At youth group we sometimes play a game called “sit down if…” Basically everyone stands up and the leader reads off a list of things like, “If you think Tennessee will beat Kentucky on February 13 sit down?” and of course no one would sit down. Another statement might be, “If you think Kentucky will ever beat Tennessee in football sit down?” and of coarse no one would sit down. So right now, no matter where you are reading this, we are going to play “Sit down if…” So stand up and let’s play! Here we go, “Sit down if you have ever thought that kids today are lazy.” “Sit down if you have ever said something like back when I was a kid we never had it as easy as kids today.” Okay, go ahead and sit down before we hear how everyone back in the day had to walk to school, uphill, both ways, in the snow.

For many of us, the assumption is that today’s kids are just flat out lazy and apathetic. How many of us have ever given up a week’s vacation to sit across the table and talk to a homeless person? Our youth have been on mission trips to Nashville and Chicago. How many of us have helped repair homes for perfect strangers? Our youth have in Mississippi, Charleston, SC, Cleveland, OH, and Marion, VA. Our middle school youth even provided over 40 Christmas presents for a local family this past Christmas. And ask Sherri Smith how VBS would go if she didn’t have the 30 plus youth volunteers every year? I could go on and on about how not just our youth, but how this generation is meeting the needs of others and is changing the world. But slothfulness goes beyond not meeting needs. There is also the danger of us becoming apathetic in our relationship with God.

The past two weekends our youth attended the Holston Conference’s Resurrection weekend. This is always a transformational weekend for our youth and this year was no different. Our youth were challenged to start taking responsibility for their own spiritual growth by “feeding” themselves and their friends. We were also challenged to evaluate our actions and ask ourselves, “Is it holy?” Our youth responded to this challenge. Over 60 of our youth reaffirmed their faith in God through Jesus and three youth said yes to a relationship with God through Christ for the first time! Five of our youth stood up and said that they believe God might be calling them into full-time Christian ministry! No doubt our youth were awakened from their spiritual slothfulness.

This Sunday morning, in both traditional worship services, you will get to hear the stories of their Resurrection experience. If you are physically able, I challenge you to be in worship this Sunday and to not give into slothfulness by thinking it is “only” youth Sunday or that it’s too cold, etc… So ask yourself if your options other than attending worship this Sunday are Holy.

Is It Holy?

- Coop

You can find the general rehearsal schedules of all of the musical ensembles, as well as a listing of who plays and sings when for worship services and other special events. Andrew’s own calendar is tied into the website, so you always have access to the most up-to-date information.

Many of the songs that we learn here are available for listening and review at the Listening Room online.

For those of you on Facebook, there are several Fountain City UMC groups – just email me or Andrew Cooper and we’ll make sure you get connected!

- Andrew Duncan

We saw God two weeks ago as over 260 children and 160 volunteers came together for Vacation Bible School. God sightings were all around us as our hallways filled with laughter, music, and growing friendships.

We saw His love in gentle words, His beautiful creation, a shared popsicle, and a bracelet given to a friend. We are blessed by the faithfulness, strength, and patience of His willing servants.

We felt His presence during the Swamp Stomp, our daily time of music and worship. Kids and grownups filled the dock with tealights representing their God sightings daily.

Our VBS missionaries worked really hard for Jesus during VBS week! Check out the list of what we did for our local community, for children across our county, and for children around the world, all for the glory of God!

• We wrapped around 1,600 spoons and forks for the Lost Sheep Ministry
• We made 255 salvation bracelets for kids in Nicaragua
• We scooped 4,658 loads of laundry detergent for the Fountain City Ministry Center
• We collected over 800 children’s books to be donated to a women and children’s shelter in Shreveport, Louisiana

Our fifth grade group volunteered at Lost Sheep Ministries, putting together over 500 toiletry kits. They also spent two hours sorting canned food at Second Harvest Food Bank. This class of 23 learned the process of working with stained glass, and together have created a one of a kind piece of art that will be displayed in our church, a reminder of their time together and the love of God that brings and bonds us together.

We will keep watching for God! He is with us always!

Sherri Smith

• Did I remember to make the bus driver’s reservations?
• Do we know how to get there?
• Will so-and-so remember to get there on time on Tuesday morning?
• Will the kids remember the words to their songs?
• Will I forget to bring the handbell music like I did a few years ago?
• etc., etc…..

It must be the end of the school year, which means it’s time for summer Youth Choir tour!
When I first came to FCUMC, I considered myself having a main task of directing the adult Chancel Choir, as well as directing all of these other groups of children and youth. I quickly learned that I was mistaken! My main job was to direct the Chancel Choir, and my other main job was to direct the Youth Choir, and my other main job was to do all of the other main jobs that I fell in love with!

Getting the chance to work with the youth of this church was a surprising blessing to me. I didn’t realize that I was going to enjoy it so much. Youth certainly have a different energy and set of expectations than adults, and sometimes those qualities can be both exhilarating and frustrating. The youth that I inherited my first year were amazing disciples of Christ that taught me much in my first year as a full-time church worker. Their hard work and excellent rehearsal attitudes were an added bonus!

This year, however, I came home from the first youth choir rehearsal exhausted. Why were things so different? Was it because of the young ages in the choir? Was it because I had lost so many juniors and seniors? Was it because their rehearsal discipline was weak and untrained? For the first time, I became frustrated with this choir, and even went so far as to say that summer choir tour may have to be cancelled.

Fast-forward to today, and let me tell you something – God has been working in the lives of these youth. They changed their attitude in rehearsal and learned every song, even the songs they didn’t like! I have seen them become leaders in worship when we have sung in traditional services and in the Journey. They have also reminded me that God doesn’t always intend for us to get comfortable in what we are doing. We must be adaptable and effective in our work! I had to change my ways and directing style to become the leader that this choir needed.

I tell you today at the beginning of this summer choir tour, that this is a group of youth that I am proud to be associated with. They are young and excited, energetic and caring, and they sing about the love of God because they want to tell others.

I tell them often, “if you touch just one person’s life during choir tour, it is worth all the effort.” What I don’t tell them is that these kids have already changed my life.

- Andrew Duncan

This is an excellent opportunity for families, Sunday School classes, church groups, and folks of all ages to gather around the pool for a social evening of elegant dining, fun, and fellowship. Please call LeRoy Hatcher at ext. 111 for call-ahead reservations. This is not a requirement but is very helpful in planning and preparation for the “gourmet” meal.

Many of these youth will be baptized, confirmed, and join the church this Sunday, May 17, at 5:00 p.m. during a special Confirmation service in the Sanctuary. Please plan to be present as we reaffirm our faith and welcome these new members of Christ’s Holy Church and FCUMC.

The 2008-2009 Confirmands are: Lauren Bock, Alea Coble, Kristen Cox, Nikki Earney, Tyler Edwards, Jacob Fowler, Andy Hillhouse, Johnny Morgan, Riley Patton, Anna Ripley, Jake Seiber, Alex Shipman, Rachel Shipman, and Ben Smith.

Our Bayou Bash Kickoff will be Sunday, June 21, from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at Fountain City Park. Bring your family for food, music, games and some swamp stompin’ fun! Crocodile Dock daily sessions are for children three years-old by September 30, 2008 through fifth grade (rising sixth-graders) and will be June 22 – 25 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. Registration forms are in the preschool hallway and the church office. Please register early to help us plan and prepare.

Plan to get swamped with fun at Crocodile Dock! Sign up to join us for VBS. We’re looking for helping hands in the following areas:

• Bayou Bash – setup, hospitality, games, grilling, teardown
• Decoration – prep, Thursday night- June 18 (area setups), Sunday-June 21 (gym setup), Thursday – June 25 (teardown)
• Bayou Crew Leaders – (all ages) two adult shepherds for each class
• Crawfish Crafts – (elementary age) leader – Holly Vance
• Dockside Drive-In – (elementary age, story) daily video segment that supports the bible point each day
• Swampside Story – (preschool age, story) teaches the bible story each day with an interactive hands-on approach

All VBS adult volunteers must be Safe Sanctuary trained. If you are interested in volunteering and need training please contact Sherri Smith at 689-5175 ext. 117 for the next available training date.

We will leave on Friday, June 5, work on various projects on Saturday, and then return in time for worship at FCUMC on Sunday, June 7. There will be specific projects geared for elementary children, youth, and adults.

We are asking that children and youth be accompanied by at least one parent. The cost for each person is $50 which includes all meals, project supplies, and trip insurance. Please sign up for this trip by May 10 by emailing msmith@fountaincityumc.org or by filling out the online registration form below:

If you are going to be graduating from college (or know someone who will be), please contact the church office and give us the name, where the student are graduating from, and the degree. Thank you!

When you see our youth (and they are not hard to find – they are involved in all aspects of our church life), please offer them a word of appreciation and support. And above all, pray for them as they grow as Christian disciples.