From Jamie Randolph, First Presbyterian Youth Director

Hot days behind and many more ahead! July offers us a causal flip-flop church atmosphere and a time for us to look at the way we worship as the Church, what we stand for as a country, and a chance to examine the bigger points of our faith. So often we look to God, pleading for His presence and direction but before we see a response, we’ve decided to turn around and follow ourselves. All throughout the Old Testament, we see the example of the Israelites wandering in the desert modeling for us this attitude of "independence"; a desire to take control and work for and through ourselves. While this seems like a noble cause and what the American ideology is built upon, God calls us to a different life. A God-centered life…a life built not on independence but interdependence. A life built in community, trust, self-disclosure, and rooted in God’s provisional love. We have much to look forward to in the coming days in the church’s life and a greater chance to learn what Jesus desires for us to learn about interdependence. We can flip-flop our old ways of thinking and celebrate the growth that the coming of our new pastor and his family offers as well as recognize the call for us to walk side by side, in step with the Spirit and each other. As a youth group, we want to grow in to the Church--effective and strong--but we cannot do this alone. Take some time to pray and ask God if the new school year comes with a chance for you to be a part of First Presbyterian youth ministry. No matter what your age or skill, youth need your willingness. It’s amazing what a little affirmation and spiritual leading can do for a young person.

God calls us to build up the young, to teach them God’s ways as a community of believers constantly and passionately committed to growing the family as an interdependent Body of Christ. We are family. Let’s declare our interdependence with Christ and with each other.

"People, listen to me. The Lord is our God. The Lord is the one and only God. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength. The Commandments I give you today must be in your hearts. Make sure your children learn them. Talk about them when you are at home. Talk about them when you walk along the road. Speak about them when you go to bed. And speak about them when you get up. Write them down and tie them on your hands as a reminder …" Deuteronomy 6:4-8