Freedom should never be a given

Wasn't Sunday, (July 5) good? After a dreary 4th of July, God came back with a beautiful day! Hard to believe one day can be so different from the next -- our God loves giving us variety!

Did you see the fireworks? They were spectacular. The Champaign County Freedom Celebration is always something to enjoy and really helps us celebrate our freedom!

Pastor Dick's message on freedom was great! If you missed it, you can listen to it on the website.

Let's talk about our Java Junction! A real FBC hot spot! If you don't attend FBC, you need to know that Java Junction is our fellowship time. We have three services and it is really hard to connect if you don't attend an Adult Sunday School Class,(which of course, everyone should.) The Purpose of Java Junction is to provide a friendly, welcoming place to greet visitors, catch up with friends and mingle with members from all the services in the church.

At the Junction, we have a simple coffee/juice/donut menu and usually bagels and muffins. Sometimes we can offer other treats as people volunteer to bring them in. Right now it is all FREE, although we do strongly suggest donations! If each family that partakes it each week, would drop in a couple of dollars, we would be in great financial shape. Times are causing us to consider charging.

But the bigger problem is not financial. It seems that nobody wants to HELP in the Junction. That seems so strange, as it is so easy. It is a great time of fellowship and a ministry that really fits with the third point in our Strategic Plan: to build community. Very few ask, "Is there anything I can do to help?" Why is that?

Galatians 5:13 (Contemporary English Version)

My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.

Consider volunteering in the Junction at FBC, or if not here, at your own church, never take the freedom to grab something free ... for granted ... freedom has it's price.