• Friday, July 13: Watermelon tailgate and baseball game at Dell Diamond. Meet and greet Rev. David Johnson at a watermelon tailgate at 6 pm in the northwest section of the parking lot. The baseball game begins at 7:05 pm. The Round Rock Express is playing Oklahoma City. Friday night fireworks will follow the game. Join us for watermelon, baseball. fireworks, fellowship and fun! Ticket sales are now closed.
• Sunday, July 15: Cookies and punch reception in the courtyard between services from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Play Ball!

The ceremonial first pitch is thrown. The umpire cries out "Play Ball." The game begins. 

For the next six Sundays, we will sing favorite hymns and choruses chosen by our Heartsong and Chancel Choirs, as well as hear and sing music rarely if ever sung in church. We will see pictures and film clips - some that will be familiar to adults, youth and children, but others that will be less known. We will hear passages from the Bible that we have heard before with new angles as we preach them through the lens of America's pastime. In short, these services will be fun, informative and inspiring whether or not you like baseball. 

Since I grew up near Pittsburgh, I admired players like Willie Stargell, Roberto Clemente and Bill Mazeroski. Those were the days when Grandma could take us to the park and it was an inexpensive day of family fun. I kept the batting averages of all my favorite players on several teams. My first glove was a Carl Yastrzemski Triple Crown glove. Many of you have your favorite players that will often go back to the days of your youth. With our own Round Rock Express and First Church connections to the Ryan family, we have special admiration for Nolan Ryan and his stellar career.

 
What we also discover from playing and watching the game is that it can teach us lots of lessons about life and faith. Feel free to come casual to worship (the worship leaders sure will), wearing your own favorite baseball or softball t-shirt or jersey (maybe even an autographed one) or hat. 

Our featured mission during the series is Mission Panama. Nineteen from First Church are going, so we will be gathering supplies beginning on July 22 and passing the chicken buckets in mid-August. What a great time to bring someone to church with you! See you Sunday.

Sincerely in Christ,

Dr. Will Cotton

Senior Pastor

Stephen Ministry Q & A this Sunday!

If you would like to learn more about Stephen Ministry, please attend a Q & A session on Sunday, July 15 or July 29 in Payne Cottage at 9:30 am. Get your questions answered and hear from current Stephen Ministers about this amazing program.

And...please support our Stephen Ministry program at the Twin Oaks Cafe during July!

Chime Camp Week 1 was wonderful. It's not too late to register for the August Chime Camp!

These wonderful 3-day camps are offered to all children entering 3rd-5th grades in the fall of 2018. Children learn the basics of ringing chimes from experienced teachers.