We try to do a lot of various things with our youth group, and most times it turns out to be even more fun than we planned, just because that's life with teenagers.
Kelsey showing Matt what the head massager feels like...
Matt wanted Abby to feel it too...
hanging out after the movie...
Kelsey and Matt (don't worry, she's not kicking him...I don't think, anyway)...
I can't remember what they were doing with their hands, but they were obvioulsy having fun...
everyone looking at Devan...
not even sure, but that's what they were looking at
Playing basketball at the community center...
volleyball...
We're planning on having an amazing summer with a lot of exciting events...and you'll want to be part of it! Keep checking back here for event updates.
On Sunday morning, our students performed a skit - it took months of practice, and they worked incredibly hard portraying some difficult characters and situations.
Here are some pictures from our practices:
The reason that we wanted to perform the skit was because it puts into perspective what Jesus does. No matter how far we go away from Him, He's always trying to pull us back to Him. Then, when we decide to come back, He's there to take us back, no matter what the cost.
At the beginning of the skit, the young woman indulges in the pure joy and innocence of finding her first love in Jesus, as He shows her all the wonderful things He has done and has in store for her.
But this blissful moment becomes tarnished by seemingly harmless distractions, which turn into temptations and sins. These tempters begin their relentless attack on the young woman, who takes her eyes off Jesus and sets them on the world. She finds herself overcome by all the vices made to look so attractive in life: sexual impurity, greed for money, drinking, bulimia, and cutting. The lies that she has been told about her worthlessness and inability to measure up lead her into depression, and thoughts of suicide.
Only after the woman hits rock bottom does she remember the true source of her joy -- a relationship with Christ. She ultimately chooses, in a desperation that spurs her to once again seek her first love. But she's not alone as she battles to regain the abundant life Jesus has given her. Unable to fend off the enemy's spiritual attack on her own, she puts her eyes back on Jesus, who is waiting for her call for help. Eager to step in and fight the battle for His bride, Jesus fends off and defeats the demonic attackers who are after her very soul and life.
We are reminded that Christ already won the battle for our souls on the cross, and that we have victory over our sins through our hope and redemption in Jesus. It affirms I John 4:4: "You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." and calls us to take to heart 2 Corinthians 5:21 "He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
During our worship service, you could feel the Holy Spirit's presence. The audience was anticipating, which added another spark of energy. And then there were the visibly beating hearts of the students in the front row, a quiet but thundering entity that only added to the dynamism. Due to these tangible dynamics, you may not experience the awe that we did as we sat in that worship service. Our students performed exceptionally, and lives were truly touched because of their willingness and obedience to serve their Lord in this capacity.
Unfortunately, we cannot make the disclaimer that so many videos do at the end (you know the one: "No one was harmed during the making of this video.") Kelsey sustained some nasty bruises and scratches... :(
Hopefully she'll recover soon, so we can perform again!
Thank you Devan, Kelsey, Nick, Abby, Kendra, Erika, Amanda, Micaela, and Devan for being willing to take on the challenge of performing this skit.
Thank you Tanner, Taylor, Emily and Seth for the sound, projection, and lights.
Thank you Samantha for creating the background video and for recording this for us.
Thank you Melissa, Dan, Gina, Heidi and Heather for all you did to help us set up.
Thank you Hannah for "speaking as a completely objective third party observer".
Thank you Pastor Edwin for letting us perform it on a Sunday morning.
Just one month after the conclusion of the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, top skiers from the U.S. headed to Lake Placid to compete in the 2010 U.S. Alpine National Championships. U.S. skiers who competed in the Winter Olympics didn't get a break from tough competition, as many of them were racing for the national title in this competition.
Our students had a great time volunteering at the event, and even remained positive throughout the two-hour delay. I was very proud! We helped out in any area that we could, and passed out a lot of goodie bags (information about North Country Ministries, candy, band aids, tracts, and stickers) we had. Even a couple athletes came by and got some from the teens. We had conversations with the hospitality volunteers, and a couple spectators who asked us to take their pictures. The greatest conversation we had was with one of the athlete’s moms, who sat in the area we had put our lunches. I think all of the teens spoke with her at some point. She asked us to pray for her son, and to cheer loudly when he came down. It was very evident that the ORDA staff appreciated our presence on the mountain, and it was a great opportunity for us to extend the excellent reputation that NCM has with them.
Our first task was to set up the sound equipment.
We talked to spectators...
...and watched as many people tried to fix the snow, because it wasn't hard and fast enough for the athletes...
...finally, the course was ready...
...and the competition began.
Thanks to all the students who volunteered! You all were great! I very much appreciated your positive attitudes and willingness to serve.
The Greek letter DELTA means "change", and it is our goal as a youth group to change our world through the power of God's love. The Bible tells us as Christians,"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." -Romans 12:2This type of transformation (change) is not something that happens once - it must be an ongoing aspect of our Christian lives. Through the studying of God's Word and the time we spend together...exciting changes will happen!
DELTA Schedule
Wednesday Nights -
6:30-8:30 at the Hope Community Center Sunday Morning Bible Study -
