National Youth Sunday is May 4, 2008 Young people have gifts and abilities which can be used to worship God.

Letter from the National Youth Cabinet 2008 Prayer Calendar * * * New * * * Bulletin Cover Skit - Hot Head By Jerel Eller & James Bellotte Bible Study by Dan Ulrich Children's Story by Donna Rhodes Creative Reading by Sara Haldeman-Scarr Offertory Resources by Emily Mumma Worship Resources (Call to Worship) by Patricia Ziegler Worship Resources (Invocation) by Jerri Heiser Wenger Worship Resources (Prayer) by Merle Crouse Worship Resources (Prayer) by Seth Keller Worship Resources (Benediction) by Jonathan Bream Worship Resources (Benediction) by Joel Rhodes

These resources are being offered in PDF format. Your computer will need Acrobat Reader to allow you to view the files. If you do not have Reader on your computer, a free download is available at the following link.

Dear Youth Advisors,

Again, we have developed worship resources for National Youth Sunday. A poster was mailed to each youth advisor. If you would like additional copies, please call 800-323-8039, ext. 289.

The theme for 2008 is “By the Manner of Their Living” from Colossians 3:12-15. All of our resources for the annual theme this year are located on our website for you to download. This is an effort to save the cost of printing materials, and yet still make them available for you to use on National Youth Sunday, May 4, 2008.

If there are ways that I can be of help in terms of resources, ideas, or support, please don’t hesitate to call me at 800-323-8039, ext 297.

Blessings in your ministry with youth!

Grace and Peace,

Chris Douglas
Director of Youth/Young Adult Ministry
Church of the Brethren General Board

Youth Sunday. The very words raise a whole assortment of feelings and emotions. For some youth sponsors it means a lot of work trying to convince youth to take part and dealing with a congregation that sits on pins and needles not knowing what is going to happen.

Youth Sunday does not need to fulfill those expectations. It can be a very meaningful experience for all involved–the youth sponsors, the youth, and the entire congregation. It can be one of the most rewarding parts of the youth program. Yes, it is a lot of work. It does bring a lot of worry. But, like many other worthwhile things in life, meeting the challenge can being a great sense of pride and accomplishment for all involved.

Why do we have one Sunday a year designed as Youth Sunday? Why are the youth given the responsibility of sharing in the leadership of the worship service?

	First of all, a youth service allows the young people to use their gifts and abilities in the leading of a worship experience that involves the community of believers. It says to young and old alike that young people have gifts and abilities which can be used to worship God. God can speak to his people through the lives of teenagers. That in itself is an important statement.
	Secondly, it is one way in which the young people of the church can serve the larger fellowship. It is a way of giving. This is something that young people need to (and sometimes even want to) experience in their faith development.
	Thirdly, being "in charge" of the worship service gives the young people an opportunity to look at what they do each Sunday as they participate in worship.

What is the meaning of this activity which we often take for granted? It permits them to examine worship very closely as they prepare for this important time in the Christian community.

Fourthly, the youth service gives adult leadership in the church an opportunity to say to the youth, both directly and indirectly, that they are important, that we have confidence in them, and that they have something significant to offer to the body of Christ.

In allowing youth the privilege and freedom to lead the gathered community in worship, the sponsors and youth need to reassure the pastor and consistory that this "freedom" will not be carried too far. One thing to keep in mind is, who are you leading in worship? A worship service geared just to youth is going to be different than a worship service for the entire congregation. Of course, that is not to say that youthful songs and thoughts are inappropriate. But keep in mind who is in the congregation choosing songs, responses, and message. If people are turned off because of the form of worship, they are not going to be able to hear what you want to say, or be able to worship God as you desire them to.

	Use some of your regular youth meetings to prepare. Ask for God's guidance as you prepare to lead his people in worship. Talk about the meaning of worship. Remember that worship is a time of celebration! Talk about your goals and what you want to accomplish through your theme, If you have one. You might even ask your pastor to give some ideas on developing the theme. Or he or she could share with you the meaning of the various elements of worship. You could take the three parts of worship – the approach to God, the word of God, and the response to God – and divide into three groups to deal with these elements. Be sure you know what each part is trying to accomplish. (Worship the Lord) has an explanation of the various parts of worship on pages 65-74.) Then choose songs, write prayers, create a message, and write responses that will tie in your theme and goals for worship.
	Try to encourage your young people to have fun while preparing for worship. Worship is a serious activity, but it is also a fun time as the gathered community comes together to celebrate life in Christ.
	A final reminder. After the parts of the service have been determined, be sure to practice with the young people who have speaking parts. For example, listen to them read the Scripture. If they do their parts well, they will feel much better about themselves and their contribution to the worship experience.
	Prepare, practice, and depend on the Holy Spirit, as you worship the Lord in joy and thanks giving.

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