Saxapahaw United Methodist Church
October 7, 2020
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Message from Pastor Mitzi
Navigating the Wilderness
Last week I attended an online workshop offered by the Center for Leadership Excellence called, “Leaning into the Future Without Fear.” Rev. Matt Miofsky, our speaker, led us through the Exodus story. You remember the story: the Hebrews were slaves in Egypt, horribly treated, overworked, underfed, and without agency over their lives when God called Moses to deliver them from Pharaoh’s grasp and into the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. But life in the wilderness has its own challenges.
As they reached Mt. Sinai:
Certain riff-raff among the people had an insatiable appetite for food. As a result, they wept and turned back, and the Israelis cried out, “If only somebody would feed us some meat! How we remember the fish that we used to eat in Egypt for free! And the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic! But now we can’t stand it anymore, because there’s nothing in front of us except this manna. (Number 11:4-6)
During times of uncertainty, our hearts long for what we had before. We think, “I’ll never make it out of this!” We want to turn around, go back, or start over. We grow nostalgic for the good old days. (Nostalgia: The art of making the past better than it was.) What if we leaned forward? What if, in this current time of uncertainty and wilderness, we could recognize it for what it is? A place of discernment, discovery, and transformation! In the midst of a contentious election cycle, a pandemic, and news that jars us on a daily basis, we are standing with the Hebrews at Mt. Sinai, the geographic and emotional low point of their wilderness experience. It’s true. Sometimes things get a little worse before they get better. Sometimes things get scarier before they get more promising. But a Promised Land is out there. We see it in the new folks we’ve been able to reach through online worship, our ability to worship with far-flung families, our experimentation with outdoor worship on a crisp fall day.
Here are Matt’s other suggestions for making progress to the place God has called us: 1) Normalize the wilderness. 2) Avoid false expectations. 3) Check in and over-communicate. 4). Promote creativity. With a little creativity, a healthy dose of communication, and a whole lot of prayer, we’ll get there.
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Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost
Outdoor & Online Worship
@ 11:00 am
Join our Outdoor Worship @ 11:00 am either in person or by FaceBook Live, Zoom or phone.
In case of rain, we will meet indoors and utilize the side rooms to help us distance if necessary.
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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Updated Worship Schedule!
All services on Sundays
@ 11:00 am
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October 11, Outdoor Worship ~ Praise on the Porch, on front lawn.
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October 18, Indoor Worship Open to 20 worshippers in addition to the worship team. Advance sign up requested. To sign up, click here or contact Laurie Newlin.
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October 25, Outdoor Worship at St. Matthew AME, 5562 Swepsonville-Saxapahaw Rd. Graham, NC 27253. Please bring a chair and mask. Our worship team will lead the worship service with our neighbors at St. Matthew AME!
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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Halloween Candy Donations Needed by October 18
for Fall Party Packs Being Distributed on October 25
On Sunday, October 25, Saxapahaw Youth and other costumed volunteers will distribute Fall Party Packs from 5-6:30 pm via a drive-through pick-up line in the church parking lot.
We will be creating 200 Fall Party Packs to give to our Saxapahaw Village Kids families, church families, SAFE families, and other families of all shapes and sizes from throughout the community (while supplies last). Each party pack will have candy, popcorn, games, an array of crafts, and some fun Halloween surprises as well as a note of encouragement. We’ll make sure to make some bags sugar-free and peanut-free for families who need those options.
We are asking for donations of unopened, individually packaged candy for the Fall Party Packs. Please bring your donations to the church by October 18. Let's help make this a really good Halloween for the kids this year since we won't be having the Fall Festival due to COVID!
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Saxapahaw UMC
Youth News
Upcoming Youth Events:
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Sunday, Oct 11 5:00-6:30 pm
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Sunday, Oct 18 5:00-6:30 pm, Pack Fall Party Packs for the Community.
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Sunday, Oct 25 5:00-6:30 pm, Wear costumes, help pass out bags to community.
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Blessing of the Animals
"And sometimes pastoring means
getting to rub noses with
folks' best friends.
Dogs, and turkeys, and chinchillas, O my!"
--Pastor Mitzi
Charlie (below)
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Calamity Jane & Belle Star
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SAFE needs your help!
In August, the numbers of families needing Thursday kids bags from SAFE increased dramatically. They especially need Chef Boyardee (or substitutes) to help supply the 400-450 cans they need weekly.
If you are able to donate these or other Kids Bags items (see right), please drop them off at SAFE Mon-Thurs 8:15-12 or in the drop box beside the front door.
Please share and thank you
for your support!
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- Crackers- various nabs
- Individual grits/oatmeal
- Individual bags of chips
- Ramen
- SMALL jars of peanut butter
- Beanie weenies/vienna sausages
- Canned Chef Boyardee or substitutes
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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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