Ever been so excited when you discover something new about how awesome and amazing God is? I know sometimes when I think about how big the universe is and how incredibly amazing it is I get goose bumps and I want to thank and praise this incredible Creator God for who he is and how awesome he is!! But then something really rubbish happens and throws up a load of questions about whether God is there and if he really cares about me at all! On those days it’s hard to feel excited about the good stuff and sometimes I even find myself asking if it’s worth all the hassle!! ‘Walking the Wire’ is a phrase that we’ll be hearing a lot this year. Like a tight-rope walker looking down to the earth from a great height, being a Christian can be very challenging because suddenly you see things from a heavenly perspective. From his viewpoint the tight-rope walker sees so much beauty around him but at the same time senses dangers and pitfalls below, feeling the pull of gravity that is dragging him down. To make it worse, the only way to get through it all is along this very thin line!!
The only hope of reaching the final destination is to constantly look ahead, eyes fixed on a focal point at the end of the rope. He mustn’t be distracted by what’s happening to the left or to the right. Instead, he keeps his focus, holding the fear and excitement in perfect balance, recognising that this is his only chance of arriving ‘home’ safely. Innovation is all about seeing things differently, doing things in a different way and living a life with a different attitude. Jesus teaches us clearly how to live a life of balance in all the confusion of this crazy, mixed up world. He promises to be with us in the struggles, dangers and fears, but he longs to give us a vision of heaven that is so full of beauty, hope and excitement that it will inspire, challenge and encourage us as we walk his high wire. Our focus is on Jesus. We are following the One who has already ‘Walked the Wire’ and is waiting for us, reaching out and encouraging us every step of the way.
CAFÉ EDGE Turn down the lights and turn up your chill factor - the programme’s finished; the kids are in bed; the olds are having a night cap... there is only one place to be for the Innovation massiv... Whether you feel like chillin with your bible, rollin with the homies, playin games or just hanging out, Café Edge is a place where you can make yourself at home, put your feet up and indulge in a chocolate or two... also a place to be crazy and let off some steam before bed!
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Innovation 11-15’s Team The Innovation Team have been under intensive training for a whole year to make this year’s Innovation the most entertaining, electrifying extravaganza beyond your wildest imaginations!
This year’s line-up of band Taste consists of familiar and fresh faces! Many of you will remember Andy, La Roche and Keel (who has transformed from techie to drummer boy!) from last year, and this year they are joined by long-term Leading-Edger, Becca Ceasar on vocals, Jack Harrison on bass guitar, and Ben Read on guitar.
Innovation 11-15’s Programme Roll up! Roll up! Everybody walk this way please! Step inside and prepare to be Enthralled, Enraptured, Enticed and Entertained!!! As you see Amazing Acts, witness Spectacular Scenes and experience Magical Moments, your senses will soar, your spirit will rise and your socks will rock!!! Being for the Benefit of all 11-15’s there will be a Magnificent Show every morning and evening featuring all manner of Thrills and Spills for the delight of everyone!
The 11-15’s will be led again by Andy Clark & Claire Parry who work for Viz-A-Viz Ministries heading up the Check It Out team and as part of the band Taste. Drama group Diversion will be making their debut here at Innovation, along with a whole host of mischievous volunteers old and new. You’ll recognise DJ Andy B, spinning some tracks, Joey H on keys, newly weds Emily and Paul. Our wonderful techies will be exercising their skills and creativity, making the whole show look and sound INCREDIBLE. Why do they do this? Well might you ask – the same inspiration drives the whole team…Jesus and the amazing difference that he has made in their lives motivates them to ensure that you have the very best time of your lives!
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Ben also joins Laura Bayliss, another familiar face back for another exciting year, to make up Diversion Drama Group, set to bring you hilarity throughout the week with some very interesting characters! Taste and Diversion will be performing LIVE at Innovation AfterHours on Thursday night so come along armed with glo-stix and energy because you’ll be needing lots of bounce!! Keep an eye out for lots of ex-tasties as well, as they’ll be sure to make an appearance on stage as Taste reunite!! Remember you can always take home a little piece of the team. Check out the band’s CDs in the Innovation Shop in the Bridge Sports Centre FOR ONLY £5.00!!
Innovation 11-15’s will experience the excitement of the Circus as we walk the wire together and explore how we make the most of the life that Jesus has given us, praising and worshipping him for all the good things in our lives whilst acknowledging that it’s not always easy. In fact sometimes it’s downright difficult, but we are still determined to walk that wire whatever happens and work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in us to act according to his good purpose.
We will be looking at the Beatitudes that Jesus talked about at the beginning of his famous Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said that God blesses those who realise their need for him, those who mourn, those who are humble, those hungry and thirsty for him, those who show mercy, those with pure hearts, those who work for peace and those who are persecuted for following him. That all sounds like pretty tough going and quite a challenge but Jesus wants us to be happy about it! He actually wants us to be very glad indeed because the Kingdom of Heaven is ours! In this new Kingdom, wealth and fame and power are unimportant because it’s God’s Kingdom and as his people we are looking for different kinds of benefits and blessings. We should have different attitudes to the world around us because we’re looking and listening to Jesus, the ultimate Ring Master who directs and guides our lives! So come along one and all, let’s worship and serve our King with gladness! For a great reward awaits us in Heaven where a Splendid Time is Guaranteed for all!!
You can find out more by chatting to the band or if you don’t want to actually talk to them face to face (after all, they do look a bit scary) you can go to www.tasteweb.co.uk
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Something Missing
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I’m here again, just like before Wondering why I’m on my own Thinking about what I have done to end up here I’m searching in my mind tonight to find out the reason for This emptiness that’s in my heart Something must change
Now I’m still here, I’ve tried it all But nothing’s seemed to happen I need someone to help me through And find the way I must move on, no turning back Keep on looking forward I’ll keep my eyes firmly on You I’m not alone So empty, so lonely I know there’s something missing Unwanted, rejected I feel alone So different, so distant I know there’s something missing I’m searching, I’m reaching For something more sometimes you sit and wonder why the things in life are going wrong you need to understand that it’s not about you or your feelings no there’s something missing and you can’t quite find out what it is you know there is more to life, you know there’s so much more than this so search look around and you can find a better way you can’t change your life, only by the things that you say there is someone who will show you the way that you should go He’ll fill your heart and soul and mind and then you’ll know Now I’m Not empty, not lonely I’ve found that something missing I’m wanted, accepted I’m not alone So different, so distant But I’ve found that something missing I’m searching, still reaching For something more.
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Do you live a dangerous life? Are you prepared to ‘Walk the Wire’ in your home, work, school, college and university? This year we are going to open up the idea that being a Christian is all about standing out and to succeed we need to work hard at it. Walking the wire takes time; you can’t just jump out on the ledge.
It’s Stuart Conway’s 7th year at Leading Edge but doesn’t look any older? He currently teaches Mathematics at a local school in Essex and does too many things at Rayleigh Baptist Church to mention. He is married to Catherine and has a baby girl who doesn’t seem to stop moving.
We have taken on board the famous line, “does what it says on the tin” with no fancy names or titles, just what it is. In The First Morning Bit we will be looking at the bible in groups, discussing what it means, The Second Morning Bit will allow you to explore in more detail stuff more relevant to you and The Bit in the Evening will be a collision of ideas to open up the beatitudes from Matthew 5.
Adrian Cherrill is a worship leader and singer-songwriter from Rayleigh in Essex, where he lives with wife Sonia and young son Calum. He has led worship at Rayleigh Baptist Church for a number of years, and also assists with youth work. When not working for Southend Borough Council, you can usually find him watching CBeebies with Calum, playing football for the church team, listening to music or trying to do DIY amongst other things.
Tuesday
Wednesday
09:30 - 11:00 The First Morning Bit
Monday
It is what’s inside that counts!
What exactly is it I am looking for?
11:00 - 11:15
Break
Break
11:15 - 12:30 The Second Morning Bit
How do I sort out what is inside in a practical way?
I want to know new ways for finding what I really want!
15:00 - 16:00
Special Afternoon Bit
19:15 - 21:30 The Bit in the Evening
What is “blessed” and how do I know I am blessed?
I want to be good at stuff but not be proud or boastful
God loves me, how can I show others that love?
22:00
After Hours
After Hours
After Hours
Thursday
DAY OFF
So empty, so lonely I know there’s something missing Unwanted, rejected I feel alone So different, so distant I know there’s something missing I’m searching, I’m reaching For something more
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Friday
I don’t like it when I’m hurt and don’t know what to do? Break I want to sit and chat about things or people that have hurt me and learn to deal with it better.
Saturday
Sunday
Break
10:00 - 12:00
Why is it that people seem to bully me?
Looking at persecution in different places and praying a bit!
THE BIG SEND-OFF with communion
Getting in groups of boys ‘n’ girls to chat about stuff I don’t like I want to do people fighting, I want what God to hear what tells me to do better! God thinks about it. After Hours
After Hours
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The Check It Out team comprises musicians, actors and technicians who have a desire to use their gifts in sharing the good news of Jesus with young people. Working in secondary schools throughout the UK and Europe, they use music and drama to encourage young people to explore what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. The Check It Out Team work in partnership with local churches, spending a week in a school taking RE, drama and music lessons, assemblies and concerts. They have the privilege of seeing thousands of young people every year, curious to know what being a Christian really is, and witness God working miracles in many of these young lives! If there is a secondary school near you, it is almost certainly full of young people who know little or nothing about Jesus. A Check It Out school’s week can help you reach them. “The Check it Out team are a pleasure to know and to work with. Their humility and grace combined with their talent and communication skills are a winning combination. God continues to bless and to use this important ministry and it is a privilege to be part of it from time to time.” Darren Woodward, Community Worker The Hub, Norwich. The Check It Out discovery course has also been widely used to provide young
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people aged 11-14 with the opportunity to check out the Christian faith. A mixture of creative DVD clips, activities and bite-size teaching points promote discussion and enable young people to talk about spiritual things, with the ultimate aim of seeing them become Christians.
Chris White, Scripture Union worker in Scotland said: “Just wanted to say how much our 20 young people are enjoying Check It Out, they love the serial about Ali and the dad’s solution of having a cup of tea whenever there’s a crisis has become a catchphrase for us all now! Anyway, they’re getting into all the discussion bits and bible passages, so we’re really excited about how God’s using it to open their eyes. Thanks so much for producing such a quality resource”. To use Check it Out in your locality, please contact Andy, Joy or Claire (they spend a lot of time with Innovation in the Bridge Sports Centre) or the Viz-A-Viz office on 01268 530531 or email checkitout@vizaviz.org
Daily Programme - sunday
INCLUDES: • Packed Leaders’ Guide • DVD featuring vox pops and exclusive soap opera