Friday, October 2nd, 2020
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Ministry Jottings
I Have Learned to be Content
“I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. . . . I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” -- Philippians 4:11-13
Generosity derives from a profound reorientation in our thinking about how we find contentment in life. Paul writes, “I have leaned to be content with whatever I have.” Contentedness comes from personal integrity, a life aligned with high values, depth of spirit and of mind, growth in grace and peace.
Primarily, contentedness is formed in us by the practice of generosity. Contentedness is learning to be happy with what we have rather than feeling distressed by what we lack. In our voluntarily giving away part of our wealth and earnings, we are saying, “I can spend all of this on myself, but I choose not to.” In that simple act, repeated and deepened with frequency and intentionality, we break the bonds of acquiring, desiring more material things, and an unhealthy level of striving.
Second, contentedness results from a deep, cultivated sense of gratitude. Generous people are thankful. They give thanks in all things, and their gratefulness sharpens their awareness of the deeper sources of happiness and from the spiritual awareness that God has already provided us everything we need to flourish.
Finally, contentedness comes from persistent interior work and cooperation with the Holy Spirit to develop the personal habits that keep us from surrendering our sense of well-being, identity, and purpose to materialist measures. Living fruitfully is not merely a matter of having something to live on, but something to live for. Purpose, connection, love, service, friendship, family, generosity – these sustain contentedness.
For reflection: What causes you to feel content? What personal habits help to keep you grounded in Christ?
[Adapted from the writings of Robert Schnase]
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Light Out of Darkness
As the leaves being to change color and the days get shorter it is once again time for our annual stewardship drive. Pledge cards will go out next week via both traditional mail and e-mail. Our goal for this year is $250,000. As a congregation you have been incredibly faithful in your stewardship as we continue to chart our course through the Covid pandemic. The pandemic has disrupted our traditional ways of worship, but it has also created new ways that we are able to come together as a congregation. Participation in small groups has actually increased 4 times since the beginning of the year and we have had a tremendous response to online services and to the Daily Response to the Word emails.
I would ask that you help us maintain and build on this spiritual momentum by continuing your faithful stewardship. These are uncertain times in our world and undoubtedly there are members of our church who have been adversely affected during the pandemic. However as Christians we are called to be people of faith and we cannot allow ourselves to be ruled by the fear we see on the television and read about online. As a congregation we have the financial resources to grow and develop the mission of the church. We simply need to tune out the noise and make the decision that the church is something we prioritize in our lives. We need folks who are able to give a little more than last year to take up for those who may not be able to give as much and we need folks who have perhaps not been called to pledge in the past to join us in one united purpose.
I am confident that if we work together that we can meet and perhaps even exceed this goal enabling the church to be a source of light in the world. And when we have achieved our goal I am happy to report that we will be sending each on everyone who has participated in the stewardship campaign ice cream since we won’t be able to gather for our traditional celebration potluck. So get those pledge cards in quickly because the quicker we can successfully wrap this thing up the quicker everybody gets sprinkles. Thanks for your support.
Matt Sailor
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Stewardship Moment
About this time every year, most churches engage in a stewardship drive, the results of which help to determine what programs and services the church will be able to fund and provide in the coming year. Of course, stewardship goals are easier to reach in some years than in others.
Last year, due to the efforts of the stewardship team and generous members and supporters of the church, we were able to not only meet, but exceed our goal! Last year, too, at this time, the economy was doing well and the future looked rosy. We were to find before long however, how quickly things can change! Since the beginning of 2020 we have all undergone something of a culture shock. Life as we knew it has been upended and since the arrival of Covid19 on the scene, many people have experienced health and financial difficulties and a disruption of their lives in general.
Clearly, 2020 has been a year of great challenges, but the church has never wavered in its support for us and has been there throughout, working tirelessly to adapt to the changes necessary to comply with new safety measures and health mandates and to meet our mission obligations. We have been able to rely on Pastor Deb, her team, and the many programs and support services we have continued to receive.
Since I joined UMCE just over a year ago, I am a fairly new member. I realized when I joined, that as a church quite a bit smaller than the one I had previously attended, it would take all of us pulling together to achieve our goals. As a new member of the Finance Committee, and thus one involved in the stewardship drive, I feel that this is the challenge that faces us now: in this difficult time, can those of us who are able dig a little deeper to fill the funding gap that those of us who are experiencing hardship cannot?
Currently, while our church’s finances are still running in the black due to reduced operating costs, pledges, not surprisingly, are running behind by about $10,000. Inevitably, expenses will rise as we return to what will look more like our “normal” operation. So I hope, when you consider pledging during this time of our stewardship drive, you will remember the words of Paul, as he wrote in 2 Corinthians, 9:7, “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Diana Aldridge
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Fall Office Hours
Mondays 12pm-2:30pm
Tuesdays - Thursdays 9:30am - 2:30pm
Exceptions will follow the Jeffco School Calendar. When Jeffco has a non-school day, Jessica will be available via her cell number (303-720-9187). Thank you for your understanding!
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Resource Library: 15 Ways to Support Seniors in Our Community
Due to changes in mobility and cognition over time (and in the midst of a global pandemic), it's only natural that our needs change as well. Not every senior has family nearby to lean on, which is where the church community can step up and support seniors in a big way. StandUpForCaregivers has provided us with a great list of resources for helping seniors with needs related to aging in place, daily living and combating social isolation. Learn more here.
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FINANCES YEAR TO DATE THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2020
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Children & Youth News
Action Pack 9:30 on ZOOM. This Fall our EverKids Sunday School theme is Camping in the Kingdom, from Echo Imprint Curriculum. We will go on a weekly wilderness adventure as we learn all that God has to teach us. Echo Imprint's 3-in-1 curriculum teaches in a traditional, fully online, and hybrid learning model, so that students can learn at church, learn remotely, or mix the two styles as needed.
Sunday School 10:30am. Our Children’s Church program provides the UMC EverKids with a formal Sunday School curriculum. Children begin the 10:30 service in the sanctuary with their families and then participate in the Children’s Moment with the congregation. After that, the EverKids head downstairs to study age-appropriate materials in their classrooms. This Fall our EverKids Sunday School theme is Camping in the Kingdom, from Echo Imprint Curriculum. We will go on a weekly wilderness adventure as we learn all that God has to teach us. Echo Imprint's 3-in-1 curriculum teaches in a traditional, fully online, and hybrid learning model, so that students can learn at church, learn remotely, or mix the two styles as needed.
Wednesday Afternoon 4pm. The UMC EverKids Book Club consists of a read-aloud chapter, a craft and a game each week. We meet from 4-5PM on Wednesday afternoons. We offer in-person meetings and a live stream, online participation via Zoom. Recorded sessions will also be available upon request in an online video format. We will be reading and talking about C.S. Lewis' classic children's series The Chronicles of Narnia, beginning with the first book to be published in the series: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Readers and non-readers are welcome. This club is intended for children in Preschool through 5th Grade. Purchase of a copy of the books is recommended but not required.
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Please see the thank you card received from Joy International. Thank you to all who helped in front and behind the scenes!
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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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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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Racial Justice Group Call
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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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