Youth
Sunday Worship and Sermons
Explanation
of Service Kourtney Lehman
For
today’s service, we will be paralleling this passage from John with the youth
group’s journey as the church went through many financial changes. For our
presentation, the role of Jesus will be represented by the congregation, and
similarly the role of the disciples will be portrayed by the PYGs. Our hope is
to clarify the youth groups support of the final decision made concerning our
future.
John
21:1-5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
After
these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias;
and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter,
Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee,
the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples.
Simon
Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They
said to him, “We will go with you.”
They
went out and got into the boat,
but
that night they caught nothing.
Just
after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach;
but
the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus
said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?”
They
answered him, “No.”
Sermon
Bryson Smith
Much
like the disciples, the youth group felt lost, hopeless, and in need of
guidance and support. The disciples were unsuccessful at catching fish as was
much of our youth group during this time of confusion.
The
financial changes and budget discussions were hard for everyone, especially the
youth group. We felt torn about the situation because we understood that within
our budget, something needed to change; however, it was hard to accept because
we had become accustomed to such a great program and youth director like
Luke.
He
has given us so many amazing opportunities from our life changing mission trip
to Hollywood,
to supporting us in during hard times in our lives where we were in need of a
shoulder to cry on. He has truly been a blessing in all of our lives, so you
can imagine why we were upset that we may not have the same youth program that
we have been fortunate enough to have the last three years.
As
a youth group, and a family, we understood that something had to change, even
though no one, including our supportive congregation, wanted it to. Similar to
the disciples who needed someone to show them a new way of fishing, we needed a
reminder as to why our youth group is so successful; not because of the way it
is structured, but rather because we work together as a family, and a church,
to serve the Lord.
John
21.6a New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Jesus
said to them,
“Cast
the net to the right side of the boat,
and
you will find some.”
Sermon
Evan Bigler
When
the disciples hadn’t caught any fish Jesus told them to cast their nets to the
right side. The disciples didn't know it was the Lord. When we were told we
might loose our full-time youth director, we were also unsure. We worried the
congregation didn’t know what the youth group did, besides youth group dinners.
We had no idea what the congregation had in store, therefore we had to trust in
the congregation like the disciples had to trust in Jesus.
John
21:6-10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
He
said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find
some.”
So
they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so
many fish.
That
disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”
When
Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes,
for
he was naked, and jumped into the sea.
But
the other disciples came in the boat,
dragging
the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred
yards off.
When
they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there,
with
fish on it, and bread.
Jesus
said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.”
Sermon
Spencer Smith
The
scripture represents the youth group feeling as if we were taking a chance by
the changing of the youth director. We weren’t sure what we wanted to do with
the new youth director position because we wanted everything to be the same. We
didn’t want change and this is similar to the disciples. They had been fishing
the same way for a long time and it had worked, but when Jesus told them to
fish to the the right side, they weren’t sure if they should do it at first.
They weren't comfortable with change. As a youth group we didn't want change
either.
Once
we realized how much effort, you, the congregation, put into supporting us we
decided to trust you and your decision for the internship. You have shown us
your support at the visioning meeting with the pile of sticky notes with the
youth group’s name on it, plus all the meetings you guys had. You showed your
support through the debate and conversation trying to save our budget and the
youth director position. You have shown your care and support by coming to our
sporting and school events. With all of the care and support you gave us we
decided we should trust you guys too and fish to the right side by accepting
the intern position.
John
21:11-14 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
So
Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a
hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not
torn.
Jesus
said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”
Now
none of the disciples dared to ask him,
“Who
are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and
gave it to them,
and
did the same with the fish.
This
was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised
from the dead.
Sermon
Sam Hamilton
Jesus
said "Come and eat.” This was an invitation for the disciples to be taken
care of. In the same way, this congregation has invited our youth to be cared
for and loved after a time of confusion and miscommunication.
We
all feel the care you show for us in different ways however, I think we could
all agree that seeing members of the church at our games and school activities
helps us realize that church extends beyond a building on Sundays...
None
of the disciples dared to ask Jesus who he was because they knew it was the
Lord. Similarly, through the tension and conflicting ideas we never felt
forsaken by the people around us. The love that the disciples felt from Jesus
is the same as the love we feel from the people of this church each and everyday.
John
21:15-19 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
15 When
they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do
you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love
you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him,
“Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that
I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the
third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he
said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you
know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your
own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch
out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you
where you do not wish to go.” After this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Offering
Sermon Calli Ward
Around
the room you will see our youth group members putting up posters. These posters
tell some of the ways that we serve you, our congregation, and others in the
world. In the scripture Jesus was there to support the disciples in a time of
need, just as you all were there to support us during our recent budget
conversations. We offer you these things to tell of our love for you, just as
Simon Peter did with his love for Jesus. Our gifts to you include…
Vacation Bible School
Raking
Leaves
Bread
of Life Food Bank
Mission Trips
30
Hour Famine
Serving
on Committees and as Elders and Deacons
Visiting
Backpack
Food Carrying
Souper
Bowl Sunday
Youth
Sunday
Mission Trip Sunday…
Benediction
Carl Martell
Just
as Jesus said to his disciples Follow me, we invite you to follow Jesus. Amen
