Youth
Young
people at 'First Pres' have lots going on! Presbyterian Youth Fellowship is led by the Rev. Randy
Weeks, who is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and a talented
musician. He is actively involved on a regular basis with Junior High and Senior High
students in a variety of activities - Bible studies during the week, PYF meetings on
Sunday nights, and lots of other happenings. There are also many other opportunities
for Christian fellowship through mission projects such as Habitat for Humanity, ski trips, and
youth-led church services.
We believe that an investment in our young people is
good for them, good for this church, good for families, good for this community, and good
for this country. We are extremely fortunate to have the Lolla Boyd Parish Youth
Center and Fund that enable us to provide wonderful opportunities for young
people. Our youth program works to accomplish the following:
|
* Encourage our young
people in their spiritual growth, helping them grow in their relationship
with God. |
|
*Teach how God's
Word relates to their daily lives. |
|
*Assist in developing a good,
positive self-image in each young person. |
|
*Foster affirmation,
acceptance, and Christian fellowship. |
|
*Help develop Christian
character and a Christian value system that gives guidance to what is right and
what is wrong. |
|
*Provide opportunities for
our youth to feel included as a vital part of the church's life. |
|
*Have fun
at PYF, retreats, projects, etc |
|
*Participate in hands-on mission
projects, therefore putting their faith into action in tangible ways. |
|
*Help parents and teenagers
survive and thrive through sometimes difficult and always interesting
years of adolescence. |
|
*Create opportunities for
our youth to develop relationships with church staff members, youth
advisors, parents, and other adults who serve as role models. |
Message Board for Youth
| . |
Wednesday Jr.
High Bible Study - August 2 at 7:00pm Youth Mission Trip to Gulf Coast - August 4-6
Thank you, Zack Party & Cook-out
- August 9 at 6:00pm
Zack Becker has been serving as a Youth Ministry Intern this summer. He led
Bible Studies and a wide range of activities for Jr. & Sr. High youth. We appreciate
your time and effort!
Wednesday Sr. High Bible
Study - August 2, 16, 23, 30 at 7:00pm
Combined PYF - August 13, 20, 27 at
5:30pm, supper at 6:00pm followed by Jr./Sr. PYF Discussion Group
Youth Sunday School - every Sunday
at 9:45am
|
|
....... |
|
... |
 |
Congratulations,
2006 High School Graduates! |
|
Graduating
seniors were honored at the annual senior breakfast.
|
|
|
... |
|
| . |
After weeks of study, prayer, and assistance from
their elder confirmation partners and Dr. Douglas, these young people became confirmed
members of the church. They are pictured with their elder partners. |
.. |
|
| .. |
Congratulations to the Jr. High Bible Drill
winners!
|
.. |
|
 |
Opportunities for Fellowship
Our youth (and
adults) are fortunate to have Camp Hopewell, a ministry of St.
Andrew's Presbytery, which is located less than two hours away. This is a great place for
a young person to grow spiritually, have fun, and meet some new friends. It is used for
special gatherings all year, but especially during the summer months when camps are
offered for all ages. Another fantastic summer event our youth have been involved in
is the "Big
Stuf" Camp in Panama City, Florida (below).
However, our young people have lots of fun at
church-sponsored events right here at home! Thanks to a devoted youth minister and
involved parents, there are lots of opportunities for fellowship.
What's there to do
after the Friday night football game??
How about a 5th Quarter Celebration?
Follow this
link to learn more! |
|
|
|
.. |
|
|
|
Messy PYF is a time
for some good, clean (but very messy!) fun and fellowship. Click here for more photos. |
|
.. |
|
 |
A good
game of volleyball can bring youth and adults together for an afternoon of fun. For photos
from the game, click here. |
 |
|
|
......... |
|
.. |
A weekend
Senior High Youth Retreat was held at Camp
Hopewell in Oxford, a Presbyterian (PCUSA) Camp. Pictured at the retreat are
Whitney Kearney and Patrick Johnson, both juniors at Mississippi State University, and
Kelli Lott, a senior at Pillow Academy who serves on the Presbytery Youth Council. While
at college Whitney assists with Youth Bible Studies at First Presbyterian in Starkville
and Patrick is a Youth Worker at First Presbyterian in Columbus. |
|
...... |
 2006
Each summer, a group of teenagers and
adults from our church participate in the Big Stuf conference in
Panama City Beach, Florida.
|
|
For more photos from Big Stuf 2006,
click here.
To learn more about the Big Stuf camp programs, visit their website at www.bigstuf.org.
|
|
...... |
 |
.. |
What exactly is a "Lock-In"
???
Click to find
out! |
| ..... |
|
... |
There are always lots of new experiences at
PYF. For some, that included the annual Crawfish Supper provided by Reese
Pillow. Click here
for scenes from the supper. |
 |
| * *
* * * |
 |
| * *
* * * |
|
When our
youth go away to college, they may be gone temporarily, but never forgotten! They are
regularly visited by Rusty and Randy and taken out for a meal and fellowship. |
|
|
Spring Break
Ski Trip
2006
|
 |
|
... . |
| Opportunities for
Service |
|
One of the local mission
opportunities for our youth is the annual Canned Food Drive which
benefits the local food pantry. |
| Young people from
First Presbyterian join with other congregations to prove that "Youth Can Make a
Difference!" Besides helping others, the youth have a good time and are treated
to supper when the work is done! |
The Greenwood Community Kitchen's "Stewpot"
provides meals for those in need and provides the opportunity for our members to
contribute.
|
|
|
|
The youth are
involved in various aspects of our church programs throughout
the year. During Advent, many participate in the Live Nativity Presentation
and in the Singing Christmas Tree. |
.. |
|
|
Youth
Sunday |
... |
|
Youth
Sunday involves young people from Jr. High and High School in the Sunday morning
worship service every year. |
 
|
|
..... |
| The following
benediction is used regularly by our youth. It opens with a portion of what is known as
the "Aaronic Blessing" (Numbers 6:24-26). This blessing was spoken by Moses
to his brother, Aaron, and the sons of Aaron. It was adapted by Dr. Roger Paynter of
Northminster Baptist Church in Jackson, MS, and the final line was added by Rev.
Randy Weeks, our Minister to Youth. The calligraphy was done by Susan Beckham and the
printing by Bill Crump, both members of FPC of Greenwood. |
|
|
