Are you looking for something the youth can lead in your community of faith in preparation for the celebration of Easter.  Try this:

Easter Vigil Play: the Tale of the Three Trees

Narrator #1: God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes, we don’t know what God has planned for us, and when things don’t work out, we get frustrated. Or when life does work out, we forget in our celebration that God had a part from the start.

Narrator #2: But in Easter, God reveals the greatest mystery of all. Easter teaches us the lesson of eternal life in the story of the resurrection of Jesus. Now, it hasn’t been an easy journey to get here. It’s been full of twists and turns.

Narrator#3: There have been heartwarming moments – like the disciples first choosing to follow Jesus by the sea of Galilee.

Narrator #4: And we have had dangerous plot twists – like the Devil tempting Jesus in the dessert, to use his power for wishes other than what God intended.

Narrator #1: And of course, the unexpected betrayals – like when the disciples stayed silent when Jesus was seized and sentenced.

Narrator #3: But now, we have a true ending: Redemption and Resurrection, as God turns everything upside down, and reveals the true nature of the path of Jesus.

Narrator #4: So God’s ways are truly mysterious, and to tell the story so that we can remember it always in our hearts, let us listen to the Tale of the Three Trees. You have heard it before, but there’s a reason this story has lasted so long, and is told so often: its message speaks to the truth of God.

Narrator #2: Our story then begins on a mountain, where three trees stand tall and strong and full of dreams….

(Three younger children come forward, holding a branch to represent a tree, with a senior youth who will read the lines.)

Tree #1: What will I be when I grow up? Look at the stars, dear friends, that is my inspiration. See how they glitter like jewels. That is my dream: I will be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world.

Tree #2: What is my dream? If I stretch my branches high enough, I can just see the ocean, glistening in the sun, stretching on forever. I would be a strong and graceful sailing ship. I will sail the mighty sea.

Tree #3: I have just a simple dream. A dream fit for a tree. I will stay here, on our mountain and my branches will reach to heaven. And everyone who sits in my shade will reflect on the goodness of God.

Narrator #3: They were all worthy dreams, and the trees spoke of them often. Until one day, three woodcutters climbed the mountain.

Woodcutter: This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me.

Narrator #2: And he swung his axe and chopped down the tree. (The child holding the tree steps backwards.)

Tree #1: Now I shall become a treasure chest!

Woodcutter #2: This tree is strong. It is perfect for me.

Narrator #3: And he swung his axe and chopped down the tree. (The child holding the tree steps backwards.)

Tree #2: Goodbye friends. I am off to become a mighty sailing ship.

Woodcutter #3: I don’t care what kind of tree I get. This one will have to do.

Narrator #4: And he swung his axe and chopped down the tree. (The child holding the tree steps backwards.)

Tree #3: But wait…All I wanted to do was stay on this mountain and help people think of God.

Narrator #4: And so the trees went their individual ways, as all of us must. The first tree rejoiced when she arrived in a carpenter’s shop. But there were no treasure chest being made that day. Instead, the tree became a feed box for animals. (A child steps forward with the manger)

Narrator #1: The second tree made it to the ocean. But there were no mighty sailing ships being made that day. Instead, boat builders fashioned him into a simple fishing boat. (A child steps forward with a boat.)

Narrator #2: As for the second tree, she was cut into lumber and left on a pile.

Narrator #3: Many long days and night passed, and the trees nearly forgot their dreams. But remember, we said God works in a mysterious ways…

Narrator: 4: One night, a young couple arrived at the stable, because there was no where else for them to stay. And there among the animals, a baby was born and placed in the feed box. And as all the animals and shepherds gathered around, the tree was filled with joy. (The child holding the manger should hold it up.)

Tree #1: I am holding treasure after all. The greatest treasure in the world – the gift of a leader who will guide people to a new way, a better way to live and love God.

Narrator #1: One afternoon, a group of fishermen set out to sea, with a new member of their crew, who promptly fell asleep. A horrible storm whipped up, and the tree thought that he would surely sink. But the man rose from his sleep. Peace, he said, calmed the seas. (The child holding the boat should hold it up.)

Tree #2: Look how the ocean obeys him. And the people follow him. I may be just a simple fishing vessel, but now I see that I carry something mightier than any sailing ship might hope to carry. I am carrying the King of Heaven and Earth.

Narrator #3: One day, the third tree was pulled roughly from her pile, and hammered into a cross. A man was nailed to that cross and forced to carry her up a hill, not unlike her old mountain. The tree shuddered to think what she had become.

Narrator #1: But  the next day, the sun rose, and the earth trembled with joy, and the third tree knew that God had made everything right. (Child holding the cross should lift it up.)

Tree #3: My dream has come true after all. Every time people think of me, they will think of God.

Narrator #1: And that was better then being the tallest tree in the world.

Narrator #2: So it is for all of us – God works in surprising and unexpected ways. The story of Easter is that our mistakes are forgiven and we are given a new day – each and every day. But we should also remember – when dreams seem far away – that God has a plan for each one of us.

Narrator #3: And it is a Good plan.

Everyone: Rejoice and spread the Good news. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

This play was written by Rev Joel Crouse adapted from the Tale of Three Trees (author unknown) to be used as a devotional tool for Easter Vigil 2012.  Use with permission.

SOC Lighting the Fuse at their most recent event

A final thank you for the SOCcess at our gathering this past weekend at St. Andrew Memorial Anglican and Redeemer Lutheran in London!
In everything we did, we truly lived the theme “Together We Grow.”  With so many new friends amongst us, I thought I would provide this summary of the event.  Please feel free to use it to share the good news about SOC and your part in it!
We were joined at one point or another in our program from 2pm Saturday until 2pm Sunday byover 80 youth and leaders from across southwest Ontario.
Just so you get the picture, we came from the following churches:

Ø      Bethel Christian Reformed (London)

Ø      Grace and St. George’s Anglican (Ilderton)

Ø      Holy Trinity Anglican (Kitchener)

Ø      Redeemer Lutheran (London)

Ø      St. Andrew Memorial Anglican (London)

Ø      St. Anne’s Anglican (London)

Ø      St. Ansgar Lutheran (London)

Ø      St. George’s Anglican (Goderich)

Ø      St. John the Divine Anglican (Arva)

Ø      St. Paul’s Lutheran (Leamington)

Ø      St. Peter’s Lutheran (Milverton)

Ø      St. Peter’s Lutheran (Brodhagen)

Ø      St. Peter’s Lutheran (Zurich)

Ø      Trinity Lutheran (London)

Ø      Trinity Lutheran (Walkerton)

And to REALLY give you the picture, several actually, I am attaching a few shots that Derek took this weekend.

Our welcome games were a blast, provided by Sarah and Holly, with help from Brenda.
Who would have thought that we would have so many people that we were always ONE CHAIR SHORT!  Sheesh!

Our opening discussion included some awesome presentations by Father Marty talking about St. Andrew’s community garden; Christine talking about what ‘Together We Grow’’ might mean to us; and Kim introducing us to the vulnerable youth in London (street youth, justice system youth, homeless youth, single mothers, young families, and more).  These discussions gave us the insight we needed to consider our activities and discussions for the rest of the weekend.

Our Servant Event at the London Community Resource Centre was a huge boost for them, and the hundreds of dollars of food we donated will help young single mothers and young men from the justice system to learn to cook and continue to provide healthy meals for themselves and their families.

The concert with the band on Saturday was an excellent warm up for the Sunday Worship Service, the ONLY service I have been to where there was a cry for an encore!  I will let you know when we have the mastered audio and video from that concert and will distribute it to everyone as soon as I can.

We totally blew “Da Bomb!” (our scripture studies).
First was ‘Lighting The Fuse’ by Pastor Heather with her story of Community (with a stump, sun, wind, rain, trees, apples, birds, seeds, people and more!).

Then, ‘Tossing da Bomb’ was lead by Tracy and Robbie, who helped us discover how the parable of the wheat and the weeds related to communities. They then directed our creative efforts into how WE would help build our own Urban and Rural communities as Stewards Of Community.
Da Bomb! activities were not only fun, but involved almost all of us at some point in time and the messages they left us with about creation and community were not only thought-provoking  and faithful, but applicable and useful in our lives and communities today.

If you want to know what happened during ‘Free Time’ just check out the facebook accounts of any of our youth!  It was bomb!
Don’t forget to look at Shae-Lynn’s SOC Movie – it’s sure to be a classic (well, it IS the only one so far)!

And the FOOD!  Thanks to all those who brought crock pots for the Pot Luck on Saturday, and for everyone for chipping in at every meal.  A special thanks to Lori and Leigh for their leadership and guidance in, around and out of the church kitchen!

Worship Service Sunday morning was as good as it ever has been.  I am STILL receiving compliments about the ability and faith of our youth to lead a meaningful, clear, and in almost every compliment, JOYOUS worship!  Well done everyone! And the loose change in the offering that Sunday was all donated to 12-4-12 through Canadian Lutheran World Relief and totaled $395 and change!

And thank you to everyone for signing your name and saying a prayer for someone in our community who truly needed and appreciated the Comfort Quilt that was provided by Hilda.  Community always begins at home, and we are blessed that we can support those who are closest to us.  As Hilda said, we can now include in our acronym “Stewards Of Comfort”!

We’re all looking forward to our next meeting in Zurich on April 21 and 22, CLAY in the summer and SOC again at St. Pauls’ Lutheran in Leamington in September!

As always, still SOCd by the Holy Spirit!

Rick.

SOC Covenant at their most recent event

Are you someone who wonders what youth are thinking in ‘Churchland’?  Wishing you had a clearer understanding from faith-based youth?  Here are some recent results from a United Church youth survey.  Things that jumped out at me:

- 10% of respondents identify as GBLT

- Youth want welcoming, supportive, engaging and action -oriented church.

-90% see Christianity as one path among many

For a full report on the results of The United Church of Canada Youth Study please see:

http://gc40.united-church.ca/files/gce_1111_identity_youth.pdf

Meet Jennifer McIntosh. She is a member of All Saints, Newcombville N.S who participated in snowshoeing at the Special Olympics National Winter Games in St. Albert, Alberta earlier this month. She won 4 medals. Way to go Jennifer!

Pastor Ben (an excellent pastor in my opinion) presented her with flowers upon her return a couple of weeks ago. She thanked her pastor and the people of All Saints for their support and love. What a great community of faith.

A new study has found that when sports coaches included a discussion about violence in dating abuse with their male players – they gave examples, and stress the importance of speaking our when they see abusive behaviour toward women. Although the effect was small compared to a control group that didn’t have the discussions, the athletes who did receive the chat were more likely to say they would intervene with a peer if they saw abuse. The coaches focused on changing a culture of acceptance within the teenage circle.

As pastors who deal with youth in confirmation are we not well-positioned to do the same?

Here’s a Washington post story with more details about the study:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-checkup/post/can-young-mens-athletic-coaches-help-stem-dating-violence/2010/12/20/gIQAAQIdbS_blog.html