Announcements
SYMPATHY: to the family and friends of Margaret “Peggy” Hanes, who passed away on Tuesday, June 30. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
IN MEMORY: The flower on the organ is placed in loving memory of Melvin Sprinkle by his wife, Mollie Sprinkle, in remembrance of his homegoing on July 2, 2025.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Rob & Terri Ward on the birth of their grandson, Connor Brenton Ward, on Thursday, June 25, weighing 7lbs, 11oz, and 20 inches long. The proud parents are Matthew and Maggie Ward.
VBS COOKIES: If you signed up to bring cookies (no nuts, please) for VBS, they need to be dropped off by Sunday, July 12, in the Church Kitchen. If you have not signed up but would still like to participate or donate, we can always use more volunteers and more cookies! You can sign up at the Welcome Desk.
NEW CONVERTS CLASS: Online registration is now available for this 12-week class, which begins on Sunday, August 2, in the Library at 9:45 a.m. New believers, new members, and anyone desiring a refresher on our church's doctrines are encouraged to attend. Please sign up online or at the Welcome Desk if you plan to attend.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: for the Super Sixties Spectacular (October 30–31) and the Sportsman Banquet (November 14). If you are willing to serve or help, please see Pastor Howell.
From My Heart
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! As a nation, we are 250 years old, and although we have a few issues, this is the greatest nation God has ever given to this world. If you have ever been overseas, you quickly learn there is no greater nation than the United States of America. The first time I went outside of America was to Guyana, South America. That was my first experience in a 3rd world country, my first experience in a nation where freedoms were taken away from people, and communism was forced upon its citizens. I was so happy when the plane landed in Miami, and I was back on American soil.
Our freedom is what makes America great! On overseas mission trips, folks have asked me if we need a passport to go from state to state! They want to know if we are required to go through checkpoints to travel. The reason these questions are asked is that most other countries make folks stop at checkpoints, show government-issued papers to travel in their own country, and restrict their citizen’s freedoms at every turn. We are “the land of the free…” and that is the one thing that most nations do not offer to their people.
Vacation Bible School begins on July 12th and will run through July 16th. We will begin at 6:30 p.m. and dismiss at 9:00 p.m. Fill your car with your grandchildren, neighborhood children, and teenagers, and bring them each evening. They will have a blast! And please pray for the Lord to stir the hearts of our teenagers. It takes a lot of people to run our VBS program, so thank you for helping and volunteering your time to make an eternal investment in the lives of these children and teenagers.
Karen and I are in Orlando with our daughter, and the pastoral staff is sharing the preaching today. I will be back in the pulpit next Sunday, the 12th. Pray for us as we are away this week. My vacation coordinator (Lauren, our daughter) has about every day mapped out for what we are doing! So, we are going to be busy!
Have a wonderful day, and I pray the Lord will bless your heart today in a mighty way. The Lord has blessed us with some tremendous services so far this spring and summer, so let’s pray for another great time in God’s House today. As Dr. Smith always says, “There is no place, any place near this place, that is like this place, so this must be the place!” See you next Sunday.
Pastor Norris