A Question    (March 21, 2010)

SERMON:  Romans 13:11-14 ("Wake up from your slumber").  We will also welcome several new members:  Reba Edwards, Rebecca Johns, Philip Tweedy, and Andrew Shank.  Andrew will also share with us about his work with RUF so we can pray for him.  We will also hear from John & Linda Tyson about a wonderful mercy ministry called Compassion International in which families "adopt" a needy child overseas both financially and spiritually.  You will have a chance to learn more from the Tysons after the service.  And of course, don't forget the Potluck!

SUNDAY SCHOOL & ADULT CLASSES:  First week of Spring Session!  See previous email and pick a class and jump in!

SUGGESTED FAMILY WORSHIP TEXT:  Matthew 25 or I Thessalonians 5

HYMNS:      ~ Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying (Trinity 317; wonderful, but challenging!)
                      ~ A Few More Years Shall Roll (Trinity 540)

SONGS:     ~ Ancient of Days
                    ~ Revelation Song (which we learned last month)
                     ~ Jesus Paid it All

DEVOTIONAL:    A Question

There is a lot going on right now, particularly in the lives of folks across the church.   That is the way it should be, but it means I am a bit behind on my writing projects, including a devotional for this week.  So let me instead do this.  Let me ask you all a question.

Right now, I am taking Taylor through a series of Christian books that Kirstan and I want her to read before she graduates her (home) high schooling with us.  Books she would be unlikely to be assigned in any other school, but ones we feel that every (or most) Christian and Presbyterian teenagers should read before leaving the home.  In other words, we want a balance -- books which will help her with her spiritual life in general, but also with learning what it means to be a convinced Presbyterian.  (I am assuming that we happen get a good many things right, so I want her to be convinced in her own mind as well).  So far I have 20 listed, but I admit my list is a bit ecclectic, formed by my own experience at that age and later.

So, my question is this:   if you were to pick 3 books you would want every Christian high school student to read (besides the Bible), what would they be?  What books helped you when you were that age?   You do not have to be the parents of teenagers to answer this.  Send me your answers via email, and I will interested to see how many match up with our choices, or if there are any major works I am forgetting.   The only criteria is that they must be Christian (I am assuming our teens are already reading Shakespeare and Twain) and they should be around the high school or college freshman reading level.

Once I finalize my list, my hope is to annotate it, and put it in a little booklet to made available to all the families of the church.   In the meantime, pray up Sunday and see you there!  ~ Pastor H