OUR STAFF

Minister: The Reverend Laura Lee Strawser

Director of Music: John Rickert Organist: Mark Rethman Administrative Assistant:

Linda Wieferich Caretaker, Al Ferrell Nursery Attendant:

Sarah Egerer

OUR CHURCH OFFICERS Moderator: Heather Ballien Vice-Moderator: Tom Carr Clerk: Cyndi James Treasurer: David Garn Missions Treasurer:

Roger Ellsworth Financial Secretary: Laurella Smith

CHURCH TEAM CHAIRPERSONS 1. Christian Education:

Sarah Egerer 2. Youth: Cheryl Ellsworth and

Earl Settle 3. Outreach/Evangelism:

Jan Wheeler Historian: Teddy Pelkey

Assistant: Cheryl Ellsworth 4. Music: Jennifer Morris 5. Missions: Nikki Anjakos-Seno 6. Finance: Jim Garn 7. Facilities/Maintenance:

Earl Settle 8. Hospitality: Connie Ellsworth 9. Worship: Nancy Lewis 10. Pastoral Relations: David Quinnan 11. Visitation: Lois Smith

MICHIGAN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH The Reverend Laura Lee Strawser

203 S. Michigan Avenue - Saginaw, Michigan 48602 Church office: (989) 793-8555

Email: MichiganAveBaptist@sbcglobal.net Website: MABCSaginaw.org

Pastor Laura Lee Strawser may be reached: Cell phone: (989) 307-9063 Email: revlls59@charter.net

Pastor is on Face-Book. Please feel free to contact Pastor Laura Lee.

OUR CHURCH VISION

Drawing upon its rich history of service to God in an urban setting, Michigan Avenue Baptist Church serves as a beacon of Christ-centered ministry to the community

through witness, worship, and fellowship in a culturally diverse population.

“CHERISHING OUR PAST – EMBRACING OUR FUTURE”

150th Anniversary 1863 – 2013

“There is hope for your future, says the Lord.” -Jeremiah 31:17a

ALL GOOD GIFTS AROUND US – A THANKSGIVING MESSAGE

Recently, I was given a little devotional booklet from a friend. The booklet is entitled, 'The Little Burgundy Book' (*), and is a collection of reflections on stewardship based on the Gospel of Luke. Please consider the following... What has been a 'flash of insight' for me is the number of times this very subject has come up, in just the last few weeks. I have always believed that it is imperative that followers of Jesus Christ be 'stewards' or caretakers of what God has given them; especially when it comes to financial resources. What has flipped a switch on the light bulb above my head is the realization that ALL things are a gift from God and, therefore, must be placed at God's discretion for use. This has some powerful implications for our lives and what we do with all we are and all we possess. Let me conclude with recalling the widow from the 21st chapter (verses 1-4) of the gospel of Luke. As Jesus watched the faithful people giving their gifts in the temple, he noticed two kinds of people; those who gave out of their 'excess' and the widow who gave out of her 'poverty'. Jesus states that the widow gave "all that she had to live on." The emphasis here is that she gave EVERYTHING! As we draw close to the end of 2013 and prepare for Thanksgiving and the Advent season, let us consider how we might begin to see that EVERYTHING we have comes from God and belongs to him. And let us also consider how we might gratefully give "all that we have" to God's purposes and the building of Christ's Kingdom. Pastor Laura Lee (*) - 'The Little Burgundy Book' was written based on the writings of Bishop Ken Untener, collected and edited by Catherine Haven and distributed by the Diocese of Saginaw.

"A Flash of Insight" Some basic truths are right there before everyone's eyes, but not perceived. When such a truth is discovered, it's not because of a long process of reasoning. It simply comes in a sudden flash of insight. It just plain dawns on a person. For example, children, even teenagers, sometimes think that everything their parents do for them is simply what mothers and fathers do - - wash the cloths, make and serve the meals, earn the money, care for them when they're sick, stay at home with them evenings. Children take all this for granted, like the air they breathe. When do sons and daughters suddenly realize that all this was hard work, sacrifice? Many adults say that they themselves didn't get this flash of insight until they had children. Suddenly, they saw everything differently. When do God's sons and daughters realize that everything they have really comes from God, belongs to God, and that they are stewards and managers of goods that don't belong to them...that God intended that they use these gifts for the benefit of others? It dawns on some people early in life, some on their deathbed, and others miss it entirely. If and when the insight does come, it usually doesn't come from a long reasoning process. It's one of those deep down truths that simply dawns on a person in a flash of insight. It is, in the end, a grace from God. To catch that insight, and live by it, is called stewardship.

“Cherishing our Past – Embracing Our Future”

150th Anniversary 1863-2013

“There is hope for your future, says the Lord.” -Jeremiah 31:17a

150th Anniversary Banquet 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Tickets are $6.00 each and may be purchased from Cyndi James or Cheryl Ellsworth. This event is being coordinated by Connie Ellsworth and Jim Garn and will be held at the church. Along with a meal of BBQ chicken or roast beef, there will be historical documents on display, greeting of old friends and a time of celebration. Mark your calendars and get the word out for this wonderful time of celebration!!

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10:45 a.m. Sunday, November 17, 2013

This worship service is to commemorate our founding. We will sing old fashioned hymns and partake in a worship service as our founding fathers experienced at MABC. You are encouraged to come in period clothing. Old Fashioned Worship Service, Sunday, November 17, 2013

WE’RE CELEBRATING OUR 150th ANNIVERSARY! At

MICHIGAN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH

203 S. Michigan – Saginaw, MI

By presenting

A Messiah Sing

December 15, 2013 – 7:00 p.m.

Join us as we sing with the community, The Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah.

No need to be a professional --- just have a desire to sing. A “core choir’ will be assembled from around the community.

There will be an Informational meeting and rehearsal on October 27

th at 2:00 p.m. at

Michigan Avenue Baptist Church

For more information please call: (989) 793-8555

Donations will be accepted for the

East side Soup Kitchen

1863 CHERISHING OUR PAST….EMBRACING OUR FUTURE 2013

Additional rehearsals will be on Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 2:00 p.m., and on December 8, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.

Both at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church

Potluck Sunday is scheduled for

Sunday, November 10, 2013 following the worship service. A most delicious turkey will be prepared along with dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy. You are invited to bring your favorite side dish and/or dessert to share with others.

We look forward to seeing you at the potluck. May you and your loved ones enjoy a very happy and blessed

Thanksgiving.

DAY LIGHT SAVING TIME Remember to set your clocks BACK one hour before going to bed Saturday, November 2, 2013.

PRAYER An open invitation is extended to you to join in prayer Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to pray individually and corporately for the needs of our nation, our community our church, families, friends, and any other needs the Lord lays upon our hearts. If you have questions, please see Lois Smith.

MEN’S BREAKFAST

All men of MABC are invited and encouraged to attend this time of fellowship and delicious food. We gather at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2013. A VETERANS DAY PRAYER God of all nations, you are our Strength and Shield. We give you thanks today for the devotion and courage of all those who have offered military service for this country … We ask today that you would lift up by your Spirit those who are now at war; encourage and heal those in hospitals or mending their wounds at home; guard those in any need or trouble; hold safely in your hands all military families and bring the returning troops to joyful reunion and tranquil life at home. Give to us, your people, grateful hearts and a united will to honor these men and women and hold them always in our love and our prayers until your world is perfected in peace and all wars cease. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

-Rev. Dr. Jennifer Phillips

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“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

-John F. Kennedy

A Note of Interest from our Historian, Teddy Pelkey

The following members of MABC served in the Civil War: O.C. Davis, N.S. Wood, Matthew Brush, Alexander Fee, John Brick, and Geo. Washington. Served in the Spanish American War: Eddie Benjamin, Geo. Haigh, Jas McNally, Ralph Paine, John Dolson.

How many names sound familiar or do you recognize?

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SCRAPBOOKING AT MABC The MABC Scrap-bookers will gather at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2013. Come and enjoy the popular past time of scrapbooking. ________________________________________ “Faith walks simply, childlike, between the darkness of human life and the hope of what is to come.”

-Catherine de Hueck Doherty

HANGING OF THE GREENS Sunday, November 24, 2013

Following our time of

fellowship, we will begin hanging of the greens for the Christmas season. This is a fun time for all as we transition our church into a time of Advent and Christmas. A most delicious meal will be shared in celebration of a job well done.

See you at this festive event within the church.

ST. BENDICT’S RULE When St. Benedict wrote guidelines for Christian living more than 1,300 years ago, he focused on gratitude. The first rule is simply this: Live this life And do whatever is done In a spirit of Thanksgiving.

Abandon attempts to achieve security; They are futile. Give up the search for wealth; It is demeaning.

Quit the search for salvation; It is selfish. And come to comfortable rest In the certainty that those who Participate in this life With an attitude of Thanksgiving Will receive its full promise.

________________________________________ A HYMN OF PRAISE The familiar hymn often called “The Doxology” or “The Common Doxology” was written by Thomas Ken in 1674 as the concluding verse of a morning hymn, “Awake, My Soul, and With the Sun,” and an evening hymn, “Glory to Thee, My God, This Night.” The lyrics are appropriate for any time of giving or thanksgiving. Consider using this hymn as your Thanksgiving dinner prayer. Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Some church bodies have altered the words to “The Doxology” slightly, but the overall sentiment – praising the Triune God – remains the same. How profound to know that when we sing it, we join Christians around the world and across nearly 440 years!

______________________________ THANK YOU Dear Members of the Hospitality Committee Thank you for all the hard work you went through to make and serve Jennifer’s funeral meal. She would have loved to be there to enjoy it with us. Jenny was always happy to party. Sincerely,

John and Peggy Landeryou

______________________________ NEWSLETTER ARTICLES The deadline for the December Beacon newsletter articles is Tuesday, November 19, 2013.

CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING

7:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

THANKSGIVING IN OTHER LANDS

We tend to think of Thanksgiving as a holiday unique to the United States. But America’s neighbors to the north and south celebrated it even earlier than the Pilgrims’ famed meal in 1621. Canada’s first Thanksgiving feast, held by English explorer Martin Frobisher, occurred in Newfoundland in 1578. The country’s Thanksgiving observance is now on the second Monday in October, with holiday fixings that are similar to those enjoyed by Americans. In Mexico in 1598, a large group of explorers, soldiers and Franciscans traveled on sand dunes in what’s now the American Southwest. They were running low on water, so when they reached the Rio Grande, they expressed gratitude to God by feasting on fish, duck and geese. No official date is set for Thanksgiving celebrations in Mexico. People of all nationalities have been giving thanks to God for as long as we’ve been on

earth.

MICHIGAN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH Event Cancellation Policy

In the event that the cancellation of the worship service or any other public church activity may be warranted, the following procedure will be followed: The Church Moderator shall consult with the Pastor, the Chair of the Worship Team, and any other persons who might provide pertinent information for making the decision, such as Team chair of the Finance, Christian Education, Music Director, church maintenance staff, etc. Should the Moderator determine that cancellation is warranted, s/he shall notify WNEM-TV (Channel 5), WEYI-TV (Channel 25), and WSGW Radio, (790 am) for public announcement. Reasons for the cancellation of worship or other church activities include (but are not limited to) power outage, boiler malfunction, inclement weather or other natural disaster, declared emergency by local officials, and medical emergencies. Note: The policy does NOT apply to internal meetings, such as board and team meetings, music rehearsals, and youth group meetings.

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The staff of MABC Would like to wish you and

Your loved ones a very

Happy Thanksgiving

Poinsettia given in HONOR OF ________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Poinsettia given in MEMORY OF______________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Poinsettia GIVEN BY _______________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

After the Christmas Eve worship service, you may take your poinsettia home to enjoy.

May you have a beautiful and Blessed Christmas.

Christmas, 2013 __________________________________________________________________________________________________

WOMEN”S CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST 9:30-11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2013

Tickets are $5.00 each and may be purchased from

Cheryl Ellsworth and Cyndi James

If you would like to place a poinsettia in the sanctuary for the

Christmas season, please fill out this form and return it along with $8.00 per plant to the church office or place it in the offering plate no later than Sunday, November 24, 2013. (Please note, our poinsettia supplier has asked for this early date. Thank you for your cooperation).

Please make your check payable to MICHIGAN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH

Thank You.

MICHIGAN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH The Reverend Laura Lee Strawser

203 S. Michigan Avenue Saginaw, Michigan 48602

Church Office: (989) 793-8555 Email: MichiganAveBaptist@sbcglobal.net

Website: www.MABCSaginaw.org

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Sat.

1

2 150th Anniversary Banquet

3 Communion Sunday

4 6:15 p.m. Bible Study

5 6 Rehearsals

7 5:30 p.m. Prayer Mtg.

8 9 9:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast

10 12:00 p.m. Potluck Sunday A Feast of Gratitude

11 6:15 p.m. Bible Study

12 13 Rehearsals

14 5:30 p.m. Prayer Mtg.

15 16 10:00 a.m. Scrapbooking

17 10:45 a.m. Old Fashioned Worship Service 2:00 p.m. Messiah Sing Rehearsal

18 6:15 p.m. Bible Study

19 20 Rehearsals

21 5:30 p.m. Prayer Mtg. 7:00 p.m. Church Council meeting

22 23

24 Poinsetta order deadline 12:30 p.m. Hanging of the Greens

25 6:15 p.m. Bible study

26 27 28

29 30

Sundays at MABC

9:30 a.m. Church School for all 10:45 a.m. Worship Service 12:00 p.m. Fellowship

150th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, November 2 150th Banquet Sunday, November 17 Old Fashion Worship Service

Choir Rehearsals

6:30 p.m. Belle Aire Handbell Choir

7:30 p.m. Latham Burrows Choir

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

If your birthday has not been listed, please contact the church office at (989) 7893-8555 with

your birth date. We’d like to wish everybody a Happy Birthday during their birthday month. Please contact the church office should you have a change of address. We want to keep our records current. Thank you.

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

01 Nancy Lewis 02 Sharon Murphy Casey 04 Teddy Pelkey 05 Heather Ballien 06 Michael Quinnan 07 Raymond Ingles 09 Craig Egerer 12 Rick Smith 15 Wilbur Yancer, Sr. 17 Joyce Murphy 19 Dan Leaman 21 Jim Cooper