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



Who are you? That’s the question explored in Disney’s Moana.  It is also the prevailing question in scripture.  We are called to define who we are through God’s influence, and cautioned to be guarded in the ever-present cultural influence.  This Sunday, let’s consider this dynamic through the wise story of Moana, the first in our four-part sermon series, Popcorn Theology.


 
July 9
Popcorn Theology: Good Movies with Great Messages
"Moana"

July 16
Popcorn Theology: Good Movies with Great Messages
Star Wars: Rogue One

July 23
Popcorn Theology: Good Movies with Great Messages
“Hidden Figures” 

July 30
Popcorn Theology: Good Movies with Great Messages
“Beauty and The Beast”
In this Edition, You Won't Want to Miss These Stories!
Summer Serving: ACO Warehouse
Tuesday, July 11

Youth Missionaries Clean Up a Flooded Home
Upcoming Events
July 9
Visit From Project Transformation Representative, All Worship Services
July 10-14
July 11
Summer Serving Opportunity ACO Warehouse Food Sorting, ACO Warehouse, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
July 16
Harper Elementary Apple Tree Item Selection, After All Services, Worship Center Gathering Area
July 17-21
CIY Move Sr. High Summer Camp
Cross Cheer Camp at Creekwood
July 20
Summer Serving Opportunity Project Transformation Family Fun Night, Denison, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
July 24-28
July 24
Summer Serving Opportunity Project Transformation Reading Day, Denison, 9:30 a.m. - noon
July 25
Summer Serving Opportunity Project Transformation Reading Day, Denison, 9:30 a.m. - noon
July 26-30
August 2
Summer Serving Opportunity ACO Food Distribution, Branch, Texas
July 31 - August 4
Creekwood Youth Week
August 5
Sewing Ministry Prayer Quilt Sewing Day, Sandy Genovese's Home, 9:30 a.m.


Note :  Church office will be closed on Fridays during summer months through July 28.

High School Mission: Success!

Our missionaries arrived home last weekend a little tired but a lot inspired.  They spent their time assisting an 80+ year old woman who had her home extensively damaged during recent floods.   We heard many special stories of lives changed, people blessed, friendships formed and more.

Upon arriving home Baton Rouge, Creekwood youth Alexa Barajas shared with her peers on social media some of what the week meant to her.  We thought it was a perfect summary of the week, and we're sharing it here.  
"We drove eight hours to Baton Rouge, LA and it was totally worth it.  I ate the extremely great food including the best beignets a human will ever eat.  Every night we had a devotion and talked about our day.  I met strangers that are now my friends. I helped repair a little old lady's house that previously had six feet of water in it after the flood.  I learned how to mud and putty, and I painted.  We went on a swamp tour and saw a bunch of alligators and I even held one."

Alexa continued, "But most of all I learned that taking a chunk of time out of your day to help someone will turn their life from grief to bliss.  Serving Jesus with great people is something I'm blessed to be able to do.  I'm very happy I was able to go on this trip and I hope to go next year!"

We invite you to join us in thanking our awesome group of volunteers who gave so generously of their time to turn "grief to bliss."
Sunday Guest

We have a special treat this Sunday.  A representative from Project Transformation, Laura Podschun, will be here to share a little about the program and the summer serving opportunities we have lined up to support this awesome organization.  She'll share with the congregation at each service, and will be available in the Gathering Area to answer questions before and after.  
Sewing Ministry

Our congregation is growing and with that comes an increased need for prayer quilts.  If you've been a recipent of a prayer quilt, or have given one to someone in need, you know how special these can be.  We don't want to deplete our stash, so, let's get together and sew! 


We definitely have a need for sewing machines, people to iron, to cut and to pin. There’s plenty of work for everyone.  Plan to join us Saturday August 5, at 9:30 a.m. at the home of Sandy Genovese. Please RSVP to Sandy Genovese so that we know we have enough people and equipment.

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.
Join Us In Making A Difference


The Creekwood Missions team invites you to join us in making a difference. Take a look at the summer volunteer opportunities still available.  We need your help to make these events a success.  Sign up this Sunday in the Gathering Area, or sign up online via the links below.
The mission of  Project Transformation is to engage young adults in purposeful leadership and ministry, to support under-served children in holistic development, and connect churches with communities. 

On Thursday, July 20, we'll be at a Family Fun Night at Waples UMC in Denison, TX and we hope you'll join us!  Denison is about an hour's drive from Creekwood--just enough time for a short summer playlist and friend catching up.

We'll serve dinner, play games and enjoy fellowship with Project Transformation kids and their families. We will meet at Waples UMC at 6:00 p.m. to kick off the night.  This is a GREAT opportunity for families with children to serve.  Click here to sign up to join us for a night of fun--safari style--with dinner and lots of games.  We've been asked to man the game booths.  :)

We'll also be at Waples UMC on Monday and Tuesday, July 24 and 25, to support Project Transformation's summer reading program.  Join us from 9:00 to noon to read one-on-one with a student in the program.  This opportunity is for participants 13 years of age and older.  Click here to learn more and to sign up. We need at least 14 volunteers each day.
We've lined up three chances to support our community partner, Allen Community Outreach, this summer.

On Tuesday, July 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., we'll be at the ACO warehouse, 2 Butler Circle, Allen, sorting food.  We need a total of five volunteers. This is another family-serving opportunity--children over the age of 12 years are welcome.  Click here to sign up.

On Wednesday, July 19, and Wednesday August 2, we'll be distributing food bags for the Branch, TX (other side of Lake Lavon) ACO location.  Distribution will take place from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. each day, and we need 4 volunteers per day.  Click here to learn more and to sign up.  For more information contact Michael Ruch at michaelaruch@verizon.net.  
Click here for Summer Serving Opportunities


Adult Ministry
texture-hammer-header.jpg
Creekwood  Community Helpers


Do you have a home maintenance need?  Or, know a neighbor who does? The  Creekwood Community Helpers was formed 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
The concept is similar to the "Seniors Helping Seniors" program, but our intent is to assist those of any age unable to complete a necessary repair or conduct needed maintenance.

Learn more and request your needed assistance here .
birds_cross_in_sunset.jpg


Find Local Grief Support Events Here
Children's Ministry

Spaces Still Available

There is still one more Cross Cheer camp at Creekwood: July 17-21.   Designed for those 4 - 10 years of age, the Cross Cheer camps teach young girls the fundamentals of cheerleading in a Christ-centered atmosphere.  Learn more and register here .  
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
Student Ministry (CSM)
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.
Summer Fun With CSM
We still have space available on some of our summer youth trips.  Join us as we serve, fellowship and grow in our faith.

Middle School Mission Trip
Students finishing 6th-8th grades are invited to join us in Fort Worth July 26-30 for a fabulous weekend of service and fun.  Click here to sign up.  


CIY Move
High school students, it’s time to Move!  Experience intense, interactive worship, dynamic preaching, small group study and community building. At Move we will not only learn and worship together – we’ll spend focused time discovering ways that God will use Creekwood youth to impact the world.  This is a 5 day camp held at LeTourneau University in Longview. The cost is $395 per person with a discounted rate for adult participants. We will find a way to pay for anyone who wants to go! Click here to sign up. Contact Jared with questions.  

Confirmation 2017-18
Registration for the 2017-18 school year will open April 18.  Confirmation is available to students in grades 7th and above.  Classes will be held in the Student Center at 10:15 a.m. August 20-May 20.  Retreats, missions, social activities, and faith visits are also an integral part of the course.  Click here to sign up.  
 
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.