October 2019
What We Did in September
Pastor's Note
Do you remember who Shiphrah and Puah were? What about Bezalel or Eldad and Medad? I promise I’m not making things up, these are real characters in our Bible. They may not be as famous or get as much attention as Moses and Abraham and Peter, but they are still important people who do important things. Through the month of October, we will look more closely at the stories of these underappreciated people of the Bible. And I think we will find that they are bold, creative, and spirit-filled inspirations who remind us that God works among so many people in so many ways.
In light of these underappreciated characters, I invite you to take some time this month and join me in thinking about who might be underappreciated in our own lives. Who in our church, in your family, at your work, among your friends, or anywhere around our world deserves a little more of our attention than they get? And how can you help their natural spark shine a little brighter? After all, that is what Jesus does time and again, like when he recognizes and heals Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52), whom many had ignored and tried to silence, or when he sits with and encourages the woman at the well (John 4).
Such work may require giving up some of our time or energy, but the selfless act of lifting up those who are underappreciated or silenced is a divine work that might just give us a chance to hear and experience the good news in a new, fresh way.
Coming Up...
Tuesday, October 1
5:30 p.m. National Night Out at Tietze Park
6:00 p.m. Young Lives
7:00 p.m. Knitting Group
Saturday, October 5
10:30 a.m. Blessing of the Animals (see below)
Sunday, October 20
11:30 a.m. Charge Conference
Monday, October 21
9:00 a.m. District Committee on Ordained Ministry
6:00 p.m. Trustees
7:00 p.m. Administrative Council
Saturday, October 26
9:30 a.m. Lakewood Craft Fair (see below)
Thursday, October 31
5:30 p.m. Trunk or Treat
National Night Out
National Night Out is a community event to promote neighborhood connection. Our local night out will be TONIGHT, October 1, at Tietze Park, and the church will have a table where we will be giving away items and meeting our neighbors. The event runs from 6-8pm and includes many fun games and giveaways. We hope to see you there representing Lakewood UMC well!
Blessing of the Animals
We at Lakewood love our pets—and we know that God loves them, too! Come to our pet blessing service on Saturday, October 5, at 10:30 a.m. in the garden. We ask that you bring all pets on leashes or in carriers.
Almost, Maine - with Lakewood's Own Jon Morehouse
A group from the church will go to see Jon in Almost Maine on Oct. 12. If you’d like to join, just purchase your own ticket and we will all meet there!
Charge Conference
Charge conference is our annual meeting in which we celebrate what has happened over the previous year in our church and vote on several items including church leadership that will set us up for even more good work next year. This year, our charge conference will happen in two parts. First, we will gather together on Oct. 20 after worship in our sanctuary with just our own congregation. We will present reports and pre-approve the voted items. Then, on Nov. 24 at 3:30pm we will gather with several other Methodist churches at Lover’s Lane UMC for a joint final approval and address from our District Superintendent, Rev. Debra Hobbs Mason. All are welcome and encouraged to attend both meetings.
Lakewood Craft Fair
It's time for our yearly Craft Fair, benefiting our Firehouse ministry! The Lakewood Firehouse committee provides uniforms and school supplies for use by students at Dan D. Rogers Elementary (our partner school) and occasionally for other students/schools as well. At our Craft Fair, you can get a head start on your Christmas shopping with items such as knitting, metalwork, glassworks, jewelry, scrapbooking supplies, toys, mixed media art, baked goods, paper art, and much more! Our vendors accept cash, check, and credit.
Trunk or Treat!
We will host Trunk or Treat in the church parking lot (Fellowship Hall if it rains) again this year! Like last year, we will participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project and offer non-candy items for kids with food allergies. If you want to provide candy or non-candy items, please park your car by 5:00 p.m.
Save Your Shoeboxes!
If you can believe it, Christmas is coming soon! As usual, we will pack gift boxes for our homeless neighbors served by the Stewpot downtown. We need shoe boxes with completely removable lids to serve as our gift boxes! If you have any of these, bring them by the church, or save them if you buy new shoes!
Happy Birthday to...
Barbara Tumlinson 10/3
Ian McLaughlin 10/11
Lacy Smith 10/13
Elizabeth Raphael 10/17
Elouise Murphy 10/24
Kathy Nations 10/28
Brendan McLaughlin 10/29
Pat Norvell 10/30
This Month, We Pray for...
Gail Baldwin; Marilyn Bourdene; Lynn Bruce; Carole Bryde; Tammy Busby; Linda Castor; Shirley Dunn; Wilma Elrod; Mary Ann Finley; Jean Fowler; Chris Gann; Bonnie Glanville; Leck and Cynthia Heflin; Michael Hilley; Kathy LaTour; Harold Logan; Jan Logan; Carolyn Miracle; Marie Miranda; Mike Miranda; Tim Miranda; Pat Norvell; Jorge Ortiz; Brandon Owen; Tracy Penfield; Pontis Ministries; Kathy Purvis; Shelly Robertson; Elizabeth Robbins; Robin Robbins; Ginny Salinas; Beth Saxton; Debbie Schwartz; Jeanne Scroppo; Linda Simmons; Alan Smith; Kelly Smith; Travis Smith; Chris Venable; Louise Williams; Amy Young
