“Go, and do likewise.” This is how Jesus concludes his parable of the Good Samaritan, which we covered last week. This Sunday, we bring it home with a similar command that comes at the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (found in Matthew 5-7). 

The final parable of that sermon is also the last one of this worship series and pretty much sums up what Jesus has in mind for all of his teachings: don’t just hear it, just do it! (Yes, Jesus came up with it 2000 years before Nike!)

Jesus invites us to move from spectator to active participant in the work of the Kingdom of God. So, what exactly does that mean? And why is it so difficult? Join me this Sunday in worship at 9:00 or 11:05 am as we unpack this simple, yet surprisingly elusive command from our Savior.

 

Peace,

Pastor Todd



Beginning in October and in support of our mission partners at H.A.A.M. and Mission Northeast, we will be collecting the food items listed below to help our neighbors in-need this holiday season. All donations can be dropped-off in the Narthex before or after our October worship services. Please no glass containers.

Join our Strawbridge 50+ Travelers on Thursday, October 17 as they head to the Houston Zoo to check-out many of their world-class exhibits including: Birds of the World, Galapagos Islands, African Forest, World of Primates, and many more!

The Strawbridge UMC bus will depart from the church at 9:00 am and they expect to return around 4:00 pm. The sign-up sheet is located in the Activity Hallway. Seats on the bus are limited to only 14, so please sign-up soon. If the bus fills up, you can join the group at the Zoo by providing your own transportation.

Please purchase your ticket(s) in advance online at HoustonZoo.org. If you have any additional questions, please contact Anne Blakely.

Anyone interested in participating in this year's Christmas Cantata in worship on Sunday, December 15 - whether in the Chancel Choir or in the Orchestra - is welcome to join them for their Preview Dinner on Friday, October 18 at 6:00 pm in The Great Hall! They will eat together and listen to the new Christmas Cantata, "Love is Born" by Lloyd Larson. Please register here!

The Chancel Choir will also have a retreat on the following day (Saturday, October 19) during which they will begin learning and rehearsing the cantata. 

Please contact Pastor Lindsay for any further information.

The Men of Strawbridge will gather for a fellowship pizza dinner and dessert at a private residence in the Lakeshore subdivision in Atascocita at 7:00 pm on Saturday, October 19. Significant others are welcome to join, but grab a sitter for the kiddos for this one! Please email Anne Blakely for the home address that is hosting this dinner.

Heads-Up! Their November get-together will be designed to include the whole family and will benefit our upcoming "Rise Against Hunger" event. More details to come...

Our Trunk or Treat trunk hosting registration form is now OPEN. If you'd like to host a trunk on Saturday, October 26, please be sure to register here!

Registered volunteers that are hosting a trunk will be provided with an assigned parking spot number and are asked to arrive at 3:00 pm on the day of the event to decorate and set-up. Please try to have set-up completed by 3:45 pm as our guests will be arriving at 4:00 pm.

Any candy and prizes need to be individually-wrapped. And please no candy containing nuts. We will provide extra candy if you run out!

Rise Against Hunger is growing a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives and responding to emergencies.

There are many ways to help RAH and Strawbridge takes part in a large meal packing event each year. 

Our next meal packing event date is Sunday, November 3 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at Elm Grove Elementary School.

This is an amazing opportunity for the entire family to support this wonderful mission. Please register here if you'd like to be a part of it!

Our next Kairos Prison Ministry Weekend is quickly approaching on November 7-10.

The mission of this ministry is to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women and youth, as well as their families, to become loving and productive citizens of their communities.

If you’d like to share the Love of Christ to those in desperate need, please contact Gary Buchler.



Do you know someone who is experiencing a long illness or recovery? Or maybe someone who is suffering a loss? If you think they would welcome an encouraging card from our church, please contact Pat Rogers (713-410-3557) and/or Margaret Sugarek (281-682-5335). You can also reach-out to our church secretary, Anne Blakely.

Don't suffer alone - our Stephen Ministry is here to help! Each one of our Stephen Ministers are trained caregivers that are ready to listen, care for and encourage you, pray with and for you, and help you through a crisis or difficult time. This support is completely confidential. To find out more, please contact Dr. Bill Allen (361-739-5226) and/or Bev Puckett (832-428-4685).



If you or someone you know is homebound and you/they would like to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion, please contact Ellen Cosio via text at (832) 514-0128 and/or Dr. Bill Allen at (361) 739-5226.

Please contact the church office (281-360-4500) during weekday office hours (Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; Friday: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm) to have your prayer concern(s) added to our Intercessory Prayer Team List.



Check-out all of our Adult Sunday School class offerings on our website!

Please don't miss our Strawbridge Kids Facebook Page or our most recent Children's/Mission 56 e-Newsletter or our Linktree Page for all upcoming events. Reach-out to Pastor Emily, for any further information!

Kids Sunday School classes begin at 10:05 am! Please be sure to check where your kiddo(s) should go! See the "Kids & 56 Sunday School" graphic above.

We use the KidCheck system for Sunday School sign-ins. All Kindergarteners through 4th graders need to be checked-in using this awesome system. All check-in machines are located just outside Room 109! If you don’t already have a KidCheck account, you can create an account here.

There are several music & arts programs available for anyone interested. For example, the Chancel Choir is rehearsing on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm. Please contact Pastor Lindsay for any questions or details.