thoughts from around the table

Preview Worship Service

Matt Smith — Fri, 21 May 2010 21:29:40 +0000

The Table will gather for the second of our monthly Preview Worship Services in the sanctuary of Central UMC (5265 H Street) at 10:30 am this Sunday, May 23.

We speak in so many languages: Twitter, text, Skype, plain old letters, Facebook, and on and on. Can we speak differently and still be one? We’ll revisit the story of Pentecost in Acts 2 for inspiration amidst the chaos of our contemporary world.

Filed under: Church Planting, Uncategorized, United Methodist

First Preview Worship Service

Matt Smith — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 20:45:58 +0000

The Table will be holding our first Preview Worship Service this Sunday, April 18.

Root your life in Grace. Join us for worship at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary of Central UMC (5265 H Street in Sacramento).

Filed under: Church Planting, United Methodist

Saturday NEXT STEPS Gathering

Matt Smith — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:32:55 +0000

If you’re interested in connecting more deeply with others at The Table, join us this Saturday for a day-long gathering centered on A Blueprint for Discipleship.

Saturday, April 10

9:00 – 3:00 pm

5265 H Street

Simple lunch provided. Bring a copy of the book if you have one, a Bible, & an open spirit for learning & sharing with others. Copies of the book will be available Saturday morning as well.

Filed under: A Blueprint for Discipleship, Church Planting, United Methodist

Easter Sunrise at The Table

Matt Smith — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 21:58:57 +0000

The Table will host an Easter Sunrise service in the Rose Garden at McKinley Park (33rd & H Streets). Join us at 6:30 am this Sunday, April 4. Hot coffee & tea. Homemade scones and bread. Children welcome!

Filed under: Church Planting, United Methodist

Holy Week Images

Matt Smith — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:43:16 +0000

A blog of the Sacramento Bee called The Frame posted some beautiful images of Christians around the world marking Holy Week. View the images here.

Filed under: Theology

Maundy Thursday

Matt Smith — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 04:47:02 +0000

The Table will host a Simple Meal & Worship on Maundy Thursday at Central UMC (5265 H Street). Join us at 6:30 pm on Thursday, April 1. Children welcome!

Filed under: Church Planting, United Methodist

Are You Ever Really Moved In?

Matt Smith — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:58:06 +0000

Our family has moved. More accurately, we’re in the seemingly endless process of moving. Late last month we made an offer on a home not far from where Sarah works and even closer to where The Table has been gathering. We’d looked at hundreds of homes in the last few months. This was our first offer on a house. What followed has been a blur. Paperwork. Packing. More paperwork. More packing. Ugh. Not a fan of moving. Big dislike button needed for this on Facebook.

I am thankful for my parents. They put their lives on hold for a week to help us with the move. My dad primed and painted Eleanor’s new room. Mom helped organize our lives while doting on her first grandchild.

Eleanor’s new room was previously shared by two brothers. Bright blue with bunk beds. A few coats of primer and a gallon of Baby Buttercup later …

As I write, Sarah’s unpacking a box of cookbooks. Does the moving ever end? I’m hopeful we’re close to settling into our new home. As we do, I look forward to posting more regularly to the blog.

Filed under: Uncategorized

1 Day to Prevent Homelessness

Matt Smith — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:26:55 +0000

The Table is reaching in love by partnering with people of faith throughout Sacramento for the 1 Day to Prevent Homelessness Campaign. Join us for a contemplative Lenten worship service this evening at 5:00 pm (5265 H Street). Our offering this evening will go to the 1 Day to Prevent Homelessness Campaign.

The goal is for people of faith to raise $400,000. All gifts will be matched by federal funds at a ratio of 4 to 1. We invite your household to contribute one day of your monthly mortgage or rent payment (e.g., $33 if you’re paying $1,000 a month in rent).

Give directly to the campaign here.

Filed under: Church, Church Planting, United Methodist

Crossing into Lent

Matt Smith — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:45:27 +0000

The Table is gathering on Sunday evenings throughout Lent for community worship at 5:00 pm. Crossing into Lent weaves warm music, relevant teaching, and contemplative prayer. Each Sunday gathering emphasizes a different part of Jesus’ life. We’ve moved through the stories of birth and childhood. This Sunday we’ll revisit the story of Jesus’ baptism.

Filed under: Church Planting

UMC Continues Response to Earthquake in Haiti

Matt Smith — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:16:32 +0000

48 more health kits from The Table are being sent this afternoon. The California-Nevada Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church has contributed $246,203.70 so far to the Western Jurisdiction’s Lenten project, “Operation Resurrection 2010.” Here are the goals:

OPERATION RESURRECTION 2010

A Compassionate Response to the Earthquake from the Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church

The bishops and other leaders of the Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church call our people and our churches to honor the spirit of the Haitian people and our staff who were caught in the earthquake. United Methodist Committee on Relief staff, Rev. Sam Dixon and Rev. Clinton Rabb, died in the earthquake, and Rev. Jim Gulley was rescued. Help us reach the following goals by Easter, 2010. Gifts already received will count towards the goals.

GOAL # 1 Plan to learn about Haiti’s history, culture and economy.

GOAL # 2 Gifts totaling $100,000 for recovery and relief through UMCOR

HOW CAN I HELP?

 Remember the people of Haiti in worship and receive a special offering

 Encourage a discipline of Lenten giving

 Make a personal contribution

 Host a Haiti relief fundraiser with your neighbors

For more information or to give on-line go to www.umcor.org. Gifts through your local church should be marked for “UMCOR Advance #418325.”

GOAL # 3 25 Volunteer in Mission (VIM) trips to Haiti over the next 5 years

HOW CAN I HELP?

 Schedule and organize a team from your local church, district or conference

 Join a group that someone else is planning

 Sponsor a young person to join a VIM team

Contact Heather Wilson, Western Jurisdiction UMVIM Coordinator at www.umvimwj.blogspot.com/

GOAL # 4 Replace 23,000 Health Kits that have already been shipped from UMCOR West Depot

HOW CAN I HELP?

 Ask members of your Sunday School Class, Youth Group, or UMW to assemble health kits and send to UMCOR West (1479S 700 W, Salt Lake City, UT, 84104) or send $12 per kit to UMCOR West marked #901440 for

Health Kits

 Schedule a VIM team to travel to Salt Lake City to help assemble kits

Bless our acts of obedience

that in some small way we might be used

to restore hope, increase faith and widen the pathway to peace.

100% of gifts through UMCOR go directly to relief. To track progress and for more resources go to www.westernjurisdictionumc.org.

Filed under: United Methodist