Growing Deep Roots to Share God's Love
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News and Notes
May 25, 2017

We wrap up our sermon series this Sunday with our own, relatively young religion--Christianity.  We’ll examine our foundation and study ourselves and, having now reviewed so many diverse religions, we’ll explore what powers our conviction.  See you Sunday.

May 28
"Christianity and World Religions"
Christianity

June 4
Launch of Next Sermon Series:  “God’s Good Gifts"

In this Edition, You Won't Want to Miss These Stories!
Meet Our Summer Interns!!



Family Promise Families Will be With Us May 28 - June 4

Upcoming Events
May 28 - June 4 
Creekwood Family Promise Hosting in the Student Center
June 1
Gathering to Pray for Children Attending Upcoming VBS,  Worship Center, 6:30 p.m., Open to All
June 4
Harper's Helpers Appreciation Reception, Between Services, Gathering Area
VBS Set-up, Worship Center, 12:30 - 3:30, Come and Go
June 5 - 9
Creekwood VBS 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. daily
June 12 - 16
Junior High Bridgeport Camp
Cross Cheer Summer Camp at Creekwood
June 13
Launch of Six-Week The Shack Summer Bible Study, 6:30 p.m.
June 19-23
June 25 - July 1
July 4
Independence Day, Church Office Closed
July 17-21
CYI Move Sr. High Summer Camp
Cross Cheer Camp at Creekwood
July 26-30


Note :  Church office will be closed on Fridays during summer months starting June 2 through July 28 .

Meet Our Summer Interns
We're blessed to have two very special young women joining our staff this summer: Kaylin Carmichael, pictured on the left and Rebecca Sipes, pictured on the right.  

Having just completed her junior year at Kansas State University, Kaylin Carmichael will be serving as our Mission Ministry intern.   Among her responsibilities this summer, Kaylin will be working with the Creekwood Missions Board to set up a number of summer family serving opportunities, so watch for more details to come!  She will also participate in VBS and will serve as a leader and facilitator on our youth mission trips.  

Currently studying Elementary Education, Kaylin hopes to teach Kindergarten once she completes school.  This summer, she'll log lots of time with the children and youth of Creekwood, and we couldn't be more blessed.  
Rebecca Sipes wrapped up her first year at Abilene Christian University earlier this month and will spend the summer serving our youth.  As the summer youth intern, she will support Creekwood Student Ministries (CSM) with weekly programming, summer camps, mission trips and other special events.  

You'll find Rebecca in leadership roles during both our June and July youth mission trips, and she'll be assisting with our two youth summer camps as well.  Have a youth interested in joining Rebecca on the trip as a participant? There is still time to sign up. Click here to learn more and to sign up.

Both Kaylin and Rebecca have deep roots with Creekwood. Kaylin is the daughter of some quite familiar Creekwood volunteers:  Jana and John Carmichael.  Rebecca is part of a three-generation Creekwood family committed to our mission.  Her parents are Shelly and Chris Sipes, and Rebecca's grandparents are Karla and Joe Dean.  

We invite you to  join us in welcoming these two to the Creekwood team!
Family Promise Hosting May 28 - June 4

Creekwood will be hosting 4 families in the Student Center beginning this Sunday, May 28 and running through June 4. 

We still have the following volunteer needs:

Dinner Host (You don't have to provide the meal to serve as a host.)
Overnight Host
Tear Down Sunday 6/4

Learn more and sign up here to join us.  If you haven't yet had the chance to serve with Family Promise, we highly recommend it because it will be a truly rewarding experience for you and your family.  Thank you to everyone who signed up already! 
Summer Sunday School Teachers

We like to give our school-year Explorer Sunday school teachers a much-deserved summer break, AND we like to give members of our congregation the chance to have the experience of being a Sunday school teacher.  We guarantee lots of laughs, lots of hugs and arguably the strongest sense of accomplishment you're gonna get on any given weekend.

We combine our classes for the summer (kindergarten through 4th grade in the same class) and we do a lot of FUN summer curriculum. The first half of the summer we'll be doing science-based "Experiments in Faith." The Bible is full of stories of people who have shown incredible faith in God.  Kids will learn about these examples of faith as well as learn some cool science experiments to help them remember each story. 

The second half of the summer we're bringing back our ever-popular Lego Faith Building program.  During these sessions, the children get to use Lego pieces to tell Bible stories.

Sounds like fun? This year we're making it easier to commit to days that will work around your summer travel and family commitments.  Though we like to have the teacher role constant for at least two-week segments, it's not necessary. Teachers' helpers can sign up for one week, a few weeks, all summer...  Take a look at the sign ups in the links below and pick your days.

CLICK HERE to sign up for the teacher role.   

CLICK HERE to sign up to be a teacher's helper.  

Contact Wendy McConney with any questions.  Let's have some summer fun and make a difference in the lives of our children.
S'Mores and More!
A good time was had by all at the S'mores and More last Sunday.  Thanks to the volunteers who made our church-wide fellowship event a success!  
  Church Council Notes


Click here to review the notes from the last Church Council meeting, held Monday, May 8, 2017, which includes a brief update on the Building Campaign (design consensus is very close) and an update on the Trustee Budget.

Bring 'em In!

Sunday is the deadline to submit your robot for the contest.  These robots will be used to decorate for VBS 2017: Maker Fun Factory. 

Design and build your robot out of...anything.  Anything goes! Bring it to the Gathering Area this Sunday. 

Best Overall
Most Creative
Best Design

Prizes include a free pizza from Palios, a gift card to Menchie's and a gift card to Dairy Queen.  Winners will be announced June 4.

All robots will be used as part of VBS decoration June 5-9.  Can't wait to see your creations!
Missions
Mission Ministry Statement
Creekwood UMC is passionate about building the Kingdom of God by serving families and children in need. We strive to develop long-term relationships with the people and organizations we partner with, both locally and globally.  Our goal is to make a high-impact, positive experience within the area and through the lives of all involved.
Thank You!

It was a busy weekend.  We had over 100 people participate in our Change the World Weekend activities.  Thank you to everyone who arranged summer food bags, assisted our partner ACO with much needed repairs, prepped for VBS and donated blood.  YOU made a difference.  

Watch for a special video recap of the weekend this Sunday in worship.
Adult Ministry
Spiritual Gifts Inventory

Have you heard about our Spiritual Gifts Inventory project.  We're so excited to bring this tool to Creekwood!  It is designed to help each of us identify the ways we can best serve: the church, our greater community, and God.

If you didn't get a chance to complete the inventory, which should take no more than 10 minutes, you can print it here and take it now. Return completed forms to the welcome desk this Sunday.  All individual responses will remain anonymous.  Questions? Contact Molly Trank.  
Moses Answers the Call

Members of the Celebration Sunday school class will be presenting a skit, "Moses Answers the Call*."  This is a two-part skit and will be performed Sunday, June 4 and Sunday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. in the school cafeteria.  All are welcome.

*Produced and directed by Deanna Hyatt
Game On

Interested in playing indoor volleyball this summer with Creekwood? Contact Andrew Still at AndrewKStill@yahoo.com.


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STTTRIKE!

The Creekwood Crew Softball team is looking for players. We are about to start our third season in the City of Allen Church E League and still have some spots. Sorry ladies, this league is for men only. Most players are in their 30's or 40's. The season runs from the first week of June till the end of July. We play on Monday evenings. Game start times vary from 6:30pm to 9:30pm and games last about 1 hour. If you are interested, send an email to Jay at jeroen.van.rijn@gmail.com. Space is limited.

Still Time To Sign Up

We're continuing the Creekwood tradition of the Men's and Women's Summer Bible Study, and we've got a good one lined up!  How many of you, like us, read The Shack and were greatly moved by this modern-day parable?  We bet more than a few of you went to see the movie when it was released last month.  If you're familiar with the story, you know it is rich with content for discussion, deep reflection and personal growth.  That is why we were crazy-excited when we learned there was a formal study developed to correspond with the story.  The story of the The Shack applies to all of us, whether we have endured terrible tragedy and pain or the more common struggles of everyday faith.   Whether you are looking for faith, have lost faith along the way, or are strong in your faith but desire to trust God more deeply – you’ll find what you need in this study.  

The 6-week study will begin Tuesday, June 13, with the showing of the movie.  At each session, to be held in the Worship Center, a light dinner will be served, beginning at 6:30 p.m., and the study will start at 7 p.m.  As it has been in the past, men and women will meet separately for the study portion.  Cost is $8 per person to cover the supplies.  Childcare will be available, with reservation.  This study is open to all in the community.  Bring a friend or two.  Come fellowship and grow together.

Sign up here.  The class will not meet the week of July 4th.  Don't miss out due to a schedule conflict. It is ok if you have to miss a class or two with summer travel.  
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Find Local Grief Support Events Here
Children's Ministry
VBS Set Up

Want to be a part of VBS but can't get away from work during the week? Help us set up for VBS the Sunday before. This is a VERY BIG need.  Your help would be invaluable. We can't have VBS without the proper decorations and stations.  

We'll be setting up immediately following the 11:30 a.m. worship service next Sunday, June 4, in the Worship Center and the Children's Center.  Plan to join us to make Maker Fun Factory happen for the 250+ kids coming for the week.  Pizza lunch will be provided for volunteers.  Mark you calendars and plan to join us.  Email Liz Goertz with any questions.  

Spaces Still Available

Cross Cheer is coming to Creekwood two times this summer:  June 12-16 and July 17-21.  This national program will take place on our campus.  Designed for those 4 - 10 years of age, the Cross Cheer camps teach young girls the fundamentals of cheerleading in a Christ-centered atmosphere.  Learn more and register here .  Early bird pricing through June 1st.
Join Our Children's eNewsletter Distribution List 
Have an infant through 4th grader and not currently receiving our weekly Children's Ministries' newsletter, Explorers' Times?  Please  email us  to be added to our distribution list.   
Student Ministries
Student Ministry (CSM)
Sunday school is held each Sunday from 10:15 - 11:15 a.m.  
5th - 6th graders will meet in the tile room of the Children's Center.  7th - 8th graders meet in the garage of the Student Center and 9th -12th graders meet in the Student Center.  
The Rise  is held in the Student Center on Sundays, from 5 - 7 p.m.  All 7th through 12th graders (and beyond) are welcome to these evenings of worship, fellowship and fun.  Meals are provided; a $5 donation is encouraged.
  If you are looking to help our awesome Student Ministry by providing a meal, or part of a meal, for The Rise, click here to pick a date and sign up.  We promise you'll have fun feeding and visiting with our students.
Summer Fun With CSM
We've got some cool activities planned for this summer.  Join us as we serve, fellowship and grow in our faith.

High School Mission Trip
Students finishing 9th-12th grades are heading to Cajun Country June 25 - July 1 to help restore the area around Baton Rouge that has been hit hard by flooding and tornados in recent years. Students completing 8th grade who will have turned 14 by the trip are welcome to attend as well. Click here to sign up.   

Middle School Mission Trip
Students finishing 6th-8th grades are invited to join us in Fort Worth July 26-30 for a fabulous weekend of service and fun.  Click here to sign up.  

CIY Move
High school students, it’s time to Move!  Experience intense, interactive worship, dynamic preaching, small group study and community building. At Move we will not only learn and worship together – we’ll spend focused time discovering ways that God will use Creekwood youth to impact the world.  This is a 5 day camp held at LeTourneau University in Longview. The cost is $395 per person with a discounted rate for adult participants. We will find a way to pay for anyone who wants to go! Click here to sign up. Contact Jared with questions.  

Confirmation 2017-18
Registration for the 2017-18 school year will open April 18.  Confirmation is available to students in grades 7th and above.  Classes will be held in the Student Center at 10:15 August 20-May 20.  Retreats, missions, social activities, and faith visits are also an integral part of the course.  Click here to sign up.  
 
Junior High Small Group meets on Wednesdays, 7 - 8:00 p.m.  Contact Donna Bartholomew for more information.  

Sr. High Small Group meets at the Edwards house on Wednesday nights from 7 - 8:30.  Contact Jared Phares for more information.

Let's stay in touch.  
Students and parents  wanting to stay up to date with current activities, events and services, please text @elevatecu to 81010.