Tuesday Tunes: Christmas Style

I am not sure about you but I often forget what the true meaning behind a lot of Christmas songs. I have been singing them for as long as I can remember so sometimes we just take them for granted which is a shame. So this week I want to take a long at one song that I enjoy myself and when you look at it closely you realize how much theology is in it! That song is Hark! The Herald Angels Sing  which is a song I am sure you all know.

"Hark! The herald angels sing,

Glory to the newborn king;

Peace on earth and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!"

Right in the first verse just shows the reason for the season! We are given new life because God sent his only Son to save us. "made peace through the blood of His cross" Colossians 1:20 And no this song is not telling the Harkisheimer family to listen up.

Though to my it is the final verse that really jumps out and shows the true meaning of Christmas.

"Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings

Ris'n with healing in His wings

Mild he lays His glory by

Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King!"

To me there is so much great theology in there. "Light and life to all He brings" is just so awesome because here in the middle of winter, when it is literally the darkest time of the year He comes and brings us light. In the dark is when we need the light the most. He absoultely came and gave us a second birth, he gave us another chance to have a relationship with God "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17. 

I don't want to bore you to death so I encourage to look at this song more and other Christmas songs you constantly sing to see what the message behind them is!

Jr High Weekend 2014

After a crazy and tiring weekend of trying to entertain middle-schoolers I feel like I have finally stabilized (mentally and physically). For those of  you that don't know every year the Jr High takes a trip to Delanco one weekend early in December. This past weekend was my first and I have to say it was an absolute blast.

We started the weekend with an awesome night game thanks to Mike, where I got to be the Winter Soldier and fight Danny who was Captain America. All the kids had a blast running around camp at night while Mike and I chased them.

The next day we did some cleanup around camp and no one died which was awesome. We played manhunt again and later did some target practice with old tiles and softballs. Smashing and breaking things is always a blast regardless of how it happens.

Overall the weekend was one that the kids really got a lot out of which is awesome. I could see kids not only grow closer to each other but to God as well which is what we were there for after all. I have to say that I did feel like I grew closer to God as well. Most retreats I am always caught up in getting the message across to these kids that I forget the messages they can show us. That just goes to show how awesome the kids are that I get to work with. I know I miss seeing you all at Launch every week!

Feel free to comment your favorite part of the weekend!

No Man Is An Island

So Tenth Avenue North came out with a new album a few weeks ago and this was the first single off of it.

Here is what Mike Donehey has to say about this song:

"We need each other. How else are we ever gonna love like God unless we're forced to love people who don't deserve it? God loves us undeservingly, and then He invites us to love in the same way. If we want to participate in the Divine, then we need to come off our islands and come back to the shore"

This gives us another perspective on Mark 12:31 "The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." 

Sometimes we judge and hate others because they are different but we need to realize that Jesus loves every single person on this planet. We should try to do the same. 

-Jack

Meet Chef Kevin!

I am a chef at Los Amigos (Mexican restaurant). I am from Pittsgrove, NJ. I graduated from Schalick High School in 2003. In my spare time, I enjoy playing video games and cooking food.

Favorite TV Show:  Saturday Night Live

Favorite Movie: Wayne’s World

Favorite Sport:  Wrestling

Favorite Sports teams:  Philadelphia teams

Favorite Video Game: Break Out

Favorite Food: Bacon

Mimi

Hey #sickyouths! Here’s a little blurb about myself. I am 19 years old and have grown up here in Sicklerville while attending SUMC since before I was born. I am in my second year at Camden County College and am majoring in Early Childhood Education. I work at rainbow gymnastics where I used to train. Now, I teach gymnastics to all different age groups which is awesome. I love getting involved with different events here at church and when I was in youth group coming out to events strengthened my relationship with Christ tremendously—so get involved!

Favorite TV Show: everybody loves Raymond, but I don’t really watch tv.

Favorite Movie: FROZEN..or any Disney movie

Favorite Sport: gymnastics

Favorite Sports teams:Temple Rugby*

Favorite Video Game: Mario party

Favorite Food: pizza all the way..or chocolate





*Editor's addition

Teri Patterson

I have been attending SUMC since December of 1995.  We had been worshiping in the church that my family had attended since I was since years old prior to making the change.  What brought us to SUMC was the great youth program they had for teens.  Mark and I have 3 daughters, 3 son in laws and 6 grandchildren. Serving with the Sr. High youth last year was a true blessing for me.

Favorite TV Show  "The Good Wife"

Favorite Movie:   "Hope Floats"

Favorite Sport:  was Softball, now Tennis

Favorite Sports teams:   Phillies

Favorite Video Game:  Mario Bros.

Favorite Food:  Roast Beef and Mashed Potatoes

Meet Papa Bear

Papa Bear (Eric Ulrich) is someone who is always a constant presence in not only the youth group but in SUMC. He didn't write anything about himself probably because he doesn't think we are worthy to truly know who he is. I also think he was in a rush as he was about to do a wash-up. Anyways here is another youth leader answering some questions about themselves! Check in every Friday for another  youth leader!

Favorite TV Show: Seinfeld

Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans

Favorite Sport: Baseball

Favorite Sports teams: Yankees

Favorite Video Game: Pong

Favorite Food: Cheese Burger