Youth Service Planning

Planning for the next Burwood Youth service (and the many to follow) is officially underway. This week is the last week for brainstorming - after this it will be time to get working and get practical. Feel free to email or comment on this post with any ideas you have about how a Burwood Youth Service could or should look. What are your favourite part(s) of a church service? What's been done in the past that you've liked? What do you think is missing? What don't you like? What are some topics you think are interesting and relevant for us to focus on?

We will be having one planning session this Sabbath at some point after the church lunch in the Apprentices room (the second room on the west side of the church). It won't go for very long, so come pre-prepared with your ideas and opinions.

"But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way." - John 4:23

Have a great week, and keep safe in this wild weather!

Kathryn

Jesus' advice for the church

This week in the apprentices class we expanded on the second part of our mission: to build friendships and belong. We read Jesus' last words of advice to his disciples in the upper room. John 13:1-3 helps sets the scene...
Jesus has been working with his disciples for 3 years; this is the last bit of quiet teaching time he has with them.
His last chance to make sure that they will found the kind of church that he hopes for.
What's he going to say?

First, he shows them with an example: he washed their feet. Read John 13:4-17. The idea of putting others before yourself might seem obvious to us, but it seems the disciples had trouble with the concept! See Mark 9:33-37, Mark 10:35-45, and Luke 22:20-27.

Then, he tells them, as clearly and plainly as possible: "...now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:33-35.

So what is the meaning of footwashing for us?
How can we apply it today?
If Jesus were here now, would he need to give this "new" commandment again to us, too?

To help answer these questions, see Paul's interpretation of what Jesus wanted for his church in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthinas 12 & 13.

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE:

1. Continue with the challenge from last week - try a type/method of prayer you haven't done before and see how it works for you, or...
2. Do something to try and make Burwood Church more like the church of Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 & 13.
   

Prayer Ideas

In the Youth SS class we're currently looking at our mission - and on Saturday we focused on prayer as a way to get closer to God. Our challenge for the week is to try a style of prayer we haven't really done before and see how it goes - here's a list of suggestions:

1. The ACTS model (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) - this model ensures your prayers are balanced and not just a shopping list for God! see http://www.prayerguide.org.uk/actsmodel.htm
2. Say Good morning to God - see Psalm 5:3 and try starting your day with God.
3. Begin a prayer list - keeping a record of the people and issues you pray for will help you remember, and you'll see when your prayers are answered.
4. “Practicing the presence of God” - look up Brother Lawrence and try short prayers throughout your day, to remind you that God is always there.
5. Write letters to God - sometimes it's easier to pray on paper, it's more natural for us to write a letter or email to somebody you can't hear or see. You can keep the letters as a prayer journal and use it like the list in #3.
6. Creating space in your day – we fill every crack and crevice of our lives with stuff (TV, blogs, radio, newspapers & magazines...) … what about leaving some space for God in these times instead? When you're driving or catching the train, try turning off the radio or your ipod and chatting to God.
   
7. For the brave: pray publicly – Daniel 6:10-11
8. Praying in groups - try setting a regular prayer time with your brother/sister/partner/ parents; Matt 18:19-20
9. Praying in the broom cupboard (or other secret place!) – Matt 6:5-8
10. Pray through the Psalms - try finding a psalm that expresses how you're feeling, read it to God, and think about how it applies in your situation. You might be surprised by how relevant they are (just make sure you have a good translation..!) Try Psalm 27 in the Message or the New Living Translation.
11. Try the same thing as #10 with Modern Worship Songs - there are many out there that have great words, which can be really relevant for whatever situation you're in. Try the golden oldie Shout to the Lord.
    
12. Observe nature - go for a walk in a park or garden, admire God's creation, and thank him for it.