volume 6, issue 7 new life news - clover...

10
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 Birthdays / Anniversaries 4 Treasurer’s Report 4 Church Calendar 5 Admin. Council Minutes 6 Why Worship 7 Trustee Meeting Minutes 8 Miscellaneous 9 August 2012 Volume 6, Issue 7 Special points of interest: New Michigan Bishop Work Days at the Parsonage SKY Vacation Bible School Ladies Self Esteem Bible Study Why Come to Worship? Letter from Sara Hill WOW! Miracle Sunday was such a blessing and I am so thankful for what God is doing in our midst. By the time you read this, preparations for the paving of the park- ing lot will be well underway and when we gather for our first worship service in Au- gust, the parking lot will be totally transformed. Thank you for your generous support of this important project. The newly paved parking lot will contribute to our late sum- mer and fall programming in a number of different ways. Remember that we have an anonymous donor who has offered to match dollar for dollar all gifts (that come in af- ter Miracle Sunday) given to the paving project until it is paid off. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!! Our Vacation Bible School will take place Monday August 6 th Thursday August 9 th from 6:00-8:00 each night. Be looking for more information in this newsletter. Also happening August 16-18 is our Annual Yard Sale. We are in the process of putting together plans for our Wednesday evenings this fall. Among some of the changes will be programming for all ages as well as a name change. “The Gathering” will replace “Church-fest” in hopes that we can begin at- tracting more people. Be watching for more information and ways for you to get in- volved. The Gathering kicks off on Wednesday September 12 th . Volunteers are needed for this and our Sunday School programming. Please see Meredith if you are interested in being a part of making a difference in the lives of others. Moving forward, I want you to know that our Leadership Team is working hard on casting our vision for the next five years (2013-2018). As we go about implementing things necessary to carry out our vision, we will experience some good changes that, with your prayers and support, will be effective. With all that is coming up, let me en- courage you to get involved. These really are exciting times here at New Life UMC and we want you to be part of the excitement! Even God’s Word encourages us to get involved…this is from Romans 12:1-6 (The Message): So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary lifeyour sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around lifeand place it be- fore God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and espe- cially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its mean- ing from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't. May your commitment to serve, your witness to faith, and the love we have for one another draw others into fellowship with Jesus Christ our Lord! Pastor John West Michigan Con- ference Announcement The North Central Juris- diction has announced that on September 1, 2012 we will be as- signed a new bishop for the Michigan Area, Deb- orah Lieder Kiesey of the Dakotas. Bishop Keaton will be moving to the Illinois-Great Riv- ers Conference.

Upload: phungtruc

Post on 19-Aug-2018

218 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Volume 6, Issue 7 New Life News - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/windwardchurch/documents/newsletter new... · Volume 6, Issue 7 Pastor’s Corner ... And everything’s going

Volume 6, Issue 7

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

Birthdays / Anniversaries 4

Treasurer’s Report 4

Church Calendar 5

Admin. Council Minutes 6

Why Worship 7

Trustee Meeting Minutes 8

Miscellaneous 9

August 2012 Volume 6, Issue 7

Special points of

interest:

New Michigan Bishop

Work Days at the Parsonage

SKY Vacation Bible School

Ladies Self Esteem Bible Study

Why Come to Worship?

Letter from Sara Hill

WOW! Miracle Sunday was such a blessing and I am so thankful for what God is doing in our midst. By the time you read this, preparations for the paving of the park-ing lot will be well underway and when we gather for our first worship service in Au-gust, the parking lot will be totally transformed. Thank you for your generous support of this important project. The newly paved parking lot will contribute to our late sum-mer and fall programming in a number of different ways. Remember that we have an anonymous donor who has offered to match dollar for dollar all gifts (that come in af-ter Miracle Sunday) given to the paving project until it is paid off. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!! Our Vacation Bible School will take place Monday August 6

th – Thursday August

9th from 6:00-8:00 each night. Be looking for more information in this newsletter. Also

happening August 16-18 is our Annual Yard Sale. We are in the process of putting together plans for our Wednesday evenings this fall. Among some of the changes will be programming for all ages as well as a name change. “The Gathering” will replace “Church-fest” in hopes that we can begin at-tracting more people. Be watching for more information and ways for you to get in-volved. The Gathering kicks off on Wednesday September 12

th. Volunteers are

needed for this and our Sunday School programming. Please see Meredith if you are interested in being a part of making a difference in the lives of others. Moving forward, I want you to know that our Leadership Team is working hard on casting our vision for the next five years (2013-2018). As we go about implementing things necessary to carry out our vision, we will experience some good changes that, with your prayers and support, will be effective. With all that is coming up, let me en-courage you to get involved. These really are exciting times here at New Life UMC and we want you to be part of the excitement! Even God’s Word encourages us to get involved…this is from Romans 12:1-6 (The Message): So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it be-fore God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and espe-cially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its mean-ing from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't. May your commitment to serve, your witness to faith, and the love we have for one another draw others into fellowship with Jesus Christ our Lord! Pastor John

West Michigan Con-ference Announcement The North Central Juris-diction has announced that on September 1, 2012 we will be as-signed a new bishop for the Michigan Area, Deb-orah Lieder Kiesey of the Dakotas. Bishop Keaton will be moving to

the Illinois-Great Riv-ers Conference.

Page 2: Volume 6, Issue 7 New Life News - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/windwardchurch/documents/newsletter new... · Volume 6, Issue 7 Pastor’s Corner ... And everything’s going

Volume 6, Issue 7 2

New Life United Methodist Church

Little Bird

Little bird with wounded wing

Seems you have no song to sing.

But you have a greater thing . . .

The Holy Spirit’s hovering wing.

Protecting, guarding, loving you

Never leaving, faithful, true.

His restoration rests on you . . .

As of a rose with sparkling dew.

Little bird, sing your song

Through the night that seems so long.

Lifting up your praises, strong . . .

All glory unto Him, belong.

You again will fly to heights

With joy of freedom in your flight.

A gift, from the Father of Lights . . .

And everything’s going to be alright!

Little bird with mended wing

Let the Father hear you sing.

Across the heavens let it ring . . .

Unto your Lord and King of Kings.

© Leone Whittum May 15, 2011

Every good gift and every perfect gift is

from above, And cometh down from the

Father of lights with whom is no variable-

ness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

From the Message—Pray to the Father. He loves to

help. . . . you’ll get his help . . . Ask boldly believing,

without a second thought. People who “Worry their

prayers’ are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think

you’re going to get anything from the Master that

way, adrift at sea . . . So my dear friends, don’t get

thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial

gift comes out of heaven, The gifts are rivers of light

cascading from the Father of Light. James 1:17

Looking Ahead

There is still time for you to volunteer for this years VBS. We still need more volunteers to help

make everything work well. Please email [email protected], or come to our VBS

training meeting July 30th from 6-8 (please park in the grass, and enter through the drive to the

west- so not to disturb the paving project).

Calling All Kids! New Life UMC is having SKY VBS this summer

and we want YOU! Who: Ages Preschool through going into 6

th

grade. When: August 6-9 from 6pm til 8pm

Where: New Life UMC 6584 Howard City – Ed-more Rd.

How do I register? Go online! www.newlifeunitedmethodist.com

and click the link under “Children’s Ministries”. Questions? Email [email protected]

We are looking to improve our education programs, and need

your help! If you are wiling to help in anyway, please contact

Meredith ([email protected]).

Do you love music?

We are looking for more musicians, and vocalist to join our

praise teams. Are you interested? Please contact Meredith

([email protected]).

Page 3: Volume 6, Issue 7 New Life News - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/windwardchurch/documents/newsletter new... · Volume 6, Issue 7 Pastor’s Corner ... And everything’s going

Volume 6, Issue 7 3

Circle of Friends will meet Monday, August 27, 7:00pm. Mark your calendar for the Heartland District An-nual meeting at Breckinridge on September 22, 9—3 and Women’s Night Out at New Hope on Tues-day, October 9. Ladies, these events are planned with you in mind

and the welcome mat is always out. Please join us, UMW President

Mary Lou Botma 989-365-4271

We continue to collect Spartan UPC, Campbell Labels for Education, General Mills Boxtops for Education and tabs from beverage, soup, etc.

Women’s Circles

UMW A big thank you to all who baked, bought or con-tributed in any way to the success of our bake sale at Six Lakes Dizzi Daze on July 7th. Total profit for the sale was $260., which helps us meet our goals for 2012. Our business meeting will be held on Monday, Au-gust 6th, 7:00pm On Tuesday, August 14 our annual picnic will be held at Andersen’s Lake Linda on Edgar road, at 6:00pm. All are welcome to come—just bring a dish to pass and your table service. UM Women will provide beverage. A good time to enjoy the fresh air and fellowship with your church family. Kelsey Recreation on Tuesday the 21st; let Louise Shepard know if you would like to help with Bingo.

Schedule Mon 6 Unit Business Meeting@7:00pm

Tue 14 Women’s Fellowship Picnic@6:00pm

Tue 21 Kelsey Recreation@2:00pm

Mon 27 Circle of Friends@7:00pm

I would like to thank the church for their help with my septic. I would also like to thank them for their prayers and concerns toward us. I feel this church is my fam-ily. I appreciate you all so much. Thank You Loads, Debbie and Elmer Ashbaugh

*LADIES BIBLE STUDY* SELF-ESTEEm

LifeGuide Bible Studies By: Jack Kuhatschek

“Seeing Ourselves as God Sees Us”

9 week Lifeguide Bible Study Ladies and Young Women are cordially invited to participate in the nine week study of SELF-ESTEEM, seeing ourselves as God sees

us . This study will be lead by Anita Epolito on Thursday evenings, 7:00pm at “New Life Church” starting September 6 th – November.

A set schedule for the 9 week study will be determined at the “Meet & Greet” on Thursday, August 30th 7:00pm.

Please sign up asap so that Study Guides can be ordered—Sign up sheet located in the church lobby.

The cost of the Study Guide is $7; if the $7 cost is a problem – please let me know!

Feel free to contact Anita Epolito with any questions or comments at

(517) 282-3087 or [email protected]

Synopsis:

The world encourages you to love yourself, believe in yourself and tell yourself that you are intelligent, capable, beau-

tiful, wonderful. But deep down, what do you most want to know? What does God think of you? What is your true

worth?

As Jack Kuhatschek leads you through nine Bible studies on self-esteem, you'll gain an essential understanding of who you are.

Page 4: Volume 6, Issue 7 New Life News - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/windwardchurch/documents/newsletter new... · Volume 6, Issue 7 Pastor’s Corner ... And everything’s going

Volume 6, Issue 7 4

Birthdays in August Melvin Houck 08/01 Heather Harrick 08/01 Becky Elvert 08/04 Ruth Stevens 08/05 Lara Licari 08/06 Sheila Brigham 08/08 Janet Heady 08/08 Kevin Bannen 08/09 Gordon Cannon 08/09 Caleb Medendorp 08/09 Sue Brockschmidt 08/10 Sue Large 08/10 Morgan Andersen 08/12 Marsha Gregory 08/15 Archie Main 08/15 Bonnie Reed 08/15 Pat Shriver 08/15 Joe Main 08/16 Andrew Heady 08/17 Brook Burlison 08/18 Kelly Farrell 08/18 Brandon Gunderman/Lake 08/18 Corey Buskirk 08/21 Logan Bialik 08/22 Drew Bialik 08/22 Karli Commans 08/23 Cathy Schnick 08/24 Barbara Swem 08/24 Rylee Nielsen 08/25 Dorothy Farrell 08/26 Mabel Hammel 08/26 Kurt Jones 08/26 Joyce Jones 08/26 Linda Andersen 08/30 Tiffany Commans 08/30 Vivian Huntington 08/30 Rachel Higbee 08/31 Tori Nielsen 08/31 Doris Swem 08/31

Anniversaries in August Andy & Barb Ray 08/02 Larry & Edie Young 08/25

NEW LIFE UM CHURCH FINANCIAL REPORT FOR June 2012

GENERAL

Income for June

Balance Primary Chk Bk May 31 $1,623.97

Total General Offering $14,314.50

Total Offering $15,938.47

Expenses for June

Programs $1,092.53

Staff Ministry $10,243.16

Bldg & Properties $1,500.25

Non-budget Expenses $345.00

Operating Ministry $339.67

Apportionments $0.00

Extended Ministry & Missions $676.19

$14,196.80

June Income - General $14,314.50

June Expenses - General $14,196.80

June Savings Acct. $2,897.31

General Chk Book June 30 $813.17

$3,710.48

General Designated Money $6,991.12

All Income - June $42,210.44

All Expenses - June $20,101.03

Check Book Balances $22,109.41

Budgeted Income YTD $101,781.52

Budgeted Expenses YTD $105,588.10

BUILDING June 30, 2012 Bldg. Fund Acct.

Prev. Bal Chk. Bk. $33,742.23

Total Income $603.52

Total Expenses $4,976.73

Bal. Chk. Book $29,369.02

Less Designated $21,516.02

Cash Avail. June 30 $7,853.00

Work Days at the Parsonage Tuesday, July 31 Thursday, Aug. 2 8am to 4pm 8am to 4pm Tools to Bring: Shovels, rakes, axe, hammer, paint rollers, paint brushes, wire brushes, work gloves Snacks and beverages available

Page 5: Volume 6, Issue 7 New Life News - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/windwardchurch/documents/newsletter new... · Volume 6, Issue 7 Pastor’s Corner ... And everything’s going

Volume 6, Issue 7 5

AUGUST 2012

Su

n

Mo

n

Tu

e

We

d

Th

u

Fri

S

at

1

5:4

5p

m T

OP

S

2

8:0

0am

Bre

akfa

st a

t C

ryst

al

Fou

nta

in

3

4

5

Mis

sio

ns

Su

nd

ay

9 &

10:3

0am

Wo

rsh

ip

10

:30am

Ad

ult

Su

nd

ay S

cho

ol

7:3

0p

m A

A&

Al-

An

on

6

10

:00am

Sta

ff M

eeti

ng

5:4

5p

m T

OP

S

6—

8p

m V

BS

7:0

0p

m U

nit

Bu

s. M

tg.

7

10

:30am

Pra

yer

Gro

up

6—

8p

m V

BS

8

9:3

0am

TO

PS

6—

8p

m V

BS

9

6—

8p

m V

BS

10

5:0

0p

m W

edd

ing R

ehea

rsal

11

8:0

0am

Men

’s F

ello

w-

ship

—M

cKen

na’

s

2:0

0p

m W

edd

ing

12

C

om

mu

nio

n

9 &

10:3

0am

Wo

rsh

ip

VB

S F

inale

10

:30am

Ad

ult

Su

nd

ay S

cho

ol

1:0

0p

m D

an

iell

e R

iley B

enefi

t

7:3

0p

m A

A&

Al-

An

on

13

10

:00am

Sta

ff M

eeti

ng

5:4

5p

m T

OP

S

14

10

:30am

Pra

yer

Gro

up

6:0

0p

m U

MW

Pic

nic

6:1

5p

m A

dm

in. C

oun

cil

Mtg

7:0

0p

m P

rais

e T

eam

15

9:3

0am

TO

PS

16

17

18

12

:00p

m C

PR

Cla

ss

19

Sep

t. n

ewsl

ette

r d

ead

lin

e 9 &

10:3

0am

Wo

rsh

ip

10

:30am

Ad

ult

Su

nd

ay S

cho

ol

12;0

0p

m Y

ou

ng a

t H

eart

Cole

’s C

orn

ers

7:3

0p

m A

A&

Al-

An

on

20

10

:00am

Sta

ff M

eeti

ng

5:4

5p

m T

OP

S

21

10

:30am

Pra

yer

Gro

up

2:0

0p

m K

else

y R

ecre

atio

n

22

9:3

0am

TO

PS

23

8am

-5p

m Y

ard

Sal

e

12

:00p

m W

idow

s M

igh

t

4:0

0p

m F

ree

Food

Tru

ck-

LV

Fre

e M

eth

od

ist

Chu

rch

24

8am

-5p

m Y

ard

Sal

e

25

8am

-12p

m Y

ard S

ale

26

9 &

11

am

Wo

rsh

ip

10

:30am

Ad

ult

Su

nd

ay S

cho

ol

7:3

0p

m A

A&

Al-

An

on

27

10

:00am

Sta

ff M

eeti

ng

5:4

5p

m T

OP

S

7:0

0p

m C

ircl

e of

Fri

end

s

28

10

:30am

Pra

yer

Gro

up

7:0

0p

m T

rust

ees

Mee

tin

g

29

9:3

0am

TO

PS

30

31

Page 6: Volume 6, Issue 7 New Life News - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/windwardchurch/documents/newsletter new... · Volume 6, Issue 7 Pastor’s Corner ... And everything’s going

Volume 6, Issue 7 6

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MEETING

LEADERSHIP TEAM

JULY 10, 2012

The July meeting of the administrative council of New Life United Methodist Church was called to order by Chairman Mel Houck at

6:31 pm. He read scripture from the Book of John.

Present were Mel and Linda Houck, Ransom and Kelly Leppink, Myrna Walldorff, Bill Besmer, Sue Brockschmidt, Virginia May,

Linda and Cindy Andersen, John Shell, Meredith VanderHill, Pastor John Scott.

Secretary’s report was reviewed and a motion was made by Bill Besmer to accept the minutes as presented and a seconded by

Linda Houck. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s report was given by Linda Houck and it is a concern that the funds are so low that we are unable to pay our minis-

try shares. Sue Brockschmidt moved to accept the report and was seconded by Linda Houck. Motion carried. A copy will be placed on

file.

Informational Items: Mel told us that pantry items are down and we need to bring it to the peoples minds to bring the items in.

We are giving the items to the Lakeview Pantry and money to the Six Lakes Pantry. He also handed out an article “FIVE MUST-

KNOW FACTS about FIRST- TIME GUESTS” by Rick Ezell. We read these over and agreed that they are right. A copy will be at-

tached. He also stated that we are in need of someone who knows how to shut off lights and alarms when needed. Many times those

that know how are not available. He also told us that the concrete for the dumpster has been poured and that Central Asphalt from Mt

Pleasant will be doing the grading for the paving to be done. They will be doing this July 26-28th and that we will have to drive up over

a bump when driving in the parking lot at this time. The paving will be done the first part of August if weather permits. The new

model for the Leadership Team was handed out for our review. More will come as they get it arranged.

There is a need to change the names on the youth account at the First Bank of Lakeview. John Shell moved that we remove

the name of Amy Brockschmidt and put in the name of Meredith VanderHill. as she is now the leader of the youth. Motion was sec-

onded and carried.

We were also handed a paper to look that would provide local advertising at Leppink’s Super Market. It would be a coupon

like handed out with the sales receipt. The cost would be $200 for 3 months. After a discussion about the availability of funds it was a

mutual decision to wait on this. Mel agreed to look into this a little more.

Finance Secretary: Kelly Leppink reported that the statements were to go out soon some by email and others to be placed in

the church mail boxes.

Lay Leader and Men’s Group: Bill Besemer reported that he encountered a visitor that was a fireman and he questions the fact

that we didn’t have an external lock box containing a key to the church so our local fire department and police could use to get into the

church in case of an emergency. He will pass this information on to the trustees. He also reported that the men’s group have installed 5

ramps this quarter.

Worship: Meredith VanderHill reported that the worship committee is working on making services a little livelier. Worship is

always a work in progress. They are trying to use the new musicians we have available. She also reported that her work with youth and

children is in the planning stage and she is in need of many volunteers to make good programming possible. VBS will be coming soon

and she has had many volunteers [sign up] and is in need or more.

Emergency: Mel Houck reported that they are planning on having more CPR training sessions in the near future. They need

coverage for both services.

Small Groups: Linda Andersen reported that the UMW had a successful bake sale at Six Lakes during the Dizzy Daze. This

well help meet the pledge made to the District UMW. She also reported that Anita Epolita will be working on a new Bible study.

Pastor John Scott: He reported that we are working towards the new leadership model. He reviewed the goals that were pre-

sented at the last meeting. We seem to be having a diminishing congregation if we evaluate it as is. We talked about what we might do

to change this trend. Some of these things are that we have a lack of Evangelism and we are not meeting the needs of the congregation.

It seems that we need to get back the five basic areas of having a successful church. We discussed that the age of our leadership is of

the upper age. We are in need of getting the younger people to take on this leadership. One suggestion was for those in leadership to

mentor someone younger to see if they could take on positions of leadership. We also discussed that we are in need of something to

attract younger adults and youth. There was a suggestion that we have the 2nd service at 11:00 am and this would allow time for a

praise band to practice. We were asked what God’s work look like. Mel stated that we are the hand, feet and voice of God and what

are we going to do with our hand, feet and voices. We need to go forward.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm

Acting Secretary

Linda Andersen

2012 Craft Sale Update

Applications for this year’s craft sale are being mailed out cur-

rently. If you have any questions or don’t think that you will be

receiving an application, contact Carol Enyart (989.818.1190)

or Nancy Shepard (517.599.8086).

Widows Might Will enjoy the church yard sale on Thursday, August 23rd, at 12:00 noon.

Page 7: Volume 6, Issue 7 New Life News - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/windwardchurch/documents/newsletter new... · Volume 6, Issue 7 Pastor’s Corner ... And everything’s going

Volume 6, Issue 7 7

Why do I come to Church to worship?

There is one thing that I hear a lot from young people. “I believe in God. I am a Christian. But I prefer to read the Bible in

my room, and pray by myself on Sunday mornings. Besides, I don’t like the services… songs I don’t know, and sermons about things

I don’t really care about.”

It’s hard to know what to say to someone who wants to spend time with God on his or her own. It’s important for us to do

that- to read the Bible and to pray. We need to put in our own individual time with God, each day. But being together when we wor-

ship is important too.

Before I can fully answer the question “Why do I come to church to Worship?” we need to know why we worship and what

we expect.

Worship is about God:

When I was dating my husband Micah, he lived in a house with a few other guys, and one of them, Sam, was studying to go

into Seminary. We had a lot of interesting conversations about God and faith. I had just started working at a church, and was getting

used to a new congregation and looking to pull in more people to worship. I started to ask about “What if we have a little something

that they take home each week- like a puzzle piece so that they keep adding and at the end of the year they have a completed picture- if

they come every week?” Sam looked at me, and said “Meredith, Worship is about God. It’s not about you.”

I was a little surprised. I thought I was making God the focus- after all we worship God! We read the Bible, we pray, and we

sing songs—all to God!

But Sam went on to tell me that God created us and He tells us to worship him. So many times we keep going to church to get

‘filled up’ or to take away something. Sometimes, that happens. Sometimes we can hear something that really touches us and causes

us to go out with new energy and focus. But sometimes, it doesn’t. If you don’t take anything away, that’s ok! maybe that week, some-

one else really was touched by the message, and they could be blessed by it. If we go into worship, truly being willing to focus on

God, we will be blessed in so many new ways.

Worship is about the Church:

Christ says, “Where two or three are gathered, I am there”. He loves for us to be together! When we come together as a com-

munity, we are able to do so much more together, than on our own.

A few years ago, my dad told me that He loves being a part of the church. Even on those Sundays when he cannot focus

enough to pray, and is not able to ask God for what he needs, he is sitting with dozens of other people, who are there, praying alongside

him. Even if it is in silence, he knows that we are a community, who pray for each other, and pray on the behalf of each other.

Hearing him say that changed the way I looked at Sunday Mornings. These are people who care for me! And when I cannot

find the words to pray, a community that is praying for me surrounds me.

Micah’s grandmother will soon be in Heaven, after a struggle with cancer for many years, She is ready to be with the Lord.

We knew that her health was really declining when she was no longer able to sit in church for the worship service. She has been a

member of her church for as long as I know of. Church was more than just where she had a membership. These were people who have

been alongside her for her journey and struggle with cancer. This community has been praying with her for healing, and when

Grandma is no longer able to worship God in the church, she knows that they will worship and pray to God for her.

That’s why we come to church to worship.

As we have been preparing to say goodbye to Grandma, she tells us to say her favorite scripture, Psalm 34. It begins “I will

extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify

the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.”

Together, let us worship God; praise his wonderful name; pray for each other in good times and in bad; and seek his will.

Meredith VanderHill

New Life United Methodist Church, Thank you for your continued support, both prayer and financial. Your generosity has blessed me so much! Your gifts help me with books, gas, food and other miscellaneous items for school. It has helped me most re-cently with my commute from my new parsonage to school. I began my new appointment on July 1st and have been so blessed to be serving the parishes of New Bloom-ington and Meeker. I am sure they are similar to New Life prior to merging. I am now licensed and can legally marry, baptize, and serve the elements of Holy Communion. I am living my dream and your support, love, and encouragement are making my dream a reality. I cannot thank you enough. I look forward to coming this fall and sharing with you about this new journey I am on. I love and miss all of you! Love, Sara Hill

2540 Agosta Meeker Rd. New Bloomington, OH 43341 [email protected] (740) 499.2849

Page 8: Volume 6, Issue 7 New Life News - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/windwardchurch/documents/newsletter new... · Volume 6, Issue 7 Pastor’s Corner ... And everything’s going

Volume 6, Issue 7 8

New Life UMC Trustees Meeting – June 26, 2012

Present – Ann Larsen, Mary Main, Eugene Rentschler, Ron Harvey, Pastor John, Arv Selesky, Todd

Horrocks and Bill Besemer

*Meeting called to order by Todd Horrocks

*Devotion by Pastor John

*Minutes of May 29th meeting read and corrected; conference meeting was May 24th; insurance de-

ductible of $1,000, instead of deduction of $1,000; also hot water heater is not in kitchen, it is up-

stairs. Ron Harvey made a motion to accept minutes, seconded by Mary Main, motion carried.

*Pastor John presented the trustees with parsonage and church [to] do list.

[The parsonage to do list]

Painting and roofing of the shed – steel is ordered.

Grind stump at the side of parsonage, and chip mulch brush piles. Melco Company of Riverdale to do the

end of this week.

Remove concrete piles and debris.

Four loads of top soil for the parsonage landscape. Todd to talk to Gerald Foor this week about doing the

work of #3 and #4.

Grass seeding and #6.

Landscaping. Trustees to schedule a work day later.

& 8. Water proofing and drywalling the basement walls. Todd Horrocks to handle.

9. Floor covering and trim in basement. Andy Ray to handle, per Todd Horrocks.

The church to do list.

Concrete pad [for] dumpster – to be done this week.

Date for paving; after discussion it was decided that July 23 – 30 was the best time. Todd Horrocks to

call Mt. Pleasant Paving to inform them of our date.

*Todd Horrocks reported that the concrete work at the parsonage is completed.

*Discussion on the $8,000 bid, etc., to finish the parsonage could be short, because of the basement mildew

problem.

New Business

*Discussion on Miracle Sunday letter dated 6/25/2012 by Bill Besemer. Mary Main made motion to correct

the letter to read drive way at the parsonage to be paved; seconded by Ron Harvey; motion carried. Revision

of letter to be sent out.

*Todd Horrocks to contact Brad’s Cleaners to correct a bill to read water damage in parsonage basement,

instead of mold. Todd to call.

*Approved of paying Alex Young for cleaning up gravel, use of tractor and sweeper at church and parson-

age; $100 to be paid from snow plowing budget.

*Discussion on the cost incurred by the Fund Raising team – be up to Finance Committee.

*Motion by Mary Main, seconded by Ann Larsen to have minutes of the trustees meeting published in

church newsletter. Motion carried.

*Discussion on statistics of the preschool at [New Life] UMC and also the liability that the church is respon-

sible for. Arvin Selesky made motion to raise the rent on the preschool from $100 per month to $250 per

month and [add] pay half of $600 for the required inspection. Seconded by Eugene Rentschler; motion car-

ried.

*Eugene Rentschler offered to donate kidney beans if needed for Miracle Sunday meal.

Meeting adjourned 9:00pm.

Next meeting will be July 24th.

Arv Selesky

Trustees Secretary

Page 9: Volume 6, Issue 7 New Life News - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/windwardchurch/documents/newsletter new... · Volume 6, Issue 7 Pastor’s Corner ... And everything’s going

Volume 6, Issue 7 9

Miracle Sunday Update – DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR MATCHING!

We’re well on our way to reaching our goal for paving the parking lot. On Miracle Sunday, $37,424.71 in one-time gifts

were donated and with the addition of $11,600 already in the Paving fund, we now have only $35,000 remaining to reach

our goal. A very generous member has offered to do a Dollar for Dollar match during the next 60 days. This

means, your contributions can be greatly multiplied, bringing our goal within reach! You’ll want to take advantage of this

Dollar for Dollar matching offer!

In this week’s mailing, the committee has giving you the opportunity to make a FAITH promise gift to reach our

goal. This is not a PLEDGE, but a promise that with God’s help you will step out in FAITH and make your contribution

over a period of time. If you’re financially unable to fulfill your FAITH promise, God will understand.

If you’ve already turned in your FAITH promise or donated a one-time gift, we thank you. We’re all very excited to see

our goal within reach and with yours and God’s help, a Miracle will happen!

Your Paving the Parking Lot Committee

The arms of Jesus A teacher took her class of 7-year-olds to visit residents of an Alzheimer’s care center. One boy spied an elderly woman sitting alone on a bed, slipped into her room and gave her a hug. She—and many who saw the interaction—shed tears. The boy scurried back to his group, apologizing for making the woman cry. “She just looked like she needed a hug,” he said meekly. To the boy’s surprise, the teacher commended him: “Your arms were the arms of Jesus to her.” Scripture tells of Jesus taking children in his arms (Mark 10:13-16). This child became Jesus to someone in her “second childhood,” taking her in his arms and blessing her.

— Based on “She Needed a Hug,” Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories

Sampler (Simon & Schuster eBook, 2011

A dark and stormy night During a loud summer thunderstorm, a mother tucked her son into bed. As she turned off the light, he asked with a tremor, “Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?” The mother smiled and gave her son a reassuring hug. “I can’t, dear,” she said. “I have to sleep in Daddy’s room.” After a long silence, the boy replied, “The big sissy.”

Back to school Early one morning, a mother woke her son, who whined about having to go to school. “Give me two reasons why you don’t want to go,” she said. “Well,” he complained, “the kids don’t like me, and neither do the teachers!” “Nonsense,” she said. “Come get ready.” “Give me two reasons why I should go,” the son pro-tested. “Well, for one, you’re 52,” she said. “For an-other, you’re the principal!”

August 12, 2012 12:00 Registration and Putting Contest 1:00pm Shotgun Start

At The Links of Edmore

18—4 Man Teams $35.00 per Person 1st Place Cash Payout 1 Blind Draw

Hot Dogs on Turn and Meal Following Golf

$50.00 Deposit Required by August 5tth to Save Your Spot

Putting Contest, Longest Drive, 50/50, Raffles Door Prizes

Any Questions Please Call Links of Edmore at 989.427.3241

Cash Donations may be made in the name of Tracy Riley at Isabella Bank in Six Lakes

Page 10: Volume 6, Issue 7 New Life News - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/windwardchurch/documents/newsletter new... · Volume 6, Issue 7 Pastor’s Corner ... And everything’s going

Volume 6, Issue 7 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 and web site 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 Gathering

(September to April)

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: [email protected]

Web-site: www.newlifeunitedmethodist.com