Youth News: Mar. 28, 2019
Thursday March 28th, 2019Hi Youth,
As we continue to grow in Christ, I want to share with you the things that God has put on my heart. Many of us have heard the word “renew” as it is a fundamental step to grow in Christ. If we are to grow, we need to have a heart that is willing to be renewed. However being renewed is not an easy task, for God is asking us to give up our old habits that are not pleasing to Him. But when we do give these addictions or bad habits up, we honor our Heavenly Father. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 says this,
“And now, Israel, what is the Lord your God asking you to do? Honor him. Live exactly as he wants you to live. Love him. Serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. 13 Obey the Lord’s commands and rules. I’m giving them to you today for your own good.” (NIRV)
Now when it comes to bad habits, some of the things we go through might be understandable in what needs to be renewed from our life (ex. lying, cheating, and etc). However, something the Holy Spirit reminded me was the need to have a heart that is willing to be open (vulnerable) to everyone around me. For those who don’t understand what I am implying, there are certain behaviors we may have that isn’t healthy to practice. For me, it would be shutting off from specific people during conversations because I didn’t want to share my own frustrations. I would only share the frustrations with people I wanted to open to. This behavior enabled me to continue to be selective with who I talked openly with. However, because of this, I would shut off from ever opening to these people.
The best example I can think of is in the book of Jonah. This prophet is asked to preach the gospel to Nineveh. Jonah preached about God’s words but Jonah himself was biased to who he shared the news with (in this case those in Nineveh). Through much struggles, Jonah eventually does what God has asked but with a calloused heart against the people of Nineveh. This week God has reminded me that I needed to be open about my hurt with the people He has placed around me. I should not be biased in who I talk with but rather open to how the Holy Spirit leads. Even though I am a child of God, God’s family consists of many sons and daughters too. God is reminding me that it’s okay to be vulnerable about my hurt and frustration with everyone in God’s family. By choosing to follow what the Holy Spirit has asked me to renew in my thinking, I can honor Abba. It’s not easy, but I want to grow in my renewing process. For His ways are better than my ways. Ask yourself this, “How can I honor Abba?” Be blessed in hearing clearly from Him as you pour out your heart to Him.
Blessings,
Sam
E2 NEWS overview
- Youth Hiking Day 3/30, 11am
- Easter Events
- 2019-20 Torchbearer Applications
- Summer Youth Internships
- LIFE Conference Fundraisers
- Servant Squad
- Parents Corner
- SJCAC Youth Blog entry
- Parent Meeting 3/30, 7pm
- Snack Signups
E2 SCHEDULE
https://www.sjcac.org/connect/youth/
3/30 No E2: Parent Meeting
– – – – –
4/6 E2 Pastor’s Talk
4/13 E2 Small Groups
4/20 E2 Small Groups
4/27 E2 Large Group
– – – – –
5/4 E2 Small Groups
5/11 E2 Pastor’s Talk
5/18 E2 Small Groups
5/25 No E2: Memorial Day Holiday
Frontline/Meetings before E2 this weekend:
- No Frontline meetings this weekendFRONTLINE GROUPS & CONTACT INFO:
Community Development • Barnabas Yuen, Isabel Kang
Com/Tech/Media • Amanda Kiang, Sherman Wong
Hospitality • Chloe Chow, Ellie Chow, Hanna Poon
Prayer • Andy Hsu, Bethany Kiang, Hana Yung
Special Events • Abigail Yuen, Allison Tran, Daniel Chun
Worship • John Hsu, Michelle Chew
Youth Hiking Day
March 30, 11am – 2pm
Bring your suncreen, your hat, your lunch, your water bottle, and your friends! The hike is this Saturday, March 30th, from 11am to 2pm, at South Rim Trail at Alum Rock Park. Please arrange your own transportation to and from the park for the hike.
RSVP here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJlLbLZP6l_tB_MtSXAqmTrIvUWYjfGOJv-Mm59Zmz4x4YPw/viewform
SJCAC EASTER Events
Mark your calendars now for these church-wide events:
4/19 Good Friday Service, 7:30pm
4/21 ‘Son’-rise Service, Sunday,
7:30am @ Valley Christian Stadium
Baptism+Worship Service
9:30am @ SJCAC (Cantonese & English)
11:20am @ SJCAC (Mandarin & English)
E2 2019-20 Torchbearer Applications
The deadline is fast approaching! Applications for next year’s Torchbearer youth leadership team is DUE THIS Sunday, March 31, 2019! For more info on this, click this link to the google form:
https://goo.gl/forms/SCwFMSOYjtycZXvU2
Youth Ministry Summer Intern
We are looking for a team of interns who would like to serve the youth during this summer in all facets of youth ministry. If you would like to apply, fill out the application below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBosOybwT0UJDXVB3wRvs2dCtwPYVa9exwRlZ85MvhE8KuBA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1
LIFE Conference Fundraiser
SERVANT SQUAD
Members of the LIFE Conference team are at your service and welcome more opportunities to serve you. Car wash? Babysitting? Housecleaning? Yard work? Baking? etc… Add your Service request(s) through this link: https://goo.gl/forms/BQpyfibxwDjYeEkR2
Thank you for your continuing support for our youth!
SJCAC Youth Blog Entry
Our High School Senior, Daniel Chun, shares about ‘The Freedom of Letting Go‘ in a recent blog post on the SJCAC website. May you be encouraged as you gain insight into areas our youth are claiming victory over and we also hope it will spark deep conversations in your family too.
https://www.sjcac.org/blog/the-freedom-of-letting-go/
E2 Parent Meeting
March 30, 7pm – 9pm
Calling ALL youth parents! Please join us in the Youth Wing for a time of sharing and prayer, on Saturday, March 30, from 7pm to 9pm. Let us know if you can make it.
RSVP: https://goo.gl/forms/tkoeiLjStGCPJD0h1
We need your help! If you have not signed up for a week to bring snacks for our youth this year, you can do so through this link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054baca829a2fa7-e2refreshment
SJCAC Youth Ministry | Elijah/Elisha Youth Fellowship
(aka “E-Squared” / E2)