Day Zero 7/15/25

Tonight we had the pre-trip gathering at Our Redeemer for The National Youth Gathering. We started out (of course) with food - Chick-fil-A strips and cheesy potatoes. Then we flipped through our 231 page guide book!

Each person introduced himself or herself to everyone else by explaining what was on the puzzle piece that we had previously decorated with pictures that gave a window into who we are / what we enjoy doing (pictures of things like maybe a football, books, a cross or perhaps a bottle of Coke Zero, depending on the person......) 

Then Vicar led us in  some songs, 

as we considered who we are -

I have been CHOSEN 

I am a CHILD OF GOD

A royal priesthood selected by the Lord 

to proclaim the excellence of Him who made me 

And called me from the darkness to the light..... 

Vicar also led us in a Bible Study focusing on the theme for NYG this year which is ENDURANCE. First we tested the endurance of our quadriceps and glutes.

The arms also got some action. 

Endurance implies a challenge, and we look forward to the challenges in the week ahead!

Next we embarked on another sort of challenge - dividing into six groups, we walked to HyVee to see which group could purchase goods for CommUnity closest to $50 without going over that amount. ...It did create some amount of interest among the other shoppers at HyVee when Pastor held up the six 50 dollar bills before handing them out to the groups!

Then the mad rush was on, as we had 30 min to select our items and check out. 

There were a few last minute calculations and re-calculations, discussions about which items might or might not have sales tax, etc

and finally the moment of truth as each group waited with baited breath to see how close they came 

In the end TWO groups managed to get the receipt to be exactly $50.00! 

It was a good bonding experience 

and all the food was deposited in the CommUnity box upstairs, which filled it up fairly well

The evening concluded with a trial run of church clap, led by two distinguished church clap professionals

and finally a group photo

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with ENDURANCE the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him ENDURED the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who ENDURED from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 

Hebrews 12:1-3

Lord, as we walk through the changing seasons of life, may our faith endure......