TOWER TALKS. A church for the whole family of God. First United Methodist Church of Warren. Holy Week at Warren First UMC...

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Widows Inside This Issue: Church Announcements 2 Easter Egg-Stravaganza 3 Prayer Concerns 4 Warren First at Worship 5 April 9 Palm Sunday: Who Is This?

1 TOWER TALKS First United Methodist Church of Warren A church for the whole family of God Published on March 17, 2017 Holy Week at Warren First UMC... Special Points of Interest: Church Directories Greeters, Ushers, Lay Reader Schedule Layettes Life Inventory Messy Church Worship Sunday, April 30 Music Department Thank You Corner UMW & Merry Widows Inside This Issue: Church Announcements 2 Easter Egg-Stravaganza 3 Prayer Concerns 4 Warren First at Worship 5 April 9 Palm Sunday: Who Is This?» A parade of palms, joyful songs, expectation builds for something great. And preparation for Holy Week. 10:30AM April 12 Messy Church 6:00PM Jesus has a Messy Week. Join us for dinner, story, songs and Messy Crafts. April 13 Maundy Thursday: Love Each Other» 7:00PM We gather around the table Jesus sets for his disciples. We experience the power of his servant ministry. We receive his gifts of bread and cup. We sing with him before he heads to the garden and his arrest. April 14 Good Friday: When You ve Heard This Story Before» 7:00PM We gather around the cross in a darkened room, singing and speaking the events of Jesus death and burial. April 16 EASTER SUNDAY: Revealed!» 8:00AM Youth lead us through the Resurrection and into God s promise of new life as a new creation! We will celebrate putting on a new garment of LOVE! April 16 EASTER BREAKFAST!: Sign Up Now to Bring a Gift to the Table! 9:00AM Check the list on the table in the Fellowship Hall to bring one of the items needed. Also, sign up to help with set up and clean up! (BRING A GUEST OR TWO!) April 16 EASTER SUNDAY: REVEALED!» 10:30AM With choirs ringing and singing, we greet this Easter dawn with gifts of praise and prayer. Come and see what God has for you God s love and light revealed! Pastors Pen 6 Max & Erma Day 7 Wednesday, March 29 A.S.P. Fundraising 8

TOWER TALKS Page 2 Church Announcements... Thank You Corner... Dear Friends: It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from serving on the Finance Committee.

2 TOWER TALKS Page 2 Church Announcements... Thank You Corner... Dear Friends: It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from serving on the Finance Committee. I find responsibilities at home mounting up and demanding more of my time and an aging body that wants to find an easy chair to recline in. It indeed has been a privilege to serve you, my very good Methodist friends for many years. I will miss the excitement but will find substitutes here at home. Gwen and I will still show up for church and I will continue to facilitate the Men s Fellowship. Yours in Christ, Jerry Garriott Dear Warren First Family: Thank you so much for reaching out to us with your prayers and kind expressions of sympathy in the loss of my sister Pat Daniel on February 22, She and my father Alvin regularly attended Sunday services when Leon and I were members for many years before our retirement to Gaylord, Michigan in Many of our children grew up together in your church, and we still consider you as our church family. Pat s memorial service and interment will take place later this spring at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy. In Christian Love, Judy and Leon Bird Deaths Herbert A. Wesner was born May 10, 1936 in Detroit Michigan; the son of Albert Wesner and his wife Elsie Bettig. Herbert retired from General Motor s Technical Center in 1992 following 33 years as an Engineer. He loved family camping trips; especially their road trip to Alaska. He also enjoyed collecting and repairing antique clocks as well as the art of photography and developed his own photos in his basement dark room. Herbert Wesner passed away at the age of 80 on February 25, 2017 in Clinton Township, Michigan. He is survived in this life by his wife Carole L. Wesner, sons David and Michael (Athena) Wesner; his granddaughters Georgiana and Chloe, sisters Janet (William) Herrick and Nancy (William) Huffman and many nieces and nephews. Services in Memorium for Herbert Wesner will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2017 at First United Methodist Church of Warren. Life Inventory Life Inventory and How would you like to be remembered forms are available in the Church office. These forms are to assist you in drawing together personal information to encourage discussion of personal plans and feelings within families to make personal information accessible to the ministry of the church To encourage appropriate planning for Christian services and ministry in time of grief. Call the church office to have a copy mailed to you, , or stop in and pick one up, Tuesday Friday 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. Church Directories Cathedral Directories is publishing the new 2017 membership directory for Warren First. If you have an address or phone number change, please contact the church office by Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at As you may know this directory is provided free of charge to the church through the generous support of advertisers. If you would be interested in advertising in support of Warren First this year or would like more information, please contact Heather Stewart at ex. 115 by Friday, March 24, 2017.

TOWER TALKS Page 3 News for Families, Children & Individuals.

Nathan Kuskowski Megan Staple Matthew Vernarsky Easter Egg-Stravaganza Event INVITE INVITE INVITE Saturday, April 8, 2017 10:00am 12:00pm For: Children age 3 5th Grade Families and extended Families

Nut Free and No chocolate please! FREE! SAVE THESE DATES... Every 2nd Wednesday of the Month Messy Church (Fellowship Hall) Dinner, Story, Games Songs & Crafts Free!

3 TOWER TALKS Page 3 News for Families, Children & Individuals... Bible Sunday The following children ages 7-11 years received Bibles on March 5, 2017: Charles Belles Benjamin Bradshaw Madeline Bradshaw Bella Doll Benjamin Doll Spencer Johnson Brandon Kuskowski Nathan Kuskowski Megan Staple Matthew Vernarsky Easter Egg-Stravaganza Event INVITE INVITE INVITE Saturday, April 8, :00am 12:00pm For: Children age 3 5th Grade Families and extended Families Join us for a Pancake breakfast! Ask Nadine Johnson how to or npjohn1206@gmail.com We are asking for donations of individual serving packs of all candies. Nut Free and No chocolate please! FREE! SAVE THESE DATES... Every 2nd Wednesday of the Month Messy Church (Fellowship Hall) Dinner, Story, Games Songs & Crafts Free!!! All Ages [1-100] April 12 6:00-7:30pm Craft: Green Slime May 10 6:00-7:30pm Craft: Tie Dye June 14 6:00-7:30pm Craft: To be announced! Volunteers are needed! Sign up today in the Fellowship Hall! Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED For those who would like to purchase a copy of the Student Workbook for First Aid CPR AED, sign up today in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $15.50 per book. Questions? Contact Nadine Johnson at or npjohn1206@gmail.com.

TOWER TALKS Page 4 PRAYER CONCERNS... Assisted Care Doug Anderson Martha T. Berry, 43533 Elizabeth Rd., Rm. 2151, Mount Clemens, MI 48043 Charles Hepner Alamo Nursing Home, 8290 W. C Ave.

4 TOWER TALKS Page 4 PRAYER CONCERNS... Assisted Care Doug Anderson Martha T. Berry, Elizabeth Rd., Rm. 2151, Mount Clemens, MI Charles Hepner Alamo Nursing Home, 8290 W. C Ave., Kalamazoo, MI Cliff Jex th Ave. Apt. 149, Ft. Gratiot, MI Wilma Martin Windememere Park, Van Dyke, Rm. 250, Warren, MI Mary Etta Miller Van Dyke, Rm. 247, Warren, MI Jean Minter Sunrise Assisted Living, Hayes Rd., Rm. 216, Shelby Twp., MI Eileen Shidler Utica Rd., Apt. 239, Clinton Twp., MI Lois Thomas Father Murphy Nursing Ctr., 8444 Engleman, Rm. 217, Center Line, MI Ruth Totton Autumn Woods Nursing Ctr., Hoover Rd., Room 359-B, Warren, MI Continued Prayers Active Duty: Sean Boesman Germany Bradley Cornett WA Carl Dorff Ft. Hood, TX Vincent Farmilo Germany Bian Holland, Kwait Andrew Rivard MI Matthew Seilicki CA Vincent Von Lau Army Erik Wilt Japan Teresa Wilt Reserves, TX All those in active military service Names removed from this list remain on the prayer team s weekly prayer list. Questions? Please see a member of the prayer team or contact them below. Lora Quick: , prayergramma@gmail.com Dorothy Collins: Dot McLean: , dorothym@ameritech.net Church: , contact@warrenfirstumc.org MCREST Church s April 2: St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Utica April 9: St. Thomas Presbyterian Church, Shelby Twp. April 16: Our Lady of Hope Church, St. Clair Shores April 23: Shepherds Gate Lutheran Church, Shelby Twp. April 30: Utica United Methodist Church, Utica Usher Volunteers are needed for Each Team. If you would like to help serve on Sunday mornings, please contact Jerry Garriott at or the church office at Ushers Schedule April Hayden Cutright Richard Carver Phil Heavin Paul Latham Greeters Schedule April 2: Elaine Newman April 9: Hilda Blazo April 16: Dorothy Collins April 23: Sharon Nichols April 30: Dot & Bob McLean Lay Readers Schedule April 2: Ashley Staple April 9: Lora Quick April 16: Carole Wesner April 23: Carolyn Carlson April 30: Doug Belles Counters April Mike Wilka John Cole Sherry Descamps Volunteers can sign up in the Fellowship Hall Sunday Office Volunteers April 2: Dorothy Collins April 9: Claudia DeBacker April 16: Shari Anderson April 23: Robert Knakal April 30: Jan Waud

5 TOWER TALKS Page 5 Warren First at Worship... Living Our Baptismal Covenant LENT CONTINUES... In worship throughout Lent we will explore our baptismal covenant, the promises we make and the power we accept as we enter into the family of God: What does it mean to resist evil and temptation, to renounce the power of spiritual forces of wickedness? What does it mean to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves? What does it take for us to accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist temptation and illuminate the darkness? March 26 Lent 4: Nurture» 10:30AM The response of the crowds to Jesus healing of a man born blind says much about how we can actively nurture one another in the Christian faith and life, and include these persons now before us in our care, or fail to do so. April 2 Lent 5: Believe!» 10:30AM The faith we confess, and the faith that transforms us, is more than intellectual assent to a theological construct. It is to stake our lives on the Triune God, and so join Martha s confession, Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into this world. April 8 Community Easter Egg-stravaganza!: Believe!» 10:00AM Join the fun with friends, family, and neighbors as listen to the Easter story and the promise of Resurrection! Games, Face-Painting, Egg Hunt, and TREATS!!! (Breakfast of pancakes and sausage.) CHECK OUT THE FRONT PAGE FOR: HOLY WEEK SERVICES! Messy Church Worship: Sunday, April 30, 2017 Coming to a church near you (Warren First United Methodist Church): Messy Church on Sunday morning, April 30 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of our usual worship service in the sanctuary, we will be holding Messy Church in the Fellowship Hall. Come see how the worship of our Lord happens at Messy Church: enjoy a yummy breakfast, sing fun worship songs, listen to a message about the road to Emmaus, create crafts, etc. Warren First Music Department The Warren First Music Department continues to accept new members in the Sanctuary Choir, Instrumental Ensemble, and Praise Band. Are you in high school or above and like to sing? The Sanctuary Choir and Praise Band have openings for vocalists. Do you play an instrument? Praise Band and Instrumental Ensemble can use someone with your talents. Instrumental Ensemble is open to a one time basis if that's all the time you can commit. Please contact any Music Department member or Twylia Voshol, music director or tdvoshol@gmail.com, for questions.

6 TOWER TALKS Page 6 From the Pastor s Pen The Pastor s Pen We began our journey to resurrection with ashes on our foreheads. The ashes were the remains of palm branches waved during worship last year on Palm Sunday. Over the year, these branches have held our dreams and our disasters, our sinning and our loving. Now, burned and ground, they remind us of the dust of the earth from which we are made, by the loving hands of a loving God. Each one of us is a masterpiece of the imagination of God. Each one of us bears God s image to the world. Soon, we will journey with Jesus to Jerusalem, to a cheering waving crowd hailing their salvation as he rides in on a humble donkey, not a warrior s mount. From here, Jesus will remind his followers his mission is to reveal God to the world, God-With-Us, Emmanuel. And that he will die. Jesus eats with those who will deny him and betray him. Just like you and I on any given day of the week friends and family upon which we can no longer depend, co-workers who cheat and connive their way to power, leaders who fail to care for the people under their responsibility, consumers and manufacturers who demand more and more from the earth until she is barren I could write this list forever. But the fact remains that people want to be included in a circle of love; we are drawn to goodness and one another. We are people of hope and faith. The journey we share with Jesus takes us through the darkest of times, the most despairing moments, the heartache and heartbreak of living and then the morning comes and we realize that we are part of a miracle of new birth! The sun rises, the earth warms, the life erupts out of the hardened earth! This is the gift of Easter Day, the celebration of new life, the dawn of hope, and the brightness of daylight pushing away the dust and ashes of pain and sorrow. Each one of us is made beautiful! Life is found! Nothing is too old or too dry or too fragile or frail. We are God s garden, a planting of the Lord. Jesus life blood flows through us and brings us up out of the darkness of death into light of new life. Be welcomed by the promise of God this Easter. Come and hear the story of Love and how it conquers evil, hatred, division, and death. Come and worship! And accept all God has for you! You are a beautiful thing and through you, God does beautiful things! Yours in the journey, Pastor Susan All this pain I wonder if I ll ever find my way I wonder if my life could really change at all All this earth Could all that is lost ever be found? Could a garden come up from this ground at all? You make beautiful things You make beautiful things out of the dust You make beautiful things You make beautiful things out of us All around Hope is springing up from this old ground Out of chaos life is being found in You You make beautiful things You make beautiful things out of the dust You make beautiful things You make beautiful things out of us "Beautiful Things" lyrics by Lisa & Michael Gungor CCLI

TOWER TALKS Page 7 Missions... L A Y E T T E S It is time again to begin shopping, sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc.

For many years the layette project has been a means by which we are able to help new moms in our community.

The needs of these recipients are determined by staff at hospitals, clinics, and social service agencies in the area.

) in an envelope marked Layettes, and the phantom shoppers (who love shopping for sales) will go into action.

The deadline for donations is May 7, 2017. If you have any questions, please contact Reva Misch at 586.295.6563 or pinkycross6@yahoo.com.

7 TOWER TALKS Page 7 Missions... L A Y E T T E S It is time again to begin shopping, sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc. for items to be included in the layettes to be assembled by United Methodist Women. For many years the layette project has been a means by which we are able to help new moms in our community. New mothers who come to the hospital without proper clothing for the newborn to go home in will be given one of these layettes. The needs of these recipients are determined by staff at hospitals, clinics, and social service agencies in the area. Anyone too busy to sew or shop can put money or a check (made out to the U.M.W.) in an envelope marked Layettes, and the phantom shoppers (who love shopping for sales) will go into action. A pack-n-play is located in the Narthex to place your purchases or completed items in. You may want to take advantage of sales in progress now. The deadline for donations is May 7, If you have any questions, please contact Reva Misch at or pinkycross6@yahoo.com. Each layette consists of (size 0-12 months) 1 sleeper, 1 pair booties or socks, 1 sweater set or playsuit, 1 receiving blanket, 1 bib, 6 disposable diapers, 1 afghan or crib blanket, 1 onesie, and 1 bottle. Thank you! Max & Erma Day Wednesday, March 29, :00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. Partridge Creek Mall Bring the attached flyer to our next Max & Erma Day. A percentage of your food sales are donated back to us at Warren First. This donation is used to benefit our MCREST guests the week of November 12-19, Your faithful participation has been a means of providing funds for us to do great things! Carole Wesner

TOWER TALKS Page 8 April News... Mission Team Tuesday, April 4 @ 9:30 a.m. Library Circles Tuesday, Tuesday, April 11 @ 9:30 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. #1 Lydia @ 9:30 a.m. @ Barb Parnell s #2 Ruth @ 9:30 a.

m. in the Fellowship Hall. Do you have any extra blank cards or thinking of you cards including the envelopes that you can donate to the U.M.W. ladies?

8 TOWER TALKS Page 8 April News... Mission Team Tuesday, April 9:30 a.m. Library Circles Tuesday, Tuesday, April 9:30 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. #1 9:30 Barb Parnell s #2 9:30 Pat Murphy s #3 10:00 The Pantry Restaurant #4 9:30 Carol Shinn s #5 Church Fellowship Hall #6 Deborah 7:30 p.m. April Byron Pietras Kiefer s The Annual Lenten Breakfast is Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Do you have any extra blank cards or thinking of you cards including the envelopes that you can donate to the U.M.W. ladies? The ladies send out cards monthly to our shut ins and assisted living members of the church, and could benefit from your donations. Sharon Nichols will be collecting the cards. Thank you! Turning Pointe Turning Pointe will accept and pick up the following donations: furniture, dishes, towels, paper products and cleaning products Business line: Merry Widows We are meeting for lunch at the following restaurants at 1:00 p.m. March Flippas on Mound Rd. April El Charo s on 14 Mile Rd. May Crumpets on W. Big Beaver Rd. Questions, contact Carole Franks at ASP Fundraising The Appalachian Service Project Trip has two upcoming fundraisers that we would like your support if possible. The first is the weekend of April 7-9th at 5 Below at 12 Mile and Van Dyke. The store sells stuff that is $5 or less and is perfect for little odds and ends that would be a great place to fill an Easter basket for the grandkids. We get 10% of all sales. We don t have a flyer or anything, but they ask that you tell the cashier prior to checkout that you are supporting the Warren First Methodist Church A.S.P. Trip. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The other fundraiser is at Buffalo Wild Wings at the 12 Mile and Mound location, on Monday, April 17th we will get 15% of all sales (not alcohol and we need to get more that $5o00 in total sales). There is a flyer that you need to bring that day. Please tell your friends and family to help our good cause for these two events. See you there! Doug Belles Warren First A.S.P. Trip Monday, April 17, pm 9pm Only valid at: Mound Rd. Warren, MI

TOWER TALKS. A church for the whole family of God. Big Game Party Sunday, February 5, :30 p.m. Fellowship Hall

TOWER TALKS. A church for the whole family of God. Big Game Party Sunday, February 5, :30 p.m. Fellowship Hall TOWER TALKS First United Methodist Church of Warren A church for the whole family of God Published on January13, 2017 Big Game Party Sunday, February 5, 2017 5:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall Special Points of