Thank you to everyone who has been participating in our Sunday morning Bible study! That may be through your preparedness by reading ahead, your contributions to reading and discussion, or your faithful attendance. There are 3 more subjects to cover. We have been discussing 1-2 subjects each week. If we finish this Sunday, we will head back into the sanctuary on August 4. If we do not finish, we will take one more Sunday in the fellowship hall. Either way, we look forward to seeing you at church!

Keep Operation Christmas Child in mind. For July, we are collecting all, non-liquid, types of toiletries. If you have already contributed for July, the items needed for August are school supplies. Back-to-school sales have already begun at some stores. You can likely get many items for a great price. If you are unable to get out to the store, shipping costs are helpful. If you are unable to help financially, shoeboxes are always needed.

Sunday, August 4, is our next First Sunday Meal. That Sunday begins our Missions focus. You are welcome to bring foods from your favorite culture. Try out a new recipe from a different ethnicity. Bring a dish from a place you have visited. Be sure to invite friends and family to join you for church and our meal!

The trees are down in our church park area, so it is time to think about using that space. You have the opportunity to donate a picnic table ($581) or a park bench ($294) in honor or memory of a loved one. A plaque with the name of each honored person will be placed in the new park area. The table pictured here is the model we are considering. The benches look much like this. If you would simply like to give to the project, indicate so on your envelope as you give in the offering.

Our churchwide focus for the month of August is Missions. The mission of our church is SOULS: Salvation, Ongoing development, Uplifting conversation, Love never fails, Serve in love. We live this out by the Acts 1:8 mandate: witnessing to those in Jerusalem (family), Judea (friends and coworkers), Samaria (the underserved), and the uttermost parts of the world (strangers near and far).

Here is the news story regarding Watchmen of the  Streets when CCOG participated:  https://www.wbtv.com/video/2023/08/01/watchmen-streets/

WBTV News:  Watchmen of the Streets-Restaurants in Lake Norman area help feed the homeless