 This past Sunday evening, our High School Ministry gathered for our year end Christmas Party. We host our annual Christmas party on our last Sunday before going on Christmas break. It's relaxed, laid back, and fun! Our primary goal for the Christmas party is social and relational. We want our students to hang out with each other while our leaders mingle and build relationships with our students. I try to not over program our Christmas party. In our church, December is a busy month with various activities and programed events that keep folks jumping. Outside of the church families, students, and our staff are very busy with school, jobs, Christmas shopping, sports, and seasonal concerts. So to counteract the busyness of the season, I purposely leave our Christmas party as something that is as un-programed as possible.
3 Big Daddy pizzas. These large rectangular pizzas offer a larger quantity of slices than regular round pizzas. To keep everyone happy, we ordered one plain cheese, one pepperoni, and one sausage. Pizza, carbonated beverages and bottled water, along with chips and snacks, a cookie cake, and a few Christmas cookies, filled our table and the first 15 to 20 minutes of our time together. We set up round tables in our student space for the students to gather around while they ate and socialize. T-SHIRTS FOR YOUTH WORKERSAfter some pizza and drinks, it was time to get rolling with our party activities. Like I said, I don't program a lot of games or activities so for this years party I decided to use a downloadable resource from Download Youth Ministry. It was the perfect crowd breaker game to prime our students for the parties main event, The Great Gift Exchange!
your activity, purchase, download, then load it into your presentation software and you're ready to go! I've already downloaded and used four different games for the month of December, including Dollar Store Or So Much More? Christmas Edition, which we played as our ice breaker at the party. It was perfect! Be sure to check out tomorrows blog for a list of all the games we've played this month.
little surprised and amazed by the gifts that are opened and by what gifts become the hot items that are stolen over and over again. Bags of various candies are always a favorite. But the top gifts for our students include a grow-it yourself Bonsai Tree Kit, a box of Utz Chocolate Covered Pretzels, and a Christmas box full of candy. Some gifts are "stolen" multiple times leaving the final winner a mystery until the end of the game.It was a great night of relaxing fun, food, and friends. We laughed a lot. Got some great gifts. And we enjoyed time with our students. Now we're ready for a little break and some time with our families! What do you do at your ministry Christmas party? Share your activities and program ideas in the comment section below! - jay
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God So Loved...
Listen to the Message...
Lead Me To The Cross, Part 1
God So Loved..., Jay Higham Recorded on Sunday, April 09th, 2017 At Hickory United E.P. Church
Here are two books that are super helpful. They are available as a free download on Kindle.
Each is a short, easy to read book that helps explain the topic of being Born Again. Can I Be Sure I'm Saved? & What Does It Mean to Be Born Again? Both are by written by R.C. Sproul. Simply click, download and start reading!
His Father the Carpenter |
| Then the news. Mary is pregnant. It comes like an out of control ox cart and plows him over. His mind fills with thoughts. His heart explodes with emotion. How? How could she? What will people think? What will people say? The embarrassment. The shame. But then again, Joseph is a good man. Right? So he decides to divorce her, quietly, so not to make Mary out to be something she’s not. Then comes the angel. More news. This time the news is from God. |  |
“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21 NIV)
How does a guy respond to something like that? This was huge. A baby. A son. Made possible by the Holy Spirit. And he would save his people from their sins… If I am Joseph, I think I would have a lot of question. But like Mary, we’re not told anything accept the choice to be obedient.
Joseph, like Mary, trusted God. He said say to what God was asking. Though it turned his world upside down, Joseph chose to be obedient. Matthew 1:24-25 say, “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
How does a guy respond to something like that? This was huge. A baby. A son. Made possible by the Holy Spirit. And he would save his people from their sins… If I am Joseph, I think I would have a lot of question. But like Mary, we’re not told anything accept the choice to be obedient.
Joseph, like Mary, trusted God. He said say to what God was asking. Though it turned his world upside down, Joseph chose to be obedient. Matthew 1:24-25 say, “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
Joseph, like Mary, trusted God.
The next time we hear about Joseph, or Mary for that matter is in Luke 2. They arrive in Bethlehem and the city is packed. The only space for Joseph and his young wife is in a stable. It’s not ideal, but Mary is ready to give birth so it’ll have to do.
Then it happens. Mary gives birth and now Joseph must become the father of this little life.
I love the scene the the movie, The Nativity Story, where Mary and Joseph, are in the stable and Jesus arrives. Joseph waits to receive this new life. Then it comes. He lifts it up, with a smile and laughter. For any other father this would be a moment of great pride.
Mary hands him something to wrap the baby with then hands him to her. They share glances and smiles. The camera bounces from Mary to Joseph, then both of them together. They look at each other, then we see Joseph. Emotion floods his face and he begins to cry.
It’s in that moment that the carpenter becomes a father.
Then it happens. Mary gives birth and now Joseph must become the father of this little life.
I love the scene the the movie, The Nativity Story, where Mary and Joseph, are in the stable and Jesus arrives. Joseph waits to receive this new life. Then it comes. He lifts it up, with a smile and laughter. For any other father this would be a moment of great pride.
Mary hands him something to wrap the baby with then hands him to her. They share glances and smiles. The camera bounces from Mary to Joseph, then both of them together. They look at each other, then we see Joseph. Emotion floods his face and he begins to cry.
It’s in that moment that the carpenter becomes a father.
We know nothing beyond that moment except that Joseph takes full responsibility to raise and protect Jesus as he grows. But I often find myself wondering about Joseph; his willingness to say yes, his commitment to raise the Son of God, and to be present as a father but relatively absent in terms of history and storytelling. Maybe it’s because I’m a father, and I too, watched as my children were born. Maybe it’s the emotion of the moment, the surreal realization that I was now responsible for this new life. Maybe it’s because I’m raising my own quiver, thus I’m sensitive to Joseph and his story.
Or maybe it’s because in God’s great plan of redemption, he chose someone as simple and as humble as a carpenter. A good man, who worked hard, who loved and cared for his wife, and was willing to trust God beyond what he could see.
Every thing about the Christmas story is filled with awe and wonder. We just need to look. God does something truly miraculous with ordinary, every day people. From the teenage virgin to a young carpenter, to you and me. And it does it all, because He loves us. He loves us!
Today, consider the awe and wonder of the simple things, the humble things. Reflect on Joseph and his willingness to trust God with something he has absolutely no say in. And ask yourself, would you, could you do the same?
Or maybe it’s because in God’s great plan of redemption, he chose someone as simple and as humble as a carpenter. A good man, who worked hard, who loved and cared for his wife, and was willing to trust God beyond what he could see.
Every thing about the Christmas story is filled with awe and wonder. We just need to look. God does something truly miraculous with ordinary, every day people. From the teenage virgin to a young carpenter, to you and me. And it does it all, because He loves us. He loves us!
Today, consider the awe and wonder of the simple things, the humble things. Reflect on Joseph and his willingness to trust God with something he has absolutely no say in. And ask yourself, would you, could you do the same?
| Consider these questions today. 1. Remember back to the birth of your first child. Wives, do you remember your husbands reaction when your child was born? Husbands, do you remember you reaction when your child was born? Take a moment and be in that memory. Allow yourself to relive that time. It’s okay if you get emotional. 2. Joseph chose to trust God with something that he really had no part in. How has God asked you to trust him in a similar situation? 3. In what ways has God left you in awe and wonder as you chase after him with your life? |  Did you miss the first three days? Don't worry. Just click here and you can start at the beginning and catch up! |
 | Jay Higham is a veteran youth worker of over 25 years; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping settings. Jay is currently the Student Ministry Director at Hickory Church, located in Western PA. Jay has been married to Amy for 20 years. Together, they are raising 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 girl). Jay is an aspiring author, blogger, speaker, a YouTuber/vlogger, and social media junkie. He is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and training youth workers to love and serve their students with passion and excellence. |
A Teenage Girl and the Son of God
Awe & Wonder - A Christmas Series
Have you ever stopped to look back to your teenage years? What were those years like for you? Awkward? Difficult? Rebellious?
Were you the popular one, who everybody flocked to be around? Or were you the quiet one, more comfortable on you own? Maybe you felt more like the outsider, never quite feeling like you fit in.
Were you the popular one, who everybody flocked to be around? Or were you the quiet one, more comfortable on you own? Maybe you felt more like the outsider, never quite feeling like you fit in.
For many of us, our teenage years were more like riding a roller coaster of ups, downs and loop d’loops. Looking back, like the roller coast, those years seemed to go by too fast. In many case, we might say that we weren't really ready for those years. But we did our best and struggled through them, celebrating our wins and dealing with our mistakes.
Have you ever thought about how Mary felt about her teenage years? While we don’t know exactly how old Mary was, most traditions put her in her teenage years, those awkward and turbulent years.
We know little of Mary’s life prior to Luke chapter 1. And what we do know is even more limiting. We know that she is living in Nazareth. We know she is a virgin. (That helps with the age thing.) We know she is betrothed (or committed to be married to) a man named Joseph. And we know that she is has found favor with God.
Have you ever thought about how Mary felt about her teenage years? While we don’t know exactly how old Mary was, most traditions put her in her teenage years, those awkward and turbulent years.
We know little of Mary’s life prior to Luke chapter 1. And what we do know is even more limiting. We know that she is living in Nazareth. We know she is a virgin. (That helps with the age thing.) We know she is betrothed (or committed to be married to) a man named Joseph. And we know that she is has found favor with God.
The angel comes and drops this life changing information on Mary, not yet married, and having never been with a man, she was about to be pregnant. Not only will she be pregnant, but the life she will carry will be from God. But this isn’t like, oh, I’ve been blessed with a baby… No, this is the Son of God. Consider what the angels says.
“You will conceive in your womb and bear a son… He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:31a, 32 & 33 ESV)
Now I don't know about you, but these aren’t the dreams and life goals of normal teenagers. I have worked with teenagers for years. I have a couple teenagers of my own. And I can tell you, none of them have ever said to me, boy, I sure hope I get pregnant and give birth to a son who rules over the world for ever and ever.
“You will conceive in your womb and bear a son… He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:31a, 32 & 33 ESV)
Now I don't know about you, but these aren’t the dreams and life goals of normal teenagers. I have worked with teenagers for years. I have a couple teenagers of my own. And I can tell you, none of them have ever said to me, boy, I sure hope I get pregnant and give birth to a son who rules over the world for ever and ever.
And yet, here we are. Mary, perhaps just an ordinary teenager girl, is suddenly thrust into a life altering event that will not only impact her, but will change everything for everyone!
Mary asks one question. “How? How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
It's an odd question. We’d expect something a little more objecting. Maybe we would expect Mary to slam on the brakes, looking around for the hidden, you’ve just be pranked, cameras. But no, she simply asks, How?
Now I know that we can’t read the emotions that she might have been feeling in that moment. We really have no way of knowing how she may have looked, responded, or what she did. But as I read her ultimate response in verse 38, I have to wonder, what was going on in her heart? Because in the black and white of print and page she seems so calm.
Mary asks one question. “How? How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
It's an odd question. We’d expect something a little more objecting. Maybe we would expect Mary to slam on the brakes, looking around for the hidden, you’ve just be pranked, cameras. But no, she simply asks, How?
Now I know that we can’t read the emotions that she might have been feeling in that moment. We really have no way of knowing how she may have looked, responded, or what she did. But as I read her ultimate response in verse 38, I have to wonder, what was going on in her heart? Because in the black and white of print and page she seems so calm.
She has just been told that she will carry and give birth to the Son of God, the King of kings, the Holy of holies, and here response is, I am the servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.” Wow! Really? I mean, even Moses, didn’t give in this easily. And yet, here is this teenage girl, and on the surface she seems to be saying, “Okay, God. I trust you. I will do as you say.”
But then I think, “and why not?”
Why not trust?
Why not believe?
Why not say yes?
Why not obey?
Maybe this is why God chose Mary in the first place. Maybe the reason he so highly favors her is because he knows that she will say YES!
And maybe that’s the point?
But then I think, “and why not?”
Why not trust?
Why not believe?
Why not say yes?
Why not obey?
Maybe this is why God chose Mary in the first place. Maybe the reason he so highly favors her is because he knows that she will say YES!
And maybe that’s the point?
Maybe the reason he so highly favors her is because
he knows that she will say YES!
When was the last time God asked you to do something and you said, yes?
No hesitation. No thinking. No weighing out the options. No considering how it will impact your retirement plans? Just a simply answer, Yes?
Awe and wonder is more than just being speechless in the midst of God doing something in your life. Awe and wonder is also found in the ask. At 16, I know without doubt, that God spoke a purpose into my life. 25 years later I am still doing what he called me to do. There have been times when I wanted to say no, and times when I wish I did say no. But I am always in awe and wonder as I think about just how faithful and amazing God is.
So as Christmas approaches, I think with awe at how Mary was so quick to say yes. And while I can’t even begin to know or understand what the following nine months may have been like for her, I wonder, what did her relationship with look like during that time?
Take a few minutes to consider these questions.
No hesitation. No thinking. No weighing out the options. No considering how it will impact your retirement plans? Just a simply answer, Yes?
Awe and wonder is more than just being speechless in the midst of God doing something in your life. Awe and wonder is also found in the ask. At 16, I know without doubt, that God spoke a purpose into my life. 25 years later I am still doing what he called me to do. There have been times when I wanted to say no, and times when I wish I did say no. But I am always in awe and wonder as I think about just how faithful and amazing God is.
So as Christmas approaches, I think with awe at how Mary was so quick to say yes. And while I can’t even begin to know or understand what the following nine months may have been like for her, I wonder, what did her relationship with look like during that time?
Take a few minutes to consider these questions.
| 1. What do you remember during those teenager years? How have they shaped who you are today? 2. What can you learn from Mary’s obedience to God’s plan? 3. When was the last time God asked you to do something that required you to step out in faith? What was it, and what did you do? 4. The Nativity story is filled with moments of Awe & Wonder. How are you in awe of God right now? |  |
 | Jay Higham is a veteran youth worker of over 25 years; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping settings. Jay is currently the Student Ministry Director at Hickory Church, located in Western PA. Jay has been married to Amy for 20 years. Together, they are raising 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 girl). Jay is an aspiring author, blogger, speaker, a YouTuber/vlogger, and social media junkie. He is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and training youth workers to love and serve their students with passion and excellence. |
Learning to Follow the Instructions
Awe & Wonder - A Christmas Series
Were you ever so excited to receive a gift that you just could wait to get it opened and begin using? You tear into it as fast as you can. You pull and shred, rip and strip. Then you hold it in your hands. But without taking any time to understand how to use the gift, you start using it, only to find out that had you taken the time to read the instruction you get more out of your gift...
I remember the Christmas I opened the Star Wars, Ewok Village. It was one of those gifts that I just had to have. Being a big Star Wars fan, the Ewok Village was the perfect playset.
I remember tearing into the box, ripping it open and yanking everything out. The problem was, some assembly required. Parts of the village had to be put together. Knots needed to be tied, stickers needed to be applied, elevators needed to be built, and instructions to be read.
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The problem was, I didn't have time for the instructions. I wanted to play. So I assembled the playset as quickly as I could. A couple stickers here, a little knot there, and well, it's looks the picture on the box, so it must be right. Well, that what I thought.
Turns out, I wasn't so right. While most of the Ewok village "looked" like the picture on the box, it wasn't right. I had put some of the stickers in the wrongs spots. I couldn't get the net to work properly. And I actually broke one of the pieces trying to assemble it incorrectly. For as much as I was excited to have the Ewok playset, every time I played with it I was reminded of how I didn't take the time to follow the instructions. |
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Sadly, I didn't learn. Over the years there have been plenty of opportunities to slow down and follow the instructions. But my impatience, and more often stubbornness, led me to the familiar territory of regret and disappointment. If only I had followed the instructions, I would think, maybe some of this could have been avoided.
Have you ever felt that way?
Have you ever felt that way?
If only I had followed the instruction,
maybe some of this could have been avoided.
I wonder if Adam ever thought that way. While plowing the rocky fields, pulling weeds, or digging up thorns, did Adam ever say to himself, If I had only followed God's instructions, maybe...
You see, in Genesis 2, God gives the man, Adam, the instructions. Having placed Adam inthe Garden, God says, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." ( Genesis 2:16&17 NIV) Adam was given the opportunity to eat freely from all that the Garden had to offer. Every plant, bush and tree, if it was edible or grew something edible, he could eat it. All of it was his. All of it, except for this one unique tree; the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This tree was off limits.
Unfortunately it was simply a matter of time. The evil one came along and tricked the man and he ate the fruit from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. And from that moment on, we have been living in regret because we have chosen to not follow the instructions.
You see, in Genesis 2, God gives the man, Adam, the instructions. Having placed Adam inthe Garden, God says, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." ( Genesis 2:16&17 NIV) Adam was given the opportunity to eat freely from all that the Garden had to offer. Every plant, bush and tree, if it was edible or grew something edible, he could eat it. All of it was his. All of it, except for this one unique tree; the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This tree was off limits.
Unfortunately it was simply a matter of time. The evil one came along and tricked the man and he ate the fruit from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. And from that moment on, we have been living in regret because we have chosen to not follow the instructions.
Our hope is found in Jesus!
But it doesn't have to be that way.
We celebrate Christmas because of what Christmas means for us; HOPE! Our hope is found in Jesus! Why? Because he does for us what we can't do for ourselves! He follows the instructions, that we can't follow on our own. Jesus was perfectly obedient to his Father, right up to the end. And because he did, our mistakes that come because we have failed to follow the instruction are set right.
The Apostle Paul said it this way, "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." Romans 5:19 NIV)
We celebrate Christmas because of what Christmas means for us; HOPE! Our hope is found in Jesus! Why? Because he does for us what we can't do for ourselves! He follows the instructions, that we can't follow on our own. Jesus was perfectly obedient to his Father, right up to the end. And because he did, our mistakes that come because we have failed to follow the instruction are set right.
The Apostle Paul said it this way, "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." Romans 5:19 NIV)
These verses aren't the easiest to read. Frankly, they can be a bit confusing. But when we slow down and read them carefully, we find the incredible gift of God's forgiveness and grace! Basicly Paul's saying, Adam, when he chose to be disobedient, messed things up for everyone. Sin became a reality. That sin, which we all carry, leads to death. But Jesus, chose to be obedient. That obedience led him to willingly lie down his life, covering over the disobedience, bringing righteousness back to men.
So now when we say, I believe that Jesus died for our my sins, and I accept him into my life as my Lord and Savior, his perfect obedience makes us right in the sight of God and brings us into eternal life.
On that first Christmas morn, God gave us a gift. That gift grew up to died to give us life. Not just life for the here and now, but life that goes on for ever and ever and ever. And now, when we find ourselves rushing into circumstances without slowing down to follow the instructions, it's not death, but forgiveness and grace we meet on the other side.
As you prepare your heart this Christmas, slow down and remember. Look for times when following the instructions seemed like a waste of time and you ventured out on your own only to find that you put the stickers in the wrong spot. Remind yourself, God's grace is big enough for even that! Because that kind of grace leaves me in awe and wonder. How about you?
So now when we say, I believe that Jesus died for our my sins, and I accept him into my life as my Lord and Savior, his perfect obedience makes us right in the sight of God and brings us into eternal life.
On that first Christmas morn, God gave us a gift. That gift grew up to died to give us life. Not just life for the here and now, but life that goes on for ever and ever and ever. And now, when we find ourselves rushing into circumstances without slowing down to follow the instructions, it's not death, but forgiveness and grace we meet on the other side.
As you prepare your heart this Christmas, slow down and remember. Look for times when following the instructions seemed like a waste of time and you ventured out on your own only to find that you put the stickers in the wrong spot. Remind yourself, God's grace is big enough for even that! Because that kind of grace leaves me in awe and wonder. How about you?
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Questions:
1. When was a time when you didn't follow the instructions? 2. What lesson(s) did you learn? And how have those lessons changed you? 3. Jesus lived and died for you, to give you hope and life. What does that mean for you? 4. How does it leave you in AWE & WONDER? |
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Jay Higham is a veteran youth worker of over 25 years; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping settings. Jay is currently the Student Ministry Director at Hickory Church, located in Western PA. Jay has been married to Amy for 20 years. Together, they are raising 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 girl). Jay is an aspiring author, blogger, speaker, a YouTuber/vlogger, and social media junkie. He is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and training youth workers to love and serve their students with passion and excellence.
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Jay Higham is a veteran youth worker of over 30 years; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping settings. Jay is currently serving as the director of family ministry at a church, located in West Virginia. Jay has been married to Amy for over 25 years. Together, they are raising 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 girl). Jay is an aspiring author, blogger, speaker, vlogger, and social media junkie. He is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and training youth workers to love and serve their students with passion and excellence.
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