Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-18 (New International Version)
“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
Dear Friends,
The church parking lot has a new top coat, and it is beautiful. Of course, none of us can park on it yet; it is too new.
Recently, a member of our congregation told me about a neighbor who won’t go to any church because churches are full of hypocrites. The way I see it church isn’t the only place we find hypocrites, they are found in churches and outside of churches. The difference between the outside and the inside is that we are aware that we are saved by grace. We know that we have shortcomings, faults, and sins. We are just forgiven and made new, as it says in the bible verse above. Life still hands us abundant opportunities to make mistakes. Life also give us opportunities to do things right. There was a time when people put off becoming Christians because the thought was a person couldn’t be forgiven for their sins after their confession in Jesus Christ. Thank God, literally because Presbyterians do not believe that. We can always ask for forgiveness.
Being made new is a journey. Through Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven and by the presence of the Holy Spirit our character changes. We grow. It is good to remember that people are looking at us and wondering if we walk the talk. Let us walk with faith in Jesus Christ.
On Sunday, you will be driving on brand new black top. Time will take its toll. In a few years it will be time for a new coat of black top. Thanks be to God we can be made new each and every day. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
P.S. It was so nice on Sunday to be home with my church family.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The DEADLINE FOR THE AUGUST DIALOG was yesterday. If you missed it, reply to this email and attach your article or calendar item. Do it right now. Please!
INTERESTED IN VISITING CUBA? We are planning another trip in the fall of 2010 to visit our sister church in Guanabacoa. The dates for the trip are November 7 through November 15. We will need to submit names of people who will be going by August 15 in order to allow time to obtain visas. The cost of the trip is $1,800 per person. This covers all air fares, overnight stays, and meals and transportation while in Cuba. If you are interested in going on this trip or just asking questions about it, contact Gretchen Fleming (630-858-9377).
CHURCH RETREAT: It’s not too late to sign up for the Southminster Church Retreat at Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, MI!! Please add your name to the list or contact Andrea Schmidt if you have any questions. Remember that we will be arriving Friday afternoon/evening, August 20 and departing Sunday morning, August 22.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: This week the children will learn about the Good Samaritan and what it means to help others. Thank you to all the volunteers who have signed up to teach/help this summer. We still need help in August. The sign up sheet is on the CE bulletin board. PLEASE help our children learn what an awesome God we have!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Starts this coming Monday, July 26-30 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.! Get on board with VBS and bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors and any other child who is in preschool (4 years old) through 5th grade to set sail on a High Seas adventure. There they’ll enjoy goodies from the Galley, Ship Rec games, Ship crafts and Missions - all while experiencing the deep rolling waters of God’s love. It’s not too late to register. Register on-line at www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/SouthminsterHighSeas or at the church. Please contact Suzanne Tennyson or Andrea Schmidt to learn more.
LIST OF ITEMS STILL NEEDED FOR VBS:
12 - empty 2-liter bottles
1 - Roll of cellophane (for portholes)
4 - Small blankets
1 - Box fans
Fishing nets
Please let Rebecca Hecker if you can provide any items.
VBS MISSION: This year’s VBS mission project is to collect school supplies for children and youth in need. Several of our members at Southminster are teachers who have an increasing number of such students. You can help by bringing school supplies any night during VBS, or by dropping them off at Southminster by Sunday, August 1st. Let’s help our neighbors get ready for an awesome school year!
The following are the specific needs:
Crayons (24 count or larger)
White glue in plastic bottles
Glue sticks
Markers (sets of broad tip or fine line markers)
Permanent markers (either individual black fine tip markers, or small sets of markers)
Loose leaf notebook paper (wide line preferred)
Pencils (#2, not mechanical)
Watercolor sets of 8 paints
Construction paper (all colors)
VBS VOLUNTEERS: Youth volunteers, remember to come this Friday night at 6:30 to learn about this year’s VBS theme, get your assignments, tie-dye your VBS t-shirt and eat pizza! ALL volunteers are needed Saturday morning at 9:00 to help turn the church into a huge ship! The more volunteers we have, the less time it should take to decorate. Also, all volunteers who didn’t tie-dye the night before, will tie-dye their VBS shirt. Come prepared to get dirty!
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: Wow, summer is half over, and we still need three Sunday School teachers for the fall. HELP! One teacher is needed for the Kindergarten class, one for the intermediate class (3-5 graders) and one for the middle school class. What’s great about having more than one teacher (more than two for the preschool class) is that you can rotate Sundays. That means you can take turns teaching. Can’t commit for the year? We also need substitutes! Please see Rebecca Hecker about following your call to teach Sunday School.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
July 25 - Sunday School topic: The Good Samaritan
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School - Come aboard for great fun! (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
August - Jonah, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Esther
YOUTH:
Great America - this Sunday, leaving after worship. Last call for anyone, SPY and PYNGUINS, interested in Great America. Let Blair know ASAP if you haven’t already let him know!
Upcoming YOUTH events, for SPY and PYNGUINS: “Loop day,” August 15, and “Lock-In” August 28-29.
FROM YOUR LIBRARY: Be sure to check the library table in the narthex all this month for summer reading. There will be many new books, so check every week.
The time is NOW and we need YOUR help to save the Presbyterian Camps!! Please prayerfully consider MAKING A PLEDGE TO LAKESHORE CHRISTIAN CAMPING to ensure the camping experience will continue for another 100 years. Informational pamphlets with pledge cards are available on the bulletin board outside the sanctuary. Please visit the LCC website at www.prescampsforever.org or contact Andrea Schmidt, Sid Peterson or Norm Ellsworth with any questions.
RAISING FUNDS FOR LCC: Jubilee Resale, Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31, 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. A great selection of resale items, and all the profits will go to LCC! All sales are cash only. In the Fellowship Hall of Community Presbyterian Church, 39 N. Prospect, Clarendon Hills.
