Coffee, Cookies, and Conversation!commch.com › files › September 2017 Crossroads.pdf1 Coffee,...
Transcript of Coffee, Cookies, and Conversation!commch.com › files › September 2017 Crossroads.pdf1 Coffee,...
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Coffee, Cookies, and Conversation!
A weekly informal social get-
together will start on Monday,
September 25 at 10 a.m. It will
be a weekly time for fellowship
that will include coffee, cookies,
and conversation. Invite a friend and enjoy a
relaxed time together.
Dean and Debbie Lundberg with Youth With A
Mission (YWAM Tyler, Texas)
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://ywam.org/wp/
Support: YWAM Tyler, PO Box 3000, Garden Valley,
TX 75771. Attach a note that support is for Dean and
Debbie Lundberg (do not write in the memo field)
In June Debbie was asked to provide a week of
orality and Bible storying training at YWAM
Kona for a staff development course focused on
preparing YWAMers to do Jesus film projects
(in partnership with Campus Crusade), among
other things. There were 18 participants from 5
continents, all the way from a former Wycliffe
Bible translator to recent YWAM training
graduates, all with an interest in contributing to
the effort to end Bible poverty.
Dean had the privilege of assisting several
visiting field workers who work in Central Asia
and North Africa to connect, share their stories,
receive prayer, and enjoy a meal. Most recently
they hosted a couple on their way to Germany
to work with Afghan refugees, 7 years after they
had to flee a ministry based in Afghanistan.
Praise! Debbie was finally been granted her
Brazilian visa. She can now travel to support
their team in Brazil.
One of the missionary couples
that Community Church
partners with is:
The Lundbergs will be in our area from August 25
- September 4, visiting supporting churches.
Debbie and Dean taught a course in West Virginia
for the YWAM team on implementing community
development strategies to address rural poverty
and spiritual needs in an area that is economically
depressed.
The Community Church will
host the Community Table
ministry on Tuesday,
September 26, 2017 at 4:30
p.m. We need volunteer s to
set-up, cook, serve, and clean up after the dinner.
If you are willing to participate in this event,
please contact Ed or Donna Hallin at 757-3360.
Choir and Handbell Practice
begins on Thursday, August 31,
6:30 pm for Bells and 7:30 p.m.
for Vocal Choir.
Ringers needed! Can
you count to 4? If so,
you can ring a bell
and make a joyful
noise.
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Crossroads September 2017
The Church as Family…
Some of you might be familiar with the writings of Phillip Yancey. He is a
Christian writer who tends to meet us where we are; seeking to help us find
answers to some of our questions. Recently I read his book, “Church: Why
Bother?” and his discussion on Family as the makeup God intends for the
church. He states, “The focus has shifted from families to institutions. Yet
the New Testament stubbornly presents the church as being more like a family
that an institution.” As I thought about this book I was forced to examine the
question and now I am asking you to do that; is Community Church more like a family or an institution?
Institutions operate largely on status and rank. The military is an institution; it operates on status and
rank as do corporations. Title, Salary, and Perks signify your status in the company and the higher up you
go the more valuable you are perceived to be. Status is derived from performance. Families work a bit
differently though. Your status is determined by birth and underperforming children are not kicked out of
the family. In fact, the more needy children tend to receive more attention than more independent
siblings. As a member of God’s family, we receive God’s attention even though we do not deserve it
according to our performance and productivity. We undeservedly receive God’s grace and God’s blessing
despite our failures. Who did Jesus focus most of His time on?
One way to answer the question above is to ask, who gets the attention of this church? Is it those who
have attained rank in the church or is it those who need our attention the most (namely our children, our
newest members, our sick and our shut-ins)? Do we value the spiritual gifts of some more highly that
another? (Paul warns us sternly not to do that – please read 1 Corinthians 12:21-26). Each part of the
body must have equal concern for the other. One part suffers, all suffer; one part rejoices, all rejoice with
them. Every family contains success stories and struggles; just like all of our churches have success
stories and struggles. A healthy family, like a healthy church; builds up the weak without tearing down
the strong.
Finally, family is one place where they have to take you. There are no choices, your family is chosen for
you; that decision is set forth from birth. My brother Kurt gave me a framed saying a few years ago; it
said, “I smile because you’re my brother. I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!” He is my
brother through thick and through thin. When we choose Christ, we also become part of a family, Christ’s
family. We don’t pick and choose which Christians make up our family and our community; Christ
makes that choice for us. Henri Nouwen once wrote about community saying, “a place where the person
you least want to live with always lives.” I suppose that describes well the family that gathers at
Thanksgiving and Christmas and the family that gathers on Sunday morning to worship.
I suspect most churches resemble both a family and an institution in many ways. The more a church
resembles a family though, the easier it will be for Christ to work in us through his Holy Spirit. Let’s all
be searching for how we can be more like family here and less like and institution.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brett
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Crossroads September 2017
9/3/17 “A Servant’s Faith”
John 9:1-3 2 Kings 5:1-19
9/10/17 – Pastor on Vacation
9/17/17 “By Faith: Gideon Leads”
2 Corinthians 4:7-18 Judges 7:1-8
9/24/17 “Love and Stewardship” 1 Peter 4:7-11
Luke 10:25-37
September 3 1st Sunday of the Month Intinction
October 1 World Communion Intinction
November 5 All Saint’s Sunday Pews
November 26 Christ the King Sunday Pews
December 3 1st Sunday of the Month Intinction
December 24 Christmas Eve Pews
Gregg Shaw 09/10
Ann Miller 09/11
Ilene Johnson 09/12
Stephanie Thomsen 09/16
Gary Miller 09/18
Dottie Schroeder 09/25
Betty Hodges 09/26
Hilda Parker 09/29
Laurie Young 09/30
Ric & Carol Cooper 09/02
Les & Marie Mortensen 09/05
Tom & Jackie Lane 09/07
Fred & Elsie Schroeder 09/09
Ron & Betty Hodges 09/14
Bill & Barbara Wolf 09/16
Dave & Dar Carpenter 09/22
Sermon Titles and Scripture for
September, 2017
2017 COMMUNION SCHEDULE
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Crossroads September 2017
Council of Ministry Meeting Highlights
August 16, 2017
From the worship
committee: New name
tags are being
considered. Ushers are
always needed. Sign-
up often! Pastor Brett’s
installation is scheduled for September 24. He
will preach on stewardship.
During the month of October, many activities
are planned around the celebration of 500
years since Martin Luther nailed his 95
Theses on the door of All Saint’s Church in
Wittenburg, Germany. This is the beginning
of the Protestant Reformation. The Noisy
Coin collection on July 30 took in $403.90.
Bigger buckets are needed!
From the Treasurer: Our current year-to-date
giving is $107, 501.75 compared to the
previous year’s giving of $89,458.57. YTD
expenses are $100,604.91 and the previous
year’s were $99,338.36. The Treasurer is a
“happy camper.” Budget preparation is
underway. A stewardship letter will be sent
the end of September in preparation for
dedication of pledges during worship on
October 8.
The O.A.K.S. picnic at Sutton’s Landing was
well-attended. The food was outstanding and
the weather was perfect!
From the Membership, Outreach &
Evangelism/Christian Education committee:
A Bible Study will begin meeting weekly on
Wednesdays, at 7:00, beginning Wednesday,
September 27. The first study topic will focus
on the Reformation. An informal social get-
together is planned for Monday, September 25
at 10 a.m. It will be a time for fellowship that
will include coffee, cookies and conversation.
From Communications: the church Facebook
(FB) page is updated weekly to include the
Sermon focus and special music. There seems
to be a fair amount of activity on the FB page.
So, check it out!
A new study will begin September 27th and follow each
Wednesday at 7 pm. Together we will explore and discuss
topics based always on the foundation of Scripture.
Through the month of October we will focus on the Reformation. 2017 marks the 500th
anniversary of the Reformation (marked by the 95 Theses written by Martin Luther).
Together we will discuss and explore what shaped
the reformation and the impact it has had on the
Christian Church universal. More details will
follow in the bulletin in the two weeks prior to
our study beginning.
Wednesday Bible Study
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Crossroads September 2017
Council and Committee Meetings—September 2017
Christian Women’s Fellowship Monday, September 11, 9 am, Room 11
Finance and Personnel Committee Wednesday, September 6, 6:00 pm, Room 20a
O.A.K.S. Committee Wednesday, September 6, 6:30 pm, Room 10
Worship Committee Wednesday, September 6, 7:00 pm, Room 20a
Missions Committee TBA
Christian Education Committee
Membership/Outreach/Evangelism Committee
(M.O.E.), Communications Committee
Tuesday, September 12, 6:00 pm, Room 10
Building Use and Maintenance Committee Tuesday, September 12, 6:30 pm, Room 20a
Council of Ministries Wednesday, September 20, 7:00 pm, Room 11
Long Range Planning Committee No meeting scheduled at this time
Date Attendance
Count
General Fund
Collection
July 30 70 $1,701.00
August 6 104 $4,661.00
August 13 63 $2,308.00
August 20 71 $3,196.00
August 27 78 $2,758.79
September
Update
Installation of Pastor Brett Spalding is scheduled for
Sunday, September 24, at the 9:30 am worship service.
Plan to attend this special service!
Crossroads Folding: October 25
Please submit articles to Lisa in the
church office, or email to
Thank you!
Crossroads Deadline: October 18
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PRAYER NEEDS OF OUR CHURCH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
IMMEDIATE PRAYER CONCERNS
Terry Krystiniak, health concerns, encouragement and suppor t
Fred Fleetwood, health concerns
Family of Doug Anderson
OUR MISSIONARIES Daryl and Leshia Beltz
Jim and Yuri Cerminaro
Tony and Connie Johnson
Dean and Debbie Lundberg
ON-GOING Laurie Hamilton, healing
Al Carlson, health issues
Dale Guenthardt, health issues
Jeanne Rabe, health concerns, godmother of Kathy Bromley
Judy d’Anton, recover ing at home, Dave Swathwood’s Sister
Tim Ryon, health issues, Sue Sabin’s son
Florence Beerman, health concerns
Barbara Peters, multiple sclerosis, Bob and Lynn Olmstead’s Daughter
Chuck Oleniczak, health concerns
Harold Figgins, health concerns
Daniel Williams, health concerns, Sandi Steckel’s cousin
Sherrie Sanders, health concerns
Joe Newton, cancer
Eric Lund, possible limb transplants
NURSING HOME RESIDENTS Autumn Winds - Marylyn Brown
Willowbrook - Thelma Bowden
Oakview - Gary Miller, Barbara Johnson, Mary Carlson, Terry Krystiniak
Ludington Woods - Don Swier
Village Haus - Hilda Parker
All persons placed on the prayer list will remain there for a period of two weeks. After
two weeks, the name will be dropped from the list unless Janet VanEpps or the office are
notified that the prayer need is on-going. If you have a prayer need that you would like to
have the members of the prayer chain pray for, please activate the prayer chain by calling
Janet VanEpps at 843-3122.
Crossroads Prayer Concerns September 2017
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M ay 2 014
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat August 29
Ladies Bible 9:30am
Quilters 9am-6pm
Community Table 4:30-6pm
Cub Scouts 4pm Boy Scouts 7pm
August 30
August 31
Bulletin Folding 10am
Bell Choir 6:30pm Vocal Choir 7:30pm
1
2
3
Worship with Communion 9:30am
4
Labor Day Church office closed
5
Ladies Bible 9:30am
Quilters 9am-6pm
Community Table 4:30-6pm
Cub Scouts 4pm Boy Scouts 7pm
6
Finance/Personnel 6pm OAKS 6:30pm
Worship Committee 7pm
7
Bulletin Folding 10am
Bell Choir 6:30pm
Vocal Choir 7:30pm
8
9
10
Worship 9:30am
11
Christian Women’s Fellowship 9am
Cub Scouts 7pm
12
Ladies Bible 9:30am
Quilters 9am-6pm
Community Table 4:30-6pm
CE/MOE/COMM 6pm B.U.M. 6:30 pm
Cub Scouts 4pm Boy Scouts 7pm
13
14
Bulletin Folding 10am
Bell Choir 6:30pm Vocal Choir 7:30pm
15
16
17
Worship 9:30am
18
Cub Scouts 7pm
19
Ladies Bible 9:30am
Quilters 9am-6pm
Community Table 4:30-6pm
Cub Scouts 4pm Boy Scouts 7pm
20
CROSSROADS
DEADLINE
Council Meeting 7pm
21
Bulletin Folding 10am
Bell Choir 6:30pm Vocal Choir 7:30pm
22
23
24
Worship 9:30am Pastor Installation
Sunday
25
All-Church Social Time 10 am
Cub Scouts 7pm
26
Ladies Bible 9:30am
Quilters 9am-6pm
Community Table 4:30-6pm
WE SERVE
Cub Scouts 4pm Boy Scouts 7pm
27
Bible Study 7 pm
28
CROSSROADS FOLDING 9:30 am
Bulletin Folding 10am
Bell Choir 6:30pm
Vocal Choir 7:30pm
29 30
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CROSSROADS
September 2017
Community Church
109 N. Harrison St.
Ludington, MI 49431
Phone: 231-843-9275
www.commch.com
Traditionally
CONGREGATIONAL /PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH STAFF
Pastor
Rev. Brett Spalding
Music Director
W. John Clement
Membership/Financial Secretary Lisa Dains
Custodian
Cheri Welch
Office Hours: Monday through Thursday
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Check out Community Church’s Facebook page! Go to Facebook and type
“Community Church of Ludington” in the search box. Scroll down and check out to
see what is posted.