Sheep Don't Shrink When it Rains! It's Your Move Work Zone and High Way Gather in the gym, welcome, introduction of guests, make announcements. For Sponsors: Which way are we moving? 1. What is ONE GREAT DAY  2. Why do we need it 3. How to make it happen Which Way Are We Moving Work Zone and High Way EVER WONDER where we are headed...                                          ...why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?                     ...why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed?                  ...why you don't ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?              ...why "abbreviated" is such a long word?                                   ...why doctors call what they do "practice"?                                ...why lemon juice is made with artificial flavor, while dishwashing       liquid is made with real lemons?                                            ...why the man who invests money is called a broker?               ...why there isn't mouse-flavored cat food?                                ...why Noah didn't swat those two mosquitoes?                               ...why sheep don't shrink when it rains?                                    ...why they are called apartments when they are all stuck together?        ...if con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?    ...why they call the airport "the terminal" if flying is so safe?           All of these things make since, yet they sound so ridiculous. Tonight we are going to look at what might seem to be a ridiculous idea and just how we can make it into ONE GREAT DAY!  Pray and Break into Journey Groups Moving In  Work Zone & High Way Building God's Kingdom Theme: Unity Supplies: Ephesians 2:19-22, building cards, clear tape. This idea illustrates that we are all important parts of Christ's body and that if we work together, we can effectively build God's kingdom. Distribute two or three cards to each person, and instruct students each to make a house of cards using only the cards given to them. No tape at this time. After a few minutes, encourage teenagers to combine resources with a few people around them to make bigger houses. After a few more minutes, provide tape and tell teenagers to combine all of their cards and work together to make one large house of cards. Then ask a volunteer to read aloud Ephesians 2:19-22. Say: Christianity becomes most effective when we join together as one body, working side by side to build Christ's kingdom instead of struggling individually with our limited resources. God has given each of us specific skills and strengths to build upon. The tape is the resource we don't have. It represents money and makes our job easier and stronger. It is the invisible help that we get from others. Ask: · What types of problems cause division among Christians? · How can Christians work through those issues? · Have you ever been at odds with another Christian? Explain. · What are some things that we can do to build Christ's kingdom? · Is serving one another just as good as trying to "save" others? Explain? Moving On Work Zone & High Way Becoming the One Percent Phl 3:13 Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, Phl 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Can you imagine Jesus saying, "Give me 300 men and women who fear nothing but temptation and desire nothing but God, and we will shake the world? I don't care if they are adults or teenagers; give me those, and we will overthrow the kingdom of despair and build up the kingdom of God". Throughout history there have been tales of men and women who defied the odds and confounded the pessimists. The Book of Judges records the greatest odds-breaking victory in military history. With a ragtag group of 300 men, Gideon defeated an army of 150,000 Midianites. The victory was an absolute miracle. God used those 300 men to do what thousands couldn't have done. The interesting thing about this story is the way that Gideon formed his army. He started with about 30,000 willing soldiers and, through a process of elimination; he wound up marching onto the battlefield with a mere 300-one percent of the original volunteers. Jesus said, "Many are called, but only a few are chosen," What separates the called from the chosen? Among other things, a gut-level commitment to stick it out, to persevere, to never give up. Tonight you have a chance to be the generation that will look the incredible odds of despair, laziness and selfishness in the face. We are looking at 365 days of Scripture, Service, and Fellowship with an army of about 36.5 youth. We will try, with our ten percent to make a difference here at West Heights UMC and in our community. My guess is that all of you will try and we will do fairly well, but only one percent, 3.65 of you will receive this calling as a life-lifting event. The cool part is that those of you that fight with us to reach our goal will be helping others realize the love of Christ and like a pebble dropped in the still water, ripples will be seen spreading from your efforts. Are you willing to do what it takes to become the one percent? Are you willing to live your life in such a way that when God is looking for His one percent, He knows He can trust you to get in line? Do your part to make our ONE GREAT DAY a reality and you will be well on your way to becoming that one percent.   Moving Up Work Zone & High Way Sponsor a day, sponsor a youth Read: Part one, Program All the events that will happen in youth for the upcoming year will be listed on a calendar. Each Sunday, we will set up a table in the Narthex to present to the entire congregation the benefits of the youth group. We will ask everyone to support our program by donating to the specific activity that most touches them. The cost of one day of different programs will be listed. Examples would be; how much does one day of UMYF cost, one day of missions, one day of Caravan, etc&ldots; Descriptions of each day will be available. The idea is to generate excitement and ownership of everyone's own One Great Day. By dividing our total costs down to a manageable figure anyone can be a part of the body of Christ. We will also have a "Build my Future" jar for younger kids to contribute to the total effort. Part two, Youth A group of thirty-six youth need to get at least 10 people each to sponsor their own great days of youth.    We will provide a yearly calendar and an envelope for each youth member. Included will be a description of events that will happen throughout the year. Each youth should choose at least 10 or more events they are most likely to participate in. Each youth will then find donors to choose the day(s) they want to sponsor for the individual youth (from $15 to $30). There should be nothing more for youth to do but ask for donations and collect the money. Pass out a 3x5 card to each youth. Say: Right now, we need every one to brainstorm and list ten people you could possibly contact for a donation. This will help you focus immediately on reaching your goal. Each of the following weeks we will be collecting donations and asking for a progress report from everyone involved. Have the youth sign his or her name to the card and collect them. We will staple the card to each packet that will be handed out next week. Say: We need two youth at each service to read a short skit/announcement for the next four weeks this is a great way to start living a life of service. Write down the names of volunteers.   Moving Out Work Zone  The Body of Christ Activities Match up Find partners; gather in two circles, one inside the other. One circle walks one way, while the other walks in the opposite direction. Call out two body parts, such as foot-knee. The outside circle is the first body part the inside circle is the other body part. The object is to get to your partner as quickly as possible and touch body parts. The last pair to get together is out and must sit down where ever they are. They are now an obstacle. The circle then reforms around the obstacle(s) and begins moving again. Play until you have a winner.    Hip Joints Let's try working together. Form pairs then have kids stand next to their partners on one side of the room. Say: The object of this game is for partners to go on a journey, basically from one side of the room to the other with out missing instructions and trying to obey each command. To begin your journey, I'll call out two body joints that you and your partner will put together as you walk. Throughout your journey, I'll call out different joint connections. You have to change joint connections and keep going. Ready? Finger joint to elbow joint! Several times during the journey, shout out new joint connections, such as elbow to knee, knee to wrist, wrist to shoulder, and so on. After the journey is over&ldots; Discuss:  Why it's sometimes hard to work together to be the body of Christ, why it's hard to listen to that still small voice, and obey without question. Moving Out High Way  Words v Actions Needed: Handout Words v Actions Say: This lesson looks at the idea of Christians truly loving one another.  Not just with our words but backing it up with our actions.  Love isn't just a feeling or emotion, but it is manifested by action.  This lesson shares that God showed us that He loves us by giving His life through Christ for us.  Moving Out High Way cont. The Discussion: Read 1 John 3:16-19 Ask:  · How do we know what real love looks like from verse 16? (it is sacrificial, willing to give up our own wants and desires for someone else) · How are Christians supposed to love in verse 18-19? · Do you think its easier to love with words or with actions?  Why? Read 1 John 3:21-23 Ask: · What promises are given to us as Christians in verses 21-22? (we can come to God with confidence, and we will receive whatever we request.) · What is God's commandment given to Christians in verse 23? Conclude: The Holy Spirit lives in the heart of every Christian.  He is our counselor.  He warns us about temptations or the need to change our ways.  He is also our comforter.  He also gives us the power to live as Christians loving God by loving others. Return to Family Life Center Closing  Work Zone and High Way  Gather in the closing circle. Sum up the lesson&ldots; "Pass the Peace" by saying "I am the body of Christ" (sStart it both ways) Do the UMYF Benediction and turn out in to the world.