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.

The Bible Is the Book of God’s People

     I remember a church I served out in northeast Iowa. Prominently displayed on the Lord’s Table in the sanctuary was a large open bible, that had been indiscriminately turned to some text in the very middle (somewhere in Psalms) so that the bible would look nicely symmetrical as it sat there.
      Of course, no one could ever use that particular bible, because doing so would require that it be removed from the Lord’s Table, and the bible had been especially purchased as a memorial to be placed there as a permanent fixture.
       I found out the hard way. One day I decided that it was such a nice bible that it would be nice to place it on the lectern in the church so that it could be used there on Sunday morning by whomever it was that read the scriptures during the worship service. I mean, what better way to honor a bible could there be than to use it?
I remember what happened on the Monday morning that followed. One of the members of the church came to the parsonage and told me that I’d better put that bible back where it was because he and his wife had bought it for the church as a memorial to his mother; that if I didn’t put it back, he’d leave the church. I tried to explain why I’d moved it. But, the man wouldn’t listen to explanations. So, after he left, I went over to the church and put it back on the Lord’s Table.
        Of course, the explanation I tried to give is that the Lord’s Table is the place from which the Lord’s Supper is served; that the Lord’s Table is not, in itself, the center of worship, but is only one of those places in the sanctuary from which worship is conducted. Other places include the baptismal font, the lectern, the pulpit, the kneeling rail, the choir loft, the piano, the organ, and the pews, as well. Each place and part of worship has a purpose with a specific didactic significance.
Take the bible, for instance. It is read from the lectern. So, that’s where it belongs – where it is used. It was written and edited by the people of God for a specific purpose – to reveal God’s self to the people of God. In fact, in some churches, after a scripture is read, the reader may say, “The word of God for the people of God.”
Any time God reveals God’s self to us, whether it is when we read the scriptures, or pray, or sing a hymn, or hear a sermon, experience a sacrament, have fellowship, or engage in some form of ministry, we encounter God’s word. And it is in this process that the Holy Spirit is (or should be) especially active.
        Of course, it is possible to do any of the above things without knowingly encountering the word of God. For instance, a person can read the whole bible without any expectations whatsoever that God is going to reveal God’s self in that reading.
        On the other hand, God is a bit clever when it comes to the bible! There have been those who read the bible on one day, only to experience God’s revelation (involving that reading) years later! Very often, reading the bible and consequently experiencing God doesn’t happen all in one day!
        But, what’s important is remembering that the bible was written, edited, and maintained by people who, themselves, acted upon God’s revelation in their lives. It was a process that involved the interaction of the Holy Spirit.
       Reading the bible should, therefore, be a process like that, only in reverse. When we read the bible, the Holy Spirit interacts with us to bring about God’s revelation in our lives.
       And this isn’t a process that takes place in a vacuum. Rather, it is a process that best takes place as we engage in all the other things that God’s people are supposed to do as active members of the Body of Christ (worship, prayer, hymns, sermons, sacraments, bible study, fellowship, mission work, and so on).
       I sometimes shudder to think universities offer courses in the bible as only literature. Although I can understand why persons would want to know what is in the bible, it is sad to think folks might not know they should expect more of the bible than that. On the other hand, since God is clever in the way God works in our lives, it’s nice that some people start out reading the bible as literature.
      After all, you never know where God will take it from there!
      When I was in seminary I took a course called “Biblical Interpretation.” Taught by Dr. Harry Taylor, a pastor who had served for years in the Baltimore Conference, each class started with a prayer that God would reveal God’s self to us in what we studied that day.
      That’s a good prayer to pray every day, no matter what we may do!

Our Graduates

Picture unavailable:  Lauren Bennett
Graduating from Grand Valley State University:  Matt Stoutenburg

New this year!! We’ve moved from an early morning breakfast for our Grads and family to an after worship reception. You will have time to meet and greet our graduates right after worship in our fellowship hall. Make plans to stay for a time of fellowship and refreshments. Mark Sunday, May 4th on your calendar to congratulate our “Grads” and their family!

United Methodist Women

There will not be a May meeting for the UMW.

* * * *
“Honoring Our Mothers” Banquet

     Ladies of all ages are invited to share in a Salad Potluck on Saturday, May 10. The Social Time begins at 5:30pm with punch. The Buffet will be served starting at 6:00pm. Bring your favorite salad to share. Beverage, dessert and table service will be provided.
     The program will be a talent show of sorts provided by several youth from our congregation.

* * * *
Sunday, May 18 has been designated United Methodist Women’s Day. Rev. Linda Donelson will be the speaker. Ladies from our UMW will also lead other parts of our worship service.

* * * *
The United Methodist Women have given $1000 to the general fund to help pay for supplies.

Dorcas

Meal Stats: April 9
Menu: Chicken
Total Meals Served: 203
(Guests: 102; Take outs: 70; Workers: 31)
Total Received: $1,200.72

Menu for May 14: Meatloaf

This past month, Dorcas has given $2,500 to the Building Fund and $500 to the General Fund to help easy the tight financial situation.

United Methodist Men

     May 4 (Sunday) is the date for the UMM Spring Rally. It will be held at the First UMC in Port Huron. Dinner begins at 6:00pm.
     Tom Miller from Dexter, Michigan will be the guest speaker. Registration begins at 5:30. Cost is $10 and one non-perishable food item. Contact Melvin Scott by May 2nd at 1-810-765-8820 if you plan to attend.

Baker / Kinnaird Scholarships

     Applications for the Baker and Kinnaird Scholarships may be found in the kiosk or from the church office.
     To be eligible to share in these funds, the applicant must be a member of CCUMC, be enrolled in a college/university or trade school, full-time and is only eligible to receive such funds four times. Deadline to return your completed application is July 15th.
     The interest from these funds are divided equally among all applicants. The money will be awarded during worship on Sunday, August 10.
       We are very grateful to the Kinnaird Family for having the insight to first start this scholarship and equally grateful to the Baker Family for following in their footsteps helping increase the funds available each year.

CANS FOR CAMP

With summer approaching, family reunions, open houses and cookouts produce lots of empty bottles and cans. Consider saving your returnable bottles and cans for “Cans for Camp”. Remember the can/ bottle drive - will accept colored bottles as well!
You will find a tub in the east entry way for your donations but please make sure your cans and bottles are rinsed out.
If you need pickup, contact the Shermans at 872-4649. This is a great way to support camping!

Bread Bowl Soup Lunch

Our first Bread Bowl Soup Lunch was held on Sunday, April 20th. Five delicious soups were available. There were also a vast array of wonderful desserts - all for $5.00 for adults.

Our thanks to Janelle Dickinson and Pam Powell for getting the project off the ground! At this printing, $717.50 was raised for our Camp Fund.

We are very grateful to the following who helped prepare and serve soup and bread bowls: Stacy Steely, Marge Dickinson, Stephanie Baker, Beth Anthes, Lisa Winter, Laura Hill, Pam Powell and Janelle Dickinson. Also a big thank you to all those who contributed desserts.

Our campers pitched in serving beverages, bussing tables and taking tables and chairs down. We are grateful to: Brad, Brent, Austin and Lucas Baker, Macy and Curtis Dickinson, Mishelle Powell, Bobbie Sue Steely, Jordan and Jacob Kittle, Brennen and Chase Winter, and Robyn Hill.

Our Camp Fund Policy is to pay 2/3rds of the registration fee each year for each child to attend one camp of his or her choice at any United Methodist Camp. As wonderful as the Bread Bowl Soup’s $717.50 is, it is enough to send two children to the most popular sporting camps! Much work remains.

If you would like to make a donation to our Camp Fund to give our children a Christian camping experience, you may send your contribution to the church via offering plate or mail. Please mark it: Camp Fund.

Prayer Works

The 57th Annual National Day of Prayer will take place Thursday, -May 1, 2008. The theme for this year is "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield" and is based on the verse from Psalm 28:7 which states: "The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped."

Dr. Ravi Zacharias will help lead this nation in prayer as the 2008 Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. Through the efforts of the Task Force, more than 35,000 prayer gatherings will be conducted by approximately 40,000 volunteers across the country. Several million people are expected to participate in this call to prayer for our nation, its leaders and citizens.

If you would like more information on this and other planned events, visit their website at: www.nationaldayofprayer.net

The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.
–Theodore M. Hesburgh

Pictorial Directory
Dates: June 26, 27, 28 and 30th

It was 2003 when our last directory was published. We have had many changes in these last five years. As with any directory, it is very important to have everyone’s picture in the book. And as with every photo shoot, you are under no obligation to purchase any pictures; however we do ask you take the time to pick out the photo you would like to have in the directory. You will receive one 8 x10 color photo and a copy of the new directory for free. Everyone will also receive a coupon for a 20% discount for purchasing photos because we are having our shoot before the end of July.

Remember when.... you came in one day to have your picture taken and then rescheduled another appointment a couple of weeks later to view the pictures and even more time to order them? Those days are gone!

Make time following your appointment for viewing your photos to pick the one you want in the directory. At this same time you will be able to purchase any pictures YOU may want. If you don’t want to or can’t purchase any others, just be clear with the associate. You are not obligated to buy pictures. There will be some families from the congregation wanting to purchase family portraits and such; this is where the company will see the profit.

Complete family portraits can be taken - we just need to block out enough appointments to accommodate single and family groups. Even if other members of your family do not attend here, they can come to be included in your group sitting. These would make great gifts for anniversaries, birthdays and Christmas.

If you will be away at this time but would like to be included in the directory, please let us know so we can get you in at another church having Life Touch photographers.


Volunteers are needed. Contact Linda asap!

• One or two people are needed as the overall coordinators. Besides making sure other helpers get their tasks done promptly, you would assist in choosing the cover, font style, page styles and picking out pictures for the activity pages. The majority of the layout will be done digitally on the church computer.
• There will be two Sundays when the sign-up rosters will be available for people to select their times to be photographed. We need one or two people for each Sunday.
• Phone Calls to those who haven’t registered and reminder phone calls will need to be made. The more helpers, the less calling for each person!! Homebound folks could easily do this task.
• Two sets of two host/hostesses will be needed for each day of picture taking - probably 4 hour shifts. The photographers will need you to print names on forms and keep the folks ready to go in.
• And most importantly, we need people to learn the church’s digital camera for taking pictures at upcoming activities. Can’t go wrong with digital - you just take another picture!! The ones that don’t turn out are deleted - gone forever at no cost! We need group shots, individual shots and candid shots.

Reminder

Vacation Bible School
Sunday, July 20 - Thursday, July 24
6:00-8:00pm
“Beach Party”
Surfing through the Scriptures

If you can help, contact Lori Inbody or the church office.

Be Thinking GARAGE SALE!!

As you are doing your spring cleaning, keep the UMW’s Garage Sale in mind for those good, gently-used household items. There is some room in the back shed
if you must move stuff out, but if you could wait until the end of May, items could be stored in the Sunday School area.

Please be considerate - if you wouldn’t purchase the item from a sale, then don’t bring it in for others to carry to the dumpster. Furniture, appliances, tools, toys, sporting and exercising equipment, bedding, pots and pans, dishes and clean clothing will be welcomed.

Sherryl Seeley and Connie Schwaderer are the people in charge of this event. If you have ideas or questions, they will be glad to talk with you.

Ball Game

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.

“A Journey Through Grief”

The United Hospice Service invites you to “A Journey Through Grief” on Thursday, May 15 at 6:00pm. The dinner and program will be at Shaggy J’s Restaurant, 7232 Michigan Ave., Pigeon.

Come hear Father Rick Schark shares his personal journey through grief and hope after the tragic death of his entire family. Randy Loco will provide vital information on how to help ourselves when death occurs.

This event is open to the public and free of charge, but reservations are required. Please call 1-800-635-7490 extension 4134. Deadline to RSVP is May 12.

Bay Shore News

18th Annual Father & Son
Catfishing Tournament

Bay Shore Camp invites you to come for the fun of catfishing on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10.

Fish from the shore or from a boat, but come and fish with your son, grandson, or any male that likes to wet the worm.

Rev. Rick Jewett, from Westland Michigan will lead the devotions.

Cost is $50.00 for the Captain, $30 for each additional fisherman regardless of age. All fishermen age 17 and older must have their own fishing license.

Contact the camp at 989-883-2501.

Camp Spring Clean Up

Calling all helpers! Saturday, May 3rd will be the annual spring clean up day at the camp - from 9am to 3pm. General grounds maintenance and raking will highlight the day. Other projects may include working on the low-ropes course and/or installing additional bunk bed safety rails.

Call Walt at 1-989-551-1900 or 989-883-2501 to volunteer. Coffee and donuts will await workers along with lunch.

Family Fun Days at Bay Shore Camp

Mark your calendar for a weekend full of fun for the family at Bay Shore Camp.
Friday, June 6 - Sunday, June 8.

Contact Bay Shore at 989-883-2501 or on the web at www.bayshorecamp.org.

Couples’ Retreat
with Randy & Marli Brown

The Salem UMC of Pigeon invites you to a Couples’ Retreat on Friday, May 9 from 7 - 9pm and Saturday, May 10 from 9am - 1:3opm.
Randy & Marli Brown have been married for 19 years and are the parents of two children. They are talented musicians and inspiring speakers.
Retreat topics are:
        How to effectively communicate.
        Forgiveness
        Guarding Love
        A Love that Serves
        Choosing Commitment
        Persevering Love through the Years
A freewill offering will be taken. Please call Salem UMC to register (989)453-2552.
Visit: www.randyandmarli.com .

Memorial Gifts

As our country remembers those service people who have given their lives for us to enjoy our freedom, our church will dedicate gifts purchased this past year in memory of loved ones. This will happen on Sunday, May 25th at 11:00am.
Mark you calendar and make plans to share in this dedication service.

Remembering Our Mothers

For a daughter, the loss of a mother is one of life’s major events. No matter how long ago your loss occurred, the feelings of loss as well as appreciation remain.
You are cordially invited to join us for a very special time....
Saturday, May 10, 2008
10am to noon
Caro United Methodist Church,
670 W. Gilford Rd., Caro.
Program
Buffet Luncheon
Musical Entertainment
Special Readings
A Time for Sharing
“Memories of Mom” craft
(Please bring $5 to share in the cost of the scrapbook page project and 2-5 photographs of your Mom to share and to be used with your craft project.)
For more information and to make a reservation, please call the United Hospice Service office at (989) 635-4134 by Monday May 5th.
This is sponsored by the Bereavement Support Program of United Hospice Service of Marlette Regional Hospital.

On the Beaches of Normandy

During World War II, the Allies carried out amphibious assault landings on June 6, 1944. In the ensuing battle, thousands of young men and women lost their lives. Not far from the landing site, there is now a very large well-groomed cemetery with a beautiful chapel at one end. In the chapel one finds an altar of black and gold Pyrenees marble engraved with the inscription: I Give Unto Them Eternal Life And They Shall Never Perish.

In graves in front of the chapel, lie the bodies of 9,387 service men and women. Each headstone identifies the person buried there, with the exception of 307 whose bodies were unidentified. Nearby there is a stone table telling of 1,557 men and women who died in battle but whose bodies were never found.

Walking through the cemetery is a heart-rending experience. Tears come easily. Here are generals buried beside privates, blacks beside whites, Jews beside Christians, Americans from 49 states plus the District of Columbia and Guam. Each paid the ultimate sacrifice. All died for freedom.

All died on our behalf.

As we prepare for Memorial Day, we might well ask ourselves: “Am I worth their sacrifice? Am I grateful to them? What might I be willing to give to bring peace and freedom to the world?”
                                                          The Newsletter Newsletter, Communications Resources, Canton, OH

Mom-TO-Mom

The Cass City PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is sponsoring a fund raiser. They have tables to rent for $10.00 for anyone wanting to display their lightly used garage sale items. There will be a bake sale and drawings.

The event will be held in the Middle School Gym on Saturday, May 10 from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Admission charge will be: $2.00 per person. Children under 10, free.
One-stop shopping under warm, dry conditions.

For more information and to reserve a table, contact Sloan Stimpfel - 872-4825.

Pentecost

Pentecost Sunday, the seventh Sunday after Easter, is one of the greatest mission festivals of the Christian year. Pentecost is also linked to baptism and rebirth in Christ. In many congregations, individuals confess their faith and join the church on Pentecost. Methodism's founders, John and Charles Wesley, published a small collection of Pentecost poems and hymns that celebrated God's presence and love.1 "United Methodists, heirs of the Wesleyan witness and zeal, are today servants of God's Spirit in expanding God's love around the earth. . . . as we celebrate the birthday of the Church, as we remember our baptisms, and as we rejoice in the presence of God through the Holy Spirit, let us also commit ourselves to become stronger mission witnesses to God's new-created world of grace and love."2

1 John and Charles Wesley, Hymns of Petition and Thanksgiving for the Promise of the Father (1746).
2 The Rev. R. Randy Day, General Secretary, General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church, Pentecost 2004: To New-Create a World of Grace

Caring and Sharing

Deaths...
     Our Condolences to Morris and Pam Powell, Mallory, Mishelle, Megan and Jason Barrigar, their family and friends on the passing of Morris’s aunt, Mirinda Molnar of Garden City and also, the father of their sister-in-law passed away the same week.
    Our Sympathy to Maurice Joos, his family and friends on the passing of his brother-in-law, Norris Diebel.
     Our Condolences to Don Greenleaf, Sharon and Ed Fox, their family and friends on the passing of their cousin, Marjory Battel.
     Our Sympathies to Janis and Sherryl Seeley, Clara Seeley, their family and friends on the death of their aunt and Clara’s sister-in-law, Isabelle Seeley.

Wedding...
     Best Wishes and Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. Andres and Michelle Wells, who were married on April 22 in Hawaii. They will be making their home in Portage. Michelle is the daughter of Dan and Linda Derfiny.

In Your Prayers... Rev. Paul & Rev. Linda; Tom & Elaine Proctor; Laura Hill; Gallbladder surgeries: Jenny Kappen and Viola Walker; Keith Czekai (appendectomy); 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); Josh Sherman (Ohio); Major Andy Hoffman (Amy Hoffman’s brother - Kuwait); Ben Wheeler (Iraq -Lori Inbody’s god-son).

From the Mail Box:
From Stuart and Vera Nicol: Thank you so much for the Valentine Lunch that you sent. It was very much appreciated. The soup was very good, also the cookies. The Valentines the kids made were really cute. Thanks Jade and Jordan.
From Jenny Kappen: I want to thank everyone for their prayers, flowers, cards and any phone calls or visits while I was in the hospital or home. This is the time that reminds you what a wonderful church family you have. Thank you.
From Dick Wallace: Sincere thanks to UMW Ladies and all who tied a knot and said a prayer for me. To Louise for the spiritual words when she delivered the prayer quilt. Once again, Judy and I would like to thank the entire congregation and Pastor Paul for prayers, support and concern shown to us.

Did You Know?
Pentecost, celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter, commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles in Jerusalem. The image of the tongues of fire which symbolizes the Holy Spirit, inspired the United Methodist cross and flame emblem. Source:
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/resources/annual/pentecost/

Stats

Thanks be to God!

Worship Assistants for May

Greeters

Readers / Children’s Message

Greeting & Praise

Sound / Projection

Ushers: Captain: Randy Damm

May 4   (not available at printing
      11
      18 Louise Buehrly, Pat O’Donohue
           Shirley Wisenbach, Carol Schaufele
      25

Communion Steward:

Mary Jane VanVliet.   All communions will be served by Intinction (Chalice and Loaf). To preserve the integrity of worship and protect the health of our congregation, the pastor and whomever else serves bread will wear food service gloves. They will tear off a generous piece of bread, dip it into the juice, and place it in your cupped hands.

Acolyte

Altar Guild

Flowers

(Please use real flowers and plants.)

        May    4
                 11 Bob & Barb Stickle
                 18
                 25 Doug & Ardis Monore and Dolly Misch

Lock Up