In July we will have the unique opportunity to host several children from Nairobi, Kenya. These children have lived difficult lives of pain and poverty, until they were found by a Korean Pastor, and became members of the Jirani Children’s Choir. Contact the church office (630-879-7060) if you would like to help with the choir.

Everyone is invited to join in the Outdoor Worship service with our friends from Logan Street Baptist Church! We will gather at the Peg Bond Center on the River Walk. Following worship, we will have a picnic with lots of food and games for children. Please contact the church office (630-879-7060) if you have any questions.
There are no services or classes at the Batavia or Flowing Grace Campus on August 24th.

Our beautiful historic building and grounds need a little extra care this summer. Every Monday morning at 9:00, a group of retired handy men come together to keep things in order. If you have a Monday morning free this summer, you're invited to stop by and help out.
There is a variety of tasks available for all; from electrical and plumbing repair, to painting and handy man work, and if you like to be outside there's plenty of weeding and gardening for all!
Feel free to stop by on a Monday morning, or call for more information 630-879-7060.

Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions. (1 John 3:18 NLT) Jesus stopped. He stopped when people needed his help, when they needed his comfort, when they needed his protection, when they needed an answer to a perplexing problem. Jesus saw the interruptions in his life as divine opportunities to show God’s love to people in desperate need. Jesus approached love from a show first, then tell, perspective. He defined love as meeting needs, and when he touched people they realized “… they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful – and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, ‘God is back, looking to the needs of his people!’” (Luke 7:16 MSG) Jesus expressed his love through action. He calls us to be action figures, but he never wants us so busy saving the world that we ignore the interruptions of those in need. Like the Good Samaritan, Jesus wants us ever ready to help someone in need. (Luke 10) The Bible says, “If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.” (1 John 3:17 MSG, italics added) Jesus showed that faith and service go hand-in-hand. When the woman of poor reputation anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive oil and tearfully washed them with her hair, Jesus said to her, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Her act of service was a reflection of her faith in God. When the disciples of John the Baptist asked Jesus to verify he was the Christ, his response was to point to his service. He said, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” (Luke 7:22 NIV) And the Jesus-follower James stressed that we are to be doers of the word, not just hearers: “Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup – where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?” (James 2:14a-17 MSG) Francis of Assisi once wrote, “Preach the gospel; if necessary, use words.” In showing our love, no task should be too menial. Jesus specialized in acts of service most people usually try to avoid: washing feet, helping children, fixing breakfast, and serving lepers. Nothing was beneath him, because his service flowed from his love. What does this mean? q Practical love – Jesus indicated our acts of love should be very practical; even giving a cup of cold water in his name is an act of love. (Matthew 10:42) q Serve today – Ask, “How can I serve others today?” Look around and address what you see: Shovel the walk, watch a neighbor’s child, bring food to a shut-in, visit a sick friend. Serve at Church, Serve in the Community, Serve the World. We serve God by serving others, and we can serve even better when we serve with other believers. (Ecclesiastes 4:9) Think about a ministry you can share with a small group of friends.

We at Batavia United Methodist Church have been given the opportunity to respond to the spiritual need of a growing community and have the calling, gifts and resources to answer our scriptural mandate to go and make disciples. We have a responsibility to ensure the viability and vitality of this church in the future.
For our church to remain viable, to meet our call to reach out to potential new members and to maintain our vital downtown Batavia ministry, we will be asking you to contribute financial support to:
*Establish a building/land acquisition fund to provide the money necessary to pay off our current mortgage, and secure property near our present building that might become available. Without such funds, the church is unable to act quickly to secure properties that might become available.
*Improve our sanctuary lighting
*Finance the initial start-up and support costs related to our outreach site at Herget Middle School, 1550 Deerpath Road, Aurora, a new facility in the West Aurora district. The first Sunday worship service at Herget is scheduled for March 2007.
*Purchase a new electric organ
*Purchase a new mini-bus to provide accessible transportation for all ages