Just a brief note tonight but, exciting all the same.
We are currently working through the Alpha course in the youth meetings week by week.
This week was the session about healing.
Interestingly, before the teaching - during the worship time - in response to some words of knowledge (1Cor.12:8) several people came forward for prayer for healing from physical pain. At least 5 people later testified to receiving partial or total relief from that pain. Thereafter - again led by the word of knowledge - 9 people received prayer for, and release from, various types of fear.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
BORN AGAIN
What a meeting!
Four got born again (John 3) and ten were baptised in the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues (Acts 2:4).
In addition, we had several first time visitors, bring numbers up to 20 youth.
To be honest, I don't think anything more need be said.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
NEW VISITORS
Team building
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drama / sketch
The birthday boy (R)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drama / sketch
The birthday boy (R)
This week we had 20 young people attend but, 4 of them came only towards the end to bring presents and cake for one of the guys who was 18 today. But, we did also have three new visitors, some young ladies who attend the local Lutheran church came to 'check us out'.
In the worship time I encouraged several of those who prayed out loud for the first time last week in small groups to pray out loud in the main worship time. This was obviously the next step for some, to pray out loud in the larger, main group. Several did, mainly guys.
In the worship time I encouraged several of those who prayed out loud for the first time last week in small groups to pray out loud in the main worship time. This was obviously the next step for some, to pray out loud in the larger, main group. Several did, mainly guys.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
WORSHIP
We had 'record breaking numbers' attending this evening, 16 youth plus me. Well, it's record breaking for us!What was more exciting is that several of the young people who aren't church attenders are really getting into the worship now. Even some of the boys! The worship time is really improving.
Also, after some short teaching, we got into small groups and, each person was encouraged to pray, out loud around the circle. I was very nervous, and thought that, probably most wouldn't bother. Everyone did. For most of the girls and all but one of the boys, that was the the first time that they had done such a thing.
Then we had volunteers to go into the middle of each group to be prayed for. Again I wasn't sure how it would work but, once they got going, I couldn't stop them.
What was especially nice about this evening, on top of all that, was that the real regulars, who do attend church, are now getting so ecxited as they see their friends/guests returning week after week, and changing.
Then we had volunteers to go into the middle of each group to be prayed for. Again I wasn't sure how it would work but, once they got going, I couldn't stop them.
What was especially nice about this evening, on top of all that, was that the real regulars, who do attend church, are now getting so ecxited as they see their friends/guests returning week after week, and changing.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
BORN AGAIN
Great news this week. At least two young people got born again (Jn.3:3) and two others either got born again or, wanted to confirm publicly a decision that they have already privately made.
Each week now we have 12-15 young people and at least one each week is a visitor.
The two who definitely got born again for the first time have been coming to the group regularly for several months. Although regular opportunity has been given on previous occasions to get born again, they have always resisted. This week they both made a definite & clear public declaration.
The other two were at the 'One Way' youth camp I attended between Christmas and new year. As they both live in Smiltene, they have now started to come to the youth club too. They may have got born again this evening or, may have been publicly confirming a commitment they made at the One Way camp. Either way, exciting.
Each week now we have 12-15 young people and at least one each week is a visitor.
The two who definitely got born again for the first time have been coming to the group regularly for several months. Although regular opportunity has been given on previous occasions to get born again, they have always resisted. This week they both made a definite & clear public declaration.
The other two were at the 'One Way' youth camp I attended between Christmas and new year. As they both live in Smiltene, they have now started to come to the youth club too. They may have got born again this evening or, may have been publicly confirming a commitment they made at the One Way camp. Either way, exciting.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
CHANGES
The group has been struggling with worship.
There are 4 of us in the worship group, plus one other working the overhead projector makes 5.
Sometimes, allowing for late arrivals, there are 3-4 young people only in the 'congregation'!
Some of them - especially the guys - are a bit self conscious to sing along.
Last week, we started the Alpha course. I remembered some of my Alpha training from previously in the UK. In the early weeks of Alpha we had just one guitarist, three songs and no 'open worship' because, many attending were un-churched and just not used to it. I realised that, this was the problem. The majority of the group (of about 12-15 number) either, don't go to church or, have just started attending. So, everything is very new & different for them.
This week I implemented change to the worship. We had just one guitarist, I encouraged (made) everyone sit on the front three rows and, we switched most of the lights off except, the ones right at the front over the guitarist. I had also primed those who do usually go to church to make a lot of noise singing & clapping. After all, scripture tells us to make joyful noise unto the Lord (Ps 98 & 100) rather than to be expert singers!
Anyway, it really worked. Several people made positive comments including several of the un-churched members.
As the course progresses and we all get more used to each other and singing together, then I will slowly move us from simply singing three songs to worship. Soli par solim (step by step).
There are 4 of us in the worship group, plus one other working the overhead projector makes 5.
Sometimes, allowing for late arrivals, there are 3-4 young people only in the 'congregation'!
Some of them - especially the guys - are a bit self conscious to sing along.
Last week, we started the Alpha course. I remembered some of my Alpha training from previously in the UK. In the early weeks of Alpha we had just one guitarist, three songs and no 'open worship' because, many attending were un-churched and just not used to it. I realised that, this was the problem. The majority of the group (of about 12-15 number) either, don't go to church or, have just started attending. So, everything is very new & different for them.
This week I implemented change to the worship. We had just one guitarist, I encouraged (made) everyone sit on the front three rows and, we switched most of the lights off except, the ones right at the front over the guitarist. I had also primed those who do usually go to church to make a lot of noise singing & clapping. After all, scripture tells us to make joyful noise unto the Lord (Ps 98 & 100) rather than to be expert singers!
Anyway, it really worked. Several people made positive comments including several of the un-churched members.
As the course progresses and we all get more used to each other and singing together, then I will slowly move us from simply singing three songs to worship. Soli par solim (step by step).
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