Listen, dear friends, to God's truth, bend your ears to what I tell you. I'm chewing on the morsel of a proverb; I'll let you in on the sweet old truths, Stories we heard from our fathers, counsel we learned at our mother's knee.
We're not keeping this to ourselves, we're passing it along to the next generation— God's fame and fortune, the marvelous things he has done.
He planted a witness in Jacob, set his Word firmly in Israel, Then commanded our parents to teach it to their children so the next generation would know, and all the generations to come—
Would know the truth and tell the stories so their children can trust in God.
Psalm 78 (The Message)
Youth Prepare for Mission Trip
For the past several years, summer plans for the youth group have included our commitment to short-term missions. We have worked in Urban Los Angeles, serving the underprivileged in South Central, sharing faith with at risk children in gang-controlled areas of Watts, and ministering to the hungry and homeless on Skid Row. We have travelled to San Francisco to bring Christ’s light to the poorest areas such as the Tenderloin, aiding such ministries as the Salvation Army and the San Francisco Mission, and serving disadvantaged children and youth in Oakland.
The objective of these mission trips is not only to serve those in need but to allow the trips themselves to serve to build compassion in our own hearts as our eyes are opened to the realities of poverty, injustice and brokenness in our world. We have found that we “acquire the fire” for this work as we begin to gain sight into God’s heart.
This year our work will be centralized in the Philadelphia area and on the mission field of Camden, New Jersey. Camden is one of the nation’s most impoverished cities. We will partner with Urban Promise, whose mission is to equip children and teens with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth and leadership rooted in the principles of Christian faith. The Urban Promise community seeks to fulfill this mission through after school programs, summer camps, alternative schools, job training initiatives and a host of other programs that challenge youth to develop their academic, social, creative, spiritual and leadership potential. Unique to the vision of Urban Promise is a commitment to involving local teenagers (Street Leaders) in the tutoring, mentoring, and coaching of younger children in the community. By involving teens in the leadership process, Urban Promise is creating a new generation of young, visionary leaders who embody a commitment to change their own community.
Our youth group will be gone July 31, 2010 through August 8, 2010. We are excited to see how God will use us in this endeavor. This year’s missionaries include Katie, Ben, Derrick, Mackenzie, Luke, Noah, Kaila, Alayah, Dionna and DJ, with Ryan Bolger and Debra Williams leading. Though each trip is different and the type of ministry varies, we have found that our main work before, during and after the trip is the work of prayer. Please join us in praying for God’s guidance, wisdom and presence as we seek to be His light and share the love of Christ in the world.
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Poolside Fun and Fellowship
Children and families are invited to some poolside fun and fellowship this Sunday, July 25th, immediately following service. Jacob and Barbara Pettit have opened their home so join us for a hotdog lunch, a refreshing dip in the pool and an afternoon with friends.
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Story-time in Children’s Ministry
Children love to hear stories. Even as we grow, we remember those favorites from childhood. During the month of August, we are inviting volunteers to come and read their favorite stories to the children. To sign-up for any Sunday in August, simply contact the church office and leave a message with Alice or contact any one of our teachers; Debra, Nadine, Nancy or Barbie.
For more information on children and youth activities, please contact children and youth director, Debra Williams, at the church office 626/791-4271 ext. 3
