Connect with us online in one place in our Connection Point
Join us this Sunday Morning
9 a.m. Modern Service
10:45 a.m. for the Traditional Service
Find our online services and bulletin (here)
Don't forget that your name tags are appreciated.
Did you know we try to post a sermon to our sermon podcast you can find it here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/castle-rock-fumc0
Did the weekly email blast not make it to your email mailbox this week?
If not go to fumcccr.org and click on the I'm New Tab
and then click on Join our Email List
Also, make sure that it is not hitting your spam folder in your email.
For Prayer Requests go to: https://www.fumccr.org/prayer-request
The Current newsletter is up on the website at https://www.fumccr.org/newsletter
Check out the January Newsletter that came out this past week.
You can find it at https://www.fumccr.org/newsletter
Upcoming Events:
January 8: Bell Choir at 4; Chancel Choir at 5:30
January 9: Leah Circle, 11:45, Fellowship Hall
January 12: First Rehearsal for Easter Cantata following the second service
January 14: H.O.M.E. Team Meeting, 6:30 pm
January 16: Men’s Lunch Group at Pegasus, 11:30am
January 16: Knot Again, Fellowship Hall, 6 pm
January 20: deadline for February Newsletter
March 5: Ash Wednesday Service at 6:30 pm
March 9th Stewardship Campaign Kick Off Sunday
March 30: One service 10:45am, Easter Cantata “Song of the Shadows”
April 13: Palm Sunday
April 16th Stations of The Cross from 12p.m. until 6 p.m.
April 18th Good Friday Service 6:30 p.m.
April 20: Easter Sunday
Sesquicentennial Stars: Did you miss picking one up on Christmas Eve? No worries — you can still choose one from the basket at the Welcome Center.
Thank You from Donna
Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping me celebrate 50+ years of music with our church. The celebration was perfect: the service with music and trivia Rev. Matt put together, the brunch headed by Judy Crenshaw (and all the food that was brought in and all the kitchen help), and Julie helping me to put my "story" together. I want to thank everyone who has supported me for 50 years — Nancy and the choir, and all the music groups through the years. Finally, all the cards, gifts and well wishes from everyone in our church family. I love you all and I love this church. — Donna Murray
Knot Again will reconvene on Thursday, January 16 at 6 pm and continue to meet on the third Thursday of each month. Some new people will be joining us this month, so it will be a great time to learn the easy steps to building a blanket-quilt for our missions project. With 2 or 3 tables set up, plus some sewing machines that will be in used in making 7x7 foot squares to keep us going for upcoming meetings.
New Year, New Opportunities
Are you looking for a new way to connect, engage, and serve? There’s room for you whatever your talents and interests may be— Bible Study? Point Person for a day trip? Joining our musicians with your voice or instrument? Leah Circle/UWF? Missions? Men’s Lunch Group? Serving as an usher or liturgist? Helping out in the office? The list is long and the experiences rewarding as we grow in our faith through connection with others. Talk with Pastor Matt if you’d like some ideas on where you might best commit you time and talents.
Easter Cantata “Song of the Shadows” March 30
"Song of the Shadows" is an invitation to contemplate the love and sacrifice of Christ. Tracing in song the last days of the Savior, this deeply moving work offers a meaningful opportunity to worship. Chancel Choir cordially invites anyone who would like to sing with us to come to the first rehearsal Sunday, January 19, immediately following the second service. A light lunch will be provided before rehearsal begins. The more voices, the more moving the cantata. See choir director Nancy Docksey for more information.
Just a heads up:
I have also noticed that the Church emails are hitting my spam folder so if you feel like you are not getting all the emails. Check your spam folder and then mark them not as SPAM. Also this time of year you will notice a lot of fake emails. Always check the sender's address. If you have questions about an email please reach out.
Also if you got new tech and you have questions about it Pastor Matt is always willing to help you navigate it or learn it.
Want To Become an Usher?
We are looking for some Ushers to fill in when needed or to have a specific sunday. If you are interested let Pastor Matt know. matt.franks@fumccr.org
New To The Church???
If you are new or returning to the Church join Pastor Matt for his meal group that is focused on new or returning people. Our first gathering will be after worship on Jan. 26th email Pastor Matt at matt.franks@fumccr.org so we can get a headcount and figure out a location.
Contemporary Bible Study
The book chosen is Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri J. M. Nouwen, who writes: "All I want to say to you is, 'You are the Beloved,' and all I hope is that you can hear these words as spoken to you with all the tenderness and force that love can hold. My only desire is to make these words reverberate in every corner of your being - 'You are the Beloved.’’"
In person runs Monday January 27 2025-Februarys 17 2025 6:30 to 8:00PM;
Zoom session, Fridays to January 31th to February 21 2025 6:30 to 8:00PM
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
Tuesday Morning Bible Study will begin its study of Adam Hamilton’s Words of Life: Jesus and the Promise of the Ten Commandments Today by Adam Hamilton at 9:30 a in the church library beginning January 7.
Nearly everyone has heard of the Ten Commandments, the list of “thou-shalt-nots” found in the Bible. Jesus saw these commandments not as onerous burdens, but as guideposts to help us experience a good and beautiful life. These ten ancient “words” were given to us by a loving God who longed to set safe boundaries, create order out of chaos, help communities live peacefully, and protect us—often from ourselves.
New and used copies can be purchased at Amazon from $7 - $15, similar to copies available through Cokebury and Thriftbooks.
An Email from Bishop Stoneking
Beloved Mountain Sky Conference,
Grace and peace to you. Thank you for the prayers and expressions of care you have been sharing with our siblings in the Los Angeles area as the impacts of multiple catastrophic fires compound. As of this moment, we have lost two of our United Methodist churches, Pacific Palisades as well as the parsonage, and Altadena, and others have sustained damage with the extent not yet known. Among the thousands who have lost homes are staff of the California-Pacific conference, clergy and members. The shock, dissonance and grief intermingle.
At the same time, our United Methodist churches are providing shelter, resources and solace across the region. Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, conference staff and pastors are tirelessly coordinating efforts and communicating updates and needs. Their service is nothing short of heroic.
Bishop Escobedo-Frank shared this morning, “Two towns destroyed: Altadena and Pacific Palisades. Pasadena (where I live and where the office is) is swelled with evacuees. One of our churches is hosting evacuees from one of the fires. Other churches are opening doors for those who are without homes. Electricity is turned off in many communities. The air quality is poor…it is intermittently snowing ashes. The sun has a red glow. Los Angeles as a whole is affected. UM’s have places to go to…family and friends are hosting those who lost homes. The church is being the church in action. That is good for my soul to see.”
When disaster strikes, United Methodists are known for responding with courage, generosity, and necessary labor. Here are some specific ways you can help:
Continued prayer. When all seems lost, God remains. The solace and strength of faith is needed especially now and as the road to recovery commences.
Donations. California-Pacific has set up a portal here for direct donations or you can give through the United Methodist Committee on Relief here.
Stay tuned to the Mountain Sky webpage and Facebook page for updates. Mountain Sky Disaster Relief Coordinator, Rev. Jean Schwein, is in touch with the denominational emergency response network and will share when it is time for presence in affected areas.
We in the West are no strangers to the ravages of wildfires. I also encourage you at this time to tend to your own self-care. The impact of living through the chaos, fear and loss associated with fire can linger for some time after the event itself. Know that you are in my prayers, too.
In the sorrow and suffering of this moment, we are reminded of the steadfast compassion of our God in the words of Psalm 56:8, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” May God’s steadfast solidarity grant strength to all.
With Los Angeles and with you,
Bishop Kristin Stoneking
Putting Our Faith Into Practice
Daily Scripture Readings from: https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu
Monday:Isaiah 43:1-7
Tuesday:Psalm 29
Wednesday: Acts 8:14-17
Thursday: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Weekly Prayer
People of God, you are known and loved by the Creator. You are marked as God's chosen ones to bring hope and peace to others. Be at peace and live in hope. AMEN.
Loving God we lift up to you…
The United Methodist Church
Mountain Sky Annual Conference
Bishop Kristen Stoneking,
Those who lost lives and those who were injured in New Orleans on New Years Eve
Our Pastors and Staff
Little Blessings Families
Conflict in the Middle East
Leona and Garrett Mathes, sister and brother-in-law to Chuck Bailey
Duane Osborn Brother in law of Nancy Docksey Heart Surgery Dec 11th
Tom Johnson
Maxine Ferguson
Connie Berry, cousin of Denny Pottenger
Anne Shuman
Zeke Jordon a great grandson of Brenda and Mike Ryan born on 12/13 2024
Bill Hurst father of Callie Hurst
Evelyn Kelly, close friend of Louise Molieri
Val Sandlin
Nick Roy, brother of Cheryl Smith
David Spencer
Ken Kindt
Teresa Kindt daughter of Ken and Gayle Kindt
Phoebe Brady, friend of Pat and Kay Jones
Family of Roger & Cheryl Bumgarner
Family of Kevin Drael (nephew of Phyllis Tumey )
Juanita Trujilo Friend of Rose Andrade
Gloria Bennett Friend of Rose Andrade
