July- August 2010 Newsletter


Summer schedule begins June 13!  
One service at 10:30, fellowship to follow.
No Sunday School

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Vacation Bible School

Theme: Christmas in July
          July 25 – 29
        6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Let the true meaning of Christmas touch our children as they
   Learn Christmas stories and  Christmas carols

Plan now to volunteer your help and start inviting your children’s friends and neighbors.

 See you at VBS!!!

      Contact  Jessica Brown or Danna Segrest  if you have questions or want to help.
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OF CABBAGES AND KINGS                                                                                      July/August 2010

SIR! ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN? 

 I was about to miss my connecting flight to Tokyo and was jogging down the corridor of the L.A. airport terminal when this young lad caught up to me.  He was wearing a long flowing robe and carrying a book that looked like a bible.  As he approached me he blurted out, half out of breath: "Sir! Are You a Christian?"  What was I to say?   I was, at the moment, focused on reaching gate 72 so the first thought that popped into my head was "I'm working on it".  On the long flight to Tokyo the young lad's remark kept running through my mind.  Was I really a Christian?  Outwardly I attend Sunday church, read and study the Bible, participate in Sunday school most of the time and try to walk the walk and talk the talk.  Was this the visible, the outward Christian that the general public sees?  What about the inward Christian?  Mark: 29-31 -- "Love your neighbor as yourself----:".  Or Luke: 6-37 -- "Do not judge and you will not be judged". 

These Bible quotes make reference to the outward Christian; the following excerpts from the Mayo Clinic health letter may help us be better inward Christians.
Ephesians: 4-29 -- "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Sir! Are you a Christian?
                                           
Shalom:  Gordon Knight, Co-Lay Leader
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Growing in grace by means of reading

On Wednesday morning, a group meets to further their knowledge and love of Jesus Christ, through study and prayer.  This summer, the study is For the Love of God, the Epistles of John, written by Justo and Catherine Gonzalez.  The material is the 2010-2011 Bible study for the UMW, which Bishop Keaton will be leading the class at School of Christian Missions later this summer.  We are just a little ahead doing the study now.

"It's hard."  That is the consensus of the group. But, the important question is, after we have journeyed through the scripture readings and the book, will we have grown in grace?  What we put into it is what we get out of it. And, doing it together will deepen our relationships with one another and with God.

Susanna Wesley taught her nineteen children to read the whole Bible by age five.  Many Christians today are well into their adult years, and have never read the Bible.  John Wesley would agree with the statement that "Reading is fundamental".  His instructions were to "read the most useful books, and that regularly and constantly. Steadily spend all the morning in this employ, or, at least, five hours in four-and-twenty".

Many of you are avid readers, but have you read any of the books on the UMW reading list, many of which we have in our library in fellowship hall?  And how about joining us for the Study of John's Epistles?  All reading should be joined with meditation and prayer. Read a little, pray and meditate much. And join in the discussion with us.

By the way, have you ever visited the Cokesbury Store in Plymouth? This store is the resource center for the United Methodist Church.  It is located on Sheldon Road, at Five Mile, right next door to Busch's Grocery Store.  Check it out!

And please join us on Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m.

                    Pastor Alice
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Membership Care & Outreach


GROCERY BAG MINISTRY

We thank you for the wonderful response to our Grocery Bag Ministry. Several boxes and bags of groceries and personal items were taken to Faith in Action before the rummage sale. There are more bags of items to be taken this week.  During July and August we will collect items for Stockbridge Outreach.  They especially need the following items: 

  Canned meat
  Canned fruit      
  Spaghetti sauce
  Chili beans and canned chili
  Laundry soap
  Shampoo & conditioner
                                             Alice Sheffield, chairperson
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United Methodist Women
    Calendar for UMW:

July Preparation of dinners for Bible School -  Monday-Thursday - July 26-29
August  Meeting at Meyers Lake on August 21

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Detroit Conference Annual Meeting
Video and audio of many of sessions of the Annual Conference Meeting in Albion May 2010 are available here at the Conference Website

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Give Us a Hand
Summer is here but the mission & ministry of the church  continues and we need your help.

Worship - Greeters, fellowship hosts, and people to provide flowers are needed every week. Please take a turn. Help enhance the
    service with music, see Dawn to sign up.

Many hands lighten the load – we need yours!
                                 Pastor Alice

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THANK YOU!   THANK YOU!   THANK YOU!
With great JOY we celebrate a successful Rummage Sale again this year. 

I think just about everyone was on hand to work at some point, be it during set-up or the actual sale.  A couple of days we had about 25 busy bees fluttering around, both young and older.  The youngest recruits were Nancy McKinnon's grandson, Lucas, and Diane Tandy's grandson, Drake.  Some people supplied delicious food for the workers. Dexter UMC supplied two big tents, which were partially damaged from the storm.  And, of course there was "the stuff" donated to sell, it just kept showing up, being sorted, and finally purchased by eagerneighbors.  Two men from Nigeria came and asked if they could purchase shoes for 25¢ a pair.  When asked what they would do with them, they said they would be sending them back home -- so our mission doors opened to new places as they took about 40 pairs.

Though I thank every one of you, I particularly want to thank Diane Tandy who chaired this event.  Though many put in many hours, she put in more, giving heart and soul.  At last count, we took in $3,310.00, which will be divided giving 10% to UMW missions, 10% to Liberia missions and our sister church, and 80% to our fair share of apportioned UM world ministries (the cost to repair the damaged tents will probably come from this portion).       
           
  Thank you, again.       Pastor Alice

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A SPECIAL TREAT – Funny how God works!

  Last year about this time, Joe and Pat Spitzley were moving out of state.  Many of the items they could not get into the truck were given to our Rummage Sale.  One of the items was a beautiful settee. It needed reupholstering but I didn't want to sell it for a few dollars, thinking there was surely someplace in the church we could use it.

  Well, the settee sat around all year. I couldn't figure out how to pay for the work it needed. Finally I forgot about it until rummage time again. I knew something had to be done or it would land in the rummage sale this year.

  Ellen Cook is a North Lake resident who has faithfully helped with our rummage sales over the years.  She lost her husband, Ron, this past year, and in our many conversations I found that she could reupholster furniture.  I showed her the settee, and she told me she would do it, and told me the amount of fabric needed.

  Calvin Hall also has been active in helping with our sales, and he worked in decorating and design, and brought us a beautiful piece of material to cover the settee.  And, so with joy I announce to you that we have a beautiful piece of furniture that will be in the grange for your comfort.  And if you see the Spitzleys, Ellen or Cal, will you please say thank you for their contribution to our church?  
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Financial Audit

The annual audit is complete for 2009 thanks to the efforts of CPA Todd Meads.  The balances as of Dec. 31, 2009 were:

General Fund    $   1,503.
Building / Land Fund       28,973.
United Methodist Women           911.
Church School / Education        1,095.
Growth Fund CD         16,260.
  Memorial Fund       13,280.
Endowment Fund            9,503.
  UM Foundation         36,174.
Combined Savings          2,922.
Total amount of cash in all  $ 110,624.
   
Thanks again to Rick Gorham for his many hours of work as treasurer last year. It is a huge job which those who have not been treasurer cannot understand.  Thanks again.

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Education  News

C.O.O.L. J is taking a break for the summer.  Child care during the 10:30 service and C.O.O.L. J   2 are still provided.
This summer the children may be going outside – so please dress appropriately for some outside play.

Summer C.O.O.L. J 2 will be Honesty and Truthfulness during 10:30am service. Mrs. Harwood, Joey Coffey,  and Kristen Adkins will be leading activities this summer.

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BIBLE STUDY continues … June, July, & August
Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m.

Everyone is welcome to join us.  No preparation needed. Just bring your Bible. We will soon complete our study of Matthew. We will then do the Letters of John study from the UMW reading program.  Join us for tea, conversation and prayer.

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The Education Committee will meet after church on Sunday July 19 and 25 (yes, both!) to finish plans and set up for VBS.

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BIBLE STUDY continues ... July & August
Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m.

Everyone is welcome to join us.  No preparation needed. Just bring your Bible. We will soon complete our study of Matthew. We will then do the Letters of John study from the UMW reading program.  Join us for tea, conversation and prayer.


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Chicken Broil & Corn Roast

Saturday, August 7, 2010

3:00 p.m. until ?

Chicken
Corn on the Cob
Beans
Coleslaw
Rolls
A delicious dinner for only $9.50

Eat in or Take Home

Get Tickets at the Door

Chickens are purchased from Chelsea Market and the corn from Ruhligs

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Historical Committee
   
The historical committee is in full gear planning for the 175th anniversary in 2011. We need everyone's help.  Sandy needs information that could beincluded in the North Lake history she is writing.  What
events do you remember as significant?  Also Sandy and Mary Jane request historical items that we could display in our "historical room" (the grange) either permanently or on loan  
                                                  Sandy Eisele

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Church Cookbook
175th Anniversary Edition
Notice to everyone who likes to eat!
A North Lake Church cookbook is in the initial stage of development. Think about one or more recipes you would like to contribute to this delicious endeavor. They can be sent to the church at recipes. Forms and directions will soon be available. Any questions at this time please call Diane Tandy.

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2011 Church Directory Coming
     October 5 & 6
In celebration of our 175th anniversary Olan Mills will be setting up a studio in Fellowship Hall Oct. 5 & 6, and we encourage everyone to have their photo taken for this special occasion. More information coming in the Sept. newsletter.

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Let's Go to Family Camp:

Myers Lake United Methodist Campground
 10575 Silver Lake Road, Byron MI 48418
           
    Check in:    Friday, Aug. 20
    Check out:  Sunday, Aug. 22

  Come for a day or the weekend
                    
North Lake Church will have their own group site. Reservation forms will soon be available. Contact Annette Weeks and she will reserve your spot. 

Myers Lake campground provides:
Sandy beach and swimming in a clean spring fed lake
Great fishing               
Take a leisurely walk        
Paddleboat and rowboat rentals    
Horseshoes
Recreation hall           
Volleyball
Softball diamond            
Playground
                      Annette Weeks

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Congregational Notes


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Announcement Memorial Service for Sylvia Gilbert            Sylvia Gilbert, July 1916 - December 2009   August 8 2010 at Inverness Country Club 1:30 pm


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Tim Casey & Robin Hendrickson
 Tim & Robin & Wedding Party
Marriage
of Tim Casey & Robin Hendrickson at North Lake Church May 15, 2010
 Their attendants included Tamara, Angelica, and Savannah Casey

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Thank You

I have received the nicest gift of love and prayers given to me by Ann Beyer. The prayer shawl is beautiful and the prayers which were given to and for me means so much to me. Thank you and God Bless all of you.
           Irene Janowski

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Dear Friends in Mission, May 21, 2010
Thank you for your gift in support of the following UMCOR projects:
#240235   Philippines Emergency  Philippines    $160.00
#418325      Haiti Emergency     Haiti        $1,143.00

Because you gave, UMCOR is able to "Be There" and "Be Hope" on your behalf. UMCOR programs provide food for the hungry, help farmers grow plentiful and nutritious food, and support people left destitute by natural disasters and war. Your gifts go a long way to bring healing and hope to people in need. We give thanks for your generosity…

This gift will bring hope to those who need it most.

    Roland Fernandes, General Treasurer UMCOR & Shawn Bakker, Associate General Sec.

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North Lake UMC –
  Thank you very much for all the blessings! Also thank you for the beautiful Bible. May God bless you all.
                                         Love, Lacy Goderis

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Morning Prayers - Every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m.  

Tuesday Morning Prayer Pack will continue into the fall. Join us 9-9:30 to pray for our Families, Church and World.

If you can not meet us at the parsonage, take a moment at that time to pray with us from wherever you are. Remember to write your concerns in the book. Jot down if you are praying too.

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Be sure to put prayer requests AND responses in the Green Prayer Book. We want to pray about the answers to our prayers too.

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Prayer Chain
"Our prayer chain emphasizes the mutual responsibility of our congregation to care for one another."

To make a prayer request call:
Nancy McKinnon
Betty Hopkins
Sandy Eisele.
Pastor Alice  
or email Sandy or Pastor Alice

If you would like to be added to (or removed from) the prayer chain, please contact the church office at 475-7569 or email the secretary

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Rethink Church

What if Church Were A Verb?  Rethink Church   (United Methodist Communications)

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Attention Coupon Clippers
Helping Others and Enjoying Your Soup, Too!

We are currently collecting:
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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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The church's email address: contact@northlakeumc.org.
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