November 24, 2020
Kairos Vol. 5, Issue #37
We Are A Thriving United Methodist Church
Friends,

Yesterday, I was given a message to be in touch with someone from our church. When I looked at the message there was no phone number, just a name. So, I began to scroll through the names in my cell phone to get the number. Normally, I flip through the names quickly until I hit the right one. Suddenly I wasn't just scrolling through names. Each of those names are of someone important as I have a relationship with them in some way. I began to scroll more slowly as a memory came to mind of each person. Then I found myself praying for each person. How blessed I am to have a relationship with people whom I care for and who care for me. I am thankful God created us to live in relationship with each other rather than being a rugged individual who has no one to care for, or to be cared by another person.

Thanksgiving is so much more than a weekend holiday. Thanksgiving is an attitude, a spirit of care and concern for others and their life situations.

Attached you will find a couple of pictures of bags of food being passed out as I write this article. There are 80 families who will have a Thanksgiving meal of turkey, potatoes, bread, canned goods and pie because of your caring spirit lived out in a concrete way. In Matthew 25 Jesus calls us to remember and care for those in difficult situations. The very first ones listed are those who are hungry and then the list goes on to other situations. So I thank you for helping to make a difference in people's lives.

I am so delighted to be one of the pastors of a church that continues to be sensitive to the needs of others. 

May God richly bless your continued Thanksliving.

Marvin
Thanksgiving 2020 bags 1
Thanksgiving 2020 bags 2
Worship Services
Happy Thanksgiving
Welder
Fall leaves
UNITED METHODIST STUDENT SUNDAY
UMC Student Day
United Methodist Student Day is this Sunday!

Last year our church, along with other United Methodist congregations, gave $370,123 to the offering. This year, the world has experienced some unprecedented times. When you give to the United Methodist Student Day offering, your gifts support the Gift of Hope Scholarship program that is awarded to United Methodist students annually.
Thank you for your generosity. Without your gifts, we could not continue this ministry.
SWEET LIFE CAFE OPENS!
Sweet Life Cafe
You are invited to Sweet Life Cafe where the discussion is engaging and the friendships are blooming as we take on the advent study "Who Needs Christmas" by Andy Stanley.

Andy explains how the remarkable details of the Christmas story are what make it so believable, and why, after so many years, it took something unexpected to get people's attention.

There will be two sessions of the three week advent study. The first one will be in person for Renaissance residents beginning Wednesday, December 2 (space is limited to 10). Please contact Ron Young at (480) 895-3462 to register. The second will be a Zoom session beginning Thursday, December 3, 12:00 pm. Please call the Church office to register at (480) 895-8766.
BAKELESS COOKIE WALK!
Christmas Cookies
Many is the time we’ve heard people say
I would rather give a “Dollar” than bake today.
and so we are asking you to help more or less
to make our Bakeless Cookie Walk a big success.
We’ve thought of a plan that’s really grand,
and feel quite sure you’ll understand.
In an envelope, if you like, please include the price
of cookies or candy or anything nice.

Unfortunately, we are unable to hold our annual United Methodist Woman of Sun Lakes Christmas Cookie Walk due to the Covid-19 virus. As this is our main fund-raiser for the mission work done throughout the year, we would be honored if you would help support this worthy cause. The mission projects are based locally, nationally, and internationally with help given to Hope Center for Women and Children, Justa Center, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) United Methodist Outreach Ministries (UMOM), and Wesley Center. You may drop off a donation or send it via US Mail to: Sun Lakes UMW, % Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, 9248 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248.
Thank you and may God bless you!
SCAM - BEWARE!
Wednesday a week ago, I received a phone call from someone saying that he was from "Express Couriers," (The name could be any courier company). He asked if I was going to be home within the hour because there was a package for me that required a signature.
Sure enough, about an hour later, a uniformed delivery man arrived with a beautiful basket of flowers and a bottle of wine. I was very surprised since there was no special occasion or holiday. Intrigued, I inquired as to who the sender was.
The courier replied, "I don't know, I'm only delivering the package."
Apparently, a card was being sent separately... (the card has never arrived!) He then went on to explain that because the gift contained alcohol, there was a $3.50 "delivery verification charge," providing proof that he had actually delivered the package to an adult (of legal drinking age), and not just left it on the doorstep.
This sounded logical and I offered to pay him cash. He then said that the delivery company required payment to be by credit or debit card only, so that everything is properly accounted for, and this would help in keeping a legal record of the transaction. He added couriers don't carry cash to avoid loss or be likely targets for robbery.
My husband, who by this time was standing beside me, pulled out his credit card, and the "delivery man" asked him to swipe the card on a small mobile card machine with a small screen and keypad. My husband was asked to enter his PIN number and a receipt was printed out. He was given a copy of the transaction.
The guy said everything was in order, and wished us good day.
To our horrible surprise, between Thursday and the following Monday, $4,000 had been charged/withdrawn from our credit/debit
account at various ATM machines.
Apparently the "mobile credit card machine," now had all the info necessary to create a "dummy" card with all our card details including the PIN number.
Upon finding out about the illegal transactions on our card, we immediately notified the bank which issued us a new card, and our credit/debit account was closed. We also personally went to the Police, where it was confirmed that it is definitely a scam because several households had been similarly hit.
WARNING: Be wary of accepting any "surprise gift or package," which you neither expected nor personally ordered, especially if it involves any kind of payment as a condition of receiving the gift or package. Also, never accept anything if you do not personally know or there is no proper identification of who the sender is.
Above all, the only time you should give out any personal credit/debit card information is when you yourself initiated the purchase or transaction!
WE HAVE SET THE TABLE FOR YOU!
Wesley Thanksgiving 2020
For the FIRST time ever! Wesley is offering Holiday Meal and Trimmings TO-GO! With the completion of the newly renovated commercial kitchen, Chef Robert has designed a warm and welcoming traditional holiday menu so you and your family can avoid the stress and crowds of the holidays while reducing your risk of COVID. 
In addition, your purchase of a Holiday To-Go Meal (available for both Thanksgiving and Christmas) fundraises to support the important programs and activities of Wesley such as, after-school and summer programming, Free ESL, free child meal program, and essential healthcare services. These programs rely on donations to support them throughout the year. 
What better way to get a great holiday meal AND support the organization you care about this holiday season. Wesley could not be more excited to offer our tremendous supporters and donors this unique holiday opportunity, to offer a delicious meal to those who have supported us - those who we are most thankful for.

For $95 you get the entire meal pictured above which feeds 6:
  • 1 Chile Honey and Clove Ham (8-10 lb. average)
  • 6 Santa Fe Double Baked Potatoes
  • 1 10 oz. Citrus Cranberry Sauce
  • 1 10 oz. Wesley Signature Salad Dressing/Dip
  • 1 dozen Holiday Haystack Cookies

Call Maria Luz 602-518-7062 directly to ask any questions or place your order.
We are so happy to have this opportunity. We really hope you enjoy it and are able to take advantage of a wonderful meal and fundraising opportunity for Wesley this holiday season.

-Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving.
THANK YOU!
Wesley Center Logo
Because of the generosity of our donors and supporters like you, our call for help gaining 50 more donated turkeys was answered and answered swiftly! Thank you to those who donated. If you wanted to donate and missed this opportunity, stay tuned for upcoming opportunities shortly. 
~Thank you from the Wesley Center~
PRAYERS
UMC Logo
You are encouraged to pray for the churches, centers, and pastors of the East District of the Desert Southwest Conference. You may even send a card or note to the pastor or churches for which you are praying.
 
The December 2020 list is as follows:

  • Shepherd of the Pines UMC, Overgaard
  • Scottsdale UMC
  • Paradise Valley UMC
  • Phoenix Native American Fellowship
YOUR LIBRARY
magic_ribbons_book.jpg
Books on various ways of giving can be found in your library! A few of the titles to look for are:

  • Full Disclosure: Everything the Bible Says About Financial Giving by Herb Miller
  • Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us Just by Timothy Keller
  • Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World by Bill Clinton
  • Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church by Kennon L. Callahan
  • Thank You: Moments of Gratitude from the Heart by Ray Boltz
  • Not Your Parents' Offering Plate: A New Vision for Financial Stewardship by J. Clif Christopher
  • The Gift That Heals: Stories of Hope, Renewal and Transformation Through Organ and Tissue Donation by Reg Green
9248 East Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
Phone: 480-895-8766