Jr. High Quest is on the move...

Beginning Wednesday, September 24, Jr. High Quest will be moving from Thursday nights (7 pm to 8:30 pm) to Wednesday nights (6:30 pm to 8 pm). This move accomplishes a number of things. For families with students in both Children’s Ministries (Veggie Connections) and Jr. High (Quest), moving to Wednesday adds a measure of transportation convenience, as well as eliminating one more night out in the middle of the week. Also, Fridays have typically been days when tests take place and assignments are due. I have discovered that too often, a Thursday night meeting time was in conflict with preparation for school the next day, keeping students and their friends from being able to attend Quest. And finally, the new meeting times (6:30 pm to 8 pm) will assist in getting students home earlier on a school night—another added benefit.

I understand that for some families, changing their weekly routine will take some time, and that for some families, this change is a huge inconvenience. Please know thatI have weighed these considerations in deciding to make this change at this time. In the long run, I believe that this will not only benefit Jr. High Ministries, but bring continuity and excitement for students as they move from Children’s Ministries into Student Ministries in the years to come.

Please let your friends know about our NEW Night & Time! We don't want anyone to miss out on the exciting things to come!

Bear Fruit!

Having spent many years living in California’s central valley, I have seen fields of fruits and vegetables dominate the landscape. Most memorable has always been the grapevines, particularly at harvest time when the fruit, hanging from the leafy vines, are unmistakable. Such images remind me of John 15 where Jesus once again, teaches spiritual truth in a most memorable way.

Jesus tells His followers that He is the vine and that it is important that they, the branches, bear fruit. He goes on to say that only the branches that stay connected to the vine can produce fruit (verse 4). This concept of basic gardening is not new or hard to understand for even the beginning gardener. The analogy continues in verse 5 where Jesus similarly states that the key to fruitfulness for us is connection to the true vine, Jesus Himself—“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

As you begin a new school year, I encourage you to “Bear Fruit”. Fruitfulness this year may come in the form of pointing friends to faith, serving our church and community or the evidence of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5). Yet remember that fruitfulness will not occur without a solid connection to the true vine—Jesus.

Let me offer a final observation about grapevines. I’ve noticed that some fields have older vines with newer branches sprouting out from them. Then there are other fields with older vines where you can’t tell where the main vine ends and the branch begins. Clearly those branches have been connected to that vine for a long time and have begun to even look and feel like the main vine.

So as you strive to be fruit-bearing followers of Jesus, pray that your connection to Him will grow stronger each day and that you will be more like Him in every way. Pray that your time in God’s Word will not only be more of a priority, but that you will have greater understanding as you read. And pray that the “fruit of the Spirit” will be clearly evident in your life and that others will see Christ-like character developing in you.

[Remember that FREE YouthWalk Devotionals are available each month in the HS Room.]