December 2008 New Town UMC Youth Ministry Youth by Matt Baxter

December 2008 New Town UMC Youth Ministry Youth Newsletter The Church Needs to Rise By: Lane Palmer

Have you ever wanted to be part of a cause that is making a difference? Apparently there are quite a few folks that do - whether it's fighting global warming, saving the whales, emptying the jails, stopping AIDS, or just plain recycling. If you're looking for some causes to join, just hop on Facebook. They have everything from helping alleviate hunger in third world countries to teaching hearing impaired dogs how to read sign language. Just kidding about the sign language for dogs - but you get the point. And I think another point is that the desire to be part of something bigger and meaningful is in our nature. Check out these lyrics: "Were different people. But were not scared. We ain't never scared, To pave a new path, Make a new street, Build a new bridge. Say can you see by the dawns early light. Free slaves running. Songs words weren't right. Now a new days coming. The few stay stunning while the many are handsome. Your soul is alive but they want it for ransom. The base drumming is the anthem. We step to the heartbeats of our granddaughters and grandsons, And...Rise together, We rise together. If you believe in redemption, I'm calling to you from another dimension.â&#x20AC;? These are the words from the song Rise by Flobots. This Denver based band is making a quick rise up the charts and on the popularity meter on radio and television alike, and they have definitely tapped into what I mentioned earlier. So do you believe in redemption? If you didn't know this - there actually is Someone calling to you from another dimension. He's the One who started the original 'cause' of all-time. In fact, if people would rise up and join this cause, most if not all of the other causes out there would be taken care of. The original movement I'm talking about is the church. No, not a building or a label like 'Baptist' or 'Church of God'. What I mean is 'church' as in 'cause'. It's the one started by Jesus Christ Himself when He said" I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. (Matthew 16:18). The word for 'church' here in the original language is 'ecclesia' - and back in the day it meant a gathering of people called out for a purpose - so literally, 'church' means 'called out ones'. Called out for what? Simple. Called out to completely change the world. Called out to share the good news about eternal life by trusting in Jesus for salvation. Called out to feed the poor, help the sick, relieve the oppressed, visit the prisoners. Bottom line, the church is a group of sinners saved by grace gathering together so we can go out and be Jesus Christ in the world around us. Here's our job description - and really part of the motivation calling to us from another dimension:

But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me." Then these righteous ones will reply, "Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?" And the King will say, "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!" Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, "Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn't feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn't give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn't give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me." Then they will reply, "Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?" And he will answer, "I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me." And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life. (Matthew 25:31-46). I know that the church is seen by many as 'the sitting down ones' instead of the 'called out ones' - but our cause is not to complain or bail out. Our cause is to join the cause that Jesus Christ died to bring about. Our job is to not only go to church - but to BE the church. Ready to rise?

Head: What you need to know about this truth The church is a cause that the 'called out ones' need to get behind and change the world for Jesus Christ. Heart: What you need to feel about this truth I know that many folks are discouraged about the church, but that's exactly what the enemy likes to see. You'll never find the perfect church, especially since the moment we join it, we add our own imperfections. The point here is that if we took our eyes off the petty problems and fixed our eyes on Jesus, the church that He is building could crash through the gates of hell and make an eternal difference in the world. Hands: What you need to do about this truth This week, ask your pastor, youth pastor, or other leaders in your church how you can get involved in what your church is doing in the community and in the world. You may be surprised at all the ways you can join the cause!

PRAY THAT: 1. God will give you a heart "to give" this Christmas season instead of a heart "to get." 2. God will allow you to find your identity in Christ and not in the "things of this world." 3. God will help you spend some of your own money and time on things that have eternal significance. 4. God will be glorified and lifted up and not get lost in all the lights, reindeer, and Santa hats.

MusicReview

When asked about their approach to materialism, youth responded in the following ways: 71% - I would be happier if I had more money to buy more things for myself. 68% - I really enjoy going shopping. 61% - I would love to buy things that cost lots of money. 50% - I like to buy things my friends have. When asked about their approach to sharing, youth responded in the following ways: 82% - I like to help raise money for needy people. 78% - I like to share my things with other people. 67% - I would give one of my favorite birthday presents to a person who has less than I do. 40% - Sometimes I get upset when someone wants to share my stuff.

Jonas Brothers – A Little Bit Longer

Romantic bliss requires that parties "BB Good" to each other. The guys aren't shy about telling girls they like them on "Got Me Goin' Crazy" and "Burnin' Up." They get bitten by the "Love Bug," which starts like a playful Beatles tune, ends with a guitar solo worthy of Queen and exalts modesty along the way ("Beautiful but you don't even try/Modesty is just so hard to find"). When things fall apart, being alone is not the end of the world ("One Man Show," "Can't Have You"). The singer accepts blame for relational woes and broken promises on "Sorry." A self-respecting boy decides to invest elsewhere if his flirty girlfriend can't be loyal ("Shelf"). On "A Little Bit Longer" the balladeer grapples with an illness and confirms, "You don't know what you got 'til it's gone." Tempted to date a flaky "Video Girl," the Jonases wise up with the help of friends ... and Mom.

The guys burn for a kiss on several songs. A vacuous "Video Girl" blurts "OMG!," and soon after we hear the crude expression "It's gonna suck."

Overall, fun, hook-laden melodies explore love's ups and downs without pushing too far.

Movie: The Day the Earth Stood Still (releases December 12th) Rating: PG-13 for some sci-fi disaster images and violence. Starring: Keanu Reeves Genre: Sci Fi/Fantasy Synopsis: A representative of an alien race that went through drastic evolution to

survive its own climate change, comes to Earth to assess whether humanity can prevent the environmental damage they have inflicted on their own planet. He decides they shall be exterminated so the planet – with its rare ability to sustain complex life – can survive. It is up to Dr. Helen Benson and her stepson Jacob to convince him that humans are worth saving: but it may already be too late Discussion Questions: How do you see God in creation? What have humans done to mare the image of God in creation? Should Christians spend time worrying about the environment? New Town UMC Youth Ministry does not endorse any music or movies mentioned in the YouthLink. Our prayer is that you will make informed decisions on what you watch and listen to.

December2008 1

* 5-6th Bible Study * 7-8th Youth Group * 9-12th Youth Group

* 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team

6 * Adventure Team Babysitting Fundraiser

* Youth to help set up for Elf’s Corner

* 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team

5 * Grapple Group Trip

13 Elf’s Corner

Christmas Party

* 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team

24 * No Youth Programming Christmas Eve

Christmas

* J.H. Mission Trip Deposits Due

* No Sunday School

* No Youth Programming New Years Eve

Grapple Group Trip – Pizza at Ms. Jennie’s house & Ice Skating in Newport News Adventure Team Babysitting Fundraiser – This is for anyone going on the Adventure Team Trip. Elf’s Corner – This is a great opportunity to serve the community. See Gretchen if you’d like to help out. J.H. Mission Trip Deposits Due – Turn in mission surveys, commitment forms, and $100.00 non-refundable deposits by Jan. 4th, 2009 if you’d like to go on the trip. Christmas Party – All youth will meet together and have a great time!!!

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