Joining

Taylor Peyton

Youth Worship Sunday
Tarrytown United Methodist Church

February 8, 2009

When I was asked to speak on “joining” – God’s presence in my life – I thought about my years at Tarrytown and how it has impacted my life’s spiritual journey up to this point.

I attended the preschool program, participated in Sunday school and youth activities.

Along the way there have been many experiences that have sulidofied my faith and God’s plan for me. The one that revealed, “joining” was the Mystery Ramble to New Orleans,

also known to those that were there “Girls and Barens Weekend” in the spring of 2006. This mission trip was my first time to be with our current Youth leader, David Chambers and let me tell ya he gets pretty excited about these trips. His energy is contagious in sharing the Lord’s word. His plans for us are never revealed because he has faith that we will discover God working through us, and so our mission begins. The focus of this mission trip was to assist with the clean up efforts of those affected by Hurricane Katrina. I realized my presence could make a difference through my efforts to spread God’s love to those in need. While cleaning a home that had not been touched in over a year, we discovered the Lord’s Prayer hanging untouched on the wall in the living room. This revealed to me that God’s presence is always with us, no matter what the circumstances the good times and the bad times. That was my “joining” moment – God had a plan for me and I was listening.

Since that time I haven’t missed a mission trip. I just returned from Honduras. I worked with the children in the villages and it was amazing to see God’s presence in their faces. I could not speak their language and I was able to communicate love and compassion through my actions. Playing monkey in the middle, arts and crafts and singing songs, I could see the glow of joy in their faces. It was a time for me to receive the gifts from those I was serving.

Every mission trip I have been a part of has been an amazing experience serving with others and our efforts to bring grace and hope to those less fortunate. Beth Moore states “…if we learn to trust in His faithfulness, we of all persons may be most blessed”.

I will continue to serve others for I know my faith will sustain me now, and whatever the future holds for me. According to Romans 12:3 “God has given everyone a measure of faith”

Mark 1:17 says “Jesus said come with me I will teach you how to bring in people instead of Fish” . So I ask each of you, when was your joining moment or when will it be?