Someone recently sent me a
wonderful Native American legend about a young man’s rite of passage from
childhood to adulthood. As we wind our way through these hot and busy days of
summer, I hope this little story might touch your life
and bring you a new understanding of our great God who is so like the father in
the legend. Enjoy!
This is the Cherokee rite of passage for young boys.
First the father of the boy takes him
into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone sitting on a stump. The
boy is required to sit there on the stump the whole night and not remove the
blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out
for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is
considered a man.
Naturally, the boy is terrified. He can hear all kinds of
strange noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some
human might do him harm in the night. The wind blows the grass and shakes the
stump he is sitting on, but he sits stoically, never removing the blindfold. After
all, this is the only way he can be considered a man.
Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appears and he
removes his blindfold. It is then that he discovers his father sitting on the
stump next to him. You see, his father had been on watch for the entire night,
protecting his son from harm.
This legend reminds us that we too are never alone, even in
the darkest times of our life. Even though we don’t
know it, our Heavenly Father God is watching over us, sitting on the stump
beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him. We are never truly left alone! So, no
matter what demons you may be facing, or if you feel blindfolded as you walk
through the days of your life, remember that our God is with you. You are safe
in God’s care and keeping…Always!
Blessings to you in July & August,
Wanda
Teaching the
Word...
July & August LECTIONARY TEXTS
Here are the
Lectionary texts for the months of July and August. Rev. Mello’s
preaching texts are in Bold print. You
are invited to read the texts ahead of each Sunday
service as you prepare to hear God’s word.
July 6, 2008
Psalm 45:10-17
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49 & 58-67
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21
August 10, 2008
Psalm 85:8-13
Genesis 37:1-4 & 12-28
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
August 17, 2008
Psalm 133
Genesis 45:1-15
Romans 11:1-2a & 29-32
Matthew 15:21-28
August 24, 2008
Psalm 124
Exodus 1:8-2:10
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
August 31, 2008
Psalm 26:1-8
Exodus 3:1-15
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28
WORSHIP
READERS NEEDED…
We are in need of our worship readers for the month of July and August. If you are interested in serving as a worship reader please sign up on the sheets in the Social Hall or speak to Rev. Mello. May you be blessed as you read God’s word in worship.
WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY
We will be taking
a summer break from our weekly bible study sessions. When we return in September we will be changing our meeting times to Friday mornings at 9:30 AM. We will begin our new schedule on Friday,
September 5, 2008.
SUMMER COMMUNION
We will serve
Holy Communion on Sunday, July 27, during our 10:00 AM worship service. Everyone
is invited to partake of this holy meal.
ICE CREAM SOCIAL
You are invited to our annual homemade ice cream social on Sunday evening, August 17, 2008 beginning at 6:30. come and enjoy the goodies and the fellowship!
Touching the World...
Any or all of
the items on the list that follows will be welcome additions to our food
pantry. Your gifts to replenish the food pantry are greatly
appreciated. Please remember, if you can’t get
out to purchase any of the things on the list, cash donations are also accepted
so that the necessary items may be purchased. Please DO NOT bring
PREVIOUSLY OPENED SPICES OR FOOD ITEMS! We cannot give those out to people as we don’t know their safety.
Thanks!
Rice
Canned Meat
Canned Tomato Sauce
Spaghetti Sauce
Macaroni & Cheese Boxed Dinners
You are invited to give a gift for mission to our Assistance
Fund. Thanks so much for your continued support of this fund! Your gifts to
this fund do indeed help those in our community who are in need!
SPECIAL NEEDS
FOR JOEZER HOME
We have received word that
there are some special needs for the Joezer Home for
pregnant teens. At the moment there is a great need
for all kinds of cleaning products. This includes window cleaners, floor
cleaners, bathroom cleaners, etc. If you would like to donate some new,
unopened cleaners, please place them in the big box in the Narthex.
Also the girls must have at least 10
servings of fruit daily, so there is a great need for fruit of all kinds. If
you wish to donate fruit, please speak to Kathy Brand.
Monetary gifts are always appreciated
if you do not wish to shop for fruit or cleaning products. Please mark any
checks, “Joezer Home”. Thanks!
For the next
three months we will be taking a break from our
monthly meetings of the Church Cabinet.
Our next monthly Church Cabinet meeting will be on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 7:00 PM in the lounge. All Cabinet members are urged to attend.
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP NEWS
The
Women’s Fellowship would like to remind you to continue to save
IN
HIS WAKE MINISTRIES EVENT
Scott
& Dianna Gurnett and the people of In His Wake
Ministries are sponsoring an all day water skiing and water activities event
for “at risk” youth” from the Arvin and Lamont area on July 28, 2008. The young
people will learn to overcome their fears and uncertainties about swimming and
water skiing as they also learn about how much God loves them and walks with
them in their daily lives. Several adults from churches in the area will serve
as guides for the day and there will be culminating worship service in the
evening.
Scott
& Dianna are asking that we all pray for the success of this event and
especially for the lives of the children who will attend! By the grace of God lives will be changed in His wake!
REMEMBER YOU CAN FIND ALL OF
OUR NEWS ON OUR WEBSITE: www.arvinucc.org
Check it out!
Church Family
News…
As our world remains in a time of war, we ask that you
continue to remember in your prayers all of our young people serving our
country all over the world. Especially pray for Jason Brand, John & David
Phillips, Isaac Philips, and Tracey Farris.
Please keep our homebound, and
nursing home members in your thoughts and prayers. They are Mildred Holbert in the nursing home; and
Lucille Barkley at home.
OUR SYMPATHY
We extend our Christian
sympathy to Anne Willis and her family at the sudden and unexpected death of
her husband, John. Rev. John Martin officiated at a graveside service on June
19. 2008. May God walk with Anne and her family through this time of sadness
and grief!
Please keep the Mellos in your prayers as they await the decision on
Rodger’s trial that ended June 5. It will take up to 100 days for the panel and
judge to make their final decision, so prayers are very welcome during this
time of waiting!
ANGELS… EXPLAINED BY CHILDREN
1. I only know the names of two angels – Hark and Harold
2. Everybody’s got it all wrong. Angels don’t
wear halos anymore. I forget why, but scientists are
working on it.
3. It’s not easy to become an angel. First, you die. Then
you go to heaven and then there’s still the flight
training to go through. And then you got to agree to
wear those angel clothes.
4. Angels work for God and watch over kids when God has
something else to do.
5. My guardian angel helps me with math, but he’s not much good at science.
6. Angels don’t eat, but they
drink milk from Holy Cows!
7. When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and
counts to ten. And when he lets out his breath,
somewhere there is a tornado.
8. Angels live in cloud houses made by God and his son, who’s a very good carpenter.
9. Some angels are in charge of helping heal sick
animals and pets. And if they don’t make the animals
get better, they help the children get over it.
10. Angels have a lot to do and they keep very busy. If
you lose a tooth, an angel comes in through your window and leaves money under
your pillow. Then when it gets cold, angels go south for the winter.