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July is Here

 

This is the month that we celebrate Freedom.  One thing we need to realize is that freedom is not free.  For you and me to enjoy the freedoms we have, someone had to pay a price.  Wars were fought for freedom, lives were given for freedom, sacrifices were made for freedom.  Freedom is not free and it never has been.  Freedom has its sacrifice.  Soldiers have lived, fought and died for the freedom that we enjoy today.

 

As a boy I remember my father had a close friend who told me about witnessing the flag raising at Iwo Jima.  He had the scars of freedom and I am still grateful for the price and sacrifice that he and others made on my behalf and yours.

 

Then I got a little older and heard about another freedom.  In Luke 4:18 Jesus said that he had come to set the prisoners free.  The prisoner is us.  Whatever chains are holding us or binding us up are powerless against the freeing power of God’s son.  Jesus through his death on the cross has set us free.  We have freedom from fear, from sin, from guilt, from worry.  I love the words of the song that says, “for the chains that seem to bind you, serve only to remind you, that they fall powerless behind you as you praise HIM.”

 

May you experience ultimate freedom this 4th of July as you

DECLARE YOUR DEPENDENCE ON HIM.

 

On the journey,


Randy

To contact us:

Phone:      931-967-3333

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E-mail:      office@winchesterfumc.org

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Text Box: Annual Church Picnic and welcoming new members of the church will be July 12 at the Red Roof Pavilion at the Winchester City Park starting @ 4:30 PM. Come for fun, food, and fellowship. Bring a lawn chair. Food and drinks will be provided. Text Box: YOUTH NEWS Important Youth Dates for July July 5th No Youth—Holiday Weekend July 12th Nashville Shores – be at church around 1:15 PM July 19th Help watch kids for children’s parents meeting, more info coming July 26th Day on the Lake with the Daugherty’s Text Box: Fellowship of Christian Athletes Golf Tournament will be held at Bear Trace Golf Course on July 18. Players, sponsors, and volunteers needed. For more details call 967-3333 or 598-0159. Text Box: UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Let the Children Give: Time, Talents, Love, and Money By Delia Halverson Let the Children Give suggests several fantastic methods of helping children understand what it means to give, and how to lead a life of stewardship. Using clear and purposeful activities that include games, music, reading, puzzles, arts and crafts, drama and storytelling, children of all ages will learn how to use their gifts, talents and the earth’s resources as a way to show their love for God. You will find this book in the UMW section of our library. We are a little low of readers this year. We need a few more ladies or men to step up and read four books by December. One from each category. It’s not hard to do. Please consider it. Thank you all for your participation in advance. Text Box: MISSIONS Haiti Mission May 16-24, 2009 What a successful mission! The 21 member team from seven states consisted of three main elements: surgery, pediatric care and clean water. The medical team served over 300 children during its two day pediatric focus at the Univers Clinic Medical. For two days, the group completed screening of the 1600 students at Institution Univer that had been initiated the week prior. The surgical team also had a very busy and fruitful week. The group of one general surgeon, one OB/GYN, two nurse anesthetists, one RN surgical nurse, one RN critical care nurse, one surgical tech and three other assistants performed over 40 surgeries. At least 24 of the 40 surgeries were major complex abdominal surgeries. The patients tolerated the procedures extremely well with the usual stoic strength of the Haitian people. 100 water purifications units were placed in the outlying communities. This group hopes to return to Haiti next year with a focus on repair of existing pumps and wells. Text Box: Notes from my Music Stand What a pleasure and thrill it is to be directing the music at my home church! I am both humbled and honored to be a part of Winchester FUMC staff. I give God the glory! July is here, and that means that the new school year is only 5 weeks away! One of the new projects to be tackled after Promotion Sunday in August is the institution of a youth choir, singing in a wide variety of styles; please be in prayer for that new group. Chancel Choir and Early Service Ensemble are always looking for new singers. Come join the worship team as we help to lead the congregations to His throne of grace. Peace, Jon Text Box: Wings of Hope Widows Ministry will meet Monday, July 20, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in the covered pavilion on south side of church. There will be a Sing-A-Long with Louise and Nancy plus ice cold watermelon. For further info or transportation call 962-2898. Text Box: DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDIES What is DISCIPLE? DISCIPLE is a 34 session disciplined Bible reading and study experience that will result in biblically nourished, committed disciples of Jesus Christ. Orientation for the fall session will be on Sunday, August 23. Have you been thinking of signing up? Text Box: WESLEY PRESCHOOL NEWS We are sad to announce that Ms. Michelle will not be returning in the fall. Her oldest child Lake will be beginning Kindergarten in Fayetteville. We are excited for her family as Lake continues his education at public school. This said, we need to hire a teacher. We would prefer someone with an elementary degree. If you or someone you know is interested in a part time job, please see me. Applications are available in the church office or you can come to the preschool and fill one out. We have a wonderful program and Ms. Michelle has worked very hard at setting the program up. We thank her for all her hard work. We are having a wonderful summer program with 31 children attending. If you drive by on Thursday morning, you will see us on the front lawn having our water day fun. We are still accepting applications for the 09-10 school year. Wesley Preschool is the place to be this summer. Fayna A. Edens, Administrator Text Box: OUR CHURCH STAFF Randall T. Brown, Senior Pastor Jon Hand, Director of Music Ministries J. D. Spencer, Visitation Pastor Shannon Knight, Director of Children’s Ministries Monette Bonner, Office Manager Dan Warmbrod, Susan Walton, Gina Hammer, Musicians Jason Woodall, Youth Director Emily Howard & Stephanie Payne, Nursery Caregivers Jackie Stevens, Custodian