There are lots of ways to win points, or “race miles,” for our Amazing Race in November. Some of them are easy, some hard. Whoever earns the most miles will win the prize (an iPod).
Amazing Race (November 7)- 5 miles(total: 5)
Wednesday Participation- 3 miles(total: 12)
Weekly Race- 2 miles(total: 6)
Daily Challenge- 1 miles(total: 30)
Total (53)
Amazing Race (5): A two hour race. Each team will follow clues in order to be the first to arrive at the final destination. Each player on the first place team wins 5 race miles. This Wednesday counts towards “Wednesday participation.”
Wednesday Participation (3): Showing up and being engaged for our Wednesday activities and Bible study earn you 3 race miles. Bringing certain items may contribute to the miles. Actions which make it hard for others to participate will prohibit you from earning these miles.
Weekly Race (2): Each Wednesday we will have a small race as part of our Bible study. Each player on the winning team will receive 2 race miles.
Daily Challenge (1): The key to winning the prize will be daily involvement. Each day the youth blog will feature a daily challenge. Completing this challenge that day will earn you 1 race mile.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Ultimate Frisbee Pics
We have some newly added pictures from Ultimate Frisbee this past Sunday. There are also some of the revival breakfast.
Monday, October 15, 2007
The Amazing Race
In November we will have an amazing Wednesdays running an amazing race. On November 7 we will kick things off with race to follow clues accross town to be the first team to arrive at the destination. This will be from 6:00 to 8:00. The following Wednesdays will continue the race with three action packed Bible studies and three great prizes.
Win an iPod or Cash
Here's how it will work. Prizes are 1st- a brand new iPod shuffle, 2nd $25, 3rd- $15. Whoever has earned the most "race miles" by the end of the competition will win. There will be various ways to earn race miles. Showing up, winning competions, bringing certain items, and completing in the "Daily Challenge" on the blog are all ways to earn points. The complete race guide will be available on November 6 (the day before the race kicks off).
Friday, October 05, 2007
Monday, October 01, 2007
Emerging Worship
This past Sunday we held the first Emerging Worship service for the year led by the Youth Praise Band (who knows, maybe we will come up with a name for the group in the near future…). Although the microphone levels weren’t perfect and some songs were less familiar to the congregation this was a great service in which we could encounter God through a different style than Sunday morning (although our choral worship style is in fact a wonderful way to worship God). Below are a couple of pictures of the praise band. 
Emerging Worship
But what exactly is “Emerging Worship” (A.K.A. Emergent Worship)? Do you really just mean “Contemporary?”
In practice the two terms share many similarities. Both are likely to use guitars, drums and other instruments common in today’s musical scene. They both strive to contextualize worship into the context of a particular group of people. Both strive to use music as a way to open hearts and emotions to connecting with God through worship.
So how is “Emerging” different than “contemporary” To understand that lets contrast the two words. Both terms emphasize time. “Contemporary” refers to the time period of now. Unlike the term “traditional” which emphasizes following methods or styles of the past “contemporary” seeks to worship God through “today’s” styles and methods. When the movement emerged this style shattered expectations of what church was all about as it emphasized worshiping in new and relevant ways.
The words “emerge” “emerging” “Emerging” carry a different meaning. They do not reflect a single time period but rather a process. Unlike “contemporary” which emphasizes now, “Emerging” emphasizes the process of moving forward. It is grounded in the past and the future, not in the present.
One difference this creates is a deep connection to the past. Tradition and church history shape who we emerge into being. Music, worship, and theology cannot be understood simply by looking at today’s culture. All of these elements have long and meaningful histories and traditions that shape who we are as individual believers and as bodies of believers.
However, God is not done working in the world. We can’t simply look at traditions and the past for what God has done. All of the traditions that currently have meaning to us emerged from something else That process is still going on. We not only remember the story of Christianity, the story of worship, but we also are experiencing next chapter that God is writing.
This is considerably less stagnant than the “contemporary” style. After all what is contemporary one year can easily become “old” the next. Describing “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” as contemporary hardly makes sense. This song, like many others has had a dramatic impact on worship and help lead people to worshipping God in meaningful ways. Likewise new songs and styles will emerge which will continue to help worshipers experience God.
For me I find that I am too connected with the past to be “contemporary.” I just like hymns way too much. I agree with traditional theology too much to throw that away. On the other hand I am not satisfied with living in the past through relying on tradition. I want to be part of the story of faith that begun with God creating the world and continues with new creation even today.
It is possible that this is more my take on worship than a view endorsed by the “Emerging Church” movement. Also, much of the new worship music reflects a combination of tradition and innovation without being part of the “Emerging” movement.
Several key ideas involved with Emerging Church movement are that of postmodernism, conversation, narrative, creativity, holistic, non-hierarchical. Critics of the movement (though less so the worship style addressed above) include assert that the movement is pluralistic, a movement of protest, intolerant towards conservative evangelicals, and to hold non-orthodox views.
For more information on the Emerging church and Emerging worship including some criticism’s of the movement check out these links.
New York Times Article
Emerging Worship
But what exactly is “Emerging Worship” (A.K.A. Emergent Worship)? Do you really just mean “Contemporary?”
In practice the two terms share many similarities. Both are likely to use guitars, drums and other instruments common in today’s musical scene. They both strive to contextualize worship into the context of a particular group of people. Both strive to use music as a way to open hearts and emotions to connecting with God through worship.
So how is “Emerging” different than “contemporary” To understand that lets contrast the two words. Both terms emphasize time. “Contemporary” refers to the time period of now. Unlike the term “traditional” which emphasizes following methods or styles of the past “contemporary” seeks to worship God through “today’s” styles and methods. When the movement emerged this style shattered expectations of what church was all about as it emphasized worshiping in new and relevant ways.
The words “emerge” “emerging” “Emerging” carry a different meaning. They do not reflect a single time period but rather a process. Unlike “contemporary” which emphasizes now, “Emerging” emphasizes the process of moving forward. It is grounded in the past and the future, not in the present.
One difference this creates is a deep connection to the past. Tradition and church history shape who we emerge into being. Music, worship, and theology cannot be understood simply by looking at today’s culture. All of these elements have long and meaningful histories and traditions that shape who we are as individual believers and as bodies of believers.
However, God is not done working in the world. We can’t simply look at traditions and the past for what God has done. All of the traditions that currently have meaning to us emerged from something else That process is still going on. We not only remember the story of Christianity, the story of worship, but we also are experiencing next chapter that God is writing.
This is considerably less stagnant than the “contemporary” style. After all what is contemporary one year can easily become “old” the next. Describing “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” as contemporary hardly makes sense. This song, like many others has had a dramatic impact on worship and help lead people to worshipping God in meaningful ways. Likewise new songs and styles will emerge which will continue to help worshipers experience God.
For me I find that I am too connected with the past to be “contemporary.” I just like hymns way too much. I agree with traditional theology too much to throw that away. On the other hand I am not satisfied with living in the past through relying on tradition. I want to be part of the story of faith that begun with God creating the world and continues with new creation even today.
It is possible that this is more my take on worship than a view endorsed by the “Emerging Church” movement. Also, much of the new worship music reflects a combination of tradition and innovation without being part of the “Emerging” movement.
Several key ideas involved with Emerging Church movement are that of postmodernism, conversation, narrative, creativity, holistic, non-hierarchical. Critics of the movement (though less so the worship style addressed above) include assert that the movement is pluralistic, a movement of protest, intolerant towards conservative evangelicals, and to hold non-orthodox views.
For more information on the Emerging church and Emerging worship including some criticism’s of the movement check out these links.
New York Times Article
Wikipedia Article
Theopedia Article
Emergent Village
Vineyard Website
Amazon Books about the Emerging Church
Theopedia Article
Emergent Village
Vineyard Website
Amazon Books about the Emerging Church
See You at the Pole
We had a great time at See You at the Pole on September 26. Food, worship, and prayer took place at the two middle schools, MP, and MA. Here are a few pictures from MP.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Six Flags Fright Fest
Trip canceled: Unfortunately we did not have enough people sign up so we will reschedule for another time. If you paid for the trip expect your check to be returned this week. Are you ready for thrills and chills? Join us as we enjoy the fantastic rides and scary theme for Fright Fest at Six Flags (click on the image for more details).
When: Saturday, October 13
Time: Leave the church at 9:00 in the morning and be back at 11:30 that night
Cost: $30
DEADLINE: THIS FRIDAY. We need your $30 turned into Josh or the office by Friday (September 28) at noon.
Notes
If we do not have enough people to get a group discount we may need to cancel the trip. In that case you will receive a complete refund.
Please let me know if finances are holding you back from going on this trip. There is an opportunity for you to still go.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The Council is Called
The Youth Council will meet this Wednesday (Sept 19) following the evening Bible study. This meeting should last approximately from 7:15-7:45. This is part of our schedule to meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month.
Josh
Josh
Monday, September 17, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Lock-in Schedule
Arrive (Youth House)
6:00 Arrive and check in
Ultimate Frisbee (Mary Persons Track)
6:30 Go to field
6:45-8:00 Ultimate Tournament
Karaoke & Party (Legion Hall)
8:00 Travel to Legion Hall
8:10 Karaoke, food & fellowship
11:00 Return to church
Free Time (Youth House)
11:00-12:00 Free time (good time to arrive late)
Special Event (Fellowship Hall)
Pep Rally/Bible Study (Youth House)
1:00 Stay awake with some group games and spend time reflecting on the Seven Deadly sins
Church Games- (Inside the Church)
2:25 Move stuff over to the church
2:30-5:00 Capture the flag, Sardines, Man Hunt (and/or sleep in designated area)
Wakeup & Breakfast- (Fellowship Hall)
5:30 Breakfast of Champions (cereal)
5:45 Pack up
6:00 Leave (for real, all the adults are definitely ready to go!)
Please call Josh to let him know what time you will be coming if you plan on arriving late or if you have any questions. 478-973-9329.
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