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

Sunday's Sermon: "Kingdom Minded Church Is Driven by God's Vision" Scripture: Acts 2:17-21

Why should a Christian witness to the non-Christians? "I do this to get the Gospel to them and also for the blessing I myself receive when I see them come to Christ." -1 Corinthians 10:22

Jesus taught that the message of salvation should be taken from Jerusalem to all the nations. (Luke 24:48). The majority of Jesus' interaction with others occurred in the workplace, homes and settings other than religious sites. According to one account, of the 132 contacts Jesus made with people, only six were made in temples, four in synagogues and 122 out in the workplace or in homes. For Jesus' mission was to reach the non-believers. Witnessing then becomes a primary duty of all Christians and not just the Spiritual leaders of our church. Yet it is reported that over 95% of Christians have never witnessed to another, nor assisted in leading another's soul to salvation. Paul recognized the difficulty of sharing the gospel with others not ready to listen (1 Corinthians 9:20, 21, 22) but offered many suggestions we may consider in our witnessing. Besides being a living example of Christianity, we should also be a verbal witness to Christ's teachings and salvation.

The Vacation Bible School started this Monday, with an exciting display of a hot air ballon set up in the Chandler Elementary school playground. The theme of the school this year is LIFT OFF! Soaring to New Heights With God.

We hope you are in training for the Chandler 5K run, August 18th, starting at 7:30 a.m. Early entry fee will be $12 per person through August 10th. You may register at the Health Park Plaza or the church office. The run is sponsored by Trinity Mother Frances SportsCare and Chandler First United Methodist Church. All proceeds will benefit God's Open Hands.

Romans 11:20 states that we should not be proud, but humble and grateful. But when we received the flyers in the Sunday bulletin, there was a sincere feeling of pride as a member of Chandler Methodist Church. We have an impressive list of prayer opportunities for our congregation as well as all community members wishing to participate. There is a prayer chain, and email team, a morning worship prayer team, a prayer gathering, which meets each Wednesday at 7 a.m. as well as the prayer ministry which meets in the Prayer Chapel throughout the week to pray over the prayer requests. Ausust the 18th a prayer workshop will be offered from 10 a.m. till noon. And on August the 19th we will have a "Prayer Walk" for our community starting at 5:30 till 8 p.m. Wouldn't it be a true blessing if all the churches would join in, making this a true Christian community prayer walk? Everyone is welcome to join.

Plan your agenda to include a Bible study program this fall. We will have quite a selection of study groups. A Monday morning class taught by Martha Copeland will cover the book of Genesis. I never knew how much there was to learn from Genesis. It is a wonderful book to study in detail. The Disciple Bible Study this year will be led by Rev. Linda Pinson. This will be Class 4, but anyone having the first course may join. This study will concentrate on the Old Testament and New Testament including Revelation. Shirley Murray will offer an 8- week course on Jennifer Dean's Life Changing Power in the Blood of Christ. Sign up in the church office or pick up one of the brochures at the welcome desk. Come and share the joy of being "In the Word." Everyone is welcome.

Wednesday a "Cross Training " program for pre-K through 5th grade will be held from 6- 7:30 p.m. There will be an evening of food, crafts, music and learning what it means to be a Christian today. This is a wonderful opportunity for all parents of young children to provide direction and meaning in their young lives. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you need more information call Ken Reid at the church office.

Also on Sunday from 5-8pm beginning September 9th, a Home Improvement program will be offered with focus on the family. Two sessions each Sunday, one for couples called "The Five Love Languages" will be led by Mrs. Munch and "That the World May Know" with men and women separated, will be taught by Dr. Munch. If you did not pick up a brochure call the office or join on the internet.

Happy Anniversary to: Rob and Janice Poteet, and Rod and Sue Starnes. "We love, because he first loved us." I John 4:19

Happy Birthday to: Rosa Cade, Cashan Baker, Greg Adair, Mary Adair, Patsy Smith, Billy Martin, Araminta Montgomery, Rod Starnes, Joanne Rabe, Randel Womack, Clay Maddox, and Haley Bass. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come." II Corinthians 5:17

Thought of the Week: " ... for you will go wherever I send you and speak whatever I tell you to. And don't be afraid of the people, for I, the Lord, will be with you and see you through." -Jeremiah 1:7, 8