SUNDAY'S SCRIPTURE
Matthew 25: 31-46
|
|
"All The Poor And Peerless" |
|
A Look From Brook
A Better Way to Look at Each Year's 525,600 Minutes?
I'm a big Musical fan! Last week I talked about the musical “Dear Evan Hansen”! But this week I want to talk about my all-time favorites musical: “Rent” and the song “Seasons of Love”. It opens with these words:
525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear.
525,600 minutes - how do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
In 525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year in the life?
This year, we tried a different approach to our stewardship campaign. We lengthened the one to two week “asking” period and turned it into a 5-week sermon series where we completely changed our focus from giving just to the church, to learning to be generous in all aspects of your life. For me, this shift has been enormously freeing and helpful. For me, it focuses the attention one not just money, and talents, and time, but on serving others and a generous attitude or spirit towards others.
Today, I’d like to spend some time thinking with you about time. Because unlike talents and money, time is something that all has been given in equal measure by God.
|
|
Plan now to come to Bear Creek UMC’s Thanksgiving Feast:
Sunday, Nov. 21st at 11:15 am (or so).
We want to thank you all in our Bear Creek UMC community for sticking with us through thick and thin…through the ups and downs of this pandemic. And what better way to do that than to throw a feast! Now before you take ten steps backwards, know this. First, it won’t be a traditional Thanksgiving feast. Because of safety issues we have toned it down a bit. In other words, we will be serving sandwiches, chips, and a salad! All deliciously and safely prepared by a small team from our leadership. Second: We will be eating in the celebration space where there will be PLENTY of space and safe distancing! Third: It will all be free! We want this to be a gift to all of you for your generosity. So come join us for an awesome Thanksgiving Worship celebration (we have some amazing songs and Pastor Brook is preparing a wonder-filled message), and then afterwards, hang in for just a bit as we tear down and set up for our “thanksgiving-spirited feast!” We can’t wait to see you there!
|
|
Our church leadership is looking for a Finance chair! If you have gifts in managing and running meetings, know a bit about the finances of an organization, and have a heart for serving Bear Creek UMC, this position might be a great way to serve. Give Pastor Brook a call at 605-610-7793...or talk to him after church! You will make our day! |
|
This Year’s Trunk or Treat was Spooky Great! Here are just some who helped: Pictured: Jung, Bill, Karen, Bob, Devon, Emerson, Sammi, Ryan, Quincy, Kirsten, Cyndy, Brook, Danielle, Kristin, Saeyoung, Cassie, Grace, Sarah, Patty Abigail (and her two tarantulas!) and Mimi. Not Pictured (probably trying to clean up) Connie, Beth, Brook, Koon, EJ, Jack, and Grady. I’m sure there was more! Thank you all for your help!
|
|
We couldn’t resist sharing another picture of Hannah, Sophie, and Liam this week. Their bird houses were a huge hit. They took their $10 and mixed it up with their generous spirits and gifts and talents and and raised $492! WOW!
|
|
Finals’ Week is just around the corner for many of our young adults and young at heart members. At Bear Creek we have a long-standing tradition in supporting this challenging week by sending care packages.
This year’s packages will look at little different. Shipping prices have increased and the system, at the moment, is bit unreliable. No worries! For students coming home for Thanksgiving, we will have packages ready for families to pick up starting November 14th. For students staying at their academic institution, we will mail the package.
Another change we are making is, the committee will do the shopping. Packages will have healthy snacks (riddle with a bit of candy 😊), fidgets (calming tools), gift cards, inspirational quotes, and notes from the congregation. If you would like to support this event, we will gladly accept your donations.
If you have a child or grandchild who is enrolled in a post-secondary program, please let us know! You can give your love one’s information to either Heather Nelson, Danielle Walsh, Mimi Johnson, or the church office.
|
|
Coordinating Board Meetings 2021
Saturday, November 13
Saturday, December 11
|
|
CAMP UNITY EASTSIDE IS HERE!!
Camp Unity has moved into our parking lot and will be staying with us until February 24th. There are currently 13 campers. These are folks from all walks of life and all have a common goal of moving into a more prosperous and sustainable future.
They are all fully vaccinated and have passed a background check and drug test before they are allowed into the camp.
We are still looking for volunteers to help with the following:
- As we have done in years past, we will be providing Tuesday night dinners once a week from Oct 26th through Feb 22nd. Could you sponsor an evening? Maybe get with a few others at church and work together to sponsor an evening?
There is a signup sheet at Church and you can contact Bill & Karen Robinson, or Karl Brackmann for additional information. Dinner time is 6:00 PM and you would typically serve a meal similar to what you would feed your own family. Sign up at church or email the office at office@bcumc.org and we can add your name to the calendar.
-
There are several folks in the camp that are struggling with finding warm clothing. Do you have a coat that you could donate? Or, a sweater? Please consider only slightly used coats and sweaters. There is one woman living at Camp Unity and men’s socks, thermal undergarments or gloves don’t fit or work properly for her. Please keep this in mind when considering your donations. Bring those to church when you can. We have an urgent need!
Thank everyone!
|
|
Get your Ladle on! Pastor Brook, Cyndy, Cassie, and Emerson put together the Tuesday meal for Camp Unity this week. If you would like to know more about what that entails, talk to one of us about the experience. You can use the church’s kitchen! We try to have the meal ready by 6 pm. We served about 11 on Tuesday. We made a Roast Beef dinner |
|
Every 1st and 3rd Sundays Pastor Brook is having a “Play and Pray with Pastor” time right after worship. Kids and youth are welcome to join in the fun. Just meet up at the front of the church about 10 minutes after worship! |
|
Who is this guy? Come join us every 2nd Sunday after worship for a “Meet the Pastor” event. We’ll meet up for lunch somewhere and chat a bit about whatever is on your heart. We will announce the place Sunday before worship! Any and all are welcome!
|
|
Pastor Brook is starting to put together plans for a Children’s Christmas Pageant! If you are interested in helping, he’d love some help. Text him at 6056107793 and you will make his day...no week! We plan to rehearse right after a quick lunch at the church. So worship/lunch/ and then rehearse. We will start right before Thanksgiving.
|
|
Sunday School is Back in Session!!
Thanks to all who filled out our survey about what families want for educational opportunities at BCUMC! We got lots of responses, and are excited to offer new programs:
Coming soon (Nov 14th) we will start up some fun curriculum for our children every Sunday! We look forward to offering crafts/games/stories in the playroom for the younger children that align with Pastor Brook’s message and our “Simply Loved” Bible lessons.
For the slightly older children who want more structured materials, we are offering Children’s Church (aka Sunday School) after Children’s Moment in the sanctuary – in the youth room with Danielle Walsh. This multi-age “Simply Loved” program will offer Bible discovery, crafts, games, and supplemental activities. We plan to return to the sanctuary for communion and closing songs (unless we’re having too much fun).
**Pastor Brook plans to join in with all the kids once/month for some fun & games every 1st Sunday of the month too – after church from 11:00-11:15**
Other findings from our survey include (1) Families want quarterly events and offsite gatherings – we are working on a parent’s night out in December – we will keep you posted! (2) Almost every family has other commitments after church, so we’ve combined Sunday School at the same time as adult worship. (3) All families want healthy snack options after church & we will provide as many as possible! (4) Parents want take-home options for faith-based activities & we will supplement after church with bags of activities each week if kids can’t make it to Sunday School or the Playroom. You can pick them up in the lobby. Any questions or want to help? Text Danielle 425-785-9887 / A big thank you to Kirsten Adams for helping develop the program with Danielle!
|
|
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
|
|
PICK UP YOUR FREE BOOK TODAY! BEAR CREEK IS GIVING OUT 25 COPIES OF JACK ALEXANDER’S “The God Impulse”! For Jesus, truth and mercy went hand in hand. Where he preached he also healed. He presented the gospel in a hands-on, relational way. Today we have lost this powerful pattern of self-giving love, focusing on truth at the expense of mercy, and often failing to build genuine, lasting relationships with the people around us. In this book, Alexander helps us recover Jesus's model, showing through biblical and modern real-life stories that God's first impulse toward us is mercy. He then sets forth a pattern for us to follow--to see, go, do, and endure--that not only spreads truth and love to those around us who are suffering but also causes them to gasp in amazement and consider the claims of the gospel for themselves. |
|
On Tuesday mornings at 9:30, Pastor Brook leads a books study. This Tuesday he is starting one of his favorites: Messy Spirituality. Hey, life gets messy sometimes and this book has always been one of my favorites. Come join us on zoom on Tuesdays to discuss! |
|
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!
|
|
Just so you know: Every worship service we have had online is available on our website at: bcumc.org/worship
|
|
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:
|
|
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.
|
|
New Giving App! We now have ‘Vanco Faith’ as an app that you can use to set up your giving electronically. You can use your bank account info, a debit card, or a credit card to make one-time payments, reoccurring payments, etc. (Note: this replaces the ‘Give Plus’ app)
Steps: (1) Download Vanco Faith app shown below (2) Once downloaded, open app and enter our church code on the welcome screen - code is NKNBJG (3) Set up your login/password OR use your current login info if you’ve used Give Plus in the past (4) You’re in! Set up payment.
Questions? Please contact Janelle in the church office 425-788-2953 or email the pastor: pastor@bcumc.org
|
|
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!
|
|
Week At A Glance: November 7 - November 14 |
|
|
Sunday, November 7
Virtual- In Person - 10:00 AM
Monday, November 8
PSWTE Reunion group -7pm -9pm
Tuesday, November 9
Virtual Book Study - 9:30 a.m
Pastor Morning Prayer group - 7am-9am
|
|
Wednesday, November 10
Thursday, November 11
Band Practice 5:15pm
Choir Practice 7pm
Friday, November 12
WTE Prayer Group- 12pm- 2pm
Saturday, November 13
Sunday, November 14
Virtual- In Person - 10:00 AM
|
|
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 In Other Words by Kaye Ballard. Originally released in 1954. This song was later remastered by Frank Sinatra in 1964 and called Fly Me To The Moon.
COUTNDOWN
Thanksgiving: 20 days
Christmas: 50 days
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
