Life. Liberty. And the pursuit of God.

We hold joining periodically here at Dayspring. This morning we offered the congregation a chance to join the church. We had 15 adults join and with them 14 children brought into the church.

I announced that we have a closing date of September 24^th set for our new property on Cumberland Road adjacent to Faulkner Park.

A newly commissioned building Team has recommended us moving forward with a local architect for a master plan and phase 1 development on the land.

We were bumping 300 in total attendance this morning.

I’m training for the Tyler Half and about to go run 8 miles—PRAY FOR ME.

I got this letter from a local “memorial park” this week. If one space is purchased, then the pastor gets a burial space for $1. What a deal! Plus as an added bonus it is in their “Brilliant Sunlight Garden”—which in East Texas means a dry, treeless hayfield.

It is edited for family friendly goodness.

United Methodists Hit Times Square with 3-Month Ad Campaign

By Joshua A. Goldberg

Christian Post Reporter

For three months, the United Methodist Church will be airing two 15-second ads in New York’s Times Square every hour for 18 hours each day.

Throughout the months of July, August and September, the denomination will air spots on the 26-by-20-foot CBS “Super Screen” as part of a $20 million campaign geared toward 18- to 34-year-olds.

This month’s spots focus on literacy and environmental awareness, with one asking “What if church was a literacy program for homeless children? Would you come?” and the other asking “What if church considered ecology part of theology?”

The messages target young adults who are seeking spiritual fulfillment, including those with skeptical views of church.

“Times Square is an ideal fit for our Rethink Church campaign,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications (UMCom), which oversees the Rethink Church advertising. “You’ll find people of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities in Times Square, and we want to tell each of them, ‘There’s a place for you in The United Methodist Church.’”

According to UMCom, the Rethink Church campaign is the next evolution to the denomination’s “Open hearts” campaign and highlights the many opportunities available within United Methodist churches to engage with the world.

Aside from the Times Square ads, UMC’s $20 million ad campaign will spend the next four years reaching out through television, radio, print, and in new media, including banner and keyword advertising on major secular Web sites.

On May 6, one day after the campaign’s official launch, more than 100 United Methodists took to the streets of New York City to perform random acts of kindness, including cab hailing, door opening, and more. The street teams also gave away iTune cards – good for one song download – that promoted www.10thousanddoors.org, a new Web site where visitors are able to interact, learn more about United Methodist Church, and search for involvement opportunities..

Each Times Square spot similarly includes an invitation to “Rethink Church at 10thousanddoors.org,” which launched on April 20

“If we are to Rethink Church, we must rethink what it means be a servant community,” said Hollon ahead of the campaign’s launch.

With about 8 million in the United States and Canada, the United Methodist Church is the second largest Protestant denomination in America. It is also the third largest Christian denomination in the world with some 12 million members worldwide.

Aside from overseeing the Rethink Church advertising, UMCom, the communications agency of the denomination, is providing Rethink Church training, media, and public relations support services to United Methodist congregations and conferences worldwide.

Philippians 4

4¹Therefore, my brothers and sisters,^* whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Exhortations

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion,^* help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice^* in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.^*
5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, beloved,^* whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about^* these things. ⁹Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.