1. family and parenting
2. children

WORSHIP
Traditional
8:15am
Contemporary
9:40am
Traditional
11:00am
December 21-25, 2014
Worship
Walk
Work
By the way . . .
I am so glad you are here at this blessed time of the
year and I pray Jesus will meet you here.
Do you remember “WWJD?” “What Would Jesus
Do?” The phrase dates back to at least 1896, when
Charles Sheldon used it as the subtitle of his book, In His
Steps. It found new life as a popular catch phrase in the
1990s, when "WWJD" bracelets became the Christian
fashion fad. But did you know that Tyler Perry now owns the copyright on
the phrase "What Would Jesus Do?" Weird to think you can own a question like that. Wonderful that a question like that can own us, capture us,
transform us.
Funny thing about that question: Christmas is the answer to it. What
would Jesus do? What Jesus has done. Because he loves us so much, he
will go to any extreme to save us. Even if that means being born in this
world as a tiny child. Even if that means dying in this world as a criminal.
Even if that means rising from a grave. Even if that means coming and
finding us where we are in our lives right now. Even if that means continuing to tap us on the shoulder until he has our attention and our hearts.
His grace is unrelenting.
WWJD? Whatever it takes to love you. Come, meet this Jesus with us.
CHRISTMAS AT
BEAR CREEK UMC
Christmas Eve
5:00pm Family Service in the Sanctuary
7:00pm Contemporary Service in Fellowship Hall
9:00pm Traditional Services in the Sanctuary
11:00pm Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
Communion, candlelight and music will be featured
at all services.
Christmas Day
Grace and peace,
10:30am Lay-led Service in the Fellowship Hall
Lead Pastor
Fellowship Sunday, December 28
10:30am One Worship Service in the Sanctuary
Christmas in the air...
Photo by Janice Kerr
Left to right: Anne Ashworth,
Barbara Goddard, Pauline
Green, Linda Fluker, Deborah
Rucker, Connie Nelson, Ben
Gray, and Laura Mann joined
the fun as part of Bear Creek
UMC’s flash mob on Saturday, December 13. The merry
gathering marked the second
year that our members surprised and delighted holiday
grocery shoppers at the HEB
store in Bear Creek.
PLEASE NOTE: The Bear Creek UMC office will be closed Wednesday,
December 24 through Friday, December 26 for Christmas holidays and
Wednesday, December 31 through Friday, January 2 for the New Year’s
holidays. The staff wishes you a blessed Christmas and a great 2015!
If you would like your contribution to be counted in 2014 for tax
purposes, it must be given to the church by Tuesday, December 30 or
postmarked by Wednesday, December 31, 2014.
It’s not too late to pledge for 2015, so please ask an usher if you need
a pledge form. The budget for the upcoming year is being prayerfully
considered.
16000 Rippling Water Drive
Houston, TX 77084
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY
The last Fellowship Sunday of 2014 is slated for December 28 at
10:30am in the Sanctuary. This will be the only worship service that
day, but it will be a joyful time as Bear Creek UMC continues the celebration of Christmas.
Come and hear our very own Children’s Director John Henley
preach. He and his wife Royce Anne and their son, Brandt, will join
BCUMC’s Contemporary Worship Leader Michael Moore to provide a
musical treat. You will sing, you will laugh, you will be blessed. In fact,
you will leave with the twinkle of the Christmas star in your eyes.
For goodness sake, sign up for Break at the Lake
Ready to rest and recoup after the hustle and bustle of the holidays?
Join the Bynums at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center (near Palestine,
TX) for a weekend retreat, January 23-25. Come and
share a fun time with your church family and get to
know each other better. There will be games and
activities and worship and rest — because everyone
needs a break.
Brochures are available in the Bear Creek UMC
office. If you have any questions, call 281.463.2330 or
ask Dr. Jonathan Bynum or his wife Lea.
281.463.2330
bearcreekumc.org
THIS WEEK AT BEAR CREEK
Sunday, December 21
8:00am
8:15am
9:00am
9:40am
11:00am
5:00pm
Sunday Fellowship Breakfast
Traditional Worship Service
KidzRock Practice
Contemporary Worship Service
Traditional Worship Service
KidzRock Practice
FLC Gym
Sanctuary
FLC 214
FH
Sanctuary
FH Choir Room
Monday, December 22
9:00am
6:30pm
Pew Angels
Senior High Faith Group
Sanctuary
Off Campus
Tuesday, December 23
10:00am
5:00pm
6:30pm
6:30pm
7:00pm
7:00pm
Library Work Day
Boy Scout Troop 827
Cub Scout Pack 827 Den Meetings
HeBrews for Hour of Prayer
Hour of Prayer
Boy Scout Troop 827 Meeting
FH Library
Hope 1&2
Coke, FLC
FH Narthex
FH
Hope 1-2
Christmas Eve, December 24
Office Closed
5:00pm
7:00pm
9:00pm
11:00pm
Family Service
Contemporary Service
Traditional Service
Traditional Service
Sanctuary
Fellowship Hall
Sanctuary
Sanctuary
Christmas Day, December 25
Christmas Lay-led Service
FH
Friday, December 26
Office Closed
Saturday, December 27
Sunday, December 28
10:30am
4:00pm
Thanks to all who attended the Mothers of Preschoolers’ fundraiser
at Jason's Deli on Monday, December 8. Through your generosity,
MOPS raised $107.17. These funds will benefit the MOPS’ ministry.
A Bible study for all . . .
A Disciple’s Path
facilitated by Amber Woodman
Wednesdays,
January 7, 14, 21, 28 and February 4, 11, 25
6:30-8:00pm in FLC 102
A Disciple’s Path combines a Wesleyan understanding of our growth
in God’s love and grace and covers membership vows. Participants
will develop spiritual practices, discover their gifts, and engage in
ministry to transform their lives, the lives of others, and the world.
A daily workbook will be available for $9 and a companion reader for
$7 in the Bear Creek UMC office or in class. Child care is offered by
reservation only. To register, please visit the church office or call
281.463.2330.
Stay in touch through “InTouch”
Office Closed
10:30am
A NOTE OF APPRECIATION FROM BCUMC MOPS
Fellowship Sunday (One Service)
Bear Creek Youth
InTouch, Bear Creek UMC’s effort to keep up to date with our
members, needs your assistance.
1. Register your attendance (first and last name) in worship
every Sunday.
2. Contact Larry Tyree at [email protected] if you want
to help with this ongoing ministry.
Sanctuary
Off Campus
Ladies, here’s your new Bible study . . .
FH=Fellowship Hall, FLC=Family Life Center
What Love Is
facilitated by Marilyn Wetzel
THIS WEEK’S SERMONS
Sunday, December 21
Once Upon the Time . . .
What Luke Said
Christmas Eve, December 24 Once Upon the Time . . .
What John Said
The lectionary readings for December 21 are:
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:47-55 (UMH 199);
Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38
The lectionary readings for December 24 are:
Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96 ((UMH 815);
Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
BEAR CREEK UMC MINISTRY STAFF
Dr. Jonathan Bynum
Lead Pastor
Rev. Will Knuckols
Executive Pastor
Matt Wallace
Director of Music
Michael Moore
Worship Leader
(Contemporary Service)
John Henley
Children’s Director
Lisa Gill
Youth Director
Sundays,
January 11, 18, 25 and February 1, 8, 15, 22
5:00-6:30pm in FLC 102
Based on the letters of 1,2 and 3 John, In What Love Is challenges believers to look at contrasting themes such as walking in the light instead of darkness, truth versus lies and deception, loving God more
than the world, and the meaning of true fellowship and community
rather than shallowness.
A workbook will be available for $15 in the Bear Creek UMC office.
To register, please visit the church office or call 281.463.2330.
NEW HOMES FOR OLD FRIENDS: INVENTORY ALERT!
The Bear Creek UMC Library’s NEW HOMES FOR OLD
FRIENDS sale is slated for Sunday, January 18, and donations are needed to replenish inventory. Proceeds benefit
the library’s various outreach programs.
All genres are requested — current and classic fiction, biographies, history, reference, hobby and travel
guides, cookbooks, and children’s selections. Please
drop your new or gently-used books (including audio
books), DVDs and music CDs in the church office. No
magazines or VHS tapes, please.
Youth Sunday Morning
Children’s Sunday Morning
Children’s
Ministries
Be sure to bring your Bible
and offering each Sunday!
Sunday Mornings
9:30 Sunday School Classes
Age 2
8:00am-12:00pm
Nursery (Birth - 2 Years)
11:00am-12:00pm
Lil’ Church
(Age 3 Years - 1st Grade)
Education Building, Room 11
Age 3
Age 4-K
1st-2nd
3rd Grade
4th-5th Grade
9:30am
Junior High and Senior High
in FLC 207-209 (Youth Lounge)
11:00am
Junior High and Senior High
in FLC 207-209 (Youth Lounge)
Nursery
WANT TO FEED THE YOUTH IN 2015?
FLC 201B
FLC 202
FLC 217
FLC 216
FLC 203
The new year is just around the corner and generous families like yours are
needed to feed our amazing youth a light supper on Sunday nights. Please
contact Lisa Gill to save your 2015 date!
Bear Creek Youth News
To be added to the list for our electronic youth
newsletter, email [email protected].
Children’s Ministries info: contact [email protected]
Following their
performance at the
5:00pm Christmas
Eve Family Service, KidzRock will take a break
until Sunday, January 11.
For more information, please contact John
Henley, [email protected] or 281.463.2330.
Youth Ministries info: contact [email protected]
PARENTS OF YOUTH: YOU’RE INVITED!
All parents of youth at Bear Creek UMC are invited to a special parent
meeting on Sunday, January 4, 5:00 to 7:00pm, in the Youth Lounge. Learn
about the exciting opportunities in spring and summer, and hear the topics
our students will discuss on Sunday nights through winter and spring 2015.
After the meeting, parents will join the youth in the Family Life Center
Gym for dinner and fellowship. Please RSVP to Lisa Gill at 281.463.2330 or
lisag@bearcreekumc by Sunday, December 28.
Open to all 6th-12th graders . . .
CHILDREN’S MONTHLY MISSION FOCUS
Jesus and Me Ministry for kids with special needs
Children with special needs may enroll in Bear Creek UMC’s Jesus and Me
Ministry, a personalized Sunday school program based on individual/family
needs. To register in advance, please contact Gaylynn Brewer at
[email protected] or 281.463.2330.
MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS (MOPS)
Monday, January 12
9:30-11:30am in the Fellowship Hall
DECEMBER YOUTH GROUP PLANS
There will be no Sunday School, Confirmation
Class or 5:00pm Bear Creek Youth gathering Sunday,
December 21. The youth are serving and preparing
breakfast!
On Sunday, December 28, there will be no Sunday
School or Confirmation Class! Join us for one special
worship service in the Sanctuary at 10:30am. Bear
Creek Youth will meet at 4:00pm at the home of
Christine Kalmbach for a special Christmas party.
Merry Christmas!
Lisa
Youth Mid-Winter Retreat
Lakeview Methodist Conference Center
February 20-22
*Forms and $115 payment deadline: Sunday, December 28.
Forms are in the Youth Lounge.
Enjoy a weekend of community, fun activities, and discipleship! Spend
time in conversation and study about The Lord's Prayer.
*Scholarships available.
YOUTH FAITH GROUPS
Collecting canned goods for the Houston Northwest Community Center Food Pantry is our Children’s
Mission Focus for December. The class that collects
the most cans wins a donut party in January!
SENIOR HIGH FAITH GROUP
for 9th-12th Graders
resumes Monday, January 5
6:30-8:30pm
in the home of Christian Rumscheidt
Please bring a Bible, a friend, and $3 for dinner.
Leaders: Christian Rumscheidt and Pat Miller
For more information, contact: Lisa Gill, 281.463.2330
or [email protected]
MIDDLE SCHOOL FAITH GROUP
for 6th-8th Graders
resumes Wednesday, January 7
6:30-8:00pm
in the home of Rick and Julie Wilson
Study: Genesis
Please bring $3 for pizza and drinks.
Facilitators: Pat Miller and Jeff Jones
For more information, contact: Lisa Gill, 281.463.2330
or [email protected] or 281.463.2330.
ADULT EDUCATION: Guests welcome!
Boy Scouts — Troop 827
Adult Sunday School Classes
Boy Scout Troop 827 meets at 7:00pm on Tuesdays in
Hope 1-2. For more information, please call Assistant
Scoutmaster Richard Young at 281.859.1406.
Sunday Mornings
9:30am
BETWIXT & BETWEEN Current Study: The Minor Prophets
Hope 1
COVENANT Current Study: Not a Silent Night by
Adam Hamilton
FLC 102
Energizers
CROSSTRAINERS Current Study: Twisting the Truth by
Andy Stanley, taught by Amber Piercy. Find CrossTrainers
on Facebook under "Bear Creek UMC CrossTrainers."
FLC 211
Energizers, a group of active adults age 50-plus, enjoy
gatherings that include day-long excursions. The next
meeting will be Friday, January 16, at 10:30am in the
Fellowship Hall. Please call Dot McLaren, 713.466.1898,
or Joyce Stewart at 281.463.4932 for more details.
FAITHFUL DISCIPLES Current Study: TBA
Asbury 1
FOUNDATIONS Current Study: Genesis
FLC 101
GENESIS Current Study: The Purpose of Christmas by
Rick Warren
Hope 2
NEW HOPE Current Study: Seeing Gray in a World of
Black and White by Adam Hamilton
FLC 204
SEEKERS Current Study: Christmas Gifts That Won’t
Break by James Moore
FLC 212-213
SERENITY Current Study: If You Want to Walk on Water,
You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg
Fellowship Friday, an Energizers outreach ministry,
provides a loving, welcoming and fun environment for
family members with mild to moderate memory loss
who do not require skilled care. This program, a partnership between Interfaith CarePartners and BCUMC,
is designed to give caregivers some much needed time
away. The next Fellowship Friday will be January 9,
10:00am-1:30pm, in the Fellowship Hall. The theme
will be Winter Wonderland and the Kingsmen’s Chorus
will entertain. Call Dot McLaren, 713.466.1898, or Joyce
Stewart, 281.463.4932.
Coke 1
UNITED DISCIPLES Current Study: Not a Silent Night
by Adam Hamilton
Asbury 2
Sunday Mornings
11:00am
UNDER CONSTRUCTION Current Study: Christmas from
the Backside by J. Ellsworth Kalas
FH Library
Please check with your class to see if it is meeting next Sunday,
December 28.
Want to make a BIG difference?
Adult facilitators are needed for Awana, a wonderful mixture of Bible memorization, games and
fellowship. This exciting ministry for kindergarteners
through fifth graders will kick off Wednesday, January 21, 6:30-8:00pm, in the Family Life Center Gym.
Interested? Please contact John Henley at
[email protected] or 281.463.2330 or Amber
Piercy at 713.248.5721 for more information.
Lost and Found
Are you missing a set of keys, an article of clothing, or
a piece of jewelry? Please call the Bear Creek UMC
office at 281.463.2330 to describe and claim.
12-STEP NA MEETING “THIRD COAST”
Wednesdays and Saturdays
7:30pm in Asbury 2
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
The deadline for submitting information for the Bear Creek Family News is
noon Tuesday, 10 days prior to Thursday publication. Articles must be submitted in writing, via email. Articles may be edited for content/length and
will be placed as space allows, or in order of event priority. Please email Vicki
Thomson, [email protected].
Mothers Of Preschoolers (MOPS)
MOPS is a group of women with children 5 years
old and younger, who share a love for their families
and enjoy fellowship with other moms going through
the same (although very brief) journey in life. MOPS
meets the second and fourth Mondays of every
month (during the school year), 9:30-11:30am, in the
Fellowship Hall, with a great MOPPETS program in the
Family Life Center KidZone Nursery. Email Mary Landis,
United Methodist Men (UMM)
United Methodist Men brings men together with
opportunities for service to church and community,
including its amazing Cooking and Barbecue Ministry.
Contact Phil Tyler, [email protected], for
information.
United Methodist Women (UMW)
All women are invited to join United Methodist
Women. Please visit Bear Creek UMW on Facebook,
see updates at bearcreekumc.org/adults/women, or
call the church office at 281.463.2330.
Elizabeth Circle – Monday, December 29, details
TBA. Contact: Julie Kunz,
[email protected].
Grace Circle – Thursday, January 22, 6:30pm, in the
home of Pam Anthes. Contact: Laura Mann,
[email protected].
Miriam Circle – No January meeting. Next meeting
is Friday, February 6, 2015, time and place TBA.
Contact: Virginia Fleming, [email protected].
Ruth Circle – TBA. Thursday, January 8, 7:00pm, at
the home of Deborah Rucker to plan 2015 calendar
activities. Contact: Deborah Rucker,
[email protected].