MiHi Youth March 2022 Newsletter
Happy March!!!
Greetings to all MiHi Youth parents. I pray that you are all well in the Lord Jesus!
Here’s the March’s MiHi newsletter.
Communicant’s Class
Dates: Saturdays - 3/12, 3/26, 4/2, and 5/4.
This year’s class will be done Hybrid at 8-10am. There will be breaks and discussion.
Zoom link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86577544610
For more information and sign up with pastor Tae at taenscc@gmail.com or 516-922-7322.
Father and Son Breakfast
Calling all MiHi members and Dads!!!
Please mark you calendars for our first father and son breakfast on Saturday, March 19th at 9am-10:30am at church office.
We will eat together, worship together, and fellowship together.
Please RSVP to pastor tae at taenscc@gmail.com.
Friday Night Live
Friday Night Live in the month of March 2022
We are back to our normal schedule starting at 7pm with dinner!
Starting March, MiHi is starting new study on “10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask and Answer about Christianity” by Rebecca McLaughlin.
Please encourage your teen to join us as we dig into these 10 questions.
Here is the outline of study!
Week 1 (March 4th) – Introduction
Week 2 (March 11) - How can I live my best life now (mental and physical health benefits of the Christian life), Isn’t Christianity against diversity? (racism/slavery/ Christianity as the most diverse movement in history).
Week 3 (March 25) – Can Jesus be true for you but not for me (Universal truth, relativism, evangelism), Can’t we just be good without God? (God as the basis for morality, 9/11, Hitler, Stalin, Human identity, abortion).
Week 4 (April 1)– How can you believe the Bible is true (Evidence for the Gospel, evidence for the resurrection, true versus literal).
Week 5 (April 29)– Hasn’t science disproved Christianity? (origins of science, science and faith controversies, Christian scientists today).
Week 6 (May 13) – Why can’t we just agree that love is love? (marriage, sex, singleness, friendship, sam-sex attraction, pornography, abuse).
Week 7 (May 27) – Who cares if you’re a boy or girl? (gender, feminism, transgender and non-binary identities).
Week 8 (June 3) – Does God care when we hurt? (God’s sovereignty in suffering, God’s care for us, prayer, purpose). How can You believe in heaven and hell? (meaning of heaven and hell, sin and judgement, salvation, invitation).
Week 9 (June 10) – Conclusion
Week 10 (June 17) – Any thoughts or questions or concerns?
3/4 - Regular Meeting (Week 1)
3/11 - Regular Meeting (Week 2)
3/18 - Activity Night - Movie Night at Church
3/25 - Regular Meeting (Week 3)
Gospel Project - From Conquest To A Kingdom
Sunday school continues…
Sunday school will be in person at the youth attic located in the church office. Sunday school hour will be from 9:45-10:45am.
We are going Hybrid Model for our Sunday school. For those who would like to join us via zoom, here is the link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81467485299
3/6 - God’s Presence with Joshua
3/13 - God’s Presence with His People
3/20 - God’s Presence in His Word
3/27 - Witnessing God’s Mercy
To Stay and Serve: Why We Didn’t Flee Ukraine - from the gospel coalition.
By: VASYL OSTRYI
In recent days, the events from the book of Esther have become real to us in Ukraine. It’s as if the decree is signed, and Haman has the license to destroy an entire nation. The gallows are ready. Ukraine is simply waiting.
Can you imagine the mood in a society when gradually, day after day for months, the world’s media has been saying that war is inevitable? That much blood will be shed?
In recent weeks, nearly all the missionaries have been told to leave Ukraine. Western nations evacuated their embassies and citizens. Traffic in the capital of Kyiv is disappearing. Where did the people go? Oligarchs, businessmen, and those who can afford it are leaving, saving their families from potential war. Should we do the same?
Questions for Families
My wife and I have decided to remain in our city near Kyiv. We want to serve the people here along with Irpin Bible Church where I joined the pastoral team in 2016. In anticipation of coming disaster, we’ve bought a supply of food, medicine, and fuel so that, if necessary, we’ll be able to help those in need rather than burden them.
Ours is a family of six. We’re raising four daughters. What I worry about the most is my 16-year-old who travels to college every day for an hour and a half, one way, by public transportation. The media warns that if Russia invades, mobile communications will be lost, and public transit will likely collapse. Thankfully, her classes have now gone online.
Since the border with Belarus is only 150 kilometers (92 miles) from Kyiv, one of the possible options for an enemy attack is through Belarus. The local media is recommending that we pack an emergency suitcase. I told my children, “Pack your backpacks. Pack enough things for three days.”
In the past, such packing meant we were going on vacation or a fun trip. So, our younger children, 6- and 8-years-old, have been asking, “Dad, where are we going?” At first, I didn’t know what to answer. I told them we’re not going anywhere.
Church Response
How should the church respond when there is a growing threat of war? When there is constant fear in society? I’m convinced that if the church is not relevant at a time of crisis, then it is not relevant in a time of peace.
As a country, we went through this already in 2014. In those days, many churches actively supported those who rebelled against the corrupt and authoritarian regime of Viktor Yanukovych. There was a prayer tent in Independence Square. Christians distributed warm meals and hot tea. Churches opened their doors as a shelter for protesters persecuted by security forces.
Meanwhile, there were churches that openly supported the dictator’s regime and criticized the protesters. Other churches tried to ignore the elephant in the room. They kept silent about the problem and lived as if nothing was happening.
In the end, churches that distanced themselves from social issues and those that supported the corrupt rulers have suffered reputational losses among the population of Ukraine. Conversely, churches that have been with people during testing times have received the highest trust from society.
Our Struggle for the Nation
We believe the church is a place of spiritual struggle. As tensions have risen, our church announced a week of fasting and prayer, gathering every night to bring our requests to God. For three days in a row, the lights were turned off in the city. We were forced to meet in the dark, adding a solemn atmosphere to our prayers for peace.
At the end of the week, those moments produced in us an inner strength to persevere. Through communal prayers we’ve gained confidence and peace. We believe God is with us, and that is the most important thing.
During this critical moment, our church, which has about 1,000 people attending on a normal Sunday, is also a place of service. We’ve recently conducted several trainings on performing first aid. People are learning how to apply a tourniquet, stop bleeding, apply bandages, and manage airways. These lay people aren’t going to become doctors, but this has given them confidence to care for their neighbors if necessary.
In fact, when I first announced the first-aid training, one brother told me, “Now I know why I need to stay in Ukraine.” He had planned to leave. He knew he was not a soldier. He wasn’t able to take up arms and fight. But he now wants to stay, to help the wounded, and to save lives.
If necessary, the church premises can be turned into a shelter. We have a good basement. We’re ready to deploy a heating station, as well as provide a place for a military hospital. To make this a reality, we’re creating response teams. If martial law is declared, they’re ready with a strategic supply of fuel, food, and material for dressing wounds. We’ve even gathered information on who in the church are doctors, mechanics, plumbers—even who has wells in case of a water shortage.
Remaining and Praying
We have decided to stay, both as a family and as a church. When this is over, the citizens of Kyiv will remember how Christians have responded in their time of need.
And while the church may not fight like the nation, we still believe we have a role to play in this struggle. We will shelter the weak, serve the suffering, and mend the broken. And as we do, we offer the unshakable hope of Christ and his gospel. While we may feel helpless in the face of such a crisis, we can pray like Esther. Ukraine is not God’s covenant people, but like Israel, our hope is that the Lord will remove the danger as he did for his ancient people. And as we stay, we pray the church in Ukraine will faithfully trust the Lord and serve our neighbors.
Worship Song for the month of March 2022!!
I Will Wait For You - By: Shane & Shane
LYRICS:
Verse 1
When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life's fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast
Chorus
He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast
Verse 2
Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He'll not let my soul be lost
His Promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast
Verse 3
For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight
When He comes at last
CCLI Song # 7016161
Encouraging Worship Music
Hope you find this months MiHi Youth Newsletter Helpful!