Weekly Announcements

Building for Our Next Generation

BCUMC has had a dream for 20 years now and has moved steadily toward turning that dream into reality. We’ve built a strong congregation; we’ve built a building. We’ve built solid meta-family ties; we’ve built a place in our community. Now it is time to BUILD FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION and continue living our dream! What does that mean? Go to www.bcumc.org/sermons/building-for-our-next-generation/ to find out more.

Super Bowl Sunday February 5

Help the youth tackle hunger in 2012! The youth will once again be participating in the nation-wide Souper Bowl of caring on Sunday, February 5. Bring your canned goods or monetary donations to church on that Sunday, and help us care for our neighbors in need!

Women’s Group Cooking on Saturday

Saturday, February 11, 10:00-noon here at the church. Free! Donations for lunch accepted. For more information and to sign up, contact Connie Gagnon at kcgagnon@frontier.com or 425.402.4797.

Amazing Grace Seminar Sunday, February 12

It’s not too late! Sign up now for the next Amazing Grace Seminar will be held on February 12, from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. This class is the foundation study on being a United Methodist. We begin with God Is Love and end with a healing process as taught by Christ and supported by the Holy Spirit. The class is designed for the curious (who have no desire to join the church at this time), regular attendees and current members. It is also one of the first steps for those seeking membership into BCUMC. Childcare (as requested) is provided. Mark your interest on the Presence Slip or contact the church office to sign up.

Interfaith Choir Festival Sunday, February 12

Please join Bear Creek UMC and other area churches for a musical experience at 7:00 p.m. here at the church. Several choirs will be participating.Please bring nonperishable food to benefit Hopelink Food Bank. A reception will follow the performance.

Bake Sale Sunday, February 12

Taylor Woodworth will hold a bake sale on Sunday, February 12, to benefit People to People Ambassadors. He’ll also be taking orders for Carla’s Famous Meatloaf!

Recycle Your Winter Clothing

It’s January, and you know what that means-declutter time again! See what you’ve got in those coat closets that you never wear but could be used to keep someone warm this cold winter season. Maybe your kids have outgrown their old winter coats and hats. There are children, youth, and adults who will benefit from and appreciate warm clothing this winter. Bring your gently-used coats, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, socks, etc. into the church this month for distribution to Eastside Baby Corner, Orion Teen Center, and the Juvenile Detention Center.

Total Experience Gospel Choir at Redmond UMC on February 25

The Total Experience Gospel Choir bursts with love, joy, and enthusiasm. It is hailed as one of the Pacific Northwest’s finest soulful ensembles. Pastor Patrinell Staten Wright started the group as a gospel music class at Seattle’s Franklin High School in 1973. Since then the choir has grown to become a nationally and internationally known gospel singing group. They will be performing at Redmond UMC on Saturday, February 25, at 3:00 pm. All are invited.

Pastor’s Midweek Bible Study

Q. No, not the Star Trek character. Q is a collection of the wisdom sayings of Jesus behind the sayings quoted in Matthew and Luke. Q is the new topic of the Midweek at Bearcreek Bible Study led by Pastor Dave. In writing their gospels Matthew and Luke copied Jesus’ sayings from Q (for the German Quelle - source). What did some of the earliest followers of Jesus remember him saying? And what is the portrait of Jesus in these sayings? And how did Matthew and Luke change the Q sayings to serve their understanding of Jesus? Come and find out on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. following midweek dinner.

Human Relations Day Special Offering on Sunday.
Your gifts to Human Relations Day provide avenues to restored relationships through ministries like Youth Offender Rehabilitation, Community Developers self-improvement programs and United Methodist Voluntary Services community advocacy programs. It’s time to think and support justice, to become radical in changing lives and changing the world. Please give generously.

Caring for Each Other across the Generations

Congregational Retreat

9:00 a.m. to Noon

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Bear Creek UMC

It is our joy to again have Suzanne Seaton (Pastor and Spiritual Director) lead us in growing the health of our relationships and strengthening our Christian Culture. This time Suzanne will lead us in caring for each other across the many generations which comprise our meta-family. Some of us grew up on Billy Graham and others are growing up on Rob Bell (who?). How can folks of such diversity be caring and supportive brothers and sisters in the faith?

Everyone interested is invited to attend. Reservations to the church office would be very helpful. office@bcumc.org

Your Staff Process Team

Marriage Equity

The Bear Creek Church and Society Committee is hosting a representative from Washington United for Marriage on Sunday, January 15, to bring information and to respond to questions and concerns you may have.

People from all walks of life, including gay and lesbian couples, share the same values of love, commitment and family, and a majority of Washingtonians support these couples getting married and building their families. The statewide, non-partisan 2011 Washington poll released in September indicates that 55% of Washington voters approve of marriage equality. Washington United for Marriage (WUM) is the campaign to make marriage for gay and lesbian couples in our state a reality of 2012. WUM is a broad group of supporters of marriage equality in Washington. The Human Rights Campaign, Equal Rights Washington, Faith Action Network, ACLU, UFCW 21, SEIU State Council, Planned Parenthood Votes, Legal Voice, National Organization for Women, and Senior Services are just a few of the many organizations that have already joined the campaign coalition.

We are poised to become the next marriage equality state in the nation. A bill will be introduced for the 2012 legislative session and your legislators need to hear from the constituents. For more information, you can visit the website at http://washingtonunitedformarriage.org/ or contact Field Organizer, Joy Kang, at 206.779.3943 or joy.kang@hrc.org.

Share the Dream Concert on Sunday

Please join us on Sunday, January 15, at 3:00 p.m. at Seattle’s Mount Zion Baptist Church (1634 - 19th Avenue) for the annual Share the Dream concert celebrating the life and enduring legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Featuring soul-stirring performances by the Total Experience Gospel choirt, members of the Black Nativity Choir, and the Black Nativity Dancers, along with a reflection from Seattle Times columnist Jerry Large, this will be an afternoon of music and inspiration you will long remember.

There is no charge for admission, although freewill offerings will be accepted to benefit the Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle & King County.

Godly Play

Sunday School: On Sunday we’ll overview some of the saints and have a game day.

Godz Kidz: On Wednesday Jesus’ family leaves for Egypt.

Youth Group News

Sunday, January 15 Jr./Sr. High Youth Group 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Bring your friends for fellowship and worship!

If you would like to receive emails about youth group, let Jamie know at youthdir@bcumc.org.

Women’s Weekend Away
Women's Retreat