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

Sunday sermon: "A Kingdom Minded Church Is Interested in God Sizing It." Mark 8:27-9:29

"But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ." Ephesians 4:7

Grace in the Greek term is traceable back to the meaning of beauty, or a sense of joy. Divine grace refers to God's gift to mankind, including life, creation, and salvation. It is God's grace that saved us from sin and granted us salvation. God's grace is a gift, not earned by good works, but by faith. It is a spontaneous gift of affection, mercy, and compassion, an unmerited free gift. With this gift we have direct access to God and are forgiven all our sins, including even the guilt often associated with a sinful life. But the greatest gift of grace God has given us is Jesus Christ. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." -Romans 5:1, 2. So, as the Greeks defined the term, we are standing in God's beauty, which provides us with a wonderful sense of joy.

The UM ARMY has arrived in Chandler and you will see the bright color tee shirts throughout the community helping those in need. There are 95 high school and college students, from all over the East and Southeast area. The participating churches include Bay Harbour UMC, Moody Memorial UMC, Ashbury UMC, St. Johns UMC, and Cedar Creek UMC. Please keep these young people in your prayers. Pray that they stay well and safe from injury during their long and hot days in the mission field. And may God bless their work and the people they are serving.

Mrs. Kassy Oliver, Chairman of the Children's Ministry, has requested help by providing donations for activity items, during Vacation Bible School Aug. 5th. Large round containers (oatmeal or salt), empty small water bottles, small coffee cans with lids, empty 2-liter soda bottles, partial rolls of toilet paper (1/ 2 or less left on the roll), blow dryers with cold and hot settings (please label with name), and 5-gallon trash bags are needed. Items can be dropped off in the Launch Lab box in Fellowship Hall or in the church office at any time.

Remember also that the "Pray Walk" for VBS will meet at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4th. The prayer group and VBS workers will gather in the Parlor each evening at 5:00 for prayer, followed by supper in the Fellowship Hall at 5:30.

Church Camp will be the week of July 23 through 27. Each age group will be assigned a mission project along with all the other activities of camp. "Our" Marla has been assigned to the Mid-High group, which consists of 8-9th graders. Their project will be the development of "Health Kits" for the UMCOR relief program. Contributions of personal hygiene items or a donation of $12 will be greatly appreciated.

Reverend Linda Pinson will host a "pizza" meeting for the Discipleship Bible Study participants this Wednesday to plan for the classes in the fall. We will offer a prayer that each of you will join in this wonderful study of the Bible, so keep your schedules open.

Happy Anniversary to: Gerald and Jennifer Essary, Ramon and Pam Patterson, Brian and Julie Holcomb, Robert and Bessie Robinson and Darin and Natalie Smith. "Once you made the vow, you must be careful to do as you have said, for it was your own choice, and you have vowed to the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 24:23

Happy Birthday to: Billy Jim Pollard, Bill Pollard, Duke Key, Ross Smith, Chris Ibarra, John Griffin, Brooke Spencer, and Mary Alice Paddock. "In him lie hidden all the mighty, untapped treasures of wisdom and knowledge. " Colossians 2:4

Thought of the Week: "The Ten Commandments were given so that all could see the extent of their failure to obey God's laws, but the more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God's abounding grace forgiving us." Romans 5:20