HOLLAND'S UMC IS A CARING COMMUNITY

THAT INVITES AND EQUIPS PEOPLE TO FOLLOW JESUS.

Dear Holland's Family,

Grace and peace to each of you!

Holland's UMC is certainly an exciting place to worship and serve.  One of the great joys of serving as a pastor at Holland's  is to observe our youth as they grow in their faith.  I have now been your pastor for five years.  What a blessing it is for me to see our High School Seniors week end and week out, and remember them as the middle schoolers they were when I first came to this community of faith. 

On this coming Sunday, we will observe our annual Youth Sunday.  Each component of worship (music, prayers, message, etc) will be led by our youth.  At each service one of our High School Seniors will bring the message.  Those speaking will be:  Zach Hayes (8:30), Betsy Dohrer (9:45), & Jay Gamble (11:00).  They will be sharing something of how our faith community has helped them to become the disciples of Christ they are today.  They will also share how Holland's has prepared them to continue in that Christian discipleship as they make a big step, in just a few weeks, going from high school into the next phase of their life.  As they share, the foundation for their remarks will be on three passages for scripture.  One passage is related to and connects to their childhood, one connects to where they find themselves in these days, and one says something about the leading of God into their futures.  The passages are:

Psalm 71:5-6 (Past):  For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.  Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother's womb.  My praise is continually of you.

1 Timothy 4:12 (Present):  Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Jeremiah 29:11 (Future):  For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to you a future with hope.

As we prepare for Youth Sunday, I know you'll want to join me in thanking Susan Wright and the wonderful group of parents and volunteers who come around her to make youth ministry at Holland's a life changing and faith forming vehicle for our young people.  Susan and everyone who works with our youth are very appreciative of everyone who supports, in so many ways,  this important part of the ministry we do together.

Let us all pray that the Holy Spirit anoints our worship on Sunday and all those who lead and attend.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all!

Joyful blessings,