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It is with great joy and anticipation that I write to you as we enter into one of the most exciting and spiritually rich weeks of our church year—Vacation Bible School at Christ Methodist Church of Auburn! Alongside of our children's ministry leaders and volunteers, we will welcome children to experience Jesus in their lives in a fun and transformational way.
This year’s theme, “True North: Trust Jesus in a Wild World,” could not be more timely or more deeply needed. In a world filled with uncertainty, confusion, and shifting values, we gather our children around the unchanging compass of Christ. Jesus is our True North—our unshakeable guide through every storm and season.
The Scripture I have been praying over this week is: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5–6 (NRSV)
Throughout this VBS week, our children will journey through four powerful encounters with the living Christ in the Scriptures:
John Prepares the Way & Baptizes Jesus (Mark 1:1–11)
We begin with the voice crying out in the wilderness—John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. In the wild world of the desert, John points people to repentance and to the coming of the One who is mightier than he. What a picture for our children: in a confusing world, God always sends a voice of preparation, and we can prepare our hearts to receive Jesus through repentance and faith. The baptism of Jesus reminds us that He not only came to save us, but also to identify with us—fully human and fully divine.
A Roman Officer Trusts Jesus (Luke 7:1–10)
Next, our children will hear the remarkable story of a centurion who, though an outsider by birth and culture, had a bold and unwavering faith in Jesus' authority. In a world of broken trust and questionable leadership, the Roman officer shows us what it means to trust Jesus as Lord—even when we don’t see Him face-to-face. Wesley would remind us here of prevenient grace—God reaching out to hearts in every nation and station of life, drawing them into the circle of His redeeming love.
The Resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:1–10)
Midweek brings the heart of the gospel—the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The wild world tried to bury Truth in a tomb, but on the third day, Jesus rose victorious! Our children will learn that even when life feels dark, scary, or uncertain, Jesus is alive, and He reigns with power, light, and life. He is our Risen Savior, and His resurrection is the anchor of our hope and the promise of our future.
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20)
Finally we will hear Christ’s marching orders to the Church: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” This will be a call for our children not only to trust Jesus but to follow Him into the world. They will learn that, even though the world is wild, they are never alone—for Jesus promised, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” In true Wesleyan fashion, we remind our children that grace is not only for us—but through us—for the whole world.
CMCA family, I urge you to pray for this week of VBS. Pray for the hearts of our children to be softened to the voice of the Spirit. Pray for the many volunteers who are giving of their time and love. And pray that the seeds planted this week will bear fruit in the months and years to come.
In a world growing wilder by the day, we are planting the compass of Christ in the hearts of our children. We are telling them that there is a True North, and His name is Jesus. We are helping them learn to trust in Him not only with their minds, but with their hearts, their lives, and their futures.
So let’s celebrate what God will do this week. Let’s show up. Let’s serve. Let’s sing. Let’s tell stories. And above all, let’s point every child to Jesus—our True North, our Risen Lord, and our constant Companion in this wild and wonderful journey of faith.
With expectant hope in Christ,
Pastor Tony
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Sunday Worship Service, June 15th @ 9:30am
Sunday will be another special day of worship as we worship our Heavenly Father and also give thanks for our earthly Fathers in observance of Father's Day. Pastor Tony's message on Sunday is entitled "Binding Truth to the Heart. A Legacy of Faith." What a fitting message for Father's Day. It will be based on the scripture Deuteronomy 6:4-8, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." You won't want to miss it.
Carrying out the Father's Day theme, our Christ Methodist Chorale will share a beautiful anthem by Joseph Martin entitled "A Home of Grace." A portion of the poignant text is a prayer: "O thank you, Lord, for family. This is our earnest prayer for mothers and for fathers, for the hearts of all who care. And though sometimes imperfect and though we lose our way, today we pledge and promise to build a home of grace." The Chorale will also sing a triumphant anthem, a veritable chestnut of the sacred choral repertoire entitled "With a Voice of Singing" by Martin Shaw. It's a glorious anthem to lift our collective hearts together in praise.
We hope to see you all at Lee-Scott on Sunday at 9:30!
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Upcoming CMCA Events
June 16th -19th
CMCA Vacation Bible School (Greystone)
Wednesday, June 18th
6-8pm - Student Mid-week Connect and Worship (Greystone)
6:30pm—Women's Summer Bible Study (Auburn Chamber)
Thursday, June 19th
6:45am—Men's Summer Bible Study (Auburn Chamber)
Sunday, June 22nd
10:45am— Church-wide Ministry Safe Training (Lee-Scott Cafeteria)
If you volunteer, or plan to in the future, with children, youth, or adults at CMCA and are not Ministry Safe certified, please make plans to attend this one hour event.
Sunday, June 29th
9:30am—Worship with "God & Country" music celebration (Lee-Scott gym)
3:00pm - Star Spangled Spectacular Concert (Lee-Scott)
Sunday, July 6th
NO WORSHIP SERVICE OR SUNDAY SCHOOL due to gym floor maintenance.
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Youth Upcoming Events
Sunday, June 15th @ 10:45am - Sunday School with Connor Higbe
June 16-19, 9am-12pm - VBS Volunteer (Greystone)
Wednesday, June 18th @ 6pm - Mid-week Connect and Worship (dinner provided)
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Important: Church-Wide Ministry Safe Training
June 22nd, 10:45am (LSA Cafeteria)
CMCA is hosting a group Ministry Safe training session on June 22nd at 10:45am in the Lee-Scott Cafeteria for those interested in serving with our children, youth, or vulnerable adults. We are dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment, and all staff and volunteers must complete the Ministry Safe training before participating in our programs. The training includes a one-hour video, followed by a short test to earn certification.
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BIG HOUSE
Annual School Supply Drive
CMCA will be collecting school supplies from now through July 9th for the Big House Annual School Supply Drive. You may drop your supplies off in a collection box during the week at our Greystone Ministry and Mission Center or on Sundays at Lee-Scott. For a list of supplies needed, please click the button below. We greatly appreciate your support of this ministry!
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Summer Music Camp (Note: No camp next week, June 18th, due to VBS)
This summer, we’re excited to host a Summer Music Camp for children entering first through sixth grade! Join us every Wednesday from 4:15 to 5:30 for a lively and engaging musical experience. Kids will enjoy singing, playing handchimes, exploring music notation, developing rhythm skills, and building friendships—all while enjoying a snack each week. We kicked things off last week and had a fantastic time, and we’d love for your children to be part of this fun-filled summer adventure.
For more details, reach out to Gary Klarenbeek at gary@christmethodistauburn.com.
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Make plans to join us for the Star Spangled Spectacular this year!
This year’s annual production will be the biggest and best ever! It’s the most exciting musical event of the summer, and we’d love to have you there.
The performance will be on Sunday, June 29th at 3:00!
| | 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. | | |
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:
Zack Bumpus, Jim Carroll, Gene and Rita Chandler, Henry Cobb, Don and Betty Dement,
Sandra Fisher, Harry Gill, Kay Guthrie, Cheri Hart, Jeff and Kathy Harte, Renee Hebson,
Bobby Horne, Ben and Donna Kelly, Pam Lamar, Bess and Neil Lord, Bill and Kay McCartney,
Caleb Pipes, Ruth Register, Keith Ryland, John and Connie Staton, Sherwood and Betty Thomas, Ann Thompson, Rita Tuck, Gary Webb, and Bill Wilkinson
Extended Friends and Family:
Jeff, son of Winsley and Linda Bates; Mother of Linda Bates; Sandy Bogardus, family of Pat Evans; Max Bush, Craig and Lisa Leonard's grandson; Ryan Chism; April Coulter; Hudson Early, Sandra Fisher's great-grandson; Rick Freeman, friend of Sam and Cassie Walter; Tad Gidcomb, Ann Thompson's nephew; Kitty Mayo, friend of Betty Mann; Elizabeth and Jason Moore, Butch Foster's daughter and son-in-law; Mary Frances Murray, Alicia Conn's mother; Jim Perry, friend of Patti Robinson; Chris Sramek; Laura Stanley, sister of John Stanley; Chuck Dupree, Beverly Webster, and Martha Cauthen, friends of Sue Daniel; friends from Webster’s Crossing - Calvin Calhoun, James Nelson, Denise Owens, Rosalio Bonilla Villatoro
If you have additional prayer requests or other needs, please send to:
prayer@christmethodistauburn.com
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