It seems our current worship series, Can U Hear Me Now?, is sparking a lot of new conversations.  We can probably all agree with what David Hively said in his message last weekend - "I have to tell you, this has been a difficult series."  It is touching on subjects, ideas, and feelings that don't often get a voice at church.

Dear Church,

We are your youth. Sometimes we come to you because our friends are there, but most of the time, our parents drag us to you. When you preach to us, we don't always understand, and we can't always see how what you preach applies to our lives. Then our minds wander to other things.

We wish you would think about including us more and wish you would consider more often things that matter to us. We just want to feel important because even though it may not seem like it, WE CARE. We care about joining in fellowship with others and wish there were more opportunities to do so.

Sometimes we don't feel loved by you, but judged by you. It feels like the old people don't like us. They associate change with us and don't seem to like you changing very often.

You have added something new we like: a contemporary service! We love the music, especially the drums. It's a more relaxed atmosphere and a place where we feel like we can be more like ourselves, unlike during the more traditional services. We would even bring our friends to you on a Saturday evening.  We love how inclusive the service feels and we love not always having to look at a bulletin. It's nice not having to always stand up, sit down, and then stand up again.

We are your youth. We are not some group of random teenagers poled about you. We are the ones you are here with you. We care.

Love,
Peace Lutheran Youth