Manistee United Methodist Church

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1 July Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. We strive to be a Christ-centered family reaching out to nuture, heal and encourage the use of individual spiritual gifts, as we befriend and mentor persons into the Christian Faith. Manistee United Methodist Church Importance of Small Groups In our Vital Church Initiative we have learned the importance of small groups. It is a vital key to holding persons that become connected to the church. There is a huge need for persons to host a group. The materials available are very user friendly and no one has to be the resident expert. Small groups are the heart and soul of a church family. If you want more information, please talk to me. We want to have a small group launch this fall. I read about this church recently and share their story, in the food for thought category. I was at a conference a few years ago where they told the story of a church that looked as though they were really thriving: they had about 500 people attending, and had many outreach ministries reaching their community, and many people were coming to Christ and to church through their ministry. The problem was that the church was not growing in numbers people were leaving as quickly as they were coming in. They began to do some research on the people who were leaving and they found that the majority who left were not attending another church, they just stopped going to church all together. They realized that A Continued Welcome Word on page Pg. 7. 1

2 Annual Bake Sale UMW Bake Sale is SATURDAY, July 6 at Rosie Solberg s 340 Fifth Ave. Please take baked goods to her house at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday or to Betty Jo Riggs s at corner of Cherry and Harbor next to Country Club after 5:00 p.m. on Friday. No icings that melt or cream fillings that need to be cold, please. Do not cover with plastic wrap if goodies are still warm. Label (especially if there are nuts) and suggest a price. Breads, pies, and cookies sell well. Thank you for your contributions and your support. Caregiver Support Group If you have assumed the responsibility of providing care to a loved one because of his or her inability to perform daily personal or household tasks, as a result of illness, age, or disability, then you are a caregiver. Do these questions come to mind in your everyday responsibilities. Do I feel all of my energy is focused on others? Do I feel guilty for being angry and stressed? Do I feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of a caregiver? If you say yes to any of these questions, you are in need of attending a meeting of others in the same situation. Our Church is willing to open its doors for bimonthly meetings, if we get positive feedback from people who want answers. Call and add your name to the list. Pg. 2 A Welcome Word Organ Concert Linda K. Strouf, who is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music at Hope College and also serves as Minister of Music and organist at Third Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan, will present an organ concert on Wednesday, July 24 at 7 p.m. at the Manistee United Methodist Church. Linda grew up in this church and served as church organist while she was attending Manistee High School. This is not the first time Linda has played organ concerts in Manistee. Many of our church people and others in the community are acquainted with Linda s abilities as an organist. She graduated magna cum laude from Hope College in 1984 with a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal and instrumental music. She earned the Master of Music degree in organ performance in 1986 from the University of Wyoming. A free will offering will go to the restoration of the organ in the Manistee United Methodist Church. Light refreshments will be served after the concert.

3 Youth Group Finally, school s out and summer s in full swing! Sunday night Youth Group will start back up in September; during the summer we are focusing on fun outdoor activities to enjoy Northern Michigan and soak up the sun! Summer youth events include: Tubing at the Lynn s, July 14, 2 p.m. and a camping overnighter to Orchard Beach State Park, August 6-7! Remember, all those entering 7 th grade through 12 th grade, for the 2013/2014 school year, are invited to these events. Don t miss the fun and fellowship! Those participating in the Motown Mission trip (June 23-29) will be excited to share about the experience with the congregation soon after our return. The work plan involves volunteering with Rippling Hope, a partner ministry of Motown Mission, doing home repairs for families in Detroit. In Christ, Kelly McColl Mon., July 29th - Thurs., August 1st at Manistee United Methodist Join us for dinner at 6:00. Stay for VBS fun from 6:30 to 8:30! All children from kindergarten to 6th grade are welcome! SonWest Roundup is the theme for this year s Vacation Bible School. Children will become buckaroos who will learn to trust Jesus as they ride the trails through the Old Testament stories of Moses. These stories will help them discover Jesus unchangeable love. Children will enjoy heart racin activities such as crafts, skits, music and Bible stories. A Welcome Word Pg. 3

4 Adult Ministry Update Our new outreach ministry has launched, and it s going to be a fun ride! The goal is to provide enjoyable activities for people in the church and beyond our doors, strengthening our relationships with one another and, through those, with Christ. It is especially geared to the age group, including anyone who lives in or visits our community. We re calling it 50 and Up. At the luncheons on July 9 and 19, you can learn more and share your ideas. Your participation and/or input is welcome! Contact Joy Smith, joysmithmanistee@gmail.com/ at any time. Events for July July 6 (Sat) Canoe along the North Country Trail July 9 (T) July 19 (F) 10 am 2pm, Meet at High Bridge River Access Luncheon Potluck 11:30-1, Manistee UMC Luncheon Potluck 11:30-1, Manistee UMC July 25 (Th) Roots on the River Concert: The Nephews 7pm, Jaycees Bandshell on the river by Oleson s Grocery Safe Harbor Thank-You! Our ministry to the homeless was highly successful this year. Thank you to all who contributed their time and talents. We provided security to people whose need far exceeds our own, for which they expressed deep appreciation. Please Keep These People In Your Prayers John Stalmack Mike Roessler Judy Sanocki Kite Day On Sunday, August 18, from 3-5pm, we will host the children of Manistee at a Kite Day at 5th Ave. Beach. Youth and adults are asked to join in helping with food, smiles and technical guidance ~ Details to follow! in the passing of Les Sievert Barney Davis Pg. 6 A Welcome Word

5 Church Bus Project It is time for letting the big blue bus go.. It has served its time and provided countless hours of transporting our youth and church folks to a variety of events and destinations. The Trustees have agreed to sell or trade the bus for a newer bus that would accommodate our whole church in a variety of ways. We are seeking a Mini Bus style as pictured below. This would allow us to use the bus for picking up folks for worship on Sunday morning, transporting our youth and our older youth like Joy group and other folks. We have a starting fund of almost $5000 to help get us started. We need approximately $25,000 to find a worthy bus. We will entertain gifts towards the projects, fund raisers, and creative ideas to help bring this to a reality by fall, if it is possible. Pastor Dave Small Groups, Continued from page 1. although the church was great at evangelism, because of their inability to hold people, they were actually de-evangelizing their neighborhood. Those who were leaving were almost impossible to bring back into any community of faith. The senior pastor realized that something had to be done, so he called up the last 12 people to be baptized and invited them to supper at his house. These were all new Christians and very excited to be invited to the Pastor s house. After supper he sat them down and asked if they wanted to know the future. They all said yes! So he said, statistically speaking in the next 2-3 years two of your marriages will have broken up and the shame will cause you to leave the church, three of you will have a conflict with someone in the church and you will leave the church, one will have a tragedy and lose faith and leave, two will have a moral failing and leave, and two will lose interest and drift away. In two to three years, out of this group only two of you will be attending church, and only one of you at this church. There was dead silence in the room. All these wide eyed Christians were about to say surely not I, Lord. When one of them spoke up and said What can we do to change the statistics. The pastor said, you can get together and as a group decide that you are not going to let anyone go. That is exactly what they did these strangers formed a small group and supported each other through the tragedies, divorces, conflicts and failings and in four years, only one had left the church never to come back. The church went from losing 10 out of every 12 converts to losing only one. That church that was so great at evangelism learned the hard way that Small groups are essential for the growth, encouragement and perseverance of any Christian. How is your group working out, for your spiritual growth? If you want to host or become part of a group this fall let me know and watch for signup opportunities. Pastor Dave A Welcome Word Pg. 7

6 Manistee United Methodist Church 387 First Street Manistee, Michigan NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID MANISTEE, MI PERMIT NO. 81 Return Service Requested Grandparent Humor :) A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like. We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods. The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, I sure wish I d gotten to know you sooner! My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike? I mentally polished my halo and I said, No, how are we alike? You re both old, he replied. Pg. 8 A Welcome Word is the newsletter of Manistee United Methodist Church Deadline for articles is 9 a.m.on the 3rd Tuesday of each month to the church office. The Editor reserves the right to edit for content and space. Pastor - Rev. David Selleck Youth Director - Kelly McColl Adult Ministry Coordinator - Joy Smith Please join us for Sunday Worship Services: Experiential 8:45 Traditional 11:15 a.m. June 2nd - Sep. 1st Worship at 8:45 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 10:10-11:00 a.m. Sept.-May After School Program K-5: Weds. 3:30-5:15 Phone Fax mumc@t-one.net