#1 I Pledge Allegiance

On Independence weekend, we began a new 3-part worship service called Credo. Rev. Ron talked about the history and evolution of the Pledge of Allegiance as we know it today --  from a promotional program created by Rev. Jeremy Bellamy for a Christian youth magazine in 1892 to support the Columbian Exposition of the same year, to the additions that came in the 1920's and 1950's. Against the backdrop of the 4th of July and in conversation with the ways that Jesus' loyalty was put to the test (Matthew 22:15-22, 34-40), Rev. Ron asked us to consider our patriotism in light of our faith commitments: who or what do we pledge our ultimate allegiance to? How do we "render unto Caear what is Casesar's and unto God what is God's?" It is a good thing to love our country as long as we remember to love God and our neighbor even more!

#2 DIVE INTO JOHN

Dive into the Gospel of John on Tuesday nights this summer with Rev. Byron. Beginning on  July 29 at 7:30pm, Rev. Byron will offer That You May Have Life, an 8-week online class that will take participants all the way through this story and image-rich gospel. You can pick up a schedule at the Welcome Desk along. Here is the Zoom link to log into the class. The Passcode is life.

#3 Got a Car to Donate?

Your unused car could change the life of one of the refugee families we have helped settle in the area so they can get to work, shop for groceries, take their kids to the library, etc. If you have a car in good running order just taking up space in your garage or driveway that you’d be willing to donate to our Welcome Home Team, we’d love to talk with you about it. Contact Heather Kraus to learn more about his win-win opportunity.

#4 ASP Returns from WV
Sharing Love in Appalachia

Our ASP team of 52 youth, college students and adults returned from for Davy (McDowell County), West Virginia where they spent a week working on homes and building relationships and hope. You'll want to be on hand on ASP Sunday, August 10th to hear about their powerful experiences of discovering and sharing the love of Jesus in so many ways. Thanks for all of your support of our ASP Team.

#5 Confirmation Sunday
The Spirit of Pentecost Is Alive

The Spirit was at work on Pentecost Sunday as we welcomed 18 Confirmands into full membership. Rev. Lee's sermon was titled, "The REAL Mission Impossible" as she playfully talked about the challenges over the last 5 months of drawing these young people into a deeper and more meaningful faith. Each year the youth are asked to describe what they think the purpose of the church is and the one that caught her attention was "to help us remember the stories of God." Thanks to all of the parents, Sunday School teacher, Confirmation mentors and youth counselors who have had a hand in planting seeds of faith in these young disciples of Jesus.

One of the other highlights of the service was class member Izzy Duckett singing "Here I Am Lord" with the congregation joining in on the last verse as the class processed out of the Sanctuary. What a day to celebrate!

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