October 2015 40 years ago an apple was a piece of fruit found on a tree and a blackberry was something you picked out in the woods before the bears ate them. Today Apple and Blackberry are entities that represent amazing technological changes that have connected us in ways we could not imagine 40 years ago. 40 years ago Amazon was the name of a river in South America. Who could have imagined the dramatic impact that name has had on the retail sector of our global economy today? 40 years ago if you wanted an automatic transmission, air-conditioning, power windows and door locks, you had to ask for a fully-loaded model. Today our vehicles are incredible works of technology and a fully-loaded model is more comfortable, technologically advanced, and extravagant than our living rooms. 40 years ago every new home was wired for UMW HARVEST LUNCHEON AND BAZAAR Saturday, October 17 10 am - 2 pm The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Manistee United Methodist Church Have you ever thought about how much has changed in the last 40 years? Details on page 3. To the next 40 years and beyond! telephone service and most had TV antennas installed. Today new homes are wired for high-speed or fiber-optic services that provide television, internet, and security services. The phone is all but completely wireless and the TV antenna has been replaced with a satellite dish. 40 years ago there was this really cool thing called an 8-track tape player. Thankfully is was soon replaced by the cassette tape player, which quickly gave way to the CD, which is currently on the way out giving way to new technology in the form of mp3 and mp4 formats stored on this nebulous thing called The Cloud. Continued on page 2. A Welcome Word Pg. 1
From the Pastor, continued from pg. 1. 40 years ago digital, high-definition, internet, texting, and a myriad of other terms had very different meanings (if they even existed) than they do today. Most of us can make our own list of what has changed in the last 40 years and our lists would be lengthy. But let me invite you to think about the changes in the church in the last forty years. Depending on your preferences, your response may be, not enough has changed or, nothing has changed and it should stay that way. The truth of the matter is that most of us want our church to do well, grow, draw more people, etc. You have heard that we cannot keep doing the same things in the same ways and expect different results. Unfortunately, much of what we do and how the church does things has not changed over the last 40 years. 40 years ago people carried their Bibles, sang out of a hymnal, the preacher of the day wore a robe, and folks wore dresses, ties and suits to church. Today ties, jackets, dresses, and robes are considered optional at best. People still carry their Bibles on their smart phones. The way we do the music of worship has evolved and who would have ever guessed that we would have videos as part of the worship experience? It used to be that just about every church had stained glass, pews, pulpits, and choir lofts. Today new churches have chairs not pews; there is very little stained glass, few pulpits and choir lofts. They look more like auditoriums, gymnasiums, repurposed shopping centers, and feel like concert venues. So much has changed. Churches that embrace change for the sake of reaching a new generation tend to grow and move forward. The message of the church, the Gospel of Jesus Pg. 2 A Welcome Word Christ; the salvation that is ours because of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, should never, never, ever change. Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future because of the presence of the church in the world. The church is the body of Jesus Christ. The church is God s plan A and there is no plan B. This will never change. It can t. If it did we would become something other than the church. What must change is how we present the Gospel and how we manage the affairs of the church. The world is moving at a much faster pace than it did 40 years ago (due to technological changes). And we must, as a church, make the necessary changes to be able to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ with an increasingly fast-paced culture. While the leadership of Manistee United Methodist Church prayerfully considers the necessary adjustments and changes that are needed for us to fulfill the Vital Church Initiative Prescriptions that were adopted, a realization came out of the prescriptions: There is a great need to streamline how we do business as a church; hence, the plan to develop a Single Governance Board model. Our annual Church Conference will be held Saturday October 10th at 11:00am at Ludington Saint Paul UMC. During this Church Conference we will be proposing adoption of the Single Board Governance model. In a nutshell, this piece moves the Administrative Board from being a reporting agency where the Trustees, Finance Committee, Staff-Pastor Relations Committee, and others report on their activity; to a Single Board Governance model that is made up of 1-3 people from Trustees, Finance Team, SPRC, Lay Leader, Pastor, current Chair of the Ad Board, and 1-2 others. This will enable very quick, efficient dialog and decision-making around issues, staffing, and
finances. It further increases accountability within the leadership of the church and makes the church more nimble while freeing people up for ministry instead of tying them up in administration through meetings. Among the things your Leadership Team is currently working on is a document that spells out responsibility and structure of the Single Board Governance model. The document will be made available before our Conference so you can review it and ask questions. If you have become a member of the congregation, please let me encourage you to attend this conference. Your vote will help determine the future of Manistee United Methodist Church. In my brief time here, I have heard many say how excited they are to move the church forward into the next forty years and beyond Think about that for a moment forty years from now. Will you still be here? What is the legacy you wish to leave for those who will come after you? What are your hopes and dreams for Manistee UMC? In light of that question, let me ask you, What s the wise thing to do? Sorry had to throw that in! :) With lots of love, Pastor John Don t Miss Out On Annual Harvest Bazaar And Luncheon SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 10:00 TIL 2:00 Whether you re a veteran patron of this UMWsponsored church-wide event or new to our community or church, this is one venue you don t want to miss. The home-made vegetable soup, sandwich, and pie with a beverage for $8.00 is a treat the community waits for each year. It s served between 11 and 1, but pie and coffee are available anytime for $3.00. The Bake Sale offers plenty of goodies to take home. New to the bazaar this year will be a display of quilts by the Quilting Group. Sales of these will go to specific charities. The Art Alcove will feature local, original art. Crafts will include wonderful hand-made items for gifting or personal use. Tools will be offered for the guys and the kids can decorate a pumpkin. The ever popular Radko cutlery will be available. And, of course, Attic Treasures will have just what you ve needed, or didn t know you needed, for the price you can afford. Bring items for the bazaar on Wednesday, Oct. 14 or Thursday, Oct. 15 from 10 until 5:00. Baked goods may be brought on Friday from 12 until 5:00 or before 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. Thank you for your contributions that make this event a success. Proceeds support local and world-wide missions for women and children. Y all come now. Hear? RED BIRD MISSION Work Trip to Kentucky is scheduled for June 19-25, 2016. More information will be coming soon. Save the dates if you might be interested. A Welcome Word Pg. 3
OCTOBE SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNE MANISTEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Email: mumc@t-one.net www.manisteeumc.org 4 COMMUNION 5 6 7 2:00 Medical Care 10:00 Special Arts 4:00 Missions 7:00 Women s Bible Study 7:00 Estella @ Laskey 6:30 Praise Team 7:00 SPR 1:30 Staff 6:30 Grief Share 11 12 13 14 HANDBELLS MO-TOWN PRESENTATION 10:00 Special Arts 5:30 Trustees 7:00 Women s Bible Study 11:00 Mary Martha Covenant Prayer Group 6:30 Praise Team 7:00 Manistee Co. Leadership 11:30 J.O.Y. - Arc 1:30 Staff 6:30 Grief Share 7:00 Frankenste 18 19 20 21 10:00 Special Arts 12:00 UMW Board 7:00 Women s Bible Study NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 5:00 Ad Council 6:30 Praise Team 9:30 Quilting Gro 1:30 Staff 6:30 Grief Share 6:30 Quilting Gro 25 26 27 28 10:00 Special Arts 7:00 Women s Bible Study 11:00 Mary Martha Covenant Prayer Group 6:30 Praise Team 1:30 Staff 6:30 Grief Share Pg. 4 A Welcome Word
R 2015 SDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 7:00 Frankenstein Rehearsal 7:30 SPRC Brethren 8 9 10 12:00 R.I.C.C. 2:00 Christian Caring Comm. 10:00 Carlotta Kitchen 1:00 Carlotta Circle Mtg. 10:00 Frankenstein Rehearsal 11:00 Charge Conference @ Ludington St. Paul s UMC adia Bluffs in Rehearsal 15 16 17 9:00 Bazaar Set-up 9:00 Bazaar Set-up 10:00-2:00 BAZAAR & LUNCHEON up up 22 23 24 4:00 Handbells 6:30 Song Circle 8:00 Men s Breakfast @ Bungalow 29 30 31 4:00 Handbells HALLOWEEN A Welcome Word Pg. 5
Stephen Ministries/Christian Caring HE S GOT YOUR BACK! What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31, NJKV Do you ever wonder if anyone actually has your back? Does anyone really care about you? Well, I ve got some good news for you. God s got your back, He cares about you and He is for you, not against you! It seems like we all have some relationships with people who are sort of neutral to us. They aren t really against us and they aren t really for us, they re just neutral. When they need a little emotional support and a shoulder to cry on, you re there, but turn the tables and where are those friends of yours? Jesus showed us 2,000 years ago that He is for us and will always be on our side. Romans 5:6 says, For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. That s you and me, the ungodly. When we were rejecting God, when we turned our backs on God, Jesus went to the cross for us. Why? Because, He s got our back. You see there was absolutely nothing we could do about our spiritual condition. We were separated from God and heading for eternity without Him. But Jesus stepped in and took our place on the cross. He paid a price that we couldn t pay ourselves. Why? Because, He s got your back. Proverbs 18:24 says, A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Jesus is that friend who will always stick with us. Why? Because, He s got your back. He care about you and He is for you, not against you! If you are hurting and need someone to talk to whatever the reason Please call Shirley at the church office, 723-6219 or Jeanne, 889-7867. Pg. 6 A Welcome Word DINNER 4-8 IT S NOT TOO LATE to sign up for this year s Dinner 4-8 schedule. Please contact Janie Lawler 231-887-4194 by October 31 if you like eating, like getting to know others, and are able to host/hostess one DINNER a year FOR EIGHT folks. Everyone helps with providing the food. Meetings are usually the second Saturday of November, January, March, May, and July. MUMC quilting group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 9:30 to noon and/ or 6:30 to 8:30. Oct. 21st is our next session. The goal is to make quilts for charities, but new quilters are welcome to come and learn. For information, call Joyce Brenner at 398-9205. Free Books available in Fellowship Hall Read it with a friend, with a group or on your own!
Manistee Blessings in a Backpack A new support ministry is starting this October. It s called Manistee Blessings in a Backpack and is sponsored by several area churches as well as Love INC in cooperation with the Manistee Area Public Schools. Essentially each Friday backpacks with enough meals for the weekend will be sent home with children who are homeless. At the present time we estimate there are 14 in our area. This is being done through a national program called Blessings in a Backpack and will cost $100/child for the entire 39 weeks of school. How can you help? We need donations to sponsor a child and we need volunteers to help spend a little time each week to pack the backpacks to go to school. Flyers are being provided for each church and around the area for more information and contact numbers. We are a caring community ---this Manistee! Call Joyce Brenner email-quiltbrenner@gmail. com or phone 231-398-9205 for more information or pick up one of the flyers available. The Manistee Choral Society is looking for community singers to experience the fun and fellowship of singing by joining us as we prepare for the Victorian Dessert Concert on Dec. 3rd. Rehearsals start Oct 5th and every Monday night 7-9 at the Faith Covenant Church. Practice CD s are provided and the selection will include pieces from the Messiah, as well as ancient and modern carols, and lighter music of the season too. For further information, please call Carol Voigts at 231-848-4301. Kids Hope Korner We are starting the program this year at Jefferson school soon. Thanks Kim Elzinga ( third grade teacher at Jefferson) for the encouraging note. She thanked our mentors and myself, for our program in Jefferson school. She said the hour that the mentors are with the kids Really, Really do make a difference in the child s life. Love, Patience, Encouragement, Prayer and Consistency are what is needed for every child we see. As mentors, we come in contact with a lot of kids wanting us to mentor them too. They ask us, Can you be our mentor too today Miss Helen?) Well, we can t, but we would like to. They see us coming and loving our child. They want that one on one attention. If 5 people could spare about 1 hour a week, we could get 5 of the kids that need mentoring started soon. PLEASE pray about it, Say yes, with God s help, you can be the perfect mentor for some one. Thanks, Helen Leach 723-7726 Thank you, thank you for the many acts of kindness all the cards and prayers, the many wonderful meals, visits and phone calls while I am not getting around so well. I felt that I was surrounded by many angels. God bless you all. Love, Nora A Welcome Word Pg. 7
Manistee United Methodist Church 387 First Street Manistee, Michigan 49660 231.723.6219 www.manisteeumc.org NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID MANISTEE, MI PERMIT NO. 81 Return Service Requested ANNUAL All Members Welcome! October 10 11 a.m. St. Paul s UMC, Ludington Do you know your spiritual gifts? God wants you to use them!! Take the survey on-line at www.manisteeumc.org Click the link under church family to find the spiritual gifts link. Pg. 8 A Welcome Word is the newsletter of Manistee United Methodist Church Deadline for articles is 9 a.m.on the 3rd Tuesday of each month to the church office. The Editor reserves the right to edit for content and space. Pastor - Rev. John Scott Youth Director - Kelly McColl Please join us for Sunday Worship Services: Traditional 9:00 a.m. Alive 11:00 a.m. Rotational Sunday School 10-11:00 a.m. Sept.-May Phone 231.723.6219 Fax 231.723.5072 Email: mumc@t-one.net www.manisteeumc.org