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 Daniel Knowlton, Family Minister

May Issue

Remembering those who paid for our freedom

VOL. XXXIX - - - No. 5

April 27, 2014

Walkology

It’s one thing to ‘know’ what God says. It’s another thing to follow that in our daily lives. The book of Romans is a great book that teaches us a lot about the ‘knowing’ of God’s plan. In addition, it also gives us some great ‘doing’ instructions as well. Over the next 3 weeks we’re going to be going on a journey of learning about ‘walking’ as Jesus would desire us to walk. We’re going to be covering Romans 12 in-depth learning that it’s not just about hearing the Word, but about DOING what it says!

April 27th - The Toughest Challenge May 4th - The Highest Calling

May 11th - The Greatest Cause

A Mother’s Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for bringing my children into my life. Help me guide them and teach them through example to lead lives of wisdom and strong,

loving faith. Please let them learn to serve you always in thought and deed. And remind me, Lord, to always be there for my

family as YOU are always there for me. Amen.

Graduate Sunday

On Sunday, May 18th we’ll be honoring our High School Graduates and their families with a breakfast, a special gift from the church, and we’ll also take time at the beginning of our service to recognize them and their accomplishments, as well as plans for the future! Daniel Knowlton will be preaching that day also.

Our 2014 graduates are:

Collin Hartwick, Heather McCormick, Kayla Zmierski, Lauren Bukoski, Michaela Romain, Rachel Patera, Samantha Krueger, & Tyler Brandel.

New Class ~ NOVESTA 101 ~ Begins Today This is a quick 4 week class about who we area as a church, what we believe, etc. It kicks off today (April 27th and runs through May 18th). Even if you missed today’s you can still join the class for the last 3 classes. The class is planning on meeting in Brad’s office (there’s comfy chairs in there :))

Here We Grow Again … Sunday, April 13th, following the morning worship service Heather McCormick was im-mersed into Christ. She is one of our 2014 gradu-ates. Then Monday evening, April 14, Steve Steely was also baptized. Steve & his wife, Jen (Zmierski) and their baby daughter, Lilli, live at 6699 Delong Road. April 23rd, Parker & Kennedy VanWormer were immersed and their parents, Eric & Erin Jaenicke having previously been immersed, placed their membership. They live in Cass City. We rejoice with these new members and their families and pray for others to make the decision to follow Christ.

M A Y 1 0

9: 0 0

A M

FREE Car Wash for our Novesta Ladies in the church parking lot beginning at

9:00 a.m. until 1:00 pm.

Note: if we get rained out it will be rescheduled. (There is a sign up for any men or youth

that would like to help.)

AED & CPR/FIRST-AID CLASS

Wednesday, May 14th

AED - 6 p.m.

Taught by a representative from the company

CPR / FIRST-AID - 7 p.m. Taught by Cathy Healy

‘Summer of Love New Class starting in June

Starting in June, we’re going to be offering a summer marriage strengthening class on Sunday mornings at 9:30. We’re still finalizing details and plans, but we wanted to let you know about it so that you can begin planning to be here to help your marriage grow! If you’re married, your relationship with your spouse is so important to every part of your life. Join us for a great time of laughing, learning, and growing together.

SOFTBALL We don’t yet have a schedule for the team, but the games are supposed to be starting the week of May 4th. The plan will be to have a practice at the park prior to our games that week (whatever night that might be.) There is an umpiring meeting this Monday at 6:30 at the softball fields in Cass City. We need as many people there as possible. If you plan on playing, you will be asked to commit to one night of umpiring, and you need to be ‘trained’ in order to ump. If you’re not able to ump or just don’t want to … that’s fine, but we’re going to ask that you pay $10 to cover the expense and time of someone else to take your place. Any questions, talk to Brad.

WCSC Men s Retreat June 6th & 7th

We want to invite all the men of Novesta to join us for a great night of Spiritual growth and commu-nity as we travel to Wolverine Christian Service Camp for a brief Men’s Retreat. The cost is $50 to-tal.

There will be a sign-up (which I know none of you guys will do) and you can also talk to Brad for more information. The theme is “Wake Up”.

Hope you’ll be able to make it!

LONG TERM

PRAYER LIST

**Member Lester O’Dell - Emphysema

Quinton Simpson - coma (Dena Anderson's nephew)

Carol Hartman - recovery from surgery (friend of Pat McIntosh)

Diane Wojtaszke - cancer (Ann Hartel contact)

**Heather Roberts - continued healing of MS

**Dena Anderson - extreme pain

Steve Wilkinson - aneurysm

Don Kruse - recovery

**Larry Harper - Intestinal problems

Allison Newbegin - tumor (Sharron Hartwick’s great niece)

Tonya Armstrong - cancer (Sharron Hartwick’s niece)

Mark Pierson - (Zmierski’s cousin)

Debra Slanec - cancer (niece of Peggy Nordquist)

Lauren Hood - (Betty Powell contact)

**Leonard Hawkins - Sandusky

Brian Puterbaugh - recovery, head injury Rachael Maurer - recovery from auto accident

**Phil Klaus - Graves disease

Julie Patterson - recovery from surgery

Les Auten III - Kidney disease

Gary DeHann - Cancer (Auten’s brother-in-law)

Elmer & Beatrice Micklash - Cancer (Nick Romzek’s grandparents) Others with ill health are:

Lee Hartel, Lee Nicol, Joyce Brown 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.

WOODBURN CHRISTIAN CHILDREN’S HOME … would like to introduce your to their children: This year we have three graduating seniors at WCCH.

Tabitha (18) has been a member of our family since she was 6 years old. Tabitha has all A’s & B’s this grading period and participates in shot and disc events in track. She plans to attend college in the fall. Zach (18) will also graduate this Spring. Zach is in Show Choir and lettered in Cross Country and Track. He will be at-tending Taylor University. Destiny (18) is our third graduating senior. Destiny has grown so much since she came to WCCH just over a year ago. She was baptized at camp this past summer and plans to go to Ivy Tech. Joel (18) loves NASCAR! Joel has a heart for ministry. He works hard to make good grades and has a part-time job in the afternoon. Drew (16) is into weightlifting. Drew loves football and will be playing Varsity next year. He’s studying Culinary Arts at Anthis Career Center and always has a smile on his face. Brittany (16) enjoys WCCH family life. Brittany works hard in school and likes to help around the house. She is a very special girl. Megan (15) runs 100m dash and hurdle events. Megan recently won an award for an essay she read at a reception at the downtown Marriott. Kim (13) loves animals. Kim is a member of the girls 7th grade basketball team. She plays the flute and enjoys making craft items. Crystine (13) enjoys playing with stuffed animals. Crystine also enjoys playing board games and making craft items. Trevor (13) played on his school basketball team. Trevor enjoys astronomy and likes to listen to Christian music. Logan (11) also played on his school basketball team. Logan is currently working on a research project for school. He likes to make rubber band bracelets. James (11) placed well in his first area Spelling Bee. James enjoys WCCH family life. He is a very sharp young man who gets along well with others. Trent (10) enjoys learning about U.S. history and especially the Civil War. Trent plays basketball and likes to play with matchbox cars and Legos. Heather (9) likes to make crafts with her older sisters. Heather is a very special little girl who tells us every morning that she loves us. The Home would like you to pray daily for all the boys and girls and houseparents at the Woodburn Christian Children’s Home. If you know a boy or girl who needs help or needs a home, please call the WCCH Office (260-632-5551) today!

SAGINAW SOUP KITCHEN May 16

Volunteers leave the church parking lot at 8:50 a.m. and go prepare and serve a hot meal to those in need. If you would like to help, sign up in the middle hall-way or see Ray Peasley.

Cass City High School Graduation

May 23, 2014 @ 7:00 p.m.

Listed are the Open House invitations we have received to date:

KAYLA ZMIERSKI

May 31 ~ 1:00-4:00 p.m. ~ at her home (2540 E. Elmwood Road, Caro)

MICHAELA ROMAIN

June 1 ~ Time TBA ~ at church

COLLIN HARTWICK June 7 ~ Noon - 3:00 p.m. ~ at church

LAUREN BUKOSKI

July 6 ~ time TBA ~ at her home (7676 Gilbert Road, Cass City)

Financial Peace Corner - - - Just a reminder to everyone to keep up with your budgets using GAZELLE intensity. At this point in the process, the mechanics of budgeting should be getting easier, but the EMOTION of making the change may be waning. It’s impor-tant to remember that over the next 3 months you will need to ‘LEAD your Heart’ to want to change, and then over time as you begin to see the re-sults add up, your heart will lead you … so don’t give up, don’t give up, don’t give up! You can do this! Remember to live like no one else, so that later you can live and give like no one else!!! Re-member that there are budget forms available in the middle hallway.

BIBLE STUDIES

LADIES BIBLE STUDY Meets at church on Tuesdays at 10 a.m.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY

Meets at church on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE:

MOM’S BIBLE STUDY is done for now. They will resume in the Fall.

BIBLE BOWL COMPETITION

at Novesta - May 3 Bible Bowl teams will be competing at No-vesta this Saturday, May 3rd beginning at 10:00 a.m. This is their last regular Round Robin of the year. So if you would like to see them in ac-tion, this is your last chance. Our Bible Bowlers are: Luke Koepf, Kayla Zmierski, Tyler & Josh Brandel, and Lucas Wright. We wish them good luck and pray they will be able to recall all they have studied and memorized.

CAMP SCHEDULES

Just a reminder that the camp schedules for

Wolverine Christian Service Camp and

Rock Lake Christian Assembly

are on the table in the foyer. Be sure to sign up by the end of May to receive the dis-count. See Daniel for more information. Remember: The church pays half the tuition.

Memorial

Day

observed

May 26

DIRECTORIES �We will hopefully be receiving our pictorial direc-tories this month as well as our new and up-dated phone directories. Be watching the bulle-tins and announcements for information when they come in.

FAMILY DEVOTIONS We are excited to announce that the Family Devotion Book-lets are now available. We have written them up to go throughout the summer (May 4th-August 31) and will coin-cide with the Bible School lessons. This is a great opportunity to have devotions together as a family and a great routine to get into. Booklets are available in the middle hallway, please sign your name on the list when you take your copy.

VBS: June 23rd – 26th This year we’re excited to announce our Jun-gle-Themed VBS Program from Group Publishing called “Weird Animals: Where Jesus’ Love is One of a Kind.” God filled the world with a lot of crazy creatures...including you! When kids feel weird, different, or even lost in a crowd—nothing com-pares to the extraordinary love of Jesus. At Weird Animals vacation Bible school, kids experience God’s Word in surprising and unforgettable ways! Each day, leaders reinforce one simple Bible truth—which makes it easy for kids to remember and apply to real life! We are inviting all 2 year olds through 5th Grade to come and learn that: Even when you’re left out...Jesus loves you! Even though you’re different...Jesus loves you! Even when you don't understand...Jesus loves you! Even though you do wrong...Jesus loves you!

Pocket Pals: Calling all Kids 4 years—4th grade AND all Adults!! It’s time for Pocket Pals again and we’d love to pair each of you up with a pocket pal for the month of May. This is an awesome program where you simply share notes, cards, and en-couragements with your “buddy” during the month using your pocket that will be set up in the Jr. Church room. Please take advantage of this very rewarding experience!! In your pocket on May 4th there will be suggestions for you and ideas for what you can put in each other’s pockets. The program will go through June 1st. Sign-up today and make a pal for life!

QUILTING AT NOVESTA

May 7 & 14 As with everyone else, the quilters get very busy when the summertime comes with gardening, lawns, keeping up with grandchildren’s ball & soc-cer games, etc. SO … we will be quilting the first two Wednesdays of May (7th & 14th) and then we’ll be done until Fall. If something comes up and we need more quilts than we have on hand, we will call in the troops for a special quilting day.

Have a great summer, quilters!

Elders Meeting ~ May 26 ~ 7:00 p.m.

If you have any praises or concerns, feel free to share them with any elder or minister.

Dear Church family, Thank you so much for all the prayers and

thoughts for us during this difficult time. Thank you for the beautiful quilts from the quilting ladies. Thank you Mom’s Bible Study for the gift. Thank you for the wonderful meal the ladies put on for us. We appreciate all the visits, meals, & cards. We truly appreciate your love and support in our time of need. Love, Jessica, Steve, Madyson, Keegen, Clem & Sally

A great big “Thank You” for all the prayers, cards and visits while I was in the hospital dealing with my heart attack. Knowing my Church family was praying for me made the ordeal easier to get through. Gary Anderson (and Dena)

OUR MILITARY

Scott Brownson - (Tom & Doris Stimpfel’s nephew) Jeremy Burns - Afghanistan (Sandra Yax’ nephew) Justin Fischer - (Tom & Doris Stimpfel’s nephew) Matthew Harris - Hawaii (Sandra Yax’ nephew) Toby Kilbourn - (Jim’s son) Ben Knoblet - (Tim’s nephew) Jamie Parrish - (Kristie Speirs’ brother, Betty Stilson’s grandson) - serving in Iraq Matthew Peck - (Mark’s son) Ryan Reid - (Jeff Hartel’s nephew) Julie Roche Griffith - Air Force - Japan Cody Ross - California Jeffery Soldan - Afghanistan (Sandra Yax’ nephew) Jason Spaulding - California Brandon Speirs - Overseas Joe Vandecar - Washington, D.C. Jacques Weilbach - (Jacques & Marsha’s son) Marius Weilbach - (Jacques & Marsha’s son)

Birthdays & Anniversaries 5/1 Ryan Herford 5/4 Ann Hartel 5/4 Megan Nitz 5/7 Robin Beckrow 5/7 Taylor Marshall 5/10 Andy Gray 5/10 (A) Stu & Brenda Venema 5/11 Keith Little 5/12 Ada Kilbourn 5/13 Leonard Hawkins 5/13 (A) Lyle & Heather Severance 5/13 (A) Tom & Sloane Stimpfel 5/14 Renee Nitz 5/16 Kaylene Stine 5/17 Hannah Dennis 5/17 Wanda Leboida Klauka 5/19 Taylor Brown 5/20 (A) Virgil & Amy Peters 5/20 (A) Larry & Patty Miller 5/21 Judy Romzek 5/21 Jeff Healy 5/21 Katie Klaus 5/21 (A) Brice & Kaylene Stine 5/22 Daniel Knowlton 5/23 Brooke Hartwick 5/23 Stuart Venema 5/24 Brandon Hartwick 5/24 Brandon Speirs 5/24 Daniel Krueger 5/24 Natasha Binder 5/25 Betty Powell 5/26 Russ Speirs 5/27 Lauren Howard 5/27 Cindy Pruitt 5/28 Joshua Brandel 5/29 Jesse Gomez 5/30 Bryce Bukoski 5/31 Virgil Peters

… to Brice & Kaylene Stine on the birth of their son, Devin Michael, born on April 22rd weighing 7 lbs. 1 oz. and is 20.5 inches long. … to Joe & Haley Larkin on the birth of their daughter, Lillian Suzanne Lea, born April 23. She weighed 5 # 11 ozs. and 19 inches long. She has a proud big brother, Logan.

THOSE SERVING IN MAY

COMMUNION MEDITATION: 5/4 Rob Hartwick 5/11 Gib Kern 5/18 Joel Brandel 5/25 Fred Hicks DEACONS: Duane O’Dell Ron Speirs Virgil Peters Larry Thick USHERS: Barry Brown Mark Peck Andy Gray Mark Zmierski Greg Mika A.M. NURSERY: 9:30 a.m. (all month) - Janie Kus 10:30 hour: 5/4 Ann Hartel, JoEllen Bukoski; Mary Helen P. 5/11 Karen Speirs, Ann Roche, & Donella Peasley 5/18 Marilyn Lester, Andrea & Bailey Ross 5/25 Tasha Knowlton, Renee Nitz, & Linda Downing WORSHIP LEADERS: 5/4 Kristy Speirs 5/11 Kim Gray 5/18 Lauren Howard 5/25 Fred Hicks SOUND SYSTEM: 5/4 Scott Hendrian 5/11 Ken Peters 5/18 Brian Hicks 5/25 Dave Speirs POWER POINT: 5/4 Collin Hartwick 5/11 Carol Hicks 5/18 Ron Kampo 5/25 JoEllen Bukoski VIDEO RECORDING: 5/4 Garrett Roberts 5/11 Nick Romzek 5/18 Jonathan Brandel 5/25 Lauren Bukoski COMMUNION PREPARATION & CLEAN-UP: Doris Stimpfel

GREETERS: 5/4 9:30 (main) Jim & Wanda Lonsberry (canter) Garold & Jamie Peasley 10:30 (main) Jeff & Ann Hartel (center) Steve & Andrea Ross 5/11 9:30 (main) Doris Stimpfel & Elfriede Englehart (center) Gib & Pam Kern 10:30 (main) Mary Helen Pratt & Janice Winter (center) Jean Schulz & Mary Lou Spencer 5/18 9:30 (main) Barry & Kerry Brown (center) Lauren Howard & Janet Wright 10:30 (main) Phil & Cindy Klaus (center) High School Class 5/25 9:30 (main) Harold & Joan Little (center) Rob & Susie Hartwick 10:30 (main) Keith Little & Ron Speirs (center) Chad & Cindy Pruitt 6/1 9:30 (main) Dave & Karen Speirs (center) Les & Bev Auten 10:30 (main) Ryan & Shelli Herford (center) Duane & Kathy O’Dell JUNIOR CHURCH: Leaders: 2’s-3’s: Cathy Healy (May 4 & 11) Heather Roberts (May 18 & 25) 4’s-1st: Kerry Brown & Tyler Brown 2nd-4th: Katie Klaus, Denise Diaz, & Michelle Speirs Song Leaders: 5/4 Sharron Hartwick 5/11 Lauren Bukoski 5/18 Beth Mellendorf 5/25 Belle Hiles Communion Meditation: 5/4 Tyler Brandel 5/11 Luke Koepf 5/18 Jon Brandel 5/25 Gary Anderson

FACTS & FIGURES Average weekly attendance for the month

of April (to date): A.M. Worship … 283

Offering average for April (to date): Sunday Offerings……….…$5,551.02

(Budget per Sunday: $4,135)

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

Bible Bowl at Novesta

4 5

Mom’s Bible Study

7:00 p.m.

6

Ladies Bible Study - 10 a.m.

Men’s Bible

Study - 7 p.m.

7

Quilting 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

8

Mission Ministry Meeting 7:00 p.m.

9 10

Free Car Wash for our Ladies 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

11

Happy Mother’s

Day

12 13

Ladies Bible Study - 10 a.m.

Men’s Bible

Study - 7 p.m.

14

Quilting 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

AED Training class - 6 p.m.

CPR / FIRST AID

Class - 7 p.m.

15

Gym RSVD for decorating

16

Soup Kitchen 8:50 a.m.

Gym RSVD for

decorating

17

Reserved for Wedding Reception

18

Graduate Breakfast 9:30 a.m.

19

Mom’s Bible Study 7 p.m.

20

Ladies Bible Study - 10 a.m.

Men’s Bible

Study - 7 p.m.

21 22 23

CCHS Graduation 7:00 p.m.

24

25 26

Memorial Day

(observed)

27

Ladies Bible Study - 10 a.m.

Men’s Bible

Study - 7 p.m.

28 29 30 31

Kayla Zmierski’s Open House

1:00-4:00 p.m. @ her home

2540 E. Elmwood

Gym RSVD for Decorating

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

BIBLE SCHOOL

9:30-10:20

WORSHIP SERVICE 10:30

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