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June 29, 2022
From the Pastor
Rev. Dr. Cathy Jamieson
“A Lot of Love”
Well, here we are, the start of a new pastoral appointment. Actually, there’s three new pastors appointed to Grace! I’m honored to be your new senior pastor and to be in partnership with Daniel Eplee and Ashley Buchanan, the new gifted associate pastors. We participated in a three-day clergy leadership retreat in late April, and we have already bonded. We look forward to bonding with you!
As a District Superintendent for 8 years, one of my duties was facilitating the introductory visits for new pastors. Rev. Dr. Stephen Love did that in April with the SPRC and all three of us, and it went exceedingly well. When I conducted introductory visits in Columbia District, I often used the metaphor of an arranged marriage. I didn’t get to choose you, and you didn’t get to choose me. The Bishop and Cabinet set us up and told us we were to be together indefinitely. The SPRC doesn’t get to review profiles, like one might do on a dating app! There is no dating or engagement. The introductory visit is a “blind date” and within a couple months, the “arranged marriage” begins.
An “arranged marriage” may or may not last forever. Some appointments end earlier than one may expect or prefer. There are many factors that can impact the success of a church’s relationship with its pastors. When my 92-year-old grandfather, Grandpa Sweetman, was in his final days, my sister Michele came to visit him at the hospital. Her husband, Sam, was unable to come but he told Michele, “Ask Grandpa the secret to a long-term marriage.” Grandma and Grandpa were married 72 years! When Michele asked him, Grandpa simply said, “A lot of love, a lot of love.”
Perhaps we can form a covenant in this “arranged marriage” and commit ourselves to “a lot of love,” based on God’s love, as demonstrated through Jesus. “No one has ever seen God; when we love one another, God lives in us and God’s love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4:12.
In Jesus,
Cathy
Worship Plan: Sermon Series July, August, September 2022
We will be focusing our worship themes around three inter-related topics:
Jesus, the Church, and our mission to reach new disciples.
July: Who is He?
“I am” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John reveal the identity of Jesus. If we understand clearly who Jesus is, then we will know more clearly who we are.
August: Who are we?
Various scriptures in the gospels and Paul’s letters reveal who we are as individuals (saved sinners) and who we are as the Church, called to reach new people
September: Who are they?
Various scriptures in the gospels and Paul’s letters help us understand who the unchurched are (“nones” and “dones”), and how to reach them with the love of Jesus Christ. The sermon series in September will tie in with a Wednesday night class taught by the pastors on how to share faith with the unchurched.
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SUNDAY, July 3, 2022
Sunday School and Worship Schedule for July 3
No 8:30 or LifeSong Worship (see below)
Join us for Sunday School
9:45AM - Sunday School for all ages
Adult SS Dept.., Amber Forrest (amber@gotgraceumc.org)
Youth Dept.., Megan Stafford (megan@gotgraceumc.org)
Children's Dept., Yolanda McCabe (yolanda@gotgraceumc.org)
THEN Join us at 11:00 in the Sanctuary
We invite our 8:30 Gathering worshipers, LIfeSong worshipers, friends of Grace and guest to join us at our 11:00 Worship service in the Sanctuary.
We will come together to welcome our new pastors, Rev. Dr. Cathy Jamieson, Rev. Daniel Eplee and Rev. Ashley Buchanan, for their first Sunday in the pulpit at Grace.
Looking ahead for our JULY 10 Worship
WORSHIP SERVICES & SUNDAY SCHEDULE AT GRACE
8:30 AM - 830 Gathering Service, Sanctuary
Preaching: Rev. Daniel Eplee
8:45 AM - LifeSong Contemporary Service, Wesley Center
Preaching: Rev. Cathy Jamieson
Liturgist: Rev. Ashley Buchanan
9:45 AM Reception for Rev. Cathy Jamieson, Rev. Daniel Eplee & Rev. Ashley Buchanan will be held immediately after LifeSong during the Sunday School hour in the Wesley Center)
Please check with your Adult SS class if you will meet on this date.
9:45 AM - Sunday school for all ages
(see specific Ministry departments in e-Newsletter for more info)
Adult SS Dept.., Amber Forrest (amber@gotgraceumc.org)
Youth Dept.., Megan Stafford (megan@gotgraceumc.org)
Children's Dept., Yolanda McCabe (yolanda@gotgraceumc.org)
11:00 AM - Traditional, Sanctuary
Preaching: Rev. Cathy Jamieson
Liturgist: Rev. Ashley Buchanan
DRAMA and WESLEY SINGERS
These weekly programs will resume again in the Fall.
Please sign up for DRAMA camp July 11-15. Forms are available at the Church office.
YOUTH SCHEDULE
6:00 PM - June 26, Regular Evening Youth, Youth Wing
See youth section for Summer Activities
Watch on LIVESTREAM
Please note: If you click on the LifeStream link you can see the previous week's 11:00 worship
Worship Bulletin available
If you are tuning in to worship each Sunday via LiveStream, you can follow along with the Worship Bulletin in one of two ways:
- Click on the link that will be provided on our Facebook page
- Go to https://gotgraceumc.org/live/ and click on the orange button below the LiveStream image
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WAYS TO HELP UKRAINE
Please click on the button below
for 2 ways to send AID to Ukraine through the UMC
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Grace UMC is in transition. WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW PLEASE!
How will Reverends Cathy Jamieson, Daniel Eplee, and Ashley Buchanan get to know Grace? How will Grace get to know their special gifts and skills? Communication is the obvious answer.
Small group meetings facilitate communication. A relaxed home gathering of 10 ‑ 15 people along with Rev. Jamieson and an Associate Pastor is optimal. They get acquainted with us and our culture, and we get acquainted with them.
Volunteers are needed to host both afternoon and evening meetings. The days and times are flexible. The start date will be mid – July. The host provides only the venue, attendees bring snacks or desserts. Rev. Jamieson guides the discussion.
In addition to the home gatherings, there may be meetings with Sunday School classes and Wednesday nights after WINGS.
Your help is needed to (1) make this transition successful, (2) identify opportunities, and (3) develop a plan for success. Call the church office to volunteer to a home gathering. Sign-up sheets will also be circulated in Sunday School classes.
Both the Church and Rev. Wilkes benefited from home meetings held when he arrived. SPRC chairs and moving pastors across the SC Conference learned about home meetings through a Transitions Webinar sponsored by the Cabinet. Reverend Jamieson advocates them. This transition, to be successful, needs them.
Thank you for your help.
NEW SUMMER SERIES FROM YOUR ADULT MINISTRY DIRECTOR
Questions: Amber Forrest, amber@gotgraceumc.org
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WOMEN OF GRACE: PILLOW MINISTRY
SAVE THE DATE: The Women of Grace will again sponsor our Pillow Ministry Day on August 27, 2022, from 9:30-12n in the Wesley Center.
We will meet in person this year after two years of covid separation. It seems that our pillows are more in demand than ever before, unfortunately, because there have been so many people diagnosed with cancer lately. The Breast Health Center, The infusion Center at AU Health, several oncologists’ offices, and The Lydia Project have all been recipients of our beautiful pillows. Of course, whenever there is a need, all one has to do is ask and a pillow will be provided. This is such a worthwhile project and we should all be proud as participants to know that this will be our 8th year!
We need your help. We need sew-ers, stuffers, ribbon pinners, ironers, and baggers. We hope to make approximately 200 pillows in about two hours. Come join the fun while at the same time providing a much-needed service to those in need. We will have a light lunch afterwards. There will be sign-ups coming soon through Sunday School classes, Circles, and Facebook. For questions, please call Linda Smith or Kathy Batten.
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Ways to help the Indigenous people of Bolivia
Mission Collection Update 6/27:
As the mission committee is still working toward a scouting / sending medical supplies representative going to Bolivia in the Fall 2022.
We are still in need of the following:
Toothbrushes (no toothpaste please) collected 57.....need 500 total
Reading glasses collected 142....need 300 total (NO bifocals, please)
Sunglasses collected 86......need 200 total (kids too!)
Vitamins need total of 1000 for each:
Adult complete collected 125
Women collected - 210
Kids collected 160
Prenatal collected 6
As you can see, we are still in need of supplies as well as small travel size lotions and sunscreens. Please turn into collection bins on each floor of the Wesley Center or to the volunteer window of the Asbury Bldg. And a Big Thank you for your help!
Questions: Janis Collins at janlyn618@gmail.com
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Do you enjoy dreaming up new ideas and planning ways to bring them into reality? We are looking for a team of 8-10 people to help create and sustain opportunities for the faith formation and discipleship of adults here at Grace.
Please contact Amber Forrest(amber@gotgraceumc.org) if you are interested in learning more about the Adult Ministries Council.
We are bombarded with so many stories every day, each one more entertaining and engaging than the next. We have the greatest story of all to tell, and in this digital, multimedia world, we have more options than ever before—and more challenges as a church to be relevant in telling our story in a way that inspires and engages people. Whether we are using print materials to let our own congregation know about an upcoming study or using social media to announce an event to the whole community, communication is crucial in the life of our church.
 Grace UMC plans to establish a Communications Committee (5-6 people) to oversee the work of both internal and outreach communications.
If you have a background or a gifting in any of the following areas, please prayerfully consider contacting Amber Forrest (amber@gotgraceumc.org) about joining this much-needed group:
Writing
Photography
Public relations
Advertising
Website design
Social media
We are needing to add to our list of Volunteer Receptionist to help fill the void when either Debbie and I are off and to cover lunch hours.
Grace is blessed to have Deb Campbell, Barry Whitney, Leta Burnett, Jerry Howland, Betty Wilson and Jim Travis to help us out on a weekly basis. Plus, they also need breaks too! We do need someone for Thursday afternoons. If you don't want to commit to a particular day, you can be added to our substitute list and be called when we need you!
Duties are greeting people who come in, answering the phone, computer knowledge is a plus, helping when jobs come up like stuffing, labeling and stamping envelopes or other needs as they arise. (We help with answering the phone too!)
Thank you for considering this relaxing way to help your Grace staff!
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PLEASE READ THIS UPDATED NOTICE, THANK YOU!
On Tuesday, June 28, many of our members received an email from Karen (our church secretary) through Realm announcing that a change was made to your privacy settings. The email notified you that your privacy settings have changed from “Leaders/Groups” to “Anyone.”
No cause for alarm! This notification just means that now every Grace UMC church member can see your picture and contact information when they log into our secure Realm online directory!
After several weeks of announcing this via emails, letter, and newsletter articles, changes are being made in our Realm system so that our online directory is usable to our Grace church members. If you are a member of Grace and you have not yet received this privacy change notification, you should be receiving an email within the next week. These changes are slow-going as we make sure to not leave anyone out of our online directory!
If you are concerned about these changes to your Realm privacy settings, please contact Amber Forrest at amber@gotgraceumc.org or by calling the church office (803)279-7525.
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Helpful links:
One spiritual gift inventory is located at:
www.gotgraceumc.org/ resources
Places where you can serve located at:
www.gotgraceumc.org/serve
Questions? Contact the church office at 803-279-7525
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CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Yolanda McCabe, Director of Family and Children's Ministry at yolanda@gotgraceumc.org
Elementary Kids Club Summer Camp Registration is now open! Yay!
(This is for RISING 1ST GRADERS - RISING 6TH GRADERS)
We are so excited to offer TWO WEEKS of summer camps in July! We couldn’t decide on picking 1-2 themes for each week, so we are doing “Fan Favorites” for both weeks! This does not mean that they will be doing the exact same activities. The schedule will include nature, tie-dyeing, crafts, painting, and cooking!
Our hours will be M-F, 7:30am-4:30pm. The cost of our program will be the same as in prior years and is as follows:
$125 per week, per child
$100 per week, per each additional sibling
$100 per week, per child that is a Grace UMC member
You will provide the lunch, and we will provide 2 snacks (AM/PM).
Kids Club Summer Camp weeks are July 18-22 and July 25-29.
If you are interested in signing up your kids there are printed registration form laying on the hallway table that’s in the Children’s Ministry (by girl’s bathroom). Thanks!
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ELEMENTARY AND PRESCHOOL and SUNDAY BLAST INFO BELOW
Sunday School Preschool schedule for Summer 2022:
3k – 5k will be following the HeartShaper curriculum in their classrooms. Join us as kids learn a weekly Bible story and memory verse and do fun activities. The kids will take home student magazines to work at home with their families.
Unit 1 David
July 3 - David Sings to God (2 Samuel 22: Psalms 4,5,23,100,122,150)
SPARK HOUSE SUMMER 2022 CURRICULUM
ELEMENTARY SUNDAY SCHOOL
SparkHouse Summer Lessons
Large group and Small group
SUMMER FUN TIME
SUNDAY BLAST KIDS
Bible stories and crafts
SparkHouse Summer Lessons:
Noah's Ark
Jonah and the Big Fish
Walking on the Water
Woman at the Well
Lydia
PLEASE NOTE: July 3 there will be NO LifeSong Blast
Click on the links to stay connected with our Children's Department:
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Megan Stafford, Director of Youth Ministries
megan@gotgraceumc.org
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WHAT'S UP THE NEXT FEW MONTHS?
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WHAT'S GOING ON THIS WEEK
Whitewater Rafting Sign-ups are OPEN!
Follow the link below to sign up. Email megan@gotgraceumc.org with any questions.
https://sites.google.com/view/graceyouthumc/white-water-rafting
Sunday Morning Gathering - Megan will be teaching Sunday School
Sunday Evening Gathering - No evening gathering.
SUMMER ACTIVITIES ARE IN FULL SWING!
July 3- No Youth, July 4th
July 10- No Youth, Salkehatchie
July 17 - Pizza and Salkehatchie Stories (6 to 8 p.m., Youth Wing)
July 24 - Pool Day at Stafford Farm (5 to 8 p.m., dinner provided)
July 29-31 - Whitewater Rafting Trip
August 7 - Family Cookout and Parent Info Meeting (6 to 8 p.m., dinner provided)
August 14 - Back to School Worship and Prayer (6 to 7:30, Youth Wing)
AND FOR THOSE THAT REALLY LIKE TO PLAN IN ADVANCE...
October 14-16 - Ridge Haven Retreat
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For info with Adult Ministries contact:
Amber Forrest, Director of Adult Ministries at amber@gotgraceumc.org
GRACE SMALL GROUP INFORMATION
GriefShare, Led by Susan Waller & Kevin Hendricks, weekly on Sundays April 24 - August 7 from 3:00 - 5:00PM, Cokesbury SS class
Ukelele Class for all ages, Beverly Blevins, 7:00 PM, weekly on Mondays in the Asbury Building Journey SS class; Learn the basic chords for this happy little instrument and strum with your friends
Tuesday Morning Ladies Bible Study, Mary Chris Newell, 9:30 AM, Youth Wing (OFF FOR THE SUMMER)
NEW! Treading Tuesdays led by Ally Gentile meets at 10AM in the Grace Gym parking lot to Brick Pond Park. Dates: 6/28, 7/12, and 7/25 (allygentile17@gmail.com)
What to bring: Water, sunscreen, comfy shoes, strollers and wagons are welcome!
The Chosen Summer Series Small Group led by Amber Forest, Tuesdays, June 21 - August 9, 6:30 PM, Asbury Bldg., Chapel
Upper Room Encouragers, Laura Lusk, 10 AM, weekly on Weds. in the Youth Wing (OFF FOR THE SUMMER)
Digging Into the Bible, Cheryl May & Jen Thomas 7:00 PM, Wednesdays, On-line. (WILL RESUME AFTER LABOR DAY)
Questions, Contact Cheryl at Camay@bellsouth.net or Jen at JenRichThomas@hotmail.com
GIFTS(Gathering in Fellowship to Share) in the morning, Mary Jane Wisenbaker, 10:00 AM, monthly, 2nd Thursdays. Please join us as we fellowship together while we crochet, knit, and sew.
Caring and Sharing, John Mullins, 6:00 PM, Thursdays, Roundtable Class
Wisdom of the Ages, 11:00AM, Thursdays, Conference Room (LOOK FOR UPDATES SOON!)
Foster Mom Bible Study, Lindsey Rosenlieb, 7:00 PM 1st and 3rd Thursdays, meet in homes. Contact for more information. (lrosenlieb@gmail.com)
Grace Messengers, Anne Comer & Dave Redmond, Continue their support to shut-ins and others facing difficulties through cards of encouragement
Therapy Dog Training, Lynn Ealey, 2:30 PM, 3rd Wed or Yolanda Markham, 2nd & 4th Friday, contact CSRATherapyDogs@att.net
Sunday School Classes currently meeting at 9:45am
Grow in Christ and Serve Together Through Adult Sunday School
If you are not currently a member of a Sunday School Class, Grace has some great ones! Check one out!
NEW CLASS!
Cokesbury: Large, growing class of active empty nesters. Participates in a wide variety of mission projects. Current Study: Adult Bible Studies Series. Classroom B Downstairs Wesley Center.
Contact: Susan Jackson
Family Foundations: Consists of married, single, divorced and widowed members. Very active in missions and support for one another. Family Center Lounge.
Contact: Christi McClintock
Journey: Consists of those 30-40 with and without children. Class is active in missions, particularly in the area of Children’s Ministries and Angel Tree. Members rotate teaching responsibilities. Upper level Asbury Building.
Contact: Abbie Ethun
New Life: Mission focused group of singles and married couples ages 30 and up. Member-led weekly Bible study and “Mission of the Month” support. Classroom A Lower Level Wesley Center.
Contact: Michele Chiswell
Seekers: Relaxed and informal singles and married couples primarily 60 and up who focus on discussions of how our faith, the Bible and United Methodist beliefs relate to everyday lives. Class supports a variety of missions including Ronald McDonald house. Class meets Classroom C lower level Wesley Center.
Contact: Bruce Wilson.
Stillwell: This SS class is 72 years strong and comprised of singles and couples 60 and older. Uses Adult Bible Studies series, presented by excellent teachers. Class is very involved in missions and significant goal of class is “glad to do whatever we can for those who need our help.” Class meets lower level Wesley Center classroom H.
Contact: Sandra Guest.
Women of Faith: Comprised of married and single women of all ages. Class strives to be a sanctuary for all in attendance and offer a safe place to lean on each other in times of need. Currently the class is studying Fierce: Women of the Bible who Changed the World. Class meets in Classroom G lower level Wesley Center.
Contact: Irene Smith.
For more information
Amber Forrest, Director of Adult Ministries at the Church Office, 803-279-7525
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Greetings from Sanctuary Music at Grace!
We welcome new volunteers to all of our ensembles (Chancel Choir, Wesley Singers, and Handbells). Please reach out to Chris Leysath at cleysath@acpsd.net for more information. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement of Sanctuary Music at Grace.
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PRAYER and PRAISE REQUESTS ARE THROUGH JUNE 29
Pastor contacts:
Church Office: 803-279-7525
Rev. Dr. Cathy Jamieson, Senior Pastor, cjamieson@gotgraceumc.org
Rev. Daniel Eplee, Associate Pastor, deplee@gotgraceumc.org
Rev. Ashley Buchanan, Associate Pastor, abuchanan@gotgraceumc.org
Please Note: if you have a family member on our prayer list, or know of someone on our list who is much better, please keep us informed! Also, those in need of prayer. Much appreciated.)
Thank You and Praise:
Dear friends and family of Grace, my appointment at Grace UMC over the last four years has been a blessing and a privilege. Thank you for your hospitality and love as you celebrated our time at Grace this last Sunday. We thank you for the gifts given to us as a part our celebration.
Wishing you peace and blessings as you continue to minister in North Augusta and in the world. - Rev Randall and Laura Haase
Prayer Request:
Bob & Glenice Young, Susan Bradley, Beth Ann Young, Wilma Allen, Deborah Prater, Wanda Lowry, Harling Mayson, Margaret Lemon, Nancy Lowry, Katie Smith, Ted Thompson, Jane Murdock , Bobby Oliver & Angie Oliver
Charlie (Lynn) Ealey, his surgery is rescheduled for July 17
Rev. Tom (Molly) Wilkes, father of Tommy Wilkes
Bill Walker, brother of Ray Walker
Mattie Coleman, mother of Linda Cullum
Phillip Ramsey, son of Gail Crook
VA Downtown Medical Center:
John Hollins (no visitors please)
Stevens Park Heath & Rehab:
Harriett Lynn
Sympathy to:
Steve Waldrop and Dana Waldrop Hudson in the death of their mother, Janet Davis, who died at NHC in NA on June 20. Memorial service sometime in September in NA.
Kay Poss and Jennifer (David) Poss Ryberg & Kristi (Alex) Atkins in the death of her father and their grandfather, respectively, Willie Beeler who died on June 25 in North Augusta. A private memorial service will be held.
Cindy (Damon) Haley in the death of her sister, Ivy Moore, who died at Doctor’s Hospital on June 26. She had been on our prayer list for quite a while.
Click on the box below for our Homebound and Assisted Living members.
(Latest update 6/24/2022)
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Your gifts to the annual Operating Budget of Grace provide for everything we do here in our beautiful church, in the community and in the world around us. Your gifts provide for worship, missions, children’s programs, youth retreats, Christian education classes, music, and community outreach- as well as the staff that allow these ministries to continue every day. Grace has several options to assist you in your giving.
Acceptable Giving Methods
We’re excited to announce that we are now accepting ApplePay as a way to make your tithe to Grace. This is in addition to the continued methods of online & kiosk giving, ACH giving, church envelope & check. If you’d like to set up your donation as a recurring gift to the church, contact the church office at 803-279-7525. It’s simple to schedule it, and it’s a convenient and effective way to support Grace UMC!
Traditional Giving- During all of our worship services, you will have the opportunity to give using a check or cash. For your convenience, the church provides personalized offering envelopes and additional envelopes are located in the pew racks.
Kiosk Giving- Conveniently located in the Wesley Center and Asbury Building entrance hallways, our giving kiosk provides another secure way to give with your debit or credit card.
Online Giving- The most convenient and safe way for our members to give is online. With a simple click of the mouse, you can get started giving online today! Please CLICK HERE to get started today!
ACH GIVING- The church can automatically draft contributions from your checking or savings account to keep your contributions on track.
Contact the Church Office at 803-279-7525 or Debbie Yano at debbie@gotgraceumc.org for more information.
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FINANCIALS
Our next financials will be for the Month of June
and listed in the July 6 printed Newsletter and attached in the E-Newsletter.
MEMORIALS
June 26, 2022
IN MEMORY OF:
Janet Davis
(General Budget) The Stillwell Class
Steve Strode, brother of Suzanne Nuckols
(Women of Grace Scholarship) Patsy & Don Miller
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For a detailed listing of our Calendar events, go to
https://gotgraceumc.org/calendar/
When meeting at the church, please refer to your Small Group and Committee guidelines and bring your mask from home. If large attendance is expected please hold your meeting in the Chapel, Journey SS classroom or Youth Wing (except Sunday evenings). Thank you!
WEEKLY
JUNE & JULY
- GriefShare., Wednesdays, 3:00PM, Cokesbury SS class
- "The Chosen," Summer Series Tuesdays, 6:30PM, Chapel
- Single Worship Service (combined 8:30, LIfeSong & 11:00) July 3, 11:00 AM, Sanctuary
- OFFICE CLOSED for JULY 4th Holiday
- PRIME TIME field Trip, Lunch then Cain & Abel play, July 9, 10:45AM - 3:00PM
- Welcome Reception for our New Pastors, July 10, 9:45AM, Wesley Center
- Finance Mtg., July 10, 5:00PM, Journey SS class
- SPRC Mtg,, July 10, 6:30 PM, Journey SS class
- Church Council Mtg., July 12, 6:00 PM, Youth Wing
- GIFTS in the Morning, July 14, 10:00AM, Youth Wing
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