Friday, October 16th, 2020 |
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Ministry Jottings
Open-Handed
In the beloved classic, “A Christmas Carol”, author Charles Dickens introduces us to one of literature’s most enduring characters, the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge, known for his harsh, selfish demeanor, and his stingy penny-pinching spirit. We remember this crusty old man most for his “Bah Humbug” response regarding anything to do with the Christmas season. Only a terrifying nighttime visit from a death angel awakened him from being a tight old miser to a light-hearted, openhanded, generous giver.
A crisis woke him up to the joys of sharing his material resources with those in need. By being generous, he gathered to himself a new set of friends, and he discovered the unspeakable joy of being a blessing to others.
It’s not necessary to experience a crisis to understand the power and satisfaction of giving to others from our God-given resources. As Proverbs 11: 24-25 tells “Those who give generously receive more, but those who are stingy with what is appropriate will grow needy. Generous persons will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” [CEB]
The word translated in this passage as “generous” means “open-handed.” So, using the ancient language of this passage, it would be saying open-handed people get ahead. Closed-handed people don’t. Generous people, instead of hoarding their resources, gladly release them. Generous people give to bless others and be faithful followers of Christ. In turn, they receive blessings from the Lord.
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Stewardship Update from Matt Sailor
I would like to thank everyone who has responded so far in our 2020 pledge drive. Your faithful stewardship has been amazing. As of last Sunday we were at a little over $144,000 or 58% of the way to our $250,000 goal. While we have made tremendous progress so far we still have a lot of work to do to make up the other 42%. If you have not yet turned in your pledge card please prayerfully consider what level of stewardship you would like to participate at in the coming year and let us know. Help us make the decision to make this year the year that we begin to take the United Methodist Church of Evergreen to the next level and help us continue to be a light shining in the darkness.
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Stewardship Moment
Maureen and I have been members of the EUMC for over 25 years. The Hornbecker Family has also been involved for over 70 years with the Broomfield’s UMC. What our family believes is that the spiritual connection to our souls through God is critical in balancing our daily lives while prioritizing family, friends, and community as we travel with Jesus through this world.
Our tenet is practicing loving and giving daily. That is why we believe that Stewardship coupled with involvement with members of the church is critical to the missions our church supports. Even as Maureen & I are moving into our twilight years, we see the magic of giving of yourself by stopping to converse with a child, reaching out to a person in need with a call or a meal, or touching a stranger with a kind word or a smile.
So please, stop and ask yourself how can I best strengthen the light of those who coordinate the church in its fellowship, mission support, and spiritual education goals? As was shared by Pastor Dean last weekend in the book of Matthew (5:16) “Let your light so shine before man, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.”
God Bless,
Kurt Hornbecker & Maureen Sullivan
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All Saint’s Sunday: November 1
On All Saints Sunday, November 1, we will be lifting-up the memory of church members who have passed on since last All Saints Sunday. We will also lift-up former members we’ve been notified of who have also passed on. If you have a loved one who has gone on to eternity during this last year, and you would like to honor them, please contact the church office with their name, their relationship to you, and your name. We will be lifting these up at our 8:30 & 10:30 services, as well as in our online service. We will read the names and have a candle for each one.
Members we will be honoring:
- Melba Ellis
- Denwood Butler
- Walter Goltl
- Betty Lakey
- Sharon Sturm
- Frank Smit
- Joyce Scheel
- Frank Platt
- Mary Beckman
Former members we will be honoring:
- Francis Wafer
- Judy Antener
- Kathryn Mueller
[If we have overlooked anyone, please let us know.]
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Are We Still Collecting Food Items for the Local Food Pantries?
Yes! We are still looking forward to filling our pantry shelves in Fellowship Hall each month. The Gildersleeve's then take collected goods to EChO and the Mtn. Resource Center. Please help by keeping up contributions for this important community need -- which is greater than ever before. Drop off on Sunday mornings or Tuesday- Thursday from 9:30 - 2:30. We can also pick up your donations at your home, just let us know. You could also write a check to the church or designate in your online giving with the note either "EChO Pantry" or "Mtn. Resource Center Pantry", both EChO and MRC also are able to receive donations directly on their websites. Thanks for keeping those in need in our community fed this fall and winter.
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How do I do Online Grocery Shopping? How do I set up streaming on my TV?
For those in our church family, if you need some tech support, or a lesson on online grocery shopping, streaming tv, or the like, one of our members has offered her expertise to help out—volunteering her services. Please be in touch with Jessica or Pastor Deb for contact information. [If anyone else might like to be added to help with these kind of needs for our members, let us know.]
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How Can We Give for UMCOR's Disaster Relief Efforts?
With all the fires and hurricanes, how can we give for the amazing response work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief [UMCOR]? You can write a check to the church with "UMCOR-national" in the memo line or go directly to the UMCOR website to donate. For online giving, you can add a note "UMCOR". We used to do special offerings for specific disasters as they happened. While this helped us feel connected, the funds often didn't get to where they needed to go in a timely manner. A few years ago UMCOR changed to distributing funds to each disaster immediately. They then changed their donation categories to UMCOR-national and UMCOR-international so funds they gave out could be replaced as money came in.
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The Upper Room
The November/December edition is now available in the narthex. If you would like a copy mailed to your home or would like a digital copy, please email Jessica in the church office. |
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Family Promise Update
Jo Ann Dunn reports families are now being housed in an old apartment building at 1544 Pearl Street in Denver. Eight families are still in hotels. Volunteers are welcome to bring meals to the new place, and they would also welcome Walmart gift cards. Staff members are hosting now and working with a 50% funded grant. They have asked for donations of cleaning supplies. Jo Ann delivered a large box of assorted items to them, many of which Jan Thurling collected. The Warming Ways for Winter fundraiser will be on November 12—all virtual due to COVID 19. Tickets are $25 per person. Their online silent auction will run from October 29 through November 12 and features a trip to Belize.
Community Alternative Gift Fair Update
{usually held at Evergreen Lutheran Church} The event will be virtual this year. Shoppers can buy from individual vendors online at the Alternative Gift Fair website from November 1 through 14. Shoppers can look through the online directory (non-profit charities will be listed by category), make their purchases, and arrange for shipping or pick up. Pick up will be on Saturday, November 21 from 10 to 2 at the Lutheran Church.
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Christmas is Coming
It is almost the time when we start thinking about Christmas. It will probably be a lot different this year. The church is going to be selling some things to help make your holidays more festive. We will be selling Christmas evergreen wreaths for the next two weeks. The order deadline is Nov. 1st with delivery the week of Nov. 23rd. We will be providing more information on this project with prices and purchase options in the next week.
We are also selling Christmas ornaments. We have more time to place orders for them. Look for more information to be coming soon.
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PURA VIDA ANNUAL GATHERING & SILENT AUCTION |
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Friday, November 13, 2020
6:30 pm MST - Online event
7:30 pm MST - Online Silent Auction closes
Join us to celebrate Pura Vida’s success stories and dreams for a bright future for the children of rural Guatemala.
Highlights:
- The opportunity to catch up with fellow Pura Vida trip members and supporters
- Learn more about our plans for education in rural Guatemala
- Silent Auction
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The Evergreen Service Extension Unit for the Salvation Army is in need of a few additional Board Members who are willing to apply their gift of service and administration as new board members. In particular, we are dire need of a Lead Coordinator for this Fall’s Red Kettle Campaign. This is our only fundraising activity all year and will serve families in need in the Evergreen area for calendar year 2021.
As you can imagine, families in our mountain community have been adversely affected due to the COVID19 pandemic. We have been instrumental in providing emergency services including temporary housing, medical assistance, auto repairs and food for those in crisis. The Red Kettle Campaign typically runs from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. A few weeks of intense fundraising serves many, many families for the coming year. This year’s campaign will be downsized related to COVID19 restrictions.
If you have interest in serving please prayerfully consider joining our committee by contacting Nancy Tzeng at ntzeng@yahoo.com or (303) 981-8898.
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BLUE SPRUCE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY |
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Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity needs your help to increase our impact in the community! We are currently looking for volunteers to help finish three homes in Empire, CO for local families that need a safe, affordable home.
We need the hearts, hands, and feet of all of you to complete these homes and to continue to build with this community! We have protocols in place to abide by governmental and CDC guidelines in regard to COVID-19 to help keep our volunteers, staff, and community safe. If you are able and willing to volunteer, please go HERE to register and sign up for a whole build day or half day that works for you!
If you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact Jenna Huju, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at jhuju@bluesprucehabitat.org or (303)674-1127 ext. 10.
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Invitation to the New Testament Bible Study |
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Women's Bible Study Group #2 |
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Women's Bible Study Group #1 |
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Women's Bible Study Group #2 |
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Women's Bible Study Group #1 |
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Onsite worship: 8:30 & 10:30
Online worship: Available from 9 on
Online Kid's Sunday School: 9:30
Onsite Kid’s Sunday School: 10:30
Onsite Youth Group: 12:30 - 3
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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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