You can get the true essence of New Yorkers by just hanging out in Central Park. Andy Roddick

Here’s a question: Can you get the true essence of Christians by just hanging out in Keene Church? We hope so! On July 21, 1853, visionary New York City leaders set aside more than 700 acres in the heart of Manhattan’s sprawling metropolis to develop parkland. They’d noticed that city dwellers, desperate for respite from urban chaos, were gathering in cemeteries just to enjoy some quiet, grassy tranquility. Today, Central Park offers a joyous, restorative get-away featuring tree-shaded trails, waterworks, outdoor entertainment and peaceful benches–a national historic refuge in the midst of towering buildings and throbbing thoroughfares crowding all around. . . . You don’t have to visit New York City to find natural retreats in the midst of skyscrapers and bustling commerce, though. Have you strolled through downtown Dallas and Fort Worth? Arbors, fountains, and birdsong delight the senses at almost every turn, it seems.
 
We Christians are called to refresh a spiritually arid, quaking world, beckoning all to heaven’s sparkling reservoir, where Jesus’ water of life overflows the banks of care. Have you jumped into love’s lake full-bodied, or are you still testing the water temperature? Ankle deep in your ministry, are you trying to figure out what to do next? “Dive in!” says Ryan Duncan. “God wants us to dive headfirst into the Christian life, to forget our worries and troubles and just focus on Him. Instead, many of us will stand on the fringes of our faith, trying to slowly and comfortably ease our way into God’s plan for our lives. We aren’t meant to stand in the shallows of God’s love, however, so even though jumping in can be difficult at first, it’s the best way. Only by surrendering to God as the center of our lives do we become truly free.” (crosswalk.com) “You are called to freedom. . . . Just don’t use your freedom to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another with love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom.” (Galatians 5:13, Message)
 
Jesus plunged into the fray, full-bodied, for you, friend. In the midst of the Psalter, David tells us prophetically that Jesus is our Lord and King, our Warrior-Priest, the Judge of the nations, the final Victor.  “It is this hope that kept Israel facing the future with faith. It is this hope that began its fulfillment on a starlit night in Bethlehem.  It is this hope that will take us through the trials and sufferings of our present life, as we look to our reigning, priestly King who will return in glory. All other hopes pale before Him.” (Donald Williams, “Mastering the Old Testament,” Vol. 14, p. 305)
 
Psalm 110
The word of God to my Lord:
“Sit alongside me here on my throne
until I make your enemies a stool for your feet.”
You were forged a strong scepter by God of Zion; 
now rule, though surrounded by enemies!
Your people will freely join You, resplendent in holy armor
on the great day of Your conquest,
Join You at the fresh break of day,
Join You with all the vigor of youth.
 
God gave His word and He won’t take it back:
You’re the permanent priest, the Melchizedek priest.
The Lord stands true at Your side,
Crushing kings in His terrible wrath,
Bringing judgment on the nations,
Handing out convictions wholesale,
Crushing opposition across the wide earth.
The King-Maker put His King on the throne;
The True King rules with head held high! (Message)
 

This Sabbath

Your Senior Pastor, James Winegardner, continues his sermon series on Mark during our 9:00 and 11:30 Sanctuary worship services. Special music will be provided by Aaron and Melva Hwang, Ace and Mikki Eclar, Gigi Marquart, Jacquelyn de los Santos, and Trent Muse. Kids Praise (Arianna and Candace Eclar, Melea, Joel and Marcus Hwang, Caleb and Juliana Marquart, Mia Naukkarenin) will provide the children’s story entrance music. James Cooper will tell the children’s story. Young Adults Pastor Michael Gibson will call for the offering, which will support Texas Vision. During first service Pastor for Family and Children’s Ministries Travis Patterson will recognize the baptisms of Sydney and Landry Corkran, who were recently baptized at Lake Whitney Ranch. During second service Pastor Travis will baptize Sofia Lauterbach.  Sipho Ndebele will offer congregational prayer. Ken Seaman will serve as Deacon in Charge.

Young Adults, Pastor Michael Gibson will continue your “Snapshots of the Savior” summer sermon series at The Middle Service in the Fellowship Hall at 10:00. He will discuss Psalm 110. Elevate will not meet August 3-18 and will resume on August 24 in the Sanctuary.

Family Church today! – for kids up to age 12. Parents with their children are invited to sample a new children’s ministry curriculum during 2nd Service at 11:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall. One parent is requested to attend with the children from each family.

Come to Bible by Design today at 2:30 PM. Hear about another book of the Bible, hit the high points, and leave with an artistic overview created by you! Room 107.

Water Ministry – Please plan on meeting this afternoon at 3:00 in the church parking lot by the chapel. We’re taking water to the homeless in Fort Worth!

Elevate and the Upper Room are partnering to host a Smash Bros. Tournamenttonight! Sundown worship will begin at 8:15 and games start at 9:00 PM. For players of all skill levels. The tournament will be held in between the Upper Room and the Chapel.
 

Our church

See our “Life Groups” board by the Welcome Desk for Wednesdays in July! Bring sandwiches or salad to eat together at 6:00 PM, followed by spiritual small groups at 6:30. At 7:30 we’ll have fun classes. Enjoy!

Church Board will be Tuesday, July 30, 7:00 PM, in the Fellowship Hall.

Senior Gardening Class – Seniors, if you are interested in gardening, a container gardening class will be starting on July 31 at 9:00 AM. It will be taught by master gardener Pat Kreiner at the East Cleburne Community Center on 602 Olive Street in Cleburne. If you are interested, please call 817-556-3716 to register. This is a FREE class! 

Senior Share, senior food pantry, will be open this Thursday (August 1), starting at 1:00 PM, at the Annex. If you would like to volunteer for the Senior Share, please show up at 12:15 PM.  

May the Force be With You for our seniors. Continues this Friday (August 2) at 10 am at the Annex. The class is a six-week class and will meet each Friday. Bring your mobile phone or tablet and be prepared to have fun and learn how to effectively use them!

General church fellowship potluck is next Sabbath, August 3, in the Fellowship Hall after second service. The potluck leaders have asked us to tell you that the University won’t be providing entrees in August, and we need you to bring entrees, desserts, and side dishes. Bring warm friendship to share with one another and our guests, too, off course! We look forward to enjoying a meal with you next week.

“Masterpiece” – Bring a friend and join us on the first Sabbath of each month as we fellowship and paint together. Bring an 11 x 14 canvas if you have it. We always have extras if needed. Masterpiece will meet on August 3 at 4:00 PM  in the Annex.

Keene Church Sing-along! Mark your calendars for August 3! Please plan on joining us for a sing-along at 6:00 PM in the Sanctuary celebrating all the blessings God has given us over the last year. We will also be sharing the work our church staff has been doing on the five-year vision and strategy for our church! You won’t want to miss this event!

Our Keene Church Visitation team urgently needs more volunteers to visit members in our community. Flexible days and times. If you have an interest, contact Marie Redwine at mredwine217@sbcglobal.net.

A New Life Bible School 

• You have a unique opportunity to adopt Bible students from our New Life Bible School! $15 a month will fund 10 students. Mark your tithe envelope “adopt” or “Bible School.”  We have a gift for those who want to participate in the adoption program!
• The school needs VOLUNTEERS in the office to open mail and/or do data entry on Monday, Tuesday, and/or Thursday mornings. We also need TEACHERS to correct lessons (at home). Thanks!

“Our Kids Eat Free” Summer Food – Please drop food donations at the church office or look for designated food donation areas in the church.

October 11-13 church camp-out at Lake Whitney State Park – Enjoy nature, fellowship, and worship on the lake shore. If you don’t camp, you can still join us Sabbath for worship, potluck and Smores on Saturday night. $24 per night per site + $5 per day per person over 13. Reservations or cancellations required by Sept. 27 to Veronique, vcwiist00@gmail.com.
 

Our schools

Keene Adventist Elementary School is a ministry of Keene Church providing Christian education for children Pre-K through 8th grade. KAES offers music, technology, PE to round out a strong academic program. 817-645-9125.

• KAES is now enrolling for the 2019-2020 school year. Would you like to know more about our Adventist education program? Principal Todd Coulter is available to visit with you today! Stop by to chat in the Gathering Place before and after each service. You can also request a meeting at principal@kaes-sda.org

Chisholm Trail Academy’s goal is to create a safe educational environment that fosters the development of a relationship with Jesus, promotes a life-long love of learning and service, and nurtures the optimal growth, potential, and character of each individual student. 817-641-6626.

Southwestern Adventist Universityis proud to be a part of the Keene Church family. The University’s family-oriented, Christ-centered atmosphere, supported by the Keene Church, offers the right environment for students to learn and grow. These attributes, sustained by strong academics with an emphasis on service and wellness, provide students with the tools necessary to obtain a degree and live a life of service. swau.edu.

• Come see A Lifetime of Landscapes by Lenora Payne at Chan Shun Centennial Library August 4-19. The free exhibit will feature watercolor and oil scenery paintings by the local award-winning artist. Info: 817-506-4713.

Our community

Job board – Check the job board for new opportunities posted this week! The job board is on the wall across from the drinking fountain near the church office. Once your job need is met, kindly remove your announcement from the board.

Experience Historic Adventist Village. Bus out to Battle Creek, Michigan, departing from Keene. Over two days of touring Battle Creek, you’ll visit the Welcome Center, James and Ellen White’s home, worship in    the Parkville church where Ellen White had a vision predicting the Civil War, visit a 19th century schoolhouse, see the grave of the White family, the former Kellogg Sanitarium, the Dime Tabernacle, hear fascinating pioneer stories, and much more! Also includes an overnight stop and tour of 3ABN. October 6-11, 2019. Details on the web: AdventToursUS.com.
 

In conclusion

Take a moment to read Philippians 1:21. Then answer: “For me to live is ____________.” Given your priorities and schedule this week, how would you honestly fill in the blank? What things would you change if you filled it with “Christ”? How would this new reason for living affect your daily life, or any hardship you’re facing? . . . Now move on to verse 27: “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” What would it mean to apply this verse to your community in concrete ways? What would have to change in you to make unity possible? Never lose your wonder at being called by God, friend! Live worthy of the King who has chosen you! The mystery of the gospel has been revealed through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus (Colossians 1:26, 27).  The way you live ought to be a tribute to the matchless grace that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has bestowed upon you.*
 
Make Jesus the Capstone in your vineyard, Forever Family!** Walk worthy!

Your Keene Church Pastors
 

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, 
for the love which from our birth over and around us lies; 
Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 

For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night, 
hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light; 
Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 

For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, 
friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild; 
Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 

For Thyself, best Gift Divine, to the world so freely given, 
for that great, great love of Thine, peace on earth, and joy in heaven: 
Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 
(Folliot S. Pierpoint) 
 

 *”Serendipity Bible for Study Groups;” Blackaby, “Experiencing God,” p. 207
**See Mark 12:1-11