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

Sermon, Nov. 25th: "Attitude of Gratitude". Scripture: Luke 17:11-19.

Last Sunday the congregation was asked, "What are you thankful for?" The responses were family, health, church, freedom, but from the back of the sanctuary came: "I am thankful for God." - Hannah Stokke, age 6.

In the past we often thought that Thanksgiving was the traditional holiday to celebrate the Pilgrims, and in the present to celebrate our families, food and football. But Thanksgiving has a rich history going back to the Old Testament. In Leviticus, Thanksgiving was a time of feasting and fasting, of praising God, of singing songs. George Washington proclaimed in 1789 that it was the "duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits and humbly implore His protection and favor."

November 26, 1789 became the first day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer. So this Thursday, November 22, 2007, as Hannah suggested, let's give thanks for God and to God, for the prosperity and peace enjoyed at home, and pray for His protection of the soldiers, at home and in war zones overseas, who are protecting our way of life. "Come before him with thankful heart. Let us sing him psalms of praise." Psalms 95:2

New Service Times: 8-8:50 Early service; 9-9:50 Sunday school; 10-11 Traditional service; 11:15-12:15 Praise & Worship service.

The Youth choir gave us an outstanding performance this Sunday, singing "Be of Good Cheer" at the beginning of the service and "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" during the Offertory.

We as a congregation have a lot to be thankful for in our music department. This year the Youth choir members are: Zane Griffin, Taylor Johnston, Allison Reid, Macy Pollard, Ryan Reid, Marla Pollard, and Preston Reid. Director of the choir is Ken Reid and Eileen Reid as accompanist.

The Youth choir poinsettias sale will start next week. Each poinsettia plant will be $10. They will be used to decorate the sanctuary during Christmas and then may be taken home following the midnight service. Let Ken Reid or Polly Dunklin know how many you would like to order.

Lifeliners' Ladies Luncheon will be Friday, November 30th at the Potpourri House. The group will depart from the church at 10:55 a.m. Please sign up in the church office so we will know how many are coming. The Lifeliners' annual luncheon is for those ladies who either live alone or are alone much during the day. A telephone communication is established among the group as a means of support and an opportunity for sharing.

If you would like to attend the Luncheon please call the church office. If you would like to become a member of the Lifeliners, give Edith Billie Pollard a call or Ken Reid at the church office.

The Mature Adult Ministries has planned a trip to see "Merry Christmas" at the Granbury Opera House in Granbury, Texas, Thursday, December 6, 2007. The tickets are $40, not including meals.

Transportation is provided. The bus will depart the church at 9:30 a.m. and return home by 9:00 p.m. Let Ken Reid know as soon as possible if you would like to attend. What a wonderful way to start the holiday season!

Some of our Methodist Women's members are planning a trip to Kenya, June 19-July 3, 2008. They will be working with Jerri and Bill Savuto, missionaries at the Maua Methodist Hospital, in Maua, Nyambene, Kenya. Tickets for a handmade quilt will be sold during the Tour of Homes Christmas Tree Display, December 2-3, to help finance the trip.

The church conference will be next Sunday, November 25th at 5:30 p.m. The conference will be held in the sanctuary. All members are welcome to attend.

Happy Birthday to: Jack Irwin, Roy Martin, Pat Martin, Shirley Ann Bradbeer, Lindsey Johnson, Elizabeth Crawford, Lyn York: "There is no other greatness more worthy of God, than to make some human heart a little wiser, manlier, happier, more blessed, less accursed." Thomas Carlyle

Thought for the Week: "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report ... think on these things." Philippians 4:8