The GRUENE UMC NEWS
November 2017
A Thanksgiving Prayer Thank You, Lord, for the times You came through for us when we didn't even know we needed a rescue. Thank You, Lord, for the losses we have experienced. They have been a reminder that You are our greatest gain. Thank You, God, for the tears we have shed. They have kept our hearts soft and moldable. Thank You, God, for Your ability to take what we consider 'tragedy' and turn it into a treasure. Thank You, God, for those You have called home to be with You. Their absence from this earth reminds us to keep our eyes fixed on heaven. Thank You, God, that we have an inheritance in the heavenly places...something that this world can never steal from us and we could never selfishly squander. Thank You, God, for the greatest gift You could ever give us: forgiveness through Your
perfect Son's death on the cross on our behalf. Thank you, God, for the righteousness You credited toward us, through the death and resurrection of Jesus. It's a righteousness we could never attain to on our own. And thank You not only for our eternal salvation, but for the salvation You afford us every day of our lives as You save us from ourselves, our foolishness, our own limited insights, and our frailties in light of Your power and strength. Thank You, God, for all that You have allowed and not allowed in our lives this past year. For we commit our lives anew to You this day and ask that You would continue to remind us, throughout this next year, that You are God, You are on the throne, and You are eternally good. Thank You, finally, that we can pray in the name of Jesus, who made our access to You—and a personal relationship with You—possible. Amen. by Cindi McMenamin
This Month • Turkey Tailgate • Home in a Week • Pastor’s Note • Kids Corner • Walk to Emmaus • Missions and Muffins
Calendar November 5th Fall Back - Set clocks back 1 hour November 18th Home in a Week November 19th Church Conference at 5p.m. November 20th & 21st Turkey Tailgate November 23rd Thanksgiving Day - Office Closed December 3rd at 4p.m. Countdown to Christmas
Turkey Tailgate is Coming! Yes, it is that time again…to go out and feed those in need! Turkey Tailgate is an annual event to feed families identified primarily by Communities in Schools. The BBQ Ministry Team will need your help in the following ways
The BBQ Ministry Team will need your help in the following ways:
1. monetary donations for turkeys - they are ordered in bulk to save money! 2. folks to sign up to bring can goods – green beans and cranberry sauce 3. folks to make and bring dressing – pans and recipe will be provided 4. folks to deliver the meals on TUESDAY (11/22) before Thanksgiving
5. folks to come help cook and fellowship in the parking lot on Monday (11/21.)
HOME IN A WEEK November 18th at 9:00 a.m. Gruene is hosting a Home In A Week “pre-build� day on Saturday, November 18th, 9:00am to noon at the Motown Pavilion. There are many opportunities to serve such as helping building trusses to painting siding to preparing and helping serve lunch. Visit the table in the gathering space for more info or email Pastor Brock at brock@grueneumc.org. Visit the Home In A Week website at http://www.homeinaweek.org or visit them on Facebook to learn more about this ministry.
Getting to know you… This has been such a whirlwind kind of season! There are days I want to put the brakes on and take it a bit slower! We are still in a season of change and transition - a season of grieving, adjustment, regrouping, and team building. We have a new Director of Children and Family Ministries (Amy Howell), a new Director of Youth Ministries (Alyssa Rowe), a new Associate Pastor (Aaron Carter) and a new Senior Pastor (Me).
God is the same God in all seasons. I have seen the Holy Spirit at work here at Gruene and I have felt the presence of God here in worship, in smiles and handshakes, in communion and baptisms, in lunch and coffee meetings, in committee meetings, at church by the river, praying with folks at Steve’s Pantry, and in GTLC chapel times with the pre-school kids singing songs like ‘This little light of mine.’ God is God - and God is good (all the time!) As we look forward to the season to come
(a season with hopefully fewer changes and We celebrated the music and ministry of our transitions) There is so much to do around here worship leader Sandeigh Kennedy and Drew but the most important thing… the #1 thing on Heaton (Cedars) as they moved on to other my ‘to do list’ is to form relationships. creative endeavors. Gruene UMC Sports Ministry is now I would love to get the chance to visit with you, Mike Ramirez ishosting the new interim haveTuesday coffee, break bread together... and get to Pickleworship Ball games on leader as we look for a new Director of Worknow you. Email me if you want to visit, have evenings from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on the ship. coffee, etc. at Dan@grueneumc.org.
atheMotown. info contact Pastor Brock is Pavilion still here, but is in the pro- For Itmore is such a joy and an honor to be your pastor, cess of transitioning as he works the MikeoutLawson atwith miklaw116@gmail.com. and I trust that God is in this whole process. conference and the general board of Looking forward… discipleship to plant a new church. As the Pastor Dan days get shorter and the weather gets colder, and the kids need new jeans (who knew they would grow?!?) we are reminded again and (Contact Rev. Dan Harrington at Dan@grueneumc.org) again that change is never easy, nor is it fun. But here is the good news: In the midst of all the changes and transitions, God remains steadfast.
Families — We Are FOR You! We just enjoyed a terrific Fall Festival and are looking forward to our Advent event for families! On average, the church only has about 40 hours a year with a kid. That’s not much! But, parents have around 3,000 hours each year with their child. Wow! As a church, we want to partner with parents. Let’s face it, parenting is a beautiful, though challenging job, all at the same time. We believe that the church has the most potential to influence parents and that parents have the most potential to influence their kids. We offer family events because we want all families to know that we, the church, are for them. We want to celebrate families and come alongside parents in their journey.
Please join us as we pray for families in our community! Blessings, Amy Howell, GUMC Kids & Families
Do you love kids? Do you love sharing God's story? We would love to give you an opportunity to offer Children's Time for our kids in worship one Sunday at any of our services. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Amy Howell at amy@grueneumc.org
Gruene Tree Givers Give Back to….PETS! It is that time again for our November Project… Gruene Tree Givers Give Back to Pets! So many of us here at GTLC cherish our pets and pray that all pets have the chance to have a “furever” home! This gives us the opportunity to talk to our students about how we can help animals in so many different ways right here in New Braunfels. So, we will be accepting donations from November 1st through the 16th. The Humane Society has provided the following list to give you some ideas for donations. These items can be brought to the gathering area at the front of the building where a designated box with animal displays can be seen. We appreciate your giving hearts... Deuteronomy 16:17 “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.”
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Pooper Scoopers Shallow Litter Pans Cat and Dog Toys New Dog and Cat Collars and Leashes Nyla Bones, Kong Balls or any other tough chew toys. Aluminum Cans Hand Sanitizer Air Fresheners Paper Towels Bleach Liquid Laundry Detergent Comet Floor Cleaners with Disinfectant Dishwashing Soap (antibacterial) Long-Handle Scrub Brushes Un-opened Dog and Cat Food (wet or dry) Cat Litter
Women’s Nov. 30th– Dec. 3rd
A Walk to Emmaus is a time of spiritual renewal, bringing together prayer and action, personal spiritual growth and social concern. God meets each and everyone right where they are. It matters not if you are a brand new Christian or a seasoned one. It matters not if you are 20 or 120. God is there in a very real and personal way. If you have ever thought about attending an Emmaus Walk, The next women’s walk will be Nov. 30th-Dec 3rd. call Jamey Roy at (334)477-6591 for questions and/or more info.
Item of the Month This month Steve’s Pantry is collecting Canned Chili and Crackers These donations will help benefit our friends who visit Steve’s Pantry. Please drop your donations off in the baskets in the gathering space at the church. Thank you in advance for your donations and support!
Missions & Muffins (M&M’S) Update
On Thursday, November 2nd M&Ms will host a “Wurstfest Party” for the residents at Genesys/Colonial Manor at 2:30pm. Our monthly M&Ms (Missions & Muffins) meeting is November 9th at 9:30am in MoTown. We will be making final preparations for the 2017 Giving Tree. The Giving Tree provides the opportunity for Gruene UMC partners & friends to purchase Christmas gifts for Angel Tree and Communities in Schools children and also for many seniors residing in local nursing homes. All are welcome to join M&Ms and/or support us with your prayers. For more information or to join our email contact list, send a message to laura.mcfall@att.net. Shannon Dixon was our guest speaker for the October meeting. She provided information and answered questions about her work at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Comal County (CACCC). We collected snacks and drinks for use by the CACCC when they’re doing their interviews with children and family members.
Do you or your ministry have an event you would like to share in the Gruene UMC Newsletter? Please email your event info to Nadia at nadia@grueneumc.org. The deadline is the 15th !
November 5th & 12th
Rev. Dan Harrington - Senior Pastor Dan@grueneumc.org
Brandi Carnes - Nursery Director brandi@grueneumc.org
Rev. Brock Gillman - Associate Pastor brock@grueneumc.org
Amy Howell - Children and Family Ministry Director amy@grueneumc.org
Rev. Aaron Carter - Associate Pastor aaron@grueneumc.org
Alyssa Rowe - Director of Student Ministries alyssa@grueneumc.org
Nadia Hoffman – Administrative Assistant nadia@grueneumc.org
Rebecca Goossens - GTLC Director gruenetreelearningcenter@gmail.com
2629 E. Common St. New Braunfels TX 78130 (830) 625-7200 Fax: (830) 625-7208
www.grueneumc.org OFFICE HOURS M-F, 8:30 - 4:30
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES 8:30, 9:40 & 11:00 a.m. (Main Building) 9:50 a.m. (Motown) “Come…be you, be filled , be loved. Go…be joy, be hope, be love. Be His! ”
See What’s Happening There are so many fun and exciting groups here at Gruene! To find out what’s going on, check us out on the Gruene UMC facebook page or on our website, www.grueneumc.org.