...in a spirit of Christian Love

Lately, the news has been filled with controversial topics. Issues of race and marriage and sexuality have ElaineWilder filled the headlines and we're all being pushed to formulate an opinion and take a side. These are not new problems and these are not new questions. But they are important and they have become more urgent. And to be honest, I'm struggling. I'm certain about some things, but I'm unsure about others. I know what I believe, but sometimes it's difficult to translate belief into action.

I spend a lot of time reading and thinking and praying. I want to be informed, especially about issues that are difficult to understand. And as I choose what I believe and how I will act, more than anything else, I want to embody love and kindness. After all, Jesus teaches us that the most important commandment is to love God and to love one another.

Jesus never commands that we must all agree. Jesus never commands that we must be all things to all people. But Jesus does command that we love each other. And so, in all of our actions and in all of our relationships, let us err on the side of love. We will have to make difficult decisions and we will certainly make mistakes. But I'd much rather be remembered as too loving, too generous, and too kind.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, said it well. "Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may."

And so, as people of faith, let us ask the difficult questions, let us have the difficult conversations, and let us make the difficult decisions. But let us be sure that we ask, and talk and act in a spirit of Christian love.

News

Help MFUMC pack lunches for the MUST Summer Lunch program. Meet Thursdays at 10 a.m. in the Lower Room to pack 300 lunches. For more information and to sign up, click here. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Mission Mondays for Children. Completed 3rd through 5th graders are invited to join us for service projects. Meet in the Family Life Hall lobby at 10 a.m., returning around 1 p.m. (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

Fuse Sports. Registration is open for Fuse lacrosse! Practice/games will be on August 9, 16, 23, 30 and September 13 and 27 from 2-3 p.m. Flag football and cheerleading begin October 4 and registration begins August 12. Fuse Sports are open to ages 3 (by 9/1/15) through 5th grade. Click here for more information or to register. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Save the Date: Lil' Lambs Consignment Sale. Shop earlier this year with our new August dates! Mark your calendars for August 21 and 22. (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

Blessing of the Backpacks. On Sunday, August 2, bring your backpack to church and receive a special blessing for the school year during Children's Time. All children will receive a special medallion for their backpacks to remind them of God's love! (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

3rd Grade Bible Presentation. On Sunday, August 30, all 3rd graders will be presented a Bible during 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Worship. Each Bible will be engraved with the child's name, so please click here to reply to Kelly Duncan with the 3rd graders name (as you'd like it engraved) and which service your family will attend on August 30.

Kids: Beat the Heat! Summer programs for children continue through July 31:

Nursery: Parent's Day Out from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Preschool camps: Under the Sea, Girly Girls and Manly Men
Elementary K-2nd Grade camp: Under the Sea
Elementary 3rd-5th Grade: Mission Mondays. Meet in the Family Life Hall lobby at 10 a.m., returning around 1 p.m.
(Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

The College Sunday School Class meets in the Parlor throughout the Summer. All are welcome. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

Restore to Glory!

Want more information about Restore To Glory! and its progress? Visit its Website, 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

Donate to the Back To School Backpack Event! We need donations of filled backpacks and school supplies. Supply lists and volunteer signup are available through the church office and at www.mariettafumc.org. Please bring your supplies to the church office by Monday, July 20. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Join the Men of the Church for dinner and fellowship this Thursday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Tom & Chee, 1200 Ernest W Barrett Pkwy., NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144. (Please note the change of venue). This is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and connect with some new ones. Find out about upcoming opportunities to serve and grow in discipleship. Dinner is Dutch treat. (Stanley Wrinkle, srwrinkle@bellsouth.net)

Book Drive to help support the Back To School Backpack Event. We are collecting new and gently used books for children and teens. There will be a table set up at the event so students can choose a book that they would enjoy. Support summer reading! Please bring books to the children's area or the church office by Monday, July 20. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Please Note These New Adult Sunday School Classroom Locations: Jack Aaron Class (Reception Hall), Open Door Class (Room 256) and Lightseekers Class (Room 252)

Registration for Weekday Preschool and Kindergarten 2015-16 is underway. For more information, click here. (Nancy Tatnall, ext. 7842)

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Church Family Supper takes a vacation during
the summer and will return Wednesday, August 26.

We hope to see you then!

Save the Date

Thursday, July 16

Men's Dinner at Tom & Chee

July 17-18

Senior Adult Ministry trip to Chattanooga

July 19-22

Mid High Youth to Epworth

Saturday, July 25