May Memories
Pastor's Note
The book of Acts is one of the most dynamic and action-packed books of the Bible (and as such, is aptly named). It recounts the bold words and deeds of the first apostles and the convicting movement of the Holy Spirit among them, all of which led to the growth of the Christian movement.
Through June, we are going to be considering stories from the book of Acts in our worship services in a series I am calling “Inter-Acts.” It is my hope that you will be able both to enter the stories of these early apostles more deeply, as well as be moved by some interactive elements to help ground their witness in our own lives. I’m not going to go too crazy, but it is my plan that you will have something you can do during and/or after the service to interact with these stories and the same Spirit that inspired them.
The importance of action enlivening our faith is seen throughout the Bible, notably in Acts and James, and is highlighted by John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement. In one of his sermons, titled “On Working Out Our Own Salvation,” Wesley explains, “God breathes into us every good desire, and brings every good desire to good effect.” I see that same pattern emerge in the book of Acts as the Holy Spirit breathes new ideas into the apostles, and then leads them another step forward in bringing those ideas to life.
Later in the same sermon, Wesley adds this, “First, God works; therefore you can work. Secondly, God works; therefore you must work.” That is the interactive presence of God among us that guided the early church and deeply influenced the Methodist movement. I hope that in exploring Acts we will all be inspired by how God is working among us and that we will be compelled to extend that work of love, mercy, justice, and good news out into the world.
Coming Up...
Sunday, June 2
Annual Conference begins
11:30 a.m. Called Church Meeting (see below)
1:00 p.m. Meet at Lakewood UMC to join us in walking in the Pride Parade! (see below)
4:30 p.m. Meet at Oak Lawn UMC to serve Sunday supper at Oak Lawn Community Meal (see below)
7:00 p.m. Annual Conference Opening Worship at Christ UMC, 3101 Coit Rd, Plano, TX, 75075
Monday, June 3
Annual Conference - office closed
7:00 p.m. Annual Conference Service of Ordination and Commissioning at Christ UMC, 3101 Coit Rd, Plano, TX 75075
Tuesday, June 4
Annual Conference - office closed
7:00 p.m. Knitting Group
Sunday, June 9
11:30 a.m. Graduation Reception for Grace Robertson
Tuesday, June 11
5:30 p.m. Linden Grove Theatre Co. Auditions
Sunday, June 16
3:00 p.m. Worship at Juliette Fowler
Monday, June 17
9:00 a.m. District Committee on Ordained Ministry
6:00 p.m. Trustees
7:00 p.m. Church Council
Sunday, June 30
11:30 a.m. Hamburger Cookout and Hymn Sing in the Fellowship Hall in celebration of American Independence
Called Church Meeting
Immediately following worship on Sunday, June 2, 2019, Lakewood UMC will convene an All-Church Meeting to consider a Local Church Policy on Marriage Inclusion, as recommended by the Lakewood UMC Administrative Council. The recommended policy is set out in bold type below:
We, members of Lakewood United Methodist Church, are moved by our faith to adopt this Local Church Policy on Marriage Inclusion, consistent with our Mission Statement:
Lakewood United Methodist Church embraces the concept of Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors. We affirm that all people are created in the image of God and, as beloved children of God, are worthy of God’s love and grace. Our faith moves us to welcome all persons of every age, gender identity, racial or ethnic background, sexual orientation, marital or socioeconomic status, physical or mental ability to full participation in our faith community. We invite all people in our journey toward greater understanding and mutual respect and reconciliation through Christ.
We embrace the truth given to us through Scripture that we are all God’s beloved, and that Jesus’ grace is given freely to all.
We celebrate the wonder of our differences in race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, ability, and economic circumstance.
We affirm the sanctity of the marriage covenant that is expressed in love, mutual support, personal commitment, and shared fidelity, without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity.
We affirm that all our church property may be utilized for marriages or renewal of vows for consenting adult couples without preclusion on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, age, sex, ability, or economic circumstances, and support our pastor’s decision to officiate at any such ceremony.
At the All-Church Meeting, each Lakewood UMC member will be given the opportunity to state his/her level of agreement or opposition on a written scale sheet. A response with the number 5 would indicate that the member would be a champion for the recommended policy; the number 4 would indicate that the member strongly agrees with the recommended policy; the number 3 would indicate that the member agrees with the recommended policy; the number 2 would indicate that the member has reservations about the recommended policy; and the number 1 would indicate that the member is strongly opposed to the recommended policy. The written responses will be submitted anonymously.
Under the recommended policy, Lakewood UMC would support our pastor’s decision to officiate gay marriages, and Lakewood UMC property would be available for gay marriages. If such weddings were to take place, this policy would not protect our pastor from having a complaint filed with the Bishop based on the claim that the inclusion practices are inconsistent with a current provision in the Book of Discipline that identifies gay marriage as “incompatible with Christian teaching.”
The Lakewood UMC Administrative Council nevertheless recommends the marriage inclusion policy. While we are only one local congregation, we can make a stand against the discrimination that breaks hearts and alienates people. Through the gospel, we hear Christ say, “Follow me,” and nothing else really matters.
Through this policy, we seek to live out not only our local mission statement, but more importantly our Lord’s command, “That you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:12-13).
Please direct any questions to Patrick Littlefield, 903-814-4173, littlefield.patrick@gmail.com.
Cindy Estee, Lay Leader
John Gill, Administrative Council Co-Chair
Janet Larroca, Administrative Council Co-Chair
Pride Parade
Lakewood UMC, along with other area Reconciling Ministries Network communities, will participate in this year’s pride parade! Help us decorate our float on Saturday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m. here at the church. We will be indoors for our setup, and then the decorations will be transferred to Fair Park to be set up on the float.
The parade takes place this Sunday, June 2. We will walk in the parade and have an option to ride on a float. If you want to join us, please meet us at the church at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 2. If you’d prefer to stay after church, we will provide sandwiches for lunch. Please RSVP if you have not already by calling (214) 823-9623 or e-mailing office@mylakewoodchurch.org so we have a head count and can be sure to have sandwiches for everybody that wants them.
Oak Lawn Community Meal: Serve with Us!
Give an hour of your time at Oak Lawn United Methodist Church! On the first Sunday of every month, Lakewood UMC sends volunteers to serve Sunday supper to homeless neighbors at Oak Lawn (3014 Oak Lawn Ave, 75219). We serve on a rotation, so if you would like to sign up as a regular volunteer you would serve approximately 4 times a year. Call (214) 823-9623 or e-mail office@mylakewoodchurch.org for more information.
Annual Conference
Every year, United Methodists from churches all around North Texas gather together for worship, celebration of ministry, and some voting on local matters. This year’s conference will be June 2-4 at Christ UMC in Plano. All are welcome to attend, and you can find a schedule on the North Texas Conference website if you are interested. You can also watch a live stream of conference on your computer, we will share that link on our Facebook page when conference starts. Know that Lakewood UMC is well represented and even if you can’t make it, keep us in your prayers!
Graduation Reception for Grace Robertson
We will continue to celebrate our newest high school graduate, Grace Robertson, on June 9 right after worship! Please stick around to congratulate her, have some cake, and there will be a box for you to leave her a card of good wishes.
Worship at Juliette Fowler
On June 16 we will be leading worship at Juliette Fowler senior living community, and we need some extra hands to help out. If you can come and help take communion to residents or help with any other part of the service, please let us know by emailing the church office or leaving a note on Eva’s desk. The service starts at 3 pm, so plan to arrive a little before and stay for about an hour.
Lakewood 4th of July Parade
We will join the Lakewood 4th of July parade again this year with a float featuring Messy Church! All are welcome to join us in decorating and/or walking in the parade, even if you have never been to Messy Church. More details on date and time to come, but please let us know if you would like to walk with the float so that we can prepare.
Summer Music Camp
Lakewood is hosting its second Summer Music Camp! Here's what you need to know:
When:
July 15 - 25, Monday - Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Performance on Thursday evening, July 25
Who:
Campers ages 5-12
Counselors ages 13-16
Volunteers any age!
Cost: $300
For more information or to register a camper, contact the church office at (214) 823-9623 or office@mylakewoodchurch.org.
Happy Birthday to...
Julie Stauble 6/3
Becky Heflin 6/4
Darren Smith 6/4
Carol Ann Ravert 6/5
Melissa Stauble 6/5
Aidan McLaughlin 6/6
Megan Smith 6/17
This Month, We Pray for...
Kathryn Bagley; Gail Baldwin; Lynn Bruce; Carole Bryde; Linda Castor; family of Kevin Colon; Shirley Dunn; Wilma Elrod; Mary Ann Finley; Jean Fowler; Chris Gann; Bonnie Glanville; 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; Kathy Purvis; David Rentz; Michelle Ried; Shelly Robertson; Elizabeth Robbins; Robin Robbins; Ginny Salinas; Beth Saxton; Debbie Schwartz; Jeanne Scroppo; Linda Simmons; Alan Smith; Kelly Smith; Travis Smith; Chris Venable; Betty Watson; Louise Williams
