This past Sunday our ninth graders were officially welcomed to Hi-League.  They may not have asked for the welcome, or even appreciated it, but they were welcomed.  Our upperclassmen gathered at church around 5:15 a.m.,

went to each of our ninth grader's homes, woke up the unsuspecting individuals, and dragged them out of bed.

On the plus side, they did treat them to breakfast and take them to church.   I love this Sunday, and I think it's a great introduction to hi-league!  I also love the image of waking up... 

Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick and would die before Jesus arrived.  Jesus said "Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." When he arrived, Jesus asked  Martha if she had faith, and she did, and they went to Lazarus' grave.   Jesus commanded Lazarus to come out, even though he had been dead for four days.  And, Lazarus came out. 

This miracle was a way for Jesus to show his disciples who he was.  He was the giver of life. 

"Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.^* Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.'" - John 11: 25-26

Lazarus did indeed wake.  

Our ninth graders were commanded to wake as Lazarus was.  Not in the same way, but let's hope this wake up call is one step in their faith journey.