At some point in my early life, I decided I didn’t like birds. Maybe it was the seagull that “dropped a present” on me at the beach that one time. Or maybe it was the dive-bombing birds that freaked me out the first time I visited Disney World. Or perhaps it was the geese that would use our high school marching band field as their personal toilet—and we’d just have to march right through it. None of these experiences made birds endearing to me. But more recently, I’ve found myself looking to the skies more and more, or turning my ear

to morning birdsong. Might there be something about birds that I’ve missed out on and that might bring depth to my understanding of our creator?

Maybe we’ve not considered birds much as a symbol of God. But in many faith traditions, we see divinity in the form of a bird. In Hinduism, the god Vishnu rides the eagle-like deity names Garuda. In ancient Egypt, the god of magic and wisdom, Toth, is an Ibis-headed figure. Even in the Christian faith, the dove is a prominent symbol of the Holy Spirit of God. Dr. Ang Chin Sim writes, “The word “bird” or “birds” appears 125 times in the New King James Version (NKJV), with 59 that talk about “doves” or “turtledoves” or “pigeons”. Eagles are mentioned 34 times in the KJV. Birds can be found in Genesis as well as in Revelation – and in the books in between too.”

This month, we’ll be looking at many of these birds and what they might uncover for us about the character of God. We’ll consider the practice of bird-watching and what lessons we might glean from these feathery creatures. This summer, let’s pause together and watch together, mindful of the creation around us and how it might teach us about ourselves.

Sunday services can be viewed live at 9:30am on Facebook AND YouTube, or afterwards with the links found on the website and weekly newsletter.

Click here to view our worship on YouTube.

JUNE Worship

Sunday services can be viewed live at 9:30am on Facebook AND YouTube.

 June 8th – PENTECOST SUNDAY (ALL-CHURCH BBQ AFTER WORSHIP)

Bird Watching: God as Dove

Acts 2: 1-13

June 15th – FATHER’S DAY

Bird Watching: God as Mother Hen

Matthew 23: 33-39

June 22nd – COURTYARD WORSHIP

Bird Watching: God as Wild Goose

Genesis 1: 1-2

June 29th

Bird Watching: God as Raven

1 Kings 17: 2-6



Please join us for a Barbeque!!

Mark Your Calendars! - Vacation Bible School

WPUMC will be hosting Vacation Bible School the week of June 16-20. It will run from 9-11:30 AM Monday through Thursday with an end of week celebration on Friday when we will end around noon. This year's theme will be centered around the story of Joseph in Egypt. Registration will be open Monday, March 3rd. If you are interested in helping with VBS, there are many roles that can be filled that include a group or station leader, decorating the weekend before or helping clean up at the end of the week, working the check in/out table or helping me with other related tasks. Send me an email if you are curious about one of the largest children's events that take place in our church to childrensministry@washparkumc.org. 

Sign up here! Or use the QR Code below.

When Rent Jumps $1000 a Month, Habitat Makes Homeownership Possible

Purchasing a four-bedroom home with Habitat Metro Denver will be life changing for Josh, Victoria and their two kids, ages 3 and 4. Last year, Josh and Victoria were priced out of their 1,900-sq. ft. rental home when the rent jumped from $1,700 a month to $2,700. They moved into a 700-sq. ft. apartment on the border between Lakewood and Wheat Ridge.

“We don’t feel safe where we live now. Our apartment is on a busy street, so our kids can’t play outside. There’s no yard for the dog,” shares Victoria. “Once we buy our new home, we’ll have two parks, a dog park nearby, and our own backyard.”

There are multiple opportunities to support families like Josh, Victoria and their two small children. We’re trying something new this year by offering half days for painting in Habitat’s new and air-conditioned warehouse. Can you make time to work for a morning and support hard-working families? New construction opportunities are available as well.

Production Shop Painting:

·     Sat., May 31 from 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM

·     Sat., June 21 from 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM

·     Sat., June 28 from 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM

·     Fri., July 18 from 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM

·     Sat., August 9 from 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM

·     Sat., September 6 from 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Volunteers paint and package siding, trim, doors, and finishing sheds, which are used on site to build Habitat homes. This activity requires moving materials and is completed inside an air-conditioned warehouse. The production shop is located in Habitat’s new office and warehouse at 430 S, Navajo St., Denver, CO 80223.

Teenagers 14+ are welcome to help in the production shop.

New Construction at Mountain View:

·     Sat., June 14 from 7:50 AM – 3:30 PM

·     Sat., July 12 from 7:50 AM – 3:30 PM

·     Fri., August 22 from 7:50 AM – 3:30 PM

In new construction projects, you help build new affordable homes for hard-working families. This year’s development is in the Mountain View Community at 10700 E. Evans Ave, Aurora, CO 80014. Teenagers 16+ are welcome to help in new construction.

All of our projects are done with volunteers of all experience levels - from novice to master carpenter.



For questions, contact Carol Nelson at 303.810.4635.

Please register at least 2 weeks in advance on the Loaves and Fishes Volunteer Hub:

http://loavesandfishes-denver.denver.volunteerhub.com/

Please sign up to voluteer with Habitat for Humanity here!

• Friday, May 16- Production Shop
• Saturday, May 31- Production Shop
• Saturday, June 14- Construction, Mountain View
• Saturday, June 21- Production Shop
• Saturday, June 28- Production Shop
• Saturday, July 12- Construction, Mountain View
• Friday, July 18- Production Shop
• Saturday, August 9- Production Shop
• Friday, August 22- Construction, Mountain View
• Saturday, September 6- Production Shop

Thanks for Supporting the Habitat Fundraiser!

In October, we concluded our “Big Top, Big Hearts: Building Dreams Together” Habitat for Humanity fundraiser. After totaling the cash, liquidated stock, and some matching funds from a local business, we raised $7,370.00!! 

In 2024, we continued to build homes and support families moving into Habitat’s Mountain View community, which is a neighborhood just off South Havana Street and near Havana Heights Park. This development is in the Cherry Creek School District and close to green spaces, public transit, and local businesses. Here’s a recent picture of one of the duplexes in that community. YOU made a difference to a family and to a community.

 WPUMC, THANK YOU!! 

This time-honored event serves as an important fundraiser for Steele Elementary, a Denver Public School. The Home Tour will feature six stunning homes—each with unique architectural and design styles—located along the 300–800 blocks of South Gilpin Street.

In addition to the tour, we welcome you to enjoy the Street Fair along the 800 block of South Gilpin Street, featuring:

•   60+ Local Artisans, Vendors, & Sponsors

•  Food Trucks: Blue Pan Pizza, Denver Pops, Devil Dog Grill, El Cubanaso, Lazo Empanada, Sweet Cow Ice Cream 

•  Arts & Crafts Activities

•  Balloon Artist

•  Magician Shows (11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm)

•  Inflatable Obstacle Course

•  Water Station (Please bring your reusable water bottle/cup!)

Funds raised directly support Steele Elementary, enhancing the student experience through educational programs. This year, a portion of the proceeds will also benefit The LoVVe Project, a community-based organization addressing food insecurity with culturally relevant solutions in Southeast Denver.

If you would like to learn more about the event please visit www.washparkhometour.org or contact washparkhometour2025@gmail.com

Altar Flowers 2025

If you’d like to sponsor Sunday morning altar flowers in honor of an occasion or in memory of someone, please sign up for a date below. The arrangements cost $45 ($35 for seniors) and you can take them home or give them away after service. We just ask that you return the vases to the Tea Kitchen so that we can reuse them. Make checks out to WPUMC and put altar flowers in the memo line or pay via Venmo @Michelle-Hoskins-17.

Please enter the occasion or person to be honored in the My Comment field after you click Sign Up.

Click HERE to sign up.