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

Sermon, Oct. 28: "Why What We Do Today Matters Forever"

Scripture: Matthew 5:43, 6:6

"For I am the Lord - I do not change." Malachi 3:6

Fall seems to have occurred overnight. The mornings are getting the cool, crisp feeling associated with the coming of autumn. As the seasons change, so must we. While change is never comfortable, and always felt with some anxiety, it also brings a degree of anticipation, even excitement. Dr. Fred Lowery, a pastor in Louisiana, wrote that "Churches that turn inward and socialize, die on the vine; those churches that turn outward and evangelize and minister, they are alive and dynamic and vibrant." Our church has always been aware of the need to serve the community as well as our congregational family. In reaching out to others, through different worship services we are continuing the traditions of our church. Pray for Dr. Munch and our church leaders as this new change is implemented. And remember that our Lord is constant, unchanging, and always with us.

Please put on your calendar the general "Town Hall Meetby ing" of the congregation for next Sunday, October 28th at 4 p.m. All members and frequent visitors to our church are welcomed. This meeting will give everyone a chance to "catch up" with the goals and objectives set by our leadership, and to participate in decisions regarding future activities and directions. November 11th the Church Council will meet at 4 p.m. in Heritage Hall which will be followed by the charge conference at 5:30 p.m. This will also be open to the congregation.

Following the Sunday service, the youth will host an Italian luncheon to help raise funds for the "Nothing but Nets" mission. Please contact Marla Fredericks if you can help with the food or desserts. This is a really worthy cause, for each 10-dollar net purchase, four individuals may be protected from the horrible disease of malaria. Our Youth's goal is to purchase 300 nets. Marla will be attending a conference in a few weeks, in which the youths hope to challenge other church youth groups to meet or exceed their goal.

The Youth choir performed "Rhythm of Life." What a great song. It was the kind of music one should wake up to every day. This year the youth choir (6th to 12th graders) consists of Morgan Barnes, Allison Reid, John Griffin, Taylor Barnes, Ryan Reid, Macy Pollard, Kate Griffin, Marla Pollard and Preston Reid.

As we start planning for the coming year, both in our private lives and in the church, consider joining one of the prayer groups meeting during the week. Prayer groups meet each Wednesday at 7am and Friday at 9:30am in the church parlor. If you would like one of the groups to pray for you or a loved one, fill in one of the prayer requests in the bulletin. "For the Word of God is full of living power." Hebrews 4:12

Happy Anniversary to Gregg and Gina Magee, Russell and Maria Graef, and Roy and Alice Wilson. "We are all one body, we have the same spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future, there is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father." Ephesians 4:4-6

Happy Birthday to: Lola Ruddy, Donald Partin, Deborah Partin, Allen Pollard, and Blake Richardson. "Fear of the Lord lengthens one's life." Proverbs 10:27

Thought for the week: "Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near." Hebrews 10:19-25