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1 Heaven Together ST. GEORGE YOUTH FEBRUARY EDITION H e a v e n T o g e t h e r E-MAGAZINE 2013

St George's Youth eMagazine - Feb13

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Page 1: St George's Youth eMagazine - Feb13

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Heaven TogetherST. GEORGE YOUTH

FEBRUARY EDITION

He a v e n T

og e t he r

E-MAGAZINE 2013

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I  was  fortunate  enough  to  a/end  SGY’s  annual  youth  camp  at  Forest  Edge.  In  an  ac=on  packed,  s=mula=ng  weekend,  we  discussed  the  topic  of  ‘iAM,  iSERVE,  iWORSHIP’.  Never  have  I  been  struck  with  such  great  clarity  and  prac=cality.  Here  are  the  points  that  struck  a  chord  with  me…

iAM

Each  person  has  their  own  character.  Their  own  personality,  their  own  quirks  and  their  own  being.  Yet  we  are  all  made  in  the  image  of  Christ.  This  is  what  binds  us  all.  Being  made  in  the  image  of  Christ  is  a  pure  act  of  love;as  it  is  by  these  means  we  are  able  to  a/ain  a  level  of  godliness.  It’s  kind  of  mindboggling  that  we  the  crea=on,  we  the  servants,  we  the  children  are  capable  of  a/aining  fellowship  and  unity  with  Christ.  He  is  the  manifesta=on  of  an  ideal  human  being  and  our  ul=mate  role  model.  We  can  learn  His  pa=ence,  His  love,  His  tenderness,  His  care,  His  equality  and  incorporate  it  into  our  own  lives.  This  is  in  direct  contrast  to  the  wishes  of  the  world  where  acts  of  revenge,  backstabbing  and  trampling  on  

others  are  ok.  It  is  through  the  character  of  Christ  that  we  are  taught  how  to  be  transformed  from  worldly  to  godly.

iSERVE

Service  is  of  paramount  importance.  “The  Lord  is  not  in  need  of  our  servitude  but  we  are  in  need  of  His  Lordship”  We  serve  out  of  love;  that  we  want  to  share  the  mercies  and  blessings  that  Christ  has  bestowed  upon  us  with  everyone  else.  We  serve  because  it  is  a  moral  obliga=on,  it  is  a  sign  of  obedience  and  a  sign  of  thanksgiving.  It  is  a  means  of  preaching  and  seeking  God  in  our  surroundings.  Service  is  discovering  your  God-­‐given  talent  and  using  it  to  be/er  the  state  of  humanity;  rather  than  hiding  it  because  you  like  to  play  it  safe  and  not  take  risks.  Service  is  simple  yet  it  has  a  profound  effect.  Service  may  seem  like  a  sacrifice  on  our  part;  a  sacrifice  that  can  never  be  equated  to  the  blood  shed  on  the  cross.  It  may  seem  like  a  rou=ne  and  we  may  never  s=ck  with  it  long  enough  to  experience  the  inner  joy  it  cul=vates.  So  we  must  equate  effec=ve  service  to  prac=ce  and  pa=ence,  because  who  honestly  gets  the  

hang  of  something  the  first  =me  round?

iWORSHIP

Worship  is  mul=faceted.  It  is  defined  as  the  ac=on  of  bowing  in  adora=on.  It  is  a  means  of  communica=ng  the  emo=ons  of  profound  love  and  adora=on.  Worship  is  expressed  through  our  service,  living  Chris=an  values,  sacrificial  acts  such  as  fas=ng,  obedience,  apprecia=ng  beauty.  All  of  these  aspects  are  culminated  in  the  liturgy.  We  worship  out  of  humility  and  submission,  as  a  sign  of  respect,  thanksgiving,  blessing,  to  be  prepared  for  heaven  and  for  the  fear  of  upse\ng  God.  We  never  persevere  with  worship/prayer.  Maybe  it’s  a  result  of  the  fast  paced  environment  we  live  in  now.  If  we  don’t  get  speedy  results,  we  must  be  doing  something  wrong  and  quit  the  task  at  hand.  Yet  St  John  Chrysostom’s  words  ring  in  a  bell  for  our  current  state.  If  we  have  a  medicine  failure  we  try  again  and  con=nue  taking  our  meds-­‐  if  a  tree  logger  strikes  a  tree  and  it  doesn’t  fall,  does  he  not  strike  it  again?  Yet  in  church  when  anything  fails  do  we  try  again  and  give  it  another  go?  St  John  certainly  has  a  point.  

BACK TO BASICSHE

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NEWS

St George’s Youth Camp went off with a big bang!

HE

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YOUTH UPDATE

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HEAV

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Habitat for HumanityBy David Georgy

WORDS OF WISDOMHabitat for Humanity is a world wide nonprofit Christian housing organisation that seeks to put "God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope." 

By the grace of God, the church youth in Adelaide were granted the blessing of working with Habitat for Humanity to help those less fortunate than us rebuild their lives, and put a roof over their head. 

The beauty of 'Habitat with Humanity' is that under guidance- you are granted an opportunity to work hands on outside your area of expertise. 

As such, in a truly Christian manner, the youth worked together to undertake varying activities including gardening, digging, plumbing, painting and plastering to name a few.

It was truly a blessed opportunity to once again show our Christian workmanship, and offer our time and love to those less fortunate.

A blessing not to be missed!

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As  young  people  we  often  forget  the  need  to  lead.  Sometimes  settling  for  being  a  follower  in  order  to  avoid  standing  out  and  therefore,  ensuring  we  :it  in.  Here  is  a  quote  from  Nelson  Mandela  to  expand  on  this  point.

“Our  deepest  fear  is  not  that  we  are  inadequate.  Our  deepest  fear  is  that  we  are  powerful  beyond  measure.  It  is  our  light,  not  our  darkness  that  most  frightens  us.  We  ask  ourselves,  Who  am  I  to  be  brilliant,  gorgeous,  talented,  fabulous?  Actually,  who  are  you  not  to  be?  You  are  a  child  of  God.  Your  playing  small  does  not  serve  the  world.  There  is  nothing  enlightened  about  shrinking  so  that  other  people  won't  feel  insecure  around  you.  We  are  all  meant  to  shine,  as  children  do.  We  were  born  to  make  manifest  the  glory  of  God  that  is  within  us.  It's  not  just  in  some  of  us;  it's  in  everyone.  And  as  we  let  our  own  light  shine,  we  unconsciously  give  other  people  permission  to  do  the  same.  As  we  are  liberated  from  our  own  fear,  our  presence  automatically  liberates  others.”  Nelson  Mandela  

As  Christian  youth  we  must  take  a  leadership  role  in  everything  we  do.  Be  a  leader  with  yourself,  be  a  leader  with  your  family,  be  a  leader  with  your  friends,  be  a  leader  at  university,  be  a  leader  within  your  Church,  be  a  leader  with  your  Sunday  School  class,  be  a  leader  within  your  sports  clubs!  

In  today’s  world  people  need  true,  sincere,  strong  and  honest  leaders  to  help  them  see  a  way  of  life  that  has  eluded  them  for  so  long  –  a  life  in  Christ!  However,  before  taking  the  immediate  decision  to  become  a  leader,  I  think  it  is  worthy  to  learn  some  of  the  characteristics  of  a  good  leader.

The  good  leader  has  the  following  qualities:

1. They  know  where  they  are  going  –  they  have  a  vision  for  their  life,  they  understand  that  there  mission  is  to  do  the  will  of  God,  to  live  inspired  by  the  Bible  through  the  Holy  Spirit.  They  know  they  are  leading  people  to  LIVE!  LOVE!  LEARN!  GROW!

2. They  know  why  they  are  leading  –  their  WHY  keeps  them  going  when  things  get  tough.  Think  of  Christ’s  WHY?  OUR  SALVATION!

3. They  are  driven  by  values  not  by  people  –  they  don’t  care  what  others  say  or  think,  all  they  care  about  is  that  they  are  upholding  their  values  as  a  human  being  and  are  always  pleasing  God.

HEAV

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Spiritual Monologue

Qualities of a LeaderBy John Nasr

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4.  They  are  selfless  –  they  lead  standing  at  the  front  when  there  is  danger  but  they  always  lead  from  behind  the  group  when  there  is  reward.  There  exists  no  selfish  ambi=on  within  them!  People  appreciate  this  type  of  leadership!

5.  They  communicate  effec=vely  –  they  understand  that  if  they  talk  to  people  at  their  level,  with  their  language  they  will  be  able  to  influence  them!

6.  They  never  ask  someone  to  do  something  that  they  don’t  –  people  respect  the  leader  who  sets  an  example!

7.  They  reflect  on  and  learn  from  their  mistakes  –  they  understand  that  making  mistakes  is  part  of  the  learning  process  and  is  important  as  long  as  we  can  learn  from  it.

8.  They  take  full  responsibility  for  their  ac=ons  and  results.

9.  They  are  determined  but  humble  (below  is  the  descrip=on  of  each)  

But  I  would  like  to  :inish  by  saying  that  the  best  way  to  lead  is  to  be  the  best  person  you  can  be  and  this  will  attract  people  behind  you.  You  do  not  need  to  be  loud,  you  do  not  need  to  be  a  great  speaker  or  writer,  you  do  nt  even  need  to  be  an  extrovert,  just  be  the  best  you  can  be  and  remember  the  words  of  Christ:

 “You  are  the  light  of  the  world.  A  city  that  is  set  on  a  hill  cannot  be  hidden.    Nor  do  they  light  a  lamp  and  put  it  under  a  basket,  but  on  a  lampstand,  and  it  gives  light  to  all  who  are  in  the  house.  Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men,  that  they  may  see  your  good  works  and  glorify  your  Father  in  heaven.”  Matthew  5:14-­‐16

Determined Humble

Always  creates  excellent  results.   Shows  modesty,  shunning  public  adula=on  

Does  whatever  it  takes  to  reach  the  outcome  or  result  

Acts  with  quite,  calm  determina=on.  Relies  on  inspira=on  not  charisma  

Never  se/les  for  sub-­‐standards   Sets-­‐up  successors  for  the  next  genera=on  

Looks  into  the  mirror  not  out  the  window  for  responsibility  

Looks  out  the  window  not  at  the  mirror  for  credi=ng  success.  

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Youth Meeting Updates

Patristic Lens Bible Study

Mondays at 6.30pm

Youth Meeting

Fridays at 7.30pm

Followed by an outing

Youth Kitchen

March 10th

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HEAVEN TOGETHER ST. GEORGE YOUTH E-MAGAZINE NOV 2012

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