October 2004

Hello All,
Before this year began we thought long and hard about what to do with the Youth Group. First things first ... this is not a Sunday school class, so we got rid of the Sunday school curriculum. The second thing became panic. We just took away a safe way to handle the Youth Group, weekly lessons about Jesus and God, now what are we going to do. Oh boy, maybe this is too much change, we are not ready for this. But if we do not change how we are doing things, will we still have any youth left? Probably not. Then it was time to pray and pray we did. Finally we got the answer; put together a program that gives the choice of direction to the kids. Okay, this is good, but how do we do that? Then we began to really thing this was just too much. We are taking away the only way that we have ever known how to do things and we are trying something new. Can this work? Will this work? It has to. We have to meet the kids on their ground, not ours. Then as we time until the first meeting grew shorter and shorter it came to us, let's make the upcoming year a time of learning about mission and what we can do to help others locally, in our state, in the United States, and around the world.
Finally we are ready to start. Materials, need materials, where are we going to get what we need? Last year we read excerpts from 2 books by the musical group dcTalk, "Jesus Freaks" and Jesus Freaks II." These books are dedicated to the men, women, and children that have given their lives for their beliefs which made them martyrs.
The words "Jesus Freaks" were first coined in the late sixties, when hippies became part of a new revival, the Jesus Movement. It was then when music, poetry, and an open expression for Jesus Christ turned a new generation on to God. It merged rock and roll with the Gospel message, a wave we're still riding today known as contemporary Christian Music. It infused the Church with the arts. It shook up conventional worship. And, due to its "in your face" approach, it had a backlash. The rest of the world called these over-zealous young people "Jesus Freaks" as a derogatory term. But decades later a new generation is embracing that same passion for expression.
mar·tyr
(mar' ter)n.
[from the Greek word for "witness"]
1) One who chooses to suffer death rather than deny Jesus Christ or His work.
2) One who bears testimony to the truth of what he has seen or heard or knows, as in a witness in a court of justice.
3) One who sacrifices something very important to further the kingdom of God.
4) One who endures severe or constant suffering for their Christian witness.
5) A Jesus Freak.
So we began putting together a list of groups that we could expose the kids to and they could decide what they wanted to do and who they wanted to help. Over the next few weeks we will be having guest speakers from local groups, as they are available to come and talk to the kids. We will continue to do the Sunday Evening Meals Program at First Presbyterian Church. We are discussing going around the neighborhood and raking leaves and doing it for FREE! We will also be learning about International groups like Gospel for Asia and Voice of the Martyrs. Each of the kids will be picking a country to pray for where it is not safe to be a Christian.
So far the kids have chosen:
Bangladesh: Sean China: Kerina, Jenny Colombia: Bobby Ethiopia: Karissa
India: Danaca, Terry Libya: Lydia Nepal: Coulter Oman: Chris
Saudi Arabia: Diane

We will also be discussing how to make the Youth Room theirs. Ideas (with Session approval of course) include painting, getting some used furniture, and anything else we might come up with. It is their room; they should be comfortable in it. We also want them to like it enough that they will invite their friends to join them. We want them to want to be there. We are learning to be servant hearted. We are also looking at doing some fundraising for a mission trip next summer. The problem is that everyone is doing fundraising. We are currently exploring some ideas some of which involve selling something and some that do not involve selling anything. We like the not selling one the most. We leave you this month with 2 things. First, if your are curious about what we are doing, come and join us. The second is from John 13:12-17 (NIV) right after Jesus washed His Disciples' feet:
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Because of Him,

Terry and Diane

A Servant's Heart
Heavenly Father, as we go out into the world may each moment of every day be for your glory. Wherever we are let us not forget what you have taught and what you continue to teach us. Guide us in everything that we do. Be with all those that are yelled at, beaten, or even killed for their faith in You. And be with those that are doing the yelling, the beating, and the killing. Soften their hearts so they will be able to hear Your word and come to You. In Your Son, Jesus Christ's heavenly and holy name we pray. Amen.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)