Thank you for giving me time away last week to rest and return refreshed for our work together. My family spent a few relaxing days in Fort Lauderdale—enjoying the pool, eating good seafood, and wading through the sargassum, the thick seaweed gathered along the shore. During our brief beach time, our youngest, Asher, especially loved digging in the seaweed. It was quite an adventure.

Back home, though not yet back into a routine, Sunday worship looked a little different for our household this week. We practiced noticing and giving thanks to God through a slightly rainy bug safari. Asher loves all creatures great and small. Ocean animals are his favorite, but bugs are a close second. At his request, we made a list of more than 50 bugs to search for. Although the rain kept us close to home, we discovered plenty in our yard and neighborhood. The centipede—an obvious favorite—appeared quickly. Other wonderful “God-sightings” included a millipede, snail, slug, worm, caterpillar, wasp, mosquito larvae, termite, beetle, and many kinds of ants. You never know what God may reveal when you dig in the earth or turn over dead grass or a decaying log.

It is remarkable how others open our eyes to experience God in unexpected ways—from baby sea turtles to termites, from seaweed to decayed wood. I give thanks for the many ways God is revealed and the many ways we are invited to worship.

Click here to view our Prayer List or visit firstchristianfrankfort.org/prayer

Weekly Prayer:

Abiding One, we praise you for your compassionate presence in our lives and we long for your intercession when we suffer and when we falter in our care for one another. Help us, in our rejoicing and in our struggling, to accept your love and to reflect it to others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

New Additions:

• Walter Bowen (Carla Gillion)

• Linda Henkel (Eva Ellis)

• Tony Tracy (Carla Gillion)

• We pray for Alice Thornberry and Leah Craig who will attend Camp 101B at Wakon’da-ho this week.

Hoping to be deliberate about our prayer life, we are updating our prayer list. People who are Friends of FCC will remain on the prayer list for one month and then we will rely on you to add them to the prayer list again if needed.

TURNING BARE FEET INTO LEARNING FEET

In anticipation of the new school year, help students “Turn Bare Feet into Learning Feet” by donating new athletic shoes or croc-like shoes, Youth sizes 8 to Adult 14.  Shoes can be dropped off at either Bondurant Middle School or the Welcome Center here at Church no later than Sunday, July 26th.  On August 1st, students will be able to come and receive a free pair of new shoes.  Monetary donations are welcome and volunteers are needed to help staff the event on August 1st. For more information, contact Mandy Heacock, Youth Services Coordinator, Bondurant Middle School, (502) 209-9041.

FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

The FCC Foundation offers financial assistance to our members who are enrolling in post-high school educational institutions for the 2026-27 school year. It is because of the generosity of some of our faith family that the Foundation is able to offer education scholarships. Only accrued interest is used, as the Foundation seeks to maintain and grow these permanent funds given specifically for this purpose. Therefore, amount of each award varies year to year and may vary from recipient to recipient.

The Foundation requires the following application process be followed:

• A letter of application must be received by the Church Office on or before July 31, 2026 (316 Ann St., Frankfort, KY 40601).

• The names and contact information of two non-family member references must be included for consideration.

• A copy of the most recent school transcript must also be attached.

Additional requirements that must be met include

• being a member of First Christian Church in Frankfort

• being enrolled in a course of study at a post-high school institution

The Foundation Scholarship Team will determine qualifying recipients and awards will be announced in early August.

THE GENE FLYNN UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY SCHOLARSHIP

Any First Christian Church member attending the University of Kentucky (UK) is eligible to apply for the Gene Flynn Scholarship in addition to the Foundation Scholarship. Monies donated in memory of Gene Flynn are making this scholarship available. Gene loved our young people and loved the University of Kentucky. If you are attending UK for the 2026-27 school year, please note your request to be considered for this additional scholarship when you submit your application for the Foundation Scholarship. 

Eligible students may apply for each of the following scholarship opportunities for post high school education: 

• Foundation Scholarship

• Gene Flynn University of Kentucky Scholarship

• Disciple Women’s Ministry love-gift program (using a separate application process scheduled for a later date).

DISCIPLE MEN’S SPIRITUAL RETREAT

The 2026 Regional Men’s Spiritual Life Retreat will take place July 24-26, 2026 at Nazareth Retreat Center in Bardstown, Kentucky.

The total cost of the retreat is $170.00, which includes registration, meals Friday night through Sunday morning, and lodging for Friday and Saturday night.

Deadline to register is July 20. Click here to REGISTER.

SPELLAPALOOZA IS ALMOST HERE!

Spellapalooza is scheduled for Friday, August 7th.   FCC usually hosts a team to compete in this fundraiser to support the Thornhill Education Center.  Four eager spellers are needed to represent us and one person to coordinate the team and also serve as an alternate. Contact the Church Office ASAP if you are interested in participating. The Church needs to quickly submit our team application and fee if we are going to participate this year.