Dear Church, August 3, 2014 If you have ever worried about the future of the church, don't. I have seen the future, and it is good. I assure you we are in good hands. These kids are not kids. They are disciples. Followers of Jesus. They speak in hashtags (the symbol formerly known as "pound") and shorten words that don't really make any sense ("appreesh", "inapropro", "offish", "presh"). They walk around Montreat barefoot (or in chacos--'cause, you know, Jesus wore sandals) and they view the world through the lens of their smart phone. But then, they speak. You have to listen carefully because they might be speaking a different version of English. But they speak with heart and conviction. They ask thoughtful questions. They are searching. They know where they are rooted, and although they may not know exactly where they are reaching to or what they are reaching for, they are still reaching. They know that God is knocking at the door, and they are listening. One of my favorite moments from the summer happened this past week at the Middle School Conference. I loved watching the president of Maryville College watch 700 youth and adults doing these crazy synchronized dances called energizers. What must that look like to someone who has never seen it before? (If that's you, go to our facebook page and look for the video I posted of energizers to see a brief glimpse!) At Montreat, the preacher pointed out that we were a part of 1,170 youth and adults, literally pounding on the doors, to go to CHURCH! How often does that happen in our everyday lives? Never. The beautiful thing about where these young people are in their faith journey is that they still have fresh eyes. They are still experiencing some things for the first time, and are awe-filled. But they are hungry. Hungry for something deeper than how many likes they get on Instagram. They want to connect with God's creation more than just through images on a screen. They long for a conversation that consists of more than 140 characters. So maybe you don't understand what they are saying half the time, or don't particularly care for how they are dressed or the music they listen to. But don't let that cloud your view. These young people are not the future of the church. They are the church NOW. And the church, while it may not remain what we are used to, is going to continue. We can learn so much from them, just like we have wisdom to share with them. So let's be the kingdom! Reach out to these young people, ask them about their time in Montreat! Ask them their thoughts on the sermon this Sunday! You will be pleasantly surprised at the conversation that might take place. Don t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1Timothy 4:12) Blessings, Rae
Jesus Calms a Storm Luke 8:22-25 Jesus friends were very afraid in their boat. There was rain and wind, thunder and lighting. They were very afraid. Jesus helped his friends. He talked to the storm. The rain and wind stopped. The thunder and lightning stopped. Jesus friends were happy. Can you make a frightened face? Can you make a happy face? You are Jesus friend.
Summer Social Come One Come All! Hot dog and ice cream social Saturday, August 2, 2014 5:30 PM in Price Hall. Hot dogs, baked beans, chips, slaw and all the fixings! Homemade Ice Cream! Brownies! For entertainment we will have Roy Bishop and his barber shop quartet to sing the night away. The kids can play in the CMB. A nursery will be provided. Please call in to the church office and sign up! Please call Grayson/Jan Goodman if you can bring homemade ice cream and/or brownies! Elder Nominating Committee The ENC needs your help. Please pray that we will find the right folks for our church. Also, we need your suggestions as to who would make a great candidate for the Session. Send you information to Grayson Goodman. There is a FAN hidden in the Newsletter! Can you find it?
Reminder to all PW coordinating team members. There is a planning session being held immediately after church on Sunday, August 3 rd in Price Hall. Lunch will be served prior to the beginning of the meeting and we will move quicky from lunch to work as we plan for our year ahead. Hope to see you all there. To all women, young, older and in between. If you are not a member of a circle and would like to join us for a monthly bible study, fun, fellowship and our mission and service work please see the list of circles below with information on where and when we meet. If interested in becoming involved, please make contact with one of the leaders. Circle #1 10:30am 2 nd Tuesday of the month Meets at the church Contact Jan Frost @ 357-4380 or Janefrost7@aol.com Circle #2 11:45am 2 nd Monday of the month Meets at the church/occasionally in homes Contact Jan Goodman @587-7029 0r grayson6060@gmail.com Circle #3 7:00pm 2 nd Tuesday of the month Meets in homes Contact Mary Lee Hayes @583-2183 or mlhayes1952@yahoo.com Circle # 4 9:00am - 2 nd Saturday of the month Meets at the church/occasionally in homes Contact Barbara Darwin @ 597-3961 or dtheory@charter.net
2 nd Leroy Moore 4 th Judi White Jared Young 10 th Carolyn Eubanks 11 th Laura Deal 14 th Marjorie Allison 16 th Quin Holden 18 th Dylan Lego 19 th Melvin Norwood 20 th Cindy Witherspoon 21 st Elaine Pruitt 27 th Marianna Davis Bert Sippola Kristen Smith Katy Ballard Nursery Volunteers for August 3 rd Beverly Reynolds (baby) / Crystal Christian (2-5) 10 th Joanne Ballenger (Baby) / Barbara Darwin (2-5) 17 th Margaret Ann Cunningham (Baby) / Crystal Christian 24 th Ashley Blackwelder (Baby) / Nan Lake (2-5) 31 st - Dale Wenger (Baby) / Barbara Darwin (2-5) Usher Team for August Richard Faust, Skip and Chris Frye, Paul and Elaine Pruitt, George and Dale Wenger Offering Team for August Newman McGarity / Manley Christian Liturgist for August 4 th Michael Bennett 10 th Fran Ohls 17 th David Lake 24 th Cheri Hucks 31 st - Steven Epps Elder on Call for August Week of the 3 rd Michael Bennett 828-342-0795 Week of the 10 th Grayson Goodman 494-2388 / grayson6006@gmail.com Week of the 17 th Steve Reese 431-8420 / enreese@windstream.net Week of the 24 th David Lake 316-3373 / david.lake@milliken.com Week of the 31 st Bill Mitchell 706-3441 / bmitchell@firehousesubs.com
Dawn Lowe, Payton Dominick, Margie Goodwin, Pat Miller, Anslie Waters, Ava & Garrison Williams (grandchildren of JoAnn & Roy Bishop), Juanita Smith, Rachel Hart, Loree George, Sandra Sweet, Marlene Towery, Betty Taylor (Jan Sumeral s Mother), Ellen Davis, Fay Tillotson, Baby Royce, Chris Frye, Beverly Reynolds, Marjorie Goodwin, Betty Deal, Jimmy Turnage, Carole Tillotson, Bob Cason, Roy Hall, David Matthews, Buddy Greene, Carolyne Coates, Everett Tillotson, Jan Goodman, JoAnne Bishop, Sterling Anderson, Ray Eubanks, Mark, Sheila and Caleb Cowen, Jim George, Pat Stephens, The prayer room is always open. Bring your burdens and your praises. God will meet you there! Major Paul Atkinson Spangdahlem Air Force Base Wittlich, Germany Staff Sergeant Adam Patterson Air Force Base, Tacoma, Washington Major Sterling Anderson ll Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, Florida Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6