Youth Sunday
Youth Sunday was such an incredible witness for me. The youth led the worship service, doing everything from testimony, scripture reading, reflecting on their Mfuge trip, the music, to even taking up the offering! At the beginning of the service I sat at the back. I wanted to see how people would react to “the youth’s music.” It wasn’t loud, in fact, probably could have been a couple of decibles louder! But it was different. Not everyone in attendance knew the songs, which were contemporary/praise and the lyrics displayed on an overhead projector. To the youth’s defense there were classical hymns played in the worship service, but done with guitar, not the organ. Oh, the organ did play during the offertory and doxology, but that was the only reminder of Sundays past. Youth Sunday was not about the youth, but about God working through the lives of the youth! To God be the glory!
Sounds like fun!
What a blessing it is to see young people actively involved in the worship service! I am so thankful for the adults who make time in their busy lives to invest in these young lives. I think our goal should be to have at least one young person actively participating in the worship service each week — greeting people and handing out bulletins, assisting with the offering, etc. It is good training for them as future church leaders and a visible reminder to all that, no matter how young, they are equally important members of the church body.
What a privilege to be a part of Azalea Baptist’s youth! That’s the way I feel. I am part of the youth leader team of four. If you missed Youth Sunday, January 25th, 2009, at Azalea, I would encourage you to ask for a copy of the service. The youth were truly an inspiration. God used them to spread His message of hope and encouragement to all who were there. That was the theme of the service actually – God is Our Hope in the Everyday. And the youth, youth leaders and congregation were all encouraged to look inside and around themselves and notice how God is there for us in the average, the mundane, the normal day and routines of life. So many times we only see God in the spectacular,on the mountain top. Times like summer camp, an inspiring conference or va Christian concert get us all charged up for God. But God doesn’t go anywhere when we are in the trenches of everyday life, school,work, home, family and friends. He is still there. We just have to recognize that fact and claim the promise of His hope for us. So when conflicts, issues, stress and trouble come to us, we have Christ to give us strength and peace to get us through. The youth shared that through testimony, scripture, skits and wonderful music that worshiped our Maker. I thank God for the opportunity to be a part of His work within Azalea’s youth. Have a blessed vday, Melinda Saunders