Top 5 @ SPUMC

#1 BAPTISMS, BUGS & A BIG GOD
These past two Sundays, we have had the privilege of baptizing three children (twins Hazel Mae & Claire Elisabeth Marshall and Caroline Rose Albers), hearing about a stealth bug attack that Rev. Narae survived in church (and her quandary about whether to save or kill this bug just as Rev. Ron was preaching about the wonder of all of God’s creatures as part of our Sensing God series!) and Rev. Byron preaching on Psalm 8 and our rightful place in the universe that belongs to a very BIG God.

Along the way, we’ve been blessed by some great music (thanks Everly, Shawn, Kylie, Jessica and others!). Hope you will join us this Sunday.

#2 VBS PARIS OLYMPICS IN FULL SWING
Oo-la-la! What a fantastique week we’ve been having at the Paris Olympics Mega Sports Camp VBS! With 200 children and 75 volunteers, this place has been full of energy and smiles from the soccer field to the basketball court, from the kitchen (I mean classy French Bakery!) to the music, Bible story & arts classes, from the Pre-K/Kindergarten group to the “Decathlon” (PE Games) group and of course in the 3-times-a-day Olympic Stadium/Fellowship Hall grand gatherings. Check out our Facebook page to see some of the life-filled images from this week and join us this coming Sunday as we share some of the music and stories of VBS during our 9:15am worship service.

#3 EXTREME MAKEOVER: THE PEWS ARE BACK!
The refinished pews just arrived from North Carolina on Tuesday and installation efforts are fully underway. New carpet and luxury vinyl planking has just been installed, we’ve already completed the painting phase of our project (a brightening up of the front wall and wings, doors, balcony, ceilings, etc.) and are about to start in on some of the AV upgrades (running cables and conduits while the floors are accessible). The Sanctuary is really coming back together and it is looking great!

You can be part of this Extreme Makeover and support our Sanctuary renovations in the form of a commitment of multiple contributions over time (18-24 months), a one-time gift, stock donations, mandatory IRA distributions, etc.. Our lead donors did a great job of giving us a head start on our fundraising ($108,000!) and we’d love for as many of you who can to join them in this over-and-above giving (we still need your weekly and monthly offerings…) at whatever amount you are able. So far we have commitments and donations for $181K of the $300K we are seeking to raise. See the EXTREME MAKEOVER page for more details, commitment cards, and links to give.

#4 ASP SUNDAY IS AUGUST 11
Our APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT team of 47 youth, college students and adults recently returned from a week of serving residents in the community of Leatherwood, Kentucky. They had a great and productive time roofing, siding, insulating, installing new floor joists, plumbing and digging endless footer holes for wheel chair ramps. Through the sweat and the hard work and refreshing rounds of Ale-8 sodas, there was so much joy and laughter that shone through as the projects all came together for the homeowners. Our church mission statement — Love. Serve. Follow. — was on full display all week long in Kentucky! Check out the pictures of the youth in action on our Facebook page and join us on ASP Sunday is August 11 to hear their stories and testimonies.

#5 STAY CONNECTED WHEN AWAY
There are lots of ways to keep connected to SPUMC even when you are out of town this summer:
*Send us a postcard from your family vacation and/or digital pix for our Friday eNews. We absolutely love seeing your pictures and living your joy vicariously with you! Pictured to the left is Justin E. catching a wave in Ocean City, New Jersey.
* Worship with us when you’re away via our Livestream services each Sunday at 10:45am. You can link to our worship service on Sunday mornings in real time, or visit our Facebook page or YouTube channel to catch up anytime.
* Keep up with what’s going on by regularly visiting the Top 5 page on our website or via our weekly eNews.

God’s blessings to you and your family wherever you find yourselves this summer!