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Growing Deep Roots to Share God's Love
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News and Notes
March 2, 2017
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Join us as we begin our Lenten sermon series this Sunday, “Where Two or More Are Gathered.” We often talk about our mission to make disciples to transform the world. This transformation begins when we gather together. Our Lenten series will consider when two or more are gathered…..at home, in neighborhoods, at work and even in the courtroom. We’ll start this Sunday with “home.” We’ll explore what it means to be married, what it means to have kids, and what it means to bond together as the body of Christ as a family. Join us.
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Launch of Lenten Sermon Series
Where Two or More Are Gathered...
At Home
March 12
Where Two or More Are Gathered...
In Your Neighborhood
March 19
Where Two or More Are Gathered...
At School
March 26
Where Two or More Are Gathered...
At Work
April 5
Where Two or More Are Gathered...
In the Courtroom
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In this Edition, You Won't Want to Miss These Stories!
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We're Gonna Be Fab One More Week.
Help Us Reach Our Goal!
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Join the Celebration Class in a Special Lenten Study
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March 5
Celebration Class Presents "Then Sings My Soul," a Singalong for All, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Lovejoy Cafeteria
March 12
Launch of 5-week Lenten Study "He Chose the Nails," Presented by Celebration Class, Open to All, 10:15 Sundays
March 19
VBS Registration Opens
March 21
MOMtourage Monthly Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Worship Center
April 9
Palm Sunday Palm Procession, All Services
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Yes, We Are Blessed
Family Promise
As you may know, Creekwood partners with Grace Church to shelter families in the Collin County Family Promise Program. Family Promise works by mobilizing communities and existing resources to assist homeless families with children, in order to provide food, shelter and support at a third of the cost of a traditional shelter program as they regain sustainable independence. Creekwood uses the Student Center to house the families, who receive food and shelter during the week. What we also strive to provide is hospitality and love for this families working their way back on to their feet.
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This past Sunday was setup day for Family Promise and our Youth came out enforce to make the transition from student center to home happen. We want to thank our Youth for sharing their time and their love. We are blessed to have your enthusiasm and optimism.
After Dark Allen
Speaking of the youth, did you hear about After Dark Allen last week? It was THE PLACE to be for so many teens and middle schoolers in the Collin County area. Yes, they all stayed out a little later than we'd have liked, but we hear it was 100% worth it...
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The event featured country singer Corey Kent White, Hip-Hop artist KB, Dude Perfect from YouTube and a heartfelt message from Kanakuk president Joe White. We had almost 90 students from Creekwood, and friends of Creekwood, join us for the evening, which would have not been possible without the "Momfia" group of moms from the community who helped plan, raise money and put on After Dark Allen, which drew over 1600 people. A key "Momfia" member was our very own Becky Sipes, (pictured in the front row, left, of the group shot). When you next see Becky, be sure to thank her for sharing her enthusiasm and optimism, channeled in to this important event, with so many in our community.
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2017 Mission Fair and Fundraiser
We're taking the Mission Fair and Fundraiser out one more week. If you haven't yet visited, plan to stop by the "juke box" in the Gathering Area this Sunday to learn more about our core missions:
ACO (Allen Community Outreach), Habitat for Humanity, Creekwood Student Ministry, Zoe, Family Promise and Plano Santas; and, enable Creekwood to continue to change lives and support our community.
Together we can find the perfect opportunity for you to sign up and get involved in the missions that best suit your gifts, time and calling.
What is your story? What inspires you? Let's find out together and, together, make a difference.
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Thank you Creekwood for your generous contributions and signups for the missions fundraiser & fair. We have had several classes and individuals contribute in heart-warming ways. The celebration class created their own little campaign entitled, “Celebration shows up” which resulted in a whopping $2,590 collected from the class! We also had a sweet grandchild who donated her special $1. She earned this dollar from her Grandma who incented she and her brother to recently go to sleep quickly. We surely can’t call this bribery when it prompted the child to donate it to help others, right?
In total, we're up to $16,340, which is 59% of our missions fundraising goal! Thank you to everyone who has given to the campaign thus far. O
ur goal is $27,500. If each family contributes $50, we will reach our goal to support these awesome ministries. We'll have electronic payment options available in the Gathering Area. Or, if you're ready to give today, click here. (Please include a $1 fee for credit card processing if you go this avenue.) You may also make donations via check; include 2017 Creekwood Missions in the memo line.
Your Creekwood missions team will be at the sign up table this Sunday to assist you either getting involved or contributing to the fundraiser if you haven’t already.
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You have one stop shopping this year as the Youth missions fundraiser is included in this event. We will not have a separate youth fundraiser. We hope you'll join us for this fabulous cause.
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40 Days of Lent
You may have joined us last night as we kicked off the season of Lent. This is a time of focus and renewal. From the United Methodist Church, "Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word
lencten
, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.
Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.
Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection."
One Lenten approach our Explorer Sunday school children and preschool children will be taking part in is "40 Days, 40 Items." Children were handed out black bags last night (and additional bags will be available this Sunday in the Children's Center). The purpose of the bags is to serve as a repository for donations. Working as a family, participants will gather items from their house that no one uses, wears, plays with, or needs and will place them in their bag. The children may decorate their Lent bag. At the end of the 40 days, families will donate the items to Allen Community Outreach (ACO) or Family Promise. Sound like a project for your family? Stop by the Children's Center this Sunday to grab your packet. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Wendy McConney.
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Communion Offering
Our communion offering this Sunday will support Zoe Ministry, one of our core missions. To learn more about Zoe, click here.
We recently received a report from our newest Creekwood-sponsored working group, "Prospering," pictured below, in Zimbabwe. Check it out here.
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Wanted: Keyboardist
If you've attended a contemporary worship service this year, you've likely seen our smart and talented pianist, Jillian Sanders, on the keyboard. Well....we're about to lose her to Texas A&M. Sure, sad for us, but so exciting for her.
This means we're looking for a new keyboardist. Interested? If you play the keys and would consider committing to the Praise Team please contact
Carly Reign
to be considered for an informal audition.
This is a permanent position. The participant would need to commit to attend Sunday morning rehearsals at 8:45 a.m. and play in both contemporary services each Sunday. We'd love to have you bless us with your talent.
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Laity Day with Bishop McKee
North Central District Laity Day
with
Bishop Michael McKee
Saturday, March 18, 2017 | 10 a.m.- noon
First Frisco UMC |
7659 Preston Road | Frisco, TX 75034
“As the laity in the North Texas Annual
Conference gather for our laity day in each
of the four districts, our conversation will
focus on the Commission for a Way Forward.
The Council of Bishops, at the request of the
General Conference, created the Commission
to discover ‘a way forward for profound
unity on human sexuality and other matters.’
The intent of each of the district laity days
is to provide clarity regarding the work of
the Commission, focus on the mission of the
Church, and answer questions pertinent to our
mission in the North Texas Conference.”
Live streaming will be set up for this event. To watch the event live, go to friscofumc.org
and click on “Live Streaming.” You may also submit questions by texting 469-305-0808
or e-mailing AskTheBishop@friscofumc.org.
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Mission Ministry Statement
Creekwood UMC is passionate about building the Kingdom of God by serving families and children in need. We strive to develop long-term relationships with the people and organizations we partner with, both locally and globally. Our goal is to make a high-impact, positive experience within the area and through the lives of all involved.
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New Small Group Opportunity
When: Tuesdays, March 21-April 25 (6-week study) on Tuesday Mornings
Where: Most Likely Creekwood Worship Center
(To Be Confirmed Once Number of Participants is final)
Class Leader: Molly Trank
What: The Daniel Plan focuses on an abundance of healthy choices giving you encouragement and inspiration. Transform yourself from the inside out, letting God be with you every step of the way. The Bible study includes teaching sessions from Rick Warren with Drs. Daniel Amen and Mark Hyman.
This six-session, video-based Bible study offers an innovative approach to creating a healthy lifestyle – rooted and framed by five life areas:
Faith: Nurturing your soul
Food: Enjoying God’s abundance
Fitness: Strengthening your body
Focus: Renewing your mind
Friends: Encouraging each other
Cost: $8 study guide
Interested?
Contact Molly Trank
to learn more and to sign up.
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Then Sings My Soul
Mark your calendars! The Celebration Sunday School Class will have a "Grandma Hymn" Singalong March 5, from 10:30 to 11:30am in the Lovejoy Elementary cafeteria. Come sing the old favorite hymns with us. (The ones your grandma loved.) All are invited.
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5-Week Lenten Study
You are invited to join the Celebration Sunday school class for a 5-week Lenten study which will begin on March 12 and run through the Sunday before Easter. The study is "He Chose the Nails," by Max Lucado, which includes DVDs and group discussions. A great way to dig deep ahead of Easter. No registration needed, simply show up. Celebration meets at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday, in the Lovejoy Elementary cafeteria.
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Stephen Ministry
Are you, or someone you know, struggling? Stephen Ministry brings lay people into ministry by equipping them to provide one-to-one Christian care to people in congregations and communities who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. Stephen Ministers undergo 50 hours of training where they learn to provide high-quality care to individuals experiencing a crisis or challenge such as divorce, grief, loss of a job, hospitalization, relocation, or loneliness. Stephen Ministry is for each of us. Our prayer is that you reach out in your time of need. Contact Associate Pastor John Thornton or Pastor David Lessner.
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Grief Support
The Collin County branch of VNA/Hospice (Visiting Nurses Association of Texas) offers a number of grief support events open to adults who are grieving the loss of a close loved one. The events are offered at no charge in the McKinney area. Click here to learn more. Upcoming includes:
6-Week Grief Support Group
Sharing the Journey: Coping With Grief
Thursdays, 6:30 – 8 pm April 6 – May 18 (skip April 27)
VNA McKinney Office – Virginia - between Ridge and Lake Forest
RSVP by April 3
Questions, or to RSVP, contact Susan Bryan, LPC at bryans@vnatexas.org
or by phone at (214) 733-5543.
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Did you know?
We use around 6,000 eggs during our Easter egg hunts. SIX THOUSAND. So.....very soon we'll start our stuffing. Which means....we could use some candy! We'll be taking candy and stickers (the kind that can fit in an Easter egg) donations over the coming weeks. We'll have a collection area in the Gathering Area beginning this Sunday. Consider grabbing a bag of candy or some stickers when you're out next. We'll put it to good use!
And, mark you calendars now, for the Creekwood Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Festival scheduled for April 15, 9 a.m. to noon. Watch for more details to come.
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VBS JUNE 5-9, 2017
Save The Date
for Vacation Bible School!
Adult volunteers are needed. If you are interested in volunteering or serving as a coordinator, click here to sign up.
VBS registration is scheduled to open March 19. Spaces are limited. Watch for more information to come.
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Volunteers Needed for Special Needs Program
The special needs ministry would like to invite you to prayerfully consider being a part of the special needs ministry. There is a place for every age and every gift set. It is an exciting time to jump in with lots of new opportunities this spring! Please contact Stephanie Hunter smacmillanhunter@gmail.com to begin the conversation.
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Join Our Children's eNewsletter Distribution List
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
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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 7th through 12th graders (and beyond) 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.
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Club 56
, designed for our 5th and 6th graders, meets once a month for fellowship and mission. Here's what's coming up.
- On March 26, we will be making treats to send to the SPCA. Meet in the Student Center across the pond from the Worship Center at 12:45-3.
Please RSVP to
Donna Bartholomew
if your child will be attending this event. This is a great activity to invite a friend to Creekwood!
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Junior High Small Group meets on Wednesdays, 7 - 8:00 p.m. Contact Donna Bartholomew for more information.
Sr. High Small Group meets at the Edwards house on Wednesday nights from 7 - 8:30. Contact Jared Phares 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.
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