RICHMOND, MICHIGAN August, 2014

Transcription

1 FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST RICHMOND, MICHIGAN August, 2014 Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world: Red and yellow, black and white, They are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world. FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Rev. Denise Griebler gmail.com CELL: OFFICE: FAX: Website: OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY FRIDAY 9:00 AM - 12 NOON Afternoons by appointment Pastor Denise is in Richmond on Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday We are a Christian community called to love God, love neighbor, love self, as Jesus taught. The first time I ever sang that song I was four years old. At Vacation Bible School. It was easy for my four-yearold self to understand Jesus loves me; Jesus loves everybody. In VBS I learned one of the most important teachings of the Christian faith. That simple song and its teaching has guided my life. Really! It s gotten me into the most interesting relationships and encounters, and sometimes even into the most interesting trouble. It taught me that I am beloved by God. And that every human being is beloved by God. It taught me that children matter deeply to God. Imagine where that kind of thing can lead if you take it seriously... Vacation Bible School is a wonderful opportunity for our children to learn about God. In Richmond our church joins with Trinity Lutheran and First United Methodist to bring an awesome Vacation Bible School (VBS) to the children of our community. Have you signed up?? The dates are August 4-7: community meal at 5:30 pm learning stations at 5:50-8 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church. For children 3 years old - 5th grade (completed 5th grade). Register on-line at tlcrichmond.org. Closing worship service on August 10 at 11:30 am. continued on next page

2 (continued from front page) The program is fast-paced and super-fun. This year s theme is Weird Animals. Children will learn Bible stories for life through songs, drama, art projects, a clean water mission project, games and even food. Adults from our church who are involved include Dean Handrow, Jennifer Northam, Traci Bartell and me. (If I ve missed anyone, please forgive... it s my first VBS in Richmond, and it hasn t happened yet!) So even though VBS isn t at our church, there will be plenty of First UCCers in the mix. I hope your children can join us! Did I mention the songs? Every child will get a CD of the music Traci will be teaching throughout the week. I guarantee that CD will become part of your family s sound-track for the coming year! Full of songs that teach faith. Some are fun, some are serious. Some are serious and fun. I bet there will be one or two that you and your child will remember for the rest of your life. On Sunday, August 10, 11:30 am, the three congregations will gather at Trinity Lutheran so that all the VBS kids can show us their stuff: songs for sure, art work, maybe a skit. We ll get a glimpse of what they learned together about faith and God s love for them and for all. And we ll witness their joy. There s nothing better than that! Please plan to join in the joy of the day. I hope we will have a good crew from First UCC for VBS. Get your kids signed up. Invite your kids friends. Invite your neighbors kids. And everybody please plan to come to the Sunday program on August 10! ~ Pastor Denise Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Imagine what it would be like if nothing came out of the tap. Or up from the well. Thank you for all of the ways you have considered this reality during the mass water shut-off nightmare in Detroit. After 17 people were arrested for blocking the water shut-off trucks at Homrich Wrecking Company (including your pastor and her husband!) and 1,000 s marched (including the Bartell sisters and your Conference Minister!), the Detroit Sewerage and Water Department announced a 15-day suspension of water shut-offs. A victory to be sure. But there s a long way to go before a real resolution is achieved. What s needed is a water affordability plan. The last thing we need is a private company put in charge of supplying (selling!) water. Water must be preserved as a common, assessable to all. Here are the numbers that can be confirmed for May: 4,531 shut-offs; 2,234 turned back on. That leaves a lot of people without water! The People s Water Board reports that there are now 15,000 households in Detroit without water. The 15-day moratorium on shut-offs is indeed good news. But, there s no real plan for restoring the water to those who have been cut off, or for stopping future shut-offs. There s a $1million fund the DSWD has put in place and $90 million in outstanding water bills. There are no other water assistance programs in place through the city, county or state. It doesn t take a math wiz to see that this is far from over. Thanks to First UCC for the ways you have offered solidarity and support to the people of Detroit in this time!

3 Scripture Readings for August August 03 August 10 August 17 August 24 August 31 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15:(10-20), Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Exodus1:8-2:10; Psalm 124; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 3:1-15; Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28 Vision Statement: The purpose of this church shall be to worship God, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to celebrate the sacraments; to realize Christian fellowship and unity within this church and the Church universal; to render loving service toward humankind; and to strive for righteousness, justice and peace. Mission Statement: We are traveling life s road: created by God, guided by Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and grounded in scripture. We strive to be individuals on a spiritual journey and a community sharing God s love with all. Called to Care Team Mary Alice Busch Bob Chrostowski (H) (C) Reb & Sally McNinch Office Hours The secretary is in the office from 9 am till 12 noon, Monday thru Friday. If you need additional assistance other times, please send Helen an at firstucc@comcast.net or leave a phone message at the church office: Thank you.

4 Good Ol Days Weekend Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7 Once again, during the Good Ol Days weekend, we are planning a yard sale and bake sale to raise money for our church. A portion of our parking lot will have church tables of donated items (no clothing, please). The rest of the parking spaces we will rent for ten dollars each to those who have their own items they wish to sell. And, we always have a nice variety of delicious baked goods for sale along with grilled hot dogs, chips, pop and water. It is clear that we generate the greatest dollars for our church when we all contribute items for the sales, so we re counting on your help. If each family donates one used item and one baked item, we will have much to sell. We need lots of volunteers to make this fundraiser a big success. Can you donate an hour or two on Saturday or Sunday? If you can, please sign up for your favorite job on the sign-up sheet that is posted in the narthex. Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday, August 31 at the 10:00 am service Please join us for our annual BACK TO SCHOOL Family Worship Service. Whether you are preparing to go back to school or not, this service promises to be inspirational for everyone. And, don t come by yourself! Invite friends you know who are heading back to school as well. All those headed back to school: students, coaches, staff and faculty are invited to join us and bring your tools of the trade backpacks, briefcases, mops, balls, ladles, whistles, etc. for blessing during worship. We ll also have lots of special singing and surprises. P.S. September 14 is Rally Day the first day of Intergenerational Sunday School. We look forward to another great year of building our faith, having fun and developing good friendships

5 Adopt-A-Bill Here s How it Works: 1) Take an Adopt-A-Bill envelope from the display board in the narthex. 2) Pick a bill from the board. 3) Place your check (made out to First United Church of Christ) or cash along with the bill in the envelope. 4) Place the envelope in the offering plate or mail it to the church. Every contribution is greatly appreciated and helps to support our church. First United Church of Christ First United Methodist Church Trinity Lutheran Church present We need your reports by August 15. Your Finance committee is putting out the call to all committees to submit your budget requests for the year No matter if it has been a line item forever, we need to have it submitted by each committee. Yours in Christ, Mark Davis Kim Grewe Chris Hensch Kim Schrote Ron Schrote Ray Trombley Rich Weinert WHERE: Trinity Lutheran Church Division, Richmond COST: $5 per child (includes CD and T-shirt) DATES: August TIMES: AGES: Community Meal at 5:30pm Learning Stations 5: :00pm 3 yrs - 5 th grade (completed 5 th grade) Closing worship service: August 10 at 11:30 am *Infant and toddler care also available ($5 per child) Register online now to reserve your spot: tlcrichmond.org

6 With Deepest Sympathy We give thanks to God for the life of Jackie Krause who passed away on July 10. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. Where s the Beef? Dear Friends, This has been a very busy year in the life of our church. That is one of the reasons that we have had to forego the Roast Beef Dinner. The other reason is because Mary Alice Busch has had a very trying year. So, this year your Finance committee is asking for your support with a Beefless Beef Dinner. We would like you to spend $8.00 for a chance to win one of two $50.00 gift certificates for meat from Weeks Meat Market on 32 Mile Road. Since many of you worked or donated food to the dinner, we would like you to use those funds to take a chance on the gift certificates. The drawing for the winners will take place after church service on August 3. Needless to say, your church needs all the help you can give it. Your donations will be added to your yearly giving. Extra tickets are available in the church office or see Ron Schrote after Sunday service. Thank you and God bless you, Your Finance committee First UCC Prayer Chain SMILE!! It s picture time for our new church directory. Lifetouch will be at our church on Monday, September 29 and Tuesday, September 30 from 2:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. to photograph us. You will receive a complimentary 8 x 10 portrait with no other obligation to purchase any other pictures unless you choose to purchase more. Sign up times and information will follow. Let s try to have everyone photographed to make a wonderful directory for our church family. Pastor Denise Sue Weinert Diane Porrett Jennifer Northam Reb & Sally McNinch Mary Alice Busch Paulette Trombley Karen Eltringham Joyce Townsend Shelley Champion If anyone would like to be added to our prayer chain, please call the church office at Thank you.

7 What s Going on at First UCC? If you would like to be an active participant in any of the goings on at First UCC or have any questions concerning what our committees do, feel free to reach out to the committee liaison. The many committees that make sure things run smoothly are made up of volunteers, and each committee is represented by a church council member. The various committees and liaisons are as follows: Mission Kathi Miller ( ) Buildings and Grounds Bill Wagner ( ) Worship Terri Houston ( ) Vitality Kathi Miller ( ) Finance Kim Grewe ( ) Stewardship Veronica Chrostowski ( ) Christian Education Dean Handrow ( ) Memorial Lynn Dunsmore ( ) Personnel Ron Schrote ( ) Servers Rotation Schedule 2014 August 3 Greeters Al & Mary Alice Busch Ushers David & Ruth Hartwell Lay Reader.Mary Alice Busch Communion Preparer...Paulette Trombley Communion Servers...Ron & Kim Schrote August 10 Greeters..Rich & Sue Weinert Ushers..Bob & Veronica Chrostowski Lay Reader..Chris Hensch Altar Flowers.Diane & Glen Porrett August 17 Greeters.Lucia Marshall & volunteer Ushers.Rich & Sue Weinert Lay Reader..Traci Bartell Altar Flowers.Need Volunteer August 24 Greeters..Darrel & Sharlene Haws Ushers..Ray & Paulette Trombley Lay Reader...Lucia Marshall Altar Flowers..Need Volunteer August 31 Greeters.Ray & Paulette Trombley Ushers.Al & Mary Alice Busch Lay Reader..Joyce Townsend Altar Flowers.Ray Trombley September 7 Greeters.Bob & Veronica Chrostowski Ushers.Ron & Kim Schrote Lay Reader..Ruth Hartwell Communion Preparer.Sally McNinch Communion Servers:...Al & Mary Alice Busch

8 As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease. Genesis 8:22 Harvesting has begun!! We have picked more than three pounds of beans that have been gently steamed, frozen, and stored in one-pound packages. They will reach the Richmond Food Pantry soon where they will join with other gifts to make a nourished meal for some in need; offerings of love and offerings of hope. Thanks to all who have weeded and watered! Other plants are going strong. Green on the tomatoes is slowly ripening to red and the carrot and beet rows have been thinned. Great and good community work is happening and blossoming through the work of this garden. Feel the Spirit move even through the pesky Japanese beetles that are finding a home there these days! Let every living creature say Praise and Thank You!! The Adult Choir will begin rehearsing again on Wednesday, September 3 rd at 6:45pm. Now is the perfect time to consider joining in the fun and meaningful work of music ministry. Rehearsals take place weekly. The time commitment, other than worship, is one hour weekly. Choir leads during worship two Sundays per month. Our first Sunday to join in 11am worship will be Rally Day: September 14. If you have any questions, please contact Traci Bartell at traci.bartell@gmail.com or Pastor Denise s Office Hours and Pastoral Care I plan my week to be in Richmond on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. It s possible that the days may move a bit as I respond to various needs that arise, but for the most part, that s when I ll be in town. If possible, please plan for committees to meet on one of those days or evenings. Thanks so much! If there are situations that arise in which you d like pastoral care, please call to let me know. In the old days, hospitals and rehab/nursing facilities used to inform pastors when one of their flock was admitted. That doesn t happen anymore. You can reach me directly by calling my cell phone or call the church office and leave a message with Helen or on the answering machine. I m always happy to receive your calls. Pastor Denise

9 Our Church Finances In the spirit of keeping everyone in the loop, here s our six-month financial report. Note that we are currently operating at a $4,583 loss. June was the first month this year in which our giving exceeded our expenses. Thanks to all for your generous support for our ministry! First United Church of Christ Income and Expenses Statement For the Month and Year-to-Date June 30, 2014 June Y-T-D Y-T-D Over / Annual June Budget Actual Budget (Under) Budget 5,582 5,148 27,828 30,884 (3,056) 61,768 1,652 1,667 11,539 10,000 1,539 20, ,000 (3,468) 8, ,321 1, , ,011 1, ,200 Total Normal Income 7,873 7,886 43,612 47,309 (3,697) 94,618 Total Pastoral Ministry 3,735 4,038 28,249 24,225 4,024 48,450 Total Worship ,383 5,920 1,463 11,504 Total Christian Education (175) 350 Total Office Administration 918 1,085 6,683 6,986 (303) 13,972 Total Building & Grounds 869 1,127 12,965 9,868 3,097 19,136 Total Missions ,206 3,978 (1,772) 9,150 Growth & Outreach Fund Raising Miscellaneous Expenses (269) (90) 180 Total Budgeted Expenses 6,274 7,820 58,064 51,892 6, ,042 Recap: Total Normal Income 7,873 7,886 43,612 47,309 (3,697) 94,618 Total Budgeted Expenses (6,274) (7,820) (58,064) (51,892) (6,172) (104,042) Total Budgeted Profit / (Loss) 1, (14,452) (4,583) (9,869) (9,424)

10 Our Website is up and running Come take a look! Here s the address: Join us on August Trinity Lutheran Church 11:30 am service Camp Talahi Retreat & Nature Center Summer 2014 Mini Camp/June 29 July 2 We will share a Tri-church worship service and celebrate with the children as they share what they have learned in Vacation Bible School. Adventure Camp/July 6 July 11 Junior Camp/July 13 July 18 Senior High Camp/July 18 July 25 MADD Camp/July 27 August 1 GAS Camp/July 27 August 1 Family Camp/August 1 August 3 Talk w/pastor Denise for more information. Please submit your articles or announcements for the next issue of Sharing the Word no later than August 18. During the summer months, our worship service will begin at 10:00 am. June 1 September 7 Grab Your Calendar and Hi-Liter Marker Our Annual Church Auction will begin right after Sunday worship service on November 16. So start thinking about all the special gifts you re going to take home with you, all the items you want to donate, the good food and most of all, the funds we ll raise to support our ministry and all whom we touch with God s love and justice. Thank you to all who helped send 21 Baby Kits to Church World Service... We sent three boxes to the Brethren Service Warehouse in New Windsor Maryland on July 2. When the boxes get there they are opened and checked for all items and then await to be shipped off to any part of the world. Just think of the number of people we will have touched with our 21 baby kits 21 babies + 21 moms+ 21 dads; the number continues to grow.

11 February March April MISSION CALENDAR 2014 Health Kit items due in church on or before February 23 *One Great Hour of Sharing Offering on March 30 Shoe Drive for Grace Center of Hope, Pontiac April 26 May Shoe Drive continues May 3 *Blanket Sunday Offering on May 11 Armada UCC Church June August October November December *Envelopes will be provided *Strengthen the Church Offering on June 8 Baby Kit items due in church on or before June 22 School Kit items due in church on or before August 24 *Neighbors In Need Offering on October 5 Bread for the World Bread Sale on October 19 Shoebox Christmas Gift Collection for KIDS due in church on or before Dec. 7 *Christmas Fund Offering on Dec. 21 Check the Mission bulletin board at the back of the church for the detailed list for the baby, health, and school kits plus any other Mission updates. Look for canisters for the ongoing collection of Box Tops for Education, Campbell s labels, & coins for the Holy Joe s Café Coffee for the Troops. School Kit Items Needed by August 24 First UCC is so blessed! Through our Mission committee we have been given a $ grant from our denomination s Disaster Ministries to assemble additional Church World Service School Kits. The need right now for CWS school kits is HUGE. UCC Disaster Ministries offered the grant because of the need and wanted to give it to churches who are willing to help. The kits are given to children in impoverished schools, refugee camps or other difficult settings. Each little mind needs the right tools to grow, and these simple supplies can be the pathway out of poverty for a child in need. So.we have a challenge to meet. Instead of 30 kits, we want to fill 60 kits. First UCC can do it. All items need to be at church by Sunday, August 24. We will use the $ grant money to purchase additional items, processing and shipping costs. Thank you in advance for stepping up to this challenge and let us pray that many students will NOT enter their classrooms with empty hands. We need the following items to assemble a School Kit: One pair of blunt metal scissors (rounded tip) Three 70-count spiral notebooks (no loose-leaf or filler paper) One 12-inch ruler One hand-held pencil sharpener One large eraser Six new pencils with erasers One box of 24 crayons All these items go into a 12 x 14 cloth bag. These bags are made by the loving hands of several church members.

12 Stop the Water Shut Offs!

13 We continue our program this month with letters that tells us why it is important to support the mission and vision of the church from folks that are part of our family of faith. If you want your story to be included in our newsletter or tell your story on a Sunday morning during monthly Stewardship moments, just let anyone on the committee know, or drop off your story at the church office. Yours in Christ, Veronica Chrostowski Mark Davis Chris Hensch Kim Schrote Ron Schrote Ray Trombley Rich Weinert Dear Members and Friends, I was first introduced to First UCC through a dance group known as Dance with the Spirit. I didn t realize that when I started practicing with that group, I was actually going to be asked to perform. However, doing so has given me the opportunity to meet and develop lasting relationships with numerous members of the congregation in addition to the spiritual fellowship that enriches my life both in and out of church. In addition to the volunteer time I give to the church, it's important to give financially to support not only the normal operations of the church, but for the church to provide spiritual and material aid to the community. First UCC has given me a strong sensing of belonging. Mark Davis

14 Prayers coming your way... This page in our newsletter shares prayer concerns and prayer opportunities within the life of our family of faith. By actively praying for the concerns presented, we strengthen our congregation, our brother and sister churches, our association and our conference. If you have prayer concerns you would like to see added to this page, please contact Pastor Denise or call the office at Please add the following concerns to your personal prayer time: Those from our family of faith who are distant, homebound or dealing with illness: Bertha Teska..Donna Bartell..Carl Kulman.. Leona Conner..Lucille Trombley..Marjorie Pentzien.. Bob Reindel.Paulette Trombley.Chuck Busch. Bob Chrostowski.Sue Weinert.Jim Volkenant. Ann Quinn.Amy Follebout.Jackie Waszkiewicz. Reb McNinch.Detroit residents living without running water due to the mass shut-offs; for a just peace between Palestine and Israel; for immigrant children being detained First UCC s Weekly Prayer Discipline for AUGUST Clip and Keep Reminders August 3-9 Leona Conner Mark & Vicky Davis Dennis & Joyce Dubay August Jerry & Lynn Dunsmore Erin Dunsmore Justin & Avrie Dunsmore August Kristina Dunsmore Karen Eltringham Doris Anne Ensley August Doris Essenburg Carolin Hartway David & Ruth Hartwell

15 We wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following members who are celebrating their birthday in August: 04 - Sally McNinch 04 - Terry Schroeder 04 - David Busch 06 - Lucia Marshall 07 - Donna Bartell 13 - Rich Weinert 17 - Bill Jones 22 - Shelly Handrow 26 - Justin Dunsmore HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the children of our church who celebrate a birthday this month: 17 - Avery Hamburg 24 - Lucas Winkleman 29 - Brianna Jones We also wish a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to the following members whose wedding anniversary is in August: 14 - Justine & Avrie Dunsmore 15 - Brian & Cathy Conner 21 - Glen & Diane Porrett 26 - Warren Sue Burmann 29 - Carl & Kiane Kulman B E S T W I S H E S T O Y O U! Weekly Offerings: July 20 $1, July 13 $1, July 06 $1, June 29 $ Y-T-D Adopt-A-Bill $3, July July July June

16 FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST SOUTH FOREST RICHMOND, MI Return address requested No Matter Who You Are Or Where You Are On Life s Journey You Are Welcome Here!