Straits Talk

United Methodist and Presbyterian (USA)

The Church of the Straits

P.O. Box 430 * Mackinaw City, MI 49701

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Straits Talk

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMackinaw CityMichigan 49701

Permit No. 1

May 2015Minister Pastor David WallisHead Usher Cless Hurlburt Organists Wayne Clemens

and Loretta MartinekChoir DirectorAccompanist Cidney RothTreasurer Janet SchaeferFinancial Secretary Jean HuntClerk Diane Robbins

Secretary Judy Churchill

Office Phone: 231 436-8682 * Pastor’s Home Phone: 231 436-5484E-mail – Pastor – norev@juno.com

Church office – office@churchofthestraits.comChurch website – www.thechurchofthestraits.com

OUR WORSHIP SCHEDULETraditional Worship 10:30 a.m.

Adult/Youth Sunday School 9:30 a.m.The Mission of The Church of the Straits

To worship God faithfullyTo grow together spiritually

To serve Jesus Christ andour neighbor joyfully

… in the power of God’s Spirit.

Bible Quiz Answer: A (See John 21:17.)

23rd Psalm – Lesson 5

The Lord is my Shepherd;

I shall not want.He makes me to lie

down in green pastures; He leads me beside the

still waters.He restores my soul;

He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; for You are with me;Your rod and staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the

days of my life;And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

  The shepherd would lead his sheep daily to rest (between 10 a.m. and noon) in a quiet pasture and then to a safe drinking place in the evening. By this time the sheep are ready to lie down; their stomachs are filled with undigested grass. They will chew its cud and digest it while lying down.

  Sheep, on their own, will not lie down unless 4 conditions are met: 1.      They need to feel free of fear. Remember, sheep are very timid, so it does not take much to put fear in them. 2.      There cannot be any friction within the flock, they herd, socially. 3.     Sheep do not have anything to defend themselves from irritations. They must be free of pests that could include bugs and insects. 4.     They will not lie down if they are hungry.

  Sheep have a “butting order” which can create tension within the flock. The “chief butt” is the queen ewe that has established herself as the one in charge. She asserts her position by butting other sheep. This is instinctive within the sheep to do this; it is their social order.  There is a correlation to this in a congregation. There are

those who can create great tension within the congregation of the church. Practically the whole chapter of Ezekiel 34 is devoted to this illustration. However, the fruit that God wants from us is – peace.  James 3:17-18 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

 The flock (congregation) will not prosper if the one who is doing all the “butting” is disturbing the flock.  It is the shepherd’s responsibility to make sure there is peace within the flock, free from tension, freedom from aggravation, and freedom from hunger – a flock (congregation) will prosper if it is well fed.  “That is the shepherd’s responsibility. Our Shepherd will take care of it.”

As sheep, we have the tendency to stray (thinking the grass is greener elsewhere). When we choose to sin, we cannot blame God for the environment we created for ourselves. Our Shepherd knows the “green pastures,” and the “still waters” that will restore us. We will reach these places only by following Him.

~ Donna Keene

**Donna is a dear friend of mine and also the church secretary at St. Paul’s UMC in Cheboygan. A year or so ago she went through cancer treatments and she kept very close to The Word. As she was traveling back and forth to Chicago for treatments and check-ups, she studied specifically the 23rd Psalm. She sent me and other prayer warriors her notes on that Psalm and I loved them so much, I asked if I could reprint her notes in my monthly newsletters. She happily agreed. So over the next 12 months, I will include in each newsletter, her study on the 23rd Psalm. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. ~Judy Churchill

To whom did Jesus say, “Feed my sheep”? A. Peter B. John C. Matthew D. Paul

Bible Quiz

Collectiom for this year!Each month, there will be a suggestion for the boxes and when you go shopping, perhaps you can pick up an item or two and place them in the collection box in Fellowship Hall. In November we will have a ‘BIG’ packing party. Remember, the monthly item is only a suggestion – if you see something on sale that you think a child would love, that’s fine!

May is small toothpaste, individual kleenex,and lip balm month.

Call me if you have any questions. As always, donations of money are welcomed to help cover the cost of shipping for our boxes. Thank you and God bless.

~ Judy Churchill

A Service of Baptism was celebrated Sunday, April 19th for Ava Marie Thompson. Ava was born June 27, 2013 at Hospital of Central New Britain in New Britain, CT. Ava is the darling daughter of Nelson and Denise Thompson and joins siblings Katrina, Myran and Cynthia.

We extend our sympathy to the families of those who have entered the Church Triumphant:Rhea Baril (Judy Most’s mom), who passed away March 20, 2015. Glen Wilkey (Ann Hayes’ son), who passed away April 5, 2015.

Advice for Grads

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.

~Ralph Waldo EmersonThe Last Sunday of Youth Sunday School will be May 17th. We will take the children to the bakery for a donut. Please have your child to church by 9am so we can get there and back for church.

North Star People In Scribbling in the Sand (InterVarsity Press), Christian musician Michael Card notes that the north sky is relatively dark at night. Polaris, or the North Star, is a great frame of reference, but when most people see the North Star for the first time, they’re surprised it isn’t brighter. Card recommends that we strive to become North Star people, rather than attention-seeking stars that burn out quickly. “Seldom will people point their telescopes at us. And when they do, they will no doubt respond, ‘Oh, I thought she was brighter than that.’ But as North Star people, we can serve a deeper purpose. When people need us, we can be there for them, pointing [to] the Way. While the world is spinning at a dizzying pace, we can remain grounded to the same spot, less dazzling but unmovable. “After all, Jesus was a North Star person. There was nothing in his appearance that seemed especially brilliant, according to Isaiah. In his time there were far more dazzling messianic stars who came and went with a flash. But Jesus has always remained there, rooted to the same place in the universe, unmovable. He constantly calls out to us to turn around and behold the dazzling dimness of his light, as it shines in this present world — to find our way to it, and then to find our way by it.”

Graduation is almost here! We know about the Mackinaw City Graduates, but if you have a graduate

To whom did Jesus say, “Feed my sheep”? A. Peter B. John C. Matthew D. Paul

you would like to salute, please let me know so we can spot-light them in the June newsletter. Contact Judy in the church office M-F, 9am-2pm at 231

436-8682 or by e-mail: office@churchofthestraits.com . Mackinaw City Graduation is Saturday, June 6th.

On Sunday, April 26, 2015, the Disciple Three students – Ginny Brew, Jolene Rogala and Janet Schaefer – received their Bible Study Certificates and pins. By studying the Prophets, Luke – Acts, and Paul’s letters,

they learned more clearly the relationship between the Jewish Scriptures and the Christian Scriptures. “The Gospel of Luke” by William Barclay became a favorite extra reading.

Disciple I students – Cathy Brey, Jim & Judy Churchill, Elizabeth Clemens, Ann Craven, Ken & Kristi Laninga, Roger Moore, and Timothy Zabik also received their certificates and pins for completing

the first year of Disciple Studies.

Word + SpiritWe must not be content to have the Spirit without the Word or the Word without the Spirit. Our lives must travel along these two, as the locomotive

travels along parallel rails. It is only by our devout contact with the Bible that we shall be able to detect the Holy Spirit’s voice. It is by the Word that the Spirit will enter our hearts, as the heat of the sun passes into our homes when its beams of light enter the open windows. ~F.B. Meyer

“If at first you don’t succeed, do it like your mother told you.” ~Author

unknownThe Mackinaw Area Food PantryMatthew 25:40 – What ever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me.As Followers of Christ this is what the Lord has demanded us to do. To love

every person and to serve anyone we can. Such love for others glorifies God by reflecting our love for Him. The Food Pantry will close for this season on April 29, 2015. A BIG thank you to all that helped at the pantry. Thank you for your loving heart and willingness to do the work the Lord asks of us. We had a very successful season, serving 57 different families, some on a weekly basis, others just now and then. We reached out in many special ways. Our Community Dinner served over 100 people. There were 35 Christmas baskets delivered to those in need, or people living alone. There were many families who needed emergency help, warm sleeping bags were also available. Many Bibles were given out and a few people coming to our pantry are no attending church. WHAT A BLESSING! What an opportunity we have here to create a community of Christian belonging and to share the love of Jesus. A Big Thank You to each individual and each business that supported the Pantry. You have touched the lives of many.In Christian Love, Rosalie

LaPointe

Calling All Military!! For Memorial Day Sunday, we would like to have pictures of our members and attendees who served in the Military past and or present. Or if you have a relative who served and has attended here, please include them! Please email a picture of yourself in uniform with dates served to Judy in the office at: office@churchofthestraits.com or you can bring in a picture and I can scan it and return it to you right then. Questions, call 436-8682.

Dear Church Family,I want to thank all the people for praying for my recovery and the many folks who took the time to drive me to Petoskey every day

for my radiation. Your thoughtfulness is so appreciated. I’m so very blessed. Love, Joan Pepper

Dear COS Family, I want y’all to know that you are dear to my heart. You have prayed for me over the years and for my friends and family. I really appreciate that. Over the winter I have been in Kentucky. I have two new church families there. I have made more friends. I have watched God work in their lives. Just to share a little… My dear friend Suzanne Swart, whom you have prayed for, went for her 6 month check up and she is cancer free. My new friend, Matt Barclay, was saved and baptized while I was there. He invited me to his baptism. That was a blessing. He still needs lots of prayers. He lives in a very rural area with no job, no license and no car. Another new friend, Renee Williams, has been struggling. She keeps praying for God to use her but doesn’t feel worthy. She has issues with low self-esteem (the bullied, fat girl). I gave her Rick Warren’s book “Purpose Driven Life”. She has read it and has started over again in reading it. She still has bad days, but she is having more good days. She is making plans of things to do for God. I went to a fund raiser dinner at the New Salem Baptist Church. There are a few people going to Uganda on a mission trip. I shared with them the work that Kate and Peter do there. They were very

interested and I gave them Northern Lights Ministries information. I attended the Glad Tidings Church and on one occasion was asked to pray with another friend over her sister. It is an amazing feeling to feel God working through me, to be His vessel. My prayer for my new friends is to follow God’s path for their lives. That is my prayer for everyone. I don’t know where God will lead me next but I am excited about it. God uses us wherever we are. It is fun to see the opportunities He gives us. I love you all in Christ. Hugs and Prayers, Brenda Beyer

10 11 12 13 14 15 16Kate's Kids Wms Bible Study 3pm Men's Brkfst 8am

Christian Ed SundayLast Day of Youth SS

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Memorial Day Sunday BOG 7 pm

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

BIRTHDAYS:May 2 Brenda Bell May 24 Phyllis Stemkoski

31 May 3 Brenda Robertson May 27 Chuck BrewMay 3 Joe Orsini May 29 Diane Fry-RobbinsMay 5 Judy Hurlburt May 29 Denise ThompsonMay 6 Linda GwiltMay 6 Greg Pietrowski ANNIVERSARIES:May 9 John Hayes May 1 Rob & Judy MostMay 9 Andrea Heilman May 3 Larry & Jennifer O'Brien

May 12 Joan Pepper May 13 Dick & Jean HuntMay 14 Herb Plaunt, Sr May 14 John & Sheryl ChildsMay 22 John Churchill May 15 Bob & Lyn BenefielMay 22 Jolene Rogala May 20 Eric & Janelle BancroftMay 24 Austin Martin May 23 Doug & Ramona Boyce

Did you know that most of us are “spoiled”? Some of you will immediately agree with me while others will question why I would even say that. The statement is a relative statement when used to compare to others. Of course we are not as spoiled as a millionaire Hollywood star or NBA basketball star but we are so blessed when we compare ourselves to a laborer in Uganda or a farmer in Afghanistan.

I was heartbroken the other day when I saw on the news another weather related tragedy. The tiny town of Fairdale, Illinois was almost completely destroyed. The news reports indicated that every structure in the town was destroyed or damaged. People who were living and enjoying their possessions hours before this happened were now trying to figure out if anything they ever owned was even reclaimable. They had no place to stay, no water to drink, no food to eat, no clothes to wear! WOW!!!

Perspective is forced upon us when tragedy hits. Whether it is a natural disaster or the loss of a loved one, we rethink life and priorities. For Fairdale residents, life itself has now become more precious than ever. There could have been dozens of deaths and I believe there was only one reported death! That in itself was a miracle. Their fight to accumulate material possessions has taken a back seat to trying to reclaim those sentimental things that may have been lost, like pictures and teddy bears!

What can we learn from these things! One thing I have tried to learn is not to cling too tightly to stuff. When a car gets a ding or piece of furniture breaks because of carelessness, so what!?! They are replaceable. When the bills are tight and you can’t afford the thing you want, so what!?! We still have life, we have each other, and don’t forget this, we have CHRIST!

When everything else around us crumbles, we have CHRIST! We have the Rock! If we build our foundation on that Rock then we will stand in the end. Life itself can’t take that away from us. A tornado can blow everything away but it can’t take my soul. I’m going to stand on the Rock, are you?

By the way, our plans this June for the youth group (SARM) mission trip is to go to Fairdale, Illinois (tentatively) and help some people get back on their feet. Please support this effort with your prayers and pray for Fairdale.

Love you all,

Pastor Dave

10 11 12 13 14 15 16Kate's Kids Wms Bible Study 3pm Men's Brkfst 8am

Christian Ed SundayLast Day of Youth SS

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Memorial Day Sunday BOG 7 pm

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

BIRTHDAYS:May 2 Brenda Bell May 24 Phyllis Stemkoski

31 May 3 Brenda Robertson May 27 Chuck BrewMay 3 Joe Orsini May 29 Diane Fry-RobbinsMay 5 Judy Hurlburt May 29 Denise ThompsonMay 6 Linda GwiltMay 6 Greg Pietrowski ANNIVERSARIES:May 9 John Hayes May 1 Rob & Judy MostMay 9 Andrea Heilman May 3 Larry & Jennifer O'Brien

May 12 Joan Pepper May 13 Dick & Jean HuntMay 14 Herb Plaunt, Sr May 14 John & Sheryl ChildsMay 22 John Churchill May 15 Bob & Lyn BenefielMay 22 Jolene Rogala May 20 Eric & Janelle BancroftMay 24 Austin Martin May 23 Doug & Ramona Boyce