Growing Deep Roots to Share God's Love
Website     Who We Are     Pastor's Blog     Serving     Events     Previous Newsletters          
News and Notes
April 6, 2017

We're launching a new, two-part sermon series this Sunday entitled "Have We Seen This Before?"  The intent behind the series is to highlight the powerful reasons behind the annual celebration of the resurrection, and consider why we should take this celebration beyond the one Holy Week.  We start with Palm Sunday and a very special parade – the procession of palms.  Parades are designed to break up the monotony and commemorate the heroic and the rare, and we’ll consider just what this means to us as followers of Jesus.

April 9
Palm Sunday
"Have We Seen This Before?" Part 1
It's Just Another Parade

April 16
Easter
"Have We Seen This Before?" Part 2
It's Just Another Gravestone

April 23
Launch of "Christianity and World Religions"
Atheism, Agnostics, and Free Thinkers
In this Edition, You Won't Want to Miss These Stories!
Habitat Home Dedication

Maundy Thursday Service -- A Dinner To Remember

Upcoming Events
April 8
Run for Homelessness in Collin County "Fun-raiser," Supporting Family Promise
April 9
Palm Sunday Palm Procession, All Services
April 13
Maundy Thursday Service, 6:30 p.m. 
April 14
Good Friday Family Worship Service: Tenebrae Service of Shadows, 6:30 p.m.
April 15
Creekwood Spring Festival and Egg Hunt. 9 a.m. to noon
April 16
Easter Sunday, Worship Services 6:30, 9:00, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m.
April 18
Creekwood MOMtourage, 6:30 p.m., Worship Center
April 30
Lunch with the Pastors, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Worship Center
May 7
Mission Possible Kids, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Creekwood Children's Center
Creekwood VBS Volunteer Training, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., Creekwood Worship Center (Option 1)
May 8
Creekwood Church Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Worship Center, Open to All
May 14
Mother's Day
May 20
Change the World Weekend, Creekwood Mission Events, Additional Details to Follow
May 21
Creekwood VBS Volunteer Training, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., Creekwood Worship Center (Option 2)

Extreme Home Makeover-- Jesus Edition

Director of Creekwood Missions, Annmarie Barajas, attended the dedication of our most recent Habitat for Humanity home this past Saturday, and shares her experience at this moving event, some of which you can see in the video below.



"It was an  honor and privilege to be a part of the home dedication for Renita Carter and her family last Saturday!  The Carter home was our Creekwood Habitat for Humanity project that we participated in earlier this year.  Our fearless build leaders, Christina and Kevin Shepard, (accompanied by son Kieran) lovingly and carefully organized and communicated with numerous volunteers over the past few months to bring us to this long awaited day.  The house buzzed with excitement as volunteers, neighbors and family toured the home to see where each family member would now be able to reside permanently in their own room.  

 The pantry and kitchen were filled with goodies from several local businesses.  I was able to overhear Renita ask where the donations were from so she could promptly go there and thank them.  It was a small snapshot into the character and gratitude of the new homeowner. 

As the ceremony was underway, there were testimonies from several volunteers of what a joy it was to work beside Renita on her home.  I, myself, experienced her immense gratitude as she thanked each volunteer as they left the job site one day. 

As many of us experience, there is one reason why we participate in Habitat for Humanity, and for missions in general, and this is to spread the love that Jesus so freely gives us.  I will say that love for Jesus, and for strangers that have never met, was evident on Saturday as we all peered around with joy and tears in our eyes as Renita received the long awaited keys to her new home.  
In a world where we are often divided by opinion or race or political stance, the yard was filled with a unifying presence of the same mission--love.  A few particular highlights of the day were watching our own children discover the places in the home where they painted a board, or discovered a wall where they witnessed the first set of nails be hammered in.  There was also a beautiful moment where Christina presented Renita and her kids with a beautiful personalized wall hanging depicting her name and the date when her new home was established. 

It was a joy to see Creekwood  members present who lovingly prepared the meals that helped sustain and feed the volunteers.  We all celebrated this beautiful moment together!  Thanks to all who participated by painting, assembling cabinets, laying sod, donating food, and to those who donated money to the missions' fundraiser.   As Mother Teresa so eloquently said, 'Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.'"
Communion Offering

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our communion offering this past Sunday. We raised $655.53 to support the summer food bag programs of Allen Community Outreach and Harper Elementary.  The first two weeks of May, we'll run a food drive to gather a few staples we'll be stuffing in the bags we'll be assembling right here at Creekwood on May 20. Watch for more details to come.

Easter Flowers

We are taking donations for Easter flowers, which may be taken home after the 11:30 a.m. worship service. Donations may be made in honor of, or in memory of, loved ones or friends, and may be made through Wednesday, April 12. Donation options range from $0 to $100, but any amount will be accepted via check.  Click here to request a lily and to make your donation online, if you'd like.
You're Invited to Dinner ...

As part of our Maundy Thursday worship service, we will share a traditional Passover meal—a Seder.   “Seder” translates to “order” and we will honor the fixed sequence of this service.  We'll sit at tables, sample the traditional elements of the meal and participate in communion.  

Let your Facebook friends know about this opportunity--and let us know you're attending.
Holy Week & Easter Services
We hope you'll plan to join us for our Holy Week and Easter services, and we encourage you to invite a friend.

April 9, Palm Sunday, All Three Services
Each service will begin with a procession of palms by Creekwood children.  The ceremony commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry in to Jerusalem the week before his Resurrection. 

April 13, Maundy Thursday Service, 6:30 p.m.
We invite you to join us for a special Maundy Thursday service, where we will share a traditional Passover meal—a Seder.   “Seder” translates to “order” and we will honor the fixed sequence of this service, which ritualistically and beautifully celebrates the deliverance of the Israelites in ancient Egypt.   We hope this will serve as a special remembrance of Jesus’ own meal, as we remember the freedom that will ultimately be brought through resurrection.    

April 14, Good Friday Tenebrae Service of Shadows, 6:30 p.m.
Educational and inspirational, we will depict, via shadows, the holy events and key players in Jesus' crucifixion. This is a family-friendly presentation.  Childcare will be provided for those 4 years of age and under.

April 16, Easter Sunday Services
6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service, Deck of Creekwood Student Center*
9:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service
10:15 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service
11:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service**

*If the weather is nice and you are able, may we suggest you park at the Worship Center and walk over to the Student Center via the pebble path behind the Children's Center.  We do have limited parking at the Student Center.  
**We are blessed to receive many guests Easter morning, and often at the 10:15 worship hour.  If you normally attend our 10:15 a.m. Sunday service, but have flexibility, we encourage you to join us at 11:30 a.m.
Hear from Pastor David in the video below.
Volunteer at the Spring Festival & Egg Hunt And Make Some New Friends
The Creekwood Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Festival will take place this Saturday, April 15, 9 a.m. to noon. We've still got a few volunteer opportunities available! For sure we need three more volunteers for the bounce house hour-long shifts.  Shifts can be split.  These volunteers do have to be 18 years of age or older.   Click here  for a list of volunteer opportunities and to sign up online.


We're Hiring
There is still time to apply for our summer internship positions:   Student Ministry Intern and Missions Ministry Intern. These are salaried positions that will run the duration of the summer. Learn more  here.  
Missions
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.
Want to get out and enjoy the beautiful spring weather AND support our mission partner Family Promise? Consider coming out for the 17th Annual Fun-Raiser for Homelessness this Saturday, April 8 at 7:30 a.m., 7951 Collin McKinney Parkway next to McKinney Veteran's Memorial!  This event will include a 5k/10k for runners and 1k/5k for families, pets, etc.  Learn more and register at 3emckinney.com/run-for-cover/ .


Interested in seeing
the Zoe program in action?
  Click here to learn more about two summer mission trip opportunities.
Adult Ministry
Need A Hand?
Some passionate Creekwood handymen and women have organized a new mission:  The Creekwood Community Helpers.  The stated purpose of  the mission is to help the Creekwood UMC family and community with minor home maintenance and repairs. All services are free, and examples include:
  • Installation of exterior handrails & grab bars
  • Minor plumbing
  • Minor general repair
  • A/C and/or heater filter replacement
  • Smoke alarm or CO2 battery replacement 
  • Caulking, repair of door locks and light bulb replacement
Learn more and request your needed assistance here
birds_cross_in_sunset.jpg


Find Local Grief Support Events Here
Children's Ministry
Mission Possible Kids

Mission Accomplished!!!!  Agents stuffed over 1000 eggs for the upcoming Creekwood Spring Festival and Easter Egg Hunt.  Many thanks to Lisa and John Below, Nancy and Rick Adler, Tonya Watson, Bianca Charles and Allison Carr for volunteering their time to support our agents.
 

VBS JUNE 5-9, 2017 

All but rising 5th through 6th grade VBS registration is full. Click here to request to be added to our waiting list, or to request a spot for your rising 5th or 6th grader.  

We do have spots for the children of all volunteers, and we still need volunteers. Click here to sign up to volunteer and then receive a registration link for your child(ren). 

Click here to simply volunteer.  All volunteers will be subject to a background check and required to complete brief online training. (Youth volunteers must have completed 6th grade.)


Another Summer Opportunity!

Cross Cheer is coming to Creekwood two times this summer:  June 12-16 and July 17-21.  This national program will take place on our campus.  Designed for those 4 - 10 years of age, the Cross Cheer camps teach young girls the fundamentals of  of cheerleading in a Christ-centered atmosphere.  Learn more and register here .  Early bird pricing through June 1st.
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
Youth Ministry
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.
Club 56 , designed for our 5th and 6th graders, meets once a month for fellowship and mission. Here's what's coming up.
  • April 23, Club 56 is going ice skating at the Allen Event Center from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.   (Groupon currently has a coupon--check it out!) Families are welcome.
Please RSVP to  Donna Bartholomew  if your child will be attending this event. This is a great activity to invite a friend to Creekwood!
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.