holiday. Sunday, November 2nd Bible and Bagels @ 9:30 AM Progressive Dinner… starting at 5:30 PM … Five volunteer families needed to host one of the following: Appetizers, Soup, Salad, Main Course and Dessert. Sunday, November 9th @7:00 PM (sharp) … Volleyball and Let’s Ask God with youth group from Abiding Presence Lutheran Church of Fort Salonga. Friday, November 14th - 7:30 PM Step into Africa. Join us at the Yoputh Room as we car pool to World Vision Youth Rally featuring the interactive exhibit "Step into Africa". Sign up for this event at meeting on November 9, 2008 Sunday, November 16th - 2:00 PM (sharp) Wildlife Preserve Hike. Join us at the Youth Room for a brief presentation then an hour long hike to the local preserve. Return to Youth Room afterwards for discussion about the role youth can play in preserving natural lands on Long Island. We are responsible to look after God's creation. Sunday, November 23rd - 7:00 PM Thanksgiving Dinner. Bring your pre-assigned dish and come prepared to learn about the heritage of Thanksgiving and to share those things you are most grateful for. Sunday, November 30th - 7:00 PM Rehearsals for Christmas Show. The date of the Show is December 14th. We also finish planning for youth group booth at the Christmas Fair, scheduled for December 6th.

Let's remember as we compete in olympics and other competitions such as volleyball that the Apostle Paul talks about the race that we run each day of our lives in Hebrews chapter 12. ... "let us run with determination the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus on whom our faith depends from the beginning to the end". As we play softball, run races, do limbo and Bible Trivia - keep our eyes "fixed on Jesus" and the Holy Spirit will guide our hearts to the Godly success of His special calling for each one of us.

Ariel, Kelly and Amanda

Performing at Xmas Show 2007