September Parent Newsletter

This is our Monthly Newsletter for parents! Center Student Ministries exists to make Jesus the center of every student's life. Thanks for your partnership!

At Center Student Ministries, we believe that student life is better with Jesus at the center. I hope September's Parent Newsletter will provide you with the information you need to partner with us!

Distracted or Devoted Teenagers? A Note From Our Pastor

Life is full of conflicting trade-offs. Going back to school, what is your student going to be devoted to? Devoted to sports? Devoted to good grades? Devoted to music? Devoted to dance? Devoted to the local church? Devoted to Jesus? Many things are competing for your student's devotion. Not to mention: Netflix, YouTube, video games, and endless social media!

Let's take the pressure off of students that they need perfect grades and have to be involved in multiple extracurricular activities; let's help them prioritize what is of eternal value: involvement in the local church, prayer, worship, Bible study, and discipleship.

Jesus says, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and ______" (Matthew 6:24). Fill in the blank. What distractions are keeping your student from pure and simple devotion to Jesus?

This semester, our goal is to help students prioritize their faith and be devoted—not distracted. We're encouraging students to be:

devoted to God's Word
devoted to prayer
devoted to community
devoted to discipleship
devoted to outreach

Your student will learn to grow in their devotion to Jesus this year! Hear more about our vision for the 2016-17 school year, get to know our staff, and hear about our exciting plans for Center Student Ministries at our Parent Meeting on Sunday, September 11th (info below).

Devoted to God's glory and your student's joy,

Austin Axen Student Ministries Pastor

The following provides information regarding upcoming events & other resources:

Why Not? For All Seasons

Join Living Oaks Church for an evening with For All Seasons and the Habit Burger food truck on Wednesday, September 14th @ 6:00p! Dinner and admission is only $10 (includes cheeseburger, choice of fries/onion rings, & drink) out on the patio of Living Oaks Church (1033 Business Center Circle, Newbury Park, CA). All middle school + high school students welcome! Invite a friend... or two or three! Must RSVP here!

Parent Meeting: 9/11 @ 9:15A

If you're a parent of middle school or high school student, please join us on Sunday, September 11th at 9:15a (in the High School Room) for a Parent Meeting (yes, there will be coffee and donuts). We've got a lot to share: hear about our vision for the 2016-17 school year, meet our staff, and learn how to partner together in the great task of discipling our students!

D-Groups: Fall Session: 9/21

D-Groups are gender specific groups that meet in homes weekly in order to encourage, educate, and equip students in their relationship with Jesus. Who? Middle School + High School Students What? Fun, Fellowship, + Bible Study When? Midweek starting September 21 Where? In Homes Why? To Grow Together in Christ! How long? Our Fall Session lasts 13 weeks—more info here!

Two New Sermon Series!

Join us on Sundays mornings at 11:15a for two new sermon series! Our Middle School students will be studying "That You May Believe" (the Gospel of John) and High School students will be studying "Sojourn" (the Book of 1 Peter). This semester, we're challenging students to know, love, and obey Jesus in every aspect of life!

reThink Apologetics Conference: If your student is interested in learning rock-solid answers to the biggest questions of life (Who am I? Does God exist? Can I trust the Bible?), encourage them to attend reThink Apologetics Conference from Friday, September 23 through Saturday, September 24 in Costa Mesa. Cost is $50. Contact Pastor Austin if your student would like to join us!

D-Group Info Dinner: D-Groups are a unique and vital part of our ministry! Questions about D-Groups: D-What? Where do they meet? Who leads them? Why off-campus? Join us for a special D-Group Info Dinner on Saturday, September 17 (for Middle School) and Sunday, September 18 (for High School). Be on the lookout for a forthcoming invite via mail!

Our website features up-to-date information regarding our upcoming events, current teaching series, D-Groups, camps, student helps, and other parent resources:

www.centersm.com