United Methodist Church of the Dunes November 2017

Transcription

1 United Methodist Church of the Dunes November 2017 Dunes Digest P P 41 Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward. --Matthew 10: Dear Friends, As we round the corner into November, I hope thankfulness and giving are on our minds. We have so many things for which to be grateful family, friends, resources, church community, a beautiful shoreline on which to live, and a God who loves us no matter what. Through this season of thankfulness, we have also been treasuring the gift of spiritual fruit that is growing in each of us at United Methodist Church of the Dunes. The begging question for me continues to be, What do we do with all this fruit? A few years ago, not long after bringing a group of refugee siblings into our life, they started coming home from school with simple gifts. The first time we were a bit confused. One of our new daughters with a grin on her face pulled a shiny red apple from her backpack. When she received her lunch at school, she had saved a portion of her lunch for us, her parents, who weren t at school. Her immediate response to receiving a lunch was to share some with others. Wow! We worship a God of abundance in a community of abundance. Our congregation is filled with wise, knowledgeable, skilled people. We have folks with deep faith and years of spiritual maturing. We have people who are new to faith and bring fresh passion for God and others. We have capable leaders. We have a gifted staff. We have eloquent spokespersons for God. We have a call to offer what we have to God. Alongside of that abundance, we have a world that is violent and troubled, people who are starving, people in our own community who remain homeless, people whose hearts are broken, people who are crying out for some ray of hope. So what do we do with God s abundance to tend to the needs of our world? Maybe we can learn from my daughter s simple act. First, remember who gave us the abundance, be grateful, and save a portion for the One who provides for us. Second, look around and see who is not at the table, identify those who have not yet benefitted from the abundance of God s amazing love and/or the infinite resources, and save some for them. Then invite them to the table. Give a cry for justice, a word of kindness, a gift to mission, some of your time, a portion of your financial resources in Christ s name. When we do these things, we offer and experience fruit that lasts. I invite you to spend November thanking and giving, and really living the grace that we have received. Feeling Blessed, Pastor Lou

2 United Methodist Church of the Dunes In Remembrance Tom Ringelberg died on September 28, A service for Tom was held at Church of the Dunes on October 4. Baptism Marley Renee Reihl was baptized at Church of the Dunes on October 8, Marley is the daughter of Mark & Danielle Reihl. Holly Berry Bazaar Friday, November 3 from 9:30 am- 6:00 pm and Saturday, November 4 from 9:30 am-noon at Church of the Dunes. Save the Date for Family Camp We know this is a long way off, but mark your calendars now for Labor Day weekend 2018! The old tradition of Family Camp has been resumed at the new and improved Camp Douglas Smith. The camp has been remodeled, renovated and is ready for campers. We will be sharing photos of the progress. Our Family Camp committee is forming, so stay turned for more info! Thanksgiving Holiday Closings The church building will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 23 & Friday, November 24. November 2017 Sermon Series Character Wanted November 5: All Saints Celebration Pastor Lou Grettenberger will be preaching. Theme: Faithfulness Sermon: When Faith or the Mountain Have to Move Scripture: Matthew 17:14-20 November 12: Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost Pastor Lou Grettenberger will be preaching. Theme: Gentleness Sermon Title: Meeked Scripture: I Thessalonians 2:1-8; Ephesians 4:1-7 November 19: Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (Thanksgiving Sunday) Pastor Lou Grettenberger will be preaching. Theme: Self Control Sermon Title: Cretans No More Scripture: Titus 1:5-9; Psalm 137 November 26: Christ the King (Reign of Christ Sunday) Pastor Lou Grettenberger will be preaching. Theme: Lordship of Christ Sermon Title: That s My King Scripture: Titus 3:1-8 Thanksgiving Pie Sale! The Youth Group will be selling pies for Thanksgiving fundraiser for Youth Ministries. We will be selling pumpkin, apple, Dutch apple, and cherry pies for $10 each. Please see a member of the youth group or Ashley Boersma between services to place your order. Orders will be taken October 29 th November 12 th. Pies will be ready for pick up in the Wiltse Center on Sunday November 19 th. Dunesmen s Thanksgiving Dinner Sunday, November 19 at 5:30 pm The Dunesmen (United Methodist Men) will once again host the annual Thanksgiving Dinner in the Wiltse Center on Sunday, November 19 beginning at 5:30 pm. This invitation goes out to all who attend Church of The Dunes, and your relatives and friends. The Dunesmen will provide turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls and beverages. If possible, please bring a dish to pass and your own table service. A free will offering will be taken to help support the Men s projects for next year. We will provide a take-out container for bringing a meal home to your loved one. We look forward to seeing you as we come together as a church family; enjoying fellowship and thanking God for all the gifts he has given us this past year. Please call Vaughn Umphrey at with questions.

3 November 2017 Journey to Bethlehem Volunteers Needed This December 7, 8 & 9 the churches of the Tri-Cities will present the Journey to the stable for the entire family, from grandparents to the youngest child. We need your help. Will you prayerfully consider lending your time and talent to make this journey happen? Please use this as a great witness to all and invite others family, neighbors, co-workers. Spread the word. There are many opportunities to serve. It takes hundreds of volunteers so that people can experience the culture and wonder of this glorious night and know that Jesus is the real reason we celebrate Christmas. We need the following volunteers: cast members, set builders, hospitality, greeters, census paper makers, shopkeepers in Bethlehem, and more. If interested in volunteering or if you have questions, please contact Terri at j2bterri@gmail.com, call or go to our website at To volunteer for a specific position or role please click on the following links; Church of the Dunes volunteers are needed to bake cookies, receive cookies on Wednesday, December 6, and help in the kitchen on December 7, 8 & 9. Monetary donations are also welcome to help with the cost of hot chocolate, paper products and food for the volunteers. Contact Sherry Baker at or sherry.baker@sbcglocal.net to volunteer or for further information. If you would like to help with parking here at Church of the Dunes on one or more nights, please contact Doug Mitchell at This would be a great opportunity for younger people to help with the Journey to Bethlehem. Tickets will be sold at St. John s Lutheran Church from 8 am to 2 pm on Saturday, November 11 and on-line beginning November 12 at Help is needed for ticket sales on November 11. Christmas By Candlelight Planned for Thursday, November 30 at 6:30 pm Once again the United Methodist Women are preparing for our wonderful Advent program, Christmas By Candlelight. This event is for all women of the church and includes young women in grades As in the past, Bev Parrott will be taking the reservations and organizing the tables and hostesses. If you are interested in attending you may call Bev at with your reservation. If you would like to be a table hostess, please let Bev know as soon as possible. She needs to know how many tables are available so she can begin seating guests as she receives reservations. To be a hostess means pairing up with someone and decorating a table with a candlelit centerpiece and providing dessert. You may use your own special Christmas dishes or you may use plates and cups from the church kitchen. Many hostesses provide a small favor for their guests, but it is not necessary. Tablecloths are available from the church. Please specify whether you will be using an oblong table that seats 10 or a round table that seats 8. Coffee, tea, cream, and sugar will be provided by the UMW. You may also invite guests to sit at your table, but we do need room for other attendees who make reservations on their own, so it is very helpful if you do not fill up your own table. This event has grown in the past few years and we need a lot of tables to seat guests. Please advise Bev if you invite guests to sit at your table. A reservation form will be in the bulletin and it will be your invitation to attend. Guests will be seated at available openings. We will do our best to honor requests of seating individuals at specifically requested tables.

4 United Methodist Church of the Dunes New Adult Education Group Studies: The Word for The Way By Jan Stuart, Adult Council (Adult Education Coordinator) Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White: Thoughts on Religion, Morality, and Politics Everyone agrees that America is polarized, with ever-hardening positions held by people less and less willing to listen to one another. No one agrees on what to do about it. One solution that hasn't yet been tried, says Adam Hamilton, is for thinking persons of faith to model for the rest of the country a richer, more thoughtful conversation on the political, moral, and religious issues that divide us. Adam Hamilton is pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, one of the country's most dynamic and distinctive congregations. Join in the discussion beginning Sunday, October 29, Ryder Lounge, after 2 nd service 11:30 am- 12:30 pm. Sign up on the Adult Ministries Board by the Office or call Jill Miller. The Apostle s Creed by Adam Hamilton We are all searching. How do we discover and examine the truths that give meaning and purpose to life? Powerful answers are contained in the Apostles Creed, an early statement of foundational Christian beliefs. Join us as we go deeper and find answers about the important questions of life, reality, and truth. Adam Hamilton explores not only what Christians believe, but also why they believe it and why it matters. This Advent class, lead by Pastor Eldon Eldred, is planned for Wednesday evenings beginning November 8 from 6:00-7:00 pm in the Ryder Lounge. Please sign up on the Adult Ministries board by the office. Books are optional and may be ordered through a bookstore of your choice. Monday Night Reading Group It s not to late to join this group that generally meets on the fourth Monday each month at 6:30 pm in the Ryder Lounge. On November 27 we will be discussing the book: We Were the Mulvaneys. In this book the youngest son, Judd, now an adult, attempts to reclaim the Mulvaney family s past by documenting their history. The secrets they kept from each other threatened to destroy them, but ultimately they bridged the chasms that had opened up. On December 18 (the third Monday this month) we will discuss The True Gift by Patricia MacLaughlin. Experience the magic of authentic giving in this holiday children s book classic from this Newbery Award winning author. Sunday Morning Classes You have an open invitation to join us in any of our classes and discussion groups. Remember to drop in on Sunday mornings to FaithLinks (Rm 4) between services, or watch the latest DVD Faith Lesson in The World At Odds (Rm 13/14) or Parent s Discussion Group (Wiltse Center) after the second service. There are new topics every week. Financial Peace University Dave Ramsey s financial Peace University is ready to return to church of the Dunes in early We need a facilitator that is willing to host this evening class one day a week for nine weeks. All materials are provided and no training is needed! See Susan Thorpe or call her at for details!

5 November 2017 Youth Ministry Update By Ashley Boersma, Director of Youth Ministry We had a lot of great Youth group events going on! We had a great night having ice cream sundaes with Pastor Lou and Karen! They graciously invited the youth to come up to the parsonage and enjoy ice cream outside and play! We played soccer, jumped on the trampoline, played basketball, rode RipStiks, and enjoyed fellowship! Thank you for having us! We had our first feast of this school year! Feast is a family potluck and fellowship night. Our feast was held at Potawatomi Park. We had a group of about 56 people! It was great! We ate delicious food, shared in conversation, and played on the playground equipment and in the grass area! We enjoyed the family Pig Roast hosted by Neal and Mary Anne Miller! Thank you so much for having us! The weather was beautiful and the food was never ending and delicious! The pumpkin hunt, hayrides, horseshoes, and events were all such fun! Thank you SO much to everyone who contributed to the UMCOR Cleaning Buckets! We surpassed our goal of 15 by 10! That s right! You all helped us fill 25 cleaning buckets! Incredible! The kids packed and organized all of the buckets according to UMCOR s instructions and we got them off on their way!

6 United Methodist Church of the Dunes Unwrapping the Greatest Gift By Laura Burns, Director of Children s Ministries Ann Voskamp has written a wonderful and beautiful book titled, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: a Family Celebration of Christmas. It walks you through making a Jesse Tree. The ornaments on the Jesse tree tell of Jesus' ancestors, and of the events leading to Jesus' birth. The tradition of a Jesse Tree gets its name from Isaiah 11:1 Out of the stump of David s family will grow a shoot. The journey through the many familiar stories of Sunday School will now take new meaning as we see they are all part of God s unconditional, unbeatable, unfailing, unwrappable love for us. Each family will receive a copy of Unwrapping the Greatest Gift on Sunday, November 19. In a time of year when our schedules are overfull, our to-do lists are extra-long and the pressures seem to mount from every side this book invites us to slow down and celebrate Christmas by retelling the greatest story ever told God s Love story for us. The book is formatted like an advent calendar with a reading each day from December 1-December 25. Each has a scripture and a beautifully written and illustrated story bring the scripture to life and into our hearts. Each day there is a an ornament to color, as a family decide how you will display these ornaments--- hanging them on a small pine tree, some branches in a vase, or in the pocket of an advent calendar you decide how your family will build your Jesse tree. There is also an adult companion book, The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas. It follows the same story each day delving deeper into God s story; reminding us this story is not just for children, it s for all of us. This Jesse tree is not just Jesus s family tree, it s our Family Tree-- we are part of God s family. I will be leading a Wednesday evening series on this book beginning Wednesday, November 29 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in room 4. It s open to all adults, sign up on the Adult Education board outside the main office. Please obtain your own copy of this book, and I will provide the ornaments to color you can create your own Jesse tree or your own Advent journal. It is my hope that this new tradition will help us receive and rediscover God s great love for each one of us. When we arrive at Christmas our homes and our hearts will be ready to receive the greatest present: God s presence with us. Changing Hearts...Changing Lives This fall our church has thirteen different adult education classes. And that s just for the adults. Think of that! Wow! The costs of these classes really add up to provide clean rooms, furniture, lights, heat, and materials. Imagine the life changes that can result from all of these classes. Here at Church of the Dunes we are building disciples of Jesus Christ, one life at a time. THANK YOU for giving generously. Together, we are making a difference. Your Stewardship Committee

7 November 2017 Engaging With the Scriptures By Laura Burns, Director of Children s Ministries Starting in 3rd grade we ask the kids to bring their Bibles with them every week. We learn how to look up the Scriptures and use the text annotations. We also talk about the Bible not just as a source for the stories about God but a place for guidance and road map for their lives. Last month when Pastor Eldon came to serve communion he encouraged the kids to write in their Bibles. Light colored crayons or colored pencils can be used for highlighting without bleeding through the pages. This is not a homework assignment this is a heart assignment. We want the kids to mark the passages that are important to them. This could be a check mark or a date next to a passage or doodling a small picture or note of significance. We experience God using all of our senses we hear God s Word when it s read to us. Writing in our Bibles is one way of engaging visually and tactilely. Communion is a way we taste God s Promise. At Christmas our stories use frankincense and myrrh as a way to experience God s Word through our sense of smell. Using all 5 senses invites us into to God s story---inviting us be a part of God s Story. I only began marking my Bible a few years ago, and it has transformed my relationship with the Scriptures. I like to mark scripture in color (Bible Hi-glide highlighters are good for thin pages). I use purple to highlight God s promises, blue for words of comfort, green for action words-- what we are called to do as Christians, yellow to remember the history and pink for God s great love for us. I also use a pencil to write notes and mark important Scriptures to me (you can create your own approach). It makes it easier to find passages, it has helped me slow down to be in God s Word, and it serves as a guidepost for where I am going and how I am growing in my relationship with God. I have found through this process that I am not only coloring in my Bible but God is coloring my life and words. I encourage you to try this. Equal Exchange The Equal Exchange cabinet offers for sale delicious candy bars: dark chocolate, milk chocolate, orange, mint and caramel flavors. We also sell small big-bite size bars for 5/$1. The mild and dark chocolate cocoas are very tasty. Olive oil, and various flavored teas and coffees, ground or whole-bean, round out our cabinet. All sales benefit small farmers in Africa and South America. Most of these farmers are women, the primary bread-winners who otherwise do back-breaking work, day after day, with minimal remuneration. Please help us support these small farmers. Mary s Circle

8 United Methodist Church of the Dunes 717 Sheldon Road Grand Haven, MI Phone: 616/ Website: Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Grand Haven, MI Permit 117 December Dunes Digest Deadline The deadline for the December 2017 issue of the Dunes Digest is November 15. Address Service Requested Daylight Savings Time Ends On Sunday, November 5 Please remember to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday, November 4. Welcome Church of the Dunes Core Purpose We are a family of faith who seeks to grow in God s grace and love, challenges and equips all members to be faithful disciples, to share the Good News and demonstrate and reflect the love of God. Dunes Digest Available Via Would you like to begin receiving your Dunes Digest by instead of having a copy mailed to you? If so, please contact Jan in the church office at jblanchard@umddunes.org. Church Staff Ministers. All Members of the Congregation Senior Pastor.Rev. Louis Grettenberger (louis.grettenberger@gmail.com, ) Assistant Pastor. Rev. Eldon Eldred (eldon616@gmail.com, ) Director of Jubilation Choir.. Carol Kirchner (kirchcocarol@yahoo.com) Director of Youth Choir Cynthia Hicks (Cynthia_Hicks@hotmail.com) Accompanists Marna Jeffery, Cathy Shick Director of Children s Ministries...Laura Burns (lburns@umcdunes.org) Director of Youth Ministry...Ashley Boersma (aboersma@umcdunes.org) Kitchen Coordinator Sherry Baker (sherry.baker@sbcglobal.net) Wednesday Night Suppers...Tracee Cole and Kelly Daniels Office Administrator Jan Blanchard (jblanchard@umcdunes.org) Assistant Office Administrator.. Shirley Chappell Custodian.Jeff Thomasma (jeffthomasma@gmail.com) Covenant Missionaries...Rev. Nkemba & Mbwizu Ndjunsu and Dr. Lester & Debbie Dornon

9 United Methodist Church of the Dunes November 2017 Transitions This is a short update regarding our church staff changes. You will find in this newsletter several job postings, including one for a Communication Director and multiple positions in our music department. The Staff Parish Relations Committee determined that these were the most critical positions to fill immediately. The Director of Communications will now not include direct adult ministry responsibilities. The Music Director Position has been broken down into three roles, which can be filled by one, two or three people Organist; Music Director; Adult Choral and Handbell Choirs Director. We would appreciate your assistance in disseminating information to the wider community through your personal connections regarding these vacancies. We would like to fill these roles as soon as possible with capable candidates. We covet your prayers that we locate the right person for each job. Please feel free to forward information to folks you think might be suitable candidates. In the meantime, thank you to our able staff members, who have been covering the bases since our Adult Ministries/ Communications Director left. Also, thank you to our many capable musicians who have been filling in since last June. You are a God-send. Please feel free to send inquiries or ask me in person regarding these many changes. God is good all the time! --Pastor Lou November Dunesmen s Meeting On Monday, November 13, Dr. Kenneth Piers will be speaking to the Dunesmen. Dr. Piers is a Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Calvin College. During the last twenty of so years of his forty-nine year career at Calvin he has taught and spoken extensively on issues of climate change, energy resources, care of the earth, and achieving a sustainable civilization. He will address the question of why there is so much confusion in the public mind about climate change. Second, he will present a brief review of where the earth currently stands in the progression of climate change. Last, he will present a proposal prepared by the Citizen s Climate Lobby, a non-partisan grassroots national organization in which it may be possible for humans in this nation and across the world to find common ground. UMCOR School Bags Update Proverbs 21:26 Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give. Thank you to the godly people of the Church of the Dunes for the donations to the UMCOR (United Methodist committee On Relief) School Bags. Your generosity allowed us to deliver 149 School Bags to the Genesis Church in Lowell, Michigan. From there volunteers will deliver them to the UMCOR supply depot in Baldwin, Louisiana. Gayle and Anna Cox Anna delivers boxes of school bags to Genesis Church.

10 United Methodist Church of the Dunes November 2017 United Methodist Church of the Dunes is seeking a: Music Director for coordination of special service music; instrumentalists; and multiple age-leveled choral, chime and handbell choirs Organist play organs for two services per week plus special services (currently accompaniment of choirs is handled by other staff members) Adult Choral/Handbell Director We are open to combining of positions, if a candidate is qualified for more than one. We are especially interested in combining the music director post with one of the other two positions. The United Methodist Church of the Dunes is a vibrant, 600-member congregation located in Grand Haven, Michigan. Inquiries, resumes and cover letters should be directed to the church at: UMCD.SPRC@gmail.com. Please call our pastor, Louis Grettenberger at ext. 22 for additional information or questions regarding these postings. United Methodist Church of the Dunes seeks: Director of Communication hours per week Position Responsibilities include: Develop a comprehensive and systematic plan for communicating the vision, mission, and programming of the congregation. Facilitate internal and external communication. Layout monthly newsletter, the website, social media, and announcements at church. Oversee bulletin boards and in-building advertising. Evaluate regularly whether or not our core messages are being received. Attend Church Council. Serve as the lead person in coordinating all internal and external communications for our church. Fulfill communications duties and other tasks assigned by the Senior Pastor. Educational Requirements: Prefer a Bachelor s Degree in Communication. Strong writing and people skills required. Knowledge of social media. The United Methodist Church of the Dunes is a vibrant, 600-member congregation located in Grand Haven, Michigan. Inquiries, resumes and cover letters should be directed to the church at: UMCD.SPRC@gmail.com. Please call our pastor, Louis Grettenberger at ext. 22 for additional information or questions regarding this position.