One of the benefits for me in this pandemic is sleeping. For some reason I’m finding that I am sleeping much longer and sounder than I ever did before our shelter in place. I have tried to figure out why this is so. I think it is partially because my schedule has been so disrupted, that things like sleep have fallen into a natural, longer rhythm. At least that is the non-expert opinion of your pastor. Nevertheless, it is one of the benefits I find helpful as I deal with other, more stressful things in my job as your pastor.
My sleep patterns notwithstanding, during this crisis I have also been reminded to breathe. There are times when I find I am under a lot of stress, but I have been shown opportunities in which I can just stop and relax. My work in never done as I’m sure some of you realize the same thing about your jobs and lives. But through the stress of life, of jobs, of family, of sheltering in during this crisis, we have been given a unique opportunity to just “be.” To live in the moment, take some deep breaths, and rest.
For me, this is just one small way the Spirit of God keeps speaking to me… Pastor Colin
Our now on to our weekly congregational updates…
A Thank You. Each week there has been a team of wonderful volunteers and staff that create and produce our worship service every Sunday. When our sheltering in place started, we had little or no idea how best to bring worship to you. Through our collective thinking and time, our worship services keep evolving and getting better each Sunday. A special thank you to Bill Ray, our producer, to our music staff, and to all the wonderful volunteers who have stepped forth and have done the readings and children’s stories each week.
Announcing a new Bible Study. This Wednesday, May 6th at 7 pm, we will be starting a Bible Study on the Gospel of Mark.
- What: We’ll study two chapters from the Gospel of Mark each session.
- When: Wednesday nights at 7 for an hour.
- How long: 8 weeks. If the class wants to move at a slower pace, we’ll do it. There’s a lot to cover!
- How: email Mark Charlton at [email protected] . He’ll send you a Zoom invitation to join the session.
New to Zoom? It’s easy to do; follow the instructions in the email. Sign in early (6:45 PM) and we’ll help you work out any bugs.
We’ll also send you a Word document with the chapters from Mark for each session.
Please call 925-206-4876 if you have any questions.
Worship Services. There are three ways to access our taped Sunday worship services:
- By linking through our WCUMC website;
- By accessing our WCUMC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/walnutcreekumc;
- Or by going to our WCUMC YouTube. Simply go to youtube.com and search for Walnut Creek UMC (hint: there are two Walnut Creek UMC’s. Our YouTube page has a picture of the front of our church).
And if you would like a written summary of Pastor Colin’s sermon, please call the church office.
Zoom Coffee Hour. Our next coffee hour is scheduled for Sunday, May 10th at 11 AM. Here is our Zoom link to join us this Sunday:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81097909646?pwd=QXhkZ1ppcE9RZFB2SWdKZGg1M2xnZz09
Meeting ID: 810 9790 9646
Password: 293803
Or by phone, dial by your location
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 810 9790 9646
Password: 293803
We hope to “see” you next Sunday!
Giving. Please remember you can give to your church in the following ways: 1) by mailing your offering directly to the church office; 2) by giving online through our church website (please click here); or 3) by texting your donation to (877) 769-1961. Thank you for your continued support of your beloved church.
Prayer Requests. We continue to receive prayer requests to share during our “virtual” worship. So if you have a specific prayer to share during the service, please email those prayers to [email protected] no later than 11am this Thursday, May 7th..
Youth News. One of the biggest events for our youth group each year is attending the Sierra Service Project (SSP). SSP is a summer mission program for youth across the Western United States. Each year some 2,000 youth and adults travel to several sites around the West to do home repair. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, SSP has had to cancel its entire 2020 summer program.
Even though this news is shocking, the leadership of SSP knows it is the right thing to protect its constituents. We here at WCUMC are sad for our youth and volunteers who were signed up this year to go and work at the SSP Smith River site. We pray for SSP and their future plans for the 2021 season.