Experiencing and Expressing Christ's Love |
|
Greetings from Lafayette UMC!
This is how we are sharing life together this week.
|
|
Hello and Happy Wednesday!
This week I’ve been thinking a lot about animals. I’ve been seeing a fair amount of wild animals out and about, probably because of the increased heat and less available water. Thankfully none have tried to swallow me like Jonah, but I have to say I haven’t gotten close enough to give them the chance. Whenever I spot these animals in the world around me - whether it’s the squirrel on my fence or deer in my front yard - I think about God and God’s incredible creation.
I hope you find a way to spot God’s work in the world around you this week too!
Blessings,
Pastor Lauren Michelle
When can you come in to meet with me?
- Tuesdays: 1pm-2pm (Tech Tuesdays), 2pm-3pm
- Wednesdays: 1pm-3pm
- Thursdays: 1pm-3pm
Or by appointment (call or text 408-747-9958 or email laurenmichelle@thelumc.org)
What am I up to outside of Sunday morning worship service and open office hours?
Here's just some of the many things my weeks include: prayer for congregants, spiritual practices, worship prep, staff meeting, sermon prep, long-term planning, website updates, social media posts, pastoral care calls and visits, newsletter work, expense tracking, lectionary text review meeting with pastors, Wonderful Wednesdays, bulletin and liturgy prep, committee meetings, small group/bible studies, continuing education classes and materials, meetings with spiritual director and coach, work with nearby UMC pastors as church circuit leader circuit work, and more!
Need assistance but don't necessarily need me?
Check out Office Admin Sarah Jayne's updated Office Hours:
- Sundays: 11am-12pm
- Mondays: Closed
- Tuesdays: 9am-3pm (closed 12pm-1pm for lunch)
- Wednesdays: 9am-3pm (closed 12pm-1pm for lunch)
- Thursdays: 9am-3pm (closed 12pm-1pm for lunch)
- Fridays: Closed
- Saturdays: Closed
Sarah Jayne works some hours outside of the ones listed above, but the office is not open during those times because either she is working alone and the office is closed as a safety best practice, or because she needs to be working on something requiring minimal interruptions. If you need to stop by outside of the above times, please contact the office ahead of time to see if one of us will be able to meet you.
|
|
In whatever way you do it, I encourage you to pray this week for our church family, our community, and our world. For these prayers and for this journey of prayer, let us all say, "O Lord, hear our prayers!"
We lift up prayers for the world:
- For all those harmed by the Russia-Ukraine War, and other ways in which violence harms our communities.
- Safety during this fire season.
We lift up prayers for our community:
- Roslyn and Robert Stapp, for their recovery and care.
- Diane Turran, who lost her husband suddenly last week.
- The family of Lois Schroeder, who passed away this week from pancreatic cancer. Lois and Duane were previously members of this church.
- Family, friends, and loved ones of Gloria Duffy, Dick Holt, David Chow's son-in-law John, and all those who have recently passed away.
- Jeff Sawdon, his family, and his care team at UCLA during this uncertain time of waiting.
- Doug Cowden's brother, may he be found safe and sound.
- The Cooke Family, Bob and Betty Dreyer, David Chow, Barbara Levander, and Donna and Chuck Walls.
- Mary Henderson, who is on hospice.
- Prayers for our Annual Conference, the United Methodist Church, and Bishops Minerva Carcaño, Sally Dyck, and Karen Oliveto.
|
|
Announcements & Upcoming Activities |
|
What's Happening This Week?
Thursday 9.15
- 7-8:30pm Choir Practice in the Sanctuary
- 7pm Church Council on Zoom
Sunday, 9.18
- 10am Worship
- 11am Friendship Time in the Fellowship Hall
- NOT meeting this week - Making Sense of the Bible bible study
Monday, 9.19
- 7pm The Unstuck Church Book Study Small Group in Maggie Mae Lounge
Tuesday, 9.20
Wednesday, 9.21
- 8-10am Wonderful Wednesday Group at Papillon Cafe
- 7pm Trustees on Zoom
|
|
Bible Studies and Small Groups |
|
Making Sense of the Bible -
Bible Study led by Joe Easley:
A 6-week study of Rev. Adam Hamilton’s “Making Sense of the Bible” has started!
- However, there will not be a meeting on September 18th (meetings will resume September 25th and the last meeting will be October 2nd)
|
|
The Unstuck Church Book Study
Small Group
There are three weeks left of this small group - Sept. 19, 16 and Oct. 3 (Mondays) at 7 p.m. in the Maggie Mae Lounge
Discussions are centering around the book The Unstuck Church by Tony Morgan.
|
|
Office Hours: Pastor LM is in the office and available to chat during the following days/times:
- Tuesdays:
- 1pm-2pm (Tech Tuesdays)
- 2pm-3pm
- Wednesdays:
- 1pm-3pm
- Thursdays:
- 1pm-3pm
You are also welcome to contact Pastor LM to set up an appointment.
Tech Tuesday: Have a tech question or need to learn how to use a device? Laptop or tablet suddenly not working like it should? Bring it in on Tuesdays between 1pm and 2pm and Pastor LM will help!
Wonderful Wednesday: This once-a-week coffee group is from 8am-10am
at Papillon Quality Gourmet Cafe (67 Lafayette Circle). Come join us for a great mid-week conversation!
|
|
Food Bank Collection Barrel
There is a food barrel in the Sanctuary to collect non-perishable goods for the food bank.
The Food Bank cannot accept glass containers, food one year past its ‘best by’ date, open or partially-used products, alcohol, or food without nutrition labels.
|
|
Altar Flowers
To place flowers on the altar, please sign up via the flower chart located in the Sanctuary by the name tags, or reply to this email and Sarah Jayne will fill in your name on the chart.
You can either order flowers from Floral Arts in Lafayette or bring your own arrangement or plant.
|
|
Conference Connection & Beyond |
|
Los Rios District &
California-Nevada
Annual Conference
|
|
The Worldwide
United Methodist
Church
|
|
Worship - Sundays at 10am in the Sanctuary
Sunday, September 18, the service will be
led by Pastor Lauren Michelle Stevens
Scripture: Jonah Chapter 3
Sermon Title: Jonah the story that is not about a whale - part 3
To read the transcript from last week's sermon CLICK HERE.
To tune in to LUMC's worship services online, either during the service or afterward, visit our YouTube channel or Facebook page linked below:
|
|
Thank you for supporting
the ministry of our church! Faithful giving doesn’t just enable Lafayette United Methodist Church to operate, it makes ministry within our community and around the world possible.
|
You can make a difference while you shop on Amazon.
Shop using AmazonSmile and Amazon will donate to LUMC.
|
|
Office Hours:
Sundays: 11am-12pm
Mondays: Closed
Tuesdays: 9am-3pm**
Wednesdays: 9am-3pm**
Thursdays: 9am-3pm**
Fridays: Closed
Saturdays: Closed
**closed 12pm-1pm for lunch
Office Administrators - Sarah Jayne:
925-284-4765
Director of Music - Greg Zema:
Pastor - Lauren Michelle:
408-747-9958
|
|
|
Moved recently? Got rid of a landline? Started using a new email? Please keep the office updated with your contact information so we can stay connected! |
|
Church Newsletter Deadline |
If you would like a prayer or announcement in the Wednesday eblast, please send the information to the church office by Tuesday at noon. |
|
|
We are a church that strives to love as Jesus loves. Our congregation welcomes, includes, and affirms everyone on their journey of faith regardless of race, ethnicity, age, economic status, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation or gender identity. |
|
Lafayette UMC
955 Moraga Road Lafayette, CA 94549
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
