SUNDAY'S SCRIPTURE
Genesis 18:1-15
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A Look From Brook
The Will of God (Part 2)
The Circumstantial Will of God.
(This is a series of articles I’m writing about the will of God. If you haven’t read the first one, you might want to go back and read it. You can do that here.)
Last week I shared that one of my favorite books about God’s will is Leslie Weatherhead’s book “The Will of God.” In it, Weatherhead breaks God’s will down into 3 parts or aspects: God’s intentional will, God’s circumstantial will, and God’s ultimate will. What we learned last week was that God’s intentional will for our lives is always good. Like a good parent, God wants what’s best for us! God intends that we have a long and fruitful life! Ah, but then something happens, doesn’t it? Whether it is us acting out of the freedom God gives us, or the actions of someone else acting out of the freedom God gives us, people get hurt. We hurt someone, or someone hurts us. And add to that the fact that “accidents” happen, right? Our sister dies in a car accident. Our brother dies of brain cancer. Someone, in a rage, shoots down my daughter, a police officer. Someone, God forbid, strangles my daughter in a brutal murder. What Weatherhead says in his book is that there are forces in this world that obstruct God’s intentional will. Sometimes we are the one’s who block that will, sometimes it’s someone else who does it, and sometimes God’s will is obstructed by forces of “this world”…by accident, hurricane, and storm.
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As you may have noticed, the state of Washington has new rules in place concerning masks and vaccines. As a church, we have some “religious” exemptions, but as a people who are committed to being “in community” with those around us, we have decided to follow the mandates set out for all Washingtonians. So this means that we are asking that you all get vaccinated. We won’t require this at the worship door, but we do ask that if you come to worship at Bear Creek UMC that you either be up to date on your Covid-19 vaccinations, or that you get a current Covid-19 test before you come. Of course this does not pertain to children, as they are not able to be vaccinated yet. I trust that we can be on the honor system on this, and that we will all continue to day all we can to keep safe in our building and out in the world! Just so you know, all of our staff is up to date on their vaccines. When Pastor Brook and Cyndy travelled to South Dakota recently, the first thing they dis was get tested. The tests were negative!
By the way, I recently asked an expert on the Covid-19 virus, about the safety of our sanctuary the way we have it set up, and he said, that given the height of our ceilings, the distance we have for our chairs, the plexiglass in front of our pulpit, (along with the wearing of masks and the knowledge that our membership is very vaccination conscious) that this church is very safe for folks during worship...as long as we do all we can to follow the rules. Let’s keep following them folks!
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We just received word of our annual Charge Conference date! It is scheduled for Saturday, October 23rd. Because of Covid, Rev. Mark Galang, is holding the meeting on Zoom only. The meeting will consist of a one hour meeting on zoom at 3pm where Mark will meet with Bear Creek’s SPRC (Staff Parish Relations Committee) and then at 4pm Mark will meet with our leadership team only (per his request). The meeting will conclude by 5pm. If you are on our Coordinating Board then you know that we have a ton to get accomplished before that date. Folks, say an extra prayer for our leadership team as they prepare!
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COORDINATING BRD MTG SET FOR SAT, OCT 10 @ 9am!
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NEW “SUNDAY SCHOOL” CLASS SET FOR MONDAY, OCT 11TH
Led by Stephen Ministries
Navigating the Voices of Aging
O God, from my youth you have taught me, And I still proclaim your wondrous deeds So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, Until I proclaim your might To all the generations to come. Psalm 71:17-18 The new norm. When did I become the parent? I know this isn’t who they truly are. I pray each day and night for strength, for understanding, for patience. I pray for their health, their protection, and most of all, their peace. Do you hear your voice in any of the previous thoughts? You are not alone. Bear Creek will begin a new class every Monday evening by Zoom, beginning October 11 at 7:00 p.m. If distancing issues allow, we will also have an in-person gathering one Sunday a month for the duration of the class. “Voices of Aging,” by Missy Buchanan, and “Chicken Soup for the Soul, Navigating Eldercare and Dementia,” compiled by Amy Newmark, will be the reading material for the class. These are not study books, rather they are designed to let you know you are not alone, and to open honest, perhaps sorrowful, and even joyful dialog with others who have experienced or are experiencing the new challenges within your life and your family. The class will be led by Connie Gagnon and Sue Burkholder. For more information, contact Pastor Brook or Connie Gagnon. Please contact the church office to register, so that you will be included in the Zoom connection
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Bear Creek 101
Are you new to Bear Creek UMC? Wanting to find out more about what we are about and how you can get more involved? Do you want to know more about the United Methodist understanding of God’s love...we call it grace? Then join Pastor Brook and some of the leadership of our church for a 3 week Sunday School experience from 11:15-Noon. If you have kids, we will keep watch over them for this time. We will meet in Community Room #1, starting Sunday, October 11th. PS: that’s the larger room past the bathrooms in the office area! Please contact Pastor Brook at 605-610-7793 for more info!
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Want to brew lattes once a month before church for 1/2 hour?
Everyone will love you a "latte "!
Karen Robinson, Karin Danner, or Danielle Walsh can show you how in less than 15 minutes & it's lots of fun - join us! Text Danielle - 425-785-9887 - if you're interested & we can find a time to teach you. (You'll work with someone, not alone, don't worry!) Plus, donations go towards our 'helping hands' fund, so you'll be helping others in the process.
Thanks for considering.
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This Saturday morning at BCUMC, The Woodinville CROP Hunger Walk:
Come join us on October 2nd - 9:30am registration, and 10:00am we walk!!!
We will make a few trips around the church property loop for a full 3.2 miles, with stops along the way to learn about the CROP Hunger Walk, how to raise money, grab snacks & drinks, try a scavenger hunt, and more.
Community groups, kids, neighbors, friends are also invited to walk with us! Register online ahead of time if possible, and you can start raising funds right away.
If you are not comfortable coming out to the walk with us n-person, virtual walkers are also encouraged and we will livestream our walk on the BCUMC Facebook page so virtual walkers and those at home will feel included in the fun.
The local portion of funds raised will go to BCUMC's Afghan Ministries program, as well as Camp Unity Eastside. For more info visit www.bcumc.org. We will follow all current CDC guidelines.
Thank you for joining us to help end hunger around the world.
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The dynamic duo!
Abigail and Jack are our new Sunday morning childcare team. Feel free to introduce yourself on Sunday.
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Our “pic of the week” is a great pic of Heather and Curt Nelson. Curt is a Sophomore at the University of Washington and Heather works for the Duvall Public School system. Other amazing members of their family are husband/father: Andy, and daughter/sister: Megan!
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Pastor Brook will be holding a weekly prayer meeting over zoom every Sunday at 7pm. The zoom link is:
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BCUMC HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION:
Mark your calendars for BCUMC's upcoming Halloween event! The festivities will take place on Sunday, October 31st from 3pm to 5pm in the church parking lot.
Last year's event was a big hit, and we'd love your support in making this year's just as awesome.
We are looking for volunteers to:
-decorate their trunks for the Trunk-or-Treat
-Dress up in your favorite costume to help greet families and be a part of the photo booth
-Set up and tear down
-Sharing your creativity in the planning process
-Donate candy
*If any of these requests make you smile, contact Kristin at support1@bcumc.org or 425-922-3181, and let her know what area(s) you'd like to be involved with.
This is such a wonderful opportunity to connect with our outlying community.
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Just so you know: Every worship service we have had online is available on our website at: bcumc.org/worship
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Check out our website at https://www.bcumc.org/! We have updated it to make it more friendly to anyone wanting to plug in to what is going on at Bear Creek UMC right now. Here are some of the features I suggest checking into:
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Instant Church Directory Online
1. Download the App from the App Store search for “Instant Church Directory”
2. Open the app and click “create login”
3. Enter email that is listed in the family portion of the directory.
4. Create password and retype to confirm password
5. Check your inbox for an email from Instant Church Directory
6. Verify your email address by clicking on the link sent to you in the email.
7. Once you confirm your email, close browser and return to App to login.
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Texting is now an option at BCUMC!
You can now sign up for texting alerts from BCUMC! Please let us know what info you want via text & your current cell phone number.
1.Send Janelle an email with your name and phone number at
2.Fill out the Welcome card and include your phone number
3.Fill out the text slip form available throughout the church
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If you'd like to give
electronically you can do that a couple of ways:
1) You can go to our website at bcumc.org and navigate to the Give>Give Online tabs and there you will see one time and recurring options for weekly and monthly giving.
2) You can go to your Apple App Store or Google Play and download the “GivePlus” App to your phone. On the app you can set up one time and/or recurring options for weekly and monthly giving.
3) We can also set up a monthly electronic withdrawal from your bank account. If you want to do that it is best to call our office at 425-788-2953 and we can help you fill that form out.
Again, if you have any questions or need help, call our office or call Pastor Brook at 605-710-7793.
Thank you!
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Week At A Glance: October 3 - October 10
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Sunday, October 3
Virtual- In Person - 10:00 AM
Monday, October 4
PSWTE Reunion group -7pm -9pm
Tuesday, October 5
Virtual Book Study - 9:30 a.m
Pastor Morning Prayer group - 7am-9am
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Wednesday, October 6
Thursday, October 7
Band Practice 5:15pm
Choir Practice 7pm
Friday, October 8
WTE Prayer Group- 12pm- 2pm
Saturday, October 9
Sunday, October 10
Virtual- In Person - 10:00 AM
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Bear Hugs
Thank you Ruth Ann and John! Recently our church was blessed to have our sanctuary windows clean...both outside and inside...all the way to the top! We want to thank Ruth Ann and John for that. They hired someone to come in and do that and they paid the bill! Awesome job! They look wonderful!
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Friday Feel Good Song!
T.G.I.F! You have survived the grind and hustle of the work week. It's time to celebrate with the Friday Feel Good Song.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Todays song is Amazing Grace by Pentatonix. History says that this song was first sung by John newton in 1772.
COUTNDOWN
Halloween:30 days
Thanksgiving: 55 days
Christmas: 85 days
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Worship:
Sundays at 10:00 AM
Office Hours:
Mon, Tue, Fri:
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Wed:
Calls and Emails only
Thu:
8:30 Am - 3:30 PM
Closed Weekends & Holidays
Ph: 425.788.2953
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Have An Announcement?
Do you have something to tell the Bear Creek UMC community? Send us your announcement (60 words or less) and a preferred graphic (if you want one) and we'll place it in our publications.
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