Builder07.08.09.htm

When I was in high school we had a coach who believed in motivational signs. He had them posted all over the dressing room. There must have been a half-dozen of them, but the only two that I can remember are: “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” And the other was: “There is no 'I' in the word team!" To be honest, I don’t know whether it helped us win any more games or not, but it certainly helped our attitude when we lost.

I believe that both of these statements have implications for us andfor our families -- and, for that matter, the church family, as well. All of God’s children experience tough times on occasion, and we must come to trust and understand that they will not last forever, that we will get beyond the problem and back on solid ground. That is what a sign does, it points us in a new direction.

One of the ways we are able to do that is that we realize that we are not alone in the journey. Not only is God with us, walking with us and going before us, but we are also encompassed in the love of family and church family. As I have said a million times in the last year, the Story family has been blessed by the love and encouragement of the church family and so many friends (some that we have never seen or met). That is what has kept us going, and I believe it is what sustains us when we feel that we are at the very bottom of the pit. Indeed, there is no “I” in team and tough times never last, thanks to the love of God and the family we call the church.

Volunteers — What would church or any other organization be without them? During our recent Bible school, John and I were in charge of the meals. We did not solicit volunteers, but they came. Helen Bunting asked if we needed help preparing and serving the drinks. Pete Almanza and his two nephews, Isaiah and Julian, and Charles Jefferson asked if they could help prepare the food, serve it, and clean up. Last Sunday the Property Committee was in charge of the Fellowship Lunch, but I saw people who were not members of the Property Committee volunteering to help. If you have not volunteered to help around the church, make it a point to start. There are always committees who need more members, and small jobs that can quickly be accomplished with help. It is a great way to get acquainted.

See you on Sunday and come prepared to volunteer.

DON'T FORGET CARITAS

Pasta - potato flakes - macaroni and cheese - canned fruit - rice - beans - spaghetti

WORKDAY - JULY 18

We will have a church workday on July 18 beginning at 8:00 am. There will be inside and outside work to be done, and we can use your help. We hope to finish by noon. Also, there is a list on the bulletin board of work to be done if you cannot be present on workday. Simply put your name by the work you will accomplish. Contact James McCord for more information at 420-1975.

Thanks to all of you who helped with the First Sunday Luncheon that was hosted by the Property Committee. We had great food and a great turnout. Hope to see you at Workday.

PS - If you have medical equipment that you have borrowed from the church (wheelchair, walker, etc.) AND YOU ARE NO LONGER IN NEED OF IT, PLEASE RETURN IT TO THE CHURCH.

SCOUT NEWS

The scouts just finished day camp in June at the Heart of Texas Fairgrounds. We had 17 boys attend, and they had a great time.

The Cub Scouts are in their summer meeting schedule. We have a couple of activities planned for July. Next Saturday the Cub Scouts will attend a star-gazing party at the Lake Waco Wetlands. The Central Texas Astrological Society is hosting the event. They will work with the boys and teach them how to use a telescope and give an educational presentation of the stars.

On Saturday, July 18, we will make a trip to the Cameron Park Zoo and have a family picnic at Cameron Park.

Thank you to Richfield for the continued support of our scouting program.

Kayla Rosas, Pack 403, Committee Chair

* * * * * * * * * *

Our Boy Scout Troop met for prayer Sunday morning in the narthex with the church Elders and Pastor before beginning their camping trip to Utah. Keep us in your prayers.

Yours in Scouting,

Staci Jay Assistant Scoutmaster

RICHFIELD CAMPERS OFF TO ATHENS

Michael Donaldson - Eighters I Camp - July 12-18

Eric Busch & David Schmidt - JYF III Camp - July 20-24

Cierra Randolph - Eighters II Camp - July 26-Aug 1

You can send them a note or a “care package" using the following address:
Camper’s Name, Name of Camp, Disciples Crossing, 3693 State Hwy. 31E, Athens, TX 75751

Please notify the church office when a name can be removed from the Care and Concern list.

Doug Neale continues to gain strength. Candace Rivera (Steve Rosas's grandmother) is hospitalized with a broken hip. Jody Sykora spent several days at Providence but was able to be in church Sunday. Lura McKamie has returned from the hospital and is back at Regent Care. Barbara Cohn is waiting on surgery to be scheduled this month. James Clay and Jack Cox are both suffering from respiratory problems. Winona Baugh is back at Providence Hospital undergoing tests. Vivian Bushnell has begun pain management for her back pain and is some better. Marie Jordan is doing better with blood pressure and related health issues. Grant Story continues his journey in a nursing facility in San Antonio. Art Catchings (Joyce Vanya’s brother-in-law) diagnosed with acute leukemia and has begun treatment. Pete Moffatt has been having difficulties with an irregular heartbeat and will be placed on a monitor. Our Boy Scouts are on their trip to Utah.

Serving In Iraq: Tony Ramirez (James McCord's nephew) ~ Michael Hunt (Debbie Webb's co-worker's son)

Serving In Afghanistan: Andy Bianchi (friend of the Leggetts) ~ Joe Davis (Valera Labit's grandson)

Now Home from Serving In Africa: Lathan Thurman (Linda Sykora's son)

Pray for all of these and pray for the parents of our congregation and parents around the world as they lead their families in building Christian homes.

Please help us welcome into our church familyStaci Jay. Staci united with our congregation by confession of faith and will be baptized in the next few weeks. We have also received her two children, Tyler (Ty) and Tori, as part of the family until they are ready to make their own decision of faith. They live at 2909 Windsor (76708), and their phone number is 235.5967. Staci is heavily involved in our Boy Scout program as Assistant Scoutmaster and is on the trip with our scouts this week as the medical advisor.

“As members of the body of Christ known as Richfield Christian Church, we believe that we are called to share the Good News that leads people to Jesus Christ; called to provide a place of worship, spiritual support and nurture to all who come; called to support the growth and development of outreach and mission at home and abroad; and called to help train and educate those persons chosen by God to service in ministry, both lay and ordained—so help us God.”