First Congregational Church Youth Ministry

Yesterday we (the senior high youth) arrived right on time in Big Bear for the Ski Trip. We checked into our condo, went and rented our skis and snowboards, settled in for a while, ate dinner, went bowling at the Bowling Barn, and finally returned to rest up for a big day of skiing and snowboarding. Today has been just as busy. At 7:30am we ate breakfast, got the lift-tickets and then headed for the slopes. The weather’s great and everybody’s having a blast! Those who aren’t skiing and/or snowboarding have been staying occupied with snowman (and snowlady) building as well as simply hanging out. Everyone checked in at lunch and then it was back to the slopes. We’ve got the best chaperons in the world! So everyone is still in one piece.

Tonight we’ll have our devotional together, our dinner, and plenty of free time before we rest up for another day of fun. Continue to keep us in your prayers. We’re all having a lot of fun! We’ll be back home in Ramona tomorrow night.

We will be leaving January 28^th at around 12:15pm and we will be returning home to the church parking lot on January 30^th at approximately 8:00pm. Safety will be our highest priority on this trip! We’re very excited and thankful for your participation. Pray that this will be not only a great fellowship event but that through this event our group might experience the love and the captivating presence of God, in whom and for whom we do all things.

Ski Trip Schedule (subject to minor change):

Wednesday, Jan. 27^th

7pm: Meet at the Youth Building with Ski Trip luggage and load up the vehicles.

Thursday, Jan. 28^th

12pm: meet at the Ramona High School Staff Parking lot.

12:15pm: leave for Big Bear Lake (Directions will be provided to chaperons)

1:15pm: Stop at In-N-Out/Arby’s/Wendy’s in Temecula for quick lunch. (27684

JEFFERSON AVE TEMECULA, CA 92590)

4:30pm: Arrive at Big Bear Rentals in Big Bear Lake, California. Check in to

lodging and get keys.

4:45pm: Arrive at lodging; assign sleeping arrangements (girls in one condo, boys

in the other), and start cooking dinner.

5:00pm: Take appropriate people to Leroy’s Rentals to rent equipment.

6:00pm: return to condos, free time/ unpacking

6:30pm: Eat dinner, (call bowling alley for reservation).

7:30pm: Go bowling.

10pm: Return to condos.

10:30pm: lights out!

Friday, Jan. 29^th

7:30am: Breakfast

7:45am: Wes will go to Group ticket widow to get lift tix.

8:30am: lift tickets will be distributed at condos, everyone dismissed for skiing

(students need to stay in groups of 3 or more)

12pm: Lunch and check-in at the condos.

12:30pm: back to the slopes.

4pm: check-in with chaperons either at the slopes or at the condos

6pm: lifts closed.

6:30pm: Devotional

7:30pm: Dinner.

8:30pm: packing, free time!

10:30pm: lights out!

Saturday, Jan. 30^th

7:30am: Breakfast

8:30am: Pack up everything but ski stuff, clean rooms, check-out of condos.

9:00am: To the slopes (unless packing is not finished).

12pm: lunch and check-in at vehicles.

4:30pm: return to vehicles, return rentals, and leave for home.

6pm: Dinner in Temecula at Farmer Boys (41700 Winchester Road 92591).

8pm: Back to First Congregational Church for pick-up.

Wes Ellis’ cell phone: 760-315-6468

Address of lodging: 764 Summit Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 (Unit A & B)

Every year there is an unofficial American holiday which people celebrate by dressing up, eating party food, and watching 22 men duke it out on a turf field. It’s called Super Bowl Sunday and it is one of the most exciting and expensive holidays of the year. In order to remind ourselves what’s really important on a day when more people are thinking about football than the poor and the needy, FCC Youth celebrates this day differently by participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring (www.souperbowl.org). On February 7th, Superbowl Sunday, the Junior High Youth will be collecting cash donations as well as non-perishable food items after each service to be donated to the Ramona Food & Clthes Closet. You can also take your donations to  Treasures Christian Store (649A Main Street) any time before Feb 7th.

Do you want to reach out to those in need in your community? Do you want to love God by loving those around you? This is a way for you to do that. The Junior High Youth are learning what it means to give generously and to serve compassionately. Give them a good example by supporting their mission, the Souper Bowl of Caring.