Worship
Great job to everyone on a meaningful Youth Sunday! 18 middle and high school youth wrote and/or participated in this year’s Youth Sunday worship service on February 25. High school senior, Kara Kinser, delivered a sincere and relevant sermon on being “Renewed in the Spirit.” The service included dressing the communion table at the start of worship, a modern dance interpretation of the scripture passage of Ephesians 4:17-5:8 to put off the old self and be clothed in the new self, a call to the cross to turn over our burdens during morning prayers, and concluded by singing Amazing Grace a cappella. The faith and talent of our young people are precious gifts to the life of our church, community, and world, and we are blessed to be led by them.
Five young ladies from youth group were assisted by Pastor Robbie, Tina Ritchie, Bobby Clark and Jenny Gibb in leading worship on Sunday, August 6. The theme was “All Together Now” from the Massanetta Middle School Conference based on Galatians 3:28-29. To open worship, they dressed the communion table, then invited everyone into worship by singing a cappella “Spirit, Fall On Us.” Youth in middle school shared what they learned at the Massanetta Conference and youth in high school shared experiences and lessons from the Feet-to-Faith mission trip in Ohio. With a depth beyond their ages, they talked about what it means to be together and yet not the same, loving everyone as Christ loves us.
After worship the girls also went shopping to purchase clothes for our Deacon’s Back-to-School project. They shopped for five children with money donated by church members. This is the second year members of youth group have had the opportunity to shop for this project, learning how to be good stewards of money while purchasing fashionable and quality items for children in the Fenton area.
Below are pictures of 4 of the girls who participated showing the posters used in worship (the backsides say “Jew, Greek, slave, free, male, female), and the girls after our shopping trip to Target.
During holiday weekends or special services, class time for children after the Children’s Message in worship will be as follows:
May 28 – Memorial weekend: All children will be dismissed to video rm.
June 4 – Pentecost: Preschool only in video room
July 2 – 4th of July weekend: All children will be dismissed to video rm.
Aug 6 – Youth summer recap: Preschool only in video room
Sept 3 – Labor Day weekend: All children will be dismissed to video rm.
All other Sunday’s, children will have regular class time.
We are excited to host The Story Ballet in our sanctuary Saturday, April 15 at 2pm! Join us for this inspiring story of Christ performed by youth and young adults associated with Visions in Motion dance studio.
Our Children and Youth presented the true meaning of Christmas on Sunday, December 18 during the 11a.m. worship service. Below are a few pictures of the wonderful group of young people we have in our midst. Thank you to the congregation who supports their efforts, and to all parents for bringing the children to us!
Members of the Lake Huron Presbytery and members of our congregation were privileged to participate in a joyful installation of our new co-pastors, Lindsey and Robbie Carnes, on Sunday afternoon, May 22, 2016.
Our church welcomes Ishmael Siniarski to its church family!
Pastor Robbie Carnes baptizing Ishmael
Our youth are truly spirit filled and disciples of Christ. Here is an excerpt from the 9am worship service on February 21, 2016 Youth Sunday where 5 youth interpreted scripture while senior Emily Kinser read the passage. Emily also gave this year’s sermon. All parts of worship were written and delivered by youth at both the 9 & 11am worship services; the theme was “Bread of Life.” And who do you say is the Son of Man?
On Sunday, December 27, our congregation participated in its first Taize Worship service. Our new Presbyterian Hymnal, “Glory to God,” contains 20 Taize songs – four of which were introduced to our congregation. During the time of personal prayer and reflection, candle light was shared and members were invited to come forward, as they felt led, to place their candle in the receptacle and linger for personal contemplation. This time was used to reflect, pray, or to renew commitments to Christ and His church as we approach a New Year. Four of our college students came home and assisted in worship with readings and passing the flame. This worship service was very moving and meaningful. Below is a picture of our chancel area at the end of service.
Our Jr. & Sr. High youth led both worship services for Youth Sunday, February 15, on the transfiguration of Jesus. Senior Olivia Kirkey did an excellent job delivering the sermon titled “The Good, the Bad, and the In-Between,” after a re-enactment of Mark 9:2-9. The message explored how the transfiguration was one way Jesus revealed his divinity to the disciples, and the crucifixion was his final act of revelation. The question was posed, “How will you allow Jesus to reveal himself to you?”
Thank you to Cindy Crawford, Sheila Tabone, Colin & John Hodgkin, and the Lamplights Children’s Choir and the Illuminate Praise Choir for beautifully leading us in music and song! I heard it said that the service was “very worshipful,” “inspirational,” “moving,” and “very well done.”
It is tradition that youth write all parts of worship for this service. Thank you, youth, for your thoughtful and respectful approach to the meaning and experience of worship! Below is a picture of those who wrote and participated in service – regretfully the choirs and musicians are not pictured.
