04-16-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
April 16, 2024
This Sunday is Youth Sunday, and if you’ve shared in a Youth Sunday at Cypress Creek Christian Church, then you know you don’t want to miss out. There is something amazing about how the youth who are connected to this church find a way to publicly offer us a glimpse into their faith journeys—their questions, doubts, hopes, and joys. In a world where a growing number of people are finding connections and friendships through online gaming and other communities, there remains something important about in-person relationships and connections. It is extraordinarily good for the mind and soul, and from what I understand, our youth (many of them whose families are not technically members of the church) are finding something affirming and life-giving in their weekly gatherings, along with camp and mission trips. If Cypress Creek Christian Church offered nothing else, I think we could feel as if the ministry of the church was honoring the life-giving and life-affirming love of God.

If you’ve never attended a Youth Sunday, make sure to be there this Sunday at 10:25am in the Centrum (one service Sunday). And be prayerful that what occurs encourages the youth in their ongoing journeys of faith. Years ago, when I was doing Youth Ministry, I had a Youth Sunday that was sort of disastrous. It wasn’t what was shared, but we missed a few cues, and a key participant didn’t show up. There was lots of weeping and gnashing of teeth, but when it was all said and done, the congregation gushed all over those youth. They were affirmed, and there was a lot of good to be named. For months, the youth talked about the experience as a positive, not dwelling on the handful of oops along the way. One of those youth is a minister today, and three of them (that I still know) are very active with their children in churches. I’m not suggesting it was their Youth Group experiences or that specific Youth Sunday, but I believe those were part of it.

We give thanks, O Merciful God, for all the work of grace that occurs within the Youth Ministry of Cypress Creek Christian Church. We give thanks for the affirmations, the sense of self-worth that is discovered, the opportunities to share and receive support in the challenges of growing up, and for all the laughter, joy, and silliness. Continue to find ways of using the people of this Church as a means by which your love is poured over youth and children everywhere. Amen.