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Student Ministry - January 2021

Dear Church Family,

Every January people come up with resolutions to help better their lives for the coming year. I wanted to share the first six of the most famous resolutions ever made by one of the godliest pastors who ever lived, Jonathan Edwards. He made and lived 70 resolutions throughout his life, but here are some of the most important ones:

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great so ever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

 I hope these bless you and prepare you well for 2021.

 Sincerely,
Pastor Brian Van Doren

Student Ministry - December 2020

Dear Church Family,

Christmas time is here. It is the time of year when we are supposed to experience happiness and cheer. One of my favorite Christmas movies is A Charlie Brown Christmas. I grew up with this movie as a staple of the Christmas season. It seemed like Christmas had not been celebrated properly if we neglected to watch it together as a family. It is one of the few movies that perfectly captures the dilemma of Christmas time but then delivers the only answer that satisfies the problem.

The premise of the movie is that Christmas is the best time of the year, but for Charlie Brown, it often felt like the worst time of year. He knew he was supposed to feel something amazing, but none of the Christmas traditions were doing it for him. His exchange with his best pal Linus goes like this:

I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy. I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel. I just don't understand Christmas I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards... ...and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed. Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know... ...who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Maybe Lucy's right. Of all the Charlie Browns in   the world, you're the Charlie Browniest.

But Linus is wrong. Many people feel exactly the way Charlie Brown felt at Christmas time. And while Linus was less than helpful in this conversation, he ends up having the answer all along. Here is another exchange between the two:

I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn't have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about. Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about? Sure, Charlie Brown. I can tell you what Christmas is all about. Lights, please. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field... ...keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them... ...and the glory of the Lord shone round about them... ...and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them: "Fear not, for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy... ...which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a savior... ...which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly, there was with the angel... ...a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth, peace, goodwill toward men." That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Linus knew that Christmas is about the King of Glory stepping down into His creation that was marred by sin, so He could bring peace and goodwill from God to man. And this little kids’ movie captures the need for that same message today. So, when you encounter people who are struggling to find joy, let us give them the same message that Linus gave Charlie Brown. That is that Jesus came to save us. Because of His life, death, and resurrection, we know that “everything sad is going to come untrue.” It is this message that truly brings great joy.

Sincerely,
Brian Van Doren