July 19, 2025

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love Him and keep His commandments…” — Deuteronomy 7:9, NRSV

In a world that seems to celebrate change and personal freedom above all else, the old-fashioned virtue of fidelity—faithfulness to God—is often overlooked. Yet, from the first pages of Scripture to the last, God reveals Himself as utterly faithful. He is “the faithful God” (Deut. 7:9), “abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6), and in Christ, He is the One “who remains faithful—for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).

Our call, then, as God’s people, is to respond to His steadfastness with our own. Fidelity to God means living lives of wholehearted devotion, consistent obedience, and covenant-keeping love. It is not perfection, but perseverance. It is not rigid legalism, but joyful loyalty. It is the daily decision to keep our eyes on Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

John Wesley, founder of our Methodist tradition, emphasized that true holiness involves “faith working through love.” He called the people called Methodists to be faithful in the means of grace—prayer, Scripture, worship, the sacraments, and Christian fellowship. These are the daily rhythms that help root our lives in fidelity to the God who never wavers in His love for us.

In the face of trials, distractions, temptations, or weariness, our faithfulness may falter. But God’s doesn’t. And that is our hope! He who calls us is faithful, and He will strengthen us to remain faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

As we move through the rhythms of church life together—Sunday worship, Bible studies, mission outreach, family meals, and ordinary weeks—may we recommit ourselves to fidelity. Let us be a congregation known not for flash or trends, but for our deep, steady, sincere faithfulness to the Lord.

And remember this: one day, when we meet the Lord face to face, we long to hear these words from His lips—“Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:23).

Let us live today for that day.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

Pastor Tony

Sunday Worship Service, July 20th @ 9:30am

It's going to be a marvelous day as we join together for worship on Sunday. Pastor Tony will be delivering a powerful message based on Psalm 46 entitled "God Is our Refuge." Pastor Tony's messages are always inspiring and a great source of comfort! You won't want to miss this week's message. The Chorale will be singing an exciting anthem entitled "God Is Our Refuge" based exactly on Psalm 46. Joining the Chorale will be David Chapman playing trumpet.

Another special feature this week will be the Summer Music Camp Children's Choir. They've been hard at work all summer in preparation for this week's worship service. They'll be singing three anthems they've loved preparing: "I Can Do All Things" based on Philippians 4:13 and "This Is The Day" both by Mark Burrows, and also "Somebody's Knocking" by James Clemens. Throughout the summer Music Camp experience, children have worked on singing, explored handchimes, rhythms, music notations, and enjoyed a weekly summer sweet treat to fellowship together. It's been a wonderful summer with them!

Worship with us on Sunday at Lee-Scott at 9:30! You will be blessed! Bring a friend!

Upcoming CMCA Events

Sunday, July 20th

9:30am - Worship (Lee-Scott gym) 

10:45am - Sunday School for all ages (Lee-Scott Academy)

Tuesday, July 22nd

6:00pm - Mission Team Meeting (Greystone)

Wednesday, July 23rd

3:45-6:00pm - All Children's Choirs (Greystone)

6-8pm - Student Mid-week Connect and Worship (Greystone)

6:30pm - Last Women's Summer Bible Study (Auburn Chamber)

Thursday, July 24th

6:45am - Men's Summer Bible Study (Auburn Chamber)

12:00pm - Youth White Water Rafting Trip (Montgomery)

Saturday, July 26th

9:00am - Webster's Crossing Service Opportunity (Webster's Crossing)

Sunday, August 10th

9:30am - Worship and Blessing of the Backpacks and Teacher Recognition (Lee-Scott gym) 

4:30-6:30pm - Back to School Bash for Children/Youth (Moore’s Mill Neighborhood Pool) 

Sunday, August 17th

9:30am - Worship (Lee-Scott gym) 

6:00pm - Baptism Event (Location TBD)

Youth Upcoming Events

Sunday, July 20th @ 10:45am - Sunday School with Connor Higbe

Wednesday, July 23rd @ 6pm - Mid-week Connect and Worship (dinner provided)

Thursday, July 24th - Whitewater Rafting Trip (Montgomery)

Sunday, July 27th @ 10:45am - Sunday School with Connor Higbe

July 27th - July 30th -- Student Servant Week (Auburn)

Youth Parents!

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

youth on Wednesday evenings for Connect and Worship!

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

Join us on Sunday, August 10th at 9:30am for Blessing of the Backpacks and Teacher Recognition! All students are invited to bring their backpacks to the 9:30 worship service. As a congregation, we will pray over our students and educators for the upcoming school year!

Back to School Bash

Sunday, August 10th | 4:30-6:30pm

Families, come celebrate the new school year at our Back to School Bash on Sunday, August 10th from 4:30–6:30 PM at the Moore's Mill Neighborhood Pool. There will be food, fun, and fellowship for all ages—bring the whole crew! Click the button below to register and join the fun.

Children's Choirs (all Children's choirs resume this week)

We have choral musical opportunities for children from age 3 - 6th grade as well as handchimes for grades 4 - 6. Children grow in their faith, their God-given musical gifts, and relationships with each other through their choir participation. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 3:45 - 4:15 for Cherub Choir (ages 3 - Kindergarten), Genesis Children's Choir (grades 1 - 6) from 4:30 - 5:15, and for Handchimes (grades 4-6) from 5:15 - 6:00pm. Join us! 

• Cherub Choir (Ages 3 - Kindergarten) 3:45-4:15pm
• Genesis Children's Choir (1st - 6th Grades) 4:30-5:15pm
• Handchime Choir (Grades 4th - 6th) 5:15-6:00pm

For more details, reach out to Gary Klarenbeek at gary@christmethodistauburn.com.

We are thrilled to announce the performing artists for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. 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 1st, 2025, to June 30th, 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, Gentri, Act of Congress, Voices of Mobile, and guest conductor Pepper Choplin, joining us for the Glory of Easter.

Be sure to pick up a brochure at worship on Sunday for all the information or click the link below.

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.

MidTexas Flood Relief Efforts - How You Can Help

The heartbreaking floods in Texas have prompted an outpouring of support. To channel that compassion into action, consider these three ways to make a difference:

• Pray | Pray daily for those who’ve lost homes, livelihoods, and loved ones—including farmers and ranchers affected by the floods.

• Flood Buckets | Click on the link below for more information.



• Give Financially | Donations are directed to impacted areas, used to complete flood buckets, and provide immediate relief. Select "Disaster Relief" when giving at the link below.

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, 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; Virginia Litsey, mother of Steve Litsey; 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; Brent Wilson, friend of Craig and Lisa Leonard; friends from Webster’s Crossing - Calvin Calhoun, Deidre Martin, James Nelson, Denise Owens, Rosalio Bonilla Villatoro

Congratulations:

As a church family, we celebrate with the following:

• Melinda and Jim Phillips upon the birth of their granddaughter, Parker Mae Phillips
• Steve and Leigh Owen upon the marriage of their son Nic to Natalie Colehower on July 12th



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

prayer@christmethodistauburn.com

Connect with us!

www.christmethodistauburn.com