Alba United Methodist Church PO Box 136 5991 Alba Highway Alba, MI 49611 Sunday Service @ 9:30am

Ad Board Meeting - 1st Wednesday of month Mancelona United Methodist Church PO Box 301 117 E. Hinman Street Mancelona, MI 49659 231.587.8461 Sunday Christian Education @ 9:30am Sunday Service @ 11:00am

Ad Council Meeting - 2nd Monday of month

NON-PROFIT

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MANCELONA, MI

PERMIT NO. 9

Dated Material – Please Rush - - March/April 2014 Volume 16 #2

Holy Week Activities

Maundy Thursday, April 17th – Potluck and Communion, please bring a dish to pass. 6:00 PM at the Mancelona UMC Fellowship Hall

Good Friday, April 18th - Good Friday Service at the Church of the Nazarene, 12:00 Noon, Weather permitting, the cross will be carried from the Mancelona UMC.

Resurrection Sunday, April 20th - Mancelona UMC: 10:30 am - Cinnamon Rolls in Narthex 11:00 am Easter Service Alba: 8:30 am Service followed by breakfast

Lent, a practice of preparation.

1 Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt

him. 2 After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving. 3 The

tempter came to him and said, “Since you are God’s Son, command these stones

to become bread.”4 Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread,

but by every word spoken by God.”5 After that the devil brought him into the holy

city and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, 6 “Since you

are God’s Son, throw yourself down; for it is written, I will command my angels

concerning you, and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your

foot on a stone.”7 Jesus replied, “Again it’s written, Don’t test the Lord your

God.”8 Then the devil brought him to a very high mountain and showed him all

the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 He said, “I’ll give you all these if you

bow down and worship me.”10 Jesus responded, “Go away, Satan, because it’s

written, You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” 11 The devil left

him, and angels came and took care of him.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a clergy retreat at Lake Louise, in Boyne Falls. The person that led our time of

spiritual formation asked a question that I had to take some time to think about it. The question was, “What are you

holding on to that is keeping you from fully being present?” That is a very good question; in fact, this is very fitting for us

as we enter the season of Lent. What are we holding on to that is keeping us from fully being present? There are things

that we want to give up for the 40 days of Lent, but maybe these are things we need to completely give up. These could

be the things that are keeping us from being fully present. Better yet, why don’t we just say “I would like to live a more

obedient life for Jesus?” When Jesus was sent out in to the wilderness he didn’t have to give up anything, He knew what

His mission was, and He didn’t let the things that hold us down get in the way of that mission and goal, the journey to

the cross.

During the next 40 days, take some time to be fully present for God. What does God want me to let go? It may

feel at times that you yourself may be walking in the wilderness, but have no fear God is near!

Christ’s death on the cross is both, history’s biggest sacrifice and greatest injustice, the ultimate act of love by

Love Himself. Preparing our hearts to fathom our Savior’s sacrifice is what Lent is about.

Lenten Blessings,

Pastor Todd

Community Meal Update

Our first community meal was served on

March 27, 2012. As we approach the 2nd

anniversary it is evident that God’s hand is

guiding us. We have grown by leaps and

bounds in volunteers and in guests at our meal.

The stranger is welcomed and the hungry are

fed in so many ways fulfilling the words in

Matthew 25 when Jesus said to His disciples, “I

was hungry and you fed me, a stranger and you

welcomed me into your home”. We have

welcomed many into God’s house. Some now

come to worship with us and to work with us.

We participate in the Northwest MI Food

Coalition and use the resources of Manna Food

Bank in Harbor Springs. In 2013 we served

3,249 meals. None of this would be possible

without God’s guidance and the willingness and

involvement of this congregation and

community. Thank You All.

Jeanette Hayes,

Community Meal Coordinator

News from the UMW Brrrrrrr.....and that's all there is to say about this winter! But March and April will be here soon and spring is just a few weeks away in spite of the view out the window. The changing seasons are always exciting and we look forward to them. The anticipation is uplifting. We "emptied" our treasury in February and pledged monies to the missions we wanted to support this year. One of the local organizations we chose to support was the Mancelona Community in Schools. It's Director, Amy Burke, will speak at our March meeting on the 12th. We're looking forward to learning about this worthwhile program and how it benefits our Mancelona students and their families. We meet in April on the 9th. Wendy Aldrich will present our program and Jackie Humphrey will be our hostess. April is also the month we host the monthly birthday party at Meadowbrook. We provide cookies , punch and small presents to those having a birthday in April. Our friends at Meadowbrook enjoy the party and the music as much as we enjoy doing it with them. Remember there is an open invitation to all women who wish to participate and enjoy this special fellowship time. Come and join us in the coming months to share in our programs. We meet at the church the second Wednesday of every month at 1pm. Please join us - you are always welcome. If you have any questions feel free to contact our President, Beth McKaig. Her phone number is 231.533.6314. We hope to see you then.

Please reach out to a child and

help them know Jesus.

Finance

I have heard since I started the job of financial chair, not to worry that winter expenses always exceed our

income. It will all balance out by the end of the year. Sure enough each of the past two years we have managed

to cover our expenses and have a small amount extra. This year I am very concerned that the winter hole we are

digging will leave us in the red for the entire year and force us to borrow money from our emergency fund to pay

our bills.

Here is why our hole is big and will be growing:

• Attendance is down slightly compared to the January and February of last year (-2/week), and and

offerings are also down slightly - almost $700 behind 2013.

• Expenses are up - instead of a $4,000 negative balance (2013) we are already $7,000 in the hole. As you

might guess nearly $2,500 of our increased expense is snowplowing.

• We pay a fixed amount for utilities each month. In March our rate will reset and reflect for the next 12

months the coldest winter in recent history. This will have a continuing negative impact for the rest of the year

(unknown amount).

In addition to the challenge of meeting operating expenses, we will also need a fund raiser to repair the cement

pad at the rear ramp entry and perhaps the narthex front stairs. The pad at the top of the rear ramp is collapsing

toward the building which is causing water to seep through the block wall into the basement.

I understand that everyone is facing increased heating and snow removal costs this winter and probably can’t dig

any deeper to help alleviate this situation. Let’s hope spring comes soon and together we can all do a little extra

to help keep our church solvent.

Mike Allen

News from Missions

We received $335.00 for our fourth Sunday offering on February 23. This offering is directed to Church World

Services to be used for their blanket program. For just $5.00 a blanket, we can provide warmth to someone who

has had their world torn apart by war or have lost their home to flooding or hurricanes or simply provide shelter

from the wind.

Our Mission Offering for Sunday, March 23 is for UMCOR. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

is the not-for-profit global humanitarian aid organization of the United Methodist Church. UMCOR is working in

more than 80 countries worldwide, including the United States. Our mission, grounded in the teachings of Jesus,

is to alleviate human suffering—whether caused by war, conflict or natural disaster, with open hearts and minds

to all people. This cannot be emphasized enough. This offering is the source of the largest amount of

“undesignated” money received by UMCOR and can be used as needed to meet emergency situations.

Our Mission Offering for Sunday, April 27 will be for Shalom. This fund is used to meet needs, which may exist

within our own church family. It is administered through Pastor Todd.

Alba Birthdays Mancelona Birthdays

March

8th – Teena Blasko

17th – Jason Marsh

19th – Larry Rusnell

April

11th – Shannon Marsh

11th – Heather Olds

18th – Mabel Price

21st – Steve Olds

26th – Karen Gates

29th – Kathy Olds

March

3rd – Spencer Olds

8th – Lauren Felton

8th – Don Johnson

8th – Alejandria Mandez-Holman

10th – Kris Moeke

11th – Drew Moeke

11th – Nicole Derror

12th – Jack Meeder

15th – Melissa Mandez-Holman

18th – Jeanette Hayes

22nd – David Derrer

23rd - Pastor Todd Shafer

25th – Lucas Tubacki

26th – Lauren Kirby

26th – Sandy Neumann

26th - Bill Plunkett

29th – George Moeke

April

2nd – Dean Mcculloch

7th – Lee Gingrich

8th – Marye Williams

15th – Darline Olds

16th – Ruth Closser

18th – Jossie Castle

25th – Sue Thomas

30th – Isabel Felton

30th – Ellen Whitehead

Anniversaries

Mancelona: March 7th – Bill & Judy Plunkett March 26th - Mike & Rhonda Allen March 31st – Mike & Jeanette Hayes April 1st – Jim & Virginia MacArthur April 14th – Les & Judy Cota Alba: March 21st – Mitch & Karen Gates April 19th – Clinton & Yvonne Olds

NEWS from NOW

Fellowship Events We sure know how to have fun at Mancelona United Methodist Church! So far in 2014, we have enjoyed a sleigh ride along the beautiful snowy trails at Black Horse Farms in early February and then later that month a snowshoe through the woods in the Twin Lakes area followed by a great Mexican dinner at the Kingsley’s home. Now we are gearing up for some summertime fun. Yes, I said summertime! Summertime Fun at Lakes of the North Join in on the fun as we get together at Lakes of the North’s Clubhouse on Sunday, March 16 (2:00 PM). Wear something summery and bring a picnic-type dish to pass. If you are adventurous, bring your swim wear and towel to enjoy the beautiful indoor pool. Our youth will be joining us and I know they’ll be ready for the water! Are you ready for summer? Or should we say are you sick of winter? Then come along and enjoy fellowship, food and fun!

Outreach Programs

Our church’s Community Meal program has been a wonderful way to reach out to our neighbors and show our Christian love. Did you know there are other outreach opportunities in place here in Mancelona? Communities in Schools

On Wednesday, March 12 at 1:00 PM, Amy Burke will be speaking at our United Methodist Women meeting to inform us of the many ways the Communities in Schools program is helping our Mancelona youth. Here’s just a sampling (from their website: www.cismancelona.org):

“The obstacles facing students vary widely. They range from overwhelming one time problems to coping with daily issues. That can require bringing together a multitude of expertise from different agencies to simply needing the attention of one caring adult. From dealing with a crisis such as eviction from a home to lack of sleep and social inadequacies, to a child, every obstacle is distressing and potentially the reason for leaving school. Communities In Schools is addressing these issues and more. But we need your help – you are our community. Whether it is your time, your expertise, or your funds – it is all a gift to the students. Every gift, no matter the manner or amount, is important and can influence both Communities In Schools and the lives of our students in a positive, direct way. How can you impact a child today?”

National Day of Prayer Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 1 for this year’s National Day of Prayer. We are working hard to get our entire community’s involvement this year by sending invitations to all church denominations in Mancelona. We are a praying church. We know that prayer is important—it is a powerful way to talk to God. Our Prayer Box has been a beacon of hope to others. Let’s keep our prayer ministry going strong by involving our Mancelona neighbors in a group prayer on May 1st. We’d like your ideas! What time works best for you? Where should we meet? Special activities? Please let someone on the Nurture & Outreach Committee know your thoughts.

Ellen Whitehead for the NOW Committee: Marye Williams, Margaret Chapman, Caroline Hines, Calene Hunrath, Sandy Neumann, Carol Kingsley, Kathy Rock, Lou Cole, Darlene Olds and Ellen Whitehead

COFFEE HOUR (4th Sunday) – COMMITTEE SCHEDULE – 2014

Christian Education: January and July

Wendy Aldrich, Laurie Allison, Chris Derror, Lori Derror, Doris Felton, Kathy Johnson, Cindy McCulloch, Dean

McCulloch, Darlene Olds, Linda Olds, Denise Plakmeyer, Maureen Naumcheff

Finance: February and August

Wendy Aldrich, Mike Allen, Rhonda Allen, Kathy Johnson, Brenda Lockman, Dean McCulloch, Beth McKaig

Missions and Hunger: March and September

Wendy Aldrich, Gerry Deater, Doris Felton, Brenda Lockman, Jan Patterson, Mary Ann Peterson

Nurture/Outreach: April and October

Margaret Chapman, Lou Cole, Carolyn Hines, Calene Hunrath, Carol Kingsley, Sandy Neumann, Darlene Olds,

Kathy Rock, Ellen Whitehead, Marye Williams

Trustees: May and November

Laurie Allison, Mike Allison, Lynn Cummings, Chris Derror, Richard Rock, Mark Rowell

Worship: June and December

Wendy Aldrich, Laurie Allison, Doris Felton, Ruth Johnson, Sandy Neumann, Todd Shafer, Phyllis Starkey,

Mollie Thompson, Marye Williams

Volunteers

Volunteers, just like the flowers, spread happiness around;

And in the depth of character, much sweetness can be found.

Volunteers, just like the bees that hum about with speed,

Reach to the souls of folk to fill each special need.

Volunteers, just like the honeycombs, hold sweetness in their hearts,

And as they touch each life, there is love right from the start.

Volunteers, just like honey, through the winter will sustain.

They note our need of friendship and faithful do remain.

Our thanks to you, dear friends; you stick right by our sides.

As you hum about with gladness, you cause the hours to glide.

WORSHIP

“But the time is coming-and is here!- when true worshippers will worship in spirit and truth.

The Father looks for those who worship God this way. John 4:23 (CEB)”

Words from our DS Anita Hahn

Greetings Friends!

But Jesus called for them and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as

these that the kingdom of God belongs. Luke 18:16

There are lots of themes and messages that can be shared this time of year, I particularly want you to be

thinking about your youth and the opportunities that are available to them for spiritual growth and

formation. I hear Jesus saying, “Let the children come to me.” Coming up in April Spring Splash is a great time

for youth groups and their leaders to connect with each other, God and other groups from across the

conference.

This is also the time to check out all of the camping opportunities in the West Michigan Conference (Lake

Michigan, Albright, Lakeview, Wesley Woods and Crystal Springs), Lake Louise and Camp Kinawind. There are

adventures awaiting our children and youth that will change their lives, forever! It is a great time to build

lasting friendships and to connect with Jesus in amazing ways.

And don’t forget as you enter into this Lenten Season that we are seeking, as the United Methodist Church, to

raise the money needed to eradicate Malaria. $10.00 saves a life. There will be pancake breakfasts and

dinners, Mardi gras celebrations and invitations given to share our resources that another might have life.

And I celebrate that the students from the Ferris Wesley Foundation will be taking 25 students on their

mission trip to New Orleans over Spring Break. What an exciting opportunity and great way for our students

to encounter Christ and to share Christ with others. Thank you for your offerings last fall which has helped

support these young adults.

Let the children come to me! How are you helping your young people experience Christ in your local church,

in your community and through the connection? Together we have a ton of opportunities for our young

people. Our young people are encountering Christ in worship, youth groups, community organizations and as

they seek to reach beyond themselves, around the globe.

Please, take a look around and make sure finances do not keep one of your young people from being a part of

Spring Splash and a camping experience this summer. From auctions to shoveling driveways, bake sales to

talent shows, there are so many cool ways to help your youth have the money they need to participate. And if

you have no youth or no interested youth in your church—call me—if you make a financial donation it will

allow one more youth to attend Spring Splash and/or summer camp! And make sure you have your wide

angle vision in place when you are inviting your youth. Look in your church, in your own family and in your

community!

Let the children come to me! Do not hinder them! I hear Christ calling us to open our arms and one way that

we do this is through our connectional ministries that help us to unite, and reach intentionally to our

young! Keep our youth and ministries geared toward changing lives!

God Bless!

Anita K Hahn

SPRING SPLASH The young people of the Grand Traverse District want to invite you for a spiritual and refreshing get away for

6th-12th graders and their leaders at The Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City, Michigan, April 12-13. We are

pleased to be welcoming Zach McNees, the Heartland District Youth Coordinator, as our speaker, and the band,

“Greater Than I,” will be performing Saturday night. With good food, water park fun, connecting with God and

each other, a great time will be had by all! Pre-register by March 1, for $90 a person and by April 1, for

$95. Four full camp scholarships will be given away at the event for your summer experience at one of our West

Michigan Conference Camps or for Lake Louise. Contact Judy Zimpfer (judy.momzee@icloud.com) with

questions or to register.

Ferris Wesley House Fundraiser:

The students at Ferris State University Wesley House are hosting a free dinner followed by a cake auction on

February 22nd in order to raise money for our annual mission trip. This year they will be going to New Orleans to

help with disaster relief from past hurricanes. The dinner will be New Orleans- Themed and will take place at Big

Rapids First United Methodist Church. A flyer has been attached with all of the information.

PS - If someone cannot attend the auction but would like to help in some way, they are looking for members to

donate cakes to FSU Wesley House to be auctioned off. If you are interested, please email Jill!

These are the young adults you met this year at Ludington UMC, Petoskey UMC and at District Conference at

Central UMC. Let’s continue the support.

Here’s their new website: http://t-reg91.wix.com/fsuwesleyhouse

Join Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey on a 40 day Lenten Journey that will deepen your faith and bring you

closer to God.

Dear Friends;

As Christ journeyed to Jerusalem – as he taught his followers on the journey – as he met one last time in the

upper room – as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane – and as he faced a cruel and difficult death, he was

also journeying toward Life.

That is what we are doing through Imagine No Malaria. We are journeying with people across the globe to bring

hope of new life. We are journeying with those in malaria-infested areas to offer a new future. To that end, I

invite you to join me for Journey to Life, a 40 day Lenten journey that will deepen our faith and connect us with

our brothers and sisters in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Our walk together begins on Wednesday, March 5th. Those registering for Journey to Life will receive a daily

devotion delivered by email. These beautiful devotions are authored by Lay and Clergy leaders of the Michigan

Area. In addition, we have recorded 12 additional Journey to Life video devotions that will be offered to you

during Lent.

I hope you will choose to join me on this Lenten journey. I pray it brings you closer to God.

With you in the work of Jesus Christ,

Bishop Deb

LAY SERVANT TRAINING DATES

Save these dates!! Spring training in 2014 scheduled for April 26 and May 17 with both basic and advanced

offered. More information will be coming soon.

West Michigan Conference summer camps!

Back by popular demand – the glossy camp booklet! We have made a combined catalog of the West Michigan

Conference camps and the Detroit Annual Conference camps. A copy will be mailed directly to each 2012 and

2013 camper, and we will mail copies to your church office. As always, you may request more copies from me if

you need them. Look for camp booklets in your church mailbox by the first week of March.

In the meantime, online registration is open! Many previous campers know exactly which event they wish to

attend, so there’s no need to wait for the catalog to arrive. Have parents go to www.umcamping.org, log in, and

register!

Registration, scholarship, rebate, and health forms and lots of other information are all available at

www.umcamping.org, or by contacting me. Attached here is a list of FAQs that you may find helpful. Please let

me know if you have questions – I will be happy to assist you!

Pamela Stewart

Camp Registrar/Administrative Assistant

pstewart@wmcumc.org

www.umcamping.org

MISSIONINSITE DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The West Michigan Conference has subscribed to Missioninsite.com, a comprehensive demographic

provider. With this MI tool, every church and Agency in the Conference now has access to up-to-date

demographic information. Go to Missioninsite.com to login.

180 Turnaround Church Conference

For the past 4 years, Redeemer Church in DeWitt has presented a “180 Turnaround Church

Conference”. Drawing on 25+ years of experience in transitioning a congregation from 40-50 in attendance to

over 500, it is our goal to share practical ways to turn plateaued or struggling congregations to vital

ministries. This teaching conference will encourage pastors and church leaders to face change with faith and

unity.

This year the ‘180 Conference’ will be held on Thursday, March 20th. Pastor Rod Kalajainen will be teaching the

1st and 3rd General Sessions and Steve Place, Pastor at Mosaic Church, will be teaching the 2nd General

Session. In addition, there will be 12 different workshops on a multitude of different topics such as Outreach,

Small Groups, and Encouraging Faithful Generosity. New workshops for this year include The Lifeline of

Education, Working with a Worship Team and Band, and DISC profiles.

To learn more about this valuable conference or to register please visit our web site at:

http://www.dewittredeemer.org/Get_Connected/conferences/conferences.html

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Redeemer’s church office at (517) 669-3430.

Spring Spruce-Ups for Worship & Arts

The Fellowship of United Methodist in Music and Worship Arts are hosting workshops in our district on March

29th, 2014: Morning sessions at Manton UMC and Afternoon Sessions at Frankfort UMC. More information is

available at:

http://westmichiganconference.org/events/detail/3530