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

VOL. XXXX - - - No. 10

September 27, 2015

October Issue

S T A R T Good intentions usually end up being just that … intentions … never materializing or accomplishing anything. Thankfully the early church didn’t just intend to change the world, they really did it, and we have the message of grace and hope today in large part because of their willingness to START. Over the next few weeks we will continue to look at what it truly means to START living for Jesus and what that life looks like. September 27th - Start with the Bible October 11th - Start Serving October 4th - Start Connecting October 18th - Start Praying

SWAP DAYS WILL SOON BE HERE OCTOBER 4th - 9th

For those who don’t know what swap days is … this is your chance to get rid of unwanted stuff. You bring items you no longer want (clothing, household, etc.) to the church. Everything gets set out like a garage sale, only everything is free. Days are set aside for those who regularly attend our church to come and take what they want. We then set aside days for the public to come and take what they want. SO START CLEANING!!

You can start bringing your stuff on Sunday, October 4, after church services and on Monday the 5th. Put it in the lobby by the gym or in the gym. Those who regularly attend will be able to come take what they want on Tuesday the 6th and Wednesday the 7th. The church will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. It will be open to the public on Thursday from 8:30 to 6:00 and Friday from 8:30 to 12:00.

Questions?? See Ellen Speirs (Because of all the stuff we get, we discourage getting stuff from people outside of our church)

Also, because of situations in the past, we ask that you do not bring guests with you on the two days we have set aside for our church family. Thank you.

HARVEST FEST ~ OCTOBER 31 ~ 2 PM - 4 PM Our annual party for families is quickly approaching. We are getting ready for a great party with tons of games, lots of candy, and awesome prizes! We want to invite all families and their kids (up thru 6th grade) to join us for a fun-filled day that is sure to be a great family memory. As a church, we use Harvest Fest as a chance to reach out to the community as a blessing to young families and their kids. That means we are going to be needing lots of volunteers to help run the games, man the kitchen, and to set-up and take-down. There will be a sign-up in the middle hallway for the workers that are needed and you can also begin bringing in bags of individually wrapped candies and snack-type treats throughout the month of October. We’re looking forward to Harvest Fest 2015 being one of the best parties yet, and that can only happen with everybody doing their part! Please talk to Josh or Brad or Kristy Speirs for more information.

Potluck & New Member Introduction

October 11th after church we will be having a church-wide fellowship meal in the gym. We in-vite everyone to bring a dish to pass or a salad or dessert. Our LIFT ladies will be providing ham and potatoes and the drinks, so come and enjoy a time of getting to know your church family better. We’re also going to be spending some time meeting our newest members from 2015, so you’ll definitely want to stay if you’re able!

Service of Remembrance November 1 ~ 3 p.m.

Kranz Funeral Home is planning their annual holiday “Service of Remembrance.” This is an opportunity for families to come together once again in tribute and memory of their loved ones. This service will be held at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City.

Financial Peace University Sunday nights at 6PM.

Do you make money, spend money, or ever deal with money? Of course you do, we all do, so let’s make the best use of that money for our families and God’s glory. FPU is a 9 week course designed to help us take control of our money and to help God’s people manage God’s money God’s ways. It’s not too late to start the class and begin the journey to financial peace. Talk to Brad for more information.

BIBLE BOWL NEWS Our new season is under way and our youngsters are busy studying the first part of the gospel of Luke. Our first competition is scheduled for November

7th at Country Christian Church in Lapeer. There’s still time to be a part of the team also, so if you’ve got a 6th - 12th grader that is interested, please talk to Karen Speirs as soon as possible.

BEGINNER BIBLE BOWL BBB is a Bible question & answer pro-gram that encourages kids to learn God’s word through quick memory re-call, question answering, and scripture

memorization. We invite ALL 2nd - 5th grade kid-dos to give BBB a shot. There are weekly practices (after Shine on Wednesdays), monthly competitions (usually in Lansing), and a national tournament in Louisville, KY in March. We’re just a couple weeks in to practice and we’d love to have you join us still. For more information, please talk to Brad or Kristy Speirs.

Bible School - A place for everyone!

We invite everyone to join us at 9:30 each Sunday morning for Bible classes and learning. We have classes for all ages, including nursery, and numer-ous adult classes as well. Bible School is a great place to learn more about the Bible & build great friendships.

Fantasy Football The season is just 2 weeks old, but in the 3 leagues a few front-runners have emerged. Early congrats to Brandon Speirs & Bill Claerhout, Ryan Radabaugh, Jenny Baker, Nathan Hennessey, Nick Romzek, Jason Speirs, & Noal Powell. There’s a lot of season left for others to emerge and overcome these current leaders. Enjoy the season and getting to know one another.

Student Ministry / Kids Ministry SHINE: Our after school program is back in swing as the kiddos have returned to school. We go from 3:30-4:30 at the Church on Wednesdays. If you are interested in helping out with the program or if you know of a kiddo that wants to come that isn’t coming yet, please contact Josh or Kristy for more information. STUDENT MINISTRY: our Sunday Night program for Jr. High-High School is currently in full swing. We meet on Sunday Nights from 6-8 PM for fun games, fellow-ship, and Biblical teaching. We would love to have your student or any students you know come out and hang out with us on Sunday Night. On that note, if you have a passion for Student Ministry and want to volunteer your Sunday Nights, we are in need of a few more volunteers. For more info, please contact Josh.

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) Dorothy Pierson - nursing home (Zmierski’s aunt) Bob Hirn - ALS 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.

The support that Novesta gives to missions makes a difference. This news from Campus Minis-tries shows an example of how we are even helping to reach foreign students.

Dear Friends at Novesta Church of Christ, Thank you for your gift toward impacting students on campus with the love of Jesus. Did you know that there are students on our cam-puses from parts of the world that may never have an opportunity to hear the gospel, or even be friends with a Christian?! At Western Michigan University, international students from many Middle Eastern and East Asian countries make up about 8% of the student population, the high-est concentration of students being from Saudi Arabia, China, and India. This past week I met with two women from Iran in the student center. They desire greatly for American friends and to learn English and the culture better. Many Muslims around the world are currently fasting for Ramadan. One woman asked, “Are there things you have to do as a Christian?” I was able to answer with the fa-mous line, “No. We don’t have to; we get to!” Af-ter this, I was able to share about the love and grace of Jesus. The other woman said, “Wow! I have never heard this before. It is so beautiful!” At WMU, we host events for international students, building relationship and sharing God’s love with them. On July 3, we went to South Ha-ven to spend the afternoon on the beach and watch the fireworks. We had about 50 people—international students and Americans—spending hours together and making lifelong memories. International students will come back to us for fun, friendship, advice or help with things they need. They could go to other friends or the university, but they know we care. Pray for us a WMU as we reach out, love and share life and Je-sus with them. Your gift is a vital part of us reaching out on our campuses, which in turn, reach the world.

5th Quarters: In the Month of October we have three Fifth Quarters planned. October 2, 16 & 23. We had a turnout of over 100 students at the first fifth quarter of the year. We would love it if you would come out to a fifth quarter and help volunteer your time or if you don’t feel like that, we always would appreciate some home-made desserts to show these kids how much Novesta cares about them. For more informa-tion please contact Josh.

FACTS & FIGURES

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

A.M. Worship … 240

Offering average for September (to date): Sunday Offerings……….…$4,352.53

(Budget per Sunday: $4,425)

QUILTING Come join us on October 14 & 28 as we make quilts for those at shelters for bat-tered women & children, those in hos-pice care, those in need of knowing someone ca-res, etc. We begin at 9 AM, stop for lunch, and then finish up between 2 & 3 PM. We have a great time of fellowship.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The Kids Ministry is currently looking for some awesome volunteers in a non teaching role for our Junior Church service on Sunday Mornings. We are attempting to get two adults in every class-room to help our teachers and accommodate for our ever growing kids ministry. If you are inter-ested in giving up one Sunday a month, please contact Josh.

CONGRATULATIONS…

...to Skip & Ellen Speirs on the birth of their grandson, Cole Robert, born October 17 to Adina & Brent Gam-ron. He weighed 7 lbs. 8 ozs. I’m sure Cole’s sister, Jaycee is really proud of him too. Congrats also to his Uncle Brandon, Aunt Michelle & Uncle Zach.

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

October 8 ~ 7:00 p.m.

We had a nice turn out for our last meet-ing but we are hoping for more to attend. Marilyn Lester told about previous “Ladies Aid” meetings of the Novesta ladies in the “olden days” when the mothers and grand-mothers of some of our members were a part of the group. October’s meeting will be held on the 8th at 7:00 p.m. There will be a guest speaker from Special Scents Flower Shop that will tell us about flowers and flower arranging. Kathy O’Dell will have the devotions and Carrie Gilley is in charge of the refresh-ments. Come on out and enjoy a time of fellow-ship with the ladies. This is for ladies of all ages from college age to older. We’ll be done by 8:30 p.m.

BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES

LADIES BIBLE STUDY

Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.

MOM’S GROUP

October 5 ~ 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Short Term Mission Trip There will be a short meeting following the morning worship on October 18. This meeting will be held to find out how many are interested in a 2016 Mission Trip possibly with I.D.E.S. If you are interested in serving a few days on a mission trip, be sure to attend the meet-ing or if you’re not there that Sunday, let Ray Peasley know.

Service Corner We are always on the lookout for a few good men and women. If you’re ready to take the next step in your walk with Jesus and serve, we’ve got many places looking for additional help and volunteers. From greeters to nursery to video to worship to visitation and beyond, there are places for you to plug in and help. Talk to Brad or Josh about where you can get plugged in to serving and sharing the message of Je-sus.

Forgotten Man Ministries Dinner October 15 ~ 6:00 p.m.

The Forgotten Man Ministries Annual Dinner will be held on October 15 at the Col-wood United Brethren church. Please plan to be there by 6:00 p.m. to get seated. There is a sign up posted on the bulletin board so we know how many will be going.

OUR MILITARY

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

FINANCE MINISTRY “Budget Planning” MEETING - OCT. 5

The Finance Ministry will be meeting about 7:45 p.m. (following the Board Meeting) on Mon-day, October 5th to work on the budget for 2016. Ministry groups and other leaders need to give your requests for funding to Gary Anderson.

BOARD MEETING OCTOBER 5

7:00 P.M.

SAGINAW SOUP KITCHEN October 16

If you would like to volunteer to help at the Soup Kitchen on Friday, October 16, sign up on the hall-way bulletin board or let Ray Peasley know. We leave the church at 8:50 a.m. and return sometime between 1:00-2:00 p.m. It is a great time of service preparing and serving meals to those in need.

G.L.C.C. DAY (Great Lakes Christian College)

October 25th ~ 10:30 a.m.

Date Night ~ October 17th We will be having a couples date night in Saginaw for dinner and a movie. We will be watching the new football movie, “Woodlawn”. We’d like to have you join us. Talk to Heather Roberts for more information.

Cards & Notes Dear Novesta Family, Amy & I want to thank you for the many cards, notes and calls we received with my mother’s passing. Thank you for the plant that was sent to the funeral as well. Mom always thought highly of Novesta and all the people there. Thank you for remembering our family as you have - we’re grateful & thank-ful.

Chuck & Amy & Craig Emmert

Birthdays & Anniversaries 10/1 (A) Scott & Robin Hendrain 10/2 Ed Nizzola, III 10/2 Jenny Wymore 10/2 Phil Klaus 10/3 (A) Chuck & Kelli Hendrick 10/4 Wanda Lonsberry 10/4 Darin Miller 10/4 Parker VanWormer 10/5 Brice Stine 10/5 Jared Naegele 10/6 Lena Teller 10/6 Dave Peruski 10/7 Ralph Zinnecker 10/8 Dennis Hendrick 10/8 Aubrey Nizzola 10/8 Madelyn Wymore 10/10 John McIntosh 10/10 Keegan Elston 10/11 Jodie Mika 10/11 (A) Ray & Donella Peasley 10/13 Zoe Speirs 10/13 Dawn Maurer 10/14 Gary Anderson 10/14 (A) Gary & Dena Anderson 10/14 (A) Dave & Beckie Peruski 10/14 (A) Joe & JoEllen Bukoski 10/15 Steven Walther 10/15 Kelli Hendrick 10/15 Sandy Yax 10/15 Josh Williams 10/15 (A) Duane & Kathy O’Dell 10/15 (A) Doug & Laura Hiles 10/17 Jim Schenk 10/17 (A) Ron & Randee Speirs 10/19 Collin Hartwick 10/21 Sally Koepf 10/21 Carol Hicks 10/21 Sophia Romain 10/22 Kelly Ziegler 10/24 Jordan Hendrian 10/24 (A) Les & Bev Auten 10/25 Pam Kern 10/25 (A) Gib & Pam Kern 10/29 Michelle Speirs 10/31 Gabriela Gonzales

Mystery Member Last Mystery Member was: Stacey Wilcox 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 better. 1. I’m from the cheese capitol of Michigan 2. I’m getting married in 2016 3. Studying Special Education at SVSU. 4. Became a member of Novesta 3 months ago. 5. I’m a huge Duke University basketball fan.

WHO AM I ?

Attention Ladies & Girls

You are invited to a Baby Shower Open House for Lindsey (Speirs) Skiles

on October 25th, 2015 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. here at the church!

Lindsey is registered at Babies R Us. Lindsey & Chris will be welcoming their

little boy in February.

THOSE SERVING IN OCTOBER

COMMUNION MEDITATION: 10/4 Gib Kern 10/11 Ken Peters 10/18 Joel Brandel 10/25 Fred Hicks SERVICE COORDINATOR: 10/4 Stuart Venema 10/11 Ed Nizzola 10/18 Larry Thick 10/25 Scott Hendrian 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: 10/4 Robin Beckrow, Hailey, Madison & Taylor 10/11 Linda Downing, Cindy Klaus & Jenna Yax 10/18 Carol Hicks, Melissa Hicks & Doris Stimpfel 10/25 Karen Speirs, Ann Roche & Julia Maurer 11/1 Donella Peasley, Jen Steely & Caitlyn Maurer WORSHIP LEADER: 10/4 Kim Gray 10/11 Lauren Howard 10/18 Kristy Speirs 10/25 Fred Hicks SOUND SYSTEM: 10/4 Duane O’Dell 10/11 Scott Hendrian 10/18 Ken Peters 10/25 Brian Hicks POWER POINT: 10/4 Kevven Dorland 10/11 Carol Hicks 10/18 Ron Kampo 10/25 JoEllen Bukoski VIDEO RECORDING: 10/4 Garrett Roberts 10/11 Joey Kampo 10/18 Nick Romzek 10/25 Lauren Bukoski COMMUNION PREPARATION & CLEAN-UP: Mary Helen Pratt

GREETERS: 10/4 9:30 (main) Harold & Joan Little (center) Jordan Hendrian & Robert Gonzales 10:30 (main) Andy & Kim Gray (center) Janice Winter & Mary Helen Pratt 10/11 9:30 (main) Tommy Mittlestat (center) Larry & Sherry Thick 10:30 (main) Mark & Patty Peck (center) Ryan & Shelli Herford 10/18 9:30 (main) Gib & Pam Kern (center) Scott & Robin Hendrian 10:30 (main) Steve & Andrea Ross (center) Mike & Carol Gaszczynski 10/25 9:30 (main) Dave & Robin Beckrow (center) Garold & Jamie Peasley 10:30 (main) Chris & Stacey Wilcox (center) Phil & Cindy Klaus 11/1 9:30 (main) Barry & Kerry Brown (center) Rob & Susie Hartwick 10:30 (main) Duane & Kathy O’Dell (center) Keith Little & Ron Speirs JUNIOR CHURCH: Leaders: 2’s - 3’s: 10/4 Chris & Stacey Wilcox 10/11 Scott & Robin Hendrian & Amber Warju 10/18 Bill & Amy Claerhout 10/25 Jen Steely & Deb Zmierski 4’s - 5’s: 10/4 Lauren Bukoski 10/11 Tami & Michael Daskam 10/18 Tasha & Paul binder 10/25 Pam Kolacz K’s - 2nd: 10/4 Sharron Hartwick 10/11 Kerry Brown 10/18 Janie Kus 10/25 Dave Little 3rd - 5th: 10/4 Josh Morford 10/11 Kristie Speirs 10/18 Ryan & Shelli Herford 10/25 Heather Roberts Song Leaders: 10/4 Sharron Hartwick 10/11 Lauren Bukoski 10/18 Beth Mellendorf 10/25 Sharron Hartwick Communion Meditation: 10/4 Luke Koepf 10/11 Lucas Wright 10/18 Jonathan Brandel 10/25 Dave Little

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2

5th Quarter

Party

3

4 5

Mom’s Group 6:30 pm

Board Mtg. - 7 pm

Budget Mtg - 7:45

6

Ladies Bible Study - 10 am

Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm

7

Shine - 3:30 pm

Bible Bowl - 3:30

BBB - 4:45 pm

8

L.I.F.T. 7:00-8:30 pm

9

RSVD by Jodie Mika

12:30-3:30 pm

10

11

All Church Potluck

after church (meet our newest

members)

12 13

Ladies Bible Study - 10 am

Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm

14

Quilting 9 am - 3 pm

Shine - 3:30 pm

Bible Bowl - 3:30

BBB - 4:45 pm

15

Forgotten Man Ministries Dinner 6 pm @ Colwood

16

Saginaw Soup Kitchen - 8:50 am

5th Quarter

Party

17

Mom’s Group “Date Night”

18

Mission Trip Interest/info

Meeting (after church)

19 20

Ladies Bible Study - 10 am

Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm

21

Shine - 3:30 pm

Bible Bowl - 3:30

BBB - 4:45 pm

22 23

5th Quarter Party

24

25

Baby Shower Open House

For Lindsey (Speirs)

Skiles 12:30-2:30 pm

26 27

Ladies Bible Study - 10 am

Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm

28

Quilting 9 am - 3 pm

Shine - 3:30 pm

Bible Bowl - 3:30

BBB - 4:45 pm

29 30

RSVD by Jodie Mika

12:30-3:30 pm

31

Harvest Fest 2 - 4 pm

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

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

Student Ministry & FPU ~ 6 p.m. 2 0 1 5

S W A P D A Y