It just came to my attention that I’ve not posted this site in a few months. Sorry about that. Things have been really busy at the church, class, and well everything else.
This weekend we are going to a Youth Rally in Versailles for the Frankfort District of the Kentucky United Methodist Conference. This should be a lot of fun. If you’re coming, please be at the church at 3:30 p.m. That will give us enough time to get there.
There is no cost!
On Saturday, April 26, it’s Bowling with Shannon. Look for more information this at church on Sunday.
We just wanted to say thank you to everyone in Danville and Junction City that came out to our pancake supper last night. We had a great turnout with very few pancakes left over at the end of the evening. All together, including some funds we had donated prior to the evening, we raised about $300, which will go towards the youth ministry.
A special thanks to everyone at Junction City United Methodist for their help in donating supplies, food, and helping to spread the word about the dinner. We are very appreciative.
Our next fundraiser will be a car wash in May. Look for more details in April.
In 2006, director Michael Apted brought to screen the true story of British political leader William Wilberforce and his battle to end the slave trade in England. The movie, aptly titled Amazing Grace, brought to life the story of Wilberforce and how his faith in Christ inspired him to seek equality for all people, including those whom had been mistreated for years for economic gain.
Beginning on Sunday, Feb. 10, and going throughout the Lent Season, we are going to focus on elements of walking in our Christian faith that can be seen in this film. Specifically, we’ll talk about courage, confidence, commitment, cleverness, and, you guessed it, grace. We’ll probably throw in a few additional elements as we go along.
If you haven’t watched the movie, don’t worry. You don’t need to watch the movie to understand what we will be talking about (but I highly encourage watching this great film for your own entertainment purposes).
Invite your friends, family, and that person who lives across from you that you play basketball with on the weekends! This will be a great series for youth to wrap their arms around.
And for your viewing pleasure, here is a scene from the movie that we will be examining during the series:
Just a reminder that on Feb. 5, we’ll be hosting a Pancake Supper at Junction City UMC at 69 School Street in Junction City, Ky. The event will kick off at 5 p.m., and will run until about 8 p.m.
It’s free and donations will be taken at the door.
And to get you excited enjoy this video about pancakes!
The last couple of weeks, we’ve focused on some basic elements of the Christian faith during our Sunday time together.
On Epiphany Sunday, we focused on seeing Christ in our lives and finding him. Last week, we talked about baptism and how it is a start and not the end to our walk with Christ. This week, we looked at how we are called to follow Christ.
Specifically, we looked at the calling of Andrew as a disciple in John 1. Andrew was certainly seeking something. What was it? Certainly, a closer relationship with God and the truth that Christ brought was it.
Youth today are also in a place of seeking. They are seeking to find out who they are as students, as athletes, as citizens, and even as Christians. In fact, youth are no different than many adults who are still trying to match their passions with their life.
That’s the challenge for youth. To seek Christ, to find their passions in life, and press forward. But, how do you do that. It’s easy.
1) Read the Bible. (Make sure the dust is off it first.)
2) Pray. (Seek God’s guidance in your life.)
3) Be in fellowship with other Christians.
4) Listen for God.
But, ultimately, seek the Kingdom of God first and everything else will follow in place.
Ah, wonderful … tasty … yummy … good to the last bite pancakes. (One should never write an advertisement for food on an empty stomach.) I can’t get enough of them.
And neither will you … we hope.
On Feb. 5, Junction City United Methodist will host a pancake supper from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the church, which is located at 69 School Street in Junction City, Ky. There is no cost to attend, but donations will be accepted at the door. Come and eat all you want! We’ll make more if we run out!
All money raised will go to the Junction City United Methodist Youth Group.
For more information contact Shannon Blosser at (859) 329-7979 or email him at shannonblosser@gmail.com.
Each week, we’ll post a devotion based upon the lesson from this Sunday’s youth group. We hope it will inspire not just youth, but also their families.
How many times in our lives have we faced the unknown? Perhaps it’s a situation at school, with a friend, that we don’t know how it will turn out? A situation with our families that can be a little scary? Or maybe it’s even facing the unknown of where to go to school for college or what to do when you grow up?
We’ve all faced the unknown and they’re pretty scary moments. Humans, by nature, want to be in control of the situation and when we trek along somewhere that we don’t know what’s going to happen we find it uncomfortable, and who could blame us? There is some fear in facing the unknown.
Maybe that is what the Magi experienced when they began their travels to visit the Baby Jesus. We read of the Magi’s journey in Matthew 2: 1-12. They traveled from their home lands not knowing what they were going to experience in order to find the truth that is the birth of Jesus Christ and what it meant for us still today. There is a lot of unknowns that they had to face. Would they find what they were looking for? Would they make it home? How would they react?
But even in the face of the unknown the Magi continued to press forward. Eventually, they met their goal and they saw where the star stopped and found the Baby Jesus. They were overwhelmed. They were filled with joy and they went in and worshiped him, presenting gifts to the child.
What can we learn from the Magi today?
First, that Christ guides our way. He is that light shinning through when we are going through difficult moments and in the good moments. Even when we think something can’t get better, Christ is there. That’s a challenge for all of us, especially youth, to experience that. But we can also see perseverance in the face of the unknown from the Magi. They continued forward and faced the challenge head on. That’s something we can all learn. When school is tough, or the friend situation seems a little hard to bear, sometimes we just feel the urge to quit. I experienced it as a youth … many times. But what we learn from the Magi is there is a great experience that can come through sticking it out to the end.
The challenge for us to all is to realize we’re not alone in this journey and that Christ is there to guide our way.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your love and providing the light of Jesus Christ. We pray that you will guide usin those difficult moments of life and guide our hearts back to you. May your life and your peace be at the center of all we do. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
The NFL Playoffs have begun, which means it’s time to start thinking about …. THE SUPER BOWL!
The food. The 7-hour pre-game show. The commercials. Oh, and somewhere along the way there will be a game.
Sounds like a good enough reason to have a house party?!?!
We’ll meet Feb. 3 at the parsonage at 5:30 p.m., and go to the end of the game. Youth do not have to bring anything except for … themselves.
Even if you don’t like football you don’t want to miss this. The excitement of watching Shannon watch football - even when he doesn’t have a rooting interest - is worth the price of admission.
Next week starts what promises to be an exciting journey for Junction City United Methodist Church and our congregation. Our new and reorganized youth group will begin activities on Jan. 6 with a hope and desire to share the love of Christ to the youth of Junction City and Boyle County.
There are two main activities for youth and their families that night. At 4 p.m., we will hold a meeting for parents and those whom are interested in volunteering with the youth group in any function. I personally invite anyone whom has a heart for youth and a desire to help in any function to attend. We will be providing information on what we will be doing for the year and the goals for the ministry.
Then at 5 p.m., the fun begins for the youth. We will have our first youth group function in the Fellowship Hall. There will be games, fellowship, and pizza. This is an opportunity for our youth to come together, have fun, and worship God in the process. So bring your friends, your classmates, and come on out tonight. Did I mention there will be pizza?
I hope to see you at one of these functions on Jan 6. This is an exciting opportunity for the church and I hope that you will join me in prayer for this ministry and for the youth of this church and the community.
Feel free to call me or email me if you have any questions about next week. My cell phone is (859) 329-7979 and my email address is shannonblosser@gmail.com.
Junction City UMC will launch its youth group on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at the church (69 School Street, Junction City, Kentucky). Youth group will last from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be pizza! (Come on, who doesn’t love pizza?)
There will be games, fun, and opportunities for youth to praise and worship God. Oh, and did we mention there will be pizza?
Invite your friends and come out for what promises to be an entertaining night for youth.
Parent’s we’ll have a meeting at 4 p.m., prior to the start of youth, to go over plans for the first quarter of the year and get us ready through the end of the school semester.
battle to end the slave trade in England. The movie, aptly titled 
