FUMC Youth Notes & News  (3-22-10)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Heb.12:1

Current Events, Happenings and Praise to Our Lord

FUMCi  Youth

Sean Cawthon, Director of Youth and Evangelism
FUMC, Irving, TX 972-253-3531, ext 30
214.538.8443, cell

SEAN’S SCOOP . . .

The Mystery Trip was a huge success! On Monday, we started off heading to Austin, TX to eat at the Green Mesquite BBQ as seen on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (Food Network). It was awesome. Then we drove a little way back up the road to tour Inner Space Caverns just outside of Round Rock. We had to wait TWO hours, but it was well worth it. We spent the night at FUMC Round Rock in their youth room. On Tuesday…the next morning we drove around the corner to grab some of the world famous Round Rock Donuts, mmm, mmm, good… I picked up some orange juice and milk at a local Wag n Bag (kind of like a 7 eleven) and we drove back to Austin to tour the Capitol of Texas. As we pulled up, one of the kids hurled donuts and juice on the seat, floor, bag, clothes, other kids, and the seat back one row up as we stopped for the Capitol. I have to say that I single handedly earned my entire salary for the next year on that one clean up… I felt sorry for the student, but we all rallied together and worked it out. After we toured the Capitol, we drove toward the West in search of LBJ Ranch, the home of President LBJ and Lady Bird Johnson until Mrs. Johnson passed away in 2007. It was quite a neat tour to see the boyhood home, the school house and the Texas White House of the former president and his family. Our final stop on Tuesday was Bulverde, TX, where we stayed at Bulverde UMC, the home of Bethany Graham, a former Youth Director here at FUMC Irving. She was a delightful hostess and several of the kids enjoyed seeing her after a few years. On Wednesday, we set off for San Antonio. Our first stop was the site of the icon of the 1968 Worlds Fair, the Tower of the Americas. It is 750 ft. to the very tip top of the radio tower extending off the peak of the monolith. We had a fun time on the observation deck, both outside and in. You can see for 800 miles at various points. If you happen to remember, ask someone about our trek up the sidewalk getting to the Tower. Our next stop was the Buckhorn Museum and The Texas Ranger Museum in downtown SA. There is some incredibly interesting taxidermy work in there and the atmosphere was straight out of the Wild West. Our next visit was going to be the Alamo, but the line wrapped around the building and the local news was there to take a few shots because they had never seen that many people trying to get into the Alamo. Our time limited us from waiting, so we opted for sno-cones and headed to the river walk. We visited the mall that attaches to the river now for about 30 minutes and then trekked our way to our pick up location for our personal tour of the river. The riverboat tour lasted about an hour and the guide was a plethora of information of history and unbelievable stories. Our last night was spent back at Bulverde UMC where we ate dinner with the church in support of a fund raiser for a three year old boy who has leukemia. Our final day was Thursday and we spent the morning packing up and getting gas and then driving to Austin for lunch. One of our awesome church members donated some Chick-Fil-A coupons to the whole group and so we stopped in Austin to eat lunch – FOR FREE!!! On the way north, we stopped in Waco for a visit to the Dr. Pepper Museum, which turned out to be quite neat. Finally, after four days and 20 youth later, we had our final stop at another Diners, Drive-ins and Dives location in Dallas, the Twisted Root Burger. A few wonderful parents joined us for dinner and a great time of food and hanging out was had by all. We reached Irving after four days and 800 miles of travel. I am very pleased that we were kept safe and everyone made it back in one piece. Whew…

Now, if you are still reading… we also had some very meaningful devotion times looking at the Lord’s Prayer. The first devotion was analyzing the first phrase “Our Father, Who art in heaven”. The word “our” and “Father” were looked at independently as we wrestled with their meaning and then we rejoined the words to gain a greater understanding of “Our Father”. We talked about where God lives, why he lives there, and who lives there with Him now. The second devotion took a hard look at the phrase, “hallowed be Thy name”. It is hard to use the name of God correctly and with reverence these days for the youth. One of the most used sayings that flows out of the mouths of babes these days is, “Oh my G@#” We looked at how we speak and why we would never want to be so disrespectful of our Father in heaven. Finally, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. These statements help us to remember that we are not alone in our our daily walk on this earth. We can call on God to guide and fulfill us in all times of our existence. In doing so, we become a steady beacon of hope for the lost, as well as satisfying our own journey toward heaven and our relationship with the Father. I am a blessed man to work with these wonderful youth. Thank you!

 New Youth Calendar!

(the FUMC Youth web site will soon transition over to www.irvingrefuge.com)

Refuge – Every Wednesday Night @ 7:07 - 8:30 PM in the Youth Room. Invite your friends! There’s something spectacular going on here, and the more we have, the better it will be!

Sunday Evenings - Come and worship with our youth at 6:30 with uplifting and powerful songs and message. Come and see how our youth praise God in all of his glory.

Remember you can always bring a friend or two !!!!!!!!!
 

 

News

Worship on Wednesdays!  Every Wednesday Night @ 7:07 - 8:30 PM in the Youth Room. Invite your friends! There’s something spectacular going on here, and the more we have, the better it will be!

YOUTH CHOIR NEEDS YOU!! You don’t want to miss choir because we have already begun working on some super cool music for the Spring Season. Come join us Sunday at 5 pm. Room 207W

FUMCi Youth Low Fat Calendar

April  Easter and another visit to help feed the homeless at Austin Street shelter in Dallas

A Prayer Father God, we thank you for the children and youth who step into the halls and classrooms of this church. We ask that You would woo them by Your Spirit and renew their hearts, and minds. Amen.

Calling All Parents We need your help! Your children are learning about the Lord and having fun at the same time. Please consider how you can be a part of your children’s lives and the lives of other great kids. For information on how you can participate call or email Sean for more info.

Youthful Notes

• The Youth Choir has moved to 5:00 on Sunday afternoon in 207W. Come and serve your church by participating in the Youth Choir.

• To help you keep up to date on what the youth will be doing, check out the new board in the narthex. The youth, as well as sponsors, can sign up for all of the activities coming up each week. Also check out the calendar at www.irvingrefuge.com .

• Refuge Youth Worship on Wednesday nights has a new format. We are still actively worshipping together and praying as a group. In addition, we are utilizing different media formats, new music and chill time.