Hey Guys,
Just wanted to let you know that I've uploaded some new photos for your enjoyment!
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
December Youth Update
To the Messiah's Youth Community,
As I wrote to you all some time ago: The old liturgical calendar is rolling to an end. Each year, as we get closer to Advent, I’m reminded that I have another chance to get it right, to prepare my heart for Jesus' birthday and to better integrate my faith, my work and my family. For Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas and even the New Year celebration are times when we have clear permission to be with our kids, our extended and our church families.
At Messiah we want our ministries to children and youth to support families and the parental role of nurturing Messiah’s kids in the Christian faith. As we move into the holy-holiday season we want to be sensitive and supportive of our families' need for time together, all the while providing ministry that prepares our children for Christmas. As you’ll see in the calendar there are some old standards and a few new events:
For all ages: The Hanging of the Greens and Salad and Dessert Potluck on Dec. 23rd. Youth and adults can beautify the church for Christmastide with a Children’s Activity in the Undercroft for the little ones. Older kids (grades 3-5) will also rehearse for the Interactive Nativity Pageant. And don’t forget the Family Christmas Eve Service with Interactive Nativity for children of all ages, 4:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
For Youth: Our annual Christmas-Adventure Party: Dec. 7th, our Youthnite Christmas Service Project (Cards & Cookies for Messiah Shut-ins: Dec. 5th &12th), and our annual Advent Play on Dec. 9th. We’ll also add one new opportunity, by serving at the Annual Christmas Party for the families served by Episcopal Community Services, Saturday, December 15, 2007 St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral.
Dave
As I wrote to you all some time ago: The old liturgical calendar is rolling to an end. Each year, as we get closer to Advent, I’m reminded that I have another chance to get it right, to prepare my heart for Jesus' birthday and to better integrate my faith, my work and my family. For Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas and even the New Year celebration are times when we have clear permission to be with our kids, our extended and our church families.
At Messiah we want our ministries to children and youth to support families and the parental role of nurturing Messiah’s kids in the Christian faith. As we move into the holy-holiday season we want to be sensitive and supportive of our families' need for time together, all the while providing ministry that prepares our children for Christmas. As you’ll see in the calendar there are some old standards and a few new events:
For all ages: The Hanging of the Greens and Salad and Dessert Potluck on Dec. 23rd. Youth and adults can beautify the church for Christmastide with a Children’s Activity in the Undercroft for the little ones. Older kids (grades 3-5) will also rehearse for the Interactive Nativity Pageant. And don’t forget the Family Christmas Eve Service with Interactive Nativity for children of all ages, 4:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
For Youth: Our annual Christmas-Adventure Party: Dec. 7th, our Youthnite Christmas Service Project (Cards & Cookies for Messiah Shut-ins: Dec. 5th &12th), and our annual Advent Play on Dec. 9th. We’ll also add one new opportunity, by serving at the Annual Christmas Party for the families served by Episcopal Community Services, Saturday, December 15, 2007 St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral.
Dave
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Wednesday Night UPDATE
Hey Youths!
Everyone remembers this month's topic, riiiiiiiiight? SPIRITUAL GIFTS! As we've done these past couple of Wednesday nights, we must remember to take time and look at what spiritual gifts we have and how we can use them to honor God. We also have to remember that each of us have gifts that are vital to the church, we are all an important part of the body of Christ! We looked this week about where in the Bible it talks about this, so let's all remember to live out I Corinthians 12:
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
- I Corinthians 12:4-26
Everyone remembers this month's topic, riiiiiiiiight? SPIRITUAL GIFTS! As we've done these past couple of Wednesday nights, we must remember to take time and look at what spiritual gifts we have and how we can use them to honor God. We also have to remember that each of us have gifts that are vital to the church, we are all an important part of the body of Christ! We looked this week about where in the Bible it talks about this, so let's all remember to live out I Corinthians 12:
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
- I Corinthians 12:4-26
Friday, November 2, 2007
November Youth Update
Dear Messiah's Youth Community (Students, Parents and Leaders),
Before I offer a few thoughts, a quick note to let you know there is still room for those who want to stay and play Romans & Christians after the All Saint's Fest. Please reply to this e-mail (or post a comment) to let me know your interest, and fill out a form and pay $10 on Saturday. Now to those thoughts:
As you are no doubt aware I am in the midst of my diaconal work, which, if all goes as planned, will lead to my ordination to the priesthood on December 20. My work as a Deacon is to represent the work of Episcopal Community Services to the youth ministries of the Region 7 Episcopal Churches. What that means is that I attend Diocesan and Regional events (Clergy Conference, the MDG Summit, Region meetings, Diocesan Convention and St. Paul Teens Encounter Christ) and that I visit youth groups and Sunday School classes. In part I am also creating a network for youth ministries that, I trust, bears fruit beyond December.
To that end I am working toward a multi-purpose event, hosted by Messiah, that pulls all the above together. We will host an U2charist here on Nov. 30. According to Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation: “A U2charist is an Episcopal Eucharist service that features the music of the rock band U2 and a message about God's call to eradicate global poverty. The U2charist is a great opportunity to reach out to the people in your congregation and larger community, especially young people. The music and message of the U2Charist is about global reconciliation, biblical justice for the poor and oppressed, and the importance of caring for your neighbor.”
Youth from other Episcopal Churches will be invited, with the admission price of a winter hat or mittens for the children served by Episcopal Community Services. An offering will also be taken for our Haiti Partnership. The event is not just for youth; the whole community is invited!
Dave
Be sure to check our calendar for the latest upcoming events.
Before I offer a few thoughts, a quick note to let you know there is still room for those who want to stay and play Romans & Christians after the All Saint's Fest. Please reply to this e-mail (or post a comment) to let me know your interest, and fill out a form and pay $10 on Saturday. Now to those thoughts:
As you are no doubt aware I am in the midst of my diaconal work, which, if all goes as planned, will lead to my ordination to the priesthood on December 20. My work as a Deacon is to represent the work of Episcopal Community Services to the youth ministries of the Region 7 Episcopal Churches. What that means is that I attend Diocesan and Regional events (Clergy Conference, the MDG Summit, Region meetings, Diocesan Convention and St. Paul Teens Encounter Christ) and that I visit youth groups and Sunday School classes. In part I am also creating a network for youth ministries that, I trust, bears fruit beyond December.
To that end I am working toward a multi-purpose event, hosted by Messiah, that pulls all the above together. We will host an U2charist here on Nov. 30. According to Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation: “A U2charist is an Episcopal Eucharist service that features the music of the rock band U2 and a message about God's call to eradicate global poverty. The U2charist is a great opportunity to reach out to the people in your congregation and larger community, especially young people. The music and message of the U2Charist is about global reconciliation, biblical justice for the poor and oppressed, and the importance of caring for your neighbor.”
Youth from other Episcopal Churches will be invited, with the admission price of a winter hat or mittens for the children served by Episcopal Community Services. An offering will also be taken for our Haiti Partnership. The event is not just for youth; the whole community is invited!
Dave
Be sure to check our calendar for the latest upcoming events.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Jesus Rocks Nov. 30
Holy communion with the music of U2 is coming to Messiah Episcopal Church on Friday, November 30, 2007. It's U2charist--ancient ritual and rock & roll--a One Campaign benefit to fight stupid poverty.
Admission will be a children's hat or pair of mittens for the Episcopal Community Services Winter Hugs program. A freewill offering will also be taken for Messiah's Haiti Partnership.
It all happens Friday, November 30 at 7:00 p.m. at Messiah Episcopal Church. Contact Dave if you have any questions.
Admission will be a children's hat or pair of mittens for the Episcopal Community Services Winter Hugs program. A freewill offering will also be taken for Messiah's Haiti Partnership.
It all happens Friday, November 30 at 7:00 p.m. at Messiah Episcopal Church. Contact Dave if you have any questions.
Fall Retreat Pics
Dwight just posted some photos of last weekend's Fall Retreat at Camp Crosswoods. Head over to our Flickr group and check 'em out (and feel free to upload your own).Hope everybody had a swell time.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Get Updates via E-mail
Hey, check it out. You can now get updates from this blog via e-mail. All you need to do is subscribe to Messiah's Youth by e-mail.
If you're so beyond e-mail you can also subscribe to our RSS feed.
Either way, it should be easy to stay up to date.
If you're so beyond e-mail you can also subscribe to our RSS feed.
Either way, it should be easy to stay up to date.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
October Youth Update
Dear Friends,
I know how important timely communication is for youth, their parents and our youth leaders. So, this mea culpa: sincerest apologies for a very late October youth update. I've been without a computer these past few weeks, but thankfully, today I am re-connected with a reconstructed address book to boot!
As you are no doubt aware I am in the midst of my diaconal work, so while I will be less present on Sundays I will be more present on Wednesday Youtnites and at our special events. Speaking of Wednesday nights, we had one of our most profound and spiritually impactful themes this past month. We learned from our annual youth evaluation two areas in which we need to pay more attention: spiritual renewal and spiritual gifts. This past month we focused on spiritual renewal, using Alpha's curriculum on the Holy Spirit (Who is the Holy Spirit?, What Does the Holy Spirit Do?, and How Can I be Filled With the Holy Spirit?) Last week was the last night in the series. As we had informed the kids over the past month they would have an opportunity to receive prayer for more of Jesus in their lives, for the infilling of the Holy Spirit, or for whatever they might need. Both Dick Guiton and Terry Frazerhurst from Messiah's Healing Team were present, and our leaders were available to pray with students who needed prayer.
There are two things that I want to report back: first, after a time of Praise & Worship and teaching students were eager to receive prayer. This was the first time in my eight years here that we have offered this opportunity to students; at one point during the evening there was line of young people six deep waiting for prayer. Second, there was a palpable sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Loft. Students worshipped, prayed or were unusually still and quiet. I discerned that for these very busy students a night to rest in God was much needed. (Perhaps this is something this generation needs to hear!) In any case, many students and leaders lingered in prayer long after our official ending time. My hope is that we can incorporate such opportunities for prayer into our monthly Wednesday Catacomb worship.
Finally, because I’m not as present on Sundays as usual please feel free to contact me with any concerns/questions during the week. I find e-mail, now that I have a working computer, the best way to communicate.
With every blessing,
Dave
I know how important timely communication is for youth, their parents and our youth leaders. So, this mea culpa: sincerest apologies for a very late October youth update. I've been without a computer these past few weeks, but thankfully, today I am re-connected with a reconstructed address book to boot!
As you are no doubt aware I am in the midst of my diaconal work, so while I will be less present on Sundays I will be more present on Wednesday Youtnites and at our special events. Speaking of Wednesday nights, we had one of our most profound and spiritually impactful themes this past month. We learned from our annual youth evaluation two areas in which we need to pay more attention: spiritual renewal and spiritual gifts. This past month we focused on spiritual renewal, using Alpha's curriculum on the Holy Spirit (Who is the Holy Spirit?, What Does the Holy Spirit Do?, and How Can I be Filled With the Holy Spirit?) Last week was the last night in the series. As we had informed the kids over the past month they would have an opportunity to receive prayer for more of Jesus in their lives, for the infilling of the Holy Spirit, or for whatever they might need. Both Dick Guiton and Terry Frazerhurst from Messiah's Healing Team were present, and our leaders were available to pray with students who needed prayer.
There are two things that I want to report back: first, after a time of Praise & Worship and teaching students were eager to receive prayer. This was the first time in my eight years here that we have offered this opportunity to students; at one point during the evening there was line of young people six deep waiting for prayer. Second, there was a palpable sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Loft. Students worshipped, prayed or were unusually still and quiet. I discerned that for these very busy students a night to rest in God was much needed. (Perhaps this is something this generation needs to hear!) In any case, many students and leaders lingered in prayer long after our official ending time. My hope is that we can incorporate such opportunities for prayer into our monthly Wednesday Catacomb worship.
Finally, because I’m not as present on Sundays as usual please feel free to contact me with any concerns/questions during the week. I find e-mail, now that I have a working computer, the best way to communicate.
With every blessing,
Dave
Monday, October 1, 2007
Scripture 10/1
Today's Scriptures:
AM: Psalm 89:1-18
PM: Psalm 89:19-52
OT: II Kings 17:24-41
NT: I Corinthians 7:25-31
GSPL: Matthew 6:25-34
Here's today's Scripture for discussion:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
- Matthew 6:25-34
What is God saying to us through this passage?
AM: Psalm 89:1-18
PM: Psalm 89:19-52
OT: II Kings 17:24-41
NT: I Corinthians 7:25-31
GSPL: Matthew 6:25-34
Here's today's Scripture for discussion:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
- Matthew 6:25-34
What is God saying to us through this passage?
Friday, September 28, 2007
Scripture Discussion to start soon
Hey Messiah's Youth!
Sorry for the delay, we're still trying to figure out the specifics of exactly how we will discuss scripture on this blog. We'll try to start this Sunday, and for anyone interested in further Bible reading, I will be posting daily scripture refrences on here using the Book of Common Prayer's Daily Office. Also, if anyone has any pressing prayer requests, please feel free to e-mail them to me at DDRcool500@gmail.com. Catch ya later!
Sorry for the delay, we're still trying to figure out the specifics of exactly how we will discuss scripture on this blog. We'll try to start this Sunday, and for anyone interested in further Bible reading, I will be posting daily scripture refrences on here using the Book of Common Prayer's Daily Office. Also, if anyone has any pressing prayer requests, please feel free to e-mail them to me at DDRcool500@gmail.com. Catch ya later!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Welcome!
Hey guys!
Welcome to the blog for Messiah's youth! Since Dave, myself, and the other youth leaders want to see all of you really get into God's Word this year, we decided to help you out by starting this blog where you can read Scripture passages each and every day and be able to discuss them outside of church. I'm excited to see all of you become greater followers of Christ this year and truly apply His word to your lives! God Bless!
Welcome to the blog for Messiah's youth! Since Dave, myself, and the other youth leaders want to see all of you really get into God's Word this year, we decided to help you out by starting this blog where you can read Scripture passages each and every day and be able to discuss them outside of church. I'm excited to see all of you become greater followers of Christ this year and truly apply His word to your lives! God Bless!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
About
"To see kids come to Christ and see Christian kids become Christian adults."
That's our mission. We're the youth ministry of Messiah Episcopal Church in St. Paul, Minn. This site is to keep youth and parents updated about what's going on and to further engage youth outside of youth group.
(We're still working on it, so be kind)
That's our mission. We're the youth ministry of Messiah Episcopal Church in St. Paul, Minn. This site is to keep youth and parents updated about what's going on and to further engage youth outside of youth group.
(We're still working on it, so be kind)
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