Summer Celebration
Our summer ministry plan this year at Cedar Creek United Methodist Church focuses on visiting families and our children’s ministry. While our long-standing and faithful children’s Sunday school teachers receive some well-deserved time off, a team of servants is stepping up to lead a Sunday Celebration for children beginning June 3rd.
The team is being led by Jennifer Hays and Janet Hahn with support from VBS Director Mark Clingan, the pastors, and a group of table leaders called by the Holy Spirit to contribute time and energy in the lives of our children.
Each Sunday morning this summer from June 3rd to August 26th, this ministry will gather in the Worship Center following the first service – from about 10:10 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. The leaders are planning a fun-filled time of activity including music, stories, and games – much like our children experience at Vacation Bible School. The VBS theme of “Diving Deep for God” will be the lens through which the children are invited to interact with each other and with God’s Holy Spirit.
HOW CAN YOU BE A PART OF THIS WONDERFUL SUMMER MINISTRY?
Offer a prayer right now as you read this article – “Lord, God, bless our community of children in and surrounding Cedar Creek. Draw them to you, Oh Lord! Help us to be a blessing of transformation in the lives of families to the glory of God. Amen.”
Talk to Jennifer, Janet, Mark, or your pastors. Let them share the vision with you and engage your gifts in service. Dedicate yourself to joining this ministry in whole or in part, with your time, talent, energy, presence, or monetary support.
Thank you and have a wonderful Summer Celebration!
Pastor Paul
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for others.” (1 John 3:16 New International Version)
The Love of the Lord endures forever…
Recently, I had the honor of reading scripture at a community prayer event – 2 Chronicles 7:14. The reading comes from the Hebrew Scripture (our Old Testament) and is placed in the context of King Solomon commissioning the newly constructed Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. Remember now that Solomon was one of the sons of King David who was the first king of the unified tribes of Israel. This temple was a grand symbol of unity for the country and a significant place of worship to the Lord.
Solomon and the community rightly celebrated the completion of the temple construction and offered sacrifices to the Lord in order to consecrate the new structure. The scripture tells us that those assembled for the celebration knelt on the pavement outside the temple and prayed. Then an amazing thing happened – the Glory of the Lord filled the temple. In one voice, they worshipped saying, “The Lord is good; the love of the Lord endures forever.”
After the festival was over and folks had returned to their homes around the country, King Solomon rested in his palace. It was then that the Lord appeared to Solomon at night saying:
“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there” (New International Version, 2 Chronicles 7:12-16).
At the community prayer event I mention, the persons assembled prayed for healing in our community and in our land. Specifically, we prayed for community leaders – those elected, appointed, and commissioned. We chose to seek the face of the Lord and ask for mercy and guidance as we continue to face the monumental challenges of disaster recovery. We prayed for the leaders of our land. We prayed for many persons and for many leaders. But one common thread weaves the prayers together – hope in our Lord and hope for our land.
I invite you to join me in this season of Lent as together we pray with humble hearts for the forgiveness and healing that comes from our Lord.
Paul Harris
Pastor
DISCIPLESHIP COMMITMENT
Our commitment to follow Jesus Christ begins with hearing the call and then responding to it. We respond by being in worship together. In addition, we are encouraged to meet with smaller groups of people to read the Bible and discuss our faith. And then, we serve in the ministry of Jesus Christ in our community and the world. How are we doing in our discipleship – with our response of faith?
In the month of February, we are invited to make our annual Discipleship Commitment through this local church. We will have opportunity to make commitments in our personal and communal prayer, in our presence in worship and small group meetings, in our financial gifts, in our service to others, and in our witness – sharing of the Word of God.
You will be receiving a commitment card with a letter from the pastor early in the month. Please be in prayer regarding the discipleship commitment God calls you to make as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. And then be in worship on Sunday February 19th at one of our two morning worship services. Give in response to the extravagant generosity of the Lord and make a commitment in the ministry of disciples gathered at Cedar Creek United Methodist Church. That day at the Table of the Lord, we present our offering and our discipleship commitment.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Wonderful sentiments to wish one another in this season. We mean for each other, when we say these words, that indeed something new shall come for us, for our community, for all of God’s creation. What new thing are you hoping for? What new perspective shall we gain?
Consider this: “A New Heaven and a New Earth.” The early Christians experienced a new life in Christ Jesus, in his birth, in his death and resurrection, and in anticipation of his coming again. The whole concept of God breaking into the midst of history to bring something new provided Hope to a waiting world.
I wonder what our response shall be to the celebration of Jesus’ birth? Is it just an opportunity to visit family, take some time off from work and school, or give and receive gifts. Or could it be that we as a community seek out what those early Christians did?
I choose to seek the newness of God’s recreative activity in my life and in the life of this church community. I hope for a new heaven and a new earth, that which God can provide in the midst of God’s people – now and forever. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
-Pastor Paul Harris
United in Recovery
As our community moves from emergency response into the relief phase of this wildfire disaster, we have witnessed a significant outpouring of love and generosity from neighbors inside and outside Bastrop County. Volunteers and donor partners have contributed time and money to help suffering families in need. We are connected in this crisis, connected through our community, and connected in Christ.
Our connection in Christ has proved evident as the Body of Christ acts together to love our neighbor. A resident on Leisure Lane indicated the different disaster response groups helping on her property and in her life: “the Methodists, the Baptists, the Church of Christ, Lutherans, and more… It seems the people who follow Jesus have united in a new way.”
This is my prayer – that we might be united in recovery. As we remember all that was lost, let us pray that the connection we have in Christ will transform our community in what we have gained. We have gained a restored relationship with Christ. We have gained a fresh sense of community. We have gained a new perspective of the neighborhood – and it is much larger than we once imagined.
Pastor Paul
United in Recovery
November 1, 2011
WHY IS IT CALLED “STEPHEN MINISTRY?”
Most Christians have heard about the stoning of Stephen but few remember the reason. Acts 6 tells how the early church grew to the point where people’s needs were being neglected. So, the Apostles commissioned lay people to care for God’s converts. Stephen was the first and in a sense became the first Stephen Minister.
In Acts 2:42-47, it states that the fellowship of believers sold possessions and goods and came together and had everything in common…And “the Lord added to their numbers daily those who were saved”. (Most Christians remember the story of Acts 4:32-37 as it describes a couple, Ananias and Sapphire who held back some of the profits and were struck dead.) However, Acts 5:12-16 states that “many were healed by the Apostles”.
Acts 6 documents complaints that widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The Apostles decided that they were unable to continue their teaching and preaching and chose seven men who were known to be “full of the Spirit and Wisdom”. The responsibility for daily distribution was turned over to these men and the apostles stated, “We will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a “man full of faith and the Holy Spirit”. Verse 8 states “Stephen did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.” Opposition then arose among the Pharisees who felt threatened by the ministry which resulted in Stephen being arrested and stoned.
In support of the Stephen Ministry in our congregation, members are asked to “give attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” You will also be asked to refer persons that you know are experiencing crises and difficulties in their daily lives to our Pastor, Paul Harris, the point person for Stephen Ministry at CCUMC.
For more information about Stephen Ministry, contact Verda Turnbo, 512 308-9138; Judy Walker, 512 308-1162; or Pastor Paul at 512 303-1393.
The Importance of Prayer
Praying Right Now
“So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer” (Ezra 8:23).
Finding Stephen Ministers is the next step for our congregation’s Stephen Ministry. Right now we are praying for the individuals God is calling to serve as caregivers. Please include this need in your prayers. God answers our prayers because he is faithful.
Prayer Power
James tells us that the prayers of righteous people are powerful and effective (James 5:16). During the coming week, we invite you to pray about our congregation’s Stephen Ministry. Specifically, please pray for those God is calling to serve as caregivers in this ministry.
Using Your Spiritual Gifts
Gifted to Care Spiritual gifts are gifts to give away. God gives them to us, and we use them to serve others. How are you using your gifts right now? Are you looking for a new way to use them? If your spiritual gifts include one or more of the following–faith, mercy, teaching the faith, encouragement, or knowing–consider Stephen Ministry, our congregation’s one-to-one caregiving ministry. This may be just what you’ve been looking for!
Your Gifts Package
Faith, mercy, teaching the faith, encouragement, or knowing: Do one or more of these gifts describe you? If so, check out Stephen Ministry, our congregation’s one-to-one caregiving ministry. A new training class is starting soon.
Preparing to Serve
Learn, Grow, and Serve by Becoming a Stephen Minister Do you have gifts for caring, encouragement, and listening? If so, please prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister. Cedar Creek United Methodist Church will be training a class of Stephen Ministers on Sundays, 4pm -6:30pm. Stephen Ministers provide emotional and spiritual support and care to people who are going through a difficult time, such as divorce, grief, hospitalization, unemployment, terminal illness, relocation, chronic illness, or loneliness. To find out more about becoming a Stephen Minister or how you or someone you know could be matched with a Stephen Minister, talk with one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders: Verda Turnbo, 512 308-9138; Judy Walker, 512 308-1162.
Ready? Set? Minister!
Riding a bike. Using a new computer program. Ironing a shirt. Training is important whenever anyone learns a new skill. Training is important in Stephen Ministry too. Before Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers begin their work, they go through a lot of training. When they start their official ministry, they’re ready. A training class for Stephen Ministers is beginning soon. To find out more about what this ministry has to offer, contact Verda Turnbo, 512 308-9138; Judy Walker, 512 308-1162 today.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Welcome to July! I invite you to examine the Holy Scripture in your daily or weekly time of bible reading. Look for references to God’s Holy Spirit, especially how the gifts of the Spirit are given and used by God’s people; here are just a few:
Acts 2 Romans 8
Romans 12 1 Corinthians 12
Ephesians 4 1 Peter 4
The Hebrew Scripture (our Old Testament) speaks of Yahweh, the Lord, the Spirit, all ways in which the people conveyed their experience of God. The New Testament teachings of Jesus promise the sending of the Holy Spirit of God, just as God sent Jesus, God and Jesus send the Holy Spirit to empower the new believers of Jesus Christ.
Having received the Holy Spirit, God’s people are called forth to serve from the heart to bring glory to God and love one’s neighbors. How are you called to serve? Have you ever examined your spiritual gifts?
Join us for worship in July and a second hour of experience with others who will be searching, seeking, and re-evaluating their gifts from the Holy Spirit of God.
Paul Harris
Pastor
Cedar Creek United Methodist Church
Room 201 JULY 10th at 10:15 a.m.
Discovering your Spiritual Gifts in a Six Week Study
Does your ministry match who God created you to be?
Join us as we explore together God’s plan for each member of the Body of Christ.
As we seek the joy and fulfillment God wants for each of us, let us examine the vital role
each person contributes while SERVING FROM THE HEART.
Transitions in Leadership – June 2011
Greetings,
Let us give thanks today for the body of Christ - the Church universal. Also, let us celebrate and give thanks for this church community and its life in the mission of Jesus Christ. As we strive to make disciples for Jesus Christ, we from time to time have transitions in leadership. Now is such a time.
On June 5th, Pastor Cathey Meisetschlaeger retires from the order of clergy persons in the Southwest Texas Annual Conference. We recognize her service to the mission of Jesus Christ through this church community and give thanks! Please join us for a farewell reception for Pastor Cathey on June 5th between Sunday Morning Worship Services.
On June 27th, we welcome Katy Fitzhugh to our community in the role of Minister of Discipleship andMission. Katy will be working with the children and youth ministries of Cedar Creek UMC while also being appointed to serve as pastor of Haynie Chapel UMC. In this appointment, Katy brings experience in a dual appointment status sharing time between two nearby congregations in Harlingen and San Benito. Join us as we welcome Katy on June 29th at 7 p.m., Cedar Creek UMC Worship Center.
Paul Harris
Pastor
Cedar Creek United Methodist Church
Has Easter Come and Gone?
The day after Easter, I observed a social network post sharing an interesting and almost joyous statement that read something like, “Easter is done, on to Mother’s Day!” As I generally do not “comment” on other people’s social network posts, I did however take mental note of the author’s view.
We do believe that in Easter, Christ has completed the victory over sin and death. “It is finished” (John 19:30). The job is done – on to the next festival? Not so fast. We also believe that God’s full glory has yet to be revealed in Christ – until Christ ascended into heaven (John 20:17). There is time for us, as followers of Jesus, to linger in the stories of resurrection and new life that flow out of the Easter miracle and into our lives.
We also linger in the story of Jesus’ love for us, because it is not yet complete. It is ever-growing in us as we seek in faith and respond in faith because of the risen Jesus. The love that Jesus displayed for all who believe is not done! It is a work in progress in each of us!
Let us not forget our social calendar. And let us most assuredly remember Mother’s Day, but let us celebrate that festival with a renewed sense of hope and joy that comes from our experience in Easter and the time beyond. For each day can be an Easter Sunday!
Happy Mother’s Day to Anabel Harris, my mom and one of my faith mentors.
Paul Harris
Pastor
Cedar Creek UnitedMethodistChurch
Receiving and Sharing the Invitation
April 2011
Greetings in the peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
Do you remember receiving an invitation to a special event? Maybe it came as a well-crafted note on high quality card stock announcing a dinner party. Maybe the invitation arrived as a “save the date” notice for a wedding. Or maybe this special invitation was disguised as a conversation with a friend.
When we speak of God’s grace and the means by which we receive it, many times I have heard folks point to a particular event in their life in which they felt ‘invited’. They usually indicate a location or a space that they remember as being ‘that place’ where they met God in a significant way. Sometimes folks remember the ‘time’ of this special invitation and chose to respond to God by accepting God’s love in a new and restoring way. Sometimes folks just smile and say nothing because the emotion of the memory of receiving God’s invitation to new life is just too much for words.
I give thanks for the invitation God places in our lives in so many ways. And I wonder how evident is that invitation in our lives today? Is the transformative work of grace showing proof of God’s love in us? Have we told anyone about the invitation or the party to which we have been invited? What is our role in response to God’s love?
As the season of Easter approaches, we wander through a time of Holy Lent – a time in which we are very much invited to experience God in new and restoring ways. We pray, we fast, we serve, we give, we ask – for the mercy of God in our lives and the grace of God offered in Jesus Christ!
We have an opportunity right now, in this very moment, in this special place called grace – to invite another into the love and grace of God. For someone is waiting to hear the Good News from you in a conversation. Have courage! Do not be afraid! Invite a friend to know God as revealed in Jesus as we celebrate the biggest party we have in the church. Invite a friend to experience Easter with you, with us, with the Lord!
Thanks be to God!
Paul Harris
Pastor
Cedar Creek United Methodist Church
