Agape Feast / Convocation Reflection
8/22/25
Agape Feast Recap
Convocation Recap
Devotional Thought
Family Worship
Support Campus Ministries
Parent’s Prayer Call
1. Agape Feast
Last Friday night, 80 of our high school students gathered in the Atrium for our annual Agape Feast. The event is known for its delicious fruits, including blackberries, blueberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, and strawberries. Complimenting the fruit are scrumptious soups, breads, and crackers. But the purpose of the event really isn’t the food that decorates the tables. The reason behind the event is for our high school students to begin the year by worshipping together, serving one another, and praying for the year ahead.
An atmosphere that prompts connection and conversation with just one rule: you can’t serve yourself. Anytime you want fruit, soup, or bread, you have to ask someone else to serve you. There is something beautiful about mutual service, individuals looking out for one another. After a worship thought on Meandering from our student Chaplain Noelle Prutzman, songs led by Ikai Knowlton, and activities led by Pastor Joel, Mr. Chaij led the group in a time of communion. It was a reminder of the sacrifice and gift that Jesus provides for us, the true Agape love, way sweeter than any fruit salad.
The night ends with one of my favorite traditions. No, not the cleanup, but with a prayer time. Each person must find three people who served them and pray with each of them one-on-one. As music plays, you see pockets of people praying for and with one another. After a few minutes, groups start to form as students humble themselves before God to start the year. It’s a beautiful thing when you can start the year with Agape, to serve each other, open our hearts to God, and use this momentum to meander through the school year with Jesus.
2. Convocation
Last Saturday night was our yearly SVA Convocation Vespers. There was a solid turnout of around 170 people to hear Kai Knowlton and Noelle Prutzman lead worship with a powerful medley from the 2000s. Following the music, a video, featuring SVA staff introduced those in attendance to our theme for the year, “Meandering with the Master.” The video led into an incredible rendition of “The Old Rugged Cross” played on the Piano by Ian Harvey. Our Principal, Peter Cousins, then opened the word for us, focusing our minds on the prayer time to come. Mr. Chaij then led the group in a powerful reflective prayer, encouraging those present to use their imagination to ask Jesus where they could seek Justice, Love Mercy, and walk Humbly with God in the coming year. Following the reflective prayer, Pastor Joel led the group in a prayer for the campus ministry team and the music program in the Chapel, then the group moved to the cafeteria to pray for our elementary teachers and cafeteria staff, to the gym to pray for athletics and office teams, and finally to the Atrium to pray for our art teacher and our junior high and high school faculty members. At each stop, there was a pastoral prayer from a local pastor, a prayer from a community member or parents, and a prayer from one of our high school students. Home and school provided Bill’s doughnuts and fruit to end the evening. Thank you to everyone involved, and we hope to see even more of you out to pray for our school year next time around.
You can check out the video from convocation below!
3. Devotional Thought: The Bucket Game
When I was young, there was a TV show that played a game I loved. We even set it up in my house and used it at my birthday party one year. The game was simple: line up 5–7 buckets in a row, stand behind a line, and try to toss a ball into the first bucket. If you made it, you got a prize and could try the next one. Miss, and you were out.
As a second grader, I loved it—especially because of the prizes. But looking back, I realize that sometimes we treat our spiritual lives like that game. If I hit the “right bucket” of prayer, service, or obedience, then I get a prize from God. If I miss, I’m out. Deep down, we can start to believe that God’s love is earned by performance, rather than received as a gift.
That’s what struck me about what Mr. Chaij shared in chapel today from the story of the prodigal son. Both brothers thought they had to earn their father’s love. The younger son came back ready to be a servant because he assumed he had forfeited his father’s affection. The older son stayed home and worked hard, assuming that obedience would secure his father’s favor. Both were wrong. The father didn’t want servants; he wanted sons. He loved them not because they hit the right “buckets,” but because they belonged to him.
The same is true for us. We may think, If I just keep working hard and checking the boxes, then I’ll deserve God’s love. Or we may think, I’ve failed too badly, maybe I can come back as a servant. But the truth of the gospel is this: the Father runs to meet us, welcomes us, and calls us His children—not because we earned it, but because His love never left.
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:30–31:
“Because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’”
We don’t boast in how well we’ve played the game or how many buckets we’ve made. We boast in Christ—the one who already won for us.
So today, let’s remember: we are not playing for prizes. We are living as beloved sons and daughters of the Father.
4. Family Worships: “Buckets or the Father’s Love?”
Read this week’s devotional thought before starting your family worship.
K–4th Grade
Icebreaker:
Set up 3–4 cups or bowls in a line. Give each child a soft ball (or crumpled paper). Have them try to toss it into each cup in order. If they miss, they stop. Celebrate effort, not success.
Read: Luke 15:11–24 (shortened version of the prodigal son)
Talk About It:
Did the younger son think he could still be loved by his father? Why not?
How did the father show love to him?
Did the older brother think he had to earn the father’s love? How?
What does this story show us about God’s love for us?
Application:
Sometimes we think God only loves us if we pray enough, behave enough, or do enough good things—like tossing balls into buckets. But God loves us even when we miss. He loves us because we are His children.
Challenge:
This week, when you make a mistake, instead of saying “God won’t love me,” say out loud: “I am God’s child, and He still loves me.”
Prayer Prompt:
“God, thank You for loving us even when we miss the bucket. Help us remember that You always want us to come home to You.”
5–8th Grade
Icebreaker:
Play a quick version of the bucket toss with cups or bowls. Afterward, ask: How did it feel when you missed? Did you want to keep playing or give up?
Read: Luke 15:25–32 (focus on the older brother) + 1 Corinthians 1:30–31
Discussion:
Why was the older brother upset at the party?
How was he playing the “bucket game” with his father?
In what ways do we sometimes think we have to earn God’s love?
What does it mean to “boast in the Lord” instead of ourselves?
Application:
Both brothers were wrong—the younger thought he wasn’t worthy, the older thought he had to earn it. But the father wanted both of them to know they were loved. God wants the same for us.
Challenge:
Think of one way you sometimes try to “earn” God’s love (being perfect, working hard, hiding mistakes). Share it with your family. Then talk about how you can remind each other this week that God’s love isn’t earned—it’s already given.
Prayer Prompt:
“Father, help us stop trying to earn Your love. Show us how to rest in being Your children, and to celebrate Your love with joy.”
9–12th Grade
Icebreaker:
Set up a bucket toss game and let each person try. Afterward, ask: How is this like the way people sometimes view their relationship with God?
Read: Luke 15:17–24 & 28–31 + 1 Corinthians 1:26–31
Discussion:
How did the younger son misunderstand his father’s love?
How did the older son misunderstand it?
In what ways do we fall into the same traps (trying to be “good enough” or thinking we’ve “lost” God’s love)?
Paul says we only boast in the Lord. What does it look like to live out of that truth?
How does focusing on Jesus change the way we live and love others?
Application:
We don’t get God’s love by hitting spiritual “buckets.” Both the religious rule-keeper and the rebel miss the point if they think love must be earned. Instead, we live in freedom and joy because the Father already loves us and calls us His children.
Challenge:
This week, when you feel pressure to “measure up,” pause and say: I am God’s beloved child, and I don’t need to earn His love. Look for one way to live out of that truth by showing His love to someone else.
Prayer Prompt:
“Lord, thank You that I don’t need to play games to win Your love. Help me live as Your child—free, loved, and secure in You.”
5. Support Campus Ministries at SVA!
With the continued growth of SVA and our Campus Ministries program, we are seeking support to ensure we can continue providing meaningful spiritual experiences for our students and faculty.
If Campus Ministries has impacted you or your student, or if you simply believe in the power of fostering faith and leadership in young people, please consider donating.
How Your Gift Helps
Your generosity directly supports:
Worship programs that inspire and uplift
Student leadership development in ministry
Service opportunities that make a lasting impact
Resources for spiritual growth and outreach
Snacks and treats for teachers and students
How to Give
Click here to donate: Spring Valley Academy Giving Page
https://springvalleydonate.maxcheckout.com/
Once on the donation page:
Enter your donation amount in the “Other” donation line
Designate your gift to Campus Ministry Trust
Fill out your details
Click Pay
Every gift, big or small, makes a difference in shaping the spiritual life of our campus. Thank you for your generosity and support!
6. Parents in Prayer — Join Us Thursday Mornings
Every Thursday morning from 6:00–6:30 a.m., a faithful group of SVA parents gathers on Google Meet to cover our school in prayer. Together, they lift up:
Our students and their spiritual, emotional, and academic growth
Our teachers, pastors, principals, and staff
Upcoming ministry trips, school events, and classroom experiences
The many ways God is working through SVA
Led by Daniela Rosu, this weekly time of intercession is a beautiful opportunity to start your morning in God’s presence and in community with fellow parents. Whether you can join regularly or just occasionally, all are welcome.
Google Meet Link: meet.google.com/ckk-uweq-fpx