OUR PATRIOTIC SUNDAY

This week we celebrate America in our annual patriotic service. Surely it is a good thing for people of faith to stop occasionally and ponder the significance of their nation-its birth, its Sam's Picture creeds, its people, and surely its destiny. The appropriate music and hymns will adorn the service, we will honor our veterans of military service, and the message will be delivered by two of our community's finest leaders, Jennifer Brett and Charles Gay. This dynamic married couple enjoys careers in journalism (both work for The Atlanta Journal and Constitution) and have active lives in Marietta and in our church.

Jennifer began covering the celebrity and entertainment beat the same year that Georgia enacted legislation that has lured a steady stream of television and film projects to our area. Jennifer has interviewed them all. (Want to know what Kim Kardashian is really like? Justin Bieber? Brad Pitt? Ask Jennifer.) Perhaps you have seen her on any of the major news outlets or heard her when she spoke to a class at one of Georgia's colleges or universities.

Charlie oversees four teams of editors and reporters covering education, politics, crime and other news subjects. His team uncovered the cheating in the Atlanta Public Schools, leading to reforms, prosecutions, and resignations. He is Deputy Managing Editor/ Local News for the AJC.

We welcome this couple to our pulpit this week, and we celebrate the veterans and their families in our midst. We are a thankful people, thankful for God's presence in our quest to live out the highest ideals of our nation.

I'll see you this Sunday.

Patriotic Sunday Is This Week!

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Join us this Sunday, June 29 as we celebrate our annual Patriotic Sunday. In addition to special music, we will honor our veterans who are all invited to meet in the Narthex prior to worship to process in and be recognized during the Armed Forces Salute.

Guest speakers will be the husband and wife team, Jennifer Brett and Charles Gay, both of whom are seasoned journalists who are active in the church.

Services begin at 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

Restore to Glory!

Want more information about Restore To Glory! and its progress? Visit its Web site, which includes the latest news about projects with photos to show our progress. There, you will also find information about how to donate or make your pledge.

News

You're needed at the Back To School backpack and school supplies event! You may volunteer to help with registration on Thursdays, July 10 and 17 from 12:30-4 p.m. or Saturday, July 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Your help is also needed when we pass out backpacks on Saturday, July 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

College Lake Weekend-All college-age students are invited to join us for the annual weekend at Lake Hartwell. Friday-Saturday, July 11-12. For details, follow us on Facebook at MFUMC College & Young Adults (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext 7826)

Plan now for the Great American Family Picnic on July 4th in the Park on Polk! Hosted by the Phileo Sunday School class, the Great American Family Picnic is your chance for the best seats for Marietta's fireworks show and to support MUST Ministries. Volunteers are needed! Volunteers receive free admission and dinner. Visit www.mariettafumc.org/volunteer or contact Forrest Cate at ext. 7806. To register to attend the event, visit www.greatamericanfamilypicnic.com.

The Lake Junaluska Singers will perform at MFUMC on Sunday, July 13 at 7 p.m. Admission is free. An ice cream social will follow the concert. For more information about the group, visit www.lakejunaluska.com/singers.

Summer camp registration remains open. Visit the MFUMC Web site for details about the Summer of Wonders! There are many great camps for nursery, preschool, and elementary ages that will keep your kids entertained and growing in faith all summer long! Contact Kelly Duncan with any questions. (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

Sunday Night Fusion continues throughout the summer from 6-8 p.m. (no snack supper). Join us in the Lower Room for theme nights, worship, devotions, fun and special outings. (Josh Sweeney, ext. 7808)

This Week

The Republic of Georgia Mission Team will present stories from their trip this Sunday, June 29 in the Open Door Sunday School Class, Room 252, at 10:10 a.m.

ANIMA: The forum for worship-Ten youth and three adults from MFUMC leave Sunday to attend the ANIMA conference at Samford University in Birmingham. Over four days, the group will explore how worship can be a training ground for young people to hear and tell the story of God. Blessings on this group and their travels. (Bryan Black, ext. 7815)

Camp Glisson Grow-MFUMC hosted over 60 campers for day-camp in the Park on Polk this week, hosted by Camp Glisson. Campers had a great time, and we hope to make this an annual event (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805).

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Family Church Suppers will return after Labor Day.

Save the Date

Patriotic Sunday

Sunday, June 29

Republic of Georgia

Mission Team Report

Sunday, June 29

Young People in Missions

June 28-July 3

Great American Family Picnic

July 4