The Messenger Vol. 7

Transcription

1 The Messenger Vol. 7 Our mission: Connect people in a growing, engaged, active relationship with Jesus Christ. Shawnee United Methodist Church Johnson Drive Shawnee, KS July 2018 SUNDAY SCHEDULE Ground 9am Discipleship 10am Common Ground & Modern Worship Service July 1, 2018 Love Always Psalm 112:1-2 July 8, 2018 Things We Hate - Pride Proverbs 6:16-19 July 15, 2018 Things We Hate - Lying Proverbs 6:16-19 July 22, 2018 VBS program July 29, 2018 Things We Hate - Violence Proverbs 6:16-19 Pastor Shane Britt Pastor Connie Perry Office Administrator Lynda Hurt Administrative Assistant Phyllis Stauffer Lead Minister of Pastoral Care Chris Lehew Director of Student and Young Adult Ministries Becca Lehew Kid s Club Coordinator Scott Fears Chancel Choir Director Harry Moyer Building Services Cari Saucerman Child Care From the Pastor... In the book of John, Jesus talks about freedom. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (Jn.8:32). When we accept the truth about Christ and about ourselves, we experience freedom. Do you remember what that feels like? Notice the spiritual parallel in the following quotes by former inmates who were set free after decades in prison. New York magazine asked them to describe their first hours or day of freedom. Jeffrey Deskovic, age 41, spent 16 years in prison. He was freed on September 20, 2006: At times I wasn't quite sure whether I really was out and free. I felt like a finger was tapping me on the back and saying, "What are you doing? They belong out here, but you don't. They don't really realize that you don't." So I just did something that I wanted to do for a long time: I wanted to sit outside in the nighttime and not have to go inside I could see a few stars and the lights on in some of the other houses. It was just a minor thing that had been taken away from me. Fernando Bermudez, age 46, spent 18 years in prison. He was freed on November 20, 2009: The first thing I did, I went running in Inwood Hill Park where I had all these childhood memories of wanting to be a geologist. I used to pick rocks and collect insects before I became less of a nerd and more a person in trouble. I'm coming off my run, and I'm doing something I had sorely missed: I'm looking at a tree, and I'm just admiring it. I had been deprived of nature for so long I finally got to feel the bark. I was crying hugging the tree. Derrick Hamilton, age 49, spent 21 years in prison. He was freed on December 7, 2011: The day I walked out, my wife, my nephew, and my son was in the car waiting for me. There was a church right around the corner. I would always listen to the bells ringing when I was in jail. I didn't even know where the church really was. But I would pray when I would hear the bells. It was my only opportunity to pray at the same time people on the outside was praying. When I got out, that was one of the first things I wanted to do, just go around and pray in that church. I went in and thanked God for my release Going into that church, it was like being born again. These men had been wrongfully convicted, but their first taste of freedom is no different than that of the guilty or even those who have been forgiven by Christ. Regardless of the wrong choices we have made in life, we can be forgiven and get back on the right path. It seems that in their first hours of freedom, they began to discover their passions and what God had originally created them to be. A star gazer who can give testimony to the heavens declaring the glory of God. A steward of God s creation who could be a witness of His glory on earth. A prayer warrior who can begin to live the rest of his life telling how prayer can move mountains. The truth is this: God created us in His image for a purpose! As we celebrate the freedoms available to us in this country, let s all remember that true freedom comes in living life according to God s purpose for us. What are the passions He has placed on your heart? Think about that as we continue to be a church family that leads others to freedom by connecting them in a growing, engaged, active relationship with Jesus.

2 Ambassadors The Ambassadors, a senior adult group, will be meeting Monday, July at the Shawnee United Methodist Church. The potluck luncheon begins at 11:30AM. Our special guest will be Bill Nicks. He will be discussing the history of basketball and the connection to Kansas University. Bring a covered dish, table service and $2.00 donation. Bread and beverage will be provided. Remember to bring pop tabs. A free will offering for the Shawnee Community Services will be accepted. The Johnson County Health Department Nurses will check blood pressure from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. All senior citizens are welcome. First-time visitors Community Dinner Sunday, July 22 Noon Fellowship Hall The Youth will be our host. Please bring a potluck dish...enough for your family and then some to share. Families and individuals are welcome! Invite someone new from the community or your neighborhood. Pudding Snacks Time! Our Pudding Cup Collection for Merriam Christian's summer lunch backpack program continues until the end of August. Their team prepares sacks of food for lunches, which are distributed to families with this need, as identified by the school district. Please bring your pudding or fruit cups to the designated box in the church office. Thank you for your donations! The Shawnee United Methodist Women invites all members of SUMC to participate in our Fall project. It is designed to help homeless men and women who come to Cross- Lines assistance. We are asking for donations of men's and women's socks which will be put into a FALL CARE PACKAGE (gallon size zip lock bag) along with everyday necessities. Items needed (must be sample size): socks bar of soap shampoo toothpaste toothbrush comb washcloth deodorant razor You are also welcome to join Shawnee UMW on September 13th in Fellowship hall (9am-Noon) to assemble the Fall Care Packages and WATCH FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE RE-SCHEDULED WOMEN S BRUNCH FOR AUGUST 25, 2018.

3 The process of change sometimes involves loss & pain. So that we as a community are given the opportunity to have a voice in these changes, we invite and encourage everyone to attend the all-church meeting after the community dinner. Please note the question box in the Narthex (now thru July 21). Take time to prayerfully submit questions (anonymously) regarding the changes that are taking place at SUMC. This time will be spent addressing your concerns. Thank you.

4 Don t forget to visit the Church Library June 3 9:00am :00am no report Total 107 Sunday School 100 this summer! SUNDAY ATTENDANCE JULY 2018 June 17 Traditional 107 Modern 40 Total 147 Sunday School 75 Who is Clarina Nichols! Look for the answer in the August newsletter updates. June 10 9:00am :00am no report Total 120 Sunday School 100 June 24 Traditional 123 Modern 38 Total 161 Sunday School 75 LIKE VISIT FOLLOW Facebook Website Instagram Twitter Johnson Drive Shawnee, KS

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6 July 2018 SUN MON TUES WED THU FRI SAT 1 & Modern Worship 12:00pm Youth Visioning 2 All Day - CrossLines 6:00pm Ukulele Life 3 7:00pm Prayer Team Meeting Bible 7:30pm Open Coed Basketball 4 OFFICE CLOSED Independence Day 5 1:00pm Prayer Quilt 7:00pm Bile 7:00pm Prayer Shawl :00am Gideon's Meeting 8 & Modern Worship 9 11:30am Ambassadors 6:00pm Ukulele Life 10 6:00pm Stephen Leaders Meeting 6:00pm Worship Committee 7:00pm Stephen Ministry Bible 11 6:00pm Lectionary 12 7:00pm Bible 7:00pm Trustee s Meeting :00am UMM 5:00pm Prayer Service 15 & Modern worship :00pm Mary Ruth Circle 19 1:00pm Prayer Quilt :30pm Gideon s International Dinner 22 10:30am One Worship Service 12:00pm COMMUNITY DINNER 1:00pm All Church Meeting :00pm Stephen Ministry bible 7:30pm Open Coed Basketball 25 6:00pm Lectionary 7:00pm Diabetes 26 1:00pm Reading 6:00pm Creative Art Ministry 7:00pm Bible 7:00pm Children s Council Meeting & Modern worship 30 6:00pm Ukulele Life 31 Bible 7:30pm Open Coed Basketball