Top 5 @ SPUMC

#1 HELLO MY NAME IS
We continued new worship series, Hello My Name Is, and we’ll be spending the next 7 weeks getting to know one another better as we dive into biblical stories about the power of names. Be sure to Make Yourself a NAMETAG on your way into church and start your own personal 10-Name Challenge (learning the names of 10 new people and “familiar strangers” over the next two months). Rev. Narae preached on the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel in the desert and his transformation from “the heel grabber” (Jacob) to “the one who wrestles with God” (Israel). Jacob the conniver is transformed in this encounter and his life has no fairy tale ending, as Narae reminded us, but it is forever changed.

SUNDAY SCHOOL was also back in full operation for our kids and our children were busy serving other kids through Backpack Buddies. Older kids helped younger ones fill the backpacks with nutritious snacks for children at Park and Brooklyn Park Elementary Schools (our long-term partners) so they will have healthy food to sustain them over their weekends before returning to school for free and reduced breakfasts and lunch.

# 2 SIGN UP TO HELP WITH THE GARAGE SALE
The Fall Missions Garage Sale on October 7, 8:30am – 1pm is less than a month away and it’s time to begin our massive preparations to make the event a success. Twice a year, we raise $20-25K to support the work of our Volunteers in Mission teams and the many local missions that the United Women of Faith sponsor. Hundreds of volunteers are needed Wednesday to Friday the week of the sale and of course on the day of the sale, as well. Sign-up begins this Sunday in Fellowship Hall and online. DONATION DROP-OFF DAYS & HOURS are Wednesday (10/4) 5-8pm, Thursday (10/5) 8am-8pm, and Friday (10/6) 8am-2pm. If you’d like to know more about how you can get involved, contact Karen Myers.

#3 BE PART OF THE NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY
We’re creating a new and long-overdue Church Directory and would love to have you be part of it. We are taking pictures on Sunday mornings in between the worship services in the Library (next to Fellowship Hall) through the end of September. It’s quick and easy and FREE — no Olan Mills reps encouraging you to buy multi-hundred dollar packages! So far we have nearly 150 pictures of individuals and families and our goal is 225-250. Alternatively, you can send in a picture to Meg Moore, our Communications Director. We will be printing our new directory in the first week of October, so be sure to have your picture taken or send your picture in by the end of the month.

#4 MINISTRY FAIR: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Don’t miss the Ministry Fair on Sunday, October 1st in Fellowship Hall. You’ll have a chance to meet representatives from our wide array of ministries throughout the morning.  Come learn about our many hands-on Outreach Opportunities, Faith Development& Fellowship Groups, Youth Ministry, Musical Ensembles/Bands and to see where you might fit in at SPUMC as you deepen your faith journey.  In addition to refreshments, we’ll have signups for follow-up conversations, to become a part of a particular ministry and/or email lists to stay connected.

#5 DIG INTO THE BIBLE THIS FALL
THE BIBLE UNWRAPPED: Reading with Heart, Soul & Mind is a new 6-week study meeting on Wednesday nights in the Parlor at 7pm and taught by Rev. Ron. The class began on September 13 and we had a packed parlor of participants (say that 3x fast), new and long-time folks and everyone in between. The class is designed to help you learn how to read the Bible in a more meaningful, faithful and critical way with both the eyes of a child and a “grown-up.” We’ll take a big picture look at the whole of Scripture and dip our toe in various parts along the way. Books are available for $20. Sign up here.