aug 10 2015 - First United Methodist Church

August 10, 2015
Volume 42, Issue 10
BEACON
Reflections From John
A couple of years ago we engaged a Lenten study entitled, SoulShifts. Recently, I spent some time with the
author, Steve DeNeff, and discovered he had just
completed a new book and related study entitled,
FaultLines. We commonly think of faultlines as those
places in the earth’s crust where the plates are
cracked, much in the manner of a parking lot or sidewalk, and the pressure from the inner core causes the
plates to move. Tension faults result in plates moving
away from each other, strike-slip faults result in
plates rubbing alongside one another, and reverse
faults occur when those plates jam into each other.
As we can imagine, seismic changes occur when these
plates run into one another.
Yes, such disruptions can cause great damage. My
brother Jim and his family used to live within eyesight of Mt. St. Helens which experienced a volcano
triggered by a faultline back in 1980. Fifty-seven people died and over a billion dollars of property damage
ensued. But faultlines don’t always destroy. It was a
faultline that caused one of the most beautiful places
in the world to unfold, known to us as Victoria Falls.
We refer to this place as one of the Seven Natural
Wonders of the World.
Ours is a world where spiritual faultlines can cause
great damage OR result in something beautiful AND
meaningful. Seasons of life are not necessarily chosen by us as they are seasons that choose us. Too often within the church we think of discipleship as a
series of lessons to be learned alongside whatever else
is happening in life. We unwittingly differentiate between these lessons and our real lives, striving to get
our lives to look like the curriculum. Nobody knows
more than God that our real lives ARE the curriculum.
True discipleship is the on-going process of aligning
our lives to the bold and audacious promises of the
Bible, and coming to appreciate that, ultimately, this is
the ONLY LIFE worth having and the ONLY one that
truly works – forever! It is learning to walk this planet
in ways that are common sense to all those in Heaven.
As life sets the agenda, which happens more often than
not, we do well to ask, “God, what are You doing, and
how do I join You in the fulfillment of Your desires?”
The great boxer and sidewalk theologian, Mike Tyson
once observed, “Everyone has a plan … until they get
hit in the mouth.” Life will do that to us, and ours is a
God who longs to help us get back up and become
“more than conquerors.” Nothing in all Creation can
separate us from the love of Jesus Christ.
Presently, we have grim reminders of how fallen our
world is, be it the grisly exposure of illegal and immoral trafficking of baby organs, indications of impending
economic crises, and the daily dose of news revealing
our lack of reverence for the lives of others. And along
comes God saying, “Do all things without murmuring
and arguing, so that you will be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a
crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine
like stars in the world.” (Philippians 2: 14)
In this world of seismic spiritual upheaval, there is a
sure and solid Rock to stand on. Jesus can and will
make a way out of no way, shine light on the darkest of
paths, and implores us to follow Him. Though we prefer paved highways with freshly painted lines, He is
able and willing to lead us over and through the roughest terrain. The journey
may not feel safe, but following Him insures us
that it will be good.
A fellow pilgrim,
John
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Music Notes
Sunday September 27
Celebration
Music @1st Fine Arts Academy
News
Did you know….we offer private music lessons in most
band & orchestra instruments right here in our church?
Did you know…. we offer private voice lessons?
Did you know….we offer a “Fiddle Camp” for fiddlers of
all ages every summer?
Celebration of the 25th anniversary of the building of the new sanctuary. John Grenfell Jr. will
preach in the Sanctuary service. Slideshow and
celebration at fellowship hour. A new CD featuring the Chancel Choir, Festival Bells, pianist
Nancy Whitecar and organist Marcia Van Oyen
will be available.
Did you know…our teachers are all University and/or
Conservatory educated?
Did you know…we have a scholarship program for students who need financial assistance?
Did you know…our Fall Semester begins
the week of September 13….Registration is
open NOW!
New Music Staff
Darlene Kuperus will join us as accompanist/
Did you notice our new Poster in the Great associate organist. Darlene is a graduate of CalHall entrance? Pick up a brochure for more vin College and the University of Michigan, and
information.
has recently served at First UMC and First PresContact Academy Coordinator, Barbara Levengood, with questions or to register a
student.
Phone: 734-453-5280 ext 112 Email:
[email protected]
Web:www.musicatfirstacademy.org
byterian in Northville. Carrick Secorski will be
assistant director of the bell choir and orchestra.
Carrick teaches voice and percussion in our Fine
Arts Academy and sings tenor in the Chancel
Choir. He graduated from Madonna University.
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Donate your gently used shoes!!
As you get new shoes for back to school, donate your old shoes to benefit
people in other countries and the Chancel Choir 2016 ministry trip. We’ve
already collected 135 bags of shoes—help us reach our goal of 250 bags!!
Drop off shoes in the bin in the great hall.
Share your musical gifts in worship!
Chancel Choir
rehearsals on Wednesdays, 7:30—9:00 pm starting September 2
Sing for Sanctuary worship each Sunday, September—June.
Festival Bells
rehearsals on Thursdays, 7:30—9:00 pm starting September 17
Ring for Sanctuary worship once a month
Orchestra
8th grade—adults
rehearsals on alternate Sundays 11:45 am—12:45 pm starting September 20
Play for Sanctuary worship once a month
8th grade—adults
For info contact Marcia Van Oyen [email protected] or 734-453-5280 ext 115
Noteworthy Concerts
Oct. 25th 3:00 pm
Detroit Lutheran Singers
Nov. 22nd 4:00 pm
Bell Choir Festival
Dec. 4th 7:30 pm
Plymouth Community Band
and 5 more concerts in 2016!
Admission is free. A free-will offering will be received to benefit a
charitable cause.
Hear great music. Reach out to others.
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Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and ac-
cept instruction, that you may gain wisdom
in the future.
God has blessed me recently with a string of
conversations where I got to glimpse his hand
at work. Like the chance meeting with Wade in
a sports store where he talked about the new
hobby he has and how it’s been helping him
stay in shape. He mentioned how he thought
I’d enjoy it. As he talked I heard God say to
me, “Listen. You need to take care of yourself
and this is a messenger sent with some advice
on how you can do that.”
That conversation took place after I had nearly
the identical conversation with Mark earlier that
morning. Coincidence? I think it was really
God knowing that sometimes I need to hear
something a few times before I get it, and reinforcing the message for me. Why, for all I
know he may have delivered the same message to me several times, but I only caught it
the last time. Now that I think back, didn’t Jim
say something to me earlier in the week about
finding a new way to take care of myself?
Hmmm…
I’m working at being more open to advice. The
PFUMC staff had the privilege of attending the
simulcast of the Global Leadership Summit
hosted by the Willow Creek Association. The
talks were outstanding, and I think each member of the staff came away with some areas to
work on. For me, one was the topic of feedback and advice, both giving and receiving.
Oh, it’s not that I have a major issue with giving feedback, or advice. In fact if you think
about it, I get to give everyone advice and
feedback every Sunday morning. And as far as
getting it, I welcome it, but like most people I
preferred to let it find me, not to seek it out.
Or to put it another way, I tend to think, “If
someone thinks I need some advice
they’ll tell me, otherwise I’m going to
assume I’m doing everything perfectly.”
Anyone else think like that?
Well, I’ve been blessed to have a handful
of people here who seek me out and
give me great advice, and I’ve grown
from it. So if you have some advice or
feedback for me, I’d love to hear it.
Over coffee would be ideal, but in passing also works.
Now here’s the proviso that I reserve for
advice. I think of advice and feedback
like seeds. Some ideas are pretty and
some are prickly, but all have the ability
to grow into something wonderful. So I
plant these seeds into the soil of my
mind, and wait. Some advice springs up
quickly and provides fruit right away.
Some advice takes longer before they
provide understanding, and some feedback just never makes it out of the
ground.
So I invite you to be a messenger, an
angel, and share your words of wisdom
with me. I would love to plant those
seeds so I can have a full garden of understanding.
P a g e
Trustee Tidbits – August 7, 2015
Great news! Our elevator should be fixed by mid-September! We can all take a ride to check it out soon! Many people use it to
take strollers with little ones up to the nursery on Sundays and during the week, so we were hoping that it would be done for our
fall kick-off. Thanks be to God!
Another wonderful item to share! A group of donors gathered together and have funded the electronic door opener that should
be installed as we speak. They were aware that funds have been tight for the Trustees, and with the huge elevator expense, we
have been struggling to complete some of the needs. So, they took action! Though they wish to remain anonymous, God knows
who you are and of this special giving in His name.
Shortly, we will have a new magnetic place to store our nametags in the front lobby. More to come. The new soundboard covering project in Fellowship Hall will begin August 15, thanks to Ruth Dostie and her crew consisting of Pam and Michael Cox, and
Jill and John Leeper. The front porch may be painted by the time you receive this. The nursery divider panel has been taken
down to allow a more open space with no hiding spots! The main women’s restroom is still on hold with painting and redecorating. Just like home, always something.
A candidate was not identified this year to receive the Roe Scholarship funds that the Trustees oversee. These are meant for a
person or persons pursuing their higher religious education. So, the monies go into the Christian Education budget.
The Maidstone parsonage has had some unexpected expenses this year. Multiple water leaks in the basement have been a large
added expense. Hopefully, we have a handle on it with some additional repairs and adjustments to the gutters.
Anyone work in the gutter field? The lovely finished basement now has much drywall and carpet removed. If
anyone cares to help Bob Mason or Dave Clark, please give us a call! And the Berlangas have really moved in
now. I thought it had happened earlier!
Busy, busy. All for God. Joy Coyle
BE Prayer Experience
A special prayer walk for youth with bonfire after
Saturday August 29 7-10 pm at PFUMC
Questions? Contact Amanda Williams
Sign up to Pray
“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 56:7
Maybe you have seen the new sign in the church hallway but didn’t know
what to do. Pick a day! Sign-up for one day during the week, take a bookmark for that day, take a monthly calendar and then pray. Pray each week
on your chosen day. Pray as God leads you to pray for our family, church,
community, nation and world. The calendar will change from month to
month and includes events in our church family, community and world.
Included on the board are 3X5 cards for you to leave a prayer request, write
answers to prayers and give praise reports.
From your prayer team; Jeanne Martin, Pam Fair, Jeremy Russell
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Sunday
Financial Update for
July, 2015
Monday
9:00 am Sunday School
10:10 am Worship
11:30 am Fellowship
Time
5:30 pm FUSION youth
Income = $ 56,764
Expenses = $ 61,488
YTD Income = $ 539,233
YTD Expenses = $ 536,655
Tuesday
7:00 pm AA/Alanon
BSF groups
BSF Leaders
1
9:00 am—UMC Retirement
Foundation
7:30 pm Evangelism
6
Thank You! WE
REACHED OUR GOAL
OF $10,000 !
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LABOR DAY
8
Church office closed
13 Rally Sunday
14
60+ Lunch
15
12:30 pm Beacon Belles
Pictures
20
Sunday—9/27 11:15 am
Mark your calendar!
21
22
Staff will be out of the office
All day @ Dixboro UMC
28
29
Pictures
27
25th Anniv. celebration
3rd Grade Bible Sunday
Flu Shots
PFUMC COORDINATOR FOR OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Dear PFUMC Friends,
I have acted as the PFUMC coordinator for Operation Christmas Child (shoebox gift collection) for the past
several years. It is a mission that is near and dear to my heart. However, I am wondering if there is someone else in our church family who may have more energy and ideas for this project that would grow the effort
within our church.. If you feel God calling you to step in and take over as the point person for Operation
Christmas Child, please contact me: e-mail [email protected] or telephone: (734) 455-3386. I am
happy to explain the program to you and/or answer any questions you may have.
Mary Lynn Freeland
September 2015
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Wednesday Thursday
6:00 am Prayer
Breakfast
6:00 pm Bible Study
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Friday
Saturday
7:30 pm Bell Choir
6:00 pm Impact Band
Practice
7:30 pm Chancel choir
2
6:30 p HEM of His
Garment
6:30 pm Summer Fusion
7:30 pm Chancel choir
3
7:00 pm Staff parish
4
5
9
6:00 pm Children’s Choir
10
11
12
6 :00 pm Hog Roast
18
19
25
26
2:00 pm Knit & Crochet
7:30 pm Bell Choir
17
6:00 pm Prayer meeting
16
7:00 pm Church council
7:00 pm Pearls of Great
Price
23
24
2:00 pm Knit & Crochet
6:00 pm Finance
30
NEW TO THE LIBRARY!! Check out these
DVD’s in the church library. Maybe you will
recognize some people. The Carol & Wesleyan Choirs under the direction of Fran Loiselle and Jan
McKelvey preformed a variety of musicals in the late 80’s and early 90’s. They have been compiled into
a 3 DVD set and are available for you to view. Plays include “David and the Giants,” “Hark the Herold
Angel,” “Why?,” and “Oh Jonah!” featuring Bob Nelson as the Whale.
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Fusion Cedar Point Trip
July 2015
What a fun day we had together!
Looking to make a difference in these
trying times? The Plymouth/Canton
CROP Hunger Walk hopes to raise
funds to help stop hunger and poverty
here in our community and around the
world, through self-help initiatives.
This year Plymouth/Canton and some
2,000 cities and towns nationwide are
joining together in interfaith community
CROP Hunger Walks around the theme
“Ending hunger one step at a time.”
Many of the CROP Walkers will be
wearing T-shirts, proclaiming their solidarity with the millions of neighbors
around the world who have to walk to
live—as well as with the millions served
by local food pantries, food banks, and
meal sites here in the U.S. These local
ministries share in the funds raised by
CROP Hunger Walks. Join our youth in
raising funds to help those in need at
the 2015 Crop Walk!
Registration begins at 1:30 pm
at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
The Walk begins at 2:00 pm
and is 2 or 4 miles.
Confirmation class of 2015 will begin on Sunday, September 13th. Meet in Room L08
in the Core from 9 to 10 am. Confirmation is for all
youth 7th grade and older who have not been through
confirmation. If you have any questions or concerns
please contact Pastor Nick Berlanga at [email protected].
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CHRISTIAN ED NEWS—- - - As I write this article, I have officially been Director of Christian Education for 6 whole days. I had a
great first Sunday, full of wonderful volunteers serving in our Sunday school classes. I had my first staff meeting and full day in the office. Today, I attended day one of the Global Leadership Summit (if you are unfamiliar with it, the Global Leadership Summit is a world-class experience designed to help you grow and embrace
your grander vision—the reason God called you to lead). It has been an action packed first few days. I am excited to be getting started.
Christian education is, in and of itself, exciting. It is a ministry for the whole church (infants through our
most seasoned members), and it takes the whole to church to have a thriving Christian education ministry. I
believe that each and every person at Plymouth First is valuable and each person’s faith development is important. You, yes you, matter to God, and you matter to me.
It is my hope and prayer that every adult is plugged into a Sunday school class or small group Bible study
(whether in person or by trying out one of our online options this fall). It is my hope and prayer that children
and youth continue to get quality, age appropriate Christian education that will help them grow in to unashamed followers of Christ. It is my hope and prayer that we strengthen family units through special events
during the year. It is my hope and prayer that we can create opportunities among adults to have fun together
and grow in community with one another. It is my hope and prayer that we keep looking outward, helping
others, while we work on stuff within our church.
Christian education is YOUR ministry, it is for YOU. The question you need to answer is where do I see myself plugging into the Christian education ministry? Will you commit to joining a small group? Will you commit to bringing your children to Sunday school as often as you can? Will you join a Sunday school class? Will
you volunteer to serve in our children’s or youth Sunday school classes? Will you help out with one-time only
special events like VBS or a Family Fun Night? The opportunities for you to be a part of the exciting Christian
education ministry at Plymouth First are endless…are you ready to jump in?
Our summer Sunday school program needs you! We have 4 open slots left. If you are feeling a tug on your
heart to help out, contact Sarah Sutphin ([email protected]) or sign up in the Great Hall.
Sarah
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60+ NEWS
60+ Returns The Day After Labor Day
...... when we will usher in the new season with a
most distinguished guest, Mr. Gene Overholt. As
many of you know from our March program,
2015 is the 100th anniversary of Kiwanis, the international service organization that was birthed
in downtown Detroit. As you may or may not
know, Gene was the 1988-89 international president of Kiwanis. As president, Gene and his lovely wife Jane traveled the globe visiting clubs from
South America to Africa,
from Asia to Europe. There is not one in Antarctica, however ….. at least not yet.
We hope you will join us to learn about their
adventures and travel to interesting and sometimes exotic places. So mark your calendars ~
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 ~ 11:30 am
~ Fellowship Hall ~ $6.
Look for the sign-up sheet located across from
Fellowship Hall to make your reservation, or
call Mary (734-927-7551) or Sandy (734-4595471). We are always pleased to welcome newcomers, so invite a friend!
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY ‘S
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1Ben Phillips
Dean Scrimger
Jenn Spicer
2
Olivia Johnson
Larry Ragan
3
4 Allyssa Hollo
Danny Stiver
Kelly
Montgomery
5 Kristopher
Jovan
Austin
Strobridge
8Ginger Krueger
Ardelle Pickering
Jim Porter
Suzanne
Wyckoff
9
10Sandy
Hackett
Emily Scrimger
Alexa Slotau
11Kyle Smola
Kathleen
Berliner
Sam Hickling
Marilyn Quinn
Mason Schmitt
Merci Schmitt
12
Betty Barber
Zane Berlanga
Charles Lowe
6 Mary Lynn
Freeland
Betsy
Montgomery
Jeremy Russell
7
13
14Maddie
Battishill
Ben Henderson
Scott
Waidmann
15 Jean Gould
16
Nick Battishill
Andrew Brown
David Cusumano
Ellen Thompson
Suzanne Trinka
17 Glen Coker
Marilyn Carl
Brayden Bishop
Liam Penney
Ella Savalox
18 David Daly
Ryan Groat
George Gyde
Laura Jameson
19
21Bob Ankrapp
John Marshall
Linda Maxwell
Jan Rolston
23
22 Scottie
Cracraft
Kelley Kummer
Linda Hanson
Katherine
Jeannie Wilbur
Robertson
Jessica Schroeder
24
25Ruth Ann
Cook
William
Patterson
Alice Smith
Reece
Tarhanich
26 Gerry
Hetherington
Julie Holland
Paul Slatin
28 Leina KeskiHynnila
29 Beverly
Bazzell
Nathan King
Julie Lewis
Julia Slatin
Dannette
Murphy
20
Brian Kidston
27 Vickie
Krause
Jan Seamonds
Ray Wells
Gene Best
Sandra Kosky
Ron Loiselle
Dorothy
Davenport
Brent Howlett
30
Sandra Bishop
Richard Morin
Nancy Whitecar
John Cook
Abby Dalton
Erica Freeland
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Prayer concerns
Lisa Berlanga
Ashley Boebinger
Andrew Brown
Glen Coker
Scottie Cracraft
Janice Groat
Kathy Hoyles
Don Iler
Gary Krueger
Alex Magee
Vince Maiorana
Mary Pauline
Dennis Piggott
Nancy Remick
Esther Richards
Earl Rickard
Kathleen Salla
Jean Scheppele
Bob Smith
Lisa Thomas
Meredith VanValkenburgh
Justin Atkinson
Kevin Clafton
(Strobridge)
Linda Erickson
Danielle Gomrick
Nathan King
Austin McCall
(Triebwasser)
Andrew D. Piggott
Evan Ray (Ramsay)
Dan & Ashley Schmitt
Marshall Gartner
(Henderson)
Ian Gartner
Sanford Burr
Pat Carne
Calvin Gress
Joann Gress
Carol Meszaros
Joan McNally
Jean Miller
Helen Sorensen
Ned Stirton
Carol Thomas
Paul Worley
Annie Roby—Ted Roby’s granddaughter
Chris Turk, friend of Jenny Boebinger
Gene Still, father of Vanessa Lawhon
Jane Spears, Sarah Sutphin’s mother
Kim Golich, friend of Jill Leeper
Mike Petri & family, friend of Dale Good
Nelson, Marcia Van Oyen’s brother in law
Phyllis Deichert, Muriel Gyde’s sister
Ricky Gyde, son of George and Muriel Gyde
Sarah VanderWerp, Elsie Mae Trinka ‘s granddaughter
Shirley Naccarapo, Rev. Roy Forsyth’s sister
Kris & Sarah Kappler
Johannesburg, South Africa
Partner churches Russia & Poland
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Thank you, Thank you … All of my good friends, and you know who
you are. You sent such beautiful cards, called me and visited me in my
new place. This all because of my knee surgery, which
is healing as it should. Thanks also to pastor John
and Carrie for their prayers and visits. I am proud to
be a member of such a loving family church. God is
good ! Mary Pauline
REPAIRS HAVE BEGUN ON CHURCH ELEVATOR .
Congratulations to
Megan & Chris Helinski on
the birth of their son
We expect to have the elevator back in service within
the next two weeks. Thank you for your understanding.
Joshua Howard.
Born 8/7 @ 6:31 am—
8 lbs 10 oz.
Pictures will be taken
aer worship on Sunday,
August 30, September 13
and 20.
WE’RE ON THE WEB!
WWW.PFUMC.ORG
Beacon & Calendar deadlines:
Plymouth First
United Methodist Church
45201 N. Territorial Rd
Plymouth, MI 48170-6528
(734) 453-5280
Fax: (734) 453-0375
E-mail articles by 5 pm on the 10th
of the month to [email protected]
or [email protected]
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