Shepherd`s Crook
Transcription
Shepherd`s Crook
Shepherd’s Crook MARCH 2015 F ROM THE P ASTOR Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes…. By now you have heard that, as of July 1, 2015, I will be appointed as the Lead Pastor of Grace UMC in Bay City, Michigan. Many of you have asked me if I am excited. The answer is yes. Grace Church is a new church start in the Detroit Annual Conference through the process of a vital merger of two churches in Bay City: Christ UMC and First UMC. The merger has gone extremely well and they are growing rather quickly. So why have I been asked to be the pastor? From 2007-2009 I was asked to be part of the Detroit Annual Conference Church Planters Academy. For two years I, along with my cohort group, studied and trained for church planting in hopes that some new faith communities would be launched throughout Michigan. When the economy bottomed out in 2008, unfortunately, economically it was not a wise time to move forward planting churches. The Bishop and Conference leadership believes that with my training and gifts, I will be a good fit to take Grace Church forward into the future. Daylight Savings Time begins March 8th I am excited, but I am sad at the same time. I have truly come to love Good Shepherd and the Village of Roscommon. I have enjoyed the ministry that we’ve done together and I will miss all of you. So what do the next several months look like for us at Good Shepherd? We are not going to BEGIN anything new. For example, leadership and I have talked about the possibility of launching a midweek alternative offsite service somewhere in the Village of Roscommon. Although I think this would offer us an amazing opportunity to reach our community, I think it’s best that we allow Rev. Noggle decide how to take the church forward in that respect. The things that we do have in process now, we will continue to develop for the next few months in hopes of getting them in place before July 1. What are those things? First, Ad Council has been talking with me about an administrative structure change that I believe would be life-giving to the ministries of GSUMC. We’re seeking to develop a Dream Team of nine people, who will be identified by the Lay Leadership Development Committee that will serve as a “creative think-tank” if you will, that will brainstorm new possible ministries, evaluate and resource existing ministries, and continue to help GSUMC look to the future as a congregation that uses its gifts to make an impact for the Kingdom of God in Roscommon. The Dream Team will work closely with Ad Council and have no administrative decision making power, yet it will have the ability to help GSUMC cast and live into the vision that we’ve adopted to be a church that seeks to bring all people to Jesus by being a friendly, Christ-centered community offering God's healing, help and hope. Second, a team of people have come together to help craft an internal survey of our congregation. We are hoping to glean some important information about the current state of our church; its hopes, desires, and dreams. This survey is currently, in what we believe may be, in its final draft and we hope to introduce it to the congregation sometime in mid to late May. Finally, we are hoping to launch the first of what will become quarterly “Church Family Meetings.” These quarterly meetings will be used to do several things. First, it will give the leadership of the church an opportunity to champion, or make the church aware, of some of the important things we may need to address such as a variety of announcements and other ministry initiatives. Second, it will provide the congregation an opportunity to provide helpful feedback about how the church is doing, what we can celebrate and any needs we might address. Finally, it’s my belief that it will help provide additional means of communication so we can all be on board with what God is doing here at GSUMC. Inside this issue: Connect Student Ministries 2 Who’s Who 3 Faith, Formation and Fellowship 4 Let me invite you to continue to be in prayer for GSUMC. I believe God has some great things in store for us in 2015 and I for one cannot wait to see what the next chapter looks like for this amazing church! Prayers/Anniversaries & Birthdays 5 In Faith, Hope, & Love Applying Biblical Principals 6 Open Forum 7 Pastor Eric John McKay [email protected] 821-0155 Cell (810)874-1933 The past month through the eyes of Y.D.J CONNECT STUDENT MINISTRIES Greetings in Christ, during lunch Lunch A - Collins Lunch B - Petrosky MONDAYS Middle School I had the opportunity to watch a movie this week that really made me think about the book of Revelation. The movie was “Left Behind”. In a nut shell here is what the movie was about.... There was a family and the mother was a follower of Christ and their son, the husband and daughter were not. The husband was a pilot on a jet and all the believers were taken to heaven with just a pile of cloths left where all the believers were at last. Some of the people were left with theft and break-ins going on just pure insanity. MEETS SUNDAYS Jr High 5:00-6:30 pm Sr High 5:30-7:00 pm Senior High I am sitting in my living room, -21 degrees outside, looking how the beautiful sun shines while it’s very cold. I am hopeful that next weekend it will be much warmer for our Jr high Springhill trip . This movie made me think who will be going to heaven and who will be left. I also shared this with the students at Jam the following Monday and they were in a sense of shock also about where they would be at when called home. at the end of day in the cafeteria Funny how a simple movie can think of your relationship with others and the almighty. Just something to think about. Just a Reminder: John Leaders meeting needed TBA to plan events March 27-April 5 Spring break Sr. High Small groups meet the 1st and 3rd Sundays 5:30-7:30pm I’m looking for some winter schedules of your son/daughter sports teams. Baccalaureate is May 17th at 7:00 pm Page 2 S H E P HE R D ’ S CR O O K Who’s Who at Good Shepherd Mike and Judy Byers each grew up in the shadow of the automotive industry in Pontiac, Michigan. Both attended Pontiac Northern High School with Mike graduating in 1972 and Judy in 1975. Mike spent some of his free time at the Pin Ball Arcade on Perry Street, just down the road from the Pontiac Motor Division. The best thing about being there, Mike says, is that he met the cute little Judy there and a serious relationship took hold. Their courtship ended July 9, 1977 when the pair said “I do” and they have been together since that day. Mike graduated from spending time at the arcade to the nearby GM Truck & Bus Plant in Pontiac where he took on a full time career. After a succession of jobs at the automaker, he landed a position in the Experimental Paint Shop where he spent the rest of his work life, retiring in 2003 after 30 years of work involving show cars, new paints, and a variety of paint-related tasks at the Engineering building in Pontiac. Judy’s career was a bit more varied and continues to this day. After high school, she studied Graphic Arts at Oakland University and began using her new skills in making circuit boards at a local manufacturer. Her career took an unexpected turn when she developed a bunion on her foot and went to a Pontiac area Podiatrist for surgery. The short version of the story is that the surgery was botched, forcing Judy to seek care at another Podiatrist’s office. This time she took a special interest in the treatment of her foot. Her concern was sufficiently intense that the Podiatrist ultimately hired her as his assistant. Judy worked at the Commerce Township Lake’s Foot Care for several years. She was also a stay-at-home mom until her two children began school and she worked as a teacher’s aid until she began her podiatry work on a full-time basis. Mike & Judy Byers After Mike retired in 2003 and the pair moved to Roscommon, Judy began working at the Roscommon Ankle and Foot Associates of Northern Michigan in the village of Roscommon. She works there today serving as the Podiatry Assistant for the two physicians on staff. Mike and Judy said they were attracted to Roscommon by its small town feel and by the community’s caring sense evidenced by the summer-time display of curbside flowers throughout the downtown area. They said they first came to Good Shepherd about five years ago after being invited by Bev Emery and Judy Ebert. Mike works as our Good Shepherd Facility Manager, being the first responder whenever building maintenance or repairs are needed. He typically spends ten to twelve hours per week keeping the building in tip-top shape. Mike and Judy have two sons; 36 year-old Jason in Howell, Mi. and 32 year-old Justin in North Wales, Pennsylvania. Judy said they are delighted with their two grandchildren, both girls, and they are excited about the fact that two more are on the way. “Who knows, maybe we’ll get a boy,” they chimed. Your Roving Reporter, Bill Tudor Page 3 S H E P HE R D ’ S CR O O K FAITH FORMATION and FELLOWSHIP Our Sunday Morning Study Group wrapped up our discussions on William Willimon’s book entitled “Incarnation: the Surprising Overlap of Heaven and Earth” on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday - just in time to begin a Lenten study! In his final chapter Willimon made a statement that had a great impact on me. He said, “How sad that some Christians think they do not need to grow and learn.” This is so true. We need each other in the Church and must be deliberate and disciplined to become more Christ-like and develop our faith – to grow in our discipleship through worship, learning and service. A part of that deliberate effort at Good Shepherd is the work of the Faith Formation and Fellowship Team. It becomes a real challenge in the North Country for ministry teams to carry on and develop new ministry venues during the Great Winter Exodus. However, within the rhythm and heartbeat of the Body of Christ are unique periods in which we inventory our faith and our lives in order to make new commitments. In these periods, namely Advent in preparation for celebrating Jesus’ birth and the 40 Days of Lent as we prepare for observing Christ’s supreme sacrifice and victory, we focus on allowing ourselves to be transformed by the Holy Spirit to new levels of faith and relationships. Traditionally disciplines in learning have become a large part of this process. During Lent 2015 those who remain in North Country will be blessed with great opportunities in worship, learning and service. Following the Ash Wednesday Soup Supper and Worship Service, Pastor Eric is offering a wonderful faith-stretching video series after a pot-luck each Wednesday evening of Lent. These (the video series and discussion) will explore the meaning of salvation. (Traditionally potlucks expand something else – but the fellowship: invaluable). All kidding aside, this is a super church-wide opportunity to grow and expand in our faith journeys together. Also, the Sunday Morning Study Group will be discussing Mike Slaughter’s book, “Renegade Gospel: The Rebel Jesus.” Come, and see, how Jesus denied historical and our pre-conceived notions about what God should look like. This is another great opportunity to grow our faith together, to better serve and find loving truth, peace, hope and joy! It is such a joy to be an active part of GSUMC as it constantly learns and grows in faith and discipleship through experiencing a healthy, dynamic balance of worship, learning and service within and beyond its family and its walls. I am so grateful that God continues use us as “growing incarnations” to reach out and touch hurting, seeking persons and families with God’s helping, healing, freeing, life-changing love! Jim Dibbet Member of the Faith Formation and Fellowship Ministry Team And Co-facilitator of the Sunday Morning Study Group (On behalf of our Co-chairs and team members in the Great Winter Exodus) Page 4 S H E P HE R D ’ S CR O O K Prayers A weekly bulletin is published and available at the welcome center Updates are appreciated!! [email protected] or 275-5577 Our Church Our Church Family Robert Box Bob Mowers Our Pastor Free Community Dinners Alva & Roy Delleree Suzanne Reeves Sunday School Bible Studies Doug Demuth Harold & Martha VanVoorhis Child Development Center Small Groups United Methodist Women All ministry teams United Methodist Men College Students Connect Student Ministries Military Members & Families Dean English Bev Weed Ott Knizner Anne MacInally Worship Services Our Shut-Ins Our Family & Friends Craig Gibson Larry Picket, Sr. Rick Gibson Madeline Rice Ella Jackson Michelle Ross Tammy Miller Rob Rudzki Pat Anderson The Brook, Room B-1 195 State Street Roscommon, MI 48653 June Goss Medilodge of Howell 1333 W. Grand River, Rm #209 Howell, MI 48843 Norma Nelson Birthdays & Anniversaries Hunter Eichorn Nick Yatros Kaeley Hahn Julie Hill Marti McConnell Olivia Meadows MJ Ewald Jen Johnson Kennedy Burkett Tracy Baker 03/02 03/03 03/05 03/05 03/06 03/06 03/13 03/15 03/17 03/18 Butch Schneider Emilie Gaberdiel Cindy Edwards Debbie Brown Dean English James Wojey Morgan Smith David Udy Ed Messner Ann Reeks May the Good Lord shower you with many blessings on your special day! Page 5 03/20 03/21 03/22 03/23 03/23 03/25 03/26 03/30 03/31 03/31 Happy Anniversary James & Michelle Wojey 03/21 28 years David & Linda Udy 03/22 40 years S H E P HE R D ’ S CR O O K Applying Biblical Principals What comes to mind when someone mentions “work”? Is your initial tendency to moan and groan, wishing you could avoid work? It might surprise you to learn that God described His creative acts as “work” and that He brought “work” into being shortly after He created man. Adam worked in the Garden before and after his fall due to his sin. Cain worked by raising vegetables. Abel worked by tending sheep. Throughout Scripture, people worked. Even the Lord Jesus worked while He was on earth, and He described God the Father as having worked. Work has always been part of God’s nature and eternal plan for mankind. Wait a minute — If God created and owns everything, why should we His children have to work? Couldn’t He just provide for us in some supernatural way that would enable us not to have to work? Surely, God could do that, but He doesn’t do so. According to the admonition in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, one of the primary benefits from working and providing for our needs is to be able to lead lives marked by integrity and a healthy self respect. And God’s plan is that we are best able to accomplish these worthy goals by working. God also knows that by utilizing our talents and abilities through work, He will be able to minister to others through us in an effective way. Work, then, is one of the primary avenues by which we can demonstrate our Christian faith, particularly as we do our tasks to God’s glory. Work is also the primary way through which we obtain money to give to God. What should be the Christian’s response to work? First, thank God for work and for the ability to work. As Solomon observed, this is a “gift of God.” Second, view your work as a means of bringing glory to God. Third, whatever you do — no matter what your vocation or occupation — do it “with all your might,” as unto the Lord. And finally, remember that by providing work for us to do, God enables us to give to Him and to His ministry at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church of the North. GIVING IN SUPPORT OF OUR BUDGET & MORTGAGE Thank you to our Financial Secretary, Marlyn Byrd, for these updates Weekly average amount required for our Operating Budget $4,423 Amount given Amount given Amount given Amount given Page 6 02/01 $3,872 02/08 $4,596 02/15 $4,253 02/22 $2,303 Weekly average amount required for our Mortgage loan $1,375 Amount given 02/01 $ 987 Amount given 02/08 $1,291 Amount given 02/15 $ 777 Amount given 02/22 $1,573 Endowment Fund $27,145 (January 31, 2015) Could you add to this amount? Call Sharon Boushelle 989-275-6131 S H E P HE R D ’ S CR O O K O p e n Fo r u m Join us for some fun and contribute to a great cause at the same time. Saturday March 21st Paint and Take Two sessions: 9:00 am—12:30 pm or1:00 pm—4:30 pm Lunch is served at 12:30 pm Cost is $40.00 Register and prepay by March 7th See flyer on Church bulletin board for more details. Ple CC ord pu ou to oth Hand-In-Hand Together WE CAN Make a Difference ONE PENNY at a Time! = Please help feed those who are hungry by bringing in your loose change Sunday, March 29th for our special PENNIES FOR POTATOES collection GSUMC of the North will be hosting the “World Day of Prayer” 12:00 pm on March 6th Everyone is invited to join us in the Annual World-Wide Program of celebration and prayer Wednesdays up through Holy week there will be a healthy choice pot luck at 6:00 pm followed by an entertaining DVD series: “FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD: LETTERS TO THE EXILES” CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Christian child care for infants to school age children Monday - Friday (7 am - 6 pm) 989-275-6971 Page 7 LARC Lenten Soup Luncheons 3/04 @ St. James Catholic 3/11 @ St. Elizabeth Episcopal 3/18 @ St. Hubert Catholic 3/25 @ Good Shepherd UMC Lunches begin at 12:00 pm..Everyone is invited! THE PERSONAL CARE PANTRY Open the 2nd Thursday of each month & during the Free Community Dinner Please HELP by donating Toilet paper, dish soap, deodorant, laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner. Pre-school classes 3-5 years of age After school care during the school year BABY PANTRY Open the 2nd Thursday of each month & during the Free Community Dinner S H E P HE R D ’ S CR O O K GOOD SHEPHERD United Methodist Church of the North Sunday Church Service 10:00 am Blended Service “We seek to bring all people to Jesus by being a friendly Christ-centered community offering God’s healing, help and hope.” 149 W Robinson Lake Rd Roscommon, MI 48653 (989) 275-5577 (989) 275-4413 facsimile email: [email protected] website: www.gsumc-roscommon.com OFFICE HOURS Mon—Thurs 9 am to 5 pm Friday 9 am to 3 pm (closed for lunch from 12—1 pm)