Out with the Old

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

II Corinthians 5:17

"I am making everything new!"

Revelation 21:5

Gallons of old, dried up paint have been stored in my garage for several years. Weekly garbage pickup wouldn’t take it. I tried several times to take it to the local convenience center and they wouldn’t take it. I wondered if I would just have to keep these old rusty cans forever.

Finally someone told me about a recycling center off Century Court that takes old electronics, antifreeze, oil, and paint anytime! One morning I awoke early, loaded the old cans and drove them to the center. The attendant received me with a smile and helped me unload the old. I drove away with a burden lifted and drove home to a clean garage.

Sometimes, we forget that we too have a place to unload the old. We allow heavy things to weight the shelves of our hearts. We let old moods and attitudes stay for too long. Painful hurts from past and present paralyze us. That’s why Jesus says to all of us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). We can come anytime. He receives us with a joyful smile saying, “I wish you had come sooner!” No weight is too heavy for Him to carry. We can leave His presence with the burden lifted and a clean heart!

Take a moment to come to Jesus. Give Him the old. Whisper, “The old has gone, the new has come!” Speak these words softly until your feelings find and experience God’s truth! Sometimes it may take a while, but don’t forget that God is with you in the old until the new comes.

Celebrating the One Who Makes All Things New,

Sunday - Pray for the Shevel's - Don and Pat.

Monday - Pray for the Shoap's - Chris, Shoshonna and Aaron.

Tuesday - Pray for the Shoap's - Rod and Sandi.

Wednesday - Pray for the Spears' - Chip, Darla, Christina and Allison.

Thursday - Pray for Deana Teaster.

Friday - Pray for Marsie Thomas.

Saturday - Pray for the Tomsett's - Rob, Julie, Hunter, Jericho, Montana and Spencer.

What Do You Think?

The Orchard is considering providing a whole family opportunity to build community and grow deeper with God beginning in the fall. We often hear from you of the need for the opportunity to grow closer. We agree!

We want your input as we consider a Wednesday night small group/fellowship time with age appropriate activities for the whole family. Please consider the following questions and return them to Pastor Anita Pringle by Sunday, July11 so that we can mold this ministry opportunity to best fit the whole congregation.

Would you participate in a Wednesday night small group/fellowship time? _______________

Would you be interested in a catered meal?_________________

How much would you think would be a reasonable amount to charge per individual? _____________ family?_______________

What time would you prefer? 6:00 - 8:00 or 6:30 - 8:30 (circle one)

Would you be willing to bring your children and youth to participate in age-level activities? ______________

Would you be willing to volunteer in the Children's Ministry? ____________

What would you envision the small group time looking like? ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

What other ideas or suggestions do you have on this matter? ___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Name ___________________________________________

Weekly Need: $5,386
Last Week's Giving: $3,426
Over/Under: -$1,960

YTD Total Over/Under Need: To be updated soon.

All contributions given to The Orchard Church will be used exclusively for charitable purposes in accordance with laws governing a tax-exempt organization organized under state law provisions and that of the Internal Revenue Code. In keeping with the foregoing commitment, we reserve the right to distribute all funds contributed to the area of greatest need.

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for a full Calendar of Events

The Cruciform Life

We have just begun our summer at the cross with "The Cruciform Life" series. Both the worship experiences and Acts 2:42 will include times of preaching, teaching, interaction and spiritual conversation, testimony and praying about the meaning of the cross in our lives. We will revisit our values which are cross derived and seek practical ways to live these out within our church family and within our daily lives as a community. The Holy Spirit is stirring my soul and assuring me that He has great plans for The Orchard as we surrender to Him more fully.

July 21 Kidz Blitz

Our next Kidz Blitz for children ages 3 - rising 6th grade will be on July 21 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (notice the difference in the starting time) at the Spears' home, 186 Sturbridge, for a swimming party, 10 FOOT BANANA SPLIT and devotional. Parents, please bring your children to the Spears' home at 6:00 p.m. and pick them up by 8:00 p.m. For young children who need assistance in the pool, parent must plan to stay as there will not be life guard on duty!

What Do You Think?

If you have not filled out a "What Do You Think" form yet please either fill one out and bring it in or just write the answers to the questions in an email and email them to anitapringle@theorchard.cc

Dates at a Glance

Mark your calendars for the following events:

July 21 - Kidz Blitz