Dunes Digest. Word from the Pastor... Lou Grettenberger, Senior Pastor. January Sunday Worship

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1 January 2019 Dunes Digest Word from the Pastor... Lou Grettenberger, Senior Pastor January 1, 2019 Happy New Year, Dunes Family and Friends! Just like that, another year begins that will end in much the way 2018 just did. Last year, I penned the following words to begin You have to wonder what will happen between now and next Christmas? Who will have a new baby, break an arm, start their first job, receive a diagnosis, learn an instrument, join a sports team, graduate, marry or even die? Who knows? Whatever comes we will deal with it--with the help of family, old and new friends, church community, and a loving, graceful God. We must remember, however, that some things happen to us, while other things happen because of us. I invite you not just to react to what life throws at you this year, but also to dream big dreams for Then, design and execute a plan that allows you to embrace uncertainly and serendipity as you live your year--blessing others and deepening yourself spiritually. I don t know for sure what life will bring, but I know who holds tomorrow. Live humbly. Love big. Forgive always. Trust God. Never give up. So, 2018 was rocked by many deaths, changes planned and unplanned, baptisms, births, new members, loss of staff members, addition of new staff members, budget troubles, hard discussions, creative solutions, emerging visions, exciting missions, interesting challenges. LIFE! We do life together, not out on the end of a branch alone, but as a part of a vine deeply rooted in the love of Jesus Christ. We are one. I still don t know what tomorrow will bring, probably something different than last year or the year before, but I know who holds all our tomorrows. Let s live humbly. Love big. Forgive always. Trust God. Never give up. In Christ s love and service, Pastor Lou Let s live humbly. Love big. Forgive always. Trust God. Never give up. Sunday Worship 8:30 a.m. Traditions Traditional worship and music 10:30 a.m. Elements Worship with modern and traditional components January 6 Epiphany Sacrament of Communion Stars are for Those Who Lift Their Eyes Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 January 13 Baptism of the Lord My Beloved Luke 3:15-17, January 20 2nd Sunday after Epiphany Life of the Party John 2:1-11; I Corinthians 12:1-11 January 27 3rd Sunday after Epiphany We Belong to Each Other I Corinthians 12:12-31a Third Wednesday Communion Service January 16 8:30-9 a.m.

2 United Methodist Church of the Dunes Baptism Maya Louise Gornowicz was baptized on November 25, Parents are Michael and Alexandra Gornowicz. In Remembrance Larry Jeffery died on December 22, Services will be announced at a later date. Weather Closing Policy If Grand Haven Area Public Schools are closed due to weather, events at the church will be canceled and the church office will be closed. Sunday morning services will not be canceled due to weather as long as the pastor is able to make it to church. Closings will be announced on Wood TV8 and on the Church of the Dunes Facebook page. To submit an item for the Dunes Digest newsletter: Please send information and articles to communications@umcdunes.org. Articles are due by the 15th of the month prior. UPDATES For the New Year Church Office Holiday Schedule The church office will be closed on Monday, December 31 and Tuesday, January 1. New Year, New Beginnings: Connect at Church of the Dunes The insert in this issue of the Dunes Digest lists the many opportunities for fellowship and service at Church of the Dunes. Maybe you already participate with groups that are on this list. Maybe you re looking for a new opportunity to connect with others at church. Even if you re not ready to add a church activity to your life, please check out the insert anyway. It s amazing to see how many opportunities there are for adults at Church of the Dunes. Learn More About Membership at Church of the Dunes An Inquirer s Class is being planned. If you d like to know more about Church of the Dunes or are considering becoming a member, this class is for you. If you would like to receive an invitation when details become available, please office@umcdunes.org or call (616) Ext. 20. Contacts Church Office (616) office@umcdunes.org Rev. Louis Grettenberger, Senior Pastor (231) pastorlou@umcdunes.org Additional staff contact information can be found on the weekly Sunday worship bulletin, or by contacting the church office. A directory of staff extension numbers is provided when you call. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

3 January 2019 CONNECT AND ENCOURAGE Care Cards for College Students and Members in the Military Church of the Dunes Adult Council is getting ready to send 2019 Care Cards. You are invited to be a part of this effort to send greeting cards, along with Starbucks gift cards, to our college students and members serving in the military. We like to send them, and we hear the recipients like to receive them. It s a win-win, and a great way to stay connected with these special folks who aren t with us in church each week, but are in our thoughts and hearts. To help make this a big success, you re invited to: Sign up your family members and loved ones to receive these special care cards. To do that, please contact Susan Thorpe at holbox04@gmail.com or text Katie Cole at (616) Organizers will be working with the list used in Spring 2018, so if you know of a change or update for someone who is on that list, please contact Susan or Katie with that information as well. Contribute to the cost of the greeting cards and gift cards. If you would like to contribute via check, please make the check payable to Church of the Dunes and note College/Military Care Cards on the memo line. Please put the check in the offering plate or mail or bring it to the church office. Sign greeting cards during coffee hour on January 6, 20 and 27, Thank you for your support! This outreach has a big impact. INFORMATION AND SUPPORT From the Caregivers Corner The Caregivers group meets the last Monday of each month at 1:00 p.m. in the Ryder Lounge at Church of the Dunes. All men and women in the church and community are welcome. Caregiving is often lonely and stressful. The group provides support, shares information, invites speakers, attends workshops, and together, we realize that we don't walk this walk alone. For more information, please contact Vicki Reis at (616)

4 United Methodist Church of the Dunes JANUARY SUNDAY SCHEDULE January 6, Epiphany January 13 January 20 January 27 Chancel Choir Bells of Glory Chancel Choir Singers, Chimers & Youth Choir Music Ministry Thank You Megan Horist, Director of Music Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who shared their time and musical gifts in December. There were countless singers, chimers, worship dancers, instrumentalists, volunteers, and people working behind the scenes to make Advent and Christmas worship meaningful and memorable. MUSIC REHEARSAL SCHEDULE 2019 Monday Evenings 7:00-8:00pm Bells of Glory (Adult Bell Choir) Wednesday Evenings 6:00-6:30pm Chimers (2 nd 6 th Grade students) 6:30-7:00pm Singers (2 nd 6 th Grade students) 6:45-7:30pm Jubilation Choir (Adult 5th Sunday choir) Jubilation Choir rehearses only as needed to prepare for a 5th Sunday. Watch the worship bulletins for details. 7:30-8:30pm Chancel Choir (Adult choir) Sunday Mornings 10:00-10:25am Kids Choir (preschool 5 th grade) This choir will sing most Sunday mornings Megan Horist, Director of Music mhorist@umcdunes.org x27 MAKE A DIFFERENCE Family Promise of the Lakeshore and Church of the Dunes Every three months or so, Church of the Dunes hosts families from Family Promise of the Lakeshore for a week. These families are seeking safe, long-term housing and are in need of a safe, temporary place to stay. Host churches like Church of the Dunes provide overnight sleeping quarters, evening and morning meals, and transportation to and from the Day Center. Family Promise, in partnership with area churches, provides Christian hospitality for many. In the past five years, Family Promise of the Lakeshore has logged 10,000 volunteer hours, provided a safe haven for 305 kids, and worked with 1,000 volunteers in 20 churches in the area. If you d like to be a part of this important ministry in our church and in our community, please contact Dave Hoffman at (616) or dphoffman@gmail.com.

5 January 2019 CONNECT AND LEARN January Adult Education Opportunities BBQ (Basic Beliefs and Questions): The Lemon Tree Begins Sunday, January 6, 11:35 a.m. 12:30 p.m., Ryder Lounge, Facilitator: Jill Miller Please provide your own book. No sign-up needed. Attend weekly or drop in when you can. Join us as we discuss The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan. In 1967, Bashir Khairi, a twenty-five-year-old Palestinian, journeyed to Israel with the goal of seeing the beloved stone house with the lemon tree behind it that he and his family had fled nineteen years earlier. To his surprise, when he arrived he was greeted by Dalia Eshkenazi Landau, a nineteen-year-old Israeli college student, whose family fled Europe for Israel following the Holocaust. On the stoop of their shared home, Dalia and Bashir began a rare friendship, forged in the aftermath of war and tested over the next half century in ways that neither could imagine. Monday Evening Book Discussion Group January 28, 6:30 p.m., Ryder Lounge, Facilitator: Gayle Cox This month s book is Code Girls; The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of the World War II. This award-winning New York Times bestseller tells the story of American women who secretly served as codebreakers during World War II. The Denver Post says this book "shines a light on a hidden chapter of American history. Please provide your own book. All are welcome! Book images and summaries: Amazon.com FaithLink Discussion Group Sundays, 9:45-10:20 a.m., Room 4, lower level, Facilitator: Ed Lystra This lively discussion addresses topics of social concern and current events. The topic for each week is listed in the bulletin. DVD Bible Study Sundays, 11:30 a.m. 12:20 p.m., Room lower level, Facilitators: Gwen & John Bartels All are welcome to attend this interesting look at a variety of topics in the Bible and biblical history. Creativity, the Arts and God Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. Social Hall, Facilitator: Liz Lystra We are made in God s image and God created us, so I believe we are all creative in some way, the class facilitator explains. Anyone is welcome to join us, no talent required. Using a variety of art techniques and supplies, we explore different ways to discover and encourage our creative side. You don t need to sign up or bring anything just come to class. SUMMER FUN AND FELLOWSHIP West Michigan Whitecaps Baseball Save Sunday August 18, 2019 for a 2:00 p.m. baseball game with the Lake County Captains. More information will follow in the spring.

6 United Methodist Church of the Dunes Children s Ministries Updates Dan Malseed, Director of Children s Ministries New in January Wednesday Night Parents Group All parents are invited to join us beginning on January 9 at 6:00 p.m. in the Social Hall. This group will meet weekly. The first three sessions will focus on a video series called How to Teach Our Kids About God s Love. The videos, produced by 22:6 Parenting, explore ways to teach your kids that you love them, how God loves them, and how to be a champion for your child. All parents are welcome. Kids and Parents Coffee & Playtime Beginning on Monday, January 7 at 9:30 a.m., parents are invited to bring their kids to the Wiltse Center at church for an hour of playtime for kids in a safe and welcoming environment. This is a great time for parents to enjoy coffee and conversation with one another, too. Children s Ministry Mission Projects Crusade for Toys The kids at Church of the Dunes invite you to join them as they collect new, unwrapped toys for Crusade for Toys. There is a collection bin in the Wiltse Center fellowship area, and toys will be collected through late January. The toys will be delivered to Goodfellows to organize, sort, and store for giving to local kids in need for Christmas Backpack Blessings Final Count Thanks to all who brought non-perishable food items for Love In Action s Backpack Blessings program. During November 2018, Children s Ministries collected 35 cans of soup, 43 jars of peanut butter, 16 jars of jelly, and 65 single serving packages of mac and cheese. These items and others are sent home with local kids who need food on weekends. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43: 18-20

7 January 2019 Youth Ministry News Ashley Boersma, Director of Youth Ministry Youth at Christmas by Candlelight Church of the Dunes Youth Group women had a delightful time at Christmas by Candlelight this year. We enjoyed the concert by Spring Lake High School, looking at all of the beautiful tables and our time of dessert and fellowship. As always, it s a nice night to slow down and prepare for the coming of our King! Thank you to everyone who put on this event. All Church Christmas Caroling On December 16, members and friends of the Youth Group and congregation gathered to go Christmas caroling. (If you missed it, plan to attend next Christmas. It was so much fun!) Before the big day, the youth prepared for caroling by making an ornament to give to each member we caroled to, and decorated sugar cookies for all to enjoy when we got back from caroling. When all the carolers arrived at church, they were grouped into three teams. Each team set off on its assigned route to go caroling to homebound members of the church. While we were out, we had requests for carols from folks we encountered on sidewalks and in hallways. There was a lot of laughter and there were joyful tears shed as carols brought back special memories. There were many, many expressions of gratitude. We had great weather; there was even a bit of sunshine. It was so nice to bring a little Christmas joy to our church family. After caroling, the larger group got back together for cookies, donuts, coffee, and cider.

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 February Dunes Digest Deadline The deadline for the February issue of the Dunes Digest is January 15. Address Service Requested Sunday Worship Services Traditions Elements We hope you ll join us for very special worship services on Epiphany Sunday, January 6 at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.