The Source | April 27th

Connect

Questions or Ideas? Contact Kimmie Holmes

Join us for Worship in person or online!

Sunday, April 27, 2023

with Pastor Gary Holmes

Message: "My Hope is Built - Level Up"

Psalm 71:14; Romans 15:13

How is it that once we establish a firm foundation, that it results in gratitude, and our spirits are lifted to the glory and possibilities of God? If you’re like me, there are times when all I seem to do is look down…I can forget the hope that sustains me, and I get caught in the demands of the stresses around me…I can lose hope. Today, let’s join together to encourage each other and offer an opportunity for our eyes and our Spirits to be taken to a new level. Gratitude and worship builds our faith and lives for a new level of living.

Online Worship

We offer a Sunday service livestream at 9:30 am on YouTube.

Click the button below to join us!

Next week, worship is outside!

Sunday, May 7th

Worship will be held in the Sugar River UMC parking lot next week. Here is a friendly reminder to bring a chair. Afterward is the "Lunch on Us" event with food trucks in the parking lot.

"Thanks a Yacht" Brunch at SRUMC - this Sunday!

Life-changing ministry happens at and through Sugar River UMC because of all of the people who generously give of their time, talents, and money. This Sunday, April 30th, we want to celebrate, say thank you, and get excited about where we are headed as a church!

You are invited to the Thanks a “Yacht” celebration following Sunday worship. There will be fantastic food, a brief presentation, and lots of fellowship & fun. Come celebrate all God has done through our church. Any questions, contact Jason Mahnke at jasonmahnke@gmail.com.

RSVP is appreciated, but not required. See you there!

Transition Touch Points

The Sugar River Transition Team presents “Transition Touch Points.” These weekly nuggets are intended to help support and guide us, the congregation, as we journey the path of transition…saying goodbye to Gary and welcoming Pastor Mike.

We are so glad many of you were able to stay after church last Sunday to ask questions and hear answers about the transition. As a reminder, there will be another session on May 2nd from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the fellowship area. Don’t worry about dinner! Pizza will be ready to eat (GF and veggie available).

It is so easy to get caught up in the demands and stresses that surround us each day. Be reminded that it only takes a moment to pause, breathe deeply, and feel the sun on our face, or the wind in our hair, or take in the greening of the trees, or enjoy the presence of loved ones, or the scent of good food. It is in these moments of mindful pausing that we can also be filled with gratitude. Our firm foundation in and with God provides this. Even during those times when God feels far away and we do not “feel” it, it is this foundation that sustains us and keeps hope alive.

So too, in this transition journey, we are on together. Sugar River (remember, Sugar River is US) is built on a strong and solid foundation. Let us continue to encourage each other as we journey. Let us collectively open our hearts and spirits as we let gratitude and worship continue to build our faith and lives to a new level.

Updated 4:15 Breakthrough Prayer (Perhaps do this at 4:15 AM or PM…415 W Verona Ave):

We have been praying for a God-sized breakthrough creating new possibilities for our church, the community, the world, and each of us personally. As we experience a new thing with our pastoral change in July, may God refresh and renew us with the courage to follow God’s path and Share Christ’s love. Choose/rotate your 4:15 prayer:

1. Thank you for Pastor Gary, bless him, his family, and the new congregation at Whitefish Bay UMC.

2. Thank you for bringing Pastor Mike Weigand to Sugar River UMC and bless him as our pastor.

3. Guide our church to acknowledge our loss and look with great excitement to our future.

4. Holy God, how are you calling me to follow your path and share Christ’s love at SRUMC?

Join us for these two community outreach events at Sugar River: 

YOU ARE WELCOME HERE

No matter where you've come from or are going;

No matter what you believe or doubt;

No matter what you’re feeling or just not feeling;

No matter what you have or don’t have;

and no matter where you are in your loving relationship with God and your neighbors

All of who you are, is welcomed here 

by a God who loves you,

knows you by name 

and wants a personal relationship with you. 

Thanks be to God. Amen!

Grow - Adult

Questions or Ideas? Contact Kimmie Holmes

Learn Out Loud (LOL) Tuesdays at SRUMC (and via Zoom!)

LOL has just started a 5-week study by Adam Hamilton titled “Unafraid-Living with Courage & Hope in Uncertain Times” on April 25th. LOL now meets on Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m. Laura Flood will lead this new study. Contact Arlys Nilles if you are interested in participating. Please join at any time!

The Men's Morning Group continues to meet via Zoom every Thursday morning at 6:45 a.m. We just started a new study by Adam Hamilton: Christianity and World Religions. Contact Mike Polk if you would like to learn more about the group or to join them (608) 228-7415!

Giving at Sugar River

Would you like to give to Sugar River? It's easy!

1. Easily text 73256 from your Mobile Device; type and send this text: sugarriver (one word) and it will give you a link where you can donate.
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 UMC at 415 W. Verona Ave, Verona WI 53593.

Thank you for your generous hearts and prayerful support for Sugar River UMC's ministries and missions! See below for highlighted opportunities.

Grow - Children and Youth

Questions or Ideas? Contact Kimmie Holmes (Children & Family Life Coordinator) or Tammi Hagensick (High School Youth Coordinator)

Serve

Questions or Ideas? Contact William or Leanette Dieck

This Month's Drive:

Sugar River UMC Food Drive on Sunday, April 30th

The Badger Prairie Needs Network (BPNN) is always in need of support. At the April 23rd service, we distributed bags highlighting the largest areas of need. We’ll collect the bags during the April 30th service, so please bring your donations with you into the sanctuary that morning. There will also be a place for monetary donations.

Please consider how you may support the needs of folks who may struggle to keep food on their table. According to Public Health of Madison, about 10% of households and about 14% of children in Dane County are food insecure, meaning they are unsure where their next meal is coming from.

Sugar River church has been an active agent of support for the Badger Prairie Needs Network Food Pantry. Please consider sharing some of the most needed items in worship on Sunday, April 30th. You may place the items in a grocery bag and we will invite folks to bring the bags forward at the start of worship.

Canned beans (black, pinto, kidney)

Pasta sauce

Canned tuna, chicken, and salmon

Cereal

Canned fruit

White rice

Cooking oil

Bar soap

Baby wipes

Feminine pads

Paper grocery bags

Thank you for your generosity. Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:35-36

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Upcoming Drive/Events:

• DRIVE: During May, we’ll be collecting new men’s boxer shorts and boxer briefs (no briefs) for the Friends of the State Street Family to deliver to their clients. You can drop your donations off at the Serve table until May 28th. 
• EVENT: May 18th - Meadowridge Snack Attack supporting the Meadowridge Library Afterschool Program by assembling sandwiches and donating snacks.
• EVENT: May 20th - Friends of the State Street Family meal assembly, for FSSF to deliver to their clientele throughout Madison. 

Stay Connected through Facebook, Instagram & our website:

Sugar River United Methodist Church | sugar.river@sugarriverumc.org | 608.845.5855

Office Hours are typically 9:00 am to Noon, Monday-Thursday.