Thank you for your support - National Youth Gathering in New Orleans!
Thank you to the congregation and the many Bethany Board Committees for your generous support of our youth and its program. Without your spiritual, emotional, and financial support, events such as the National Youth Gathering would be out of our reach.
Special thanks goes to those who have invested countless hours into our fundraiser - dinner/auction to make it a success. Thank you to the Youth Board, National Youth Gathering Youth, and especially our National Youth Gathering Parents! Thank you again for your generous support and contributions.
Thoughts on the National Youth Gathering:
17 of Bethany's stellar youth group members and 4 adult chaperones attended teh LCMS NYG in New Orleans in July. The experience was a huge success, thank to the organizational elbow grease supplied by Pr. Moorman in the days, weeks, and months before the group's departure and the AMAZING efforts of the various LCMS Youth Gathering committees. We listened to soem great speakers, heard some amazing music, participated in some wonderful servant events and worshiped with folks from 47 states and several foreign countries.
How do you put into words the impact 24,000 teenagers/adults coming together for 5 days of fellowship, learning, worship & service? In true Generation X style, we asked Bethany's participants to TEXT their answers to some questions. Here are just a few of them:
What was your favorite NYG experience?
- The last mass event. I was so moved when everyone said the prayer together. I could really feel the Holy Spirit at work.
- Singing "Amazing Grace" at the mass event was my favorite part.
- Getting to know the Bethany people here.
What did you think when you saw the crowd streaming into the Superdome for the first mass event?
- I was shocked that there were so many high schoolers who believe what I believe and love Jesus that much.
What spiritual truth did you learn that will strengthen you in your faith walk?
- I'm forgiven.
- God won't always work in the way I want, but He still does what's best.
- The importance of learning how to put Jesus in you life day to day and spend your life walking in His light.
- It isn't about me...It's about Him.
What moments, if any, brought you to tears or gave you goosebumps?
- When Kelli Stocker talked about the death of her daughter.
- When we all prayed the Lord's Prayer together.
- The pastor who spoke on Tuesday night...his sermon moved me to tears.
- Singing with 24,000 other Lutherans!
How are you different after this experience?
- I feel closer to God. I always knew I could talk to Him and now I really feel as though He is an active person in my life who I can talk to and is my Father & Friend, and not jut the Maker of the world who saved us.
- I feel stronger in my faith and ready to serve.
- I have more faith that God will lead me in the right direction and will help me make my choices as I go through life.
- Seeing all these people energetic for Christ has made me energetic for Christ!
What advice do you have for the 2013 NYG participants?
- Don't be afraid to stand and get into it. You may feel weird, but it feels great to let the Spirit in. Do the service projects.
- Bottom line: GO! It's amazing and you will never forget it.
- Don't think you won't learn anything. The experience will change you even if you think it won't.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel form the first day until now, being confident of this that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. - Philippians 1:4-6