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

Sermon, April 13, "Where is the Peace and Joy?" Scripture: Romans 12:1-21

"Anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea, blown up and down by the wind. Such doubters are thinking two different things at the same time, and they cannot decide about anything they do. They should not think they will receive anything from the Lord." (James 1:6-8)

I recently read an interesting article on the internet titled "Christians Contributing to Unbelief?" by Michael Craven on crosswalk.com. While 89 percent of Americans claim to "believe in God" or have a "strong sense of religious faith," many of these Americans were actually spiritual seekers and not necessarily spirit filled believers.

This becomes apparent when we see individuals moving from one church to another, trying to find something that may meet "their needs" or drawn to other pseudo-spiritual movements that verge on the supernatural.

There was a quote in the article from J.D. Kuo, former Deputy Director of the Faith-Based Initiative, that suggests that this may be "backlash against the mingling of religion, politics and public policy, by giving the idea that Jesus was about a particular conservative political agenda." Or it could be our own actions as Christians. Are we pushing people out of our church because of our own attitudes or opinions?

When was the last time you had the opportunity to share your Christian beliefs with another? Pastor Munch shared a wonderful story, last Sunday, about how being told by a pastor that he was a child of God gave a man the selfesteem and courage he needed to become successful.

If no one had ever told him that he belongs to God, what a wasted life he may have lived. Look around you, there are a lot of people who don'know, or don't acknowledge, that they belong to God. All we need to do is tell them that their Father loves them and He wants a good life for all his children.

The young people finished up their 30-hour famine as part of the mission toward world hunger. While they looked very tired and were definitely hungry, they spoke of the wisdom they obtained from the shared experience that they had with children going without food in so many parts of the world.

Never will they read or hear about starvation without knowing the feeling of true hunger and its effect on the body and spirit. Over twentyfive young people and adults are participating in the 30- hour famine mission this year.

The choir performed "Somebody's Prayin'" with Bill Pollard, soloist at the 10:00 a.m. service last Sunday. It was awesome. We need to encourage our choir to record some of their songs.

Remember this Saturday, April 12th, at 10 a.m. is the Lifeliners Brunch for all widows, widowers and others living alone.

This mission is to establish a communication chain with the elderly who live alone, to ensure that everything is going okay, and if not, ensure help is available. Depending on the person you are contacting it may take a five-minute phone call to check in or a little longer to visit with the lonely. Please R.S.V.P. to the church office, 903-849-6839 if you wish to attend.

Also next Sunday is the beginning of Dr. Munch's class on Methodism. The class will meet in the church parlor at 5 p.m.

Happy Anniversary to: Charles and Sylvia Lipscomb, Harold and Grace Callaway and James and Wynelle McDonald.

Happy Birthday to: Barbara Newsom, Donna Tays, Mary Bass, Rev. Russ Munch, Jennifer Essary, Amanda Williams, Lacy Crossley, Morgan McGill, Miles Spencer, Allison Reid, Colton Womack, and Mary Williams.

Thought for the Week: "For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes." Proverbs 5:21