Chandler F.U.M.C.
by Linda G. Keeling

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. - Jeremiah 3:15

If you were unable to attend church this last Sunday, you missed a good lesson. There has been discussion lately concerning the traditional services or more contemporary services and music. It was Reverend Luckert's sermon that really placed the focus on what we should be doing, and that is to be more actively involved in worshiping God each Sunday. He recommended that we prepare for Sunday services by daily studying the Bible and praying for ourselves as well as others, and then attend church with an attitude of expectation, and proper focus. With these steps we can become more active and less passive in our worship experience. And whether we decide that we want traditional music or more contemporary programs, we will still receive His full blessings. So raise your arms in prayer, clap your hands with joy, and shout "Amen" as the spirit calls.

"Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34

"Prayer is opening your life to God and admitting your complete and utter dependence upon Him. Prayer is giving God access to every aspect of your being, physical, emotional, spiritual, social and intellectual. Through the slow discipline of prayer, the praying person is brought into alignment with eternal truth. The praying person's desire begins to reflect the desires of God, the highest good. This opens the way for God to use prayer as the conduit through which His will and His resources are brought to earth.

Prayer ceases to be the method by which I might bend God's will to mine and be- comes the process by which I assimilate His mind and heart," says Jennifer Kennedy Dean. She goes on to say, "True prayer is when God's heart is expressed through your words. True prayer is when God's words are in your mouth. How do God's words get in your mouth? First, God's desires must be in your heart." As written in Matthew, "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks," and Proverbs 16:23, "A wise man's heart guides his mouth," one can attain a true prayer state.

Jennifer Kennedy Dean is an internationally known leader in teaching prayer. Her insight and revelation on prayer are life changing. At least they have been for me. I can't encourage you enough to take advantage of this opportunity to allow God to speak to you through his servant Dean. She brings the "First Love Revival" at Chandler UMC on Feb. 16-18. God is calling ... please answer.

Registration is $25 a person for non-members and $25 a couple; $15/singles for Chandler UMC members. Pre-registration is necessary for preparation. You may get a registration form at the church office or call Sandy Dinsmore at 903-940-3997 for more information.

(Contributed by Shirley Murray, Coordinator for Prayer Ministry of the Church Council.)

The Men's Bible Study, taught by Reverend Luckert will begin February 12th at 7 p.m. The class will meet each Monday from 7 to 8 p.m. for 13 weeks. Contact the Church office for additional information.

Learning How to Quilt program met for the first time with 12 in attendance. Their first project will be to quilt a table runner. The meetings will be once a month. If you are interested in participating in this activity, contact Mrs. Sue Hogan for additional information.

Happy Anniversary to Brandon and Holly Ann Cade, Tom and Gwen Jones, John and Debbie Taylor, and James and Charlotte Thompson. "If you can find a truly good wife, she is worth more than precious gems! Her husband can trust her, and she will richly satisfy his needs." He praises her with these words: "There are many fine women in the world, but you are the best of them all."

-Ecclesiastes 31:19-11, 28

Happy Birthday to Dana Parks, Sarah Oliver, Justin Armstrong, Macy Pollard, W.B. Alexander, Jennifer Travis, George Grantham, and Kasey Oliver. "... there is nothing better for a man than to be happy and to enjoy himself as long as he can, and that he should eat and drink, and enjoy the fruits of his labors, for these are gifts from God." -Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13

Thought for the Week: "Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened. But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer and did not withdraw his unfailing love from me." - Psalm 66:16-20