Volume 28, Number 1 DUNDEEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH January 2019 One of my favorite things to do on a dark night is to look up into the sky to see the stars. When I was younger, I would lay in the grass and try to count them. Depending on the location of where I was, I could see more stars than in other places. Looking up into the sky, I could feel a sense of awe at the vastness of the sky and I would wonder how far off the stars may be. I always searched the sky for the brightest star. The first Sunday of January, the Christian Church celebrates Epiphany (Manifestation) of the Lord. On this day we celebrate the coming of the Three Wise Men that followed a star that appeared in the sky on the night of the birth of the Christ Child. These Wise Men also loved to look up into the sky at the stars and wonder at the mystery of them. When this new bright star appeared, they sensed there was something special about that star. They had heard prophesies telling of such a star and of a child king that would be born. And so, they set out to follow the star. Their journey took them about three months to find the child and they came to the home, entered in, and fell to their knees and worshipped the child. Can you imagine their faith? They believed in the prophesies and without knowing or seeing proof, they set off not knowing what they might find or maybe not finding anything. What about you? Do you ever look up into the stars and wonder what those stars may be leading you? Maybe it is leading you to come closer to Christ this year. Maybe it is to do something for Christ this year. Maybe it is to do something for others in the Name of Christ this year. Jesus Christ has come into the world to bring light to those in darkness. We who have seen a great light and accepted it too have become a great light in the darkness for others to see. In this New Year, let us shine our light for those who need help to find their way. Amen!
Ad Board Highlights December 11, 2018 Confirmation classes will begin January 6, 2019. Seven to nine youth are expected to participate. A Lay Leader "thank you" to our volunteers, (Andrea Hickey, Bob Tessmer and Kathy Leslie), who served as our Liturgists for each Sunday since our last Ad Board meeting. Tuesday morning prayer is going well and the attendance is up. Lately we have had up to five participants praying for the many needs of our growing congregation. The Finance Committee reported that pledges for 2019 are up from 2018. The Worship Committee is currently planning through mid-february and will be planning services and activities at least two months in advance. They also will be decorating the chancel area to correspond to the message and music for the week. The Christmas Eve service planning is well under way and will be a beautiful tribute to the birth of the Christ child. Nine church members attended this year s church conference, held in Saline in a new format. There will be another Protection Policy Training January 26 at the Carleton UMC aimed that those participating in and hosting district-level events. The SPPRC will meet January 16 at 8:15 pm. There are still a handful of positions that need to be filled by the Lay Leadership (former Nominating Committee) There are expected to be three membership classes in 2019 and these will be offered every year. Six holiday boxes were sent to church members in the military and in college. The UMW s first meeting of the year will be January 10 at 7 pm. The UMW will be serving the meal for God s Works at St. John s on February 13. They will also be hosting the Heritage District UMW meeting at our church on March 9 (more information to follow on that).
The following represents a summary of prayer requests made during the worship service. Dear Lord, you know the good and the bad. Please accept our thanks for the good and give us strength and comfort when dealing with the bad. Heal us and help us to see and be Your light in the world. In Jesus name we pray. December 2 December 16 Vaughn Massingill Bill Plumb Julie a friend and her husband Carson December 9 Tiffany s family a family friend Amy Judy Rod s granddaughter Howard Roesch Susie Ferguson Rev. Brown Joy of daughter was worshipping with her today Karen Friend Joan Roe s son-in-law Dee Cowen granddaughter and her friend Barb Ost, Ken, and their family Lonnie Spoering Bart Shannon Carson Vaughn Massingill Shirley Massingill December 23 New great-grandchild and grandchild Dar Liedel, Vaughn Massingill Bart Kelly Rupert Carol Lisa Ferrante Karen Byron visitors December 30 Dale Ziesmer Cindy Tessmer Carol Family visiting Aimee Luck Step-sister Child with brain cancer The following is taken from the December 2018 issue of The Heartbeat, the newsletter of Heartbeat of Monroe: The cold comes from the driving north winds. By the breath of God the ice is formed and the watery expanses are frozen. Job 37:9-10 Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He lifts His voice. Psalm 46:5-6 He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes...who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them. Psalm 147:16-18 Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7 He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. Daniel 2:21
Wedding Anniversary Celebration! 60 years and counting! You are invited to a celebration of Andrew and Carol Pentercs 60 years of marriage. It will be held Saturday, January 19 from 2 6 pm at the church. It s hosted by Debra Irwin, Lynn Breeding, and their families. Congratulations!! Hey why do we sign those red registration pads during the worship service??? Well, there are a couple of reasons First of all, worship attendance, both the number of attendees and the names of the attendees, is recorded in the church database for membership audits and end-of-year statistics requested by the district. Your cooperation with signing those slips makes the job of collecting that information a lot easier, so thank you! The second reason is that it s an easy form of communication from you to the office staff...did you move and have a new address? Did you give up your landline and have a cell phone number that the church didn t know about? Do you want to get the Pastor s Page and/or the Beacon by email? Are you having trouble receiving information from the office? All of this can be written in a note on those registration pads...we see your notes when we record attendance. So, thank you again for making the office just a little more efficient and effective! If you have any questions about this or anything else in the office, get in touch with Jill Bradley and she ll do her best to help! The 2019 Altar Flower calendar is posted in the fellowship hall by the kitchen door. If you d like to donate the cost of the altar flowers for a Sunday ($20), please write down who the flowers are in memory or honor of and your name as the person giving the flowers. You may take them home with you that Sunday after morning worship. Please leave the cost of the flowers marked with your name and altar flowers in the offering plate. January 1 January 3 January 4 January 5 January 6 January 7 January 8 January 9 January 9 January 12 January 14 January 15 John Nyquist William Sargent Dyle Leslie Wyatt Hickey Zora Spewock Barbara Rabideau Judy Williams Bonnalyn Lowell Ellyn Sandefur Jessica Pellman John Hoffman Sherry Simpkins January 16 Bill Gauss January 16 Veronica Moore January 19 Jill Bradley January 20 Doug Steinman January 20 Anna Mae Wenzel January 21 Janice Adams January 22 Margery Walasinski January 23 Richard Bird January 23 Wendy Hoffman January 25 Jim Goodridge January 29 David Wittkop January 30 John Longenbarger
WE RE ON THE WEB AT: www.umcdundee.org D U N D E E U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H REV BRADLEY LUCK, PASTOR 645 FRANKLIN STREET DUNDEE, MICHIGAN 48131 www.umcdundee.org CHURCH: 734 529-3535 Email: office.dundeeumc@comcast.net PARSONAGE: 734 529-2215 E-mail: blucky33@comcast.com Church Office Hours Monday, Thursday, Friday 4pm-6pm Dundee United Methodist Church is an established family of faith reaching out to a growing community by offering the love of Christ and making disciples. This includes identifying gifts, encouraging a commitment to and relationship with Christ and each other, to become faithful witnesses through our daily living. WORSHIP SERVICE 10:30AM Dundee United Methodist Church 645 Franklin Street Dundee MI 48131 Prepared Especially For: