...With the love of Jesus Christ.
In response to the COVID-19 virus and the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, we have sought NEW WAYS to worship since IN PERSON worship services, meetings, events, and gatherings are not occurring at this time. Below you will see how AUMC is continuing to worship and care for each other during this trying time.
A Holy Week Message from Pastor James
April 8, 2020
Happy Holy Week Anaheim UMC! On this Holy Week Wednesday, the sun shines through bright white clouds after days of rain. Though we cannot be gathered in our church for Holy Week services, may we be gathered in prayer and thanksgiving in the sanctuary of nature God has made. As we focus our energies on diligently combatting the Corona virus, let us also continue walk with Christ during this sacred week:
Tomorrow on Maundy or Holy Thursday, please remember Jesus’ Last Supper with his closest friends and how he washed their feet, teaching them to, “Love one another… as I have loved you” (Jn. 13:34).
On Good Friday, let us remember Jesus’ crucifixion and freely confess our own failings. With the crucified Christ, let us crucify with him our false pride, our guilt, and anything that prevents us from living fully in God’s love.
On Easter Sunday, let us then rise with Jesus as new creations, like blossoms of spring after the rains, and like a world awakening from stay-at-home living. Surely, when we emerge from our tombs when this all passes, we will appreciate more than ever the love of God and the love of our neighbors.
Though we are physically separated, let us remain prayerfully connected to God and one another this Holy Week, knowing that, when life’s routines are stripped away, our life in God’s love lives on.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor James Dollins
Pastoral Message of Hope & Prayer
March 16, 2020
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
Dear Anaheim UMC Friends,
In times like these, what a blessing it is to have a community of faith to support and encourage us! I write to you to let you know that, in order to follow CDC recommendations regarding the COVID-9 virus, AUMC is suspending all gatherings, including in-person worship services, for an 8-week period.
Regarding basic operations, giving and finance, please see the message written by Sherry Hanberg included under the “With Our Generosity” section below.
Our current plan is to resume in person Sunday morning worship on Sunday, May 17th, and Gather worship on Wednesday, May 20th. Until then, though we cannot be with each other in person, please join me in increasing our outreach to one another by phone, emails, letters & cards. Let us also make time every day to pray for our church and for one another.
While we are not accustomed to slowing down like this, I invite you to join me in approaching these next 8 weeks as an extended Lenten season, a time of retreat in which to draw closer to God, and to one another, even if by telephone! We hope to celebrate “Easter on Pentecost” on Sunday May 31st as a celebration of new life, resurrection, and, we pray, total healing from illness and worry.
In the meantime, please pray for your church, pastor, and for yourself. And by all means, keep in touch!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor James Dollins
How AUMC is responding to this health crisis:
With Our Worship
In order to maintain our church’s rhythms of weekly prayer and worship, In invite you to join our church in the following weekly rituals during this time of self-quarantine (and no in-person gatherings):
Wednesday Phone Prayers @ 7:00 pm – Conference calls hosted by Pastor James each Wednesday evening. These will be “Prayers of the People,” just like on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.
You’re invited to call-in (you do not need to state your name when it prompts you), listen to the prayers of others, and offer your own petitions as well. (Please state your name before voicing your prayer concern or celebration).
Simply:
Dial (425) 436-6398 Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
Enter this access code when prompted: 489352
We will remain in prayer as long as prayer concerns are lifted, and then conclude with the Lord’s Prayer.
Sunday Morning Worship @ 10:00 am – Each Sunday at 10AM we will email the whole church an email with a web-link to download a condensed worship service recorded earlier that week. This service will feature scripture readings, special music offered by our staff singers or Gather musicians, a devotion offered by Pastor James, and songs for you to sing along with!
Notice that this Wednesday / Sunday rhythm also creates a pattern of listening to one another (Wednesdays) and proclaiming the message (Sundays). Even during uncertain times, let us always listen and speak to one another in a spirit of grace and love.
I hope you’ll join us! And, please stay rested and well.
With Our Generosity
Dear Members and Friends of AUMC:
First of all God bless you all and thank you for always being so generous. Although the office will be closed for a while due to the COVID-19, I will be checking the mail and the on-line giving each day. We will still have bills to keep the church running and payroll for our staff who will be working from home. Please continue giving your pledges and offerings as you always have.
If you need to call me here is my phone number, 714 336-0620.
Blessings and Love to you all,
Sherry Hanberg
With Our Staff
During the next 8 weeks, our staff will continue to work from home and all staff persons are available by email. Click on the name below of the person who you would like to reach and it will open your email client.
Sherry Hanberg, Operations Manager
Lee Strohm, Communications Coordinator & Outreach co-chair
With Our Meal & Care Ministry Team
Have you been self-quarantined because you fall into one of the at risk groups of the COVID-19 health crisis (compromised immune system, 65+ years old, respiratory issues, etc)?
If so, the AUMC Meal & Care Ministry is ready, willing and able to provide you with a home cooked meal, grocery store run, pharmacy pick-up, or regular store run.
If you could use any of the above, please call or text Sandie Duff at 714-767-9578. She will coordinate with the members of the Care Team and someone from the team will call you to make arrangements for a store run or home cooked meal.
We are so happy to help keep you as safe as possible during this health crisis.
With Our Hunger Ministry Pantry
We also know that folks may be struggling financially. If you need a food box please email Lee Strohm to help arrange a pick-up.
Lunches of Love will continue to be distributed to our homeless brothers and sisters on Thursday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. This ministry is in great need at this time.
With Our Caring Connection
We are each probably starting to feel some isolation as we asked to observe social distancing. We are encouraging you to commit to reaching to at least one person each day via phone call, text, email, or card/letter. If you need a current contact list for AUMC please email Lee Strohm to get the most current one.
What is Lent?
The Lenten Season begins with Ash Wednesday and culminates with Easter Sunday. If you would like to learn more about Lent and how you can find meaning during this special time of reflection please click the link below or join us for one of the upcoming services listed in the section below.
Lenten Study Opportunities
Small Group Study
We will continue our study via conference call on Thursdays | 6:30pm
Pastor MJ. Buist will be leading a study of Adam Hamilton’s book:24 Hours That Changed the World.
To join the conference call on your phone dial 425-436-6301.
It will prompt you to enter the access code 594422 followed by #.
Lenten Devotional Book
If you would like a copy of the “Treasure in Jars of Clay” please email Lee Strohm and he will mail you a copy while we still have them in stock.
Scheduled Services and Events (Please note cancellations)
ALL HOLY WEEK SERVICES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED OR POSTPONED
- Ash Wednesday Service, February 26th @ 7pm
- Community Easter Breakfast & Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 4th @ 9am
- Palm Sunday Service, April 5th @ 10am
- Maundy Thursday Service, April 9th @ 7pm
- Good Friday Service, April 10th, 7pm
- Easter Sunday Service, April 12th, 10 am (We are currently planning to celebrate Easter on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st.)
Change for Good
The Season of Lent is often most associated with giving something up that you enjoy. We are asking you to consider actually giving to others as a part of this holy time.
As a part of our Lenten Journey, Provisions (our outreach team) is asking you to gather your spare change or make a donation during the 40 days of Lent and bring it to church. This change will be used to change the lives of those in need, be that food, clothing, or other resources. You will see a large water bottle in the sanctuary lobby and during the Gather service in which to place your change.
Last year we collected $350 to help those in need.
Your change can change someone’s life!
