Growing Deep Roots to Share God's Love
December 1, 2016
In this edition, you won't want to miss these stories:
The Angel Tree Is Up! Stop By Sunday
You Can Complete Your Growing Roots and Annual Budget Forms Online Now

There is one thing pretty much all can agree on:  Life is better when lived in pajamas.  Pajamas provide us with a sense of comfort when we're weary, and at the end of the day they allow us to surrender into their cozy embrace.  As we approach the manger with the shepherds and magi, we are seeking that same knowledge of comfort at the end of our journey; Jesus comes into the world so that we might surrender to something more peaceful.  Join us Sunday for the next part in our Advent sermon series.  Feel free to wear your PJs!

Feedback on the sermon series? What new information have you learned? We'd love to hear from you.  
December 4
Socks & Underwear Sermon Series
"Pajamas"

December 11
Socks & Underwear Sermon Series
"Nail Clippers"

December 18
Socks & Underwear Sermon Series
"Belts"

December 24
Socks & Underwear Sermon Series
"The Human Fund"

Miss a Sermon? Click Here to Listen to Archived Sermons

  Miss Pastor David's "Deep Thoughts" This Week? Click Here.
UPCOMING EVENTS


December 4
Children's Choir Practice 11:30 a.m. (No Mission Possible Kids this Month)
December 4 & 11
December 4 - 18
Plano Santas' Warehouse Helpers
December 5
Creekwood Church Council, Open to All, 6:30 p.m., Worship Center
December 7 & 8
Live Nativity, Creekwood Barn, Shows On The Hour and Half Hour, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Bring peanut butter for Plano Santas
December 13
Creekwood MOMtourage December Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Worship Center Room 106/107
December 14
Angel Tree Gift Items Due Back
December 18 
Festival of Carols w/ Creekwood Choir, Handbell   Choir and Children's Choir, 7 p.m., Worship Center
Club 56,  12:45 - 3:00 p.m., Tile Room Children's Center
December 24
1:00 p.m.  Worship Service in the Barn
3:00 p.m.  Family Worship Service With Children's Performance
4:30 p.m.  Contemporary Worship Service
6:00 p.m.  Contemporary Worship Service
7:30 p.m.  Traditional Worship Service
9:00 p.m.  Worship Service in the Barn
December 25
10:15 a.m. Worship Service Followed by a Potluck Lunch
December 26
Church office closed in observance of Christmas Day
January 1, 2017
10:15 a.m. Worship Service. Celebrate the New Year With Us.
January 2, 2017
Church office closed in observance of New Year's Day
Volunteer Highlight
 
When you think of Christmas, do you not think of wise men?  They are integral players in the Christian Nativity, though we know they weren't actually there when Jesus was born, they came about 2 years later (details, details).  At our annual Live Nativity, which will be held Wednesday and Thursday of next week,  we'll have a few wise men.  And, one of these wise men is a repeat cast member.  Bill Vining has served us as one of the wise men at the Creekwood Live Nativity for the past 14 (14!) years. (For a fun read on the  origination  and inspiration of our Live Nativity, you can revisit last December's newsletter here when Pete Heres was our volunteer highlight.)

Jana Carmichael, who has been a key organizer of this special event that so many in our community enjoy, was quick to dote on our volunteer highlight.  "Bill Vining has been one of the wise men every year we have had the Live Nativity." she said.  "He asks each year if he can do it. He takes the role seriously and loves helping lead the way for any one playing the visiting king for the first time. Bill also provides the hand made walking sticks for each king."
Here's Bill last year.  He's the purple wise man.

Here's Bill in 2010, again the purple one. And, there's Jana in the jacket.

Here is a shot from 2009. Yep...the purple one.

Bill in 2013.

If you haven't been to a live nativity, we encourage you to come this year for our 14th annual production.  If you've been before, as you know, this short, 15-minute production can really set the stage for this Christmas season for you and your loved ones.  It is one thing to hear the story, but to see the re-enactment in a setting so close to what we believe the actual setting to have been, is pretty special.
So, clear the calendar for next Wednesday or Thursday evening. We'll have shows on the hour and half hour beginning at 6 p.m. both nights, with the last show starting at 8 p.m. Before or after your show, come down to the Worship Center for cookies, cocoa and children's crafts. On Thursday night, we'll also have the treat of live Christmas caroling from both our children's and adult choirs.  Do note, there will be a sensory-friendly live nativity family experience on Wednesday at 5 p.m.  We're collecting peanut butter to support the efforts of the partnership between the Plano Santas and the Assistance Center of Collin County, so when you come out next week, bring a jar of peanut butter if you want to help support the cause.   

Want to be a part of the fun?  (No, you can't be the purple wise man.)   We need a few youth (or adults!) to man our craft tables.   Click here to volunteer.  Or, if you're
itchin' to get in the kitchen we're collecting cookies to serve to our guests.  You  can bring your cookies (homemade and store bought) to church this Sunday and drop them at the kitchen or bring them by the  church office next Monday through Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  We also need four more parking lot traffic directors for Thursday evening, December 8. Shifts are 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.  Contact Alice Oates to sign up to help in the lot.

And, finally, in closing, we invite you to join us in thanking our caring, kind, committed wise man, Bill Vining.  We'd say give him a big wave when you see him in the barn next week, but that might move him out of character and, well, we can't have that.
AngelAngel Tree Benefiting the Assistance Center of Collin County
It's here!  Look for the special Christmas tree in the Gather Area this Sunday.  Last year, your response was amazing.  Our Angel Tree program resulted in gifts for more than 150 children being served by the Assistance Center of Collin County.   Y ou will have an opportunity again this year to choose an "angel off the tree" and shop, wrap and return your gift to be specially delivered by the Plano Santas.  You can even adopt a family if you or your small group want to provide for an entire family.  Yvonne Booker, Director of the Assistance Center of Collin County will be here at Creekwood this Sunday, December 4 and next Sunday, December 11, from 9 - 11:30 a.m., to assist you in choosing your perfect angel.  Join us in helping others this Christmas.  Gift items are due back on Wednesday, December 14.
OnlineCapital Campaign and Annual Ministry Budget
We are wrapping up the capital campaign pledge drive and collating the Annual Ministry Budget forms and Growing Roots pledge cards you turned in.  This information will be used to finalize the church budget for 2017.  If you haven't had a chance to complete your pledge card or annual form, you have the opportunity to complete them online now by clicking here.  

Intimidated by an online platform?  Creekwood member and Growing Roots team lead Rodney Frye has us covered.  Check out this short (entertaining!) informational clip by clicking here.  

Do note that the actual Annual Ministry Budget form, found here, includes much more than financial donations, so if you do the online version now, take a few minutes to complete the full form over the next week. We'll have both the pledge cards and the annual forms available at the welcome desk this Sunday as well.     Click here to review FAQs and learn more about Growing Roots. 
The Creekwood Choir Presents ...
"Festival of Carols"
 
The 30-voice Creekwood Choir will present Joseph Martin's "Festival of Carols" at Creekwood United Methodist Church on Sunday evening, December 18, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Worship Center. The choral work will feature the Choir, Handbell Choir, Children's Choir and soloists performing traditional lessons and carols.
 
Ensembles are directed by Dr. Michael Crawford, Creekwood Choir; Lea Renfro, Handbell Choir; Gay Kiser and Roxanne Hunsicker, Children's Choir.  Piano accompanist is Phyllis Carlin.
 
A reception provided by the Creekwood "Celebration" class will follow the concert.
Adult Ministry
NewgroupThree-Week Small Group Opportunity

There is still time to participate.   Beginning  this  Sunday, December 4 , the first of a special,  three-week series will be presented at 10:15 a.m. in the Lovejoy Elementary School Gymnasium.  The series will be led by Charlie and Diane Crane.  It is simply entitled "Christmas" and is a fun and educational journey revolving around the things we wonder and question about Christmas.  The group will discover amazing facts about the nativity, Jesus' actual birthday, all the people involved in the Christmas story and things we take for granted that just aren't true.  Additionally we find out things like where Santa Claus came from and how he is connected to the birth of Jesus, the amazing story of how caroling got started, where Christmas trees appear in the Bible and so much more.  This series is open to adults of all ages and extends a special invitation to folks who are new to Creekwood UMC.  It will be a relaxed atmosphere and a great place to get to know other members of the Creekwood church family and celebrate this special season together.  The potential for establishing a continuing small group from this series will be explored.  Contact Molly Trank to RSVP.
Missions
Thanksgiving Serving

We heard some pretty inspiring stories of Creekwood members out and about last month, sharing Thanksgiving cheer with others in our community. Thought we'd share a couple with you today.

For the second year in a row, Paige and Barrett Owens sought out an opportunity to honor servants in our community on Thanksgiving Day.   Paige explained, " We had hams donated from various families, including families that play softball for Mizuno Impulse or baseball for Southfork Titans, as well as families from our G.I.F.T Sunday night Bible study group.  Wednesday night families met at our home to season 24 hams that were then smoked overnight.  Early Thursday morning, the hams
Basting Barrett
 were wrapped and prepared for delivery to local fire stations and police departments in Collin county by the kids and their families.  A sticker was placed on each ham with a bible verse from  1 Corinthians 10:31 - Therefore, whether you eat drink or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory."
 
In a similar vein,  Erin Minter and Ronnie Pace organized an event to share cheer and yumminess with the patrons of Samaritan Inn over the Thanksgiving holiday.  They worked with several small groups to pull off the event, including the Soul Sisters, Agape Sunday School and MOMtourage.  On Thanksgiving Day,  TWENTY  pies were delivered to the McKinney shelter; that would be  10 pumpkin, 5 pecan, and 5 apple pies. 

We love hearing stories of how you are sharing God's love with our community!   Send your story to us today.
SantaSanta Needs Your Help

The Plano Santas organization is once again helping the Assistance Center of Collin County to provide food and gifts for families in need during the holiday season.   Volunteers are needed to sort food and toys in the warehouse each day beginning December 4  and running through December 18. Children under the age of 14 are welcome to help and must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Please sign up for a time slot here.  Spots fill up fast so don't wait too long.  This is a great opportunity for small groups to serve together.  Thank you for your help in spreading God's joy by serving families in need during the holiday season!  

Help is also needed to  deliver  items to families on December 17 & 18;   no  sign up is required for the delivery volunteers, just show up. Watch for more info to come .   Contact Mike Tuttle with any questions.
Children's Ministries
11:30 a.m. Programming This Sunday
There will be no Mission Possible Kids this Sunday.  Instead, our Children's Choir will be meeting to practice for their many upcoming Christmas productions.  MPKids will start back up in January.  
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.    
Student Ministries
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 is held in the Student Center 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.

Middle School Bible Study is held Wednesday evenings, 6:00-7:30 p.m.  Bring your Bibles (and dinner, if you'd like) and join us for fellowship and study.  Contact Donna Bartholomew for more information.  
  

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.