MARCH 2014 www.newlifeunitedmethodist.com

New Life United Methodist Church6584 W. Howard City-Edmore Rd.Six Lakes, MI. 48886

NEW L FE NEWS

Dear Friends,

Last month I asked you to join in prayer with theLeadership and VCI Teams as we met during ourRetreat at The Shack. It was a wonderful time ofreflection, sharing our hopes and dreams forNew Life UMC, and setting goals for us as achurch that we hope to accomplished this year.

We set three goals for this year. All three are tobe in place mid-September for our annual FallKick-Off. Your prayers, help, ideas, and supportwill be essential. Yes, you are needed, and acritical part of accomplishing the goals we haveprayerfully committed to. Here are our threegoals for this year:

1. Excellence in Worship. This appliesto both services. We will be workingtoward expanding the solid foundationthat is already established in our 9:00amservice while looking at how we can “re-launch” and improve the 11:00amservice. As we work toward a re-launchof the second service, we will be workingwith the New Church DevelopmentCommittee from the Conference whileencouraging help from many within NewLife.

2. Redesign Wednesday Nights. Ourprogramming on Wednesday evenings isdrawing youth and children, but we arestruggling to pull in the adults. We areexploring a number of different ideas andwould welcome your input as we look tocreate an opportunity that would bewelcoming to people of all ages andsituations.

3. Develop An Intentional SpiritualDevelopment Process. We realized atthe Retreat that we have nothing in placeto purposefully help folks grow in their

walk with Jesus Christ. As part of ourgoal we are looking to have processes inplace and ready to implement beginningmid-September of this year. Please bepraying about how you would beparticipating in this exciting journey.There are a multitude of subjects andexperiences that will be part of thisprocess including mission trips, classes,local ministries, fellowship, and smallgroups.

In addition, we will be hiring two more staff; aWorship Leader and a Christian EducationDirector. Both are part-time positions and thejob descriptions are available in the office, or onthe website.

On another note, Ash Wednesday is March 05and we are planning a short service that eveningat 6:30pm. That evening we begin Lent; ajourney towards the cross; and ultimately toEaster. Let me invite you to pray about how youcould help the church fulfill its goals. Also, prayas well for an ever deepening personal journeyof getting to know Jesus better as we movetoward Easter.

May the Holy Spirit lead you and bless you.

Pastor John

Women's March Schedule

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Why United Methodist Women GIVE

Mission with women, children adn youth. Our approach tomission is different from many Christian missionorganizations, in that United Methodist Women endeavor toempower women and youth to care for themselves and theirfamilies and to provide leadership that their communities andnations sorely need.

Some grants go directly to specific organizations orprojects. These can include schools, hospitals, agriculturalprojects, youth organizations and more. Other grants go toUnited Methodist and other women's societys, ecumenicalorganizations and grassroot groups. This enables women todecide what projects and work is needed in their countries.

Projects approved for funding through the 2014international and national ministries budget are as follows,which includes 2013 international call to prayer and selfdenial grants.Programs administered by United Methodist WomenNational Mission Institution Network $686,952Mission Institution Property Management

Insurance 1,425,000Repairs and Maintenance 500,000Property Management 253,564

International Mission Work Management 637,953$3,503,469

Programs administered by other organizationsUnited Methodist organizations national and international

National Missions $2,190,475International Missions 1,500,900

Ecumenical Organizations 292,500Social Action Organizations 10,000Grants from Designated Funds 1,200,000

$5,193,875

So every time you purchase an item at one of ourbake sales, help out at one of our projects,purchase a sandwich or bowl of soup we prepare,you may be extending a helpful hand to a child,youth or women in any corner of the world. To geta glimpse of where UMW mission giving andspecial offerings are at work in the world; helpingwomen, children and youth, check our bulletinboard near the adults Sunday School classroom inthe Education Center.Thank you for your support,New Life UMW

Women's Fellowship 03/11 1:30 pmHostess: Mary MainProgram: Pat Kidwell - Prayer and DenialKelsey Recreation 03/18 2:00 pmCircle of Friends 03/31 7:00 pmWidows Might 03/13 1:00 pm

We will be meeting Monday, March 31st at 7:00pm, at New Life ... we will be starting our workon our spring event. All women of the church areinvited to come along continue to see what wecan come together to do.Spring event ... To be announced ... To beannounced, stay tuned!Call me with questions, Sue B 989.352.7271

for the

women

Quite a storyDuring Sunday dinner, a mother asked her sonwhat he'd learned in Sunday school that day."Well," he said, "our teacher told us how God

sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescuemission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Whenhe got to the Red Sea, he had his engineersbuild a pontoon bridge and all the people walkedacross safely. Then he used his walkie-talkie toradio headquarters for reinforcements. They sentbombers to blow up the bridge, and all theIsraelites were saved.""Now, is that really what your teacher said?" theboy's mother asked."Well, no," he admitted. "But if I told it the waythe teacher did you'd never believe it!"

News

Page 3MARCH COMMUNITY HOSPITALITY - Next one is Sunday, March 9th!On Feb.16th the Community Hospitality Project had the highest numbers of attendees. We serverdover 130 portions of Chili and 110 hot dogs. The hall was filled with many guest from varrious walksof life all fellowshiping, sharing a meal and enjoying to the wonderful country and gospel live music.The kitchen volunteers (both UCC and New Life) danced and sang along with the familiar tunes asthey served and ran the dishwasher. It was a great evening that gave promise to an even bigger moreexciting March 9th Community Hospitality Project. UCC will be providing the turkeys for the TurkeyNoodle Soup that will be made on Saturday, March 8th at UCC. Please think about joining us with thecooking on March 8th, the serving on March 9th or just fellowshiping for the fun of it during the event!You can call Anita at 517-282-3087 if you would like any additional information or questions.

Psalm 107: 8-9Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for hesatisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Birthdays in March 2014Makala Fountain 03/01Jane Large 03/01Aiden Smith 03/03Ethelda Van Houten 03/05Al Whittum 03/09Andrew Gilman 03/13Shannon Larson 03/15Ransom Leppink 03/15Erin Brockscmidt 03/16Ron Harvey 03/16Jeff Dilts 03/17Kelly Leppink 03/18Keelie Outman 03/20Liam Gillhooley 03/25Alger Frandsen 03/28Ronald VanderZouwen 03/28Char Besemer 03/29Kevin Hahn 03/29Estelle Molitor 03/29Joe Shaw 03/29Carrie Grassley 03/30Teagan Grassley 03/31Wedding Anniversaries - March 2014Paul & Janet Johnson 03/01 56yrsJack & Dixie Hegenauer 03/03 13yrsKevin & Anita Hahn 03/05 26yrsZane & Virginia May 03/10 69yrsRick & Kris Outman 03/17 24yrsMicah & Meredith VanderHill 03/20 4yrsAl & Leone Whittum 03/20 21yrs

In like the SpiritIn many places, March is quite windy: "In likea lion ...!" Though I don't like the damp chillthat's often part of the transition to spring, Ilove windy days. Something about the air'smovement - a gentle breeze or ferocious galeblowing through trees, against the house, in myhair - breeds excitement in me, anticipationthat something new is astir.How fitting that in conversation withNicodemus, Jesus said, "The wind blowswhere it chooses, and you hear the sound of it,but you do not know where it comes from orwhere it goes. So it is with everyone who isborn of the Spirit" (John 3:8, NRSV). LikeNicodemus, we fail to comprehend the Spirit ofGod. But Jesus reminds us that though wecan't see the Spirit, we feel his love, see hisactions of justice and hear his sounds. Theseinclude kind words, bold preaching, weepingfor another, shared laughter and songs ofpraise.

- Heidi Mann

World Day of Prayer - ServiceThis service will be held at the Lakeview UnitedChurch of Christ, on Friday, March 7th, at11am, followed by a soup luncheon. Thetheme will be "Streams in the Desert."

New Life United Methodist ChurchFinancial Report for January 2014

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Forgiven

I cannot count the numberof my many wayward steps.Now and then recalledare the numerous regrets.

But I must rememberJesus' blood, covers all.It keeps on, keeping oncleansing, when I fall.

The waterfall of forgivenesscontinuyally cleanses me.His grace erases allmy painful memories.

© Leone Whittum August 10, 2013

When it comes to believers, peoplewho walk in the light, "the blood ofJesus Christ, His Son, cleanses usfrom all sin." 1 John 1:9{in the Greek, the tense for the

word "cleanse" denotes a presentand continuous action, which meansthat from the moment you receiveChrist, the blood of Jesus keeps oncleansing you. It is as if you areunder a waterfall of forgiveness.Even when you fail, this waterfallnever stops.}

Next Blood DriveAmerican Red Cross will be here onceagain on Thursday, March 20th, from12pm to 5:45pm. If you are able to andwould like to give blood on that day, youmay sign up on-line. Walk-ins areacceptable, also.

GENERALIncome'('General 17299.64Expenses'('General 17853.34

Income'for'MonthPrevious'Balance'('General'Checkbook 7972.43Total'General'Offering 17299.64Total 25272.07

Expenses'for'MonthPrograms 1737.96Staff'Ministry 7682.63Bldg'&'Properties 4956.58Non(budget'Expenses 0.00Operating'Ministry 585.87Apportionments 2890.30Extended'Ministry'&'Missions 0.00

17853.34Month'Ending'Checkbook'Balance 7142.73

General'Designated'Money 6781.11General'Available'Balance 361.43

BUILDING Bldg.'Fund'Acct.Previous'Balance'Ck'Bk 11082.50Total'Income 665.48Total'Expenses 51.16Transfer'to'correct'April'Scrip'(Add) 0.00Month'Ending'Cap.'Improv.'Checkbook 11696.82LESS,DESIGNATEDElevator 1370.82Upper'Classrooms 9157.40

Blacktop'Balance 20.00Cash'Available 1148.60

Missions Team - Pastie SaleYou may order pasties the firstcouple of weeks of March, withdelivery coming possibly by thelast part of the month. They are selling for $4.50 eachor $12.00 for 3. Sign-up sheet is in the narthex.

MARCH 2014Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

14:30p EmmausGathering-Grvlle 1stUMC

29 & 11a Worship10a Sunday School7:30p AA&Al-Anon

31p Care Team5:45p TOPS

410:30a Prayer Group12p LV Ministerial6p Boy Scouts7p Emmaus 4th DayDay

68a Breakfast atCrystal Fountain

5 Ash Wednesday8a Men's Bible Stdy9:30a TOPS5:30p Gathering6:30p Choir6:30p News Seminar

88a Men's Fellowship-LV McKennas9a VCI Session(Daylight SavingsTime begins)

710a Coffee Break

11a World Day ofPrayer @LV UCC

9 Teen Challenge9 & 11a Worship

10a Sunday School5-7 CommunityHospitality7:30p AA&Al-Anon

101p Care Team12:30p Stephen Mstry5:45p TOPS

1110:30a Prayer Group1:30p Wmn's Fllwshp6p Boy Scouts6:15p Leadership Mtg

128a Men's Bible Stdy9:30a TOPS5:30p Gathering6:30p VCI Talk-Back6:30p News Seminar

131:00p Widows Might

1410a Coffee Break

15

169 & 11a Worship10a Sunday School12:15p Young atHeart5-7p Soup Sunday7:30p AA&Al-Anon

17 St Patrick's Day1p Care Team5:45p TOPS

1810:30a Prayer Group2p Kelsey Recreation6p Boy Scouts

19 Article Deadline8a Men's Bible Stdy9:30a TOPS5:30p Gathering6:30p Choir6:30p News Seminar

20 Spring begins

12-6p Red CrossBlood Drive

2110a Coffee Break

22

239 & 11a Worship11a Sunday School7:30p AA&Al-Anon

241p Care Team5:45p TOPS

2510:30a Prayer Group6p Boy Scouts7p Trustees Mtg

268a Men's Bible Stdy9:30a TOPS5:30p Gathering6:30p Choir6:30p News Seminar

274:00p Free FoodTruck (LV Free Meth)

2810a Coffee Break

29

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No matter what sin we have committed, nomatter how terrible it may be, God loves us.

- Billy Graham

309 & 11a Worship11a Sunday School

7:30p AA&Al-Anon

311p Care Team5:45p TOPS7:00p Circle ofFriends

Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead 1 hour on Saturdaynight, March 8th, as Daylight Saving Time begins.

"Faith grows only in the dark. You've got to trust [God]when you can't trace him. That's faith."

- Lyell Rader

Page 6New$Life$Trustee’s$Meeting$January$24,$2014$

Present:$Mary$Main,$Andy$Ray,$Craig$Grassley,$Marvin$Fountain,$Drew$Molitor,$Ron$Harvey,$Eugene$Rentschler,$Pastor$Scott,$Bonnie$Reed.$Andy$Ray$called$the$meeting$to$order$and$opened$with$prayer.$Election$of$officers$for$2014.$Mary$Main$made$a$motion$to$accept$as$follows,$Eugene$Rentschler$second,$all$in$favor$motion$was$carried:$$CoNChairN$Andy$Ray$&$Ron$Harvey,$SecretaryN$Bonnie$Reed,$Members$to$FinanceN$Bonnie$Reed,$Parsonage$LiaisonN$Andy$Ray,$Church/Pre$School$LiaisonN$Ron$Harvey.$Ron$Harvey$made$a$motion$to$accept$November$Minutes$as$written,$second$made$by$Eugene$Rentschler,$all$in$favor$motion$carried.$$Old$Business$The$Stain$glass$window$pane$will$be$listed$on$ENbay,$also$on$Craig’s$list.$It$will$state$that$the$buyer$is$responsible$for$local$pickNup.$Blinds$for$the$parsonage:$Pastor$Scott$gave$4$different$proposals$stating$at$$1036.86$down$to$$522.00.$A$motion$was$made$by$Ron$Harvey$and$second$by$Bonnie$Reed$to$accept$the$4th$proposal,$pending$available$finances.$This$is$a$3$piece$head$rail$with$cordless$blinds.$Pastor$Scott$stated$that$he$could$make$a$very$nice$valance$to$cover$the$rails.$All$in$favor$motion$was$carried.$Exterior$lighting$at$the$Parsonage:$4$in$total$have$been$purchased$and$installed,$@$$218.00,$three$more$still$need$to$be$installed.$The$drain$to$the$urinal$in$the$men’s$bathroom$is$leaking.$Marvin$will$get$together$with$Steve$to$see$what$is$needed$to$repair.$$(This$was$fixed$the$next$day$Jan$25th$thankNyou$Mar$and$Steve)$Revisited$the$need$for$furnace$inspection:$it$was$determined$that$it$was$not$needed$at$this$time.$Andy$handed$out$Parsonage$guidelines:$A$policy$of$the$West$Michigan$Conference$of$the$United$Methodist$Church.$$We$as$trustees$will$review$the$policy$and$bring$back$to$the$next$meeting.$$This$policy$will$aid$us$in$taking$care$of$the$Parsonage.$$New$Business$A$motion$was$made$by$Mary$Main$and$second$by$Eugene$Retschler$to$purchase$a$HP$copier$at$the$cost$of$$399.00,$plus$2$ink$cartilages$@$$60.00$each$from$Staples.$$All$in$favor$motion$carried.$Internet$and$phone$service:$$Casair$is$in$the$process$of$installing$fiber$optic$cables$in$the$area.$$A$motion$was$made$by$Drew$Molitor,$second$by$Craig$Grassley$to$accept$the$following$proposal$Wireless$internetN$64.00,$PhoneN$unlimited$local$and$long$distanceN49.95,$with$a$bundle$discount$of$10%$$11.49$total$cost$$103.41.$There$will$be$an$installation$fee$of$$149.00.$$When$fiber$optic$becomes$available$we$will$be$switched$over$at$no$addition$cost.$$All$in$favor$motion$was$carried.$$A$copy$of$the$quotation$may$be$obtained$at$the$office.$It$has$been$subjected$that$leadership$meetings$should$be$held$on$the$same$day.$No$action$was$taken,$no$further$action$was$taken.$Ron$Harvey$reported$that$the$preschool$is$doing$well.$Ed$Brooks$has$an$organ$that$he$would$like$to$lend$to$the$church$for$one$year.$$Ed$will$pay$for$moving$expenses$and$insurance.$$Andy$and$Pastor$Scott$will$have$a$contract$drawn$up$to$cover:$$1Ncost$of$moving$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$4Nmaintance$and$repair$$2Ninsurance$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$5Nwho$will$be$able$to$play$the$organ$$3Ntime$frame$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$6Nstorage$of$our$organ$A$motion$was$made$by$Drew$Molitor$second$by$Eugene$Rentschler$to$move$forward$with$this,$all$in$favor$motion$carried.$We$still$need$to$address$the$ice$building$up$at$the$south$door;$no$action$at$this$time.$Drew$Molitor$will$line$up$Chad$for$lawn$care$next$summer.$We$will$be$putting$together$a$spring$cleanNup$day.$$(yes$spring$will$be$here$eventually).$No$further$business$Andy$adjourned$meeting$at$9:17$pm,$Pastor$Scott$closed$with$a$prayer.$Respectfully$$Bonnie$Reed$recording$secretary$

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New Life United Methodist Church6584 W. Howard City-Edmore Rd.Six Lakes, MI 48886

Phone: 989.352.7788Fax: 989.352.1101E-mail: newlifeumc6584@gmail.comWeb Site: www.newlifeunitedmethodist.com