We had our last National Gathering Meeting on June 21st. We had a great meeting and we are down to 29 days before departure.
A few things to highlight from the meeting:
Medical Release Forms: We need to have the medical release forms or you can not go on the trip. We also need to have a copy of your insurance card. We will be making 4 copies of these forms. You can drop the forms off when you drop off your luggage.
Luggage: We are requiring you to drop off your luggage on Sunday or Monday. Make arrangements with me regarding drop-off. I am going to be packing the van on Monday evening before our trip.
Extra Extra: Lindsay is working on a list of what we are bringing, so we do not duplicate: music, dvd’s, games, and snacks. Let’s work together and be efficient.
Enjoy The Silence: I think that it is very important that we are prepared “spiritually” for this trip and I think that one of the ways for us to do this is through daily devotions. I want to STRONGLY encourage you to participate in this 30 day experiment.
Departure: We are departing on Tuesday July 21st at 7 am. We will be driving all the way down to Tuscallosa, Alabama on Tuesday. It is going to be a great day in the van. Let us have fun, come with a great spirit.
We are going to be helping out with DZ on the 10th. Come to the kitchen at 5:30 and help with final prep and serving. We will then eat and help with final clean-up. If you want to go up to the youth room afterwards, we will have it open till 7:30.
We are headed to Applebee’s for dinner and discussion. If you want to meet at the church, we are leaving at 5:15. If you want to meet us up there, meet us up there at 5:30. We will have dinner and have a discussion.
On Sunday night from 5:30 – 7:30, we have fellowship / hang-out time. We will throw Madagascar 2 up on the big screen and the basketball games will be on the tv and there will be paint out for those who want to paint. You can choose how to relax. We will also do faithlens.
On Sunday, we watched the movie, ‘The Boy With Striped Pajama’. It was a very good moving that was very touching and it definitely left a mark on the students in attendance. After, the movie, there was complete silence.
Normall, we have a discussion after the movie. But, tis time …. we just remained silent for a few moments and gently talked about the issue and others including slavery.
Here is a movie trailer, if you are unfamiliar with the movie:
During part of the movie, Bruno denies his friendship because of the German soldier. Here are a few questions to ponder:
Why do many of our childhood friendships end?
Have you ever felt betrayed by a friend, if so; what happened?
Is it possible that you might have responded the way Bruno did? Why or why not?
How would you have responded if you were the Jewish boy?
Scripture:
Luke 22:54-62 (New Living Translation) So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!” But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!” After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!” “No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted. About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.” But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.
The Conection
It’s interesting, because the context of this event is very much like the scene we watched in the clip. Peter had spent over three years with Jesus, so many people would know that they were friends. However, when questioned first by a slave girl and then others, Peter lied about having anything to do with Jesus. And as we read, the consequence was that he was heartbroken and experienced great emotional pain.
Why do you think the people asked Peter about knowing Jesus?
What possible consequences did Peter face if he admitted having a friendship with Jesus?
Do you think it was easy or difficult for Bruno and Peter to deny their friendships? Why?
Why do you think Peter wept bitterly?
Is it possible for us to deny Jesus today, even if it is in different ways? Why or why not?
What does denying Jesus look like today?
Do you think Jesus wants a friendship with us after we deny Him?
Wrap Up:
The great news is that even though we all betray Jesus from time to time, forgiveness and a renewing of our friendship with Him is ALWAYS available. Let me read to you what happened between Peter and Jesus after Jesus rose from the dead.
After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
Hey ladies anf=d gentlemen, here is a great concert opportunity that is coming to our neck of the woods. It is coming to Columbus. The “glitch” is that it is on a school night which can cause troubles on the front end if you are involved in any activity after school AND also to the fact that we will not get back to Wooster till after midnight.
We will leave the church by 4:30. You MUST sign up for this event by April 12th, so I can make final arrangements for the trip. You can either sign up on the youth board outside of the main office on 200 OR you can email me at greathouse@zionlutheran-wooster.org
You will need the following money for the trip: fast food dinner, concert ticket ($10) and money for concession or souveneirs. I know it will be rough but I would love to take a group down there.
On Sunday, March 15th, we are getting together for dinner and discussion. If you want to meet at the church, we will be departing at 5:30, if you want to meet us up there; you can meet in the gathering area at 5:45.
We will have dinner and we will catch up on life and will have discussion about a current issue that is tied in with the scripture reading of the day.
