... The church became stronger, as the Holy Spirit encouraged it and helped it grow. Acts 9:31 CEV

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1 Volume 64, Issue 4 April, 2015 Pastor s Pondering Pastor s Pondering... The church became stronger, as the Holy Spirit encouraged it and helped it grow. Acts 9:31 CEV We have several different plants emerging from the ground in the yard around our home. When they first push up the soil they are only visible through close inspection as they may be covered by debris from the winter - decaying leaves and grass. I only discovered one sprouting plant upon raking the debris away from the area. Even after plants appear they are difficult for me to imagine what plant will grow from the small green shoot. This brought to mind a connection to our congregation. What ministries is God emerging here at Northlawn United Methodist Church? Like emerging plants, new ministries originate from a seed God has planted within a person. What ministries is God growing in you? Also like emerging plants, new ministries may not be visible without close inspection. New ministries may be covered with debris from our past that needs to be cleared away for us to discover them. Have you recently asked God to work with you to clear out the debris in your life from your past? Have you closely inspected your life to see with your spiritual eyes what God is growing within you? If you notice God sprouting a new ministry for you to initiate or be involved in, does your inability to imagine exactly what it might grow into cause you to ignore it? God is growing us to become a stronger church. What new ministry is God growing in you? I encourage you to share your answer with me! Grace, Pastor Tim Inside this issue: Pastor Tim s Office Hours Website 3 NECM Monthly Needs Camp Info 4-9 Youth Group 10 Silver Seniors 11 Mission Opportunities 11,15 Special points of interest: 3 3 Plant Exchange Bake Sale Summer Activity Ideas Caring & Serving Campership Program GO!Bus

2 Got Any Ideas for Summer Activities? It's never too early to start thinking of new ideas for this coming summer (yes, it will arrive) and next Fall. The Education Team here at Northlawn is always looking for new ideas for small groups, study groups, educational activities, summer activities, clubs, discussion groups, etc. We know that there are many great ideas/suggestions just waiting to come forward out there to share with our team so that they can go from "idea" to "reality". With the help of our group, some materials and/or supplies, and some willing people, we are able to create new learning and doing opportunities. Please feel free to talk to Sharon Longstreth, Teri Chandler or Pastor Tim. We'd love to hear from you! Northlawn's 3rd Annual Community Plant Exchange & Bake Sale Saturday, May 16 10:00 am 1:00 pm Do you have too many hostas and need some iris or ornamental grass to round out your yard? The Plant Exchange is fun, free, encourages reuse, recycling, organic living, resource sharing, and information exchange. Bring plants to share with others, take plants to complement your landscape or garden, and get answers to your questions from experienced gardeners who will also help identify plants. You don t have to bring anything to participate. The Plant Exchange is a 100% volunteer effort. Plants of all types and sizes are welcome. Donations are appreciated. Arrive with: Annuals, perennials, seeds, bulbs, house plants, shrubs, and/or small trees. Leave with: New friends, new information, and new plants to compliment your garden or yard. Volunteer help and extra annual plants from your yard are needed. Drop off donated plants on Saturday, May 16, or call the Church office if you need help to get them here. Sign up to volunteer online or at the Connection Corner. Hope to see you there! Plant Exchange Volunteers Women of Northlawn Bake Sale Saturday, May 16, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Bake Sale Volunteers YMCA VEGGIE VAN St. Andrew s Episcopal Church Wednesdays 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm - Public Welcome Grand Rapids Mobile Farmers Market Offering: Fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, eggs and bread, seasonal snacks and lunch options 2

3 Pastor Tim s Office Hours I will be setting aside Tuesdays from 9:00-12:00 a.m. to be in my office at church. I am frequently in my office at church on Wednesday and Thursday also, but often pastoral ministry takes me to people and places at unpredictable times. Please feel free to stop in on Tuesday mornings or contact me to set up another time and/or place to get together. Pastor Tim New Banners for Sanctuary The Worship committee is looking for some creative people who can help make new banners for the Sanctuary. If you can sew, quilt, or paint we would love to hear from you. Please see Jeanne Hoye or ask at the Connection Corner for help in contacting any worship team member. We appreciate your willingness to help and create. NEW ON OUR WEBSITE Check it out! Seasons & Celebrations page Look under Worship Tab Info about the church year Fun & informative links And Info on current & coming Outreach events Other ministry info Complete calendar of church activities Rivers of Eden Daily Walks in the Garden If you are interested in borrowing one of the devotionals written by Rev. James Noggle entitled Rivers of Eden, please check at the secretary s desk. CANNED MEAT SNACK ITEMS: GRANOLA BARS, CRACKERS, CHIPS, ETC. NECM Monthly Needs: MAC & CHEESE PASTA FRUIT JUICE CEREAL CONDIMENTS PERSONAL CARE ITEMS RICE BEANS WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING USED CLOTHING AT THE CHURCH. PLEASE TAKE YOUR DONATIONS TO A CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE. 3

4 RED BIRD MISSION TRIP/CAMPERSHIP PROGRAM Please help fund our Campership program and our Red Bird Mission Trip! Bring your empty pop cans and bottles to church in April, May and June. THANK YOU1111 Northlawn Youth Group (teens) Northlawn s Youth Group is small and mighty. We ve had a lot of fun lately serving our community making sandwiches at Kids Food Basket, Making cookies and snack mix for families of sick babies and children at Ronald McDonald House, doing yard work for our shut in elderly friends, along with some fun including a Christmas Party with Minute to Win it games. Encourage your teen age family and friends to join us! Our activities are listed here: Youth Group Activities. The link is always available on our web site Northlawnumc.org. Or, call or text to be added to our distribution list. Help Earn Money for the Church! If you use the internet for any type of search you can use GoodSearch and a donation will be made to the church for every search and purchase you make over the internet. The last check Northlawn received was for over $140. All proceeds go toward the mortgage principle. Here's all you need to do; Go to 4

5 SILVER SENIORS...Join us for POTLUCK LUNCH on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 at NOON. Bring a dish to pass, and a friend! Please sign up at Connection Corner. Questions: Call Lee Grey, NE Supper House Volunteer Opportunity We are looking for individuals and small groups to help on a Tuesday or Thursday evening at St. Alphonsus Church here in NE Grand Rapids. Sign up at the Connection Corner or call or text NECM Supperhouse...Volunteers needed to serve dinner and help clean up on TUESDAY, APRIL 21. Time commitment is from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Sign up at Connection Corner! Call Lee Grey at , if you have questions. One month until the Hunger Walk! Register to participate at Connection Corner. Walk, donate, or volunteer to help on the day of the event as a corner monitor, checkpoint water server, or check-in volunteer. Monies raised help local and international agencies that work to end hunger. For a full listing of the agencies, visit the Access website at 3rd Annual Easter Brunch Its become a Northlawn tradition!!!. Help us welcome worshipers on Easter Sunday morning by bringing a breakfast item to share at our special Easter Brunch. We would like to offer a yummy assortment of items as worshipers enter the front lobby. You can help by signing up to bring an item of your choice. We hope to include some meat, hot egg, & other brunch dishes as well as continental items this year. Brunch will be served in the front lobby starting at 8:45 am and continuing for everyone to enjoy after the sunrise service, before and after 9:45 worship. Sunrise Service 8:00 a.m. Brunch 8:45 a.m. Traditional Service 9:45 a.m. And, don't forget to invite a friend for Easter!!! Deadline for The Lamplighter Newsletter is ALWAYS the 17th of the previous month. ALL articles must be received by this date or they will not be included. Sorry, no exceptions. 5

6 April Volunteer List & Birthdays LITURGIST 5 Don C handler 12 Emmanuel Joshua 19 Ed Cavanaugh 26 Paula Wright 5 Easter Brunch 12 Jane Lachniet 19 The Blacks 26 The Longstreth Family 1 Patty Powell 1 Ed Cavanaugh 1 Adam Roberts 1 Monica Stevens 3 Greg Cleveland 4 Sharon Lull 8 Leslie Martin-Good 10 Evelyn Cavner 10 Mike DieBold 11 Eric Erkfitz 12 Chris Longstreth 12 Charlie Yen 12 Robert Haile 12 Richard Berry 15 Lyle Brockway 16 Sandra Berry 17 Doug Johnson 19 Robert Hamilton 21 Craig Allen 22 Ginny Gerlach 22 CharliAnne Weidenfeller 23 Kristina Weidenfeller 23 Tracey Salzemnieks 28 Sharon Longstreth 28 Norman Merrow 29 Adelaide Erkfitz 30 Cherie Roberts 26 The Black Family If you would like to be a greeter, please sign up in the Connection Corner. If you would like to serve at Connection Corner, please sign up at Connection Corner. 6

7 April Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat MINISTRY TEAM LEADERS: Please note, it is YOUR responsibility to list all meetings on the Office calendar. The online calendar is then updated based on the office calendar. ALL COMMUNICATIONS ARE BASED ON THE OFFICE CALENDAR. Pastor Tim :00 am Bible Study Women s Bible Study 1 12:00 noon Silver Seniors Potluck 6:00 pm Bell Choir Chancel Choir Yashana Lodge 8 6:00 pm Bell Choir Chancel Choir Yashana Lodge 2 Yarn w/purpose 7:00 Maundy Thursday Worship 9 Yarn w/purpose :00 pm Vista Springs WON Circle Worship Team 10:00 am Bible Study Women s Bible Study 6:00 pm Bell Choir Chancel Choir Yashana Lodge Yarn w/purpose Admin Team 10:00 am Bible Study Women s Bible Study 6:00 pm Bell Choir Chancel Choir Yashana Lodge Yarn w/purpose :00 am Bible Study Women s Bible Study 29 Chancel Choir Yashana Lodge 30 Yarn w/purpose 7

8 "How Do You Want to Live?" How do you want to live when you get sick? How do you want to be treated then? Who will decide for you when you can't decide? What makes life worth living for you? Although we cannot know the future, it is important that we express our wishes for what we want. Do you want to be resuscitated? Be on a ventilator? Donate your organs? Have hospice? Clearly documenting what you want is a gift to your family and the medical personnel who care for you. It is a way to control your medical care so there is no confusion. Everyone over the age of 17 ought to have advance directives. In this class, we will discuss the importance of writing a legal advance directive, also called a "durable power of attorney for health care." Forms will be provided and reviewed so you can personalize and complete after the class. Please join Pastor Jan on Sunday, May 17 during the 11 AM-12 pm Sunday School hour. She will be happy to meet with anyone personally to assist them to complete the form in the days and weeks after the class. How do you want to LIVE? Northlawn United Methodist Church 1157 Northlawn St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI Mission - why we are here Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world Northlawn United Methodist Church 2015 Leadership Team Administrative Team Chairperson: Tammy Diebold Finance Chairperson: Diane Ludwig SPRC Chairperson: Judy VanLente Trustee Chairperson: Jerry Lachniet Lay Member to Ann. Conference: Pat Whyatt Women of Northlawn President Ruth VanValkenburg Large: Alan Claybaugh, John Secord, Phil VanHammen Core Ministry Team Outreach Sally Wesorick Education Teri Chandler Worship Jan Jager Congregational Care John Secord Administrative Team Rep Jerry Lachniet 8

9 Short Term Mission Trip August Cost is approximately $330 each; includes transportation, lodging, meals, and materials used Red Bird Mission and Clinic have been providing ministries in the Appalachian Mountains since Today the need remains critical in this isolated, rural distressed area. Chronic poverty, lack of jobs, poor housing, and rugged mountainous terrain provide obstacles to a fuller life for the residents of this area. Work includes home repair for low-income community residents and maintenance for Mission buildings and grounds. Examples of work projects include roof replacement, small room additions, painting, building porches or ramps, and grounds keeping. Light duty work is available. We can work together to raise funds to offset the cost. Sign up immediately at Connection Corner, if you would be interested in joining us for a mission trip to Red Bird mission in Kentucky. We need to commit soon or the spot will be gone. We will drive down together in vans. GO!Bus Door-to-door mobility for seniors and the disabled (A ride to church and elsewhere). GO!Bus is a shared ride ADA service intended to provide transportation to seniors and disabled individuals who can't ride The Rapid fixed-route bus. GO!Bus riders share trips if they are generally traveling in the same direction at the same time. To be able to use the service the individual must complete an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) application. For those who have been approved, the GO!Bus provides service in the same area and at the same days and times as The Rapid fixed-route bus. Go!Bus is also available to companions of qualified riders, personal care attendants (PCA) and service animals. The Rapid also provides GO!Bus service to individuals who are age 65 or older. To be able to use the service, the individual must complete a Proof of Age application (age 65 and older). Cost: ADA eligible individuals with disabilities: $3.00 (includes seniors who qualify). Non-disabled individuals over 65: $7.00 Apply at: ui=2&ik=bfa &view=att&th=14ba2b012fa0a739&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw Or call (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. *Currently Senior Neighbors asks for a donation of $18.00 (1.80 per ticket) for a book of Go Bus Tickets, $5.00 for a City Bus ten ride card (seniors over 65) and $6.00 for a City Bus ten ride card (seniors under 65). This is a substantial discount of the amount Senior Neighbors pays for the ride cards. Caring & Sharing Northlawn has one full time employee, Pastor Tim. We operate on volunteer power and we need YOU! We have opportunities to care and serve in all these areas: Worship Volunteers, Hospitality, Congregational Care, Music, Environment, Community Outreach. Sign up at Connection Corner. 9

10 Northlawn United Methodist Church 1157 Northlawn St. NE Grand Rapids, MI Phone: (616) Fax: (616) We re on the web! Bishop, Deborah L. Kiesey G.R. District Superintendent, Rev. Bill Haggard Pastor Tim Pastor Jan Dolores Barnes Izzy Ward Dave & Dorothy Spaulding Bob & Barb Morton Wesley & Phyllis Smith Kelli Hamilton Robin Eslinger Leslie Martin-Good Wheeler & Phyllis Tortellet Family of Bob Wild Family of Joan Velting Mission - why we are here Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world 10