This Month @ Immerse...

Perhaps the best way to see into someone's heart (other than surgery) is to read a personal letter written to someone they love. Over the next few weeks at Immerse we will take an in depth journey through 1st Timothy... a letter written by the Apostle Paul to his dear friend, Tim. During that time we will explore key aspects to a growing and intriguing faith, especially during hard times. In the end, it is our hope that you will discover ways to develop a long-lasting, vibrant faith... a faith that sustained Timothy (a teenager just like you) throughout his life. Come check it out! Immerse meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30 AM in the Youth Room (121).

This Month @ Immerse...

The anticipation of unopened gifts, the Advent candles being lit one-by-one, and the packed church on Christmas Eve all point to the sense that something important is coming. This spirit of anticipation and extravagance is celebrated and honored in Charles Dickens' classic story, A Christmas Carol. His story highlights a uniquely Christian virtue: self-sacrificial love. Not only does A Christmas Carol emphasize togetherness, reconciliation, and concern for the poor; it's also a critique of the times. A Christmas Carol is not a "Christmas" story in the sense that there are no angels or wise men; there is no manger or virgin about to give birth. But there are still many things it can teach us about the true meaning of Christmas and the reason for this season.

Come join us at Immerse during the month of December for our new series: Lessons Learned from A Christmas Carol. We will be watching the most recent Disney animated-movie version of this tale and follow that up with a discussion of what we can and should learn from this quintessential Christmas classic. Immerse meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30 AM in the Youth Room (121). Come check it out!

This Month @ Immerse...

Ever wonder what those hard-to-pronounce books at the end of the Old Testament are all about? Come find out in our new series at Immerse this May. Minor Prophet, Major Message will take a look at four of those lesser-known, harder-to-spell, oft-overlooked prophets... all who had important messages from God to share with His people. Those messages were important thousands of years ago, and they remain important for us still today. Check it out! Immerse meets on Sunday mornings in the Youth Room (121) from 9:30-10:30 AM.

This Month @ Immerse...

Join us at Immerse (Sr. High Bible Study) this month as we dive into a new series: A Nose So Bright: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the True Meaning of Christmas. On December 5 we will watch the Christmas classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and discuss how this animated film can point to and reveal the Truths of the Christmas holiday. Rudolph brought light into a dark and foggy world... and so did our Savior! Come check it out! Immerse

meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30 AM in the Youth Room (121).

This Month @ Immerse...

Join us at Immerse (Sr. High Bible Study) this month as we dive into a new series: Things You Should Be Glad Jesus Never Said. Each week we'll take a hilarious and thought-provoking look at what life as a Christian would be like if Jesus had said things such as: "I am your friend... I just don't have time for you."; "You're not allowed to have fun unless you're laughing at the devil."; "You're all evil... there is no hope... that is it."; or "You'll never get into heaven now... you had your chance and blew it." Jesus said a lot of things... but you should be glad he never said any of those. Immerse meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 in the Youth Room (121). Come check it out!

This Month @ Immerse...

Last May we asked you to pick the topics you wanted to discuss on Sunday mornings at Immerse. Well, YouPick is back! Join us on Sunday mornings during the month of May as we take a look at and discuss the topics voted on by you. Each week we'll be focusing on a different social justice issue. So come share your thoughts and opinions on these highly debated issues. Week 1 - Peace: What is Your Response to World Conflict and Violence? Week 2 - Abortion: What is Your Response to the Pro-Life / Pro-Choice Debate? Week 3 - Water: What is Your Response to the Clean Water Crisis? Week 4 - Death Penalty: What is Your Response to Capital Punishment? Immerse meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30 AM in the Youth Room (121).

Social Justice Month

The poor, the mournful, the meek, the hungry, the thirsty, the peacemakers, and the persecuted... the Bible says that those are the ones who are blessed. Blessed though they may be, they still are crying out for help. April is Social Justice Month at Overflow Sr. High Ministries. Join us on Sunday mornings at Immerse as we take a look at several social justice issues around the world and in our own backyard. Come discover what the Bible has to say about these issues and what our response should be. Find out what it means to act justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly. This month's focus will culminate in our 30 Hour Famine (April 23-24). Be a part of this discussion and make a commitment to take action and reach out to those in need. Immerse meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30 in the Youth Room (121).

This Month @ Immerse...

Join us on Sunday mornings in February for our new series, "The Kingdom: Stories from Jesus." During this four-part series we'll be taking a look at some of the parables 0r stories Jesus told. Find out what those stories meant back then... and what they mean for us today. Immerse meets every Sunday morning in the Youth Room (121) from 9:30-10:30 AM.

This Month @ Immerse...

Come join us at Immerse on Sunday mornings in December for our new series, "Indescribably Beautiful: The Gospel According to Our Favorite Christmas Movies." Each week we'll watch scenes from some classic Christmas movies and discuss what these films have to say about the real meaning and message of the holiday. We'll be taking a look at scenes from A Charlie Brown Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and A Christmas Story. Immerse meets on Sunday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 AM in the youth room.

Choose Your Own Series

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe... November is “Choose Your Own Series Month” at Immerse. Sr. High students can choose from 3 different series on Sunday mornings... pick one and go through that series for the four weeks. Choose from... “Relationships By Design”- an in depth look at God’s design for our relationships, from friendship, to dating, to marriage; or “Comparative Religions” - a study of 4 major world religions and how they compare and contrast to Christianity; or “How Not To Be A Slug” - a unique look at Proverbs, a tiny passage in the Old Testament with a huge message for us today. Immerse is open to all youth in grades 9-12. We meet in the youth room (121) every Sunday morning from 9:30-10:30 AM.

Scary... Gross... Weird...

Bear attacks. Supernatural graffiti. Suicidal pigs. The Bible is filled with bizarre stories. Come join us at Immerse on Sunday mornings in October for our new series: Scary, Gross, and Weird Stories from the Bible. Each week we’ll take a look at an out-of-the-ordinary story from the Good Book and discuss what lessons we can take from the seemingly strange event. Immerse is open to all youth in grades 9-12. We meet in the youth room (121) every Sunday morning from 9:30-10:30 AM.

You Wanted It... You Got It!

The results are in for our new series, "You Pick: Hot Topics." We asked you to pick what you want to discuss for the next few weeks and out of the list hot topics you chose: The Environment/Green Living; Profanity/Cussing; and Self-Image. So join us on Sunday mornings at Immerse from 9:30-10:30 and share your thoughts and opinions on these topics.

April Series @ Immerse

Poor in spirit, mournful, meek, hungry, thirsty, persecuted… what’s the deal, Jesus? Seriously? Those are attributes of someone who is blessed? Seems a bit upside down. Our upcoming series, “Blessed: A Closer Look at the Beatitudes” will challenge your perception of what it means to live as a follower of Christ. Come join for Immerse on Sunday mornings in April as we unpack the Beatitudes, Jesus’ controversial teachings found in Matthew 5. As we take a look at these teachings you will come out with a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be “blessed.” This series begins April 5 at 9:30 in the Youth Room. Hope to see you there!

February Series @ Immerse

Starting in February, Sundays @ Immerse are all about love. We'll be taking a look at the series, Love Out Loud, and ask the question, "what does it really mean to love?" We hear that word used so much, that for some, it's lost all meaning. It's become a one-size-fits-all label to describe everything from our feelings towards other people to our feelings towards food or clothes, or cell phones. But love is so much more than that... it's so much more than a feeling or an emotion... it's an action... it's something you do. So, what does the Bible have to say about this four letter word? TONS! God's Word lays out the true meaning of love and in that meaning we find out that love, true love, risks, it serves, it multiplies, it forgives and most of all... it lasts. Come join us on Sunday mornings @ Immerse and rediscover what means to love, and to love out loud!

H2O-yeah!

In celebration of the launch of Overflow Sr. High Ministries, Sunday mornings are focusing on "Water: A Theme Throughout Scripture" Our January series will take a close look at the role water plays all throughout the Bible and its close connection to the redemption found in Christ and the cleansing in our baptism. God's Word is soaking-wet with events that use water as a symbol for both destruction and restoration. And this relationship carries over to our lives today. Come be a part of this saturated series at Immerse on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30 in the Youth Room.

Introducing Overflow Sr. High Ministries

We are excited to announce the official launch of Overflow Sr. High Ministries! Overflow is the new name, identity and purpose of the Sr. High youth program at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Our mission is to connect teens to Christ and each other through Fellowship, Learning, Outreach, and Worship. The concept (and name) of Overflow is pulled from God's word: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13, TNIV); "I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding." (Philippians 1:9, NLT); "Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." (Colossians 2:7, NLT); and "Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor." (James 3:17, The Message).

Ultimately, Overflow is community. And community is a response to loneliness and isolation. Ranking near the top of a teenager’s needs is a need to belong. Despite technology that allows us to connect to one another faster than ever, youth today are feeling more and more disconnected. Community is a way to connect. It is a concept that is both ideological and tangible. Overflow seeks to create a community that teens can take ownership of and accountability in. It utilizes a holistic approach to connect youth through time spent together in fun and fellowship, study and discussion, prayer and praise… not just as a youth group, but as community of believers. Teens are deep-down wanting to belong to something larger than themselves and this community will provide them with a family of peers and safe outlet to discuss and prepare for the challenges they face in an ever-changing world, but most of all, an environment to hear the message of forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ.

Here's a look at some of the new opportunities that make up Overflow Sr. High Ministries...

Overflow— Overflow is a bi-monthly youth night for high school students (9th-12th grade) that incorporates four key components of a youth ministry program: fellowship, learning, outreach and worship. These nights consist of an ever-rotating and evolving mix of casual, come-as-you-are worship, relevant and affirming teaching, challenging small group discussion and study, and community through games, activities, and hang-out time. Overflow youth nights offer a laid-back, comfortable environment for students and their friends to connect and grow. Overflow meets in the Youth Room on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 7:00-8:30 PM.

Immerse— Immerse is a Sunday morning, large-group Bible Study for high school students (9th-12th grade). Immerse focuses on Scriptural, yet life-applicable topics that will challenge youth to grow in their faith and understanding of Christianity. These topics/series cover a wide variety of relevant issues dealing with faith, life, and youth culture. Here students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in sound teaching and deepen their knowledge and understanding of what it means to be a Christ-follower in today’s world. Immerse meets in the Youth Room every Sunday from 9:30-10:30 AM.

Quench— Quench is a monthly experiential worship service for high school students (9th-12th grade). These experiences incorporate informal and casual prayer and praise with outlets for unique, creative expressions of faith. Quench is characterized by the use of multi-sensory worship elements such as music, art, meditation as well as prayer stations and paths, lectio & vizio divina, and interactive worship experiences. This is not a church service, and therefore should not take the place of Sunday morning worship, however, it gives students an alternative way to express their devotion to God and quench their thirst for a meaningful relationship with Christ. Quench meets in the Day Chapel on the 4th Sunday of the month from 7:00-8:00 PM.

*A Note to Students: This is an exciting time for you and this new program depends greatly on your activity and involvement. You are the catalyst for making this a vibrant, meaningful, fun, and flourishing youth group. You are encouraged to take part in these new opportunities and to invite friends as well. Keep an eye out for a calendar which will include exact dates, times, and locations of upcoming Overflow events. Get connected and “go with the flow...”