The latest news from MUMC, 10/30/2020

Manchaca United Methodist Church

Weekly news & updates

October 30, 2020

Set your clocks back an hour before you go to bed Saturday night!

Helpful Links:

• Outdoor Worship

• Website

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• Prayer Request

• Online Sunday School

• Online Adult Study

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SUNDAY WORSHIP

THIS SUNDAY: Join us around the bell tower for an in-person outdoor traditional 8:30 AM service with communion, or watch us live on Facebook at 8:30 & 11:00 AM. Drive in communion service at 9:45 AM.

Sunday, November 1, 2020

All Saints Sunday

Jason Esparza

Luke 7:1-10

Gratitude Sermon Series:

Gratitude for the Generous

8:30 AM

Traditional Worship

Outside or Online

Digital Worship Order

9:30 AM

Children's Time

Kim Carroll

Online Only

11:00 AM

Contemporary

Worship

Online Only

NOTABLE NOTES

Gratitude Lessons

Lesson 2: Life is a gift

Perhaps the reason that people do not live more thankful lives is that they often see gratitude as thanking God for material possessions rather than thanking God for the gift of life. In our day one problem that is becoming apparent with that practice is that giving thanks for possessions can become a reflection of a lifetime of privilege. For instance, my pastor friends in Burundi cannot give thanks for the things which I have in my life, largely because I was born in America to a physician father and educator mother. Secondly, this type of thanksgiving ties gratitude to our current circumstances and circumstances can change. Paul, who knew much about gratitude, was able to give thanks from prison.

Maybe the key to a life of gratitude is to thank God not just for present circumstances, but rather for life itself. It is to recognize that life is a gift. As David Steindl Rast says, “Everything is a gift. The degree to which we are awake to this truth is the measure of our gratefulness, and gratefulness is the measure of our aliveness (Bass, p.1).” We Christians call this ‘grace’- God bestowing gifts on humanity beginning with the gift life. It reminds me of Frederick Beuchner’s great lines: “The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party would not have been the same without you.”

How can we move towards that kind of gratitude? I am reminded of a trendy word, “mindfulness.” Try to become mindful of grace throughout the day. Many Jews pray something like this immediately when they wake up in the morning: “Thank you,God, for mercifully restoring my soul to me.” The great modern rabbi Jonathan Sacks calls this practice, “thanking before you think.” Meal times are a great time to practice gratitude. You might also want to close the day with gratitude for the day just completed.

Once you begin to practice gratitude, you will notice that your thankfulness will increase. It seems that gratitude begets gratitude no matter the circumstances. Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel once told Oprah Winfrey in an interview: “To this day the two words that come most frequently out of my mouth are ‘thank you’.....For me, every hour is grace.” If you are reading this you are still alive. Life is a gift. Give thanks!

~David

If you missed the Homecoming Team Update last week, please click here.

Community Outreach Event - TONIGHT!

Friday, Oct. 30 The Fun Begins at 6:30 PM!

Come around 6:30 to park and enter the costume contest. We'll be showing two classic TV Halloween specials starting at 7:15: "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and, "Scooby-Doo and the Headless Horseman." Around 8:00 pm we'll show the Costume Contest slide show and hand out prizes. Those who wish can stay for a bonus showing of "Scooby-Doo: Scared a Lot at Camelot." Goodie bags are available for all. Come and join us and be sure to invite friends and neighbors! Click on the picture for more info!

College Care Packages

What a year so far! We want to be sure and send care packages to remind our children that they are loved by their church family, especially during this unique year of challenges. A box of goodies will be sent November 28-29th to arrive around finals. If you have a student that would appreciate a care package, send your name, student's name & student's address (where will they be living Nov. 29th-early Dec). Please email this information to Melodee Konde: konde@swbell.net. Support this effort by donating food or small school supplies - drop off at MUMC on Sunday mornings before or after the 8:30 service until 10:45 in the Family Life Center. You may also bring clearly marked donations on Wed between 9-11 am and place it in the food pantry collection bin, as well as on Saturday near the drive through food pantry. We send about 20 boxes. Some suggested pre-packaged items: Granola bars, Post It Notes, gum, Cracker packets, Highlighters, Microwave popcorn, Jerky, Trail Mix, Cookies, Protein bars, Candy, Trail mix. Thanks, Melodee & Dawnita

Surviving the Holidays

Sun., Nov. 8

1:30 PM on zoom

This free 2 hour class is for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one and need extra support as the holiday season quickly approaches. Register on the GriefShare website in order to receive a link to the online meeting.

Avoiding Caregiving Burnout During COVID-19

Free online seminar, Fri., Nov. 13, 1-2:30 PM

AGE of Central Texas is partnering with the City of Buda Senior Task Force on Aging to host the free virtual caregiver support seminar exploring “Avoiding Caregiving Burnout During COVID-19.” Participants can register by calling (512) 600-9275, or online here.

SAVE THE DATE!

Virtual Game/Stories

Sharing Night on zoom

Fri., Nov. 13, 6:30 PM

Get ready for a fun evening on 11/13 at 6:30. RSVP is highly encouraged:(jason.a.esparza@gmail.com)

Free Leaf Raking!

Nov. 14

The Youth Group wants to do something to serve you, church family! We would like to rake your leaves, just in time to prepare your yard before Thanksgiving! Find out more. SIGN UP!