MPC Youth
A Weekly Newsletter
Thought for the Week
Seek truth and you will find a path.
Can you remember a time when you received "I'll tell you when you're older" as a response to a question?
If you've reached "later", can you remember ever actually getting the answer?
That's one of the frustrating things about growing up. It never seems like you've reached "later" and are ready for the secret information that all adults know about...whatever it is we know. In all fairness, our parents are usually right when they tell us that - we probably aren't emotionally ready for the information, it would cause us unnecessary worry, or we simply can't process it yet.
In this week's lectionary text, the disciples have a similar experience. It is after the Resurrection and Jesus has rejoined his followers to share some last insights. He is describing the time to come and the work that they will do and then, in John 16:12, he halts his narrative and tells them "I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now."
They were so close to receiving this secretive information. It was on the tip of Jesus' tongue! This was the person who could give them the ultimate spoilers - what is the Holy Spirit doing, what is Heaven like, what God is up to - and they were denied! After everything they've been through and everything in store for them.
The Message translation says that his message "stirred up a hornet’s nest of questions among the disciples" and they started to ask one another questions about this frustrating response.
Some of you may be familiar with 1992's military-murder mystery-court procedural-drama, A Few Good Men. Even if you're not, you're familiar with the climactic scene where Tom Cruise finally breaks Jack Nicholson's character.
YOU WANT ANSWERS?!
I want the truth!
YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
Ouch. After all this, we're still not ready? Yeah, maybe they stumbled a little along the way, but the disciples around him now have followed Jesus from the beginning. And we're sharing that boat to some extent. We go to church, youth group, and Sunday School. We do all the things we're supposed to do! We have to wait, too?
Any way you cut it, it's frustrating.
He doesn't leave us completely in the dark. It is now that Jesus reminds the disciples that the Holy Spirit will enter the world in a new and exciting way that will help us understand all the things we couldn't before. We grow, with the Spirit's help, to the point where we can understand the pieces that don't quite make sense now.
Still, that's frustrating. But it is also a challenge! We have the opportunity constantly engage with Scripture and with each other. We have a lifetime to learn and grow in our faith.
I find this to be one of the biggest challenges and excitements of our faith. This is the truth, for me: we sit in the knowledge that the intricacies of our faith and our God are so vast that we will always find more to wonder about.
- Liz
Upcoming Schedule
Sunday Morning Schedule - LAST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL!
- Middle School Sunday School, 9:15 AM (Youth Room)
- High School Sunday School, 9:15 AM (Dale Hall Classroom)
- Contemporary Worship, 11:00 AM (Sanctuary)
Sunday Evening Schedule
- End of Year Celebration, 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM (The Sharbaugh's)
Wednesday Evening Schedule
- VBS Craft Gathering, 7:00 PM (Youth Room)
Thank You Larisa!
End of the Year Celebration
We're almost at the end of the school year which means we'll be gathering together to celebrate!
On Sunday, May 29, the church switches into summer mode with only one worship time! This means that Sunday School and Youth Group will end for the year on Sunday, May 22nd.
Instead of having our typical Youth Group on Sunday nights, we'll gather at the Sharbaugh's house (check your email this week for the address!) from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM for dinner and fellowship! We're going to try our hand at Geocaching, so wear comfortable shoes and clothes! Please bring alternate footwear (different shoes, a pair of socks) for the time we spend inside their house. We want to be courteous guests, of course!
Check your email from this week for the address!
This is a combined event for Middle and High School, so we hope you'll join us!
We'll provide the meatball subs and salads if you'll bring the extras!
Last Names beginning with
- A - I bring drinks!
- J - Q bring snacks (chips, veggies)!
- R - Z bring something for dessert!
Last Day of Sunday School
Worship Change!
If you love to sing hymns on Sunday, then consider coming to the summer pick-up choir! They'll meet to rehearse before the worship service - no evening practices! Contact Lisa VanHeldorf with any questions.
This schedule will run from May 29 through September 4.
VBS Wednesday Nights
Our Vacation Bible School Coordinator – Pam Orr – would like to invite you all to join the children of MPC on Wednesday nights in May (7:00 – 8:00 PM) to begin working on VBS crafts! They will meet downstairs and will have several projects to work on.
VBS is a special time for MPC – it is a huge outreach event to our community and the youth are always a very important part of that week! So, come and join the Children’s Ministry Team for crafts and fellowship to prepare for this summer event!
This week - the 25th - is our LAST Wednesday Night gathering! Wear clothes to paint in!
Church Picnic
Come celebrate the beginning of summer with Media Presbyterian Church! There will be games, fun, and fellowship for all ages!
Look for a sign-up sheet in the church and more details in MPC This Week!
Sunday, Jun 12, 2016, 12:00 PM
Ridley Creek State Park, Sycamore Mills Road, Media, PA, United States
Congregational meeting
Summer Church Events
Mark your calendars for these important summer Church events:
Banner Elk: July 24 - 30. Contact Bob Young with any questions.
Vacation Bible School: August 8 - 12. Contact Pam Orr with any questions.
Youth Staycation 2016
This summer we'll be gathering for fun and fellowship with a repeat of the popular "Staycation" events! Come to as many events as you can, when you can!
We're going to have a mix of events with various prices (MANY - if not most - will be FREE!). Keep an eye out for the calendar in the next few weeks!
Service Opportunities
- Volunteers are needed for MPC's service day on Saturday, June 18 from 3:45 - 6:30 PM. For more information or to volunteer please contact Rich Erickson.
Media Food Bank
- Our next volunteer day is Saturday, May 28 at 9:30 AM. Please donate cereal, toilet paper, sugar-free items, small packages of napkins, and other non-perishable items. Leave them in the kitchen in the bin marked "Food Bank."
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