ON NEWNESS

The school year has begun and all things are new. New book bags, new classmates, new pencils and Sam's Picture pens, new teachers and, in some cases, new buildings. All things new, indeed, and don't we like new things...

The people in Berchules, Spain understand newness better than most of us. After a power failure in 1994 devastated their New Year's celebrations, the people decided to move their celebration to the first Saturday in August. In the middle of summer, then, they declare the old year ended and the new one begun. They gather in the town square to count down the last seconds to midnight. Mixing in some Christmas cheer, they even have visits from the three wise men and Santa (and those costumes cause some great concerns in the intense heat). They even use the occasion of the visits from the wise men to make social statements. Proclaiming both racial and gender equality, the kings have on occasion been black and female, respectively. There is even a tradition about the color of one's underwear to obtain New Year's good luck!

Well, despite our affection for newness, can we do that? Can we just declare the old passed away and the new begun? I read that when Bill Veeck owned the Cleveland Indians baseball team in the 50's, the team got off to a rough start one year. Veeck declared the season over and a new one begun. The team came home from a road trip and Veeck had a brass band, new bunting, and even had the mayor throw out the first ball. The old was in the past, the new had begun. Can you do that?

It's hard for us to make new starts. We get in ruts. We remember our tendencies and failures, or have people in our lives who remember for us. We find it hard to drop the shackles of the past.

But scripture and the church declare that we can start over, wipe the slate clean, and have a new life. St. Paul (II Cor. 5) declared that when we are "in Christ," we are new. "Everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!"

So the opportunity is there for us and my promise to you is that the church will help us live this newness. Check into the various opportunities offered in this new program year. Take the risk, sign up for something new, and together let's begin to live our newness.

I'll see you this Sunday.

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News

There will be a meeting for anyone interested in joining our Liberia mission team on Sunday, August 17 at 12:30 p.m. in room 201-B. The team will travel to Liberia in early December 2014 and work in the areas of water purification, education, and community building. Cost is dependent on airfare and financial assistance is available. (Brian McNair, brianmcnair@yahoo.com)

Join our Peru Mission Team. The group will work in Chimbote, Peru November 8-15. There is a need for medical personnel to work in the health clinic, and also workers with basic carpentry or electrical skills. Send an e-mail to Kathy Cadle for more information.

Weekday Ministry invites you to join our preschool family. We have room in our hearts and classrooms for a few more children ages 12 months (as of September 1) to five years old (as of September 1). Call or come by for a visit this summer and see what Weekday has to offer you and your child. (Nancy Tatnall, ext. 7842)

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.

This Week

Fall Kickoff Event on the Bridge that connects buildings B & C is the next two Sundays. Learn about ministries, classes and groups in which you and your family can participate this fall. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)

The Blessing of the Backpacks

is this Sunday, August 10 at both services. Children are invited to bring their backpacks to be blessed for the school year. Receive the blessing and a special cross charm to put on the backpacks!

Parlor and Prayer Room Open Houses on Sunday. Come visit the newly renovated Parlor and Prayer Room. Both have been completely redecorated and are open for use. The Parlor (Room 213) is next to the chapel, and the Prayer Room is now located in Room 207.

Youth Kick-Off/Parent Informational Meeting is this Sunday. We are having a Shrimp Boil in the Reception Hall at 5:30 p.m. After dinner, the youth will head out for a pool party. Parents are invited to stay and go over the 2014-2015 events, ask questions and fill out forms! If your name ends with A-L please bring a side dish and if your name ends with M-Z please bring a dessert. (Josh Sweeney, ext. 7808)

Confirmation 2014-2015 Meeting Planned for this Sunday. We will have an informational meeting for the 2014-2015 Confirmation year on Sunday. Parents of sixth graders and others who have not been confirmed please be sure to join us in the Lower Room at 4 p.m. to hear about the exciting things planned for this year's Confirmands! This will be a great time to ask any questions you may have about Confirmation and to register your Confirmand. (Emily Kirby ext. 7822)

Power 45! Begins This Sunday. All 4th and 5th graders are invited to a pool party at Georgia Rambo's house from 4-6 p.m. Power 45! meets the second Sundays of the month through April and ends with a summer kick-off party in May. Invite your friends! RSVP by e-mail to Georgia Rambo or by phone to 404-281-2891 by this Thursday, August 7 for the pool party.

You are invited to join the Men of the Church for their August dinner meeting this Monday , August 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Rev. Brian Smith, 96 Whitlock Ave. (the parsonage). Dinner will be provided. This will be a great time to visit with Brian and the guys and to learn more about the Men of the Church. Note: this gathering will be in lieu of the First Monday Night gathering at Piccadilly. For more information, contact James Tate.

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Family Church Suppers will return after Labor Day.

Save the Date

One Faith, Many Voices

Campmeeting/Gospel

Sunday, August 10

Promotion Sunday

Sunday, August 10

Blessing of the Backpacks

Sunday, August 10

Power 45!

Sunday, August 10