November 2008 2008 New Town UMC Youth Ministry
Youth Newsletter Earth Shattering News Core Truth: How can I really worship God in everything I do? By: Lane Palmer
I recently heard the results of a highly scientific and revealing study that took hundreds of hours and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The results were shocking and surprising...even earth shattering. Ready? Experts agree and now have absolute proof: Kids who watch a ton of television on school nights actually don't do as well at school! Wow! Stop the presses! Look at my surprised face! (Note: By now you have caught on to the dripping sarcasm...if not, you have probably been watching too much television.) Yeah, I could have saved that research group a lot of time and money, because as it turns out, most of us were aware that blankly staring at hours of nightly eye candy has a negative impact on homework completion and therefore academic achievement. In other words - too much TV makes Jack a dull boy. Place that conclusion under the "DUH!" file. I have another conclusion to put under the "DUH" file. No, it isn't the result of a "hey I could've figured that one out on my own" study. It came as a result of a "hey I should read God's Word to figure out the best way to live life" study. Ready? But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10) Peter is giving us an amazing piece of information that answers the huge question: 'What is life all about?' Notice he tells us what we are (a chosen people belonging to God etc.), which then leads to what we should do (declare God's praises). In other words, every part of our life should be an act of worship to God. Every moment of every hour of every day is a chance to tell God and show others how amazing He is. Every breath is breathing in the glory of God and breathing out His greatness. Every activity is actively trying to say 'thank you' to God and showing Him that it's all about Jesus and not about us. Duh! He died for me - so why would you think I don't already know this?
Well, just like there are folks who didn't connect the dots with the whole television/homework thing, there are Christians who haven't connected the dots with the whole "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body" thing. (1 Cor 6:19 -20). Why? Because the dots have been blurred by the blinding light of the me me me me me me me culture. In fact, I see a parallel here. People in school finish homework and study so they can do well on the day of their test. Unfortunately, sometimes television takes control and what is truly important gets saved for the last minute, with less than great results. In the same way, Christians in the world worship God in everything so we can do well on the day of judgment. Unfortunately, sometimes the world takes control and what is truly eternal gets saved for the last minute with less than great results. But that's where the parallel stops, because worship is not like homework. It's not a duty, it's the highest privilege in the universe. We GET to honor God with our lives, and believe me, it's the best way to live life. In fact, my research clearly shows that people who live life focused on themselves are the most miserable on earth. My research also shows that people who see life as one big-long-ongoing-continual-constant-unending act of worship are the most content in the universe. Christians agree and God's Word gives absolute proof: Christians who worship God in everything actually live their lives with joy and contentment!
Head: What you need to know about this truth Christ bought our lives with His blood on the cross; therefore we get to live every moment as an act of worship. Heart: What you need to feel about this truth You should feel like you discovered the secret to life...because you have. The secret to life is not having what you want, but wanting what you have. What you have is a personal relationship with the God of the universe. Because of that, what you also have is a chance to say 'thank you' to Him every minute. Do you want what you have? Hands: What you need to do about this truth Take some time and think through how you could make all your life an act of worship. What this means is that before you go down a line of thinking or follow a conversation or decide to watch or listen to something...first ask yourself these questions: • • •
Does this honor God? Does it violate the Bible? Does it honor or dishonor my testimony as a Christian?
Can you imagine a world where every Christian thought through these issues every day? Believe me, God imagines it every day...so when will we start?
PRAY THAT: 1. You will go through your day in an attitude of thankfulness towards God because of all He has blessed you with. 2. Your thoughts, actions, words, and motivations will honor God. 3. Others will see something different in you – Jesus - and ask about it.
Verse of the month "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)
Students 12 to 17 years old were asked, “What activities do you regularly spend time doing?” (top five answers) 74% - Play sports 64% - Exercise 56% - Play video games 55% - Read a book 53% - Go to the mall (teenage research unlimited) Youth were asked, "If I could, I would spend more time:" 50% - With family. 44% - With friends. 22% - Working out/playing sports. 17% - At a paying job. 9% - Studying. 8% - With religious group. (horatioalger.com)
What’sUp • Adults and teens will spend nearly five months (3,518 hours) next year watching television, surfing the Internet, reading daily newspapers, and listening to personal music devices. (census.gov) • The average American student spends five hours on homework per week - that's the daily amount in most high-achieving nations and less than one-tenth of the approximately 60 hours per week spent outside of school, apart from sleeping and eating. (usaweekend.com) • 69% of teens say they hang out/spend most of their time with a group of friends while only 8% of teens say they hang out/spend most of their time with family. (horatioalger.com)
Movie: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (releases November 7th) Genre: Comedy Rating: PG for some mild crude humor Synopsis: Left marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar, the New Yorkers have hatched a plan so crazy it just might work. The penguins have repaired an old crashed plane. Once aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just long enough to make it to the vast plains of Africa where our zoo-raised crew encounters species of their own kind for the very first time. While discovering their roots, they quickly realize the differences between the concrete jungle and the heart of Africa...but is it better than their Central Park home? Discussion Questions: What are the roots of your (biological) family? What are the roots of your (spiritual) family? Why are your spiritual roots so important to us today?
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* 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team
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4 * Youth Choir
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* 5-6th Bible Study * 7-8th Youth Group * 9-12th Youth Group
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* 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th AdventureTeam
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12 Youth will be in Sanctuary for Craig Marsh
Craig March Services
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* 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team
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22 Adventure Team Babysitting Fundraiser (5-8 pm)
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No Youth Group – Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Junior High & High School Jeremiah Project Lunch
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Craig Marsh Services – Please come, we will be worshiping with the adults in the sanctuary that night. Adventure Team Babysitting Fundraiser – This is for anyone going on the Adventure Team Trip. Junior High & High School Jeremiah Project Lunch – This will take place right after the 2nd Worship service and is for all 6-8th Graders interested in going on the trip and for all 9-12th Graders interested as serving as junior staffers. Lunch will be provided
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to talk to me. I can be reached at matt@newtownumc.org or (757) 258-1072
New Town United Methodist Church 5209 Monticello Ave. Williamsburg, VA 23188 (757) 258-1072 www.newtownumc.org