January 3rd, 2010
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Sermon notes and Food For Thought
When We Act UnChristian: Hypocrisy to Christ-like
This week we begin a new series that takes a hard look at how
non-Christians view the Church. This is a challenging topic that will lead us to seek the wisdom of God.
Yet, many of the observations made about Christianity are founded and an embarrassment to Christ's Church.
Today we begin a look at the view that we in the church are hypocritical. What can we learn about ourselves
and the way others see us?
January 10th, 2010
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Sermon notes and Growth Guide
When Bad Things Happen: Heartless to Compassionate
This week in worship we will ask some questions about our assumptions of God.
So what can Christians get wrong about the issue of when bad things happen? How do we deal with the issue of God's
sovereignty? What can we learn from the Bible about God's activity in the human experience? If we assume certain things
about God, can we cause others unnecessary guilt, anger, or pain? How do people outside the church experience God through
our witness? I pray we can all learn more about who God is and who God calls us to be as we gather at the River this week.
Could we learn to be more compassionate?
January 17th, 2010
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Sermon notes and Growth Guide
When Talking about Other Religions: Arrogant to Humble
This week we will explore our assumptions and perceptions of how we deal
with other faiths. How do we deal with the many people of different faiths? How wide is God's mercy? What kind of
witness are we to our faith? How do we dialogue with others who are different? If you know someone from a different
faith, this may be an important service for you.
January 24th, 2010
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Sermon notes and Food For Thought
When in Conflict with Science or Married to Politics
This week we will examine our assumptions regarding science, politics,
and religion. I might be able to offend everyone this week with these topics. Seriously, how do we deal with
such volatile issues? How can we be less closed-minded and more teachable? What can we learn from our ability
to reason...reason is a gift from God. Please prayerfully prepare for this topic and invite family, friends, or
neighbors that may appreciate a fresh biblical and God-honoring view on these topics.
January 31st, 2010
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Sermon notes and Growth Guide
Homosexuality and the Church: Judgmental to Loving
This week we will examine a challenging topic, with the intent to move us
all closer to God's call to be less judgmental and more loving. This will not be about convincing anyone
to comply with a belief system, but rather gain a deeper understanding of how we receive truth from God.
May we prayerfully open our hearts to the work of the Holy Spirit in this time of worship.
February 7th, 2010
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Sermon notes and Food For Thought
When Christians Get It Right
This week we will let up on our self-criticism as a church.
I pray we have all learned more about how God would like us to live in a Christ-like, compassionate, humble,
teachable, and loving way. Today we will seek to recognize when the Christian church gets it right. We will
explore the basic teaching of Jesus and celebrate our life in faith. Welcome to Sugar River!
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Advent Series: The Stars of Bethlehem
November 29th, 2009
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Sermon notes and Food For Thought
First Sunday: Waiting on God
This week we will learn about the challenges of waiting upon God.
Advent is a season of waiting. We wait for the birth of Jesus, but it is also a season of waiting for the
return of Christ. Zechariah and Elizabeth waited so long for God to provide them with a child, that they had
essentially given up. Yet, God provides. What are you waiting on God for? Let's learn from these stars of Bethlehem
about the faithfulness of God...even when we are forced to wait.
December 6th, 2009
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Sermon notes and Food For Thought
Second Sunday: Mary and Gabriel: Fear Not Again?
This week we hear the story of Mary's' encounter with the angel, and her
response to God's call upon her life. Wow, no small task. Could this very young woman face the challenges before her?
When she was unsure, God was not. God saw in her a strength of faith that would allow her to be a blessing to all of
humanity...the mother of the Christ Child. What fears do we face? How might we seek the wisdom and guidance of God for
our lives? Today we will learn from Mary, a star of Bethlehem's story
December 13th, 2009
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Sermon notes and Food For Thought
Third Sunday: Joseph and a Dream: Silent Partner
This week we continue our series on Bethlehem's stars by
reflecting upon the story of Joseph. What do we know about Joseph? Why is he so quickly out of the
picture in Jesus life? Yet, what scripture does reflect is the silent partner who was faithful. Join
us next week as we get one week closer to the celebration of Jesus Christ.
December 20th, 2009
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Fourth Sunday: Elisabeth and Mary: News for Good
This week is the final Sunday in Advent. We will reflect
upon the story of Mary and Elisabeth. Both mothers expecting the birth of their child as God had foretold.
This is great news! Life is changed forever by the events that about to take place. Do we understand this good news?
Is there room in our Christmas for the reason for this season? Yes, and it can transform our lives!
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Giving Thanks
November 22nd, 2009
Download or listen to Pastor Gary's message
Sermon notes, Prayer Guide, And Growth Guide
Today we seek to honor God with our giving thanks. How do we
demonstrate our thankfulness to God? I pray we can join together in a celebration of thankfulness and praise.
Today is also consecration Sunday. At the end of the service we will invite those individuals and families to
come forward to offer their estimate of giving for the coming year. If you do not have a Estimate of Giving Card,
the ushers have extras available. If you do not have an estimate ready, please complete and return a card by next
week. If you are unable to contribute this year, please indicate that on a card and bring it forward at the end of
the service as well.
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Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity
October 25th, 2009
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Sermon notes, Prayer Guide, And Growth Guide
"When Dreams Become Nightmares"
This week at Sugar River we will begin our series on Enough.
We look at the promises of the American Dream and how it often leads to nightmares. What does God have
to say through scriptures about our goals and practices of life? May we all gain a deeper sense of joy
through our commitment to simplicity and generosity.
November 1st, 2009
Download or listen to Pastor Gary's message
Sermon notes, Prayer Guide, And Growth Guide
Today in worship we will look closely at biblical principles of money
management and learn how they apply to our daily lives. We will review some common pitfalls and cultural traps
and discover how to avoid them. We also will receive a reminder of the Six Key Financial Principles. We hope you
will take time this week to read these principles and Scriptures. They will make a great table devotional for you
and your family. By practicing these biblical principles, all of us can find greater simplicity, contentment, generosity,
and joy for our lives.
November 8th, 2009
Download or listen to Pastor Gary's message
Sermon notes, Prayer Guide, And Growth Guide
"Cultivating Contentment"
Do you have a tough time separating "wants" from "needs"? Do you sometimes
feel consumed by the desire to have more? Do you ever look at your surroundings and feel overwhelmed by the sheer
volume of things? When is enough, enough? Today in worship, we will release these burdens, address our human tendency
head-on, and learn how to consciously change our ways.
November 15th, 2009
Download or listen to Pastor Gary's message
Sermon notes, Prayer Guide, And Growth Guide
"Defined by Generosity"
This week we explore how we can be defined by our generosity.
What defines your life? Is it wealth? Belongings? Faith? Many of us live with a scarcity mentality,
worried that we must gather and hoard as much as possible, saving for some imagined "rainy day." Or we focus
on self-gratification. But the Bible promises both God's blessings and joy for those who choose to live another way.
During next week's service, we will take action to change our lives by setting five specific personal goals to work
toward over the next year. We invite you to complete a "Personal Goals and Commitment" card and place it in your Bible
for your personal reference in the coming year. We will continue to discover joy through simplicity and generosity.
Click here to read Pastor Gary's Financial Principles
Letter and to access his financial planning and budgeting worksheets.
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Sugar River Charter Sunday Celebration!
October 18th, 2009
Download or listen to Pastor Gary's message
Sermon notes, Prayer Guide, And Growth Guide
This week is a very special celebration of God's love in our world.
We will take time to celebrate the blessings of our shared faith in Christ, and our opportunity to Connect,
Grow, and Serve in Christ's name. We have experience incredible blessings as a new church start, but we have
just begun to see our potential to love God and others with our Heart(Connect), Head(Grow), and Hands(Serve).
Please don't miss this very special Sunday service at either of our regular worship times of 8:30 AM or 10:15 AM.
For those ready for membership at Sugar River, we will take the vows of membership and sign the Charter Membership
Book. Then, join the Sugar River family for a wonderful fall celebration carnival starting at 2:30 PM, our Charter
Conference at 4:00 PM and a potluck at 5 PM. Next week invite your family, friends and neighbors to come gather at
the River!
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Facebook@SugarRiverUMC
September 27th, 2009 - Connect
Download or listen to Pastor Gary's message
Sermon notes, Prayer Guide, And Growth Guide
This week we begin our charter series on developing a Christ-centered
community of faith that Connects, Grows, and Serves in our relationship with God and others. I pray the worship
service connects you with the presence of God and encourages you in your faith journey. Worship and fellowship are
the focus and my hope is that between our preparations as worship leaders and your desire to serve in God in this
Worship Service, God will be honored and you will be blessed. Remember that belonging is as important as believing.
The order of service can be found on the back page of this newsletter.
October 4th, 2009 - Grow
Download or listen to Pastor Gary's message
Sermon notes and Growth Guide
This week we explore the meaning of growing in our faith
through Christ-centered relationships and biblical study. We have begun our Growth Groups and encourage
every member to participate in at least one session each year (fall, winter, and/or spring).
For more information on Growth Groups please contact Jackie Roessler or Brian Early. There are also
opportunities for Adult Study classes through out the year. Remember that for information on the River you
can go to the Source (the Sugar River Newsletter).
October 11th, 2009 - Serve
Download or listen to Pastor Gary's message
Sermon notes, Prayer Guide, And Growth Guide
This week's text has been called the Nazareth Manifesto.
It is the story of Jesus identifying the message and action of his ministry as he quotes from Isaiah 61.
It becomes a clear direction for Jesus life and ministry in obedience to his Heavenly Father. It also becomes
the mission of Christ's Church, in completing the work of Christ in this world. In our service we incarnate the
presence of God and experience the power of the Gospel to alleviate suffering in broken and hurting world while
offering hope for a God-filled future.
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Schools In - Time to Crack THE Book - Why This Book?
September 6th, 2009
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We begin a three week series that is intended to assist all of us to
experience the power of Bible study. We will try to remove the fear of opening the Bible and open our lives to
the excitement, challenge and power of God's living Word for our lives. Please bring your Bibles to church for
this series. If you don't have a nice study Bible, we will have some available at the River. Gather with your family,
friends, and neighbors this week at the River! Since school is in, lets see what we can learn!
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Life Lessons: As Seen On TV
August 30th, 2009 - ENCOURAGE
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This week we conclude our series on Life Lessons: As Seen On TV with a
look at encouragement. How often do your receive encouragement? How often to you offer it to others?
I pray today will encourage you to know and experience the value of encouragement!
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See the Event
Calendar for a more complete list of events and activities.
