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Happenings at Lynn Haven
September 5 - 11, 2010

SUNDAY'S THEME: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Out of Egypt...the cost of freedom
Join us Sunday as we finish our series on the book of Exodus and exploring the road to freedom for the people of Israel. From escaping slavery in Egypt to receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, the Hebrew people learned valuable lessons about the God who delivered them and their responsibility to Him.
From Doug Pennington, Pastor
Greetings in the name of Jesus. You may have been hearing some discussion floating around about the availability of Renegade Sports Center which is for sale after foreclosure. If not, let me bring you up to speed very quickly. Last fall at our staff retreat we were brainstorming any and all ideas that we had for the future of Lynn Haven, when someone brought up the fact that Renegade had closed and we might want to consider it as a possible alternative to our plans for the Community Life Center. My first thought was that it was a crazy idea. I thought the cost would be prohibitive and the distance would be impractical, but we kept the issue on the table to look into again later. Well, as details began to emerge, we began to look at the prospects a little differently.
Our plans for a Community Life Center here on our Transmitter Road campus are at a virtual standstill given the economy. The CLC would probably cost about $6 million, which is about $130 per square foot (including site work, etc). Our CLC building fund has $800,000 in it now. This is just not a time when we can borrow over $5 million. Well, the Renegade property may be available at less than $30 per square foot, including the land! So it was at least worth looking into.
So here are the steps we have taken so far. First, our ELT (Executive Leadership Team) discussed whether to explore the Renegade option and they voted unanimously to at least move forward with inquiries. Then the Trustees discussed it and voted unanimously to move forward with inquiries. Then the Finance Committee and the Church Council both voted unanimously to move forward with considering the possibility of acquiring Renegade as our Community Life Center. It was next referred to the CLC Building Committee to determine if the property would meet the needs we had in mind for our CLC plans. The Building Committee also recommended that we move forward. So now it's time for the entire congregation to give consideration to this possibility.
I know you have many questions, and we want to answer as many as we can. We are planning two informational meetings about the Renegade property. They will both be the same information, just offered at two different times for your convenience. The first informational meeting will be on Sunday, September 12th at 5:00 pm at Renegade Sports Center (close to Mosley High School). You will have a chance to walk through the facility as well as get all the information we have and ask any questions you may have. The next informational meeting will be on Wednesday, September 15th at 6:00 pm in the church sanctuary. There we will show slides of Renegade and present the same information and discuss all of your questions. So, the Sunday meeting is preferable because you get to see the property.
These are some exciting possibilities to consider, but there are also some valid concerns and risks given the state of our economy. Ultimately, it will be the entire church that will make this decision. Please be in prayer as we seek God’s direction about whether to act on this opportunity or let it pass.
Announcements

RESCUE MISSION FOOD DRIVE
This Sunday, September 5th, we will be collecting non-perishable foods for the Panama City Rescue Mission food bank. Your donations can be dropped off in the metal container located just outside
the Sanctuary. This is a great opportunity for us to help the needy in our local community.
The church is in need of a mini van. If anyone has one they would like to donate or sell to the church, please contact Angel Diaz or call him at 265-5231.
BAPTISM IN THE BAY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH
We will be having a baptism by immersion on Sunday, September 12th at 2:00 pm. If you would like to be baptized, please contact Wanda or Joanna at 265-5231, or email the church. Everyone is invited to attend!
The church office will be closed on Monday, September 6th in celebration of Labor Day. There will not be any activities scheduled on this day.
Also, the weekly newsletter will be printed on Wednesday, September 8th instead of Tuesday, September 7th.
UMM 3RD ANNUAL ARCHERY TOURNAMENT ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH
Mark your calendar for the United Methodist Men’s 3rd Annual Archery Tournament here at Lynn Haven UMC, on Saturday, September 11th, from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. Entry fee is $5. Prizes will be awarded for all ages! Sign up at the Sign-Up Center or contact Rudy Miller for more info.
Join us for our Back to School Spaghetti Dinner, catered by Mike Mahowald on Friday, September 10th at 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall! Donation of $8 per person at the door is requested. Please sign up at the Sign-Up Center no later than Monday, September 6th. For more info or if transportation is needed, please contact Jo Nance. Don’t miss it!
Because many people feel more comfortable in a group, we designate one Sunday per month to receive new members. However, if you are unavailable that Sunday, we are happy to receive you any Sunday. If you are a believer in Christ, are ready to make a commitment to this church, and would like to become a member, please contact Wanda MacDonald, call her at 265-5231, or fill out the Decision Guide in this Sunday’s bulletin.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED FOR 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
We are now beginning plans for our 100th Anniversary Celebration. We are looking for ideas and people to help with planning this exciting year of celebration. We need people to head up committees for history, audiovisual, publicity, costuming, invitations, exhibits, hospitality, decorating, promotional items, photography, food preparation, drama, music and event planning. The anniversary team will meet once a month on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm. Our first meeting will be on Thursday, September 2nd.
If you would like to be part of the team that makes plans for our church’s 100th Anniversary, contact Wanda MacDonald or call her at 265-5231.
FRIENDSHIP SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS BEGINNING NEW STUDY
The Friendship Class will start a new series on The Prodigal God by Timoth Keller, beginning September 12th at 9:30 am in the Chapel. This class will be led by Nevelyn Zachary. Sign up at the Sign-Up Center if interested or contact Cathy Byrd for more info.
MEN’S FALL RETREAT
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 5:30-8:30 PM
SPEAKER - JOE HUMRICHOUSJoe Humrichous is the president of Bible Prayer Fellowship in Dallas, Texas which seeks to call families and churches back to Christ-centered, Bible-based prayer. He is a graduate of Pillsbury Baptist College and Temple Baptist Theological Seminary. He was a senior pastor for 32 years and is now a welcomed speaker on revival and Christ-centered church life. He and his wife Teresa reside in West Lebanon, Indiana.
MUSIC - MARC EADIEMarc has been a member of Lynn Haven UMC for 20 years, where he first sang with the Chancel Choir. He then became a part of our original Praise Team when our contemporary worship services began in 2001 and continues to lead and play guitar with one of our current Praise Teams. Marc lives in Lynn Haven with his wife Connie and children Grace, Jacob and Pierce.
Check out the latest Pastor’s Video Blog at www.youtube.com/lynnhavenumc. Join Doug and Tom as they will be giving you a behind the scenes view of decisions made or issues that Lynn Haven UMC is currently facing. In our latest blog, Tom introduces himself and talks about some of his upcoming projects. This Week's Teaching Pastors
Sanctuary - Jim Luther
Chapel - Doug Pennington
Sunday Night Prayer
Join us in the Chapel at 5:30 pm as we pray
for the needs of our church family.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT FELLOWSHIP MENU // SEPTEMBER 8TH - BBQ chicken, cole slaw, BBQ bread, garden salad with ranch & balsamic dressing, garlic bread, fresh brewed iced tea, coffee and strawberry shortcake for dessert! Cost is $5 for adults and children 11+, and $2 for children ages 2-10, with a maximum cost of $16 per family. Make reservations or cancellations BY NOON ON MONDAY, September 6th. Sign-up sheets are at the Sign-Up Center, or sign up online.
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This week’s Bible readings, to read through the Bible in three years:
2 Chronicles 16-22