Class of 2009!

Our prayer for the class of 2009

By Michael Howland, Youth Pastor
I am very proud of the class of 2009 and their impact on both
our youth group and the overall ministry at FFC. As they spread
their wings and learn to fly on their own, I’d encourage you as a
church body to diligently pray for them. It is my goal to connect
those students going away with an on campus ministry that will
encourage their spiritual growth in the years to come. Perhaps
God may call one of our teens to create such a ministry if no
such ministry has been formed on their campus. To you, the
grads: the time has come for you to put into practice all that you
have seen and heard, all that you have learned and received, and
if you do that, the Bible promises that the God of peace will be
with you. (Phil. 4:9) I pray that you live out 1 Timothy 4:12—not
letting anyone look down on you because you are young, but
setting an example for believers in your speech, in the way you
love, in your life, in your faith and in your purity. Know that our
prayers for you will continue. The words of Philippians 1:3–7
express my heart for you the best: “I thank my God every time
I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray
with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the
first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began
a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day
of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of
you, since I have you in my heart…” We love you and trust that
the Lord has big plans for each of your lives.

First Federated Church S1 Sunday, June 7, 2009 | Class of 2009

Holly Aunan
Future Plans
Attend Baylor University
Favorite HS Memory Maddie Eriksen
Mexico :) ‘el pollo’ Future Plans
Will be attending UNI in the fall and will
possibly be pursuing a degree in Family
Services
Favorite HS Memory
Going to Mexico with my dad.

Jordan Berger
Future Plans
I will be attending Judson University for
intercultural studies, education, and youth
ministry.
Favorite HS Memory
Some of my favorite memories include Brandon Gable
going to Monterrey, Mexico and Kingston, Future Plans
Ontario. Pretty much any trip that we go DMACC, Navy
on together as a youth group is a complete
blast and it’s such a good chance to grow Favorite HS Memory
spiritually. Oh, and at the senior ski trip I’ll Senior ski trip and Mexico
never forget when I gave Brandon such a
hard time for waddling inside complaining
of a sore shoulder and as it turned out, he
had a broken collar bone! Oops!

Ryan Birmingham
Future Plans
I will be attending Judson University
where I will be majoring in English with
a writing concentration and I plan on Timothy Ginder
becoming a fiction author in the future. Future Plans
I am thinking about working for a year or
Favorite HS Memory taking a couple of courses at DMACC
On the way back from any youth group
trip...the conversation always turns to
God and we all dig through Bibles to find
answers...way cool.

Alex Higgins
Future Plans
Cariann Claiborne I will work for Matt Lukacs at Automotive
Future Plans Engineering over the summer then go to
Attending Anderson University in DMACC.
Anderson, IN to study Music. Favorite HS Memory
Favorite HS Memory The Canada missions trip; it was awesome
Turkey Trek or the retreats... and definitely how everyone worked together and
the senior trip – That was EPIC! encouraged one another. I learned a lot
about myself and about the spiritual gift
of serving.

Anthony DeLisle Taylor Holt

Future Plans
Future Plans
Going to Judson University, majoring in
DMACC
their Worship Arts program
Favorite HS Memory
Favorite HS Memory
Central Campus
Mexico

First Federated Church S2 Sunday, June 7, 2009 | Class of 2009

 Michael Quernemoen
Future Plans
Leaving for Army Boot Camp on July 6.
Hannah Janes Once finished with Boot Camp in Fort
Jackson, South Carolina, he will be headed
Future Plans
to A School in Fort Eustis, Virginia where
Going to DMACC for 2 years, then Iowa
he will be learning to repair helicopters
State, majoring in Architecture
and learn to fly. Then he will join the ranks
Favorite HS Memory at ISU campus to continue his studies in
Mexico Aeronautical Engineering.
Favorite HS Memory
When I was able to work on F-16’s through
my aviation class in high school.

Amy Sander
Future Plans
Muriel Konne DMACC, then ISU
Favorite HS Memory:
Mexico mission trip

Tyler Smith
Future Plans
I will be going to Southwestern
Community College in Creston, IA to
Martina Korpue play basketball and plan on going into
construction management.
Favorite HS Memory
Going to the state basketball tournament
and getting third place with my high
school team.

Jenna Janel White

Future Plans
Elena Malycheva I will be attending Northwestern College
in Orange City double majoring in
Spanish and Christian education in hopes
of becoming a missionary
Favorite HS Memory
in high school - Prom 2008; in youth
group - Mexico 2006

Emily Young
Future Plans
She will be attending Iowa State
Natalie O’Shea University in the fall.
Favorite HS Memory
Going out to QT with my friends everyday
for lunch; when it was a blizzard outside
and getting icees. LOL

First Federated Church S3 Sunday, June 7, 2009 | Class of 2009

Thoughts and Challenges from Our Seniors
Brought out during our HS Senior led youth night
 Worship was offered, focused on
the theme of surrender and being
hungry for more of Jesus.
 Don’t just sit here; there is someone
you need to reach out to.
 Don’t let yourself get to a place of
complacency!
o 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the
grace and knowledge of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ. To him
be glory both now and forever!
Amen
 Strive to become a stronger
Christian.
o Stay in the Word and prayer.
o Find opportunities to testify what
God has done in your life!
 Go beyond surface level Christianity.
 Stop and consider the wondrous
works of God, which will help keep
us from worry.
o Job 37:14 Listen to this, Job; stop
and consider God’s wonders.
 Rely on God as the #1 in your life –
when humans fail you, God will be
faithfully there for you.
 We have a diverse youth group
and that has really been a unique
blessing.
 Life isn’t always easy, sometimes it is
very hard and we need to trust God
 Are you satisfied with it being just
you and the Lord? Would you be
content if it seemed like the Lord was
all you had?
 Be mindful of the things that
influence you .
o Surround yourself intentionally
with those who love the Lord so
that you can grow in Christ.
 Look around in nature and see the
hand of God at work in creation.
 Be open to God’s leading in your life.
First Federated Church
 Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever
is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable—if anything is excellent
or praiseworthy—think about such
things.
 Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since
we are surrounded by such a great
cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the
sin that so easily entangles, and let
us run with perseverance the race
marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes
on Jesus, the author and perfecter of
our faith, who for the joy set before
him endured the cross, scorning its
shame, and sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God. Consider
him who endured such opposition
from sinful men, so that you will not
grow weary and lose heart.
 Romans 12:2 Do not conform any
longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing
of your mind. Then you will be able
to test and approve what God’s will
is—his good, pleasing and perfect
will.
 Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified
with Christ and I no longer live, but
Christ lives in me. The life I live in the
body, I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for
me.
 Col. 3:1-2 Since, then, you have been
raised with Christ, set your hearts
on things above, where Christ is
seated at the right hand of God. 2Set
your minds on things above, not on
earthly things.
 Guard yourself against hypocrisy!
Don’t let yourself just go through the
motions.
 Find friends that will hold you
accountable and care about your
spiritual walk with Christ.
 Treasure your time in high school. It
passes quickly and stay focused on
God along the way.
S4 Sunday, June 7, 2009 | Class of 2009
Prayer
By Ryan Birmingham
God. My father, my protector, my
savior, my life...
We want to ask for your help. We’re
leaving soon. Going off to live lives
that you’ve planned for us. Lives that
will hopefully will be powerful and
effective, strong and worthy of your
guidance. Plans are made and we
ask that you keep us in mind while
we struggle to become the men and
women we know that you want us to
be. Life will throw us curve balls and
pressures, but as long as you help us
stay true to your word and your light
we know that it will be okay...remind
us of that every once in a while too,
we tend to forget the Creator of life
when things seem to go too well or too
wrong.
And as for those that we’re leaving
behind, we ask that you lift them high,
Lord. Give them the passion and the
fire for you that we all know they have
the potential for. The followers of God
that you so gracefully led us towards
in this youth group are amazing
individuals that require your nurturing
and all- compassionate love. We pray
this to you, God, as we leave them in
your hands. Friendships have grown
while You watch with smiles. We see
you looking in on our lives here and
laughing at the times we’ve shared
together. But we can’t stay in this
place forever, God, and you know that
the time has come for us to move on.
We leave the lives of these people with
You. May Your watchful presence
help them when they’re stuck, fix
them when they’re broken, and hug
them when we can’t. God, you fill us
with your glory every time we open
our eyes and we pray that you remain
in the lives of every single individual
in this room. We love you and are
hopeful for the futures you’ve laid
before all of us. Thank you for your
love and your grace. Without it we
would be lost.
All this we pray in your amazing
name...Amen.