MPC Youth
A Weekly Newsletter
Thought for the Week
It's hard to believe we're almost in February; it feels like the New Year just happened. But, no, the calendar isn't lying and February is a busy month. The Super Bowl is a little more than a week away! We've got parties to plan, bandwagons to jump on (kidding, of course! I'm sure this area was already full of Panthers fans!), and halftime shows to critique. Valentine's Day paraphernalia has been in the stores for a few weeks already. Advertisements are going strong, reminding us not to forget that special person on that special day, or else. It's also Black History Month. There are a ton of events happening in and around Philadelphia, DC, and other major cities, highlighting the importance and vitality of the African American Culture. AND, on top of all that, Ash Wednesday brings us into the solemn season of Lent! We're already looking ahead to Easter.
With such a full schedule, it seems important to focus on love throughout February. We've made the romantic aspect of the month so much the focus of our shopping and planning, that it is easy to ignore all the other stuff that is happening. This focus on romantic love has also made the month feel cheesy. Why participate in this month at all unless you have a romantic partner?
The truth is that, regardless of how corny it may feel to say, love should be driving us in all of our interactions, every day. We can love our friends and family members, regardless of their NFL allegiance. We may not be happy with them for the three hours the game runs and we probably say a few things in the heat of the moment following a bad call that we don't really mean, but we still love them.
Love is more difficult to practice than we'd like to give it credit for. 1 Corinthians 13 lists all these things that love is and is not - all of which are great when they're on a magnet on the fridge, but suddenly become harder to achieve when you're dealing with actual people.
Nowhere in this 1 Corinthians passage does it say that we get to choose which people we love. It says nothing about only including our partners, friends, and families and excluding our difficult co-workers, least favorite relatives, and unlikable political figures.
It says nothing about love being easy, either. In fact, love is often difficult. Sometimes, it is hard to tell the truth and be loving at the same time. There are times where it feels kinder to not tell the whole truth. It is hard to not feel resentful when you put a lot of love into something and people overlook your dedication. It is hard to restrain yourself from gloating after a heated discussion when you turn out to be right. I told you so is not really loving language.
Friends, this high view of love is hard. It is a lot to expect from anyone, and yet we are consistently asked and challenged to do so. Scripture tells us that the top two commandments are: "...Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." and "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Two "easy" rules that contain, within them, an entire world and a steep challenge.
So, as we move into this month that has been monopolized by a commercial expectation of love, let's try, together, to consciously act with the authentic love of 1 Corinthians, before and after February 14.
- Liz
Upcoming Schedule
Sunday Morning Schedule
- Middle School Sunday School, 9:15 AM (Youth Room)
- High School Sunday School, 9:15 AM (Stephen Ministry Room)
- Confirmation, 9:15 AM (Room 102)
- Contemporary Worship, 11:00 AM (Sanctuary)
Sunday Evening Schedule
- Middle School Youth Group, 5:00 PM (Youth Room)
- High School Praise Team, 5:30 PM (Sanctuary)
- Middle School Praise Team, 6:30 PM (Sanctuary)
- High School Youth Group, 7:00 PM (Sanctuary)
Wednesday Evening Schedule
- Youth Gathering, 7:00 PM (Youth Room)
Wednesday Nights
All programs will run from 7:00-8:00 PM.
We are exploring Rob Bell's video series Nooma and enjoying some mid-week fellowship!
Ash Wednesday
There will be NO Wednesday evening programs on February 10 due to this service.
2016 All-Church Retreat
Friday, Feb 12, 2016, 07:00 PM
Harvey Cedars Bible Conference, Harvey Cedars, NJ, United States
Calendar
February
- Sunday, February 7
Annual Congregational Meeting, 10:30AM - Wednesday, February 10
Ash Wednesday Worship, 7:00 PM - Friday, February 12
All-Church Retreat @ Harvey Cedars Begins - Saturday, February 13
All-Church Retreat @ Harvey Cedars - Sunday, February 14
All-Church Retreat @ Harvey Cedars Ends
Combined MS & HS Sunday School
No 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