Weekly Reminders

The first Sunday of October is also known as World Communion Sunday. It is a day to celebrate Christian unity, while recognizing our great diversity. This sounds like a contradiction, united, yet diverse. The key is to be united about what counts, and not too judgmental over non-essential items. John Wesley (the founder of the Methodist movement) put it like this, “If your heart is with my heart, then give me your hand.” What do you think is the essential for unity in Christ? And what does this have to do with Holy Communion? If you would like to read it ahead of time, our scripture this week is Matthew 26:17-19, 26-30.

Blessings,
Pastor John

Prayer Team
Would You Like to Be Prayed For? On the first Sunday of each month, the Prayer Team will be meeting in the chapel at 10:15 a.m. We will be praying for those on the prayer list, and for any individuals who would like to share their concerns and to be prayed for.

Picture Directory
Last year, our directories were a hit, so we're doing a new one. If you did not have your picture taken in the previous year or would like a retake, Jake Harper will be set up in the Fellowship Hall on October 19th and 26th. If you cannot make one of those day’s you can either come by the church at a time arranged with Jake, or email a picture to the church office. Also, we would like to add group pictures this year from Sunday School Classes, First Kids, First Youth, Choir, and Bible Studies. Please send group pictures to the church office.

Mark Your Calendar!
The Annual 1st Youth Fall Festival will be on Wednesday, October 29th, from 6-8 pm. We will have games, food, a cakewalk, a hayride, and trunk or treat. If you would like to donate baked goods for the cakewalk, please tell Bryce Keely, Youth Director. His email is bryce@elbertonfmc.com

It's that time of year again - time to pack a shoebox and make a difference in a child's life this Christmas!

Empty boxes have been placed in the Crossroads Connection Center and the Sanctuary. We encourage you to pick up a box—or a few—and pack them before returning them to the church.

The approved packing list, along with the packing slip, is located inside each box. Please remember to only put the approved items in the box. Each box is thoroughly inspected before shipping, and any items not on the list will be discarded.

Please return all boxes to the church on or before Sunday, November 16th.

Please join the Soul Sisters for the 6-week Bible study EVERYDAY EVANGELISM by Preston Perry - "Pursuing hearts, Not arguments" "Most Christians know we are called to share the gospel, but many of us hesitate for a variety of reasons. . . . If you love Jesus and have a heart for people to know Him, you have what you need to be an evangelist." Please purchase the book with video access. It is available from Lifeway for $19.99. No need to prepare for the first session. The plan is to meet Wednesday nights, starting October 8th, 6:00-7:30 in the Bozeman building. If you have interest in a Sunday night group (we need at least 6 people) text Linette (404) 702-4158.

Remember to come back on Sunday evening for the evening chapel service. We are still enjoying the faith lessons video series, which offers lessons on how the actual geography of the Holy Land adds to the meaning of a passage.

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In 1959 Bill Gaither graduated from Anderson College, Indiana, with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Music. He went to work as an English teacher, pursuing music on the side. In 1963 he was asked to play the piano for a revival meeting in the area that featured the preaching of Dr. Dale Oldham. The meeting went well and afterwards Dr. Oldham asked Bill to write a song that included the words, “He touched me.” Gaither, who would later say that “songs are like whispered answers to questions of the heart”, took the words from Oldham as the theme of his first hit song, “He Touched Me.” This song would later be recorded by the Imperials, Elvis Presley, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and, more recently, Steven Curtis Chapman. Bill Gaither might have been writing about the woman that Jesus made whole in Luke 13:10-17.

We are looking at the Luke passage this week and the spiritual wholeness that Jesus wants to bring to us all.

Blessings,
Pastor John