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

Sermon March 2, "Seven Deadly Sins #4 (Pride #1; Lust #2; Anger #3). Scripture, Luke 12:13-34

"I will not believe it until I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into his side." John 21:25

Have you ever felt like a "doubting Thomas" on your Christian path? In today's society it is actually wise to be a skeptic, to not believe everything someone has told you without checking for yourself. Thomas was that type of person, a pessimist who loved Jesus and his teachings, but a skeptic when it came to Christ's resurrection. He had to experience for himself, but we don't have that privilege today. Or do we? We know that Jesus lived, we know of his resurrection by eyewitness testimo- nies as written in the Holy Bible by his own disciples. We know that over 500 people saw Jesus after his resurrection (I Corinthians 15:3-6). We know how many of his disciples suffered and died for spreading the word of Christ's resurrection. Would they have done that if they were spreading a lie? While we cannot place our hands in his wounds as Thomas did, we know by faith and our faith is not in vain! (Corinthians 15:17). Jesus is our Lord and our God. "You believed because you see me. Those who believe without seeing me will be truly blessed." (John 20:29).

God's Open Hands needs our support. Pat Martin, Coordinator for the food pantry reported over 3,000 food boxes were distributed this year with 235 new families being added to the list of those served within our community. Many of these individuals are the elderly who must make a decision to buy food or medication, grandparents raising their grandchildren and single parents with children. The number of families requiring long term assistance has continued to increase and is expected to continue for some time.

While donations have been gradually decreasing, the cost of food has been increasing. In the last five years a box of food provided by the food pantry has more than doubled in cost.

While much of the essential food items are brought directly from organizations serving food distribution centers as God's Open Hands, the cost is still substantially increasing. For example, an eighteen-cents bag of flour now costs 32 cents!

While direct donations of food items are always welcomed, cash donations will enable the food pantry to purchase greater quantities than one individual could buy through their local grocery. All the area churches contribute to God's Open Hands in various ways.

Our church donates all the altar money collected during each Communion service to God's Open Hands, plus we have frequent "can collections" among our youth programs.

In addition to the food pantry at God's Open Hands, they also conduct a Thrift Shop where the needy can select used clothing in good condition. So as spring cleaning time approaches, be sure as you clean out your closet, to make a donation to the Thrift Shop. At this time they are really in need of children's clothing for all ages.

The Youth Choir will be sponsoring the Easter lilies this year. Each plant will be $10, payable to FUMC Youth Choir. A card is available in the church bulletin or you may call the church office. Easter will be early this year, March 23, so please get your order in soon.

Happy Birthday to: Wynelle McDonald, Sharon Moffeit, Joan Stauber, Grace Callaway, Carol Munch, Chris Taylor, Jerry Kidd, Mary John Oliver, Eileen Reid, Sherri Wilson, Bob Bradbeer, and Magee Jordan.

Thought for the Week: "Perfect obedience would be perfect happiness if only we had perfect confidence in the power we were obeying." The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Smith.