Upcoming Events
Farmer's Market -
July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 -
3 - 7pm
Communion Service -
July 18 -
10:00am
Pantry -
July 9 & 23 -
10 - Noon
Visit our
Calendar of Events
Altar Flowers
Session has made the decision to change the method of supplying flowers for the altar during Sunday Services beginning May 6, 2007. Originally, the intention was for the donors to pay the church for the flowers they volunteered to supply. The church had a standing order with the florist in Dimondale. The church does not bill individuals for the flowers; the donors are expected to voluntarily pay the church for the flowers. However, the church paid for many of the flower arrangements. The sign-up calendar is still going to be used and is located in the hallway outside the administrative office. Individuals will sign up for the desired Sunday and provide the flowers themselves. There will no longer be a standing order with the florist in Dimondale, which will give donors many additional choices regarding how to supply flowers for the altar. They may use any florist, design an arrangement themselves, or bring flowers from their gardens. Donors’ names will be announced in the “Messenger.” The reason for this decision is cost savings for the church. We will no longer receive monthly invoices from the florist. There will be no flowers on Sundays for which no one has signed up. Questions or suggestions may be directed to Mary Lou Garrison, Chair of Worship and Music.
Camp Greenwood
Camp Greenwood, our Presbytery camp, had an exciting summer in 2008. If you enjoy the arts, sports, water— they have a camp designed just for you. Check us out on the web at: www.campgreenwood.org
Coat Drive
The Outreach Team will once again hold our Fall Coat Drive. So clean out your closets and put aside those coats you can donate to others! We are going to try something new this year. We will collect items Sunday, October 12th – Sunday, October 19th and then will give away coats to local residents Monday, October 20th through Thursday, October 23rd from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the church. Any coats that are not given away will be donated to agencies serving those in need.
Fall Cleanup
“Come one, Come all.” Yes, you and your rakes, push brooms, and leaf blowers! Fall Clean up is Saturday, October 25 from 9 a.m. to noon. Steve Watson is preparing a tasty, warm lunch for everyone who helps out. See you there!
“The Pantrys”
“The Pantry” has begun! Due to increased requests and the need for more holistic support for those requesting assistance, we morphed our successful Community “Pantry” into an ecumenical venture with Dimondale United Methodist Church. A well-respected and experienced agency, Christian Services, now assists us by taking all calls for help. They are expert at linking people with programs that truly benefit them long term. Then two times a month, our wonderful, dedicated, efficient, and loving volunteer members, fill the orders for food that Christian Services has faxed to us and the people come pick up their orders.
Because of our new partnership with Christian Services for “The Pantrys” (our former food bank), we will also be collecting hats and mittens this year for WIC and Head Start, which are programs they support. There are patterns for hats and mittens available at the Stitchin’ for Jesus display in the Great Room. You may also donate new or gently used ones. Please see Karen Dunckel or Jill Brown if you are interested in helping with the Fall Coat/Hat and Mitten Drive.
All individuals requesting assistance are referred to Christian Services where staff discuss the situation, offer support services, and then set up a time for them to pick up their orders.
The number to call is 354-5411.
Please know, though, that if members of our congregation have a special request or know of a family member or friend in need, feel free to contact Rev. Sharon, Monty Whipple or Jill Brown directly, and we will gladly provide assistance.
Giving Tree
Session has created a “Giving Tree” on the bulletin board in the Great Room. Each item on the Giving Tree is approved by session for various needs around the church. You can help us keep the church clean by donating to a new vacuum cleaner for the church. Other needs will appear as session adds them to the tree. Thank you for checking it over each Sunday! Mark your name and an amount by items you wish to contribute toward & put your donation in the offering plate (mark it for the item) or bring them to the church office.
Go Green
We are the stewards of God’s creation. One small way we can improve our environment is to reduce waste, one cup at a time! We have volunteers who are willing to wash coffee-hour cups, glasses and plates. So, if you have graciously volunteered for coffee-hour and find ceramic cups, plastic glasses and plates sitting out, sit back and enjoy, they will be washed for you!
Also, we are now recycling paper, magazines, and plastic/styrofoam. Bins are located in Lillian’s office and the kitchen. During coffee hour, place your empty cups in the blue bin.
Holiday Decorating
Holiday Decorating this year for Advent and Christmas will take place after church on Sunday, November 30—the first Sunday in Advent. We will have a carry in potluck, too, so bring your picnic ware and a food dish to share! Mark your busy calendars now
Holy Communion
The Lord Jesus Christ requests the honor of your presence at the serving of Holy Communion, generally the first Sunday of the month during worship.
We receive 2 cents a meal contributions on Communion Sundays dedicated to the hunger relief project. Each time your family shares a meal, remember those in the world, including our own community, who do not have enough food by putting 2 cents per person per meal in a can or bank. Bring your offering to church on Communion Sunday to be collected in the fish bowl. The money is then forwarded to join other gifts at the Presbyterian level, dispersed through a variety of hunger relief programs.
Ministry Teams
Numerous Ministry Teams are ready to begin to perform the work of the church for 200 8. These teams are open to all members of our congregation. If there’s work that seems interesting or intriguing to you, please call one of the Ministry Team leaders. They will be happy to talk to you as there are many ways that you can serve. Each team needs members to serve on the team by attending, planning and reviewing the meetings. They also need occasional project leaders and workers to carry out specific assignments. Additionally, each team needs the prayers and support of the congregation.
Mission Work
Elders, Deacons and members of our church regularly reach out to those in our community and around the world to offer assistance to those in need. Our church runs a “Pantry” and regularly accepts and distributes food from our “Pantry”. In addition, a Caring Fund has also been established to help those within our congregation and in the community with emergencies or special needs. For additional information, visit the Mission Work page.
Nominating Team
The Nominating Team will begin asking members if they would like to become a deacon or elder for the coming 2009 year. Be discerning and praying if God is calling you to help us lead the church and keep it vibrant. We are especially looking for elders to serve on Business Affairs and Worship and Music
Prayer Chain
Our church has in place a phone prayer chain and an email prayer chain. At the present time we have over 25 members involved. If you would like to be added to one of the prayer chains, call either Carol Kepler or Shirley Watson.
If you have a prayer request please call Kay Jones. If you get Kay’s answering machine, please call Carol or Shirley. Our goal is to send your prayer request to the prayer chains as soon as possible.
Prayer Pages
Our church now owns two Prayer Pagers! The idea of letting someone know you have just lovingly prayed for them is a hit! We have purchased a second Pager from Memorials to Judy Armstrong. Kirk and Judy held the Pager during Judy’s illness, and Kirk could think of no better way to use her memorial funds. The Fellowship/Member Care team, along with Reverend Sharon, intend to be diligent about placing our two Pagers in the hands of members who may be ill, having surgery, holding a church office, facing a difficult issue – or to simply let a member know they are held in prayer by their church family. You may not always know who you are praying for – but the Lord knows. The person holding the Pagers when they vibrate will know, too! We hope to be so tuned in to “need” that you can be sure whoever has the pager needs your prayers of comfort, support, healing and peace. Both Pagers will be continuously in use so you can call anytime. It’s okay to call at night, too, since the pagers are set to vibrate and can be turned off when need be.
The Prayer Pager phone numbers are 517-251-1110 and 517-251-1119. When you dial the numbers you will either hear a beep or a voice says leave a message. In both cases, just press the numbers on your phone key pad that spell “PRAY” – 7729 and immediately hang up. And be sure to say a prayer when you do! Both Pagers are already in good hands! They are just waiting for your prayers.
Recycle for Prevention
Eaton County Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Council has a new and earth-friendly venture to raise funds for child abuse prevention programs. The program entails recycling toner and ink jet cartridges, copier toner cartridges and old cell phones. Please donate your cartridges and phones to help fight child abuse. Be on the lookout for a small recycling box in the Great Room.
Supplemental Hymnbooks
The Worship and Music Team hopes all of you are enjoying the new supplemental hymnals! To purchase these books, we used endowment/memorial funds allocated just for musical needs, and then supplemented the remainder of the cost from the general fund. To help replace the spent General fund monies, session has granted us permission to give all members and friends of the church the opportunity to purchase, for $10.00, a “memorial,” or “in honor of,” or a “just because” identification plate which will be placed inside the front cover of the book. Envelopes will be provided on Sundays. The outside needs to be filled out, the money inserted, and the envelope placed in the collection plate.