Next Sunday we will be reading one of Jesus’ most famous teachings, The Beatitudes. In this series of simple phrases, Jesus upends our human

thinking by suggesting that when we are at our lowest points, God gifts us with more of God ’s pres-ence. For me, the teachings are a reminder that we often reach for a power beyond ourselves only when we have reached “our” limit. It is good to believe that God’s love is the counterbalance to our limitations, filling our sadness with joy and bringing a wealth of unexpected grace in the midst of our poverty. The teachings are also a reminder of how we are called to live as followers of Jesus. If God is most present in humility and purity of intention, then we are called to live in this way. If God com-forts the grieving, then we are called to do the same. We are asked to bless others in the same way God is blessing us. The world seems short on “blessing” to me. We are big on protracted debate, proving our points, tak-ing sides and focusing on ourselves, but gifting the world with grace, mercy and kindness is in short supply. How much better might the world be if we took Jesus’ call to bless others, even our enemies, more seriously? How much happier (which is one translation of blessed) might we be if we lived this way? This week Pastor Steve Garnass-Holmes offered this translation of the Beatitudes:

Blessed are you who are empty handed; you are in God's hands. Blessed are you who are brokenhearted; your broken heart is God's. Blessed are you who are powerless; love's power will never fail you. Blessed are you who wish you were closer to God; your wishing is God in you. Blessed are you who are kind; the universe will be kind to your soul.

We follow in the footsteps of the Master of Blessing. He shows us how to change the world with God’s love.

Follow on……Pastor Jenn

Blessed are you who seek Oneness; you are One. Blessed are you who stand with the poor that is where God is standing. Blessed are you who are wounded when you stand for justice; you are embraced, you are enfolded, you stand among the great.

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FEBRUARY WORSHIP SERIES at LGUMC

February 26

WHO ARE YOU? The beginning of a new year is a good time to reassess direction and ask questions about who we are and where we are going in life. We make reso-lutions (again). We sign up for the gym (again). We vow to be better people (again). This year we will take a deeper look into the question, “Who are you?” We will discover that “who we are” is inextricably bound to “whose we are.” What amazing things might happen in 2020 if we lived into our best, most passionate and loving selves? Let’s find out together.

February 2

Embody Beatitude Living (Matthew 5: 1-12)

Holy Communion at 9:15 and 11 Worship First Sunday Fellowship Brunch between services

February 9

Live With Integrity (Matthew 5: 13-20)

9:15 and 11 Worship

February 16 Create Lasting Relationships

(Matthew 5: 21-26) 9:15 and 11 Worship

February 23

Proclaim Wholeness (Matthew 17: 1-9)

9:15 and 11 Worship

children’s ministry

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Director of Children’s Ministry Shelley Ahn-Wong

kids@lgumc.org 408.354.4730

Sunday School Assistant Teachers are Needed! We are looking for a few more teachers to assist once a month during 11AM Service. Please contact Shelley at kids@lgumc.org for further information.

Kids are learning about GOD VIEW this month.

GOD VIEW: THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE KNOWLEDGE AND GOD’S CHARACTER, AS

SHOWN THROUGH GOD’S BIG STORY

All throughout the Bible, the writers of Scripture remind us that God is love. From the creation of the world to God’s relentless pursuit of us, God has shown time and again that love is most important. Even though we’ve all sinned, God loved us enough to make a way for us to have a forever relationship with Him. The Gospels are full of moments where Jesus prioritized love above all else, especially when He summed up the greatest commandment with: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus made this real when He showed us how much God loves us by sacrificing His life for our sins.

Messy Church A new kind of non-traditional church for everyone! You (all ages) are invited to our next Messy Church, scheduled for February 21, 11AM - 1PM @ Student Center. Bring your friends! Please RSVP @ kids@lgumc.org

belong grow serve

For ratings & reviews: http://www.jrholman.com/

Our next meeting will be postponed until Sunday, February 9, for reviews of this month's selections, "1917" and "Just Mercy." Discussion starts at 3PM at the home of Michael and Carol Crow, 408.371.7252, and continues with a potluck supper and our annual Oscar Awards party. Please RSVP if you will attend.

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Thursday, February 13 Come join us to our trip to the San Jose Mission in Fremont. We will learn all about the Spanish exploration, everyday life in the mission, and see Ohlone Indian artifacts and items used during the Rancho era. The mission was founded in 1797, the church in the 1830’s. It also contains the rare “Rosales Opus 14 Spanish Organ.” There is a cemetery with historic graves and a rose gar-den, a fountain, and plants resembling those from the mission period. We will meet at 10AM in the town parking lot behind the Chase bank and carpool to the mission, tour the mission and go out for lunch afterwards.

Hope you can join us. ALL are welcome. Cost: $7 per person, plus cost for lunch.

For more information and to sign up, contact: Ursula Young, ursulayoung@gmail.com, 408.354.7739

Adrienne Zimmerman, dancers2@aol.com, 408.356.5334 Anne-Marie Wiggers, mom@thewiggers, 408.255.9739

Kindred Spirits Join us in the Art Gallery at 7:30PM on February 12, when we review Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens. This best-selling novel is the story of a young girl who grows up alone in the marshes of North Carolina after her family abandons her. Her early education consists in observing and studying the wildlife around her. Her strange living conditions cause nearby townspeople to refer to her as the “Marsh Girl.” In later years, as a social outcast, she all too easily becomes the prime suspect in the possible murder of a popular citizen of that town.

The following is a list of the books chosen for the remainder of 2020: “The Forest Lover,” by Susan Vreeland “The Library Book,” by Susan Orlean “Becoming,” by Michelle Obama “The Alice Network,” by Kate Quinn “Unsheltered,” by Barbara Kingsolver “King Peggy,” by Peggielene Bartels

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GREAT DECISIONS SAVE THE DATES!

February 5 & 19 Social Justice and League of Women voters will again offer a Great Decisions class. It’s an ideal way to learn about and discuss contemporary issues and concerns. Save the first and third Wednes-days of February, March, and April.

UMC’s WAY FORWARD – UPDATE Over the past few months, a diverse team of bishops and advocacy group leaders met with an expert mediator to negotiate a plan to resolve the division which exists over the church ’s policy on the full in-clusion of LGBTQ individuals. The result of their hard work, announced publicly on January 3, is an agreement called “Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace through Separation.” The protocol, or plan, pre-serves the global United Methodist Church while allowing traditionalist-minded congregations who op-pose same-sex marriages and the ordination of gay clergy to form a new denomination. Although per-haps the best possible outcome given the sharply opposing viewpoints on human sexuality, it is only a plan and it is not a done deal. There is still much work to be done before the plan would be imple-mented. The group is currently working toward drafting legislation to be presented to the legislative assembly, and the plan has to be voted upon by the delegates to the 2020 Annual Conference to be held May 5-15 in Minneapolis. There is no guarantee of the outcome; nevertheless this plan offers hope in a future which is inclusive of all people, including LGBTQ persons. The key points of this agreement include: The creation of a pathway for traditionalists to leave the UMC with both their assets and liabilities to form their own denomination, with $25 million in United Methodist funds to be paid over 4 years; places a temporary hold on any complaints or trials against any pastor who conducts a same-sex wedding; continues the church’s promise to provide clergy with a pension; Approval would initiate a restructuring of U.S. jurisdictions into regions which would have flexibility to adapt church policies, including LGBTQ inclusion. For those who wish to read the full agreement please visit the website UMNews.org. A concise sum-mary can also be found at mfsa@mfsaweb.org (Methodist Federation for Social Action). An interview of the group who created the plan can also be viewed at https://youtu.be/q2wZQyAjU6M. This plan, as well as four other possible plans for resolving the conflict, will be voted upon at the May 2020 Gen-eral Conference.

belong grow serve

Challenge Success presents

THE WELL-BALANCED STUDENT February 2, 2-3:30PM

LGUMC Learn research-based strategies for raising healthy teenagers in

today’s face-paced world. RSVP required, seminars@lgumc.org

Outreach meeting, February 11, 10AM, Library

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Dear Friends, During John’s illness and passing, your cards, texts, emails, calls, virtual hugs, love, and prayers have helped us through this difficult time. I feel very blessed to know and have you all in my life.

With love and thanks, Mary Lou Abrahamson & family

Saturday, February 8, 10:30AM meeting

First Sunday Brunch on Sunday, March 1, will be a fundraiser for this April’s Colonet trip.

belong grow serve

In Memoriam

Sarah Robertson, a former member of LGUMC, passed away from a heart attack on January 16. A Celebration of her Life will be held on February 1, at Sierra Bible Church, where she was an active mem-ber. Cards of condolence may be sent to her sister's address: Shana Robertson and Family 17040 Country Road Sonora, CA 95370

Happy Valentine’s

Day

Our Ministry & Office Staff

Pastor Jennifer Murdock X215, jennifer.murdock@lgumc.org Robbie Frederiksen, Youth Director X216, youth@lgumc.org Shelley Ahn-Wong, Children’s Ministry Director X225, kids@lgumc.org Marcelle Dougan, Director of Visitation 908.347.4687, marcelle.dougan@lgumc.org Mason Neipp, Director of Chancel Choir choir@lgumc.org Kevin McCullough, Contemporary Music Director kevin.mccullough@lgumc.org Joyce Rhodes, Organist joyce.rhodes@lgumc.org Mary Lou Abrahamson, Communications 408.507.7140, marylou.abrahamson@lgumc.org Cindy Cook, Financial Secretary (A/R) X211, cindy.cook@lgumc.org Shannon Albert, Accountant (A/P) X212, shannon.albert@lgumc.org Kristy Currie, Director , Grace Preschool X226, 408.354.7163, kristy.currie@lgumc.org Kathy Mlinarich, Director, Live Oak Senior Nutrition 408.354.0707, kathy.mlinarich@lgumc.org Richard Garcia, Facilities Engineer 408.627.3345

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9AM-3PM

Friday - Closed

Church Council Members

Chair of the Church Board Jennifer Stagnaro, jennifer@stagnaro.com Chair of the Board of Trustees Larry Kroh, lkroh1@aol.com Chair of Staff Parish Relations Penny Herman, nt.advisor@comcast.net Chair of Finance Committee Doug Evans, eldoug1@msn.com Chair of Health Ministries Jo Ann Disbrow, disbrowjo@yahoo.com Chair of Grace Preschool Board Rita Matthews, fourwinn156@hotmail.com Ann Reynolds, reynolds_reese@yahoo.com Chair of LOSNSC Board Trudy Burling, trudyburling@hotmail.com Team Rep. of Social Justice Team Jean Mundell, jmundell@earthlink.net Lay Member of Annual Conference Judy Petrokas, quiltqueen@ix.netcom.com Gail Hybarger, ca-unicorn@pacbell.net Chair of Endowment Matthew Geisick, mattgeisick@gmail.com Chair Outreach Team Ursula Young, ursulayoung@gmail.com Chair Congregational Care Ministry Lois & Elwin Stocking, l.e.stocking@comcast.net Chair United Methodist Women Christina Capps, kl_capps@yahoo.com Ruth Oveland, roveland@sbcglobal.net

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In observance of the holiday, the Church Office will be closed Monday, February 17.

The Spire

Los Gatos United Methodist Church 111 Church Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 408.354.4730 - www.lgumc.org to be removed from mail or email list: marylou.abrahamson@lgumc.org Editor: Mary Lou Abrahamson

If you no longer wish to receive this mailing, please mail or email to the address shown at left. Thank You.

Find out more about our Ministries! Go to www.LGUMC.org

“Serving Christ in this Community since 1866”

Pastor

Pastor Jennifer Murdock

Sunday Worship 9:15AM Traditional Worship Service

11AM Open House Contemporary Worship Service

Children’s Ministry 9:15AM & 11:15AM (Preschool—Grade 5)

Childcare 9:15AM and 11:15AM

Newborn—3 years

Youth Groups Sr. & Jr. High

Our Mission Growing as followers of Jesus Christ

who live God’s love in the world.

All Welcome! We are a Reconciling Congregation

No one will be excluded from participating in the body of the church because of age, race, ethnicity, culture, religious origins,

sexual orientation or challenging conditions.