Today was an awesome day! Nine folks came together today to serve. We had a few folks from each of our services (Contemporary, Traditional, and Encounters) participate together. We spackled, hung doors, hung protective sheeting in a shower to make it usable, got a garage door opener working, replaced 17 cabinet closures, and a couple of child latches. It was a very productive day.
We got most of the things on the list that we wanted to get done, done. We will be returning on October 10th to finish patching the cracks and painting. If you would like to join us to help complete this Random Act of Kindness, please contact Russell Hall in the church office or at acts242@hotmail.com
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Shirt Sales Reminder
The communications team reminds us that the final opportunity to purchase t-shirts, embroidered shirts, hats, and tote bags with the new United Methodist Temple logo on them is approaching fast!
These items available come in a variety of colors and styles and are priced as follows:
T-shirts - $12.00
Hats - $12.00
Tote Bags - $15.00
Embroidered Shirts - $29.00 and up
This final opportunity to order/purchase these items will begins THIS SUNDAY, September 27th and runs through Sunday, October 4th. Look for the communications team to be located in the narthex on Sunday mornings.
Thanks to everyone who has supported this team by buying these UMT items to wear as a witness in the community.
See you Sunday!
These items available come in a variety of colors and styles and are priced as follows:
T-shirts - $12.00
Hats - $12.00
Tote Bags - $15.00
Embroidered Shirts - $29.00 and up
This final opportunity to order/purchase these items will begins THIS SUNDAY, September 27th and runs through Sunday, October 4th. Look for the communications team to be located in the narthex on Sunday mornings.
Thanks to everyone who has supported this team by buying these UMT items to wear as a witness in the community.
See you Sunday!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
More about Encounters
Over the last couple of days, we have come across a number of people that are still unclear about what Encounters is and what it is not. In an attempt to help clarify, I want to offer the following details:
Encounters is the name that we have given to a very large outreach program here at the United Methodist Temple. Currently, there are a number of different ministries that are occurring under the "Encounters - an outreach of the United Methodist Temple" label.
#1 - Saturday evenings we are having a worship service (currently taking place about every other week, but scheduled to be weekly after the first of the year). This is a third worship service at UMT and is open to EVERYONE. The service follows a different order of worship and has a different style and feel to it, but it is a worship service that is open to anyone that wants to come. At this service, we preach a relevant gospel message that is applicable to everyone. This is not, I REPEAT IS NOT, just a service for folks in recovery. This is a service for anyone wanting to grow in their relationship with Christ (just like any other service here at the Temple).
#2 - On Thursdays we are offering a Bible study that we are currently calling Midweek Encounters (but the name is subject to change) that discusses the 12 steps of recovery from a biblical perspective. Because the steps came out of the scriptures we feel that they have some relevance to all Christians whether they are in a 12 step program or not. We believe that the 12 steps are 12 steps to a life of freedom in relationship to Jesus Christ and as such, everyone can benefit from studying them. Very basic Christian principles are at the heart of these steps. Things like honesty, faith, hope, love, confession, amends making, etc are all taken directly from the scriptures. These are things that all Christians are directed towards. As such, this class is open to anyone that wants to explore the relationship between the scriptures and the steps as it relates to their lives.
#3 - Came to Believe is the name of our Christian 12 step meeting that is specifically directed towards people in recovery. It operates like any AA, CA, NA or other 12 step group, but is open to people wrestling with any kind of addiction. This is a place where we can hold one another accountable to our programs of recovery and process what is going on in our lives from week to week. It is also a place where we do not have to check our relationship with Christ at the door.
#4 - Random Acts of Kindness are just our ways of being missional and evangelistic. Maybe a better way to put it is that these are additional opportunities to reach out to our community with the love of Christ. Sometimes this means taking care packages to families waiting in ICU, while other times it means working on a house (painting, etc). Through small gifts of service we are able to share the love of Christ with people in our communities.
#5 Lifegroups - Because the larger faith community meets on Saturday evenings, they miss out on Sunday school opportunities. Lifegroups is the small group version of Sunday School. These groups get together to pray for one another, study together, and serve together. These little communities help keep people from becoming disconnected in the larger community of faith here at the United Methodist Temple.
I hope that these descriptions have been helpful. I would ask that you do me a favor: if you are still unclear about any of the new outreach ministries or about our new worship service, please ask. It is important that everyone know and understand what is happening. With the right information, we can help direct people to the best fit for their worshiping and growing needs here at the Temple. To meet with me or find out more information about these happenings, please call the church office or email me at acts242@hotmail.com.
Many thanks and many blessings,
Russell
Encounters is the name that we have given to a very large outreach program here at the United Methodist Temple. Currently, there are a number of different ministries that are occurring under the "Encounters - an outreach of the United Methodist Temple" label.
#1 - Saturday evenings we are having a worship service (currently taking place about every other week, but scheduled to be weekly after the first of the year). This is a third worship service at UMT and is open to EVERYONE. The service follows a different order of worship and has a different style and feel to it, but it is a worship service that is open to anyone that wants to come. At this service, we preach a relevant gospel message that is applicable to everyone. This is not, I REPEAT IS NOT, just a service for folks in recovery. This is a service for anyone wanting to grow in their relationship with Christ (just like any other service here at the Temple).
#2 - On Thursdays we are offering a Bible study that we are currently calling Midweek Encounters (but the name is subject to change) that discusses the 12 steps of recovery from a biblical perspective. Because the steps came out of the scriptures we feel that they have some relevance to all Christians whether they are in a 12 step program or not. We believe that the 12 steps are 12 steps to a life of freedom in relationship to Jesus Christ and as such, everyone can benefit from studying them. Very basic Christian principles are at the heart of these steps. Things like honesty, faith, hope, love, confession, amends making, etc are all taken directly from the scriptures. These are things that all Christians are directed towards. As such, this class is open to anyone that wants to explore the relationship between the scriptures and the steps as it relates to their lives.
#3 - Came to Believe is the name of our Christian 12 step meeting that is specifically directed towards people in recovery. It operates like any AA, CA, NA or other 12 step group, but is open to people wrestling with any kind of addiction. This is a place where we can hold one another accountable to our programs of recovery and process what is going on in our lives from week to week. It is also a place where we do not have to check our relationship with Christ at the door.
#4 - Random Acts of Kindness are just our ways of being missional and evangelistic. Maybe a better way to put it is that these are additional opportunities to reach out to our community with the love of Christ. Sometimes this means taking care packages to families waiting in ICU, while other times it means working on a house (painting, etc). Through small gifts of service we are able to share the love of Christ with people in our communities.
#5 Lifegroups - Because the larger faith community meets on Saturday evenings, they miss out on Sunday school opportunities. Lifegroups is the small group version of Sunday School. These groups get together to pray for one another, study together, and serve together. These little communities help keep people from becoming disconnected in the larger community of faith here at the United Methodist Temple.
I hope that these descriptions have been helpful. I would ask that you do me a favor: if you are still unclear about any of the new outreach ministries or about our new worship service, please ask. It is important that everyone know and understand what is happening. With the right information, we can help direct people to the best fit for their worshiping and growing needs here at the Temple. To meet with me or find out more information about these happenings, please call the church office or email me at acts242@hotmail.com.
Many thanks and many blessings,
Russell
Friday, September 18, 2009
New Community Information Service
From time to time we receive information about community services that we feel is especially important to pass on to you. Our current submission discusses one more tool that we have at our disposal to receive information relating to weather and law enforcement issues. Check it out below:
New Community Information Service
The Cities of Groves, Nederland, and Port Neches [and soon Port Arthur and Beaumont] are joining a Community Information Service designed to deliver important, timely information to residents regarding weather related and law enforcement issues. You can register for this service at www.Nixle.com .
This service, Nixle, delivers trustworthy and important neighborhood-level public safety and community event notifications instantly sent to you by cell phone text message, email, and web. There is NO Spam or Advertising.
Nixle is completely free (standard text message rates apply for cell phone subscribers who do not have text plans with their cell phone providers).
The service is simple to use, reliable and trusted. Register now and learn more at www.nixle.com.
The cities ask you to share this information with your neighbors or friends in the community and recommend that they register to receive neighborhood information.
Stay connected to your world, from the public safety alerts that are relevant to you, to the important neighborhood advisories you want to know about, and other valuable community information. You decide what information you want and whether you want it sent to your cell phone, email, or just simply over the web.
To register, go to www.Nixle.com and click on the “Register Now” button. Fill out the forms, and you’re done!
If you need help in registering, the City of Groves has equipped the staff at the Groves Public Library to help you. Please visit the Groves Public Library and ask them to help you register for Nixle.com .
Please share this information with your friends and family!
New Community Information Service
The Cities of Groves, Nederland, and Port Neches [and soon Port Arthur and Beaumont] are joining a Community Information Service designed to deliver important, timely information to residents regarding weather related and law enforcement issues. You can register for this service at www.Nixle.com .
This service, Nixle, delivers trustworthy and important neighborhood-level public safety and community event notifications instantly sent to you by cell phone text message, email, and web. There is NO Spam or Advertising.
Nixle is completely free (standard text message rates apply for cell phone subscribers who do not have text plans with their cell phone providers).
The service is simple to use, reliable and trusted. Register now and learn more at www.nixle.com.
The cities ask you to share this information with your neighbors or friends in the community and recommend that they register to receive neighborhood information.
Stay connected to your world, from the public safety alerts that are relevant to you, to the important neighborhood advisories you want to know about, and other valuable community information. You decide what information you want and whether you want it sent to your cell phone, email, or just simply over the web.
To register, go to www.Nixle.com and click on the “Register Now” button. Fill out the forms, and you’re done!
If you need help in registering, the City of Groves has equipped the staff at the Groves Public Library to help you. Please visit the Groves Public Library and ask them to help you register for Nixle.com .
Please share this information with your friends and family!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Labor Day Celebration!
Are you looking for something to do on Monday, September 7th!?!
We have just the thing. You are invited to come join us as we open our doors to the community for a Labor Day Family Fun Day. Check out the flyer below for all the details:
In addition to the bounce house we will have a 20' high superslide and lots of fun and games for both adults and children. Don't forget to register to win discounts on manicures and pedicures or a $50.00 gift card or 1 gig Ipod Shuffle or much, much more!
We have just the thing. You are invited to come join us as we open our doors to the community for a Labor Day Family Fun Day. Check out the flyer below for all the details:
In addition to the bounce house we will have a 20' high superslide and lots of fun and games for both adults and children. Don't forget to register to win discounts on manicures and pedicures or a $50.00 gift card or 1 gig Ipod Shuffle or much, much more!
Shirt Sales - A Final Opportunity
The communications team wants to let you all know that there will be one final opportunity to purchase t-shirts, embroidered shirts, hats, and tote bags with the new United Methodist Temple logo on them.
These items come in a variety of colors and styles and are priced as follows:
T-shirts - $12.00
Hats - $12.00
Tote Bags - $15.00
Embroidered Shirts - $29.00 and up
The final opportunity to order/purchase these items will be from September 27th through October 4th. Look for the communications team to be located in the narthex during those dates.
The communications team wants to give an EXTRA BIG THANKS to everyone who has supported this team by buying these UMT items to wear as a witness in the community.
Keep an eye out here, in the bulletin and in the newsletter for more information!
These items come in a variety of colors and styles and are priced as follows:
T-shirts - $12.00
Hats - $12.00
Tote Bags - $15.00
Embroidered Shirts - $29.00 and up
The final opportunity to order/purchase these items will be from September 27th through October 4th. Look for the communications team to be located in the narthex during those dates.
The communications team wants to give an EXTRA BIG THANKS to everyone who has supported this team by buying these UMT items to wear as a witness in the community.
Keep an eye out here, in the bulletin and in the newsletter for more information!
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