1

New Horizon Church July 2019

NEW HORIZON NEWS A UNITED METHODIST CONGREGATION

“As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a

pretext for evil”—1 Pet. 2:16

When I was a child, I remember July 4th representing a day in which we pause to celebrate this nation’s independ-ence (even if everyone were not equally free). July 4th meant a good time with family and friends where we gath-ered and listen to good music, dance, and exercise some of the very freedoms that make living in the United States such an honor. It was a fellowship of the faithful in some sense. In recent years, I have begun to reflect on the sig-nificance of our God given freedom. In the U.S., I am so glad that we can freely worship the Lord whenever we choose and our service to him is wrapped in his sacrificial and everlasting love. I am also reminded that we are forev-er dependent on God’s amazing love and grace that histor-ically has demonstrated his providence for those who love God and even those who do not.

Independence Day is a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Inde-pendence on July 4, 1776. What have we gleaned from our freedom since its adoption? Considering the news cy-cle, we see clearly that we are free to choose either good or evil. We are certain that good and evil still exists and per-haps evil is more prevalent in the media and our national

consciousness. The theme of freedom rings loudly in the first two books of the Holy Bible. Stories of good and evil can be seen throughout the Bible as well. Considering God’s covenant with Abraham, God had predicted the bondage and suffering of the Hebrews in a foreign land (Gen. 15:13). That long experience of Egyptian slavery became a powerful symbol of oppression, and so the deliv-erance of the Israelites through Moses spoke to them of freedom in a more profound sense—indeed, of spiritual redemption. This liberation had as its purpose serving God and obeying his Law (Exod. 19:4–5; cf. also 20:2) as the introduction to the Ten Commandments signifies. In other words, from the very beginning God’s people were taught that the only alternative to slavery was not some ambigu-ous freedom, but rather freedom to serve the Lord.

According to the Lexham Theological Workbook on free-dom, “freedom is the state that emerges after God has act-ed to remove all hindrances—social, spiritual (sin and death), economic, and institutional—that block our crea-tional purpose. This purpose is to know, love, worship, and enjoy God forever. This is a freedom that has been won for us by the death and resurrection of the Messiah. By the power of the Spirit, the Christian seeks to live into this freedom and to join with God in freeing others, while we await freedom’s full realization at Christ’s second coming (Rom 8:1–39)”.

As we celebrate Independence Day, let’s remember to live not only free but to live lovingly with our neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family. To serve the Lord and worship him forever means we will seek to love God and to love our neighbor by doing more good in our spiritual and social lives. How can we promote freedom if we do not seek to eliminate evil and hatred in the world? My hope for our community, our city, our state, our nation and our world is that we would live socially and spiritually humble as we move into the next decade where we will continue to be servants of God who uses our freedom to free others from the evil that brings God’s good creation to its ruin. We are better than what we have seen. We were created for God’s glory. Let’s show each other how the “free” work to free others to live with hope, faith, and love. Let’s use our freedom for good; better yet, let’s use our freedom for God. God Bless, America! — Pastor Frank

McCaulley, E. (2014). Freedom. D. Mangum, D. R. Brown, R. Klippen-stein, & R. Hurst (Eds.), Lexham Theological Wordbook. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Using Our Freedom

2

New Horizon Church

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting,

the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fast-

ing and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. — Acts 13:2-3

Many times, in our walk of faith, we hear people being encouraged to experience a deeper or more intimate relationship with God through fasting and praying. God uses prayer and fasting to change those who follow Christ. And for believers, we tap into the very power of God; for God can do more in a moment than we could ever do in a lifetime. I believe God wants to do more in our lives, min-istries, and church through the power of the Holy Spirit and we can connect with our Lord on a much deeper and higher level through these two disciplines. When we fast and pray, we penetrate strongholds of various warfare and pro-vide breakthroughs to many of life’s obstacles. It is an ac-cess or entry point into the supernatural power of God. A real and present help in times of distress and discernment. I believe we, as a church, are on the precipice of the very blessing of God in the midst of this unprecedented expan-sion around us.

Imagine, if you will, that God will and does mani-fest His presence in your life in a powerful, unusual, and divine way. That God is calling you and this church to do amazing things among both believers and skeptics in this community. I believe God is standing at our side, waiting to infuse our spirit with a fullness beyond our most sacred dreams. God can be more real in your life and the life of this church if we would just say “yes” to His invitation to join Him in this most exciting, provocative, and creative adventure of our lives. Will you accept His generous offer?

If you are ready to feel God’s presence, longing to know the Lord watches you, hoping God engulfs you into His loving embrace, and desiring for you to enter His streams of blessing, then we need and must pray and fast. If we want to be touched by something extraordinary, be lifted by the hand to heights unknown to us before, be ener-gized by the hope of His promises, we need to experience the triune God in new and different ways. Author Ronnie Floyd says in his book, “The Power of Prayer and Fasting”, I do not remember a time in my life when we needed God to unleash His power in us like we need right now. Fear and division are gripping our world like never before. We fear a failed economy, loss of jobs, and threats of war eve-rywhere in the world. In these tenuous times, God is trying to speak to you and me. God is speaking to His church and looking to advance his will throughout every nation and people. My brothers and sisters in Christ, God wants us to stand out and stand up like never before declaring thought our lives and with our words that our God is alive.

I encourage willing members of this church to dedicate them-selves to drawing closer to God and begin observing these disci-plines from July 5th through Ju-ly 19th. Through the study of God’s word and fasting and praying, we can realize what God has in store for this church and community beginning as early as August (the new aca-demic school year). I realize that every person cannot fast due to medical and health reasons, so I strongly encourage concerned persons to talk to their medical

or health professional before going on a fast, especially if it is your first fast. But everyone can pray and at least fast for short periods of the day (we fast for 8 hours as we sleep) and therefore everyone can participate. I will be praying every day at 9am, 12 noon, 3pm, 6pm, and 9pm with the exception on Sundays. I will be preaching on fasting and praying throughout the month of July and I encourage eve-ry small group and bible study group to reflect on the meaning, methods and power of prayer and fasting. I plan to use Ronnie Floyd’s book, The Power of Prayer and Fasting: God’s Gateway to Spiritual Breakthroughs, as a guide, but it is only one of many resources available to those interested in tapping into the power of the Almighty God through this ancient means of grace. Let us be hungry to surrender fully to the movement of God and face the fu-ture boldly by rising up and being the church that pursues God’s holy and precious will.

FOCUS FOR THE MONTH: EXPERIENCING THE POWER OF

PRAYER & FASTING

3

New Horizon Church

Continued on the next page

The FLORIDA UMC ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2019

June 5-8, 2019

Florida Southern College

111 Lake Holingsworth Dr.

Lakeland, FL 33801

Lay Member Summary

On Mission Together was the theme of the 2019 Florida

Annual Conference, and around 1600 Florida United

Methodists gathered at Branscomb Auditorium at Florida

Southern College in Lakeland June 5-8 to share and cele-

brate our stories of being On Mission Together to equip

leaders to make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of

communities across Florida and beyond. This is also an

election year, and the members selected eight clergy and

eight laity delegates to General Conference, the policy-

making body of The United Methodist Church that will

meet May 5-15, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minn. The same

number were elected to represent Florida at the Southeast-

ern Jurisdictional Conference in July 2020. An additional

six clergy and six lay members were elected to serve as

alternate delegates.

Celebration

The celebration began with a worship service Tuesday

evening in the Buckner Theatre. A meet and greet for the

2020 General and Jurisdictional nominees was held after-

wards outside the theatre, and a second meet and greet was

held Wednesday morning. Wednesday afternoon’s opening

worship focused on being united in declaring our faith that

God’s grace is available to all, that nothing can separate us

from the love of God in Jesus Christ. The Archives and

History Commission held an open house Thursday after-

noon, highlighting items that show how we are On Mission

Together. Thursday evening included several venues host-

ing “spirit-led innovation” events, and the Florida United

Methodist Foundation held an “Art After Hours” reception

at the Polk Museum of Art. Once, again, inspirational,

celebratory music was led by Jarvis Wilson of Atlanta.

Program

Annual Conference speakers included Bishop Will

Willimon, who was the preacher and celebrant for

Wednesday evening’s communion service. He is Professor

of the Practice of Christian Ministry at Duke Divinity

School. He served eight years as Bishop of the North Ala-

bama Conference. Rev. Dr. Cynthia D. Weems was the

guest speaker Thursday morning. She is the Southeast Dis-

trict Superintendent of the Florida Conference, currently

Dean of the Cabinet. Prior to this, Cynthia served as pastor

of First UMC Miami, a church with an extensive ministry

to the diverse homeless population of downtown. Dr. Dana

Robert is a leading scholar of mission studies and world

Christianity. Author of many books, her latest is Faithful

Friendships: Embracing Diversity in Christian Community

(2019). At the Boston University School of Theology, she

directs the Center for Global Christianity and Mission.

Rev. Dr. Gary Spencer, Atlantic Central District Superin-

tendent, preached at the service of remembrance Friday

morning, and Bishop Ken Carter delivered the sermon for

Saturday’s ordination service.

Thursday evening included a special “Night of Spirit Led

Innovation,” with events held at various venues in Lake-

land. These included examples of Fresh Expressions: Din-

ner Church events, Hands-On Church (aka Messy Church),

Pints and Parables, Designing Innovation, Tattoo Parlor

church and an evening Yoga class.

Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits

The Conference sent out an email announcement to all

churches regarding the partnership between Wespath Ben-

efits and Investments and Paychex to provide all United

Methodist Churches with a Payroll and Human Resources

solution for 2019 and beyond. With this new partnership,

4

New Horizon Church

Paychex can send the clergy/lay employee’s UMPIP pay-

roll contributions to Wespath, saving time and ensuring

accuracy. Paychex will also handle the quarterly tax filings

and year-end reports. For churches struggling with clergy

payroll and taxes, this may be a way to improve their pro-

cesses. Churches will receive a 35% discount for the dura-

tion of the partnership between Paychex and Wespath. Jeff

Kohl is the designated Paychex/Wespath representative for

UMC churches. For more information, contact Jeff Kohl at

(561) 907-7402, or email wespath@paychex.com. Or you

may visit here. The Board increased the health stipend for

2019 by 6% at each level. The health stipend amounts are

contained within the charge conference clergy compensa-

tion forms. The Board has made available to all clergy

serving in an appointment at a church the option of the

Preacher’s Relief Board in assisting clergy facing unex-

pected medical financial hardships. To access the Preach-

ers Relief Board Application for Financial Assistance, go

to https://www.flumc.org/preachersreliefboard.

Strategic Leadership Team

Our work over this Annual Conference year (2018-2019)

has continued to focus on the development and implemen-

tation of our new mission, vision and mindsets. These were

presented to the Annual Conference in 2018. Our mission

is to “equip leaders to make disciples of Jesus for the trans-

formation of communities in Florida and beyond.” Our

vision is to cultivate courageous leadership, missional en-

gagement and spirit-led innovation. Our mindsets are to be

future focused, Wesleyan rooted, passionate about people,

strengthened by diversity and adaptive. Some specific pro-

jects that help us be “On Mission Together” include our

OMT Weekend, OMT Podcast, M-LAB and our new con-

ference website, which will launch this summer.

Bishop’s Offering

Conference churches gave over $36,702 toward the Bish-

op’s offering Wednesday evening. The offerings will be

divided evenly between establishing a United Methodist

Church inside a state prison and funding for the Florida

A&M University Wesley Foundation.

Lowell Correctional Institution

A pastor will be assigned to serve at Lowell Correctional

Institution for women in Reddick, Florida. The Conference

will partner with Prison Congregations of America, a con-

sulting group that helps denominations establish worship-

ing congregations in prisons.

Impact at Florida A&M University Wesley Foundation

Part of our vision for IMPACT@FAMU Wesley Founda-

tion is to create a “home away from home” for our stu-

dents, an office/pastoral care area for the Executive Direc-

tor, and a place to worship, gather, learn, play, and pray for

the FAMU campus at large. The offering will help make

that vision a reality.

Treasurer’s Report

The conference treasurer reported that local church mem-

bership was 220,600 in 2018, down 8,100 or 3.5% from

2017. Average weekly attendance was down to 114,700

from 118,200 in 2017 or down 3%. Online attendance,

however, was up from 21,800 to 31,900 or a 46% increase.

CF&A reported the number of churches paying apportion-

ments at 100 percent went from 434 in 2017 to 429 in

2018; the percentage paid was approximately 88% in 2018.

CF&A’s 2020 budget request is 5.399% less than 2019.

Ordination

Ordination, licensing and commissioning of 56 individu-

als. Ordained: seventeen as elders, five as deacons. Com-

missioned: thirteen as provisional elders, one as provision-

al deacon. Licensed as local pastors: 20.

Local Churches

Fifteen churches are celebrating milestone anniversaries:

Two marked 175 years; five marked 150 years; three have

reached 125 years; three have reached 100; one is celebrat-

ing 75 years; one is celebrating 50 years. Conference

members approved discontinuation of 3 churches.

Complete coverage of this year’s annual conference event

is available at www.flumc.org. Full ministry reports are

included in the 2019 Annual Conference Workbook at

https://www.flumc.org/annual-conference-2019.

5

New Horizon Church

NEW HORIZON UMC—WORLD WITHOUT

WALLS MISSION

New Horizon Church is aligning all of our missional minis-

tries under one ministry umbrella called “World Without

Walls Mission" or abbreviated as “3WM”. That means “A

House Blest”, our new “The Dinner Gathering” and

Missions to Puerto Rico are all missional ministries that

seek to save the least of our brothers and sisters in the faith.

Our hope is to break down barriers that prevent people

from experiencing the love of God and saving lost souls

wherever people in need gather. We are making this

change so that we can be more intentional and concentrated

in our focus to love God and our neighbor.

A House Blest is our most significant mission to our com-

munity as one of the area’s food and clothing pantries

where we registered over 9,000 new individuals and served

over 35,000 people in 2018. House Blest has transformed

lives and helps make disciples as the ministry is an ecu-

menical effort where Lamb of God Lutheran Church, First

Christian Church, the Way Center, ICCA church, and oth-

ers partner to serve the needy in our neighborhoods. Please

be advised that House Blest will be open the first two

weeks ONLY for the months of July and August. It will be

open the first Tuesday’s only for the first 4 weeks of the

month starting in September and every month after that.

Help for the truck delivery on Fridays between 12:15 and

1:00PM. Any questions or concerns please contact Judy

Fournier. If you have a passion for helping the hungry and

naked, please pray for our ministry to bring glory to God

and help save the lost. You can also offer your presence by

volunteering onsite. Thirdly, you can give of your provi-

sion by donating can goods or monies to House Blest so

we can serve residents and their children during the acade-

mic school year’s hiatus where free school lunches are not

available. We thank you in advance for your consideration

and cooperation.

The Dinner Gathering is our newest missional ministry

that seeks to orient the unchurched to Christ through Jesus’

table fellowship that He modeled throughout the Gospels.

The service is offered weekly out of the Armory building

that is located in the center of Lake Eva Park. So far, the

clientele has enjoyed the food and the message from Pastor

Frank, Pastor Israel, Pastor Carmen, Tiara Suarez, Carol

Suarez, and Mary Downing. Over the past three weeks, we

have ranged from 10 - 40 people attending the gathering

including our volunteer staff. As we continue to tweak and

enhance the Dinner Gathering, we are looking for prayer

warriors to pray that we can seek and save the lost through

this fresh expression of church. We seek to make the week-

ly gathering worship and fellowship experience. Consider-

ing the newness of this ministry, we are looking for 30

families to give $100 additional dollars a month so we can

sustain this ministry on a monthly basis. Or you can cook

food or desserts as a portion of the meal offering as well. If

you are interested in financially donating to this ministry,

please make an ongoing. pledge or a one-time contribution

to the Dinner. Church Gathering and add. its name to the

memo section of your check or noted your electronic de-

posits. Additionally, we are so thankful to all who have

been a part of this ministry along the way.

6

BIBLE QUIZ

New Horizon Church

PUERTO RICO MISSION TRIP TO JAYUAYA & UTUADO

THANK YOU TO OUR MISSIONARIES, PARTNERS, AND ALL WHO SUPPORTED THIS MIS-

SION TRIP TO THE PEOPLE OF THE MOUNTAINOUS REGION OF JAYUAYA & UTUADO

How much do you know about the Bible? This month’s question... How many stalls of horses did Solomon have for his chari-ots? A, Eighty thousand C. Twenty thousand B. Forty thousand D. Sixty thousand

May 2019: Budget for Operating Expenses $19,378

Contributions for Operating Expenses 12,436

Budget for Capital Campaign 8,218

Contributions for Capital Campaign 990

Supplement from Savings 8,218

End of Month Bal. for Capital Campaign 1,275

Budget for Apportionments 75 % 1,820

Paid on Apportionments 635

Needed for House Blest 1,400

Contributions for House Blest 335

7

“Joyous Sonseekers” Adult Class By Eddie and Wanda Downey et al

General Announcements

New Horizon Church

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS July 7th Nyla Sharp

"Fulfilling the Law" July 14th Mary Downing

"Loving one another" July 21 Jo Ann Parrish "Transforming Love" July 28 Eddie and Wanda Downey "Spiritual Discernment"

The group meets in the Son Seekers room immediately follow-ing morning church service.

BISHOP CARTER'S INVITATION TO 2020 HOLY LAND TRIP

Clergy and laity are invited to join Bishop Ken Carter and Dr. Bob and Jeanne Bushong, for 10 days in the Holy Land, departing February 4, 2020. You will walk the shores of the Sea of Galilee, study the scriptures in the syn-agogue in Capernaum, pray on the Mount of Beatitudes and renew your bap-tism at the Jordan River.

NURSERY AND CHILDREN'S MINISTRY VOLUN-TEERS NEEDED Each Sunday we must have two volunteers to help in the Nursery and Classroom to meet our safety requirements during the 9:00AM Worship Service, 10:00AM Sunday School and Hispanic Service, as well as the 11:15AM Awakening Service. If you can volunteer at least once a month during these services, please see Trish Ames or Pastor Frank Adams. In addition, help is also needed with the 10:00 AM Children's Sunday School Program and ask that you contact Trish Ames or Pastor Frank Adams. MISSIONS Please remember to drop off your used computer printer cartridges (except all Epson products) in the designated places for recycling in which we will be reimbursed to-ward monies for Missions. We also collect Campbell Soup Labels (bar code) and pop top tabs from aluminum cans also for Missions. Please note, we can no longer accept Cell Phones. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL-JULY 22-26, 2019 @6PM-8PM In preparation for NHC VBS below is a listing of craft project supplies that will be needed. If you can help in anyway, please place them in the VBS box in the lobby area of the Church:

White Construction Paper Crayon's - Multi, Green, Yellow, Brown Black Sharpie Markers Goggle Eyes Index Cards Orange Paint Plastic Forks Feathers Clothespins-large & mini Black Yarn Large Yellow Pom Poms Clear Tape Please see Trish Ames or Tiara Suarez with any questions, as well as when they have their planning meetings and how you can help as a Volunteer. HOUSE BLEST House Blest will be open the first two weeks ONLY for the months of June, July and August. It will be open the first Tuesday's only for the first 4 weeks of the month starting in September and every month after that. Help for the truck delivery on Fridays between 12:15 and 1:00PM. Any questions or concerns please contact Judy Fournier.

8

New Horizon Church

4 CHRISTIAN MOVIES COMING OUT THIS SUMMER

“Emanuel” —Release date: June 17 and 19 The documentary “Emanuel” tells the emotional accounts of survivors and family members of those who were murdered during a Bible study at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina in 2015.

"The Other Side of Heaven 2: Fire of Faith” Release date: June 28, 2019 The Other Side of Heaven 2" continues the story of mission-ary John H. Groberg who re-

turns to Tonga in the 1960s and has his faith shaken when his sixth child is born with an illness. Together with the local community he and his family pray for a miracle.

“Overcomer” - Release date: Aug. 23, 2019 The Kendrick Brothers' new movie "Overcomer" wrapped up last summer and the faith-based drama featuring strong female lead characters, played by Priscilla Shirer and

Shari Rigby, is scheduled to hits theaters throughout North America on Aug. 23. The film will share the val-ue of knowing one's identity.

"Let Go and Let God” - Release date: TBD “'Let Go and Let God' follows two people from vastly different worlds whose lives are rocked after expe-riencing sudden deaths in their family. They question God as a result but find the faith they're looking for on an unexpected path,” the synopsis reads.

LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES SEPTEMBER 20 & 21 - NEW HORIZON UMC, HAINES CITY

SAVE THE DATES! We are ready to welcome you to the Fall Lay Servant Classes. These are the courses being of-fered. The registration will be available soon. NOTE: Lay Servant certification expires after three years. Basic LSM - English - Led by Lynn Campbell, Co-Director of ECD Lay Servant Ministries Basic LSM - Spanish - Led by Wilkins Rodriguez Soto, Certified Lay Servant Advanced Courses English Shaping the Prayers of the People - Led by Rev. Kate Ling Network Spiritual Gifts - Led by Jim Boesch, Co-Director of ECD Lay Servant Ministries

Resolving Conflict on the Spot - Led by Lennie Burke & Mike Mailman, Certified Lay Servants Spanish "Discovering and Deploying Our Spiritual Gifts". - Led by Rev. Dr. Leo Ro-driquez “Descubriendo Y Desplegando Nuestros Dones Espirituales”. Questions? Lynn Campbell lzdcamp1951@gmail.com or Jim Boesch jimboesch68@gmail.com.

9

New Horizon Church

10

ROAR INTO THE FUN AT VBS!

NEW HORIZON CHURCH INVITES CHILDREN TO ROAR VBS.

At Roar, kids discover that God is good even when life gets wild! This summer kids’ event is for kids 5 to 12 years of

age and will be hosted from July 22nd to July 26th from 6pm to 8pm. For registration and more information, call the

church at 863-422-1290. To volunteer as a participant, there is an interest meeting on Friday, July 5th at 5:30pm and

subsequent meetings planned every Tuesday at 6:00pm.

In preparation for NHC’s VBS, below is a listing of craft project supplies that will be needed. If you can help in any-

way, please place them in the VBS box in the lobby area of the Church:

White Construction Paper

Plastic Forks

Crayon’s – Multi, Green, Yellow, Brown Feathers

Black Sharpie Markers Clothespins-large & mini

Goggle Eyes Black Yarn

Index Cards Large Yellow Pom Poms

Orange Paint Clear Tape

Please see Trish Ames or Tiara Suarez with any questions, as well as when they have their planning

meetings and how you can help as a Volunteer.

YOUTH GROUP MEMBERS GOING TO

WARREN WILLIS CAMP FROM JULY 1 -

6TH

Classic Overnight Camps

Five of NHC’s youth students will experience a

high-energy, life-changing week at one of Warren

Willis United Methodist Summer Camps during

their eight weeks of classic overnight camps. Our

kids will be attending from July 1st - 6th. Rising 4th

grade students through recently graduated seniors

are invited to jump start their faiths while making

lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories on

beautiful Lake Griffin. Students will spend four full

days zip lining, tubing, doing yoga, sailing, making

crafts, learning archery, and so much more! Molly

Adams will be the Adult Volunteer accompanying

our kids to camp during this week. The moments

that aren’t a flurry of activity are devoted to growing

our student’s relationships with others and with

God. Please pray for our kids and Molly so that

they will experience the wonder of God’s creation

and Jesus Christ Himself as a part of their experi-

ence at our United Methodist Camp in Fruitland

Park.

New Horizon Church

11

New Horizon Church

New Horizon Church - A United Methodist Congregation 400 Orchid Drive Haines City, Florida 33844 Phone: 863-422-1290 Email Editor: jsum@tampabay.rr.com

IN THE DISTRICT

GREETINGS FROM THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

A Prayer from and for Our Hearts

Eternal and loving God, unto whom all hearts are open, push us to ponder what is in our hearts this week. Our heart – that place in our bodies that is at the core of our being alive, where lay our deepest feelings of love and loyalty, that deep down place where we are fully and completely ourselves.

Though at times our inclination is to close our hearts off to you, nonetheless even if sometimes reluctantly, our hearts are open to you because to remain alive they need your steady care and the wise leading of your Holy Spirit. You are the one who has made us, and in response to being created by you, our hearts are restless until they rest in you.

For some of us our hearts are ruled by anxious desires – for power, for control, for status and recognition. For some it’s for material things, for bigger and better as those things are defined by others, not you. Some of us carry such deep scars of resentment toward those who have hurt us or those who are different from us or those from whom we feel distant and estranged that in our hearts we long to see others get what we see as their due.

Often these places in our hearts our hidden except from you – never from you. You know all that is in our hearts. There is no secret hidden from you – no shame, no burden, no failure, no embarrassment, no disappoint-ment, no deep desire, no sense of alienation and loneliness, no grandiosity, no pride. You know them all. You know and you do not turn away. You know and you embrace us with your love. You know and you forgive. You know and you set us free to begin anew. We marvel, O God, at your pervasive love and your engaging pa-tience.

We present our hearts to you, O God. What we seek, only you can give. We seek the gift of your abiding love and the grace that we need to receive it unflinchingly and unreservedly.

Come, Holy Spirit. Reclaim these hearts of ours. Renew them, re-enliven them, reorient them, realign them, that we might come to approach you with hearts that are open and receptive, honest and undefensive, no longer fear-ful, and deeply committed to an unreserved faithfulness and obedience to you, as our hearts become eager to love you in return.

Amen.

Grace and Peace,

Bob Bushong

District Superintendent

East Central District

12

Sun

M

on

Tu

e W

ed

Thu

Fr

i Sa

t

Mo

n.-

Th

urs

.

10 A

M-3

PM

Pa

sto

ral

Co

un

seli

ng

see R

ev. B

J C

ory

er

863-2

42-1

82

6

1

5:3

0-7

PM

Weig

ht

Wa

tch

ers

7:0

0 P

M L

ea

dersh

ip M

tg.

2

12-3

PM

Ho

use

Ble

st O

PE

N

3

9:3

0 A

M P

rayer

Gro

up

10

:30

AM

Sta

ff M

tg.

4:0

0 P

M C

hoir

7:0

0P

M H

isp

an

ic B

ible

Stu

dy

4

Ho

use

Ble

st C

LO

SE

D

OF

FIC

E C

LO

SE

D

5

12

:30 P

M U

nlo

ad

Tru

ck

@ H

ou

se B

lest

5:3

0P

M V

BS

In

terest

Mtg

.

6P

M-8

PM

Sp

an

ish

Min

istr

y

Reh

earsa

l

7P

M –9

PM

Yo

uth

Gro

up

6

7

9:0

0 A

M T

rad

. W

orsh

ip

10

:00 A

M S

un

day

Sch

oo

l

10

:00 A

M H

isp

an

ic S

m.

Gr.

11

:15 A

M A

wa

ken

ing

11

:15 A

M K

ids

Aw

ak

en

ing

3 P

M-5

PM

Yo

uth

Gro

up

8

5:3

0-7

PM

Weig

ht

Wa

tch

ers

9

12-3

PM

Ho

use

Ble

st O

PE

N

7P

M T

ru

stee

Mtg

.

10

9:3

0 A

M P

rayer

Gro

up

10

:30

AM

Sta

ff M

tg.

4:0

0 P

M C

hoir

7:0

0P

M H

isp

an

ic B

ible

Stu

dy

11

8:3

0 A

M M

en’s

Sm

. G

rou

p

No

on

-3P

M H

ou

se B

lest

OP

EN

6:1

5P

M-7

PM

Din

ner

Ch

urch

@ A

rm

ory

Bld

g.

@

La

ke E

va

Pa

rk

12

6P

M-8

PM

Sp

an

ish

Min

istr

y

Reh

earsa

l

7P

M-9

PM

Y

ou

th G

ro

up

13

14

9:0

0 A

M T

rad

. W

orsh

ip

10

:00 A

M S

un

day

Sch

oo

l

10

:00 A

M H

isp

an

ic S

m.

Gr.

11

:15 A

M A

wa

ken

ing

11

:15 A

M K

ids

Aw

ak

en

ing

3 P

M –5

PM

Yo

uth

Gro

up

15

5:3

0-7

PM

Weig

ht

Wa

tch

ers

16

Ho

use

Ble

st-C

LO

SE

D

17

9:3

0 A

M P

rayer

Gro

up

10

:30

AM

Sta

ff M

tg.

4:0

0 P

M C

hoir

7:0

0P

M H

isp

an

ic B

ible

Stu

dy

18

8:3

0 A

M M

en’s

Sm

. G

rou

p

HO

US

E B

LE

ST

CL

OS

ED

6:1

5P

M-7

PM

Din

ner

Ch

urch

@ A

rm

ory

Bld

g.

@

La

ke E

va

Pa

rk

19

6P

M-8

PM

Sp

an

ish

Min

istr

y

Reh

earsa

l

7P

M –9

PM

Yo

uth

Gro

up

20

21

9:0

0 A

M T

rad

. W

orsh

ip

10

:00 A

M S

un

day

Sch

oo

l

10

:00 A

M H

isp

an

ic S

m.

Gr.

11

:15 A

M A

wa

ken

ing

11

:15 A

M K

ids

Aw

ak

en

ing

3 P

M-5

PM

Yo

uth

Gro

up

22

5:3

0-7

PM

Weig

ht

Wa

tch

ers

6P

M-8

PM

Va

cati

on

Bib

le

Sch

oo

l

23

Ho

use

Ble

st C

LO

SE

D

6P

M-8

PM

Va

cati

on

Bib

le

Sch

oo

l

24

9:3

0 A

M P

rayer

Gro

up

10

:30

AM

Sta

ff M

tg.

4:0

0 P

M C

hoir

6P

M-8

PM

Va

cati

on

Bib

le

Sch

oo

l

7:0

0P

M H

isp

an

ic B

ible

Stu

dy

25

8:3

0 A

M M

en’s

Sm

. G

rou

p

HO

US

E B

LE

ST

CL

OS

ED

6P

M-8

PM

Va

cati

on

Bib

le

Sch

oo

l

6:1

5P

M-7

PM

Din

ner

Ch

urch

@ A

rm

ory

Bld

g.

@

La

ke E

va

Pa

rk

26

6P

M-8

PM

Va

cati

on

Bib

le

Sch

oo

l

27

10

AM

-2P

M V

BS

Bo

un

ce

Back

Pa

rty

28

900

AM

Tra

d. W

orsh

ip

10

:00 A

M S

un

day

Sch

oo

l

10

:00 A

M H

isp

an

ic S

m.

Gr.

11

:15 A

M A

wa

ken

ing

11

:15 A

M K

ids

Aw

ak

en

ing

3P

M –5

PM

Yo

uth

Gro

up

29

5:3

0-7

PM

Weig

ht

Wa

tch

ers

30

12-3

PM

Ho

use

Ble

st-

CL

OS

ED

31

9:3

0 A

M P

rayer

Gro

up

10

:30

AM

Sta

ff M

tg.

4:0

0 P

M C

hoir

7:0

0P

M H

isp

an

ic B

ible

Stu

dy

July

20

19