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

Sermon (Oct. 14th) "Blessed to be a Blessing"

Scripture: I Peter 3:8-12

"Yes, ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name! Bring an offering and come before him; Worship the Lord when clothed with holiness!" I Chronicles 16:29

`Worship' in the form of a Greek word is "therapeuo." Therapeuo translated into English became therapeutic, meaning to do service, to heal, cure, restore to health. What a wonderful way to think. Going to church to worship God is therapeutic! It is not just good for your soul but your whole health. Psychologists today recognize how spiritual well-being is as essential to our health as food, water, and shelter. So "Give him the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come to worship him. Worship the Lord with the beauty of holy lives." (Psalms 95:8-10). Come to church this Sunday and get well!

October is the month that we celebrate our children. It is wonderful to watch them during Sunday services, reading the scriptures at the beginning of each service, serving as ushers, and as acolytes, passing the collection plates, serving at the communion table, and creating wonderful illustrations for the bulletins. The parents could not be any more proud than the congregation as a whole; for we have all watched the children grow and mature in our Church family. A special thanks to Kasey Oliver, Children Coordinator and to Deanna Pollard, Acolytes' Teacher for all their many hours of work with our young congregation.

Shirley Murray, Chairman of the Prayer committee has announced another Prayer Crafting Workshop for family and children, Saturday, October 20th at 9 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. The focus will be on developing a "legacy of prayer" within your family and creative ways of presenting your prayers to your children and grandchildren to be passed from generation to generation. All ages are welcome, and the class is open so you are free to leave as your schedule requires. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about prayers and ways of making prayer an important part of your family traditions.

The previous workshop on prayer focused on children as they started to school. A booklet of prayers was developed from those written during the workshop and included a list of each child and youth of our Church family. The booklets were made available as a daily devotional and prayer guide through the month of September. Mrs. Murray said that there were still a few of the booklets left on the back table and encourages parents and/or grandparents to pick up a copy if they haven't already done so. These booklets will provide an opportunity, some day, to discuss "answered prayers" with your children.

It is exciting what a role prayer has become in our Church and lives. If you have not picked up a leaflet listing all the prayer opportunities, please do so. There is a Prayer Chain, offering an immediate prayer for those in need, the Prayer Group, which meets every Friday to pray over prayer requests, the Prayer Gathering that meets each Wednesday to pray for our teachers and church leaders. The list keeps growing, and what a blessing we are receiving. Between one's prayers and "conversations" throughout the day, you can maintain constant contact with our Blessed Savior.

Happy anniversary to Doug and Jody Callaway, Mark and Dinah Hockman, Kevin and Trish Reeves, and Doug and Helga Shaffer. "Live happily with the woman you love through the fleeting days of life ..." -Ecclesiastes 9:9

Happy birthday to: Virginia Padgett, Mike Wendt, Kathleen Cash, Charles Oliver, Gwen Jones, Manda Hockman, Chris Wangler, Adam Reelfs, Tyler Tallant, and Olivia Kinch. "Don't let the excitement of being young cause you to forget about your Creator." -Ecclesiastes 12:1

Thought for the Week: "If we live only in the first room, rebirth, we can be happy to realize that we are saved, but it is only the beginning. There is so much more available. The Bible tells us that there is a kingdom to build. When Jesus reigns in our hearts, we have all the power necessary to build that kingdom. Give Him the chance to multiply what He gives. Every child of God can live in all the rooms, for Jesus is alive and He is the door." by Corrie ten Boom