A message from Rev. Ross Baker, pastor of Eudora UMC:

 

Dear Eudora UMC Community and Friends,

It seems like every day news around the spread of the coronavirus, and its potential impact on the community and world is being updated. This past weekend the Douglas County Health Department further restricted public gatherings with a “stay at home order” beginning Tuesday March 24th and lasting for at least a 30 day time period. With this new order social gathering spaces, educational institutions, restaurants, businesses, and yes, churches, are being asked to continue their work in alternative ways.

As the priority of our congregation is to be a safe and welcoming place for all and gathering for worship is a central part of who we are at EUMC. It became clear to myself and other church leaders that gathering together for worship or other group gatherings in person was not the safest decision.

For this reason, beginning this past weekend, March 20th-22nd, through Sunday May 10th, the church will be closed for all in person gatherings. This will be reassessed as the week of May 10th draws closer. This decision, as prayerfully discerned and voted upon by the EUMC Administrative Council, means that all activities taking place in our building during that time frame will be cancelled. The only group excluded from this will be Parkwood Day School, and at the present time, we still plan to be a food distribution site for Harvesters. In the meantime, we will record and livestream the sermon with an abbreviated worship service for each Sunday. Online worship will begin around 10:45 am each Sunday. Please see below for additional details on how you may access worship online:

● Eudora United Methodist Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/EudoraUnitedMethodistChurch/?ref=bookmarks

● Baldwin First UMC Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/baldwinfirstumc/

● Baldwin First UMC YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMwpl81KtGg7h9AhRFW9NWQ

● Past Sunday Sermons on EUMC Website: http://www.eudoraumc.org/sermons

 

Church Staff Communication

As a means of complying with recommendations from local health officials while church staff will not be working from the church office they will continue to work from home. (Church mail, email and answering machines will be checked on a regular basis) Pastoral care visits will be made in alternative ways through email, phone calls and social media. If you are aware of a pastoral care need please contact Pastor Ross directly: rbaker@greatplainsumc.org or 316-371-1538.

Keeping One Another in Prayer

As a way of continuing to lift up one another in prayer you are invited to share “joys” and “concerns” by email to Dean: eudoraumc@gmail.com. These prayers along with other announcements will be sent out by email on Friday each week. You are also encouraged to check in on one another as well by phone, card, or email.

Spiritual Development

Adult and youth and children spiritual development will continue in a multitude of ways each week. For adults or youth consider joining in the study group currently making their way through the Bible. Currently they are focusing on Genesis Chapter 3. I invite you to consider taking part in their weekly discussion board online: https://eudoraumcbiblestudy.freeforums.net/. Resources for children and youth are still being developed. In the near future, families should be receiving by mail or email at home Bible studies and activity sheets. A big thank you to our wonderful teachers for providing these resources. Pastor Ross will also offer occasional spiritual development resources, online devotionals, and short mid-week prayer services. Please watch your email and social media for more information.

On-going Financial Support

As a means of addressing the financial impact of the COVID-19 virus on the mission and ministry of the church. Pastor Ross and members of the ADCO team are trying to find the best way for worship, communication, and continued support to the community. While things have changed in a big way for everyone all this means is a need to be more innovative and see how we can do things differently as a church until it is safe for us to return to a more normal routine.

Financially the needs of the church are ongoing, with things such as utilities, mortgage payment, salaries, and other outreach commitments, very similar to your own household. At our last ADCO meeting we discussed making sure that all expenses are examined to determine if they are necessary as we go forward during this time of disruption. We hope that your individual financial situation is such that you can and will continue to support the church in its mission especially during this time we are not meeting in person. Below are ways you can continue to do so. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

1. Online through the website: www.eudoraumc.org/give

2. Another option: “GivePlus” app where you can offer a one time or set up a recurring donation

3. One final option is to send in your contribution by mail directly to the church office: 2084 N. 1300 Rd., Eudora, KS 66025.

Brothers and sisters in Christ we are at an unprecedented time within the life of our congregation and church family. I invite you in this time to continue to be in prayer for our congregation, the community, first responders and health professionals, and the world in which we live. I encourage you to continue connecting in with our church at EUMC through our recorded worship, our facebook page, and please feel free to reach out to us by email, phone, or leaving a message in the church office.

I leave you with these words from Paul’s letter to the Philippians:.“Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.”

Our mission remains the same: “We are living into God’s dream of a community that welcomes everyone, grows spiritually and serves others.” I’m looking forward to seeing you all in person very soon--but until then, take care of yourselves, take care of one another, and take care of those who are on the margins. I’ll see you online.

Your brother in Christ,

Rev. Ross Baker

 

March sermon series "The Grace of Les Miserables"

 

 Sunday March 22: "Desire, Loyalty and Greatness" 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31 

Love is the primary theme that runs through the heart of many of our greatest stories. Les Misérables is no exception, and because of this, there are many connections to the Christian faith. This week we will focus upon the relationship between Marius and Cosette and see how their story points to the truths about the character and actions of God. Love can often be a placeholder when we don’t quite know how to feel. This week we will dive into what it means that the “greatest of these is love.”

 

Sunday March 29: Camp Sunday, guest speaker from Camp Chippewa.     Isaiah 43:19-21

Each summer thousands of children and youth find themselves at a church camp around the country. Within our own Great Plains Annual Conference we are blessed to have five unique camps where children and youth have the amazing opportunity to enjoy and explore God’s creation while growing in their faith. Within the book of Isaiah we have the prophet reminding us of God’s call on our own lives. “Behold! I am making all things new!” How will I respond? Come join in the fun as the children and youth lead us in an upbeat service of prayer, music, and God’s word on this very special Children & Youth Camp Sunday! Special Note: If you have a Church Camp t-shirt, make sure to wear it this Sunday!


  Welcome

Eudora United Methodist Church is a growing congregation with a wonderful mix of newer attending younger singles/families and older adults that have been part of the church's rich history.   We're a mission and service-oriented church that is constantly striving to grow in understanding God's love for us and in our response of sharing that love with others.  We experience and share the presence of God's spirit in an intentionally blended music worship on Sunday mornings and in a variety of Spiritual Formation opportunities for all ages.  Various Fellowship Groups also bring the congregation together for fun activities that meet through the  year.

Looking for a new church home in which to grow and share? Come visit and discover your place here!