ALPHA WEEKEND Matt, and his youth band from Athens Free Methodist Church leading in worship day 2 of the weekend. Thank you so much for your prayer and support We are so thankful for everyone that was praying, and the volunteers to help make this weekend come together for an amazing time with God. Continue to pray for the seeds that were planted this weekend... we often do not see a harvest for years with teens, we know that God's word does not come back void, and that he is faithful in what he says he is going to do. Thank you for trusting this vision, and walking with us through it. We began our time at the weekend together with this verse: "To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance..." (Jude 1-2)  The three pictures above show youth working in different teams to either get a sticky cookie from their forehead to their mouth, or build the tallest tower from marsh mellows and chocolate fingers. These games include all of the youth and help them interact with one another. Prayer station: youth were encouraged to write a friends name down on a band-aid, pray for them and place it on the cross. 150 names were placed on the cross from schools in Athens, Prescott, and Brockville. Every year we host the Alpha Weekend... ...we add a new element. This year we added prayer stations in the main meeting room. Youth were encouraged to interact with different elements pointing them to God. Below: encouragement boxes to remind each youth at the Alpha weekend how they fit into the kingdom, and scrabble letters to write reminders of truth from God. We ended our time at the weekend together with this: "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—  to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!" (Jude 24-25) PRAYER NEEDS: On Wednesday May 9, 2018 during the day... We will be represented at the South Grenville District High School Youth Fair. Last year we were the only Christian organization at the school. We will have a pitcher for prayer requests (ASK), an encouragement basin with verses from proverbs (TAKE). Please pray for us as we serve the world in ways that are different, and point youth to the Hope that is eternal in Christ Jesus. On Wednesday May 9, 2018 in the evening... ...volunteers, and student youth leaders will gather to discuss the different elements of the Alpha weekend to improve on next year. Please pray for this time together.  We are still $2000.00 short of $5000.00 need to attend Youth for Christ's National Staff Conference in BC with the Freer family at the end of June. Please consider this need, and ask God if this is something he would have you give to. Blessings! Click here to give to Upper Canada Youth for Christ