|
 
If you would like a pastoral call, why
not call and invite the pastor to meet with you - at your home,
in his office or maybe at a bench downtown!
The second Tuesday afternoon of each month the pastor makes home
communion calls. If you are unable to come to church for
communion, please call 872-3422 to have a time set up for you.
O loving God, we come to the Holy season of Lent truly sorry
for our sins that have often separated us from you. We confess
that we need to repent of our offenses against you which we have
committed by thought, word and deed. We humbly pray for your
mercy and forgiveness. We pray for a new quest for holiness on
our part that we may become faithful and righteous servants of
Christ. In his name, we pray. Amen.
 You are encouraged to attend the Annual Ash Wednesday service
at St. Pancratius Catholic Church at 7pm. Ash Wedmesday is
February 6. We will be joining our friends from First and Fraser
Presbyterian Churches and St. Pancratius for this spiritually
moving service of ashes. Communion is not served.
Ash Wednesday is a Christian holiday (holy day) that is not a
biblical requirement (rather like Christmas). It has been
honored by Christians for well over ten centuries at the
beginning of Lent, a six-week season of preparation for Easter.
In the earliest centuries, Christians who had fallen into
persistent sin had ashes sprinkled on their bodies as a sign of
repentance (Job 42:6). Around the tenth century, all believers
began to signify their need for repentance by having ashes
placed on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. Even this
sign of sinfulness hinted at the good news yet to come through
its shape.
If you believe that men and women are equal in the eyes of God,
then it is important to look at what your church says and does
when it comes to promoting or denying the equality of women and
men.
All congregations of The United Methodist Church accept the
principle that no distinction (in so far as leadership is
concerned) should be made between males and females. A reading
of Galatians 3:28 makes this abundantly clear. It is for that
reason that women, as well as men, have been ordained as elders
(pastors), and encouraged to serve in all other capacities of
leadership in the UMC since 1956. We were the first mainline
denomination to do this.
In fact, there are now more women than men graduating from UM
seminaries. Any church within United Methodism should be
prepared to accept the appointment of a pastor who is also a
woman.
The Social Principles of the UMC clearly state: We affirm women
and men to be equal in every aspect of their common life. We
therefore urge that every effort be made to eliminate sex-role
stereotypes in activity and portrayal of family life and in all
aspects of voluntary and compensatory participation in the
Church and society. We affirm the right of women to equal
treatment in employment, responsibility, promotion, and
compensation. We affirm the importance of women in
decision-making positions at all levels of Church life and urge
such bodies to guarantee their presence through policies of
employment and recruitment. We support affirmative action as one
method of addressing the inequalities and discriminatory
practices within our Church and society. We urge employers of
persons in dual career families, both in the Church and society,
to apply proper consideration of both parties when relocation is
considered. We affirm the right of women to live free from
violence and abuse and urge governments to enact policies that
protect women against all forms of violence and discrimination
in any sector of society.
While many Christian denominations point to some scriptures to
proclaim major differences between the role of men and women in
the church, the UMC points to many scriptural instances where
women were not only called to serve, but actually bore testimony
to the gospel in very significant ways.
1. Mary, the mother of Jesus, physically brought Jesus Christ
into the world in a way that no man could and remained true to
Christ all the way to his crucifixion on the cross. If this
isn’t an example of how women and men should proclaim the gospel
to the world, then what is?
2. Mary Magdalene and other women ministered to Jesus in word
and in deed. They also physically ministered to the Body of
Christ when they took him down from the cross, put his body into
the tomb, and then went back on Easter morning. It was on that
morning that Jesus told Mary Magdalene to go back to tell the
other disciples that he had risen from the dead. If that isn’t a
good example of being a minister of the gospel, what is?
3. Women served as leaders in early Christian local churches.
Among these were Dorcas (Tabitha), Priscilla, Quintilla, Phoebe,
Joanna, Susanna, Prisca, Junia, Mary, Tryphaena, Tryphosa,
Persis, Julia, Olympus, and Lydia. In Romans 16:7, Paul
addresses the woman, Junia, as “foremost among the apostles.”
Only after clergy positions in the church became politically
important in secular life (after Emperor Constantine declared
Christianity the legal religion of the empire) were women
officially denied clergy positions in the church.
What do various denominations believe about women as clergy?
The following is a short list of denominations that
officially prohibit women clergy: Roman Catholic Church,
Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod), Church of Christ (with few
local exceptions), Orthodox Churches, Church of God, Southern
Baptist Churches and most other Baptist Churches (with the
notable exception of the American Baptist Church).
The following is a short list of denominations that officially
promote the ordination of women: United Methodist Church,
Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America,
Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ, American Baptist
Church, The Wesleyan Church.
The United Methodist Church has hundreds of missionaries all
over the world who are supported by local churches. These
missionaries work hard to bring the love of Jesus Christ to many
who might not otherwise know him.
The UM General Board of Global Ministries is greatly concerned
about the political chaos and violence that erupted in Kenya at
the start of the New Year. Our concern and our prayers
incorporate the welfare of the country and its people, the
churches, and the Methodist and United Methodist congregations,
pastors, missionaries, mission volunteers, other church
personnel, and church related institutions.
As of January 4, all United Methodist missionaries assigned to
Kenya and other denominational representatives in the country
were safe. This includes a United Methodist Volunteers in
Mission (UMVIM) team.
We remember with compassion the families of the more than 300
persons who were killed in the days immediately after the
violence began on December 30, 2007. Our thoughts and our offers
of assistance are with the some 100,000 persons who fled their
homes, some becoming refugees in Rwanda, to escape violence that
broke out following the disputed reelection of President Mwai
Kibaki.
We, as a Christian organization as followers of the Prince of
Peace, appeal to all parties to the political and ethnic
disagreements to put peace and reconciliation ahead of personal
or party gains. Africa and the world cannot afford a civil war
in Kenya, which has for years been a place of stability and
economic prosperity in the volatile East Africa region.
Five of our missionaries in Kenya were out of the country at the
time that the conflict started. The Rev. Chung Suk Song and his
wife, Hyung Ran Song, assigned to Mombasa, were safe in Nairobi,
the Kenyan capital, where they had gone to take their children
to boarding school.
Missionary John Calhoun and his wife, Noel, who works for the
United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Nairobi, and
their young sons were scheduled to return from Atlanta, Georgia,
to Kenya in early January. Yema and Lahi Luhahi, a nurse and
teacher respectively, were also due to return in the same time
period after concluding mission itineration in the United
States. William and Jerri Savuto, who serve at the Maua
Methodist Hospital in Maua, were in the US for a Christmas
visit, with plans to return to Kenya later in January. While
travel delays may result, all missionaries are expected to
resume their work in Kenya.
A United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) team, which
left for Kenya on December 28, 2007, is safe in Nairobi. This
team, led by Gregory Forrester, UMVIM coordinator for the
Northeastern Jurisdiction, was due to remain in Kenya until
January 11, 2008. We also understand that a Cursillo team from
the Mississippi Annual Conference was safe at Kabarak
University, near the city of Nakuru, and had completed its
program, called a pilgrimage.
Methodism has been in Kenya for some 145 years, arriving with
British missionaries. The Methodist Church of Kenya grew through
support from both Great Britain and the United States. That
church, which became autonomous in 1967, is a long-time mission
partner of the General Board of Global Ministries and today has
500,000 members. The Rev. Dr. Stephen Kanyaru M’Impwii is
presiding bishop of the Methodist Church of Kenya.
The United Methodist Church and the Global Ministries are also
represented in Kenya by a United Methodist community,
established in the latter years of the 20th century by refugees
from other parts of East Africa. Those congregations and
ministries are part of the East Africa Annual Conference led by
Bishop Daniel Wandabula, who is based in Kampala, Uganda.
Over its long history, the Methodist Church of Kenya has started
many social, health, and educational institutions that serve the
entire society. Violent confrontations always threaten the
operation of these valuable ministries. Institutions of mercy
and education are much in our prayers for peace.
Its strategic location and recent political stability makes
Kenya a natural gateway for church supplies and services moving
into East Africa. For example, the United Methodist Committee on
Relief (UMCOR) depends upon Kenyan facilities for receiving and
transporting relief supplies into Sudan and other countries of
East Africa. Regrettably, the pent up party and tribal
competition expressed in post-election violence threatens more
than Kenya alone.
Our contributions to the United Methodist Committee on Relief
and the full payment of our conference apportionments, each
year, ensure that our church is a part of God’s work in the
world.
The United Methodist Church is the largest of seventy
denominations in world-wide Methodism, including such groups as
the Salvation Army, the Pentecostal Association, the Wesleyan
and the Nazarene Churches. A movement begun in the 1700's in
England by students at Oxford University, originally called “The
Holy Club.” Members agreed to attend their own church regularly
(they were from a variety of groups, Roman Catholic as well as
Protestant, although most were Anglican), pray and read their
Bibles daily, do a good deed for others daily, and attend their
Holy Club group (or “class”) weekly.
Other students made fun of “Holy Club” members, considering them
religious fanatics; among the jibes they made up was
“Methodist”, because the Holy Club insisted on being so
methodical - scheduling daily prayer and Scripture study, for
instance. The name stuck.
From the beginning, Methodists did not intend to create a
separate church. Their vision was to encourage all Christians to
“grow in holiness”: to grow spiritually and to put that
spiritual growth to practical purpose in making a better world.
To this day, Methodists do not think they are part of the only
or best church; we believe that all Christians are part of one
family of God.
 Our basic tenets are shared by most Christians: one God,
revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Jesus Christ is the
Son of God, both human and divine; the Bible contains all things
necessary for salvation. We believe that becoming a Christian is
not a matter of simply going through a ceremony or believing a
certain set of doctrines; rather we enter a relationship through
faith with God in Christ, and then open ourselves for a lifelong
process of growth in that relationship. One may compare it to
marriage: what makes us married is not a wedding (although
that's important) or saying we are in love, but a life-long
growing commitment to one another, grateful for the gift of love
the other person entrusts to us.
We practice baptism in three modes: sprinkling, pouring, and
total immersion, leaving it to the person to decide which he or
she wishes, and we baptize both children and adults. We accept
the baptism of other Christian churches and practice open
communion: you need not be a United Methodist to receive
Eucharist with us.
We believe in “the trained mind and the warmed heart”: that is,
education is important, but with it must go a personal
commitment to God. An uneducated commitment can become bigotry
and fanaticism; an uncommitted education can breed immoral
monsters. United Methodism has founded over a hundred colleges
and universities, has campus ministries at almost every major
institution of higher education in the nation, and elementary
and secondary schools on Native American reservations, in
Appalachia, and in mission stations abroad. We have missionaries
on every continent and have created one of the largest
Protestant networks of hospitals, children’s homes, and
retirement homes in the world.
We call persons to practice responsible stewardship: of their
citizenship by participating in democratic processes; of their
world through ecological awareness and action; of their
relationships through commitment and caring; of their minds and
bodies through, among other things, practicing total abstinence
from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and illegal drugs.
The United Methodist Church has a clear set of stances on almost
every political issue, from the right of collective bargaining
to abortion, homosexuality and racism. These stances are
articulated by an elected body of delegates, half lay and half
clergy, from all over the world, who meet every four years.
Sometimes United Methodists disagree on the issues, but usually
agree to disagree and continue to discuss the issues out of love
for one another.
On homosexuality: We teach that while such persons are of sacred
worth, they should not be ordained as clergy in the church, nor
should pastors be allowed to conduct marriage services or civil
unions of persons of the same sex.
On abortion: We teach that while a woman should have the freedom
to choose, an abortion represents a great human tragedy and
should be avoided if at all possible. Nevertheless, persons who
have chosen to have abortions are still ministered to and
welcomed in our church.
On racism: There is no room for racism in our church. All are
strongly encouraged to search their hearts and purge themselves
of this sin.
On sexism: The scriptures teach that there is no difference
between male and female, that all are one in Christ.
Some churches boast that they have “No Creed But Christ,” or
that all they need is to read the Bible in order to know what to
believe and do (Sola Scriptura). Yet in so doing, most of these
churches can’t even agree with each other on what to believe.
There, are, after all, many ways to read and interpret
scripture. Some of the most basic beliefs have been contested by
churches that proclaim only Christ or only Scripture as their
authority. For example:
1. The role of women in society and in the church (and
related issues).
2. Whether slavery is right or wrong and whether people of all
races are equal.
3. The acceptance of prostitution, gambling, and other vices.
4. The role of grace vs. works for salvation.
5. The person and work of Jesus Christ.
6. Whether it is most correct to worship on Saturday or Sunday.
7. Whether or not to use musical instruments in worship
services.
8. When is it appropriate to rebel against civil authority?
9. How should children be disciplined? How should criminals be
punished?
The bible isn’t always clear on these issues. So, where does
a pastor or a church get their authority as to how to interpret
the bible? Is it a decision made by a local church, a popular
pastor, or by popular secular notions influencing the beliefs of
the Christians within that society?
We Act in Society
Taking an active stance in society is nothing new for followers
of John Wesley. He set the example for us to combine personal
and social piety. Ever since predecessor churches to United
Methodism flourished in the United States, we have been known as
a denomination involved with people's lives, with political and
social struggles, having local to international mission
implications. Such involvement is an expression of the personal
change we experience in our baptism and conversion.
The United Methodist Church believes God's love for the world is
an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty.
We cannot just be observers. So we care enough about people's
lives to risk interpreting God's love, to take a stand, to call
each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or
complex. The church helps us think and act out a faith
perspective, not just responding to all the other
"mind-makers-up" that exist in our society.
Excerpt from The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist
Church 2004. Copyright © 2004 by The United Methodist Publishing
House.
To help guide our thinking and acting about how we live in
and are in engaged in ministry in the world, The United
Methodist Church has created statements to guide the church in
its efforts to create a world of justice.
"Our Social Creed" is a basic statement of our convictions about
the fundamental relationships between God, God's creation and
humanity. This basic statement is expanded in a more lengthy
statement called the "Social Principles." This statement
explains more fully how United Methodists are called to live in
the world. Part of our Book of Discipline , the "Social
Principles" serve as a guide to official church action and our
individual witness.
The following is an overview of the six sections of the "Social
Principles:"
The natural world
We affirm that we're responsible for the way we use the
Lord's creation. We support social policies that promote the
wise use of water, air, soil, minerals, and plants. We support
the conservation of energy and oppose energy-using technologies
that threaten human health. We're concerned for the humane
treatment of animals and the respectful use of space.
The nurturing community
We affirm the family and work to strengthen its
relationships. We affirm the sanctity of marriage and shared
fidelity between a man and a woman. We recognize divorce as
regrettable and intend to minister to the members of divorced
families. We affirm the integrity of single persons. We
recognize that sexuality is a good gift of God and that sex
between a man and woman is only to be clearly affirmed in the
marriage bond. We recognize the tragic conflicts of life with
life that may justify abortion and urge prayerful consideration
by all parties involved. We assert the right of every person to
die with dignity.
The social community
We affirm all persons as equally valuable in God's sight. We
reject racism and assert the rights of racial minorities to
equal opportunities in employment, education, voting, housing,
and leadership. We urge social practices that will uphold the
rights of religious minorities, of children, youth, young
adults, and the aging, of women, and of disabled persons. We
affirm our long-standing support of abstinence from alcohol and
illegal drugs, and we support the rehabilitation of
drug-dependent persons.
The economic community
All economic systems are under the judgment of God. We believe
the private ownership of property is a trusteeship under God and
must be responsibly managed. We support the right of employees
and employers to organize for collective bargaining. We affirm
the right of safe and meaningful work and creative leisure. We
support efforts to ensure truth in pricing, packaging, lending,
and advertising; and we urge people to evaluate their
consumption of goods in the light of the quality of life. We
call on Christians to abstain from gambling and to be in
ministry with persons who are the victims of this societal
menace.
The political community
We hold governments responsible for the protection of
people's basic freedoms. We believe that neither church nor
state should attempt to dominate the other. We call for freedom
of information and quality education. We defend the right of
individuals to practice conscientious, non-violent civil
disobedience. We support government measures to reduce crimes
consistent with the basic freedoms of persons; and we urge the
creation of new systems of rehabilitation.
The world community
God's world is one world. We hold nations accountable for
unjust treatment of their citizens. We affirm the right of
people in developing nations to shape their own destiny; and we
applaud efforts to establish a more just international economic
order. We believe war is incompatible with the teachings of
Christ, and we claim that it is the primary moral duty of every
nation to resolve disputes peacefully. We endorse the United
Nations and commend all who pursue world peace through law.
Board of Trustees: 1-8-08
Elected new officers for 2008:
President: Gary Jones
Vice President: Roy Wagg
Secretary: Pam Powell
Parsonage Committee: Linda DuQuesnay, Eleanor Truemner, Pam
Powell
-
Discussed recommendations to take to Administrative Council’s
next meeting from ideas from the Special Joint Meeting on the
Charter Estate Funds.
-
1. New Lawn Mower and Maintenance Agreement: total $5345.00 from
Tri-County Equipment in Sandusky. Motion Carried.
-
2. Estimated costs of projects at the parsonage:
-
Exterior Windows: $8827.00
Laundry Room: $3380.00
Stair rail (Stub wall): $1238.00
Replace Patio Ext. Door: $205.00
(material only)
Vinyl Siding over wood on front porch:
$800.00
Total $14450.00
-
Additional items were discussed from the Annual Walk Through
with Staff-Parish: window treatments through the parsonage;
carpet replacement; worn kitchen inlaid. Costs were not
available.
-
Trustees to recommend using $30,000 for the above projects with
the approximately $41,000 from the Estate would continue to be
invested in a short term CD.
-
Lights for the choir were approved by Administrative Council
from the Memorial Fund.
-
Discussed the step situation in the altar area: want to look
into removing the two step platform. Want to find out if the
bottom is finished to match the rest of the floor first.
 If your child will be in this year’s graduating class, please
contact the church office as soon as possible so plans for
honoring our Graduates can get underway.
There are those who seek knowledge
for the sake of knowledge;
that is curiosity.
There are those who seek knowledge
to be known by others;
that is vanity.
There are those who seek knowledge
in order to serve;
that is love.
--Bernard of Clairvaux
Mark your calendar for August 14 through 17th at the
Buehrly’s home. Starting with a hot dog roast / potluck supper
at 6pm on Thursday through Sunday, everyone is invited to camp
or visit for as long as time allows for the entire weekend.
Enjoy hot dog roasts, potlucks, breakfasts, bonfires, hay rides
and more! Last year, ninety folks shared a great time together!
Why not plan to help make it one hundred!?
For some time now, the Worship Team gets bogged down making
plans for activities not related to our worship experiences. So
starting on February 5, the Program Team will get together and
look at our calendar and decide what congregational events we’d
like to do. They will now be responsible for setting up events
and getting people to co-ordinate the details. The Program Team
will consist of any and all interested persons from our
congregation who would like to help with this planning. Other
members of this committee will be the various heads of
Programming Ministry Teams: Education and Age Level
Coordinators, Worship, Mission, Evangelism. Plans are for
meeting one or two times during the year.
Mark Tuesday, February 5 @ 7:00pm on your calendar and plan
to attend!
|
We wish to thank everyone in the parish who sent Christmas
cards, best wishes, and presented us with gifts this holiday
season. May God bless all of you in the year ahead!
Rev. Paul and Rev. Linda
Donelson
|
Block every Wednesday from February 13 through March 12
because you will want to come to church and if you give up food
for Lent, exclude Wednesdays!
Each week, at 6:00pm sharp ?! there will be a meal and a program
designed to conclude at 7:00pm - choir begins rehearsals as
scheduled! You can count on its being 1 hour so be here ready to
eat at 6. Bring your own table service. Beverages will be
provided. Your placemats will be your programs so don’t mess
them up too much.
 The first meal, Wednesday, February 13 at 6pm
sharp!, will give
Rev. Paul a chance to convince us that he makes the very best
Coney Dog - ever! Bring whatever addition to this you would like
- maybe some kind of munchie (veggies or chips) or a dessert.
The following Wednesday, February 20 at 6pm
sharp!, the meal will
be a Soup and Bread Potluck. Bring a kettle of your favorite
soup or some scrumptious bread or crackers and/or a dessert.
On Wednesday, February 27 at 6pm sharp! a Salad Buffet will be
featured. Bring your favorite salad to share or some rolls or
dessert!
Wednesday, March 5 at 6pm sharp! get ready for the battle of the
chili chefs. Bring your favorite kettle of chili or bread or
cornbread or dessert. Please mark your chili as to how spicy it
is so those wanting ``hot`` can find it and those wanting mild
will be happy, too.
The final meal will be Wednesday, March 12 at 6pm
sharp! and it
will be Italian Night. Bring your favorite Italian recipe or
bread or rolls or garlic bread or a dessert.
Monday, February 4, the ladies of the UMW will meet for a
luncheon and a program. Group 3 (co-hostesses Sherryl Seeley and
Jane Mitchell) will prepare and serve the meal. The program of
prayer and self-denial will be given by Carol Schaufele.
On December 3, at 6:00pm the UMW held their annual Christmas
Dinner for 75 friends and women of the church. Southern Tea was
served at the beginning of the dinner. The meal was vegetable
lasagna, tossed salad and green stuff for dessert. Louise
Buehrly was in charge of the menu. Individual members decorated
separate tables with their finery. Judy Wallace was in charge of
the dining area.
Sherryl Seeley was Mistress of Ceremony and passed out dish
clothes, hand knitted by Shirley Wagg. Guests received a gift if
this was their first time in attendance.
Sherryl presented a pin of Special Recognition to Char Fahrner.
This honor was given to Char for her dedication and hard work in
taking care of our church.
The excellent program was presented by the “Pony” Baldwin family
of Birch Run.
--Secretary, Marge Dickinson
Special thanks to Linda, Dora, Melody, Yvonne, Glenda, Beth,
Louise, Kathy and Connie for being so willing to set such
festive tables. It makes our dinner very special.
Thanks again, Judy
January 7, 2008 Minutes:
20 members were present for the noon luncheon. Louise Buehrly
and Judy Wallace along with Group 2 prepared and served the
luncheon.
-
The meeting was called to order using a prayer from the prayer
calendar. Also the group read “Our Purpose”.
-
Connie Schwaderer thanked the group for their effort in making
the Christmas Dinner a successful event.
-
Marge Dickinson read the Secretary’s report.
-
Treasurer, Shirley Wagg reported a balance of $10,326.96.
Shirley also recommended the following missions to receive 10%
of the bazaar funds: In His Name: $150; Good Samaritan Fund:
$150; Forgotten Man Ministry: $100; Tuscola County Homeless
Coalition: $100; Women’s Shelter: $100.00. Louise Buehrly
requested funds be given to support AA at the Lutheran Church,
lead by Larry Buehrly. It was decided to give $100 to the church
for rent and $25 to Louise Buehrly for supplies.
-
Ladies’ Day at Bay Shore is February 16. Cost is $50. It starts
at 9am. Speaker is Rev. Joy Moore.
-
New Books have arrived for the reading program and are ready to
be checked out.
Connie Schwaderer asked the group to remember that tables and
chairs need to be taken down after events.
-
Louise Buehrly does not want to be in charge of the entry
bulletin board anymore.
-
Shirley Wagg presented the Pledge Service.
Meal Stats: December 12
Meal Stats: January 9
February Menu: Pork Chops
The Progressive Class announces a time change for their
regular meetings. They will now meet at 7:00pm instead of
8:00pm.
On Valentine’s Day, the group will meet at the home of Dick and
Judy Wallace on Van Dyke Road at 6:00pm. Hot dogs, buns,
beverage and table service will be provided. Bring something to
round out the meal.
This year we had a family situation in which
we were able to play a major role.
About the middle of December one of our mothers called to say
she was desperately calling area churches in order to get enough
money to purchase train tickets so she could go to retrieve her
child whom she hadn’t
seen in several years!! Many churches had offered some help but getting $500 for one
round trip ticket for mom and a one-way for the child is not
easy. Besides the ticket money, she needed money for food for
the expected 6 day round trip. Thanks to your generosity, we
were able to quickly put the five hundred dollars together and
with help of area churches to cover food, the two were able to
return to the area in time for Christmas. Continue your
prayers for this family.
We were also able to give our second family a boost with extra
groceries.
Each family received a pick-up load of food, gifts, and
clothing. Our families are never really prepared to receive such
an abundance of love from you, but when they have tears running
down their cheeks, you know they are very grateful.
Again, thank you to all involved for going the extra mile!
We have two different ways to receive prayer chain notices.
One is by telephone and the other is by email. NOW is the time
to contact the church office if you want to be on one or the
other OR if you want to be taken off the list.
The Phone Chain will have one captain to start the chain when
they receive a request. Your duty will be to immediately say a
quick prayer and call the next person in line. Keep a pencil and
paper at your phone so you can write down the request
accurately. If the next person is not available, leave the
message and let them know if you will be calling the next person
or not. IF you call the next person and should they not be
available, leave the message and ask that they call on as soon
as possible. Keep the call brief. The last step is to get back
to your prayer.
The E-mail Prayer Chain starts from a call received by Linda
Parrish. When you receive the message - select yes to the “send
a response”. You are asked to pray for the situation as soon as
possible. There is no one you need to call or email.
Call the office at 872-3422 or email to ccumc@airadv.net to be
added to or removed from the current prayer chains.
Team Members needed in Dulac, Louisiana for Katrina Recovery
Mary Peterson from the First United Methodist Church in
Birmingham is leading a team the last week of March. Dulac is
located outside the city of New Orleans, and has suffered
greatly from both hurricanes and poverty. The plan is to leave
the Saturday before Easter, and celebrate Easter Sunday at a
church in the town where we stop overnight. The team is open to
15-20 people, to be rebuilding and doing new construction.
Contact Mary Peterson at (248) 258-2807 or e-mail at
mlp4776@yahoo.com.
Deaths...
Our Sympathy and Condolences to:
...to Norma Dawson, her family and friends on the passing into
life eternal by her husband, Mick.
...to Opal and Clarence Schneeberger, Keith and Jane Mitchell,
their family and friends on the passing of a cousin, Edna Mae
Mitchell.
...to Dennis and Laura Hill, Jason, Bryan, and Robyn, their
family and friends on the passing of Dennis’ father, Raymond
Hill.
...to Dolly Misch, her family and friends on the passing of her
110 year old aunt, Janetta Conway.
...to Carol and Irvin Schaufele, their family and friends on the
passing of a stepdaughter.
...to Jay and Shirley Wisenbach and friends on the death of a
friend, Walter Haas.
... to Jack Burns, Donna and Gerald Auten, Ellen, Ed and Susan
Stoutenburg , their family and friends on the passing into life
eternal by Jack’s mother, Margaret Burns.
... to Melody and John Frankowski, Nataliah, their family and
friends on the passing of Melody’s uncle, Earl Hanselman.
... to Shirley and Roy Wagg, their family and friends on the
passing of Shirley’s brother, Dwain Dorland of Snover.
... to Pat and Dick Greenwood, Margaret and Gary Czekai, their
families and friends on the death of Pat’s sister-in-law and
Margaret’s cousin, Rose Ashmore.
...to Jack and Lois Gallagher, Pam and Morris Powell, Mallory,
Mishelle, Megan and Jason Barrigar, their family and friends on
the passing into life eternal by Jack’s aunt, Olive Rohlfs, of
Florida.
Birth...
Great Grandparents, Dale & Louise Buehrly announce the birth of
Brandon James Buehrly born on November 16th to Scott and Stacy
Buehrly. Brandon weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces. He is the 5th
generation and he was born on his grandfather Larry’s birthday.
In Your Prayers...
Rev. Paul & Rev. Linda; Tom & Elaine Proctor;
Maurice Joos; Denise Jones (Leukemia); Mary Hutchinson; Thelma
Graham; Bea Baker; Jack and Ruth Esau; Rev. Bob & Charlene
Garrett; Winifred Lamb (Betsy Dillon’s mom); Helen Jezewski;
Betty Scoffield (Bea Baker’s sister); Marilyn Morgan; Barney &
Ruth Hoffman; Lucille Copeland; Dale & Mary Damm; Esther
Guinther; Maxine Profit; Elizabeth Stine (6700 Westside, Bay
City 48706); Betty Wareham.
Tendercare, 4782 Hospital Dr., C.C.: Florence Eimers, Audrey
Katzenberger, and Janet Francis
Northwood Meadows, 6086 Beechwood, C.C.: John Marshall, Bob
Keating, Mick Dawson, Fritz Pomeroy, Marv Hobart.
Rendon AFC, 1341 S. Colling Rd., Caro 48723, Stanley Kirn.
Kings’ Daughters, 2410 Rodd St., Midland, MI 48640: Dorothea
Quick;
Tuscola Medical Care Facility, 1285 Cleaver Rd., Caro 48723:
Ruth Freeman.
Service People: Mike Furness; Marc Inbody (Germany); Jason
Jezewski (Montana); Tim Karr (Washington State); Josh Sherman
(Ohio) and Jamie Parrish.
From the Mail Box:
 From Whitney Kirn:
Thank you for all the wonderful things you
have given. They are very wonderful. I appreciate it very much.
The good stuff in the goody basket was yummy, too.
From Meredith Kirn: Thank you for the Goodie Box that I
received. It was amazing! Also, thank you for the Baker/Kinnaird
Scholarship that I applied for my school expenses. It came in
very handy at just the right time! Thanks!
From Nick Chappel: I just wanted to thank all of you for the
care package I received. I always enjoy hearing from home and
from the church. Thanks for thinking of me!
From the Community Thanksgiving Dinner Committee: We would
like to thank you for your participation in the event by
providing the facilities for both dining and food preparation.
It is this type of community effort that makes this affair
possible. We want you to know we do appreciate your part in this
project.
From Mallory Powell: I just wanted to send you a thank you note
for the care package that I received, it was full of wonderful
goodies that I will enjoy for days to come. It is always nice to
get something from home - a little reminder of all those in our
church family sending their care. Thank you so much!
From Marge Dickinson: Thank you for remembering me at Christmas
with the delicious fruit.
From Rev. Bob & Charlene Garret and Dennis & Laura Hill: Thank
you and may God bless you for all of your cards and prayers
these past months. “Everyday is a new gift from God”. We look
forward to a new year with hope. God is with us!
From Ellen Stoutenburg: I would like to thank the church family
for the delicious fruit, and the Kirns for getting out in all
that stormy weather. It sure brightened my day.
From Clarence and Opal Schneeberger: Thank yo so much (UMW) for
the lovely holiday arrangement in honor of our 45th wedding
anniversary. The color combination is beautiful.
From Dorothy Knight: Thank you so much for the lovely bag of
fruit at Christmas. It’s so nice to be remembered by the younger
generation. God bless.
From The Family of Margaret Burns: Thank you so much for the
wonderful luncheon after Mom’s service. It was everything that
Mom requested. Your kindness will always be remembered.
From Norma Dawson: The family of Mick Dawson would like to thank
everyone who offered support in the form of memorials, cards,
flowers, food, prayers and all gestures of love and kindness
following our loss. Your concern and thoughtfulness during the
difficult time of his long illness was so very much appreciated
and will not be forgotten. Mick was a quiet, kind and gentle man
with a great sense of humor and will be missed greatly.
From Helen Jezewski: I wish to thank the church for the lovely
fruit and for Mick and the girls for delivering it. Thanks
again.
From Pauline Hulburt: My sincere thanks for the sack of
Christmas fruit. It was delicious. I feel blessed.
From Dennis & Laura Hill: Thank you for everything you have done
for us and our families - flowers, cards and especially prayers.
From Caren Clara: Thank you so very much for the fruit. IT was
delicious and I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I hope you all
had a happy holiday!
From Norma Dawson and Family to the UMW: Thank you so very much
to everyone for the delicious funeral meal prepared for our
family and friends. Mick was a quiet, gentle, good man with a
great sense of humor. A special person. We shall miss him.
From Rosemary Gallaway: Thanks to the church for the Christmas fruuit and to Meredith and Mick Kirn for getting thru the snow
to deliver it.
From Jan Kritzman: I want to thank the Cass City United
Methodist Church for the pretty carnations sent to me while I
was recovering from surgery. Also, I want to thank those for
prayers, cards and concern. I appreciate it very much.
From Ruth Esau: Here is my “Thank
-you” for the fresh, perfect bag of fruit delivered quietly by
some “kind soul” whom I did not see. Why do I deserve this?
Probably because, without my permission, I suddenly become 90! I
do nothing for my church, except gratefully read The Beacon
before its printing. Linda is such a good secretary, she seldom
misses an old-fashioned semi colon, or some such odd punctuation
I learned, perhaps, 75 years ago in C.C.H.S. (Our grand-
children - transplants from St. John’s Episcopal School in
Homestead, Florida, are the 6th generation of my family to live
and attend school here. When I’m in doubt, I call my
mentor and friend, Gil Schwaderer who was in my first
Kindergarten class in 1937 when I just turned 20. It wasn’t long
before Gil started teaching me. All my life I’ve been told not
to talk so much. Dear Aunt Oreno McGrath, Harold’s mother and
Sally McGrath’s grandmother, a devout Methodist-Episcopalian
said, “Read Psalm 46 - “Be still and know that I am God.” Her
father (my grandfather - Travis Schenck) said, “Let the victuals
stop your mouth. Now I write like I talk – too much. Forgive me,
please. Perhaps I’m lonely. Jack is deaf. I no longer walk at
all. And now I want to say, “Thank you for keeping me a member”
- after 30 years succumbing to Post Polio Syndrome. I’ve
appreciated all the ministers who faithfully serve me communion
each month. Each had his own personality and we all seemed to
bond. I’ve learned from each one, which reminds me, Rev. Paul -
that is a very interesting “story or fact” about The Partridge
in the Pear Tree. Is it an allegory? Is it original? Oh, yes,
all the former Evangelicals and many Methodists remember our
English friend, who taught us about the Christmas season’s
lasting until January - 12 days in her Anglican church. Muriel
and I had our own private church service each Sunday afternoon
as long as she was able. She was a wonderful Sunday School
teacher...many young people benefitted by her teaching.
From Esther Guinther: Thank you for the many cards and telephone
calls I have received. Your prayers have been a great blessing.
I appreciated Pastor Paul’s visit and the delicious fruit at
Christmas. May God Bless you.
From Mike Coffee at Bay Shore: I want to express my appreciation
for your gift to the camper scholarship fund. It is through
support such as this that we are able to continue to meet the
needs of those who desire to come and experience life changing
ministry here at Bay Shore. Last year we distributed over
$50,000 in scholarships, and this year looks like it will be the
same if not more. Please keep Bay Shore and me in your prayers
as we prepare for the camping season. I pray God’s richest
blessing upon you.
Thanks for your help!
 Thanks
to: Laura Hill and helper, Linda Derfiny, the children
and teachers for a great Children’s Christmas Program.
Newsletter Helpers: Ruth Esau, Donna Adams, Judy Wallace, Art
and Pat O’Donohue and Viola Walker.
Thank you to Barb Kirn and all those who helped decorate the
church for the Advent and Christmas seasons. The church was
lovely. And again, thank you to all those who helped put all the
decorations away for another year.
Our Faithfulness
Thanks be to God!
|
