First Congregational Church 113 S. Main Street, Sheridan, Michigan Phone: 989.291.3800 Office e-mail: office@fccsheridan.org Pastor s e-mail: pastor@fccsheridan.org Web: http://www.fccsheridan.org Pastor s Corner God is in charge. Easily said and easily believed until you are pressed to interpret your life and as a natural consequence you are challenged to trust in this concept when life gets tough or seemingly doesn t make sense. God teaches us through His word that we are on the path of His choosing. Jesus lived His life and experienced His death and resurrection according to this principle. His trust in His father s direction and guidance enabled Him to have confidence even in the face of overwhelming challenges. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12:22a/24b-26 God says to us, You are on the path of my choosing. There is no randomness about your life. The Here and Now of our life comprise the coordinates of a planned life. Most people either let these moments slip through their fingers halflived or they compromise them with the insistence of their own desires. They avoid the present by worrying about the future or longing for a better time and place. They forget that they are creatures who are subject to the limitations of time and space. They forget their Creator and therefore forget the created purpose for which they were intended to serve. God walks with us in the Present. The past is what it is and the future is not yet upon us. Stay present with your Creator. Discover His intended purpose for you in this moment. Meditate upon His desire to shape you and direct you in His will. What you will find is that as you give more and more of yourself to a life of communion with the living God, you will find that you simply have no time for worry. Know that your God is a God of intended purpose for our lives and be at peace. Board of Ministries Thanks to the following ushers for volunteering at the door for April. April 3 George & Lauri Palmer April 10 Roger & Fran Koster April 17 Andy A & Dorothy A April 24 Shannon B & Suzanne S Candy bars have been purchased to be handed out to the respective people at the Mother s & Father s Day Worship Services.
2 There is a new flower shop in Stanton. If it is decided that there will be real flowers versus the artificial ones we now have on the altar. A suggestion was made, that if you would like flowers, that you would be responsible to order, pick them up, pay for them, and bring them to the altar. Thank you to Kelle Hudson for the donation of hundreds of beanie babies. They were donated to MCES and Sheridan Hospital to hand out to children. Lauri Palmer will be running a grill selling hot dogs, chips and water on Memorial Day during the parade. On Thursday, May 5 th Lauri palmer and Carol Draper made 12 freezer meals to restock the freezer in the basement. If you know of anyone in need of help with food contact Shannon in the office, M-F 9-Noon. Fellowship was approached to have a table of baked goods at the Farmer s Market during the month of June. More information will be coming regarding signing up for this. The next Ministry meeting will be on May 29 th after worship service. There will be no June meeting. Board of Discipleship This is the list of guest pastors filling in while Pastor Phil is away on sabbatical. April 17 Dr. Gary Hauck April 24 Mark Edwards May 1 Dr. Gary Hauck May 8 Dr. Gary Hauck May 15 Dr. Gary Hauck May 22 Dr. Gary Hauck May 29 Dr. Gary Hauck June 5 Mark Edwards June 12 Bill Simpson June 19 Ron Steury/team Teens June 26 Alden Palmer July 3 David Vandershuur July 10 Dennis Holt July 17 Ron Springsteen There is a sign up for coffee and cookies for fellowship after services in the entry way. Moderator Please be faithful in your attendance and support of our church while Pastor Phil is undertaking a study leave. We need to lay a solid foundation for new spiritual growth based on our personal commitment and Phil s guidance when he returns from sabbatical. Ron Springsteen Financial Secretary April YTD BUDGET Envelope offerings $8,116.65 $26,193.25 Loose offerings 26.00 226.00 Noisy Sunday offerings - 72.00 Women's Fellowship pledge - - Total offerings and pledges 8,142.65 26,491.25 Altar and holiday flowers 186.00 254.00 Soup supper collections 25.00 413.75 Other special collections - - Weddings 200.00 200.00 Meijer Rewards - - AA contributions 105.00 105.00 Miscellaneous income - - Total budget income 8,658.65 27,464.00
3 Planned budget income 7,525.08 30,100.33 Over/(under) budget 1,133.57 (2,636.33) NON-BUDGET Memorial contributions 85.00 85.00 Miscellaneous income - 250.00 Total non-budget income 85.00 335.00 Total income $8,743.65 $27,799.00 $8,056.56 DISBURSEMENTS Church Repairs and Supplies -607.98 Insurance -767.12 Automobile -20.72 Office -414.42 Parsonage Repairs -200.00 Supply Pastor -200.00 Telephone -54.60 Utilities -1,052.56 Net Wages and Payroll Taxes -3,668.06-6,985.46 April 30, 2016 Balance: $1,071.10 Treasurer CHECKING ACCOUNT March 31, 2016 February 29, 2016 Balance: $3,216.67 Paid from General Savings 767.12 Transferred from Memorial Savings 1,995.00 Deposits 5,259.10 8,021.22 DISBURSEMENTS Church Repairs and Supplies -2,083.51 Insurance -767.12 Missions - OCWM -300.00 Church Fellowship -191.88 Telephone -254.74 Utilities -721.00 $11,237.89 Net Wages and Payroll Taxes -5,288.85-9607.10 March 31, 2016 Balance: 1,630.79 CHECKING ACCOUNT April 30, 2016 March 31, 2016 Balance: $1,630.79 Paid from General Savings 767.12 Deposits 5,658.65 6,425.77 Women s Fellowship Eleven members attended the meeting held April 18 th. The minutes of the February meeting and the Treasurer s Report were given. Due to the closing of Flowers, Etc., seasonal decorations for the wreath are now being stored at Jan Wyckoff s home. Kitchen clean-up has been rescheduled to Thursday, May 19 th 9am-Noon. Men as well as women are invited to help. It was suggested that the threads be sewn onto the Prayer Quilt hanging in the church entrance to make it easier for people to tie. It was also suggested that the church furnish cookies following services each Sunday while Pastor Phil is on sabbatical. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. Candy bars will be distributed on Mother s Day and Father s Day. The Memorial Day Bake Sale is May 30 th. Information will be put in the bulletin and newsletter. Several ladies from our church are planning to attend The Gathering in
4 June. Dot Arwood and Carol Draper have information for any lady that would like to attend. Our auction has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 30 th, starting at 5:30 p.m. The fellowship will furnish the food. This will replace our ice cream social. The proceeds will be divided evenly between the church and fellowship. Contact Lauri Palmer to volunteer or to make a donation for the auction. The next meeting will be on June 20 th at the home of Virginia Hahn. Congregation Sunday, May 1 05/01 Isaiah Smith s Birthday 05/01 Joan Guernsey s Birthday Wednesday, May 4 05/04 Tammara VanDop s Birthday Thursday, May 5 05/05 Jim & Pam Roger s Anniversary Tuesday, May 10 05/10 Ed & Lois Springsteen s Anniversary Friday, May 13 05/13 William Plavan s Birthday Saturday, May 14 05/14 Andy & Nina Hanna s Anniversary Monday, May 16 05/16 Ed & Kelle Hudson s Anniversary Tuesday, May 17 05/17 Tom Porter s Birthday Thursday, May 19 05/19 Joe Bignell s Birthday Tuesday, May 24 05/24 Kim Rivett s Birthday 05/24 Marcia Sawdy s Birthday Community News MAY EVENTS May 1 Sunday school 9am May 3 Choir 10:30am May 8 Mother s Day Sunday school 9am - Bd. of Stewardship May 10 Choir 10:30am May 11 Home Town Quilters 9-4pm May 15 Sunday school 9am - Bd. Of Discipleship May 17 Choir 10:30am May 19 Kitchen cleaning 9-noon May 22 Sunday school 9am May 24 Choir 10:30am May 29 Sunday school 9am Worship service 10:30am May 30 Memorial Day - Bake sale 9-1pm - Hot Dog sale (during parade) May 31 Choir 10:30am JUNE EVENTS June 5 Sunday school 9am June 7 Choir 10:30am June 8 Home Town Quilters 9-4pm June 12 Sunday school 9am - Bd. of Stewardship June 14 Choir 10:30am June 19 Father s Day - Sunday school 9am - Bd. of Discipleship June 21 Choir 10:30am June 26 Sunday school 9am June 28 Choir 10:30am
5 Poet s Lines When You re Down God is with you, when you re depressed, Even if you re broke, or under arrest. George had lost his job, and only had 2 friends Which people thought was odd, But his greatest friend was God! A drunk who takes the AA treatment, And has stopped ordering drinks, and Listening to a Honky-tonk band, Has received help from a God he understands. An Atheist has a right to his opinion, But I wouldn t want to bet on his chance Of entering God s dominion. The Koran happens to be the Most widely read book in the world, But the Christian Bible can help every Man, boy, or girl! As a Congregationalist, I believe that whether You re black, or white, straight or gay, God will always show you the way!!!! To Mother-On Mother s Day For all the things you ve been for me. My guardian and my guide; For truths you have so gently taught And all the tears you ve dried; For faith and understanding When I faltered on my way, I owe you more thanks, Mother, Than words can say. So on this day that s set aside Especially for you, I send a wish for happiness In everything you do. May each hour bring you pleasure Each day of every year- For all the things you ve been to me, I love you, Mother dear. -Author Unknown Copyright 2016, Bill Granse