CONWAY — First United Methodist Church of Conway will sponsor its annual Blessing of the Backpacks celebration during all three worship services today.
Students of all ages (preschool through college), teachers, faculty and administrators are invited to bring their backpacks and binders to be blessed for a successful upcoming school year. They will also receive a special backpack tag to remind them of the blessing throughout the year.
Blessings will be given at all three worship services - traditional worship at 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary, and the Good News Celebration contemporary worship service at 9 a.m. in the Great Hall. The public is invited.
In conjunction with Blessing of the Backpacks, a new sermon series will begin: “Navigating the 7 C’s: Around the Word in 50 Days.” The series is designed to help people see the story of the Bible as a whole.
“People struggle to see it as one continuous story,” Assistant Pastor Lynn Kilbourne said. “To fully understand the Bible, we must see each story fitting within the whole story. The 7 C’s take us from Genesis to Revelation.”
The series will use a concept from Dr. Fred Edie that incorporates the 7 C’s - Creation, Crisis, Covenant, Christ, Calling, Church, Coming Reign of God. These words are a list of theological alliteratives “that look further at the Bible,” Kilbourne said.Each week for seven weeks, a different “C” will be featured. On the eighth Sunday, Oct. 7, World Communion Sunday will be celebrated as a culmination of the study.
“As we participate in World Communion, we will see that the story transcends time and location. We will see how we claim and are grafted into the story through our baptism. By transcending geography, it ties us together with our brothers and sisters around the world. The whole church will be in celebration on Oct. 7,” Kilbourne said.
On Sept. 2, the church will celebrate One Service Day, coming together as one in worship, fellowship and service. One worship service will be held that day, at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. A churchwide meal will be held following worship; then those attending will disperse throughout the community and the church in mission to others.
To participate in a mission project, contact Kisha Bumpers at the church office at (501) 329-3801. Projects are planned that are suitable for all ages.
The church is at 1610 Prince St., at the corner of Clifton and Prince streets. For more information, call the office at (501) 329-3801, or visit www.conwayfumc.org.
River Valley Ozark, Pages 139 on 08/19/2012