SALT OF THE EARTH…LIGHT OF THE WORLDstorage.cloversites.com/communityreformedchurch...Jesus says...

IN TOUCH WITH COMMUNITY

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2015

SALT OF THE EARTH…LIGHT OF THE WORLD

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).

In the fall, Small Groups became known as Connection Groups, a name that captures the idea of outreach, moving beyond our groups to be “salt” and “light” to others. Jan Boss challenged the groups to develop a plan to participate in acts of service as our voluntary, grateful response to God. In this issue of In Touch we have included feedback from some of the Connection Groups, hoping their sharing will inspire all of us to seek opportunities for service as we live into our mission of “Helping all people find and follow Jesus.”

- - - -The Communications Team

IN TOUCH

In Luke 11:35 Jesus says, “Be careful lest the light in you be darkness.” It seems to me that it is far easier to be a “Debbie Downer” than a cheerful, uplifting influence. Why is it so easy to complain and so difficult to praise, love and be happy?

I know there is a lot of downer stuff in life: The economy can drag us down. Perhaps we do not have a job, or we are having trouble paying the bills, or we have a job we don’t like or don’t make enough money. Maybe it is a relationship that is causing consternation. We feel unloved or underappreciated. We feel boxed in. Lonely. Maybe it is a health issue that is pulling us into the despair of darkness. We have been diagnosed with cancer or are undergoing treatment. Perhaps we have pain in a joint or muscle that is severely crippling our activities. We may be concerned about ebola or the flu. Maybe it is politics dragging us down…the constant rhetoric of bitterness and blame along with the character bashing and talk of war. Terrorism.

Jesus says watch out that the light in you doesn’t go out. Be on guard that the downer stuff of life doesn’t snuff out the light of hope, joy and love. We are to be people full of joy, with a smile on our face and a bounce in our step. We have the Light of life living within us. We have confidence that the victory is His! All the depressing

stuff is temporary. Our relationship with the Savior gives us hope in the darkness and a willingness to see goodness in people and situations. Our light is deep and strong. Even through tears of empathy and sorrow, we can show forth God’s grace, forgiveness and love.

Has our light been covered with darkness? Are we gloomy and depressed? Or are we letting the Light of God shine in our faces, our body posture and our activities? Jesus goes on to say in Luke, “When your whole

body is full of light and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted” or “wholly bright,” “radiant.”

“Let your light shine among men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew).

Perhaps today we can say a quick “I love you” or “I appreciate you” or even “I am proud of you” to someone we think of to encourage him or her and be a light shining in another’s darkness. Perhaps we can smile at the grocery attendant or say a cheery good-morning to a co-worker. Letting our light shine might be a bigger thing or a small, thoughtful act. It might be a whisper of prayer.

Will we heed Jesus’ warning today and “be careful that our light isn’t turned to darkness”? Are we shining “wholly bright”?

LETTING OUR LIGHT SHINELETTING OUR LIGHT SHINELETTING OUR LIGHT SHINELETTING OUR LIGHT SHINE By Kathy Boeckman

Remembering our Military Men and Women

Please pray and send words of encouragement to our Military Men and Women. Numbers in parenthesis indicate their birthdate. Please consider sending birthday cards

•David R. Merrill/AIC (US Air Force)- PSC 41 Box 4577, APO AE 09464 Lackenheath, England (9/13)

•Danielle Merrill/AIC (US Air Force)- PSC 41 Box 4577, APO AE 09464 Lackenheath, England (10/20)

•1 LT Kyle Leese - 1600 Marion Center Road, Charlevoix, MI. 49720 (serving at Camp Grayling)

•BMCM (SW/CM) Garrett Miller (US Navy) - USS IWO JIMA LHD7, Deck Dept., FPO AA 34094-1664

•FC3 Nuttall, Logan D (U. S. Navy) - WEPS/CG 04 USS Monterey (CG61) FPO AE 09578-1181 (4/22)

•PFC1 Jeffery Buckner (U.S. Army) - 130 Hickman Court, Raeford, N.C, 28376 (11/15)

•Commander Russell John Coolman (US Navy) - 7079 Pecan Chase, Frisco, TX 75034 (03/04)

•Cameron G. Canupp (US Air Force) - 551 Sturmthal St, Edwards, CA 93523 (6/21)

•Jones, Cyril (US Army) - 7029 Yampe River Heights, Fountain, CO 80817 (3/24)

•L.Cpl. Keie, Christopher D. (US Marines) MACS TAOC Radar Unit 37215, FPO AP 96372-7215. (stationed in Okinawa, Japan) (1/10)

•Rct. Bottomley, John J.,(US Marines)1st Bn. Bravo Co. PLT 1026, 39001 Midway Ave, MCRD San Diego, CA. 92140-1026 (12/13)

Please call the church office with contact information for your loved one serving in the military. Numbers in parenthesis indicate their

birthdate. Please consider sending birthday cards (white envelopes, nothing on outside except addresses).

CONGRATULATIONS AND BLESSINGS TO:

� Jeremy DeYoung, Josh Dhaseleer and Al Gooch as newly selected deacons.

� Jon Eakes and Roger Rozema as newly selected elders.

SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO:

� Kathryn Boss and family on the passing of her brother Jim.

� Linda Shumaker and family on the passing of her brother Dave.

� The Joliffe family on the loss of Bob and Noreen’s sister-in-law, Joan.

---Submitted by, Mary Seaman

“Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others…Anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives so that in everything God will be praised through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:10-11).

While our small group was involved in deciding on projects to be “salt and light” we, coincidentally, also discussed “Joyful Service” one of the lessons from our group Bible study book, Life Lessons with Max Lucado: Books of 1 & 2 Peter. We concluded from this lesson that using our God-given gifts and talents to serve others is both an act of obedience and an act of love. Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit that comes from serving.

Since everyone in our group is a senior citizen, we decided to focus on less physical activities. We began by helping within our group “family.” On a rotating basis, we take a weekly meal to one of our couples who are rarely able to meet with us any more. Even though they appreciate the food, the fact that we show up and stay to visit a while means much more than the meal itself. As warm hugs and smiles are shared, we cannot help but feel a reciprocal bond of love and friendship.

A little “light” glows back in the deep

woods where they live.

Second, we considered ways to reach out to our community. Some of us have worked on the Charlevoix Christmas Project for a number of years. This year we decided to increase our giving of both time and money with a special emphasis on ensuring that we would meet our quota of store-bought cookies, both by encouraging others and purchasing more ourselves.

We also decided to give a quarterly donation to one of the local food pantries. In a note of appreciation, we received comments on what a blessing it is to live in a small community like Charlevoix where there are such caring people. We understand that while our

giving blesses others, it also is a way of praising God for all He has given us.

A third project we pursued is participating in Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse by each couple’s filling one or two boxes with gifts for needy children, bringing them God’s love in a tangible way. Media feedback from Samaritan’s Purse shows the smiling faces of children opening their boxes. It is heart-warming to shine some “light” so many

(Continued on page 5)

BEING SALT AND LIGHT=JOYFUL SERVICEBEING SALT AND LIGHT=JOYFUL SERVICEBEING SALT AND LIGHT=JOYFUL SERVICEBEING SALT AND LIGHT=JOYFUL SERVICE ----Submitted by Mary Seaman

IN TOUCH

miles away, especially to children. (The fact that our church became a drop-off site for these boxes made it easier to accomplish.)

To be honest, none of the group feels completely comfortable sharing what we have done. We understand that being “salt and light” is a life-long commitment that we make once we become followers of Jesus. We also know that out service is to be done with humility. So, by sharing, we hope that others, no matter what their age, will be inspired to reach out to others in joyful service and let the praise be to God!

(Continued from page 4)

As I began to prepare for Christmas this year, I quickly got overwhelmed by all the things left to do. Having fourteen - fifteen people in our house for over a week is a daunting task for me. I began to get caught up on trivial, unimportant things. As I tried to redirect my heart, I thought of a verse I had memorized many years ago. Gal. 2:20 says: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” This verse has become one of my favorite scriptures because it reminds me that my goal is to die to the things of this world and to focus my heart on spiritual things instead.

As I was thinking about what it means to live the “crucified life,” I stumbled across a book written by A.W. Tozer entitled, “The Crucified Life - How to Live Out a Deeper Christian Experience.” Of course I knew right away this was a “God thing,” a nudge by Him to help me learn how to turn things inside out or around - to not focus on the world, but to focus on Christ. It always scares me to think about living a totally crucified life. To be honest, it completely overwhelms me. My deepest problem is that I want to fit into a world that doesn’t satisfy my soul and yet I want to cling to the spiritual things of God at the same time. Talk about trying to straddle!

When the apostle Paul declared in his letter that he had been, “crucified with Christ,” he made a bold claim, but what does this mean? According to Tozer, we too often grasp for a “cheap, across-the-counter commercial kind of Christianity that says, ‘I was in debt and Jesus came and paid my debt.’ The thing we need to emphasize instead is that God has saved us to make us like His Son.” He wants to turn us around and create a new self within us. When you think about the crucified life and what it means to die to self the only question that really matters according to Tozer is, “What do you think of Christ? And What are you going to do with Christ?”

Ah Yes - what do I really think about Christ? What do I believe. Am I really focused on the heart of things? The Holy Spirit continually pricks my heart and impales my


Book Response Recommended by Pam Swenor

THE CRUCIFIED LIFE - HOW TO LIVE OUT A DEEPER CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE

by A.W. Tozer

IN TOUCH

• CONISISTORY NEWS HIGHLIGHTSCONISISTORY NEWS HIGHLIGHTSCONISISTORY NEWS HIGHLIGHTSCONISISTORY NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

• December MeetingDecember MeetingDecember MeetingDecember Meeting • Consistory approved the proposed budget for 2015 as well as an

accompanying cover letter that would be distributed to the congregation.

• They distributed and discussed the Congregational Meeting Agenda.

• Consistory approved making eligible voters for the capital campaign to be both members and regular attendees. Voting could be done either at the meeting or by absentee ballot.

• They approved a motion to require an 80 percent of votes cast to pass the capital campaign.

• Special recognition and thanks were given to Scott Philp, Linda Boss, Brandon Glass, Sherry Kirby, and Jim Malewitz who have completed their term on the Consistory.

Ministry UpdatesMinistry UpdatesMinistry UpdatesMinistry Updates SAFE HAVENSAFE HAVENSAFE HAVENSAFE HAVEN Safe Haven Breakfast Club is building community as well as helping those in financial need by leaps and bounds. To date we have served 7359 meals in the 2014. What leap of faith and what wonderful relationships have been developed. People who came in “down and depressed” a few months ago now come in with a smile, excited to see everyone, and sharing with each other. We have an amazing group of volunteers waiting tables, doing dishes, cooking, making home fried potatoes, cleaning up and so much more. Thank you all for your wonderful donations throughout the year to make this ministry happen. We are seeing more and more faces from the breakfast club in church on Sundays and involved on Wednesday nights. God’s love is being delivered! Volunteers are always needed: Volunteers are always needed: Volunteers are always needed: Volunteers are always needed: See Jan Boss if you are interested in helping. NIGHT LIGHTNIGHT LIGHTNIGHT LIGHTNIGHT LIGHT Emergency Men’s Shelter Safe Haven Night Light has consistently had a guest for the last month. We continue to get phone calls and are committed to staying open through March 31. We are in need of male volunteers to work over night shifts. Our goal has been to have volunteers work one night a month, but that has not been possible because of lack of the volunteers. See Kim Bakker, 231-330-5316 if you are interested in finding out more about this ministry! HELPING HANDS MINISTRYHELPING HANDS MINISTRYHELPING HANDS MINISTRYHELPING HANDS MINISTRY Helping Hands ministry has been set up to reach out to our church and community with prayer, meals and transportation. Our Mission statement is: “ Extending God’s love and (Continued on page 9)

IN TOUCH

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

Kids!

Sunday morning Kidzone : Ages 3 through 4th grade gather in the Son Room at

10:15 AM.

Wednesday Friend’s Club: Ages 4 – 4th grade meet 6:00 – 7:30 PM.

care to those in need in our community.” If you or someone you knows needs a meal or two after surgery, birth of a child, etc. or someone needs transportation to an appointment, church, etc. then call: 231231231231----675675675675----2868286828682868 and leave a message. This phone number will only be used for “Helping Hands”. Either Jill Eakes or Nancy VanRoekel, will give you call back and set up the need with you. Volunteers are neededVolunteers are neededVolunteers are neededVolunteers are needed to help with making meals or providing transportation. There are form at the information center for you fill out and then you will be contacted when a need arises. Suggestions for meals are: Connection Groups care for t heir members, if possible; Team Cooking – two individuals go together on meals; Connection Groups take a meal as an outreach project; Gift cards to Subway, pizza, local restaurants, etc. ; Partial meals to those needing encouragement or an expression of God’s love (pot of soup, or a dessert to those alone, depressed, etc.) The number again is: 231The number again is: 231The number again is: 231The number again is: 231----675675675675----2868286828682868


conscience with the conviction that I must understand what I believe about Christ. This understanding is crucial to who I am in my heart. This understanding affects my actions because if Christ is truly alive in me, then I must do something about Him.

The reality is, I can lose my life in the daily grind of things. I am pounded by ads portraying the “perfect body,” the “perfect house,” the “perfect clothes,” but I know in my heart of hearts that these things are not important, but still they seem to suck me dry,

So just who is this Jesus and what am I going to do about Him? I know that I only begin to change my life when I change the way I see. I need to turn away from the bombardment of the world’s values. There is a quote by G. K. Chesterton that sums up how we need to learn, “Let us exercise the eye until it sees through the fat of things down to the eternal of things. Let us exercise the eye by walking with Christ.”

This means I must listen for His still small voice within me; I must identify with Christ and die to self/selfish desires. I must devote my time to His Word and I must follow the Lamb wherever He goes and have the eyes to see where He is working.

As Christians we do not experience automatic success on our walks with Him. Our soul must be cultivated, we must break up our unplowed ground (Hos. 10:12). We must run after the heavenly treasures that God graciously gives us each and every day.

There are many gems in Tozer’s book that encourage and enrich one’s understanding of the crucified life. Ann Voskamp says, “Our seeing must cut through surfaces and down to souls.” I have learned that I must immerse myself in God and teach my eyes to see the important, eternal, lasting, things. These are the only things that satisfy and fill our souls. He is our constant source of stability.


IN TOUCH

ADULT OPPORTUNITIES

Beginning Sunday, January 11th and Wednesday, January 14th

WEDNESDAYS 5:00 p.m. “One Dish” dinner (free-will donation) 6:00 p.m. Classes

Movement with Megan: Movement with Megan: Movement with Megan: Movement with Megan: This 9 week movement course is designed to increase your strength, flexibility, joint mobility, and to lower your levels of stress through movement and music. Inspired by the techniques of modern dance and yoga, this class will teach you how to get back in touch with your body through

natural, easy to conqueror movements while clearing your mind of your hectic to-do lists. If you are looking to get fit while having fun and exploring something new, this class is for you! Lead by Megan Wood

Faith Lab: Faith Lab: Faith Lab: Faith Lab: Remember how much more exciting science lab was than science class - you got to play with Bunsen burners and chemicals? Faith Lab will focus its time on inviting you into experimentation. We’ll do faith experiments together. We’ll consider God’s Word and we’ll experiment with living this Word out in our lives. There will be some background work, which will include homework, but most of the homework will be practicing your faith in your day-to-day life. A


crucial aspect of our growth in faith happens when we practice our faith. Experimentation will happen around simplicity, learning to say NO, being counter-cultural, and practicing emotional maturity just to name a few. The class will be Bible-based and requires a commitment to attend and do the homework. You can come the first day, see the syllabus (plan/goals/expectations), and decide from there. Questions? Contact Professor Sauer.

"Art of Marriage""Art of Marriage""Art of Marriage""Art of Marriage"--------a Family Life series

that recognizes each marriage as unique with colorful personalities and different circumstances in each and every couple's lives. Blending these situations to make marriage work is a divinely inspired art form--challenging to master but definitely worth the effort. The series

offers mini-projects during group meetings, date-night suggestions for couples, articles and tips for improving marriage and a DVD that is sure to touch on every kind of phase and texture of marriage. A team from the Marriage Enrichment Team will be leading.

Stephen Ministry: Stephen Ministry: Stephen Ministry: Stephen Ministry: we will continue with our Stephen Ministry training meeting 6:00—7:30 p.m.. Each week we’ll continue learning how to care for those going through tough times and leaving the cure to God.

SUNDAY MORNINGS at 10:15 Let’s Discuss… Let’s Discuss… Let’s Discuss… Let’s Discuss… today’s message. Ever wanted to go deeper with the morning sermon? Then this discussion class is for you. Each week a discussion will be held on what you just heard at the early service. Facilitators: Jim Malewitz.


IN TOUCH

Adding a Little Seasoning to Our LivesAdding a Little Seasoning to Our LivesAdding a Little Seasoning to Our LivesAdding a Little Seasoning to Our Lives By Joy Klooster

Luke 14: 34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?”

When Jan Boss challenged our Connection Group (formerly known as Small Group) in October to show our voluntary, grateful responses to God, we knew we had our work cut out for us. There were many ideas thrown around for being “salt and light” in people’s lives. One idea that came to us was from listening to Chip’s sermons on reaching out to orphans and widows. We knew the FACES ministry addressed orphans, but what about widows in our community? What could we do that might be helpful and show Christ’s love to widows or women who lived alone in our community? Since we were all physically capable of doing labor, we decided we could rake leaves, move furniture, weed or do something for a person that needed extra assistance.

While there are many widows in our community that have needs, we decided to look first in our neighborhoods, at American House and at the Safe Haven Breakfast Club. We came up with a list of 5 women who could use our assistance. Patti McCreadie was in charge of contacting each woman and arranging dates and times for all twelve of us in the Connection Group to get together. It was hard to arrange because everyone had different schedules. Finally, we picked 2-3 dates and planned accordingly.

During the course of these days, we pulled weeds, raked leaves, blew leaves, cleaned rain gutters out, moved furniture, sang songs, worshiped with American House residents, conversed with our new friends, and raked more leaves. Fortunately, the weather was great on the days we were outside. On the last day, after the work was completed, Tim McCreadie prepared a delicious dinner for the group.

Was it easy to do? The fellowship was easy and spreading Christ’s love was quite enjoyable. The labor was hard and we got tired near the end, but with many hands, the work was lightened. We were blessed to have the help of teenagers Grace Whitley and Gavin McCreadie to get on top of a roof to clean leaves out of the gutter or to carry tarp loads of leaves to the roadside. Young Avery McCreadie went inside and

CONNECTION GROUPSCONNECTION GROUPSCONNECTION GROUPSCONNECTION GROUPS

conversed with the ladies and entertained them during the work bees, which the ladies seemed to enjoy.

After each deed was done, the ladies couldn’t have been more appreciative. Each one wanted to give us something in return; they just couldn’t believe we didn’t want anything in return and would do something just to show God’s love and care. We were sharing the spirit of giving and being “salt and light.” Even though we were in these ladies’ lives only for a short time, we found a little bit of Christ-like behavior, like a little bit of salt, goes a long way. By our actions we were spreading the light of Jesus Christ. We hope these ladies experienced that joy. We felt we connected with new friends and experienced love and compassion. We made connections and added a seasoning that hopefully will be life-long.

BEING SALT AND LIGHTBEING SALT AND LIGHTBEING SALT AND LIGHTBEING SALT AND LIGHT ----Submitted by Candice Weirs

Instead of scheduling separate activities during the eight weeks, we discussed how we wanted to keep each other more accountable in our current roles (in the workplace, home, and beyond). We have lots of opportunities in the places that we live, work, and play to be the “salt and light” to those that we interact with on a daily basis.

Leading up to this Christmas season, we wanted to do something for a local family but decided to give it a different spin. Instead of buying Christmas gifts for this family, we decided we wanted to help build memories for them. In our group we really value the time and memories we have as a family. Our alternative was to give this family a gift card to a local water park. We hope this time together can be a lasting memory for this family.


IN TOUCH

CONNECTION GROUP PHOTOS

These photos are from the Connection Group Projects that occurred this fall. Some Connection Groups raked leaves; some provided cookies and fellowship at American House; some washed school lost-and-found clothing so that clean clothing could be handed out for those who needed an extra hat or mittens, etc. All are examples of Connection members’ spreading their light in the community.

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COMMUNITY REFORMED

CHURCH

Phone: 231-547-9482 Fax: 231-547-9598

Email: [email protected] www.communityreformed.net

Join us for Worship:

Sunday, 8:30, & 10:15 a.m. Nursery: 8:30, & 10:15 a.m.

Sunday School: Sunday, 10:15 a.m.

Prayer: Sunday, 7:15 a.m.

Monday - Friday, 6:15 a.m. Wednesday (2nd floor City Hall), 12 p.m.

Wednesday, 5:00 pm Saturday, 7:15 a.m.

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SALT OF THE EARTH…LIGHT OF THE WORLDstorage.cloversites.com/communityreformedchurch...Jesus says...

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