A Note from Pastor David
Look Both Ways
Like many parents we taught our children an important concept- “Look both ways before you cross the street.” Of course, we did this for their health and safety. Interestingly this concept goes all the way back to the Bible and it concerned the health and safety of others. In Exodus 2:12, after Moses saw an Egyptian severely beat one of his fellow Hebrews, we read, “looking this way and that, and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.” I always assumed that Moses looked both ways because he knew that he was about to do something wrong, something for which he could be executed; and he didn’t want anyone to see him do it. I suppose my assumption was based on my own experience of doing things that I wasn’t supposed to do! And also because he hid the body. However, many ancient commentators had a different take. They cited a famous rabbinic teaching, “In a place where there is no man (a morally upright individual), be a man!” They believed that Moses was looking both ways to see if there was a “man” who would stand up and intercede for the beaten slave. Only when Moses did not see anyone take action did he intervene. Looking both ways, then, is an encouragement to see if anyone is doing something about the pain, suffering or injustice in a situation. If you see no one, then jump in! I would add that if you do see someone doing something to help, go assist them!
As it turns out, Moses was not the only one looking both ways. It seems that God is looking to see if any of us are willing to step in and help the suffering and also the victims of injustice: “The Lord looks down from heaven on all human beings to see if there are any who understand and who seek God. All have turned away, all have become corrupt.” This exact quote is found TWICE in the Psalms (14:2; 53:2). It might be important. God is looking and sees our pain and the pain and suffering of others in our community and larger world. But God also looks to see something more- people who will step up and intercede on behalf of the suffering. May God see us step up. So, let us look both ways for the need around us. For that need is our opportunity to be a “woman” or “man” in a place where more women and men are desperately needed.
~David
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Join us TONIGHT, June 19, 8 - 9:30 p.m.
Meeting ID: 839 0532 0581, Password: 824798
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Trivia Night TONIGHT on Zoom!
We will be hosting a trivia night via zoom TONIGHT (6/19) from 8-9:30pm. Grab a pencil and some paper and come ready to battle it out for the ultimate bragging rights. In between rounds we will would like to hear some from our contestants. If you would be open to sharing a lighthearted or funny story from your experiences during the pandemic please email Jason in advance (
jason.a.esparza@gmail.com
) as he will be moderating the games that evening and will call on those willing to share in between rounds.
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All Church Work Day
Saturday, June 20, 8 - 11 a.m.
The Youth Ministry is sponsoring an
ALL CHURCH WORK DAY to clean up the back field on our property.
Anyone can help!
Breakfast Tacos provided
(we need your RSVP!!!)
We will
:
- Remove debris
- Weed-eat
- Mow
- Clean up storage unit
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Please:
* Wear boots and pants for safety * Bring your own mask * Bring your own work gloves
* Bring a weed eater, if you have one * Bring rakes or shovels, if you have any
* Bring bug spray and sunscreen!
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Youth medical waiver/permission form
All Youth who participate in any event with Manchaca UMC in the 2020-2021 year must have a guardian fill out a medical waiver/permission form. This year we are completing the forms electronically! If your student will take part in any activities this year,
please fill out this form
.
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Friday Family Fun Nights
June 26 at 6:30
- Parking Lot Picnic, Popsicles and Chalk Art Challenge
July 10
- Bingo Zoom Party
July 24
- Netflix Watch Party
Open to ALL - "families" with children, youth, or no kids!
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Compassion Camp for Children & Families -Register Now!
Free At-Home Staycation Vacation Bible School!
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S'mores and Music Night for Youth
June 28 @ 7:30 p.m
Pavilion
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SHREDDING IS COMING!
Saturday, July 11, 9 - 11 a.m., West Parking Lot
Get your old taxes, bills, receipts, etc and come to our FREE shredding event. This year you can also shred C/D,s VCR tapes, hard drives, cell phones and thumb drives.
Please keep these items separate from your paper to be shredded, as they need be be handled differently
.
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The rules are somewhat different this year. You MUST wear a mask. We are going to remain 6 feet apart which means YOU WILL HAVE TO EMPTY YOUR SHREDDING BY YOURSELF INTO THE ROLLING BINS PROVIDED - you can bring a masked friend to help. Then we will roll the bin to the shredder.
On a happier note, if you would like to make a donation, it will go towards replacing the Pavilion lights after 15yrs. It will cost about $2000.
Sorry for the postponement of this event this past April. Next year, we hope return to our regularly scheduled shredding date right after taxes are filed!
Hoping everyone is safe, healthy and managing the stress of social distancing.
Prayers to all, The shredding committee
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June Altar Rail Offering
Altar Rail offerings during the month of June support
UMCOR COVID-19 Response
(Advance #3022612).
These funds will be used to assist vulnerable populations around the world impacted by COVID-19, including racial/ethnic and indigenous communities in the United States.
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Sunday Worship - join us from home on
Facebook
(church campus closed)
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Sunday, June 21, 2020
1 Corinthians 13:7 and the book of Ruth
"
Friendship Always Hopes
"
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8:30 a.m.
Traditional Worship Service
Pastor Chansin Esparza,
preaching
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9:30 a.m.
Children's Time
Kim Carroll
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11:00 a.m.
Praise Worship Service
Pastor Chansin Esparza,
preaching
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Kim's Sunday School Classes for Children has moved to Tuesdays!
Please scroll down to "Weekday Classes/Events" for more information!
David's Exodus Sunday School Class
Sundays, 9:45 - 10:15 a.m.
Exodus Class will not meet this Sunday! Class will resume Sunday, 6/28.
Seeker's Class
Sundays, 10:00 a.m.
Dive into Colossians with us! Mixed adult ages, married and single - have your bible with you if you can. Newcomers are welcome - join us!
During July, join us as we begin a study of Philemon.
Links to materials are below:
Or login with - Meeting ID: 133 051 453
, Password: 9fx0mZ
Kim Carroll's
ADULT
Sunday School Class
Sundays, 10:00 - 10:40 a.m.
Look at current events through a biblical context. Brief pre-reading material sent to those who RSVP in advance, but feel free to join us even if you haven't RSVP'ed!
GriefShare Online
Sundays at 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
GriefShare will not meet this Sunday! Class will resume Sunday, 6/28.
GriefShare is being held online via Zoom. Recommended workbooks are $15 (scholarships available). In order to have access to online videos, register at:
https://www.griefshare.org/groups/119635. The meeting & video links will then be sent to you.
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Nourishment at Noon, Monday - Friday, 12:00 p.m.
Join us on the
Manchaca UMC Facebook Page every weekday at noon to give yourself a midday spiritual lift. On Mondays and Wednesdays, you'll hear from Pastor David. On Tuesdays, Mark will bring you a musical message. On Thursday, get some helpful prayer tips from Kim. Fridays will be some or all of the Esparza Family!
David's
Philippians
Class, Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.
Or login with: Meeting ID: 601 349 309, Password: 010816
Seussical Funday School for Children, Tuesday Mornings
This Week's Theme: Friends Want What's Best For Each Other
Bible Story: Ruth and Naomi
Seuss Story: Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose
NEW! FIERCE: Women of God Who Changed the World, Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.
6 weeks,
begins July 8
, 9:30 - 11:30 am
Book Costs: $12 (Scholarships Available)
Women have been fiercely changing the world for thousands of years. In fact, the Bible tells of many fierce female characters who made hard decisions, offered hope, boldly repented, shared their faith, and blessed those around them. These women can teach us how we, too, can live into our callings, honor the Lord, and even change the world through our courage, faithfulness, and obedience.
NEW!
God and the Pandemic
Book Study, Thursdays at 9:30 a.m, begins July 2
Based on the book written by N. T. Wright, the class will cover the following questions and provide scripture references for insight on the answers. The book is available on Amazon in both ebook and Paperback. You do not have to purchase the book to participate. Led by Julia Walker, the class will be on Thursday mornings from 9:30 until 11 during the month of July. Please register to receive handouts via email and to receive the zoom password.
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The main metric the church leadership team is using to determine when our church can safely return to congregational worship in the building is this: a 14-day drop in the 7-day average number of hospitalizations in Travis County. Because of current trends, we are not yet certain when that will be. We continue to monitor the data.
Source data is found here:
As David said in his letter to the congregation
with the attached document
about the plan for reopening, this is a fluid process as we respond to the best data and science available to us.
Stay tuned for information about a virtual Town Hall meeting to provide a summary of our current plans and allow for questions and feedback from the congregation.
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