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“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.”
— Galatians 5:13 (NRSV)
The fireworks have faded. The picnics are over. Flags are folded, and the parades have passed. Another Fourth of July has come and gone. We’ve celebrated the gift of national liberty—something that should never be taken for granted. But now comes the deeper question: what do we do after freedom?
For the Christian, the answer is not found in returning to life as usual, but in remembering that freedom is not just a celebration—it is a calling.
The Apostle Paul writes in Galatians that we are called to freedom, but not for selfish ends. True Christian liberty is not permission to do as we please, but power to live as we ought—to love as Christ has loved us, to serve others freely, and to walk in the holiness of heart and life that reflects the image of God restored in us.
So, what should we do after freedom?
- Live Gratefully: Every day is a gift. Freedom, whether spiritual or national, has come at great cost. Gratitude is the soil in which joy, humility, and generosity grow. As Wesleyans, we believe in a practical holiness that begins with a thankful heart.
- Serve Others: Paul reminds us that freedom is expressed through love—by becoming servants to one another. Just as Christ took on the form of a servant (Philippians 2), we are now free to serve—not because we must, but because we may.
- Pursue Holiness: Freedom in Christ leads us not into lawlessness, but into transformation. As Wesley taught, salvation is not just forgiveness, but renewal. Sanctifying grace sets us free from the power of sin and draws us into the likeness of Jesus. After freedom, the call is to grow in grace.
- Stand Firm in Truth: In a world confused about truth and goodness, we are called to stand fast in the freedom of the gospel (Galatians 5:1). This means grounding ourselves daily in Scripture, prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers.
- Witness with Boldness: Freedom in Christ is too good to keep to ourselves. As free people, we share the good news that true liberty is found not in political systems, but in the saving work of Jesus Christ.
As we move beyond the holiday and back into the rhythms of daily life, may we never forget: Freedom is not the end of the story—it’s the beginning of faithful discipleship.
Let us live not merely as free people, but as freed people—freed from sin, freed for love, and freed to follow Christ with all our heart.
In His service,
Pastor Tony
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No Sunday Worship Service, July 6th
See You Back on July 13th at 9:30am!
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Upcoming CMCA Events
Sunday, July 6th
NO WORSHIP SERVICE OR SUNDAY SCHOOL due to gym floor maintenance.
Wednesday, July 9th
4:15-5:30pm - Children's Choir Summer Music Camp
6-8pm - Student Mid-week Connect and Worship (Greystone)
6:30pm - Women's Summer Bible Study (Auburn Chamber)
Thursday, July 10th
6:45am - Men's Summer Bible Study (Auburn Chamber)
Friday, July 11th
Noon - Deadline for Big House Supplies drop-off (Greystone)
Sunday, July 13th
9:30am - Worship and Communion (Lee-Scott gym)
10:45am - Sunday School for all ages (Lee-Scott Academy)
Sunday, July 20th
9:30am - Worship and Communion (Lee-Scott gym)
10:45am - Sunday School for all ages (Lee-Scott Academy)
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Youth Upcoming Events
Wednesday, July 9th @ 6pm - Mid-week Connect and Worship (dinner provided)
Thursday, July 10th - Top Golf and The Varsity, Atlanta (12-6pm) $60
Sunday, July 13th @ 10:45am - Sunday School with Connor Higbe
Youth Parents!
Please click the link below to sign up to provide dinner for our
youth on Wednesday evenings for Connect and Worship!
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Youth Newsletter!
Stay in the know about everything youth-related by clicking the link below to check out our very first youth newsletter! From weekly events to exciting day trips, it’s all inside.
| | CMCA Summer Bible Studies | | |
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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On-Line Ministry Safe Training
Children & Youth Session
or
Vulnerable Adults Session
If you weren’t able to attend last week’s Ministry Safe training for children and youth, there’s still an opportunity to get involved! Whether you're interested in serving in children’s or youth ministries, or would like to complete the training for working with vulnerable adults, simply click the button below to request access to either training session. We’d love to help you take the next step in serving safely and effectively!
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Summer Music Camp - (Will Not 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.
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We were thrilled to announce the performing artists for the upcoming 2025-2026 season during the Star Spangled Spectacular last Sunday. In the past, guest artists were focused mainly on the Christmas Season. For the 2025-26 season, the concert season will run year-round, providing visibility for our church through music all year round and also providing opportunities for a far greater range of guest artists. The new season runs from July 1 - June 30th of 2026.
We're thrilled to share that joining us for next year's Star Spangled Spectacular with the choir and orchestra will be American icon, Lee Greenwood. Next year's performance will be at the Gogue Performing Arts Center. The artist roster also includes the popular praise and worship group, Selah, Steve Green, pianist Huntley Brown, The King's Brass, Act of Congress, Voices of Mobile, and guest conductor Pepper Choplin, joining us for the Glory of Easter.
For dates, performance times, and venues, click the button below. Most performances are still free of charge thanks to the generous financial gifts to the Designated Music Fund. For the few performances that are ticketed, Series Sponsors receive complimentary tickets.
We hope you'll join us for all of these community outreach concerts. To God be the Glory!
| | 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.
| | 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, Angie Conway,
Don and Betty Dement, Sandra Fisher, Harry Gill, Kay Guthrie, Cheri Hart, 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, Bill Wilkinson, and Kay Yeager
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; Josh Yeager, son of Kay and Fred Yeager
If you have additional prayer requests or other needs, please send to:
prayer@christmethodistauburn.com
| | www.christmethodistauburn.com | | | | |
