If you need or wish to have Rev. Paul pay you a visit, please contact him or the church office to set up a time for him to stop to see you. He will make visits on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

If you would like to receive communion the second Tuesday of each month, please call the church office to be added to the schedule.

Wednesday, February 25
St. Pancratius Roman Catholic Church
7:00pm

By Bishop Robert Schnase
Bishop of the Missouri Conference of The United Methodist Church

During a bishops’ learning event on a college campus in December I took an evening walk and slipped into the chapel. I felt wonderfully fortunate to discover an excellent a cappella choir rehearsing and so I settled into a pew at the back. Immersed in the music, I felt myself opening to a time of prayer.

About that time a woman approached me who was one of the keepers of the chapel. She had been moving from pew to pew, straightening hymnals and envelopes. We chatted in whispers for a few minutes and then she sat down beside me. After hearing that I was a bishop, she offered a thoughtful observation. She explained that she also helps with the upkeep of Catholic chapel services, and she noticed that their communion liturgy is similar to that of the United Methodists. However, their liturgy always includes a prayer for the bishops and priests and servants of the church, and ours does not contain an explicit prayer for pastors.

She suggested that this was a grave oversight, and that congregants and communicants should always be required to pray for their pastors. They should do it in every service, and they should do it joyfully and unselfishly because it’s the right thing to do. And they should do it because, well, God knows, pastors need prayer. She is United Methodist, and she wished our liturgy included regular and frequent prayer for pastors.

I nodded and smiled at this unassuming messenger from God sitting in the pew beside me. Now I knew what I was there to pray for. I was there in that chapel on that night to pray for my pastors.

Then she offered a further observation: She did not think anyone should ever be allowed to complain about a pastor unless that person was also in constant prayer for the pastor. We should all desire our pastors to succeed, to fulfill their mission, to be strong and whole and healthy, and so we should pray for them, their families, their work and their ministry.

Hmmm.  Imagine if every time we felt annoyed, discouraged or disappointed by a pastor, we prayed for them with even greater eagerness and sincerity. Imagine if we felt just as much (or more) of an obligation to pray for the pastor as we feel to criticize or correct the pastor.

We visited a few more minutes, and then she left me to my own thoughts and prayers with the sweet music of the choir filling the chapel and touching my soul. And I began to pray for pastors—for pastors of my conference and beyond my conference, for United Methodist pastors and those from other branches of the family tree, for those just starting out and those long since retired, for those enjoying every new day of engagement and for those feeling exhausted and weary, for those pastors who continue to surround us on earth and for those who cheer us on from the great cloud of witnesses in heaven.

We just focused during Christmas on God’s great gift to us in Christ—a time to look outward and beyond our own congregations to reach toward those in our community. It was a season of intensity and anticipation, a time of blessing as well as of hard work.

I was reminded that as we celebrated Christ’s birth and the gift of our own new birth, to also give God thanks and praise for those who lead our congregations, for their life and witness, their hard work and energetic vision, their deep commitment and high calling, their exhausting days and deep nights of the soul, their outward focus and for the immeasurable impact they have on the lives of people and communities.

I hope that you will pray with me.

Pray for your pastor. Pray for your church. Pray for the community that your church and pastor has been called to transform. Pray for the world God has entrusted to us to serve.

 This article was taken from the United Methodist Reporter, an independent weekly newspaper for
our denomination. Go to http://www.umportal.org/portal_store.asp on the internet and sign up for $26
a year!
   Bishop Schnase is the author of the study - Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. He will
be presenting a workshop on Saturday, March 7, starting at 9 a.m. at Lapeer UMC. The workshop is
designed for everyone in our congregation. Please sign up for this at church! We can make it a party!

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 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 last meets here at CCUMC but it isn’t the end of what will become a driving force for the future here. Everyone attending the 5-week study is encouraged to attend this workshop and everyone interested in vitalizing ministry here in Cass City is also asked to come along. You will want to sign up for both opportunities. 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!

Great Loons vs Lansing Lugnuts

Do you want a fun night at the ball park but don’t want to drive all the way to Detroit? Here’s your chance – Tuesday, June 30^th at the Dow Diamond in Midland.  It is church night!

A group went last year and had a great time! Many are looking forward to doing that again. Connie Schwaderer has contacted the Loons and has a block of thirty seats being held to see how much interest there is from the church family and friends. Tickets are $9.00 each. Even though the deadline to turn the money in is June 7^th, please contact Connie if you think you will attend because she may need to get more seats. Getting the seats together makes it more fun for everyone!

Wednesday, January 14: Roast Beef
Total Meals Served: 176
(Guests: 83; Take Outs: 68; Helpers: 25)
Deposit: $1,156.00
Next Dinner is Wednesday, February 11
                                          – Pork Chops –

As always, thank you to all those who take time from their busy schedules to plan, prepare, set-up, serve, deliver and clean up!

The February meeting of the UMW will be Monday, the 2^nd, at noon. Group 2 (co-hostesses Sherryl Seeley and Jane Mitchell) will prepare and serve the meal. Carol Schaufele will lead the program on Prayer and Self-Denial. All ladies are invited to attend.

There is a quilt on frames in the fellowship hall. Tuesdays starting at 9:00am will be the designated "Quilting Day" when you can expect someone to be here; however, the quilt is up and you may come in whenever you like. Another good time to come in might be before UMW or stay after the meeting.

The youth of our church will do a Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 24 from 4:30 to 7:00pm. Come, bring the whole family – and why not bring your neighbors, too!

The menu will be pancakes, French toast, syrup, scrambled eggs, sausage and beverages – all for a donation.

Pam Powell, coordinator of the Christmas Families Project wishes to thank everyone for helping with Christmas families. It was an another successful project.

When the load of items was taken to the first home with the grandma, she cried and cried and was overwhelmed with the church's generosity.

At the second home, the mom had the kids away so as not to see what was coming in so that when Christmas morning came they would be truly surprised. But since not many folk expect such a big load of items, she was also surprised and very grateful.

A big thank you to all who gave gifts, money, wrapped presents, gave food, and turkeys. Thanks to Linda and Dailey for shopping at Sam's. Also a big thank you to Mishelle Powell and Jason Barrigar who helped deliver on a very cold, snowy and
windy day.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. –Aesop

MINUTE HIGHLIGHTS

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL 9-9-08

Ministry Team: Programs have been put on the calendar through April. Soup Dinner scheduled at the end of September. Gym will be used on Saturday mornings for basketball. Youth have tabled a rally until later.

Treasurer: All bills are paid. Two apportionments out of 10 have been paid. Insurance escrow not being done yet. Balance is about $5,900. Calvarymen Quartet offering was short - $250 was sent to make it up.

Building Fund: Two Certificates of deposit: 1. Charter (earmarked for arts): $9,519.

2. Bequest of $71,000 originally is now $11,730. Both are 7 month notes with no penalty withdrawal. Proposed use for carpet, window treatments at the parsonage. Refinancing of the loan with windows $2642 a month.

Staff-Parish Relations: Annual Church Conference will be held at Gagetown UMC on November 5. Salary increases of 2.5% cost of living across the board for all paid staff effective in January.

Trustees: Projects completed: Church roof, parsonage windows and carpeting. Projects pending: spraying of weeds in lawn, removing dead tree at parsonage, safety rail and patio door at parsonage.

Pastor: Communion Services at Tendercare, Cass City Apartments and homes for about 50 people today. Adding 4^th Tuesday afternoon for calls.

Other Business: St. Jude Bike-a-thon to be held at Walbro. Genesis class gave start up funds. - Dolly Misch would like to start a clothes closet ministry for women needing interview clothing.

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL 11-11-08

Ministry Team: Ushers and altar guild meeting had small turn out. Training for new acolytes. Junior Church is doing well with Melody and Dora leading.

Treasurer: All bills are paid. Apportionments: 60% of pension; 40% on rest. Would like to redesign the report.

Trustees: Finishing up parsonage.

Pastor: Thanksgiving Service to be held here. Will start a five-week study and sermon series on growing churches.

Business: Letter read from Linda Derfiny and Dolly Misch regarding clothing collection storage. Ad. Council to support clothing collection. - Tenth Anniversary suggestions: have something during worship and something with youth in the afternoon. Jerry Auten has lots of pictures from the building of the church. He and Bob Wood are working on something. VHS of last service at the old church and of the first one at the new church. - Laura Hill reported on the Revive Ministry Food Pantry. Dorcas donated $600 to the Food Pantry.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1-8-09

Election of Officers:
      President: Gary Jones
      Vice President: Roy Wagg
      Secretary: Pam Powell

Lock up was again discussed at length. It was decided to continue with the Lock Up Team until the next Trustees’ meeting. Details of locking up were shared. Lock up, besides having outside doors locked, is also checking lights, doors, appliances, restrooms (lights and water running), freezer & cooler temperatures. [Committee chairpersons and ushers are responsible to lock up following meetings and services.]

The corner of the fellowship hall is showing some discoloration and flaking. The painter suggested keeping the heat at a higher temperature would help the walls. It was decided to keep the temperature at 65^o when the hall is not being used and to bring the heat down from the ceiling, the fans should be left on.

Fans in the sanctuary should be left on low when the room is not in use, BUT be turned off during the service because it is causing drafts and those seated under the fan are feeling cold.

Mick Kirn is investigating energy efficient bulbs for the sanctuary.

Parsonage items:
   Two window treatments need to be finished. There is enough money left.
   The dead tree in the yard has been removed by an Elkton firm.
   The stairwell and back screen door has been finished for $150 less than planned.
   Kitchen laminate flooring was discussed. If work was done by members, it would cost less. Also need a mason to look at the bricks in the fireplace. [When the mason comes to examine the steeple, he will be asked to inspect the fireplace brick.]

Last year, Rev. Paul lead programs during special potluck dinners each choir evening at 6:00pm during Lent. Choir isn’t sure if they will stay with Thursdays or go back to Wednesdays so that will depend on which night the programs will be featured. The meal and programs were done in one hour - in time to begin choir rehearsals. Each week a different food theme was followed. These evenings turned out to be very popular and so will continue this year. Bring a dish to share based on the food theme for that week or bring something to compliment it or a dessert. Also bring your table service.

March 4 or 5: Coney Dogs provided by Rev. Paul. Bring a munchie or dessert.

March 11 or 12: Chili Cook-off Potluck
Bring your favorite chili recipe or cornbread or crackers or veggies or dessert

March 18 or 19: Italian Night Potluck
Bring your favorite Italian dish or breads or veggies or dessert

March 25 or 26: Soup Potluck
Bring a kettle of your favorite soup or crackers or homemade bread or rolls or dessert

April 1 or 2: Salad Potluck
Bring your favorite salad or bread or rolls or dessert

Since we moved into our building ten years ago, we have had a Lock Up Team checking the building. We are very grateful to those folks for their dedication to protecting our building. Our current team includes: Gil and Connie Schwaderer, Dr. Bob Green, Mick Kirn, Rod Sherman, Gary Wichert, Ron Kittle, Dan Dickinson and more recent members: Ted Furness and Craig Retherford.

Locking up is more than just coming and rattling the doors to see if they are locked. A quick survey of the building is taken to make sure lights are off, water isn’t running in the restrooms, the walk-in cooler and freezer are at the correct temperatures, thermostats are properly set. It would take you less than fifteen minutes. As you can see, if one of these items isn’t functioning properly, it could be very expensive to the church in lost items in the freezer/cooler, and/or increased light, fuel or water bills. Of course this is only the icing on the cake, for if the doors aren’t locked, vandals could easily destroy the church’s interior or walk off with thousands of dollars worth of property.

Some members of the team have asked to be removed. We extend our deepest gratitude to Gil and Connie Schwaderer and Dr. Bob Green for their faithfulness.

We are needing new members on the lock up team. If you would like to serve your church in this very important way, please contact the church office to be put on the rotation list. The more people we have, the less times you will be asked to check the church. You will be assigned one week at a time and how often depends on how many volunteers we have.

Saturday, February 28
9:00am

Walk for Warmth is a statewide event sponsored by Community Action Agencies for the purpose of raising funds for individuals who are in desperate need of assistance with heat and utility bills. The families served by the money raised are working families trying to make ends meet and seniors who are struggling on fixed incomes and are ineligible for other resources. As economic times get tougher, more of our neighbors need our help and support.

If you would like to Walk for Warmth, you may find the pledge sheets on the kiosk. Information about times and locations in the various counties are there also.

Merry Christmas to all from Almaty, Kazakhstan... Although we are continents apart, we celebrate one king and together work for the salvation of Central Asia. Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support. Your sacrificial efforts are bearing fruit as new believers develop into Christian leaders. That means the future is bright! We are trusting God to continue and advance what He started here – turning Muslim Central Asia into a land where Christ’s name is known and glorified in every community....One important resource for our Kazakh ministry is by Dr. Robert Coleman. We are grateful to Dr. Coleman for giving us permission to publish this book. We hope to translate and publish more books into the Kazakh language in the future. Until now the numbers of available Christian books and training resources in this language has been very sparse....Kris continues to minister to our association pastors in an effort to train cell group leaders. In view of the current government opposition to Christian ministries, the four new group starts in cities here are evidence of God’s grace and Christian boldness among our association pastors....As we look to the New Year we feel that our ministry will continue pretty much as it has up until now. We will seek to start more cell groups and train people in church planting and leadership. ... One prayer request to remember is the concern many have regarding a new religious law that was passed by parliament. It has not yet been signed by the president. So we are watching with great interest for any news about that and what it might mean for missionaries in this country. Please pray for this. [Kris and Sarah Kappler have three children. Hannah is a 9^th grader enjoying soccer. Elizabeth is in the 6^th grade and learning the violin. Johnny is in the third grade and likes gymnastics. Elizabeth was a baby on their visit to Cass City.  Thank you to Jane Mitchell for sharing her letter.]

Stats

CARING AND SHARING

Condolences to Ray and Barb Hendrick, their family and friends on the passing of Ray’s father, Earl Hendrick.

Our Sympathies to Helen Thompson, Clotile and Ray Fox, their family and friends on the passing of Helen’s husband, Leonard.

Our Condolences to Dolly Misch, her family and friends on the passing of her niece’s husband.

Our Sympathies to Helen and Luis Salas, their family and friends on the passing of Helen’s uncle, Ben Molski.

We Extend our Condolences to Keith and Jane Mitchell, Gary and Doris Jones, their families and friends on the passing of Keith’s sister and Doris’ sister-in-law, Frances Matthews.

Our Sympathies to Charlie and Marilyn Harris, their family and friends on the passing of Charlie's mother, Margaret A. Harris.

Our Congratulation on the birth of Claire Leah Onley on January 8. She is the infant daughter of Chris and Amy Onley of New York. Claire weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces and was 18 inches long. Grandparents are Jack and Pam Burns. (Amy is Jack’s daughter.)

In Your Prayers... Blaise Posluszny (stomach removed - hereditary disease); Emma Clement (cancer on a lung - aunt of Carol Schaufele); Sandy Murry (Carol's sister - rotor cuff surgery); Joan Sales (blood problem - Jay Wisenbach's sister-in-law); Kev Lilly (testing/procedure at Children's Hospital in Detroit); Roy Tuckey (blood clots in lungs and leg); Barb Haas Janowaik (injured knee in a fall); Rev. Paul & Rev. Linda; Carol Schaufele (cancer treatment); Ray Mauer (radiation & chemo); Brian Mallory; Donna Auten; Elaine Proctor; Dorothy Knight; Rick Dillon; Denise Jones (Leukemia); Maurice Joos; Mary Hutchinson; Ray Arnold; Bea Baker; Roy Wagg, Rev. Bob & Charlene Garrett; Winifred Lamb; 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, Thelma Graham.

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)

Crow’s Nest, 4689 Hospital Dr, C.C.: Betty Scofield;

Service People: Mike Furness (Georgia); Marc Inbody (South Carolina); Josh Sherman (Ohio); Ben Wheeler (Iraq -Lori Inbody’s god-son).

From Rev. Paul and Rev. Linda: We want to thank you for the Christmas gift. It was very kind of you to remember us this Christmas season. We wish you all blessings and a safe 2009.

From Joan and Stuart Merchant: To the fine young people who made up our fruit gift: Thank you!, Thank you!, Thank you! We enjoyed it all and have one fine big red apple to share. Stu and I and our dog, Blue (my Violet Blue) enjoyed it all. When Blue smells an orange or apple or pear being pared – she’s right there! God Bless you all with a happy, fun-filled new year.

From Bea Baker: "Thank you" for your bag of fresh fruit for Christmas. It was so nice of you to think of me. "God Bless" you all for your love and friendship.

From Caren Clara: I really enjoyed the fruit you gave me. It was delicious!

From the Campbell Staff: Special People make Special Schools! We wanted to thank you for all the hats and gloves you donated for the students at Campbell. They come in very handy.

From Esther Guinther: Friends, your kindness meant more than you’ll ever guess! Thank you for the fruit I received at Christmas. May God bless you.

From Marge Dickinson: Thank you so much for the fruit I received. It was very good . Thank you, too, for thinking of me.

From Stuart and Vera Nicol: Thanks so much for the lovely flowers you gave us for our 60^th anniversary. We enjoyed them very much.

From Carol Schaufele: I want to thank you for the prayer quilt. It is beautiful, plus with all the prayers. Louise, thank you for coming out on a very bad day to bring it to me. I’m still in treatment for 2 more weeks that I know of. Thank you for your prayers. I am feeling them every day. Sunday School class, thanks for the lovely card. God Bless.

From Bea Baker: Friends, Let this season fill you with hope to last throughout the new year! Thank you for your prayers, visits and food. Also, thank you, Pastor Paul, for your visits. God Bless.

From Elmer and Janet Francis: We want to thank you so much for the fruit at Christmas time.

From Pauline Hulburt: To the good people who were responsible for the Christmas fruit bags: Thank you. Just getting out in the blustery weather took courage. God bless you all.

From J.E. and Robert Smith: Family, Your thoughtfulness means so much. Thanks so much for your gift of fruit at this Christmas time.

A Christmas Card from June Thomas: To my dear friends, I miss you and hope you are enjoying good health. Thank you for the cards with good health wishes for my recovery. Where did I get pneumonia? I am feeling well now, and wish I could see you. My love and best wishes to all of you. P.S. Norma Dawson came to see me again. We had a pleasant visit and I asked her about the Women’s Christmas Dinner. She said the tables were beautiful! It reminded me of Louise Buehrly’s two years ago, and I have the little tea light which was at my place.

From Home & Hospice Advantage (Kim Barnes): Thank you so much for allowing us to come into your church and present. Many of your members have come forward to assist already. What a blessing.

From Dorothy Knight: Thank you so much for the lovely bag of fruit at Christmas Time. Even the bag it was in looked good enough to eat!

Newsletter Helpers: Linda Derfiny, Judy Profit, Pam Burns, Melody Frankowski

Clearing the sidewalks: Rod Sherman (Rod probably doesn’t get thanked in person very often, but I just want him to know that I appreciate his coming out in the cold, early mornings to clear the sidewalks! Seeing the freshly cleared sidewalks always gives me a time to praise God for giving Rod the desire to do this task day after day! Linda)

There are many tasks getting done in and around the church but are seldom mentioned: teaching, singing, reading, leading, altar guild, acolytes, ushering, greeting, providing flowers, sound and projection, communion preparation, music, counting and recording the offering on Sundays. But the rest of the week many more tasks are addressed: prayers, your visits to shut-ins and others, cleaning restrooms, cleaning out the pews, sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping floors, disinfecting door knobs (bet you didn’t know someone does this every week!), filling the pop machine, making coffee, washing windows, folding bulletins, emptying wastebaskets, locking up, providing potatoes, shutting off light switches, trimming bushes, weeding, mowing, shoveling, cooking and serving, lettering on the sign, setting tables up, putting the table service on, taking tables and chairs down, sending bulletins to shut-ins, and water testing are among the many tasks needed to keep this church moving forward.

Altar Guild