June 28, 2025

As the sun sets on July 4th, many of us will gather with family and friends to celebrate the birth of our nation. We’ll hear the stirring sounds of patriotic music — “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “God Bless America,” and “America the Beautiful.” We'll see brilliant fireworks dancing across the night sky, illuminating faces full of wonder and joy. And yes, we’ll savor the sweet comfort of homemade apple pie and the fellowship that surrounds us on this cherished day.

This is the Fourth of July—an annual reminder of the precious freedoms we enjoy as Americans. We give thanks for the courage of those who signed the Declaration of Independence, for the sacrifices of countless men and women who have served our country, and for the liberties we hold dear: freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, freedom to worship.

But as Christians, we know there is a deeper freedom—an eternal freedom—that no government can bestow and no earthly power can take away. It is the freedom won for us not on a battlefield in 1776, but on a hill called Calvary. It is the freedom that came not through a declaration penned in Philadelphia, but through the blood of Christ poured out for us on the cross.

As Paul writes in Galatians 5:1 (NRSV), “For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” This is not political liberty, but soul liberty. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are set free from the guilt of sin, the bondage of self, and the fear of death. No longer are we captives to the law or chained to our past. We are, as John Wesley preached, “delivered from the power of sin and made free to love God and neighbor.”

The Wesleyan tradition teaches that true holiness is always rooted in freedom—freedom from sin and freedom for joyful obedience. The same grace that saves us also sanctifies us. As we celebrate our national independence, let us remember that spiritual freedom is not the absence of boundaries but the presence of God’s transforming grace. True freedom is not doing whatever we want—it is being who God made us to be.

So while we enjoy the festivities this Independence Day—while we watch the fireworks burst like stars in the sky, while we sing of liberty and slice into that warm apple pie—let us lift our hearts in gratitude to the One who gave us the greatest freedom of all. Let us recommit ourselves to walking in that freedom, not as citizens only of a great nation, but as citizens of the Kingdom of God.

Wishing you a happy Independence Day. And thanks be to God for the freedom that is ours in Christ Jesus!

In His service,

Pastor Tony

Sunday Worship Service, June 29th @ 9:30am

You won’t want to miss this Sunday’s special worship service at 9:30 AM as we celebrate our annual God and Country gathering—always a highlight of the summer! We’ll be joined by the Christ Methodist Chorale, talented guest vocalists from the community, and a full professional orchestra, making for a truly inspiring and uplifting time of worship. As we approach the 4th of July, Pastor Tony will deliver a powerful message titled “True Freedom in Christ,” based on Galatians 5:13: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” While we give thanks for the many freedoms we enjoy as a nation, we’ll be reminded that the greatest freedom of all is found in Christ Jesus. Come and be part of this meaningful and moving celebration!

Get ready for a powerful musical experience as the service opens with a stirring orchestral prelude of “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” and concludes with the patriotic energy of “Stars and Stripes Forever” as the postlude. The Christ Methodist Chorale, joined by the orchestra, will present a moving selection of music including the timeless “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” Ryan Murphy’s dynamic arrangement of “Standing on the Promises,” and Mack Wilberg’s heartfelt rendition of “America, the Beautiful.” These inspiring pieces are sure to lift your spirit and deepen your worship experience.

We look forward to seeing you all on Sunday at 9:30am at Lee-Scott. It's going to be another great day of worship!

Upcoming CMCA Events

Sunday, June 29th 

9:30am—Worship (Lee-Scott gym) 

3:00pm - Star Spangled Spectacular Concert (Lee-Scott)

Monday, June 30th 

9:30am— Legacy Women, formerly Widows Ministry (Chappy's Deli)

Wednesday, July 2nd

4:15-5:30pm - Children's Choir Summer Music Camp

The Youth and Women's Groups will not meet during the July 4th holiday week

Thursday, July 3rd

The Men's Bible Study will not meet due to the July 4th holiday

Friday, July 4th

The Church Office will be closed for the holiday

Sunday, July 6th

NO WORSHIP SERVICE OR SUNDAY SCHOOL due to gym floor maintenance.

Star Spangled Spectacular

Sunday, June 29th - 3pm

Join us at 3:00pm for the annual Star-Spangled Spectacular—our biggest musical event of the summer! This high-energy concert is a completely different experience from the morning worship service. While the same talented choir and orchestra will be performing, the music takes a festive turn with a lineup of patriotic and inspirational favorites. Highlights include the exhilarating “Salute to the U.S. Armed Forces” featuring military representatives, and beloved American classics like “Cohan’s Big Three,” “God Bless the USA,” “Down to the River to Pray” (from O Brother, Where Art Thou?), “The Washington Post March,” and many more. Admission is free, making it the perfect opportunity to invite a friend and enjoy an unforgettable afternoon of music and celebration.

Plus, during the concert, you’ll be the first to hear the exciting announcement of the 2025–26 Sacred Artists Series lineup! You won’t believe the incredible performers God has brought together to inspire our community throughout the year—not just at Christmas!

We can’t wait to see you this Sunday for the God and Country Worship Service at 9:30 AM and the Star-Spangled Spectacular Symphonic Pops Concert at 3:00 PM at Lee-Scott. God Bless America!

Welcome Suzanne Jones - CMCA Finance Director

Suzanne Jones is the new Finance Director for Christ Methodist of Auburn. 

She most recently served as the Treasurer and Director of Administrative Services for the Alabama-West Florida and South Georgia Conferences of the United Methodist Church, retiring from both positions at the end of 2023 and 2024, respectively. Prior to her non-profit roles for the last seven years, she held various financial leadership positions in the automotive, defense contracting and aluminum industries for more than twenty-five years. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Crummer Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Auburn University. 

Suzanne is a member of Eclectic Methodist Church and serves as Conference Secretary for the Alabama Emerald Coast Conference of the Global Methodist Church and as a member of the conference finance committee.  She lives just outside of Eclectic with her husband, Bubba. She is a mother to two grown daughters and a grandmother to seven, four of which are quadruplet one-year-olds.  She enjoys running after her little ones, gardening, and volunteering. 

Youth Upcoming Events

Sunday, June 29th @ 10:45am - Sunday School with Connor Higbe

Happy birthday, Connor!!

No Mid-week Connect and Worship this week due to the July 4th holiday.

Youth Parents!

Please click the link below to sign up to provide dinner for our

youth on Wednesday evenings for Connect and Worship!

CMCA Summer Bible Studies

(Bible Studies will not meet the week of July 4th)

Summer Music Camp - (Will Meet This Coming Week)

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.

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!

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, 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; Bryan Fikes, son of Sherry Roby; 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; DeWitt and Mary Mullins, friends of Sue Daniel; 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

We celebrate with Mike and Susan Hubbard upon the marriage of their son Clayte to Maggie Mills on June 21, and to Bud and Susan Nesmith upon the marriage of their son Tommy to Caroline Snow on June 21.



If you have additional prayer requests or other needs, please send to:

prayer@christmethodistauburn.com

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www.christmethodistauburn.com