Saxapahaw United Methodist Church
September 9, 2020
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A Good Life ~
The Spiritual Practice of Work
By Pastor Mitzi
Note: This coming Sunday we’ll gather on the lawn in front of the church at 11 am to worship God. Please feel free to bring friends. There’s room for all! If it rains, we’ll worship inside, instead. In that case, I request that those of you who can easily worship online do that instead to keep our attendance numbers below the indoor maximum of 25 people. I’ll send out an email by 9 a.m. on Sunday confirming where we’ll worship.
The writer and theologian Frederick Buechner famously said, “Vocation is the place where our deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.” Isn’t that something? How marvelous to live a life where the work that makes us happy is also work the world needs! Vocation comes from vocare (latin) which means the work a person is called to by God. Have you ever thought about your work as being a calling?
In Middle Ages, there was a nobleman who was walking among the workers during the construction of one of the great European cathedrals. He went to the stonemason, and the stonemason explained the care involved in raising a wall and making sure it was plumb. He went to the glass worker, and the glass worker pointed out the beauty and the details of a leaded glass window. He went to the carpenter, and the carpenter showed him the beautiful joints in the wooden frame that supported the whole building. Finally, the nobleman saw a peasant woman with a broom and a bucket who was sweeping up trash. “What are you doing?” he asked. She replied, “I’m building a cathedral for the glory of God!”
As a part of our series on A Good Life: Life Giving Rhythms for Uncertain Times, our focus this Sunday is on the spiritual practice of work. What if our work, no matter how humble a task, could became our means of building a cathedral to the glory of God?
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Updated Worship Schedule!
All services on Sundays @ 11:00 am
Due to Governor Cooper's expanded indoor gathering policy, we have changed our Worship Schedule.
- September 13, Outdoor Worship ~ Praise on the Porch, on front lawn
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September 20, Indoor Worship Open to 20 worshippers in addition to the worship team. To sign up to attend, click here or contact Laurie Newlin.
- September 27, Outdoor Worship ~ Praise on the Porch, on front lawn
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October 4, Indoor Worship Open to 20 worshippers in addition to the worship team. To sign up to attend, click here or contact Laurie Newlin.
- October 11, Outdoor Worship ~ Praise on the Porch, on front lawn
Things to know for Indoor Worship:
Click here for our Healthy Gathering Policy.
Things to know for Outdoor Worship:
- In the case of rain, we'll meet indoors
- Please wear a mask. We have extras.
- Please bring a chair and distance at least 6 feet from other families. We will provide chairs for those who need them.
- Children will be asked to remain at their seats for the children's message.
- A no-contact drop-box will be provided for tithes and offerings.
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A Good Life:
Life-Giving Rhythms for Uncertain Times
Fall Retreat @ Saxapahaw UMC
Saturday, September 26
8:30 am– 12:30 pm
Men, Women, and Older Youth Welcome
- 8-8:30 am Coffee Gathering (At tables outdoors)
- 8:30 am Program (Please bring a bible)
- 12-12:30 pm Bring a bag lunch. Please bring one personal serving of your favorite kind of bread.
The Lord calls out to his worker in the midst of a crowd, “Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days? (Psalm 34:12) If you hear the call and your heart cries, “Yes!” then God speaks these words to you. – Prologue to the Rule of St. Benedict
Recent events have set us afloat in time. The rhythms and patterns we have long counted on to provide our lives structure and meaning have shifted under our feet. In this half-day retreat, we will explore the practices of prayer, rest, work, and community that have helped 1500 years of Christians satisfy their deep yearning to experience daily the gracious presence God regardless of what’s going on in the world around them.
Sign up by calling Laurie Newlin (336) 266-0743 or registering here.
Please sign up by Sunday, September 20 as the retreat depends on having at least 8 participants registered by then.
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Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost
September 13, 2020
Jesus For President: 5-Week Discussion
@ 9:00 am, led by Pastor Mitzi
September 13: When the Empire Got Baptized
Join us for a timely discussion: A conversation about Christian Nationalism.
Call in: 1 646 558 8656, Meeting ID: 957 4332 0571
Outdoor Worship @ 11:00 am
Join our Outdoor Worship @ 11:00 am either in person or by FaceBook Live, Zoom or phone.
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
To view the recorded worship service later, click here.
As always, you are welcome to share this opportunity with a friend or neighbor - all are welcome!
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Youth News
September 13 - Swimming and Wading at Seaforth Beach, Jordan Lake.
1:30 pm - Meet at Church
2:00 pm - Depart for Jordan Lake
4:30 pm - Leave Jordan Lake for return drive
Wear bathing suit and bring towel, snack and water bottle, and water towels (if desired).
Bring a mask for wearing in the car ride over.
Seaforth is set to open September 11. If it doesn't, we will walk down to the Haw River and swim there instead.
Please note that our Young Disciples program for 3-5 graders is being suspended due to low turnout for that age group. We will continue to discern how to best serve children in this time of social distancing.
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The Upper Room for
September-October 2020
Have you picked up a copy of The Upper Room for September-October 2020?
Stop by the church to pick up one in the entryway room on the information shelf. If you would like a copy mailed to you, contact Laurie Newlin saxumcbulletins@gmail.com.
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Saxapahaw Traffic
Committee Petition
The Saxapahaw Traffic Committee (Elizabeth McCue, Lorraine McNamara, Larry Childress, Amy Beth Kessinger, Claire Haslam, and Frankie Blackburn) ask you to sign this petition.
The Committee is made up of residents of unincorporated Saxapahaw. As Saxapahaw continues to grow and more and more people visit the community there is growing concern for the safety of all residents and visitors. On behalf of the residents and visitors, the Committee is requesting that NCDOT designate village connector roads as No Through Trucks roads.
Please take a few minutes to read and sign the petition in the attached link:
Thank you for helping to make this community a safer and healthier place to call home!
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Snack Pack Program Update
Until students gather in person again this program is on hold. In its place, SAFE has provided over 1,600 kids with a weekly food bag containing 7 days of breakfast, lunch, and snacks for each child in the family. SAFE requests donations of the following which may be dropped off at SAFE or placed in the shopping cart in the church Sanctuary.
- Crackers- various nabs
- Individual grits/oatmeal
- Individual bags of chips
- Ramen
- SMALL jars of peanut butter
- Beanie weenies/vienna sausages
- Canned Chef Boy R' Dee or substitute
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Work at the Polls
It is anticipated that there may be a shortage of poll workers for the November election due to the COVID crisis. If you are a registered voter in Alamance County and able to meet certain other requirements, you can make a difference, strengthen your community and make extra money by working at the polls.
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Financial Support for
Those in Need
Saxapahaw UMC offers two financial resources for local families and individuals in need:
Micro Loan Program - Loans of $250 to $2,500 along with relational support. During the pandemic health crisis, all or part of the loan may be forgivable. Loan applications confidentially reviewed by Pastor Mitzi Johnson and our Finance Team. To learn more, click here.
Pastor's Discretionary Fund - Smaller grants ($30 and $150) for one-time crisis assistance (utility bills, medicines, etc.)
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Need Someone To Talk With?
Pray With?
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Contact Pastor Mitzi
919-522-5540 (voice or text)
Pastor Mitzi observes Sabbath on Mondays but can still be reached in case of immediate need.
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Have Information for the E-Newsletter, Calendar, Bulletin, or Prayer List?
Contact Laurie Newlin, Administrative Assistant
336-266-0743 (voice or text)
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Saxapahaw United Methodist Church | PO Box 268 | Saxapahaw, NC 27340 | 336-525-2545 |
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