CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS

UMC OF SWARTZ CREEK

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

What is
Sabbath?
The literal
translation of
Sabbath (Hebrew:
shabbath or
shabbat) is resting
or ceasing from Dealing with Busyness?...
work/labor.
Embrace the Sabbath-Living!
Some key passages
about Sabbath:
Even in my short time here, there is definitely one thing I’ve noticed: this is a busy,
Genesis 2:2-3,
Exodus 16:1-30, busy place full of busy, busy people! There are lots of amazing things people are
Exodus 20:8-11, doing here in the name of the Lord, but it is still LOTS! In a place like this and in a
Deut. 5:12-15, society like ours, I think it is especially important for us to remember the God-given
Leviticus 25:1-7, rhythms for our lives. God’s rhythm involves SABBATH - work 6 days and rest the
Isaiah 56:4-7, 7th. Sabbath-living provides space for us to rest, reflect, renew our spirits, and be in
Mark 2:27-28
relationship with one another. It is not only a command, but a GIFT from God! As
We are called to we begin this new year, will you embrace Sabbath-living with me?
observe and






Seeking rest in the Lord, Rachel
remember the
Sabbath, and to keep Just a few ways to embrace Sabbath-Living
it holy.
✤ Evaluate your daily schedule - how do you spend your time? Write down a
In scripture, Sabbath
is considered both a typical day (as detailed as possible). After doing so, go through it again,
command (Exodus looking for signs of God’s rhythms in your daily life. Star each instance and
20) and a gift (Isaiah then consider additional ways to incorporate God’s call to rest, reflect,
58) from God. renew, and relate.
Sabbath-living ✤ Learn a centering prayer that you can repeat throughout the day. Examples
allows us to slow
down enough to include: ‘Gracious God, be with me.’ ‘Lord, have mercy.’ ‘Thank you, Lord.’
hear, see, taste, and Saying these can provide a brief respite in the midst of busyness.
be mindful of God’s ✤ Find time for daily worship, whether it is singing praise songs or hymns,
precious gifts, and
reminds us that spending time in nature, simply being still, or praising God in prayer.
everything is God’s ✤ Take time for prayer during one of your daily activities, such as driving to
and there is enough work or drinking your morning cup of coffee.
for all.
Sabbath-living
✤ Choose one day a week (perhaps Sunday) to refrain from commerce and
liberates us from the consumerism (i.e. going to the mall, grocery store, etc.).
‘if only’ syndrome ✤ Be willing to let things be - even if they aren’t done yet! Set aside a time
where our rest is
allocated ‘if only’ the each day or each week that is devoted to rest (naps can be holy!), prayer/
tasks we have been scripture reading/meditation/worship (individual or communal), and quality
assigned are time with family and friends.
completed.
✤ Learn to play - Sabbath is given to us so that we might delight in the Lord!
 SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIAL EVENTS

Family Fun Night - Saturday, February 20th, 6:30-8:00pm

Activitie
y time as a s for peo
Come enjo all ages a ple of
y!
communit nd intere
sts!

Come join us in the Family Life Center for an evening of fun and fellowship.
We’ll play games, eat snacks, make crafts, and laugh until our bellies ache.
Bring a heart ready for fun and your favorite board or card game to share.
All are welcome - invite your friends!

A LOOK AT OUR ... 2009 CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

In case you missed it, here are some photos from

our 2009 Christmas Program. Thanks to the
enthusiasm, hard work, and servant hearts of our
kids and volunteers, it was a night of wonder, joy,
and fellowship. Alleluia! God is with us!

Special thanks to Rich Moreland, who graciously led our music, and Eileen Faith, our accompanist.
Thanks also to the following adults (and countless others!) who lent a helping hand during practices and the
performance - Charlanne Bratton, Susan Goff, Laurie Graves, Ginger Gundry, Tammy Gwillim, Terrianne
Harnden, Stacie Kraysovic, Hope Moreland, Brian & MaDonna Kelley, Jerry Rice, & Cindy Verhaeghe. Also,
many thanks to all the Sunday school teachers who helped prepare special presentations. You are all
blessings!
ALIVE Update Sunday School
.......................... at a Glance
For ALIVE to continue to be a 30 Somethings’
blessing in the lives of our children &
Jerry & Dannett Rice, Lounge
youth, we need help in a couple of Connecting with Others
areas.
Lesa McKeon/Ann Brimley, Rm. 205

• Serve on a kitchen crew once Essential Christianity

Carolyn Landis, Johnson Center
a month and help prepare and
serve dinner. Fellowship Bible Study

Norma Mueller, Rm. 207
• Serve as a recreation leader
Our ALIVE participants have been Journey Through the Bible
approximately 3 Wednesdays
glad to return to our Wednesday
Dennis Thorpe, Rm.203
this Winter/Spring. This involves
nights after our Christmas break. We
leading the children in games Men’s Bible Study
also were excited to learn upon our
Pete Plum, Rm. 302
and other physical activities.
return that the some of the Operation
Christmas Child Shoeboxes we helped If you are interested in either of Women’s Bible Study

Donna Heddins/Amy Gawthrop, Rm. 206
pack in November ended up in these opportunities, please let Rachel
Ukraine, Madagascar, & Central Asia! know as soon as possible. For Youth:
Praise be to our God whose hand is Jr. High Class, Rm. 109
present to all the world! Sr. High Class, Rm. 204

Children’s Sunday School For Children:

2 & 3 Year Olds, Rm. 101
Classes to visit 4 & 5 Year Olds, Rm. 104
Kindergarten-1st grade, Rm108
Durand Senior Care & 2nd-3rd grade, Rm. 102
Rehab Center 4th-5th grade, Rm. 105

On Sunday, February 14th, our Each Sunday from 9:45-10:45am.

children’s Sunday School classes Come join us!
(K-5) will share God’s love with the DEAR A
DULT SU
SCHOOL NDAY
residents of Durand Senior Care & CLASSES
If you have ,
Rehab Center. While there, they will sing songs and hand out n
’t already, p
lease provi
Rachel wit de
valentines to the residents. h a 2-3 sen
about your tence desc
Sunday Sch ription
used on th ool class to
Permission slips with more detailed information will be e church w be
publication ebsite and
s. Paragrap other
distributed to children by their Sunday School teachers. All rbenton@ hs can be se
umc-sc.org nt to
children must have a signed slip to participate! Rachel’s offi or placed in
ce. Also, p
remaining lease turn
registratio in any
Adult drivers/chaperones are needed. Please see Rachel if you have! n forms yo
u may still
are able to help.
peace, Rac
hel

Rachel’s FOR ADULTS: FOR CHILDREN:

R Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, & Delight in Chicken Sunday, written and illustrated by
E
C our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller is an Patricia Polacco, is a heart-warming story
O excellent resource for an in-depth look that explores themes of family,
M
M at Sabbath-living. In addition to poignant friendship, giving, redemption, and the
E
N illustrations that illuminate the meaning church. A beautiful message for children
D of Sabbath, Muller also offers suggestions of all ages.
E
D for exercises you can incorporate in
Reads your own practice of Sabbath-keeping.
 Results from...our Heifer Fill the Ark Campaign
Upcoming Opportunities &
As you may remember, during Advent we encouraged you to give to Heifer
Announcements
International, an organization that seeks to end hunger and care for the earth by
providing “appropriate livestock, training and related services to small-scale • The EASTER FAIR will be
farmers and communities worldwide.” Saturday, April 3rd. Mark your
calendars and invite your friends!
Thanks to all of you, we raised over $1100 through our Fill
• Be on the lookout!
the Ark campaign (w/ numbers still coming in at time of printing!).
During LENT, all families with
In Heifer terms, that’s equivalent to about 2 cows, about 9 children will receive a weekly
sheep, or 55 flocks of chickens! devotional to guide your time
together as we prepare for Jesus’
Thanks for making a difference in the lives of countless families death and resurrection.
throughout the world. Your generosity matters to them...and to God!
• For YOUTH - It's time to start
thinking about youth mission
JANUARY/FEBRUARY SCHEDULE trips this summer.  The JH will be
going to Grand Rapids from June
January 6 – ALIVE, 4:00-6:30pm 22-26 and the SH will be going to
January 13 – ALIVE, 4:00-6:30pm Oklahoma - July 9-18.  Make sure
January 20 – ALIVE, 4:00-6:30pm to tell Brian Kelley if you are
January 27 – ALIVE, 4:00-6:30pm interested in these awesome
Educational Ministries Taskforce Meeting, 7:30pm trips.
January 31 - Women’s Sunday sponsored by the United Methodist Women, both

worship services
February 3 – ALIVE, 4:00-6:30pm
February 10 – ALIVE, 4:00-6:30pm
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
February 14 - Children’s Sunday School classes to Durand Senior Care Center
February 17 - Lent begins! Sunday School,

No ALIVE this week 9:45-10:45am

Potato Bar sponsored by the Youth, 4:30-6:00pm

Ash Wednesday Service, 6:30pm Sunday Worship,
February 20 - Family Fun Night, 6:30-8:00pm in the Family Life Center 8:30am in the Sanctuary
February 21 - Family Devotion Guides for Lent to be distributed (extra copies at 11:00am in the Family Life Center

the Welcome Centers) Wednesday Worship,
February 24 - ALIVE, 4:00-6:30pm
6:30pm in the Sanctuary

Bible Studies:
What exactly is a Minister of
Monday -
Discipleship?
Disciple I, 10am;
Discipleship basically refers to all the ways Disciple II, 6:30pm;
that inspire, encourage, and enable us to For more information about
Disciple IV, 7pm;
follow Christ by loving God and our events in this newsletter or
Bible Study, 7pm
neighbors more fully. So, for us, this newly- other discipleship Tuesday –
established position involves someone who opportunities, contact Disciple III, 7pm
leads the Christian Education ministry (Sunday Short-Term Disciple Study on
Rachel D. Benton,
Romans, 6:30pm
School, Bible Studies,VBS, Special Events, etc.),
Minister of Discipleship
plans fellowship and service opportunities,
church office, 635-4555
participates in worship planning & preaching, UMC OF SWARTZ CREEK
rbenton@umc-sc.org
and provides pastoral care. Contact Rachel 7400 Miller Road
with any questions or ideas as we grow into Swartz Creek, MI 48473
810-635-4555
this new position together!