Church Messenger August 2015

Transcription

1 Church Messenger August 2015 Moments with Mike August 2015 When I was in Basic Training for the military one of the main goals of the cadre was to break down our penchant for thinking individually and instill in us a team attitude. The good of the unit was paramount, more important than even the good of the one, myself. That is a tall order and it takes some longer to make the transition than others. It is made more difficult by the fact that new recruits don t have a good understanding of what being in the Army is about, why one is required to do what they do and operate the way they operate. Once you have stopped thinking individually and begun to think of the unit; then you are taught what the mission, goals, and paradigms of military life are and how to live and act accordingly. While this is not the greatest analogy for Christian living; becoming a Christian requires somewhat the same process. When we talk of Salvation we are talking about each one of us individually, yes, but also about the Salvation of the collective of humankind and all creation. Jesus died that each of us might live; but we are saved into the community of Saints and as members of this community we are called to new life and new living. We must put aside the way we thought and acted before we put on Christ. Becoming a soldier is a process and I would share with you that Salvation is a process as well. It is a process best accomplished in the light of knowledge and understanding. We know that Jesus died for our sin that we might live; and many believe that is the end of the process. However, Wesley understood acknowledgement of the saving act of Christ as the beginning of the process of living a new life that was kingdom focused rather than self-absorbed. In order to do that we must know what being a Christian means, what we believe, and how do those beliefs inform and shape the way we live our lives. Over the next weeks we will be looking at the Way of Salvation as the founder of our Denomination John Wesley understood it from a Scriptural point of view; and how those beliefs form our goals and our mission as followers of Jesus. Acts 2:46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having he goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. The early church knew who they were, whose they were, and what that meant for their lives. This is the Christian mission still today, and the goal for us individually and collectively Join us for the journey as we discover what it means to be a Christian, our beliefs and the lifestyle and actions that give meaning to those beliefs and honor to our God. Blessings Mike

2 August Sermons August 2nd Message: Salvation!! Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5: Focus: Salvation is a journey Not a destination. August 9th Message: Victorious, Living, Love Scripture: 1 John 4: 7-12 Focus: God is Love God calls the Church to Love August 16th Message: And it was Good! Scripture: Genesis 1: Focus: God said it is good ; do we see the world with those eyes: August 23rd Message: Grace = God s love at work in our lives. Scripture: Epsesians 2: 8-9 Focus: Grace comes to us in many forms Do we pass it on??? Activities/Upcoming Events: Men s breakfast for the month of August will be held on the 15 th at 8:00 am LAUMC UMM Fishing Club Schedule September 5 th Duck Lake October 3 rd Green Lake If you are interested in participating or have any questions please contact Michael Carr at or through mtownsendcarr@charter.net

3 Save the Dates!! On August 22 nd and September 26 th, the ladies will be working on Bazaar Projects. We are in need of the following for our projects: pint & half-pint jars for our apple butter, nearly new items & craft items. If you can help out with these items please contact Julia Deemer at or Deb Schermerhorn at This year s Craft Show/Bazaar will be held on October 24 th November 18 th : We will meet for lunch and a World Thank Offering. Christmas luncheon is scheduled for December 16 th. M&M Quilting Group Quilters meet every Wednesday from 9am-4pm come and join the ladies for a day of fellowship and quilting. All skill levels welcome!

4 Missions outreach will be Lane 4 for the month of August, UMCOR/World Hunger. Please denote giving envelopes Lane 4 along with donation amount. Mission Lane of Giving for 2015: June, Lane 3: International, Hearth to Hearth Ministries July and August, Lane 4: UMCOR/Hunger, CROP Walk and One Great Hour of Sharing September and October, Lane 5: Native/Ethnic Churches, Greensky Hill/Northport Indian Mission November and December, Lane 6: Local, Summer Games/Wesley Backpack Mission We are once again collecting backpacks and school supplies for kids in need at Lake Ann Elementary. Last year we were able to give 25 backpacks full of supplies to help make the school year a little brighter for 25 children. Please consider donating to this great cause! We are asking that you bring your backpacks & supplies in by August 16 th. If you would rather donate, please mark your giving envelope backpacks.

5 Adult Mission Trip September 2015 Brookport, Illinois Blessed To Be a Blessing It looks like we will be returning to Brookport, Illinois!!! Brookport, Illinois is a small community in southern Illinois by the Ohio River. It was hit by a tornado F3/4, November 17, Their goal is to build 15 to 20 new homes. This town is in a depressed area and though these new homes we helped to build will be small they are much better than what they have. The Tornado cut a path 250 yards wide and several miles long. The most damage was done in two mobile home parks where about 50 homes were destroyed. We worked in one of these areas on building two new homes. Our crew was blessed by continual support from locals who would come and join us in the construction process. On Monday, Sharon and Margaret helped to mix cement--they are going to get a new home. Like many of those that lost their homes they now are homeless living where they can. On Tuesday, Jim from across the river and Dale a local retiree joined us and helped on siding of one of the two houses. Dale came back every day bringing us supplies and one day sharing donuts and milk with us. They still need us--so we will be going the week of Sept , There will be accommodations at a local church plus a nearby motel. Basic cost is $150, plus transportation. Any question please ask--dave Thanks, God Bless You real good--dave Renfer ( )

6 Nicaragua Mission Trip We give thanks to God for the awesome mission trip and the safe return of our team. On August 16 th and 30 th team members will be sharing some of their adventures with us. Team members are: Kelly Lamie- Fulk, Dave Kerns, Logan Kerns, Jennifer VanWingen and Thomas VanWingen.

7 5 TO ONE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYGROUP HAPPENINGS! You are invited to visit our playgroup any time to see happy faces and new friendships. Our August dates: Friday, August 14 & Friday, August 28, from 10-11:30am at our Community Center building. Here are samples of our fun together: Sensory Table Play Trip to Millie s Farm Painting Fun Meeting Pastor Mike! BACK TO SCHOOL SATURDAY AT COMMUNITY CENTER SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015 For children grades K-5 10am-3pm FREE: HAIRCUTS, DENTAL SCREENINGS & CAR SEAT CHECKS Special Attraction: Almira Township Fire Truck Tell your neighbors, come join the fun! SPONSORED BY THE 5 TO ONE NEGHBORHOOD CENTER PLAYGROUP MOMS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LAKE ANN UNITEDMETHODIST CHURCH

8 Nursery and Sunday School Schedule for August: August 2nd: Amanda Nahgagown (Nursery) Beth Simon (SS) August 9 th : Mae Crawford(Nursery) Sue Agge (SS) August 16 th : Amanda Deemer (Nursery) Jen VanWingen (SS) August 23 rd : Jane Karl (Nursery) Beth Simon (SS) August 30 th : Emily (Nursery) Amy Grant (SS) We welcome all children ages 0-5 year in the nursery and those completing grades K-4 for Sunday School. Our school aged children participate in the worship service and then head to class after the Children s Sermon. We have placed dividers in the nursery room to provide space for the older children. We will show a McGee & Me DVD and will conclude with a group discussion. Come and check it out! So far it has been an awesome summer! Many of us attended Summer Games, we ve been biking, playing on the beach and sharing God s Love. Just this week we spent the day at the Michigan Adventure Theme Park in Muskegon and also attended the Unity Christian Music Festival. If you d like to join us we meet on most Sunday s at 4:00 pm. Save the date: On Tuesday August 11 th we re hosting a Michigan Blood drive from 3:00 7:00 pm at the Fellowship Hall so be sure to stop by and see us; we appreciate your support!

9 Happy Birthday (3 rd ) Kyle Mahan; (4 th ) Kayla Lemcool; (5 th ) Bev Felkey; (6 th ) Paula Stabnau; (8 th ) Sarah Wetmore; (12 th ) Katia Skarupinski; (15 th ) Mike Carr; (16 th ) John Petersen & Bryan Potts; (17 th ) Bill Rayle; (19 th ) Thomas Van Wingen; (23 rd ) Roxann Houghton, Barbara Lowry & Betsy Seybert; (24 th ) Karen Reidlinger; (25 th ) Laura Lynch; (26 th ) Debbie Rasho; (28 th ) Marla Priest; (30 th ) Dutch Powers (11 th ) Dave & Amber Pomper; (12 th ) Jim & Vickilee Miller; (14 th ) Jerry & Jeri Papazian; (23 rd ) Craig & Linda Allen; (24 th ) Scott & Kelly Lamie-Fulk; (25 th ) Todd & Saundra Hacker; (28 th ) West & Laura Lynch; (31 st ) Chuck & Barb Cape Church Office Hours: Monday through Thursday 9:00 am 1:00 pm. Stop in and say Hi to our new Administrative Assistant Kathy Roper. Food Pantry Hours: Monday through Thursday 9:00 am 12:00 pm. Your generous support is always greatly appreciated!! Sarah, Levi & Bode for taking such good care of our garden!! Our friends that visit the Food Pantry are so happy to get fresh produce

10 LET S KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE TOGETHER! The Traverse Bay Children s Advocacy Center will host a: Stewards of Children Sexual Abuse Prevention Seminar AUGUST 19 th :30PM LAKE ANN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER Lake Ann United Methodist Community Center Building Corner of First Street & Lake Ann Road Stewards of Children is a comprehensive sexual abuse prevention education program that educates adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The Stewards of Children program is designed for organizations that serve children and adolescents, providing prevention education for staff, volunteers, parents, and other interested adults. Please help us by shining your light on this dark issue! Please use the following link to register. For more information, contact: Hannah Rodriguez TBCAC Prevention Coordinator (231) hrodriguez@traversebaycac.org This seminar is brought to you FREE thanks to generous grant support from the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.

11 Buckets of Rain is one of the mission groups that we sponsor through our local giving. Chris Skellenger is the son in law of Fran Swaney and we thought you might like to know about this upcoming event. Growing Hope, Feeding Lives In Detroit, Michigan and beyond Please join us in our World Record Setting "Song For Hope" Marathon Fundraiser #3 To be held August 20 thru 23 in front of Horizon Books in Traverse City, Michigan straight hours of "This Land is Your Land" No talent or experience needed! For more information you may call Chris at or go to their website at Our History Buckets of Rain was formed in 2006 and began by pioneering a unique type of gravity fed drip irrigation to help impoverished communities feed themselves in Lesotho, as well as areas of Kenya, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize. Since 2012, we ve turned our attention stateside, to struggling communities of Michigan, specifically in Detroit's long-crumbling neighborhoods. Why Detroit? Urban centers like Detroit are home to thousands of struggling community members with little access to food and services, and virtually no access to fresh produce. Moreover, urban blight has infected these neighborhoods, opening the door for criminal activity on abandoned properties and inhibiting redevelopment efforts. Our Work Through the construction of urban gardens on abandoned city lots, Buckets of Rain diminishes urban blight, rekindles hope in struggling neighborhoods, and feeds the community through partners like the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries and Cass Community Social Services, two of the largest relief agencies in the United States. We re-purposed 23 abandoned properties into food production in 2014.

12 *The Lake Ann Camp will be offering three different Ladies Retreats in September: Beth Moore Simulcast, September 11 12; Peggy Walker, September 17 19; Rachel Inouye, September For more information there are flyers in the narthex or you may go to their website at

13 July ~ August 2015 ~ September Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :20 Music 10:30 Worship 11:30 Fellowship 3 5 pm Al CC am to 4 pm Quilting Group 6 7 8:45 am Almira Twp. Park 8 pm Church :20 Music 10:30 Worship 11:30 Fellowship No Youth 16 10:20 Music 10:30 Worship Nicaragua Report 11:30 Fellowship 4 pm Youth Group 23 10:20 Music 10:30 Worship 11:30 Fellowship 4 pm Youth Group 30 10:20 Music 10:30 Worship Nicaragua Report 11:30 Fellowship 4 pm Youth Group 10 5 pm Al CC 17 5 pm Al CC Finance 7 pm 24 5 pm Al CC 31 5 pm Al CC pm Blood Drive 18 7 pm Adm. Bd am to 4 pm Quilting Group 6:30 pm SPRC 19 9 am to 4 pm Quilting Group 6-8:30 pm Darkness to Light Community Ctr am to 4 pm Quilting Group 6:30 pm Covenant Bible Study 7 pm SPRC :45 am Almira Twp. Park 10-11:30 am Comm. Play CC 8 pm Church :45 am Almira Twp. Park 8 pm Church :45 am Almira Twp. Park 10-11:30 am Comm. Play CC 8 pm Church 15 8 am Men s Breakfast at the church am to 3 pm Back to School Event Community Center Notes: Farmers Mkt/Flea Mkt at the Almira Township Park every Tuesday 3 7 pm. Northwest Michigan Fair: August 9 th thru 16th