 |
Growing Deep Roots to Share God's Love
|
|
In this edition, you won't want to miss these stories:
|
|
"Cheap Grace," a term coined by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, was derived from the over-arching message in our Scriptural passages this week. In a nutshell, "cheap grace" is Christians reaping the rewards of Christ without offering anything into the Body of Christ. In our readings this week we'll see how Jesus challenges us to weigh our options and see just how good of an investment God is. Do you know a good investment when you see it? Let's discuss on Sunday.
Consider reviewing the following scriptures ahead of our sermon:
Luke 12:1-56, 13:1-9, 14:25-35, 16:1-17:10, 18:18-30, 21:1-4
Mark 10:17-31, 12:41-44
Matthew 19:16-20:16
|
Feedback on the sermon series? What new information have you learned? We'd love to hear from you.
|
|
September 18
Chapter 36: "Cost Benefit Analysis"
September 25
Chapter 37: "What to Watch For"
October 2
Chapter 38: "He Became One"
October 9
Chapter 39: "The Trial of Eternity"
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 18
Harper's Helpers Training for First Time Volunteers, 11:30 a.m., Worship Center
Children's Choir Resumes, 11:30 a.m., Children's Center
September 17
Creekwood Habitat for Humanity Build
September 20
Creekwood MOMtourage Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Worship Center
September 21
Creekwood Church Council, 6:30 p.m., Worship Center, Open to Everyone
September 30
Creekwood Pumpkin Patch Pumpkin Unload, 4 p.m.
October 1
Deadline to Commit to the 2017 Zoe India Mission Trip
October 2
October 11
Last Day to Register to Vote in the General Election
October 15
Creekwood Habitat for Humanity Build
October 23
Two special worship services: 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.. Please make note of times.
|
|
|
 We've Got a New Website!
She's finally here! Today we launched a brand spanking new website. You'll still find it at
www.creekwoodumc.org (click on that, there it'll be) but you'll see she's had a makeover. Over the coming weeks, we'll get to know the new site through a series of articles. The new design was intended to make it even easier to find out what is going on at Creekwood, and at the heart of the design is the goal of sharing our-YOUR-beautiful personalities with one another and with visitors, who will get a taste of who we are and why we exist before they come through the Worship Center door. We have Creekwood member Tom Kreuser to thank for 95% of the pictures our new site features (more on that in the next article).
Again, we'll make introductions to new features and pages over the coming weeks, and the site will continue to grow, but for today, a few highlights to get started:
We've got large page banners featuring pictures from our congregation at the top of each page. Content will be below the picture and you may need to scroll down to find it, depending on the size of the screen you are using.
When you see a name or email in green, it is usually hyperlinked to email. For example, when we say, "Contact Pastor John" in the "Next Steps" section, for those wishing to join our church, his name is green and when you click on it, it'll pop up an email to him.
This is OUR website, your website. Let us know if you have suggestions, questions or concerns.
|
Volunteer Highlight
There are many, many volunteers working behind the scenes at Creekwood, and we love to share stories of how people are giving so
graciously of their time and talent. Today we are featuring a volunteer that has gone way above and beyond over the past three months capturing pictures for our new website.
Maybe you've seen Tom Kreuser walking around the Worship Center, camera in hand, and wondered, "What's that guy up to?" Well, he was capturing moments. Moments of worship. Moments of play. Moments of fellowship. Moments of study. We had a vision for our new website--an online portal that would present our personality to future visitors and provide additional means for existing members to grow through learning, serving and fellowship-- and Tom was committed to seeing it happen.
Creekwood communications director, Sandy McKinney, shared, "Tom has been incredibly giving of his time and talent. His love for Creekwood is apparent in each careful, thoughtful shot he takes with his camera. Furthermore, his fun personality makes work lots more fun." Sandy continued, "We cannot thank Tom without also thanking his wife, Stephanie, his son, Richard, and his daughter, Cassady, because, not only did they give us "Tom time" on Sunday mornings, but they also allowed him to spend many Sunday afternoons sorting and editing his pictures."
Annmarie Barajas, missions director, shared, "Tom is everywhere! What a dedicated and talented servant! He is always willing and ready for action to get the right photo
 |
|
|
Tom with his cameras (and Pastor David). |
op whether it's in the middle of an ice cream trough, funny children's time, taking (not so willing) staff photos, or participating in an awesome celebration of kiddos raising
money for orphans in India."
Pastor David wrapped it up, "Tom is one of the most generous people with his time, wit, and encouragement. He has been instrumental in building our new web presence, and even more so, instrumental in always putting a smile on Sandy's and my face!"
Sure, he is an incredibly talented photographer and he has some pretty fancy-pants equipment, but what is truly remarkable about Tom is how he so authentically captured the personality of Creekwood, the fun of Creekwood, the heart of Creekwood. Please join us in thanking Tom for his passion and dedication. You can thank him directly by
clicking here or most likely you'll see him walking around with his camera this Sunday and you can thank him in person.
|
First Ever
(as far as we know)
Creekwood Family Camp Out
Friday, September 30
We invite you to join us for a fun evening camping out behind the Children's Center. Plan to arrive Friday night, September 30, around 6:30 p.m., find your perfect spot, pitch your tent, then come enjoy a BBQ dinner. After dinner we'll have some fun with glow-in-the-dark games and singing by the camp fire with, of course, some S'MORES!!! In the morning, we will have a special devotion and breakfast before heading home (or to a kid's sports game).
Young and old are invited, but this is not a drop off; children must be accompanied by an adult. If camping out isn't your thing (we don't judge!), plan to join us for the evening and morning activities, but go ahead and sleep in your comfy beds in the air conditioning.
Are you in?
Click here to RSVP so we know how many marshmallows to buy!!! Deadline to signup is Tuesday, September 20.
|
College-Age Bible Study
We're looking to form a Tuesday night college-age Bible study group for scriptural study and fellowship. Interested? Or, know someone who might be? Please contact
Molly Trank.
|
|
|
|
View of the spacious back deck, off the new, large sliding glass doors.
|
Student Center Remodel
Have you had a chance to check out the newly remodeled Student Center? If you haven't, you should plan a visit. We've got a fantastic meeting facility.
The Rise will now be held in the Student Center, still on Sundays from 5 - 7 p.m. All youth are welcome to these evenings of worship, fellowship and fun. Meals are served and a $5 donation is requested. If you are looking to help out our Student Ministry by providing a meal, or part of a meal, for The Rise click here to pick a date and sign up.
|
Creekwood Ride Share
Male Volunteers Needed
The Congregational Care Team has a group of members available to give rides to church, doctor appointments, the grocery store, etc.
We are in need of a few male drivers. If you'd like to get involved in this caring ministry please contact
Joy Olk
. And, if you are in need of a ride, please call or
email Joy at 214-850-6564. We encourage you to take advantage of this program, which is designed to support our members. Don't let transportation be a reason you don't come to service.
|
Louisiana Flood Relief
Creekwood is partnering with the Trusted World Organization to help those impacted by the flooding in Louisiana last month. The need is
great. We will be collecting items for delivery this Sunday. Join us in helping these people in their time of need. Look for the collection boxes in the Gathering Area.
|
We're Building Saturday
We're scheduled to have our first Habitat build this Saturday, September 17.
With rain being in the forecast, volunteers, please check your email before you leave for the build. Contact Annmarie Barajas if you have any questions.
Below is information on the two families we are supporting. We invite you to join us in prayer for these families as they prepare for this exciting new stage in their lives.
Click on the links below for biographies of the families.
|
Zoe Helps Ministry India Trip 2017
The deadline is approaching to sign up for the ZOE trip to India scheduled for January 11-19. Our church and children have done an incredible job financially supporting seven working groups this year. This trip is a special opportunity to see God's hand at work in the lives of orphans in India. Please prayerfully consider going on this trip to show our support through our presence, encouragement and love. Our children will not have the opportunity to be visited again until the following year if this trip doesn't meet the trip minimum of six persons. We need at least three more travelers from Creekwood. The trip cost is $990, plus airfare, visa, and vaccinations. T
he deadline for committing is October 1st. For more information, visit:
http://www.zoehelps-trips-of-hope/
or contact Leah Edwards at
leahedwards721@gmail.com
.
Click here to read about our 2016 mission trip.
|
Harper's Helpers - Final Training Opportunity This Sunday for New Volunteers
New volunteers are required to attend a start-of-year training session, and we have the final training this Sunday, September 18, at 11:30 a.m. Veteran volunteers
wanting to participate again will just need to pick up their new shirt in the Gathering Area this Sunday. There is still time to sign up to support Creekwood's partnership with Princeton ISD's Harper Elementary.
Click here
for a full list of opportunities and to sign up.
If you have any difficulty please
contact Kelley Oleson
. Don't let the sign up process steer you away from participating.
Join us in making a difference in the lives of the young children of Princeton.
|
Tee Time?
As a reminder, we have two golf tournaments coming up that benefit two of our core mission partners: ACO & Family Promise. These tournaments help the organizations to raise vital funds for their yearly budgets. We would love to have at least one team in each tournament, if not more. The registration links are below. Please register your team and list Creekwood as the affiliate. Also, please
email Annmarie and let her know that you will be participating.
ACO Tournament
- Monday, September 26, at Heritage Ranch
Family Promise Golf Tournament
- Friday, October 14, at Twin Creeks
|
|
 Special Needs Ministry Buddies Needed
We're still recruiting buddies to support and enable growth and buddy rotation within our Special Needs program.
Click here to learn about the buddy program, including how it is organized to enable volunteers to stay active in their small groups and to keep their normal worship schedules. Don't forget that we welcome and encourage youth volunteers in this program as well.
|
Have an infant through 4th grader and not currently receiving our weekly Children's Ministries' newsletter, Explorers' Times? Please
email us to be added to our distribution list.
|
Sunday school
is held each Sunday from 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. 5th - 6th graders will meet in the
tile room of the Children's Center.
7th - 8th graders meet in the garage of the Student Center and 9th -12th graders meet in the Student Center.
The Rise will now be held in the Student Center, still on Sundays, from 5 - 7 p.m. All youth are welcome to these evenings of worship, fellowship and fun. Meals are provided; a $5 donation is encouraged. If you are looking to help our awesome Student Ministry by providing a meal, or part of a meal, for The Rise click here to pick a date and sign up. We promise you'll have fun feeding and visiting with our students.
Let's stay in touch.
Students and parents wanting to stay up to date with current activities, events and services, please text @elevatecu to 81010.
|
Have a 7th - 12th grader and not currently receiving our weekly Youth Ministries' newsletter? Please
email us to be added to our distribution list.
|
|
See what is happening on our Creekwood social sites.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
