Merry Christmas Friends!
I hope that no matter where you are, or who you are with, that you count your blessings today. After opening gifts and feeding our faces today, the most important things still are the gift of life that God has given each of us as well as the gifts we are to each other. I encourage you to spend a few moments and make your inventory (maybe even write it down).

I also want you to take a few moments and say a prayer for David Schrey and his family as they overcome bump after bump in his recovery. Today’s journey includes fighting the strep infection and fevers that go with it, keeping his heart beating in a proper way to power is body, an extra dose of strength to get up and walk to curb fend off pneumonia that wants to mess up his lungs, soothing of pain resulting from the surgery, and a general infusion of energy, peace, and peace of mind.

Please feel free to text or facebook anytime. Also, if you want to see David at Stanford Hospital, make sure you contact Charlie or Molly first so the visits can happen in a helpful way for the entire family. Blessings to you all and a big shout out to David!

Peace and Love, Tom

Merry Christmas to all of you!

I want to give you an update on our mighty David Schrey: Since I last wrote, he has been recovering from the huge procedure of removing his pacemaker and associated stuff. The doctors and medical peeps are diligently managing his progress and his parents and family are hanging tough for him. The hope over the coming days are to see how his heart performs to activity and to get the infection under control.

David’s body is pretty sore from all they did and he is also extremely tired. This has not stopped his sense of humor from bringing light and levity at the most appropriate times (I’ll let you ask him about this:), He is also running a slight fever again so there is concern around the strep infection. Let’s hope the antibiotic cocktail that they’re giving David will knock that off.

So, what are we to do. Well, you can’t start by continuing to pray for everyone surrounding David. It seems like peace, patience, wisdom, medical mastery, plenty of cell phone battery power, love and support might be a great place to start. While you’re at it, why don’t you share some of that (maybe minus the mastery and batteries) with those around you.

Bethel’s 2011 Congregational Challenge is rooted in John 3:16 – “For God So Loved The World…” Now it is our turn to “Be The Love.” Don’t just think or talk about it. Do it! Now!

Peace & Love, Tom

Hi Friends,
I know many of you know about the story in the bible about David vs. Goliath. A young man taking on the beast. Well, our youth group also has its own version of David, and his name is David Schrey. You see, our David is taking on a beast called “Strep” that has been trying to take him down, but like David in the bible, our David is not stepping down from the fight.

David Schrey, 19 years old and full of life, has been at Stanford Hospital for the past 5 days fighting a nasty infection that has partially settled in the pacemaker hardware that gives his heart the kick it needs every now and then. Today, a whole herd of surgeons spent over 7 hours working to remove the pacemaker and it’s three jumper cables and were about 5/6′s successful. He still has one wire lead in his body and the fine docs and nurses at Stanford are attacking the Strep beast with antibiotics and hope to get the upper hand quickly. The next 24 hours will tell a lot … and the story will continue.

In the meantime, David would love texts and facebook messages. If you need his info or have more questions, feel free to contact me at th----@------.net or call me at 408-309-9975.

So now here’s the challenge for you: How does your heart need to be jumpstarted today? I say don’t waste a day not living life to the fullest and don’t waste a second not telling someone that is important to you that care about them. We’ve been given the incredible gift of life. Its our job to share that with others! Lead on David!!!!!

Peace out, Tom

Hi Friends,
Just a reminder to RSVP about the two upcoming events: Ice Skating/Caroling/Pizza Extravaganza on Sunday the 19th, and the SF Walking Tour on Wednesday the 22nd. See details on the blog below.

FYI, it looks like it will be raining on or around those events so we’ll modify them appropriately, including probably skating at an indoor place. If you have questions, please email me at th----@------.net or call me on my cell at 408-309-9975. Please make sure to get a hold of me or sign up on the wall to save you spot.

Peace, Tom

Upcoming Events

Wed. the 14th:
7p.m. Bethel School Christmas Program & Yogurtland(bring money)

Sun the 19th:
9: 30 A talk about Christmas traditions
12-7p.m. Skating & Caroling
Who: All Jr Highers, Sr Highers, and College Age+
Where: Meet in the Bethel Pk Lot –>Winter Lodge in Palo Alto–> Caroling–>Pizza @ Tony & Alba’s on Steven’s Creek
How Much: $20
Sign up in the youth room or on Facebook

Wed the 22nd:
8a.m.-6p.m.
Who: Sr. High & Alumni
Where: Meet in the Bethel Pk Lot –>SF–>Home
What to Bring: around 20 dollars to cover food and transportation, more if you want to shop, and walking shoes (a jacket would be nice too!)
Sign up in the youth room or on Facebook

Love,
Jackie and Kenzie

Put things in a much more fun perspective, as oppose to Jackie’s bureaucratic approach. Tomorrow, Wednesday the 12th, we will be viewing a rocking performance from the Bethel School program. All the coolest kids will be in attendance, so make sure you don’t miss out.
On Sunday, we will be discussing different Christmas traditions. Those who are in attendance will have the privilege of hearing all of my wacky traditions.
Later that Sunday we will be doing our ever-famous Ice Skating/Caroling/Pizzing Extravaganza
This you will most certainly shouldn’t miss, as you would be missing out on a defining moment for your young lives.
Finally, the San Francisco Walking tour will be taking place on the 22nd. I do not know but about this event but I can tell you that walking will be involved, most likely in San Francisco. We will be departing at 8 am. Boring details are listed for all said events listed above.

Hope to see everybody there

Love
Jeff (only Jeff)

Yes you heard it.
All Sr Highers (and sponsors) are invited this morning out to Starbucks for a free Christmas treat. We’ll leave in the Lord’s Bus at 9:35 and return in time for worship. Just show up and you’ll get a free Starbucks drink of your choice!
Merry Christmas, Tom

Hi Friends,
Here’s the scoop on the coming days:

Sunday, December 5th @ 10:30am: Sr High Sunday School about Advent: We’ll start with snacks (as always) and then sharing, then the story of the Ten Virgins (don’t want to miss that), and then how we can get ready for Christmas.

Wednesday December 8th @ 6:30PM: Jr/Sr High Christmas Party Extravaganza: Come bring a food item to share and the gift you said you would buy for the kids in need. We’ll have dinner, do some mixers with the JH kids, decorate cookies, wrap some presents, and watch a little Christmas flick. Should be a blast. Please let me know if you can make it.

Peace, Tom

Hi Friends,
Join us tomorrow night, December 1st, as we head over to 2nd Harvest Food Bank to lend a hand again. Attached are the two release forms for you to complete and bring with you. We’ll meet at 5:15pm tomorrow (new time) and leave by 5:30pm sharp in order to get there in time. Make sure to wear long pants, a shirt with sleaves, and closed toe shoes. Also, bring some $’s for NY Pizza by the Slice after. Please let me know if you will be joining us by a phone call or text at 408-309-9975. See ya tomorrow
Peace, Tom
2nd Harvest Volunteer Agreement (98.6 KiB) 2nd Harvest Youth Permission Slip (45.0 KiB)

Hey Everyone,

Sorry for my tardiness on this post >.<

TONIGHT we will be attending the thanksgiving service which starts at seven (praise)
Afterwards we will be nomming on some delicious pie(bring some if you can!) in the fireside room (pie)
THEN, we will be attending the 9:30 showing of HARRY POTTER 7 Part 1.

As always, freshman are welcome ^__^

This sat we will be talking about thanks with our famous youth leader, Thomas Hoegel.

See y’all there! (that was for jeff)

Love,
Jackie

Hi Friends,
I’ve got a couple of updates for you:

Wednesday, November 17th
We’ll gather at 5:30pm to whip up a “breakfast for dinner” feast in the Bethel kitchen. Bring $5 to help cover the cost of tasty morsels including potatoes, pancakes and eggs. Then join us at 7:15 for a discussion on a great movement called “TWLOHA”. If you know of any teens that are struggling with hurting themselves and/or suicide, this is a talk you don’t want to miss.

Sunday, November 21st
All 10th – 12th graders will be joining Robyn and our Jr High peeps for Sunday School in the Youth Room. Come at 9:15am for snacks and then 9:30am – 10:15am for a discussion. It is always a treat to learn from Robyn so don’t miss out!

Peace, Tom