CROSSPOINTS plannedon giving up this muchforLent. so up muchof what brings joy and delight into our Nonelives. of us favorite teamin the NCAA tournament...no, none of planned us on giving warmgreetings on Sunday morning,cheering for our shop,banter in theoffice, lunch dates with friends, ofcoffee and conversation at our favoritecoffee give upwhat makes life so sweet giveto sweets, up and it life hiatus thispandemic requires of us. It dessert hiatus feels child like givingup this much forLent. from AndyCrouch: chuckled I lastweek when I ranacross this tweet DearChurch Family, [continued remindedthat the only thing that trulysatisfies oursouls is God. thethings wewant, “ forLent. amiss thing!),and startedit a conversation about why we give things up family. kidsand I pastor, I Theother day I cheated on my this strangeand scary seasonof Lent about our souls,our lives, our God? revelationor discovery. So makesit me wonder...what can we discover in anticipated.In Scripturethe wilderness isa place of fear, of danger, and of suspectthis particular Lent feels more Jesus like The40 days of Lent are meant to mirror Jesus abidingrelationship with God. more anythingthan else. Wesaw what it looks to like be adeepin and temptationafter temptation,we sawJesus choose to loveGod theFather he underwentthe three greattemptations of hislife. Andas hedenied preparing for theministry awaiting him. Itwas therein thewilderness that (meaning,he gave more up thanjust dessert) and prayed for40 days, afterhis baptism, entirely alone (aka, sociallydistanced), where he fasted hearingabout Jesus It hasn Lent HadnI We give We up things for Lent so we can be reminded that we don ” ’
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S F TH W T M S S F TH March 26 SCRIPTURE CARD March 26, 2020 26, March COVID Online Worship WHAT News A Little Good Announcements Stay Connected Office Hours Update, Giving,
3:55 Lamentations Job 13:13 11 Philippians 1:1 33 Matthew 22:23 2 Kings 4:18 Psalm 143 John 11:1 Luke 24:44 Ezekiel 36:8 11 Revelation 10:1
- ’ S INSIDE: 19 - 66 -
April 4
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19 45 -
53 - - 15
37
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I Hadn’t Planned on Giving Up This Much for Lent (cont.) Sometimes we choose to give up something - like desserts - and it’s meant to help us remember that even the most delicious 12-layer cake will not satisfy the deepest hole in our heart. Only God can do that.
And sometimes, we are forced to give up something, or many things - like life as we knew it before the pandemic. And while it’s very different to be forced into giving up things for Lent, there’s still an opportunity for spiritual growth. Because as we miss that trip to the golf course, or the monthly book club, or the familiar routine of school drop-off and the after-school shuffle, we have an opportunity to reflect on the various ways we are trying to satisfy that part of our heart that is really, truly longing for God. Yes, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity here to reflect on that timeless truth that only a deep and abiding relationship with God will really, truly satisfy.
St. Augustine famously said: “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds rest in thee.”
In these days of wilderness we have an opportunity to consider where our restless hearts have been looking for ultimate meaning, fulfillment, purpose. We have an opportunity to remember that our souls were made to be in relationship with God, and all meaning, all fulfillment, and all purpose are rooted in that core relationship. We have an opportunity, as Jesus did those many years ago, to love God more than anything else.
Because after all, God loves you more than anything else, too.
I leave with you this poem by Jan Richardson. I read this poem to you on that first Sunday of Lent as a blessing for our Lenten journeys. It seems even more relevant today as I ponder it anew. As we journey through these strange and unpredictable days, may you love God with your whole heart, remembering how much God loves you.
With love, Pastor Laura
Beloved Is Where We Begin If you would enter into the wilderness, do not begin without a blessing. Do not leave without hearing who you are: Beloved, named by the One who has traveled this path before you. Do not go without letting it echo in your ears, and if you find it is hard to let it into your heart, do not despair.
[continued….] CROSSPOINTS
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I Hadn’t Planned on Giving Up This Much for Lent (cont.) That is what this journey is for. I cannot promise this blessing will free you from danger, from fear, from hunger or thirst, from the scorching of sun or the fall of the night. But I can tell you that on this path there will be help. I can tell you that on this way there will be rest. I can tell you that you will know the strange graces that come to our aid only on a road such as this, that fly to meet us bearing comfort and strength, that come alongside us for no other cause than to lean themselves toward our ear and with their curious insistence whisper our name: Beloved. Beloved. Beloved.
—Jan Richardson
from Circle of Grace CROSSPOINTS
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Online Worship Online Worship We have missed worshipping with you all these past few weeks but the challenge of figuring out how to live stream 2 worship services with minimal preparation has also led to some wonderful opportunities. Our church is now reaching not only our congregation through worship but also around the world. Friends and family members have joined us in worship as you have shared our live stream information with them. Other Christians, whose churches are not as fortunate as we are to have the technology available to live stream have been able to share in our worship experience. And each week we have found that people who are not a part of our church community or perhaps even connected to church have found our services and worship alongside us. This week we received the following comment on our 11:00 traditional worship service:
Over the past two weeks, our worship services have reached 8,227 unique people in over 40 countries, and have been viewed over 9,800 times. In the midst of this global pandemic, the ministry of Apex UMC continues to be a message of light and hope in the darkness people currently experience. This week, consider sharing the live stream link and video calling a friend, neighbor, coworker, or family member to worship together on Sunday.
You can worship with us from home on our livestream page (apexumc.org/livestream) at either hour. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel (youtube.com/user/ApexUMC). Our sermon podcast will also continue during these few weeks. You can subscribe to our podcast through iTunes or you can find it on our website (apexumc.org/podcast).
COVID-19 Update, Giving, and Church Office COVID-19 Update Apex UMC now will be closed for in-person worship and events through May 17, in accordance with the new guidelines by the CDC and North Carolina state government. Remember to check our website, apexumc.org/coronavirus, as information continues to change.
Giving The mission and ministry of Apex UMC will continue in earnest in the weeks to come. We will continue to love all, welcome all, and serve all through the use of technology. Your ongoing financial offerings are
needed and much appreciated during this time! You can give online, text to give, or give by mail. Giving by Mail: You can mail your contribution to 100 South Hughes Street, Apex, NC 27502. Mail will be picked up at the post office by a designed staff person.
Online Giving: Visit our finance page to make a one-time gift online or pledge for 2020, or you can contact our finance office to set up a recurring online gift.
Text to Give: Simply text familyumc apex and then the amount of giving to 73256. For example: familyumc apex 100. The first time you give, you will be directed to a website to fill out your credit card or bank account information. All transactions are secure. If you only text familyumc, you will see a dropdown where you can choose Apex offerings. Standard text messaging rates may apply.
Church Office The church office is closed, though your church staff continues working from. You can reach pastors and staff by calling the church office at (919) 362-7807 and following the instructions to connect with the direct line of any staff or pastor. Additionally, you can reach them via email, and you can locate email
addresses on our website (apexumc.org/ourteam). CROSSPOINTS
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Stay Connected! Now more than ever, we need to stay connected to one another! If you haven't already, now is the time to sign up for our email newsletter (apexumc.org/newsletter), follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/apexumc) and Instagram (instagram.com/apexumc), bookmark our website (apexumc.org) and Livestream page (apexumc.org/livestream), and subscribe to our YouTube channel (youtube.com/user/ApexUMC).
It's also a great time to make sure the church has your most up-to-date contact information. You can do this via Access ACS (secure.accessacs.com/access/memberlogin.aspx?sn=105209) or by emailing Dana Hall ([email protected]).
If you have any questions regarding communications at Apex UMC, please contact Jacqueline Schechter ([email protected]).
Announcements Our Prayer Concerns and Celebrations All serving in the military; Michael Bereman; Benjamin Webb; Charlotte Reynolds and family; Dana Hall’s mother; David Kelder; Gresham Yeager; Jeanne Hack; Howard and Anna Surface’s daughter-in- law; Rhonda and Ray Oliver’s niece; Ron and Patty Brown’s daughter; Chip and Karen Moore’s son; Kemp Covington’s mother; Kemp Covington; Jim Dukeman’s brother. Confidential prayer requests can be made online at apexumc.org/prayer.
Online Daily Devotionals Join us Monday-Friday for a daily devotional as a way for us to build some new patterns and routines in this season of life. Dana, Erin, Marcus and a special guest will meet to talk about a daily scripture reading. You can check them out on the Apex UMC Facebook page (facebook.com/apexumc), or you can sign up for a text (remind.com/join/aumcdevo) with the daily devotional or text @aumcdevo to 81010.
Apex UMC Needs Form The Congregational Care staff has developed a document if you or other AUMC families you know would benefit from services such as: a weekly/regular phone call; picking up prescriptions; shopping/delivering groceries. Please complete the form (apexumc.org/help) and someone will contact you soon. If you cannot fill out the form, contact Pastor Ellen Rose at 919-362-7807 ext. 316.
AOSP Still Needs You! We are incredibly hopeful that we will have another amazing year this summer at the Apex Outreach Service Project! AOSP is a week of repairing homes and building faith, open to all students who have completed 8-12th grades, and we need adults to get involved! We need 12 more work team leaders and 3 more site supervisors to accommodate all the youth who want to serve. Mark your calendar for the week of July 19-25 and sign up to help (apexumc.org/aosp)!
Cancelled and Postponed Events Due to restrictions and guidelines from the CDC and the ever-changing news surrounding COVID-19, we have had to cancel some regular events and postpone others. We are so sorry for any inconvenience or disappointment—please know that the safety of our members, visitors, and volunteers was the main concern with every decision. Here are the events that have been cancelled. We will continue to update this list as the need arises: Canceled Events: Postponed Events: Road to Resurrection (March 28) Confirmation Sunday (TBD) Habitat for Humanity (March 28) Youth Sunday (TBD) IMPACT (April 17) Hurricane Relief (cancelled through June) Membership Class (April 19) UMM BBW (rescheduled to Sept. 18) Children’s Choir Musical (April 26) VBS Prep Day (May 7) VBS Decorations Prep Day/s (May 9, May 16)
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Announcements Merry Go Rounders Our April trip to Duke Chapel and Duke Gardens has been cancelled. The status of May’s trip to the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral is pending. At this time, plans for all future trips have been temporarily put on hold, and will resume when travel is feasible and safe. Please email Alta Whitt ([email protected]) with any questions.
Youth Ministry This Sunday, we'll have Sunday Night Youth Live online through YouTube Live. You can check out our first one now (youtube.com/watch?v=rrHz8WthLpw&t=371s)! Our weekly newsletters are a great way to stay in touch with all things youth. If you are not receiving the newsletter and want to get on the distribution list, email Dana Hall ([email protected]).
Children’s Ministry Kids need steady routines and we want to help you maintain routines of worship and Bible study as a family. Weekly elementary and preschool lessons will be delivered by Sunday morning via email to all those on our newsletter list. If you would like to be added to this list, email Ellen Griffin ([email protected]). Additional lesson activities, reminders, and encouragement are posted regularly on our Facebook page (facebook.com/apexumcchildren).
Western Wake Crisis Ministry WWCM is holding a special food drive until April 4. Collection hours are M-Th, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Sunday by appointment, at WWCM. Their address is 1600 Olive Chapel Rd #408. We will resume collections at Apex UMC when the church re-opens to the public after May 17.
General Contributions: soups, peanut butter, canned vegetables, canned meats, pasta & pasta sauce, mac & cheese, nabs and cereal bars. General contributions will be used to increase capacity to provide monthly groceries to families in need.
Bagged Food (should be approximately $25): 1 jar of peanut butter, 2 cans of vegetables, cans of soup or Chef Boyardee, 2 boxes of granola bars/fruit snacks, 1 (6) pack of applesauce or single- serving fruit, 2 cans of tuna or chicken, 2 boxes of mac & cheese. Please place all items in a reusable bag or heavy weight bag. Food bags will be distributed in neighborhoods and to identified individuals to get the word out about how to access WWCM services.
A Little Good News With all of the sad and uncertain news we are hearing every day, we wanted to share some good news of things happening in our church family.
Meal Ministry The meal ministry is continuing to provide a weekly meal to three families most in need by dropping it off at the door. Then they ring the bell and leave and the recipient picks it up.
Volunteers Around 30 members of all ages have volunteered to drop off groceries and prescriptions and make phone calls to the socially isolated.
Paper with Purpose 25 Easter cards have been made for the Forget Me Not ministry and 50 Mother’s Day/love you cards have been made for Pardoned By Christ (prison ministry). Lori Fahs is dropping them off with Pardoned By Christ’s director, who will mail them to the chaplain at the prison since no visitors are allowed right now.
Caring by Cards Mailed about 12-15 cards to those experiencing loss and illness this week. 25 Easter cards (made by Paper with Purpose) were hand-written by two women for our Forget Me Nots. They will be mailed or added to small care packages and dropped off at the door of extended care facilities for our
members there who can’t receive visits due to the crisis. CROSSPOINTS
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A Little Good News
Prayer Teams Our two prayer teams continue to pray over the bulletin prayer list, online prayers, and those shared with the team by our pastors. Our church’s prayer teams are strong and are praying for our church!
Feed the Kids FTK will serve over 200 bags per week through our partnership with the Summer Food Program to hand out food at Apex First Baptist (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) at 6 p.m. Contributions will increase as food continues to come in. You can still drop off donations in the Crossroads circle! Food lists can be found online at feedthekids519.org.
Simple Gifts Garden 170 pounds of fresh, organic produce was delivered to area food pantries so far this month. Most of it was leafy greens (lettuce, kale, collards, spinach), which is a lot since it doesn't weigh as much as tomatoes or potatoes or melons! Our garden community is working together/apart. People want/ need to do something to help their neighbors. It's our natural instinct and it's hard to do in this situation. We have instituted new protocols and precautions to assure that we can be safe and responsible while we're helping those in need in our community. If you want to get involved, contact
Anne Harrison at [email protected]. CROSSPOINTS 100 South Hughes Street Apex, NC 27502
Apex Campus Staff
Laura Johnson, Pastor – [email protected] Sheila Ahler, Associate Pastor – [email protected] Ellen Rose, Pastor of Congregational Care – [email protected] Todd Arant, Traditional Worship Arts – [email protected] Ellen Griffin, Children’s Ministry – [email protected] Dana Hall, Youth Ministry – [email protected] Brad Hoffman, Facilities – [email protected] Becki Leeland, Missional Discipleship – [email protected] Marcus McClellan, Youth Ministry & Church Strategy – [email protected] Jacqueline Schechter, Communications – [email protected] Corey Vevera, Contemporary Worship Arts – [email protected] Norma Wallace, Children’s Ministry – [email protected] Alta Whitt, Director of Senior Adult Ministry – [email protected] Will Wilson, Custodian – [email protected] Joette Winberry, Organist – [email protected]