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Foundry United Alex Marvin, Foundry Youth |
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Youth Sunday Sunday, June 18, 2006
– 9:30 a.m. |
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Matthew 5: 13-16
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“You are the light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it
under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives its light off
to everyone in the house.” While
looking at the one light in my room that reaches from corner to corner, and
while thinking over my life and trying to imagine or to come up with one
person who has influenced me, three individuals came to mind instead. The
first time I met these individuals, I was a dorky seventh grader being forced
to go to Sunday school. At that time I remember I did not especially want to
spend my Sundays in a class with people I did not know, but would rather have
been sleeping like every other young kid. Although I was at a point in my
life in which I did not know how to be social nor especially wanted to be, I
ended up making one of the best decisions of my life, because even three
years after being in their class, I am still continuing to learn from them. Even
though they may want to tell you I slept through some of their classes, and
even though that might be slightly true, I remember the respect they showed
me and the rest of the youth. I could never tell any difference from the time
they were talking to me and when they were talking to each other or other
grown-ups. They
have taught me ambition, respect and knowledge. After looking back on the
lessons they taught, I’ve realized even more how inspirational these three
were. For example, I always make eye contact with someone who is speaking to
me not just because it lets the person know I am paying attention, but
because it shows them respect as these three have respected me. Ned
Bachman, Rich Denbow and Liz Martin: I cannot thank you enough for helping me
to be myself and helping put my own light on its stand. You have given me so
many memories, memories that I will take with me into the next chapter of my
life, never forgetting the times we spent together. You have been my role
models through the last six years. I just hope that I have and will continue
to make you proud. I would
also like to thank the rest of the church for the last six years of my life
because, along with Ned, Rich and Liz, you have all made this another home
for me. I have realized
in my room that three of the four corners are lit, but in the corner above
the door a shadow is cast. As I enter through the next door or chapter of my
life, although at times it may be dark and unknown, I know that you three, my
family, my friends and this church will be behind me helping me and inspiring
me to give off my light to the rest of the people in this world. Right now,
even though I might be slightly scared to pack up my things and move west, I
know that I have the courage and enthusiasm to meet new people and to learn
new things because www.foundryumc.org |
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