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Prayer of the Week: Today our Grief Support Group is gathering for their monthly summer coffee. Please pray for all who have lost loved ones. Pray that God will provide comfort and support and bring them peace as they continue their grief journey. A new weekly session of the Grief Support Group will begin on September 11 at 10 a.m.

Here's Pastor Brian listening to Gary's rendition of *LUX* while reading his book recommendation, *Organic Outreach for Ordinary People* by Kevin G. Harney, on his phone. “I want to make a confession: I am horrible at outreach. I struggle with outreach and most times I feel like an utter failure. However, this last year I came across a book through a friend that changed me profoundly: *Organic Outreach for Ordinary People: Sharing Good News Naturally.* It made me realize I am not the only Christian who feels this way. It broke down and showed the ways the Church made outreach unloving and unnatural—and in turn made many Christians leery about it. Also, it showed me sharing the story with others can be natural and beautiful—using my gifts and personality. Through the image of gardening it gives step-by-step ways to learn to love and see everyone around me. The suggestions and prayers are concrete, helpful, and totally doable for everyday folks. If you feel like sharing your faith is something you struggle with, I could not recommend this book more highly. It is changing my life--I hope it can be the same for you as well!” ~Pastor Brian If you have a recommendation of your own, send it to [email protected].

For last week's staff book recommendation, Carey Bebar wrote about the children's book *One* by Kathryn Otoshi. In response, Gary member Lorrie Brand shared one of her favorites: I still think one of the best books I ever read to my children was Dr. Suess's *Horton Hears a Who.* "A person's a person, no matter how small." I've read it to the residents here (at Travanse Living) and also when I resided at Brighton Gardens. It's a lesson everyone should learn. Especially in the world in which we live today. ~ Lorrie Brand What is your favorite children's book that packs a powerful message?

Summer Prayer of the Week: This Friday, fourteen families will be heading to Pine Lake in Westfield, WI for Family Camp. We pray for safe travels and that this long weekend of fun and worship in the beauty of nature will truly be a time to grow closer to God and one another.

MAY WE SUGGEST… For our next staff recommendation, Carey Bebar, Director of Children’s Ministries and Adult Education Coordinator, shares her love of the children’s book *One* by Kathryn Otoshi. “*One* tells of what can happen when just one person is willing to stand up. ‘Blue was a quiet color. He enjoyed looking up at the sky, floating on waves, and on days he felt daring... splashing in rain puddles.’ When the bully Red comes along, the other colors don't protect Blue, and when Red starts to pick on other colors as well, he gets bigger, and Bigger and BIGGER...until One comes. One stands up to red and soon everyone counts.... ‘Sometimes it just takes one.’ “This incredibly artistic and unique storybook shares the transformative message of strength, courage, and grace. I have read this book with my children, and many children, since receiving it as a gift years ago. I still cry every time I read it.” ~Carey Bebar

Looking for one of those quintessential summer experiences? Or maybe you need something different to do with the kids? Meet up with Gary friends at 6:30 tonight in Memorial Park for Wheaton Park District’s Music Monday. The band this week is Rock Steady—a Chicagoland cover band playing rock, blues, pop, country, and more. Bonus: it’s free! Plus there are activities for the kids and concessions available. The group from Gary will be near the gazebo on the east side of the park.

What if Dr. Suess wrote the Shema (a prayer)?? Come Sunday and find out at Children's Time! Then plan to stay at 10 a.m. for a fun mission project. We're making snack bags for ESSE (Adult Day Care) and Brighton Gardens. #summerdestination

Thursday’s report from the Gary Youth mission trip...

Wednesday’s Gary Youth Mission trip update...

Gary Youth mission trip update...

Early Bird Choir! Thanks to this group for getting to church at 8 a.m. on Sunday to prepare beautiful music for the 9 a.m. service.

Prayer of the Week: Our Gary Youth mission team of 30 students and leaders arrived safely in Kansas City last night. Please pray for them this week. You can follow their service with YouthWorks on the Gary Youth Facebook page: @garyyouth.

MAY WE SUGGEST.... Our second staff book recommendation comes from Pam Keller, our Print Communications Coordinator. Pam's pick is *The Intellectual Devotional* by David S. Kidder & Noah D. Oppenheim. "Do you know what critics and readers alike have settled on to be the “Great American Novel”? How about, who is perhaps the most important composer of all time? Or, do you know who said, “I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe”? "Well, you can find out the answers and 362 other answers in this dose of spiritual and intellectual growth. This is a year’s worth of reading one page at a time (like most daily devotionals), but it was filled with knowledge taken from different fields—literature, religion, arts, science, music, history, and philosophy. Each day of the week is a different subject (Mondays are history, Tuesdays are literature, etc.). "I enjoyed this reading and refreshed my memory on things I already knew, but most of all learned a lot of new information. Okay—it took me a bit over a year to read it, as I didn’t quite read one page daily, but almost. I learned many fascinating things, and my brain has been somewhat refreshed." ~Pam Keller

Happy Fourth of July! Remember that Wheaton's parade, which begins at 10 a.m. on July 4, does not pass by the church this year. Instead gather with Gary friends to watch in Memorial Park. Our own Vickie Austin will be the emcee at the Review Stand located on the west side of the park.

Thanks to the artists from the Burning Bush Gallery’s “Inner Walls” exhibit who shared their works with us on Sunday.

Our SUMMER PRAYER OF THE WEEK comes this time from Northern Illinois Conference Bishop Sally Dyck who encourages us to pray for our neighbors in farming communities where heavy rain caused unprecedented delays in corn planting. “We are mindful that this year's crops are greatly affected by the devastating rains and many farmers are anxious about what the harvest season will bring," said Bishop Dyck. "Let's continue to keep our farmers and their families in our prayers."

Since 1979, Northern Illinois congregations of The United Methodist Church have provided over one million dollars to support United Voices for Children’s affiliated agencies—ChildServ, MYSI and Rosecrance—through the Fifth Sunday Appeal. You can participate this Sunday, June 30 by placing a contribution in the envelope in the bulletin or by sending a check to the Church Office with UVC in the memo. Through this collaborative giving effort, we are able to make a real difference in the lives of children, youth, and families in need.

Palm Sunday Worship, April 14 at 9 and 11 a.m. Easter Sunday Worship, April 21 at 9 and 11 a.m.

A new three-week class, “All of God's Creation as Family: Exploring the Relationships Among Indigenous People, ‘Newcomers,’ and Nature,” begins January 13 at 10 a.m. in the Chapel. Take a look at this preview and plan to attend this Sunday!

We are thrilled that Dr. Gene Green, Gary member and Professor of New Testament, will lead our Advent study, "For to you is born this day" - The Story of Jesus in Luke 1-2, this Sunday and continuing on December 16 and 23. Take a look at this preview and then plan to join him at 10 a.m. in the Chapel to explore the Christmas story anew and celebrate the hope it brings to the world.

Becoming family as we worship God together

"Our Pray for Me Campaign kicks off on Sunday, October 14, when students will walk up to those who have signed up to be prayer sponsors and ask them to pray for them every day for one year. This means that in every high and low of the year, whether they are stressed about grades or land a role in the school musical, whether they get injured or win a game, whether they experience a break-up or being asked out on a first date, when they wrestle with sins and desires and lies told about who they truly are, students can pause and remember that they have at least three other adults cheering them on, praying to God on their behalf." ~Alexa Isaac Learn more and register for the Pray for Me Campaign at garychurch.org.

Chancel Choir welcomes singers and visitors for refreshments and fun at our first rehearsal! Come and sing along as we introduce our new pieces, Thursday, August 23 at 7 p.m. in the Choir Room. Start the new season with a song in your heart!

We invite you to experience Bill Phemister’s performance of Haydn’s *Seven Last Words of Christ* on Friday at 1:00 p.m.

Our annual Musical + Soup and Chili Cook-off + Auction is Sunday, March 18 beginning at 4:00 p.m. Proceeds from the auction benefit our high school mission trip. You won't want to miss this; we have some amazing action items!

Movie Sing-Along Sunday, January 28 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. The Gary Activity Center will be alive with *The Sound of Music.* Here’s a preview from our narrator.