Gruene UMC News
SEPTEMBER 2017
Gruene UMC Gearing up for Fall with new “Remix Groups.” Remix groups are coming! There are already many opportunities to be involved in a small group at GUMC… short term Bible studies, interest groups etc… but remix groups are something different. Remix groups are “life groups” that will meet weekly in homes to learn, share, and grow in faith as a part of Gruene UMC. The goal of the group is to help people form a deeper relationship with God, wider relationships with each others, and closer to becoming disciples.
The groups will give folks a chance to talk about everything — from beliefs to faith, to what’s going on in life. Remix group will always have discussion questions based on the sermon for a resource, but the ultimate goal is deepening relationships. Remix groups will meet once a week, with regular breaks and a flexible schedule that works for your group. Are you interested in leading and / or hosting a remix group that meets in your home? We will start with leader / host meetings at GUMC at 6:30 on Wednesdays in September (Starting on Sept 13th). Groups will form and meet in homes in mid October.
This Month • New Bible Studies • New Youth Director • Care Team • Pumpkin Delivery • Remix Groups • Care Team • Missions and Muffins • GTLC Back to School • Health Fair
Calendar Labor Day - September 4th Church Office Closed
September 4th Gruene Tree Learning Center (GTLC) First Day of School Health Fair September 9th at MoTown 9 a.m. - Noon Pumpkin Delivery September 17th after 9:40 Service Missions & Muffins Kick Off Luncheon September 14th at 11 a.m. Men’s Emmaus Walk
September 28th - October 1st Fair Parade - September 29th Church Office Closed Church Directory Photo Sessions September 5th, 6th , 12th , 13th
The Gruene Care Team needs YOU!!! The Care Team helps in several ways to meet the needs of those in our church and we’d love for you to be part of the team. There are many ways to serve and please read the following to see how you might be a part of this ministry. CARDS We send “Get Well”, “Thinking of You”, and “You are in our prayers” cards to those who could use a boost, prayer or friendly word. Karen Emerson sends us an email requesting cards (including the address and information). Send a card, if you can. Our feedback has been that recipients truly appreciate them! MEALS: A Sign up genius is sent to volunteers for those in need of meals due to illness, surgery, or recuperation. If this is a Mission area for you, there a 3 ways to serve *Preparing and delivering a meal , *Making meals and cookies for future needs or *Getting restaurant gift cards for those needing help. TRANSPORTATION: Help in driving others to church or doctor appointments. FUNERALS and RECEPTIONS: Needs are: Setting up, Food preparation, Serving, and Clean up. Peggy Smith and Karen Emerson have taken care of these events for several years and we need a co-chair to help with this area. Please consider this important role. ***There are tables in the Gathering Area with sign up sheets and Care Team members to answer questions. Please stop by or email Ann Burnett at rdrburnett@yahoo.com
Children’s Small Groups Kickoff on September 10th! We are excited to be transitioning from Kid’s Church to Children's Small Groups this month! What’s the difference between Kid’s Church and Small Groups? A lot of what we do will look the same. Same curriculum. Many of the same leaders. The biggest difference is that we will be more intentional in building relationships with kids and families. We believe that discipleship happens through relationships. We are positioning our small group leaders as the main connecting point between families and the church. This is a distinct shift in our ministry strategy. We are expanding our relational capacity through small group leaders in order to expand our influence on the next generation. We believe that each of our small group leaders has a unique perspective and story to tell that benefits our children. We believe in equipping and empowering our small group leaders to connect with and walk alongside our kids and their families. What does this mean for our families? You can expect for your kid’s leaders to connect with you in a new way. We believe that parents have the most potential to influence their children. We also believe that the church has the most potential to influence parents. When parents and small group leaders unite for the same purpose, our potential to influence the next generational grows exponentially! We want to equip our kids with a faith that lasts a lifetime. One hundred years from now, the ONLY thing that will matter is someone’s relationship with God.
Starting September 10th, we will only have children’s programming during 9:40am worship. All kids (K-5th) can be signed out and pick up upstairs in the main building after worship. Please fill out special "Kid's Small Group" name tags on the main table in the Gathering Space each Sunday. PLEASE fill these out each week if you think there is even a chance your kids will come to small groups (they may decide to stay in worship, which is just fine)! Coming Up! September 3rd - No children’s programming September 10th - Children’s Small Groups Kickoff at 9:40 worship only
Disciple I: Designed for all who want to grow in their understanding of Scripture and faith. In this 24 week study you will read about 80% of the Bible. The study gives a big picture overview of the Bible and how the Old and New Testaments fit together. The cost is about $40. Will take place midweek. Disciple II, III, or IV: Have you taken Disciple I? Then this is for you! Disciples II, III and IV can be taken in any order. Cost is about $40. Will take place midweek. Adult Confirmation: Do you want to know more about Methodist beliefs and how that relates to who we are and how we worship? Then this 10 week class is for you. This is the same program that the confirmation class goes through, but for adults! Pastor Brock will be teaching on Tuesday evenings. Beth Moore Bible Study: Nunzy Alves will be leading the study “The Quest”. Will take place Tuesday evenings for 7 weeks. Starts October 3rd. Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study: The group will be reading “The Sacrament of Happy- What a Smiling God Brings to a Wounded World”. Will begin September 26th. Start time is 9:45am in Motown. Gruene Thumbs: Do you want to help grow food that helps feed hungry folks in our community? Do you have a “gruene” thumb? Volunteers are needed to work and tend the garden. Thursday Morning Coffee & Fellowship: This is a group that gets together to have coffee and fellowship. Takes place every Thursday morning at 9am in MoTown. Motherload Moms Group - Join us starting September 13th at 7:00 P.M. in the nursery for this 10 week Bible study by best selling author Max Lucado as we get to know 10 women of the Bible and what we can learn from their stories. Cost is $13 and childcare is available . For more info contact Jennifer Weatherton at gumcmotherload@yahoo.com. Tuesday Morning Book Study - This fall the book study will be "The Sacrament of Happy-What a Smiling God Brings to a Wounded World". Please join us on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at MoTown at 9:45am for a little socialization before the discussion begins. Book can be purchased at Amazon.com. All are welcome. If you have questions, please contact Betsy Tucker at betsytucker197@gmail.com or Linda Sickles at lindasickles@me.com.
For more information about upcoming Bible Studies please contact the Gruene UMC Connections Team at connections@grueneumc.org.
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, there are 2 walks coming up. The men’s walk is Sept. 28th-Oct 1st. You would need to act fast on this one. The next women’s walk will be Nov. 30th-Dec 3rd. There will be men’s walks in Jan and Sept of 2018 and women’s walks in May and November call Jamey Roy at (334)477-6591 for questions and/or more info.
Kids Clothing Donations Needed! Steve’s Pantry is collecting kids clothing! Boys and Girls clothes, underwear, and socks. Please drop off your kids clothing donations during Steve’s Pantry hours or at the church in the gathering space. For more info please contact Stephanie at stevespantry@grueneumc.org.
Item of the Month This month Steve’s Pantry is collecting canned fruit & socks. 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!
SAVE THE DATE! Pumpkin Delivery Sunday, Sept. 17th! The Gruene UMC Pumpkin Patch needs several volunteers to help unload all the pumpkins from the big semi truck that will arrive Sunday morning after the 9:40 service on Sept. 17th. After unloading we will have lunch...hot dogs, chips, and water. For more info, please contact Brandi Carnes at brandi@grueneumc.org.
Did you know‌ Gruene UMC has an App?
YES and it’s FREE! Be sure to download it today and get connected to the GUMC Facebook page, get alerts about events, and PUSHPAY our electronic giving. Go to the apps store on your phone and search for Gruene UMC.
Gruene Tree Learning Center News “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
GTLC is in full “get ready” mode and this bible verse drives me forward to a new school year! September is always a busy month. Reminding ourselves that God is in control of our plans is a daily practice for us all. So, we step and pray our way throughout each day, while preparing for a future filled with hope for these families and children of GTLC! Much Love and Blessings, Rebecca Goossens Director, Gruene Tree Learning Center (GLTC) gruenetreelearningcenter@gmail.com
GTLC Staff took a CPR class as part of their teacher training.
GTLC Staff shopping for school supplies.
Thank you! 140 Backpacks Donated!
Donated School Supplies
Thank You Family Promise Volunteers Thank you to everyone who helped make Family Promise a success. We appreciate everyone who came together with their time, food, and love to make our guests feel welcomed during their week at Gruene UMC.
LAST CALL!! Gruene UMC Directory Photo Sessions It’s not too late! We still have slots open for photo sessions in September. Sign-ups will be at the table in the gathering space on Sunday and also online Monday-Thursday at www.grueneumc.org/events. All families will receive a FREE 8x10 photo and a FREE Directory. You may also purchase additional photos.
Photography Session Dates SEPTEMBER
5th, 6th, 12th, 13th
Times range between 2:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Please stop by to see what time slots are available and sign-up ASAP!!!
the table in the gathering space
For more info contact Nadia at nadia@grueneumc.org.
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 !
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.