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.

Mark Your Calendar!

**Mother/Daughter Banquet
Saturday, May 10
**Annual Rummage Sale
Week of June 16
**Pictorial Directory Pictures
Thursday, June 26 - 1:30-8:30pm
Friday, June 27 - 1:30-8:30pm
Saturday, June 28 - 10:30am - 5:30pm
Monday, June 30 - 1:30 - 8:30pm
Need a Coordinating Team!
Contact Linda asap!
**Vacation Bible School
Sunday, July 20 - Thursday, July 24
Contact Lori Inbody if you can help.
**St. Jude Bike-a-Thon
Saturday, September 20
Looking for High School and College Grads
If you have someone graduating this year, please contact the church office asap!

How Do You Know What’s Right?

      The subject of “authority” is one of those sensitive issues that is often viewed with controversy or cynicism in today’s society. The nonconformist revolution of the 1960’s, together with the widely publicized scandals in government, helped to promote a trendy, stylish disregard toward ethics, laws and authority figures. However, despite these popular secular attitudes, authority remains as a very important institution to God, one which is critical for Christians to understand in order to properly relate to God and God’s system of values.
      To begin with, God places a high value on authority because God is the one who created it. The Bible says that all authority comes from and originates with God. God is the absolute source of authority in the universe, and has delegated his principle of authority to humankind to maintain order in the world. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” (Rom. 13:1-2).
      God’s Word says that followers of Christ should be obedient to secular laws and government, because according to scripture, secular authority is intended to be a “minister of God for our good” (Rom. 13:4), and serves his purpose of keeping law and order on the earth (1 Pet. 2:14-15). The Apostle Paul wrote, “...submit yourselves to every legal ordinance for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by God for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good” (1 Pet. 2:13-14).
       Authority must be understood by every Christian since it is the entire basis of our relationship with Christ. “Authority” means “the right to command and enforce obedience.” When we accept Jesus Christ as our “Lord,” this means that Christ is supposed to become our “boss” or “authority” over our whole life (Luke 6:46). In addition, the Bible becomes the source of authoritative instruction for our Christian Life (2 Tim. 3:16).
       Since submission to authority is basic to Christian Life, it is important we understand that all authority is a God-given institution, and all types of authority are related. The Lordship of Christ is the highest source of authority that we must answer to (Matt. 28:18), but God has also ordained at least three other categories of subordinate authority in the world that we must also submit to:
       (1) The Family - Children are to obey their parents (Eph. 6:10). The wife is to cooperate with her husband, (Eph. 5:22-24, 1 Tim. 2:12), and the husband is to submit to Christ and love his wife (Eph. 5:23,25).
       (2) The State - We are to cooperate with those authority figures and obey the local and federal laws of the land, within the boundaries of God’s laws (1 Pet. 2:13-14).
       (3) The Church - Christians are to submit to the headship of Christ which is exercised through his Spirit (Rom. 8:14), the scripture (2 Tim. 3:16), and Church leadership (Matt. 18:17-20, Heb. 13:17).
     God has established these authorities as the “delegated” extensions of his authority. If we resist cooperation, we are in effect, resisting God’s own authority and Lordship.  Just as all authority is related to other authority, all rebellion is also interrelated. It does not regard any class of authority. Rebellion is “the unwillingness to be ruled by any source other than self.” It is an indiscriminate contempt toward all authority, including the authority of the Church.
      Our attitude toward Christ as our Lord, is directly associated with our attitude toward other authority. Jesus Christ cannot be fully “Lord” over the person who harbors rebellion toward legitimate authority figures. The Bible says, “Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” (Rom. 13:2).
     The prophet Samuel said, “...rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Sam. 15:23). The Apostle Peter said that those who are corrupt “despise authority” (2 Pet. 2:10), and Proverbs says, “An evil person seeks only rebellion...” (Prov. 17:11).
     Considering how our attitude toward all authority relates to our submission to the “Lordship” of Christ, we should especially be sensitive to the authority of the Church and spiritual leaders, who have specifically been assigned as representatives of Christ. The Bible says, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17).
     Even more important than secular authorities, Christians must be cooperative with their spiritual leaders, who are charged with the responsibility to “watch for their souls.” An important point revealed from this passage in Hebrews is that it appears that all Christians are supposed to be under the authority of a spiritual leader. This would also mean that all believers should be a part of a local Church. They should be accountable to a pastor, on the condition that his/her leadership meets basic qualifications of (1) a moral and Godly lifestyle (Matt. 7:15-16, 1 Tim. 3:1-7), and (2) that they proclaim the gospel (2 Tim. 3:16).
     Don’t rebel at the spiritual leader whose life exhibits these Biblical qualities! The Bible warns that contempt toward God’s obedient servant is equal to contempt toward God (Exodus 16:2,8). Don’t do anything that would hinder Godly, spiritual leaders. Don’t even bad-mouth them! It is an act of rebellion, for which you will answer to God. We must remember, that even if authority over us makes mistakes, the Lord still demands our respect and restraint toward his anointed. They are his servants and he will reprove them. “Do not touch my anointed ones, and do my prophets no harm” (Psm. 105:15).

    I’ve been pastor here for a little over a year and a half, now. Some of our church members have gotten to know me fairly well. But, every so often it is good for me to reintroduce myself so that folks who don’t know me (or think they know me) may feel a little more comfortable with me.
     I was born in 1950 and raised in the central part of Flint in the old neighborhood between downtown and Central High School. My parents resisted the temptation many white folks felt to move out of Flint during the period following the ‘60's and decided, instead, to stay in the middle of town and raise my younger brother, older sister, and me in the midst of a diverse community. I graduated from Central High (1968) and went to Flint Junior College for two years.
      Our family attended what is now Court Street United Methodist Church. I was baptized there, went to Sunday School and church every Sunday, sang in the children’s choir, attended the Methodist Youth Fellowship, and was in the church’s Boy Scout Troop. To say the least, that church was an important part of my life and there were many times that I walked the mile between home and church.
      My father was an eccentric inventor, a piano tuner and pipe organ technician who worked throughout this area. Among his patents was a volume control for transistorized hearing aids, while working for Raytheon in Boston in the late ‘40's, and a microwave device used by dermatologists, which he developed in Flint in the early ‘60's.
      My mother had her master’s degree in speech pathology from Emerson College, also in Boston, and worked as a teacher at Michigan School for the Deaf, in Flint, where she met my dad. She retired as the principal of the elementary school at MSD in the early ‘80's and then worked for a number of years as a speech pathologist for the Genesee School System.
      It was after my first year in college (1969) that I felt called to go into the ministry. In fact, before that, I had thought I might be a teacher and/or go into the navy. But, as it turned out, I graduated in 1972 from Eastern Michigan University with a bachelors degree with a major in history. Then I went off to Wesley Theological Seminary on the campus of American University in Washington, D.C. to fulfill the educational requirements for ordination as an elder (a pastor) in the United Methodist Church.
      In fact, in order to be an ordained elder in the UMC one must graduate with a master of divinity degree, something that takes at least three full years and six semesters. At that time, one also had to fulfill the requirements of the conference board of ordained ministry and be ordained a deacon, while in seminary, before being ordained an elder, no less than one year after graduating from seminary.
     While I was a student in Washington, D.C., I met my future wife, Linda (she was also a seminary student), and served as an intern at Union UMC, a church in downtown D.C. across from the World Bank Building. After our first year in seminary, we were married and given a student parish (two small United Methodist Churches) on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. For two years we traveled back and forth between that parish, living with the fishermen on the weekends, while attending seminary classes during the week. While at seminary, I studied Greek and Hebrew and was awarded a biblical research fellowship that helped pay my tuition for my third year. I also developed a deep interest in liturgical theology and church history, studying under Dr. Lawrence Stookey. During the ‘70's, Wesley Seminary was the very first United Methodist Seminary to have a professor of liturgical theology. I also studied under other notable biblical scholars and theologians, including Dr. George W. Buchanan, Dr. Dewey Beagle, Dr. Larry Rasmussen, Dr. Phillip Wogaman, Dr. James Logan, to name a few.
     Following our graduation from seminary, in 1975, Linda and I went to Iowa as one of the first clergy couples to be appointed in the United Methodist Church. We stayed in Iowa, had our two children, and then came back to Michigan after 12 years.
     While under appointment as a pastor in Michigan, I served for six years as the chair of the Division on Worship for the Detroit Annual Conference and led area-wide workshops on worship, including contemporary worship. Another of my responsibilities was to lead the planning of the worship services of the sessions of the Detroit Annual Conference, that met every year at Adrian College.
     Before coming to Cass City, I was the pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, in Ishpeming (about fifteen miles west of Marquette). While there I led that church through the process of building a beautiful $280,000 parsonage that overlooks Teal Lake, between Negaunee and Ishpeming. I was appointed by Bishop Jonathan Keaton to serve as pastor at Cass City in 2006.
    Over the years I have worked closely with various internationally known church growth consultants, Bill Easum, Tom Bandy, and Leonard Sweet. Through the 1990's and early into the next decade, I was taught by them and developed their web sites.
I play the trumpet, sing, write music and poetry, love to teach and study the bible, and still use the Greek and Hebrew I learned in seminary. I know that makes me a bit strange!
     I have felt the profound leading of Jesus Christ in my life and believe that the scriptures are inspired of God, written by holy people. In turn, these are to be properly read by an equally inspired, informed and educated people.
    My wife and I are especially proud of our children. Heather is a mom who lives with her husband and two young girls in the U.P., near Drummond Island, Michigan. She has a degree in music and substitute teaches for the school districts in that area. Our son, Nathan, and his wife live in Boston, MA where he works on staff at Brandeis University, doing post doctoral research in memory. He graduated in 2007 with a PhD in biology, specializing in animal behavior.
     I believe we are never too old, that it is never too late for us to learn new things, to be creative, and to reach out and feel the touch of God’s Spirit. I work best with people who feel that way, too!

Bread Bowl Soup Lunch

     Mark your calendar for Sunday, April 20th. It will be the beginning of a new era in fund raising for our Camp Fund.
     You are invited to a Bread Bowl Soup Lunch - All You Can Eat - served from 12:15 to 2:00pm. Cost will be $5.00 for Adults, $3.00 for children 10 and under.
     There will be homemade bread bowls, homemade soups and a variety of desserts.
     There will be clipboards going around during worship for donations of items to make the soup, for those able to provide desserts and helpers.
     Of course, all donations will be accepted anytime. Our Camp Policy is to pay 2/3rds of the cost to attend any one United Methodist Camp of choice for every child of camping age. This is a pretty lofty goal. The cheapest of the camps is just under $300 per child and the most popular sports camps are just over $300! Do the math - we have about 20 children of camping age - $6000.00!

Pictorial Directory - Coming soon!

     The Administrative Council has approved going with LifeTouch Pictorial Directory Company for a new church directory after a local photographer decided it would be too big a project to take on.
     It is important for us to have every family included in this directory. Each family will receive a free picture, a free color directory AND a 20% discount for everyone for doing all of our pictures before the end of July. Just remember, we need you to have your picture taken, but you are under no obligation to purchase any!
     Mark June 26,27,28 and 30 on your calendar and try to be available to have you and your family’s picture taken.
     I need helpers. Please contact Linda Parrish asap!!

Activity Shots
      We need one or two folks to take pictures with the church’s digital camera for activity shots. This helps make the directory personable. The camera is easy to use and instructions and help will be given to you. One of the best things about digital is you see the picture immediately and can retake it if needed - no film involved or wasted. Contact Rev. Paul or Linda Parrish soon for the simple instructions.
                      Some ideas for pictures:
          Fellowship Time on Sunday - Praise Time
                  Mother’s Day - Father’s Day
          UMW - Sunday School Classes - UMYF
                 Choir - Graduation Sunday
                                     Bread Bowl Soup Lunch - Dorcas Dinner
                                           Strawberry Social - Tailgate Party - VBS
                                           Garage Sale - Mother/Daughter Banquet
                                         Calvarymen Quartet - All Church Camp Out
                                               or any of interest to you!

 Admitting you are wrong is like saying you’re wiser today than you were yesterday.

VBS


Sunday, July 20 through Thursday, July 24

     When you start your spring cleaning, keep an eye out for good, used items for the Annual Garage Sale to be held in mid-June.
      Furniture, tools, pots and pans, dishes, glasses, kitchen appliances and household items in good repair, knick-knacks, antiques, bedding, toys, and sporting equipment all make for a great sale! Some storage is available in the brown shed, but if you can keep them until Sunday School is over it would be helpful.
                                  Contact Jane Mitchell or Connie Schwaderer for details.

New Lawn Tractor

     A new John Deere lawn tractor has been purchased. For those willing to mow the church yard, this will eliminate the transporting of personal lawn care equipment! When the tractor arrives, a date will be set for all interested in mowing to learn the machine.
     Here are some features: It has a 5 U.S. gallon fuel tank with a large 3-inch fill opening located on the left fender which makes adding fuel easy and helps eliminate spillage - Twin Touch™ automatic transmission provides comfortable two-pedal foot control for effortless speed and direction changes - Foot-operated traction assist locks rear wheels together for increased traction - Low-effort manual steering provides a tight 22-inch turning radius and excellent maneuverability - 54-inch Edge™ Xtra Cutting System is designed to provide excellent performance in all conditions.
     For about nine years, several folks hauled their personal mowers to the church to keep the yard looking nice. Others used the older tractor here donated by Stanley Kirn. We are very grateful for their dedication and work.
     If you would like to be included in the mowing rotation, please contact Linda as soon as possible by calling 872-3422 or emailing to ccumc@airadv.net. The grass will be growing soon!

Group Highlights

United Methodist Women
     The United Methodist Women will meet on Monday, April 7 at noon. Group 2, co-hostesses Louise Buehrly and Judy Wallace, will prepare and serve the noon luncheon.
      Michael Coffey, Bay Shore Camp Director, will present the program.
      All ladies are welcome to attend this and any program of interest.
**Saturday, May 10 will be the Mother/ Daughter Banquet. Be watching for more details.

Dorcas
Meal Stats for March:
     Menu: Swiss Steak
     Total Meals Served: 197
      (Guests: 121; Takeouts: 52; Helpers 24)
      Deposit: $1,286.00
April Menu: Chicken

     Reserve Thursday night, August 14 through Church Sunday, August 17 for the All Church Camp-Out at Dale and Louise Buehrly’s home on Greenland Road.
     Come and stay as long as you like. Or you may come and go - enjoying bonfires, potluck meals, fellowship and more. Watch for more details as the time approaches.

Camp Fund Raiser

    We are very grateful to everyone who supports the Bottle Drive for our Camp Fund. It is a small thing to do, but reaps great rewards. We are very grateful to Rod and Yvonne Sherman for their dedication to this project for it does take work - sorting bottles and cans - making trips to turn the bottles and can in - getting to the bank to make the deposit.
They also take care of the pop machine in our fellowship hall. The building fund gets the profit from the pop. The empty cans go to the Camp Fund. Rod wants you to know, he will take back even the colored bottles!
    With family reunions, Graduation Open Houses and such, the Shermans will even come to your house to pick up the bottles. Just give them a call at 872-4649.

All Church Outing

“Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack...”

Our Great Lakes Loons will take on the Dayton Dragons on Tuesday, July 1 at 7pm at the Dow Diamond in Midland and you are invited to join in the fun! It is Church Night at the ballpark - there will be faith based pre- and post-game entertainment.Gates open at 6pm. Tickets are $8.50each. Contact Connie Schwaderer if you would be interested in attending. This is an All Church Outing! It would be fun to share rides so we may need some drivers. Please make your decision and get to Connie by June 13th.

Our Church on the Web!

    You might say, “This is nothing new.”
     It is true. Jim Veneziano and Rev. Paul have both graciously hosted us, but now we have our own URL! www.casscityumc.com
      I can’t tell you what URL really means but it begins with http:// or sometimes you can get away with www. and it should be typed in the address line of your Internet program. How’s that for being technical?
     I have been reading and practicing the new program and am now taking baby steps in preparing our newsletters to go “world-wide”. I have to tell you, I am excited!!
    Just like learning any new program, there are glitches – mostly known as operator error!! I had the March newsletter all ready for the next step. I proudly told Rev. Paul, “Whenever you are ready to move it to the web, it is ready to go.” Well, that’s what I thought! We looked and couldn’t find it anywhere. Rev. Paul even went out into the web to see if it might have moved by accident when he was showing me how it would be done. He was very polite and restrained even though I could hear terror in his voice as I was clicking around searching. It dawned on me I was treading on “sacred ground”! One mis-pointed click could have done damage to his website so I gratefully turned the mouse over to him. I quickly reassembled the file and vowed never to delete a text file again. Rev. Paul’s website has lots of information and hosts some other churches. I appreciate the faith he has in me to even allow me to try to access it. But now he can sleep well knowing I will be within the bounds of our own site.
     Some newsletters are up on the new site! Go to www.casscityumc.com - select Newsletter (about mid-page). It will take you to the newsletter page. Select the month you want to read.
     Stay connected!!

Minute by Minute...

Administrative Council 3-18-08

• The Ad. Council wants the congregation to be informed of the low income - will have it put in the bulletin - ask for extra to cover bills.
• Worship Team developed a policy for unsolicited, last minute music for worship services. The approved policy is: The selection should be submitted one month before the date and is subject to prior presentation to and approved by the pastor, choir director, and worship chair. The piece should line up with the lectionary as not to change the “flavor” of the service.
• Education Team reported a change from a Graduation Breakfast to After-church Reception on May 4. Lori Inbody will lead Vacation Bible School from Sunday, July 20 - Thursday, July 24.
• SPRC reported Betsy Dillon is the new chairperson.
• Gary Jones, Trustee Chair, reported repairs have been made to the north roof following the wind damage. It cost $650. Our insurance adjuster recommends replacing the whole north side. A bid to redo the entire roof came in between $29,000 - $31,000. Price varies due to wind speed rating on shingles - 70 to 90 mph. We have 180 days to decide at which time the insurance company will send us another $1,200 toward the project (along with about $3500 already received.) Will have a new lawn tractor delivered and will need to train those mowing lawn. Still looking into a way to remove altar platform.
• Discussed a pictorial directory going with LifeTouch. Decided to have pictures taken in two sessions - one before July 31 and one toward fall. Same program for doing directory - one free photo and directory for having picture taken. No obligation to buy.
  Rev. Paul recommended the church should have their own domain on the internet with a server here in Michigan. Would cost about $10 a month. It was approved.

More Information Than You Can Imagine!

     Have you ever had questions about the United Methodist Church? Traditions? Policies?  www.umc.org is the location for the answers to your questions about the United Methodist Church. Use the search engine there - type in any word or words and just see what comes up! The search engine is located on the very top line of the page on the right side.

A Letter
of Congratulations from
our District Superintendent:

Dear Rev. Donelson,
     This is a letter of congratulations and appreciation to you and your congregation for your faithfulness in paying your 2007 Detroit Annual Conference and district apport-ionments, even when you weren’t able to make the goal of 100%. I want to express to you my gratefulness for the commitment to Christ and the mission of the church you have demonstrated through your stewardship.
     You have made possible the continuance of a very strong district and worldwide ministry throughout our denomination. I know what efforts are required to help people see the importance of giving together through apportionments. Thank you for your work.
Leaders of our annual conference and leaders of our general church seek to keep financial requests from increasing while advancing our mission and ministries. The Ministry Jubilee Program in our conference is our way to provide for greater participation in our ministries. Our common goal is to make disciples and strengthen congregations. It is crucial that your apportioned amounts are remitted at 100% and then continue to make a Ministry Jubilee pledge. In 2007 the Detroit Annual Conference had the highest percentage receipt of apportionments in over a decade: 85.8%. Detroit Conference Apportionments were paid at 100% to our General Conference apportionments. CONGRATULATIONS!
     The Port Huron District supported Mission Jubilee, General Advance, and the top three projects supported were 1. Haiti Hot Lunch 2. One Great Hour of Sharing 3. CWS - Blankets. In addition you supported Port Huron’s covenant brothers and sisters in Liberia in 2007. Congratulations to each individual for making these exciting things happen.
     In 2007 your church paid 90% of your apportionments compared to 65% in 2006. Thank you for your hard work to make this increase. When churches are unable to pay their fair share this places an added financial burden on other churches in the Detroit Annual Conference. In light of this, I am asking you to continue working with your Administrative Council and your Finance Committee to develop a stewardship plan that will provide enough resources to fund your local ministry as well as that of the Annual Conference and beyond. I have faith that you will be able to reach 100% payment of both District and Conference Apportionments in the future. I look forward to hearing your success stories told at your Church Conference this fall.
     Again, thanks to you and the members of your congregation for your continuing support. I know it took everyone working together to accomplish this task. May God bless you as you continue to serve Christ and the church.
                                                             Rev. Peggy Paige

Bay Shore’s Annual Kick-off Banquet

     You are invited to experience the Annual Kick-off Banquet at Bay Shore Camp on Saturday, April 19th in the Youth Center at 5:30pm. There is no charge, but a freewill offering will be accepted.
    Please RSVP on or before Friday, April 11th by calling the camp office at 989-883-2501. As always, check out their website at www.bayshorecamp.org

A smile is as contagious as a yawn,
And remembered more fondly when it’s gone.

Give Your Kids the Best Gift Ever –
Parents with a Great Marriage!

     Surprise your kids with the love Mom and Dad will bring home from a Marriage Encounter Weekend. You will have 44 hours from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon to focus just on each other in a beautiful country setting.
     Marriage Encounter is the largest marriage enhancement program in the world. The Encounter is designed for a man and woman who are married - all ages, stages and faiths, love each other and who sincerely want to grow and live out vows made on their wedding day. This weekend can help you find new meaning and deeper joy to your already good relationship. You and your spouse are not required to share anything in the group setting.
     The next United Methodist Marriage Encounter in Michigan is May 30 - June 1st at Youth Haven Ranch near Jackson. You will have an opportunity to contribute toward the actual weekend expenses which average less than $300 per couple, including a $50 non-refundable registration fee. This weekend is supported by contributions only.
     There is also a Marriage Encounter planned for November 7-9, 2008. For more information you may contact Chuck and Dalice Yost, 26640 Dover, Redford, MI 48239. Phone 313-937-1051 or email: CYOST@twmi.rr.com . A website is also available: www.encounter.org

UMCOR Is Responding

     Many residents in Arkansas are experiencing a "nightmare" as they deal with a series of weather-related systems affecting parts of the U.S. Midwest, following tornadoes, ice storms and flooding. Residents wait to be evacuated in Missouri and Arkansas after the National Weather Service warned of the possibility of historic flooding in cities along the path of the White River in eastern Arkansas.
     "We are in touch with the annual conferences affected by the flooding to provide support as events unfold," said the Rev. Tom Hazelwood, who leads UMCOR's domestic disaster response.
     In neighboring Missouri, Disaster Response Coordinator Karen Benson is relying on her district coordinators to check in. "Because of past experience in the affected counties, we can anticipate that there will be uninsured and underinsured families who will need our help," she said. Benson is chairwoman of the Governor's Disaster Recovery Partnership in Missouri. "Lots of United Methodists will be active in this response," she said.
     Illinois and Ohio are dealing with much of the same. The Illinois Great Rivers Conference has requested emergency grants from UMCOR to address flooding in both February and March.
     "Lots of flooding happened on the east side of town, the commercial area. People may be out of work for weeks," said the Rev. Paul Widicus, pastor of Harrisburg (Ill.) First UMC, where between 9 and 12 inches of rain fell in 24 hours during the week of March 17. Widicus expects a long summer of cleanup.
     United Methodists can support UMCOR's flood relief efforts with donations to Advance #901670. Write "Midwestern Floods" on the memo line of the check, and drop in local church collection plates or mail directly to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Online giving is available at www.givetomission.org. Offering envelopes will be in the April 13th bulletin.
               From a report by Susan J. Meister, Domestic Disaster Response Correspondent for UMCOR.
     This and many more items of interest may be found at www.umc.org

Christian Parenting Day

Saturday, April 5
8:am - 3:30pm
Laker High School - Pigeon
“Spring Training for the Family Team”

Call 269-8443 or 989-453-2558 for more information or visit their website: www.thumbmin.org.

Swiss Steak Dinner

Caring and Sharing

Deaths...

• Our Condolences to Dora and Steve Fobear, Jonathan, their family and friends on the passing of Dora’s sister-in-law, Nicky Huizar.
• Our Sympathy to Pauline Hulburt, her family and friends on the unexpected passing of her sister, Roberta Stine.
• Our Sympathies to Don and Kay Warner on the passing of Don’s mother in St. Louis, MO.

Birth...

Shayler Mary McIntyre born March 5 to Kurt and Kelli McIntyre. Shayler weighed 6 pounds 6 ounces and was 19 inches long. Grandparents are Rick and Mary Jane VanVliet and Megan is her new aunt.

In Your Prayers...
Rev. Paul & Rev. Linda; Tom & Elaine Proctor; Denise Jones (Leukemia); Maurice Joos; Mary Hutchinson; Thelma Graham; Bea Baker; Jack 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
Northwood Meadows, 6086 Beechwood, C.C.: John Marshall, Bob Keating, 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; Carolyn Chapman (Jamie Withey’s mother).
Service People: Mike Furness; Marc Inbody (Germany); Jason Jezewski (Montana); Tim Karr (Washington State); Josh Sherman (Ohio); Major Andy Hoffman (Amy Hoffmam’s brother - moving from Iraq to Kuwait).

Very Important People
(Volunteers are VIP’s)

• Decorating/Painting the Nursery: Michelle Erla
• Newsletters: Linda Derfiny (Proofreader); Viola Walker, Judy Profit, Carol Schaufele and Dailey Parrish
• Valentine Lunch Treats: Betsy Dillon and helpers. Also Sunday School kids for the Valentines.
• Stuffing envelopes: Viola Walker
• Those who prepared foods and attended the Lenten Potluck/Programs.
• Those who volunteer their time cleaning the church! From dusting furniture and floors to vacuuming and mopping from cleaning toilets to washing windows our volunteers keep the building looking nice. And thanks to those who realize they need to pickup after themselves by taking their used bulletins and other trash out of the pew racks each week.
• Easter Breakfast: You could say Easter Breakfast is a Family Affair! We are very grateful to the entire Czekai Family for their willingness to cook up the good food! Also, thanks to those who donated items for the meal.
• Arranging Easter Flowers: Linda Derfiny.

From the Mail Box:
From Marge Dickinson: Dear Church Family and United Methodist Women: Thank you for sharing with me the delicious food prepared for the UMW meeting. It was so good! And thanks for the pretty flowers, visits, prayers and cards I received. It was a special treat to receive the Valentine lunch. It has all helped get me back on my feet. God bless you all.
From Janet Francis: Dear Church Family: I would like to take a moment to thank everyone for their prayers, cards, flowers, and visits while I was in Tendercare. After 5 ½ months, I’m home! And with your prayers and support, I will continue to recover from my back surgery. It is wonderful to have such a caring Church Family. I can not tell you how much I appreciate everything.
From Esther Guinther: Friends, Thank you for your prayers. Also, I enjoyed the Valentine lunch. Thank you for your kindness.
From Dorothea Quick: Please use this contribution where needed. Thank you for prayers. Have a Happy Easter.
From Dick Wallace: A sincere thanks to our church family for remembering me with prayers, cards, visits and so much more. I appreciated the visits from Pastor Paul and also from Rev. Linda. Please continue to remember me in my upcoming surgery the middle of April.
From Pauline Hulburt: Thank you church family for the very delicious Valentine lunch. The corn chowder tasted so good as did the roll and cookie. Thanks also to Dora for bringing the lunch to me.
From Dora Fobear: Dear Church Family, Just a little note to say thank you for the kindness you showed my brother, Chris, and his family by holding the funeral dinner for my sister-in-law “Nicky” in our fellowship hall. It meant so much and not enough gratitude can be expressed to the ladies and gentlemen who set up tables and chairs, cooked the meal, served coffee, and donated food for the meal. I won’t name names for fear of forgetting someone. If you helped in any way - thank you. You are appreciated and precious.
From Clara Seeley: Dear Friends, Thank you so much for all the lovely surprises. Thank you, Morgan, for the pretty Valentine. God Bless.
From Lois Bockstanz: I wish to give my thanks for the bowl of chowder, roll and cookie which were delivered to me around Valentine’s Day. It is nice to be remembered by the church family.
From Helen Jezewski: I wish to thank the Cass City United Methodist Church for the delicious lunch and for the pretty Valentine from Brennen Winter and to Sherryl Seeley for being the delivery girl. Thank you!
From J.E. and Robert Smith: Thanks fo much for the lovely lunch you delivered to us for Valentine’s Day. Thanks again.
From Rosemary Gallaway: Thanks to the Cass City United Methodist Church for the Valentine’s lunch. The soup, cookie and roll were wonderful. Thanks also to Sherryl for delivering the lunch and to Mishelle for the Valentine. You are a good artist.
From Laura Bryant: I want to thank the Church for my Valentine lunch - I enjoyed it very much. Thank you to Austin Baker for the very pretty Valentine.
From Jenny Kappen: I want to thank all the people who helped make the nice Valentine lunch. It was so good! Special thanks to Morgan Erla for the pretty Valentine.

♪♫Thank you ♫♪     to  Steve Fobear and Glenda Wilson

     We are very grateful to Glenda and Steve for graciously changing job descriptions and filling different positions for several months. Steve moved from choir member to choir director. And Glenda went from director to accompaniment. When you see Steve and Glenda, give them your thanks for keeping the choir together and singing.
And a “Thank You” to Barb Kirn for filling in as director while Steve was ill.   

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“A Taste of Heaven 2008” benefit concert will be held at the First Baptist Church in Caro on Saturday, April 26 at 7:00pm. Not Ashamed, The Heritage Quartet and Cass Ferris are scheduled to raise funds for Chaplin Hazen and Forgotten Man Ministries in Caro. Freewill offering. Everyone is invited.

 Thanks be to God!