What's up guys? We wanted to share an incredible social network website (very similar to myspace and facebook) with you that you need to check out. You need to setup a profile and take advantage of this awesome tool. Here's the information you need to set up your very own profile:

1. Go to http://battlecry.com

2. Click the "YOUR BATTLE" tab

3. Click on "JOIN THE COALITION AND CREATE MY BATTLE PLAN NOW!"

4. Fill out the required information, then click "SUBMIT"

5. Update your profile, Update your profile image, Select a church (HINT: find Shannon Oaks Church at this stage)

6. Make "MY BATTLE CRY" - My Battle Cry is your way of expressing your personal mission statement for your Battle Plan. In one or two sentences, express the cry of your heart for reaching and saving this generation.

7. Make "MY WARRIOR DISCIPLINES" - My Warrior Disciplines are the personal holiness goals you will be setting for yourself to ensure that your heart is "battle ready".

8. Make "MY BATTLE TACTICS" - My Battle Tactics are the specific actions you prayerfully commit to do as your part in the battle.

9. Leave comments, read blogs, write blogs, find other teenagers who are making a difference, and much much more.

*Your youth ministers - Brian and Ben - have already made their profiles and have registered the Shannon Oaks Church. Time for you to sign up and glorify God with your time spent on the Internet.

Love you guys. Use this amazing tool!

J-High Camp Out Retreat October 17-18, 2008

What you need to know...All junior high students in the SOC student ministries. We will be traveling 8 miles southeast of Sulphur Springs to a remote camping location. We will leave the church at 4pm on Friday, October 17, and return to SOC at 6:30pm on Saturday, October 18.

What you need to do...Turn in money ($25) and release from by Wednesday, October 15.

This junior high only retreat is an opportunity for all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to experience group bonding, team challenges, outdoor adventures, motivating talks, and inspriational worship. So plan on attending this awesome retreat!

What to bring...Bible, pen/pencil, camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, lawn chair, pillow, blankets, flashlight), regular clothes (enough for one day), mess clothes (enough for one day), toiletries (deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, no show items necessary), sunscreen, bug spray, prescription meds, frisbees, footballs, soccer balls, etc.

Please hurry, as spots are limited and time is running out.  This is going to be awesome!

I have to confess something to you guys: I often forget how incredible Jesus is sometimes. I forget sometimes exactly what he did for me. I forget the fact that he died for me. I forget that he could not be held by a grave. I forget that every time he comes into contact with another person, they are completely changed. I forget the freedom, passion, purity, and happiness I felt when I first came to know him. I forget that he can heal the sick, raise the dead, and give sight to the blind. I forget that he died on a cross so that I can fully live. I forget that with him I have the power to defeat sin in my life. I forget that because of him I have something to live for. I forget that my idea should come from being saved by him, and not anything else. I forget that I should always be prepared and ready to share him with others. I forget that he changed me. I often forget Jesus...my savior, my redeemer, my Lord, my friend, my everything.

I often forget...do you?

Check out this video for a reminder of what Jesus did for all of us:

What's up guys? Chad Kopal needs your help. He's selling a PS2 for dirt cheap. He is only asking $60 for the PS2 box. However, it does not have a powerchord or controllers. I know it is an older system, but you never know, 20 years from now you will want to play an old classic or it might actually be worth some money. This is coming from a guy that owns and still occasionally plays his Super Nintendo!!! If you want to help him out, let me know or get in touch with Chad directly.

Brian

Hey guys...here is January's Growth Group Information. We will be meeting January 13, January 20, and January 27 in our Growth Groups. Sunday nights, 6pm-8pm.


12th & 11th Graders - meeting at the Byrum home (305 CR 3640 in Rocky Ridge)

10th Graders - meeting at Shannon Oaks in the Equip Facility

9th & 8th Graders - meeting at the Rascoe home (1712 Gena)

7th & 6th Graders - meeting at the Jackson home (1405 April)



Make sure you are there. Bring $2 for dinner and your Bibles.

What's up guys?!? I hope you all had an amazing Christmas break. I'm sure that you got into the habit of sleeping to noon everyday, breaking a sweat playing your Nintendo Wii, and staying up late talking with your friends. But now (tear) those days are over and you are back in the daily grind of school, homework, studying, activities, etc.

I have got some really good news for you though...

Starting TONIGHT at 7pm, our 4:23 Wednesday Night Youth Group will kick back off for the new semester. Wow, it has been almost 4 weeks since we last met for 4:23. DON'T GET IN THE HABIT OF NOT GOING.

You definitely will not want to miss out on tonight's first 4:23 of the new semester. We are starting some new classes for you tonight. If you are in Jr High, you will be continuing your journey class called "The Buffet". That class will still be led by Darren Manning and Sean Reneau. If you are in Sr High, you will be starting a brand new Journey class tonight called "The Disciple Experiment". This class will be led by me (Brian - your youth minister, just in case you forgot me). The Disciple Experiment will be a deep, rockin' 6-week class on what it means to actually be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Check it out. Like always, we will begin every 4:23 together as a family in a time of fellowship and worship.

4:23 Wednesday Night Youth Group meets every Wednesday night at 7pm in the main room (101) in the Equip Facility.

Also, we are offering 2 brand new Journey classes on Sunday morning as well. The Jr High will be starting a brand new series called "Wild Truth 2", which is a study based on wild Bible characters. This class is led by Heather Cromer and Randall Voss. The Sr High has started a brand new series called "Revelation Talk" which is a Bible study over the book of Revelation. This class is led by Brian Cromer and Charles Ivey.

REMEMBER IMPORTANT CHANGE - Class is now starting on time at 9am every Sunday morning. Main worship on Sunday morning is now at 10am. Please make every effort to be there to grow in your relationship with God. It will be well worth your time.

Love you guys...
Brian

Hey guys.  Here is the information for THIS Friday's Six Flags Holiday in the Park trip:

WHEN: THIS Friday, December 21.

WHO:  If you are going to this, that means that you have signed up on the signup sheet with Brian.  Please don't just show up. 

COST:  Cost per person is going to be $20 for admission.  Now you need to bring your own personal spending money for food and other stuff you jokers spend your money on.

WHEN ARE WE MEETING TO LEAVE FOR THE PARK?  You guys get out of school at 2:30pm on Friday.  You need to get a ride directly after school to Shannon Oaks.  The bus will be leaving Shannon Oaks no later than 3:00pm for Six Flags.  Don't be late.

WHAT TIME WILL WE GET BACK?  We will be staying until the park closes at 10pm.  We will get back Friday night around 11:30pm.  You need to have somebody at the church to pick you up at that time.

*Remember we are also going with a crew from First United Methodist Church youth group.

*If you have any questions, please let me know.

Brian

This is information you need to know if you signed up for CSR (that stands for Community Student Retreat by the way):

WHEN?  This Saturday and Sunday, December 1-2

WHERE?  The retreat will be at the Lakeview Baptist Assembly in Lone Star, TX.  The phone number there is (903) 656-3871.

WHAT TIME DO WE MEET?  Be at Shannon Oaks Saturday morning at 9:00am for registration - bus pulls out by 9:30am.

WHAT TIME DO WE GET BACK?  We will be back at Shannon Oaks Sunday afternoon by 1:30pm.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?  Warm clothes (remember you will be getting a hoodie), Bible, Bedding (sleeping bag, pillow, blanket, etc), Toiletries, Money for one low-cost lunch, and an amazing attitude.

*Pack light - it is only 1 day!

*Remember to have your $45 and parent-signed medical release form on Saturday morning.

*If you are coming late, you need to contact Brian ASAP and tell him.  There is a group coming late that you could meet up with.

*It is going to be an awesome retreat. 

What's up guys?  We all know that the Internet is amazing.  We have the ability to find out information with the simply click of a mouse.  The Internet has made going to the Library for information a thing of the past.  Every now and then, I find a website that captures my attention.  I wanted to share an amazing new website that I found the other day with you. 

The website is www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneInHistory/SelectMonth.htm

This website will show you the number one song in the world on any day in history.  Want to know what song was number one the day you were born?  What about your first day of school?  What about the day you were baptized?  What about the day you and your significant other became significant others?  You can find out the answers to all of those questions at this site.  It is amazing.

Here's what I would love for you to do:  Write down all the important dates that you can remember and share what songs were number one on those days.  It is simply for fun and for a good laugh. 

Check it out and share which songs were number one on your special days.

Brian

Here is the new Growth Group information for November:

 

12th Grade & 11th Grade - meeting at the Cromer house (900 Barbara)

10th Grade - meeting at the Stillwagoner house (1325 Carter)

9th Grade & 8th Grade - meeting at the Jones house (585 CR 3502)

7th Grade & 6th Grade - meeting at Shannon Oaks (Equip Facility)

 

*All groups will be providing dinner for you.  You need to bring $2 to help with the cost of dinner.

*We will be meeting 3 times in November - Nov 4, Nov 11, & Nov 18.

*Growth Groups are on Sunday nights from 6pm to 8pm.

*The 12th grade and the 11th grade Growth Groups are combining for the month of November. 

Any questions, feel free to contact Brian.