JUST THESE LINES, MY FRIENDS…

… to say that last week was Bible School week and I loved every moment of it!

5 days.

500 children.

200-plus volunteers.

And one amazing spirit of joy and gladness.

That’s the numerical summary of our campus as we experienced yet another incredible Vacation Bible School (VBS). The building was

transformed into an imaginative and immersive place for our children to experience God's love.

Kudos, of course, go to our stellar United Kids ministry community and their huge team of adult and youth volunteers. Running an

operation of this magnitude required months of preparation and weeks of gathering, building, and fine-tuning every little detail to make

this an unforgettable experience. Our goal is for children to learn vital spiritual truths that can shape their lives for years to come. Thank

you to all the people that made it happen, and thank you Matthews United Methodist for your faithful and generous stewardship that

makes these kinds of programs possible!

Please pray for Rainbow Express Camp coming up on July 10 – 14 and Music & Arts Camp on July 17 – 21. Allow the power of an imaginative,

redemptive God to create something new within you.

I don’t want to miss any opportunity to point you toward a powerful two-day experience coming up. In several settings on August 20-21,

The Rev. Dr. David Wilkinson will be with us. He is the Principal of St. John’s College, Durham University in Durham, England. He serves as

a professor in the Department of Theology and Religion. Recognized as one of Methodism’s leading communicators in the dialogue of

science and religion who combines academic credibility with presentational skills, David is a highly sought-after speaker and debater.

With a background in theoretical astrophysics, David gained a PhD in the study of star formation, the chemical evolution of galaxies, and

terrestrial mass extinctions. David is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. His current work at Durham University involves the

relationship of the Christian faith to contemporary culture, from science to pop culture.

David’s recent books include When I Pray, What Does God Do (the most accessible book on prayer that I have ever read); Christian

Eschatology and the Physical Universe; and Science, Religion and SETI. As a regular contributor to the BBC, Matthews United Methodist looks

forward to having Dr. Wilkinson with us.

David is married to Rev. Alison Wilkinson and they have two children, Adam and Hannah.

You do not want to miss a single moment with Dr. Wilkinson. You will find clarity for your faith. You will find substance for your living. It will

be a very special time together. We will have more for you in the days ahead about the different times Dr. Wilkinson will be speaking.

I’ll share a new GodStory this Sunday…and a big announcement. We’ll continue our learning from the Parable of the Father with Two Sons

as we Grow in Grace. I hope you’ll be present in the community where everyone is welcome, nobody is perfect and anything can happen.

Growing in Grace,

Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II Chuck@MatthewsUMC.org

Let’s worship together! Sunday mornings at 8:15 (Classic), 9:30 (Contemporary), 11:00 (Traditional), 11:00 (801South),

12:30 Centro Cristiano Hosanna (Servicio en Español), 9:30 (The Deep Family Worship - 2nd Sunday of each month).

http://globalimpactmumc.org/

Please visit Adult Ministries under the Reach tab at matthewsumc.org to view the Adult Ministries Calendar.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Laura Budd was voted “Best Attorney” in the Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly newspaper.

While Kat Edwards and her family were visiting Appalachian State University Lauren Gwaltney, ASU Student Ambassador, led their campus tour. Lauren put the entire family at ease, including Ryan (Kat’s brother with special needs) and made everyone feel welcome!

Tyris Washington’s The House That Rocks, located in Indian Trail, was awarded “Best Live Music Venue” in the Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly.

60 people participated in the CCH prayer time Friday night (monthly gathering on the last Friday). Seven Financial Peace leaders were presented with Golden Thumb Awards for their dedication to making a generational impact. 79 households have participated in FPU at MUMC! In just nine weeks of class, combined class results total: Non-Mortgage Debt Paid Off = $188,073 Money Saved = $142,974 Credit Cards Closed/Cut Up = 133

CCH Intercessory Prayer Meeting: Saturdays from 5:30 - 7:00 am in the

Sanctuary. Everyone is invited to join us to pray for our own families, this Church

and this Nation.

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6

Please remember in your prayers: family and friends of John Creta; family and friends of Barbara Bynum; Lori Helms on the death of her father; and all those in our church family with special needs and concerns.

Please join us in celebrating: the birth of Mackenna Corbitt Gilchrist, granddaughter of Jim and Barbara Gilchrist. Global Impact Prayer: Bless the "holy chaos," Lord, that will envelop MUMC during Rainbow Express Camp. Thank you for this remarkable ministry that provides a week of fun, fellowship and spiritual enrichment for special needs children and youth, and a much-needed respite for their parents, families, and caregivers.

MATTHEWS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ∙ www.matthewsumc.org 801 South Trade Street Matthews, NC 28105, (704) 847-6261, Fax (704) 845-2830

Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, and Watch us on Vimeo @MatthewsUMC

The Celebration newsletter is a weekly publication for the families and friends of Matthews United Methodist Church.

The deadline to submit an article is noon each Monday, the week of publication. If you would like to submit information for publication,

studies classes

CCH Intercessory Prayer: Saturdays at 6 am in the Chapel. WORSHIP MESSAGE

Growing In Grace: A True Older Brother

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

For care and protection, we lift up all the men and women serving in our Armed Forces throughout the world.

Visit MatthewsUMC.org for more information. Childcare may be available if requested in advance. Contact kim@matthewsumc.org.

7/9 801South Summer Serve Bright Blessings Birthday Party Prep

12:00 pm in The Gym

7/17-21 Music & Arts Camp Sign up to serve lunch 11 am - 1 pm by contacting Jill@MatthewsUMC.org.

8/19 MAGI Spiritual Gift Workshop

9:30 am - 3:30 pm Contact Karen@matthewsumc.org.

Pastor Chuck’s Picks Embrace: God’s Radical Shalom

for a Divided World by Leroy Barber

Discovering Our Spiritual Identity: Practices for God’s Beloved

by Trevor Hudson & Dallas Willard

Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation

by Ruth Haley Barton

Complete list at MatthewsUMC.org.