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Past Events — 2004

New Year's Eve Youth Lock-In

All youth in the 7^th through 12^th grades brought in the New Year at our lock-in which began at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 31^st and ended at 8:00 a.m. next morning. There were games, activities and lots of fun all through the night.

Christmas Caroling & Cocoa

On December 17^th, the youth met at the church at 6:30 p.m. and went caroling in the neighborhood north of the church. Afterwards, they enjoyed cocoa, games and activities, and exchanged "white elephant" gifts (something from around the house or purchased for less than $5).

Reflect Video Game Night

December 18 was the date of the Reflect (senior high males) video game night at the Monroe's house. Youth arrived by 4:30 p.m. There was a Bible study followed by a night of video games, pool, darts and foosball -- and of course, food.

Christmas Service

Northtown held a special Christmas service on Wednesday, December 22^th at 7:00 p.m. Communion was offered at 6:30-7:00 for those who wanted to quietly commune with our God and one another. The Gospel account of Jesus' birth was read and the congregation sang songs that emphasized the way in which God came to earth.

Christmas Fellowship

December 12^th was the date of the annual Christmas Fellowship. As usual, Northtowners met at members' homes at 5:00 p.m. for hors d'oeuvres, and then met at the church building at 7:00 p.m. for dessert, coffee, singing, prayer and talent show featuring Northtowners.

Women of Excellence Make-Over Party

On the afternoon of the Christmas Fellowship, Women of Excellence (senior high girls) met at the church's house for pizza, and then got manicures and make-up done by women of the congregation.

A Special Thanksgiving for the Soldiers

On November 14^th, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, Northtowners contributed items to be packaged up and sent to Northtowners (and former Northtowners) serving with the military in Iraq. In addition to hard-to-find staples, letters were sent to Brian Hakes, Jeff Falley and Bob Epperly.

Power of One

On November 13^th the youth went to Green Bay for an all-day (and into the evening) Christian rock concert with 7,000 other kids. Power of One featured eight top Christian bands.

Junior High Retreat — Elevate!

A dozen junior high school kids went on a retreat to Camp Tamarack in Elm Grove, November 5^th and 6^th. Keith Brumley, Damian Reed, and Theresa Thomas went along as sponsors. The theme of "Basic Training" in the Bible (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) was reinforced with games, activities, and devotionals. Much fun was had by all. At the end of the retreat, all were challenged to take on the identity of Christ more fully in their lives and given a Christian "dog tag" as a symbol of this decision.

Discovery Class: New and Potential Members

Northtown's second Discovery Class was held Saturday, October 23^rd, 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. This class was designed for new members and those interested in placing membership at Northtown. Lunch and childcare were provided.

Paint Ball With the Youth Group

The Youth Group, and some adults too, went on October 16^th for an all day outing at Paint Ball Blitz in Gurnee, Illinois. The Northtown team got rather rough treatment from a much more experienced team from another church, but it was a great time, nonetheless.

Fall Men's Retreat

On October 1^st and 2^nd, about 30 men from Northtown gathered at Timber-lee Christian Retreat Center. On Friday evening, the men enjoyed a time of worship, were challenged to be "real men" for God by Robert Wells, and then enjoyed a time of fellowship with food, games, and great conversation. On Saturday, there was prayer and worship, a great message from Michael Brown, and several activities to help Northtown men get to know one another better.

Youth Group and Youth Parents Event

Parents and youth met on Friday evening, September 24^th for a meeting that discussed the plans for C.R.O.S.S. for the coming year. After the meeting, parents and kids teamed up for a scavenger hunt.

Kids R' His Outing

A new ministry for kids in the 4^th through the 6^th grades began this month, and the first event was on September 18^th: a trip to Apple Holler for the Harvest Festival, including apple and pumpkin picking, a hay ride, pony rides, a treck through a corn maze and more. The group left the church building at 10 a.m.

Annual Corn and Brat Roast Picnic

The annual Corn & Brat Roast Picnic was Sunday, September 12^th, with food served right after church. As the name implied, it featured that sausage that is a Wisconsin delicacy, and about the best sweet corn that anybody has tasted, as well as a delicious collection of side dishes supplied by Northtowners.

Women of Excellence Shopping Trip

It was time for back-to-school shopping, and a small group of WOE girls and their moms went to Gurnee Mills Shopping Mall on Saturday, September 11^th.

Reflect Outing

September 11^th was also the date for the Reflect outing at the Wewel's. Members arrived at 4:00 p.m. and stayed until about 9:00 p.m., fishing, throwing the frisbee and playing bocce ball. They grilled burgers, sat around a bonfire, and did a Bible study.

Brewers' Game

On September 5^th, Northtowners left right after church to enjoy a Milwaukee Brewers game -- with free tickets! About three dozen of the congregation went to Miller Park to watch the game from good seats on the third base line. Unlike the previous baseball outing, the Brewers got the worst of it at the hands of the Cincinnati Reds, losing 9-2.

All Church of Christ Picnic

The Southeastern Wisconsin All Church of Christ Picnic was on Saturday, August 14^th, at Estabrook Park. A follow-up of a very successful event last year, this is event was sponsored by seven churches in southeastern Wisconsin. In addition to great food, Christians played volley ball, children broke a piņata, and everybody enjoyed the opportunity to socialize.

Great American Trip

Now an annual event, Northtowners went to the Great America amusement park on Friday, August 27^th. About 20 members of the congregation went to enjoy some wild rides and some good fellowship.

Free Indeed Weekend

Christian singing group Free Indeed, a favorite of Northtowners, were back on the weekend of August 6-8. The events included:

• Friday, 7:00 p.m. -- Free Indeed Concert.
• Saturday, 8:30-4:00 -- Free Indeed workshop with members of the Northtown Praise Team.
• Saturday, starting at 3:00 p.m. -- Church Picnic at Brown Deer Park, Area 5, 7835 N. Green Bay Road. Northtowners brought drinks and a dish to share, and the organizers supplied fried chicken. Among the activities, the most enjoyable came when some Northtowners had an opportunity to harmonize with Free Indeed.
• Sunday, 9:00-9:45 a.m. -- Worship Time geared for the children.
• Sunday, 10:00-11:30 a.m. -- Worship Assembly led by Free Indeed.

Northtown Camping -- 2004

July 23^rd-25^th 2004, Mirror Lake State Park, Wisconsin Dells. About 50 Northtowners and guests (especially former Northtowners who have moved to other parts of Wisconsin) enjoyed a weekend that included canoeing, horseback riding, nature hikes, softball, and some sneaking away to ride go carts and visit a local flea market. Campers had a sing-along each night, and a service around the campfire pit on Sunday morning.

Reflect Great America Trip

July 20, the Reflect group -- twelve young men, who varied from experienced roller coaster riders to those who have never been to Great America before -- went to Great America. It was a fun trip and lines were not too long.

Mission Trip

During the week of July 10-17, ten members of the Youth Group (along with three adults) went on a mission trip to Cookeville, Tennessee. They worked under the auspices of Group Workcamps with other Christian youth repairing homes for the elderly, single moms and others who needed help. Over 500 youth from all over the country were there.

Vacation Bible School 2004 -- Fiesta!

During the week of June 20-24, 2004, the annual Vacation Bible School had an Hispanic theme. Meeting in the evening from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., it was for children aged 2 years through 6^th grade. But in fact, Northtowners and guests of all ages came and enjoyed the festivities. Attendance was over 200 each night, with about half being kids, and the other half teenage helpers and adults.

Reveal

It was an event for Senior High School students -- Reveal: Upward Journey, 2004 at Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp at Fall Hall Glenn. Northtown teens were there from Friday, April 30 until Sunday, May 2. The events and Bible studies climaxed with the baptism of one member of the group.

ECFA Bike & Hike

The Northtown Life Recycling Team had its first ride of the year on Saturday, May 15^th, from 9:00 a.m. to noon to benefit the Evangelical Child and Family Agency. Lisa Bane organized the event.

Saturday Morning Creativity

On May 1^st from 9 a.m. until noon, 16 women shared a Saturday morning being creative and joined Michelle Haffner and Lynn Marquardt in a lesson on how to make jewelry. The women made unique bracelets and earrings, and raised about $170 to support the Youth Group's summer evangelistic trip.

Easter Pancake Breakfast

There were no Bible classes on Sunday, April 11^th. Instead, Northtowners fellowshipped at the annual Pancake and Sausage Breakfast from 8 until 9:15 a.m.

Reflect Video Game Night

April 2^nd the Reflect Group (teenage males under the leadership of young adult males) met at the Spenners' house in Racine for a night of video games. There were (count them) four large screen monitors and game boxes! The group grilled burgers and other food before getting down to the electronic competition.

Southside Youth Rally

Youth from Northtown joined Christian youth from the entire Milwaukee area at the Southside Church of Christ for a program of song, praise, and fellowship on Friday evening, March 26, and Saturday, March 27.

Family Movie Night

On the evening of March 26, at 7:30 p.m., there was a showing of "Secondhand Lions" (starring Robert Duvall, Michael Caine, and Haley Joel Osment) at the church building. The admission: a two liter bottle of soda and a big bag of snacks per family.

Rent-a-Kid

Leaves raked, yard work, house painted, room painted, baby sitting, garage cleaned out? Northtowners needing some help came on Sunday, March 28^th, right after church, to an auction where youth were sold to the highest bidder to do six hours of work, which must be used before January 1, 2005. The event raised over $2,000 to help fund a mission trip to Cookville, Tennessee, this summer (July 11-17).

Ladies Day at Brentwood Church

The theme for the second United Ladies Day program on April 3, 2004 at Brentwood Church of Christ was "Walking Together Toward Spiritual Fitness" from 1 John 1:7 and 1 Corinthians 9:27. There were three speakers. Lynn Marquardt was one of them and spoke on "Building Self-Worth, Creating a Mind That is in the Image of God," from 2 Corinthians 3:18. The day started with a continential breakfast at 8:30 a.m. with the program starting at 9:00 a.m.

Women of Excellence Mother-Daughter Skating Event

There was a Mother & Daughter skating event on Friday, April 2, 2004 for all teenage girls in the 9^th grade and up. Teens and their mothers attended the Women of Excellence meeting to talk about building better relationships. There were two speakers, pizza and then skating at Waukesha Skateland.

Youth Mystery Dinner

February 14^th -- Diners picked three items from a foreign language menu -- not in a foreign language (like Spanish) that they might actually know -- and saw what they got. A lot of people ended up with spaghetti -- which was dandy! The event was a fund raiser for the Youth Group to help raise money for their summer missions trip.

Ladies' Retreat

The theme was "Transforming Lives Through Jesus Christ and Reaching the World" at the Northtown Ladies Retreat held February 20-21, 2004. Sessions/activities included taking care of aged parents, parenting, blended families, and marital relationship issues.

Reflect Group Hockey Outing

The Reflect Group went to the Milwaukee Admirals game and Sonic Flood Concert on February 22^nd, after a pizza lunch in the church basement.

Roller Skating Outing

On the evening of Friday, February 27^th over 30 Northtowners went to Ozaukee Skateland in Cedarburg to enjoy an evening on skates -- or maybe just an evening of socializing.

Soul Concern

Soul Concern is a drama/improvisational group from York College that has a Christian message. They performed at Northtown on March 6^th, with a series of skits full of humor, a bit of satire, and a fair amount of very physical slapstick.

All Church Bowling Outing

Northtowners went bowling on Sunday, January 25^th at Echo Bowl in Glendale. About 40 people showed up. There was bumper bowling for the kids, and also for some adults (whose names we will not disclose).

Mens' Retreat

Northtown men and guests met at Camp Tamarack in Waupaca, Wisconsin on January 16-17, 2004 and shared a great time of spiritual bonding. The Camp turned out to be a bit more "rustic" than expected when it was discovered that the plumbing wasn't working! But that didn't dampen the experience, which ended with a game of touch football in six inches of new fallen snow.

Youth Lock-In

Youth met at Northtown at 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 23^rd and stayed until 8:00 a.m. Saturday, January 24^th. Jason Cirrincione, with the help of several members of the Youth Ministry, led the youth in a series of games and activities, with a game representing each decade from the 1930s to the present. Plans to swim at the YMCA had to be scrubbed because of a heavy snowfall, but the snow didn't dampen the spirits of those inside!

Fiesta!

January 11^th, Northtowners -- at least all those brave enough to try speaking a little Spanish, gathered for a potluck of dishes from Spanish speaking countries, organized by Lisa Bane and Jeannie Matos. How much Spanish was necessary? In some cases, "no hablo espaņol" had to suffice!