8 Ways to Pray

Lent offers us all a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to following Christ.  In our busy world, Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect and to pray more deeply. As you prepare for Easter, here are some (possibly new) ways for you to pray and reflect on scripture:

1. Journal your prayers.

But don't just journal requests. Write out questions, heartaches and struggles. Don't forget to journal praises, too. Be creative. Put your prayers into poems. Write a letter to God.

2. Take a prayer walk.

Yes, even when it’s cold! Walk around your neighborhood and pray for the family in each home you pass. Or take a "prayer walk" on the sidewalk around your school, or while you’re walking to or from school(s).

3. Pray over your calendar and schedule.

Got a test coming up? Pray for peace of mind. Pray for the players of Friday night's basketball game-both sides. Pray for our youth group night!

4. Pray Scripture.

Let's say that during your Bible reading time you come across 1 Peter 5:7: "God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him." Turn that verse into a prayer: "Lord, I'm going to trust you and give you all my worries. I know you will take care of me." Do this with Scriptures that express needs and also with those that praise or thank God. Hey, why not personalize the Lord's Prayer? Take each sentence or phrase from this well-known prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) and write it in a way that applies directly to your life.

5. Pray about the news.

When you read or hear about a troubling issue, pray for the people involved. Pray for politicians and other national and community leaders who make the news.

6. Partner up.

Find someone to pray with regularly. Plan to meet somewhere once or twice a week, or get together before school. Praying with a friend is great for personal accountability. It's also a cool way to take a friendship to a deeper level.

7. Be quiet.

If prayer is a conversation, then you also need to listen in silence. And silence means getting away from distractions like music and TV. A quiet, little-used corner at the library could be the best place. As you listen, don't expect to hear a voice. But do expect God to tug at your heart, move your conscience, or help you realize something you need to do or change.

8. Keep a prayer on your lips.

Dozens of thoughts pass through your mind daily. You daydream. You may think bad or gossipy thoughts. Turn those daydreams and not-so-great thoughts into prayers. Ask God to help a person hurt by gossip. Ask him to forgive you for thoughts that take your mind places it shouldn't go. Turn daydreams and other passing thoughts into moments to recognize God's presence in your life. As you learn to keep a prayer on your lips, you'll come a little closer to understanding what it means to "pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

What are you doing to prepare for Easter?

Last year I posted about the Christian season of Lent. At the risk of getting flack for repeating myself, I'm going to do that anyway! 

Lent, is generally observed as a time for Christians to reflect, repent, and pray as a way of preparing their hearts for Easter. It is commonly observed by many Christian denominations—Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and others—although not every Christian church or denomination does so. Because Lent is not officially instituted in Scripture, observing it isn’t in any way a “requirement” of Christianity. However, Christians from many different theological persuasions choose to observe it as a way of focusing their thoughts on Jesus Christ during the Easter season.

So what have you been doing to prepare your heart for Easter? Like last year, I have been visiting a site called Journey to the Cross. On this site, they provide a daily devotion for Lent. I find that some days, these devotions are just what I need to keep me focused on God that day, and help me to prepare for the joy that is Easter.

If you'd like to participate in these daily devotions as well, I encourage you to visit www.d365.org/journeytothecross

Why?

Why go on a youth mission trip?

to connect with Jesus
to serve others
to boost confidence
to get challenged
to bond together
to have fun
to change lives!

Why participate in fundraisers?

Mission trips cost money! With the support of our friends, family and the members of our congregation, you (or your parents) don't have to come up with as much out-of-pocket expense. By working (participating in the fundraising activities) you're not just asking for a handout or donation from people, but giving them something in return. Plus, you get a taste of working as a team to complete a goal, just like on your upcoming mission trip.

You all worked wonderfully together baking cookies and working at our bake sale fundraiser. Our next big fundraiser is our dinner and auction to be held on Saturday, April 20. There will be a lot of help needed working up to the big day, plus the day itself! Your help will be needed!

Nativity Play

I've assigned roles for our Nativity Play that will be performed on December 24th at the 4:00 service. 

Rehearsals are as follows:

Sunday, December 16 between services 10:30-11:00

Sunday, December 23 between services 10:30 - 11:00 and dress rehearsal/staging after the 11:00 service until about 1:30. 

Monday, December 24 final rehearsal at 3:00 ("performance" at 4:00)

I hope I got everyone who said they wanted to perform this year. If you are not on this list but wish to help out and take a part, please let me know ASAP. If you can't come to a rehearsal, let me know now. 

Cast

Narrator: 

Beth Stark

Mary: 

Jessica Krone

Joseph: 

Nathan Pohl

Gabriel: 

Drew Degener

Innkeeper: 

Alex Marchand

Shepherds: 

Amanda Glass

Madelyn Degener

Angels: Caitlin Marchand

Brenna Degener

King Herod:  William Stark

Wise Men: Luke Pohl

Joshua Doering

Louie Stark

Why You Should Join Us on Friday, November 16

The Red Kettle Christmas Campaign enables The Salvation Army to provide food, toys and clothing to over 6 million people during the Christmas season and helps more than 34 million Americans recovering from all kinds of personal disasters nationwide. 

Seems like a good reason to me!!

Feeding the Homeless

It’s that time of year again when we get up really early on a Sunday and spread God’s love and compassion to the guests at the First United Methodist Church in Plymouth. FUMC hosts a rotating homeless shelter through the Cass Community Social Services.  This will be our 5^th  year of serving in this valuable ministry. Our middle school youth group is scheduled to prepare and serve breakfast on Sunday, November 11 to about 50 homeless people who stay at this rotating shelter. This would mean getting up pretty darn early in the morning, but it is a great opportunity for service. Let me know ASAP if you’d be willing to do this. Please let me know in person, text or email me.

We meet at the church in Plymouth at 5:30 AM and prepare and serve breakfast at 6:00. We also eat with them and fellowship with them, showing them Christ’s love over breakfast and conversation. Sometimes we play games like chess, or cards before they leave about 7:00 AM. Once breakfast is over, we clean up and head back to our homes (usually by 8:00.) We will still have Food for Thought at 11:00.

We will be preparing eggs, fruit, pastries or muffins, juice and sausage to go with our meal that morning. 

If you have volunteered for this ministry in the past you know how much joy you can bring to others less fortunate and you know how much joy you also receive from serving. I encourage you to sign up, you won’t regret it! Adults are more than welcome to stay, help prepare, and fellowship with the guests.

Looking forward to serving alongside of you,

Nancy

Learn about other's faiths and share your own!

Wednesday, October 17

7:00 - 9:00 PM (We'll meet at Geneva at 6:45, or meet us at St. Thomas a'Beckett  around 7:00)

 @ St. Thomas a'Beckett church

Area teens from all faiths to meet!

Each visiting teen (or teens) will give a 5 minute (or so) synopsis of the beliefs and practices of their religion.  There will be a total of 7 or 8 different religions represented and all teens will have the chance to listen to each group speak on behalf of their faith.  

After all have spoken, we will open up the floor to questions - in which ALL teens (a'Becket and visitors) will be able to ask and answer.  When we have finished, we will end the evening with some fellowship - cookies, punch, conversation and laughs! 

Adults are invited as well!  I am sure parents would love to hear their teens speak. 

from Stephanie Tierney, Youth Pastor at St. Thomas a'Beckett:

I really think that this meeting holds so many opportunities for some great understanding in regards to the teens.  It is my hope that some great connections and friendships will result from this.  Thank you so much for your interest in be a part of this - I cannot wait to meet everyone!