We now have a page so that you will know who our Neighborhood Shepherds are.
On April 26th, we consecrated a gift of offering plates. Thanks to John & Joanne Fuller for their gift.
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Offering envelopes have been mailed. Please use an envelope with every contribution so that proper credit may be made.
If you have not received envelopes, please let the church office or the financial secretary know.
Fred Miller, 835-2220.
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The Sunday School Spring Mission Project was Fill the Ark for Heifer Project International. Each child had an ark bank to fill with money. These banks were used to "fill" an "ark" with animals for needy families around the world. Our morning collections also went to Fill the Ark!
We collected .
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Have you checked our library lately? Through donations and gifts from people cleaning out their home libraries, we have many new additions. There are many books dealing with bereavement, marital issues, aging and other aspects of life's many challenges.
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We celebrated the sacrament of Baptism for Robyn Kathleen, daughter of John and Christiann Elsen, on April 12th.
Peter James, daughter of Charles and Julie Dukes was baptized in a special ceremony on April 18th.
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| NEW FACES | PARENTS | GRANDPARENTS |
|---|---|---|
| Bailey Andrew | Laura & Andy Ault | Margaret & Larry Ault |
| Hannah Louise | Heather & Scott Short |
Jeri & Darryl Smith GREAT: Niki Hoyle |
| Jordan David | Beth & Harry Smith | Earldine & Neil Foor |
| Gage Allen | Shawn & Mark Spitnale | Jan & Jim Sheahan |
Congratulations to Dale Kluck for the feature in the newspaper of his hobby of creating word puzzles.
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Thanks for all who helped with the UMW Spring Rummage Sale on April 23-24.
The proceeds will be used to keep our church property looking attractive and in good repair.
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Thanks to the choir and others who went over to our sister church, Calvary UMC, in Saginaw, for their annual spring revival, on Thursday night, April 23rd. If you didn't make it this year, be sure to plan for next year.
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Thanks to all who purchased Easter Lilies
in memory or in honor of loved one.
Thanks to the youth for leading the Easter Sunrise Service. Thanks to the Chancel Choir, our choir directors, and our organist for their special music on Easter. _
Jim & Alice Morgan are back from a
Volunteers in Mission
project to
Africa University
in Zimbabwe
to help build faculty housing.
Africa University is a mission project of the United Methodist Church.
To cover the cost of supplies, they sponsored a series of dinner parties.
At a special ceremony on March 1, they were given a check to take to Africa University, representing the proceeds from these parties, gifts by individual families of the congregation, and a gift from the Missions work area.
The Morgans also took some suitcases with things needed by the University and the adjoining orphanage and school. At the March 1 Children's Service, the children filled the suitcases will clothes, shoes, books, crayons, and other items.
A special thanks to all who made contributions.
The Morgans delivered the check and the suitcases; did plastering and other jobs on a house; helped out in the library; visited the mission orphanage, school, church, and hospital; gave a sermon at the Sunday chapel service; and made a general assessment of needs. _
A Lenten Bible Study for adults started March 1 and lasted for the 3 following Sundays. Three classes were held. The first class was from 10-10:45am for those wishing to attend the 2nd service. A second class followed the 1st service from 10:30-11:15am. A third class followed the 1st service Sunday School at 10:45-11:30.
The theme of the study was "Call Him Savior" and was based on scripture readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. Each lesson included questions for personal reflection.
A special class for children on The Lenten Tree was held. _
Congratulations to Mary Wackerle for her pictures in the newspaper on her course work on learning more about emergency operations.
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Congratulations to Alice Morgan for the picture in the newspaper on her volunteer work in showing Stuffie (an educational puppet) to school groups.
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There was a Walk to Emmaus for men on March 12-15 and one for women on March 26-19. They were held at Ames UMC in Saginaw.
Dave Warner attended and
Ralph Czerespinski and Donna Clark helped in the preparation.
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Thanks to all who made contributions on Blanket Sunday, February 15th, to help those in need.
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Thanks to all who sent a valentine to the patients at the Saginaw Veterans' Hospital during the National salute to hospitalized veterans.
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Thanks to all who who prepared the delicious soups and desserts served at the UMW fund-raising Soup Supper on February 13th. They were delicious. And thanks to all who helped in the preparation and cleanup. Over 170 people attended, raising over $725 in support of UMW activities.
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At the Administrative Board meeting on January 27th, a 1998 budget of $300,000 was approved. The budget was based on 176 pledges of $262,240. If you have not returned your 1998 pledge card, please return it to the church office.
Thanks to all who participated in the Stewardship Campaign and to all who made pledges in support of our programs and mission.
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Congratulations to Lois and Jim Anderson for the receipt of Special Mission Recognition Awards by the United Methodist Women. Lois has been a long-time kitchen coordinator as well as making many quilts with the Sew & Go group. Jim has been a long-time trustee and usher. He has done much plumbing and electrical work for the church.
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Congratulations to Rev. Stout for the successful completion of his Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. To honor this great achievement, an open house was held at the church on January 11th.
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As a New Year's Resolution, keep your Sunday School leaders and teachers in your prayers.
| Toddlers: | Sharon Morris, Rae Vaught, Elizabeth Blumenshine |
| Pre-K&Kindergarten: | Faye Hockemeyer, Barb Foster |
| 1st&2nd Grade: | Jim & Jan Sheahan, Karen Beckwith, Dawn Fennell, Kim DePew |
| 3rd&4th Grade: | Caroline Jennings, Dan & Sharon Derbyshire |
| 5th&6th Grade: | Bill Taylor, Jeff Beckwith |
| Teens: | Jackie & Dave Warner |
| Confirmation: | Dave Stout |
| UMK: | Elaine Tobey, Cindy Schuchardt |
| UMYF: | Jackie & Dave Warner |
| Disciple: | Donna Clark, Karen Wallace, Bryan & Sandy Warner |
Congratulations to Laura Welch for her picture in the newspaper and the article about her work as president of the local Auxiliary of the American Legion.
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Congratulations to Niki Hoyle for her picture in the newspaper and the article about her family history in Midland County.
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Congratulations to Eileen Finzel for the picture and article in the newspaper about her work in distributing books to senior citizens through a Midland Council for Aging program.
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Congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Brent L. McCumons who was appointed to serve as senior pastor of First UMC effective July 1, 1998. Dr. McCumons currently serves as District Superintendent of the Ann Arbor District. His wife is Marlene. They have 3 grown children.
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Congratulations to Mary Wackerle for being named Shelterhouse Volunteer for 1996-1997. Mary donated 159 hours to Shelterhouse doing overnights and client transportation. Shelterhouse also gave recognition to Donna Czerepinski for many hours of service.
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For Lenten Devotionals visit the Prescott UMC devotional page.
or the Bethel Hill UMC devotional page.
For Easter resources, visit the
Prescott UMC
or the Kir-Shalom sites.
For resources for Contemplative Prayer, view newsletter of The Internet Resources for Christian Growth.
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