January 2019
Pastor’s Note: Messy Church
It’s a new year and we are about to kick off a brand new program – Messy Church! If you are still a little unsure about what Messy Church is, here are the basics for this brand new gathering:
Who: Families with children 0-12 years old
When: Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m. starting January 13 (it will last about 45 minutes each week)
Where: In the chapel
What: A model of worship that emphasizes the “messy” creative ways children can encounter God. Messy Church will include songs, interactive Bible stories, and various centers designed to fit with the Bible story. These centers may include a sensory station for the littlest ones and various arts, crafts, and games for the older children. Messy Church will also include a time of sharing what was learned around communion and a once-a-month service project for the whole family!
Why: Messy Church is a bold step of offering something that is not available at the other churches in our neighborhood and the goal is to connect with the many new young families moving into Lakewood. We are using the structure outlined above because it meshes well with the best research-based practices in both children’s ministry and elementary schools. We included service projects for the whole family because we heard feedback from neighbors that such an opportunity would be much desired. And above all, we are following the Holy Spirit into new opportunities opening before us!
How you can help: You can help first and foremost by spreading the word. Tell everyone you meet about Messy Church (using the above details). And tell them even if they don’t have kids, because they may be able to tell someone who does have kids. You can also help by continuing to purchase supplies for our centers and by checking in later when we begin to do more extensive remodeling. And of course, be praying for Messy Church. This is something we will be growing into for several months, so pray that God will bless our space and our neighborhood and pray that we be able to connect with all those who need a church home.
Messy Church starts Sunday, January 13 at 5:00 p.m. and it will make a huge difference if you invite at least one family to it in the next week!
Coming Up...
Sunday, January 6
11:30 a.m. Undecorating the church - help us take down our Christmas decorations!
4:30 p.m. Arrive at Oak Lawn UMC (3014 Oak Lawn Ave, 75219) to serve supper to homeless neighbors
Sunday, January 13
5:00 p.m. First day of Messy Church!
Sunday, January 27
Last day to bring socks and underwear for Crossroads Community Services!
Mission Focus of the Month
Through January, we will be collecting socks and underwear for Crossroads Community Services and the Stewpot. Please bring new packages of men and women’s socks and underwear of all sizes to the church anytime now through January 27 so that we can deliver them at the end of the month.
Happy Birthday to...
Dave Landis 1/3
Mary Mamantov 1/5
Catherine Larroca 1/8
Meagan Freeman 1/9
Mac Neuroth 1/22
Sheila Richards 1/27
Stacy Olds 1/30
This Month, We Pray for...
Kathryn Bagley; Gail Baldwin; Lynn Bruce; Carole Bryde; Linda Castor; Shirley Dunn; Wilma Elrod; Mary Ann Finley; Jean Fowler; Leck and Cynthia Heflin; Michael Hilley; Harold Logan; Jan Logan; Carolyn Miracle; Marie Miranda; Mike Miranda; Tim Miranda; Pat Norvell; Jorge Ortiz; Brandon Owen; Tracy Penfield; Pontis Ministries; Susan Price; Kathy Purvis; David Rentz; Michelle Ried; Shelly Robertson; Elizabeth Robbins; Robin Robbins; Dillon Rosten; Ginny Salinas; Beth Saxton; Debbie Schwartz; Jeanne Scroppo; Linda Simmons; Alan Smith; Kelly Smith; Travis Smith; Chris Venable; Betty Watson; Louise Williams