MPC Youth
A Weekly Newsletter
Thought for the Week
listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere!
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" is a Christmas standard that has been recorded by people across all musical genres. I am partial to the version done by Bing Crosby, but more recent artists like Carrie Underwood have kept this song popular since its first appearance in the 1960s.
If you've ever taken the time to look up the lyrics, you may find them to be atypical of a "traditional" Christmas carol. In this song, the star has a "tale as big as a kite" and a loud voice "ringing through the sky." It doesn't really sound like the Star of Bethlehem, twinkling happily above the manger, as much as it sounds like...a missile.
In October of 1962, as the Cold War bubbled towards open conflict with the Cuban Missile Crisis, Noel Regeny, a songwriter, was inspired to write this song while out on a walk. Noel had suffered through war as a French soldier in World War II and was keenly aware of the violence the world could hold and was afraid that his new-found safety in the USA was threatened. He and his wife, who orchestrated the song, were afraid for their country, their family, and the world. They - and many others - thought there was a real chance that someone powerful would make a mistake and they would see and hear these bright tails soaring through the sky.
On his way home, Noel saw two mothers taking their babies for a walk and he found his whole spirit uplifted. His thoughts turned from missiles and wars to babies and lambs. By the time he arrived home, he had finished the lyrics to "Do You Hear What I Hear?" in his head.
When describing this song, Noel says, "I am amazed that people can think they know the song -- and not know it is a prayer for peace." This song was his deep, personal prayer that the world find peace. It was such a moving song, in fact, that he was never able to perform it himself. He said that his favorite recording of the tune was not necessarily the Bing Crosby version that gained the nation's attention, but a version sung by Robert Goulet. He was attracted by Goulet's strong voice almost shouting out "Pray for peace, people everywhere!"
So, when you hear this song on the radio, perhaps a hundred times between now and Christmas, I hope you will take a moment to really listen. It is one man's prayer for a world in crisis, a world that desperately needed and longed for peace. Does it still speak to us today? It should. When Cuba, Russia, and nuclear war have been replaced by ISIS, terrorist attacks, and school shootings, I find the simple lyrics of this tune to be perfect.
Pray for peace, people everywhere!
- Liz
Upcoming Schedule
- Middle School Sunday School, 9:15 AM (Youth Room)
- High School Sunday School, 9:15 AM (Stephen Ministry Room off Dale Hall)
- Confirmation, 9:15 AM (Room 102)
- Contemporary Worship, 11:00 AM (Sanctuary)
** High School Sunday School: Please note the room change! **
Sunday Evening Schedule
- High School Praise Team, 5:30 - 6:30 PM (Sanctuary)
- Middle School Youth Group, 5:00 - 6:30 PM (Youth Room)
- Middle School Praise Team, 6:30 - 7:30 PM (Sanctuary)
- High School Youth Group, 7:00 - 8:30 PM (Youth Room)
Chester YoungLives
Thanks to your hard work and the generosity of our congregation, we were able to net $870! That money purchased gift cards for the 18 young women and their children supported by the Chester YoungLives!
We are thrilled to be able to provide some extra Christmas joy to these young families!
Lock Ins!
High School: Friday, December 12 - Saturday, December 13
Middle School: Friday, January 15 - Saturday, January 16
High School CLICK HERE for information about next month's lock-in!
Advent Wreath Lighting
The Middle and High School Sunday School classes will be lighting the Advent wreath on Sunday, December 13 at both worship services!
If you'd like to read or light the candles, please talk to Liz or your Sunday School teacher!
Youth Outside MPC
Need a good laugh?? Then you should go check out #ImprovGate at Penncrest High School and look for MPC's resident comedian, Chase Dungan! The show is Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00 PM in the high school auditorium.
Are you involved in a show, sport, or other activity and you want to share with your MPC family? Contact Liz!
Service Opportunities
The Angel Tree is back! This popular Christmas tradition is organized by the Deacons to support children in need in the Rose Tree Media School District and the Second Time Around Parents (STAP) who are raising their grandchildren and, sometimes, great-grandchildren.
Each Angel has a Christmas wish of a grandparent, grandchild, or a child from our community. This is the last Sunday to pick an Angel from the tree! Take an Angel, shop for the gift, attach the angel to the present, and return it to the tree!
All Angels and their gifts need to return to the Tree by the 11:00 worship on Sunday, December 13!
*****
On Christmas Eve, we are going to line the walkway to the church with white luminaries to invite all who pass by our doors to join us in Christmas Eve worship! We will be assembling these luminaries during Youth Group but we will need two volunteers for each worship service to light the candles inside!
If you'd like to help light these candles before any of the Christmas Eve services, see Liz!
Christmas Eve Worship Schedule
- 5:00 PM: Children's Christmas Eve Service
- 7:30 PM: Family Candlelight Service
- 9:30 PM: Communion Candlelight Service
This is a special time of year for the Church. Come spend it with us!
Calendar
December
- Friday, December 11
High School Lock-In begins - 7:00 PM (Youth Room) - Saturday, December 12
High School Lock-In ends - 9:00 AM (Youth Room) - Sunday, December 13
Grief Support Group - 6:00 PM (Room 103)
No High School Youth Group - Saturday, December 19
Praise Team Rehearsal - 11:00 AM (Sanctuary) - Sunday, December 20
Children's Christmas Pageant - 11:00 AM (Sanctuary)
Christmas Concert - 6:30 PM (Sanctuary)
No Youth Group (due to the Christmas Concert) - Tuesday, December 22
The Longest Night: A Service of Remembrance and Healing, 7:00 PM (Sanctuary) - Thursday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
Children's Christmas Eve Service - 5:00 PM (Sanctuary)
Family Candlelight Service - 7:30 PM (Sanctuary)
Communion Candlelight Service - 9:30 PM (Sanctuary) - Sunday, December 27
Combined Worship Service - 10:00 AM (Sanctuary)
No Youth Events (Sunday School, Confirmation, Youth Group)
Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering with the youth, either in Sunday School or Youth Group, please email Liz!
You are welcome to join us as often as you are able!
Follow Us!
Youth Program of Media Presbyterian Church
The Youth Ministry programs at MPC has long been a place that welcomes teenagers to embrace their questions and their struggles with faith in a healthy and safe environment.
The Youth Program is led by Ms. Liz Remelius, Director of Youth Ministries. Liz nurtures a deep love of education and believes that there is "a divine beauty in learning." She hopes that anyone who participates in MPC's Youth Ministry will be equipped to ask questions, search for answers, and turn that knowledge into action, both in the Church and the world.
Email: liz@mediapresbyterian.org
Website: http://www.mediapresbyterian.org/ministries/youth-ministry
Location: 30 East Baltimore Avenue, Media, PA, United States
Phone: 610-566-3944
Facebook: facebook.com/MPCYouthGroup
Twitter: @YOUTH_MPC