CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS

UMC OF SWARTZ CREEK

MAY/JUNE 2010

What is
Pentecost?
Pentecost is the 50th
and last day of the
Easter Season.
Pentecost marks
when the Church
received the gift of
the Holy Spirit - for Summer Spirituality
us this year, it is
May 23rd. Often, summer is a time when we take a break from the normal rhythms
A key scripture for of life. We enjoy spending time outdoors, visiting with family and friends,
this event is Acts 2.
traveling to favorite places, and simply finding time to relax. We view the time
During Pentecost we away and the change of pace as a way to be refreshed, and sometimes forget
remember the unity
of the Church as a that our spiritual growth happens all year long!
community called When our schedules change, it easy for our normal routines to drop off
together by the Holy and slide out of the picture, but my challenge to us this summer is this:
Spirit.
To continue to grow in our faithfulness.
Pentecost reminds Now, that doesn’t mean that you’ll cancel all your plans so that you can be
us that the Church is
core to who we are - here every Sunday morning, but it does mean that you’ll be faithfully present
the body of Christ in when you can, and when you can’t, you’ll still faithfully set aside time with God.
the world! What a gift it is to grow while we’re together and while we’re apart!
Traditionally, the Seeking to ever-grow in God’s grace, Rachel
Church has used this
day for baptisms,
confirmation, and Ways to Escape the Summer Spiritual Slump
baptismal ★ Enjoy worship here the weeks you are in town! And if you are away on a
reaffirmation.
weekend, come on a Wednesday night instead.
Some describe this
day as the birthday ★ Take advantage of our Summer Sunday School ministry, beginning June 6th
of the Church. (see page 2 of newsletter).
★ When you are away from town, enjoy visiting another church. God is
present wherever you go!
★ If you’re out of town and there isn’t a church nearby, find a quiet spot
outside and set aside time for scripture reading, prayer, and maybe even
some singing!
★ Take the summer as an opportunity to do something new as a family! Find
one new way to share God’s love - maybe it’s volunteering at the food
pantry or the soup kitchen, maybe it’s starting a neighborhood bible study,
maybe it’s simply asking where a helping hand is needed and then offering it!
 SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIAL EVENTS

Summer Sunday School for All Ages!

Beginning Sunday, June 6th through July 25th.
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A more relaxed format, but just as spiritually nourishing!

Don’t let your summer schedule keep you away - we’d love to see you for
one Sunday OR every Sunday!
Questions? See Rachel, Minister of Discipleship

PROMOTION SUNDAY DISCIPLE RECOGNITION

Sunday, May 23rd marks our final Sunday
School session for the school year, and it is
time for our children and junior high youth
to celebrate!
All parents/guardians are invited to our
Sunday School Promotion gathering at
9:45am in Murbach Hall.
In addition to being recognized for their
participation in Sunday School, the kids will
share songs and what they’ve learned
throughout the year. You won’t want to miss
this time of celebration!
SUNDAY
On Sunday, May 23rd during both
worship services we will recognize all
those who participated in a Disciple
Bible Study class or another church-
sponsored bible study in 2009-10.
If you have participated in a bible study
this year, please make sure to attend
one of our worship services as we
celebrate your commitment!
 KIDS’ KORNER

ALIVE ’09-10...a year of blessings!

Some HIGHLIGHTS from our year
together:
Over 60 children & 40 volunteers
participated...Studied the bible and grew
in God’s love...Praised God through
singing and ringing...Had some good old-
fashioned fun in recreation...Helped
collect and put together over 100
shoeboxes for Operation Christmas
Child...4th & 5th Graders shared God’s
love through music with the residents at
Swank Home...Amazing kitchen teams
kept us well-fed each week and gave us an
incredible feast at our banquet...Created
a wall of prayers for the people of Haiti
that were compiled into a book that will
be presented to the Methodist Church of
Haiti...and SO MUCH MORE!

Special Announcement for Kids

(and their parents)
As a way to get to know our children better, Mrs. Rachel is
coming to visit this summer! If you are an infant to a rising 5th
grader, Mrs. Rachel would like to visit you at your house.

She wants to learn all about you, so we’ll spend a little time
getting to know each other better, and she may even bring you a
special treat! Each Sunday from 9:45-10:45am.
Come join us!
Look in your mailbox for more information in the coming weeks!

FAMILY CAMP AT LAKEVIEW SUMMER CAMP

C On July 23-25, all families, singles, retirees are
A invited for a weekend of fun, fellowship, and
If your child would like to go to camp this
M enjoyment of God’s creation.
summer, there’s still time to sign up!
Brochures are available at the information/
P Activities include swimming, boating, fishing, sports welcome centers. Call the church office or
I of all kinds, campfires, a potluck supper, horse-
drawn hay rides, etc.
go to www.umccamps.org for more
N Lots are still available, so if you’re interested in
information.
Scholarships of $100 each are available for
G joining us, call Jerry & Genny Flanary at 635-7297 the first 10 applicants from our church.
or the church office at 635-4555.
 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Get ready to get your hands dirty as we dig into God’s Good Green Earth!

Ways to Help
Sunday, August 8 - Thursday, August 12, 6:00pm
• Volunteer to work with We will be learning about VBS is a church-wide event -
our children the week of God’s good creation, how we there is a place for everyone
VBS (see Rachel or are called to take care of it, to serve! Don’t miss out on
bulletin) this blessing!
and how God takes care of us.
• Volunteer to help with
p re p - wo rk , s e t - u p, o r
Mark your calendars and
clean-up (see Rachel or invite your friends for this fun
bulletin)
and faith-filled week of bible
stories, songs, crafts, games,
• Purchase supplies (list at
welcome centers) and service!

• Collect recycled items Parents - Registration will

(list at welcome centers) begin in July - all children
who pre-register will receive a
• Pray for our children &
volunteers!

free music cd with our VBS
songs on it (1 per family).

DATES TO REMEMBER Sunday School at a

May 13 - Understanding Alzheimer’s Seminar, 6:30-8:30pm in the Sanctuary Glance
May 23 – PENTECOST SUNDAY
For Adults:

Disciple Recognition Sunday, 8:30/11:00 worship Combined Adult Forum,
Murbach Hall
Promotion Sunday, 9:45am in Murbach Hall

Last Sunday for Regular Sunday School For Youth:
Jr. & Sr High Class, Rm. 204
May 25 - Educational Ministries Taskforce Meeting, 6:30pm in Room 105
May 30 – No Sunday School For Children:
June 5 - Miracle Day Auction Nursery
Ages 4-Rising 5th grade, Rm. 104
June 6 - Miracle Sunday, 8:30/11:00 worship
Summer Sunday School BEGINS, 9:45am
For mor
e inform
August 8-12 – Vacation Bible School, 6:00-8:15pm these or ation ab
out
other ed
opportu ucationa
nities, c l
ontact
Rachel D
. Benton
,
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES Ministe
church
r of Disc
ip leship
Sunday School, office, 6
rbenton 35-4555
@umc-sc
9:45-10:45am (Regular classes end May 23rd; Summer classes begin June 6th) .org

Sunday Worship,
8:30am in the Sanctuary
UMC OF SWARTZ CREEK
11:00am in the Family Life Center 7400 Miller Road
Swartz Creek, MI 48473
Wednesday Worship, 810-635-4555
6:30pm in the Sanctuary http://umc-sc.org