Mission Dates: Thursdays to Sundays, June 22 – September 24

Dear Prospective Volunteer –

As you well know, the first part of 2023 was one of the wettest periods on record in California.  The result was widespread flooding in many parts of Northern California.  The California-Nevada Conference responded with relief volunteers and financial assistance to survivors in several areas, one of which was the town of Pajaro, in Monterey County.  Pajaro is home for many low-income farmworkers.  The links to articles in the attached Project Description will provide you with more details about our initial response.

We are now gearing up to return to assist with repairs to flooded homes.  This effort will take several months of focused effort.  We are one of several non-profits planning to participate in this recovery.  

Bob Lee, from Los Altos UMC, will be leading our weekend repair teams from late June through September.  It would be wonderful if you would consider signing up for one or more weekends.  See the attached Project Description for the schedule and all the mission details.  There is work available for everyone.  Each weekend team will be no more than six participants.

Contact Bob for more information or to receive a registration packet by email atrlee@carmlee.net or by phone at 650-468-1612.

Please click on the button below for complete Pajaro Mission Project information.

In Mission Together,

Steve Elliott

Coordinator, Cal-Nev Disaster Response Ministry and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Program

Sunday, May 28

This Sunday, May 28, is Fresh Produce Sunday with our St. Paul’s UMC of San Jose partnership. You are invited to bring fresh produce (from your garden or store-bought) that will be a part of “The Weighing of the Produce” by our children during the service. 

Saturday, June 3 at 4:30 pm

If your back, and your doctor will allow you…Help Timothy and Olivia unload their U-Haul.

Welcome our new Director of Youth Ministries–Timothy, and his wife, Olivia, to LAUMC with an Unloading Party on Saturday, June 3, at 4:30 p.m. at their new residence, 385 Curtner Ave, Apt. E. Palo Alto, CA 94306. And yes, there will be food and beverages. If you are able to be a part of the unloading team – RSVP below.

Wednesday Evenings: June 12 (1st Week on a Monday) – August 2

STARFIRE & FRIENDS 

SUMMER 2023 SINGING SCHEDULE

Hi “Friends,”  (Starfire Alumni, Families of Starfire, Creekside Worship Band, VBS & Sunday School, and “All” Church, 

Starfire is so excited to sing with you this summer.  Take a look at the schedule to see when your group sings in worship as well as when you have rehearsals (2 or 3 one-hour rehearsals for each group).  This will be a wonderful time to connect, reconnect, perhaps sing in a choir for the first time ever, and just have fun.  The music won’t be anything you can’t handle, and Starfire will already have a solid grasp on the music before you get to your first rehearsal.  If you can only make one rehearsal, still come.  The rest of the group will carry you if you feel a bit timid.  This is just about making a joyful noise together.

Please email me at caroldamonte@laumc.org and let me know if you can be a part of this great new summer adventure.

Much love and can’t wait to sing with you,

Carol and Dirk…and Starfire

REHEARSALS:

June 12,  Monday  

• 7:30-8:30  Rehearse music for Sunday, June 25  Starfire & SF Alumni

June 21, Wednesday  

• 6:30-7:30  Rehearse music for Sunday, July 9     Starfire & Families
• 7:30-8:30  Rehearse music for Sunday, June 25  Starfire & SF Alumni

June 28, Wednesday  

• 6:30-7:30  Rehearse music for Sunday, July 9     Starfire & Families

July 5, Wednesday  

• 6:30-7:30  Rehearse music for Sunday, July 9     Starfire & Families

July 19, Wednesday  

• 6:30-7:30  Rehearse music for Sunday, July 30   Starfire & All Church

July 26, Wednesday  

• 6:30-7:30  Rehearse music for Sunday, July 30 Starfire & All Church
• 7:30-8:30  Rehearse music for Sunday, Aug 6     Starfire & CWB

Aug 2, Wednesday  

• 6:30-8:00  Rehearse music for Sunday Aug 6    Starfire & CWB

Dear Friends of LAUMC,

Last Sunday, our congregation welcomed eighteen young people into the church through the rite of confirmation. Their confirmation class experience culminated with a public declaration of faith and the proclamation of five membership vows in front of the whole church community – those of us in the sanctuary and those worshiping online. These young people committed to faithfully participate in the life and ministries of LAUMC through their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. The entire morning was full of hope and inspiration. 

During the next four weeks, the Extravagant Generosity team will be digging into each of those five commitments as part of this year’s commitment campaign. In worship each Sunday, we will be highlighting one of these commitments and reminding ourselves of the significance each one plays in strengthening our faith and our church. The campaign will build toward Commitment Sunday, May 21st, when we focus on the call to generously share our gifts to support God’s kingdom-building work that we get to be part of here at LAUMC. We invite each household to bring their commitment card to worship, or make their commitment using the online form at laumc.org/commitment2023, by the 21st.

It’s no secret that the pandemic and resulting economic crisis have posed major financial challenges to churches across the country. In the last few years, our attendance and giving numbers have declined and our budget has taken a hit, even despite significant efforts by our church leaders to carefully control  our expenses and thoughtfully manage the shortfall.  It’s also no secret that ALL of us benefit from a strong and healthy operating budget, which allows for robust programs and ministries that promote flourishing. To return to that place, it will take – you guessed it – ALL of us to pitch in. 

If the last few weeks have been any indication of the spirit, fervor, and vitality of this church as we move toward a post-pandemic world, then things are certainly looking up. On Easter Sunday, we had 661 folks join us for worship – a 34% increase from 2022. Then, we sent out our first intergenerational house-building mission team to Mexico since 2019. Finally, on Confirmation Sunday, a packed sanctuary joyfully welcomed eighteen new teenagers into membership. 

During that memorable service on Confirmation Sunday, our congregation vocally re-affirmed our commitments of prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Our committee hopes that this month-long Commitment Campaign season will allow each of us to take inventory of how well we live out each of these commitments and take intentional steps toward re-committing to these important markers of our faith. Thank you for taking this journey with us and for your continued support of God’s work through this church home we call LAUMC. 

Easter Blessings,

Phil Pompei
Extravagant Generosity Committee Chair

Wednesday, April 26, 9:00am-10:30am

Do you ever wonder how the pandemic effected your child’s playing behavior and their ability to make friends? Do you wish your child could make friends more easily? Would you like ideas on how to help your child maintain preschool friendships when they go off to different elementary schools? If so, join us for an informative parenting presentation to discover how you can best support children as they navigate their social world.

The Children’s Center and the LAUMC MUM’s Team is proud to be hosting Lauren Meltzer, MA, CLC, Parent Educator. 

Specifically, the workshop will cover: 

• social skills children need to be successful in developing lasting friendships.
• how boys and girls can differ in their social development
• how to teach your children effective conflict resolution skills
• hands-on methods and techniques to help children  nurture and maintain healthy, and thriving friendships. 

Bring a friend who may be interested in this important topic.
The event is FREE, but please RSVP by either,  clicking this button:

• emailing Bryn (Brynstuebner@laumc.org) 
• visiting the CC website at childrenscenterpreschool.org

*Coffee/Tea and treats will be served.

June 20 – 23, 2023

You are invited to the Shasta Children’s Camp 2023 being held at Shasta Methodist Camp
(8339 Castle Lake Road, Mount Shasta, CA)
Cost is $180 with camp scholarships available. Sign up by clicking on the button below.
You may also, email Pastor Dave or Sonia Samelson for more information.

Thursday, May 18 at 7:30pm

The LAUMC Women’s Book Group will be discussing “Shetland Mist” by Heather Leslie Hammer. For more information and the Zoom link, please contact us at info@laumc.org. The LAUMC Women’s Book Group meets the third Thursday of the month on Zoom.

Thank you to the LAUMC Alzheimer’s Team walkers and supporters of the 2022 Silicon Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Our LAUMC Alzheimer’s Team walked on

October 15, 2022, and continued raising money through December 31, 2022. We surpassed our goal of $10,000 and the LAUMC’s Team raised $12,202.00! For the third year in a row, we are the # 1 Faith based fund raiser and the # 6 Team for raising funds! We could not have done this without your awesome support! Your donation will help provide care and support for families across the country facing Alzheimer’s disease. At the same time, your donation helps to advance vital research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, one day, a cure. The ultimate goal is “Leading to the first survivor of Alzheimer’s!” Also, the Silicon Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the # 1 Top Walk in the country for the third year in a row raising over $1,784,280.94!

Looking forward to the 2023 Walk! Mark your calendars for the 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Silicon Valley, CA on Saturday, October 14, 2023, and you can sign up for the LAUMC team now to walk or donate to the team!  Email Bev, LAUMC Alzheimer’s Team Captain, with questions.

2022 LAUMC Alzheimer’s Team: Sue Alvey, Lena Chow,  Larry Dike, Sue Estrem, Becky Everett, Grant Jenks,  Jeff Jenks, Jane Holt, Patty Kenny, Teresa Law, Dan Mars, Jennie Madlem, Terry Morrison, Janie Nickel, Randy Nickel, Lori Sapigao, Ernie Sapigao, and Beverly Shengulet-Youlton, team captain.

Mondays – 12:00pm to 1:00pm

This Monday 12 – 1:00 p.m.  Brown Bags and Bibles is starting a new book!

We will be discussing the Introduction in Class Monday 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. Freeing Jesus is available for free on Kindle Unlimited
To Participate (all are welcome):
In-Person in the Conference Room of the Church Office
or

Join the Zoom Meeting by clicking here.
Meeting ID: 854 8908 4214
Passcode: 745214

In addition, you can view the Brown Bags and Bibles Class Sheet here.

Regards,
Pastor Dave