First Cary

Join us this week at First Cary!

Wednesday, September 4�
Join us for “The Story of Women in American Christianity: Roadblocks and Runways” from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. in Room B213 (Building B).

Thursday, September 5
Join us for networking on the first Thursday of each month in C001 (building C) at 9:00 a.m. to connect with other professionals at First Cary.

What is one part of your life that you might need to prune to be more fruitful for the Lord? We'll look at John 15 this Sunday and ponder this together.

Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned."

Grateful to be able to host our Bishop, District Superintendent, and colleagues from the Capital District today!

On Sunday, we continue our "This is Jesus" series with looking at the story of the resurrection of Lazarus. The scripture, John 11, is very rich, including Jesus' declaration "I am the resurrection and the life"!

[art: Rembrandt's "The Raising of Lazarus" circa 1630-32]

For our "This is Jesus" series, this Sunday we pivot to Jesus' declaration in John 10: "I am the Good Shepherd." Here is the text as you prepare your hearts for worship!

‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.’ (John 10:11-18)

[image is a statuette from the Vatican Museum]

We are overjoyed at the many ways Youth from First Cary serve throughout our church, community, and the NC Conference! While these youth have been busy planning events for middle and high schoolers across NC, there are 35 other middle schoolers sharing the heart of Christ from the heart of Cary through Mission Madness. What an inspiration each of these young people offer to all of us!

As the waters rise and many begin to recover from devastation in the wake of Debby, here is a prayer "In Time of Natural Disaster" adapted from our Book of Worship. Also a link for disaster response with our United Methodist UMCOR - United Methodist Committee On Relief is below!

O God, you divided the waters of chaos at creation.
In Christ, you stilled the storms, raised the dead, and vanquished demonic powers.
Tame all the forces that defy control or shock us by their fury.
Keep us from calling disaster your justice.
Help us in good time and in distress, to trust your mercy and yield to your power, this day and forever. Amen

Global Ministries - UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery

Due to severe weather forecasts, and out of an abundance of caution, First Cary UMC will be closed Thursday, August 8. Please note that Thursday’s food distribution is canceled, but groceries will be available at tonight’s Family Fun Night community meal (5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in Building C).

Friends, we are having some technical difficulties with our Facebook livestream, so please visit firstcary.com/livestream to watch this morning.

Livestream – First Cary UMC First Sanctuary and First on Chatham stream live Sundays at 11:00 a.m.View livestreams and past services on the First Cary YouTube Channel.

What a week we had at Camp Firelight! Psalm 56:3 says, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You,” and Vacation Bible School campers learned to trust God to go with us, to lead the way, to share wisdom, to give us peace, and to spark joy! A big thank you to all who made VBS possible – it is a gift to be in community together!

On Sunday, one of our younger disciples tried the Nursery during worship. He had a great experience, but when his family picked him up, he said, "But I still need to go to church!" So they came into the Sanctuary and he led a brief time of prayer while his Dad held him in the pulpit. What a gift to have kids reminding us of how important worship is! Thanks be to God!

That's a wrap on day one of VBS! What a great time we had at Camp Firelight where we learned that we can trust God to go with us – can't wait to see campers tomorrow!

This Sunday, we will look at an ENTIRE book of the Bible...granted, Philemon is 1 chapter and only 25 verses long...but still, an ENTIRE book! Get a head start and read it in advance and begin pondering how God may be speaking to us today!

(the whole book is in the comments)

For anyone looking for a prayer to ground July 4th, this is a beautiful option from our United Methodist Book of Worship!

7 is a mystical, spiritually powerful number in our tradition (see Genesis 1). It is also the number of adult volunteers still needed for VBS the week of 7/15 to 7/19. Please consider stepping up if you possibly can! Contact Emleigh ([email protected]) if you can help move that number down!

Getting work done with a fine AC crew representing our church in Greenville!

Love this drawing of the church created by one of our young disciples!! 🥰