Advent: Love

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register. ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
~Luke 2 (NIV)
 

 We have been talking about Advent, which means preparing for Christmas. We have talked about hope and peace (we skipped joy), and the 4th week of Advent is love.

Do you always love yourself? God has unconditional love for you and everyone, even when you don't.

Jesus was born in the lowest of places to be like us to show us how to live a life so we can leave the torment of the earth. We try to figure things out and be right, but we need to try our best to live how Jesus lived.

God loves you for you no matter what!

{Source}

Prayer for Sandy Hook

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It's hard to process the events of this past Friday. We wish that this was something that we didn't have to face, but unfortunately, we have to face many tragedies in this world.

We are praying for those whose lives were tragically ended, and for those family members who lost a loved one.

Lord,

We lift up this horrible situation to you. We pray for those who have had their lives changed by the loss of a loved family member. We pray that they have the strength to plan funerals and cope with their great losses. We pray that they are able to get through the holidays with the ability to honor and celebrate those that were lost. We pray for the community of Sandy Hook. We pray for their ability to rebuild and pull together. We pray that they can comfort each other. We pray that you give wisdom to those who are investigating the situation, that they gather all of the information and can make informed decisions on what to do to help keep the children safe. We pray for the teachers of Sandy Hook and everywhere. Give them the love and strength to continue to teach and help children grow. Let them have the answers to the tough questions, and give them the ability to keep their kids safe. 

Amen

Remember:
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
~John 16:33 (NIV)

Guest Speaker: Mariah Tramonto

We were lucky enough to have a former TurningPoint member come back to give her testimony!

Mariah Tramonto came and talked about compassion. Throughout her trials, she was specifically touched by the concept of compassion. Compassion shows unconditional love, grace and kindness.
She struggled for many years with drugs and alcohol, but was always shown compassion, especially from God. God is what we are not.

Some bible verses that have been important to Mariah are John 3:16 and the Parable about the Lost Son:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~John 3:16 (NIV)

 Mariah is now working at Teen Challenge in Brooklyn. She works to help those struggling from drugs and alcohol, and is willing to talk to our teens if they need to talk to someone with a similar experience. If you would like to talk to Mariah, please contact Teen Challenge.

**As of April, 2014, Mariah is now living in Virginia with her husband! She is no longer working at Teen Challenge, but you can contact Teen Challenge if you are struggling with an addiction.

Bells Will Be Ringing

Today we spent some time ringing bells for the Rochester Salvation Army. Every year after Thanksgiving, they begin their Red Kettle Campaign. We have not done this before, and thought it would be a fun way to show everyone part of what being a Christian is all about: serving others.

{Our group of teens}

 

{Our make-shift sign}

 

{How we spent our 3 hours}

{The awesome stickers we got}

We're so glad that we got to spend the morning ringing bells for the Salvation Army!

Advent: Peace

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
~Luke 2 (NIV)
 

Review: What is advent? It is preparing for Jesus' birth.

What is peace? Relaxed, tranquil, no conflict.

Is it possible to have peace on earth? Jesus presents the possibility of peace for earth. Peacefully help by spreading the Word of God by giving the world a way to heaven. When we spread the Word of God, we help create peace in the world.

Advent: Hope

What does advent mean?

• Christmas: it is for the weeks leading up to Christmas
• It is a way to prepare ourselves for Jesus' birth.

Who has hope for their future?

Are their times in your life when you don't have hope? In those times, do others see hope for you? Sometimes it can be hard to have hope when we're struggling with something.

²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[a] the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For no word from God will ever fail.”
³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
~Luke 1 (NIV)
 

Girls: how would you react if an angel told you that you're going to have a baby?
Boys: how would you react?

Mary and Joseph both find hope in God and say "okay". The know that God has a plan, and have hope that He will guide them.

Thanksgiving

Everyone had a chance to write on the board what they are thankful for. For the most part, these things are what make us happy.

Most of these things will pass away, eventually. Spend your time building relationships and spending time with God.

²⁷ The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.”
~Hebrews 12 (NIV) 

Thanksgiving Challenge:
Don't look at Thanksgiving as a day off, but as a time to reflect on what your life has been, and how much worse it could be. Be thankful that you can move on. Be thankful for your life.

Sin

A lot of people walk the line of sin. They try to do as much as they can that's close to sin without actually doing it. Christians don't get as close as they can to sinning, the distance themselves from sin.

¹⁵ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. ¹⁶ For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷ The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
~1 John 2 (NIV)

We don't need to keep a list of sins that we've committed, God will forgive them.

Goal: Live your life for God. Try to be the person that God wants you to be.

Responding to Adversity

Adversity: a state, condition, or instance of serious or continued difficulty or adverse fortune
Adverse: 1: acting against or in a contrary direction, hostile; 2a : opposed to one's interests; especially  unfavorable, b : causing harm, harmful

We read through Job 1 and Job 2 for this lesson.

Did Job experience adversity?
Yes. Job lost everything, which was not in his interests or fortune.

How did Job respond?

Job responded in a positive way toward God, who took everything away from him. Job still praised God and talked to God.

 

Give some examples of adversity that you experience:

• Illness
• Unkind comments from others
• Actions of others

Illustration:

Heat represents adversity
•Carrots  -> mushy, fall apart
•Egg        -> hard
•Coffee   -> changes environment

 

How do you respond to adversity?

iPhone Questions: "What is the Meaning of Life?"

Think Again promo from Woodmen Valley Chapel on Vimeo.



What is the meaning of life?
The meaning of life is to glorify God. 1 Corinthians tells us, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

What does it mean to glorify God? How do we do that?
Glorifying God means to "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." ~1 Peter 2:17 (NIV). If we show respect to and love everyone, we can glorify God and what He has made.

Recently, a girl named Amanda Todd committed suicide. She made some poor decisions and was bullied beyond what she could handle. Why did she lose the meaning of life? She wasn't glorifying God to begin with. How would God have changed her story? She would have turned to Him and left her issues with God. God is the only one who can handle these issues, you can not do it alone.

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
~Matthew 6 (NIV)

iPhone Questions: "Is Jesus Really God?"

Think Again promo from Woodmen Valley Chapel on Vimeo.

Is Jesus really God?
Yes, Jesus really is God.

New believers should start with John. It's a good, easy book in the new testament to read that informs you about Jesus' life.

²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”
~John 10 (NIV)

In Genesis 22,  Abraham sacrificing his son, Isaac, is a foreshadowing to what is later coming, when God sacrifices His son, Jesus.

iPhone Questions: "Is the Bible Really God's Word?"

Think Again promo from Woodmen Valley Chapel on Vimeo.

Do you think the bible is God's word? Why or why not?

John 1:1 (NIV) says "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

The Word of God is how we, as humans, are able to battle the different situations in our lives.

¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
~2 Timothy 3 (NIV)

We can't prove that the foundation of Christianity was based on if the bible (the Word of God) is truly the Word of God. We have to believe and have faith that it is.

iPhone Questions: "Does God Exist?"

Think Again promo from Woodmen Valley Chapel on Vimeo.

 

 

I) Mindful Faith

• mindful means to think, be wise, appraise, evaluate
• we regularly practice mindfulness in everyday activities: sitting in a chair, walking into basement
• Paul gave instruction to be mindful (“study”): 2 Tim 2:15
• King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
• Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
• King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
• Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
• American King James Version
• Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
• Douay-Rheims Bible
• Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
• Paul was very educated. He did not exercise faith in ignorance, but with knowledge. Acts 26:24
• Paul is on trial in Rome; accused of disturbing the Pax Romana and treason
• At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane."
• Peter advised to always be prepared (ready) to give an answer 1 Peter 3:15
• New International Version (©1984)
• But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
• World English Bible
• But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear:
• Solomon, too was very wise and he also chose faith.

II) Does God Exist?

• Gen 1:1 “In the beginning God …”
• What is the Bible about? ⇒ The entire Bible is the story of God.
• If you believe the Bible, then you must also believe that God exists.
• If you don’t believe that God exists, then you can not claim that the Bible is true,
• because the Bible says that God exists.
• General Revelation
• What is General Revelation?
• http://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/stewart.cfm?ID=370
• General revelation is something that all humanity has received. It is general in that it reaches all people in all times and in every place—nobody is without general revelation.
• Validation of General Revelation in the Bible
• Psalm 19:1,2
• New International Version (©1984)
• For the director of music. A psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
• Luke 19:40
• New International Version (©1984)
• "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
• Romans 1:19-20
• 18 The wrath of God(AO) is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.(AP) 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made,(AQ) so that people are without excuse.(AR)
• A painting, sculpture, or a piece of music does not occur at random. Such works are a testament to the glory of the artist who created it. God’s creation is like that. When you see the earth, and the space that God created, recognize that God exists and exercised tremendous creativity in creating it. When you study biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, recognize the how amazing it is that each of these systems exists and interacts. Recognize the precise balance that enables us to live. Global warming is a hot topic now. The fundamental issue of global warming is concern over disrupting the special balance in the environment.
• In short, God does exist. He has revealed some parts of his nature to everyone through our observation of His creation.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to TurningPoint! We're very excited to begin our 2012-2013 year with you all, and can't wait to see what this year brings.

To begin, please take a look at our rules and guidelines that we would like you all to follow. It is very important that you follow these rules, especially while you are at TurningPoint (weekly events AND anything we do). These rules will help keep every feeling safe and secure while they are with us.

To begin our year, we'd like to ask you a question:

What is TurningPoint for you?
Is it a place for you to get closer to God? A place for you to just learn about him? Just a place to go to because it's there? What does TP mean to you?

July TPYM: Forgiveness

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption~Ephesians 4 (NIV)
 

Compassion is a feeling of sympathy.
Forgiveness is an active, conscious thought, and when we forgive, we move on and are at peace. (Forgiving does not mean forgetting.) Forgiveness takes time, but we need to decide to do it.

You can't truly get over something until you forgive the person. Move past the incident and get on with your life. That's what God wants us to do. Holding onto something that happened in the past is giving the devil a foothold, which is a way to let him into your life. Showing forgiveness is a way of letting God shine in your life.

Happy Father's Day!

Fathers have an important role in teaching their children how to live and handle situations. Below is a bible verse that reminds us that fathers need to ask the Lord for help in raising their children, so they can be raised to follow the Lord.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. ~Ephesians 6:4 (NIV)

June TPYM: Allowing God Into Your Life

Some questions to think about:

• Do you allow God to come into your life? How?
• How do you feel clsoer to God when you let Him into your life?
• When you make decisinos (life or any), do you base them off of what's good for your or what you think God wants you go do?

How do we make decisions based on God? We pray and listen to what He has to say.

God has a plan for everyone- it is up to us to decide to follow it. The world doesn't allow us to escape disease, issues, relationships, and we don't always get what you want. It is up to us to ask God for guidance and help.

When you accept God, you begin to see things differently. Without God, your problems seem impossible. He forgives us no matter what we do. It pains Him to see us sin. Do you want to leave it to chance? There is no second chance when we die.

Is there room in your life for God? Are you willing to abide by His rules, listen and follow Him all of the time?

How can you make room for God? 

Pray, read the bible and other books about Christian living, show kindness to everyone, show forgiveness.

⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved~Romans 10 (NIV)

May TPYM: Doing the right thing even when no one is watching

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,  keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will,to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. ~1 Peter3:13-18 (NIV)

How many of you make better decisions around those who are older or that you respect more?

Why do you? Some answers from our teens: they don't want to disappoint, they know what's right/better, fear of punishment/don't want to get in trouble/lectured

What are those excuses? Self-helping excuses, those that benefit you.

Do you feel that you still benefit if no one sees?

We generally tend to do nice things if we benefit or are being watched.

God is watching you even when no one else is around.

Fearing people is a dangerous trap,but trusting the Lord means safety. ~Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)

Don't do things for yourself, your esteem, or your reputation. Do it because it's the right thing to do, and do it to the best that you can do it.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.~Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

Happy Mother's Day!

Moms are an important in each of our individual lives. She gave birth to you and gave you the tools to go through your daily lives. Let's take some time on this Mother's Day to pray for our mothers using the bible verse below.

Ephesians 3:16-19
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

This Bible verse is a wonderful prayer for any loved one any time of the year. To personalize it for your Mother's Day card, rewrite it with "Mom" in place of the pronouns. "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen Mom with power through his Spirit in her inner being, so that Christ may dwell in Mom's heart through faith....." Let her know that you pray for her regularly.

"Wait and See"

We're going to talk about the meaning behind some of the Christian songs that you can find on KLOVE or Air1. This week, we're talking about "Wait and See" by Brandon Heath. The song will be posted below our discussion with the lyrics under the video.

This song is an autobiographical story. Can we relate to any of the song?

Even though bad things happen, there is hope. He won't forget even though other people will. Your story is not over yet.

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

~Jeremiah 29 (NIV)

For that to happen, call on Him. Seek Him so that He can fulfill His plan.

¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
~Colossians 1 (NIV)
²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
~Romans 8 (NIV)
Things may not happen as fast or be as convenient as we want, but it's His plan, we need to have faith in His timing. This is for God's plan, not ours. Everything will work together for God's plan. Anything that happens to us is all  part of His plan, we just need to wait and see what He does with our lives.
We have weaknesses and fail, but we have hope that He's not finished yet.



Wait and See by Brandon Heath

I was born in Tennessee
Late July humidity
Doctor said I was lucky to be alive

I’ve been trouble since the day that I got here
Trouble till the day that I disappear
That’ll be the day that I finally get it right

Chorus:
There is hope for me yet
Because God won’t forget
All the plans he’s made for me
I have to wait and see
He’s not finished with me yet

I never really was that good in school
I talked too much, broke the rules
Teacher thought I was hopeless fool alright

I don’t know how but I made it through
It’s one of those things that you’ve gotta do
But I always had a knack for telling the truth

Chorus

Still wondering why I’m here
Still wrestling with my fear
But oh, He’s up to something
And the farther on I go
I’ve seen enough to know
That I’m, not here for nothing
He’s up to something

So now’s my time to be a man
Follow my heart as far as I can
No telling where I’m ending up tonight
I never slow down or so it seems
But singing my heart it’s one of my dreams
All I gotta do is hold on tight

Chorus

4/24/12 Announcements

Here are the announcements for this week, April 24, 2012.

• Tonight is our last regular meeting! :( We have had a great year, and will say 'goodbye' to 3 seniors this year. We will meet one Sunday each month during the summer. Our first summer meeting will be May 20th.
• We will have many summer events including our monthly meetings. Some events are: Redwings Game, Drive-in, a scavenger hunt and the senior farewell! Keep an eye on facebook for details during the summer.
• Don't forget about fundraising during the summer! You can always fundraise by:
• Silkscreening with Pam Merrill
• Return pop bottles
• Volunteer for fundraisers we do
• Surveys: Please take our survey to help us improve the group. There are separate surveys for parents and teens.
• Teens
• Parents
• Request to join our facebook group, and like the facebook page. This is how you will get information on events during the summer!

"There Will Be a Day"

We're going to talk about the meaning behind some of the Christian songs that you can find on KLOVE or Air1. This week, we're talking about "There Will Be a Day" by Jeremy Camp. Amanda, one of our teens, is giving the lesson this week. The song will be posted below our discussion with the lyrics under the video.

The song uses a reference from Revelation:

⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
~Revelation 21 (NIV)

It is a promise given by God that one day, when we go to Heaven, there will be no more pain. He will wipe away all of the suffering, guilt and sadness that we have ever felt.

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth
That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

I know the journey seems so long
You feel you're walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you've walked out all alone

The second verse tells us that God is always there, even when you don't think He's there, and even when you don't want Him to be there. He will never leave you, even if you want Him gone. God will always be there to help you. He may not help right away, or in the way you want Him to, but He is helping you. Don't ever lose hope.

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
 ²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
 ²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
~Romans 8 (NIV)

While we are here, we need to spread His word. Give Him glory for the life in Heaven that we will receive!God will relieve you from your troubles. He will always be around to help you.


God will ALWAYS keep that promise.




There Will Be a Day by Jeremy Camp

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth
That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I know the journey seems so long
You feel you're walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you've walked out all alone

Troubled soul don't lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that's in store
Outweighs the hurt of life's sting
But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I can't wait until that day where the very one
I've lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I've faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery
O, this is why, this is why I sing

There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

There will be a day he will wipe away the tears
He will wipe away the tears
He will wipe away the tears
There will be a day


The first verse tells us that God is the only one we should hold onto. The things that we hold onto are bringing us down. Our past, our opinions, our judgements and anything that takes us away from God are not important, and things that we should not and do not have to hold on to.