Haven Hub: 9/29-10/5 (2024)
Welcome to the Haven Hub!
A weekly update from Haven Student Ministry!
We are thrilled to share with you the latest developments in our mission to make a positive impact in our students’ lives and help them grow in their walk with Jesus.
In this newsletter you can expect to find:
Haven Prayer Groups App
Details for upcoming events
A glimpse into what we’re teaching your students every week
Encouraging quotes from volunteers, students, and other parents
Ministry update to keep you in the loop on what the Lord is doing in Haven
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Introducing the Echo Prayer App for Haven Student Ministry
We are excited to announce that Haven Student Ministry is now utilizing the Echo Prayer app to deepen our prayer life together as a community! This app will be a powerful tool to connect students, families, and our congregation in prayer.
Here’s how the app will be used:
For Small Groups: Each student small group will use the Echo Prayer app to share prayer requests, stay connected, and pray for one another throughout the week.
For Parents: Parents are invited to join the prayer journey by using the app to pray for their teens and stay updated with weekly prayer prompts.
For the Congregation: Every week, there will be general prayer prompts available to everyone, so the entire congregation can join in praying for our students.
Special Prayer Group: We’ve created a special prayer group in the app for anyone who wishes to lift up specific requests for students and their families. This group is open to all who feel called to support our youth in prayer.
How to Get Started:
Download the Echo Prayer app from your app store.
Search for and follow Haven Student Ministry to stay connected with weekly prayer prompts.
For those interested in joining the special prayer group, click the link to fill out the online form to receive an invitation.
We believe this is a wonderful way for our community to come together in support of our youth through the power of prayer. Let’s partner in lifting up the next generation!
For more information or assistance with the app, please reach out to Matt (matt@ocpc.org) or Lauren (lauren@ocpc.org).
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Sunday School: Sept. 29nd (9am-10am)
Wednesday Night: Sept. 25th (6:30pm-8:15pm)
Registration Deadline for Made For More Women's Conference: September 27th (or until the 10 reserved rooms are full) Moms, there are still 4 room available for you to bring your daughters to the conference! The PCA is putting on its first ever Women's Conference (ages 3rd grade and up) in Naples, November 8-9. OCPC has reserved some rooms so mothers and daughters can attend together! If you would like for your daughter to attend, and you can't make it, then she can go with our Assistant Director, Lauren Padron. Financial assistance is also available, if needed. If this is something you are interested in, please contact Lauren at lauren@ocpc.org. For more information on the conference, please click HERE.
Covenant College Sneak Peak Weekend: November 7-9.The PCA's denominational school is offering a weekend experience where juniors and seniors can get a feel for the school's campus, classes, and more! Matt will be going with any Haven students who go. For more information click HERE.
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Our Sunday School and Youth Group lessons for this week are based off of Ezra 7-8.
Verse of the Week: "For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel." -Ezra 7:10
Here are a few questions you can ask your kids to help engage with them throughout the week:
How does observing God's continual restoration of His people through His power in the book of Ezra challenge or inspire you personally?
Do you believe that God can direct the hearts and minds of rulers and authorities today?
How should the belief that God can influence leaders change the way we approach our submission to authorities in our daily lives?
What might it look like for us to seek God together as a family? (Encourage them to name specific things that can be implemented in your family's routine.)
Main Takeaway: God’s rule is over all other rulers and authorities. His heart is for the restoration of His people. And His hand is with all who seek Him.
Song Recommendation: When Christians declare that Jesus is the king, this is not a declaration for us only, but a declaration for the world. Jesus is not only king over us, but He is the King of Kings. History has been directed under His lordship, and He has established His throne over all creation. A beautiful reminder of this truth can be heard in the worship song, “King of Kings.”
“I played Matt’s message in the car on the way to school...it changed the atmosphere (complaining) in the car!”
Ministry Update:
Hi Parents, it’s Lauren (Assistant Director) here, and I wanted to update you all on what is happening in our small groups and how the Lord is working in and through them!
As you know, we place great importance on small groups because we believe it is the place where our students can really open up, form relationships with each other and their small group leader, and dig more deeply into how the lesson applies to their life. I wanted to tell you about how last night in my small group I was privileged to see the fruit of our effort to build community amongst the kids. One of the girls in my group was going through something hard and it was amazing to see how quickly the other girls jumped into action—giving her biblical advice, working together to help her find a solution to what she was experiencing, and even hugging her and drying her tears when things got a little emotional. Our small group created the context through which this student felt comfortable enough to open up and share what she had been going through. Praise God for Christian community!
After Haven ended our leaders gathered together to share how their night went, and I heard of another moment in someone else’s small group where some really tough questions like “why is God God?” were asked and answered. We are so thankful that the Lord has given us the space, time, and volunteers to be able to do small groups so that conversations like the ones I’ve mentioned can be had. We are also very appreciative of you all as parents, for bringing your kids to Haven and waiting an extra 15 minutes after your classes end so that your students can be in small group!
As always, thank you for your prayers and support!
Your friends,
Matt and Lauren
