So Many Choices!

July 2007 Newsletter

Hi All,

Choices. So many choices. How do we know what to choose? If I choose this one I may find out that I wanted the other one. If I decide to go one place and have a miserable time did I make the wrong decision? How will I know if I made the right choice? Maybe I should just ignore it and hope that it goes away. Wait, if I do that I made a choice, a choice to not make a choice. There are just too many choices.

When I was in high school I had to make choices on what activities I wanted to be a part of. My doctor already made some choices for me. He told me that if I continued to play contact sports or throw a ball too much that I could eventually lose the use of my arms. That took out baseball and football. I did not wrestle. I did continue to play basketball, sort of. I was not very good so I spent a lot of time on the bench which was ok considering my motive for playing was to be in good shape at the beginning of the track season. In the long run this was a good choice because my freshman year I broke a 25 year old record for the 400 meter hurdles and I would go on to break my own record several times over the next 4 years. Just out of curiosity I checked my high schools website to see if the records were on there and they are! The record is no longer mine. The last time it was broken was in 2000. I knew it was going to happen and I am glad that it did. Records are made to be broken. I always looked at records as a benchmark to strive for and every time that a record is broken someone has the desire to break it.

In 8th grade I made the choice to go through confirmation, at least that is how I remember it. Maybe it was my parents helping me to get the "desire" to do it. Regardless of how I ended up there I ultimately made a choice to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Choices later in life would draw me away, not completely, but far enough that God was not the focal point of my life. I finally figured out that my choices (not all of them) were not living up to the benchmark that God had set for my life. Those choices had taken away the desire. Then one Friday night in September 2003 God got through and I once again desired to choose God. I finally knew where the benchmark was or so I thought. I prayed and with God's help set some goals. As soon as those goals were broken I found that God would raise the bar and I had a new benchmark to reach. That is how my walk with Him has been going. I like it because I now realize that He really does only give us what we can handle. Now most of my choices are good ones. I slip up just like everyone else does. The difference is that I really try to learn from those slip-ups and that helps me grow even more as a Christian. God has also shown me just how big He really is by using my choices, good and bad, in a variety of ways. Who knew that my experience in restaurants and with computers would come in so handy working in youth ministry? God did. He has had it under control the whole time, even when I felt like life was spinning out of control.

1To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. 2All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. 3Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. 4The LORD works out everything for his own ends—even the wicked for a day of disaster. 5The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. 6Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil. 7When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. 8Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. 9In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. (Proverbs 16:1-9 NIV)

What ever you choose, choose it with love and give it to God because He is going to make it work out in the end. Verse 9 says that we can make the plans but God guides our steps. If you desire to do what God wants and choose wisely you will break your own records and have a new benchmark to shoot for.

Because of Him ~ Terry

June Youth Ministy Parents Meeting

The most recent Youth Ministry Parents Meeting was on June 18th. The minutes for that meeting have been mailed out to the parents. They are also available online, just click Parents Meeting Minutes. They are also available on the Hus Church website, just click on the Parents Meeting Minutes link under Youth & Family Life Ministries.

Our next meeting will be on July 23rd at the Coffee Talk Cafe. We will begin at 7 PM. The Coffee Talk Cafe is located at 37 Kirkwood Ct. SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Please email me if you have any questions about the meetings.

Because of Him ~ Terry

May Youth Ministy Parents Meeting

The most recent Youth Ministry Parents Meeting was on May 29th. The minutes for that meeting have been mailed out to the parents. They are also available online, just click Parents Meeting Minutes. They are also available on the Hus Church website, just click on the Parents Meeting Minutes link under Youth & Family Life Ministries.

Our next meeting will be on June 18th at the Coffee Talk Cafe. We will begin at 7 PM. The Coffee Talk Cafe is located at 37 Kirkwood Ct. SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Please email me if you have any questions about the meetings.

Because of Him ~ Terry

Week of Hope

June 2007 Newsletter

Hi All,
In less than a month we leave for this year's mission trip. It seems like it we just starting planning the trip. Time has really flown by. This year we are going to St. Louis, Missouri and will be participating in Group Workcamps Week of Hope. A Week of Hope is a small format camp with 99 participants (large format camps have 499 participants) that focuses of community service and outreach. The primary goal of each of the camps is the spiritual growth of the youth, not evangelism. Spiritual growth is accomplished by meaningful service to others. In Indianapolis last year we helped in churches, youth centers, food pantries, with Habitat for Humanity, and a community home. This year we will be focusing on outreach activities like Vacation Bible School and other ministries. Last year we stayed at Christ Lutheran Church. This year we are staying North County Christian School in Florissant (http://nccsedu.org/). Hopefully the showers are inside and we have hot water this year.

When we arrive on Sunday we will register and while the youth are getting settled into the sleeping area the adults get to go to a meeting. The evening program will follow dinner where we get to meet our crews for the week and get our assignments. Crews are made up of 6 to 8 youth and 1 to 2 adults. Youth groups are separated so that youth from several different youth groups serve together. This allows everyone to make new friends. After the evening program youth groups will meet for evening devotions followed by lights out.

Last year we were woken up each morning to "Wakey, wakey Group Workcampers" over a very loud sound system. Each youth group helps prepare several meals during the week as well as other hospitality tasks. Some of the other tasks are cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming and sweeping the common areas, and other tasks as needed. Each day after breakfast we will break into our crews, prepare our lunches and head to our individual assignments. The crews will break for lunch and crew devotions each day. Every night (except for Tuesday) the youth will eat dinner, do hospitality tasks, have free time, participate in the evening program and participate in youth group devotions. On Tuesday we will get a free night to do what ever we want. Last year the Quilters treated us to dinner at Ryan's and then we went bowling. This year after dinner (courtesy of the Quilters) we are going to go to the Gateway Arch or possibly to the Zoo. Which ever we do not do on Tuesday we will do on Friday before we head for home.

This year's theme is "Renovate: Jesus Makes New" which is based on Colossians 3:9b-17 (NIV):
Since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

This is a great passage about taking our old selves and renovating them to make them new in Christ. When we get back there will be a lot more to write about. Until then focus on making yourself new through Christ.

Because of Him ~ Terry

Confirmation

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Today the pieces to the confirmation puzzle are put together. What is confirmation? The American Heritage® Dictionary defines confirmation as "A Christian rite admitting a baptized person to full membership in a church1." Confirmation provides our youth the opportunity to learn more about their faith, what they believe, and their commitment as a member of the church. It does not mean that once they complete confirmation that they will never be seen again. Confirmation is not the end it is the beginning. In the Book of Order, section G.50101 we are given the meaning of membership:
The incarnation of God in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ gives to the church not only its mission but also its understanding of membership. One becomes an active member of the church through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and acceptance of his Lordship in all of life. Baptism and a public profession of faith in Jesus as Lord are the visible signs of entrance into the active membership of the church.

People view "membership" in different ways. Pastor Jim Bonewald at Knox Presbyterian Church wrote an interesting article about "membership." In the article he admits that the views he expresses may be over-generalized. Even if the definitions are over-generalized it is important for us to realize that different people have different views. He breaks down the views into three categories2:

• "For those who are retirement age and beyond membership in the church clearly implies commitment and responsibility. Contributing to the life of the church is important because, in a sense, it’s what one is supposed to do as a good and responsible member of society.
• For those who are baby boomers membership in the church is strictly voluntary. Similar to joining a health club, one joins a church because of the benefits it provides. Volunteering time, energy, and effort to the church is important because of what one gains by doing so.
• For those who are Gen Xers (my age) and younger the word "membership" doesn’t even enter the picture. The question one asks is, "Do I belong to this group or community?" If one has a sense of belonging to the group then they will commit themselves with what it takes to be with that group."

As I read that article I realized that each of the confirmands here today is here because they have that sense of belonging and as they present their "Statements of Faith" you will see that too. During class we talked about four primary practices for members that are ways of fulfilling the guidelines stated in the Book of Order, section G-5.0102, entitled "Membership as Ministry" which says:

A faithful member accepts Christ's call to be involved responsibly in the ministry of his Church. Such involvement includes:

• proclaiming the good news,
• taking part in the common life and worship of a particular church,
• praying and studying Scripture and the faith of the Christian Church,
• supporting the work of the church through the giving of money, time, and talents,
• participating in the governing responsibilities of the church,
• demonstrating a new quality of life within and through the church,
• responding to God's activity in the world through service to others,
• living responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, political, cultural, and social relationships of life, working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment.

The four primary practices for membership that we talked about are:
1) Worship: attendance in worship.
This would be regular attendance (over 50 percent of the services)
2) Fellowship: participation in a small group fellowship.
This can be any form of small group, such as Lunch Bunch or Bible study, but is considered primarily to mean a group of members who gather together regularly (around twice a month) for friendship, study, and prayer.
3) Growth: spiritual development in an accountability group.
This means covenanting with two to three other persons of the same gender to share with one another how things are going in their spiritual life and to share guidance in prayer for one another.
4) Service: involvement in active service to others.

This simply means being involved in something that is for the benefit of others, such as serving the homeless, teaching the Bible, arranging activities for the elderly, singing in choir, or being an intercessor in prayer.

These four primary practices are in line with the spirit of the Bible, our confessions, and the Book of Order and they are clear, simple, Biblical, and reasonable expectations. The look on their faces when we first started to discuss these practices was one of "how do we do that?" As we discussed them further they discovered that they are already doing each of them.

We spent nine months preparing for the discussion about membership. During that time the confirmands went on a "Journey To Discipleship." The first thing I told them was that they were about to start a lifelong journey of learning and that the decision to continue was theirs. As we began this journey they discovered that the church was much more than a building and that the Bible is not as boring as they thought it was. They also learned about the Reformation, Presbyterianism, worship, the Sacraments, prayer, and how we can serve Jesus Christ. They also got to see some of the history of Hus Church. We looked at the original pulpit Bible and when we discussed the Sacraments they got to see Reverend Pauk’s Army Field Communion kit from World War II. In addition to class they were required to take notes for at least two sermons a month, participate in a small group, which was Sunday school, youth group, or both, and they had to be involved in actively serving others.

To say they were overwhelmed with information would be an understatement. If I had to pick two things that I wanted these young people to remember about this year what would they be? The first thing that I want them to remember and never forget is that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior and that it is through proclaiming this that they will have eternal life with Him. The second thing is that they are now active members of this congregation. All of the things that we covered will serve to help build their foundation as Christians. We talked about how this is a lifelong journey and how Sunday worship, Sunday school, youth group, fellowshipping with other Christians, reading their Bibles along with many other things will be part continuing to build that foundation.

In today’s scripture from Colossians Paul wrote, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

The confirmands have learned that life is better with Christ. God chose each of them and all of us to be His children and all we need to do to receive the blessings that He has for us is to believe that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

In Galatians 6:14-18 Paul wrote:
14As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.

Today we celebrate the hope in the future that we are given by Adam, Karissa, and Marissa. Today they will tell us in their own words about proclaiming Christ, living life united in Christ, celebrating God’s love, living and growing in Word and Spirit, serving faithfully in Christ’s name, and submitting their resources to the reign of God. I know each of them is nervous. I also know that they will do a great job as they complete the confirmation puzzle by publicly proclaiming their faith in God.


1 The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
2 From the Pastor by Pastor Jim Bonewald, Knox News Volume 5 May, 2007, a monthly publication of Knox Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, IA.

WWJD

Youth Group 5/9/2007

WWJD, What Would Jesus Do, was a popular slogan a few years ago, but it has lost most of it's punch. What are some other sayings that you can get from WWJD?

• We want jelly donuts
• What would Jared do (from Subway)
• What would Jerry do (in reference to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones)
• What Would Jesus Drive
• What do you think Jesus would have driven?

Give everyone a "What Would Jesus Drive" handout, taken from [www.highrock.com/personal/WWJD/]

It is easy to ask, "What would Jesus do?" when we get into different situations. The question that we should ask ourselves before we get into those situations is "What would Jesus have us do?"

2 Timothy 4:1-8 (NCV)
1I give you a command in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, the One who will judge the living and the dead, and by his coming and his kingdom: 2Preach the Good News. Be ready at all times, and tell people what they need to do. Tell them when they are wrong. Encourage them with great patience and careful teaching, 3because the time will come when people will not listen to the true teaching but will find many more teachers who please them by saying the things they want to hear. 4They will stop listening to the truth and will begin to follow false stories. 5But you should control yourself at all times, accept troubles, do the work of telling the Good News, and complete all the duties of a servant of God. 6My life is being given as an offering to God, and the time has come for me to leave this life. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now, a crown is being held for me -- a crown for being right with God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly, will give the crown to me on that day -- not only to me but to all those who have waited with love for him to come again.

In Paul's second letter to Timothy he is providing his young assistant with advice. In this passage from chapter 4 Paul tells Timothy to always be ready. Sounds like the Boy Scout motto which is "Be Prepared." He encourages Timothy to be open, honest, and patient with the people because there will come a time when they will not listen. Does this sound like any of your friends? We hear about people trashing Christians all the time. They do it in songs, movies, and television shows. Paul warns that when we are challenged or when we have problems that we need to keep our cool and continue to be God's servants.

The main theme through out the 2 Timothy is one of endurance. When we buy cars we hope that we are buying one that will last a long time. This is the wishful thinking that Coulter talked to the Bible study this morning. When it comes to being good servants for God there is no wishful thinking; we can be certain that when we meet the Lord that He will say to us, "Well done good and faithful servant."
Amen