Friends-
Every year, on the first Sunday in October, certain Christian Churches celebrate World Communion Sunday.  A noble if ironic effort by some to say that we are one in Christ.

Noble because it sometimes seems a lost cause, to get anyone to earnestly seek to find common ground between different groups of Christians.

Ironic, because communion- or whatever folks call it in their fellowship- is often the cause of much controversy and divisiveness between us.  Is it just a memorial meal, or is Jesus really present?  Should we celebrate every time we get together, or once a month or once a year?

Paul writes to the Romans that, "...he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destoroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility..."  He went to the cross, not just to save us individually from our sins, but to save us collectively fro the agony of loneliness.  He came to make us one.  To make us a family.
 
The fact is, according to Jesus, and echoed by Paul, that we ARE one- as followers of Jesus.  Whether we like it or not.  We may squabble as brothers and sisters do, but we are all in the same family.
 
Given all the trouble in the world, I'd suggest that it's high time to set aside our differences and find our common ground in Him. Let's go out of our way to build unity in His family, across whatever might divide us, and let's celebrate his life, death, and resurrection every chance we get!

Love you all!
Gary

Calendar
Sundays - Every Sunday: Worship is at 10:30 am
                10/1 - Communion Sunday
                10/8 - Part 2- Stump the Pastor Sunday

Wednesdays - Every Wednesday:
                         Sanctuary open for prayer and reflection - 6:30 - 8 PM
                        Bible Study - 6:30 - 8 PM - Fellowship Room

Thursdays - Every Thursday: Explorers - 5-6 PM - Children's Program in the church basement.
                    10/12 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room
                    10/26 - Community Dinner -5:30 PM - Poplar Grove Church
                        - see Sandy Free for information.

Other News:
Thanks - Thanks to everyone who donated money and/or goods to our Hurricane Harvey drive. 

Congratulations - Congratulations and blessings to John and Sarah Deutinger who were married on September 3.

Sunday Treats - Be sure to stay for our fellowship time after our worship service.  It is a great time to connect with old friends and to meet new people!  We try to have some light snacks each week.  We need your help in providing those treats.  There is a sign up sheet in the fellowship room.  Talk to Jennifer if you have questions.

Friends-
As I mentioned on Sunday, churches in the area are banding together to support the people of Houston in this time of need.  At our board meeting last night, we agreed to be part of this multi-church effort.  It was suggested that we challenge our members to get involved in the following way:

For the next two Sundays, we will be receiving both supplies and money to go to the unified effort.  You should know that we have two choices, equally good:  delivering our supplies to Heartland Church, who is working with World Vision, or delivering them to City First Church, working with Convoy of Hope.  Both are on the ground in Houston and having a big impact already.

Here's what is needed: Personal care items such as diapers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, feminine hygiene.  Also school supplies such as backpacks, markers, crayons, notebook paper, scissors, glue sticks.

In addition to these supplies, we challenge each of us to make a financial contribution of some sort, as God leads.  If writing a check, you can make it out to the church, and mark it for Houston relief.  We will then write one large check, to cover what comes in, in addition to benevolence giving from our benevolence fund.

Here's a chance to help.  We are making it as simple as we can so we can all get involved.  Please help!
Thanks!
Gary

Friends-

As we as a nation prepare to celebrate our Independence Day, it is important for us as people of faith to remember that we are fully dependent on God for all we need.  And that he alone can set us free from the things that bind us.

And we do get bound, don't we?  Worries, fears, doubts, struggles, regrets, resentment- they can all catch us and hold us and keep us from the full, abundant life God intends for us.  And usually, the more we struggle against those things, the stronger the bondage gets. 

But..."There is power in the name of Jesus... to break every chain!"  He is our source of freedom.  As we submit fully to him, he frees us fully from the things that bind us.  For us, everyday can be an independence day- free in Christ is fully free.

Have a great 4th of July, and a great month!
Gary

Calendar
Sundays - Every Sunday: Worship is at 10:30 am.
              7/2 - Communion Sunday
              7/9 - Progressive Farm Dinner - 3 PM - details below. 
                       - No refreshments after worship, please come to the progressive dinner. 
              7/30 - Friends of the Children speaking - retiring offering will be taken - more details below.
                         - No refreshments after worship, please support the Fire station chicken barbeque. 
  
Wednesdays - Every Wednesday: 
                       Sanctuary open for prayer and reflection - 5:30-8 PM.
                       Bible Study - 6:30-8 PM - Fellowship Room.  
                       No Explorers this month. 

Thursdays - 7/6 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Fellowship Room. 
                7/27 - Community Dinner - 5:30 PM - Poplar Grove Church.  Talk to Sandy Free if
                            interested. 

Other News:
Progressive Farm Dinner - Everyone is invited on Sunday, July 9, for our second annual progressive farm dinner. Meet at the church at 2:40 PM if you want to carpool. We will start at 3 PM with appetizers at the Johnsons, followed by salads at Moss-Moores, main course at the Walkers, and desserts at the Murphys. If you are coming, please sign up to help provide food.  Sign up sheet is in the fellowship room.  Drinks will be provided at each house.  Please bring lawn chairs.  This is a great chance to spend time with your church family. 

Friends of the Children and Blanket Drive - On Sunday, July 30 John and Linda Underwood from Friends of the Children,  will share about their medical mission trips to Haiti.  We have supported their mission for many years. Sisters in Spirit and Service would also like to ask the church to collect new or gently used lightweight (remember it's warm in Haiti) receiving blankets to be given to new moms in Haiti.  We will be collecting the blankets in the month of July. The Underwoods will take them on their next trip in September. We will also take a retiring offering for Friends of the Children to help purchase needed medicine and supplies. You can bring receiving blankets all month and leave them in the clothes basket that will be in the fellowship room.

Congratulations - Congratulations and blessings to Mark and Nikki Maurice who were married on June 8 and to Erica and Josh Miller who were married on June 16.  Erica and Josh live in Madison.

Thanks - Sisters in Spirit and Service would like to thank everyone who was a part of the Treasure Hunt and Pirate Potluck.  It was a great success and raised over $100!  It was so fun, maybe it will return next summer!  Start your stash of treasures now!