Welcome!

Welcome to the PFUMC Student Ministries Blog!
If you’re a junior or senior high school student in the area, consider yourself invited!

Live In Concert is BACK! TONIGHT!

FOR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!!!
We kick off this evening, Wednesday October 28 at 7:00
up in DaLoft at First UMC in Downtown Pontiac.
We’re playing some favorite songs that you’ve heard from us.
We’re playing some new songs.

Most of all, we’re playing so that the world might know…
They’re not the boss of us.

He is.

OPEN HOUSE for PFUMC Student Ministries

It’s not a chance to stop by the parsonage for cookies. This open house is a chance to see some of what makes the junior and senior high school student ministries at PFUMC so powerful!

We’ve seen a lot of excitement and growth in the past two years, but there are still some in our church family who haven’t taken a chance to “pop the hood” of our ministry. Perhaps they haven’t heard  the hard-rocking, life-transforming, friendship-building, God-honoring stories that so many of our students can tell about their own personal journeys. If that’s the case, I want to invite any and all students in junior and senior high school to bring their parents (or the other way around, if you must!) to come check out the great ministry that takes place with and for the students of this community through the PFUMC Student Ministries. We’ll show parents and students what goes on at First UMC. There will be a chance to meet the adult and student leaders, and hear from them about how students can develop a closer relationship with Jesus Christ through our youth group. We’ll also have a time to look around at what makes our time together so exciting, and what makes our student ministries a great opportunity to build a stronger foundation as our young men and women are preparing for greater independence and responsibility.

We’re looking forward to seeing as many parents and students as possible on October 4. I’ve got a feeling that it’s going to be a good night!

Family Fall Festival

FALL FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL ON
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH FROM 6-8PM

It’s our second annual Fall Family Fun Festival sponsored by the PFUMC Student Ministries. We’ll fill our Fellowship Hall with all sorts of games, candies, and fun activities for children who are looking to show off their costumes in a warm, safe environment.

All families with young children are welcome to attend this event! Please let your friends know!

2009-2010 Leadership Meeting

Meeting Sunday, Sept. 13 6:00 PM in DaLoft

Regrettably, my conference- required chaplaincy internship kept me out of the loop for most of this summer. This means we’ve got some reconnecting, and building up to do so that we can start the year off as a success. I don’t mind taking the extra time it takes to make sure that we’ve got the year planned out well. I’d much rather do that than get the ball rolling without proper preparations!

Our adult and student leadership (youth council members and Dare2Share participants) are invited to come together to spend time in prayer, discernment, and deciding on a calendar that will help us achieve our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. It’s my heart’s desire that we have as many encounters with the living Christ as we possibly can. We have a great foundation of ways to do that! I’m looking forward to hearing how God has inspired our students and leaders so that we can have another amazing year!

Please let me know if you have any questions! Adults, please contact me if you are interested in helping out with youth for the coming year! It’s one of the most rewarding things I can imagine!

FEIER Festival Fun!

FEIER was FANTASTIC!

Thanks to Mary J, Katy J, Nicole G, and Gina B for their incredible work in bringing this together. None of this would have happened without their initiative. In my estimation, they were inspired by God to do something big to honor Christ, and they saw it through with faithfulness. There is no greater success than to be faithful to the vision that God sets before us. Well done, leaders!
Thanks to Vermilion Players and the City of Pontiac for allowing us to use the theater. I couldn’t believe how perfect that setting was for our event. Thanks, also, to the incredible bands who joined us. Our students rocked hard! Phoenix was incredible – they’re so talented! Tim’s original music performed by First Light impressed me as much as his crazy guitar skills. Asher offered us remarkable music, and a great opportunity to reconnect with Christ. “Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
I am grateful that I got to see all of this come together. Keep encouraging our students. Tell them, “Great job!” They’ve worked so hard to offer God their best. I believe God received that gift with joy.

Catch FEIER!

Are you getting excited yet?
By the way, no ticket is required for admission.
This is just for decoration, but you can print it out and bring it
if it makes you feel better.

FEIER Festival 2009!!

Saturday, August 15, 2009
Featuring 4 Bands 4 Free!

For Livingston County Area Senior High School Students
(Freshmen through Seniors – No exceptions, please)
Doors open @ 4:45PM | Music starts @ 5:15PM | Ending around 9PM
Location: Chautauqua Park Amphitheater

Featured bands:
Asher | First Light (feat. Tim Dial)
With student bands:
Phoenix | Bioluminescence

There is no cost for admission.
Free will offering will be taken to benefit Invisible Children.
For more information on how your donation will help,
visit http://www.invisiblechildren.com/
Event sponsored by PFUMC Student Ministries with
help from folks representing several local churches.

More information will be posted as available.
Register your attendance and invite your friends on Facebook!

Student Worship Leaders!

Okay. It’s after the fact. Still, kudos to the studos who rocked the 10:45 service at PFUMC this morning. I’m very proud of you guys for bringing it together – ESPECIALLY since your youth-pastor has been otherwise occupied all summer. Nice work, y’all!

WallDogs! This Weekend!

From the Walldogs website:
Chief City Runs With the Dogs
Pontiac, IL June 25 – 28 2009
The historic downtown of Pontiac, Il will be the location of this walldog event.  Pontiac is the perfect town for this type of event, with a small humble downtown square and a beautiful late 1800’s courthouse smack in the middle. 14 murals will be painted in the downtown Pontiac area.

So what does that have to do with our church – strategically located in beautiful downtown Pontiac?
I’m glad you asked…
On Friday, from 12Noon to 5PM our students will be serving root beer floats at the Yost House to raise money for PFUMC Student Minstries. You can go get a refreshing treat at the wonderful, historic home – all while supporting ministry!
On Saturday, from 12Noon to 5PM, we’ll have LIVE MUSIC from the student band (bioluminescence), and the PFUMC Praise Band. We’ll be playing at the top of every hour, with students starting off the rocking action at noon. Come check it out at the parking lot located at the south side of the church building. Admission is free for this open-air event.
Also on Saturday, starting at about 11AM (I believe), our Mission Committee is going to be selling Avanti’s Gondolas on the square to benefit the mission trip to Nicaragua planned for late January/early February of 2010. Come get a great lunch at a great price, and support Christ’s work around the globe!
Finally, on Sunday, the PFUMC Praise Band will play from 2:00 – 2:30PM at the main stage of the downtown square. Come support us as we bring Good News to the crowds – in between The Dance Center and the B-Sharps Quartet!

For more information on the Pontiac Walldogs event, please check out http://pontiacwalldogs.wordpress.com/. Support First UMC this weekend as we seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!

Mike Rayson Revival

From Saunemin UMC:
The Holy Spirit will “Ignite Our Hearts” each night as we are led by talented speaker and musician, Mike Rayson, a native of the Outback of South Australia. Mike started in ministry with the United Church of Australia before creating Mike Rayson International Ministries and moving his family to the Nashville, Tennessee area. He has ministered with Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of legendary Christian Evangelist Billy Graham; Rev. Dr. Leonard Sweet, author and theologian; and has shared the musical stage with Darlene Zschech, composer of the song “Shout o the Lord”.
Mike will bring a combination of incredible musical talent and inspirational preaching to Saunemin for this event. His touching life story and musical ability will appeal to all ages! PLEASE JOIN US!!!
Any students interested in taking a trip over to Saunemin for the revival should contact Dale Jones: jones_dale(at)hotmail(dot)com.