DEC 2010

FROM THE PASTOR

As I came into the church this morning and made my rounds to see if all is intact. I couldn’t help but notice the many packages wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree in the Sanctuary. We truly believe it is more “blessed to give than receive.”  Reminded me of an article I read about a lesson learned by a college student. Let me share the story with you: A young man, a student in one of our universities, was one day taking a walk with a professor, who was commonly called the students friend, from his kindness to those who waited on his instructions. As they went along, they saw lying in the path a pair of old shoes, which they supposed belonged to a poor man who was employed in a field close by, and who had nearly finished his day’s work. The student turned to the professor, saying: “ let’s play the man a trick; we will hide his shoes, and conceal ourselves behind those bushes, and wait to see his perplexity when he can’t find his shoes.”  “My young friend,” answered the professor, “we should never amuse ourselves at the expense of the poor. But you are rich, and may give yourself a much greater pleasure by means of this poor man. Put a coin in each shoe, and then we will hide ourselves and watch how this affects him.” The student did so and they both hid behind the bushes close by. The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to the path where he had left his shoes and coat. While putting on his coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes, but feeling something hard, he stooped down to feel what it was and found the coin. Astonishment and wonder were seen upon his face. He gazed upon the coin, turned it around and looked at it again. He then looked around him, but no person was to be seen. He now put the money into his pocket and proceeded to put on the other shoe; but to his surprise found another coin. His feelings overcame him, he fell to his knees, looked up to heaven and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving in which he spoke of his wife, sick and helpless, and his children without bread, whom this timely bounty, from some unknown hand, would save from perishing.

The student stood there deeply affected, and his eyes filled with tears. “Now,” said the professor, “are you not much happier than if you had played your intended trick?” The youth replied, “ You have taught me a lesson which I will never forget. I feel now the truth of these words, which I have never understood before: “It’s more blessed to give than receive.” (Author unknown) We thank our God for the many lessons that His Son Jesus has taught us. We are a giving, loving, caring church, a church that truly practices Open Minds, Open Doors, Open Hearts. Polly and I wish you all a Christ filled Christmas and a New Years filled with the love of Jesus Christ in our hearts.
Grace and peace, Pastor Don

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

  

1           Samuel Rochon

1           Patty Aho

3           Darlene Pruess

6           Judith Jahn

7           Kathy Weinert

12         Cindi Kaiser

15         Jon Nagy

19         Mark Roddy

21         Dorothy Hendricks

26         Tanya Bromley

30         Steve Nagy

 DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

  

2        Jack & Connie Whitsitt

3        Robert & Shirley Reno

28         Ron & Ruth Annelin       

MEMORIAL GIFTS

Memorial gifts have been given in the names of:

Janice Carlson (Camp Scholarship)

· by Phyllis & Tom Burge

 THANK YOU

Thank you to David Hokenson for turning the clocks back and replacing all the batteries in the fire alarms. 

Thank you to Vic and Sharon Vanderville for setting up the nativity in front of the church and putting up the Christmas tree. Also for making the float again for this year’s Christmas parade.

Thank you to all who donated money and candy for the Christmas parade and those who walked along with the float and handed out the treats.

Thank you to Rita Salter for your expertise in decorating the church.  

WOMEN'S NEWS

             —Carol Weinert

 Everything is ready for the annual Christmas Tea hosted by the United Methodist Women. The event will take place Saturday, Dec. 4, from 1 to 2:30 PM. The theme is "Music" and there are sure to be some surprises in store on the subject. There will also be a mini-bazaar of crafts and "Kitchen Goodies." Proceeds will benefit the Manistique Ministerial Association and selected local charities. Hope to see you there and bring your friends!

We will close out the year with our annual UMW Christmas party. The event will take place Wednesday, Dec. 8, and begins at 5:30 PM with a "planned" potluck dinner. Check with Rita Salter on what dishes are needed. The program is under the direction of Janet Helmbold and is sure to be a treat. The party is open to guests.

The first scheduled event of the new year will be our monthly visit to Medicare. This will be on Monday, Jan. 3, at 10 AM. Come and join us as we present a brief program to the residents. Phyllis Burge is in charge of making program arrangements and would appreciate hearing from those who would like to sign up in advance.

And don’t forget – Naomi Circle meets Wednesday, Jan. 5, at 1:30 PM at the church. Louise Burson is chairperson of this circle and would also like to hear from you if you would like to present a program or host a refreshment time.

As we look to 2011, it is time to begin thinking about new UMW officers. The election won’t take place until the fall but time passes quickly and our nominating committee headed by Ruth Annelin will soon be working on this important project. I strongly urge you to consider accepting an office if they contact you (volunteers are more than welcome, too, I’m sure). As the saying goes, "Many hands make light work."

Some of us are already working on completing the requirements for the 2011 Reading Program and we have more new books on our UMW shelves. May I suggest My Sister the Father, by Meri Whitaker. This is in the Education for Mission category. The author is pastor of a United Methodist mission church in Oklahoma and the stories in this book are a collection of personal events that span the 25-plus years of her ministry with the Cherokee people. Some stories will make you chuckle while others will tug at your heart. This is surely an "easy-read" book. For more information on the Reading Program, see Mary Prater.

FOR OUR PRAYER CONSIDERATION 

November 28– December 4

Sharla Kimmel
Joseph & Sandi Kolder
Michael, Amy, Logan, Madison Kraatz
Jack & Lynn LaRose
David, Nicole, Christian Lawrence
Devin, Janet, Rylie, Tegan, Gabriel Lawrence, Emily Blount
Rudy Lawrence
Donna & Woody Berkompas

December 5- 11

Debbie Males & Michael Derrico
Connie Meade
Clara Mersnick
James & Nancy Means
Peter & Bessie Moore
Bill & Donna Morden
George & Laurie Montgomery

December 12-18

Doug, Stacey, Shayna, Maggie Morrison
Mary Livingston, Robert, Lynn Morrow
Van and Mildred (Mike) Mueller
Greg Mulligan
Jon, Steve, Michael Nagy
Audrey Newborn

 THE INFORMATION BOARD

Please keep the following people in your prayers: Jim Hagman, Wayne Weaver, Doug Finch, Kathy Weber, Bill Hoar, Marilyn Fritz, Phyllis Burge, Emma Tufnell, Norma Johnson, Gene Johnson, Randy and Amy (Schwartz) Sanders, Connie Whittsitt, Gloria Norrington’s grandson William, Mae Gilroy, Clara Mersnick and Dorothy Hendricks.

Please remember those serving our country: Keegan Feichtenbiner in Iraq and Greg Mulligan.

Congratulations to Polly Bedwell and Shirley Reno, recipients of the UMW Special Mission Recognition pins .

Christmas Eve Service will at 7:00 PM

Festival of Lessons & Carols Community Choir rehearsals are taking place every Sunday at 1:15 PM (please note the time change) at First Baptist Church in Manistique. Singers are needed!!! Please plan to attend Sunday, December 12th at 3 PM at St. Francis de Sales Church.

Advent Noisy Offering will be taken every Sunday at our worship services during Advent. The Sunday School children will select the project .

Christmas Caroling will be December 19 beginning at 4 PM. This year, the carolers have reserved the public transit bus. Everyone will meet at the church shortly before 4 PM. Please let the church office know if you are interested in joining the group this year. The more the merrier!!!

 Last call for information updates If your address or phone number has changed, please let us as soon as possible. Also, let us know if we don’t have birthday/anniversary. 

 A VIEW FROM THE BELFRY

 Greetings from Benny the Bat! Wow! I am so excited! We have kids in Sunday School again! The adult class began meeting several weeks ago, and it’s nice to see them, of course, but let’s face it! It’s the kids who are really great to have back! Kids are so spontaneous, so fresh in their outlooks, so….so childlike! They can be really enthusiastic when they’re working together and learning something new! Of course, they can also be pretty blunt when they don’t like something or aren’t thrilled about an activity. Even their bluntness can be refreshing; they say what they think, not what they are “supposed” to say or what you expect them to say. Besides, having adults in Sunday School, while certainly nice, doesn’t really help us look forward to the future. Having kids, however, gives us reason to hope for the future, for kids in a real way ARE our future! In twenty years the current members of our adult class will only be REALLY OLD adults, but the children who are here now will be young adults, with the energy to make great contributions to the church and to the world. I sure hope that they are still in church, here or somewhere, in twenty years!  

LAY LEADER LINES

LECTIONARY 

December 5

Isaiah 11:1-10     Psalm 72:1-7,18-19 Romans 15:4-13
    Matthew 3:1-12

December 12

Isaiah 35:1-10
Luke 1:47-55        James 5:7-10
 Matthew 11:2-11

December 19

Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
 Romans 1:1-7      Matthew 1:18-25

December 26

Isaiah 63:7-9
Psalm 148                Hebrews 2:10-18
Matthew 2:13-23

YOUTH GROUP

   We are starting a youth group for all youth in our church who are interested.
   We have attended a few local activities. In October, we went on a hayride with the Mennonite Church. Last week, a group of us went to the local dollar store and filled up 4 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
   Last week we also attended a youth group meeting at the Mennonite Church to gather ideas for our meetings. Everyone had a great time and we hope to do more joint meetings in the future.
   Some of our upcoming activities are:

*Ski trip to Marquette Mountain

*Christmas Caroling

*Children’s Christmas Program

 POINSETTIAS 

Traditionally, during the Advent season, our church sanctuary is decorated with poinsettias donated by members of the congregation. Those wishing to present poinsettias may bring them to the church during office hours (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8 AM - 1 PM) or have them delivered by your florist.

Inform the church secretary if you want your poinsettia to be in honor or memory of someone and the information will be included in the church bulletin. Please give all pertinent information to the church secretary by December 16. (Please take your poinsettia at the end of the Advent Season.

As an alternative to providing a live plant, we are offering the option of “purchasing” a Paper Poinsettia by giving an extra gift in memory or in honor of someone to one or more of the following funds: Apportionments, Building Fund, Pensions, Camp Michigamme Scholarship Fund, General Fund, or in another area where there is a need.

See Pastor Don or the church secretary for a form indicating your preference and place it along with your gift in the Sunday offering or turn it into the church office. A colorful “poinsettia” card will be posted in the church acknowledging your gift and the honoree. This information should be submitted to the church office by December 16.

Please call the church office if you would like more information at 341-6662.

 

ADDRESS CHANGE:

  June Stubbert
   Pickford Okemos
   3830 Okemos Road, Apt 304
   Okemos, MI 48864

   Phone: 517-347-5668

 DON'T FORGET ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CALENDAR ON THE HOME PAGE!!!

Q: I’ve heard the United Methodist Church described as a connectional church. What does that mean?
 A: In a local congregation, each member of a given church is connected with every other member of that church by their common faith beliefs, common worship practices, and common goals. In the United Methodist Church, in addition to these personal local church connections, every local church is connected to every other local United Methodist Church through the administrative structure of the denomination. Thus, every local church is part of a district, which in turn is part of a general conference, which in turn is part of a regional organization. Each church in the system is organized along similar lines of governance. This in turn has implications for such issues as how ministers are obtained by the local church, how a local church participates in mission work, what articles of faith are officially recognized by all the churches in the denomination, and the like. The basic concept, however, is that no United Methodist Church is left to survive entirely on its own, since each church has a connection to all other United Methodist churches. I’ll discuss this in more detail in future newsletters.

December 19-25

Trisia Noble
John & Gloria Norrington
Randy, Janet, Ryan, DJ Peterson
Fred & Mary Prater
Darlene Pruess
Edwin & Eileen Renton
Michael, Shannon, Samuel, Emma, Luke Rochon
Mark & Gaile Roddy

December 26-January 1

JoNell Rubick
Robert, Shirley, Ryan Reno
Bill & Char Rohring
Louie & Rita Salter
Charlotte Schwartz
Marjorie Seavoy
Jim & Ginger Stark
Rick, Pam, Lynelle, Brett Tallman