INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

1 Vacation Bible School

2 Food N Fellowship; Prayer Requests; New Members; Pastor’s perspective; Costa Rica Mission Trip

3 Calendar, Birthdays 4 United Methodist Men;

Women Together; Crafters; Mary Martha Circle; Military Care Packages; Family Camp Info Packets; 50+ Ministry; Sound Booth Help; Notes & Thank Yous

5 BLAST!; Sunday School Help;

Youth; Children’s Church; Summer Photo Challenge

6 Family Fun Movie Night

JULY 2018

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT OUR SUMMER PHOTO CHALLENGE?

(Details on Page 5) WHEN YOU STRUGGLE, JESUS RESCUES! We had 186 children attending VBS and 85 volunteers! Children learned that Jesus rescues form all of life’s troubles an pain....priceless.

• We sang terrific songs

• We heard from a crazy man named Jim Noland

• We played awesome games

• We heard from Pastor Joel about the importance of doing mission

• We did fun experiments to go deeper into the Bible story

• We heard the story each day told in a way that drew children in

• And we had the time of our lives!

PLEASE NOTE:

We will not have Food & Fellowship in June.

CONCERNS:

• Clifford, Jennifer Pavliceck’s father who has health concerns

• Renee, Jennifer Pavlicek’s sister who has health concerns

• Bill, Jeannie Phipps’ father who has health concerns

• Susan, Glenn & Carol Suchan’s sister-in-law who is battling lung cancer

• Kaci & Luis, Shila Leos’ niece who was in a car accident

• Chris, friend of David & Lindsey Schwartz who is in liver failure and waiting for a transplant

• Nancy, Jeanne Heffern’s Sister who was hospitalized

• Jim & Jeanne, Glenn Suchan’s parents who have some health concerns

• Michael, Glenn & Carol Suchan’s nephew who is looking for a job ONGOING NEEDS:

• Jean Wiebe

• Donna Hendrickson

• Kathy Nielsen

• Jennifer Welker

• Emily Surles, health concerns

• Dakota, Roger & Linda Brandimarte’s nephew who is in kidney failure

• Linda Brandimarte’s Family, in need of healing

• Caroline, Janice Hinojosa’s aunt who is battling cancer

• Cody, David & Janice Hinojosa’s son • Kelly, friend of Carl & Carol Milam who is undergoing chemo

• Corina, friend of Joel & Esther Salas who is undergoing chemo

PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Searching for A Church

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42

We often ponder the question “what kind of church am I looking for?” I thought I’d tell you what kind of church I’m looking for. This verse from Acts describes it. It mentions four means of grace or practices (most likely daily) that the early church devoted themselves to in order to grow in the love of God and each other: the apostles’ teaching, Christian fellowship, sharing meals, and praying. These were gifts they feasted upon, spending their most meaningful hours and energies growing in Christ. This is what church looked like.

Since my teenage years, I have lived with a deep tension between my hunger to be a part of this kind of church and the fact that I can’t find a church that lives out its faith in this way. It’s a big part of why I became a pastor. Maybe I could help us discover a church like this. I’ve learned that one reason we don’t devote ourselves to the same things this church in Acts did is because we think we can’t be devoted to them and be devoted to other things. We are devoted to the success and comfort of our families of origin, to our jobs and financial security, to keeping up with world events, being politically engaged, or to consuming media. We feel we have no more devotion to give.

I’m often told to accept the church the way it is and to be grateful for it; and while I seek to do this, I still ache and groan for something deeper. Recently, I’ve discovered through our work in my neighborhood that there are others, both those who follow Jesus and those who don’t, who are intrigued and attracted to the idea of a shared life of faith, much like what is described in the book of Acts. Could it be that the church I am looking for is not in the church? If, like me, you ache for deeper community, discipleship, and mission together in the way of the early church, please let me know. Maybe we are searching for the same kind of church . . .

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Ray

2018 COSTA RICA MISSION TRIP:

The 2018 Costa Rica Mission Team is so excited about their journey ahead! They will leave on Saturday, July 7 and return on July 14. They will be working in Guapiles, where they will be helping to build a church/community building. In addition, instead of leading two Vacation Bible Schools, they’ will be leading three! As the team prepares their hearts and minds for the big journey before them, they are asking the congregation to pick up a card with their names and pictures on it as a reminder to pray for them.

Top Row (L-R): Susan Montesi, Elizabeth Edmiston, David Hinojosa, Debbie Disler Bottom Row (L-R): Laureen Sutton, Jeff Edmiston, Janice Hinojosa, Ricky Thornburg

STAN & CINDY REPLOGLE

Joined on June 24 at the 8:30 service

COLIN BURG

Baptized on June 24 at the 9:45 service

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 10:00 Worship

11:00 Picnic

5:00 No Youth Tonight

2 9:30 am

Emmaus Group

3

4

Church Office Closed

5 6:30 pm

Band Practice

6

7

8 am United

Methodist Men

8 8:30/9:45/11:00 Worship

9:45/11:00 Sunday school

11:00 VBS Training

12:30 Spanish Service

5:00 Youth

9 9:30 am

Emmaus Group

10 11:30 am

Mary Martha Circle

11

6:30 pm Trustees

12 6:30 pm

Band Practice

13

12:00 pm 50+ Luncheon

14

15 8:30/9:45/11:00 Worship

9:45/11:00 Sunday school

12:30 Spanish Service

4:00 Youth

16 9:30 am

Emmaus Group

6:30 pm SPRC

17

18 6:30 pm

Church Council

19 6:30 pm

Band Practice 20

7:00 pm Family Fun

Movie Night

21

22 8:30/9:45/11:00 Worship

9:45/11:00 Sunday school

12:00 Food n Fellowship

12:30 Spanish Service

5:00 Youth

23 9:30 am

Emmaus Group

6:30 pm Children’s Council

24 25

26 Church Family

Camp

6:30 pm Band Practice

27 Church Family

Camp

1 pm 50+ Game Day

28 Church Family

Camp

29

Church Family Camp

8:30/9:45/11:00 Worship

9:45/11:00 Sunday school

12:30 Spanish Service

5:00 No Youth Tonight

30

31

7/1 Chris Gaines

7/1 Arden Weir

7/3 Madison Griffin

7/7 Izzy Jezewski

7/8 Samuel Alexander

7/9 Sandra Larsen

7/9 George Laws

7/10 Betty Walker

7/11 Megan Altman

7/11 Mary Bright

7/15 Jessica Holland

7/15 Mike Malone

7/18 Chloe Oshel

7/19 Patricia Bruce

7/21 Norman Briggs

7/22 Alison Weir

7/23 Julianne Snape

7/23 Andy Welker

If you do not see your birthday listed, please contact the church office and we’ll update our records. (office@leanderumc.org or 512-259-1284)

7/24 James Palmer

7/28 Barbara Balevre

UNITED METHODIST MEN JULY 7 | 8:00 AM

Join us in the fellowship hall on the first Saturday of each month for fellowship, coffee, breakfast and community service projects. The United Methodist Men’s group is open to men of all ages.

WOMEN TOGETHER

Women Together will take a break over the summer and resume again in September. Women Together is a fellowship group for women which meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the home of Helen Morris.

CRAFTERS

The Crafters will not be meeting over the summer. We will resume again on Tuesday, September 10th at 1:00 pm.

METHODIST WOMEN MARY MARTHA CIRCLE

TUESDAY, JULY 10 | 11:30 AM | FELLOWSHIP HALL

We will have a speaker from The Refuge (a place where sex trafficked girls are cared for) and BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse). We will also have a potluck lunch. Please bring something to share. ALL men and women are welcome to come to this month’s meeting and potluck. Please feel free to bring spouses or friends. For more info, contact Holly Briggs (hollyjbriggs@gmail.com).

NOTES & THANKS YOU’S

Dear Leander United Methodist Church,

Wow! Thank you so much for your donation check! How very generous of you! We appreciate the support, and we are thrilled to be able to help some of our students in need as well as do some staff appreciation!

Janice Felps Tom Glen High School LUMC Members,

The United Methodist Men’s group would like to thank everyone for your generous donations for this year’s UMM Yard Sale. This year’s sales brought in $3,130.00!

With Gratitude,

United Methodist Men’s Group THANK YOU, FROM ELIZABETH EDMISTON:

Thank you to the youth who worked hard every minute they were at the Youth Mission Experience: Sierra & Michaela McQueen, Anna & Audrey Schoppe, Katie Groce, Christal & Austin Cantwell, Ava Lisenby and Maarken Saxer; to the adults who volunteered for the Youth Mission Experience and made it the best week EVER: Chuck Tysor, Bob Sears, Rob Hovious, Jocelyn Groce, and Warren & Kathy McCracken; to the parents who signed their kids up and admired everything we worked on- it means a lot to be encouraged; Karen Saxer who has taken on a new project for us; Eileen Hale, researcher extraordinaire; Renee Purvis for teaching preschool Sunday school for many years; to Eileen Hale who is now teaching preschool Sunday school; to Jennifer Mauck and Zoe Anaya who have volunteered to be the assistant teachers for the preschool Sunday school class.

MILITARY PERSONNEL CARE PACKAGE MINISTRY:

If you have an adult in your family serving in the Military, please give Elizabeth Edmiston their name, institution or branch of service and station location, and an address to place them on our mailing list so we can send a card or package periodically.

CHURCH FAMILY CAMP INFO PACKETS

Church Family Camp information packets will be available July 1-15 for pick up at the table outside Meeting Room A. Packets not picked up by July 15 will be mailed the following week.

LUNCHEON FRIDAY, JULY 13 @ 12:00 PM

Folks ages 50 and older are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall for food, fun, and fellowship. There is no cost to attend, but donations are accepted. A guest speaker from Austin Dog Alliance will bring two dogs and speak on the topic of “The Role of Therapy Dogs in Healing”.

PLEASE RSVP: myfiftyplus@yahoo.com or (281) 812-5330.

GAME DAY FRIDAY, JULY 27 @ 1:00 pm

Join with folks 50 and older in the Fellowship Hall for board games, dominoes and cards. Invite a friend or neighbor! For more info, please contact Karen Tepovich: (281) 812-5330 or myfiftyplus@yahoo.com.

SOUND BOOTH HELP NEEDED!

We really need some volunteers to help us out in the sound booth on Sunday mornings! No experience required. Our goal is to have enough people trained so that you would only have to serve one time per month.

If you are interested in volunteering to help out or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Debbie Carlson (rjfelps@thirdrock.com).

SUNDAY EVENING FELLOWSHIP:

Youth meets 5:00-6:30 pm on Sunday evenings for fellowship, devotionals, games and service projects. SUNDAY SCHOOL @ 9:45 AM:

We are studying the Methodist Articles of Religion. We’ll go more in depth about what our denomination uses as its guidance when making theological decisions.

SUNDAY SCHOOL @ 11 AM:

The 11:00 Youth Sunday school class won’t meet during the summer. We will resume again the weekend after Labor Day.

ATTENTION ALL YOUTH AND PARENTS:

Please text Elizabeth Edmiston at 512-563-8840 with your name so that she has you on the list for communication during the summer.

CALENDAR:

JULY 1 5:00 pm No Youth tonight

JULY 8 5:00 pm Games! Games! Games! Invite your friends. We’ll have video

games, foosball, air hockey and gaga ball. We want to meet your friends, and we want them to meet ours.

JULY 15 4:00 pm Adventure Day: Meet at the church at 4:00. Bring a towel,

shoes you can get wet, a drink, and a backpack to help carry supplies. Don’t ask questions unless you are an adult!

JULY 22 5:00 pm Ice Cream Sunday! We’ll be pulling weeds so bring your work

gloves. But at the same time, we’ll be eating ice cream.

JULY 29 5:00 pm No Youth tonight due to Church Family Camp

For more info about our Youth program, please contact Elizabeth Edmiston: elizabeth.edmiston@leanderumc.org or 512-563-8840.

CHILDREN’S CHURCH & SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS:

This month in Children’s Church we will be learning about Paul, his time in prison, his shipwreck, and his snakebite. In our Sunday school classes we will be spending the summer months focusing on Moses, using the Water Park curriculum.

BLAST! will take a break over the summer and resume again in September.

We have a fun photo challenge for kids to do this summer! We are challenging all of our children to try to take pictures from our list and have mom or dad send them to Mrs. Elizabeth (text to 512-563-8840 or email to texasedmistons@gmail.com). Each challenge is worth one point. Once we collectively earn 75 points, we will have pizza as a special treat during Sunday School on Promotion Sunday!

HERE ARE THE CHALLENGES:

PICTURE OF YOU & A FRIEND:

Having fun in the water

At a park

Eating watermelon

PICTURE OF YOU:

Making a paper airplane

In front of LUMC

Buckled up in the backseat

Next to a WELCOME sign

Helping around the house

With an animal

With your mom or dad having fun

Fishing

In a tree

Peeking out from a hiding place

With someone older AND someone younger than you

With someone you love very much

With a friend you visited in another town

PICTURE OF:

A weird bug

Mom & Dad will need to let us know if we have permission to display the photos on our bulletin boards and/or Facebook page or let us know if they prefer us not to post the photos (you’ll still earn points).

SUNDAY SCHOOL HELP NEEDED

On the Sunday of Family Camp, July 29, we need some substitute Sunday school and Children’s Church teachers, as

well as nursery workers. If you can help us out, we would be ever so grateful! Our teachers and nursery workers work very hard to take care of our children and we want to make sure they aren’t worried about the children during their weekend away at Family Camp.

Our Vision Statement:

We will be a hub through which the unconditional love and friendship of Jesus meets people where they are and transforms lives.

LUMC STAFF:

Ministers: All who worship & follow Christ

Senior Pastor: Rev. Ray Altman

Associate Pastor: Rev. Jon Snape

Director of Family Ministries: Elizabeth Edmiston

MDO Preschool Director: Maria Harrington

Music Director: Debra Carlson Administrative Assistant: Stephanie Uys

Custodian: Linda Brandimarte

107 S. West Drive Leander, TX 78646-0281 Church Office: 259-1284 Mother’s Day Out: 259-0544 www.leanderumc.org office@leanderumc.org

NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO 20

Leander, TX 78641

FRIDA Y, JUL Y 20 7:00 PM

Join us for a night of fun for the family! We’ll have outside games, including gaga ball, jumbo Connect 4, jumbo checkers, jumbo Jenga and a kiddie wash. We will be showing the movie 101 Dalmatians. A concession stand will be available with drinks, popcorn, snow cones, and homemade goodies. The movie and games are free and sales from the concessions will support the Costa Rica Mission Team. All concession items will be $1.00 or less (drinks are $1 and includes refills).