What if Jesus had been born today – in Mexico?

When tasked by the youth director, Jeff Ginn, with re-telling the nativity story, the Sr. High went with that exact approach.  The purpose of the “assignment” was to add some fun to the annual Youth Christmas Party, which was held Sunday, December 18, 2012 at the First Rock Ministry Building.  This is a lot of fun!

Many thanks to the youth (and youth assistant, guitar player, Dylan Haynes) for making this video and to Faith Cooper for editing the video!

Enjoy!

This was a video created for the annual Christmas Party of the Youth of First United Methodist Church of Wichita Falls.  This was a fun event held at The First Rock Ministry Building on Sunday, December 18, 2011!

Featured in this video are the staff members of the Youth Ministry: Jeff Ginn, Ross Hammond, and Dylan Haynes.  Many thanks to Ethan Rouse for being the camera man!

We pray this fun song will help get you in the Christmas spirit!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Here are the lyrics:

“The Manger Rap”

Break it down…Away in a manger – No bed in his crib
The little baby Jesus – Tryin’ to sleep he was trippin’
I see stars in my eyes – Shinin’ light – shoot me down
The little baby Jesus – Whatcha’ doin’ in the hay?

The cows be jawin’ – Baby Jesus was hawin’
Though them cows say “holla” – Baby Jesus didn’t botha’
I feel you Big G – With your eyes on me
Stay by me holmes – have breakfast with me
Denny’s yeah – let’s get a grand slam…

Errrrrr… What?

The little baby Jesus – He’s one of my peeps
When we rollin’ with Jdog all you brothas should pray
Bless all da little homies – Big G watchin’ you
If ya wanna get the bling – gotta be in the posse.

(Seekers of MORE reporting) The 5th-8th graders went to Fright Fest at Six Flags on October 10, 2011.  We rode many rides and played many games.  Below is a drawing we made inspired by the cool rollercoasters there. 

Check out this pics from our trip!

Here’s a great video of our own Trinity Denson working to try to climb a crazy ladder

Sunday, October 16, 2011 brought smiles to many faces as people of all ages attended the Fall Carnival that boasted:

• The Patriot / Cowboy Game on the Big Screen
• Games from:
  • Exodus Sunday School Class – Bean Bag Toss
  • Living the Questions Class – Minute to Win It
  • Young Adult Singles – Cake Walk
  • Paul & Maggie Goodrich – Potty Toss
  • Youth Helpers
• Bounce House
• The Lost Cave
• Trunk-or-Treating
• Food from the Bi-the-Way Sunday School Class
• Photo Booth from the Aldersgate Sunday School Class
• Fellowship!

Check out pictures below!

Bring your family, bring a friend, and join the fun:

Sunday, October 16, 2011
4:30-6:00pm

Winning trunk-or-treating from 2010!

Cost:

$3 recommended donation for church members;

Visitors are FREE!

Activities:

Trunk-or-Treating
(Can you open your trunk to kids?  We provide the candy!)

Yummy carnival food by the Bi-the-Way Sunday School Class
(additional cost)

Bounce House

New Games

The Cowboy game will be on the big screen in Fellowship Hall

Ways you can help (as an individual or small group):

Donate candy
(look for donation boxes at church entrances)

Set-up
(after worship on the 16th)

Clean-up
(6:00pm)

Run a game booth!!

Bring baked goods for the cake walk

Participate in Trunk-or-Treat!!
(best decorated trunk wins a gift card)

Come and join the fun and encourage your friends and Sunday School Classes to come!!

To sign-up to help, contact
Kim English
(children@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x272)

Celebrate your day off from school by going to Six Flags for Fright Fest!

Cost (includes 2 meals, 1 ticket, and transportation):

• $60.00

Times / Details:

• For grades 5-8;
• Meet at FUMC at 8:15am;
• Bring spending money for snacks / souvenirs at Six Flags;
• Return to FUMC by 8:00pm.

DEADLINE to register AND pay is Sunday, October 2, 2011!

Friends are welcome.

Medical release form is required for all participants.

For more information, contact:
Jeff Ginn (jginn@fumcwf.org or 940-613-0025)
or
Kim English (children@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x272).

Parent Name:

I'd like to chaperon this event:

YES NO MAYBE

Child's Name:

Child's Grade (completed):

Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

e-Mail:

Phone:

Select:

Yes, I understand that I must fill out a Medical Release Form for my child to attend. No, I will not fill out a Medical Release Form so my child will not be able to attend.

Payment required:

YES I understand if payment is not received by October 2nd, that reservations will automatically be cancelled.

Enter these characters:

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A highlight for the Confirmation Class each year is the Christmas in April Retreat where the focus is helping the 6th graders discern their spiritual gifts for service in our church and community as they prepare to become full members of the church on Confirmation Sunday (which will be Sunday, April 17, 2011).  On April 9-10, 2011, six confirmands took part in this event at Camp Chaparral in Iowa Park, Texas.

As a part of this weekend, youth helpers (in grades 7-8) attended to help the confirmands in this endeavor and to forge relationships for an easier transition for our 6th graders to enter our youth group.  Also, parents (and one little brother) attended for a special 2-hour segment working with their children and the youth helper to better understand spiritual gifts and their importance within the Body of Christ.

Another highlight included the confirmands writing their own affirmation of faith, which will be professed publically for the first time on Confirmation Sunday!  Be sure to be here for that joyous occasion.

In addition, we saw how John Wesley’s understanding of the workings of God’s grace can be seen through the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Special thanks go to Jeff Ginn, Allison Martini, and Troy Sims for chaperoning this event.

Check out more pictures by clicking this strip:

Ready for an action-packed, Spirit-filled, crazy-fun weekend retreat right in Wichita Falls?

D-Now is an awesome opportunity to experience the life of a disciple by living out of a host home in the community while we worship, serve study, and play together, in small groups and as a family of God.

We’ll meet at Floral Heights UMC (2214 10th Street) Friday, April 1, 2011 at 6:00pm.  The experience will end at 8:00pm on April 2 (please drop off and pick up at Floral Heights).

The cost is $20 per person.
If you’d like to join, please be sure to sign up by March 28th.

To register, contact
Jeff Ginn (jginn@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x230).

Would you believe?  Our youth group has served meals at the North Texas Annual Conference for the following groups:

• UMCOR (United Methodist Committee On Relief) & VIM (Volunteers in Mission) (Monday Lunch)
• Highland Park United Methodist Staff (Monday Lunch)
• Bishop, Cabinet, Extended Cabinet, Dignitaries, Preparation & Qualifications Committee, Ordinands, & Those Being Commission (plus family and mentors of all of the above) before the Ordination Service (Monday Supper)
• North Texas Conference Order of Deacons (Tuesday Lunch)

THANK YOU to our youth for your service and for representing FUMC so well!

Thank you, also, to Bryan Press of Monarch Catering (and FUMC Member) for the delicious food!

One of the highlights of the Confirmation year is the “Christmas in April Retreat” where the Confirmands learn about and begin to discover their spiritual gifts for serving in the church.  This year was no exception.

As a part of the primary program time, parents and grandparents came to share the experience with their 6th graders.  Thus, all were able to consider the importance of every member of the body of Christ, the church.  When one is not there, the tasks before us are more difficult – sometimes impossible!  Plus, as members of the same body, we have to learn to work together in sharing and using our gifts for the good of all.

After supper, the eleven Confirmands worked on their own Affirmation of Faith in their own words, and this creed will be read for the first time in worship on Confirmation Sunday, April 25, 2010.  Then, after a bit of free time, they watched the theatrical version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and considered how John Wesley’s basic theology is summed up in that movie!

Special thanks go to six youth helpers (Andrew Beltchev, Drake Davis, Breanne Press, Hope Rouse, Courtney Tate, and Keeley Trevino) and three adults (Jeff & Holly Ginn and Wilma O’Connell) who worked with Rev. Troy Sims to make this event a success.

The Confirmands that attended this trip include Paul Acosta, Collin Brauner, Emma Knight, Mason Lamb, Lauren Meaders, Ali O’Connell, Millicent Paris, Cory Press, Myrah Rogers, Ashley Tate, and McKinley Thacker.

Check out the pictures below!