May 2008 Newsletter

Festival of the Christian Home
Sunday, May 11
Let's celebrate the Christian family and all attend worship on Mother's Day.

I have been watching television and I saw a 17 year old convicted of a heinous murder. I watched as a gang of young girls beat-up their former friend and video taped their actions. Children and youth have so much to deal with today. They see violence on television, and participate in it in their video and computer games, and become numb to love and compassion.

Isn't the church where we should come as a family to leave the world's violence behind and find peace and tranquility of heart? What do you do as a "family"? If we follow God's commandments, we go to church. We worship. We pray. Church is different. But, we work hard at making it safe for all of God's children.

On May 11, we will celebrate the baptism of Lucas David, son of Chris and Kristen Brekke, and grandson of David and Nancy McKinnon.

On May 18, we will honor Bette Roth for her many years of service in the music program and worship committee. Bette is retiring and moving south.

 **~**~**~**~

WELCOME HOME SNOWBIRDS!

On Sunday  the 13th of April, we once again saw snow, but spring is in the air. This week the days are beautiful and the trees are beginning to burst forth their beauty. The bluebird at my window is trying to decide if they will nest here again this year. Her mate in the tree waits the decision. Oh, the miracles of spring.

One of spring’s blessings is the return of our friends and neighbors who leave Michigan for the winter. Bob Eisele has already returned. David and Janet Knisely and John and Nancy Tandy are in the car and on the road, as I write this article. Not sure about the Robinson’s, but they too will be back.

And so together, let us welcome our friends home. Let them know they have been missed and we love to have them back in our midst.

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Pastor’s Page

I’LL BE YOUR SERVER!
Together we serve, united by love, inviting God’s world to the glorious feast.
We work and we pray through sorrow and joy, extending your love to the last and the least.

We welcome the scarred, the wealthy, the poor, the busy, the lonely, And all who need care.
We offer a home to those who will come, Our hands quick to help, our hearts ready to dare.

Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong.
Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
Daniel Charles Damon

Once again, I return home from having a meal at a restaurant. I noticed again how pleasant the wait staff is, letting me know they are there to serve me.  This is what you may hear them say: "Hi, my name is Raylene, and I’ll be taking care of you". To which you may think to yourself, "Raylene is going to take care of us. Isn’t that fabulous?"
 
What would happen if a stranger walked into our church and one of our members came up to him or her and said, "Hi, my name is '…Christian'  and I’ll be taking care of you today." Wow!

Couldn’t we just say that to each other once in a while? Hey---I’m here to serve you. I’ll be your server today. I’m gonna take care of you today.

In John’s gospel (13:12-17) Jesus washed the disciples' feet, then he tells them: "So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them."

 Pastor Alice

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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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BETTE ROTH

Bette RothAs many snowbirds return from warm climates, Bette Roth heads for South Carolina. She is retiring from her long-time executive secretarial position in Ann Arbor. Bette was part of our church and music program many years ago. Some of our first choir parties were held at the Roth home at Half Moon Lake.

After Bette and husband, Ron, moved to the Brighton area, she was active in a church in Hartland where she became part of a singing group which has blessed our congregation on various occasions.

A few years ago the Roths moved to Pinckney and Bette returned to our church. She again became an integral part of different activities where she took advantage of her secretarial and shorthand expertise. She has been a member and a leader of various groups; she has helped strengthen our Worship Committee.

We all are aware of her musical talent. Not only does she have a lovely alto voice that blends into inspirational duets and other choral pieces, but her powerful solos bring smiles to our faces and also spirit-filled tears to our eyes.

Bette's husband retired a few years ago and is caring for their new home in South Carolina. (Did you wonder where Bette disappeared to on some Sundays? She has been collecting frequent travel miles!) She is about to join Ron, but don't expect to find them at home; warm weather and golf courses beckon.

Yes, we are losing an active church member, but what we will miss most is Bette's friendliness, graciousness and kindness. Her friendship will stay with us. We are blessed!  

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THE DETROIT ANNUAL CONFERENCE
 
May 16-18, 2008 Held at Adrian College

Once again Pastor Alice and Annette Weeks will journey to Adrian to represent North Lake Church at Annual Conference.

We ask that you keep our Bishop and the United Methodist Church in prayer as we strive to be faithful to Christ’s call on our lives.

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SPECIAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Results of vote to make one Michigan conference
From the Michigan Christian Advocate we quote:

Proposed new Great Lakes Conference...
Detroit says 'yes,' West Michigan votes 'no'
Updated 4/7  By Ann Whiting  Advocate editor

Michigan United Methodists will not be joining together in one new conference in 2009. After discussion and debate April 5 at the Lansing Center, Detroit Conference members approved the proposed merger; West Michigan Conference members defeated it by13 votes.

The vote on the Plan of Organization for the Great Lakes Conference was as follows:

According to the United Methodist Book of Discipline and rules for the special session, each conference, voting separately, had to adopt the Plan of Organization for the merger to take effect.

Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) co-chair Paul Thomas told the Advocate: "We were asked to serve and put a plan together to bring to this special session and we did just that. I hope the conferences will realize that change is upon us and realize we need to move forward." He said MATT’s work is done and that team has been disbanded.

Opposition from West Michigan appeared to center around portions of the Plan of Organization, not resistance to becoming one conference. Two major sticking points for those who spoke against the plan, both at the special session, and a "holy conferencing" session the night before the vote at East Lansing: University UMC, were lack of inclusive representation on boards and agencies in favor of so called "functional" agencies; loss of conference ministry consultants who worked directly with local churches; and decreased financial support for camping, campus ministry and missions in general.


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Of Cabbages and Kings
May 2008
Are You a Disciple?

A disciple of Jesus the Christ prays! "In spite of our claims of faith and trust in God, we rely on ourselves -- and ourselves alone --  to provide the strength and understanding to make our lives work as we believe they should."

Oh boy, here he goes again telling us we've got to get down on our knees and pray if we want to achieve eternal life.  

Brothers and Sisters in Christ that is not the message.

Communion with God is the Essence of the Christian Life and the Christian Community. "Now I lay me down to sleep and pray the Lord my soul to keep…." is not what we have in mind. A disciple prays, not because of trouble but because of a desire to be in communion with God. Many of us read the Bible, perhaps even study it, because we believe that it is a superb piece of literature. A disciple however, reads the Bible out of their love for the Lord from whom the Word has come. Now here is the interesting part.

The disciple looks upon attendance at church as being as necessary as attendance at work. The motivation is simple: The place of worship is a special, ordained place where we meet with God, and a disciple should know it is important that we meet regularly with God in the community of God. Jesus said: "When ever two or more meet in my name I will be with you". In closing I would like to leave this thought with you:.

I talk with my Father in the evening, As I stand at the end of the day.
I ask Him to forgive the way I sometimes live: The things I do and say.

I talk with my Father in the evening, And I open my soul to His ears.
I tell Him of my dreams, my problems, my schemes And I know that my Father always hears.

He speaks to me in quiet tones of truth and love so grand.
I feel joy I’ve never known as we stand hand in hand.

I talk with my Father in the evening, And believe the things He has to say.
When He tells me of the love and joy above, And I know I’ll be with Him there some day.

May God walk with you on your life’s journey.

Shalom: Gordon Knight
             Co-Lay Leader


Excerpts from Christian Believer and Dr. R.C.Cheatham (a retired clergy of Detroit Annual Conference)
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Thank You

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your recent donation to Outreach. Your assistance all year 'round is very much appreciated and a real blessing.
                       Sincerely, Evelyn Kay and Stockbridge Community Outreach

~**~**~

Dear North Lake Women,

Thanks so much for the donations you sent to Faith In Action.
Jim & I really enjoyed the Valentine’s Day dinner and the chance to visit with all of you. Your contribution toward helping needy local families is greatly appreciated and we thank you for your help with the mission.

                         Sincerely, Nancy Paul

~**~**~
To All of you at North Lake UMC,

Thank you for the beautiful and blessed shawl and for Pastor Alice's visits and concern. Your thoughts and prayers mean so much to me. I am indeed grateful to each of you.

                        Mary Baize


~**~**~
To Sandy Eisele for donation of Terry Ferris’ wheel chair to the church.


~**~**~
Dear Friends,

The Baldwin Center is grateful to you for the generous donation of one hundred thirty dollars ($130.00) thru the General Board of Global Ministries. Thank you, your interest and support in what the Baldwin Center stands for has helped our many neighbors in need.

                          Cara Rayner, executive director


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Found Money?

The federal government has decreed that each person who files a 2007 I.R.S. income tax form will receive a cheque up to the maximum of $600 per person.

For some of us this is FOUND MONEY, money that was not expected.

The Building Finance Committee and the Church Council would like you to prayerfully consider donating this FOUND MONEY to the North Lake Church Building Fund.

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Our Sympathy

To the Eisele and Stubbs family on the death of their cousin Terry Ferris. His memorial service will be at 10:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary on May 24th.

To Merritt and Arlene Honbaum on the death of their dear friend and neighbor, Dale Bailey on April 25.

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Summer Worship Schedule

Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend One Worship Service at 9:30 a.m.

At the March Church Council meeting it was decided that we will again return to one worship service for the summer months.

Last year's time of 9:30 a.m. proved to provide families the opportunity to come and worship before getting out and doing other family activities.

(Please check the Education News to see how the Sunday school program will be scheduled this summer.)

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Worship Committee News

 Special Music in May

May 4   The Prayer – performed by Bette Roth and Dawn Brennan
             Hope of the World with Danna Segrest and Dianne Smith

May 11 Pentecost Spirit of God Descend Upon My Heart – Handbell Choir
            Fill Me with Your Presence Lord – Choir

May 18 Bette Roth sings My Life / We Never Meet Again

May 25 On Eagle’s Wings

Coming in June! Family Choir – check the June newsletter for additional details.

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What's Going on With the Property Next Door?

The building finance committee has held several meetings since the beginning of the year. Our focus has been on the "French Property" adjacent to the church property( immediately to the east of the church). The committee felt that it was important to keep the entire congregation in the loop on what is happening so here is a summary of our activity so far.

The French Property was listed on the real estate Multiple Listing Service, (MLS) last summer with an asking price of $150K. Approximately one month later the church contacted the homeowners and the realtor through an attorney to make sure they were aware of the church's legally binding right of first refusal if any offers were made to purchase the property. Shortly after the attorney's letter was sent out the property was taken off the market.
 
In January the building finance committee began investigating the potential for the church to make an offer to purchase the property. Once again, shortly after the committee's January meeting the property appeared on a MLS listed by the same realtor at the same price as before. The building finance committee sought advice from an attorney and began formulating a plan to make an offer on the property.
 
On 4/22/08 we received information that the property was taken off the market for a second time. Needless to say we are a bit confused by these actions but not discouraged. The committee has discussed the details of our investigations and activities with the Church Council and has also clarified the availability of liquid church funds if we were to proceed with an offer anytime soon.
Before any offer can be made the church must submit a plan to the District Board of Church Building and Location for approval. We feel like this approval would be easy to obtain because the board is already familiar with our church through our feasibility study activities last year. In fact members of the board have encouraged us to pursue the purchase of the French Property.

Of course the North Lake Congregation also has final approval authority for a purchase by means of a special charge conference if or when that time comes. For now the committee and our church needs your prayers.

I would also especially like to ask you to pray for the Erskine and Shaw families who currently reside in the house next door.

As you meditate I invite you to listen to what God is calling us to do here at North Lake for it is in Him that all things are possible.

Peace Be With You,
     Mark Obenchain, Building Finance Committee

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United Methodist Men

Church Clean Up day, May 10
8:00 a.m. Clean Up begins
9:00 a.m. Breakfast served by the men’s group

We are beginning at 8:00 a.m. then a full Irish breakfast at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall, then everyone is invited to continue with spring clean up of the church property.

Bring work clothes! Garden tools, rakes, and wheel barrows would be greatly appreciated.

Make this a family event.

Gordon Knight

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United Methodist Women
Upcoming Events:

May 10      9:00 a.m. Full Irish Breakfast & Spring clean up
June 1        Graduation Sunday – honoring all Graduates
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


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Education

C.O.O.L. J Sunday school

9:00 a.m. Sunday Mornings
The Spring rotation 3000 More runs to June 1st.
May 25 begins one 9:30 a.m. service for the summer. Everyone goes to church first, then come over for King's Café and Bells.

**~**~**~**~
Puppet Team

Practice schedule: Wednesday, May 14 & 28, 6:00-7:15 p.m.
A special performance of Stand Firm will be presented by the Puppet Team at the UMW Spring Tea on May 3rd.

They will also be performing June 4th at Chelsea Retirement Community.

 **~**~**~**~
Adult Sunday School  
The Gospel According to Peanuts continues at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  No reading or homework – just come and share.
 
**~**~**~**~
Graduation Sunday, June 1st 
We are looking for graduates (high school, college, trade schools) so we can honor you on June 1st. Contact Danna Segrest or the Church Office

 **~**~**~**~

Our preschool class in C.O.O.L.J.
                       Sunday School Class
 is taking right off. We have 4-8 children every Sunday. Come join the fun! Danna Segrest

**~**~**~**~
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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First Quarter 2008 Financial Highlights  

It’s spring? Right?……Right. 
Winter is behind us and so is the 1st quarter of 2008.

Financially, we survived the winter months and are currently at a break-even point – meaning all the bills are paid but cash in the bank is low. 
The total offerings fell short $2,000 from our expenses.  This difference was made up by the operating funds left from 2007. 
Your continued faithful financial support is needed this spring. Our Easter offerings were used to catch-up on our Apportionments.  

Other special offerings are listed below:
 Easter Offerings $1,210.00
           Apportionments  31% YTDpaid

Nothing But Nets
Dec Noisy Offering $135.00
Scrapbook Event $282.00

One Great Hour of Sharing $299.00

Haiti/Liberia Covenant Offering
Mar Noisy Offering $153.65

Egg Supper – report
Proceeds    $ 1,190.58
Expenses         -685.68
Gains          $    504.90

Donations    $ +203.33
MCO          $ +108.31
Total Funds  $  816.54

Camperships Awarded (so far) $600.00
Denise Schuh
Treasurer@NorthLakeUMC.org

We now have 7 families participating in electronic giving to the general church operating budget, building fund and French property fund. If you are interested using this giving method, please see Sharon or Denise for an authorization form.


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Membership Care and Outreach

May is a month of renewal, hope (for no more snow) and a great lifting of spirits: in other words be happy. 

So in celebration of spring and our great joy that it is finally here MCO is kicking off our:
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"

On April 28 we met to assemble the Liberian heath kits. Thanks for your support, 16 kits were assembled and are ready to take to Annual Conference in Adrian.

We had a great time at the Fire Up for Missions banquet. Eight of us attended and much was learned. That same evening Marilyn & Dave Jachalke went to the Liberia task force meeting in Okemos.

                      Jo Page, chairperson

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A big Thank You for our Bell Choir!
                          North Lake Bell Choir 
                                                                                                 (Seen here March 30)

The members and their leader Dawn Brennan are doing a wonderful job learning these big brass bells. A special thank you to everyone who donated for them and the equipment. I hope you have been able to hear them play, it is a real joy.

Next performance will be May 11 Spirit of God Descend Upon My Heart

See you there, Danna Segrest

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WORSHIP

Part 3 of a four part series

In a great many Protestant congregations, there are four movements of worship:
Gathering
Sharing the Word
Responding in Thanksgiving
Sending Forth

RESPONDING IN THANKSGIVING
After these acts of worship, we move naturally toward enacting our role as hearers of the word by joining in thanksgiving and in prayer for the world. We move toward being not only hearers but also doers of the word. The responses to scripture allow us to respond and absorb the message. Communion takes this response further; it enacts and embodies our commitment through physical action.

Prayers of the People
After the sermon is over, a pastoral prayer may be the conclusion to the sermon and may be followed by a hymn and the offering. At this point, we begin responding to God’s call to incarnate the good news in our own flesh. We often begin by praying as people of God on behalf of the world. Prayers that are truly of the people encourage us all to participate; to bring our own cares and joys along with the cares of the world, to open ourselves to God’s unmediated presence, and to enter into the constant, universal prayer of the community of saints. Congregational responses during intercessory prayer may help to give us all an active role. Spaces can also be created within the prayer for people to offer their own prayers aloud.

Holy Communion
After praying for the world, the minister may move to the table to begin the rite of communion. In most cases, some preparation will be needed. In some settings, elements are present but covered and must be uncovered and cloths laid aside. When bread and wine are brought forward, they are placed on the table. Other traditions include a hand-washing ritual at this point, with a bowl of water and towels used by all servers before moving to the table and handling bread or cup. When the bread and cup are brought to the table by members of the congregation, we can see clearly that the meal belongs to all of us as a group table. Many congregations now invite servers and assisting ministers to stand around the table during the communion prayer as community representatives.

Invitation
With the words of invitation, the service of communion begins. The invitation is the first act of worship that is directly part of the communion liturgy. Whether a brief sentence or a longer statement, it invites people to come to the table of Christ. In many congregations, this statement is worded to help people decide whether to participate in the sacrament (i.e. table is open to all). In some orders of worship, the invitation precedes a prayer of confession, the pardon, and passing of the peace and the offering.

The Great Thanksgiving
With the beginning of the Great Thanksgiving prayer, we enter the main body of the Eucharist. Most of our communion prayers follow a similar structure. In some prayers, the response to this portion is the acclamation – Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. The prayer continues with the story of Jesus and the first communion meal and with a petition to the Holy Spirit to bless the assembly and the prepared bread and wine so that it may transform our lives to one people led by Christ. The people may respond with a rousing Amen. In many communities, it is common for those who are able to stand for the majority of the prayer. These might adopt the ancient orans posture, standing with eyes and arms open and palms up. The minister may raise or extend the arms during the blessing of the elements; then the people might extend their arms as well. Such physical participation may feel awkward at first, but if such actions are chosen and explained with care, they are likely to increase our sense that we are all doing this together. The Lord’s Prayer is included after the Great Thanksgiving.

Sharing of the Elements
After the prayer, we move to share the food with each other.

Final Thanksgiving
Finally, when we have made sure that everyone who desires to be fed has partaken, and, in some congregations after an Agnus Dei has been sung, we join in a prayer of thanks for the meal we have shared. This prayer provides us with one more opportunity to address God together. It also helps us begin to move from worship to the world, from our labor alongside God in worship to our labor with God in all times and places. Again, a unison prayer makes sense, for we need no intermediary. Or it may be a responsive prayer, full of excitement and joy that is fitting for the great celebration of God’s gift of love we have enjoyed
Taken from The Work of the People by Marlea Gilbert. The elements in the Sharing the Word also follow the United Methodist Book of Worship.

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How To Sleep Through a Sermon
Certainly no preacher has such oratorical skills that they don’t put some people to sleep, at least once in a while. I know it's really difficult for farmers who have been out doing chores in the fresh air, and then come into a nice warm church building. It's so easy to just fall asleep. Well, from one of my clergy magazines this advice is given as to how to sleep through a sermon without the preacher noticing.
 
1. Never fall asleep flat on the pew. To keep this from happening, sit in a crowded pew where shoulder to shoulder you are propped up. Read the story in Acts 20:9 where Eutychus fell asleep in a window ledge while Paul was preaching. He toppled three stories to the ground below. He was dead. But, fortunately, Paul was there to intervene and restored him to life. Trust me, your preacher is no Apostle Paul.

2. Just power nap. If you fall into a deep sleep your sleep apnea might kick in, and that would be embarrassing. Better to just go half-asleep. It helps to use a Bible to prop your chin up. You can close your eyes, as long as the Bible is in view because the preacher will think you are praying. If you only power nap, you will still be alert enough if the pastor asks you to pronounce the benediction.

3. Have a friend be a watcher. Sit with someone who understands your plight. Usually that’s not your spouse. Someone who will nudge you if the preacher seems to be looking in your direction. Make sure that Bible is on your lap, and your friend knows to rouse you so you can say an "amen".

4. Don't sit in the back pew. That’s the first place preachers look for sermon slackers (or the balcony). If you sit in the front or second row, you probably won't even be noticed. The preacher will look right over you.

5. Don't sleep through the entire sermon. After all, the preacher and God have been working all week to give you something the Lord wants you to hear. And then too, if you can be awake for some of the sermon, as you are leaving and shaking the pastor’s hand, you can say, "Wonderful sermon, Reverend! I especially enjoyed the part about……"
 
Well, we all know that no one sleeps in North Lake pews, but thought you would enjoy the humor from an article by Timothy Merrill.

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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.
-- --- -- --

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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