In The Midst of This Time . . . .
In the midst of this time when we aren’t able to gather, we are still able to connect with one another and grow in our walk with Christ. We are blessed to have the prayers and support of our community of faith for one another. We are blessed to have the ongoing financial support so that our ministries, our staff and our expenses are provided for. Thank you for how you are continuing to support us. We hope you are able to take advantage of our online community connections, in addition to these Happenings, through our online postings and interactive gatherings. More information follows on these. You can find the links on our Facebook site & Website. We encourage you to share these online opportunities and studies with friends and neighbors far and wide.
Feel free to call or email Pastor Deb, Sarah Sailor or Jessica Coons for any needs you might have to feel cared for and connected during this time. Here is their contact information:
In compliance with Governor Polis’s prohibition of gatherings over 10 at least through April 30, we regret to share that we will not be able to hold public worship for the next several weeks. However, please connect through one or more of these creative, new ways Christ is calling for us to connect as a faith community and to grow closer to God. Let’s continue to have the strength and hope needed through being grounded in our Christian faith.
What You’ll Find in This Edition:
- Online worship
- Daily “Response to the Word” posting
- Sanctuary open for private prayer
- Pastor Deb available for 1-on-1s
- Youth Parents Available for Those Needing Assistance
- Interactive Adult Conversations & Studies
- “Coffee, Conversation & Christ”
- “Study on the Parables”
- “Entering the Passion of Jesus”
- "What Happened after the Bible Ends: A Look at Early Church History”
- Youth & Kids Online Programs
- Youth Coffee Hour
- Action Pack
- EverKids
- Heroes of the Bible
- Maundy Thursday Foot Washing & Communion
- Good Friday Stations of the Cross
- Reaching Out to One Another
- General Conference Postponed
- Evergreen Shelter Program
- Support Our Local Restaurants
- Pastor Jottings
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DAILY “RESPONSE TO THE WORD”
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Beginning
Sunday, each day by 7 a.m.
we will send out a daily devotion and study opportunity for us to grow closer to God. These devotions will have a focus scripture for the day and questions to consider and hopefully, jot down thoughts in a journal.
We have been talking about launching this personal discipleship practice for a while, and agree now is the right time. Pastor Dean Penrod is creating this for us.
If you would rather
not
be on this new weekly email series, please reply to this email or any email and asked to be removed from this particular email series. Thank you!
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SANCTUARY OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER
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Beginning Sunday, our sanctuary will be open for
private prayer and reflection 10:30AM – 1PM
, Sundays through Thursdays.
If someone else is also in the sanctuary, thanks for observing the 6 feet social distancing standard.
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DAILY “RESPONSE TO THE WORD”
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PASTOR DEB AVAILABLE FOR 1-ON-1'S
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Pastor Deb is available at the church for 1-on-1 conversations,
9:30AM – 1PM, Mondays – Thursdays
{
except times below when conducting online happenings
}.
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YOUTH PARENTS AVAILABLE TO HELP
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The parents of our youth are available to do errands, shopping or other needs for those who need assistance. Please contact Sarah, Pastor Deb or Jessica if you or someone you know has a need.
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INTERACTIVE ADULT CONVERSATIONS
& STUDIES
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Join with others in our congregation for these special offerings facilitated by Pastor Deb or Pastor Dean.
To join,
email Jessica
to receive the entry code information for the offerings you are interested in.
She is our registrar and Zoom manager. Send your request to
office@evergreenumc.org
.
If this is your first time with Zoom, go to the site a couple minutes before your first session begins so that you can do the setup. Zoom is considered one of the top sites for interactive classes and meetings.
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“Coffee, Conversation & Christ”
Join Pastor Deb for an informal online time of conversation and devotion on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. beginning Wednesday, March 25. Six sessions.
“Study of the Parables”
Join Pastor Dean for an interactive study of Jesus’ parables on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. beginning Thursday, March 26. Six sessions.
“Entering the Passion of Jesus”
The Lenten class has switched to an online format and others are invited to join the nine already a part of this class. It will be Mondays at 7 p.m. Three sessions.
“What Happened after the Bible Ends: A Look at Early Church History”
Pastor Deb is hoping to offer this study beginning in early April. Day and time TBA depending on the preferences of those who are interested. Four sessions.
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YOUTH & KIDS ONLINE PROGRAMS
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We are continuing all our regular programs in their usual time slots, though will be shorter. Let
Sarah
know if interested so she can provide connecting information.
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Youth Group Coffee Talk
12pm-1pm on Sundays with a devotional, discussion and check-ins.
Kids Action Pack
9:30am on Sundays. The kids continue to rehearse the three skits they have been working on, though now they will rehearse online. The productions will be filmed and posted online for the congregation to enjoy in the coming weeks. {They were to have been part of three worship services.}
EverKids Sunday School
10:30am on Sundays and includes a lesson, discussion and even a craft.
Kids Heroes of the Bible Study
4pm on Wednesdays with a short check in, Bible study, devotional, and craft.
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On April 9th Pastor Deb will be in the sanctuary 10:30am – 1pm for an individual drop-in foot washing and communion experience as we remember Christ’s Last Supper.
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On April 10th the sanctuary will be open 10:30am – 1pm for a unique self-guided “Stations of the Cross” experience as we walk with Jesus to Golgotha and the cross.
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REACHING OUT TO ONE ANOTHER
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It might seem simple, yet taking the time to think about those you connect with in our congregation, and giving them a call or sending an email is a wonderful act of Christian kindness and care for our church family during this time.
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GENERAL CONFERENCE POSTPONED
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The United Methodist General Conference was scheduled to meet the first two weeks of May in Minneapolis. It has been postponed to comply with the Minnesota directive about large gatherings during that time. We will share as decisions moving forward are made.
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EVERGREEN SHELTER PROGRAM
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A few updates concerning ESP during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- We will try to stay open as best as we can. We have guests without a car to stay in and I think now is as important as ever to give our clients a warm and safe place to stay.
- We will operate with a "skeleton staff" moving forward. If you are willing to be the only volunteer on site, I am fine with it. I made some changes to the Sign Up Genius to reflect this. We will operate with a Team Leader and 2 Overnight Hosts if possible. As always, you are free to sign up as Team Leader and Overnight Host. We will not have a Dining Coordinator or Evening Host for the time being. We are making these changes so that hopefully our volunteers do not get worn out during this time.
- We will still need meals prepared. We are also asking for backup frozen meals in case we have to quarantine the facility (lasagna, soups, frozen pizzas, breakfast items, etc. -- Anything that freezes well and can be heated up with simple instructions).
- We need volunteers! I know there is a lot of concern from our older volunteers. We completely understand your need to stay home. If you are able to volunteer, please help us! If you know anyone that is willing to stay overnight but has not been trained, let me know and we will train that person individually (Hello, college students!)
- Thankfully, all of our clients have stayed healthy so far and we are hoping to keep it that way. However, we do have a plan and procedures in place in case any of our guests become sick with Coronavirus. There is a volunteer that has stepped up and offered to stay quarantined at Spero with sick guests for as long as necessary, if the need arises -- THANK YOU to this amazing person!
- EChO Food Bank is still open and providing food, personal care items, household supplies, pet food, firewood, and emergency assistance to our community. If you are in need of anything, please email me or call our Food Bank at 303-670-1796. EChO's Website is being updated daily with information for clients, volunteers, donors, community members, etc.
- Here is the SignUpGenius for this week. We are in desperate need of volunteers. Our next winter storm is predicted to start tonight so we would like to open our doors to our guests. However, we do not have volunteers yet. If you are able to help out tonight, please sign up!
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As the CORVID-19 situation continues to grow and many of us are faced with the uncertainty of how this will impact our lives, we want you to know that EChO will remain open to provide services to anyone in our community who may need assistance.
We will be operating with limited and restricted access to our building for the protection of staff, volunteers and clients. Increased precautions and enhanced cleaning and safety protocols based on recommended guidelines from the CDC have been implemented at EChO for our building as well as for all individuals.
During the upcoming days and weeks, we anticipate that the demand for assistance will increase. More and more families and individuals will struggle to meet basic needs as businesses temporarily close and paychecks are reduced.
We live in a very generous and caring community. Many of you have asked how you can help. A financial contribution of any amount would be greatly appreciated. The increased demand for food, as well as emergency financial assistance will have a tremendous monetary impact on our organization. To make a donation, please visit our
website here
.
We are all struggling with how to respond to this current crisis. But, with your help and support, we feel confident that we can and will be able to meet the needs of our mountain community.
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COLORADO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS
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For homeless Coloradans, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health crisis, “going home” isn’t possible. Nor is finding places to wash your hands, or a way to keep social distance in outdoor encampments during the unpredictable Colorado spring. Our unhoused neighbors are at higher risk of this highly contagious disease, and they have no place to self-quarantine or recover if they get sick. This puts all of us at risk.
The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is working to limit the spread of this disease by focusing our resources on more than 15,000 individuals who turn to the Coalition as their healthcare provider.
These steps are expected to cost the Coalition an extra $1.3 million over our budget in the next four months. We need your help, and we need it urgently.
Please
support
the Coalition’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund now with your most generous gift.
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SUPPORT OUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS
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Help keep our area restaurants in business! Here are those in the Bergen Park area offering take out. If you have a similar list for downtown Evergreen or Conifer, please send to the church office so we can include in future Happenings.
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Beau Thai
11 am – 9:30 pm
303-670-1977
Cuisine of the Himalayas
11 am – 9:30 pm
303-670-3370
Dandelion’s Café
8 am – 4 pm
303-674-5000
Parkside Café
8 am – 2 pm
303-674-3226
Sushi Win
11 am – 9 pm
303-670-6751
Tequila’s
11 am – 10 pm
303-674-3739
The Wild Game
11 am – 8 pm
720-630-8888
Tuscany Tavern
11 am – 8 pm
303-674-3739
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“Is it I, Lord?” – Matthew 26:22
Dear Lord Jesus,
One thing that has always amazed me about the conversation in the upper room is that all the disciples asked you this question. Not just Judas, who knew he was the one, but each of them, all of them. In other words, all of them knew that they were capable of doing such a despicable deed, and each of them honestly wondered if he himself were the one who would actually do it. They all knew themselves that well.
And so do I. As much as I might try to deny it publicly, inwardly I know that I am capable of betraying you, my Lord. In fact, I am sure there are ways – probably many of them – in which I have already done so. To ask, “Is it I, Lord?” amounts to hypocrisy at best, unwarranted pride at worst.
"Let those who think they can stand be careful lest they fall,” you taught us, loving Lord. Is there someone among us who needs to hear that warning? Is it I, Lord?
Your humble servant,
Pastor Deb
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Please call the office at 303-674-4810, or email
office@evergreenumc.org
if you would like to add your event to the weekly Happenings.
LARGE PRINT HYMNALS, BIBLES AND BULLETINS are available in the vestibule for Sunday services. Just ask one of the ushers to help you.
ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES are available for Sunday services. If you would like to try an Assistive Listening device this Sunday just ask one of the ushers or a sound booth technician.
AN OPEN INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP is extended to all persons. Please speak with the pastor about your interest in becoming part of this great Christian Fellowship.
RELOADABLE KING SOOPERS/SAFEWAY GROCERY CARDS are on sale in Fellowship Hall on the third Sunday of each month following each worship service. 5% of all purchases made with these reloadable cards goes back to UMCE! You can also purchase these by contacting the church office.
REMEMBER TO USE AMAZON SMILE when you shop at Amazon. Go to
www.amazonsmile.com
and designate The United Methodist Church of Evergreen as your charity of choice. Amazon will then donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to UMCE.
EQUAL EXCHANGE FAIR TRADE COFFEE is served during our Sunday morning fellowship but you can also order it. Please contact the church office with requests or questions. Also, please drop some change in the coffee pot to help pay for Sunday morning fellowship coffee.
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THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF EVERGREEN
Growing a community of faith by serving a world of need and changing lives. We affirm a spirit of openness and hospitality to all, including persons of all races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, financial strata, and abilities who seek a closer walk with God.
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