So I back tracked slightly and finally found time to post all my other talks that I've done this term... enjoy!
Firstly I would like to thank all of the young people who have spoken to us tonight. It has taken a lot of courage to stand in front of their friends and guests. I admire them and am very proud of them.
Secondly I’d like to thank everyone who made Youth Alpha happen and especially Carol and Jackie who have really stuck with it throughout.
The young people have already been set one challenge today, and they did amazingly well. There is one final challenge to everyone who is in this room today. Blow out the candles on you tables!
Of course that wasn’t the full challenge. As the clocks go back tonight, we will experience the darkness drawing in dramatically. This happens every year, yet we still take notice of it. How then do we respond? We switch on a light (Light own candle). The Young people heard earlier today how we are the light of the world, an inheritance from Jesus. The challenge to each of us is this, do we keep the light to our selves, effectively turning our back on the world. Or do we spread the light, giving each person we come into contact with the opportunity to have a light in their lives?
Thank you again for coming.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
28th Oct 2006 Youth Alpha 2
We’ve already heard about the darkness that Halloween can bring to the world and some people this time of year. And we know that it isn’t all fun and games. I remember being really disappointed when I was little because my parents wouldn’t let me join in with dressing up. But when I look back I realise that there is some thing so much better than the evil that is around.
During Alpha we have been looking straight into the face of the thing that is so much better… Jesus! We have learnt about how Jesus saved you and me by dying on the cross and taking away all of our sins. We have learnt about how we will no longer die, but share eternal life with Jesus in heaven. And we have pondered on why and how we should share our faith. Basically we have covered an awful lot of things about the faith that we find ourselves in day to day.
If you haven’t been practicing sharing what you have learned, now would be a great time to start. In the bible Jesus is referred to as the ‘Light of the world’. While Jesus was on the earth he told us that we are the light of the world too! We need to shine into the darkness, all the bad stuff that happens, which surrounds us. You are not alone, take a look around! There are older people and younger people to help you. If you have any questions we will try to answer them – and by the way, you’ll never stop asking questions.
We hope that you have had a fun day, and just as we light the candles for tonight we will be praying that you can share your faith with your friends, not just on Halloween night, but throughout the year. Tonight we’ll hear some people’s experiences and what they have learnt throughout Alpha, hopefully that will encourage you to go and do the same.
NOW for the challenge!!! Between now and dinner you have the opportunity to compliment, or add to your outfit for tonight. You will each be given 10 glo sticks, with attachers. It is your task to create something, anything with them. They will be judged as you arrive at 6.30pm. Remember its smart casual tonight!! See you at 6.30pm with your guest!!
During Alpha we have been looking straight into the face of the thing that is so much better… Jesus! We have learnt about how Jesus saved you and me by dying on the cross and taking away all of our sins. We have learnt about how we will no longer die, but share eternal life with Jesus in heaven. And we have pondered on why and how we should share our faith. Basically we have covered an awful lot of things about the faith that we find ourselves in day to day.
If you haven’t been practicing sharing what you have learned, now would be a great time to start. In the bible Jesus is referred to as the ‘Light of the world’. While Jesus was on the earth he told us that we are the light of the world too! We need to shine into the darkness, all the bad stuff that happens, which surrounds us. You are not alone, take a look around! There are older people and younger people to help you. If you have any questions we will try to answer them – and by the way, you’ll never stop asking questions.
We hope that you have had a fun day, and just as we light the candles for tonight we will be praying that you can share your faith with your friends, not just on Halloween night, but throughout the year. Tonight we’ll hear some people’s experiences and what they have learnt throughout Alpha, hopefully that will encourage you to go and do the same.
NOW for the challenge!!! Between now and dinner you have the opportunity to compliment, or add to your outfit for tonight. You will each be given 10 glo sticks, with attachers. It is your task to create something, anything with them. They will be judged as you arrive at 6.30pm. Remember its smart casual tonight!! See you at 6.30pm with your guest!!
28th Oct 2006 Youth Alpha Intro
Good afternoon and welcome to the Alpha Light Party. To start off with I want to do a quick quiz with you. So you all need to listen carefully and stand up. We are going to play a quick game of true or false, so listen carefully.
1. The name ‘Halloween’ means ‘Half-Night’, meaning the night when boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds are lowered. FALSE –actually ‘All Hallows Eve’ 1st November is actually All Saints Day. Hallow means to make Holy.
2. Halloween was originally an ancient Pagan celebration known as “Samhain” (pronounced ‘Sah-ween’) TRUE
3. In parts of Yorkshire, a similar festival to Halloween occurs on November 4th and it is known locally as “Mischief Night” TRUE
4. The purpose of Halloween Lanterns carved from pumpkins and originally turnips is to aid casting magic spells FALSE – they are supposed to scare away evil spirits
5. There is nothing dangerous about Halloween; it’s all just a bit of fun. DEBATABLE
That is part of why we are here. Halloween can be a bit of fun for some but for others it is a very serious festival or a very scary experience.
On Halloween night, people traditionally dress up in costumes, light lanterns and call on people to try and scare them with trick or treating. You don’t need to tell me how popular it is, just take a look in all the supermarkets. From September onwards, the shops are full of broomsticks, pumpkins and witches costumes. Most people don’t think whether it relates to anything real. However, there are others who regard this time of year very seriously.
The Bible claims the devil is real, and that he is powerful. He wants people to be afraid, especially of death. But we as Christians believe that although the devil is powerful, he isn’t anything as powerful as God. The devil was defeated by Jesus’ death, and as a result, the grip he had over people has been shaken off.
The book of Hebrews says this about why Jesus came.
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death- that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
The Bible tells us that God sent Jesus to release people from fear and offer them freedom.
On All Hallows Day, or All Saints Day, Christians remember all the saints who had faith in God to help them over come their fears to help others. This Halloween, rather than frightening others, you might consider some of the things that frighten you. With God’s help we can conquer fear. If we could all live free from fear, imagine what a different world it would be.
1. The name ‘Halloween’ means ‘Half-Night’, meaning the night when boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds are lowered. FALSE –actually ‘All Hallows Eve’ 1st November is actually All Saints Day. Hallow means to make Holy.
2. Halloween was originally an ancient Pagan celebration known as “Samhain” (pronounced ‘Sah-ween’) TRUE
3. In parts of Yorkshire, a similar festival to Halloween occurs on November 4th and it is known locally as “Mischief Night” TRUE
4. The purpose of Halloween Lanterns carved from pumpkins and originally turnips is to aid casting magic spells FALSE – they are supposed to scare away evil spirits
5. There is nothing dangerous about Halloween; it’s all just a bit of fun. DEBATABLE
That is part of why we are here. Halloween can be a bit of fun for some but for others it is a very serious festival or a very scary experience.
On Halloween night, people traditionally dress up in costumes, light lanterns and call on people to try and scare them with trick or treating. You don’t need to tell me how popular it is, just take a look in all the supermarkets. From September onwards, the shops are full of broomsticks, pumpkins and witches costumes. Most people don’t think whether it relates to anything real. However, there are others who regard this time of year very seriously.
The Bible claims the devil is real, and that he is powerful. He wants people to be afraid, especially of death. But we as Christians believe that although the devil is powerful, he isn’t anything as powerful as God. The devil was defeated by Jesus’ death, and as a result, the grip he had over people has been shaken off.
The book of Hebrews says this about why Jesus came.
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death- that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
The Bible tells us that God sent Jesus to release people from fear and offer them freedom.
On All Hallows Day, or All Saints Day, Christians remember all the saints who had faith in God to help them over come their fears to help others. This Halloween, rather than frightening others, you might consider some of the things that frighten you. With God’s help we can conquer fear. If we could all live free from fear, imagine what a different world it would be.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Christmas Talk
Think of Christmas from Joseph and Mary’s point of view. An unmarried couple, Mary is 14 and Joseph is a lot older. He works as a carpenter; they are struggling to survive. When Joseph hears the news of his fiancée being pregnant he nearly splits up with Mary. But God intervenes.
Then Caesar Augustus, the roman emperor, tells everyone to head back to their home town. This isn’t just a road trip. Joseph has to pay taxes. Christmas has always been expensive, even the first Christmas. They travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, probably on a borrowed donkey, though no where in the Bible does it say donkey. It wouldn’t have been a smooth 60 mile journey. Over hills and on tiny trails, 60 miles would have felt much longer.
Jesus, hope of the nations, LORD, the King, was born in a pig sty (not your bedroom), or possibly a hole in the wall (not the kind you get money from), a cave.
The shepherds left their sheep on the hillside; the cutesy animals were added by a guy call Francis of Assisi, about 1200 years later.
The Wise Men, whoever they were, were a bit late in arriving. There were more than 3 and they weren’t kings. Jesus could have been two by the time they got there. Joseph, Mary and Jesus were living in a house.
The real Christmas story is a complex one. It’s God with us in a tiny baby, fighting the kings of the world from the day he was born.
If Jesus had never been born we wouldn’t understand ultimate love, hope and reconciliation. Without Jesus, Christmas would be about praising the gods of the S-U-N and calling the light to come back. But because of Jesus we celebrate family, giving and joy.
Then Caesar Augustus, the roman emperor, tells everyone to head back to their home town. This isn’t just a road trip. Joseph has to pay taxes. Christmas has always been expensive, even the first Christmas. They travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, probably on a borrowed donkey, though no where in the Bible does it say donkey. It wouldn’t have been a smooth 60 mile journey. Over hills and on tiny trails, 60 miles would have felt much longer.
Jesus, hope of the nations, LORD, the King, was born in a pig sty (not your bedroom), or possibly a hole in the wall (not the kind you get money from), a cave.
The shepherds left their sheep on the hillside; the cutesy animals were added by a guy call Francis of Assisi, about 1200 years later.
The Wise Men, whoever they were, were a bit late in arriving. There were more than 3 and they weren’t kings. Jesus could have been two by the time they got there. Joseph, Mary and Jesus were living in a house.
The real Christmas story is a complex one. It’s God with us in a tiny baby, fighting the kings of the world from the day he was born.
If Jesus had never been born we wouldn’t understand ultimate love, hope and reconciliation. Without Jesus, Christmas would be about praising the gods of the S-U-N and calling the light to come back. But because of Jesus we celebrate family, giving and joy.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Christingle
Good afternoon. My name is Karen and I’m the youth worker here at St Hugh’s. Recently we’ve had a few festivals about light. Here in Lewsey we’ve had fireworks and candles for Dwiali and you may have had a chocolate from an advent calendar. We’ve already lit our advent candle to signify that it’s 4 Sundays until Christmas. Christingle is another Christian festival that celebrates light. Each one of these festivals has one thing in common; they all want to chase away the darkness.
I’ve got a few questions for you… make sure you put your hand up nice and high so I can see you.
1st Question: How do you get rid of a dark winter’s night?
2nd Question: How do you see in a dark cupboard?
3rd Question: How do you chase away the darkness when a young child is frightened at night?
So we see, there is only one way to get rid of the darkness that is to replace it with light!
As we had already heard, Jesus is the light of the world. Christians, people here, I, believe that Jesus came to the world to replace the darkness of hatred, jealousy, bitterness, wickedness and death with love, forgiveness and life forever.
I’m going to hold up some words and I want you to tell me the opposite of that word. We’ll start with an easy one. (Love and hate)
Ok, LOVE is going on the light pile and HATE is going on the dark pile… we’ll carry on.
Brilliant. So what do we do with al the dark words? The best thing to do is, chuck them in the bin! We have no need for this in a world where Jesus is.
The light words go by the candle, so that every time we light a candle we remember that Jesus is the light of the world. And that is exactly what we will be doing in a moment. When you are scared or afraid of the dark, remember to get rid of it all you have to do is turn on the light.
I’ve got a few questions for you… make sure you put your hand up nice and high so I can see you.
1st Question: How do you get rid of a dark winter’s night?
2nd Question: How do you see in a dark cupboard?
3rd Question: How do you chase away the darkness when a young child is frightened at night?
So we see, there is only one way to get rid of the darkness that is to replace it with light!
As we had already heard, Jesus is the light of the world. Christians, people here, I, believe that Jesus came to the world to replace the darkness of hatred, jealousy, bitterness, wickedness and death with love, forgiveness and life forever.
I’m going to hold up some words and I want you to tell me the opposite of that word. We’ll start with an easy one. (Love and hate)
Ok, LOVE is going on the light pile and HATE is going on the dark pile… we’ll carry on.
Brilliant. So what do we do with al the dark words? The best thing to do is, chuck them in the bin! We have no need for this in a world where Jesus is.
The light words go by the candle, so that every time we light a candle we remember that Jesus is the light of the world. And that is exactly what we will be doing in a moment. When you are scared or afraid of the dark, remember to get rid of it all you have to do is turn on the light.
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