Prayer EYC!

St John's EYC!

THIS Sunday (Feb 10th) at EYC, we’ll discuss the question: “Does God always answer prayers?” St John’s EYC (for 6th-12th graders) meets most Sunday afternoons from 4:30-6 p.m. at Discovery House. Come for a night of fun, dinner and games--invite your friends!

Our first group of pics are from Sunday's Super Bowl EYC, including the games and shenanigans!

Unfortunately, we have had to postpone our planned Kids Against Hunger packing event to a later date (TBA). Sorry to everyone who was planning to participate!

Are you (still) ready for some football? On Sunday, February 24th St John's is having a Run the Race Movie Night at a local movie theater! Run the Race is a new faith-based football movie produced by Tim Tebow. Check out this interview with the cast and crew:

The theaters and times haven't been announced yet, but we will try to get the closest showtime to 4 p.m. We will need adult drivers to caravan to and from the theater. This event is open to friends, and the cost should be around $30 with ticket and food.

New Beginnings Middle School Retreat (March 1st-3rd at Dayspring Camp) is going to be epic—with games, small groups, songs, and fun! The deadline to register is Monday, February 18^th, and you can find out more about the weekend here. We hope to have a great group from St John’s participating! 

THIS Sunday (Feb 10th) is also our first Youth Confirmation Class, from 10:30-11:45 a.m. in Discovery House! If you are 7th grade or older, and have not been confirmed, we would love for you to join us!

Quote of the Week: "You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right." --Rosa Parks

Our final group of photos include our group shot, and our fun footbal-themed dinner! Remember that God loves you,and so do I :)!

EYC Halloween Party!

Welcome back to the St John's EYC Blog!

THIS Sunday (October 28th), we will have a special Halloween-themed EYC from 4:30-6 p.m. in Discovery House (918 Orleans)! Please dress up in a church-appropriate outfit (nothing too gory or provocative), and there may be a costume contest as well! We will still have dinner—join us for games, candy, and fun!

On Sunday, November 4^th (next week!), we're going Paintballing--at Blitzkrieg Paintball (website here)! Our Paintball Day will be from 1:30-5:30 p.m., and the cost is $30 per person. Invite your friends! 

Parents, we will need some volunteer drivers for this event--and you can Paintball with us for free!

Thanks to everyone who volunteered at Sunday's Pumpkin Painting Party! Our first pictures include some fun with toilet paper!

Looking forward--St John’s has 2 dates reserved this year to volunteer with Metro Ministries Holiday Tents! Our first date is Saturday, November 10th from 9 a.m.-Noon (with 8 spots still available), and the second date is Saturday, November 17th from 3:30-6:15 p.m. (with 18 spots available). Last year, our spots filled up quickly! Please only sign up for one date to start with, so that we can give as many people as possible the chance to serve. Click here to sign up!  

Random Holiday: Thursday (10/25) is World Pasta Day! Learn more (and celebrate) here!

Our EYC Summer Mission Trip to Blue Ridge Mountains, NC (Taylorsville) will be June 8-15, 2019--and the cost is $600 (with scholarships available). We currently have 11 spots still open for the trip, and it will count for 35 service hours! Please contact Youth Minister Ayana Grady (agrady@stjohnstampa.org) to sign up—a $100 deposit will secure your spot! 

Quote of the Week: "There are three things I've learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin." –Linus from It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Our final pics show some Pumpkin creativity! Remember that God loves you, and so do I :)!

Back to EYC!

Welcome back to the St John's EYC Blog!

THIS Sunday (9/16), we have EYC from 4:30-6 p.m. in Discovery House! Our theme this semester is Dirty Faith--and this week's topic is Aliens. How does our faith make us different? Come on Sunday for games, food, and fun--invite your friends!

New Beginnings Middle School Retreat (October 5^th-7^th at Dayspring) is going to be epic—with games, small groups, songs, and fun! The deadline to register is THIS Monday (September 17^th), and you can find out more here. We hope to have a great group from St John’s participating! 

St John’s Fall Family Bingo Night is coming up on Friday, September 21^st, from 6-8 p.m. in the Parish Hall! We’ll have pizza and the game materials—come join us for a fun night of fellowship with friends! 

Our pictures this week are from last weekend's Rock the Universe trip! We start with some fun early moments:

Random Holiday: Today (9/12) is Video Games Day! Celebrate as needed :).

Registrations for Happening High School Retreat (Friday, November 2nd-Sunday, November 4th at Dayspring Conference Center) are due by October 19th! Happening is a meaningful renewal weekend for 9^th-12^th graders—focused on helping them experience God’s love, learn about faith in a dynamic way. You can get more info (or register) here!

The second group of pics show our full group at Islands, and other funny moments on attractions!

Quote of the Week: “It’s not about the sadness of 9/11, it’s about the goodness that came out of it.” –Beverley Bass (9/11 Pilot), talking about the Broadway show Come From Away

Our final photos are mainly from Saturday/Sunday, including a worship service inside of Universal Studios! Remember that God loves you, and so do I :)!

April Showers!

Happy last week of April!

NO EYC this Sunday (April 29th), but our final EYC of the year will be NEXT Sunday (May 6th) from 4:30-6 p.m. in Discovery House!

This week's pics are from Sunday's EYC Bowling Night! First up, a few bowling collages and dinner!

Are you in town June 18-22? We still need Youth (and adult) volunteers for St John's Vacation Bible School! The theme is Shipwrecked, and with your help we can make this an awesome event for kids up to 4th grade. You can contact me with any questions, and sign up here!

Random Holiday: Today (4/23) is Talk Like Shakespeare Day! Click here to celebrate!

Confirmation Sunday is May 6th at the 9:15 service! 

Do you have any Summer Event ideas? Movies, Game Night, Rays Game, etc. Let us know by e-mailing Ayana!

Senior Sunday is coming up on Sunday, May 13th at the 9:15 service! If you are a 12th grade parent, please come to the church office to pick up your child's "Mortarboard" to decorate! Mortarboards are due by Sunday, May 6th.

Quote of the Week: "That is one good thing about this world--there are always sure to be more Springs." --L.M. Montgomery

The final group of Bowling pics show some fun moments, and our group! Remember that God loves you, and so do I :)!

EYC Bowling Night!

THIS Sunday (April 22nd) is our EYC Bowling Night, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Pinarama (5008 S Dale Mabry)! We are meeting there, so bring $15 per person with you for Bowling and Dinner. Invite your friends!

Thanks to everyone who participated (or helped with) Sunday night's Youth Mission Dinner! It was a lot of fun, and we definitely feel the support of the St John's congregation :). Here are the first set of pics, including some of the Decorations and Setup!

Are you in town June 18-22? We need Youth (and adult) volunteers for St John's Vacation Bible School! The theme is Shipwrecked, and with your help we can make this an awesome event for kids up to 4th grade. You can contact me with any questions, and sign up here!

Random Holiday: Thursday (4/19)is High Five Day!

Our second group of photos include our Mission Trip parents, and one of our special guests!

General Date Reminders:

• Mission Trip Lock-In Friday, May 4th  
• Confirmation Sunday Sunday, May 6th
• Senior Sunday Sunday, May 13th 

Quote of the Week: "Bloom where you are planted." Paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 7:20

The final pics include a Mission Trip group shot, along with some Photo Booth fun! Remember that God loves you, and so do I :).

Happy Holy Week!

Happy Holy Week!

Thanks to everyone who participated in Sunday's Messy Games Night--it was a lot of crazy fun! Here's a short preview video (lots of pics below!):




This Sunday (4/1) is our annual St John's Easter Egg Hunt (after the 9:15 Family service)--and we could use help hiding eggs! Please let me know if you can volunteer--I will sign for service hours!

Are you ready to get Shipwrecked? Come volunteer at St John's Vacation Bible School on June 18-22! We need your help to make this an awesome event for kids up to 4th grade. You can contact me with any questions, and sign up here!

Our first group of Messy Games pics has a Flour and Eggs theme!

Our next EYC will be Sunday, April 8th from 4:30-6 p.m. in Discovery House! Mark your calendars!

Random Holiday: Today (3/27) is Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day! Like Here's a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)! Here's a few more here.

St John's EYC is going Bowling at Pinarama (website) on Sunday, April 22nd from 4:30-6:30 p.m.! The cost will be $15 per person (including dinner and bowling)--invite your friends! We will need parent drivers to help drive there and back.

Our second set of Messy Games photos are all about Spaghetti!

Quote of the Week: “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.” --Pope John Paul II

The last pictures include fun in Discovery House! Remember that God loves you, and so do I :)!