I T^X JALL'EQJAIN COJ^Q'R'EQJA.'TlOO^JALIS'T i L _ — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — . _ _ _ . _ _ _ - . i - J

JANUARY 2017 Prayers for members and

friends of our church family: Linda Barnes, Kelly Cal lan, Bill Carr, Rick Cheyne, Missy Cooley, Irene Gates, Diane Glessnar, Kylie Hawkins, Bob Hoyt, John Jones, Pat Jones, Rick & Tami Jones, Jeff Ladd, Don Lucas

Jennifer Miller, Elizabeth Mohrland, Diane Morton, Ken Kent, Mark Myers in Iowa, John Pahl , Sue Pumpkin, Mark Ross , Paul Shamblin, Don Sieber, Bob Thomas, Jack ie Van Melle, Linda Ware.

We are delighted to include the prayer needs submitted for our newsletter. However, we request that these needs be kept current and accurate. P lease let us know if a name needs to be added or removed. Thank you.

Our Members & Friends in the Armed Forces: Brendan Buck in Norfolk, VA, Matt Cochran in Virginia Bech, VA, Shane Coopmans in Hill Air Force Base in U T , Cody Davis in Iraq, David DeZwaan in Afghanistan, Aaron M. Gordon in New Port R l . , Andrew Hodgson in New River, NC, Tory Myers in Kuwit. Christian Ofalla in Iraq, Alex Proskurnya in Fort Benning, GA, Aaron Siegler in Battle Creek.

Our College Students: Quinten, Bader - WMU, Trevor Faas-WMU. Colton Fairbanks - MSU, Aspen Hansen - DM, Kavcee Harness - UM, Alicia Olmstead - WMU, Allie Siegler - NMU (If you know of anyone else please let the office know.)

Our World: Our U. S . government and local leaders, for peace and justice in the Mideast. Our Missionaries: Will Dickerson in Nashville, the Frasers in Hungary, the Johnsons are in Indonesia, Mission Mazahua in Mexico. Our Shut - ins: Forrest Tiff.

A PRAYER FOR JANUARY Teach me, my God and King, in all things Thee to see; And what I do in anyting, to do it as for Thee.

George Herbert (1593-1633)

Mission Statement "Our church exists to introduce people to Jesus Christ and to

train those who already know Him."

We would like to thank Karen Stegeman Miller

for her generous gift, which has made this edition of

The Allegan Congregationalist possible. Thank you

- 2 -Hospice Grief Support Service

Coping With L o s s IVIeets the 2nd & 4th Tuesday each month 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. at

The First Congregational Church Luncheon Support Group

meets the 1st Tues. of every month at 11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.

in the Schuyler Room at AGH

MEM'S BREAKIAST

The Men's Breakfast on Jan. 14th, 8:00 am All men are Invited

R E P O R T S

I am very sorry to bring up this subject but the time has come for all good Committee Chairpersons to get your yearend reports in the office no later than January 22nd. If you do it right now you won't here from me again.

Church Clerk - Elaine Cochran Pastor - Cory Klein

Christian Education - Ted DeHaan Diaconate - Karen Ehrich Memorial - Shirley Ross Moderator - Mark Lovett

Missions - Joanie Townsend Congregational Kitchen - Don Lucas

Music - Rhoda Ryan Women's Fellowship President - Theresa Prolo Women's Fellowship Treasurer - Marilyn Cook

Financial Secretary - Ann C a m s Trustees Report - Scott Ehrich

Treasurer - Julie DeHaan Proposed Budget

Nominating Committee

The Women's Fellowship is accepting nominations for ail Offices. P lease contact Theresa Prolo at 269-650-2037 or just join us for fellowship.

Jtour

The new sign-up sheets for Coffee Hour are up on the board in Fellowship Hall. P lease take a few minutes after the church service and

check it out. You have a full year to choose from. Find your special day and remember the coffee, sugar, cups, plates, silverware and punch supplies are provided, all you do is bring the snacks.

"The Congregational Kitchen" Please do not forget donations for the Congregational Kitchen. We prepare over 1000 meals

each week. Your support is needed and appreciated, every Thursday any time of the day. In preparing so many meals it takes many hands to get the job done. P lease consider helping in some small way. The rent and electricity is also a large amount that needs to be paid every month.

O U R SNOW B I R D S are already moving back to the South. We pray for their good health and safe return in the late spring.

Monte 86 G lor ia Lane 4 3 1 1 Capr i Street

Sebring, F L 33872 Ph . 1-863-385-7092

Don Helmboldt 686 Collier Lake Circle Sebast ian, F L 32958 Ph. 1-772-589-2759

Marjorie Rupp 8 4 8 1 Southbridge Dr. Apt. #3 Fort Myerd, F L 33967-5596

George 85 E la ine Viening 1145 U S Hwy 27 S. Lot # 11

Sebring, F L 33876

Immanuel... "God With Us"

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him

Immanuel"- which means, "God with us."

- M a t t h e w 1:23

A s w e re f lec t on the C h r i s t m a s S e a s o n , w e , as C h r i s t i a n s , m u s t u n d e r s t a n d

w h a t the b i r t h of o u r L o r d m e a n s . C h r i s t m a s is m o r e t h a n g i v ing gif ts a n d s p e n d i n g

t ime w i t h fam i l y a n d f r i ends . A l l those th ings a re pos i t i ve , w o r t h y of ou r t ime a n d

effort , y e t God s e n t h is Son into th is w o r l d for a spec i f i c p u r p o s e .

In the passage above , w e see tha t one n a m e g i ven to ou r S a v i o r is I m m a n u e l ,

w h i c h m e a n s "God w i t h us . " Jesus is m o r e than a k i n g or a p rophet . He i s m o r e than

a re l ig ious leader . He is God i n h u m a n f lesh . He is 1 0 0 % m a n a n d a t the s a m e t ime

1 0 0 % God.

W h e n the I s rae l i t es r o a m e d th rough the d e s e r t before e n t e r i n g the P r o m i s e d

L a n d , they h a d c rea ted a t abe rnac le as a d w e l l i n g p lace for the p r e s e n c e of God. God

s h o w e d h i m s e l f to be w i t h them by d i s p l a y i n g h is glory. . . a p i l l a r o f s m o k e by day

a n d a p i l l a r of f i re by night. T h e s e p i l l a r s f o r e s h a d o w e d a t ime w h e n he w o u l d

p h y s i c a l l y be w i t h h i s people. . . a t i m e w h e n he w o u l d taice on h u m a n f lesh a n d

t abe rnac le a m o n g us .

God does th is in o r d e r to r es to re the b r o k e n r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n men a n d

God . I t w a s s in tha t c rea ted tha t sepa ra t i on . H u m a n rebe l l i on m u s t be p u n i s h e d a n d

s i n f u l n e s s needed to be w a s h e d a w a y . A s a m a n , Jesus w a s ab le to su f fe r the

c o n s e q u e n c e s of ou r s i n s . On the c r o s s , he e n d u r e d the w r a t h of God that w a s m e a n t

for y o u a n d me. B e i n g fu l ly God, j e s u s ' s a c r i f i c e w a s enough to pay for a l l of

m a n k i n d ' s s i n s . A l l w h o repen t and t r us t in h i m w i l l be fo rg iven . T h e y w i l l be

pu r i f i ed a n d m a d e r igh teous . T h e b r o k e n r e l a t i o n s h i p w i l l be r es to red . T h e y w i l l

e x p e r i e n c e peace w i t h God.

Jesus is ou r I m m a n u e l . He is God w i t h us . L e t us r e m e m b e r h i m each

m o r n i n g as w e s t r i v e to love both God and ne ighbor .

F i r s t Cong r ega t i ona l C h . 3 2 3 C u t l e r S t r ee t A l l egan , M I 4 9 0 1 0

JANUARY 2017 C h . Phone 6 7 3 - 3 1 3 9 - F a x Ph . -e - m a i l firstcongchurch@first co

2 6 9 - 3 5 5 - 1 5 0 9 n g c h u r c h . o r g

S U N D A Y M O N D A Y T U E S D A Y W E D N E S D A Y T H U R S D A Y F R I D A Y S A T U R D A Y

^ HAPPY NEW Y E A R !!

10:30 am Worship

2

7:pm NA Meeting

3

10:am AA meet ing

6 :00 pm Women ' s

Fe l lowsh ip

4

6:30 pm Prayer meeting

7:pm Choir N/A meeting

5

9:am & 12 :30pm

Food W a r e h o u s e 6:00 pm Dinner

6 7

8 8:30 am Breakfast 9:00 am Adult Sunday School

10:30 am Worship 12:00 pm Trustee's & C E meeting

9

7:pm NA Meeting

1 0

10:00 am Hosp ice & AA meeting on

upper floor.

6:30 pm Diaconate

1 1

6:15 pm Prayer meeting

7:pm Choir N/A meeting

1 2

9:am 12:30 pm warehouse

6:00 pm Dinner

1 3 1 4 8 : 0 0 a m Men's

B r e a k f a s t

1 5

8:30 am Breakfast 9:00 am Adult Sunday School

10:30 am Worship/Communion 1:30 pm Service at Briarwood

1 6

7:pm NA Meeting

1 7

1 0 : a m AA meet ing on upper f loor

1 8

6:15 pm Prayer meeting

7:pm Choir N/A meeting

1 9 9:am

&12:30 pm Food w a r e h o u s e 6:00 pm Dinner

2 0 2 1

2 2

8:30 am Breakfast 9:00 am Adult Sunday School 10:30 am Worship

2 3

7:pm NA Meeting

2 4 8 :00 a m F e e d i n g A m e r i c a

10:00 a m Hosp ice & AA meeting

2 5

6:15 pm Prayer 7:00 pm Choir

N/A meeting

2 6 9:am

& 12:30 pm Food w a r e h o u s e 6:00 pm Dinner

2 7 2 8

2 9 3 0 3 1

10:am AArnee t i ng Usher & Greeter: 8:30 am Breakfast 9:00 am Adult Sunday School 10:30 am Worship 12:00 pm Annual Ch. Council

Meeting 7:pm NA Meeting

3 1

10:am AArnee t i ng Randy S t i c k l y & Renee G l e a s s o n

Liturqist: Karen Ehrich

HAPPY JANUARY Ushers and Greeters: BIRTHDAY Randy Stickley & Renee Gleason

Liturqist: 02 Patty F u r s t Karen Ehrich

Matt C o c h r a n Coffee Hour: J u l i e Wolf 01 Women's Fellowship

03 A m a n d a J a c k s o n 08 OPEN A l i c i a O lmstead 15 OPEN Aspen H a n s e n 22 OPEN L o u a n n Cook 29 Annual Ch. Council meeting

04 Dean Michae ls Nursery Attendant: 06 J o s h u a H a n s e n 01 OPEN

J e r e m i a h H a n s e n 08 OPEN 07 Mel B r o w n 15 OPEN 10 J e n n y Cox 22 OPEN 12 Grace R i cha rdson 29 OPEN 19 Bob S i m m o n s Acolytes: 2 1 B i l l i e L u c a s 01 Owen & Levi Jackson 24 L i s a E r i c k s o n 08

Amy H a n s e n 15 Emil j^ Cox 22

25 L yd i a W a l s h 29 26 J o h n Kyes

If y our b i r thday w a s not l isted and you wan t it l isted please ca l l the office. 6 7 3 - 3 1 3 9

Jesus and the twelve disciples sat down to eat. Matthew 26:20 "The Twelve In E a c h Of Us "

T H E T H I R T E E N T H A P O S T L E by Terry Helwig

My heels sent echoes down the vast halls of the Vatican museum in Rome. I stopped. Towering before me was a huge tapestry depicting the Last Supper. A life size Christ sat at the head of the table, gazing at me and drawing me in. J e s u s ' s raised hands seemed to beckon me to join Him and the apostles.

I wondered what it would be like to accept the invitation and become the thirteenth apostle. What would it be like to meet J e s u s and His special twelve? Was there a key, some distinct reason, J e s u s chose them? Could it be that they represented the very threads that run through every human heart? When I look into my own, I see a Thomas filled with doubt, a Peter denying the Christ of love, a gentle Andrew...

Maybe J e s u s chose His twelve because they have something that lies within each of us. Every month, let's reflect upon the lives of the Apostles. Perhaps by year's end, we'll become more loving and tolerant of ourselves and other, by recognizing the threads of our own humanity running through the triumphs and failures of the twelve. Maybe despite our shortcomings, there is a vacancy at the Lord's table that only we can fill.

- 5 -

If you would like to meet and get to know Pastor Cory a little better, starting on Tuesday Jan . 17th we will again have coffee and donuts for your enjoyment and conversation

to enlighten your knowledge, or just fill your tummy. We look forward to seeing you.

Volunteer opportunities are a lways offered at our church & the Warehouse on Thursday when we receive the trucks of food at 9:00am

& 12:30pm, and occasional Wednesdays at 9:am filling the backpacks for the schools ; on Thursday any time you can be here & on Friday 9:00am, we have all the other pantries coming to collect the things that they need. Please contact Lydia Walsh at 269-673-2200 if you'd like to help.

"ALLEGAN COMMUNITY F R E E CLOTHES C L O S E T " We are in need of fall & winter Children wear, adult clothing, also Men's jeans, linen, towels, and blankets, you can leave them in the basement of the Episcopal Church. Please use the Hubbard St. entrance. Tuesday from 2pm - 5pm. Friday from 9am - noon.

A sign-up sheet can be found at the front entrence on the bulletin board to the right as you enter. We would appreceate it if you would take a look and sign-up for 1 week, 2 weeks, or 1 month at a

time. The choice is yours. If you want more information please call Steve Mancuso at 269-680-5856.

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose

triaI prevails. Proverbs 19:21

The glow of Your grace warms my heart, Jesus; the power of Your love sustains

me.

Eariy in the new year when I take down the tree, the gariands, and the Christmas cards, it has become a tradition for me to prayerfully choose one of the greetings on a card and make it my inspirational focus for the year this had been a somewhat nostalgic and sad Christmas, as I deariy missed my so Ian, my daughter-in-law Melissa, and the grandkids. This was their first Christmas away from me in California; they phoned from Colorado with squeals of delight to tell me of the first snowfall. Lovely for them but, oh, how I missed their hugs and cuddles!

The focus I chose for this year came by way of a letter from a pastor who has been one of my spiritual mentors. He reminded me of the wish sent by our mutual friend, the Dr. Lew Smedes, who during his tenure as professor at Fuller Theological Seminary was always a great encourager: "We want you to be blessed with joys deeper than any sadness, gratitude happier than any regrets, hopes brighter than the shadows of amy discouragement, and vitality to make of every day what God on Christmas Day made for all day."

Joy, gratitude, hope, and vitality would get my inspirational focus for every day of this new year.

- F a y Angus

Before we get to far into the new

year, Stella would like to round -up any thing relating to 2016, for the

History book. Call her at 673-2901 or leave at the office. THANK Y O U S O

M U C H ! !

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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 3 2 3 C u t l e r S t , A l l e g a n , Ml 4 9 0 1 0

C h u r c h P h o n e - 6 7 3 - 3 1 3 9 F a x P h o n e - 2 6 9 - 3 5 5 - 1 5 0 9

P a s t o r C o r y J . K l e i n 2 6 9 - 6 1 5 - 0 6 0 5 e m a i l : f i r s t c o n g c h u r c h @ f i r s t c o n g c h u r c h . o r g

W e b - s i t e f c c o f a l l e g a n . w e e b l y . c o m Of f i ce H o u r s Mon-F r i 9 : 0 0 a . m - 1 :00p .m.

S u n d a y Morn ing W o r s h i p 1 0 : 3 0 a . m .

Address Service Requested

S P O N S O R S F O R T H E N E W S L E T T E R : O u r n e w s l e t t e r s a r e b r o u g h t to y o u t h r o u g h t h e g e n e r o s i t y of t h e f o l l o w i n g :

J a s o n & J e s s i c a B r e c h e i s e n Tom & O w e n C a l k i n s A n n C a m s C a r l & N e y s a G e u p e l Lowe l l & C a r o l y n Gof f Michael & Be t sy Fos ter R a y & G e r r y Har r is Don Helmboldt E l l a H i s c o c k E l s i e J o n e s C h e r y l J o y c e S t e v e n & Mar ie K o s t e n Monte & G lo r i a L a n e

J a n Love joy Don & S u e L u c a s J a n e t Melvin Bob & J o a n S i m m o n s K a r e n S t e g e m a n Miller C a r r i e N ie l sen J i m & G r a c e R i c h a r d s o n Sh i r l ey R o s s Bil l & N a n c y R u p p Marjor ie R u p p G e o r g e & E l a i n e V ien ing

If you wou ld l ike to contr ibute, you may s e n d your c h e c k to T h e C h u r c h or p l ace it in the offer ing on any S u n d a y . P l e a s e d e s i g n a t e this amoun t for " N E W S L E T T E R " . $ 2 5 . 0 0 c o v e r s the cos t of one mai l ing.