Pastoral Reflection - An encouraging interaction with the next generation…
Mid-September, I was reading a theology book for school at a local coffee shop. A man in his 20’s sat next to me, noticed what I was reading, and asked me about it (it was a book on scriptural interpretation). This began a 30-minute conversation about Jesus and the faith, something which this young man is interested in learning more about. Like many other young men in his demographic, he is interested in going to church, consumes faith-based content online, and has an affinity for higher-church traditions. When he found out our church has an organ, he asked if our organist has the ability to play anything from Bach (you and I both know the answer to his question is yes), he stated he may very well come visit us. Will he? God knows. I don’t know, but I am hopeful. For now, what I do have is a few points of reflection:
- Coffee shops are a great place for a pastor to do work.
- There are people in our community ready to engage in faith-based conversations.
- God is moving among the next generation.
- Join me in prayer for this young man, the next generation, and the community around us as they encounter our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Youth Group Kick-Off - An immersive devotional journey to start off our year…
The first night of The Cause (High School Youth Group) and Youth Club (Middle School Bible Study) includes a devotional journey throughout the church. This immersive experience is rooted in our pastoral vision for the ministry year (imitating Christ), and includes the following steps:
- We start in the Welcome Center, where we talk about the importance of fellowship and loving one another.
- We then move as a group to our baptistry, sit around it (opened), and talk about what baptism is and what it means to die to the self and to live in Christ.
- The Communion Table is our next stop, where we remember what Christ has done for us.
- Afterward, we head to the Narthex and prayerfully look at the resurrection window, and remember how Christ secures our eternal hope in his victory over sin and death.
- Returning into the sanctuary, we gather at the open Bible towards the front of the sanctuary, and recognize God’s word as His revealed message to us, illuminated by the Holy Spirit.
- We trek up to the second floor and into the youth room, where we pray to the Lord (using the ACTS acronym).
- Our last stop is in the second floor chapel, where we silently reflect on our devotional journey.
Pray for us as we begin our ministry year together through this immersive experience.
Harvest Potluck Gathering & Advent Decoration Night - A celebratory gathering with our church family…
- Join us on the evening of November 22 for Christmas worship music (led by our high school youth group), a potluck dinner (to celebrate Thanksgiving together), and Advent decorating! Everyone is invited! We will also need help! A sign up will be placed in the Welcome Center in mid-October.
90-Day Outlook - Save the dates…
- Youth Club Kick-Off - October 7 - Parents Invited!
- Intergenerational Sunday School Class - October 11, 9:45am
- 2027 Holy Week Missions Trip Info Meeting - October 11, 12:00pm (after service)
- Fall, Fellowship & Fun Event - October 17 - Youth invited to support!
- 2026 Fall REVIVE Rally - October 18 - Check LeTourneau’s Website for more info!
- Beaver Camp Fundraiser - November 7
- Harvest Gathering & Advent Decorations - November 22
- Christmas Mall Trip - December 19
Upcoming Fellowship Opportunities - Come join us…
- Canandaigua Connect (6th-12th grade) - October 8, 6:45am (Tim Horton’s, across from Tops)
- Game Night - Second Saturday, 6:30pm
