November 2007 Newsletter

Fall Worship Schedule

Two Services: 9:00 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.

Sunday School (Adult, Youth, and Children) at 9 am

Fellowship between services

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ALL SAINTS’ SUNDAY
November 4, 2007

Hark! The sound of holy voices, chanting at the crystal sea,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Lord, to thee!
Multitude which none can number like the stars in glory stands,
Clothed in white apparel, holding palms of victory in their hands.

                                                                Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885)

Once again on Sunday, November 4, we will gather to worship and remember our loved ones who have died. We invite you to bring a white candle in a holder and place it on the altar. Someone will be there to assist you and will light the candle for our service.

During the service we will speak the names of those whom you wish to remember and we will ring the bell.

During the service we will also be dedicating the memorial gifts given this year in memory of those who have died since November, 2006. Also, we will dedicate the handicap ramp that was built by Alan Dalton.

In particular we will dedicate the Brass Bells. Even though we have had the bells less than a month, the bell choir will be giving its first performance at the 10:45 service.

 In His Service, Pastor Alice

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Of Cabbages and Kings          November 2007

DISCIPLINE = DISCIPLE

Discipline is a nasty word; it falls into the same category as stewardship. No one wants to talk about discipline or stewardship because it may mean that we may have to change our life style or maybe give up some of our things or our freedom.

During my travels these last four or five weeks I have had the opportunity to read a very interesting book titled Why I Am a United Methodist by William H Willimon. When flying at 40,000 feet the environment prompts one to either read or sleep, I choose to read.

Toward the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus gives his disciples their marching orders. He tells them to: “Go therefore and make disciples of All nations”. (Matt. 28:19,20). Just in case anyone thought that following Jesus was something that comes naturally, a matter of nice people gradually becoming nicer, Jesus settles all that in this Great Commission. DISCIPLES ARE NOT BORN. WE HAVE TO MAKE DISCIPLES. From all that we know of Jesus and his demands upon us, being a disciple of his is a good deal more demanding than completing a pledge card (stewardship) and the right hand of fellowship. Discipleship requires a lifetime of commitment, trial and error, struggle, correction, PRAYER, and a host of virtues which cannot be had simply by wanting them.

The amount of effort required to be a disciple of Jesus helps explain why the word Disciple is related to the much more troubling and decidedly old-fashion word Discipline. It is unimaginable that a person could be a disciple, could follow a master whose name is Jesus, without DISCIPLINE, the conscious, intentional submission of our feelings, time, talents, and projects to the will of God as revealed in Christ. Disciples are made not born.

To be a disciplined person is to be someone who has some means of being able to say yes and to say no, which is difficult in this self-indulgent age. A disciple is a person of discipline because the disciple has as a life project nothing less than the imitation of Jesus the Christ. St. Augustine is quoted as saying, “We imitate whom we adore”.

WHO DO WE ADORE?

Shalom
Gordon Knight, co-lay leader
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Finance
The October reports are posted on the bulletin board outside the Church Office.

October Financial Highlights

Apportionments:
Special Offerings & Disbursements: At the end of September our income for the general operating fund pretty darn near equaled the expenses we incurred.  The day-to-day operations include salaries, utilities, insurance, office supplies, etc.   The money to sustain our church’s daily activities primarily comes from our Sunday worship offerings, but don’t forget that our Egg Supper, Rummage Sale and Chicken BBQ contributed $7,035 profit to our general operating funds.  Today our financial state is just above the water, but there were times this year it was necessary to withdraw funds from our emergency/discretionary fund to meet our obligations.

At the October Administrative Council meeting, the 2008 budget for $107,602 was approved.   The 6.7% increase over the 2007 budget ($100,822) focused on salary, health care and apportionment increases.  This means that as we enter into our 2008 pledge drive we need to raise an additional $7,000.  This can be in the form of additional fundraising events or increased giving.  Please plan to help your church next year with your time and your offerings.


VIM, or the Treasurer Needs Your Help:
Our congregation graciously donated $???  to support Pastor Alice, Dave, Marilyn & Mary Jane on their VIM trip.  Because donations were coming and going in all directions, the Treasurer (aka Denise) reports losing track of who all made contributions.   If you made a contribution, please let Pastor Alice, Sharon or Denise know so that we can insure the donation is credited on your giving record.  If it's easier for you, please email Denise or drop a note in the offering plate.

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A Ministry at North Lake
It’s off and riding.

Thank you John Ridley and John Tandy 2.

Need a ride to church? Just call and ask.
John Ridley has offered to pick up people who otherwise are unable to attend worship.

He presently is picking up people at the Chelsea Retirement Home. Give him a call if you need a ride, too.

Thank you men!
Pastor Alice 

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CHARGE CONFERENCE

Monday, December 10
7:30 p.m.
This is the annual business meeting of the church. All members of the church are urged to attend as we review the accomplishment of the past year and set our goals for 2008. If you have not volunteered to serve on a committee, please contact Pastor Alice as to where you have interest and gifts for serving. Our district superintendent leads this meeting. You will elect the leadership for 2008 and set the pastor’s salary package.

Please place this date on your calendar today, and plan to be present. Those people serving on the Pastor Parish Relations Committee will meet with Rev. Macaulay at 6:45 p.m.

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Pastor Parish Relations Committee
November 4
6:30 p.m.

There will be a PPR meeting on November 4 at 6:30 PM.  Please have all committee reports to PPR by that meeting.  We will be working on the reporting that we do for the annual charge conference for the year. 
Sandy Eisele, chairperson


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Care and Outreach
GROCERY BAG COLLECTIONS: We continue to collect items for the Stockbridge Outreach Center, and the Gregory Food Pantry. Canned goods, paper products, personal items, are all needed. 
We are collecting now for Thanksgiving! We will want foodstuff for Thanksgiving baskets. Canned chicken/turkey gravy is one item they like to have available.  Needed by November 11 (for holiday food basket items).

MITTEN TREE will be set up the first of December.  Please  begin to watch for sales of hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, etc. to keep the winter chill away. We will be taking them for distribution and also food by December 16.

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United Methodist Women
 
Brunch report October 21 - We had a very good turn-out for our first UMW Brunch for missions.  Thank you all who attended and who donated money and time.  We had about $226 in donations from the brunch.  We will have another brunch on Sunday, November 18, 2007 at noon at the church.  This time we will be offering soup, salads, bread and cookies. 

The North Lake UMW supports several missions in our own community, in Michigan, in the USA and around the world.  We recently donated $200 to the New Orleans mission project and $125 to the Lingap Center for children in the Philippines. 
 
We invite all women, members and friends, to join our UMW group.  We meet on the third Saturday of the month for fun, fellowship, mission projects & programs.

Dates to Remember:

November 17, 2007 - UMW Meeting at Dorothy Antis' house at 10:00 a.m.  We will be making decisions on where we should donate the funds that we have in our treasury currently and will be electing officers for 2008. 

December 15, 2007 - Visit to the Methodist Children's Home with gifts for the holidays.
There is a list from the Methodist Children's Home of 2007 wish list items. They also encourage gift certificates from area businesses. Certificates enable staff to get specific desired and needed items to all of our children.

May 3, 2008 - Annual Women's Tea – put this date on your calendar. 

 
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Education

C.O.O.L. J Sunday school
begins a new session titled Christmas Messengers on Sunday, Nov. 4th. 

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Puppet Team
headed by Diane Tandy  & Ann Beyer meets from 6-7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7 & 28. They are also attending a puppet workshop in Canton, Michigan November 9-10. This will be for 3rd graders and up, try this fun group. Any questions call Diane Tandy

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Yes! Adults do go to Sunday School!
At 9:00 a.m., every Sunday morning, parents and other adults are welcome to join an interesting discussion group. This fall, beginning September 9, we will gather in Fellowship Hall around the television for a series of short film clips by contemporary pastor Rob Bell. This group of NOOMA short film DVD’s were purchased by Jeff and Heather Campbell for your spiritual enrichment. The titles are interesting, like: Rain, Flame, Trees, Noise, Dust, Rhythm, Rich, and Breath (to name a few). Try us out!

Remember! If it’s important for you, it will be important for the children. Be a leader in your child’s spiritual development. Go to Sunday school and Worship every week.

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Youth Sunday School
class is lead by Sandy Eisele & John Tandy II. They are competing with other groups in The Amazing Bible Race. Each day they have opportunities to earn points for their team by reading Bible chapters and taking short quizzes on the internet.  Each Sunday the class talks about what they have read.  The race willcontinue in 13 week increments through 2009.  By the time they are done, the students will have read most of the Bible. It is a fun way to expand their spiritual lives. Please help cheer them on.

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Bible Sunday

On October 28, Russell James-LaBranche and Kevin Higman received Bibles from the Superintendant of our Sunday School program.  Colin Campbell received his Bible in the summer.

Noah Woodcut
CALLING ALL CHILDREN

The big surprise has been delivered!

Keep Watch — it will be put together soon.

Then: FUN TIME BEGINS!

We need your help. Can we be creative with signs? Instead of Careful -- children at play , what would you say ?

Our North Lake Heritage includes the Noah family. What might we call our child play area that would  reflect that history? (Noah’s Landing is already taken.)

Give your ideas to Pastor Alice

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Youth Group Schedule

November 11 – Youth Family Feast and Food Mission The youth will meet at the church at 5:00 p.m. to share in a family style Thanksgiving dinner. We will be collecting canned goods and organizing a churchwide canned food drive for local pantry shelves for Thanksgiving meals.

December 2 –Kid’s Christmas Crafts and Shopping Youth will supervise children with craft making & shopping for family members between services.

December 19 – Christmas Caroling Gather at the church at 6:15p.m. and leave for Chelsea Retirement Community. Return about 8:15 p.m.

Looking forward to seeing you!


Leaders: Monica Higman,  Mary Boyce,  John & Diane Tandy

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Thank you

This month has been a most heart-wrenching time. Thank you for the many prayers offered on my behalf as I prepared for Alan Dalton’s memorial service. Many of you were concerned for me, and I appreciate your love and care. I also wish to thank the congregation for the support you gave to Dean Burrows in helping to set up and serve the Dalton memorial meal at the Rod and Gun Club. To all who were able to provide food, I also thank you. Please continue to hold Pam and Cody in your prayers as they move into the future.
          --Pastor Alice

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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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SHORT SERMONS
  Author unknown
Life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond.
Talk is cheap because the supply exceeds the demand.
The quickest way to win an argument is to stay out of it.
Character is much easier kept than recovered.
If you can't see the bright side, polish the dull side.
Kind words make good echoes.
Life is short, pray hard.
The best things in life are't things.
No Go, no peace. Know God, know peace.
We stand tallest when we stoop to help others.
The best way to have the last word is to apologize.
Setbacks pave the way for comebacks.
Most of our worries are reruns
If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.

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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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