Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

February’s 2^nd Thursday of the month Youth Night, held on Valentine’s Day, was a fun evening of games with a valentines theme. For a snack the group made and decorated cookies.

On February 24^th the Confirmation class went to Emmanuel Lutheran Church of the Deaf for the Sunday service, and performed the song "Lord I Lift Your Name on High" in sign language for their congregation. Many comments were made by the members of Emmanuel about how well our youth did, and how they must’ve practiced a lot in preparation.

Six students went to the Confirmation retreat at Camp LuWiSoMo on Feb 29^th - Mar 2^nd. Dave Biermann and Sheryl Pelican were the chaperones.

March’s youth night held on the 2^nd Thursday of the month was an outing to Adventure Rock to go rock-climbing with our Grace rock-climbing club. Eighteen members enjoyed a invigorating evening of climbing.

Friday, March 28^th, from 7-9pm, will be the Kick-off Night for this year’s 30 Hour Famine. The Kick-off Night is held one month before the weekend of the Famine, and it is the evening the youth come to get all their information, permission slips, and sponsor books. Parents are invited to attend also, especially if they have questions or concerns, or if they are considering participating in the Famine with their child. Any adults who are interested in participating in the 30 Hour Famine, even if they don’t have children participating, are also welcome to join us. It is stongly recommended that anyone intending to do the Famine should come to the Kick-off Night! We will watch a video, play a game, have snacks, and do an art project. To participate a child must be in at least 6^th grade, and we encourage them to invite friends to join us. A 5^th grader can take part in the Famine only if a parent does it with them.

Thursday, April 10^th is Youth Night from 7-9pm. Each youth who attends is asked to bring $2.00 to cover the cost of materials and snacks.

On Sunday, April 20^th, after the 2^nd service, we will be spending the afternoon distributing fliers around the neighborhood for the 30 Hour Famine food drive. We also have a fun event planned, so youth should plan ahead to be at church for most of the afternoon.

The 30 Hour Famine will be held on Friday, April 25^th and Saturday, April 26^th. Participants will stop eating at noon on Friday, and we will share our break-fast meal 30 hours later on Saturday at 6pm. Registration will begin at 5pm on Friday, and participants will be ready to go home on Saturday around 7pm. This is the twelfth year that our youth group has done the 30 Hour Famine, and we have raised over $54,000.00 which we have sent to World Vision, saving and changing the lives of hundreds of children. This year the youth groups and adult leaders from two other churches are joining us; Ebenezer Free Church on 43^rd and Oklahoma, and Immanuel Baptist Church in Brookfield. The last two years we have supported the food pantry at Ebeneezer Free Church with items from the Famine food drive, so it is especially nice to have them join us in our efforts.

Please pray for our group, the leaders and the youth, that we may have a safe and successful 30 Hour Famine experience, and that the money we raise and the food we collect will be a blessing to others.