MID-WEEK UPDATE MARCH 22, 2023

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Welcome to the Mid-Week Update.  Will traditional congregations remaining in the United Methodist Church be insured of a traditional pastoral appointment?  Will they be able to refuse an appointment of a progressive pastor or even a practicing homosexual pastor?  In order for those requests to be fulfilled, there must be biblically-minded conservative pastors available for appointments.  Therefore, a more important question is, will the bishop be able to fulfill such requests?

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      One of the key principles of church growth is that people look for like-minded people when they search for a church.  It’s the same with pastors looking for appointments.     

The United Methodist Church continues to blatantly disregard the Book of Discipline by accepting practicing homosexuals as candidates for ordination.  This activity has continued for decades in spite of denominational policy against it.  No one should expect this to stop, but rather accelerate as traditionalist congregations disaffiliate. 

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         Some say the United Methodist Church will continue to be a “big tent” denomination, allowing many different beliefs and competing theologies.  This may be nothing more than a false hope.  The “big tent” idea has failed spectacularly over the last 50+ years.  Why would it suddenly begin to succeed after large numbers of traditionalists begin to disaffiliate?

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Among Michigan congregations, two of the largest ones, Cornerstone Church and Dexter UMC, voted to disaffiliated just last weekend.  Nearer to us, Hale UMC and Houghton Lake UMC recently voted to disaffiliate.  As you know by now, I have made my beliefs abundantly clear, that disaffiliation is the best path for Bible-believing Christians.  I am not permitted to vote on April 13.  Rest assured that I am praying for our congregation to discern the Lord’s leading as you plan for the future. 

 

 

God bless all of you,

Pastor Kris

 

Call to Worship                                         Leader:  Terri Boudreau

WL: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the

fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

P:     And also, with you

WL: God shows no partiality.  No race or group is shown special

advantage.

P:     In every nation anyone who respects him and who does what is

right is acceptable to him.

WL: You know the message God sent to all, through the people of

Israel.

ALL: It is a message of peace by Jesus Christ, who has been made Lord of all. Amen

 

Bible Reading:  Acts 10:34 – 48

34Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

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44While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47“Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

 

Greeters this week: Deb & Sam Dutton

Coffee Server this week: Janet Polinski

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Announcements

How does a member quack?

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Membership is important from time to time, and our vote on 4/13 is one of those times.  To be sure that you are a member, one of the following must be true:

 

·       You attended confirmation classes, recited the membership vows before the congregation, and were received publicly as a confirmed member in this church

·       You attended membership classes in this church, recited the membership vows before the congregation and were received publicly as a member of this church. 

·       You transferred your membership from another United Methodist congregation and were received as member publicly before the congregation.

·       If you were a member of this church formerly, moved away and joined another church, your name would have been removed from membership at this church.  You must renew your membership.  This can be done by contacting the pastor and be recognized publicly before the congregation as renewing your membership.

·       If you have attended this church regularly, or visit from time to time but do not remember ever formally joining the church, then you are most likely not a member of the church.  You are a constituent, and constituents are vital to the congregation, but not able to vote in official votes.  You must attend membership classes and recite membership vows before the congregation, being received publicly as a member of this church. 

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Please speak with the pastor if you have any uncertainty about the status of your membership.  I hope this is helpful, and that we will have a peaceful and orderly vote on 4/13.

 

New Food Pantry in the Narthex is for our Church Members.  You can take items if you need or add items to it if you have extra’s.

 

Are you interested in learning a craft or sharing your craft ideas?  Come and join us on Thursday, March 23rd at 2PM at the church, to explore your interests.  Bring samples of your crafts or just ideas of what you care to learn.  For more info check with Marilyn Denhoff or Sally Nagy.

 

For those who walk in the Gym, times that the gym is in use will be listed in the Mid-Week from now on.  

FLC schedule for

 

24th Set up for the Bunny Breakfast

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25th Quota’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny 9-11 am

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27th   11:15-11:30 am AEA Kids

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29th 9-10 am Breakfast Club for AEA Kids

 

Wednesday, March 22nd

           Noon Lunch Bunch

          5:45 pm Choir Practice

          7 pm Movie and discussion

 

Thursday, March 23rd

          2pm Ladies craft group (Fireplace room)

 

Saturday, March 25th  

          8:30 am MMPG

          9-11am Quota Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

10-12am New member class

          4 pm Casual Service

 

Sunday, March 26th

          10 AM Sunday Morning Worship          

 

Monday, March 27th

          11am Ladies Bible Study         

 

Tuesday, March 28th

          1pm Worship meeting

          5pm Prayer Ministry

          6:15 pm Hand Bell Practice

 

Wednesday March 29th   

           5:45pm Choir Practice

          7pm Movie and discussion

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Anniversaries

3/25 Ruth & Eugene Danielson

 

Birthdays

3/16  Ann Reasner

3/18   Grace Schlagel

3/20   Randy Brewer

3/22   Donna Williams

3/27   Jessica Smith

3/28   Harold Knight

 

 

 

Please Pray for:

Becky Donahue

Carol Stein

Chuck Klenow

Peg Hoerner

Izzy Diaz

Ashley Boudreau

Stephanie Davis (Madagame)

Matt Eichhorn

Pam Gonder

Sam Dutton

Elite & Nancy Shellenbarger

Dianne Knight

Cheryl Rizzardi

Jane Burdett

Doris Tousley