Dear CCPC Family,

"...and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith,
Who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at
the right hand of the throne of God."
-Hebrews 12:1b, 2

My family loves theme parks. So it was with great anticipation that my husband and I along with our four sons (ages 16, 14, 11 and 10) traveled to Arlington for yet another summer day at Six Flags. This time, however, we arrived well into the afternoon so we could stay late and attend the new outdoor show, "Cirque Dreams Coobrila." Wow! What an exciting and entertaining show! My sons were glued to their seats, enthralled, mesmerized and electrified. There were so many things going on all at once that we couldn't take it all in -- multiple stages, imagery and unprecedented showmanship, performance runways, an elaborate truss structure, brilliant illuminations, and amazing displays of aerial artistry. Even going back to see it a second and third time probably wouldn't be enough. On the way home, I thought about the attraction of this show and why we all enjoyed it so much. It made me think about youth ministry. Hang in there with me on this analogy.

So often, youth ministers try to attract young people with "bells and whistles" -- elaborate trips, sports equipment, wacky skits and outrageous games, funny movies, special food, and more. I think we're all guilty of trying to find that one thing that "clicks," something that gets a young person excited enough to want to attend a youth event. There's nothing wrong with trying to find a means to attract our youth's attention and participation, as long as we stay focused on the true goal of our ministry -- connecting teens to Christ on a personal level.

Our young people have access to so many high-tech gadgets, so many things vying for their attention that we have to be prepared to present the Gospel in a way that attracts and excites them. Getting them involved in youth ministry is a means for God to do His work. With the daily distractions our youth encounter, we have a tremendous challenge facing us, but one that with God's guidance can be achieved. It has to be achieved for our youth's sake. Maybe those "bells and whistles" only attract them, but it is God's power that draws them into the community of believers we call Live Wires, Presbyterian Youth Connection, Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, and the body of Christ that empowers them for the race that is set before them.

Our youth are involved in many different ministries at church and throughout our community. We invite you to share in our celebration of these young people on Sunday evening, August 26, at our "CELEBRATE YOUTH!" event. It begins at 5:00 pm in Tennent Hall with a Church-Wide Spaghetti Dinner, and ends in the Sanctuary with a celebration of the year's activities captured on video.

Join us, won't you? Help us celebrate all the resources, energy, and commitment our youth and their sponsors have provided in 2006-07.

-Judy Howle
Director of Middle School Ministry