Praise & Lament August 2018 NEWSLETTERThe ook of Psalms is filled with both Psalms of Praise, as...
Transcript of Praise & Lament August 2018 NEWSLETTERThe ook of Psalms is filled with both Psalms of Praise, as...
The Book of Psalms is filled with both Psalms of Praise, as well as Psalms of Lament.
Today, I sing praises to God! However, for the last six months I have probably spent
more time lamenting. I poured out my concerns. I announced my distress. Why do I
have to move? Why do I have to up end my family? Why are you tearing me away from
people whom I love? I had been at Williamston United Methodist Church for 7 years.
This marked the longest period I had lived in the same location in my adult life. I had a
community of people who I loved and cared for and who loved and cared for me in
return. For the first time I deeply grieved moving.
I often wish life could be joyful and that my heart could be filled with unending praise all
the time. I am reminded of the words of the writer of Ecclesiastes who states “There is a
time for everything.” There is even a time for lament. It is a key component of having an
honest and truthful faith. We are not called to candy coat our feelings and struggles.
Scripture speaks to this over and over again with psalms and stories of lament; including
an entire book of lamentations. Jesus even laments to the Father in the Garden of
Gethsemane, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible. Take this cup of suffering
away from me…” (Mark 14:36). Then, in his agony on the cross, Jesus cries out, “My
God, my God, why have you forsaken me…?”
Lament is a necessary component for us to overcome hurt and pain. Lament isn’t a
failure of faith, but an act of humility in which we express our true feelings and our need
for God’s help and comfort.
I expect this is a time of lament for many of you. Pastor Diane has been an important
part of your lives for the last 5 years. Know, that with God’s help, lament gives way to
joy and praise. I have already experienced that joy in my first month here. Your warm
welcome has been an answer to my lament. So, today, I give God praise!
August 2018 NEWSLETTER
Our Mission
Making disciples
of Jesus Christ
for the
transformation
of the world.
Our Vision
First United
Methodist Church is
a
welcoming,
vital church,
filled with people of
all ages, from all
walks of life and
stages of faith,
growing together
to become
deeply
committed
Christians
who follow and
serve Jesus Christ.
Praise & Lament Give thanks to the Lord;
call upon his name;
make his deeds known to all people!
Sing to God;
sing praises to the Lord;
dwell on all his wondrous works!
-Psalm 105:1-2 CEB
I cry out loud for help from the Lord.
I beg out loud for mercy from the Lord.
I pour out my concerns before God;
I announce my distress to him.
-Psalm 142:1-2 CEB
400 S. Main Street • Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 Phone: (989) 773-6934 • Fax: (989) 773-1855 • Web: www.mtpfumc.org
August Loose Coin Offering
Grace Children’s Hospital
Each day, Grace Children’s Hospital in Haiti provides
treatment to approximately 400 children. In addition to
providing healthcare, the children receive food, clean water,
a bed, clothing and education. No child is turned away due
to their family’s inability to pay. Donations allow Grace to be
a place of restoration for Haiti’s children.
Family Camp
First UMC’s annual Family Camp is August 17-19 at the
Lake Michigan Camp and Retreat Center in Pentwater,
Michigan. Camping options include cabins, platform tents,
and tent or RV sites. Plan to join us for fun family time,
beautiful beaches and inspiring sunsets.
You can still sign up through August 1, please contact the
Church Office at 989-773-6934. Per night costs are $60 for
cabins and $30 for campsites or platform tents. Feel free to
contact Jacqui Pridgeon at 989-773-1885 with other
questions.
Upcoming Walk to Emmaus
for Women
September 27-30, 2018 at Greenville UMC. The Walk to
Emmaus is a low-cost spiritual retreat giving you the
opportunity to meet Jesus in a new way. The 72-hour
experience is filled with laughter, singing, learning, worship,
prayer and reflection. Members of this church are available
to sponsor you and the discounted fee application deadline
is August 30th. For more information contact the church
office at 989-773-6934.
Resignation of
Director of Music Ministries
The Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) announces
the resignation of Dr. Casey Robards from the Director of
Music Ministries position and other roles effective July 23,
2018. Casey is leaving for a position at the University of
Illinois, her alma mater. She will continue to reside in the
area, but her travel and job demands will prevent her from
continuing her employment with First UMC.
“While it is with sadness that we say goodbye to Casey,”
said Jacqui Pridgeon, SPRC Chair, “it also brings us great
joy, knowing that Casey is pursuing her dreams and talents
through this new opportunity. We are so thankful for
the musical and leadership gifts she has shared with our
church over the last several years. We will miss her
and wish her God’s many and deep blessings on this music-
filled adventure.”
SPRC asks that congregants pray for God’s continued
leading and our discernment throughout this process. You
will find the jobs posted on our website www.mtpfumc.org.
Stay tuned for more updates about this in the near future.
Please extend your well-wishes to Casey via email at
UMW News
All Church Potluck Picnic
August 15 • 6:00 p.m.
West Pavilion • Island Park
Come one, Come ALL!! EVERYONE is invited to the All
Church Potluck Picnic. Bring a dish to pass, your own
table service and beverage cup. Beverages will be
provided. Following dinner, we will worship together, led by
the Lay Servants Committee, music TBA.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
9:00 VBS 5:30 Yoga 6:30 Missions
2
7:30 Men’s No Agenda Breakfast 9:00 VBS 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous
3
9:00 VBS
4
9:00 VBS
5
9:00 VBS 9:00 Adult Bible Study
10:00 Worship
11:00 4th Day
6
11:00 D-Zone Meeting 3:15 Prayer Group 6:00 SPRC 6:30 Gamblers Anonymous 6:30 Gam-Anon 7:00 Toastmasters
7
9:00 Women’s No Agenda Coffee 5:30 Worship Ministry 6:30 Green Team 7:30 Lay Servant Committee
8
5:30 Yoga
9
7:30 Men’s No Agenda Breakfast 5:30 Youth Outing/ Paddlebot Concert 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous
10
11
12
9:00 Adult Bible Study
10:00 Worship
11:00 4th Day
13
2:00 Staff Meeting 3:15 Prayer Group 6:30 Gamblers Anonymous 6:30 Gam-Anon 7:00 Stephen Ministry
14
9:00 Women’s No Agenda Coffee 5:30 Church & Society 7:00 Property
15
Newsletter Deadline
5:30 Yoga 6:00 All Church Picnic
16
7:30 Men’s No Agenda Breakfast 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous
17
18
19
Family Camp
9:00 Adult Bible Study
10:00 Worship
11:00 4th Day
20
3:15 Prayer Group 6:30 Gamblers Anonymous 6:30 Gam-Anon 7:00 Toastmasters
21
9:00 Women’s No Agenda Coffee 12:30 Mackenzie Circle 6:00 Finance
22
9:00 Youth Painting Party 5:30 Yoga 7:00 Education Ministry
23
7:30 Men’s No Agenda Breakfast 1:00 Youth Painting Party 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous
24 25
26
9:00 Adult Bible Study
10:00 Worship
11:00 4th Day 4:00 Back to School Carnival
27
2:00 Staff Meeting 3:15 Prayer Group 6:30 Gamblers Anonymous 6:30 Gam-Anon
28
9:00 Women’s No Agenda Coffee 1:00 Stewardship 6:00 Church Council
29
4:30 Genesis Bells 5:30 Yoga 6:00 Preschool Open House
30
7:30 Men’s No Agenda Breakfast 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous
31
7/01 147 17
7/08 136 29
7/15 157 27
7/22 146 7
Worship Attendance & Periscope Viewers
August 5 August 12 August 19 August 26
Outside Greeters (2)
Fred & Barbara Stabley 989-621-8578
Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed
Inside Greeters (2)
Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Mark & Suezell Francek 989-289-2066
Ushers (4) Arlene Dunham 989-506-0406
Earl & Jan Bronson 989-506-9700
Volunteer Needed
Art Homan 772-7835 Ed Moe 772-3536 Volunteers Needed
Linda Traum 561-670-9875
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers Needed
Liturgist Volunteer Needed Kendall Farnum 989-854-0343
Fred Stabley 989-621-8578
Joan Long 772-1811
Refreshment Host(ess)
Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed
Begins September 9
9:00 a.m. Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship in Fellowship Hall
2018 WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS
Summer Service at 10:00 AM
8/1
Nancy Lewis
Bill Zehnder
8/5
Ron Elliott
Jan Johnson
8/6
Greg Pridgeon
8/8
Keaton Sheffert
8/9
Patricia Alberts
8/10
Kitty Thomas
Nancy Priestap
Fred Stabley
8/12
Sherry Trombly
8/13
Charlie Farnum
8/17
Amy Wolters
Sarah Douglas
8/18
Lisa Sheffert
8/19
Dyke Heinze
8/20
Marilyn Erickson
8/22
Lorraine Helminski
8/23
Sue Rummel
8/24
David Ebbinghaus
Ralph Lane
8/25
Bart Kjolhede
8/26
Alan Williams
Marrianne Smith
Janet Cummings
Matthew Weber
Jerry Stuart
8/27
Mark Kingsworthy
Bryan Crouch
Chuck Holek
Michelle Turpin
August Birthdays
8/28
Bonnie Bauder
Val Wolters
Jo Jennings
8/29
Leann Krueger
Marilyn Duke
8/30
Xavier King
8/31
Sandy Greenwald
Jane Martin
Patricia Feight
Please wish these folks a very happy birthday...
400 South Main Street • Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
August 2018
September Newsletter deadline is August 15th.
FINANCE FACTS
As of July 1, we have completed one-half of our current fiscal year. So far our General Fund (GF) revenues have been sufficient to allow us
to keep current with our bills in addition to paying 45.5% of the $48,689 due for our Ministry Shares for all of 2018. Ministry shares are the
funds that each local Methodist church contributes to pay District, Conference and World Service ministries and expenses.
GF Carry Forward from 2017 $ 17,700
GF Revenues (1/1/18-7/1/18) 189,372
Total Available for 2018 GF $207,072
GF Expenses (1/1/18-7/1/18) 195,252
GF Balance @7/1/18 $ 11,820
As reflected in the above figures, during the first half of the year, we have spent nearly $6,000 more than we have collected. We have man-
aged by “dipping into” our GF Carry Forward balance from last year. If our GF revenues for the second half of the year, continue at the
same pace as the first half, we should be able to address the anticipated shortfall in our 2018 GF budget. Thank you all for your generous
gifts during the 1st half of the year. We are prayerfully optimistic that our continued giving for the remainder of the year will prove sufficient
to fully support the various ministries and programs of First UMC. As the year progresses, further updates about our church finances will be
shared.