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

"And because of what Christ did, all you others too, who heard the Good News about how to be saved, and trusted Christ, were marked as belonging to Christ by the Holy Spirit, who so long ago had been promised to all of us Christians." Ephesians 1:13

If one believes that personal characteristics are passed from one generation to another, then accept the fact that I am a descendant of Thomas the Doubter. Forever I have fought doubt. While my faith in God and Jesus is strong, there has always been a lingering doubt as to receiving the Holy Spirit. Much of my weakness was the desire to experience what others describe as absolute certainty. A sensation or feeling so overwhelming they fell to their knees. I wanted certainty. I wanted to be struck by lightning.

Recently I was reading a book by Bill Bright titled "The Journey Home: Finish- ing with Joy," in which he reviews how the Holy Spirit fills us with His power. "We are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith alone. Do not depend on feelings, the promise of God's Word is our authority." He used a wonderful example of flying. We put our faith in the plane and the pilot who flies it. Our feelings of confidence or fear do not affect the ability of the airplane. The same as when we place our faith and trust in God and his promises. Remember that while the Holy Spirit was called by many names both the Jewish and Greek roots of the name is translated to mean God's Breath. So when we receive the Holy Spirit it may be as gentle as a breath, God's Breath.

The Jesus Kids, a new mission established by Carolyn Bradley, Educational Coordinator, met for the first time last Wednesday afternoon. Eight children participated in the activities which included the following centers: Prayer for missionaries, Missions where children could write a birthday card to those in the mission fields, an area for books, Christian children gospels, and a games and craft area. Debbie Taylor and Shirley Murray assisted. Children from K to 5th grade are eligible to attend. Please call Carolyn Bradley for more information or contact the Church office. As the saying goes, "Ideas are a dime a dozen; people who put them into action are priceless," these ladies are priceless. May God bless your work.

And God said to Jeremiah, 1:7 "For you will go wherever I send you and speak whatever I tell you to," so it is also with our pastor, David Luckert. Reverend Luckert announced last Sunday that he will be leaving our church in June to minister to the St. Paul Methodist Church in Richmond, Texas. Oliver Wendell Holmes stated that to reach the port of Heaven we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it. But we must sail, and not drift nor lie at anchor." During his sermon Reverend Luckert addressed the need for all of us to move from our comfort zone into more challenging areas less we become complacent in our religion and life. Thank you, David and Kathy.

The United Methodist Men will meet in the fellowship hall at 6:30 p.m. this Wednesday. Jim Thompson, Coordinator for Transformation will speak to the group on the objectives of this committee.

The United Methodist Women's group will meet in the parlor of Heritage Hall at 6pm.

Remember that the Prayer Group meets in the Parlor on Friday at 9:30am. Prayer request forms are at the welcome desk in the main entryway. Place your request on the desk just inside the parlor.

Happy anniversary to Tom and Debbie Cherry and Billy and Marilyn Pollard. "Where there is faith, there is love. Where there is love, there is peace." Corrie ten Boom.

Happy birthday to Cliff Mire Jr., Bobby Ball, Marc Stokke, Juanita Reagan, Sami Jo Taylor, Susanne Hays, Lonny Hagan, Ellen Kretzmeier, Kim Birdwell and Jennifer Lackey. "When temptation knocks at your door, ask Jesus to answer; it is far safer." Corrie ten Boom.

Thought for the Week: "When the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23.