This week at First Explorers After School, we played, learned, and had a fun time. On Monday Ms. Rebekah from 4H came and talked with us about cows and how they work and all the many benefits they provide to us. On Tuesday, Ms. Courtney came and had music with us. She let all of us play on some really cool instruments! On Wednesday, we had RAs, GAs, and Mission Friends. On Thursday, we had a STEM activity to see which team could build the best tower made out of straws and tape. The final challenge was to see if each team’s tower could support the weight of an apple! And finally on Friday, we continued our painting project of a pumpkin. It was another great week at First Explorers After School!
Mission Moment 9.23.26
Scarlette Jasper
Field Personnel in Appalachia
Many of you know that my late husband, Charles Brian Jasper, was a singer, songwriter, musician and DJ. Music was a huge part of our life together. He was greatly influenced by the Beatles and shared the love of their music with me. You may not think of the Beatles when you reflect on prayer, but there is a spiritual dimension to much of their music.
“Let It Be” was written by Paul McCartney (although credited to Lennon-McCartney). During a tense time in recording the title album, Paul was inspired by a dream where is late mother, Mary, appeared to him, stating these simple words, repeated like a mantra in the song “Let It Be.” They are simple words, yet they carry the weight of surrender. In Scripture, we hear a similar invitation: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Letting it be is not passive resignation; it is an act of trust. It is releasing control and resting in the quiet assurance that God is still at work, even when life feels uncertain.
In “All You Need Is Love,” credited to Lennon-McCartney, we hear a bold, almost childlike declaration. At first glance, it may feel overly simple; but spiritually, it reflects one of the deepest truths of the Christian faith: “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Love is not merely an emotion; it is the very nature of God, the force that holds creation together, the calling placed upon our lives.
Then there is “Imagine,” written by John Lennon. Though not explicitly religious—and at times even challenging traditional faith—it expresses a longing for unity, peace and a world without division. It’s as relevant today as when it was written. For believers, this longing echoes the prayer of Jesus in John 17: That all may be one. Even in its tension, the song invites us to consider how we might participate in God’s vision for reconciliation. And in the gentle meditation of “Here Comes the Sun,” penned by my favorite Beatle, George Harrison, we hear resurrection language. After a long, cold winter, light breaks through again. It reminds us that darkness does not have the final word. Hope rises. Joy returns. God’s mercies are new every morning.
Last but not least, the Beatle that I have seen perform in person the most times, Ringo Starr, probably has the most spiritual and faith-based themes in his music, especially in his later career. “Oh My Lord,” “Thank God for Music” and “Free Your Soul” are just a few. His tracks often reflect themes of gratitude, peace and spiritual seeking. Peace and Love, Ringo.
Music is a large part of my spiritual life; it lifts me and draws me closer to God. May you find peace and joy in various ways of experiencing prayer.
Prayer
Gracious and ever-creating God,
You speak not only through Scripture, but through melody, rhythm and the longing of the human heart.
In the quiet refrain of “let it be,” teach us to trust You more deeply. When we try to control what we cannot hold, gently remind us to rest in Your presence.
In the bold cry that “all you need is love,” root us again in Your truth—that love is not shallow or easy, but sacrificial, enduring and divine.
In the dreaming of peace and unity, stir within us a holy imagination—that we might become peacemakers in a divided world, participants in Your kingdom here and now.
And when we walk through seasons of shadow, bring us back to the promise that the sun will rise again. Let hope break through our despair, and light awaken our souls.
God of harmony and grace,
tune our hearts to Your Spirit,
that our lives may become a song of love, peace and faith.
Amen.
Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries is in need of spaghetti.
To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive.
Thank you!
First Explorers After-School Recap 9.16.26
This week at First Explorers After School we made crafts, we played games, and we learned new things. On Tuesday, we made our own bookmarks. On Wednesday, we had RAs, GAs, and Mission Friends for the first time this semester. On Thursday, Generation Kids came and shared a lesson with us and played several games. On Friday, the kids painted part two of their pumpkin paintings. Additionally on Friday, the kids also made a 9/11 American flag hand print using paint and paper to remember what happened on September 11. Overall, it was a fun and educational week at First Explorers After School!
Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries is in need of spaghetti.
To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive.
Thank you!
Mission Moment 9.16.26
Shelah Acker
Field Personnel in Kampala, Uganda
Psalm 67 had a profound impact on me during my days at seminary. It changed my perspective about God’s blessings and intense desire for the praise of the nations. We are blessed for the purpose of shining God’s light to the nations. We are never blessed in isolation. We are blessed to bless others, so the nations will see God’s glory and give praise to Him. In Uganda, we have the privilege of serving many nations in people who have come to Uganda as refugees. As God blesses us, our prayer is that this blessing will be a light to the peoples with whom we serve, so they may know God and give Him glory and praise.
Psalm 67:1-7
“May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us
so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples with equity
and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
The land yields its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us.
May God bless us still,
so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.”
Pray. Give. Go.
First Explorers After-School Recap 9.9.26
This week at First Explorers After School, we had an action-packed week filled with games and activities. On Monday, we created fall leaves by tracing our hand on construction paper and cutting them out and drawing on them. You can see all the hand fall leaves on the bulletin board outside of the choir room in the hallway. In addition to our craft, we also played a fun team game called “Clear the Yard” that was really fun and chaotic! On Tuesday, Ms. Courtney came and had music class with us. On Wednesday, Ms. Gaye and Ms. Mattie led us in chapel. On Thursday, we had a STEM activity where we had several teams compete to see who could make the best boat out of only popsicle sticks and tape. Afterwards, the real test was to see if any of the boats could actually float, and fortunately all of the teams’ boats survived. Finally on Friday, we began our fall painting class where each week we have the kids paint a little layer on a canvas board until they finish. We are currently working on painting a pumpkin in the fall. Stay tuned for more updates on the paintings. Overall, it was a very fun week at After School!
Mission Moment 9.9.26
Kathy Fraley
Layperson, Faith Baptist Church, Georgetown, Kentucky
“I pray that out of his glorious riches, he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” – Ephesians 3:16-19
Having just returned from a mission trip to Armenia; I continually think about the people I met each day I was there. Two other women traveled with me to minister to women through sharing our testimonies and teaching spiritual gifts. We also shared groceries with families who had lost loved ones in the Armenian/Azeri conflict that broke out in 2020.
At each of the women’s conferences held in two separate Baptist churches, several women expressed their gratefulness for our teaching about spiritual gifts. The families who received the food also expressed their gratitude. One woman told us she had lost hope when her husband was killed in the conflict. With our visit, she was encouraged to trust God and learn more about the Gospel.
I knew nothing about Armenia or its people. As I prepared for the trip, I learned that Armenia considers itself to be a Christian nation, with the Apostolic Church closely tied to Armenian identity and is de facto the state church. Even so, many people do not attend the Apostolic Church or any church. I have often thought of Paul’s blessing to the Ephesians as I have reflected about the people in Armenia. I pray that “Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. That they may have power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses all knowledge.”
Being so thankful for safe travels and learning about a new culture filled with hospitable and kind people, I, of course, was ready to share my Armenian experience with my family.
What did you eat? How did the women at each conference respond? Was your hotel safe and comfortable? Did you see any of the sites of the country? As I excitedly answered my family’s questions, I again thought of Paul’s blessing. My earnest desire for each one of my family is that God “may strengthen you with power through God’s spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. That you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”
Blessing for Grasping God’s Love
May you this day
grasp how wide,
and long,
and high,
and deep,
God’s love is for you.
May you listen to others
in love,
and speak
in love,
so they will know
how beloved they are.
Thank you, God
for your
bounteous,
unending
love.
Amen.
Pray. Give. Go.
Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries is in need of spaghetti.
To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive.
Thank you!
Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries is in need of spaghetti.
To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive.
Thank you!