Pastor's Note
I have been struck recently that almost every time Jesus uses the metaphor of yeast, it is negative. He warns against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees, referring to their distorted teachings that misguide the people. But in one parable, he compares the Kingdom of Heaven to yeast that a woman works into three measures of flour until it is all leavened (Matt. 13:33).
That parable inspires me. It inspires me to fully embrace that “Kingdom of Heaven” kind of yeast in the middle of a world that is too often filled with words and actions that distort and promote evil. And the parable makes me wonder - What is that good yeast for us? And what does it look like for our church to be leavened or to expand throughout our neighborhood because of it?
I will be sharing some of how I envision this church to grow through that divine “baking” at our annual Charge Conference this month (details below). But I also hope to continue to dream with you all about how we as a church can work that spiritual yeast into all we do so that we grow and impact this world.
Because it is a world that still feeds the bad, distorting yeast with sexism, racism, distrust of those who are not like us, and many other sins, and as a result leavens the fear and abuse and inequality around us. We see it in the news and our public lives, and it can creep into our private lives, impacting the way we treat others and ourselves. We must follow Jesus in calling out that yeast of hate and harmful treatment of people. But we can also embrace the ways God works in us to leaven or grow the church to exemplify a new kingdom that brings heaven a little closer to all.
I hope we will all be inspired by that baker in the parable, and fill ourselves with her kind of heavenly bread.
Coming Up...
Tuesday, October 2
5:30 p.m. National Night Out - a Neighborhood event at Tietze Park
Are you coming to the National Night Out gathering at Tietze Park tonight? Look for the church’s table as you meet some neighbors and enjoy the park. Even if you weren’t planning on coming, it is not too late to swing by and say hi!
Saturday, October 6
10:00 a.m. Pet Blessing (see below)
10:00 a.m. UMW Disaster Relief Bucket packing party
Sunday, October 7
Bring your gently-used, sturdy men's clothing and shoes for us to donate to the clothes closet at Oak Lawn UMC!
4:00 p.m. Meet in the church parking lot if you would like to carpool to serve at Oak Lawn Community Meal, Oak Lawn UMC's homeless meal ministry
Sunday, October 14
6:00 p.m. Charge Conference (see below)
Thursday, October 18
7:00 p.m. Reconciling Churches listening session (see below)
Sunday, October 21
6:30 p.m. Dinner for refugee families (see below)
Saturday, October 27
9:30 a.m. Craft Fair! (See below)
Wednesday, October 31
5:30 p.m. Trunk or Treat (see below)
Pet Blessing & UMW Bucket Packing
Whether you just want to celebrate a furry friend or think they may benefit from some divine intervention, come on by the church garden this Saturday, Oct. 6 at 10:00 a.m. for a short (30 minute) blessing service. All animals are welcome, we just ask that you bring your pet on a leash or in some type of carrier.
Celebrate the 23 disaster relief buckets we were able to purchase via the United Methodist Women! After your pet has been blessed, we invite you to the Fellowship Hall to pack the buckets with us.
Clothing Drive for OLUMC
Fall is here! As lovely as it feels, there are days ahead that will make a warm jacket, or a long Sleeved shirt the perfect thing! Now, what if you don't have either of those... and you can't afford to buy them?
Then, what if the team of caring folks at LUMC Stepped up to donate shirts, jackets, t-shirts, and maybe some athletic shoes that are in good shape? How wonderful that would be!
On Sunday, October 7, there will be a box (or two) for all clothing/shoe donations for our friends at OLUMC. We will take donated items with us when we go to OLUMC to serve dinner to our homeless neighbors that evening.
Be a part of this mission! We will see you at church!
Putting Your House in Order...
Do I have a plan for my loved ones? How do I share my passion for this church with my children? What is my authentic legacy of faith? How do I help continue the mission of this church?
If you have not considered inheritance and charitable planning, it's not too late! It's still possible to give the loving gift of legacy and preparedness to those you love. Join Rev. Carol Montgomery, Senior Area Representative, Texas Methodist Foundation, as she presents "Putting Your House in Order," a seminar for adults, young and old. Included in the $20 fee per person seminar fee is lunch and a 32-page workbook to guide you in making important decisions. Carol will discuss how our faith story should influence our estate planning and walk participants through the requirements for a valid will and other estate planning tools. The workbook provides helpful information about needed paperwork, including samples of sharing your legacy, an appointment of guardian, and a living will.
The presentation will take place on Sunday, October 14, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sign up at the TMF website.
Charge Conference
Every year, our church meets in order to celebrate our work from the previous year and look forward to the next year at what we call Charge Conference. At this meeting we hear from our District Superintendent, the person who oversees and leads all the Methodist churches around Dallas, and then we have time to vote on some leadership positions, review reports about the church’s buildings and finances, and envision together how we can continue to grow in God’s Spirit in the upcoming year. This year, Lakewood UMC is hosting 3 other churches for this work. So, I hope you can make it (especially since it is at our church). And, I hope that you will consider providing some hospitality to our neighbor churches – welcoming and guiding them to the right places and/or helping to provide some light refreshments. Charge Conference is October 14 at 6:00 p.m., but if you can come early to help or provide cookies, please let the church office know.
Reconciling Ministries Network Ally Training
The United Methodist Church is quickly moving to a significant worldwide conference where delegates will be voting on the church’s official position regarding homosexuality. The delegates from our Dallas area have expressed interest in joining all the Reconciling Ministry Network churches like Lakewood for an evening of ally training, in order to learn more deeply how to be allies for our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. You are invited to attend this training and spend time with our delegates on Thursday, October 18 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Oak Lawn UMC (3014 Oak Lawn Ave, 75219). We will all learn together how to act and speak and advocate for those who are struggling to find equal status in our church and world. And stay tuned as we will have other opportunities to learn and converse about the details of what is being voted on in the upcoming months.
Refugee Family Dinner
On Sunday, October 21, we will provide dinner to two families served by Refugee Services of Texas. We have been helping the daughter of one family, Sophie, with transportation to and from her English classes; now, we want to offer her family and her neighbors the opportunity to gather together, relax, and eat.
Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. We need volunteers to drive these two families to and from the church, as well as people to bring potluck dishes (meat will be provided, so please bring sides). We encourage everyone to stay to visit and eat with our refugee neighbors! For more information, contact the church office.
Craft Fair
Our 2018 Craft Fair takes place on October 27! If you would like to volunteer during the Craft Fair or bring something for our bake sale, contact the church office.
Trunk or Treat
Halloween is coming up! As is our tradition, Lakewood will host Trunk or Treat for kids in our neighborhood! We will gather in our parking lot by 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31, and hand out candy to kids young and old. Choir will still happen at 7:00 - the choir members will just sneak out when it's time for them to go. We hope you will join us for this fun time!
Happy Birthday to...
Barbara Tumlinson 10/3
Elizabeth Raphael 10/17
Elouise Murphy 10/24
Kathy Nations 10/28
Pat Norvell 10/30
This month, we pray for...
Kathryn Bagley; Gail Baldwin; Lynn Bruce; Carole Bryde; Linda Castor; Fred Dallas; Shirley Dunn; Wilma Elrod; the family of Buford Finley; Mary Ann Finley; Jean Fowler; Leck and Cynthia Heflin; Harold Logan; Jan Logan; Carolyn Miracle; Marie Miranda; Mike Miranda; Tim Miranda; Pat Norvell; Jorge Ortiz; Brandon Owen; Pontis Ministries; Susan Price; Kathy Purvis; 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