Summer Time in Mississippi!! Yes it is "hot as blazes" outside. Make plans to worship with us each Sunday and "beat the heat" in more ways then one!!!
Reminder: August is "casual" dress for Sunday Services.
“The Messengers” Are in the House!
Michael A. Howes wrote the following in Leadership magazine:
In Hot Springs, Arkansas, is the Morris Antique Mall. Nothing on the inside distinguishes this antique store from dozens like it in Hot Springs. There's a musty smell and dusty relics from the past. But if you look closely at the outside of the Morris Antique Mall, you'll see something that makes it distinct: Before it was an antique store, it was a church building. A focus on the future prevents a church from becoming a resting place for rusty relics.
Let’s take that point a step further: The future of the church is dependent upon our commitment to nurture and foster the lives and faith of our children, youth and their families. If they are not committed to a future church then more antique stores may be on the horizon.
Over the past few months several young adults in our church have expressed to me the concern about our church becoming more intentional in reaching out to young adults and their families within our community. Therefore a group of eight young adults and their old grayed haired pastor met at the parsonage on June 25, to discuss their needs and visions for their future in the church. Our conversation focused on the following:
How to handle the many time demands made upon families in today’s society
Need for meaningful relationships and fellowship with other people of faith our own age
How to apply our faith to our day to day needs like parenting, finances, stress and health concerns
Interaction with older generations who have “been there, done that”.
A Sunday School Class that focuses on real life needs and concerns
Reaching out to new families in the community to “Grow the Church” for the future.
Before the group left they had named themselves “The Messengers” after the “Message” translation of the bible that “Bro. T uses every Sunday”. They committed themselves to starting a new “Messenger” Sunday School Class with the goal of applying the content of the Christian faith as found in “The Message” with day-to-day living. The class topics will be presented in 6-8 week DVD based sessions facilitated by shared class leadership. The Messenger class will be meeting in Room 217 where the youth class has been meeting. The youth will go back to meeting in Memorial Hall.
For eight weeks starting August 12, the Messengers will begin the Rick Warren Study, “What On Earth Am I Here For?” which was formerly known as the Purpose –Driven Life Study. At the group’s request these sessions will be led by “Bro. T”.
And that’s not all! This “birthing” group began putting together a list of all the young families in the church in order to invite them to an initial “Messenger” party. In order to build relationships, you first have to get together, right!
Before leaving, we gathered in a circle to pray (of course!) You could feel the Spirit moving as well as the excitement and enthusiasm on each face. We all knew that this was a God-thing for our church! And after we prayed we still hung around for close to half an hour!
Pray for this new ministry in the life of our church!
Grace and Peace!
Bro. T
As you know there was extensive flood damage in the spring of last year. The cost of demolition and restoration was $121,829. The insurance company reimbursed us $102,965.
The 2017 Revenue with insurance proceeds was $1,122,079 and expenses with flood damage was $1,122,889. This created a deficit of $810 which was taken out of the general reserve fund to balance the 2017 budget as approved by the Administrative Board.
For 2018, the projected revenue is $943,992 and projected expenses are $943,992 creating a -0- based budget.
In June, Micah's Mission had our first Give Back Gala! The red carpet was ready and waiting for the stars of the night to enter Floral Hall! The students, parents, and supporters viewed a video and a slideshow highlighting our wonderful first year at CSUMC! We recognized Kyron and Wil on their promotion to their next grade! In addition, we gave thanks to our parents and our supporters for making our first year such a success! Lastly, we are forever grateful for the scholarship program that has begun. Our supporters chose a monthly donation to go into our scholarship fund to help families with their tuition. If you would like to support a family as well, then please contact the church office to have this set up beginning in August. Micah's Mission is looking forward to the beginning of our second year! Thank you church family for your prayers and donations as we all continue to give these children the tools they need to be the best they can be!
Love in Christ,
Emily
June was an EXCITING month! Micah's Mission had the privilege to have visitors come during our Wednesday time and share their gifts! On June 6th Charity Lockridge, Miss Hinds Community College came to speak about how God has guided her from her time on the path to Miss Mississippi. She shared "Everything has come from my walk with God". Before she left, Charity sang "Via Dolorosa" for us. During her live performance at Miss Mississippi, Charity won the talent portion of her preliminary.
Coach Coley from Warren Central High School met us at the Vicksburg National Military Park on June 13th. As Mr. Dean drove us through the park, Coach Coley provided us with a tour of the events within the park. Our students then took this information and completed their educational tasks which were within their activity plans.
During the week of SOS, Ms. Lee Ann Whitley asked us to deliver popsicles to the work sites. We had a BLAST! Our students enjoyed learning what SOS meant and how many lives were being changed through the SOS Mission.
To wrap up our June, Ms. Sarah Randall came and taught us the Electric Slide and the Boot Scootin' Boogie! We have danced out of June and into July!!
We will be back on July 11, 18, and 25 to finish up our summer. All are welcome to come and share your gifts with us!
If you have not checked out the Church Library, now is a great time. So many options! And you might even see a different look! Our library has a mini-facelift! New book shelves. Thank you Lorraine Copeland for all your hard work! Come take a look and take home a book!
No choir practice for the month of July! Our choir director, Kathy & choir deserve a much needed rest!!!
Our youth, KK and chaperones will be in Panama City Beach, Florida during the dates of July 7-13th. Look for information and fun photos on their return.
Summers are busy but we have made time to spend time together in fellowship and fun. The youth met July 5th for a little Mexican food and Bowling. It was such a hit we decided to do it again. So Youth put on your calendars Wednesday, July 25th. Times to come.
Back to school in August! We have "House Parties" in the works to make sure we all stay connected through this new school year!
Reservation for July 29th Altar Flowers is open. It costs $65 to reserve flowers in honor or memory of someone special or just because!!! Call the church office today 601-636-5612.
Summer is in full swing! Our Mother's Day Out Program and MiniCamps are ongoing until the end of July. CSUMC Preschoo Open House is scheduled for Monday, August 13th at 6:00 PM. First day of preschool starts Tuesday, August 14th!! We are looking forward to a great year!!
Danielle Warnock
Crawford Street United Methodist Church has a tradition of incorporating members of our church to pray the Prayer of Dedication after the offertory each Sunday. What an honor to give thanks to God as an individual and also as a representative of our entire congregation. There is no right or wrong way to pray. Volunteers are needed for this very important part of our worship service. Call the church office if you would like to serve your church in this way.
SOS Thank You
What a wonderful SOS week we had!! Sixty youth from twenty area churches made a huge difference in the lives of nine families in our community. This would not have been possible without the prayers, love and support from you, our CSUMC family. So very many of you worked on jobsites with us, were supply runners, helped prepare meals, provided snacks, were a part of the scavenger hunt, drove for our nighttime activities, and so many other countless acts. Your prayers for us were felt each day!! All of you are truly the unsung heroes of SOS!! SOS is truly a life changing experience for all of us involved!!
