Kid Connections

Cell last night

A crazy night at cell last night.  Graham joined us as we talked about a potential name for the group rather than just 'group'.  There was lots of laughing and crazy suggestions but I won't give anything away!  We're still thinking ... !!

We then looked at the words of some worship songs to see how God and the cross were described.  Lots of great discussion about Jesus being human and divine, and about what it meant to become sin for us, and about descending to hell. 

It's probably the first time in a while that I've actually had to put some of my theological thinking to use.  Some of the questions had me digging into information way at the back of my brain from doctrine and OT lectures of many years ago.  I feel as though I've forgotten much of what I learnt at college - probably because I'm not using it all the time.  It's good to delve into difficult concepts and try and work through them together - hoping for more revelation and being struck by just how awesome God and the work of the cross is again and again.

... And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  (Eph. 3:17-19)

Youth Cell

I volunteered to cook a meal for the youth cell last night as they were recovering from sitting prelims and we thought it would be good to chill out a bit.  We had sweet and sour chicken with rice (and Isla had volunteered to help but she really cooked most of it herself) before indulging in 2 portions each of a very scrummy chocolate cake (thanks Jenni!).

Afterwards there was a few games, including 'sardines' (thanks to hubby for doing most of the clearing and washing up) and we finally left about 10 pm.  I'd been up since 5am and after a staff meeting in the afternoon followed by some really good indepth theological discussion with some colleagues, I was quite tired by the time we left and fell asleep in the car on the way home (thankfully hubby was driving) so I was glad to see my bed!  It was a good night and next week there will be some discussion and thinking about a name for the group - 'cos 'group' is a bit odd and it's good to have a unifying identity!

Katharos - update

What a great night!  Good interaction, good discussions, good fun, good food, good focus and awesome worship band!  It was great ... and praise God it's an event for young people that leaders can attend too!  Down side - I really don't like to sit on the floor but at least the carpet at Partick Trinity is thick and comfy.  Since it's an event for young people, and hopefully led by young people eventually, I'm not going to complain ... just glad they'll let me in! :)

The young folk had a blast and said they really enjoyed it so I think this is the beginning of great things to come!!!

Katharos

We're off to Partick Trinity tonight with our 2 youth groups for the new Katharos event.  It is a new venture between some of the youth workers from various churches in the west end of Glasgow and it is hoped that the young people will be supported to take on the running of the event, which will be the 4th Sunday of every month.  It has exciting possibilities and we're praying that it will be a real blessing to the young folk.

I wanted to say thanks to friends too for a wonderful night of fellowship, food and fun last night.  We rejoiced into the wee small hours and reflected on the wonderful thing it is to know God intimately.  How truly blessed we are.

Youth Group

I spent this morning with our Sunday youth group at church and thoroughly enjoyed my time with them.  We were discussing how it felt to do something wrong and be convicted by our actions, and how we can come to God and find forgiveness.  I was really blessed by what was shared.  We had a really good time covering some of the young people with many prayers of thanksgiving - creatively using lots of post-it notes and sheets of paper!  And thanks to Anne for introducing me to Percy Pigs ... how scrummy are they ... and for breakfast!?!  I did have a healthy apple too! 

One of the things I've missed while on mat leave has been the amount of time I usually spend in God's Word - particularly when preparing teaching material.  I was reminded this morning of what a joy it is to be encouraged by the truth of Scripture.  Here is a psalm we shared together before writing our own.

Psalm 51 - A Prayer for Forgiveness
(For the music leader. A psalm by David when the prophet Nathan came to him after David had been with Bathsheba.)

1 You are kind, God!  Please have pity on me.  You are always merciful! Please wipe away my sins.   
2 Wash me clean from all of my sin and guilt.
3 I know about my sins, and I cannot forget my terrible guilt.
4 You are really the one I have sinned against; I have disobeyed you and have done wrong. So it is right and fair for you to correct and punish me.
5 I have sinned and done wrong since the day I was born.
6 But you want complete honesty, so teach me true wisdom.
7 Wash me with hyssop until I am clean and whiter than snow.
8 Let me be happy and joyful!  You crushed my bones, now let them celebrate.
9 Turn your eyes from my sin and cover my guilt.
10 Create pure thoughts in me and make me faithful again.
11 Don't chase me away from you or take your Holy Spirit away from me.
12 Make me as happy as you did when you saved me; make me want to obey!
13 I will teach sinners your Law, and they will return to you.
14 Keep me from any deadly sin.  Only you can save me!  Then I will shout and sing about your power to save.
15 Help me to speak, and I will praise you, Lord.
16 Offerings and sacrifices are not what you want.
17 The way to please you is to feel sorrow deep in our hearts.  This is the kind of sacrifice you won't refuse.
18 Please be willing, Lord, to help the city of Zion and to rebuild its walls.
19 Then you will be pleased with the proper sacrifices, and we will offer bulls on your altar once again.