Louisville Worktrip

 Ryan, Susan and the youth shared their Louisville work trip experiences with the congregation at St. Mark Presbyterian.  Click here for the audio presentation which accompanied thse photos.

 The group started at Churchill Downs where they witnessed the "Backside" through Christ Chapel.  Click here for the video about this mission.  Below is Ryan's report on the Work Trip.

High School Mission Trip

Louisville, Kentucky

June 2-7 2013

Beginning in August 2012, our youth and families began serving the needs of others in the local community, every 1^st weekend of the month.  Every 1^st Sunday at St Mark, we also celebrate the Lord’s Supper. We come to worship, hungry and thirsty, hoping to get a taste of the kingdom of God.  We hear of God’s love and Grace through Word, song, prayer and by gathering together as a community.  And we especially look forward to the times, where we can join together at the Lord’s Table.  It is at this table that we are nourished by Christ.  Here, our hearts, minds and bodies are renewed by the Holy Spirit, which sends us from our seats at the table to love and serve God and neighbors. Christ’s Table is not limited to the confines of our churches; this boundless Love, Grace & Community of our Trinitarian God extends out into the world.

On June 2, 10 high school youth, Pastor Susan and I worshipped and celebrated the joyful feast of the Lord’s Supper with our St Mark church family before embarking on our summer mission trip to Louisville, Kentucky, where we witnessed the active and transformative work of Christ.

While in Louisville, we were blessed to serve at Churchill Downs & Christ Chapel, Wayside Christian Mission, Berrytown YMCA, Dare to Care Food Bank and Applepatch Community.

 At Churchill Downs, we did some clean up work on the grounds, toured the horse barns, worshipped at Christ Chapel, where our youth preached the sermon and following the service, we enjoyed a fellowship meal with the Christ Chapel church family. 

On our second day of service, we were blessed with the opportunity to lead activities and games at the Annual Backside Workers Picnic.  Our youth even took part in the Latin dancing.

Once again, we witnessed the Spirit of God on the move! It was the Spirit of God that drew us together in community with the Backside workers at Churchill.  The love of God transformed boundaries of language, culture and status, as we ate, played and danced in celebration with our brothers and sisters.  Throughout our service in Louisville, we were given a glimpse of the kingdom of God, as we were guests at these joyful celebrations, where all were welcome.  And we were blessed with the opportunity to serve.