Student Ministries Blog

Goody Two-Shoes | Romans 15:13-14

Eric's Insights

GOODY TWO-SHOES! Every school has one. You know, the teacher’s pet, the guy or girl who never gets into trouble. The kid who volunteers for stuff. The one who defends smaller and younger kids and sits with the student who was all alone at the lunch table. When this kid gets to high school , he or she might be on the yearbook staff or student council or the prom committee. This kid seems to actually like school! Does extra credit. Visits grade-school teachers. These kids usually get branded with names like “brownnoser,” teacher’s pet,” or worse. And although it’s true that some kids do all that stuff just to earn points with teachers or parents, goodness is a good thing, not a bad thing. Goodness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. That’s what Paul said about the Christians in Rome. If a chariot was on the side of the road with a flat tire, they stopped to help. They had a positive attitude in even the face of sometimes terrible conditions. Of course, this kind of goodness doesn’t come naturally. It can only come from God. So, if you’re a Jesus believer and follower of The Way, goodness should constantly ooze from your heart, too!

2012 - 2013 Choir Season!

Janis's Notes

It is time to kick off another season and I am thrilled to continue leading the First Light Acolytes and the Wesleyan Youth Choir.  I am continually blessed by the youth of this church and I am praying for a season of spiritual growth, musical excellence, and fantastic adventures!

Save These Dates!

First Light Acolyte Training – for all 7^th graders and up.  Sundays July 29 and August 5 at 12:05 in the sanctuary.  Lasts about 20 minutes.  No sign up is needed – just show up!

Wesleyan Youth Choir (WYC) – the Fall season begins Sunday August 12^th at 4:30 in the Music Suite.  For all youth 6^th grade and up.

WYC Recruitment Event – Saturday August 18 – 3:15 – 8:30 pm.  We will do a “sample” rehearsal and then load the vans for Sky Zone!  Register online for this at the church website or email Janis at       Cost:  $15    Bring a friend or three!

A Father's Love

Jason's Jots

It has been such an amazing past few weeks. Our youth took a trip to Costa Rica, we had a crazy heat wave, and, oh yea, Shaylen gave birth to our first child. His name is Micah and he is absolutely incredible. Just being with Shaylen through the process of labor and delivery was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever been a part of. (I also have a whole new level of respect for Shaylen!!) When Micah was born I had no clue that I could love someone so much that I just met. I was holding him and praying over him and the only thing I could do is smile and cry at the same time. I then took him to the nursery to get cleaned up and checked out and I never wanted to leave his side. When he cried from the shot I wanted to do whatever I could to help him. My desire to protect him, love him, and simply care for him was extremely intense. That desire has not decreased at all and I love absolutely every minute of it.

I then begin to think about how God thinks about us. Not only did He create us with His own hands and breath life into us with His breath, He also offered His only Son as a sacrifice so we could have the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in paradise. I love Micah so much; I can’t even begin to love Him how the Lord loves him. Having a child helps me get a glimpse of how my Father in heaven cares for me. I am so thankful that there is nothing I can do to make the Lord love me any less than He does. Our God is a God of love, and once we begin to understand His eternal love for us, we will begin to come into a deeper knowledge of who our God really is.

Help With Prayer | Romans 8:26-27

Eric's Insights

Do you ever have trouble praying? I know I sure do. This passage tells us God is fully aware of our weakness in this respect. The great news is that the Spirit works to make our real needs known to God, even when we don’t know what they are!

The Spirit uses “groans that words cannot express” to present these needs to God. Like two BFFs who can finish each other’s sentences, God knows exactly what the Spirit is requesting on our behalf. What a relief to know that the Spirit of God is supplementing our prayers when we’re weak or going about it half-heartedly.

If you have trouble with prayer, take heart. The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is praying for you.

Choir Tour 2012

Janis's Notes

Choir Tour ‘12 to Chicago was a wonderful week of fun, singing, and cultural immersion.  What an honor it is for me to lead such a talented, respectful, and AWESOME group of youth!  Here are some highlights:

*Louisville, KY Mission Center – we sang for families coming in for a hot meal. When we arrived, the mood was bleak. It was obvious that these families were under a lot of stress.  As we sang, we noticed more people smiling and laughing – they joined in on our Disney song and clapped to our gospel pieces.  By the end, moms were hugging their kids and everyone was smiling.

*Chicago, IL First Methodist – this service was to honor the people of Cook County who had died in the past year with no proper burial.  Christian, Muslim, and Jewish leaders presided as over 500 names were called.  We were humbled to be the feature anthem, singing “Be not afraid, I have called you by name”. 

*United Church of Rogers Park UMC – we saw up close the ministry that reaches out to youth from violent homes and gangs.  We learned how inner city ministers are reaching youth on the streets in the most diverse neighborhood in Chicago.

Thank you for continuing to support the Youth Music Ministry at AFUMC!  I hope to see lots of new faces in August when we start back up!  Praise His Holy Name!!