CROSSPOINTS “ bethe firstadmitto thatit trials. “ lacking nothing.in sothat you may be fully mature, complete,and endurance.Let this endurancecomplete workits know that the testing ofyour faith produces encounteryou occasionsas forjoy. After all, you Mybrothers and sisters, think of the various tests dayand stumbled upon thispassage from James: opened up devotional my guide after avery tough chuckled I at thedivine timing of Godwhen I DearChurch Family, [continued...] thepower taketo away the joy we find Christ.in trialsmay take away much of what we enjoyabout life, theydo nothave Sohere Andbecoming more like Jesus is Jesus. therisen Christ. Everycircumstance hasthepotential to make us more like circumstancecarries with theopportunityit to encounterand experience thepotential tostrengthen our endurance, todeepen our faith.Every circumstance wassureof: JOY could be found anyin circumstance. Becauseevery But spitein of his uncertaincircumstances, therewas something James answers. what wasit like to anface unknown futurewith morequestions than tofear for wellhis did live throughdays ofpersecution and violence. He knew what wasit like liveto through tryingdays. James didn comfortedby the knowledge thatthe Biblicalauthors knewwhat wasit like SoI thoughtabout James is invitingyou doto thesame. Clearly, Godis inviting me to lookfor joy in these tryingdays. Maybe God alone. not Indeed,I am having trouble findingjoy in themidst of pandemic. I bet I occasions forfear, occasions for boredom or loneliness or emptiness. FindingJoy occasionsfor joy. Considerpureit joy, ”
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I will Iwill ’ m S F TH W T M S S F TH April 16 SCRIPTURE CARD Staff Picks Announcements WHAT News A Little Good
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Finding Joy (cont.) In fact, nothing has the power to take away the joy we have in Christ, except for ourselves when we choose to ignore it. And it sure is foolish to do so, because it’s Christ’s mysterious joy that has the power to carry us through our trials into greater strength, renewed hope, and abundant life.
I am reminded of my favorite poem by Mary Oliver entitled “Don’t Hesitate” in which she writes:
“If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give into it ...Don’t be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.” -Mary Oliver, “Don’t Hesitate”
Indeed, the joy of Christ is not made to be a crumb. And its plenty is all around us. May we have the courage and patience to look for it.
With joy, Pastor Laura
Announcements Our Prayer Concerns and Celebrations Please pray for: all serving in the military; Michael Bereman; Benjamin Webb; Charlotte Reynolds and family; Dana Hall’s mother; David Kelder; Gresham Yeager; 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; Jim Dukeman’s brother; Rod Dolen. Confidential prayer requests can be made online at apexumc.org/prayer.
Sympathy Is extended to Kemp Covington and family upon the death of his mother, to Janine Daly and family upon the death of her mother, to the family of Jeanne Hack upon her death, and to Sharon Monfort and family upon the death of her mother.
Apex UMC Front Line Heroes Many members of our church family and other family and friends venture outside the protection of their homes daily to heal the sick, correct the wrongs, save property, and restore lives. For each of them, we give God thanks and pray for God’s protection. We can expect in the weeks to come they will be even more crucial in saving our lives and community. We invite our church family to help in a variety of ways and you can find out how on our website (apexumc.org/helpers).
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 11 more work team leaders 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)!
Toby White Scholarship The 2020 Toby White Youth Scholarship is now open for applications. Seniors actively involved at Apex United Methodist Church are invited to apply by May 20. More information and the application are available on our website (apexumc.org/tobywhitescholarship).
Virtual VBS 2020 No matter what the world looks like this summer, your children can still experience the powerful impact of an amazing Vacation Bible School. The children's team is putting together everything you need to hold VBS at home or to host a small group of friends and neighbors in your backyard, and we will be there every step of the way to make it fun and exciting! You must register online at apexumcfamily.org/ vbs between May 4-31 in order to guarantee a packet for your child. Registration is $10 per child, which includes craft and game supplies and a cool t-shirt. Packets will be distributed near the end of June so you can hold VBS on your own schedule in July. For questions, contact Norma Wallace
CROSSPOINTS([email protected]).
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Announcements Online Daily Devotionals Join us Monday-Friday and 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.
Blood Donors Are Urgently Needed! Apex UMC and the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Town of Apex Community Center (53 Hunter Street). Go to the Red Cross website (www.redcrossblood.org), enter 27502 in the zip code box, and you will be directed to the AUMC Blood Drive site where you can select your time. Blood supplies are critically low! When you donate, please wear a mask. Red Cross will utilize all proper protocols to ensure safety. Thank you for saving lives!
COVID-19 and Summer Apex UMC is closed for in-person worship and events through May 17, in accordance with guidelines by the CDC and North Carolina state government. We will make decisions about summer events in early May, once we see what – if any – changes come to the safer-at-home order. Remember to check our website, apexumc.org/coronavirus, as information continues to change.
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. Questions? Contact Pastor Ellen Rose at 919-362-7807 ext. 316.
Youth Ministry We will resume Sunday Night Online this week! Join us at 6:30 p.m. at youtu.be/U4dt1DetRO4 for our large group games and teaching, then join your virtual Small Group meeting. Our weekly newsletters are a great way to stay in touch with all things youth. If you are not receiving the newsletter, email Dana Hall ([email protected]).
Children’s Ministry We want to help your family maintain routines of worship and Bible study. Weekly elementary and preschool lessons will be delivered by Sunday morning via email to all those on our newsletter list. To be added to this list, email Ellen Griffin ([email protected]) for ages 3 through 5th grade or Deborah Wade ([email protected]) for nursery only. Check our Facebook page (facebook.com/apexumcchildren) for additional lesson activities posted throughout the week and check our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxCTJjM3IAaniFWU4DkoqoQ) for sing along videos with Ms. Cathy, Bible story videos with Josh, and more.
Western Wake Crisis Ministry UPDATE You can still bring your food donations to Apex UMC. There are bins outside the CLC entrance labeled WWCM and food will be picked up daily. Items most needed: soups, peanut butter, canned vegetables, canned meats, pasta & pasta sauce, mac & cheese, nabs and cereal bars. You can also visit their website (wwcm.org) for more information as well as to make financial donations. Thank you!
Stay Connected! 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).
Online Worship Continues Since in-person worship services are canceled through May 17, we will live stream a contemporary worship service at 9:35 a.m. and a traditional worship service at 11 a.m. every Sunday. You can worship with us on our livestream page (apexumc.org/livestream) or 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). When you worship, be sure to sign our Connect Card on the livestream page. We’ve seen some new visitors and family members joining us, so continue to invite others to worship with us this Sunday!
CROSSPOINTS
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Announcements This Sunday: I Am Sending You The disciples stayed safely behind closed doors after Jesus’ death until Jesus appeared and gave them instructions that would forever change the course of the world. Each disciple began their time of social distancing as a certain kind of person, and each entered back into society as a different person, with a new life, a new purpose, a new way of being in the world. Join us this Sunday as we consider what we can learn from their transformation as we ponder how God may be shaping each of us in our time of social distancing.
Giving The mission and ministry of Apex UMC continues, and your ongoing financial offerings are needed and much appreciated! 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 home. You can reach them by calling the church office at (919) 362-7807 and following the instructions to connect with their direct lines. Additionally, you can reach them via email; addresses can be found at apexumc.org/ourteam.
Staff Picks Each week we will feature books, websites, podcasts, games - all types of recommendations from our staff to help you and your family while we are all staying “safer at home.”
This week’s picks are from Jacqueline Schechter, our director of communications.
Right now, I feel completely inundated by sad news. 24-hour news cycles feature the daily death totals from COVID-19, unemployment continues to rise, food insecurity is rising, and our students are missing some important milestone celebrations. I became so overwhelmed by it that I took two steps. First, I limit myself to a half-hour of local news, followed by a half- hour of national news, then I turn it off. Second, I started incorporating daily good news into my life.
Some Good News (youtube.com/channel/UCOe_y6KKvS3PdIfb9q9pGug) Some Good News is a 2020 web series created and hosted by John Krasinski. You know, Jim, from The Office. Some Good News is dedicated entirely to good news with Krasinski operating inside his home. Funny and moving!
Instagram I also follow @somegoodnews and @goodnews_movement to fill my feed with uplifting stories.
4K Urban Life (youtube.com/channel/UCQ-JKqNo_T0yoeDZff1y7Kw) Since we’re all staying at home, this channel on YouTube offers great virtual walking tours from around the world.
Museums, Zoos, Theme Parks (goodhousekeeping.com/life/travel/a31784720/best-virtual-tours) Good Housekeeping put together a list of museums, zoos, and theme parks that offer virtual tours.
Great for those with bored kids at home! CROSSPOINTS
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A Little Good News Homemade Masks Thanks to very talented small groups and individual church members, 100 masks were made and donated to the Apex UMC campus. These masks will be distributed to WakeMed Cary, Transitions Hospice, and the Town of Apex (per the town’s request). Any remaining from this first collection (and continued donations) will go to the staff and residents of extended care facilities. Several masks have already been given to those in our congregation who are at a higher risk and needed them to leave their homes.
N-95 Masks There were several N-95 masks collected from around Apex UMC campus. Those masks were given to Apex Fire Department and EMT and several members of our church who are health care professionals.
Prayers Abound! Within five days of requesting names of healthcare professionals and first responder/front line workers, there were over 30 people paired with a member of our congregation who is praying for them by name. If you or someone in your family are working in one of these professions and would love someone to pray for you/them, please fill out our form (forms.gle/PZas7geXePBi6xk59).
Volunteers We have a list of wonderful volunteers ready and willing to do small errands for those in our congregation who may not be able to get out and about. We are now supplying all these volunteers with masks and gloves. 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 our form (forms.gle/W5dd22f7jvcTPvA39). 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]