The Jacksboro Parish. Two events are coming up and YOU ARE INVITED!!!

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1 The Jacksboro Parish Two events are coming up and YOU ARE INVITED!!! September 13th is the Back to School Celebration at the City Pool. The party will begin at 5:00PM. Hotdogs and Hamburgers will be provided so bring your favorite side dish. Life-guards will be on duty. Plan to swim and celebrate the beginning of a new year.

2 September 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 MDO first Day Whirlwind Cluster here 2 6PM 3 MDO Worship Committee Mtg. following Service 7 Office Closed 8 MDO 9 6PM MCC 6:30PM 10 MDO Back to School 5PM MDO 16 Soul Noon 6PM 17 MDO 18 Men s Ministry/ Football 7:15 19 MDO Yard Sale 20 Parish 1PM 21 Food 2:30-6:30PM 22 MDO 23 6PJM 24 MDO Suzanne gone to Oklahoma Regional Event MDO 30 6PM Youth -Youth will meet at the Student Center CR -Celebrate Recovery meets in the Fellowship Hall MDO -Mother s Day Out Xtreme MCC Board Meeting will meet in the Pastor s Office Soul Support will meet at the Student Center

3 Would you like to go to Romania in the summer of 2016, Palo Duro Presbytery will be organizing an adult mission trip to Tulcea, Romania. The trips are usually about 12 days long with an estimated cost of $1600/person, and usually take place in mid-june. The nature of the trip will be determined by the needs at the time. Anyone who might be interested, please contact Rich Schempp in the presbytery office, or at

4 Disciples Men's Retreat Register by August 31 for the better rate for the September Disciples Men's retreat at Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat. Rev. Olin Fregia and Rev. Hector Velazquez will be Speakers. Forms and information are posted on the Disciples Men's page of the Southwest Region website. This year, you have the option to register online, if you'd prefer that. There is a Friday Noon Golf Tournament for those who wish to participate before the retreat begins. Be sure to mark that on your registration, if you plan to play! Special rate for First-Time Attendees is only $75. Scholarships available whether registering by mail or online. If you have questions, contact Nathan Higginbotham atnathan@ccsw.org for details. R.O.S.E.S. Leadership Event Registrations for the September R.O.S.E.S. event at Kings Highway Christian Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, are due by Friday, September 4. Join your sisters from Oklahoma, Southwest and Great River Regions for this outstanding Leadership Training Event at no cost, though reservations are required. Pat Donahoo, Executive Director of Disciples Women, and Chesla Nicholson, Program & Merger Staff of Disciples Women, will be speakers for the event. Reserve your room at the Hampton Inn, 1005 Gould Drive, Bossier City, by August 28 to receive the group rate of $80 plus tax ($90.08/person/night). Call for the hotel directly, or call HAMPTON and reference group code GRR or Great River Region.

5 Quilting Fall: September 21-25, 2015 A community of quilters joined together in the beautiful Fall setting of the Texas Hill Country! The Blessed Be The Piece Makers Mo-Ranch Quilting Retreat will be led by Barb Goodlock of Rockport, TX. Create your unique art in a large work space while experiencing new and modern techniques, tool demonstrations and preparation for longarm quilting. Unleash your creative spirit and join us for fellowship, worship, music, and fun!

6 JULY GIVING AND EXPENSES TOTAL Giving $ 19, TOTAL EXPENSES $ 28, ATTENDANCE FOR THE MONTH OF JULY JULY 5, JULY 12, JULY 19,

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8 We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. Walt Disney I m writing this in the midst of vacation to Disneyland to celebrate their 60th anniversary of being THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH. Everywhere I look, there are dazzling displays, perfectly manicured foliage, smiling people and utter joy. No matter if the ride is an original (like Haunted Mansion) or a newer ride like Star Tours each and every facet has been carefully looked at with fresh eyes, adding components of care and love. 60 years ago, Walt Disney founded Disneyland, and 60 years later the Disney theme parks continue to attract tens of millions of visitors each year. People wonder how I am still amazed at the magic of such a place as this. I m always astounded by the profound and impactful way this park talks to me. This year is no different. It occurs to me that while I am amazed by this place, moved to tears every time I see Ariel in a parade, and filled with such emotion as the fireworks begin, I can t as often say these same things about my faith. I am quietly appreciative of my faith. Often, moved. But thrilled by grace daily? If I m honest, not so much. Most days are not an exciting spiritual roller coaster, but ones filled with potholes and bumps. Where did my imagination go with God? I m sure Disneyland is a lot less fun when everything is familiar, and thus why so much effort and attention was given to glittery goodness changes in the park for the 60th Anniversary Extravaganza. But I had to recall something I learned while doing sabbatical work at Disney a few years ago: when imagination wanes among their cast members (employees) they are asked to experience the thrill again: and they do so, by looking at other people s faces in the park. When the fireworks explode or Tinker Bell flies through the air from the Matterhorn to the castle, just catch the eyes of someone. Their eyes are wide and their faces are aglow with smiles. On a ride that has lost its allure, the same is true. People walk around Disneyland with 1st Time buttons on them and part of me is envious of them. They get to experience a beautiful place for the first time in all its wonder. I am curious: do we need to recapture our church, our faith, our God with 1st Time eyes? It is the greatest story of grace and hope, and I believe it is time to recapture some of it s power, too; to be invigorated all over again. Luke 15:10 says...there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. I look forward to seeing that fireworks show with you, this fall. Let s find newness together.