12-9-09: "With Many Hands, the Load is Light"

“Which 4th period class can raise the most money for Friends of Fort Liberte by December 18?” was the challenge given to Dock students by Ms. Johnston in today’s chapel.

“Friends of Fort Liberte” (FFL) projects are not funded by large donations from individuals, but from small amounts contributed by many people. The fundraiser at Dock is one such example. This manner of fundraising is perfectly described by the Haitian proverb, “with many hands the load is light,” said chapel presenter Annette Crislip. Annette is the co-founder of FFL and a friend of Ms. Johnston’s.

The creation of FFL began in 1973 when West Virginia architect J. D. King (Annette’s late husband) met Pastor Andre Jean of Haiti. Over the next few years, a Haitian child sponsorship program was begun, leading to the formation of the non-profit organization in 1993. Today FFL has constructed churches, a primary school, a secondary school, a clinic, and an orphanage in Haiti in addition to continuing the child sponsorship program. This trans-denominational organization’s mission is to “help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, relieve hunger and homelessness, encourage education and help individuals achieve their full potential.”

The funds raised by Dock students, faculty, and staff will be used to build an addition onto the orphanage, which is deteriorating. Students in the 4th period class that raises the most money will receive a free lunch.

For more information on FFL, please see the December issue of Newsline (page 9) and the Friends of Fort Liberte website.

The Uniqueness of Jesus

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
- John 3:16-17

God chose to come to Earth in the form of an apparently ordinary human being. But Jesus was not just an ordinary human being; He was amazingly unique, too. It was through His miracles that He showed this uniqueness to others, and finally through His death and Resurrection.

In our own time we are surrounded by many seemingly ordinary people who display their amazing and unique gifts to the world. One such person is amateur singer Susan Boyle, who appeared last spring on “Britain’s Got Talent” and became an overnight internet sensation. People feel they can relate to Susan Boyle because she appears so ordinary; she is an average person with an incredible gift. She made something amazing and unique happen on stage.

Watch the YouTube video of her audition on the show. Listen to the skepticism of Simon Cowell and the other judges as they interview Susan before she sings. Then watch their skepticism melt away to amazement when they hear her unique voice.

In this world, people focus on uniqueness. When you apply for a job, no one asks, “What makes you average?” People want to know about your unique gifts and talents. They want to know, “Why should I hire you instead of the 12 other candidates for this job? What is it that makes you special?”

We cannot perform miracles like Jesus, and perhaps not even sing as well as Susan Boyle, but each of us is unique. No matter how ordinary each of us may appear, we all have a God-given and wonderful uniqueness to share with the world.

Losers Who Said "Yes"

“What does it take to be a part of the genealogy of Christ?” As chapel presenters Nate Stuckey and Kenda Creasy Dean read through the genealogy, they decided that there are two things needed to make someone part of the genealogy of Christ: one, the person had to be a “loser,” and two, they had to say yes to God.

If God comes to the world through losers, then He can use losers like us to do His work. There are many “losers” in the genealogy of Christ: Jacob, for example, who deceived both his brother and father, or even Mary, a fourteen-year-old girl at the bottom of the social ladder.

There are lots of reasons to say “no” to God, but a simple “yes” can change everything. There were many reasons for those in Jesus’ genealogy to say “no,” but instead they chose to say yes and accomplished amazing things: Moses said “yes,” even though he did not speak well, and led the Israelites out of Egypt; Sarah said “yes” to God and had a son, Isaac, though she was much too old to have children; Mary said “yes” and it changed the world.

To connect Mary’s story to our own time, clips were shown of FOX’s new show Glee. These clips dealt with another young woman, Quinn, a high school cheerleader and glee club member who has gotten pregnant. In the final clip, the glee club members perform Bill Withers’ Lean on Me, a reminder that they will support Quinn during this difficult time. It is also a reminder that God will support us.

Advent is a time of waiting. We wait for miracles. We wait for someone to hold us and tell us everything is going to be all right. But maybe we are not the only ones waiting. Perhaps God is waiting, too – waiting for us to say “yes.” God sends us love letters, letters of affirmation and invitation. He affirms that all is well and invites us with hope and His plan for our future.

Working for God and with God is not about the self. While working with God, the miracle comes to the forefront, and the self is pushed into the background. Thus, the “loser” becomes transformed. The sign for loser is created by folding down all your fingers and then extending the thumb and index finger to make an “L.” But if you then extend your pinkie finger also, you make the American Sign Language sign for love. This is a simple yet powerful reminder that God has the ability to transform “losers” by the power of His love, if only we will say “yes” to His call.

As a sweet reminder, Hershey kisses were given out at the end of chapel to remind us to say “yes,” even when we feel unqualified.

Flying Krimpets and the Amazing Catch

On Monday, November 2, something strange and wonderful happened in chapel.

It rained Butterscotch Krimpets.

No only that--Peppermint Lifesavers and Hershey's Chocolate also fell from the sky. Can there be a better way to start a Monday?

Probably not, but these goodies also helped Dock students grasp an important spiritual lesson--that God expects instant obedience.

Stretch Dean, youth pastor at Immanuel Church of the Nazarene in Lansdale, began his memorable chapel presentation by saying he had always been told how important it was to start the day with a good breakfast, yet he never seemed to be able to get up early enough to make one for himself. Instead, he relied on his version of an "instant breakfast"--Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpets. And down from the balcony came a shower of Krimpets, and lucky Dock students like Katelyn Kratz (see photo, above) caught themselves a mid-morning snack.

Stretch went on to say that many people spend lots of time, energy and money seeking instant happiness. This time, fistfuls of Hershey Bars cascaded from the balcony--making many students instantly happy.

There are other times when we want (or need) instant fresh breath, Stretch said, and his personal favorite in those times is Pep-O-Mint Lifesavers. Moments later (you guessed it), dozens of Dock students had instantly fresh breath.

Instant breakfasts are great, Stretch said, and instant happiness is awesome. Instant fresh breath--well, it's an absolute necessity sometimes. In the same way, he said, instant obedience to God's will is a requirement for living a Christ-like life.

Stretch pointed to the example in Luke 5 when Jesus first called Simon (Peter), James and John to be his disciples. Jesus instructed Simon to cast his net, and Peter complained that he and his partners had fished all night long and hadn't caught a thing. They were probably tired and frustrated and hungry. But Peter said, "Because you say so, I will let down the nets." Before they knew it, they had caught so many fish that the nets began to break and they could barely haul in all the fish with two boats.

Instant breakfasts are great--especially when they consist of Butterscotch Krimpets. Instant happiness is good, too. But these are temporary delights. The blessings we experience when we are instantly obedient to the will of God are better by far.

10/07/09: Stories of Courage

On Wednesday's chapel, a few students and a teacher shared stories of courage. Eleah Weber (C'11) talked about one of her favorite Bible stories, the story of Esther. Mrs. Adams shared the story of two of her friends, a married couple who battled cancer and never lost their faith through all their trials and tribulations. Then, Luke Boguslaw (C'10) shared some of his favorite Bible verses:
Psalm 27:1-The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
Isaiah 41:10-So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Ben Richter, Laura Keppley, and Maddie Ruth closed chapel by singing a hymn which included the words, "Do not be afraid, I am with you." And it's true. God is with us through all of life's trials and tribulations, so let us not be afraid.

Worship With a Camera III

Dock senior Josh Kulp also decided to worship through the lens of his camera during Spiritual Life Emphasis Week. Check out Josh's amazing photos!

Worship With a Camera II

Some additional faculty photos taken as an act of worship during Spiritual Life Emphasis Week. These were submitted by Mr. Hackman.