Vandalia's 50th Anniversary

It is an exceptionally exciting time around Vandalia. August 30 will mark our 50th anniversary and we are taking the whole month of August to celebrate it!

We've assembled an incredibly capable Anniversary Committee and they have put together a FANTASTIC month of celebration for us!

We hope you will come join us every Sunday. Old members, current member and even those who are interested in finding a church home should join us in this look at our past as we move forward with God into our future.

Here's what we have planned.

Aug. 2nd

Theme: Vandalia Family Reunion

Event: Pig Pickin' following the service

Minister: Mark Sandlin

Aug. 9th

Theme: Looking Back

Minister: Paul Ridolfi

Aug. 16th

Theme: No Place like HOME

Event: Covered Dish after the service

Special Presentation by Sarah Freeman

Minister: Mark Sandlin

Aug. 23rd

Theme: Give Me That Old Time Religion

As special service of Old Hymns and Scripture

Minister: Mark Sandlin

Aug. 30th

Theme: Celebration of our History

Minister: Chuck Clotsburger

The service will include communion and recognition of all past ministers

Event: Cake and Ice Cream following the service!!!

Message Schedule for the remainder of July 2009

July 12 - A Call to Thaw to Frozen Chosen - 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 - You may or may not be aware of it, but we Presbyterians have a nickname amongst many of the other denominations - "The Frozen Chosen." Now some of you will find that funny, while other offensive, but the bottom line is (for the most part) it's pretty fair. Presbyterians have come to value rationalism and control over passion and reckless abandon when it comes to worshiping God. Here in 2nd Samuel, we have a story that suggest the appropriate responce to being in the presences of God is a little less frozen and a little more joyful.

July 19 - "Don't Fence Me In" -God - 2 Samuel 7:1-14 - God moves about in a tent. God moves as God wills. God is not locked into one place, one window through which to see the world. God moves about in a tent gaining a new perspective with every step. Living in a tent, God is prepared to deal with the harsh realities of the world. You see, our God is a living God – not a stagnate God. Packing up camp when needed and making a move toward people where they are.

July 26 -"Teach Us HOW To Pray" - Luke 11:1-13 - Most Sundays the drone of prayer can be heard echoing from churches… (lifeless) “Our father – who art in heaven – hollowed be thy name – thy kingdom come…” Do you ever feel…challenged, when we pray the Lord’s Prayer? The Lord’s Prayer, when prayed with real understanding, is a challenging prayer, a prayer that convicts us and a prayer that reassures us.

August should be posted soon. The entire month will be devoted to celebrating Vandalia's 50th anniversary. It will be a great time together!