~ Pastor Sarah

Youth Kickoff

 

September 18th from 5-7 pm.  Youth will first share a meal with Pastor Sarah and the congregation!  Following Youth, there will be a parent meeting at 7 pm to learn about upcoming programs and missions!    

 

Summer Mission Trip to Malawi, Africa - There will be an informational meeting this Sunday at 1 pm in the sanctuary at Shepherd of the Hills (SOTH) to discuss the plans for the 2012 MissionTrip.  Participants must be 16 years or older. 

Advent Devotional

 

This year the Prayer Ministry team will be compiling a Daily Advent Devotional that will start on Thanksgiving and end on Christmas, but we need your help.  We would like to include as many people as we can from Santa Margarita and Shepherd of the Hills.  We encourage you to consider submitting a story, poem, prayer, artwork, photo, etc or a combination of both, either by yourself, with your family, or with a friend.  More information will be coming in the next couple of weeks.  For now, please prayerfully consider taking part and discovering what a blessing it can be to open up and share your God experiences with your church family.  

Saturday, Oct. 15^th. This is an annual event full of fun, friends, fellowship and of course, delicious Spanish-style Deep Pit Barbecue.  There will be fun for all ages, and plenty of food to go around.  For the younger BBQ fans, there will be a bounce house and a rock-climbing wall!  Tickets are $15 for adults and $4 for children ages 3-11.  Contact Mark Burke or the church office for further ticket info.   

Has prayer always baffled you?  Never truly understood just why we are to pray?  Feel uncomfortable praying out loud? Want to deepen your prayer life?

 

You are cordially invited to our Prayer Ministry's inaugural Prayer Summit, "A Practical Look at Private and Corporate Prayer". Over the course of the weekend we will try to uncover the mysteries around prayer through the leadership of Paul Walterman.  

 

September 23^rd, 24^th & 25^th: Friday (7-9 pm) and Saturday (10 am to 3 pm) sessions will be held at SOTH.  Sunday's session is scheduled from 6-7:30 pm here at SMUMC.  Attend any or all of the sessions.  This is a FREE event, you only need to register if childcare is needed.  Find more details here.     

Hope for Haiti Meal Packing Event  

September 23rd - 25th at Saddleback College. This is a "hands-on" mission field experience sponsored by Kids Around the World. More information can be found at www.hopeforhaitiproject.com. If you have any questions, please contact Paul Gates at paulg@kidsaroundtheworld.com or (949) 338-8035. 

Positive Parenting Class

 

This fall Shepherd of the Hills (SOTH) will be offering a positive parenting class on Wednesday mornings. Improve parenting skills and increase family love and harmony!  Details here.     

Ralphs Community Contribution Program

 

If you are a Ralphs shopper, then SMUMC can benefit!!  Just shop, swipe your card and earn money for your church!  Participants are required to register or re-register for the new term starting September 1, 2011.

 

Instructions to register: Log in to your account (or create one first if you don't have one) at www.ralphs.com.  Go to 'My Account', then 'Account Settings', then 'Community Rewards', then if it asks for your address, provide it.  The next screen asks you to enter the name or number of the organization, our number is 91582.  Santa Margarita UMC should pop up to be selected and then click 'Save'!  Call Liz at our office if you have questions.       

Want to Know More About the Cooperative Parish? Check Out the Newsletter!

 
The development of blended practices and ministry programs are a key part of the Cooperative Parish transition, in anticipation of our unification as one church.  The plans for each ministry area will be presented to the entire congregation during the Congregational Checkpoint meetings, which are planned for November, February, and April.  Read about this and more in our August newsletter.