In the Old Testament book of 1st Kings the following appears in chapter 19,
11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
In the aftermath of a earthquake and a hurricane on the eastern coast of the US we are left wondering where God is in all of this. God is not in the earthquake, nor is God in the wind, but God is here. God is in the helping hands rescuing neighbors, God is in the family members housing those whose basements are flooded, God is in the emergency personnel aiding those for whom these events were tragedies, and God is still here and will be here no matter what comes around the bend.
When tragedy strikes we can lean on the reality of a God who loves us and wants what is best for us, a God we have come to know through the gentle whispers found in times of calmness and safety.
~Pastor Cynthia
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
check out this camp j'burg video!
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This is the camp we will be taking a few retreats to in the coming months :)
This is the camp we will be taking a few retreats to in the coming months :)
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Summertime
Pastor John this morning preached about how Summertime can be a great season to let go of those things that bog us down and move forward focused on fresh and energizing qualities in our lives.
I hope as this summer comes to a close and school starts in less than 3 weeks, that you have had a chance this summer to let go.
Letting go means being yourself, being carefree, being in tune with what your body needs rather than a to-do list, letting go of broken friendships, letting go of report cards, letting go of anxiety and fear, even letting go of the things we enjoy like sports or clubs so we can spend a summer relaxing and exploring new things.
I spent all of my summers from age 8 to age 22 at Camp Johnsonburg, a Presbyterin Camp in northern NJhttp://www.campjburg.org/. It was at camp that I learned to let go, to be myself, to giggle, to run for the sake of feeling the wind on my face, to trust, to cry, to be a true friend, and to know who I was in relationship to God and others.
If you have yet to take the opportunity, use the next 2 weeks to let go. Just be yourself, do something each day that is just for you, spend time with your thoughts, write in a journal, say a prayer, lay in the grass and watch the clouds float by, call an old friend, make a meal, watch a your favorite movie, and just let go...because before you know it life will be back to its old routine and you will be thankful you let go and enjoyed the summer.
As we enter the school year feel free to come and let go with us at Central Pres. Each Sunday night we will have time to let go from 4:30 to 6:30 pm in the Youth Center. We will relax, eat, play, and do whatever it takes to embrace 'letting go' in the midst of the busy school year ahead. I hope you will seriously consider finding time in your life for an hour or two in the Youth Center on Sunday evenings so you can let go.
~Pastor Cynthia
I hope as this summer comes to a close and school starts in less than 3 weeks, that you have had a chance this summer to let go.
Letting go means being yourself, being carefree, being in tune with what your body needs rather than a to-do list, letting go of broken friendships, letting go of report cards, letting go of anxiety and fear, even letting go of the things we enjoy like sports or clubs so we can spend a summer relaxing and exploring new things.
I spent all of my summers from age 8 to age 22 at Camp Johnsonburg, a Presbyterin Camp in northern NJhttp://www.campjburg.org/. It was at camp that I learned to let go, to be myself, to giggle, to run for the sake of feeling the wind on my face, to trust, to cry, to be a true friend, and to know who I was in relationship to God and others.
If you have yet to take the opportunity, use the next 2 weeks to let go. Just be yourself, do something each day that is just for you, spend time with your thoughts, write in a journal, say a prayer, lay in the grass and watch the clouds float by, call an old friend, make a meal, watch a your favorite movie, and just let go...because before you know it life will be back to its old routine and you will be thankful you let go and enjoyed the summer.
As we enter the school year feel free to come and let go with us at Central Pres. Each Sunday night we will have time to let go from 4:30 to 6:30 pm in the Youth Center. We will relax, eat, play, and do whatever it takes to embrace 'letting go' in the midst of the busy school year ahead. I hope you will seriously consider finding time in your life for an hour or two in the Youth Center on Sunday evenings so you can let go.
~Pastor Cynthia
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
welcome to the new central presbyterian church youth blog
Summer is coming to an end so that means its time to return to our old routines...Don't worry! How about instead of only the old routines you add something new...like coming to Central Presbyterian Church!
Highlights for what lies ahead!
I look forward to seeing you soon!
~Pastor Cynthia
Highlights for what lies ahead!
- Come and meet me! I joined the pastoral staff of Central Pres on August 1st as the Interim Associate Pastor for Family, Youth, & Children.
- Come to worship at 8:30 am or 9:45 am on Sunday, August 28th to hear me preach!
- Join us in worship at 10 am on Sunday, Sept. 18th for Rally Day! We will be recognizing all of our Sunday School and Youth Ministry Team volunteers during worship and best of all you can stay after worship to eat, jump in the bounce house, play games, and hang out!
- On Sunday, Sept. 25th the confirmation students (9th graders) will be receiving bibles during the 10 am worship service.
- On Oct. 2nd we really get things started with 'Faith Adventure' from 9 am to 10 am for Sunday School students and then from 4:30 to 8 pm all middle school and senior high students are invited to the Youth Center for fellowship.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
~Pastor Cynthia
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