Volume 6, Issue 3

This week we begin The Journey Of 1,000 Miles... It is a journey in-ward and outward... Think of the last time you went on a vacation that required extensive travel... Set the dates... Finding the time... Dedicating the time for the jour-ney... Deciding where you will go...what you will take.... Who you will see....who will go with you.... Figuring out how to get there..... Booking reservations...committing to the journey...it's no different with a deep-ening spiritual journey.

On Ash Wednesday we began our forty day journey to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the tomb. These forty days were set aside in the early Church as a final period of preparation for baptism. They were set aside as an opportunity for those who had already entered a cove-nant with God to renew their devotion and to once more experience in their own lives the way of Jesus...so this journey is meant to draw us closer to Jesus and his ways...

The way of Jesus leads us to a wonder place. It brings us into God's presence; it plants us firmly in God's gracious heart. It is a wonderful place to be. It is "heaven" in more ways than words can express. The way of Jesus leads us to a wonderful place.

The way of Jesus leads us through some desolate and painful way-points. No journey worth going on is without some turbulence.

"The World" continues to oppose the way of Jesus. The conventional wisdom, drummed into our heads and hearts at every turn tells us to seek our own advancement. The business model operative in our cul-ture is to climb to the top, stepping over or even stepping on those who would impede our assent.

Hording is openly encouraged. We collect more toys (insert gadgets or smart phones or impressive cars) in order to impress others or dis-tinguish ourselves. We look for the right opportunity to buy low and sell high.

The way of Jesus begins each day with a prayer asking, "How might I help my neighbor," and ends with a confession for all the ways in which I had (intentionally and unintentionally) given offense. We seek unity with God's creation and all of God's children.

Continued on page 2

Pastor’s Corner

New Life United Methodist Church

Worship Times: 9:00am / 10:30am / Sunday School 9:00am & 10:30am

New Life News

Inside this issue:

Looking Ahead 2

Leone Whittum’s Poem 2

For Women 3

Children’s Christian

Newsletter

4

Birthdays / Anniversaries 5

Treasurer’s Report 5

Church Calendar 6

Admin. Council Minutes 7

Men’s Fellowship 7

Youth News 8

Church News 9

March 2012 Volume 6, Issue 3

Special points of

interest:

World Day of Prayer

Bishop’s Day

Women’s Lenten Brunch

Volume 6, Issue 3 2

New Life United Methodist Church

The Impartation

Enfold me in Your Presence

Unworthy though I be . . .

Pour Your love upon me

Have Your way in me.

I lift my little cup

But long for so much more.

My hungering soul athirst

Upon my spirit pour . . .

Your love, dear Lord, Your love

I can not live without.

Lift my fainting soul

And wash me of its doubt.

Set my heart aflame

As Your anointing pours . . .

Hold me in Your arms,

I would be wholly Yours.

© Leone Whittum July 17, 2010

He opened the rock, and the waters

gushed out; they ran in the dry places

like a river. Psalm 105:41

Looking Ahead

THE OLDER CROWD An older gentleman was on the operating table awaiting surgery and he insisted that his son, a renowned surgeon, perform the

operation. As he was about to get the anesthesia, he

asked to speak to his son. ‘Yes, Dad, what is it?’

‘Don’t be nervous, son; do your best and just remember, if it doesn’t go well, if

something happens to me, your mother is going to come and live with you and your

wife…’

You’re Invited to the

Women’s Lenten Brunch Co-sponsored by

New Hope UMC and New Life UMC Women

Saturday, March 31st, 2012 10:00am to 12:00pm

Please call to RSVP by March 26 Call: New Life UMC 989.352.7788

Mary Lou Botma 989.365.4271 New Hope UMC 231.972.2838 Nancy Karcher 989.967.8828

at New Life United Methodist Church 6584 W. Howard City-Edmore Rd. Six Lakes, MI 48886 Program Presented by New Hope UMW “Walking Where Jesus Walked” by Sherry Andersen and Jean Chapin We invite women from churches all around the area Come and share Lent with us

Continued from page 1 May these forty days move us away from our self-ish and self-serving tendencies and re-unite us with the One who understands what a full life really looks like. May these forty days allow us to glimpse the heaven which is all around us; a heaven we would be able to see if only we were to look through the eyes of Jesus rather than through the rose colored glasses of a world become drunk on its own abilities and accomplishments. And so, let these days begin and may you know joy in the journey. Pastor John

When a boat started sinking, the skipper shouted, “Does

anybody know how to pray?”

One man confidently answered, “Yes, I do.”

The captain nodded. “That’s good then,” he said. “You go

ahead and pray. The rest of us will put on life jackets.

We’re one short.”

Volume 6, Issue 3 3

Women’s Circles

Winter has treated us very well so far this year. Let’s hope that March does not come in like the traditional lion. If you are really young at heart, you may be getting a kite ready to launch, but if you are looking for a wonderful mission oppor-tunity, please join us on March 13 as we meet for UMW Fellowship Circle, at 1:30pm. We will be packing the health kits that will be taken to Conference, then find their way to individuals all over the world. What an easy way to be the hands of Jesus. If you cannot help us assemble these health kits, you can still be part of this mission by donating items from the list below. Health Kit Value: $12 per kit KIT CONTENTS Place these items inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag. (You may donate several or a box of 1 gallon zip lock bags) 1 hand towel (15”x25” up to 17”x27”, No kitchen towels) 1 wash cloth 1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized) 1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toe-

nail clippers) 1 bath–size bar of soap (3oz and up) 1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper,

no child-size brushes) 6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages (Note: UMCOR Sager Brown is now purchasing toothpaste in bulk to be added to health kits before shipping to ensure that the product does not expire before it is sent. Please include $1 for each kit you send toward the purchase of toothpaste.) (You may also donate money to cover shipping costs)

As we progress through March, the 20th of March will find some of your UMW sisters bringing an hour of fun to the residents at Kelsey Care Center in the form of BINGO. The Circle of Friends will meet at 7:00pm on Monday, March 26. They are busy with plans for the Quilt Show to be held at our church on Saturday, April 28. Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 31. At this Lenten Brunch we will Walk Where Jesus Walked, through a pro-gram by Sherry Andersen and Jean Chapin. Our UMW will prepare brunch. Please let us know by March 26, if you will be joining us that morning. We want to be sure to have ample food prepared. April 2 is our Unit Business meeting. Sunday, April 8 is Easter. Easter Breakfast will again be available following the Sonrise Service. Breakfast is planned for 8:15am. Please sign up to do-nate food as this is a free breakfast to our church fam-ily. A donation slip will be available for all to share in this church family around the table.

Your UMW President Mary Lou Botma 989-365-4271

Schedule Fri 02 World Day of Prayer@11:00am

LV St. Francis Catholic Church

Tue 13 Women’s Fellowship@1:30pm

Tue 20 Kelsey Recreation@2:00pm

Mon 26 Circle of Friends@7:00pm

Save the date:

Saturday April 28th, 2012

There will be a Quilt Show at

New Life UMC, sponsored by

Circle of Friends

Of all the things a woman’s

hands have made,

The quilt so lightly thrown

across her bed —

The quilt that keeps her loved

ones warm —

Is woven of her love and

dreams and thread.

Carrie A. Hall

“The Patchwork Quilt”

Widows Might Meet at the Church on Thursday, March 8th, at 1:30pm, and bring finger foods.

Helen Tooker’s new address Helen Tooker 14190 Nineteen Mile Rd. Gowen, MI 49326

Spiritual Growth Retreat Friday and Saturday, May 4th & 5th, 2012 Wesley Woods Camp—Register by April 18 See Mary Lou Botma for a form

An Irish Blessing

May God grant you always

A sunbeam to warm you.

A moonbeam to charm you,

A sheltering angel

So nothing can harm you,

Laughter to cheer you,

Faithful friends near you—

And whenever you pray,

Heaven to hear you.

Volume 6, Issue 3 4

Children Christian Newsletter

Jr. Church

9:00/10:00

Sunday School

10:30-11:30

This is how our Wednesday nights go 5:15 We start with open gym.

5:45 Then we sit down to eat a meal.

6:15 We break up into groups, Youth go with

Amy upstairs, 5 & 6 grader stay in the gym

with Nick and work on making good

choices through games. Pre– School to

4th grade, have Worship with fun music

and dance, then break into group and go to

different station. Art, story, Movie or

Science. We pick different themes each

month.

7:15 We gather back together for prayer.

Makayla Fountian 3/1

Aiden Smith 3/3

Andrew Gilman 3/13

Cheyanne Clanche 3/13

K-5th Grade

Key Verse: “God is our help and our shield.

Psalm 33:20

1st Lesson: God Gives Joshua Courage—

Joshua 1:1-9. The Point: We ask God for

strength and courage.

2nd Lesson: Esau Forgives Jacob—Genesis

32:9-12; 33:1-4. The Point: We seek forgive-

ness with God’s help.

3rd Lesson: Jesus Eats With His Friends—

Matthew 26:20-29. The Point: We are loyal

friends,

4th Lesson: Jesus Prays with His Friends—

Mark 14:31-40. The Point: We support our

Friends.

Want to show off your

talents?

Sign up at

Wednesday night

Churchfest to be in

the

Talent Show on

April 20th!

For more

information see

Cathy!

Volume 6, Issue 3 5

Birthdays MaKayla Fountain 03/01 Melissa Sluss 03/01 Jane Large 03/02 Aiden Smith 03/03 Jeff Nielsen 03/04 Ethelda Van Houten 03/05 Dan Main 03/07 David Painter 03/08 Al Whittum 03/09 Julie Ehret 03/10 Michelle Finch 03/12 Andrew Gilman 03/13 Ransom Leppink 03/15 Darlene Presley 03/15 Erin Brockschmidt 03/16 Cheyanne Clanche 03/16 Ron Harvey 03/16 Jeff Dilts 03/17 Kelly Leppink 03/18 Cullin Burns 03/19 Keelie Outman 03/20 Jessa Andersen 03/21 McKenzie Burns 03/24 Tracey Commans 03/25 Joshua Ehret 03/26 Alger Frandsen 03/28 Char Besemer 03/29 Nicholas Crosby 03/29 Kevin Hahn 03/29 Jacob Haverkamp 03/29 Estelle Molitor 03/29 Carrie Grassley 03/30 Stefanie Morris 03/31

Anniversaries

Zane & Virginia May 03/10

NEW LIFE UM CHURCH FINANCIAL REPORT FOR JANUARY 2012

After the christening of his baby brother in church, little Johnny sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally the boy replied, “That priest said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, and I want to stay with you guys!” Reprinted from The Country Register of Manitoba and Saskatchewan

GENERAL

Income for Jan.

Balance Primary Chk Bk Dec. 31 $2,407.11

Total General Offering $18,609.92

Total Offering $21,017.03

Expenses for Jan.

Programs $847.63

Staff Ministry $8,574.29

Bldg & Properties $3,678.40

Non-budget Expenses $0.00

Operating Ministry $1,083.10

Apportionments $2,899.90

Extended Ministry & Missions $2,836.62

$19,919.94

January Income - General $18,609.92

January Expenses - General $19,919.94

January Savings Acct. $6,694.61

General Chk Book Dec. 31 $1,097.09

$7,791.70

General Designated Money $7,725.40

Combined Year to Date

All Income $38,735.78

All Expenses $19,919.94

Check Book Balances $18,815.84

Budgeted Income YTD $17,670.82

Budgeted Expenses YTD $17,083.32

BUILDING Jan. 31, 2012 Bldg. Fund Acct.

Prev. Bal Chk. Bk. $16,607.59

Total Income $1,111.16

Total Expenses $0.00

Bal. Chk. Book $17,718.75

Less Designated $7,533.24

Cash Avail. Jan. 31 $10,185.51

CD Upstairs $6,761.96

CD Elevator $1,310.82

Cash Avail. Jan. 31 $18,258.29

Volume 6, Issue 3 6

March 2012

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Volume 6, Issue 3 7

Bishop’s Day 2012 March 10, 2012 Big Rapids First UMC

304 Elm St. Big Rapids

Imagine a Healthy

Body of Christ

Sponsored by the Grand Traverse and Heartland Districts

A Health and Ministry Fair is available all day

Registration begins at 8:30am Workshops from 9am to 4:15pm

Unnatural

It’s countercultural, unnatural even—this Lenten call to

deny oneself and resist temptation, to put aside comfort

for a time in reflection of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. It’s

downright uncomfortable.

Lent is a most unwelcome experience because human

nature seeks pleasure and avoids pain at all costs. But

Jesus promises that those who dare to follow him into the

desert will find a rich reward.

Note to the Leppinks Scrip users: We are turning approximately $200.00 per month profit from Lep-pink Scrip users into the Building Fund, now known as Capital Improvement. There are some very faith-ful users of the Gift Card Scrip, and you are making a difference. We encourage all Leppink shoppers to purchase the Gift Card, which then allows 5% of your pur-chase to go to the church. It is so simple. Shirley Frandsen carries the cards at all times, making them easily assessable. Write a check to New Life Scrip for a gift card, which comes in denominations of $25.00, $50.00, $100.00, and $200.00. When making your grocery purchase, just run the card as directed by the cashier and the amount of your bill will be deducted. Use the card each time you shop, when it is depleted, just throw it away, and purchase another card. What a simple way to give to New Life with no money out of your pocket. We thank Ransom and Kelly Leppink for making this available to us. Re-member, the Scrip Card is good at any Leppink Store, and so simple to use. $411.00 profit for the Christmas Gift Cards fund raiser in December was also placed into the Capital Improvement fund. Thank you for supporting that fund raiser. Shirley Frandsen

Pray during Lent As we begin our Journey into the Lenten Season, we feel the need to deepen our prayer life. The little booklet Pastor John is making available may help you with your daily devotions. It is “Journey to the Cross—40 Days of Discovery.” We encourage you to fill out the Prayer and Praise Report on the bottom of the weekly bul-leting if you have a prayer concern. These prayer requests are taken very seriously. Those that are marked for Pastor only remain with him. The others are given to 5the Tues-day Prayer Group. We pray over them, and try to sign a card to the person making the re-quest so that you know the prayer has been lifted before the Lord. We do keep the prayer request on our confidential prayer list for the next several weeks. The prayer group is small, but committed to

the prayer needs of those in the community. If you feel led, feel free to join this prayer group., meeting at 10:30am, Tuesday mornings in the church library room. Another avenue for your prayer needs is the large and active telephone Prayer Chain. If you have a prayer need, please call Eva Main (352.6304) or Jane Large (365.3006). Your prayer request will reach out into some 35 homes. You do not need to feel alone, there are many that will be at prayer for your concern, however urgent it may be. Shirley Frandsen

Volume 6, Issue 3 8

For the next forty-ish days of lent, we are to focus our thoughts

on Jesus’ journey to the cross. A journey that ends with his ultimate

sacrifice. Traditionally lent is a time to “give up” something. You may

have heard people saying I gave up pop or sugar or coffee...as a

gesture of thanks to God for his sacrifice so that we may have eternal

life.

It’s interesting how much of a struggle this is. I have to admit

the thought of giving up coffee or eek my cell phone, terrifies me. But

those are just possessions. Granted I would not give up my cell phone

because it’s work related...but is that just another excuse? Am I

saying to God, “thanks for the eternal life thing, but I’m not grateful

enough to give up my ‘cellie,’ I’m kind of attached...I know your son

died for us but man, that would be tough to go without for 40 days.”

Wow, time for some perspective! Think of it this way, how do you show

your gratitude? How can you show your gratitude for the sacrifice

paid for YOU?

~Just my thoughts,

Amy B.

So, did you know……

What is St. Patrick’s Day…

St. Patrick's Day is

celebrated on March 17, his

religious feast day and the

anniversary of his death in

the fifth century. The Irish

have observed this day as a

religious holiday for over a

thousand years. On St.

Patrick's Day, which falls

during the Christian season

of Lent, Irish families

would traditionally attend

church in the morning and

celebrate in the afternoon.

Lenten prohibitions against

the consumption of meat

were waived and people

would dance, drink and

feast—on the traditional

meal of Irish bacon and

cabbage.

(www.history.com)

So now you know :)

VOLUNTEER

CORNER!!! Thank you so very much to

all the wonderful volunteers

who not only make my job

easier, but also enrich the

live of the kids here at New

Life! Keep it up friends—you

are making a difference in the

lives of so many people!

Thank you, thank you,

thank you!

New Life Youth Newsletter

S*C*H*E*D*U*L*E

Sundays:

9:00—10:00 a.m.

Senior High (9 –12) Sunday School

10:00—10:30 a.m.

Sharing with the younger generation

by serving at Children’s Church

10:30— 10:45 a.m.

Sharing in worship

10:45—11:30 a.m.

Junior High (6-8 grade) Sunday School

12:00—2:00 pm

Girls Group

Wednesdays:

5:00—5:45 p.m.

Open gym to all ages

5:45—6:15 p.m.

Fellowship and meal time

6:15—7:30 p.m.

“Movie and a Makeover” of the soul

Wednesday night

connect for Senior High

(see me for details!)

Amy Brockschmidt

Youth Director

New Life UMC

616.890.9283

aimbecca@gmail.com

Feeling like you don’t

know what do to deepen

your relationship with

God? Try seeking Him in

one of these ways…

John 3:16-17

The Message (MSG)

16-18"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why:

so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God

didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how

bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone

who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why?

Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

Volume 6, Issue 3 9

Church News

Volume 6, Issue 3 10

The New Life United Methodist Church was formed from three local churches. Realizing their need to come together and meet as one en-tity, brought this congregation to where they are today. This church was built in 2001, and has grown from that time on. There are ser-vices and activities for all ages and conditions of your life. Come and worship in a traditional format on Sunday mornings, at 9am, or come to the more contemporary service at 10:30am. We also have a children’s Sunday School at 10:00am.. You may be interested in coming to Churchfest on Wednesday eve-nings, at 5:45pm, for dinner and fel-lowship. Check our calendar for other opportunities.

Sunday

9:00am Traditional Worship Service

10:30am Praise Worship Service

9:00am Adult Sunday School

10-10:30am Children’s Church

10:30am Children’s Sunday School

12:00pm Girls Group

7:30pm AA & Al-Anon

Wednesday

5:45pm Churchfest

6:30pm Adult Choir

You Are Invited To Join Us!

New Life UMC

6584 Howard City Edmore Rd.

Six Lakes, Mi. 48886

Phone: 989-352-7788

Fax: 989-352-1101

E-mail: newlifeumc@cmsinter.net

Web-site: www.newlifeunitedmethodist.com