OVESTA EWS

Published monthly by:

Novesta Church of Christ 2896 N. Cemetery Rd. Cass City, MI 48726

Phone: (989) 872-3658

novestachurch@yahoo.com

www.novestachurch.org

Brad Speirs, Senior Minister Josh Morford, Youth &

Family Minister

March Issue

VOL. XXXXI - - - No. 3 February 28, 2016

TODAY Novesta takes over Charmont

Join us today after church as we all head to Charmont for food, fun, and fellowship. We’re inviting whoever would like to put together their best team of 4 for a game total in bowling and the winners will receive a prize and braggin’ rights : ) There’s not much formality to the afternoon, simply come to Charmont and enjoy good food with great company. See you there after service!

“Empty” - March Sermon Series

During the next month we’ll be taking a pause in our Believe series to focus more closely on Jesus as Easter approaches. We invite you to join us each week as we take a look at Jesus’ life, death, and resurrec-tion. In each of these areas, we see Jesus show us what it means to live, die, and live again by emptying ourselves so that God can fill us up!

March 13th - Empty Life

March 20th - Empty Cross (Palm Sunday)

March 27th - Empty Grave (Resurrection Sunday)

Gib Kern Preaching ~ March 6th We invite everyone to join us on March 6th as Gib Kern will be sharing the message that morning. Brad will be away with the beginner bowlers and Josh will be in Kalamazoo with the high school group, so Gib is fired up and excited to be able to share the message of Jesus with everyone this morning. We hope that you can be here and bring a friend or two to hear a passionate message of hope about Jesus and Heaven!

COMMUNITY GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE ~ 1:00 P.M.

The Cass City Community will meet at 1 p.m. on Good Friday (March 25) to worship and remember Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. Tentatively, the service will be held at the Mizpah Missionary Church on M-53.

With Deepest Sympathy We extend our most heartfelt sympathy to Cathy White, Michelle & Brandon Speirs on the passing of Cathy’s father, Larry Finkbeiner, on January 29th. We pray for them as they mourn the loss of their loved one.

Here We Grow Again… We again have been blessed with two new mem-bers to our congregation. Cohen Sherman was baptized on February 17th. He is the son of Carrie & Joe Luana and a brother to Jesse, Ryder, & Cooper. Two days later, Charlotte Krueger was baptized on the 19th. Char has been coming to Novesta for awhile and we welcome her to our congregation. Please pray for others that also need to make this commitment to Christ.

Bible Bowl Our Beginner Bowlers will be traveling this weekend down to Louisville, KY for their Main Game Event tournament. We have 16 kids spread out over 4 teams that will all go to share what they’ve learned, make deeper friendships, and experience a great trip. In all… 39 kids & adults are traveling and your prayers for the trip are greatly appreciated! Our Teen Bible bowlers will have their big trip later this summer and will also be traveling to Lansing in a few weeks for their next round robin. Please keep them in your prayers as well.

Camp Sunday - April 10th Rex from Wolverine camp will be joining us to talk about the upcoming camp season. He will also have registration forms available so that you can even sign-up that day!

Right Now Media Free Service for Everyone

Did you know that our church has free access to thousands of Christian videos and Bible Studies online? By sending us your email, you can be a part of Right Now Media which is the netflix of Chris-tian speakers and leaders. From kids videos to mar-riage classes and everything in between, you can find it on Right Now Media. If you’re not already signed up, contact the church office. All that you need to start is your email address and again it’s absolutely free!

Co-Ed Volleyball Novesta has two Volleyball teams and meet Thursday nights at Ellington church. Novesta 1 plays at 7:00 p.m. on March 3 & 10. Novesta 2 plays at 8:00 p.m. on March 3 & 10.

AND Novesta 1 & 2 play each other March 24 @ 7 p.m.

Pistons Fellowship Outing March 18th ~ $25

We’re going to be taking a church trip to the Palace of Auburn Hills to watch some DEEE Troit Basket-ball. We’d love to have you join us for a great evening of fun. We will be leaving the church around 4ish, stopping for a meal in Lapeer, and having a great evening at the game. Sign-up is in the middle hallway and the sign-up deadline is March 6th.

L.I.F.T. (Ladies In Fellowship Together)

Our next LIFT meeting will be March 10th @ 7:00 p.m. Carrie Gilley will be sharing informa-tion about Essential Oils. Carol Gaszczynski will have the devotions and Pam Kern is in charge of the refreshments. Come join us for a great time of fellowship together.

LONG TERM PRAYER LIST

** Members Steve Wilkinson -aneurysm Quinton Simpson - coma (Dena Anderson's nephew) Diane Wojtaszke - cancer (Ann Hartel contact) **Heather Roberts - continued healing of MS Don Kruse - recovery (Michelle Speirs’ grandpa) **Larry Harper - Intestinal problems Mark Pierson - (Zmierski’s cousin) **Leonard Hawkins - Stonegate in Sandusky Rachael Maurer - recovery from auto accident **Phil Klaus - Graves disease Julie Patterson - chemotherapy Les Auten III - upcoming Kidney transplant Joyce Brown - (Taylor & Kennedy’s grandmother) Lee Nicol - ill health Judy Ferguson - Lupus/cancer (Zmierski’s aunt) Lindsey Jensen - recovery from auto accident Muriel Wygant - cancer (Irene Nicol’s daughter) ATTENTION: If you know any of these on this list that are well and can be eliminated from it, please let the church office know.

Parenting Bible Study Sunday nights @ 6PM

Starting March 13th we invite all parents to join us for a 6 week class on being better parents. We will be going through a study led by Andy Stanley called Parental Guidance Required. This is a great teach-ing for all parents, regardless of how old your kid may be. We invite you to at least come and check out the first class on the 13th at 6PM here at the church.

S H I N E We’re getting into the heart of our Shine season and it’s in full swing (when we don’t have snow days!) and things have been go-ing well. We have over 60 kids who have signed up and are learning about the Par-ables of Jesus and how those stories affect and im-pact their lives. We’re so grateful for the many vol-unteers that are helping to make the program great. Please pray for this amazing ministry that we can love on these kids and that we can make an eternal difference in their lives.

Basketball Come on out on Tuesday nights at 7PM and get your game on. Good times, great friends, and competitive ball!

CIY BELIEVE is an amazing trip open to Junior High and High School students that takes place April 22nd-23rd. If you

know of a Junior Higher who still wants to go, you can let Josh know ASAP.

CIY

STUDENT MINISTRY Student Ministry continues every Sunday Night from 6:00-8:00 p.m. We would love to have your student join us! Open to 6th grade through 12th grade. Bring one dollar for a slice of pizza!

5th Quarters A big “Thank You” to every-one who volunteered or pro-

vided snacks for our Winter 5th Quarters! We appreciate everything that you do to support our outreach to students at Cass City! We are look-ing forward to picking these back up when foot-ball starts in the Fall.

TUSCOLA COUNTY FORGOTTEN MAN MINISTRIES: Following is the testimony of one of the inmates that we would like to share with you. “From my birth I was given, and I embraced, a theistic and Christian view of life. Yet I became a habitual drunkard. Compromising my beliefs and valuing “fun” and “pleasure”

more than anything else. I lived with one foot in the church and the other in the world. Several years ago, the church I had been a member of for ten years disciplined me for my alcohol abuse. For me, this was a wake-up call. I was quite disturbed as I began to understand the meaning of this church disci-pline. I did not “lose” my faith, but I did not turn from drunkenness either. The conflict and tension within was only made sharper. Though I agonized over my drinking, I was unable to tame the flesh, con-quer alcohol and be free. Then, this past summer, I landed in the Tuscola County Jail in Caro, MI. I was now being disci-plined by the civil authorities for the same thing: intoxication. Thank God there is a ministry there [in the jail], and a library, a chaplain and a team of volunteers who graciously provide services and counsel-ing for inmates to expose them to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Since I have been released, I have not been burdened by my compulsion to drink or get drunk. It has been by the grace of God and the means God has chosen, His Word and His ministers, that I have been set free from this overwhelming monster of a sin. My hope is that other inmates don’t remain “locked-up” after they are released. They don’t have to. They can be free.”

OUR MILITARY

Scott Brownson - (Tom & Doris Stimpfel’s nephew) Jeremy Burns - (Sandra Yax’ nephew) Ben Knoblet - (Tim’s nephew) Matthew Peck - (Mark’s son) Ryan Reid - (Jeff Hartel’s nephew) Julie Roche Griffith - Air Force - California Cody Ross - Marines - California Jeffery Soldan - (Sandra Yax’ nephew)

Mystery Member Last Mystery Member was: Michael Daskam Now see if you can guess who our mys- tery member is for this month. The clues given tells you a little bit about the person and helps us get to know each other a little bet-ter. 1. I was born in Toledo, Ohio 2. Lived in Japan for one year. 3. I have three children. 4. I Love to run. 5. I live in Cass City. 6. I am a Veteran.

WHO AM I ?

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

3/1 Lee Nicol 3/2 Brady Krueger 3/2 CarLee Stimpfel 3/3 (A) Ryan & Melanie Radabaugh 3/6 Tessa Kus 3/7 Donna Nye 3/7 Kathy O’Dell 3/7 Denise Dunckel 3/9 Sharron Hartwick 3/9 Samantha Krueger 3/10 Isabella Hiles 3/11 Branson Stimpfel 3/12 Lukas Schenk 3/12 Lane Herford 3/14 Kayla Zmierski 3/14 Blake Schrader 3/14 Brady Mellendorf 3/15 Kim Gray 3/16 Kalee Gray 3/16 Craig Maurer 3/16 Stacey Wilcox 3/16 (A) Dave & Robin Beckrow 3/17 Betty Stilson 3/17 Elizabeth Swoish 3/17 Lani Truemner 3/17 Alex Naegele 3/18 Barry Brown 3/19 Jackie Warju 3/20 Janice Brandel 3/20 Robert Krueger 3/20 Linda Meade 3/20 (A) Keith & Mary Ann Lowe 3/21 Dylan Severance 3/22 Mark Zmierski 3/22 Scott Neff 3/22 Robin Neff 3/23 Jozelyn Yax 3/23 (A) Dave & Karen Speirs 3/24 Ron Roche 3/25 Sloane Stimpfel 3/26 Troy Peasley 3/28 Lucas Lester 3/28 Justin Miller 3/28 Jodi Naegele 3/29 Tyler Brandel 3/29 Steve Steely 3/30 Tate Claerhout 3/30 Rob Krueger 3/30 (A) Mark & Patty Peck

Bible Studies & Group Meetings

LADIES BIBLE STUDY Tuesday mornings @ 10:00

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY

Tuesday evenings @ 7:00

MOM’S GROUP March 7 & 21

Congratulations to …

… Dave & Karen Speirs on the birth of their grandson, John Henry, born to Lindsey & Chris Skiles on February 8th weighing 8 lbs. 15 ozs. John Henry is also

welcomed by his uncles, Jason & Brad and family.

Card & Notes

Novesta Church, Thank you all so much for the thoughts, prayers, and wonderful welcome for our new lit-tle guy. And for the Devotional book - both kids will love. Also, thank you to the Quilting Ladies for the beautiful Quilt. You all are such a blessing. Much love

The Ziehm family

Novesta Church, Thank you so much for not only allowing the dinner for Larry to take place in your church but the ladies that took care of everything were so friendly and worked very hard putting the dinner on. The Finkbeiner families are very ap-preciative of you all. Larry hadn’t been able to go to church in quite some time … the many strokes he suffered sapped most of the life out of him. Thank you, Thank you again, Lord Bless,

Sandy Finkbeiner

Dear Friends, I would like to say a very big Thank You to all of you, for your prayers, phone calls, get well cards & visits while I was ill. It has been a long haul but I am doing well again. God does answer prayers. Thank you again, With Love, Sincerely,

Elfriede Englehart

You are invited to a Baby Shower for Faith Bucholtz

March 13 ~ 1:00 p.m. @ church

It’s a BOY (Bentley James)

RSVP to Christie Nye

by Mar. 6th (989-912-9790)

Registered at Toys R Us (Baby Elephant theme)

FACTS & FIGURES

Average weekly attendance for the month of February (to date):

A.M. Worship … 266

Offering average for February (to date): Sunday Offerings……….…$4,280.97

(Budget per Sunday: $4,730)

Parking for Jesus (Goal: $10,260) Received to date: $1,300.00

QUILTING March 9 & 23

9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m. Come Join Us!!!

Women’s Spring Celebration @ GLCC ~ April 22

Theme: “Renewed” Cost: $15 if registered early; $20 after April 8 Program: Laura McCullough and Kathlene Smith from “onetimeblind’ are passionate, creative artists, communicating Scriptural truth using skits, music, stories, and personal testimony.

If interested, let the office know.

SAGINAW SOUP KITCHEN Friday, March 18

We leave the church parking lot at 8:50 a.m. and are back usually between 1:00 & 2:00 p.m. If you are interested in helping or would like more infor-mation, see Ray Peasley.

THOSE SERVING IN MARCH

COMMUNION MEDITATION: 3/6 Joel Brandel 3/13 Ken Peters 3/20 Dave Little 3/27 Fred Hicks SERVICE COORDINATOR: 3/6 Garrett Roberts 3/13 Dave Little 3/20 Chris Wilcox 3/27 Ken Peters USHERS: Dave Beckrow Greg Mika Barry Brown Mark Peck Andy Gray Mark Zmierski A.M. NURSERY: 9:30 a.m. (all month) - Janie & McKenzie Kus 10:30 hour: 3/6 Carol Hicks, Melissa Hicks & Doris Stimpfel 3/13 Karen Speirs, Ann Roche & Julia Maurer 3/20 Donella Peasley, Jen Steely & Caitlyn Maurer 3/27 Andrea & Bailee Ross & Brittany Davidson WORSHIP LEADERS: 3/6 Kim Gray 3/13 Lauren Howard 3/20 Kristy Speirs 3/27 Fred Hicks SOUND SYSTEM: 3/6 Ken Peters 3/13 Brian Hicks 3/20 Dave Speirs 3/27 Duane O’Dell POWER POINT: 3/6 Kevven Dorland 3/13 JoEllen Bukoski 3/20 Ron Kampo 3/27 Carol Hicks VIDEO RECORDING: 3/6 Garrett Roberts 3/13 Nick Romzek 3/20 Joey Kampo 3/27 DJ Wheeler COMMUNION PREPARATION & CLEAN-UP: Patty Peters

GREETERS: 3/6 9:30 (main) Ed & Marideth Nizzola (center) Dave & Karen Speirs 10:30 (main) Melvin & Carolyn Mittlestat (center) Garrett & Heather Roberts 3/13 9:30 (main) Tommy Mittlestat (center) Larry & Sherry Thick 10:30 (main) Mark & Patty Peck (center) Ryan & Shelli Herford 3/20 9:30 (main) Gib & Pam Kern (center) Scott & Robin Hendrian 10:30 (main) Steve & Andrea Ross (center) Mike & Carol Gaszczynski 3/27 9:30 (main) Dave & Robin Beckrow (center) Garold & Jamie Peasley 10:30 (main) Phil & Cindy Klaus (center) Chris & Stacey Wilcox 4/3 9:30 (main) Barry & Kerry Brown (center) Duane & Kathy O’Dell 10:30 (main) Andy & Kim Gray (center) Paul & Tasha Binder JUNIOR CHURCH: Leaders: 2’s-3’s: 3/6 Chris & Stacey Wilcox 3/13 Scott & Robin Hendrian 3/20 Bill & Amy Claerhout 3/27 Jen Steely & Deb Zmierski 4’s-5’s: 3/6 Lauren Bukoski 3/13 Michael & Tami Daskam 3/20 Paul & Tasha Binder 3/27 Pam Kolacz K-2nd: 3/6 Sharron Hartwick 3/13 Joanne & Becky Hopper 3/20 Janie Kus 3/27 Dave Little 3rd-5th: 3/6 Josh Morford 3/13 Kerry Brown 3/20 Ryan & Shelli Herford 3/27 Josh Morford Song Leaders: 3/6 Sharron Hartwick 3/13 Lauren Bukoski 3/20 Beth Mellendorf 3/27 Sharron Hartwick Communion Meditation: 3/6 RJ Klaus 3/13 Jason Speirs 3/20 Josh Morford 3/27 Dave Little

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

Ladies Bible

Study - 10 am

Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm

Basketball - 7 pm

2

Shine & Bible Bowl - 3:30 pm

Beginner Bible Bowl - 4:45 pm

3

Positive Alterna-tive Benefit

Dinner - 6:30 pm

Volleyball Novesta 1 - 7 pm Novesta 2 - 8 pm

4 5

6

Gib Kern Preaching 10:30 am

7

Mom’s Group 6:30 pm

8

Ladies Bible Study - 10 am

Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm

Basketball - 7 pm

9

Quilting 9 am—3 pm

Shine & Bible

Bowl - 3:30 pm

Beginner Bible Bowl - 4:45 pm

10

L.I.F.T. - 7 pm

Volleyball Novesta 1 - 7 pm Novesta 2 - 8 pm

11

RSVD by Jodie Mika

12:45—3:30 pm

12

Gym RSVD

13

Baby Shower for Faith Bucholtz

1:00 pm

Parenting Class Begins - 6 pm

14 15

Ladies Bible Study - 10 am

Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm

Basketball - 7 pm

16

Shine & Bible Bowl - 3:30 pm

Beginner Bible Bowl - 4:45 pm

17

NO Volleyball

18

Saginaw Soup Kitchen - 8:50 am

19

Gym RSVD by Bev Auten &

Julie Mozdzen

20

Palm Sunday

Jr. Church room RSVD by Karissa

Schrader

21

Mom’s Group 6:30 pm

22

Ladies Bible Study - 10 am

Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm

Basketball - 7 pm

23

Quilting 9 am—3 pm

Shine & Bible

Bowl - 3:30 pm

Beginner Bible Bowl - 4:45 pm

24

Volleyball Novesta 1 vs. Novesta 2 @

7 pm

25

Community Good Friday Service

1:00 p.m. at Mizpah

(tentatively)

26

Gym RSVD by Jackie Warju

27

Resurrection Sunday

28 29

Ladies Bible Study - 10 am

Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm

Basketball - 7 pm

30

Shine & Bible Bowl - 3:30 pm

Beginner Bible Bowl - 4:45 pm

31

NO Volleyball

Rallyball Tournament

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

Bible School ~ 9:30-10:20 a.m. Worship ~ 10:30 a.m.

Student Ministry ~ 6 p.m. Parenting Class ~ 6 pm

(begins March 13)

Michigan Statewide - Fri. thru Sun.

Beginner Bible Bowl - Fri. thru Sun.