INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

1 Vacation Bible School

2 Prayer Requests; New Members; Pastor’s Perspective

3 Calendar, Birthdays 4 Food n Fellowship; GriefShare;

50+ Ministry; United Methodist Men; Mothers & Ministry; Mary Martha Circle; Crafters; Choir Practice; Hill Country Community Ministries; Notes & Thank Yous

5 New Flooring Fundraiser; Staff

Position Openings; Growing in Generosity

6 Step Up Sunday

AUGUST 2019

Church Office: (512) 259-1284 Mother’s Day Out: (512) 259-0544

107 S. West Drive Leander, Texas 78641 www.leanderumc.org office@leanderumc.org

(details on page 5)

Help us raise enough funds to replace our 25 YEAR OLD floors!

At VBS this year we learned that even though LIFE IS WILD, GOD IS GOOD!

We hosted 182 children with the help of 92 amazing, grace-filled and hard-working volunteers!

Through creative storytelling, we experienced the story of the Exodus – from being slaves in Egypt, to the 10 plagues and Pharoah saying “No! No! No!” to the cry of “Let my people go!”. We hurried out of Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, wandered in the wilderness, and finally crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land. Through it all – unfair, scary, chang-ing, sad & good times – GOD IS GOOD! Each day the centers of Mis-sion, Games, and Imagination Station reinforced the story. Thank you for your support of this program. It really does make a difference in

the lives of children and their families in our community.

PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE

I’ll never forget that my Dad taught the High School Sunday School class one of the years I was a student. I wish I could remember more of the lessons or particular scripture we studied, however, the one lesson that I treasure was his very first one. He began his tenure explaining to us that he was not a teacher but a facilitator. He said, “I’m not a teacher, I’m going to be a facilitator. Do you

know what a facilitator is? I will be a student just like you but I will come to class having looked at the material, prepared the lesson, and researched the scriptures. If I do preparation, then our studying together will be made easier. A facilitator helps make your own learning, processing, and applying smoother. So let’s begin to learn together.”

Disclaimer #1: this is a recollection of what I heard, not verbatim what Dad said.

The reason I share this story is that it was a moment that formed my first definition of effective Bible Study leaders/teachers. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Dad gave us permission to learn, grow and think for ourselves about the scripture. This offering gave us the gift of interacting with the Word of God and thereby brought me and my friends into a relational dialogue with the Creator. I believe this dialogue is where faith is formed.

The other reason I share it is because I’m so grateful for the gift of my Dad’s time and commitment to my faith. He was willing to give me the greatest gift in life, an opportunity to know and love Christ.

In July, I witnessed a faithful gift of time and commitment to this very kind of oppor-tunity through the fabulous week of Vacation Bible School. It was such a joy to wit-ness 101 servants of God do their part in creating a space for children to grow in faith. Here at Leander UMC we have a mighty opportunity and responsibility to pass our faith to our children, grandchildren, and community children. As a parent, I am familiar with the triumph and heartache experienced in this process of sharing our faith inheritance. The greatest commandment is given to guide and encourage us. And it is always worthy of sharing as a reminder. Here it is in two translations:

DEUTERONOMY 6:4-7 NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSIONS (NIV) 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

DEUTERONOMY 6:4-7 THE MESSAGE (MSG) 4 Attention, Israel! God, our God! God the one and only! 5 Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got! 6-9 Write these com-mandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.

The final reason is that no matter who you are, God doesn’t let us off the hook when it comes to immersing ourselves in activity that grows faithful relationship with God. Dad could have come up with a reason why he wasn’t qualified to teach the Youth Class. And frankly, there were times his ‘sainthood’ could be questioned; he was perfectly human. However, in Deuteronomy, Parents and Guardians (all of ISARAEL, i.e. people of God) are ultimately held accountable for the teaching of children 24/7. The Church is a body of people whose very mission is this great task. It appears to me that there should be no shortage of teachers nor students when it comes to learning the scripture. And I am grateful for the commitment and enthusiasm I see thus far in this congregation.

As I continue in these first months of ministry with you, my prayer is simple - that like my father I may be a facilitator in sharing the scripture with you in worship and other settings. I pray that each person of faith will yearn for intimate relationship with Christ that overflows with Grace. And I pray that what passes between each of us is a faith building moment. I pray that growing alongside you will ease the jour-ney of transformation and being made new in Christ.

Lord, write it deep. Write it true, until our hearts are one with you. Jesus, Teacher, and Way Maker. Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Laura

BELLA GENTRY

Baptized on June 30

HELP A PREACHER OUT?

Pastor Laura is eager to learn your names and faces as she begins the season of serving as your Pastor. It is helpful for her to be able to put faces with names. So, thank you for wearing your

nametags on Sunday; that is extremely helpful. Pastor Laura is also requesting that each family send a recent portrait (professional or snapshot) of your family to the church which we can upload to our online church directory. If you are a member or consider Leander UMC your church home, please send a recent photo to the church office. Photos are preferred in digital format or we can scan a hard copy. Email pictures to office@leanderumc.org.

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 6:30 pm

Band Practice

2

3 8 am

United Methodist Men

4 8:30/9:45/11:00 Worship 9:45 Choir Practice 9:45/11:00 Sunday school 12:30 Spanish Service

5

6 7:00 pm

Choir Practice

7 5:30 pm

Emmaus Group

6:30 pm Mothers & Ministry

8 6:30 pm

Band Practice

6:45 pm Children’s Council

9 12:00 pm

50+ Luncheon

10

11 8:30/9:45/11:00 Worship 9:45 Choir Practice 9:45/11:00 Sunday school

12:30 Spanish Service

12 6:00 pm Emmaus

Gathering

13 9:30 am

Mary Martha Circle

7:00 pm Choir Practice

14 5:30 pm

Emmaus Group

6:45 pm Board Meeting

15 6:30 pm

Band Practice

16 9:00 am

Quilting Group

17

18 8:30/9:45/11:00 Worship

9:45/11:00 Sunday school 9:45 Choir Practice 12:00 Food n Fellowship

12:30 Spanish Service

19

20 7:00 pm

Choir Practice

21 5:30 pm

Emmaus Group

6:30 pm Mothers & Ministry

22 6:30 pm

Band Practice

23 1:00 pm

50+ Game Day

24

25 8:30/9:45/11:00 Worship

9:45 Choir Practice 9:45/11:00 Sunday school

12:30 Spanish Service

26

27 7:00 pm

Choir Practice

28 5:30 pm

Emmaus Group

29 12-1 pm

Mother’s Day Out Open House

6:30 pm Band Practice

10:00 am GriefShare

30

31

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)

8/1 Connie Hasselbach

8/1 Carol Milam

8/2 Chris Killoran

8/3 Shila Leos

8/6 Mike Hilsabeck

8/7 Elsie Halsell

8/8 Felicia Gledhill

8/8 Jean Wiebe

8/11 Donald Magnusson

8/12 Bob Morris

8/13 Holly Bronstad

8/13 David Hinojosa

8/14 Ramona Krenek

8/15 Don McCarty

8/16 Matt Berry

8/16 Karen MacDonald

8/16 Kathy McCracken

8/18 Carl Gayle

8/20 Alex Hill

8/21 Darrell Collier

8/23 Brownlee Bowmer

8/24 Cuatro Ribble

8/26 Rebekah Ryder

8/27 Barbara Read

8/28 Sarah Alexander

8/28 Michael Reeh

8/29 Jacob Baylor

8/29 Ben Schwartz

8/30 John Duke

8/30 Logan Parmenter

8/31 Josh Dickinson

UNITED METHODIST MEN SATURDAY, AUGUST 3 | 8:00 AM

All men of any age are invited on the first Saturday of each month for fellowship, coffee, breakfast and community service projects. Meetings take place in the Fellowship Hall.

The Crafters will not be meeting over the summer. We will resume again on Monday, September 9th, 1:00-3:00pm.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN MARY MARTHA CIRCLE TUESDAY, AUGUST 13 | 9:30 AM

The Mary Martha Circle meets on the second Tuesday of each month for fellowship, refreshments and service projects. On August 13, we will have a guest speaker from the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center, an organization which provides a safe place for abused children and where their families can receive help.

MOTHERS & MINISTRY 1ST & 3RD WEDNESDAYS @ 6:30 PM IN THE UPPER ROOM

Mothers & Ministry is a place for moms of all ages to build community with other moms, find support and encouragement, grow spiritually, and find opportunities for community service. Child care is provided. For more info, please contact Megan Altman: mealtman@yahoo.com.

GRIEFSHARE We will be offering GriefShare again starting Thursday, August 29 at 10:00 am. GriefShare is a 13-week grief support group with caring people who will walk alongside you. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. Each week features a video seminar with experts, supportive group discussion, and personal reflection/study using a workbook.

50+ MINISTRY LUNCHEON FRIDAY AUGUST 9 @ 12:00 PM

Folks ages 50 and older are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall for food, fun, and fellowship. RSVP not required. There is no charge for lunch, but donations are accepted.

50+ MINISTRY GAME DAY: FRIDAY, AUGUST 23 @ 1:00 PM

Join with folks 50 and older in the Fellowship Hall for board games, dominoes and cards. Invite a friend!

THE CHOIR IS RESUMING Dust off your chords, Choir! It is time to get back to singing for God! Choir rehearsals will resume on Sunday, August 4 at 9:45 am in the Fellowship Hall and on Tuesday nights in the Sanctuary at 7:00 pm starting August 6. Our first Sunday to sing during worship will be "Step Up Sunday", August 11 at both the 8:30 am and the 11:00 am services. If you would like to join the Choir and have some fun sharing your gifts and talents for God, just come to any of the rehearsals on Sundays or Tuesday nights.

HILL COUNTRY COMMUNITY MINISTRIES THRIFT STORE

The Hill Country Community Ministries Thrift Store is now open and located at 1501 Leander Dr., Bldg C, Unit 3 in Leander (across the railroad tracks from Taco Bell). Their hours are Mon-Sat 10 am-6 pm.

They are currently accepting donations of gently used clothing, linens, bedding, household items, and shoes. They do not accept electronics, large appliances, baby furniture, or office furniture.

They are also looking for volunteers to help out at the thrift store, the food pantry, and with picking up food donations. If you want more info about volunteering, contact Kandy Chimento: kandy.chimento@hccm.org.

NOTES & THANK YOUS

Dear Leander United Methodist Church,

Rev. Daryl Horton and I truly enjoyed worshipping with you on June 9th. We were honored to be a part of your Pentecost Sunday services. Thank you for living out the words found in Galatians 6:10, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” We can’t say “thank you” enough for how you showed “goodness” towards us during our visit. You made us feel like family! May God bless you above all you can imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Love in Christ, Shalonda Horton

FOOD N FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY AUGUST 18 @ 12:00 PM Join us at noon in the Fellowship Hall for a church-wide potluck lunch and fellowship with others. Bring a dish to share.

STAFF POSITION OPENINGS

Leander United Methodist Church is currently hiring for the following new positions:

DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES This position is part-time, approximately 15 hours per week with an annual salary of $15,000. This person will oversee, support and disciple the lay leaders in children’s ministry, identify and develop new leaders for children’s ministry, offer new and creative direction to our children’s ministries, work to extend our children’s ministry beyond children whose families attend our church to those in the community, especially children in poverty, and work in consultation with the Children’s Council. Experience in children’s ministry work preferred. Please send resume with references and cover letter summarizing your vision for children’s ministry to employment@leanderumc.org. DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES This position is part-time. approximately 15 hours per week with an annual salary of $15,000. This person will oversee, support and disciple the lay leaders in youth ministry, identify and develop new leaders for youth ministry, offer new and creative direction to our youth ministries, work to extend our youth ministry beyond youth whose families attend our church to those in the community, especially youth in poverty, and work in consultation with the Youth Council. Experience in youth ministry work preferred. Please send your resume with references and cover letter summarizing your vision for youth ministry to employment@leanderumc.org. CLERICAL ASSISTANT/RECEPTIONIST This position is part-time for 16 hours per week (Monday – Thursday 10 am-2 pm) with an hourly wage of $10.00. This person will answer phones, greet visitors, meet clerical needs of staff members, print & fold bulletins and newsletters, and other duties under direction of the Administrative Director. Please send resume with references and cover letter to employment@leanderumc.org.

NEW FLOORING FUNDRAISER

Did you know the carpet in our Education Building is over 25 YEARS OLD!?!?

Hi there! We are the new babies of Leander United Methodist Church!

We will be crawling soon . . .

And this is what our floors currently look like . . .

We're asking your help to raise $25 K for new durable flooring! New flooring will also provide health benefits for our kids of all ages who attend Sunday school, Mother's Day Out, and Vacation Bible School as well as our teachers and volunteers.

Ways you can make a contribution:

IN CHURCH: Drop your donation in the offering plate during worship. Be sure to mark that it's for the Education Hall flooring.

ONLINE: Use the online giving link on our website (leanderumc.org/new-flooring-fundraiser). Be sure to select "Education Hall Flooring" as your designation.

The faithful offerings of Leander UMC members allow our church to maintain a budget for missions, ministry programs, and general administration. Here is the most recent report for offerings in 2019:

TOTAL OFFERINGS GOAL FOR 2019: $437,300

TOTAL OFFERINGS RECEIVED: $212,435 (49% of goal) Every Sunday, our Changing the World loose change collection raises money for a special organization. This is how God multiplies our gifts:

CHANGE COLLECTED IN JUNE: $848.14 (Advance Specials)

TOTAL CHANGE COLLECTED IN 2019: $5,930.10

THANK YOU FOR GROWING IN GENEROSITY!

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. Laura Becker

Director of Community Events: Elizabeth Edmiston

Administrative Director: Stephanie Uys

Music Director: Debra Carlson MDO Preschool Director: Maria Harrington

Custodian: Linda Brandimarte

107 S. West Drive Leander, TX 78641 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

Welcome the new academic year with us! On August 11 we

will celebrate another year of challenges, goal accomplish-

ments, and advances in growth. This does not just apply to

students. Each new year is a gift for each of us to meet God's

love as we walk in His light.

During worship on Step Up Sunday, we will be doing a special

blessing over bag tags which can be taken home and placed on

your backpack, laptop bag, handbag, work tote, gym bag, or

whatever you use in your day to day life. The tags are a physi-

cal reminder that the entire Leander UMC walks with you in

whatever endeavor you embark on this year.

Step Up Sunday is also the day our preschool and elementary

kiddos will move up in their 9:45 am Sunday School classes as

needed. We advance our kids when they complete pre-k, 2nd

grade and 5th grade. If you are new to our church, any of our

teachers can help you get your child directed to the right class.