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Choosing Your Traveling CompanionsMark 10:13-16 (NIV)
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Today is the first day of Lent. I am contemplating the value and meaning of this season. Every year, I grow in my understanding of the importance of these 40 days. This year it has taken a completely new form to me. I am reminded of how important my relationship is with Jesus and what I can do to further that relationship. For a long time, I did not understand why people gave things up, and usually didn't sacrifice anything. What I am coming to understand is: by changing my lifestyle in the name of learning more about Christ, I become closer to Him. I think about Him more and I yearn to gain more and more knowledge of Him. I want to be more of service to Him and live more like Him. This year I am giving some things up, but more important than that, I am upping my service anti: doing more for others without any expectation of gaining a return. This season I am using the scripture that is featured each week in our Lenten series "Journey to Hope" for our weekly newsletter. I want to share with you what I am learning, and hopefully hear what you think! In this scripture, Mark is speaking of Jesus' love for those He wasn't "supposed" to be around. The Disciples were trying to be helpful by sending the children away, and in doing so, hindered Christ's relationship with the children and theirs with Christ. I love what this scripture says about who Jesus is and who we should be. The idea that we should love God with the mind of a child, with no boundaries or walls, is a beautiful one and I strive to live that way. This scripture also speaks of how we can, with the best of intentions, hinder the faith of others. I think sometimes my ideas of how the world works can get in the way of being the hands and feet of God. Think about this: if you saw me, your youth director, hanging out with criminals what would you think? My mom always said, "If you hang out around the barber shop enough, eventually you will get a haircut." But is that really true? Is that what Jesus said? No. If I am living like Jesus, then it doesn't matter what anyone has done in the past. I should show them love and kindness, form relationships built on God's love. I am not saying that we should continuously surround ourselves with people who break the law and hurt others. What I am saying is: A person's appearance doesn't always tell you who and what they are. If someone wants to learn about Jesus, I should be there no matter what they look like, no matter what they have done. That's what God tells me to do. When I try to get in the way of that, I am hindering the growth of myself and others in Christ. My prayer this week is that we always work to further our relationship with Christ by loving others! This Week!
Sr High Retreat! If you are attending, these are the things you will need: enough clothes for three days and two nights, a pillow and sleeping bag ( there is a higher than normal attendance for this trip so we will be stacking rooms with more than normal. If there is anyone who has a twin size air mattress, I suggest you bring it!) a 6"x6" square of t-shirt no logo or design (for quilt), toiletries, a bible and enough money for YSF, dinner on the way there and lunch on the trip back . We will meet at the church at 5pm Friday afternoon, and leave at 5:30, and return Sunday between 3 and 4:30. I cant wait!
If you are not attending the retreat: youth will be normal hours 5-7pm. Ms. Krista Roy will be there to take over for youth! It will be Soiree Soiree Soiree, so bring your Soiree enthusiasm!
Coming Soon!
Admission is $2.00, a canned good, and your own pillow ($1.00 extra per extra pillow). We will meet here at the church at 3:15 and return by 7:30!
Big Stuf!
Big Stuf will be June 25th-29th. To hold your spot the deposit is $50. There are still several spots available. The Deposits are due April 1st. Big stuf is a powerful experience in Dulac Mission Trip We are going to Dulac this year June 11th-15th. We will be putting together a mission team dealing with two aspects of the trip: Vacation Bible School and Community Outreach. If you are interested in being on this team, please contact Amy Fine at AFine@StAndrewsUMC.net. Spring Soiree Date is Set!
March 17th, 2012
For More information click here.
Where: Lakeside RV Park, Livingston
When: December 12th
Time: 4:30-8:00
What to Bring: A new toy (or toys) for Toys for Tots and a White Elephant gift to exchange
Once again in 2011, we will be supporting Souper Bowl of Caring on Super Bowl Sunday. Here is a link for more information: http://www.souperbowl.org/tacklehunger/
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