Young Adult Sunday Sermon

Click here to listen to Elliott's sermon from Young Adult Sunday at our church!

A word in light of Thanksgiving

Betsy and Kendra, students at Eastern University and members of Transformed!, a student-led drama ministry

Luke 18:27-30

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

During a recent Sunday night service, the above passage was read aloud as sort of an aside. It struck me so poignantly though, as one directly called into ministry. I drank in the promises of the Lord, and reflected on how much we have already received in this age.

It didn't take long to start piling on the many things God has given us, both personally and in ministry. I stood beside my husband in church, worshipping alongside my partner in ministry and in life. I looked up as the worship leader lead us through liturgy and song--Zack, a junior at Temple U who has been in our lives for the last two years. His wife, Jocelyn (a junior at Eastern U) kept beat on the drums. She has also been in our lives for two years, and I hope for many more.

The students filling the pews came from neighboring schools-- West Chester, Eastern, Haverford-- and each week we cherish the time we have driving them back and forth from college to church and back again. The pews are also filled with generations of believers-- the Mells, who have been attending the church since its near beginning, and the Chandlers, who recently moved here from Texas a few years ago but have taught us so much about the importance of genuine relationships with church members.

I think about the groups we are involved with on campus-- Precious Movements, the girls who pour heart, soul, and body into their dance-mime ministry; Transformed!, the eight college thespians who are committed to sharing the love of Christ through honest drama; our small group, a collection of people who gather on Monday nights to go deeper in their relationship with Christ-- and I think, "Yes. God has blessed us much in this life."

And when we finally return to our South Philly home at night, we are greeted by the joyful shouts of our 2-year-old nephews, and the kindness of my brother and sister-in-law.

We are surrounded by the church of Christ--by people who are transformed by the Living God and encourage the same transformation through their relationships. We are sustained by the financial sacrifices of the saints--by the prayers of so many people. In our every step of life, we are in relationships with believers, and this has blessed us abundantly.

At this time of Thanksgiving, we pray that you too can reflect on the many things God has given to you in this life.

Praise and Honor and Glory be unto Him!!

-Rachel

An Overflow

Hello, faithful friends!

The first few weeks of the school year are certainly busy. We've been booked with student meetings, class meetings, and various activities fairs. God has given us incredible opportunities, and we're trying to jump through each door that opens!

Recently at our church, we have responded to the feedback from the young adults for a more focused night service. Sitting down with young adults Zack (Temple student) and Jocelyn (Eastern student), we have been able to re-think what the night service should look like. How can it better serve the church community as a whole? How can it better serve the college students? How can we remain relevant to cultural issues while staying grounded in the true doctrine of the Gospel?

Zack has encouraged us to re-introduce a Reformed liturgy into the service, and Pastor Brown has encouraged us to incorporate more of the arts. We have started sharing more personal testimonies. We have been charged during a "Moment for Missions" in the service. Personally, Elliott and I have been encouraged by Zack's leadership in the night service, and many were blessed last week by a thoughtful, Holy-Spirit-centered, liturgical night service. Praise the Lord for Zack's leadership, and please pray for him as he continues to grow in this role.

We have also seen a great influx of students coming to the service. They have been inviting their friends, and our e-mail and text inboxes have been overflowing with students asking for rides. Please pray that we continue to find rides for every single student wishing to go--that we never have to turn away even one student. Pray that we continue to minister effectively in the night service, and that above all God's name will be glorified and we will continue to do His will.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto the Ancient of Days.

Because of Him,

Rachel

Pictures from the Young Adult Summer Cookout

Hi friends! We just wanted to share some pictures with you from our

Young Adult Summer Cookout!

Enjoy!

We ended up playing a LOT of games. The first one we played was called "Happy Family." As you can tell, Jason, Pat, Zack, and Beth were all having a great time.

Elliott, Mike, and Jack have a fun time!

The game took a lot of thinking and strategizing!

...and even more strategizing...

The results wowed the crowd! It seems like Jocelyn, Zack, and Lauren really got a kick out of the end of the game.

Of course, we also had the old basic games. Our young adult group loves Boggle!

Hurray for the young adults!!!