This
section of the web site features the youth of the church. Our goal is to
present articles written by the teens, give updates on youth activities, and
allow everyone to get to know the youth group a little better. Hopefully this will be a
positive experience for the youth as well as
those who visit this page.
Click here to see photos from the Youth Group activities.
Reflections on Baptism
Since I have been back in School I have been quite busy with many activities and many assignments from my many classes. One assignment has made me reflect on a passage in particular. The assignment was to write a two page paper commenting Romans 6: 3-4, which reads:
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
This passage has caught me off guard for its strong significance. But before looking at this passage in particular it is necessary to place it into context. This passage, taken from Romans the sixth chapter, finds Paul writing to the Church in Rome. Paul is explaining to them how sin brings death to man, and how only through Christ life can be found. By referring to death, though Paul is not talking about the cessation of all the physical functions of the human body, he is talking about a spiritual death that will occur when the souls of the sinners will be sent to hell. (As seen in Mark 9:43 “And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.”)
In the same manner, by life, Paul is talking about the life which the saved will gain after the second coming of Christ. (As seen in Romans 5:20-21 “Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”)
As far as significance, we see the parallelism between Christ’s death and baptism. We know from what was reported to us from the four gospels that Christ came to earth and charged Himself of all of our sins and faced death in our place. Through this act we can be saved and live eternity with God, if we chose to do so.
Baptism symbolizes our death and burial, which was in reality experienced by Christ, and our resurrection as a new creature. As stated at the end of verse 4 we have received the opportunity of walking in “newness of life” because through baptism all of previous sins have been washed away.
What struck me was the way that Paul expresses these concepts. He in fact is addressing the Romans with a rhetorical question, almost as his intent was to exhort them to always keep in mind that Christ is the one who paid the price of our sins, and that in the moment we decided to be baptized we have accepted to live a life according to God’s will. Therefore we are charged with a responsibility of living our new lives striving always towards heaven.
This exhortation is for all of us today. Every day, in all that we do, keep in mind what Christ has done for us, and keep in mind the responsibility that we have toward Him.
Marco Di Luca
Let's Get to Know a Teen
I have many hobbies, like basketball. I’ve liked basket ball since I was a
little kid. I never really was good at it. I grew up where basketball was pretty
big. I haven’t played on a school team until 7th grade in Sardis elementary,
which was pretty cool. It was something I wanted to do since I was little. You
get to meet new people ,learn to push yourself and have fun at the same time. I
also like to play on the play ground where there is time for creativity, less
running, and less stress. I also like badminton I’ve started playing since 6th
grade during Phys Ed. class. Dodgeball, one of the greatest games ever
invented is another one of my childhood favorites. It was even better when we
used the bright colored rubber balls. [….] I love to listen to music: rap,
classical, emo and country.
ISAIAH GREER
Past Events
Thursday, August 9, the youth went to Kennywood amusement park in Pittsburgh. Click here to see photos.
Sunday, September 9th, was a Youth Service Project Day. Immediately after morning services, the group had lunch together at Pizza Hut. Then the church van was given a good washing, waxing, and cleaning (inside and out). It was a good afternoon of fellowship and service. Nine participated.
The Youth Group participated in a Service Day on Sunday, November 4th. Following lunch together at Pizza Hut, the group spent the afternoon raking leaves. Twelve were in attendance. A good afternoon of fellowship and service were enjoyed. Click here to view photos.
We went caroling at the NMHCC. The residents really appreciated the singing and visits, and it was a very uplifting experience for all. Click here to view photos.
Message From:
Hey everyone! My name is Brittany Ferrebee and I’m here to inform you about the activities that people in this congregation participate. We have an activity to help people in our communities. Last Sunday (Nov. 4), 12 of the people in our congregation raked leaves. We went to two houses and raked their yards. We all put forth a lot of effort but at the same time we still had fun! We jumped in them then raked them up again. We also threw them at each other and had them in our hair and on our clothes. But we didn’t care, we were having a blast! I am 13 and I was jumping in leaves. I will admit, I was having fun. Well, I just wish more people would get involved. It does not matter how old you are, just come and have fun. Click here to view photos.
Brittany
New Year's Eve Lock-In a Success
New Year's Eve Lock-In: The Youth Group New Year's Eve Lock-In was well attended, with over 30 participating. From 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., the group attended the Steelton/Proctor/Bridge Street New Years Eve finger food fellowship at PPG Shelter in Proctor. Then, we went roller skating at Sistersville until midnight. From there, it was on to the Lock-In at River's Edge where the night's events consisted of singing, a devotional given by Marco DiLuca, games, food, fun and fellowship. The night's events concluded at 6:00 a.m.
Click here to view photos.TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR TEENAGERS
These ten rules for conduct were compiled by boys and girls in grades 7-12 in Boston, MA . . .
1. Don't let your parents down, they brought you up.
2. Be smart, obey your parents, you will give orders yourself someday.
3. Think before you drink.
4. Ditch dirty thoughts fast or they will ditch you.
5. Choose a date fit for a mate.
6. Don't go steady unless your are ready.
7. Pick the right friends.
8. Act your age in a car, show-off driving is juvenile.
9. Love God and your neighbor.
10. Live carefully, the soul you save may be your own.
Bible Verse of the Month
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (I Corinthians 10:13)
WHY DO DOGS HAVE SO MANY FRIENDS?
Because they wag their tails and not their tongues!