(not pictured: Laura Paul)

I just wanted to post the itinerary for the upcoming Lewis Camping Trip, 8-11 July.

You can download the itinerary by clicking here.

Peace!

Ethan

I guess this is me signing off! Though it won’t be until 18 July that
we are heading back to America, this will be my last Rambling (some of
you may be rejoicing!).

I would just like to say that my experience here in Scotland has been
amazing. We Americans tend to overuse that word, but it has been one
of the greatest experiences of my life. We’ve been in large and small
churches before, but we’ve never felt as much a part of a family as we
do here at Smithton. From the moment we stepped off the plane, we have
been shown nothing but kindness and hospitality.

Some of you have looked after our dog. Some of you have looked after
our daughter. Some of you have passed through our flat just to say
‘hello’. We will miss this, and we will miss you. Thank you to all who
have invested time, efforts, and gifts into serving and encouraging
us. I will have a proper letter for the congregation, but I just
wanted to say this before I leave.

With that said, I am looking forward to our last YF together this
Sunday. I hope you can make it. We are having our annual
end-of-the-year quiz and ice cream party, plus I will be interviewing
my replacement, Iain Taylor. Be there!

POINTS OF NO RETURN
// Help Needed at Picnic this Saturday: if you are able to help us set
up at the picnic this Saturday, please come at 10:30am to Nairn Beach.
We need quite a bit of help with the inflatables. Let me know if you
need a lift!

// Hoodies: we are setting up our printer, and you should be able to
order one of these at the end of the summer (since everyone is away at
camp, on holiday, etc.). Stay tuned!

// Drivers Needed: we are needing transport to Ullapool on Friday 8
July (8am) and returning from Ullapool on Monday 11 July (4:45pm). If
you are willing and able to transport a few teenagers to and/or from
Ullapool, please let me know!

COMING UP
// Wednesday: I know I said there would be one more next week, but I’m
not going to be able to make it next Wednesday, so this will be our
last Office Hours
Office Hours: 4:15pm @ the Eastgate

// Friday
Roots BBQ: 7pm @ Inshes Church
Unit 4 Youth Café: 7:30pm @ King’s Factory

// Saturday
Picnic: 1pm @ Nairn Beach (please come at 10:30am if possible to help set up!)

// Sunday
YF: 7:15pm @ Smithton Church

Soli Deo Gloria, to God alone be the Glory!

Ethan

I hope all is well with you this week.

On Sunday, we had our final small group time this term. I thought it
went very well, and the spirit amongst the group was excellent. We
watched a DVD clip from Christianity Explored Soul, which is the youth
version of CE. We were reminded that CHRISTIANITY IS CHRIS. There are
many things about the Christian faith – church, serving the poor,
giving tithes, etc. – but Chrisianity is all about Jesus, and
everything is secondary to that.

Parents, ask your teens this week what they think about Jesus. Many of
them have probably been hearing his name since they were in Sunday
school. But what does he mean to them?

This Sunday is our special 6th Year Sendoff, so make sure you are
there for all the festivities!

POINTS OF NO RETURN
// Lewis Camping Trip: this is your last chance to sign up for the
camping trip. Let us know if you’re going!.

// Congregational Picnic: Please let us know if you are planning on
attending the end-of-the-year picnic at Nairn Beach on 25 June, 1pm.
We need to know numbers and if you are able to bring either a loaf of
sandwiches or a traybake. Email me and let me know how many and if you
need transport.

// For information on events at the Alive Festival:

http://www.alivefestival.co.uk/#/programme/4543846400

Coming Up
// Wednesday
Office Hours: 4:15pm @ the Eastgate
Christians in Sport: 7pm @ the CYC

// Friday
Youth Cafe: 7:30pm @ King’s Factory

// Sunday
YF: 7:15pm in the Smithton Church sports hall

Who’s excited for summer?!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Ethan

So I just realized, including today, there are only three Ramblings
left in the school year. And only three left before I must leave you
all and return to the Motherland. So … I guess I better make them
count!

I’m not sure if you were at the Q&A with Neil MacMillan on Sunday
evening, but I thought it was a very thoughtful and encouraging
discussion. That’s two great Q&A’s two Sundays in a row for those who
are keeping track at home.

This week, we are back on for YF as normal, and it will be our last
small group night of the term. Be there!

POINTS OF NO RETURN
// Lewis Camping Trip: we have over a dozen signed up for the camping
trip. Make sure you get your name down so we can sort out
transportation and camping arrangements.

// Congregational Picnic: Our annual BBQ has turned into a picnic out
at Nairn beach on Saturday 25 June. There will be loads to do,
including inflatable games like Sumo and boxing. Transport will be
provided from the church for those who need it.

// Stuart Townend Tickets: Stuart Townend has either written or
co-written a number of popular modern hymns, including In Christ
Alone, How Deep the Father’s Love, and Psalm 23 (Lord’s My Shepherd).
Townend is playing with the Alive Festival at Culduthel Christian
Centre next week, and I’ve just found out another night has been
added. So more tickets are available. If you’d like to go, please
purchase a ticket ASAP:

http://www.alivefestival.co.uk/#/tickets/4543846402.

For more information on other events at the Alive Festival:

http://www.alivefestival.co.uk/#/programme/4543846400

COMING UP
// Wednesday
NO Office Hours: Sorry, I have to get my MOT test!

// Friday
Office Hours: 7:30pm @ King’s Factory

// Sunday
YF: 7:15pm in the Smithton Church sports hall

Whew! It’s June! Only a few more weeks until summer holidays! Yippee!!!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Ethan

We have some great designs for our YF hoodie. This week we will be
voting on which logo design will go to the printers! We will also be
having a panel discussion on church membership, communion, and other
questions on Christianity. Thanks to those who submitted questions. If
you have any others, feel free to email, text, phone me at any time
before Thursday.

I think I will continue the idea of sending you a video each week, so
here is a good one on justification. If you have no idea what
justification means, the video will explain it:

POINTS OF NO RETURN
// Lewis Camping Trip Sign Up: You still have a couple more weeks to
sign up for the camping trip. Cost is around £35 for travel, food,
etc.
// End of the Year BBQ: Mark your diaries for Saturday 25 June. This
year, we will join the rest of the church to eat burgers, play at the
beach, and try our hand at the inflatable Sumo wrestling.

COMING UP
// Wednesday
Office Hours: 3:45pm @ the Eastgate

// Friday
Roots: 7pm @ Inshes Church
Unit 4 Youth Café: 7:30pm @ King’s Factory

// Sunday
YF: 7:15pm @ Smithton Church

Soli Deo Gloria,

Ethan

Launch Questions

• Have you ever experienced “joy unspeakable”, where you heart was completely full, and you could not have imagined being any more happy/content? What made you feel this way?

Discussion Questions

• Do most people think they are going to heaven? What would be their reasons?
• Do you think many people have a misconception of heaven, i.e. they think heaven will be completely different to what the Bible says about heaven? Why or why not?
• Have you seen any movies or television programmes that have portrayed heaven? What was heaven like?
• Before tonight, what did you think heaven was going to be like?
• From the description in Revelation 21, what is most attractive about heaven? What is least attractive about heaven? Why do you think this?
• Why is dwelling with God such a significant part of heaven?
• How did people in the Bible react when they were in the presence of God? Why was this? How do you think you would react if God visited you tonight?
• How can Christians look forward to heaven?
• How can knowing what heaven’s really like help us talk to others about Jesus?

I hope you all enjoyed the small group lunch on Sunday. I know we had
plenty to eat! Thanks again to those who hosted and prepared food. I
heard there was a small army at the Tough’s house …

Here’s something to brighten up your week: Christ is Risen from the Dead!

POINTS OF NO RETURN
// Lewis Camping Trip Sign Up: You still have a couple more weeks to
sign up for the camping trip. Cost is around £35 for travel, food,
etc.

// End of the Year BBQ: Mark your diaries for Saturday 25 June. This
year, we will join the rest of the church to eat burgers, play at the
beach, and try our hand at the inflatable Sumo wrestling.

COMING UP
// Wednesday
Office Hours: 3:45pm @ the Eastgate

// Thursday
Dead Chuffed: 7:30pm @ Smithton Church sports hall

// Friday
Unit 4 Youth Café: 7:30pm @ King’s Factory

// Sunday
YF: 7:15pm @ Smithton Church

Soli Deo Gloria,

Ethan

Wow, is it May already? Yes, and by the end of the week, we will be
halfway through the month. Time does fly when you’re having fun …
and speaking of fun, the SCAVENGER HUNT on Saturday evening was loads
of fun. If you missed out, you will not want to miss this next year!
If you took photos on your camera

This week we are going to host homes for SMALL GROUP LUNCH. Woohoo!
Please see your small group lunch location below.

POINTS OF NO RETURN
// Small Group Lunch: Make sure you bring a bottle of your favourite
juice to share!
Jane: The Toughs*, 1 Castlehill Park, Cradlehall
Mairi/Ali: The Murrays, 40 Redwood Crescent, Milton of Leys
Donna: The MacArthurs, 16 Kennedy Drive, Scorguie
Allan/Adam: The Toughs*, 1 Castlehill Park, Cradlehall
Ethan/Chris: The Macleods*, 10 Heights of Woodside, Westhill
Banana/Dave Crowe: The Macleods*, 10 Heights of Woodside, Westhill
Alan/Dave Egg: The Merediths*, The Manse, Resaurie, Smithton

*Walking distance from Smithton Church

// YF Hoodies: The interest is there for ordering YF hoodies. On
Sunday you will have an opportunity to create a logo design for the
hoodies. We will vote on these, and the winner will be our hoodie
design.

// Lewis Camping Trip Sign Up: You still have a couple more weeks to
sign up for the camping trip. Cost is around £35 for travel, food,
etc.

COMING UP
// Today
Office Hours: 3:45pm @ the Eastgate

// Friday
Unit 4 Youth Café: 7:30pm @ King’s Factory

// Sunday
Small Group Lunch: 1pm in host homes

Have a great week!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Ethan

Launch Questions

• Can you think of a movie, book, or television show that portrayed hell or the devil? What happened? Was it serious or poking fun at hell?
• Do know of any preachers or Christians who abuse the topic of hell?
• On the other hand, why is it dangerous for pastors to never preach on hell?

Discussion Questions – Luke 16:19-31

• In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, why do you think the rich man went to hell and Lazarus, the poor man, went to heaven? What did wealth have anything to do with their condition?
• What was the basis of the rich man’s hope, i.e. what was he trusting in? What are the consequences of misplaced trust?
• The rich man became the beggar. What did he ask of Abraham? Why didn’t  Abraham fulfil his request(s)?
• Do you ever think about death? Are you ever scared of what may happen?
• Do you think the majority of people believe in a literal hell? Why or why not?
• Is God just in condemning unrepentant sinners to hell? Explain.
• Is hell something of which we should be scared? Why or why not? Is it possible to be scared into believing in Jesus, i.e. trusting in him because one is afraid of hell?
• Why do you think Jesus spoke so much on the topic of hell?
• Why do Christians not have to face the torment of hell?
• Why is this text relevant for Christians if they are secure from the dangers of hell?