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"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be
hidden....let your light shine before others, that they may see
your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." --Jesus
(Matthew 5:14-16)NIV |
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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.
Service/Event Cancellation
We are going to make this simple. If the weather conditions are bad, never venture out if you do not feel really, really safe in doing so. If there is ice - do not attempt traveling. No meeting, no program or service is worth taking the risk of being hurt in an accident, being stuck or in the ditch, or injured in a fall. The Caro and Bad Axe radio stations will be called if Worship or Dorcas should be cancelled. Having said this,
the UM Women usually go ahead with their luncheons. (Call 872-4604 to see if anyone is in the kitchen to answer the phone. If no one answers, assume the event is cancelled.)
Dorcas goes on as planned. (Listen to the Caro or Bad Axe radio stations.)
and choir members will receive a phone call if choir is cancelled.
Again, do not travel unless you feel really, really safe in doing so and if there is ice - don’t attempt traveling.
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
Five Week Sermon/Study Series Beginning January 25th
United Methodist Bishop Robert Schnase, of the Missouri Conference,
has written a book and study series entitled, Five Practices of Fruitful
Congregations, published by Abingdon Press last year.
One of the things that Bishop Schnase has noticed about our denomination is something about which most all of us have become aware – most United Methodist churches aren’t growing, but are actually declining in attendance and membership.
So, the question is what can we who love the church do about it?
Schnase offers five suggestions: We need to practice 1.) radical hospitality, 2.) passionate worship, 3.) intentional faith development, 4.) and extravagant generosity.
Certainly, these words sound dangerous, edgy, and maybe provocative, but the intent is to push the boundaries: from welcoming those like us to hospitality with those unlike us; from offering good worship to worship at its very best; from Christian education that is stable or stagnant to faith development that is intentional and lifelong; from mission that is safe and predictable to service that is risky and sacrificial; and from stewardship that is constricted by scarcity to generosity that is extravagant in response to God’s abundant grace.
In writing about a church that he loves, Bishop Schnase exposes our denominational weaknesses by telling the truth about shrinking churches, haphazard worship, a lack of interest in those beyond the walls of our buildings, our financial limitations, while also calling us to a way of life that is expectant, vibrant and transformational.
Sermon and study series starts January 25th:
During the worship services from January 25th to February 22 I will be preaching on each of these topics from the bishop’s book. I will also offer printed daily devotions for church members to use during the week.
Evening Potluck-Study Series
Then, at 6:00, on the evenings of each of those five Sundays, we will be having an hour-long dinner/study wherein we will focus more on these areas for our church.
Please Sign Up!
The congregation is invited to participate in the evening dinner-studies. Each one will be a potluck. Everyone can bring a simple Sunday evening snack type of food to pass.
Sign up at church to be a part of the evening study.
The bishop’s book, costing $14.50, will be made available to all who wish to participate in the study. So, to order enough, we need to know how many want to participate. A donation will be taken to help defray the cost of the books.
DVDs have also been made available to use for the study. So, that ought to make things even more interesting!
Bishop Robert Schnase coming to Lapeer United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 7!
(See separate article in this newsletter.) This will be an all-day event. I would like to see as many as is possible from our church attend this event.
Group Highlights
Dorcas
Meal Statistics for December
Menu: Chicken
Total Meals Served: 176
(Guests: 81; Take-outs: 65; Workers: 30)
Deposit: $1,122.00
Next Dorcas Dinner is Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at noon. Get ready
for a Roast Beef Dinner!
United Methodist Women
2009 begins with a noon luncheon meeting on Monday, January 5. Group 2, with hostess Judy Wallace and a yet to be named partner. Shirley Wagg will lead the Pledge Service.
All ladies of the church are encouraged to come for lunch and the program.
Ladies’ Christmas Dinner
December 1 wasn’t the best weather for the annual dinner, but the
ladies didn’t let it get in the way! There was a tremendous turnout. The
dining room was very lovely with each table reflecting a nativity scene
and special tableware and decorations.
Judy Wallace sends her gratitude to those ladies who shared their artistic talents by decorating tables (some did two tables) and those who hosted tables: Glenda Wilson, Kathy Tuckey, Yvonne Sherman, Ashley Patrick, Elaine Thies, Melody Frankowski, Connie Schwaderer, Linda Marshall, Dora Fobear, Louise Buehrly, Chris Allen, Jane Mitchell, Shirley Wisenbach, Sherryl Seeley, and Judy Wallace’s daughter, Kim.
We thank Judy Wallace for her inspiration and enthusiasm for this
project! Thank you to Connie Schwaderer, Shirley Wisenbach, Sherryl
Seeley and Melody Frankowski who helped prepare the meal. (Pistachio
nuts! These gals never want to hear them mentioned again. They opened
hundreds of shells by hand!! Now you know why the meal tasted so good.
It was appreciated.) Men, including Jacob Kittle, served the meal and
cleaned up while the ladies enjoyed the music of Crossover!
The Recipe
Make Ahead Chicken (or Turkey) Bake
5 cups of cubed cooked chicken
2 cups chopped celery
5 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
1 can (10-3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon pimientos, optional
1 teaspoon finely chopped onions
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1 can (3 oz) chow mein noodles
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Transfer to a greased 3 qt. baking dish: sprinkle with cheese, chow mein noodles and almonds. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Remove the casserole from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes until lightly browned and cheese is bubbly. Yield 12 servings.
Bazaar Notes
God is so good! It is really hard to imagine a successful bazaar with the state of our economy, but in spite of or because of it, our ladies came away with another successful event. Money still seems to be dwindling in but we are going to call the total: $6,851.16.
Later, we will know what missions will be blessed by getting a share
of the proceeds. The UMW also uses these funds to further the ministry
and programs of CCUMC like: Upper Room devotionals in regular and large
print are provided free to the congregation, nursery care is covered by
the UMW, supplies for luncheons and funeral dinners are paid with these
funds, special mission recognitions and studies are among many other
projects sponsored by the women.
Getting ready for the 2009 Bazaar: Year end sales are a great way to get items for next year’s Straw Draw. There are many gift sets and items marked down so pick up a couple of things to expand the selection at the table. Remember, items for men, women, teens and children are appreciated. After Christmas, you may use the brown box in the north closet for your Straw Draw items if you don’t want to store them until next fall. (I say this because.... as I was cleaning off a shelf last week, I found a sealed box. I was surprised to find two math games I had ordered for Christmas presents for the grandkids in 2007! Getting older is such a joy! Linda)
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. – Antoine de Saint-Exupery Newsletter/Newsletter Jan. ‘03
Secret Sisters’ Brunch
The first Saturday of December ends a year of sending secret cards and gift giving. Connie Schwaderer and Bette Lou Hurford prepared the brunch. The group often was small but everyone enjoyed finding out who their "sister" had been. Some had guessed wrong!! Good job for the many sneaky ways to disguise handwriting! New names were drawn for 2009.
Great Thoughts from Martin Luther King, Jr.
On excellence: "If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven played music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He shoud sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well."
On repentance: "We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people."
On character: "I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
On courage: "We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear."
On hope: "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."
Communications Resources, Newsletter Newsletter, January ‘03.
Pictures from Liberian Task Force
Greetings from our Sister Church
Hi, Rev. Donelson:
Your Prayer Circle Handout was received with great excitement and joy. Since our covenant relationship two years ago, we have been praying for your Congregation and family.
We finally met your District Superintendent, Rev. Peggy Paige, and the rest of the Liberia Task Force Team that we hosted in our parsonage. The Team included: Rev. James E. Burnett, Rev. Maureen V. Baker, and Mr. Robert Bernum.
We hope and pray that your family are all well. We, too, solicit your prayers for the total completion of our Church’s renovation project work that we started in June, 2008.
May God continue to lead, guard and direct us in our various services.
Kindest regards, Yours in Christ,
Rev. David T. Bondo
Senior Pastor
First UMC, LAC/UMC
Greenville, Sinoe County
Liberia, West Africa
Cultivating Fruitfulness
A second opportunity to study from Bishop Robert Schnase will be offered on Saturday, March 7 when the Port Huron District meets at the Trinity UMC in Lapeer. Except that Rev. Schnase will be leading the event in person! It will be almost two weeks after Rev. Paul’s 5-week sermon series and study ends here at CCUMC. You will want to sign up for both opportunities. Bishop Schnase will lead the workshops.
It will be a day set aside to consider what each of us is doing in our church to help make disciples for Jesus Christ, and how to do it with enthusiasm! Our District Superintendent, Rev. Peggy Paige, introduced us to the seeds of hope at our Annual Charge Conference in November. She says that it is now time to start Cultivating Fruitfulness.
By attending the workshop, you will receive Bishop Schnase’s book "Cultivating Fruitfulness" as a gift from the Port Huron Council on Ministries.
Robert Schnase is at the forefront of an emerging movement that is energizing Christian churches around the world. Rev. Schnase is a native of south Texas, graduated from Perkins School of Theology in Dallas in 1981. He had served for a year as pastor of a Methodist circuit of five churches in England before returning to Texas where he led churches along the border with Mexico. In 2004, he was elected bishop and was assigned to lead United Methodists in Missouri.
The day long workshop costs $10. Lunch can be provided if we have our registrations in by February 20. If you would like to attend, please contact Rev. Paul or the church office to get on the list!
Our Float Won a Trophy!!
Thank you to Judy Wallace and her never-ending inspiration! Many
months ago, she reported she was prepared to decorate a float for the
Christmas Lighted Parade in Cass City. True to her word, she and her
helpful crews put together a beautiful float with the theme, No matter
the season, Jesus is the reason. It won the best float for an
organization.
Her helpers were: Dick Wallace, Bob and Barb Wood, Melody Frankowski,
Gerald Auten and Keith Mitchell who put the float together. Those who
assisted in the tear down were: Rod Sherman, Ron Kittle, Steve and Dora
Fobear, Bob and Barb Wood, Louise Buehrly and Dick Wallace. Thank you to
Don Ball for the use of his building for working on the float, Stuart
and Vera Nicol for lights and Lori and Mary Inbody for trees.
To Get the Most From the Coming Year, we must put the most into it; and we put the most into it by living in a spirit of earnestness, not trifling with the golden hours, but receiving each as a precious gift from God. Only such earnest purpose makes the day a blessing, insures progress from good to better, and causes us to live in eternity while we are in time. -- James Freeman Clarke Newsletter Newsletter,Jan.’03
Usher Handout
Last September, the Worship Team requested a training event for everyone who ushers or might usher. The turnout was very small. The Worship Team still fills it is important for everyone to work toward the goals of the following guidelines.
Duties of Ushers
As a rule of thumb, there should be four ushers on duty, each Sunday.
The Head Usher (often called the Head Usher because they are at the "head" of who is coming through the entrances).
should be in the narthex and alternate between the main entrance and narthex, directing people to the sanctuary, or any other place in the church a person (especially a visitor might need to go).
should also keep an eye on the south entrance to see if anyone with a walker or wheelchair may need help with the door.
Continues the job that the greeters are doing, trying to welcome people by name as they come through. If the person’s name isn’t known, head usher should keep track of the person and try to find out the person’s name.
Generally, stays in the narthex area throughout the service to welcome late comers, detaining them from entering the sanctuary during prayers or at other inappropriate times. Persons may be offered seats in the narthex until it is more appropriate for them to enter the sanctuary.
Keeps an eye on children and/or other persons who are "walking around" during the worship service. It may be fine to go see what they’re doing and, in some cases, suggest that they return to the sanctuary.
Keep an ear on the telephone and answer it, saying – "Cass City United Methodist Church." If it is an emergency call for a church member, immediately and discreetly go to that member in the sanctuary and quietly inform him/her of the call, ushering him/her to the phone. Otherwise, take a message and leave it on the office desk.
Sanctuary ushers
One sanctuary usher is in charge of each of the three sections of the sanctuary. There are three doors. The middle door serves the center of the sanctuary. The side doors serve each side of the sanctuary.
As people come to the sanctuary doors, the usher should welcome them by name, if possible, or take note of persons whose names are not known or of who may be a visitor.
As much as is possible, the usher should lead each person, couple, or family to their place in the sanctuary. The usher may already know where they want to sit. Or, the usher may suggest a place. However, the usher should precede persons down the aisle to their pew and then offer them bulletins as they are being seated. Otherwise, bulletins should not be just passed out at the door, unless there is simply no time to usher in persons and/or family groups, specially.
Sanctuary ushers should stay in the sanctuary during the worship service, as much as it is possible, to keep a lookout for persons in the sanctuary who may need special assistance.
The persons in our congregation who know CPR are Jane Mitchell, Bob Smith, Ed Stoutenburg, Susan Stoutenburg, and Morgan Erla. For 911 calls use the phone in the office. Just pick up the receiver and dial 911.
It is very important that ushers, themselves, remember the fact that this is a worship service; that the time during the worship service is a time for them to be worshiping, as well, in addition to the other duties listed here. It is not a time for a discussion in the narthex nor a smoke out in the parking lot!
Offering: According to scripture, the offering is taken after the Passing of the Peace, and just before communion. When the passing of the peace is nearly finished the pastor will usually say, "Let us offer our tithes and gifts to Almighty God." The plates for the offering should be on the table in the narthex. The ushers may simply bring those plates down to the front of the congregation and begin taking the offering. When the Doxology is played, two of the ushers may bring the offering to the pastor, or simply lay the plates on the Lord’s Table. As soon as they have done so, the ushers may stand at the Lord’s table and wait for the pastor to pray the prayer of Thanksgiving, or they may immediately turn around and return to the back of the church.
Communion: The bread and cup may sometimes be placed on the table in the narthex to be brought up by ushers with the offering during the singing of the Doxology. At other times, the bread and the cup are placed on the Lord’s Table before the worship service begins.
When the congregation is invited to partake of the Lord’s Supper, the two ushers should start in center aisle in the front, inviting people to approach the servers at the Lord’s Table. Those who partake may return to their seats via the side aisles, making a circle around the outside of the sanctuary seating.
Ushers should keep track of those who cannot physically get to the Lord’s Table and help the servers find those persons at the end of the serving time.
6. After the worship service. There is a checklist on the clipboard for an assigned usher to use to close the building and turn off the lights. n
Please take time to examine the bulletin basket, especially the
clipboards. There are two usher clipboards every week:
- one with the attendance form and emergency names,
- the other has closing instructions.
From time to time, there will be clipboards needing to be passed.
Read notes attached to them and proceed with the instructions. Please
keep your eye on where the clipboards go and keep them moving until
everyone (both sides of sanctuary/chair area/choir) has had the chance
to sign it/them. Sometimes there is only one clipboard which would need
more help in reaching everyone. When done, put them back in the bulletin
basket. The yellow folder contains duplicates for the Reader and Praise
Time leader.
Officers and Leaders for 2009
Members of Administrative Council
All whose names appear in this box have voice and vote
and are encouraged to attend every meeting.
Chairperson
Jane Mitchell(09)
Lay Leader Rod Sherman (09)
Vice-Chair ____________(11)
UMW President (elected by UMW) Connie Schwaderer(11)
Ministry Team Chairs
Education Pam Powell (09)
Worship Laura Hill (10)
Witness and Outreach Dora Fobear (10)
Trustees (elected by Trustees) _____________(09)
Staff/Parish Relations Betsy Dillon (09)
Finance
Bob Tuckey (10)
Camping Recruitment Janelle Dickinson (09)
Youth Member Jacob Kittle (10)
The Pastor Paul G. Donelson (16)
Lay Member to Annual Conference Sherryl Seeley (09)
Reserve Lay Member to Annual Conference Jane Mitchell (10)
Financial Secretaries Connie Schwaderer (10)
Beth Kittle (11)
Church Treasurer
Sherryl Seeley (09)
Memorial and Endowment Fund Treasurer Connie Schwaderer (09)
Recording Secretary Beth Kittle (09)
Building Fund Treasurer _____________(10)
Historian Doris Jones (10)
Members at Large
(09) Eleanor Truemner (10) Donna Adams (11) Alethea Misch
(09) Melody Frankowski (10) Ellen Stoutenburg (11) Ron Geiger
(09)Ted
Furness
(10) Linda Derfiny
Administrative Ministry Teams: (Meeting separately from Ad. Council)
Nominating and Leadership Development – Chair: The Pastor
(09)_____________ (10) Char Fahrner (11) Barbara Tuckey
(09) Suzie Chappel (10) Doris Jones (11) Morris Powell
(09) Joyce McPhail (10) Donna Adams
Ex-officio Member – Lay Leader: Rod Sherman
Staff/Pastor Parish Relations – Chair: Betsy Dillon(09)
(09) Donna Adams (10) Ron Kittle (11) Keith Czekai
(09) Betsy Dillon (10) Yvonne Sherman (11) Marge Dickinson
(09) Dave Weiler (10) Barb Kirn (11) _______________
Ex-officio Member – Lay Member to Annual Conf.: (09) Sherryl Seeley
Finance – Chair: Bob Tuckey (10)
(09) Bette Lou Hurford
(10) Ron Geiger (11) Suzie Chappel
(09) Morris Powell (10) Shirley Wagg (11) Doris Jones
Ex-officio Members – The Pastor, Lay Member to Ann. Conference (Sherryl
Seeley),
Chair of Ad. Council (Jane Mitchell), Lay Leader (Rod Sherman), Trustee
Representative
(appointed by Trustees), Financial Secretaries (Beth Kittle, Connie
Schwaderer),
Church Treasurer (Sherryl Seeley), Building Fund Treasurer (_________),
Memorial Fund Treasurer (Connie Schwaderer).
Trustees – Chairperson elected yearly by Trustees
(09) Ted Furness (10) Pam Powell (11) Mick Kirn
(09) Eleanor Truemner (10) Ron Kittle (11) Shirley Wisenbach
(09) Gary Jones
(11)_______________
(09) Roy Wagg
Program Ministry Team
(Meeting separately from the Administrative Council)Education – Chair: Pam Powell (09)
Teachers: Margaret Czekai, Lori Inbody, Laura Hill, Rev. Paul Donelson,
Rev. Linda Donelson, Someone from the Genesis Class, UM Youth Fellowship.
Age Level Coordinators:
Children’s Ministries: Lori Inbody (09)
Youth Ministries: Ron and Beth Kittle (10)
Adult and Family: Gerald Auten (09)
Worship – Chair: Laura Hill (10)
The pastor, organist, pianists, praise team, directors of choirs, Lay
Leader, and representatives from Greeters, Ushers, Sound, Altar Guild,
Nursery, and Communion Stewards.
Mission – Chair: ___________
(09) Barb Kirn (10) Don Greenleaf (11)
Witness and Outreach – Chair: Dora Fobear
(10) Opal Schneeberger (10) Jill Leeson (10) Ron Kittle
(10) Ruth Ramsey Membership Secretary: (11) Donna Adams
Worship Coordinators
(working under the direction of the Worship Ministry Team):Usher Coordinators
(09)___________ (10) Randy Damm (11) Bea Baker
(09) Dennis Hill (10) Esther Guinther (11) John Merchant
Greeter Coordinators
(09) Char Fahrner (10) Doris Jones (11) Ardis Monroe
(09) Opal Schneeberger (10) Ann Milligan (11) Joan Merchant
Communion Steward
(09) Dora Fobear (10) Ardis Monroe (11) Mary Jane VanVliet
(09) Shirley Wisenbach (10) Ruth Wichert (11)_____________
Nursery Coordinator
(09) Michelle Erla (10) Laura Merchant (11) Ashley Patrick
(09) Nikki Czekai (11) Stacey Steely
Altar Guild
(09) Gil & Connie Schwaderer (10) Roy & Shirley Wagg (11) Caren Clara
(09) Jay & Shirley Wisenbach (10) Bob & Barb Stickle (11) John &
Melody Frankowski
Memorial Ministry Team (working under the direction of the Trustees)
Chair/Treasurer: Connie Schwaderer (10)
Ex-officio members: The Pastor, Lay Leader, Ad. Council Secretary; and Representatives from Trustees, UMW, and Worship.
This 'n That
Mission Trip to Mexico
Volunteers are needed to build a casita, teach Bible School, provide
medical and dental care, help at the mission site, and share Christ's
love. Walt and Becky Kline
wmkline_home@sbcglobal.net from Midland First UMC are organizing two
teams. Choose between week 1 - February 14-21, 2009 or week 2- February
21-28, 2009. The cost is $300 per week plus transportation to South
Texas. Bill and Edra Edwards
wmgedra@281.com will be the United Methodist hosts at Rio Bravo.
Walt and Becky Kline can be reached at 989-631-7881
Duane and Terry Townley (989-835-7564)
VIM Co- Coordinators for the Detroit Conference
6112 Siebert
Midland, MI 48640
I’ve learned that how you do your work is a portrait of yourself.
–Author Unknown
A Call "To Witness" from our
District Superintendent, Rev. Peggy Paige
The mission of The United Methodist Church, reaffirmed at the 2008 General Conference, is "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."
When persons become professing members of the United Methodist Church in addition to the vows currently found in ¶217 they will be asked to affirm two revised vows:
-To be loyal to Christ through The United Methodist Church and do all in their power to strengthen its ministries; (2008 Book of Discipline ¶217.5) and
-To faithfully participate in its ministries by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service, and their witness. (2008 Book of Discipline ¶217.6)
Paragraph 217.6 had become the United Methodist membership mantra: "prayers, presence, gifts and service." In some of our congregations, these words became the only "membership vows" many of our people knew, despite the fact that our Discipline names all the vows of the baptismal covenant as requirements for professing membership. The vows of "prayers, presence, gifts and service" were primarily "inwardly" focused and institutional in character. They offered little insight or inspiration for disciples of Jesus Christ to engage in God’s mission of transforming the world. Adding "and witness" to the list may help our members, new and old, to recognize their responsibilities not only to "show up," but to "show forth" God’s saving love in all that we do.
An unknown writer of an African American spiritual wrote, "Who’ll be a witness for my Lord?" The question begs our response.
Will you be a witness in 2009 sowing seeds of hope and love everywhere in the Port Huron District and beyond?
Caring and Sharing
Deaths...
...We send our sympathies to Donna Adams on the death of a good friend, Judy, from Ohio.
...Our Deepest Condolences to Nikki and Keith Czekai, Tyler and Heather, their families and friends on the untimely passing of Nikki’s father, Tom Mason, of Linwood just a week after his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
In Your Prayers... Rev. Paul & Rev. Linda; Carol Schaufele (cancer treatment); Ray Mauer (cancer treatment - surgery to come); Elmer Francis and Viola Walker (heart caths); Brian Mallory; Donna Auten; Elaine Proctor; Dorothy Knight; Denise Jones (Leukemia); Maurice Joos; Mary Hutchinson; Thelma Graham (broken hip); Ray Arnold; Bea Baker; Rev. Bob & Charlene Garrett; Winifred Lamb; Betty Scofield; Marilyn Morgan; Barney & Ruth Hoffman; Laura Bryant; 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, Don Buehrly
Northwood Meadows, 6086 Beechwood, C.C.: John Marshall, Fritz Pomeroy, Marv Hobart, Tom Proctor.
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 (Kentucky); Marc Inbody (South Carolina);Josh Sherman (Ohio); Ben Wheeler (Iraq -Lori Inbody’s god-son); Tim Karr (re-enlisted - Washington); Dr. Paul Huddleston (Roger & Linda Marshall’s son-in-law just completed his 4th tour of duty in Afghanistan.)
From the Mail Box:
From the Community Thanksgiving Dinner Committee: The Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner Committee would like to thank you for providing your wonderful facilities for food preparation and dining. It is this type of community effort that makes this affair possible. We want you to know that we do, sincerely, thank you for your part in making this project a success. Sincerely, Scott Mills and Rich Little - co-chairmen.
From Leah Sherman: Warm thanks for the care package that I received recently. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the enclosed goodies. It is always a happy surprise and the envy of all of my roommates and friends to receive such a thoughtful gift. Merry Christmas!
From Marc, Patricia, Raechel and Nathan Inbody: We want to thank you for the goodie boxes. Raechel let me know she got hers and was really happy and quite surprised to get it. College students love any mail, but midnight snacks and goodies are the best!! We always look forward to ours. It has become a tradition in our home to divvy it up based on our likes. I love the chocolates, Marc and Nathan love the gum and crackers and homemade goodies, Raechel loves the chewing gum, the Upper Room and misc. candies, Ramen noodles and cards. (Now she gets her own box, so more goes to Nathan!) Thank you so much for keeping us in your minds, hearts and prayers. Merry Christmas!
From Martin and Lisa Venema: We want to express our thanks to Pastor Paul for his visit, the congregation and members of Dorcas for prayers, food, cards and help toward the medical bills following Martin’s heart attack.
From Jaime Fritz and the Revive Committee: UMC, Dorcas Women and Progressive Class: Thank you for the gifts of money. It is greatly appreciated and will allow us to purchase food for those in need. Thanks again for your support.
Our Thanks for tasks accomplished...
Newsletter: Linda Derfiny (proofing); Judy Profit, Pauline Hulburt, Marge Dickinson, Viola Walker and Dailey Parrish.
Children’s Christmas Program: Director: Laura Hill; assistants: Linda Derfiny, Melody Frankowski, Dora Fobear,Lori Inbody; sound: Morgan Erla, Austin Baker.
Decorations: Barb Kirn as Chairperson
Organizing Christmas Families Project: Pam Powell, all those who contributed money, food, clothing and gifts.
Cantata: Steve Fobear, director; Glenda Wilson, piano, and those who shared their musical talents!
Learning to use the church camera: Dora Fobear
Fixing the Advent Wreath: Ron Geiger
Our Faithful Cleaning Team!
Poinsettias: Gary Jones (delivery); Judy Wallace (arranging);and Dorothy Knight (watering).
Candles on the pews: Mick and Barb Kirn
Altar Guild Members for cleaning the Christmas Eve Candle holders: Connie Schwaderer, Shirley Wisenbach and Caren Clara.
We want to Thank Rod Sherman for cleaning out the entryway to the
fellowship hall. We have had allot of snow and never know what we are
going to face when we come early to get the food ready. The women of
the Dorcas group
Thanks be to God!
Assistants for January
Greeters
4 Janis Seeley, Sherryl Seeley
11 Jim & Julie Veneziano
18 Ron & Shirley Geiger
25 Dale & Louise Buehrly
Readers
4 Yvonne Sherman
11 Jane Mitchell
18 Gil Schwaderer
25 Rev. Paul
Greeting & Praise
4 Rev. Paul
11 Laura Hill
18 Morris Powell
25 Barb Kirn
Sound/Projection
4 Jacob Kittle
11 Austin Baker
18 Austin Baker
25 Morgan Erla
Ushers: Captain: John Merchant
(Printed in mid-December - names
not yet available)
Communion Steward: Mary Jane VanVliet
Sunday, January 4
Acolyte
4 Hank Janik
11 Bobby Sue Steely
18 Nataliah Frankowski
25 Mandy Czekai
Altar Guild
4 Roy & Shirley Wagg
11 John & Melody Frankowski
18 Jay & Shirley Wisenbach
25 Bob & Barbara Stickle
Flowers (Please use real flowers and plants.)
25 UMW
Lock Up
4 Craig Retherford
11 Gary Wichert
18 Ted Furness
25 Mick Kirn
