We are so proud of you
for doing your part helping all of us through the COVID19 crisis. We have made it through another week -- yeah! And by God's grace, we hope your family and loved ones are well, or are getting the medical attention they need. We continue to be grateful for, and lift in prayer, all on the frontlines in healthcare and essential services -- with special prayers for the brothers and sisters from our body of Christ. To all of you, know that we are here if you are lonely and just need someone to talk to, or need someone to do an errand for you, or whatever else your needs might be. Know how precious and loved you are by our Lord and all of us at UMCE.
|
|
Ministry Jottings from Pastor Deb
Our Prayer
For all who have contracted COVID19
We pray for care and healing
For doctors, nurses and health professionals
We pray for their skills, their insights, the resources they need, strength and protection
For those who are particularly vulnerable
We pray for safety and protection
For all who experience fear or anxiety
We pray for peace of mind and spirit
For affected families who are facing difficult decisions between food on the table or public safety
We pray for policies that recognize their plight and relief for their needs
For medical researchers
We pray for success in a vaccine and treatments
For public official and decisionmakers
We pray for wisdom and guidance
God of us all, during this time may we who are the Church be a sign of hope, comfort and love to all
Grant peace
Grant comfort
Grant healing
Be with us, Lord. Amen.
|
|
Normal is a Cycle on a Washing Machine
This is the title of my message for Sunday, and I think you can guess how I’m feeling. Each week brings a multitude of new things to adapt to. I’ve always thought of myself as a person who adapts fairly easily, but, let me tell you, this continues to be beyond my imagining. I have an inkling this resonates with many of you as well.
I appreciate you joining me for worship online each Sunday, and hope it’s bringing joy and inspiration. It’s not the same, though, as being in worship together. I confess that it’s taking me time to wrap my head around that we will not be able to do so until June at the earliest, and then we will be configured very differently to adhere to safe distancing practices which will be in place.
God is being patient and encouraging me on this rough trail, uphill climb. I do wake up each day refreshed to start whatever the day might hold, and I know it is because of the power of Christ’s Spirit renewing me as I sleep. I pray that as you, too, are making this journey that you, too, are being refreshed and renewed by Christ’s Spirit for the path ahead.
-- Acts 2:28
Never Underestimate the Power of God and God’s Sense of Humor
[This is supposedly true]
The pastor of a church had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed and offered warm milk, but the kitten would not come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and to the tree, so that the tree would bend down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.
He did and was moving the car very carefully. He figured he just needed to go a bit more and the tree would be bent enough to reach the kitten. But as he moved a little farther forward, the rope broke. The tree went “boing!” and the kitten instantly sailed through the air – out of sight. The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they’d seen a little kitten. No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten. So he prayed, “Lord, I just have to give this kitten into your keeping,” and went on about his business.
A few days later he was at the grocery store and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. The woman was a cat hater, and everyone knew it, so he asked her, “Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?”
She replied, “You won’t believe this,” and told him how her little girl had been begging her for a car, but she kept refusing. A few days before, the child had begged again, so the mother finally told her little girl, “Well, if God gives you a cat, I’ll let you keep it.”
She told the pastor, “I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees and ask God for a cat. And, Pastor, you really won’t believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her.”
In Christ’s grace,
Pastor Deb Olenyik
|
|
Would you like a copy of the current Upper Room during this time? Please reply to this email and Jessica will mail one to your home. First come, first served.
|
|
I think we would all agree that this year is the strangest Easter we have ever celebrated in our life time lifetime. While most things were quite different this year, one thing remained the same. Our congregation stepped up and generously supported the church financially. Our total Easter offering as of Monday, April 20th, is $5,095. Our budget for the Easter offering this year was $5,000. Thank you to all of you who contributed to the Easter offering and also to all who are continuing to fulfill their pledge levels during this difficult time. While Easter is over, we are still accepting Easter offerings if you feel moved to send something. Thank you for continuing to support our church in our ministry for Christ during this pandemic.
|
|
There has been some confusion about our Facebook presence that we wanted to clarify.
If you need help with your settings and/or you would like to receive a notification every time a new post is made on either page or group, please reply to this email and Jessica can help you.
|
|
INTERACTIVE ADULT CONVERSATIONS & STUDIES
|
|
To join,
email Jessica
to receive the entry code information for the offerings you are interested in.
She is our registrar and Zoom manager.
|
|
NEW Online short gatherings for prayer -- "
Hear Our Prayers, O Lord
" -- Mon & Wed @ 1 p.m.
We are in a time where not only do we have prayers we'd like to bring before our Lord for people and situations, but also prayers connected to the pandemic. We know there is power in the prayers of God's people, prayers to help shape ourselves and through our prayers for others. We invite you to join together for a brief prayer time -- about 10-15 minutes-- every Monday and Wednesday at 1 p.m. via Zoom with Pastor Deb.
“Study of the Parables”
New Zoom group to start again on 4/28 at 10 a.m. with Pastor Dean. E
ach parable is investigated in six parts: We look at the parables content, then its lessons, then what doctrinal truths it contains. We look at how the parable is subversive to the status quo, what questions it raises, and finally what action it demands of us today. It is a deep and rich participatory study that helps us discover the treasures of God’s Kingdom.
“What Happened after the Bible Ends: A Look at Early Church History”
Join us as we take a brief overview of early church history and discuss how things unfolded the way they did. From persecutions to early church fathers to decisions about what stayed in the faith and what didn't. The desert fathers, establishing the Bible, the growth of the church under Constantine, the expansion of the church to the British Isles, the monastic movement, early worship forms, the papacy, the split between the Eastern and Western church, the crusades, to the dawn of the reformation. We'll include excerpts from the A & E series "Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years". This online class meets Mondays, 7-8 p.m. Starting April 27th. Contact the church office or Pastor Deb to register. Reference materials will be sent to participants.
|
|
YOUTH & KIDS ONLINE PROGRAMS
|
|
We are continuing all our regular programs in their usual time slots, though will be shorter. Let
Sarah
know if interested so she can provide connecting information.
|
|
Youth Group Coffee Talk
12pm-1pm on Sundays with a devotional, discussion and check-ins.
Kids Action Pack
9:30am on Sundays.
EverKids Sunday School
10:30am on Sundays and includes a lesson, discussion and even a craft.
Kids Heroes of the Bible Study
4pm on Wednesdays with a short check in, Bible study, devotional, and craft.
|
|
Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the passing of member and one of our organists, Joyce Scheel. We will deeply miss her great presence and amazing talent. She was also a beloved piano teacher for many of our children. Joyce had been in poor health and hospitalized since a surgery mid-January. Our sympathy and love go out to her husband, Vernon, and her two daughters. We know that our Lord has received her with open arms and she has been reunited with her son, Matt, who had died suddenly in Sept '18. May Christ's strength and compassion be with her family and friends during this time of grief. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Any condolences may be offered to her husband at this mailing address:
Vernon Scheel, Mountain Gates Apartments #1711, 4540 W Mineral Drive, Littleton CO 80128.
|
|
BISHOP OLIVETO REQUESTS CHURCHES REMAIN CLOSED THROUGH MAY
|
|
To the Clergy & Churches of the Mtn Sky Conference,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Risen Savior! Thank you for the moving and creative ways you are continuing to minister, especially through Holy Week and Easter. You have worked hard these past couple of months.
As we continue to monitor rates of COVID-19 infection throughout the Mountain Sky Conference, as well as look at models for removing Shelter in Place Restrictions,
I am updating my request to keep our churches closed at least through May 2020. I know the continued restrictions on in-person gathering places tremendous strain on you and your church. We in the conference are doing all we can assist you during this time.
These are not easy days to be engaged in ministry, but I do believe that “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose.” (Romans 8:28). We will emerge from physical isolation in due time, but things will never be the same. Through this journey we are taking together, we are learning so many things: new skills, new ways to nurture and sustain community, new ways to see possibility for mission and evangelism, new ways to provide pastoral care, assist with grief, and provide healing from trauma.
May we be open to the good that God is seeking to reveal to us. I give thanks to God for each of you,
Bishop Karen Oliveto
|
|
TENTATIVE NEW GENERAL CONFERENCE DATES
|
|
After the pandemic-caused postponement, the new prospective dates for
The United Methodist Church’s General Conference are Aug. 31-Sept. 10, 2021 in Minneapolis
.
The Council of Bishops said that once the General Conference dates are official, n
ew dates will be announced for the five jurisdictional conferences —simultaneous meetings where new U.S. bishops are elected. The jurisdictional conferences, originally scheduled for July, are now on hold. Still to be determined is what the delay in bishop elections means for bishops who were to retire this year. The yearlong postponement of General Conference is unprecedented, according to the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History.
|
|
Prayer Request for Upcoming Evergreen Fire Protection District Board Election
We have been asked to lift prayers for discernment for the May 5
th
Evergreen Fire Protection District Board election. There are two openings. In January, discord came to the surface between different constituencies connected with the Evergreen Fire Protection District. The upcoming election continues to lift up various sides of this tension. Prayers are that there will be research into the candidates before casting our votes. Some information may be found in an online Canyon Courier newspaper article posted 1-18-20 or by contacting church member Mike Gregory, who has a long history with the Evergreen Fire Protection District. His contact information is
mgregory@evergreenfirerescue.com
or 303-905-1833.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
