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

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials for we know that they are good for us -- they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady." -Romans 5:3-4

Strengthening of our faith may be considered like increasing endurance of our physical body. The more we exercise our faith, the more our faith is tested by uncomfortable times, as illness, sorrow, or loss of a loved one. Thus we are forced to draw on the strength of our faith, and as lifting weights, we become stronger as our faith increases our need to draw closer to our heavenly father. "I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great his power is to help those who believe him. It is that same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in heaven." -Ephesians 1:18-9. He is the only One from whom we can receive the power we need to be all that He wants us to be

On Thursday, August 2nd, from 6:30-9 p.m. the District Church Transformation Workshop will be held at our church. The topic will be "How to Get Your Church Known in the Community." Participants from the 26 churches in our district will be attending. Congregational members are encouraged to attend and become aware of the goals and objectives of the "Church Transformation" project as this is a district wide activity.

"Let me be like Christ to you and be your servant too." What a beautiful message and song sung this Sunday by our pastor, Russ and his wife, Carol. That phrase really makes one think of the truth of Jesus while he was here on Earth.

The Bread of Life group started up again after a summer break, and they have a prize for everyone bringing a visitor with them next Sunday. Anyone who brings a visitor will be given two loaves of homemade bread, one for yourself and one for the visitor. That is the best deal I have heard in a long time. Let's make them run out of bread and have to give us rain checks!

Vacation Bible School will start August 5th and they still need supplies for the Launch Lab, space theme. So please bring any of the following items to the church office or fellowship hall: Large round containers like oatmeal or salt, empty small water bottles, small coffee cans with lids, empty 3-liter soda bottles, partial rolls of toilet paper, and five-gallon trash bags. They also need to borrow blow dryers with cold and hot settings. Is this how NASA learned to build space ships?

The CUMC KIDS are wrapping up their summer program, learning about the different mission projects of the Methodist Church and how they can become good stewards for their church. They will be learning about UMCOR, the emergency and disaster assistance programs this week and developing health kits for the program August 12th. The Health Kits will consist of 1 hand towel, 1 washcloth, 1 hair comb, 1 nail file or nail clipper, 1 bath size bar of soap in original wrapper, 1 toothbrush in original sealed package and 1 large tube of toothpaste and 6 adhesive bandages. Donations of any of these items and/or money will be a blessing. Children participating in the activities will never forget their summer experiences in helping others and will be greatly influenced in the adult Christian service. We are very proud of them and thank all the program planners, Carolyn Bradley, Deanna Pollard, Dianne Johnson, Debbie Taylor and all the other volunteers for their efforts.

The "Praise and Worship" met last week to lay some groundwork in forming a PRAISE TEAM. This Saturday, August 4th, they will have an all-day Praise and Worship Workshop. If you would like to sing or play any musical instrument, Dr. Munch would really like for you to join, so please call him at the church office.

Happy anniversary to: Chris and Linda Frederick, Marc and Heather Stokke, and Russell and Carol Munch. "May you live to enjoy your grandchildren." -Psalms 131:6

Happy Birthday to: Jeffrey Barnes, Vicki Bradbeer, Marla Frederick, Lily Pike, Zane Griffin, Cheree Mire, Robin Costlow, Joshua Williams, Ramon Patterson, Barbara Westbrooks, Louie Ibarra, and Sandy Dinsmore.

Thought of the Week: "Only on earth are there those who do not believe in God. Even though the powers of evil lead men astray and keep them in darkness and unbelief, yet they themselves believe in God and tremble, for they know that on the Lord's Day, judgement awaits them."

--Corrie ten Boom