Current Bulletin

WELCOME TO ALL VISITORS who are worshipping with us. We pray you will have a meaningful time of worship and invite you to worship with us again.

FOR PERSONAL PRAYER AND MINISTRY, please come to the chancel rail following the service. Prayer helpers from the congregation will pray with you. Prayer request cards are located in the pew rack for those who wish to submit them.

THE CHANCEL FLOWERS are placed in memory of Milton and Catherine Moyer by their family.

8:00 Tiffany and Ashley Wilwert, Don and Lisa Crossin (Baby/Toddler; Children’s Church).

10:45 Brandon and LaRhonda Kehs, Ginna and Brittany Foote (Baby/Toddler; Children’s Church).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Kyle Weiss 21^st; Mackenzie Kroesser, Tim Leidy, Lois Marsh, Steve Pennie 22^nd; Doug Kogel, Peter Lockman, Jenny Lafty, Astrid Rau, Bob Shafer, Judi Sursa 23^rd; Julia Martindell, Laurel Ronning 24^th; Ralph Clemens 25^th.

THE SERMON TITLE this morning is Now I Am Sending You. Often being told where to go is a negative command. For example, in the board game of Monopoly, you can be sent to jail and have to miss a turn. In real life you are sent to your room, the principal’s office, or even a penal colony (Australia in the 1800’s). However, being ‘sent’ to accomplish a task or to receive discipline should be seen as a great blessing! Throughout history God has been active in ‘sending’ His people to accomplish His tasks. Who will ‘GO’ for God?

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP meets this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at the home of Jena Kulp. Main course is provided, but bring along either a side dish (coleslaw, pasta salad, salads, etc.) or a dessert dish.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL teachers are listed on the Christian Ed table in the narthex. We are in need of teachers for the following dates: August 24^th - Lambs, Lions; August 31^st – Lambs. Sign up to teach one or more Sundays to give our year-long teachers a much needed break.

SLMT MOVIE NITE - Seats are still available, until tomorrow, for the family friendly movie, Iron Will, being shown at the Outdoor Fretz Cinema in Green Lane, on Friday, August 22. Rain date - Saturday, August 23. Theatre opens at 7:30, movie begins at dusk. Free concessions for all. Cost is $15 per person; $60 max per family; ages 2 & under free. Sign up on the sheet in the narthex today or call Jacquie at 215-234-9941.

A CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be held immediately following the 8:00 a.m. service of worship on Sunday, August 24^th. The purpose of the meeting is to elect Consistorymen to serve terms from 2009-2011. Nominated for the office of Deacon are: Brian Shoemaker and Jeremy Smith. Nominated for the office of Elder are: Ron Moyer and Dana Gehman.

substitute BABYSITTERS needed for Thursday morning Precept Class (9-11:30 a.m.) in case the weekly sitter needs some time off. This is a paid position. Please contact Verna at 215-679-6850 if you would be willing to help out as needed.

AVAILABLE! Three open slots have become available for the Women’s Retreat, which is being held October 10-12 at the Christian Conference Center in Valley Forge. First come, first served! Please call the office at 215-723-8707.

THE FOLLOWING Sunday School teacher and assistant positions need to be filled before September 7^th. Lions – Teacher all year or can be split; Third Grade – Teachers and assistant all year or can be split; Fourth Grade – Teachers and assistant all year or can be split; Sixth Grade – September thru December, April thru June. Contact Sherise Rittenhouse if you help with any of these positions.

A CONGREGATIONAL WORK DAY sponsored by the Property Committee happens next Saturday, August 23^rd. Starting time is 7:30 a.m. and we’ll wrap up around noon. Let Greg Nase or the church office know of your plans to help maintain the beauty and longevity of our property by your labors on that day.

CHRISTIAN GROWTH AND DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES are going to be available on Thursday evenings, beginning September 18^th. Among the options before you will be The Truth Project, an in-depth Christian worldview course. More information is forthcoming, but now is the time to begin to clear your schedule for Thursday evening growth possibilities.

NEW PRECEPT CLASS: Revelation will bless those who heed its message. It offers us the same message of hope that the early church received so long ago – a message delivered in anticipation of the Lord’s return. Class begins Thursday, September 4^th from 9-11:30 a.m. The cost of the workbook is $18. Marci Stunkard will be the leader. Babysitting is available.

RETREAT INFORMATION mailers will be sent out early September. Please open immediately to review your packet for balance information, to arrange car-pooling, and to join together with the 30-day prayer guide in preparation of the weekend. Please note! Balance due by September 21^st.

READING PHILLIES TICKETS – The Lay committee has 17 tickets available that can be exchanged for any remaining 2008 home season game, Monday thru Thursday only, of which there are 8 that qualify, August 18-24 and August 25-28. All games start at 7:05 p.m. and both Thursday games will have fireworks. Go to www.readingphillies.com or call 610-375-8469 for other giveaway details. Tickets are $8. Call the church office for tickets if you are interested.

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT WORKSHOPS – Hosted by Truth for Women. Precept is offering three one-day training workshops: Biblical Prayer - Thursday, September 25^th from 9-3; Witnessing – Friday, September 26^th from 9-3; and Spiritual Gifts – Saturday, September 27^th from 9-3. Men, women and teens welcome! The workshop is being held at First Baptist Bethlehem in Bethlehem. If you would be interested in any of these workshops, please pick up, fill out and mail the registration form available on the narthex desk.

EE CLINIC IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER! If you’ve been thinking about being a prayer partner or housing a guest for the EE Clinic, now is the time to sign up. There will be someone in the narthex to sign you up and to answer any questions you may have. If you sign up to be a prayer partner, pictures will be taken next Sunday during the Sunday School hour.

THANK YOU from Janet Rowe to everyone at Leidy's Church for all the prayers for her house settlement(s), good wishes, phone calls, cards, and letters¼and she has lots of room for visitors!

(The following letter is a sample letter that addresses a subject of concern to all Christians. You should write a letter reflecting your views, making whatever adjustments may be necessary to this letter.)

May the Lord Jesus give you grace upon grace as you go through these present trials. You should know that you are blessed in the eyes of the Lord. When I learned of your situation, of the good work you have done, and the oppression you have experienced, I gave thanks to God for your faith in Jesus our Lord.

Please know that when one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers. Many Christians around the world are standing with you in faith and prayer. Your life exhibits the grace of God and shines for His glory.

I pray you will continue to experience and know the love of Jesus poured out in your heart and the strength that gives. I thank God for your love of Christ.

This letter is written on behalf of LI MEI, a woman who is citizen of your country. She was arrested in July of 2007. Her crime consists of being a Christian. She was singing hymns to elderly folk in a nursing home and praying for God to help those in need. She also is accused of showing the Jesus film.

It is shocking that arrests are made in the country that is hosting the Olympic games. Moreover, since her arrest she has been beaten repeatedly and to such an extent as to require a hysterectomy. This is most deplorable and a clear human rights violation.

This letter is written to protest her arrest and to ask you to release her and others imprisoned under similar charges. LI MEI and other Christians represent no threat to your government or country. She is not seeking to do any violence in China, nor is she secretly working for the overthrow by violence or otherwise to your (and her) country. In fact, she is one who prays for the good of your country and for God to provide wisdom and blessing to all the leaders of your country.

I ask that you release LI MEI and allow her to return to normal life in the land where she is a citizen, the People’s Republic of China.