April, 2000
Keeping Members and Friends Informed
Promoting Fellowship
Contributing to Spiritual Growth
Survey Reflects Diverse Worship Desires
By John Boley and Jim Hane
As you know, last November Central conducted a worship survey, asking a variety
of questions about worship preferences and asking for candid comments about
our current worship practices. This survey has been painstakingly compiled,
and the results are available to anyone at the church office.
In total, the survey reflects a wide diversity of understanding of the basis
and practice of worship. There were as many opinions as responders to the
survey. It confirms that worship is highly subjective - people have vastly
different claims about what touches them, and are indeed touched by different
elements of worship. There are, however, several truths that can be gleaned
from the survey. They are:
People appreciate variety in worship – a variety of music, sermon
styles and worship patterns.
There is a preference for "Blended" worship, as opposed to only traditional
or contemporary
worship.
There is a preference for Biblically based sermons and services.
The sermons are well liked and received and a majority are not expecting
answers, rather, they
want the framework provided for them to allow them to make their own
decisions.
The majority of people are "audio" people, but an increasing number
are visual people.
The Children's Sermons are well liked.
The prayer time is OK as is - people appreciate sufficient time in
silent prayer.
There is a preference for a variety of music, with a traditional
format.
There is a preference for a balance of all kinds of hymns.
Holy Communion is cumbersome and it is hard to satisfy.
There is a preference for thematic worship, but it is not essential.
Given these results, we will continue to pursue "Blended" worship –
worship that has a traditional base and structure, with solid traditional
music at its core, but with informality and contemporary elements sprinkled
in. Please keep the feedback coming and thank you for your faithful attendance
and interest.
We pray that our worship life is pleasing to God.
Member Deaths
June Ferguson ………. February 20, 2000
Jane Phelps ………. February 26, 2000
Lyle Hepfer ………. February 27, 2000
Sam Adcock ………. March 3, 2000
Virginia Spink ………. March 5, 2000
The church has received notice that Vera Libby is deceased — date of
death is unknown at this time.
Sympathy
To the family and friends of Robert R. Claham who passed away March 10, 2000,
at age 81, in Lansing. Bob was formerly a member of Central for 48 years.
Happy Birthday
To Bernice Cairns on her 80th Birthday March 24th
Pastor's Pen
There are many things that are seemingly tearing at the church. In many sectors
of the Church the "culture wars" are making people draw lines in the sand
and take uncompromising positions. Our General Conference in May will be
looking at many issues that threaten to change the configuration of the United
Methodist Church, including issues of inclusiveness and human sexuality.
Worship styles are rapidly changing.
Please take note of the cover story article written about the findings of
the worship survey taken a few months ago, and if you want to see many different
opinions, read the results of the survey in their entirety.
I am re-reading a book called "Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down", by Marva
Dawn. Ms. Dawn believes that the church is an alternate society from wider
culture and must maintain its distinctive job of worship and character formation
without caving in to the cultural forces at work causing society (and many
parts of the church) to "dumb down." At the same time, Dawn believes that
the church must intentionally care about the culture around it to introduce
people genuinely to Christ and to nurture individuals to live faithfully.
Her book achieves a marvelous balance between worship and evangelism, thought
and feeling, and embracing culture while being separated from it.
Ms. Dawn will be the featured presenter at our Area Pastor's School this
August – I am looking forward to it immensely. Would you be interested
in being a part of a book study to study this book and perhaps its sequel,
"A Royal 'Waste' of Time, The Splendor of Worshiping God and Being Church
for the World?" If there are a handful that are interested, this could be
a great study course for us over the next year. Let me know if you are
interested.
John
The Directories are here!
Finally, the church directories have arrived. If you have not yet picked
yours up, they are available in the church office, or call Janet Mort at
485-9477. Thanks again to all of you who worked to make this happen.
Could Elderberrys be for you?
Maybe yes, maybe no! We are the "great generation" of those born prior to
1935, or thereabouts. No sharply drawn line. Our purpose is to enjoy each
other and continue to learn as God's people.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday morning, April 11th, social time in the
dining room at 10 a.m. Parking by special arrangements at the Presbyterian
First Church and church van shuttle. Rev. George and Mrs. Diane Grettenberger
will be our guests with missionary stories and folk music. We have lunch
together afterwards and dismiss promptly. Place your reservation with the
Church Office 485-9477, or on a sign-up sheet in fellowship hall. Our last
meeting had 24 in attendance and was a fun time together for all. You are
invited to come!
Lugnuts
We have reserved 30 tickets for Church night with the Lansing Lugnuts on
Sunday, August 13th. The cost is $6.50 per ticket. If you are interested
please call the church office.
Want a friend? — be a friend
From the Evangelism/Nurture Commission
There will be sign-up sheets during the coffee hour in April for those of
you who would like to be sponsors of future new members coming into Central.
To have such a list would be most helpful to John and us. When we call on
you, we will try to "match" you with those of same interests, etc. It is
a privilege to become acquainted with these new friends, to introduce them
to other members and groups, to take interest in their lives and families
and to keep them in your prayers. Remember, too, you are not alone—God
and your church family are with you. Please consider signing up for this
friendship venture.
Lenten Study continues
The Lenten study "The Alpha Course" continues through Palm Sunday and newcomers
are always welcome. For details on class times and subject matter contact
Janet Mort at the church office.
Annual Floral Display
There is still time to order your lily for Central's Annual Floral Display
for Easter Sunday. You may memorialize a loved one in this manner (in memory
of OR in honor of). Cost is $7/plant. Your order must be placed with the
church office by noon on Monday, April 3rd.
Thank You
To our friends at Central:
Our sincere thanks to our pastors and our many friends for their calls, cards
and prayers following my operation and convalescence.
Ken and Natalie Lamphere
To the following for their help with the recent rummage sale: Mary Nesman,
Pam Jennett, Dorothy Good, Lucille Chase, Marion Sprague, Jeanne Fowler,
Beth Murley, Ginny Cantwell and Lee Mort. Also, thank you to Joel and Kerry
for their custodial help.
Ginny Hane & Norma Hanson
Thank You To the Volunteer Cleaning Crews.
March marked the first anniversary of the volunteer cleaning program. I want
to say thank you to all the members who have helped keep our church clean.
My records have 77 members plus Jamie Tipton and the youth group participating
in this venture. Many of you have been able to help every other month. It
takes 20 to 25 workers each month. The snowbirds help during the summer so
the cottage goers or vacationers are covered and there are others who can
help occasionally.
If any others could help regularly or occasionally, please contact me (482-6476)
or call the church office. I could use more volunteers. It's not hard work;
in fact, it's almost fun to serve our church and God.
Remember, God loves you and needs you.
Justin Sleight
Staff Notes
By Pat Basgall and Ruthann Jaquette
As most of you know, we have a very dedicated group of volunteers who assist
our church by filling the receptionist position in the office. Their role
has always been very important to the Staff, because they answer the telephone,
greet and provide information to members and visitors who come to the church
for many and diverse reasons.
In addition to these very vital functions they also assist with clerical
duties. If it were not for these volunteers our Staff would not be very efficient
or effective in their many duties. With the Education and Finance positions
being changed to part-time positions and several of our volunteers away for
the winter or for medical reasons, we find that our need for more volunteers
is becoming critical.
Please call our Office Manager, Pat Basgall, or our Volunteer Coordinator,
Lillian Rush at 482-3494, if any of the above situations would be an option
for you!
GOOD NEWS SINCE OUR LAST ARTICLE
Soon to- be- members, Doug & Mary Bowers have volunteered to help at
the reception desk. They will start by working on Thursday mornings. Doesn't
this kind of response inspire others of you that may be hiding your light
under a bushel?
Scheduling Conflicts...We need your help
Recently, there have been several conflicts in regards to scheduling and
set-up for church activities. We believe this is occurring because there
may be a misunderstanding as to the responsibilities between Pat and Ruthann.
Pat is responsible for scheduling all activities in the building, including
arranging for set-ups and any additional equipment you may need. In addition,
if you are a group who meets in the church regularly and decide to change
your meeting time or location, it is important to let Pat know in advance
so that she can make sure there are no conflicts.
Lastly, please do not arrange for set-ups directly with the custodians, Joel
and Kerry. They work very hard to do a good job, but sometimes are
givenconflicting information which adds to the confusion. If we use one contact
person, it will eliminate most scheduling conflicts.
In addition to her financial duties, Ruthann's building responsibilities
consist of supervising the custodians in their daily activities, taking care
of repair and maintenance issues, and overseeing remodeling, renovation and
other construction projects.
We hope this will help clear up any confusion you may have regarding the
scheduling of building
activities.
Music Notes
From Michelle ……..
Rehearsal is well under way for the Palm Sunday Musical, The Tale of the
Three Trees by Allen Pote. Children will rehearse each Sunday. Full rehearsals
with the chancel choir, all children, narrator, and soloists are: Sunday,
April 9th right after church in the sanctuary and Saturday, April 15th 3:00
p.m. in the sanctuary. volunteers are needed to:
pick-up the risers from the Steiner Chorale. They will need a truck.
dress-up as Mary and Joseph and make a cameo appearance.
play Jesus; this is a non-speaking role.
help make a cross for Jesus to exit with for the crucifixion scene;
probably a cross made out of hobby wood or balsa wood. It needs to
be light weight and easy to carry out of the sanctuary. We only want
it to look heavy! Anyone good at making things?
bring refreshments for our Saturday, April 15th rehearsal.
to help in the costume room.
Let me know by e-mail, note at the church office, or by telephone if you
can volunteer for one of the above!! Thanks again to the chancel choir, youth,
and children for all their hard work!! Can't wait until Palm Sunday!
Michelle
United Methodist Women
By Pat Mort, President
LENTEN LUNCH
Picture this – it's APRIL 15. Your taxes are done. Spring is in the
air. Holy Week begins tomorrow. You'd like to do something to "prepare" yourself
for this holy time. Central's UMW invites you to our annual LENTEN LUNCH—
at 12 noon in the Dining Room. We will be treated ...
by a brass ensemble assembled by Ron Gibbs of University
UMC,
a wonderful lunch provided by Mable Morrison Circle,
a short devotion by Judy Grove Circle
and our speaker, Major Mary Corliss of the Salvation
Army
We will be taking up our Call to Prayer and Self-Denial offering, this year
earmarked by UMW National for Resourcing Communities to Strengthen Families.
As women of faith and action, families are something close to our hearts.
Anything we can do, as individuals or as 1 Million Women Strong, to help
strengthen Community Support for Families is a privilege and a
responsibility.
Tickets for the LENTEN LUNCH are $5 and will be available in Fellowship Hall
during Coffee Hour April 2 and 9. If you need childcare in order to attend,
please let us know. We're happy to make arrangements for you. As with all
programs provided by UMW, this luncheon is open to all people of Central
and your guests. We do need reservations, however, to ensure adequate food
preparation and table settings. Please consider this event as a fitting beginning
for your Holy Week observance. You are most welcome in (and by) United Methodist
Women!
FUND RAISING
UMW is very excited to make available Savory Foods Cookie Dough as a fund
raising project! Tubs of unfrozen cookie dough are $7 and will be available
for delivery May 1. We need our orders to be complete by April 16 so they
can be phoned in. Savory Foods Cookie Dough is made fresh for each order
and is not frozen when you receive it. The cookies are wonderful, from what
I've been told. You may place an order through any of the UMW circles or
on the sign up sheets on the UMW Bulletin Board at Central.
A hint about freezing the dough when you get it home. . .make your dough
balls first, freeze them on a cookie sheet, and when they're frozen they
can be stored in either zip-lock bags or freezer containers so they are ready
to use when you want them! All proceeds from the Cookie Dough Sale will go
to UMW Mission Projects.
Bake Sale Planned
Mark Sunday, April 30th on your calendars. UMW will be sponsoring both a
Bake Sale AND a Bakeless Bake Sale at the back of Fellowship Hall! We'll
have all sorts of goodies for you to take home for your Sunday meal plus
we'll give you an opportunity to contribute $$ without the guilt attached
to taking home a yummy dessert, breads or cookies and having to eat it! (Aren't
we thoughtful?!) UMW is known for excellent baked goods – come try us
out and see for yourself!
Central's Outreach ..."Serving the Lansing Community"
By Pat Basgall
"Shall we dance"? ----
At the present time Central provides space for 3 regular dance groups.
Jazzercise is actually an aerobic dance group that meets here, in the dining
room, each Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:00pm – 1:00pm year round.
Women and men from the surrounding office buildings meet during their lunch
hour to exercise. If you are interested you may join them and dance to some
pretty lively music. If you are in the building on these days you will be
inspired to loose those unwanted inches.
10lb Fiddle (Lansing Area Folk Song Society) is a group that is very well
known in the Lansing area. They have been meeting during the Fall and Winter
months for many years. Their folk music is very infectious and really gets
those feet to moving. They usually occupy our dining room on the 2nd Saturday
of each month.
Tomlian Dance Group (Ballroom Dancing) is a fairly new group to Central.
They meet here on the 1st Saturday of each month during the Fall and Winter
months. If you love the slower pace of traditional dancing, why not try this
group.
All of these groups draw large numbers of people to our facility - a community
center in the heart of downtown Lansing. Our building is alive with the sound
of music.
From The Trustees
By Jim Mort
Lent is a season of preparation for Easter. As I was thinking abut this,
it struck me that as the Trustees are responsible for the stewardship and
care of our physical facilities, each of us is responsible for the stewardship
and care of our relationship with God. Have you taken inventory on your relation
with God lately? Are there some areas that are showing signs of neglect or
disrepair? Does it need some maintenance? Perhaps you could consider a regular
maintenance schedule of spending time with God in scripture and prayer.
There is not a lot to report for Trustees. They did not meet before the deadline
for the Central Journal this month, due to the regular meeting date falling
after the deadline.
Stop in and see the chapel. The restoration is complete and the pews are
back in place.
On Sunday mornings, I have had several people notify me of problems they
have noticed with various things around our building. These comments are
always appreciated. Thank you!
Come on and join us sometime. We meet the third Tuesday of the month. Our
meetings are at 6 p.m. in the conference room. Minutes from previous meetings
are posted in the hallway outside of the conference room.
Let us remember to keep our focus on God first! May the Lord bless you and
keep you.
Jim
MISSIONS IN THE 21ST CENTURY STUDY
Further planning is being done for the special Missions Study that commences
on Sunday morning, April 30. The Global Ministries Commission will have an
active Muslim adherent as guest when we explore the comparisons of religions
today as it pertains to missions. The book, New Wineskins, will be available
in limited quantity. Leaders are being arranged, and we anticipate an exciting
six weeks together in one of the church's study or conference rooms. Plan
to be with us on Sunday morning, 11:00 o'clock, April 30.
Church and Society
By Joyce Joranko
During the last year the Church and Society Commission offered a Church School
class on The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church. To further
the emphasis, I would like to suggest that you might also want to be familiar
with other resources that are available to enrich your understanding.
The General Board of Church and Society offers a publication called, "Christian
Social Action". Its articles include analysis of social issues from the
perspective of the Christian faith and the position of the United Methodist
church. For instance, in the November/December issue, there were articles
titled, "The Urgency of Handgun Control" and "Suicide and the Religious
Community". There is also a "Word from Washington" newsletter updating readers
on legislation and public policy changes affecting social issues. I have
a personal subscription and have left some copies in our library.
Also, the General Board of Church and Society has a website which contains
much related information. There is a page where one can obtain current letters
sent to legislators and updates on the issues, i.e. March 9, "More Funding
Needed for Community Based Juvenile Crime Prevention" and March 6 , "Religious
Leaders Call for Forest Protection in the South". The complete letters are
found on the site. The site is www.umc-gbcs.org.
REPORT OF All MISSION GIVING OF CHURCH UMC FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR
1999
Recently the Missions Commission, desiring to have a better overall picture
of the ways our church reaches out financially in mission to our community
and the world, set about to analyze all aspects of giving that are transacted
through our church office. We thought the congregation might be interested
in our findings. This report represents all sources of mission-type giving
— Church and Society Commission projects, UMW projects, Sunday School
mission projects, as well as special offerings, etc.
There are an enormous number and variety of appeals put before us as the
Missions Commission all the time; and we want to make wise choices for church
mission projects and recognize where we need to learn more as a congregation
and become more involved. We decided that for our purposes, the total "giving"
picture could be best seen in 5 categories, listed and explained below.
Supporting Missionaries and their projects
……………………………………..
$13,785
This includes our support of missionaries Mark and Rebecca Smallwood, funding
new churches in Congo, the PET bike project, an African seminary scholarship,
UMW missionary projects, etc.
Disaster Relief
………………………………………………………….…….…..
$5,666
This includes Hurricane relief, One Great Hour of Sharing offering, Blanket
Sunday (Church World Service), etc.
Hunger Relief
……………………………………………………………..……..
$10,783
Heifer Project, Mechanical Cow Project, Bread for the World, CROP Walk, Hope
for the Children of Africa Appeal, etc.
Special United Methodist designated offerings
………………………………...…
$1,592
For example, Peace with Justice Sunday, Human Relations Sunday
Lansing Area mission projects
………………………………………….……..…
$4,265
Including Potter Park Outreach, Harvest House, Loaves and Fishes
..................... $36,591
The above total represents money which has come from 4 general sources:
The United Methodist Women
………………………………………..…………
$ 7,629
The Ed Rowe Missions Endowment Fund …………………………...…….……. $ 9,500
The LanCen Fund …………………………………………………………....….. $ 1,250
Individual responding donors
………………………………………….…..…….
$18,962
In addition to the above generous gifts, our church is assigned a per member
share of the entire West Michigan Conference and General Conference budgets.
Of this money— otherwise known as our "apportionment"— which comes
directly from our own church budget, approximately half ($33,000 -$35,000)
went towards Conference and World mission-related projects in 1999.
Is this church an alive, vital congregation of Christians who live their
faith? Here's good evidence of that testimony.
Yea! Central!! Keep up the good work!
Food Movers
Dave Schuurmans reports that the "Food Movers" is a program of the Greater
Lansing Food Bank. Food Movers collects excess prepared and perishable food
from licensed kitchens, local grocery stores and bakeries, etc. Teams pick
up this food and immediately deliver it to shelters, senior citizen housing,
soup kitchens and food bank outlets. Volunteers are needed for this worthwhile
program. If you would ilke to find out how you can become involved, phone
Food Movers at 327-0190.
Bicycles needed
Mary and Paul Albery would like to acquire a man's and a woman's used bicycle
with foot brakes (the old-fashioned kind). Please call them at 882-2457 if
you know of any that might be available.
Car/Truck needed
Our church custodian, Kerry Brussel is in need of an old model car (truck
preferred). If you can help, please contact Ruthann at the church office.
Who Are You?
If you would like to order a name badge for the first time, or have lost
yours and wish to replace it, please write your name on the line below, exactly
as you would like it to appear, and also the year you joined Central (the
office can supply, if you've forgotten) and then turn this in at the table
at Coffee Hour or send it to the office with payment of $4.55. Please indicate
preference of attachment.
Name ________________________________
Year _____________________
Pin Style _______ Clip Style ________
Central Website records 2000 visits for Y2K!
By Bryan Halter
Central's internet site has moved into the new millennium with a milestone
of its own, scoring well over 2000 visits since the service was established
in 1997. This keeps us among the most often visited church sites on the World
Wide Web.
Members are often surprised at the materials they can find on the site. Many
don't realize that we offer access to an electronic Bible concordance where
you can do instantaneous searches for any word, or phrase, and have the entire
passage in which it appears displayed. In addition, the text can be displayed
from any of seven translations of the Bible, and in nine separate
languages.
We also offer links to the national United Methodist site, where extensive
material is available on the activities of the Church, its history, beliefs,
discipline and even sermons and other works by John Wesley. You can hear
music, see the works of reknown artists and send questions. And, there's
a link to the Lansing District site, and the West Michigan site, with sub-links
to many of the other United Methodist churches in the area.
Other information includes the current Vision Statement of Central Church,
and, once the Visioning Group's work is complete and the Administrative Council
has approved it, that will also be available. Plus, there are lists of staff
members and of various programs and ministries. The latest available edition
of the Central Journal is at your fingertips, as are back issues as long
ago as August, 1997.
And, we've only just begun! Stop by and pay us a visit, and plan to spend
a while exploring A Central Place!
One Great Hour of Sharing
The urge to Give is a mark of love and kindness. No Christian can look desperate
need in the face and not feel a basic call to give something of his or her
substance. When others struggle for the ordinary necessities—food, clothing,
and shelter—we who have, give to those who have not. Simple.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING comes on Sunday, April 9, 2000, to Central U.M.C.
"So then you are no longer strangers…but you are citizens with the saints
and also members of the household of God." Ephesians 2:19.
Through OGHS offering (leaflet enclosed) we reach out compassionately to
those who need our support and nurture, although they are found in a "different
neighborhood". By our offerings we respond to people crying for refuge and
the basic needs of life.
Express your heartfelt commitment to Faith. Celebrate our UM ministries.
Give generously. It will make a world of difference. Here's an example of
your dollars at work:
"It was on Friday, January 22, 1999. The morning after a devastation of storms
and tornadoes had struck people, property, animals and churches in Arkansas.
The UMC pastor serving an extension disaster relief ministry in the Arkansas
area prompted immediate reaction. One pastor after another phoned in with
reports of what had happened. Before the end of the day, emergency shelters
were set up in churches and saw teams were at work.
The first check authorized was issued the next day (23rd) for lanterns and
emergency supplies to the St. Andrew UMC in Beebe, AR. U-Methodists are often
the first ones to call together the entire faith community. It is our reputation.
The general rule in disaster response is like this: the first four days is
emergency relief. The next 40 days the relief phase. The recovery phase is
the next 400 days.
U-Methodists will be present until the last person or family has a new or
repaired home. The Arkansas area is now in the relief phase of the January
21 tornadoes. And much more is still under way, including volunteer workers
and material aid. All of this was possible because of generous gifts of dollars,
food, clothing and household goods, and time. United Methodists (we) make
a difference in the lives of fellow brothers and sisters. God bless you."
(condensed from an account by Bishop Janice Huie)
PARTNERSHIP FOR PRESERVATION
By Jon Reynolds
THE WILL IS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT FINANCIAL PLANNING TOOL
It is estimated that 80% of adults die without a valid Will. Without a Will,
they leave the property they worked a lifetime to obtain to the inflexible
intestacy laws of the state. Without a Will the state distributes specified
shares of your estate only to relatives. Without a Will you have missed the
opportunity to remember your friends or your church.
Often in constructing a Will there is conflict between generosity and
responsibility. You can provide a gift to charity within your Will by simply
directing, through an outright bequest, that your entire interest in certain
money or property be transferred to a designated charity, such as Central
United Methodist Church. Your estate will be credited with a charitable deduction
for the full market value of your gift.
The general bequest, the most popular, means that you leave a specified dollar
amount to Central UMC. A specified bequest is accomplished by designating
specific property that you want CUMC to receive. Stock holdings or a home
or other real estate would be an example of specified items covered within
this bequest. You would use a residuary bequest if your desire is to give
the church all or a portion of your property after expenses, debts, taxes,
beneficiaries and other bequests of the estate have been paid prior to
distribution to CUMC.
A percentage bequest can be used to forward a percentage of your estate or
a residuary estate. If size of the state changes over the years, the size
of the bequest will change also. Life's uncertainty may cause an intended
beneficiary predecease you. In this case, consider naming Central United
Methodist Church as contingent beneficiary.
Michigan Probate Laws were recently rewritten. Many of the reasons for having
a Will was to avoid some of the pitfalls of the former law. If your current
Will is many years old, it may be good to have your attorney re-evaluate
your current Will in light of this new legislation.
Call the Church Office to schedule an appointment to discuss options available
to you. Partnership for Preservation provides ways you can use your Will
to benefit Central UMC.
Call the church or visit our website at www.gbgm-umc.org/centumc to learn
more.
Young Adult Fellowship
Sunday, April 9 – Join this group for Sunday Brunch at the Radisson
(111 N. Grand Avenue). This group will gather between 12:15 – 12:30
p.m. at the Radisson. The cost for the brunch is $14.95 with complimentary
valet parking. Contact Fay and Bill McCracken 337-0207 for reservations.
We hope to have a BIG turn out! Other events planned:
May 7 – Gallery Walk in Old Town
June or July – Spotlight Theater in Grand Ledge
Collage fellowship Group
Sunday, April 16 – Meet at the church at 4 p.m. and put together Easter
baskets for Central's shut-ins. Bring fruit, a small plant, cookies, etc.
for the baskets. Baskets will be delivered once filled (between 5 p.m. –
7:30 p.m.) Pizza will be served afterwards at the church. Families are welcome.
Call Denise and Dennis Kelley for more information 484-9109.
Saturday, May 6 – Thought-provoking movie and discussion. Time and place
to be announced. Other activities tentatively planned are: a weekend at Kimber
Wilson's cottage in August and the second Annual Golf Outing in September.
CentralNiters
Next event is Saturday, April 29th, at Home Port restaurant in Eaton Rapids.
For more information and details call the Poyet's.
Words about the Library
Are you familiar with the Where's Waldo book? Central has a new version:
Where's the UMW books! The Library renovations caused one shift last year
to the Chapel side of the Library. Now the shelves that housed UMW books
have been removed along with other books! Have no fear, the books are still
here. If you're looking for one of the books, please ask one of the librarians
or the Building Manager where the books are located. If they don't know where
they are, they will probably have a good idea where to look for them.
The Junior section has received 18 books donated by Nathan Mather. Titles
range from Encyclopedia Brown to adventure and baseball stories. They are
located on the end of the west wall. Come and browse.
PLEASE RETURN. Will whoever has borrowed Tom Brokaw's book, The Greatest
Generation, please return it to the church library. There is a waiting list
for this very popular book.
Red Roses to …
The New Millennium Artists, who asked that I loan them several antique picture
frames to be used for their demonstration of gold leaf application. As a
gesture of gratitude, they completely refinished and beautified my frames.
My special thanks to those most generous artists!
Mary Ellen Maas
To Justin Sleight for organizing and continuously coordinating the cleaning
teams to beautify CUMC.
To.Bryan Halter for the countless hours he puts in to make CMU's Website
attractive to so many visitors. We are fortunate to have someone with so
much knowledge and expertise manning the website!
Holy Week Worship Opportunities
Jews for Jesus Presentation
On Friday, April 14th, we will have a presentation by Ruth Rosen of Jews
for Jesus called "The Christ in the Passover." This will be a 45 minute
presentation explaining how Christ used the Passover to convey a new message.
There will be a potluck for all at 6:00 p.m. and the presentation will be
at 7:00 p.m. Child care will be provided. Come one and all. (There will not
be another Maundy Thursday service)
Palm Sunday Service – April 16, 9:30 a.m., program "The Three Trees."
Church school for all ages.
Holy Week daytime services, Mon. through Thurs. at 12:15 p.m. in Mary Sabina
Chapel, sponsored by Pastor's Alliance of Greater Lansing.
No Maundy Thursday Service, please come instead to "The Christ in the Passover"
presentation.
Good Friday Service – April 21, First Presbyterian Church, Noon –
3:00 p.m., sponsored by Pastor's Alliance of Greater Lansing.
Easter Breakfast – April 23, CUMC Dining Room, 8:15 a.m. – 9:15
a.m. Free Will Offering.
Easter Service of the Resurrection – April 23, 9:30 a.m. No church
School.
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