Zion United Church of Christ B a r o d a, M I Chimes July 23, 2018 Volume 10 INSIDE: Upcoming Events Announcements and Thank Yous 2 2 Prayer Concerns 2 All Church Picnic 3 REV. NOFFKE S OPEN HOUSE It was beautiful! The Noffke family retirement open house was so very special. It was a chance to see familiar faces that have moved away, remember old times and say goodbye. This open house was a big undertaking and I couldn t have done it without the help of so many great people. I need to thank: Karla L, Nancy W, Susan M, Carolyn S, Kristin W, Bonnie S, Robin K, Marlene V, Jessica M, Matt S, Debbie K, Sharon M, Marcia K and Dave F. Sorry if I missed anyone s name. Sincerely, Kim F Contact Information Summer Music Ladies Fellowship Birthdays Anniversaries 3 5 5 6 Rev. Noffke Letter 7 Farewell Pictures 8
Page 2 Upcoming Events 8/14 Soup Kitchen Prep 8/15 Soup Kitchen Serve 8/19 Chimes Articles are Due 9/09 Rally Day 09/9 Rally Day Potluck 9/22 Ladies Fellowship Shipshewana Bus Trip Chimes Announcements & Thank Yous Thank yous: Zion would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Chris and Cinda Noffke for their generous gift. The new communion set will grace our church for many years to come. Believe it or not...sunday School is just around the corner! Zion is in need of 2 middle school teachers. If you have any questions or need further information please contact Jessica M. Please consider volunteering! Secure Online Donations are a great safe way to contribute: For those who are comfortable with on-line donations, please explore donating through Zion s web-site. It is safe, easy to use and secure. All your information is protected by Vanco services. If you would like more information please feel free to contact the church office (269-422-1590 - zionuccbaroda@gmail.org). Check Zion's Website, www.zionuccbaroda.org, for the latest up to date information! If you have submissions for inclusion on the web, any questions, or suggestions please feel free to contact the church office at 422-1590, or email at zionuccbaroda@gmail.com Prayer Concerns We extend our love and prayers to:... Janice M who continues in hospice care at the Hanson Center.... Wayne S who was recently transferred to Pine Ridge Rehabilitation Center.... Norma R who recently suffered a stroke. She is recovering at home after a hospital stay.
Volume 6 HOW YOU CAN HELP... Altar Flowers: Every week there are flowers on the altar that complete the beauty of our church. Won t you consider being the one to add that final touch of beauty to the altar? Contact Information Church Office Phone Number: 269-422-1590 Church Web Site: zionuccbaroda.org Current Address/Phone Number: To update yours call 422-1590 or email zionuccbaroda@gmail.com Church Staff: Choir Director: Edgar L Accompanist: Alicia D Office Manager: Susan Bookkeeper: Rhonda zionuccbaroda@gmail.com CE Coordinator: Jessica M Ministry Leadership Group Members: Jan T (Moderator) Brian A(Vice-Moderator) Carolyn S (Treasurer) Karla L (Secretary) George S Matt S Beth J Prayer Circle: Coreen D Ladies Fellowship: Kim F Page 3 Check Zion's Website, www.zionuccbaroda.org, for the latest up to date information! If you have submissions for inclusion on the web, any questions, or suggestions please feel free to contact the church office at 422-1590, or email at zionuccbaroda@gmail.com. Zion All Church Picnic June 24th was a beautiful day for a picnic! Thank you to all those who came out to enjoy the food and fellowship. And a special thank you to George and Carol S for coordinating this event. Coffee Hour Hosts: Hosts provide coffee, pastries, cake or donut holes. Expenses may be taken from donations that day, so the commitment is to purchase the food & make coffee. Juice, coffee, plates, napkins & cups are provided. Sign up sheets are available in the Narthex
The Chimes Newsletter is published at Zion UCC in Baroda, MI approximately every two weeks. Submissions are subject to editing. All submissions for publication must be signed. The office phone is 269-422-1590. E-Mail - zionuccbaroda@gmail.com. Zion United Church of Christ P.O. Box 10 Baroda, MI 49101 Address Service Requested Z i o n U n i t e d C h u r c h o f C h r i s t B a r o d a, M I PO Box 10 9100 Third Street Baroda, MI 49101 Phone: 269-422-1590 Email: zionuccbaroda@gmail.com www.zionuccbaroda.org All Are Welcome! THINGS YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW... Electronic Fund Transfer: If you would like to have your offering to Zion UCC automatically withdrawn from your checking or savings account (weekly or monthly), please contact the church office to obtain an authorization form. Once the form is signed and returned withdrawals will begin. You may change or stop this service at any time. Zion s Web site: For the latest news at Zion, check out our web site at www.zionuccbaroda.org. If you have submissions for inclusion on the web, questions, or suggestions, please feel free to contact the office. Privacy Laws Related to Hospitalizations: The laws have been in effect for quite some time, but the interpretation of those laws varies widely. In an effort to protect the privacy of patients, most healthcare providers will not release any information to churches and/or pastors. If you are hospitalized and would like the church and pastor to know, please be proactive with the admissions officer, and 1) tell them that you are a member of Zion, 2) you would like Zion to know that you are hospitalized, and 3) call the church office. Church Calendar Worship Service: 9:00 am Sunday School & Adult Faith Formation 10:30 am Sunday (Sept - May) Adult Choirs: Wednesday (Sept - May) MLG: 3rd Tuesday - 6:30 pm 2018/10 Articles for the next issue of Chimes are due August 19th
Page 5 Summer Music Needed With the departure of both our placed musicians for the summer break, we have secured accompanists for the remainer of the summer. However, as choir is no longer meeting, we are in need of folk who would be willing to provide special music for our worship services. There is a sign up sheet at the communication desk with available slots. Ladies Fellowship News On September 22, 2018, the Ladies Fellowship would like to invite everyone to join us for an all church bus trip to Das Essenhaus. We will be seeing the play Don t Kick the Turkeys with a family style dinner to follow. I WILL NEED PAYMENT BY SUNDAY, AUGUST 19TH. PLEASE PUT IT IN MY MAILBOX. Thanks, Kim P.S. THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF EMPTY SEATS. FEEL FREE TO INVITE OTHERS! The nursery in the basement will not be staffed this summer, but available for parents to take their young children during the church service. It is equipped with video feed to hear the complete church service. The nursery will be staffed with volunteers from Rally Day until the last day of Sunday School only.
Page 6 Birthdays and Anniversaries Birthdays 08/02 Carolynn M 08/04 Beverly E 08/07 Emily F 08/10 Sharon S 08/11 Judy D 08/12 William S 08/14 George P Gerald P Jay S 08/17 Amanda E 08/19 Sandra V 08/20 Shirley S Dale E 08/23 Connie D 08/24 Gerald S 08/31 Julie E Anniversaries 08/03 James & Barbara H 08/04 Allen & Nancy P 08/07 Robert & Eleanor L 08/25 Michael & Robin N
Page 7 Dearest Friends, The United Church of Christ theme of God is Still Speaking has guided much of my ministry and was evident in our final Sunday worship service together as your pastor. My cup of blessings was filled to overflowing with your many kindnesses - your presence, special music offerings, and your most generous financial gift. The afternoon Open House made the day complete. To see so many people come out to say goodbye was heartwarming. There are so many people to thank: to each and everyone who had a part in the day, I am most grateful. Thank you! This new chapter of my life as a retiree is yet to be written, but I will carry with me our many years together of celebration and sadness, joy and tears, struggle and success, hard work and accomplishment. This journey has, at least for me, always been about the hope that Christ offers our community of faith. As lifted up in our recent visioning sessions for Zion, we are encouraged by the words in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future Thank you for the privilege of sharing this ministry together. Please know that Cinda and I will always hold each of you in our heart and prayers, and we wish you Godspeed in your journey to find a new pastor. Zion s choir captured the blessedness we felt in their parting song, which was John Rutter s version of May the Lord Bless and Keep You. May the Lord bless you and keep you, May the Lord make His face to shine upon you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen. In Peace, Chris and Cinda Noffke