Dear Friends,
When the seven confirmation youth took their vows of membership on Sunday, they committed to support the church “by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service and their witness.” Each of the youth and I talked about what these meant. The one they easily understood was supporting the church with their presence. “It means you show up” they would say. Yes, that’s exactly what it means.
When each of you made a commitment to Eden Prairie UMC, whether by becoming a member or claiming this community of faith in another way, you made a vow to support the church by those same means. In particular, supporting of the ministries of the church with your presence has become a new experience. How do you “show up” when the building is closed to in-person gatherings?
Well, you have been doing it! You have shown up for online worship. Our average worship attendance is running very close to last year’s numbers, which tells me that you are showing up, maybe in part because there is the flexibility of time given that our worship in “on demand” right now. I have heard several of you say that you worshiped when you returned from one place or another, even if that meant you worshipped on a Tuesday evening! Isn’t that an awesome benefit to this season?
You have shown up for leadership meetings, Let’s Connect Groups, book and Bible Study discussions, gardening for PROP, donations for various service organizations, for Sunday School and youth group. You have shown up!
This week I want to encourage you to “show up” for two very specific opportunities.
“Show up” this Sunday at 10 a.m. for Semi-Live Worship on Zoom. We will worship together, pray together and share communion together. While it isn’t in-person, it will be a holy experience and I would love to have you “show up” for it. Come at 9:30 a.m. for Fellowship Time to visit with one another in a small group format (breakout rooms). Follow this (link) to connect on Sunday morning.
Please consider “showing up” for our Trunk-or-Treat event this year! The children’s experience of Halloween will be vastly different this year, and we want to make it special. Our Trunk-or-Treat event will be on Halloween, Saturday, October 31, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. in the church parking lot. We need people to commit to decorating their “trunks” so the kids can have an amazing experience. If you are willing to do that, please contact Jody Veatch (jodyv@prairiechurch.org).
Thank you for all the ways you support the ministries of the church, especially in the ways you “show up!”
Blessings,
Pastor Becky Jo Messenbrink
When the seven confirmation youth took their vows of membership on Sunday, they committed to support the church “by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service and their witness.” Each of the youth and I talked about what these meant. The one they easily understood was supporting the church with their presence. “It means you show up” they would say. Yes, that’s exactly what it means.
When each of you made a commitment to Eden Prairie UMC, whether by becoming a member or claiming this community of faith in another way, you made a vow to support the church by those same means. In particular, supporting of the ministries of the church with your presence has become a new experience. How do you “show up” when the building is closed to in-person gatherings?
Well, you have been doing it! You have shown up for online worship. Our average worship attendance is running very close to last year’s numbers, which tells me that you are showing up, maybe in part because there is the flexibility of time given that our worship in “on demand” right now. I have heard several of you say that you worshiped when you returned from one place or another, even if that meant you worshipped on a Tuesday evening! Isn’t that an awesome benefit to this season?
You have shown up for leadership meetings, Let’s Connect Groups, book and Bible Study discussions, gardening for PROP, donations for various service organizations, for Sunday School and youth group. You have shown up!
This week I want to encourage you to “show up” for two very specific opportunities.
“Show up” this Sunday at 10 a.m. for Semi-Live Worship on Zoom. We will worship together, pray together and share communion together. While it isn’t in-person, it will be a holy experience and I would love to have you “show up” for it. Come at 9:30 a.m. for Fellowship Time to visit with one another in a small group format (breakout rooms). Follow this (link) to connect on Sunday morning.
Please consider “showing up” for our Trunk-or-Treat event this year! The children’s experience of Halloween will be vastly different this year, and we want to make it special. Our Trunk-or-Treat event will be on Halloween, Saturday, October 31, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. in the church parking lot. We need people to commit to decorating their “trunks” so the kids can have an amazing experience. If you are willing to do that, please contact Jody Veatch (jodyv@prairiechurch.org).
Thank you for all the ways you support the ministries of the church, especially in the ways you “show up!”
Blessings,
Pastor Becky Jo Messenbrink
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