Sugar River Mission Statement:
Connect, Grow, and Serve in our relationship with God
and others!
Connect
Questions or Ideas? Contact Emma Keller, Connect Director
Outdoor Tailgate Party & FAN-tastic Family Fun!
THIS Sunday, October 3rd at 3pm!
Let's watch the Packers vs. Steelers game together on the BIG screen! Grab your lawn chairs and join at Sugar River for this outdoor event at 3, kickoff at 3:25. Enjoy prizes, fun tailgate food with a meal at half time, and different activities during each quarter for ALL ages! Bring your pint-sized Packers fans for kid's crafts and games too. Looking forward to seeing you there! Easily invite friends by printing or forwarding THIS LINK. All are welcome!
If there looks to be inclement weather, we will let you now the "game plan" during Sunday morning worship and via email.
This Sunday's Message at 9:30am
In The Game To Win!
"Lessons from Winners"
John 15:12-16
How might we be encouraged by the stories of those who have found success in sports and life? What could we learn from winning coaches? Let’s be encouraged by the stories of faith and the message of scripture for our lives.
Everyone is invited to wear their favorite team apparel to the service!

Virtual Worship
If you are participating online, we offer a livestream service at 9:30 am on YouTube.
Please let us know you are in service virtually (or in person too!) by "checking in" via the Realm App! (Tap "more" in the lower right corner.)
Email the church office if you have any questions about Realm.

We also have our Sunday morning worship service playing live on the TV right outside our entryway for those who feel more comfortable being outdoors (weather permitting). Feel free to grab a cup of coffee, bring your lawn chairs, and still gather together at The River!
Do You Have a Talent for Tidiness?
We are looking for volunteers to join the Sugar River cleaning crew! The work would involve general vacuuming, dusting and emptying trash bins. This would only entail about one hour a week of your time. If you are interested in this opportunity to serve and keep Sugar River looking spiffy, please contact our Facility Manager Patrick Gering today!
Trunk or Treat
Halloween is on a Sunday this year and we will celebrate with a Trunk or Treat event in our parking lot after church! All are welcome to this community event. If you are interested in hosting a spot, please contact Emma Keller. Stay tuned for more details.

Also plan to stop down to the Verona Fall Fest and check out Sugar River's craft table and all the other fun tomorrow night, 10/1!!
Christmas Choir
COME JOIN OUR SUGAR RIVER FAMILY IN SONG THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS YEAR’S CHRISTMAS CHOIR! WE’LL SING ALL OF OUR FAVORITE CLASSICS, CONCLUDING WITH A CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR ON DECEMBER 17TH!
PRACTICES WILL BE THURSDAYS 7-8PM IN THE SANCTUARY (STARTING 10/21/21)
Please fill out this interest form and email Catie Brooks for more info.
Grow
Questions or Ideas? Contact Gary Holmes
Sugar River Family Gathering
Mark Your Calendar for this Wednesday, October 6th, 6:30PM! This is a chance for all of us to give presence, support and voice to engage and direct Sugar River in the coming year. We will also look a the progress in Fellowship Hall at this time! All the hard work of the last year and a half that has gone into the training as a Missional Church Consultation Initiative (MCCI) congregation, will culminate at this church-wide gathering on Wednesday, Oct. 6th. Everyone is invited to gather for a dreaming session with the MCCI leadership. The focus of our Breakthrough prayers will continue to guide our congregation in meaningful and God-honoring ministry. Please plan to attend this important church family gathering! Email Pastor Gary for more info.
Great Core Groups beginning next week!

  • NEW! Beginning Oct 7th on Zoom: White Too Long a 7 week study on Thursdays (6:30 - 8:00 PM). Sugar River is joining Mt. Horeb UMC, People’s UMC of Oregon and Solomon Temple UMC of Milwaukee. Join us for this "indispensable study” (Kirkus Reviews). Studies with these churches have proven to be very meaningful and diverse. Please prayerfully consider how this study can help us all be more who God intends us to be in our inclusion of all God’s children. If you are interested, please email Pastor Gary by October 4th and he will provide class zoom information.

  • Thursday Morning Men's Group will begin a new study 10/7: Max Lucado's 3:16, The Numbers of Hope. This group is on Zoom each week. Email Mike Polk to sign up!
A Wheel-y Great Opportunity
You recently heard that Sugar River has installed a new bike rack and with our upcoming focus on Wellness, there has been excitement around starting a biking group! If you are interested in helping plan or being on the informational email list as it develops, please email Jim Mackey or call 608-347-6156. Here is Jim with Doug Rickels beginning the inaugural ride last week!
Giving at Sugar River
Would you like to give to Sugar River? Its easy!
  1. Easily text 73256 from your Mobile Device; type and send this text: sugarriver
  2. Give online via the Give Page on our website
  3. Within your Realm Connect app
  4. Checks can also be placed in the Offering box on Sunday or mailed right to Sugar River.

Giving for 2022
Thank you to all who have given your commitments for 2022!
If you haven't had a chance yet:
  • Please consider filling out an Estimate of Giving card and mailing or returning to church. We also have extras on the table in the Offering box as you enter the sanctuary.
  • Make your commitment via the Realm Giving Tab by selecting the gray "Pledge" box, then follow the prompts.
Questions? Contact Dan Day

Thank you for your generous hearts and prayerful consideration of supporting Sugar River's ministries and missions!
Serve
Questions or Ideas? Contact Serve Director, Erin Wilson
September Monthly Mission: Verona Warm Winters
We are featuring the Verona Warm Winters Project throughout September!

We are asking for the following gently used and clean donations:

Winter Jackets - (child - adult sizes)
Snow pants - (child - adult sizes)
Winter boots - (child - adult sizes)
Waterproof winter mittens/gloves - (child - adult sizes)

Please note: We DO NOT need hats, scarves, thin cotton mittens/gloves, or fall or spring outdoor wear. While it's difficult not to bring them to Sugar River, please know that we have an ample supply and it adds considerable work to the processing and distribution process for all of the volunteers and social workers. Please bring any other items to St. Vincent DePaul or Goodwill, thank you for your understanding and generosity!

Please bring all items washed and ready for distribution. You can set them on the SERVE table! We thank you for your generous hearts as we work to ensure all children in the VASD stay warm this winter!
SERVE Celebration: Release of Funds!
WOW! SR family, you are SO generous! Because of your compassion and care for others we were just able to release the following funds to important ministries close to our hearts:
Mission Guatemala: $5970.59
Golden Cross: $50.00
BPNN Food Pantry: $6505.00
Hope's Home: $343.79
Thank you for your generous hearts!
Did you know Sugar River has a meal ministry as part of our Care Team?
  • That's right we have a dedicated group of several people who generously make (or order carry out!) meals for others in our Sugar River family during their time of need.
  • Whether it's a new baby, a surgery, treatment, or other life circumstance one way to show we care is through food!
  • Once we learn of a need, we send out a sign up genius to the meal ministry team and anyone can sign up for a contactless meal drop off as able!
  • Are you interested in joining the team? Click here to contact Erin Wilson.
  • Do you have an upcoming surgery or other life circumstance where you could benefit from some meals? Click here to let us know!
WE CARE ABOUT YOU!
Support for Afghanistan Refugee Crisis -
If you would like to support this effort please drop off or send a check to SRUMC with "refugee" in the memo. We will be collecting donations through the end of September and will send out the funds in early October. Thank you for your compassion and generosity.
Do you need assistance? SR is here for you!
We care about you! The SR Care Team continues to reach out to people in our congregation to check in. Please let us know if you have any needs, questions, or want to check in.
Simply email here.
Curious about what's going on in the UMC this week?
Find all the latest happening in the Wisconsin Conference right HERE.
Know someone who may be interested in the information Sugar River has shared in this E-Source?
Easily forward to a friend or family member!
Thank you for reading about what is happening at Sugar River!
Let us know if you would like something advertised in the E-Source.
Sugar River United Methodist Church | sugar.river@sugarriverumc.org | 608.845.5855