03-19-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 19, 2025
We are less than two weeks away from Youth Sunday. I recall my older siblings participating in a Youth Sunday. As I grew older and joined the Youth Group, I had the opportunity to contribute to the planning of that special Sunday. Guess what? The planning of worship was harder than I thought, and though I had sat through more than 500 worship services by the time I was in Youth Group, I suddenly found myself unable to remember the order, who said what at the communion table, when did we stand and when did we sit, and how many songs were traditionally sung? Sitting in the congregation, especially from an early age, you follow the lead and you are drawn into the routine. But even for the most observant, it can be a bit unsettling to move from the pews (we had pews in our sanctuary growing up) to the big stage (chancel). Starting in college, I assisted youth in planning Youth Sundays and continued that work for nearly two decades. However, it’s been a while since I last helped organize these services. Despite having some exceptional youth, we’re currently facing challenges in putting everything together. And that is because I am so out of practice. So please be gracious to our youth. If something goes wrong, it is probably my fault. With that said, I have the same hope every year. When it is all said and done, I want the youth to have had a wonderful experience. I want them to feel proud of what was offered, not simply to the congregation, but to God. I invite you to be prayerful for the youth in the days ahead as the preparation continues.

Wherever creative work is being done in your name, O Loving God, we pray for the creativity to also find some structure and time to build confidence for those who are leading. Amen.