The First United Methodist Church of Howell, an intergenerational community of faith in God, that is: Directed by the Bible Enabled by the Holy Spirit Offering peace and hope as we grow in Christ

We are a Stephen Ministry Church: To inquire about receiving a Stephen Minister for assistance, contact the Pastor for a referral. There are several Stephen Ministers available for referrals.

"Read the Bible in a Year" ...May Update!

Hello Bible Readers…are you still keeping up? If you got behind and are worried you can’t catch up, just mark the page and go to today’s date so you are reading with everyone else. We all enjoy sharing our reactions to the daily readings with others when we get together.

If you did not begin reading in January, you can start on any date and finish the following year on that date. See Ellen Paige on Sundays or call her at 546-6729 during the week for materials.

Bible readings for the month are in the Bellringer, on the bulletin board outside Lawson Hall or online at www.oneyearbibleonline.com.

Remember to put your name on a ticket and put it in the bee on the table to be eligible for the next prize drawing.

 

Send E-Cards to your Friends and Family

Christian E-Cards are easy to send

It's just a matter of clicking on a link. The site will take you through the process.

CLICK HERE FOR E-CARDS!!!

This will be a good way to send birthday, anniversary or other greetings, invite friends and family to church events, or just have fun. Try it!

It’s coming… a new church directory! We are excited to be preparing a new church directory. We will be using a NEW format this year. This program allows us to continually update the information. We will be taking photos more informally, rather than using outside photographers and publishers. Printed directories will be available as well as password-protected access to the directory online for those who prefer. Click HERE for an information sheet that you may print. Please complete it and return it to the church. Watch upcoming bulletins and the June Bell Ringer for information on photographing. We hope everyone in the church family will participate. This help us keep connected.. And we need YOU!

The United Methodist Women present the… Mother & Daughter Banquet Friday, May 9, 2008 — 6:00 P.M. “Hats Off to Mom!” Adults- $6.00; Children $3.00; (under age 3-no charge) The evening will feature a delicious dinner and great entertainment! Invite your mother, daughter or any special friend and plan to enjoy a memorable evening. Make your reservation today! Call Ellen Paige 546-6729. Tickets may be purchased in Lawson Hall after worship on April 27 and May 4.

You are invited to The Flamingo Ball! Wednesday, May 21, 5:30-6:30 p.m. The flamingos won’t be flying to different yards this year. They are throwing a great party instead! Join us for a Hawaiian luau-themed meal and entertainment. Tickets are $10 and are available after Sunday services and at Wednesday Weekly. Dress up in your favorite Hawaiian shirt! All proceeds go to the Mission Team. Contact Jennifer Grady with any questions at (616-706-6197).

A NEW United Methodist Hymnal is coming! Did you know plans have begun for a new edition of our UMC hymnal? It is a long process and don’t expect to see the hymnal until 2013. However, planning has begun and YOU can be part of the process. There is an online survey of 35 questions that takes no more than 15 minutes to take. Have a little fun and go to the site and give your input. (Sorry…only one survey per computer.) http://www.gbod.org/hymnal

 

 

Project Healthy Living Tuesday, May 6th 1:00 - 7:00 P.M. We are hosting the only Livingston County site this year. We are offering the following tests: Free: height & weight; blood pressure; vision; counseling & referral; health education displays & information Blood panel test of 22 profiles—$40 Iron Blood Test $5 Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) $25 Cancer Antigen (CA-125) $25 C-Reactive Protecin (CRP) $25 H Pylori Blood Test $15 Colorectal Cancer take-home kits $8 Special tests: Stroke/Artery Screenings: Carotid $35; ankle brachial $25 Heart Health Screenings: Abdominal aorta $35, EKG $35, Echocardiogram $65; all three $125 Student Athlete Heart Health Package $75 Other testing: Glaucoma; pulmonary function; hearing; ask the doctor; podiatry; oral/dental/mammogram's; medication counseling; skin cancer; pap smears; nutrition counseling; pulse oximetry; bone density $25; body composition; urology; emotional health counseling. For more information, contact Healthy Living Hotline at 313-531-9108 or www.projecthealthyliving.net.

Gentle Yoga Class Spring Session Need to get in shape but don’t like strenuous exercise? Come and try out our gentle yoga class, offered by YogaFit certified instructor Kristina Boyd. This no-impact stretching and yoga class will increase upper body strength, flexibility and endurance. It can also improve your performance in other sports, such as golfing, softball and tennis. Curious? Drop in and give it a try. Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 6 - June 26 3:00 -4:00 p.m. in Lawson Hall Cost: $5 (walk-in); $35 (pre-registered 1x/week)

Spring Exercise Class Where: First United Methodist Church Lawson Hall When: Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:30-5:30 p.m. May 6 - June 26 Cost: $ 5 (walk-in fee) $32 Pre-Registered - 1 class/week $48 Pre-Registered - 2 classes/week Add Strength Training - 3 classes/week Mondays, 4:30 - 5:15 Classes led by: Lisa Wolfe, certified fitness instructor and personal trainer. Classes are varied, creative and FUN, All ages and fitness levels will benefit. Questions? Call Diane at (517) 546-2730.

June 16-20, 2008 9:00-11:30 a.m. Save the Date!! Hope to see you there...

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Stephen Ministry In hopes of explaining a little more about Stephen Ministry and to explain why we do what we do, I will share a little of what is stated from a book entitled “Christian Caregiving-A Way of Life” by the founder of Stephen Ministry, Kenneth C. Hauck. “Through his church Jesus continues to extend his ministry of love and care for people. The love of Christ is powerful and dynamic. It is not just a good feeling; it is the basic motivation for all Christian caring. This is summarized in I John 4:19: ’We love because he first loved us.’” Those involved in Stephen Ministry have felt the Holy Spirit move within us to want to use our God-given gifts to help others. God has made “cared-for Christians into caring Christians.” Please know that our church’s Stephen Ministers love the Lord and they choose to serve Him by caring for others. It is our hope and prayer that you will feel comfortable to come to us if you are seeking the compassion and caring of another Christian friend. Spring blessings to all, Patti for the Stephen Ministry Team

 

Chancel Choir Notes The Chancel Choir is busy learning new anthems and preparing for the upcoming special services. We welcome Joyce Fyke after a long absence to the alto section. We look forward to the return of Marge Dahringer after her winter in the South. The Chancel Choir will continue to sing each Sunday through Father’s Day. There are many special Sundays in the next two months and we look forward to sharing special “messages in song” at these services. We meet each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the choir room and encourage anyone who likes to sing to join us. Your Chancel Choir

 

 

Bell Choirs

There are two bell choirs offered this fall. The W.N.B.C. Bell Choir reherses on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. and the Belles of Praise reherse on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.

No previous experience is needed. Come and learn with us!

Questions? Call the church
Shaila Jehle

 

“HEALTH, HEALING AND WHOLENESS ARTICLE—May 2008

“O Lord, you have searched me and know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away… it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:1&2; 13)

There is no doubt that technology in medicine has developed at a whirlwind pace! Fetal imaging by the use of ultrasound is no exception. Though it has been utilized for the past thirty years, new, more powerful equipment can now allow us to see the developing fetus in three-, even four-dimensional detail! In fact, it has become common practice for the attending physician/obstetrician to order at least one, sometimes two ultrasounds during a women’s pregnancy. Fetal imaging has many beneficial uses; it can help determine fetal age, detect defects, check for the presence of more than one fetus, or determine position of the placenta, umbilical cord and fetus—just to name a few. In large medical centers, it is not that uncommon for surgery to be performed while the fetus is still inside the womb. What God makes possible through our healers is truly amazing!

Sometimes, important technological breakthroughs can produce unwelcome consequences as well. As a result of the amazing detail made evident through the use of the latest multidimensional imaging, store-front franchises have sprung up throughout the country, offering “keepsake” or “entertainment” photos and videos of the developing fetus. But ultrasound is safe—correct? According to Robert Phillips, Ph.D., a physicist with the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, “Although there are no known risks of ultrasound imaging and heartbeat monitors, the radiation associated with them can produce effects on the body… when ultrasound enters the body, it heats the tissues (including bone) slightly.” What is not known are the effects of ultrasound performed too frequently (some franchises encourage several sessions), for prolonged periods of time (keeping the transducer in one spot in order to get the best possible photo), or in concentrated areas. The paradox of performing the extensive, intense human testing to prove or disprove ultrasound’s effects would simply be unethical.

Additional concerns include: poorly trained technicians, poorly calibrated equipment, skipping pre-natal care (because everything looked fine), technicians encountering developmental problems and lacking the skills to counsel the parent(s), or misreading a false-positive of defect leading to unwarranted anxiety.

The FDA has the power to regulate the sale of medical devices. Jurisdiction over the franchises, technicians, and physicians who may be promoting non-medical use of the equipment is the responsibility of each state. In March of 2008, the FDA released a consumer advisory stating, “The use of ultrasound imaging devices for producing fetal keepsake videos is viewed as an unapproved use by the Food and Drug Administration,” and “Doppler ultrasound heartbeat monitors are not intended for over-the-counter” - “both products are approved for use only with a prescription” - things that they can enforce.

It is only natural to want to do everything possible to develop the bonds between the unborn child and parent. And it is natural to want to share the news with friends and family. But at some point, should we ask the questions, “Just because we can… should we?” “Does the desire to know the baby’s sex for purposes of appropriate décor or shower gifts outweigh the risk that may be taken to accomplish it,” and “is it appropriate to share such an intimate aspect of our lives with strangers on websites such as You Tube and My Space?” These questions are not for me to decide. What I can advise is simply this, “Do everything you an possibly do to give your baby a healthy start in life. Get appropriate pre-natal care, discuss all your concerns with your physician, and explore this spiritual adventure that God is leading you through!”

Blessings!
Debbie Best, Program Coordinator Diakon Congregational Health Ministries and Family Life Services

 

Good News for God’s Kids and Twinkle Bells… Our final rehearsal of the year will be on Wednesday, May 7. We have had a great year and look forward to being together in the fall. We hope your children will consider making this musical experience part of their schedule next year. We know there are several four year olds hoping to join next fall! God’s Kids will join the Chancel Choir for a combined anthem on Mother’s Day. We will also present gifts to our mothers during the service. The leaders wish to thank the parents and grandparents for their support all year long. It’s trite, but true…we couldn’t do it without you! Jan Clay, Helene Dul, Shaila Jehle and Ellen Paige

 

 

Evangelism Notes Lansing Lugnuts Baseball Game Spring is here and so is baseball. We are ordering tickets for two games this year as a church activity: Friday, July 11, 7:05 p.m. and Sunday, August 10 at 2:05 p.m. Both games will have a Christian theme and will provide great fun and fellowship.
	Signup sheets and information will be posted this spring, so check your calendars and plan on participating. Tickets need to be ordered at least 45 days before each game, so start planning soon. It is a great family event and is open to everyone, including friends and family that might not attend our church right now. Any questions, feel free to call me at 517-546-2174.

Tom Knapp

 

History Notes

Morrie Coles

A question of where did our pastor live years ago has been asked and the answer is about 15 feet from the
church. Both our Methodist and Evangelical homes were close by. Transport was a factor in the past.

In our system, the pastor usually does not own the church home and the congregation is charged with providing one.

An old-time pastor once said he only wished for a place like the average, but he would appreciate a new furnace!