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This Sunday
Family worship services in celebration of Mother's Day Morning worship services are at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. The early service is held in Covell Chapel, with our regular service in the sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. Reverend Richard A. Weisenbach, Senior Minister, will lead morning worship services this Sunday, May 11, 2008. This Sunday's message is entitled "Stories about Mom"
The calendar for Sunday also includes 9:00 a.m. Confirmation Class, infant and toddler care during the 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary service, 10:30 a.m. Youth Worship Service for Grades 7-12, 11:30 a.m. Fellowship hour in the vestry, and 11:45 Jr. Choir rehearsel. There are no Sunday school classes for Sunday, May 11th.
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theParentLink - April 2008 |
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The Parent Link Newsletter
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First
Parish Congregational Church
1 Church St.
Box
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Wakefield, MA 01880 | April 2008 |
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“Like father, like son” and “Like mother, like
daughter” may not apply very often to you and your
teenagers. But you’re having more of an influence on
your kids than you may realize. We’ve always known that
parents’ faith is important for kids’ spiritual
development. Now some landmark research shows just how
crucial your beliefs are.
The National Study of
Youth and Religion recently found that three out of four
religious teenagers consider their own beliefs to be
similar to those of their parents. What’s more, 77% of
teenagers who belonged to a congregation said they
expected to be part of a similar congregation at age
25.
Teenagers aren’t likely to come right out and
admit that their parents are serving as role models.
Sometimes you probably feel like your kids don’t even
want to associate with you. But another major NSYR
finding is that most teenagers desire to have stronger
relationships with their parents. They just aren’t sure
how to make it happen. So that’s where you come
in!
It’s up to parents to take the lead with
faith discussions in your home. When you’re passionate
about your beliefs, that passion will be contagious.
Academic studies and real-life examples prove that
parents who strive to live out a devoted Christian faith
raise kids who tend to do the same. Read on for tips and
ideas about developing and passing along this passion.
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Helpful Hints
NSYR
researcher Christian Smith, author of Soul Searching, offers
this advice for parents of teenagers:
1. Don’t be
afraid of your kids or afraid of teaching them. Don’t worry
about not seeming “cool” when you relate substantial truths.
Teenagers desire to be challenged in their faith
walk.
2. Work on your overall relationship with your
teenagers. Organized youth groups are important, but kids
benefit the most from significant bonds with mature, loving
adults. Kids long to have respected grown-ups spend time with
them “through the stuff of their ordinary lives,” Smith
says.
3. Play an active role in youth ministry. For
better or worse, you’re the most important “pastors” your kids
will ever have. Instead of handing off all the responsibility
of spiritual development to your church or a youth group, look
for ways to get involved with these faith-formation
efforts.
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 Here are some more results from the
NSYR:
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Half of the teenagers surveyed said faith is “very
important” or “extremely important” in their
lives.
• Only 8% of teenagers said they’re
“spiritual but not religious.”
• Teenagers who
say their parents love, understand, or pay attention to
them are more likely to be religiously devoted than are
their peers who say their parents don’t love,
understand, or pay attention to them.
• Of the
teenagers who attend worship services, 70% rate their
congregation as a “very good” or “fairly good” place to
discuss serious issues or problems.
(National
Study of Youth and Religion; Soul Searching)
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 Although
adolescence is a crucial time for faith formation, the process is
never complete. Use these questions to talk with your kids about
their under-construction beliefs:
1. How important is
your faith to you? Would you say it’s your No. 1 priority? Why or
why not?
2. What aspects of believing in God are the easiest
and the hardest for you, and why?
3. Do you know someone
who’s passionate about God? If so, what do you admire most about him
or her?
4. Are you being a spiritual example, or mentor, for
anyone right now? Explain.
5. If you could change one thing
about our relationship, what would it be, and why?
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1. God will
strengthen your own faith and keep you focused on your relationship
with him.
2. God will help you be a good spiritual example
for your family and a trusted mentor for your kids.
3. Your
teenagers will desire to grow closer to God and to you.
4.
Your teenagers will remain passionate about their faith throughout
their lives.
Verse
of the month
“Praise the
Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying
his commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an
entire generation of godly people will be blessed.” (Psalm
112:1-2)
As our heavenly Father, God is worthy of our
honor, respect, and love. This mirrors the ideal relationship
between earthly parents and their children. Parents aren’t perfect
(just ask your teenagers!), but moms and dads who strive to live
godly lives leave a lasting legacy for their kids—and for many
generations to come. Obedience, whether it’s to God or to parents,
results in joy and growth. Because God promises eternal “success” to
those who trust in him, a spiritual heritage is the best gift you
could ever give your kids. | |
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Great News, Mom and Dad!
 It’s not
car keys, cash, an endless supply of entertainment, or invites
to killer parties that make today’s teenagers the happiest.
It’s not even hobbies or popularity. According to the latest
research, it’s spending time with family!
Yes, it’s
true. Research conducted by the Associated Press and MTV (yes,
MTV!) found that chillin’ with the fam ranked first on the
happy-meter. Spending time with friends finished second,
followed by spending time with significant others. Did you
catch that? The top-three sources of happiness for kids today
are based on relationships! Honorable mentions include
“sports” in 10th place and “achieving success” in
20th.
The happiness survey, more than 100 questions
long, pried into almost every area of kids’ lives. It measured
everything from money to spiritual experience to pets. Want
the best news yet? Of the 1,280 young people polled (ages
13-24), 73% said Mom and Dad make them happy. Told you it was
good news!
(SimplyYouthMinistry.com)
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This page is
designed to inform and educate parents and is not meant to endorse
any product, music, or movie.
Our prayer is that you will make
informed decisions on what your student listens to, wears, and
sees! | |
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Background: Deitrick Haddon began leading worship at
age 11, when he gave a sermon at his father’s church. He led the
choir at age 13 and later led the singing group Voices of Unity. In
2002, Haddon launched his Christian R&B solo career with Lost
and Found. It reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel charts and
earned much radio time on gospel and mainstream R&B stations.
While continuing his own musical career, Haddon, 25, also produces
for other artists, including his wife, Damita.
Albums: Lost and Found (2002), Just the Hits (2005),
7 Days (2006), Voices of Unity (2007)
What You Should
Know: Haddon’s energetic praise-and-worship music has many
influences: bluesy, soul, big ballads, and dance gospel.
What Haddon Has to Say: “Every time I do something, I
seek to do it better and do something I believe God is calling me to
do,” Haddon says. “I just do what God gives me; I don’t try to be
anybody else. I don't let the industry or people dictate what I
do.”
Discussion Questions: What do you think God wants
you to do with your life, and why? How can you know God’s will and
plan? When you’re making decisions, how much do you let other people
sway you? | |
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musicspotlight
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Albums:
Chris
Brown (2005), Exclusive (2007)
| Background: Teenage recording artist Chris Brown began
singing at age 11. Two years later, while Brown was working in his
dad’s gas station, a local production team discovered him. His 2005
self-titled debut album featured the hit single “Run It!” Brown’s
newly released second album, Exclusive, scored another No. 1 hit
with “Kiss Kiss.” Now 18, Brown also has an acting career. He
appeared in the dance movie Stomp the Yard and in TV shows such as
The OC, My Super Sweet 16, and The Suite Life of Zach and
Cody.
What You Should Know: Brown’s music addresses
relationships, often with inappropriate and sexually explicit
lyrics.
What Brown Has to Say: When asked how he keeps
the fun in success, Brown says, “I think just by being myself. You
don’t have a whole bunch of dummies around you. Keep the people that
you like around you, and just be yourself.”
Discussion
Questions: Is it good to hang out only with people who you like
and have stuff in common with? Why or why not? In your life, who
keeps you grounded? Are you able to “just be yourself” around your
friends? Why or why not? | |
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filmwatch
Movie:
Prom Night (released April 11)
Rating: PG-13 for violence and terror, some
sexual material, underage drinking, and
language
Genre: Horror/suspense
Synopsis:
Donna’s senior prom is supposed to be magical. But when the
night turns murderous, only one man could be responsible. To
survive their prom night, Donna and her friends must escape
the rampage of an obsessed killer. (This is a remake of the
1980 horror film.)
Discussion Questions: What types
of feelings do you have about the prom or other school dances?
What might make them “magical”? What might make them
difficult? How can you avoid some of the challenges kids often
face at these big events?
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| Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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3
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4
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5
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6
9:30-10:20
Confirmation
10:30-11:30 Youth Worship Service |
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8
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9
6:30-9:00 Wonderful
Wednesdays
Strong Families
Solutions on CCN
the Book of
James |
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11
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12
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13
9:30-10:20
Confirmation
10:30-11:30 Youth Worship Service |
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15
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6:30-9:00 Wonderful
Wednesdays
Strong Families
Solutions on CCN
the Book of
James |
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4:00-7:00 Youth
Serving Dinner at Rosie's Place |
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Family Sunday
No
Confirmation
No Youth Service |
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6:30-9:00 Wonderful
Wednesdays
Strong Families
Solutions on CCN
the Book of
James |
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9:30-10:20
Confirmation
10:30-11:30 Youth Worship Service |
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6:30-9:00 Wonderful
Wednesdays
Strong Families
Solutions on CCN
the Book of
James |
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For the last two years, the
youth group has made a trip to Gunstock Mountain where we joined
more with thousands of youth from all over New England in a three
and a half day celebration of Jesus Christ. We heard messages from
world-class speakers like Josh McDowell, have incredible worship led
by people like Michael W. Smith, and get to see awesome concerts by
Christian rock bands like Newsboys, Toby Mac, Pillar, and many
others! It is an unforgettable, unbelievable experience!
Some of
the bands who will be there this year
are:
Newsboys
Kutless
Jars of Clay
Skillet
Third
Day
Toby Mac
and about 90 others!
Complete cost for the
event including camping, food, and transportation will be only
$275.00 per person! An $115.00 non-refundable deposit is due by
April 20 to cover the ticket price of the event.
If you have any
questions or concerns, please contact pastor Dan at (781) 245-1644.
Check it out on the web at www.thesoulfest.com. Look for a letter in
the mail this week with more
details.
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