There’s more to helping those in need than just giving them a hamburger!
I saw this video today. It’s convicting and challenging. What do you think?
New mewithoutYou song
Ever heard of them? You have now! Ethan and I will be going to see them play this Saturday! Listen to their new song here:
Have you seen the Peace Summit Pictures??
Check them out on our Facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Pauls-Episcopal-Church-Youth-Ministry/108918305808385
“From Palms to the Cross” This Sunday!
Hello all! Be sure to come on Sunday night this week as we have a special service in which we will follow Jesus through the week before his death through a walking prayer and multi-media service.
Here is an online version:
Also, the Peace Summit is coming up a week from tomorrow! Get ready!
Have you seen the new Mountain TOP video??
Check out this informational video Mountain TOP made. Can you spot people you know?
In Lent we are reminded of Jesus in the desert and the temptations he faced. Jesus took 40 days of prayer and fasting to encounter and come face to face with himself and with God. As we observe our own Lenten fasts, we are invited to go with Jesus into the desert to encounter our own temptations and weakenesses, and through them find our dependence on God all the more.
Take time and use this video to reflect on your own desert experiences. Thanks to Chris Klopp at Christ Cathedral for posting.
Meet the New Youth Minister
Hello! My name is Derek Larson, and I just started as the new Youth Minister here at St. Paul’s. I’m so excited to be here with you, and I know the future has a lot in store for all of us! Now that I’m on this journey with you, I thought I would take a little time to introduce myself…
I just moved to Franklin last week from Lakeland, FL where I grew up from the time I was six. Although my family is from Minnesota, we moved down to the sunshine state to be closer to friends and family. My dad has been a youth pastor for the last decade or so in the Nazarene church until just recently when he became the senior pastor at a church in Zephyrhills, FL. That being said, my brothers and I are no stranger to being involved in ministry and youth! I started early along my dad’s side helping him with music and Bible lessons, until when I was 18, I became the primary youth leader in our church. Since then I have lead various youth ministries in different capacities and positions.
I graduated from Southeastern University with a B.A. in Religion and minors in Bible and Pre-Seminary. I love to read and study languages, theology, mysticism, and history, and just hanging out at the local Starbucks talking about them! I also love the outdoors. Camping, hiking, and kayaking are some of my favorites. I’m a big music fan, as well. Not only do I listen to music (Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Bob Marely, and Bob Dylan are some of my favorites), I love to play it. I’ve been a part of a few bands and have sung and played guitar, drums, keyboard, horns, ukulele, xylophone, and any thing I else I can get my hands on to try out!
I’m super excited to be here at St. Paul’s, and I look forward to meeting and getting to know all of you more. I believe God has some great things planned for the youth ministry at St. Paul’s, and I’m lucky to be a part of it. The youth are such an important part of today’s church, and as we explore our life in His Divine plan more and more, I bet we’ll all be surprised at what we can do! Here’s to the road ahead!
But enough about me, what about you? I’d love to talk and hang out with all of you, so make sure you stop by Barnabas on Sunday sometime to introduce yourself. You can also call, text, or email me anytime, I’d love to hear from you!
As we come together and think about the future of our youth community at St. Paul’s, I pray that we would all have open hearts and minds in order to be prepared for the adventure before us!
God’s Peace,
Derek Larson
derek@stpaulsfranklin.com
(863)430-2679
A Prayer of Self-Dedication: “Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, completely dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.” (BCP, 832)
Enter the Dojo
The Jesus Dojo: St B’s and St Paul’s - making movies in the way of Jesus.
Telling Our Stories Well
Matthew 18:21-35: The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
23 ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents* was brought to him; 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii;* and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” 29Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. 31When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister* from your heart.’
The Padawan’s Tale:
A Nightmare on Sesame Street.
Lost Lip Gloss
The Sun Just Shines
The Girl in the Bookstore
