History
Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain (Irish pronunciation: [ˈsˠaunʲ]; from the Old Irish samain).[1] The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is sometimes [2] regarded as the "Celtic New Year".[3] Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient Celtic pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, into which bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them.[4][5]
History of name
The term Halloween is shortened from All Hallows' Even (both "even" and "eve" are abbreviations of "evening", but "Halloween" gets its "n" from "even") as it is the eve of "All Hallows' Day",[6] which is now also known as All Saints' Day. It was a day of religious festivities in various northern European Pagan traditions,[3] until Popes Gregory III and Gregory IV moved the old Christian feast of All Saints' Day from May 13 (which had itself been the date of a pagan holiday, the Feast of the Lemures) to 1st November. In the ninth century, the Church measured the day as starting at sunset, in accordance with the Florentine calendar. Although All Saints' Day is now considered to occur one day after Halloween, the two holidays were, at that time, celebrated on the same day. Liturgically, the Church traditionally celebrated that day as the Vigil of All Saints, and, until 1970, a day of fasting as well. Like other vigils, it was celebrated on the previous day if it fell on a Sunday, although secular celebrations of the holiday remained on the 31st. The Vigil was suppressed in 1955, but was later restored in the post-Vatican II calendar.
Youthquest exists to EQUIP the youth of Cornerstone and the Markham Community to GROW closer in their relationship with God; to MAXIMIZE their talents and potential; to SHARE their Christ-inspired lives through attractive activities and God-honouring SERVICE in Markham and beyond.
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Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
DEEP THOUGHTS
Ironically, the role of suffering is one of the most neglected issues in spiritual growth because we do not arrange for it to happen as we might Bible study or prayer. Instead life inevitably arranges it for us. So if we are going to be transformed, we must look at how suffering benefits us, or at least how to respond to it. - John Ortberg
5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS
Isaiah 43:2-3 When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up... For I am the Lord your God (NLT).
Following God's ways does not guarantee you will not have hard times. But the hard times will not defeat you. What rivers and fires have you had to go through?
Sunday, October 26, 2008
MARKHAM WANTS YOUTH TO HELP SHAPE FUTURE
Markham is striving to create a clean, safe environment, a vibrant economy, and a fair and inclusive community that welcomes creativity and culture. The Green Print will be the plan for a sustainable future.
The Quest for the Best Markham Challenge
We need your help to define the vision for that future - making Markham a sustainable community. The Quest for the Best Markham is all about hearing from the people in our community who matter most … you. You are the future of Markham. This is your chance to have your say and to make a difference.
Plus, you could win some really cool prizes. Even your school can win too!
The Quest for the Best Markham Challenge
We need your help to define the vision for that future - making Markham a sustainable community. The Quest for the Best Markham is all about hearing from the people in our community who matter most … you. You are the future of Markham. This is your chance to have your say and to make a difference.
Plus, you could win some really cool prizes. Even your school can win too!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS
Monday, October 20, 2008
5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS
Psalm 90:12 - Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Spend a little time looking back at what you ahve done or not done - and then look forward - to what you might yet do. With a little reflecting or "numbering" you may gain the wisdom to make the most of the precious time you have on this earth. What does this verse mean to you?
JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST
This Friday the junior and senior highs will be going to LaserQuest for some food and fun. We'll meet at the Richmond Hill location for 6:30, play a couple of games then meet in one of their party rooms afterwards for pizza. All this for $15! You can't beat that!!! Our next senior high meeting will be a Doxa gathering (combined youthgroups) on November 7 and our next junior high event will be at TMC (The Main Connection) on November 14.
CORNERSTONE MISSIONS CONFERENCE
This past summer several of our junior highs, senior highs and university students went to Mexico along with other Cornerstone members and other churches to help out in an orphanage. It was an amazing time in El Sauzal and they will be sharing about it this Sunday during our service. Last Sunday, we were priviledged to Have Pastor Ed Jaentschke share from Nicaragua - where another group from our church went this past March on a missions trip. For more info about this group check their website http://www.nicaraguahope.org/
Friday, October 17, 2008
5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS
1 Samuel 16:7 GOD judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; GOD looks into the heart (Message).
This morning you probably spent 5 to 10 minutes, maybe more, on making your outside look better. How much time do you spend working on your inside? What kind of things could you do?
* taken from The Bible League of Canada Devotional Daily Planner
This morning you probably spent 5 to 10 minutes, maybe more, on making your outside look better. How much time do you spend working on your inside? What kind of things could you do?
* taken from The Bible League of Canada Devotional Daily Planner
Thursday, October 16, 2008
CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS
Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever.
It's easy to remember to be thankful during the Thanksgiving season. But how about the rest of the year? What are 5 things you are thankful to God for?
Sunday, October 12, 2008
CORNERSTONE JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL
Today we looked at the story of Sam, The Mighty Man (Samson, on making choices based on values rather than experience).
Our Bible passage was Judges 16:4-21 and we discussed different ways people make choices. We also tried to understand what it means to make value-based choices. Finally, we listed values and applied them to one decision we have to make this week.
Our memory verse was Proverbs 29:11. "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control."
Friday, October 10, 2008
CORNERSTONE JUNIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST
Tonight, we started on our study on "Sam The Mighty Man." We played a game (let's make a choice) where we had to make a choice and live with it and we did a spontaneous melodrama - kung fu Bible theatre about Samson.
On Sunday, we will continue to look at Samson and how to make choices based on values rather than experience.
On Sunday, we will continue to look at Samson and how to make choices based on values rather than experience.
5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS
James 1:3 - When your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. NLT
You never really know what it is you stand for until someone or something tries to push you over. You never really know what it is you believe until what you believe costs you something. Give God thanks for the tests in your life. How has your faith been tested? How did you do in the test?
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
A woman was asked by a coworker, 'What is it like to be a Christian?
The coworker replied, 'It is like being a pumpkin. God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.
He removes the seeds of doubt, hate and greed. Then He carves a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.'
Thursday, October 9, 2008
CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS
2 Corinthians 4:9 - We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. NLT
When you were learning to walk, you fell down hundreds of times. But you got up and tried again, and eventually you learned how to walk. In the same way, you can overcome whatever is knocking you down now because God is ready to help you. What is knocking you down lately? How is God lifting you up?
* taken from The Bible League of Canada Devotional Day Planner
Sunday, October 5, 2008
JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL
Today we looked at how "God is Like a Human"
We talked about understanding why it makes a difference that God became human. We also thought about the principles behind God becoming human, and thought about what it would look like for us to becoming something for someone else (an extraordinary love). Finally, we looked at making a "becoming" plan to show love to someone.
Our memory verse was John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us
Saturday, October 4, 2008
5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS
1Timothy 2:1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy on them, and give thanks (NLT).
The message of the Bible is clear. Your prayers are important. This is now the foundation of your time management. Try to avoid just going through the motions as do devotions. How seriously do you take the power of prayer?
*** Taken from The Bible League of Canada Devotional Day Planner.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
SENIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST
Doxa in conjunction with Project Come Up Present...
REDEMPTION
A night of hip hop, spoken word, dance, open mic, guitar hero challenge and much more.
Who: High school students
Where: Tropicana Community Services building - 670 Progress Avenue, unit 14, Scarborough Ontario MIH 3A4 (around the back)
When: Friday October 3, 7:30-10:00
Other Details: There will be a photo booth, dance, guitar hero competition, graffiti, and a BBQ and snack bar (pay as you go)
Cost: Free Admission - snacks and BBQ are pay as you go
Artists - come prepared to preform!
REDEMPTION
A night of hip hop, spoken word, dance, open mic, guitar hero challenge and much more.
Who: High school students
Where: Tropicana Community Services building - 670 Progress Avenue, unit 14, Scarborough Ontario MIH 3A4 (around the back)
When: Friday October 3, 7:30-10:00
Other Details: There will be a photo booth, dance, guitar hero competition, graffiti, and a BBQ and snack bar (pay as you go)
Cost: Free Admission - snacks and BBQ are pay as you go
Artists - come prepared to preform!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
Could it be that what you think is holding you back is the very thing God will use to make great things happen? Can you think of any examples of this from your own life? From the lives of others?
* taken from - The Bible League of Canada Devotional Day Planner
A FINE NIGHT OF PAINTBALL
For all you guys (literally, this is a guy's event) that want to play paintball. Here's your chance. Unionville Alliance is going next week Wednesday and they have invited us along. Here are the details.
Who: Guys (junior high - adults
What: paintballing
Where: Sgt. Splatters - 54 Wingold Avenue, North York, On, M6B 1P5
When: Wednesday October 8 (6-9pm)
Cost: $ 30
Other Details: If you plan to attend, see yourfriendlyneighbourhoodyouthpastor for a waiver and transportation details.
Who: Guys (junior high - adults
What: paintballing
Where: Sgt. Splatters - 54 Wingold Avenue, North York, On, M6B 1P5
When: Wednesday October 8 (6-9pm)
Cost: $ 30
Other Details: If you plan to attend, see yourfriendlyneighbourhoodyouthpastor for a waiver and transportation details.
CALLING ALL MOMS AND DAUGHTERS!
Beautiful Unique Girl - B.U.G. presents - The Beach Party!!!
Date: Wednesday October 8
Time: 6:30-9:30
Location: UAC BoardRoom (the student ministries building formerly known as the Armoury)
Cost: $35 per person (includes cost of dinner, smoothies, pedicures, speaker and entertainment)
Other details: It's a beach party so please dress accordingly. Adult leaders and/or moms are invited to come for $10 but they don't get a pedicure. There will be a special separate prayer time for the girls adn moms/adult leaders.
For more information on Beautiful Unique Girl, it's vision and purpose please check out their website (www.bugirl.com)