Dear FPC Youth,

Like Pastor Alex said in his sermon last week, the only thing certain about these uncertain times we’re living in is that we seem to be in a cycle of constant change. First, schools are out for a week, then a couple weeks, then an additional month … and finally, as we learned yesterday, we won’t be returning to school at all for the academic year. To those of you experiencing feelings of loss, missing out on seeing your friends and teachers, important events and celebrations, cancelled trips, and celebrating milestones –I grieve with you and I’m so sorry. In the midst of all this change and sadness that you may feel, another thing remains constant. And that is God’s love for us and His commitment to walk right beside us no matter what. Our lesson this week involves finding a reason to smile, even when everything around us feels dark and gloomy.

Next week is Spring Break and I know we could all use rest and respite, so I hope you find time for that next week. And I hope you take some time to reflect and engage with your Faith Community, all from the comfort of your own couch! If you have thoughts or questions to share, please post those in the comments section below! Stay safe, be well, and know how much we miss you all!

A Reason to Smile

(adapted from https://thesource4ym.com/smile/)

When asked about their song Smile, the members of Sidewalk Prophets responded,  

“Over the past few years, we’ve been through some pretty awesome experiences, as well as some very terrifying ones… When you start to pay close attention, you begin to see that how you respond to these experiences is actually a choice. In the tough times, we can either wither away in fear and doubt, or we can go confidently into each new challenge knowing that when we hold on to Christ and His promises, there is always a reason to smile.”

The song Smile is an upbeat reminder to hold onto the promises of God through all circumstances. In the same year, Sidewalk Prophets front man Dave Frey experienced the high of getting married and the low of a bus fire which caused the band to lose much of their expensive gear. This song is a reminder that we can go into any situation knowing God’s promises ring true – and that allows us to Choose Joy.

This week, we’re thinking about what it means to choose joy through every circumstance.

The Music Video

Song Lyrics: Smile

Lost your way, lost your cool
Then you straight up lost your mind
Tried so hard to stay ahead
But you keep falling behind
Life is gonna pull you down
Make it hard to see
But a little change in your point of view
Could be just what you need

There’s always a reason to always choose joy
There’s something deeper that the world can’t destroy
Smile, when you think you can’t
Smile, get up and dance
Smile, there’s a bigger plan
The storm only lasts for a while
So smile

Happiness is wonderful
But it doesn’t stick around
Walkin’ on sunshine
Then here come the clouds
You can laugh or you can cry
When it all falls apart
But I believe the more you laugh
The more you heal the heart

There’s always a reason to always choose joy
There’s something deeper that the world can’t destroy
Smile, when you think you can’t
Smile, get up and dance
Smile, there’s a bigger plan
And you’ve got a reason
To smile, when you think you can’t
Smile, just clap your hands
Smile, there’s a bigger plan
You’ve got a reason to smile

There’s always a reason to always choose joy
There’s something deeper that the world can’t destroy
Smile, when you think you can’t
Smile, get up and dance
Smile, there’s a bigger plan
You’ve got a reason
To smile, when you think you can’t
Smile, just clap your hands
Smile, there’s a bigger plan
You’ve got a reason to smile

For Reflection and Discussion 

• What would you say to someone who tells you that being a Christian means you are happy all the time? What do you think the difference is between happiness and joy?
• What do you think it means to “choose joy?” Do you agree that joy is a choice? Explain why you think the way you do.
• What do you think is the significance of the line that says: “There’s something deeper that the world can’t destroy” ? How does knowing Jesus and His promises help you navigate trials in your life? 
• What do you think the song means when it speaks of a “bigger plan”? Can you see evidence of a “bigger plan” in place for you right now?

 “Joy lies in the fight, in the attempt, in the suffering involved, not in the victory itself.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi

What does this quote mean to you? It might seem a little backward to think that struggle and pain are actually a part of Joy. Usually we associate Joy with success, winning, finishing something difficult – getting the “hard part” over with. In fact, often that part of the journey is more fleeting.

You might think of happiness and joy like this: Happiness is based on things going well; but Joy goes deeper than that. Joy is based on our trust in God, an awareness of how God loves us and created us as special people, and a sense of God’s purpose for us and a plan for the world. Hope is essential to this definition of Joy; because we have hope, we can be confident in our ability to persist on with Joy. So Joy becomes a choice that we make each day – something we practice. We choose how to respond to people and situations.

So, where can you find the joy today? Is there joy to be found in this situation?

Closing Thoughts

These truly are unprecedented times. In talking with my own children this week, I told them that this will be a point in history that they will look back on and tell their children and grandchildren about. What will the be story you will tell? What will be the moments you chose Joy?

I will leave you with this scripture:

James 1:2-4 (NRSV)
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.

I pray for you to endure and to choose Joy. Be well, friends. I can’t wait to see your faces again soon!

May God Bless and Keep You,
Karen

**Outreach Activity Challenge**

As you probably know, many people who live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities are not allowed to have any visitors at this time. This week, I challenge our FPC families to send cards/letters to members of our FPC congregation in local care facilities! The following members would love to hear from you and you can find their addresses in the PFC directory – if you need an electronic copy emailed to you, please write me at kanthony@fayettepcusa.org and I’ll be happy to send you one!

Please write to:

Ellen Rodriguez
Bill Moses
Linda McNeill
Jack Mahaffey
Yvonne Olson
Berkeley Stonebraker