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An excellent, comprehensive Youth Ministry is provided at Norcross First for young people in grades 6 through 12. We offer a Christ-centered program of ministry which helps youth develop their relationship with Jesus Christ and, therefore, an appreciation of themselves and others. The youth program uses a combination of resources to teach United Methodist history and doctrine, the Bible, and especially the Good News of God’s love as seen through Jesus Christ and His ministry in the world, past, present, and future. For more information on our youth ministry, please contact Rev. John Leece at 770-448-4142, x156.

COLLEGE AGE SUNDAY SCHOOL
College Age Sunday School gives a time for recent high school graduates to meet and study at 11:00 a.m.

UNITED METHODIST YOUTH
Our Sunday evening UMY program provides a time for our youth and adult youth workers to share in an informal setting. Special activities are offered throughout the year. Opportunities for Christian service, including a summer mission work trip for high school youth, are available during the year.

CONFIRMATION
Offered yearly to 8th graders who want to learn more about what it means to be a Christian and a United Methodist. Confirmation concludes with a special dedication service for the confirmands and an opportunity to be baptized and/or become full members of the church.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY
Youth gather mid-week to study and discuss scripture in small groups.

RETREATS
Offered throughout the year to provide time away to form community and grow close to the Lord and each other.

CHOIRS
Good News Singers - senior high choir
Sonlight - mid-high choir.
Both groups meet weekly during the school year to fellowship and develop their musical talents. Each year the groups go on tours to share their music with others.

CHRYSALIS
What is a Chrysalis?
Chrysalis is the growth stage between caterpillars and butterflies. While on the surface it may look like nothing is happening, the delicate process changes a caterpillar into a butterfly with wings and beautiful colors. This symbolizes that through dying to self, Christ can transform us into something beautiful. We must open ourselves to Jesus for this transformation to occur.

Chrysalis is the name chosen for the Youth Walk to Emmaus because it symbolizes faith growth in the lives of youth - the spiritual growth that is necessary between adolescence and adulthood. It is a crucial time of maturing faith for discipleship. Chrysalis has its roots deeply planted in its parent movement, the Walk to Emmaus. Chrysalis is a three day spiritual renewal retreat that provides participants an opportunity to learn more about faith, to experience Christian love and support, and a chance to make new commitments in their faith journey. The content of the three days focuses on God's grace, how one experiences Christ as friend in the body of Christ, and how one is called into discipleship, giving love to a needful world.

What happens at Chrysalis?
You will spend three days with other young people in worship, prayer, fellowship, recreation, singing and discussion. You will experience the love of Christ through the prayers and acts of service of a loving support community. You will hear talks given by youth and adults. The talks focus on the needs of maturing youth and offer the message of the Gospel and the friendship and example of Jesus Christ. Five talks are given each day followed by discussion and reflection on how these messages can be helpful to your personal faith. You will explore how this friendship with Jesus can help you live your faith with family, friends and community.

What happens after Chrysalis?
Following the three day retreat, you are invited to become intentional about your faith through local church participation, small group studies, and interpersonal sharing groups that provide the fellowship and support for giving love to a needful world. You are invited to build upon your Chrysalis weekend for the rest of your life. You are invited to rise to a new day, every day.

What is the purpose of Chrysalis?
The focus of Chrysalis is commitment to Jesus Christ through the local church. The objective of Chrysalis is to inspire, challenge, and equip local church youth for a closer friendship with Christ and for Christian action at home, church, school, and community. Chrysalis lifts up a way for you to be a friend of Christ in the world.

Who should go to Chrysalis?
Chrysalis is for the development of Christian youth who:

• Wish to strengthen your friendship with Christ.
• May have unanswered questions about prayer, study, and sharing your faith.
• Understand that being a friend of Christ, or Christian, involves responsibility.
• Are open to dedicating your everyday life to God in an ongoing manner.

Chrysalis is open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors of any denomination.

Are you interested?
We invite you to join in an exciting three days spent in meeting Jesus Christ as your friend who comes to you in God's love as expressed through other Christians.

We invite you to rise to a new day! Please see information on the Emmaus bulletin board across from the reception area down the hallway from the kitchen and Fellowship Hall.

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