High School Thanksgiving Chapel

High School Chapel
Tuesday: Our Annual Thanksgiving Chapel. We began by singing all four verses of the well-known hymn, It is Well with My Soul. Then we had two mics set up for an open share time. It was such a blessing as students readily came forward to share what they were thankful for. PARENTS: You may not hear it all the time, but students expressed deep thankfulness for family!

NEXT WEEK
High School Tuesday: Chapel Band; Thursday: Kyle Bjerga
Middle School Wednesday: Ed's Story

Hymn Chapel, Small Groups, Thanksgiving Sharing

HIGH SCHOOL CHAPEL

Tuesday: We had our yearly hymn sing at Faith CRC (across the street from the high school). We sang For the Beauty of the Earth, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Jesus Paid it All, Christ Arose and It is Well With My Soul. Each hymn was introduced by students explaining the story behind the hymn. We are very thankful for our musicians: Donna Erdman on the organ and Jan Slinkman on the piano. Their grandsons presented them with flowers!

Thursday: Small group chapel that focused on follow-up from our Spiritual Emphasis Week. After playing a fun game of “telephone”, the questions were serious: 1) Where in my heart is there hardness towards God? 2) What are the visible rocks of testing & temptation in my heart? 3) What are the thorns of worry and anxiety in my heart?

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Wednesday: Our Thanksgiving Chapel. Students were invited to come forward and share something that they were thankful for. At least one third of the students shared! In addition to the open mic, Mr. Lundeen led us in singing, and we read Psalm 100 responsively.

NEXT WEEK

High School Tuesday: Thanksgiving Chapel

Open Mic Chapel & Chad Varga

HIGH SCHOOL CHAPEL

Tuesday: Open mic student testimonies. As a follow-up to Spiritual Life Emphasis Week, students were invited to share how God worked in their life. Wow! It was a rich time of sharing. This chapel highlighted the beauty of the TCHS community and God’s gracious work in students' lives.

To see the slideshow that was a response to Mr. Hersey’s Wednesday talk, CLICK HERE

Here is a video of Spiritual Emphasis Week put together by students: https://vimeo.com/299300080

Thursday: Chad Varga, a national youth speaker who has spoken to over 4 million people in America, blessed us today. He told us the story of abuse as a child, success in basketball that lead to professional basketball in Europe, and God’s amazing grace in his life. The purpose of his talk was to encourage students to press through every struggle with God’s strength, to root themselves in God’s Word and to understand God has an amazing purpose for them.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Thursday: Chad Varga spoke first to the middle school and then to the high school. See above for a synopsis of this powerful chapel.

NEXT WEEK

High School Tuesday: Hymn Sing; Thursday: Small Groups

Middle School Wednesday: Thanksgiving Chapel

Special Edition: Spiritual Emphasis Week at TC w/ Oliver Hersey

We were blessed to have Oliver Hersey as our speaker this week. He is a former TCHS math teacher, an Old Testament scholar, and currently on the pastoral staff at Calvary Church in Orland Park. He spoke every day, and he also spoke to the middle schoolers on Wednesday.

MONDAY: Never Alone – Scripture: Psalm 27

It can be hard to believe in God when feelings of loneliness consume us. God longs for us to be honest about how we are feeling. May we have the courage to pray boldly in the presence of the LORD.

TUESDAY: Kaleidoscopic God – Scripture: Psalms 8, 23, 47, 103

In the Psalms God is described kaleidoscopically by an array of images and metaphors. Part of hearing from and being in relationship with God involves knowing the full scope of God’s character. May we discover God’s rich and deep love for us.

WEDNESDAY: Can You Dig It? – Scripture: Jeremiah 4:3-4 & Luke 8:1-15

Both Jeremiah and Jesus compare the human heart–center of emotions, thoughts, feelings–to soil. The Bible encourages us to “plow up” the rocks and weeds in our lives in order to hear God. May we be people who tend to the soil of our hearts so that healthy spiritual growth occurs.

THURSDAY: Shh Sheep and Shema – Scripture: John 10:1-5 & Psalm 143:1-2

In today’s Bible passages, God describes his relationship with his people with the image of a shepherd leading his sheep. God wants us to listen to his words and learn his ways of life. May we commit ourselves to listening to our Good Shepherd’s voice.

FRIDAY: Celebrate – Scripture: Psalm 113

The book of Psalms ends the same way the Bible ends—unalloyed celebration of King Jesus and all that he’s accomplished. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, we can’t help but celebrate. May we discover the beauty of celebrating God on a regular basis. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!

NEXT WEEK

High School Tuesday: Student Testimonies. Thursday: Chad Varga

Middle School Thursday: Chad Varga