Monthly Newsletter of The Peoples Church, 200 W. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI l l ThePeoplesChurch.com PLEASE AND THANK YOU

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1 Portal Rev. Andrew Pomerville, Senior Pastor Rev. Drew Filkins, Associate Pastor Jim Kelly, Chairperson, Council of Elders MARCH 2015 Monthly Newsletter of The Peoples Church, 200 W. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI l l ThePeoplesChurch.com SENIOR PASTOR PLEASE AND THANK YOU Teaching our children to be polite is a daily endeavor. And for the most part, I ll give my children, 8-year-old Denali and 6-year-old Bryce, a lot of credit for their ability to appropriately use their words in ways that make us proud. Still, they fall into the lazy trap of assuming they don t have to behave the way they should ALL of the time. They will say, Give me or I need and I want What do you say? my wife, Rachell will respond. Please, may I have That is the way to do it. But I have to be honest, they most often forget to say thank you after they have been reminded how to request something politely with please. They say please but they miss the thanks. I think that is a struggle we all share. The church often asks a lot of you. And by the church, I m not just referring to our congregation at The Peoples Church. I am thinking of the church universal, in all times and all places, where Jesus Christ is calling us to some kind of behavior, thought, action or belief. We get asked for our time, talents, treasures and inclinations. We are requested to be, say, act or do on a regular basis by church leadership, pastors, volunteers, students, our senior members and, of course, the Holy Spirit. How do we respond to these requests? Do we say thank you to one another on behalf of the community? The faithful? The doubters and those who want? Friends, I hope you ll say thank you to your brothers and sisters in faith here in our community this spring. We are going to take some time to thank God for the good deeds, actions and faithful activity of our neighbors and friends at this year s 2015 Shining Moments Celebration on April 17. This is a chance for us to recognize and give gratitude to God for the many wonderful examples of connecting, growing, serving and sharing in our congregation. I hope you ll consider nominating someone, a group or an initiative from our congregation as a Shining Moment in life of The Peoples Church during the past year. A nomination form is included on the last page of this newsletter. Submissions will be accepted through Good Friday, April 3. This is a wonderful way to celebrate God s hand at work in our community, to be inspired by the faith of our friends and to be encouraged to continue our mission to share the good news of Jesus Christ through our faith, hope and love. Peace and grace be with you this Lenten season, Pastor Andrew SHINING MOMENTS NOMINATIONS AND APPRECIATION EVENT You are invited to help celebrate the inspiring people, programs and projects that have made our faith family shine with the light of Christ during the past year. Using our community pillars of CON- NECT, GROW, SERVE and SHARE, members and friends are invited to nominate one or more of their peers who they feel have made a positive mark in the life of The Peoples Church during the past year. All nominees will be recognized at an appreciation reception at 6:30 p.m. on April 17 in Snider Social Hall. The reception will be followed by a free folk music concert in the sanctuary featuring local artists Seth and May and Gifts or Creatures. A Shining Moments nomination form is available on the last page of this newsletter. They also are available at the Welcome Center or online at ThePeoplesChurch.com Nominations are due to the church office no later than Good Friday, April 3. CONNECT GROW SERVE SHARE

2 PEOPLES FORUM Join us each Sunday for interesting and informative Voices of the Community at 9:30 a.m. in the Robertson Room. MAR. 8 LT. STEVE GONZALES East Lansing Police Department MAR. 15 REV. PENNY SWARTZ Retired Associate Pastor MAR. 22 EMILY GERKIN Pure Michigang MAR. 29 TBA Health Matters APR. 5 NO FORUM Easter Sunday APR. 12 JACOB GATES Youth Ministry Director MARCH BIRTHDAYS *80 & OVER 6 - Ruth Price 8 - Dottie Thomas 9 - Robert Ward 18 - Carol Grams 21 - Joanne DiFranco 21 - Grace Jackson 24 - Margaret Balesky 24 - Mary Hill 25 - David Ronk, Sr Joyce Aldrich ANNIVERSARIES *MILESTONE & Jack & Margaret Bates (66) 27 - Harold & Betty Weaver (66) If we missed you, please accept our apology. Contact the office to make sure we have your correct information on file. WE ARE MAKING A NEW PICTORIAL CHURCH DIRECTORY Smile! It s that time again. Production of the The Peoples Church 2015 pictorial directory is underway. All members and friends are invited to have a family photo taken to be included as part of this celebration of our faith community. Lifetouch photographers will be on site to take photos March 24-28, 30 & 31, April 14 & 15, and May 4. Stop by the sign up table in Friendship Hall on Sundays to schedule your portrait session. There are no sitting fees and each family will receive a free 8x10 portrait (as well as a directory when it is published this fall). Lifetouch does offer photo packages for those interested. You may also make an appointment at ThePeoplesChurch.com or by contacting Phyllis Grummon in the church office at THANK YOU SEMINARIAN SUPPORT SUNDAY Last month, when a collection was taken for Seminary Support Sunday, you overwhelmed me once again. Thank you so very much for your continued support of my Seminary education. I m not sure I can adequately express the gratitude my family and I feel for your generosity, but please know your kindness is greatly appreciated. - Betsy Aho CAMPUS MISSION TO PERU Peoples Church Campus Ministry would like to thank all who have supported our trip to Peru! Please keep our mission team of 10 in your prayers during the week of March 7-14, as we strive to be the hands and feet of Christ while working alongside our brothers and sisters in Villa El Salvador. Be sure to join us during worship on March 22, when we share some reflections from our trip with the congregation. CHILI COOK-OFF & EMPTY BOWLS FUNDRAISER Thank you to all who came downstairs to Snider Social Hall to enjoy hot chili and warm fellowship after worship on the cold morning of Feb. 22. Our Empty Bowls Fundraiser earned $750 to support the mission of the Southside Soup Kitchen. It is safe to say our 200-plus participants left church that day with full stomach and happy hearts. TALENT SHOW MAY 3 The Peoples Church Annual Talent Show is happening on May 3 following 10:30 a.m. worship service! Performers of all ages can sign up to share their talent by contacting Betsy Aho at x6074 or eaho@thepeopleschurch.com. Mark your calendar - you won t want to miss this fun and popular event.

3 CONNECT AND GROW GENESIS IN 40 DAYS WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE! Pastor Andrew and Betsy Aho lead a weekly review on readings from our community Lenten Bible study of Genesis during Wednesday Night Live! Discussion takes place at 6:30 p.m. in the Robertson Room. Come early to enjoy our weekly WNL! Community Meal, served at 5:30 p.m. in Snider Social Hall. For more information, including a reading calendar, visit ThePeoplesChurch.com THURSDAYS WITH JESUS POTLUCK MAR. 26 Thursdays With Jesus, a Bible Study for women, began in the fall of 2001 under the guidance of Carol Dooley and Bev Mason. Carol and Bev will no longer be the leaders after March of this year. It s been an amazing time of fellowship, study, prayer and discussions working out God s word for our own lives while supporting and loving one another. We would like to invite all who have ever studied with us to join us for a potluck dinner on March 26 in the Robertson Room at 6:00 p.m. Please contact Susan Coopes at gcoopes@wowway.com or or Jan Perron at rperron631@aol.com or GREAT DECISIONS: U.S. POLICY TOWARD AFRICA MAR. 26 All are welcome to be a part of the next Great Decisions discussion set for 4:30 p.m. on Mar. 26 in the Robertson Room. Join us as Dr. David Wiley, MSU professor of sociology and African studies and former director of the African Studies Center, discusses the question: How can U.S. policy live up to its promise and values while securing its interests in the region? Africa is in the midst of an unprecedented transformation. The continent is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world. The U.S. has promised to promote strong institutions, not strong men, and to favor good governance and healthy economies over profit. Eight topics are chosen each year as the most critical issues facing America. Study books are available in the Church Office for $16 each and at the Mar. 26 program. WOMEN OF PEOPLES CHURCH DEBORAH CIRCLE Meeting times vary. For more information, contact Rachell Pomerville at DORCAS CIRCLE Meetings are the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Dee Toth at or Susan Coopes at REBEKAH/HANNAH CIRCLE Meetings are the fourth Wednesday of each month at 12:30 or 1 p.m. For more information, contact Cindy Carson at or Gretchen Rosenbrook at PHOEBE CIRCLE Meetings are the fourth Wednesday of April, Septembe, November and January, at 9 a.m. For more information, contact Renate Carey at or Lois Huldin at COUNCIL OF ELDERS FEBRUARY MONTHLY MEETING NOTEBOOK The following highlighted discussions and actions were part of the Feb. 22 meeting of the Council of Elders: NEW ELDER Chairperson Jim Kelly reported that he plans next month to appoint church member Jessica Henry to the Council of Elders in accordance with church bylaws. Henry will fill the term vacated by Elder Aaron Kabodian, which runs through Dec. 31. FINANCIAL REPORT Just one month (or 8 percent) of the way into the new fiscal year, Church Treasurer David Ronk, Jr. reported that General Fund revenues for January came in at $108,212 and represent 10 percent of budgeted income for the year. During the same period, expenses were totaled at $72,588 (7 percent of the year-todate budget). The Council of Elders meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of Each month in the Robertson Room. OUTREACH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SUPPORTS COLLEGES, CAMPS During its Feb. 10 meeting, the Community Engagement Ministry supported denominational college scholarships and summer camps. Scholarship programs at Kalamazoo, Alama and Olivet colleges were given $1,000 each while Albion and Adrian colleges will receive $500 each for a total of $4,000 in scholarship support. Ministry members also agreed to allocate $2,000 to be split among five summer camps organized through our four denominations.

4 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ELDERS WORKDAY AT EDGEWOOD ENHANCES CHURCH PARTNERSHIP On Feb. 7, members of the Council of Elders went to work, trading in their annual retreat gathering for a service day at Edgewood Village. In all, 21 volunteers made a positive contribution to assisting the residents of the Edgewood community that day as part of The Peoples Church s new partnership with its East Lansing neighbors. After opening devotions and a cup of coffee, volunteers got busy painting doors and walls, assembling cabinets, organizing furniture, cleaning out several storage rooms and sorting and arranging by age and grade-level, 200 books for children in kindergarten through the sixth grade. Some of the work was targeted at spaces in the Tower Building, which is home for seniors and those with physical challenges. Elder Calvin Kerr coordinated volunteers in this well organized and smoothly run work day. A When can we do this again? response from one of the volunteers suggested the experience was as meaningful for the volunteers as it was for the beneficiaries of the work. -Maxine Ferris

5 SERVE AND SHARE THE KNITTING PEOPLE MAR. 26 The Knitting People will meet on Mar. 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Robertson Room. We invite interested knitters to join us! We are currently working on a variety of projects, especially hats and mittens for children and adults. We have patterns and yarn, and we welcome your knitting fingers as we work to bring warmth and care to area residents in need. Please bring completed projects for blessing and distribution to local schools and shelters. Questions? Contact Mary Anne at HOLIDAY FOOD BASKETS Members of our Community Engagement Ministry look forward to helping families in the greater Lansing area have a wonderful meal on Easter Sunday. They are looking for volunteer drivers to deliver food baskets from 8:30 to 11 a.m. on Apr. 4. Questions? Contact Joan Wright at ITEMS NEEDED FOR 2015 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Our Children s Christian education program is looking to collect 700 clean gallon milk jugs (not crushed, with lids), large coffee cans, Pringles containers, hot cocoa canisters, oatmeal canisters and soda pop cans in addition to gift cards for supplies to stores, such as Meijer, JoAnn Fabric, Walmart and Michael s for its 2015 summer VBS program. Contact Meaghan Gonzalas. PERSONAL NEEDS BANK Help stock the Personal Needs Bank. We collect bar soap, deodorant, sanitary pads, tampons, disposable diapers, baby wipes, disposable razors, shaving cream, dish soap, facial tissue and paper towels. Donation baskets are located in the Main Sanctuary and at the Welcome Center in the Northwest Entrance. GROW MONDAY MORNING BIBLE Interested in digging deeper into scripture? All are welcome to join in Monday Morning Bible Study, which gathers at 11 a.m. each week in the Centennial Room. Join us for study and friendship. For more information please contact Mary Hill at (517) , Barb Potter at (517) , or Pastor Drew. Photos courtesy of Loretta Johnston THURSDAY MEN S GROUPS Our MORNING MEN S GROUP meets at 7:00 a.m. in the Robertson Room and the AFTERNOON MEN S GROUP meets at 12:00 p.m. in the Library each week.

6 WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE! 5:30 P.M. COMMUNITY MEAL TROOP 2 - BOY SCOUTS NEWS MAR. 11 TACO NIGHT Tacos (with all the fixings), Spanish Rice, Mexican Fruit Salad and Churros MAR. 18 Chicken Tortellini Soup, Rosemary Pork Loin, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Baked Apples and Frozen Vanilla Yogurt MAR. 25 BBQ Chicken, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Baked Beans and Strawberry Shortcake APR. 1 NO WNL! Join us on Maundy Thursday, Apr. 2, for a traditional Sader Meal and Klezmer Concert. PEOPLES CHURCH CAMPUS MINISTRY caf theology faith on lcc MONDAYS NOON GB FOOD COURT NEW EAGLE SCOUT Troop 2 would like to congratulate it s most recent Eagle scout, Rhys Fitschen-Brown (pictured above). Rhys is 195th scout to achieve Eagle scout through Troop 2. He completed his Board of Review on Dec. 5. COLD WEATHER SURVIVAL TRAINING Several Troop 2 scouts completed their OKPIK training during the weekend of Feb at Northwoods Scout reservation. OKPIK is a cold weather adventure program that involves building a shelter made of snow and learning how to travel, pack, eat, sleep and stay comfortable in Michigan s great winter season. MERIT BADGE BLITZ THANK YOU Troop 2 would like to offer The Peoples Church its sincere thanks in providing a place in which to continue our mission of developing boys into Boy Scouts. Through our most recent Merit Badge Blitz, hosted on Jan. 24 we were able to provide 74 Boy Scouts with the opportunity to earn merit badges while on their journey toward Eagle Scout. Not only did we help Boy Scouts within the Lansing area, we also had young men come as far as 2 hours away. Thank for your continuing support of Troop 2! caf theology faith on msu TUESDAYS 5:30 P.M. AKERS DINING HALL ThePeoplesChurch.com MARCH 22 IS SCOUT SUNDAY PANCAKE BREAKFAST IS MARCH 29

7 2015 SHINING MOMENTS NOMINATION FORM STEP 1: YOUR INFORMATION Name: Phone: STEP 2: YOUR NOMINEE Name: Moment Category (Choose One): q CONNECT q GROW q SERVE q SHARE STEP 3: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF NOMINEE (One to Three Sentences Only) STEP 4: LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION Please attached a short letter of recommendation (no more than one page in length). STEP 5: RETURN TO THE CHURCH OFFICE BY APRIL 3 THE PEOPLES CHURCH Attn: Shining Moments 200 W. Grand River Ave. East Lansing, MI CONNECT Who helps others to feel at home at The Peoples Church? Who encourages others to participate fully within our community of faith? Who shines and inspires us to connect with others? GROW Who guides others in learning the lessons of our faith? Who encourages others to investigate their faith in new and deeper ways? Who is a shining model for us? SERVE Who shows by example how we are to reach out and care for others in our community, nation, and world? Who has blessed the lives of others through joyous service? Who is a shining servant among us? SHARE Who gives of their time and talent to bring The Peoples Church to life? Who helps our church thrive in its mission by sharing their own blessings? Who is a shining steward for us? Nominations are open to all members and friends of The Peoples Church. Citations will be presented during our community appreciation event in Snider Social Hall on the evening of April 17. Questions? Contact the Church Office at

8 HOLY WEEK 2015 Maundy Thursday, Apr. 2 5:30 p.m. Seder Meal and Klezmer Concert, Snider Social Hall Good Friday, Apr. 3 6:30 p.m. Worship Service with the Sanctuary Choir, Sanctuary Easter Sunday, Apr. 5 7:00 a.m. Taize Sunrise Worship Service, McCune Chapel 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Worship Services, Sanctuary 200 W. Grand River Ave. East Lansing MI ThePeoplesChurch.com MARCH 2015 PORTAL