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Eric Sandberg

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Oct 3, 2019, 1:59:38 PM10/3/19
to CGCM Youth Group and Parents
Hello Parents! I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the cool weather! I am really excited that the weather is finally into "fall" temperatures! If you have had many conversations with me, you'll know that it won't take me long to start talking about how much I love fall weather!

I would like to invite you to join us this Sunday morning in the English ministry service for our re-occurring "family worship" service. It is a great joy to be able to worship together and receive communion together. We will be closing out a section of Old Testament survey this Sunday. The people of God go into exile because of their rebellion, but God has a good plan for His people in difficult times. Come and find out what it means to "seek the peace of Babylon....without being absorbed into Babylon." I think that this topic is very relevant to followers of Jesus who work and live in an increasingly secular society. As followers of Jesus, we are the salt of the earth....but Jesus warns us that if we lose our "saltiness" we are of no use. 


Events:
Friday Night Youth Group (Alpha Youth Course: Why Did Jesus Die?)
Saturday: Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack 1:30-3:30 (St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester)
    *I have a couple of spots left, let me know if you are interested and would like to participate in this event.
Sunday: Family Worship Sunday.



Have a great rest of the week and God bless!


Eric 

Eric Sandberg

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Oct 10, 2019, 11:38:37 AM10/10/19
to CGCM Youth Group and Parents
Hello Parents, I hope you are all doing well!


As we move into this next "Season" in youth ministry, I am reminded of how helping students grow in their faith is a "team sport". While the Bible does call parents to a unique role in developing their children in the knowledge of the LORD, He doesn't call them to do this by themselves. He gives us each other. Everyone in the church plays an integral role in the lives of the students, as well as in each other. I know that there are many moments in the lives of the students where we ask ourselves if our work is worth it. I know there are times of discouragement that follow quickly after a great season of seeing God work. 

I would encourage you to read this article regarding setting our children up to grow in the LORD by providing for them the proper "fuel for the fire" so that we can best work together to honor God's gift and calling to us!

"Parents, bring the sticks to build the bonfire. From Deuteronomy 6:7-9, we see that some of these sticks are teaching the Word to your kids, having gospel conversations with your kids, and grounding your home in God’s Word. Parents also bring prayers for their kids, modeling the gospel, and forgiveness in your marriage. Though parents do not do these things perfectly, it is through both embracing God’s grace and forgiveness for yourself through the gospel and modeling these before your kids that they see faith in action.

The church makes important contributions too. Student pastors bring sticks to add to the parents’ bonfire by teaching the Word, discipling students, and planning and implementing mission trips, camp experiences, and service opportunities. Grandparents can bring sticks to the bonfire by praying for their grandchildren and modeling a life of faith. Other church volunteer leaders add to the parents’ bonfire by teaching Sunday school and small groups, listening to a kid’s struggles, and serving as mentors. All these people come together to bring pieces of a bonfire of spiritual influence started by the parent and encouraged by the “y’all” of the community of faith."





Eric Sandberg

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Oct 17, 2019, 11:50:41 AM10/17/19
to CGCM Youth Group and Parents
Hello Parents, I hope everyone is doing well!! 

Before I forget, Kathy and I will be out of town for the next 2 weekends. The youth ministry will still be meeting on both Fridays and Sundays. Hope you can make it.

Tomorrow night, the youth will be continuing the Alpha series: Why and How Do I pray?

I know that prayer brings up a lot of questions. Specifically around the questions of; why doesn't God answer my prayers more/in the way I want? Why do I need to pray if God already knows what I am going to pray for or what I need? 

We hope that tomorrow night will be a chance for the students to engage with those questions, as well as taking some time to pray.

While the students are addressing some of the questions, I would encourage you to think about the way that questions of the faith are addressed in your families. It is almost a guarantee that your students will have questions of the faith, in some cases there might even be a "crisis of faith". How would you respond? How quick would you listen before giving advice? 

"Building an inviting home for questions of faith takes time, energy, availability, and prayer. Our children need our presence just as much in the teen years as they do the little years. In the rush of sporting events, dance recitals, and homework, it takes effort to create an environment for discussing questions."



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