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Tony's Tidings
Welcoming Children and Receiving the Kingdom
In Luke 18:15-17, we find a beautiful scene of Jesus surrounded by children. People brought their little ones to Him, hoping He would bless them. The disciples, perhaps thinking Jesus had more important things to do, tried to turn them away. But Jesus responded differently. He welcomed the children, saying, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
This moment reveals so much about the heart of Jesus. In a world where children were often seen as less significant, Jesus made it clear that they were at the center of God’s kingdom. He didn’t just tolerate their presence—He embraced them, teaching us that every child is precious to God. In fact, Jesus goes a step further and teaches that we all must come to God with the heart of a child, saying, "Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
What does it mean to receive the Kingdom like a child? Children are marked by qualities that reflect a pure faith: dependence, humility, trust, and wonder. They trust without reservation, they marvel at the world with eyes of wonder, and they rely on others for their needs without hesitation. This is the heart-set and mind-set that Jesus invites us to take as we approach God—open, trusting, and ready to receive.
In our faith communities, this passage challenges us to welcome children fully, just as Jesus did. They are not the church of tomorrow; they are the church of today. We are called to create a space where they can grow in their knowledge of God’s love, while also learning from their example of simple, trusting faith.
As we reflect on Jesus’ words, let’s ask ourselves: Are we approaching God with the heart of a child? Do we trust Him fully, depend on Him daily, and marvel at His grace and goodness? Jesus invites all of us to receive His kingdom with open hearts, just as little children do. May we never forget that in God’s eyes, we are all His beloved children, invited into the joy of His kingdom.
Let’s continue to welcome the little ones among us and let their faith inspire us to trust and depend on God more each day. I hope you will join us this Sunday at 9:30am (Lee-Scott) for worship as we celebrate Children’s Sabbath. It is sure to be a wonderful time of celebration as our children lead us through worship, and inspire us to seek the Lord with dependence, humility, trust, and wonder!
In Christ, Pastor Tony
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Worship Service, Sunday, October 27
Children's Sabbath @ 9:30am
Join us for a special Children’s Sunday Worship Service on Sunday, October 27th, where our children will lead us in various aspects of worship! Our young ones will share their gifts through music, liturgy, prayers, greeting, and many other wonderful ways. Come and be blessed by their joyful hearts and vibrant spirits as they guide us in worshiping the Lord together. We can't wait to see you there! Service begins at 9:30am at Lee-Scott Academy gym—bring your family and friends for this delightful time of worship!
Pastor Tony will be preaching on Luke 18:15-17, and the new Children's Handchime Choir, Cherub Choir, and Genesis Children's Choir will also be singing!! Also, our Christ Methodist Chorale will sing a beloved anthem by Barlow Bradford entitled "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus." The poignant text encourages us all to strive to be more like Jesus through the text: "Love one another as Jesus loves you. Try to show kindness in all that you do. Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought. For these are the things Jesus taught." Another musical treat will be the Voices in Bronze Handbell Choir performing a beautiful composition entitled "Jesus and the Children" which incorporates some of the most beloved children's hymns: "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus," "Jesus Loves Me," and "Jesus Loves the Little Children." This unique piece features the handbells as well as our new handbell mallets and handchimes, making it a delightful piece to meditate upon.
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3rd & 4th Grade Bibles!
Big news! This Sunday at our 9:30am worship service, we have the joy of gifting Bibles to our amazing children during worship! It’s a special moment to place God’s Word in their hands and hearts. If you have a 3rd or 4th grade child or grandchild who would love to receive this life-changing gift, please reach out to us at info@christmethodistauburn.com. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity!
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Directory Photos - Sundays (10/27, 11/3 & 11/10)
We are creating our first photo church directory of our regular attendees and need everyone to participate. Following worship and following Sunday School on October 27th, November 3rd and November 10th, we will have a station set-up near the main lobby from 10:40-11:15am and 11:30am-noon to take your family picture (or individual) to be used in the directory. During this time we will also ask you to make sure your applicable directory info (name(s), address(es), phone number(s), email(s), children's age(s)/grade(s), etc.) is up-to-date.
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Fall Festival & Trunk-or-Treat
CMCA will host our first Fall Festival including Trunk or Treat for children in elementary school and younger on Sunday, October 27th, 3-4:30PM, at Greystone. Everyone is invited to participate by decorating their vehicle, wearing a costume, and handing out candy in the Greystone parking lot.
We are looking for volunteers to share their vehicles and imaginations, using the themes of Jesus’ love and Bible stories or beautiful fall scenery and God’s gift of the harvest.
If you are interested in helping with or donating toward this festive fall celebration, please contact Michelle Reed via the link to the right.
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Youth Pumpkin Carving and Painting Party
Sunday @ 5:30pm (Greystone)
All youth are invited to join us for a fun night carving/decorating pumpkins on the back patio at Greystone. Dinner will be provided as well as pumpkins and the tools/supplies needed for the event. Hope to see you then!
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Upcoming CMCA Events
Sunday, October 27th
Children's Sabbath Worship @ 9:30am (LSA)
Fall Festival & Trunk-or-Treat @ 3pm (Greystone)
Youth Pumpkin Carving & Painting Party @ 5:30pm (Greystone)
Sunday, November 3rd
All Saints Sunday Worship @ 9:30am (LSA)
Youth Devo and Bonfire - November 3rd @ 6-7:30pm (Location TBA)
Sunday, November 10th
Veteran's Recognition Sunday Worship @ 9:30am (LSA)
Sunday, November 10th
Operation Christmas Child Packing Party @ 10:45 (LSA)
Sunday, November 17th
Friendsgiving Party @ 5-6:30pm (Home of Kate and Forrest Ham)
Sunday, November 24th
Stewardship Campaign - Commitment Sunday
Sunday, December 1st
Hanging of the Greens Worship Service
Sunday, December 15th
Youth Ugly Sweater Christmas Party - December 15th @ 6-7:30pm (Location TBA)
December 22nd
Lessons & Carols Worship Service
Tuesday, December 24th
Christmas Eve Family Service @ 3pm (LSA)
Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion Service @ 5pm (LSA)
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Operation Christmas Child
Our goal this year is to fill 500 boxes! Let's do it together! We need your help!
If you would like to sponsor a box or several boxes for Operation Christmas Child, each shoebox gift will be designated for a boy or a girl from 5-9 years old and will cost approximately $35. This will include all of the items placed in the boxes as well as the shipping cost of $10 per box.
To donate to OCC, please click on this link: https://christmethodistauburn.breezechms.com/form/689c5e. You may also write a check to Christ Methodist Church of Auburn and write OCC in the FOR line. You may mail the check to CMCA, P. O. Box 2491, Auburn, AL 36831, or place it in the offering plate on Sundays.
If you and your family would like to do the shopping and packing of your own shoebox, we will be happy to provide a packing list of do's and don'ts as well as a shoebox and label. Please contact Liz Kenemer (info@christmethodistauburn.com) for more information. These shoeboxes will need to be turned in by October 27.
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OCC Packing Party
Sunday, Nov. 10th @ 10:30am
We'll be having a CHURCH-WIDE packing party event on Sunday, November 10th, immediately after our worship service, in the cafetorium at Lee-Scott. We will not have Sunday School on 11/10. Instead, we invite every class and ALL CMCA attendees and members - from the youngest to the oldest - to plan to come help us pack 500 shoeboxes starting at 10:45 a.m.
On Saturday, November 9, we will need "All Hands on Deck" to help set up the boxes and all the items to put in the boxes. We will meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Cafetorium at Lee-Scott for this Pre-Packing Party set-up. Please let us know if you can be there for the morning to assist.
Please be listening for further announcements and instructions concerning Operation Christmas Child 2024.
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Youth Upcoming Events:
Sunday School - October 27th @ 10:45-11:30am (LSA Middle School building)
Fall Festival Serve Opportunity - October 27th @ 3-4:30pm (Greystone)
Youth Pumpkin Carving & Painting Party - October 27th @ 5:30-7:00pm (Greystone)
Sunday School - November 3rd @ 10:45-11:30am (LSA Middle School building)
Devo and Bonfire - November 3rd @ 6-7:30pm (Location TBA)
Operation Christmas Child Packing Party - November 10th @ 10:45am (Lee-Scott Cafetorium)
Sunday School - November 17th @ 10:45-11:30am (LSA Middle School building)
Friendsgiving Party - November 17th @ 5-6:30pm (Home of Kate and Forrest Ham)
Sunday School - December 1st @ 10:45-11:10am (LSA Middle School building)
Devo & Pickleball/Dinner - December 1st @ 4-5:30pm (Moore's Mill CC)
Sunday School - December 8th @ 10:45-11:10am (LSA Middle School building)
Sunday School - December 15th @ 10:45-11:10am (LSA Middle School building)
Ugly Sweater Christmas Party - December 15th @ 6-7:30pm (Location TBA)
Tentative Youth Winter Retreat - February 14th-17th/President's Weekend (Franklin, TN)
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Children's Music Ministries
We're thrilled that our children's choirs are up and running on Wednesdays. It's not too late for your children and grandchildren to join the fun.
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Cherub Choir (Ages 3 - Kindergarten) 3:45-4:15pm
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Children's Choir (1st - 6th Grades) 4:30-5:15pm
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Handchime Choir (Grades 4th - 6th) 5:15-6:00pm
All groups will continue to meet each Wednesday at Greystone.
Sign up today by sending an email to gary@christmethodistauburn.com
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Alabama Emerald Coast Conference Hurricane Relief Response
The information below outlines the many ways we as individuals, as a church, and as a conference can help those affected by Hurricane Helene. If you have any questions, please call our church office or contact David Smalley (davids15@mac.com).
- Assistance Deployment - Wait for a relief group to be formed by our Conference Relief Team.
- Purchasing and assembling Cleaning Buckets - There is a need for more than 14,000 of them just in the state of Florida. These buckets cost about $85.00 each to make. Instructions are on the website.
- Make Health Kits - These items are always needed in every disaster. Instructions are on the website.
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Monetary Donations - https://donorbox.org/alabama-emerald-coast-conference-global-methodist-church. 100% of that donation will go to other Global Methodist Conferences currently in need to help the survivors of this Disaster Event in their Conference.
For more conference relief information, contact Ron Toole (AEC Conference Disaster Response Coordinator at email: AECCDisaster@gmail.com or cell: 850-582-2605)
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As we give from the heart, we sow seeds into God's kingdom. Galatians 6:9 encourages us, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up." Our giving will bring a harvest of blessings beyond what we can imagine. | |
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Congregational Care
As a caring community of believers, we commit the names listed below for your prayers and expressions of love and care:
CMCA Family:
Jim Carroll, Gene and Rita Chandler, Melody Cruz, Pat Douglas, Harry Gill, Sherry Guenther, Ruth Register, Keith Ryland, Becky Speigner, John and Connie Staton, Sherwood and Betty Thomas, Rita Tuck, Gary Webb, Bill Wilkinson, Kay Yeager, Kay Guthrie @ Arbor Springs
Extended Friends and Family
Jessica Flurry Blalock, Nancy Flurry's granddaughter; Tim Boosinger; Steve Buckner, Carol Ham's brother; Max Bush, Craig and Lisa Leonard's grandson; Adam Cannon's (one of our New Birth helpers) brother; April Coulter; Dixie Connor, Nancy Teel's mother; Hudson Early, Sandra Fisher's great-grandson; Tad Gidcomb, Ann Thompson's nephew; Alan Hampton, Rick Hampton's brother; Carolyn Hill, Marlene Bowman's mother; Dennis Hill, Nancy Teel's son, Taylor's, father-in-law; Matthew Hood; Elizabeth and Jason Moore, Butch Foster's daughter and son-in-law; Mary Frances Murray, Alicia Conn's mother; Lisa Norrell, friend of Janet Wilson; Stephanie and William Philpott, Gayla Seller's daughter and son-in-law; Dan Pope, Dannelle Fogal's father; Ray Porterfield, Nancy Flurry's son; Sandy Robinson, Wanda Ptomey's cousin; Richard Stanyard, Larry Stanyard's father; Brent Wilson, Craig and Lisa Leonard's friend; Christopher Wyatt, relative of Judith Gibson; Chuck Dupree and Martha Cauthen, friends of Beverly Webster and Sue Daniel
If you have additional prayer requests or other needs, please send to:
prayer@christmethodistauburn.com
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