Saxapahaw United Methodist Church
July 15, 2020
|
|
Message from Pastor Mitzi
Youth Ministry and More
According to multiple national studies, about half of teenagers leave their faith after high school graduation. Disheartening, isn’t it?
On Sunday, I had the privilege of joining youth ministry volunteers Rondell Holloway, Mary Cardinale, and Andy Carter to spend the evening with eight of our youth. They love dogs, horses, chinchillas, playing video games, collecting things, and drawing. They’re also bored, sad their summer camps got cancelled, and a bit anxious about this virus. (Aren’t we all?) They can laugh as they play silly games with noodles, giggle at a video on a parable, and then turn around and ask the deepest of questions. In short, they are precious. Too precious to accept a 50% rate of departure from faith.
What can we do nurture a faith that lasts?
1) We can work to foster strong intergenerational relationships. One Fuller Youth institute study determined that when a young person is known by name by at least five adults in their church, in addition to their parents, the chances of their faith “sticking” beyond high school is almost assured.
2) We can help them move beyond a Sunday-only faith to an everyday faith that’s as natural as breathing.
3) We can help parents and caregivers by empowering them to feel more confident in supporting Christian formation at home.
4) We can be a safe place for doubt. Doubt isn’t poisonous, but silence is. This week, we asked the youth to list the questions they have about God, Jesus, and the Church. Their questions spanned from the nature of God, theology, science and creation, ethics, the Bible, discipleship, and other religions. How can I hold my faith against science? Does God test people? Did all the stories in the Bible really happen, or were some of them made up to teach people lessons? Is it ok to feel like sometimes God isn’t with you? How can I stay connected to God? Why is the DMV so slow?
Addressing the youth’s questions will be the focus of the discussion portion of youth group in the upcoming weeks. Except maybe that last one. I’m fairly certain it’s unanswerable.
Grace and Peace,
Mitzi
|
|
Seventh Sunday of Pentecost
July 19, 2020
Genesis 28:10-19a; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Connections Worship @ 9:00 am
Informal worship with a sermon, prayer, and small-group discussion.
To connect via Zoom on Sunday morning at 9 am, click
here
.
To connect via phone: Dial +1 646 558 8656, enter, meeting ID:
950 4846 3698
, then #.
Virtual Sanctuary Worship @ 11:00 am
Join our Virtual Sanctuary Worship @ 11:00 am either via FaceBook Live, Zoom or phone. There is no need to sign up – simply prepare your heart to encounter God and then follow the connection information below.
To connect via FaceBook on Sunday morning at 11 am, click
here
.
To connect via Zoom, click
here
.
To connect via phone: Dial +1 646 558 8656, enter, meeting ID:
922 1185 4642
, then #.
Sermons on Demand
To view the recorded worship service, click
here
.
As always, you are welcome to share this opportunity with a friend or neighbor - all are welcome!
|
|
Meet Pastor Mitzi via Zoom
Wednesday, July 15, 7-8 pm
Our interim pastor, Mitzi Johnson, began her appointment at Saxapahaw United Methodist Church on Monday, July 6, 2020. She is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and UNC Chapel Hill, and has served as a pastor at University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill, as the Programming Director at Lake Junaluska, and pastor at Saluda United Methodist Church.
Click
here
on Wednesday at 7 pm to join the Zoom Meeting to meet Pastor Mitzi!
|
|
Young Disciples
Sunday, July 19, 5-6 pm
Young Disciples, grades 3-12, will meet
IN PERSON
at the church this week. All participants will be asked to wear a mask and socially distance. We will play games, hear a story, write notes and draw pictures of encouragement for people in our church community and beyond. Questions? Contact Pastor Mitzi,
mjohnson@nccumc.org
.
Join us as we grow in our faith, strengthen our friendships, and have fun!
|
|
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made:
An Introduction to the Creative Life of Faith
Tuesdays July 14 through August 4, 6:30 pm - 8 pm
This Bible study, led by Mel Hansen-Holloway, is open to entire households and people of all ages.
Creative supplies will be needed for this class and are available at the church. Donations to cover the cost of supplies are appreciated, but not required. If you are not able to get to the church, you should be able to find what you need at home.
Each person will need
:
•A small notepad/sketch pad
•A pencil
•A pen
•Glue
•Scissors
•A good eraser
•A pencil sharpener
Each household will need four (4) different types of art/craft supplies
.
Some examples are:
•Crayons
•Colored markers
•Colored pencils
•Watercolor paints
•Play dough
•Wooden tongue depressors (and stuff to put on them)
•Foam sheets (and fun stickers)
•Collage supplies (old magazines, col-ored paper, etc.)
•Whatever else you may have floating around the house
For more information and to participate, contact Mel Hansen-Holloway at
mellghh@gmail.com
.
Join Zoom Meeting:
Password: Haw
Join by phone:
Dial +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 923 5953 9795
Password: 466062
|
|
Farmer's Market
Every Sunday
at Saxapahaw UMC
There will be a Farmer's Market every Sunday in the church's parking lot from 3 pm to 4:30 pm.
Vendors are observing the 3Ws (Wear a mask, wait 6 feet apart, wash or sanitize your hands often) at the Farmer's Market.
We strongly encourage you to wear a mask and observe the 3Ws while supporting our local farmers!
|
|
Alamance ElderCare, Inc.
Enhanced Services
During the Coronavirus epidemic, Alamance ElderCare is offering enhanced services to ensure the well-being of community-dwelling older adults, ages 60 and over. In addition to information and referral to resources, these enhanced services include: daily telephone well-being checks, grocery shopping and delivery, medication pick-up/delivery, linkage to transportation for essential medical appointments, and other assistance identified as a need that may be met.
To qualify for Enhanced Services, the older adult must be an Alamance County resident without local family or other support age 60 or over.
For assistance call our main number at (336) 538-8080, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5:00 p.m or
alamanceeldercare.com
.
|
|
Financial Support for
Families in Need
Saxapahaw United Methodist Church is blessed to be a blessing to others.
In the midst of this pandemic, as the unemployment rate soars and families struggle to make ends meet, there are two financial resources available for local families and individuals.
Micro Loan Program
The mission of this program is to empower individuals and families in our community to make a change in their lives by connecting them to relational and financial resources. Loan amounts are between $250 and $2,500, and all or part of the loan may be forgivable because of the pandemic. Loans will be reviewed by Pastor Mitzi Johnson and members of the Finance Team. All information is completely confidential.
Pastor's Discretionary Fund
Funds are available for smaller needs and emergencies. Typically these are one-time financial obligations, such as part of an electric bill (so the power will not be turned off) or payment for a necessary medication. Typically these requests are between $30 and $150.
|
|
Need Someone To Talk With?
Pray With?
|
Contact Pastor Mitzi
919-522-5540 (voice or text)
|
|
|
Need Someone To Talk With?
Pray With?
Contact Pastor Bailey, Pastor of Discipleship
704-840-4072 (voice or text)
|
|
Have Information for the E-Newsletter, Calendar, Bulletin, or Prayer List?
Contact Laurie Newlin, Administrative Assistant
336-266-0743 (voice or text)
|
|
Saxapahaw United Methodist Church | PO Box 268 | Saxapahaw, NC 27340 | 336-525-2545
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
