June 2008 Newsletter

Calling all parents

VBS Beach Party  

Surfin’ Through the Scriptures

Is it on your family To-Do List this summer?

Dates: July 20-24, Sunday to Thursday, 6 to 8 p.m.

Sunday morning kick off at 9:30 worship

Light supper provided at 5:30 Monday-Thursday

Each family will receive a beach ball and a Computer CD-rom

Daily Offering: Wells for our sister churches in Liberia
        One well for $1,500 will serve 1,000 people

The success of this program depends on a great volunteer staff to provide a safe environment for the children, a learning experience, fun, food, and fellowship for all. Men and women and youth helpers are all needed. For information contact Danna Segrest


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Graduation Sunday

On Sunday, June 1 we celebrated and recognized our 2008 graduates.

 High School: 

College or other special degrees:

Christian Believers: 
Lay Speakers:

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North Lake United Methodist Church

Gigantic Rummage Sale
Three Days Only
Thursday, June 12, 9:00AM to 6:00 PM
Friday, June 13, 9:00AM to 6:00 PM
Saturday, June 14, 9:00AM to 2:00 PM

Rummage Sale Info:

Donations accepted Monday & Tuesday 9am-5pm.

Questions-Diane Tandy 475-8880

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SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE

One Worship Service at 9:30 a.m.
Memorial Day - Labor Day (May 25 – Sept. 7)


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THE DETROIT ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Annual Conference Supports Covenant Churches (May 16-18, 2008)

Conference churches donated over $52,000 for their covenant churches in Liberia and Haiti; churches also filled two containers – one 40-ft and one 20-ft with school, health, sewing, and layette kits and other supplies for their partner churches. Other donated funds purchased 50 medicine boxes through UMCOR. Each box cares for 3,000 people.

Also, a spontaneous offering for the Nothing But Nets campaign collected over $7,000. As a conference noted for its mission giving, members also collected over 13,000 pairs of "seatcovers" – new underwear – for children and youth being served by churches and community agencies.

Thank you: North Lake Church contributed to these projects by contributing one tub of 16 health kits from donations to the Easter egg project<, and $173.65 for the covenant offering.  Our "seatcovers" were taken to Stockbridge Outreach earlier this year.

Pastor Alice

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Thank you…

What a blessing you are to the vital work of the church’s mission. Your generosity and personal response to the Nothing but Nets campaign has and continues to make life sustaining changes in lives of our global neighbors, especially in the lives of children & women on the continent of Africa.

The total gifts received through the campaign are in excess of 19 million dollars, with more than 3 million dollars of this total came from individual contributions from United Methodists. Just $10 is the cost of a net. Your gift has combined with others to provide more than 720,000 nets. It is impossible to imagine how many lives have been saved…
 
Lynda R. Byrd, General Board of Global Ministries

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Of Cabbages and Kings
June 2008
Bigger Barns

 Who is your God? Our culture has confused us; acquiring has replaced enjoying. We think we find life in acquiring gifts from God rather than enjoying the presence of God. Jesus called it the bigger barn syndrome. We need to be able to enjoy the nice things that God gives us, but the gifts must not become rival gods who begin to drain life’s energy from us.

I sometimes wonder whether the term “capitalism” is a nice way of saying a “greedy economy.” Buy, Buy, Buy and if we don’t have the cash put the purchase on the credit card. We want a bigger house, so we are talked into buying a mortgage which we can’t afford unless both parents are working full time. We are all familiar with the story; but when will it end?

Today’s culture feeds our passion to possess. It’s the oppression of racing into a new millennium. But Jesus came to set free the oppressed, and that includes showing us values that lead to a simple focused living. Acquiring has replaced enjoying. We are confused what life is all about. Life with Jesus offers a clear alternative. A lot of us follow a Jesus of our imagination, but when we encounter the resurrected Christ, the relationship changes the way we live. It alters the way we view possessions.

Jesus said: “…For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing…” (Luke 12:23). Also; “Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out…..For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. (Luke 12: 33-34). We need to be able to enjoy the nice things that our God gives us, but these gifts can become rival gods who begin to drain life from us. We begin to treasure the material gifts that we have acquired and loose our focus on the teachings of Jesus the Christ.

We devote the best hours of each day and the best years of our lives to a focused pursuit in acquiring the gifts of God. In reality, our longing is not for the gifts of God. It’s for a relationship with God. Something that cannot be met with food, television, sex, work, or shopping, no matter how many bigger houses and storage barns we build.

HOW BIG IS YOUR BARN?
Shalom: Gordon Knight Co-lay leader                                     Excerpts from: Real Followers by Michael Slaughter

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Thank You

~**~**~
Dear Friends at North Lake UMC,

Thank you all for opening your Bible study and church home to Darrel and me this year. Your friendship and the shared study times have been a huge blessing to us.

Recently, God saw fit to send some financial blessing our way. We wanted to share with you – thus the enclosed check. We are grateful for His blessings through all of you! Have a great summer!

In His Service, Darrel and Sherry Smith

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Thanks to: Joan Meads & Gerry Blaess who made prayer shawls for our ministry.

~**~**~
Thank you for the food that was provided for the Terry Ferris memorial on Saturday, May 24, 2008. Also, thank you for the kindness and welcome that you all extended to Terry each time he visited North Lake for worship over the last couple of years.
Sincerely, Sandy Eisele


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Baptism

Lucas Brekke

On Mother’s Day,  May 11, Lucas David Brekke was baptized.

He is the son of Christopher and Kristen Brekke. 

Proud grandparents are Nancy & David McKinnon.and Godparents are Carrie and Ray Muterspaugh. 






Baby Shower invitation - June 7
Carrie(Stubbs) Muterspaugh is having a baby in late July (baby Audrey).  Her Chelsea friends are having a baby shower for her in our fellowship hall on June 7, 2008 at noon.  We would like to extend an invitation to any of the women of the church who would like to attend.  Please respond to her mom, Sandy Eisele, if you plan to attend.


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Our Sympathy

To the family and friends of Mildred Knisely, who passed away on May 26. Her funeral was at North Lake Church on Friday, May 30. She is survived by Holton, and children Lorna & Jim Eberts, David & Jan Knisely, Eric & Beth Ann Knisely, and Beth Emilie & Mike Folts. Memorials can be made to North Lake Church.



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Upcoming Events…
Mark your calendar for these summer events
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Worship Committee News

FAMILY CHOIR

Beginning June 8
Have you always wanted to join the choir but the rehearsal schedule did not work for you?
Do you like to sing but don’t read music?
Do you have some time before church starts and need something to do?

If so, join us for Family Choir beginning on June 8 at 9:00 am in the sanctuary.

This month’s songs:
June 8 – El Shaddai
June 15 – I Will Call Upon the Lord
June 22 – Amazing Grace
June 29 – Hear O Lord An Answer


Share your talents this summer
We are looking for people to play an instrument, sing a song, or perform a dance each Sunday this summer during the offertory. A sign-up sheet is available in Fellowship Hall for you to share your talents a Sunday or two.

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CHARITY NAVIGATOR GIVES UMCOR FOUR-STAR RATING
 
Charity Navigator, America's premier charity evaluator and the nation's largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities, has awarded UMCOR a coveted four-star rating for sound fiscal management. The four-star "exceptional" designation is Charity Navigator's highest rating awarded to select not-for-profit organizations that exceed industry standards and outperform most charities in its cause.

"This prestigious honor recognizes our transparency and sound financial accountability and promotes the trust our donors have in the work we do," said the Rev. Sam Dixon, UMCOR's chief executive. "Now future donors will have greater confidence when they choose to give through UMCOR."
 
This commendation says that UMCOR outperforms the majority of nonprofits in America with respect to fiscal responsibility. Charity Navigator works to guide intelligent giving and helps supporters make informed giving decisions by providing data about more than 5,000 charities and evaluating the financial health of each.

Presently UMCOR is receiving donations for:

US: TORNADOES CAUSE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE ACROSS MIDWEST
 
Powerful thunderstorms and tornadoes swept through the midsection of the U.S. on Sunday June 1,  killing at least seven people. Hardest hit were the towns of Parkersburg and neighboring New Hartsford in Central Iowa.
 
According to a letter from Bishop Gregory Palmer, "destruction in Parkersburg, a community of nearly 2000 residents, is widespread. Some 400 homes were damaged with 200 being destroyed. City hall, the high school and twenty-one businesses are destroyed.” while the Parkersburg United Methodist parsonage and everything inside are completely destroyed, Rev. Betsy Piette reports that the church is still standing with minimal damage. She states, "the amazing thing is that the crosses still stand on the church; when people come into town that's what they see!"
 
Help the affected areas with your gifts to Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance # 901670.   And please continue to pray for all survivors in the US.
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United Methodist Women
Upcoming Events:

June 12-14 Rummage Sale
June 21      8:00 a.m. Kitchen cleaning before UMW meeting
July 21-24  5 – 8 p.m. Vacation Bible School
Aug 2         Chicken BBQ & Corn Roast
Aug 7         UMW trip to Amish county in Indiana

Carol Gorham, president

~**~**~

Spring Tea

This year we had 34 Ladies, 7 children, and 2 men at the Spring Tea. I cannot thank everyone enough for the support for Ann Arbor Safe House and the outstanding job the puppeteers did. The food was delicious and beautifully served, and the decorations were gorgeous. Thanks to everyone.


Carol Gorham, president

~**~**~


Thanks…On behalf of all the survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault that your generosity will help, thank you for inviting me to speak on May 3rd and for the very generous donations of gift cards, household objects, monetary gifts and baby items. SafeHouse Center provides services to all survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Washtenaw County. These include emergency shelter, counseling, information and referrals and a 24 hour response team. Thanks for ensuring the needs of the survivors are met…I enjoyed my time with you so much.

Thanks!

Juliane LeDuc, SafeHouse speaker bureau

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Education

June 22 through August 3 we will learn about Abraham and Sarah. Join us

Child care and/or Children's Church will be provided all summer.



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Puppet Team

A special performance of Stand Firm will be presented by the Puppet Team June 4th at Chelsea Retirement Community, in the basement theater.
This is the same play that was presented at the Spring Tea and was a big hit with everyone. You are invited to attend and support our puppeteers.

 **~**~**~**~
Adult Sunday School, Summer Style

3 Simple Rules

 June 17, 24 and July 1, 8, 15
THREE SIMPLE RULES, by Rueben P. Job

A new book that gave the 2008 General Conference momentum.

 John Wesley created a set of General Rules that all Methodist Christians need to keep living a holy life.  This book promises a way of living to change your world. These "Three Simple Rules" can be easily understood and practiced by everyone every day of their lives. The rules are simple, but the way is not easy. Only those with great courage will attempt it, and only those with great faith will be able to walk this exciting and demanding way.  Bishop Job believes many Christians are ready to make that high and holy choice today.

Join us to study this book this summer.  It is a little book, less than a hundred pages.  There are fives sessions:

Cost of book is $5.00.  Please sign up today. We would like to meet in homes – could you volunteer for one evening? - the only requirement is a DVD player attached to your TV.


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 Christian Believers Class 2008

Christian Believers 2008


These 12 students recently completed a 30 week Disciple Bible study.
Front row left to right: Ann Beyer, Alice Sheffield, Pat Knight, Danna Segrest
Middle Row: Sheryl Smith, Sandy Eisele, Gordon Knight, Darrel Smith, David Knisely
Back Row: Diane Tandy, Carol Gorham, Cheryl Green

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Camp News
North Lake Campers:
Nathan & Jonathan Obenchain
Austin & Shelby Collier
Paul Heck
Russell & Larissa James-LaBranche  
Guest Campers:
Garrett Liveronis
Faith Olberg.   

Nathan and Garrett are going to Camp Kinawind, Dunes Survivor, July 6-12
Jonathan, Austin, and Paul are at Judson Collins, Reality Tee-Pee, July 13-18
Russell is going to Judson Collins, Sampler Camp, July 13-18 
Shelby, Larissa, and Faith are going to Judson Collins, Mini Camp, July 13-15 

                     Barbara Obenchain

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Christian Believer
Christian Believer. Oh, what a snap.
I’ve been one most of my life!
I’ll breeze through the lesson quickly each day
Without any struggle or strife.

Lesson one. My, what is this?
A study of dogma and creeds?
Theos and logos? St. Augustine?
Are these things a believer needs?

Lesson three: Scripture. Ah good.
I know the Bible well.
The Council of Trent? Artaxerses?
These words don’t ring a bell.

At midpoint now. The lesson is Lord.
The study is intense, even deep.
But easy to follow and comprehend
If the daily plan I keep.

I’ve come to the end of the study.
As a believer, did I grow?
I’ve studied the Bible and readings
And I’ve learned what I DON’T know.

This red book will now be a reference
As the material I spiritually chew,
And, yes, I suppose that by fall
I’ll be ready for Believer II.

                David Knisely May 2008

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Membership Care and Outreach

Happy Feet Ministry
New socks for the children living in Methodist Children's Home in Detroit These will be collected during May.
Each pair will have the Bible verse Romans 10:15 attached which says:  "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news"

                      Jo Page, chairperson

Membership Care & Outreach collection in June

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NEW ROOF FOR FELLOWSHIP HALL

 June 16-21
The week of June 16 – 21 we will be stripping and re-roofing the hall.
Volunteers are needed to do this work. John Ridley plans to be here all week. We have a job for everyone. Not everyone has to be on the roof — be a go-fer, a picker-upper, provide some snacks, etc., etc. We could also use tools and wheel barrows. Let us know how you can help.

Joe Kummer, John Ridley.


THANK YOU– some 28 people participated in the Spring Clean-Up on May 10th.
We appreciated the nice breakfast provided by the Men’s group. Our grounds show a great improvement. Please feel free to come and weed, water, and spruce us up anytime. Many hands make the work lighter. Bring the family and spend a while helping out.

Thanks to John Ridley for working on the lawn tractor and getting it on the green again.

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WORSHIP
Part 4 of a four part series

In a great many Protestant congregations, there are four movements of worship:

In this month’s newsletter, the fourth and final movement is more fully described.

SENDING FORTH
The final movement in the worship service takes us from gathered assembly back to our daily lives. When well planned, the final moments of worship help us make the transition back to the tasks of work and family and service by collecting all that has taken place in worship and affirming the importance of what is to come. In some traditions, the end of worship is also the time of announcements of events and concerns in congregational life. Making announcements at this time makes sense, because these announcements turn our thoughts to the tasks of shared life and ministry that go on outside worship.

Final Hymn
The last hymn is often rousing and inspiring, reminding people of God’s love and desire for a world of faith, justice, and peace, calling them to action on God’s behalf.

Benediction
The benediction is a blessing offered to all. It is appropriate for the congregation to respond to a benediction spoken by one person with at least an Amen. Other brief responses would also be appropriate.

Dismissal
Tradition offers us a biblical dismissal in the song of Simeon, the Nunc Dimittis. This dismissal is sung or spoken in some congregations or on specific occasions. In others, the minister may dismiss the assembly with such words as “Go in peace, serve the Lord”. These may be simply the final words of benediction rather than identified as a separate act of worship.

Postlude
In most settings, a postlude or other music is played after the benediction. A reprise of the last hymn or a brief fanfare that keeps people on their feet usually works. Whatever kind of postlude is planned, the idea is to maintain the overall flow of the service so that the assembly moves out into the world transformed and blessed and strengthened for all that lies ahead.
                                                Taken from The Work of the People by Marlea Gilbert. The elements in The Sending Forth also follow the United Methodist Book of Worship.

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This Is My Father’s World
 
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: he shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!
                                                Maltbie D. Babcock 1901

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 Together we can make a Difference

Raise money for North Lake UMC!
Together we can work to make a difference in our church. It's easy, just save UPC barcodes for cash. When we receive the checks, the church is free to spend the money any way we want.

Save Our Family UPC barcodes.... It's that easy!

Just save the barcodes from Our Family products (at both Country Market and Polly's Stores). Your church earns $25.00 in cash for each bundle of 500 UPC barcodes sent to us. There is a container in the Grange Hall. Thanks!

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E-mail Addresses
wanted for:
Send your email address to church email address.

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The Official Church Calendar is on the office wall.

Each committee is responsible for recording all dates of meetings and events.
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Wanted: Church Keys

If you have a church key that you no longer use, please return it so it can be given to current church officers and teachers

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PRAYER CHAIN
Many of our church families participate in the North Lake Prayer Chain. The Chain goes into action when there is a need for prayer. Bob Burrows is the Chair of the Prayer Chain. Calls go to him, and from that six calls are made to activate the chain in six directions.

The prayer chain is a good way to be involved in prayer ministry. If you are not a part of the Prayer Chain, we invite you to sign up today. If for any reason you no longer wish to be a part of the chain, you may ask to be removed from your obligation to it. For more information, contact Bob Burrows.
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E-Mail Prayer Chain!
What a wonderful way to extend our prayer ministry. If you are interested in receiving prayer requests and joys by e-mail so you can be a part of a vital ministry, please let Pastor Alice know. You can e-mail her at: pastor's email

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The church's email address: contact@northlakeumc.org.
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The Sunday School hour is the most wasted hour of the week -- for the people who aren't there.
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