Scripture Reading: Psalm 34:15,17-18, Inclusive Psalms

The eyes of Our God are on those who do justice, and God’s ears are open to their cry.
The just cry out, and Our God hears, and saves them from all their troubles.
Our God is close to the brokenhearted and rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Prayer for Peace by Linda Schall, Bath, Michigan

Lord, teach me to forgive myself and free my mind to hear your voice. Move me to ask for forgiveness when I have offended someone. Open my eyes to the forgiveness I must give to those who have offended me. Give me the courage to reach out to those in need of a friend. Make me a good listener to strangers who may need just an encouraging word, or an arm around their shoulder for comfort. Allow me to shake the hand of a person who may be different from me without fear and say, "Welcome." Help me to listen to the small cries of children who are hungry or thirsty. Grant me hearing from my heart rather than my ears. Stir me to ask, "What can I do to help that child?" when I hear on the news about starving children. Give me the understanding to know that the problem is not too big, one child at a time. Let me be the one to enthusiastically sell others on their ability to help one child, so together we can make a difference for a whole community. I know, Lord, that peace is not possible without You as the overseer. Nor is peace possible if the basic needs of people remain unfulfilled. Thank You, Lord, for giving us the vision of peace. With the help of your Holy Spirit may we have the commitment needed for that peace. In Jesus' most holy name we pray. Amen.

 World Church News

Continuing exploration of Doctrine and Covenants 164 will be offered through a Herald series that begins this month with an overview by Presiding Evangelist David Brock. To have these articles delivered free to your e-mail, subscribe to the series at www.CofChrist.org/subscribe.asp. To subscribe to the Herald ($32) or e-Herald ($20), visit www.HeraldHouse.org or call 1-800-767-8181.

Live your discipleship at Community of Christ Historic Sites. There is a critical need for long-term volunteers at Community of Christ Historic Sites. If your life circumstances allow you to serve for a period of one year or more, please contact Lachlan Mackay: LMackay@CofChrist.org, (217) 453-2246. Housing, utilities, and training will be provided.

The Community of Christ Hymnal Project announces an international contest for English-language hymn writers. We have identified a tune in the church that needs new text: hymn 424 in Hymns of the Saints, “Send Me Forth, O Blessed Master,” by author and composer Elisha A. Hoffman (1839–1929). Please see detailed Conceptual Guidelines at www.CofChrist.org/hymnal. Entrants should include an anonymous copy of each hymn-text entry with a cover letter that has your name, address, telephone number, e-mail, and title of your entry or entries. Submissions will be acknowledged within two weeks of receipt. The deadline is November 10. The author may retain the copyright for the winning hymn, but agrees to allow the use of this hymn text by Community of Christ in perpetuity and for possible inclusion in the next hymnal, scheduled for release in 2013. Send entries and correspondence to lhall@CofChrist.org or mail them to: Hymn Contest, c/o Lauren Hall, at International Headquarters.

Register for Peace Colloquy at www.CofChrist.org/PeaceColloquy. Learn more about the Community of Christ International Peace Award and this year’s recipient, Greg Mortenson. Come to the International Peace Award ceremony, which will open the colloquy on October 29, or join the ceremony via live webcast. Check the website for more information about keynote addresses, workshops, prayer retreat, art show, youth retreat, and children’s program.

Join us for the marvelous adventure of “where in the world” your Mission Tithes impact lives… July generosity stories feature Apostle Susan Skoor’s Canada and Pacific Mission Field and Apostle Scott Murphy’s Western USA Mission Field. PowerPoint presentations are included with each week’s story except July 11. If you do not receive the monthly stories, check with your mission center financial officer or find them at www.CofChrist.org/generositystories.

Health Ministries Association offers healthcare informationnearly every month that can be used as a bulletin insert or a great discussion starter for Christian education classes, small group meetings, or health ministries teams. This month’s insert is part of a series on Congregational Health Ministry entitled, “Advance Directives”. Visit www.CHM.HMACofChrist.org to download and print inserts for your congregation.

Ready for the adventure of your life?Learn more about World Service Corps, current volunteer opportunities, and apply online at www.worldservicecorps.org.

 Arizona Mission Center News

Reunion Begins This Friday, July 9. The opening weekend includes a presentation on Outreach International by Nancy Browne Eisler (Saturday) and the centennial celebration of the church in Arizona (Sunday). Guest ministry includes Apostle Dale Luffman, attending with his wife Judy, and Graceland University Music Professor Jack Ergo attending with his wife Jolia Poltorak, and their children Zachary (23), Alexander (17), and April (13). A registration form and campership application are attached to this update.

Junior High Camp Starts July 24. This summer’s youth camps focus on “Life Together” understanding the beliefs and enduring principles of the Community of Christ. A brochure, camper application, and campership forms are available by contacting Mike Hoffman or camp director, Don Welch. Junior High Camp, July 24-30, is for those who will be going into grades 7-9 in the fall semester. The camp will be held at Whispering Pines, 6525 South Mount Tritle Road, Prescott, Arizona 86303-8195. Visit the web site for more details: www.azwhisperingpines.org/

Church Planter-Pastor Position is open here in the Arizona Mission Center. For more information or to apply for the position, visit the Community of Christ employment page.

Do you know students attending Graceland University this fall who wish to participate in the Matching Grant program?  Please ask around!  Please get the paper work filled out soon and submit it as required. There are two forms attached. One is for the parent and student to complete and submit to Graceland. The other form is for the congregational financial officer to complete for the student. As was decided at the last conference, there has been a revolving fund set aside for mission center assistance for these grants.  Thanks to everyone's generosity, the mission center is able to provide the full $1500 allowable for students this year!  Graceland will match that amount, giving the student $3000 towards their tuition.  If you have any questions, contact Diana Hansen.

Spiritual Growth Retreat Set for August 20-22. Plan now to attend the Spiritual Growth Retreat, August 20-22, at Whispering Pines Camp. Edith Gallaher, Spiritual Formation Specialist for the Chesapeake Bay Mission Center will be the guest minister. The theme will be “Go Deeper…Be Touched by God.” Contact Laura McNabb, 928-645-5l22, mlmcnabb@cableone.net

Dave Ramsey’s “Total Money Makeover Live” event will be in Phoenix, Thursday, September 23, 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. at the Dodge Theater, 400 West Washington Street. We’ve set up a Community of Christ promotional code to get discounted passes, saving 40%. Go to the event registration web site at http://www.daveramsey.com/live/home/ and use the code “COC.” General admission passes are $25 and VIP passes are $51 (after the discount). For more information contact Teresa Duke, 800-844-6934, extension 119, or e-mail teresad@daveramsey.com.

 Mike’s Meanderings

I’m not much of a camper, but I do like going to youth camps and reunion. Of course, there’s always the challenge of fitting everything I think I need to bring to reunion into the car. Jason Koivuniemi-Berg and Tiffany Stone, our summer interns, will be hauling some of the mission center’s equipment up in Jason’s truck to help out. The good news is that I have a lot of experience “packing” a car. Besides moving frequently during the last several years, I grew up with my parents’ owning a small truck line. I always have to explain this—because as far as I know no one did it quite like my parents. They started the business in 1962 when I was 3. This was before the days of UPS and Federal Express. My dad worked for an autmotive parts company in St. Joseph that had difficulty getting freight from Kansas City, just an hour south. For most of the nearly three decades my parents operated the truckline never using anything bigger than a panel van (think of a 15 passenger van without windows). Dad was creative. He would have racks built for the top of the trucks so he could put even more freight on them. After school and in the summers I would spend much of my time loading, unloading and reloading trucks. Later, I would even drive for the company. My two brothers and I became self-proclaimed “experts” on how to pack. So “packing” my vehicle for reunion has never really been a problem for me, more of a creative challenge. I hope to see you at reunion in the next few days—and I hope you can fit everything you think you need into your vehicle. Be creative, but be safe.

Grace and peace,

Mike Hoffman

Arizona USA Mission Center President

Youth Disciple Formation Specialist

Community of Christ

Cell: 480.280.8555   E-mail: mhoffman@CofChrist.org