THIS WEEK: UMYF on Friday, Jan. 28th–time to “SLED-IN”!
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall–we will watch “How to Train Your Dragon” and enjoy pizza and popcorn! Bring a friend & come relax & enjoy the movie! Sunday School on Sunday, January 30th, but no afternoon UMYF.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
-Martin Luther King Jr.
I observe our young people today resisting the “flattening out” characteristics of our current pandemic…
At UMYF (youth group) on Sunday we kicked off 2022 with a tradition. After enjoying a taco bar and conversation (miracle #1 was being able to gather at the table together ?), we gathered in the sanctuary to “launch” 2022. Twelve candles lit the precipice, eight reflective prompts were scattered throughout the sanctuary, and three large, clear helium balloons with tiny twinkle light tails were waiting. After “reflecting” and “projecting” each person was invited to write on a sticky note:
“In 2022 what do you want to
let go of…
commit to…?”
The notes were folded over the tails of the balloons and stapled on. After a time of prayer, we walked outside to the three crosses on the hill behind the church. Everyone put a hand on the balloon tails, and we launched them together as the sun fell below the horizon. We carried on—invited to hope and a glorious, colorful new horizon.
After almost two years of the smothering effect of the pandemic, the young people I interact with regularly seem obstinate to a single story that looms as “our” history for this time. They aren’t willing to let the stagnation of what we’re being told the pandemic is interfere with the up’s, down’s, and “in-between’s” of their human experiences. One even reflected that moments of triumph seem more amplified during this time.
Someday there might be a single light blue mask line in the layers of a landfill. The line will appear thin and someone might categorize that as representing a time of darkness and hate. But from the perspective of a real person that lived that line–it remained thin because of the light and the love that were present. Whatever light shines to dispel darkness and love serves to drive away hate we need to carry on.
“…but by all means keep moving.” -Martin Luther King Jr.
DONUTS have returned! Thanks for adding some sweetness to your life and supporting our youth and young adults!
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8th “Dig Deeper” gathered to celebrate Advent and Christmas.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12th we packed 120 lunches for OPEN DOOR. Thank you, Chapel Hill for continuing to support our volunteer work in the community. At UMYF on Sunday afternoon we celebrated with a Christmas Party!
Sunday, Dec. 5th: Zaina Salman, Dallas Dismuke, Lucas Smith & Addi Gutzmer
ILLUMINATIONS on Sunday, Dec. 5th:
Illuminations set-up at BOTANICA, Sunday Nov. 14th:
Thanks for volunteering in our community!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31st featured our Youth & Young Adults in worship. Thank you youth & young adults for your leadership and service!
Enjoy the service with this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obTKeh4HTnk
Sunday School at 9:30 & Worship at 11:00! Sunday School is a time to catch up with friends & youth sponsors, see what’s on the horizon, learn, grow in faith & be in Christian community.
PRAYER:
Almighty God,
may the transforming power
of your Gospel
be at work in my life today and always.
Amen.
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*CALENDAR NOTES:
Sunday School: Sundays @ 9:30 a.m. Middle School (6th-8th grades) & High School (9th-12th + grades)
Worship: Sundays @ 11:00 a.m.
UMYF:
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- THIS week we will enjoy SLED-IN MOVIE NIGHT (no UMYF on Sunday, January 30th):
- We will gather Friday, January 28th from 5:30-7:30 in Fellowship Hall!
- Bring a “sled,” pillow & blanket to relax & enjoy the movie “How to Train Your Dragon”!
- We will enjoy pizza & popcorn. ALL youth are welcome!
- Sunday, January 30th no afternoon UMYF–come to SLED-IN on Friday instead!
- Sunday, Feb. 6th UMYF from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. meet at the church
- Sunday, Feb. 13th UMYF Super Bowl Party–hosted by the Chesser’s beginning at 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday, Feb. 21st UMYF from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. meet at the church
WEDNESDAYS: “Dig Deeper”
- “Dig Deeper” Wednesday, Januray 26th 7:00 p.m. in LL6
- All high school & young adults are welcome to join us–we’ll connect & dig deeper together!
Mid-week re-fresh via newsletter
May the Lord bless you and keep you, May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Shalom. -Numbers 6: 24-26
God is Good. All the Time.
Heidi K. Greenwood Doell Director of Youth & Young Adult Discipleship