June 14, 2019
Hello from Lakeview!
Youth enjoy another fantastic summer at camp
As you are reading this, the BCYouth are currently on their way back from another fantastic week at Lakeview Camp. We are happy to report there are many smiling faces as they enjoyed an entire week of making new friends, spending time outdoors, incredible worship services, and sharing devotion times. Let's give a special "Thank You" to those who attended and gave during the "Night on the Town" fundraiser to help make all of this possible.

At the time of this writing, Team Tsula is in the lead! If you have attended Lakeview before, you understand what this means. Curious -- Sign up next year!

UMARMY Update: Due to an increase in registrations, we need another male counselor so that we can meet the requirements to go. For more information and to signup, please contact Jana Jones at jana@bearcreekumc.org

United Methodist Children's Center Update
Exciting changes are coming to Bear Creek UMC!
An update on the details:
As we announced a few weeks ago, Bear Creek UMC was selected as one of seven sites by the Texas Annual Conference's "We Love All God's Children" Initiative, to become a United Methodist Children's Center. Through this initiative, we will be renewing our commitment to engage with the community to develop, expand, and enhance discipleship, early childhood literacy, and positive health outcomes of children and families in our Bear Creek community. What does that look like for the church?

The first thing you should know is that our ability to become a United Methodist Children's Center is going to reinforce the work we are already doing today. The new financial commitment and support from the Texas Annual Conference are going to bolster our efforts in the Preschool, our BCKids program, and will add staff to help direct information and resources in our city to our community. Our goal is to empower children and families by providing the resources and support they need to be successful. 

Here is the breakdown:
Bear Creek UMC Preschool: With more working families than ever before, we are hearing from our community that we need extended hours at our Preschool. We are thrilled to make that happen with this new commitment. Beginning Summer 2020, as we remain committed to our regular preschool program, extended hour options and a year-round program will be added to support families who need it.

BCKids & Families: As a United Methodist Children's Center, we will expand our kids' programming to include more ways for families to support the spiritual development of children. This includes workshops available to anyone in the community on a variety of relevant topics as well as family learning opportunities so that we can connect spiritual learning at church with spiritual learning at home.

Full-Time Community Worker: We are one of the few churches in the Texas Annual Conference that will receive a full-time community worker here on campus. This person will be here to dive further into our neighborhood and gain an understanding of the specific needs of our families here. From there, they will advocate for those who need assistance and connect them to resources that go beyond what we offer on campus. This transformative addition to our team makes us more relevant than ever to families in our community.

We are so thankful for this opportunity to give children and their families the resources they need to be successful. These three initiatives are just the start, but already show our vision for the robust children and family ministry we are building. We hope to set an example for other churches on how to meet the needs of their communities with efficiency and innovation. In the coming months, please keep Susie Morales, Children's Director, and Toni Bejko, Preschool Director, along with all of those who are and will be a part of this transformation, in your prayers. Please also pray that we make a lasting difference in the lives of the hundreds of children that God sends to our campus.

Questions? Comments? Please email Susie Morales at  bckids@bearcreekumc.org  and Toni Bejko at director@bcumcs.org
Congratulations Shelly Taylor!
This week's winner of the Paul's Letter to the Thessalonians Sermon Quiz!
We want to give a special shout-out to Shelly Taylor for winning this week's sermon quiz! She will receive a $25 Willies Ice House Gift Card for having a perfect score! This week, grab a pencil and some paper and be ready; the quiz is sent out at 2:00pm every Sunday afternoon during this sermon series!
United Worship Service:
A Celebration of Freedom
June 30, 2019 at 10:00am
ONE United Worship Service in Sanctuary
Picnic Lunch Afterward
Come and join us for a “Celebration of Freedom” in a united worship service at Bear Creek United Methodist Church. There will be music from the traditional and contemporary service, an inspiring message from Pastor Leo, and a tribute to our freedom as Americans, and in Christ. Worship begins at 10:00am in the Sanctuary, followed by a 4th of July style church-wide picnic in the Family Life Center Gym. The United Methodist Men will be cooking hamburgers and hotdogs, and members of the congregation are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share. We look forward to seeing you there!
ROAR Vacation Bible School
July 15-19, 2019 from 9:00am to 12:00pm
Donations still needed!
Get ready for ROAR VBS 2019! We are going on a safari to discover God's goodness! We need volunteers to sign-up for this incredible adventure. We are currently seeking a decorating team, and the vital crew leaders.

Donations Needed (This is the last Sunday to donate)
We need some essential items for VBS. Most of the things can be found at the dollar store or in your garage. Click the link below to see what we need and signup to bring it.

Please bring items to the Sanctuary or Worship Center Narthex or the church office by June 16, 2019. If you need someone to pick up your donation or if you would like to volunteer for VBS contact Susie Morales, bckids@bearcreekumc.org if you have any questions.
Important Vacation Bible School Date:
VBS Training and Lunch
Sunday, July 7, 12:30pm
Youth Café
Friends of Bear Creek UMC Apartment Ministry
Every Friday
Breckenridge Court Apartments
New time: 7:00 - 8:00pm
Join us on Fridays through the summer for family-friendly fun at Breckenridge Court Apartments from 7:00 - 8:00pm. We meet in the church parking lot at 6:30pm. Bring your smile and comfy shoes as we play games, eat snacks, and meet our neighbors. For more information, please contact Susie Morales, bckids@bearcreekumc.org
Youth MidPoint Break
June 26
Due to summer camps, the Youth will not meet at MidPoint, Wednesday June 26. Youth will meet June 19. Youth are welcome to attend adult classes with their parents on June 26.
"Summer Daze"
Every Wednesday in July
Starting July 10
5:30pm to 6:30pm
All youth, 6th grade through high school, are invited to Summer Daze! Every Wednesday in July, beginning July 10 from 5:30-6:30pm, the youth will have games and activities designed to beat the heat. Afterward, they are invited to stay and participate in our Wednesday night gatherings during MidPoint. Enjoy the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer at Bear Creek UMC!
For more information, contact Jonathan Sampson at bcyouth@bearcreekumc.org or Jana Jones at janaj@bearcreekumc.org 
Update:
A additional story time has been added to the Summer Reading Programs at the BCUMC library. We will have a 10:00 am story time to benefit children six and under and a multi-age, bilingual story time at 11:15 am. Please plan to attend one of our fun times.
The Summer Story Program
For 1-year-old through kindergarten
Mondays - 10:00am to 10:45am
June 17, 24 and
July 1, 8, 22, 29
Bear Creek UMC Library
Children will experience stories and songs about God's world during story time. Kids may also check out books to read. To earn prizes, children may log the books they read. (5 out of every ten books must be checked out from the Bear Creek UMC Library.) Reading logs are turned in on Mondays after story time until 2pm and Thursday (through July 30) from noon to 2pm. An adult must accompany children.

For additional information, please call the church office at 281-463-2330
Special Guest
Monday, June 17
10:00am
On Monday, June 17, 2019, the Children's Museum of Houston will be our Summer Reading Program guest for a story and activity time. Plan to attend and bring you children's friends also. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
The Summer Reading Program
Must have completed 1st through 6th grade
Mondays - 11:00am to 2:00pm
June 17, 24 and
July 1, 8, 22, 29

Thursdays - Noon to 2:00pm
June 20, 27 and July 11, 18, 25

Bear Creek UMC Library
Each reader will have a "tracker" to record the number of minutes they reach each week. Every week readers have opportunities to turn in their minutes for prizes. (For every three hours spent reading, one book must come from the Bear Creek UMC Library.) Trackers are turned in on Mondays and Thursdays. Every 3 hours spent reading will earn a prize.

For additional information, please call the church office at 281-463-2330
Final Thoughts:
Translators Needed
English to Spanish, Live
We are currently building a team of interpreters who can translate English to Spanish during the contemporary service. No experience is needed, we will train you. Our Spanish Ministry is growing fast! If you are available to help, please contact Rudy-Dario Valenzuela at bcspanish@bearcreekumc.org
Help Support The Church
Bear Creek United Methodist Church is supported by faithful contributions from members and guests alike. We offer several ways to give securely online, via text message, mail, or in person. Some members setup Bear Creek UMC as a recurring payment via Bill Pay with their bank, which saves the fees incurred by the church when using the other online methods.

Thank you for your faithful contributions that allow us to continue the various ministries of Bear Creek United Methodist Church!
Worship Service Times
9:00am Traditional
11:15am Bi-Lingual Contemporary