Crete United Methodist Church
Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m.
- UPDATE ON CUMC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS -
On Sunday, June 27th, the next phase to loosen safety precautions will be in place.
What will be different?
• A return to pre-pandemic Summer Worship hours: One service on Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m. There will be no Wednesday evening worship service during the summer.
• The length of the service will extend to 45 minutes (rather than 30).
• Seating restriction to every other row in the sanctuary will be eliminated. Tape on those pews will be removed.
• Joys and Concerns will return to pre-pandemic practice of individual sharing. An usher will bring a microphone to you and will hold it for you while you speak.
• Congregational singing will return. Yeah!
• Hymnals and Bibles will be back in the pews for those who wish to use them. We will continue the use of screens. No bulletins will be used.
• On the first Sunday of every month, we will return to receiving Holy Communion up front, with individual, pre-cut bread and individual cups. Servers will wear gloves in the distribution of the elements. Baskets will be placed to return cups prior to returning to your seats.
What will stay the same?
• Attendance will continue to be taken at the entry doors of the church in order to maintain contact tracing.
• We will continue the use of one entrance/exit to the sanctuary.
• Collection of offering will continue to be received in a plate on a table just outside the entrance to the sanctuary.
• We continue with no pencils, envelopes, things to write on or attendance pads in the pews. Please bring what you need with you.
• Directioning decals will remain in place.
• Coffee time before and after worship will not yet resume.
PDF - click HERE to download.
Crete UMC's mission is to be Christ centered, teaching and learning community, dedicated to reaching out to all in a spirit of caring and sharing, a community where growth in Christ inspires us to be joyful sharing people.
On Wednesdays you will receive an email with an weekly devotional
If you are not receiving this information and wish to then please office@creteumc.org
Weekly Devotion
“He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’” Mark 6:30
Jesus was a big proponent of getting away, finding a change of scenery, taking rest and renewal. And he practiced what he preached. The gospels record that he frequently took time out for rest and time alone with God. Here are just a few examples:
*Matthew 13:1, “Jesus went out. . . and sat beside the sea.”
*Mark 1:35, “In the morning. . . he got up and went to a deserted place.”
*Luke 6:12, “He spent the night in prayer.”
*John 12:36, “He departed and hid from them.”
So, my question is, when was the last time you got away and rested? Really rested.
Last Sunday, we looked at this passage from Mark’s Gospel. Jesus’ disciples had been gone and on the move for a couple of months at least, going from town to town, healing the sick, casting out demons and sharing God’s good news. When they reported back to Jesus all they had done, Jesus’ response was, basically, “Boy, you’ve done a lot of stuff. It’s time to rest now.”
I imagine you thinking, “Well, I haven’t done a lot of stuff. All I did last year was sit a lot and watch the world go to pot.” And, yes, maybe we’ve all felt that way. But, my friends, you’ve been through a marathon. It’s been crisis after crisis and from everything I’m seeing, it’s not over yet. There might never have been a time when we’ve so much needed to practice self-care.
It’s been encouraging to me to hear that some of you have been taking little road trips lately, or going to see family members you haven’t seen since this all began. I hope you’ve done some of that this summer. But as I look at the calendar, I’ve suddenly become mindful that we’re approaching the dog days. Summer will soon be over.
Even if you’ve already taken time away, I want to encourage all of us to take some of this precious summer time we have left to rest, maybe go on a road trip, or a retreat, give yourself on a retreat day for alone time with God. Jesus did that a lot, you know. And he would say to us, “Boy, you’ve done a lot of stuff. It’s time to rest now.”
Yours in the journey,
Pastor Kristen
Announcements
THIS SUNDAY IS HYMN SUNDAY, July 25th: We will celebrate the ministry of Brenda Kenyon, our Music Director, as we sing our favorite hymns and send her forth with our love and blessing. A brief time of hospitality will follow, where you will be able to offer your personal well wishes.
UPPER ROOMS FOR JULY-AUGUST are available for pick up in the church narthex. If you would like one delivered to your home, please contact Pastor Kristen on her cell phone or the church (708) 672-8353 ext. 2 and she’s happy to drop one off for you.
Our Thrift Shop is now open Saturdays
From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Because we care about you, we will be utilizing best safety practices. Masks are required (one will be provided for you if needed). Plastic gloves and hand sanitizer will be available for your use. Social distancing will be maintained at all times and the number of shoppers and the duration in the store will be limited.
Before and After School Program
Click HERE for more information
contact
Kathy Carter Young
Director of the Before and After School Program
Email: klcy6000@aol.com for further information.
Online Giving
Secure, reliable, and convenient! Give a one-time gift (no account needed), or schedule recurring giving using your checking account, debit, or credit card. (See our SCHEDULE YOUR GIVING help page, or contact Diane at 708-672-8353, if you have questions!)
If you like to help with our ministries, you can donate nowby clicking below
Scrip Cards
Serving
Together
by
* serving food to the homeless (PADS)
* donating food to Crete Food Pantry
* praying for those in need
At Crete United Methodist Church (Crete UMC) , we realize that there will be times in our lives where problems and circumstances seem overwhelming. It is at these times when we may want to isolate ourselves and hide.
We want you to know that you are not alone!
There are many who share your struggles. Crete UMC's Spiritual Themes in Recovery (S.T.I.R) helps those who are struggling with the addictions of Alcohol. S.T.I.R. is designed to provide an opportunity for you to share and interact with others and find encouragement and support that you may need.