March 1 - First Sunday of LentCommunion“Psalms for Lent - Forgivng”Psalm 32

March 8 - Second Sunday of Lent“Psalms for Lent - Looking for Help”Psalm 121

March 15 - Third Sunday of LentPsalm 95“Psalms for Lent - Singing”

Worship Helpers for March

USHERS:1:Dick & Gloria8: Gloria & Dorothy

15: 22: 29:

SOUND SYSTEM

Ken Bell

FELLOWSHIP TIME:1: Dick & Gloria8: Gloria & Dorothy

15: 22: 29:

March Worship Schedule

Birthdays in March

1: Don Strohpaul21 Audrey Eno

continued on page 2

For a man of my profession, I do not make loud pronouncements about prayers. It is not asthough I do not pray; I do, not as often or as fervently as I could, but I do find myself bowed downbefore my Maker. Maybe my quietness about this subject stems from a concern about how easilycalls to prayer are used to manipulate people for less than godly purposes: to rally behind politicalcandidates (as if one candidate has God’s ear), to urge a win for a favorite sports team (God hasan universe to run so I don’t think football game is going to cross the radar), and to assure somehighly desired but somewhat superfluous material object (I hear Janis Joplin wailing in thebackground for a Mercedes-Benz). Public prayer sometimes lacks the humility and the awe thatapproaching God seems to call for. It is no surprise to me that the model of my faith, Jesus, oftenwent to a bare and quiet place to pray and seemed to discourage public displays of showy affectionfor God by asking his followers to hide in their closets to approach God in secret. I wonder if heknew that often when we pray in public we too often are simply talking to ourselves or revving thecrowd for something that may or may not have anything to do with justice, honesty, integrity, orgenuine hope.

All my reservations, however, do nothing to diminish the importance of prayer so I suspect thatis a variety of Christian denominations have set aside a day this month to recognize the world’sneed for some kind of connection to a higher power, to the wider universe and its teeming life, tosomething much bigger than our own egos. The key for me here is the word ‘connection’. I amreminded of one my favorite lines from a movie I saw years ago, HAROLD AND MAUDE. Harold, asuicidal and depressed young man, asked Maude, an elderly concentration camp survivor, if sheprayers. She pauses for a moment and answers, “No. I communicate.” Prayers was never intendedto be a monologue of wishful thinking. Instead it is meant to be communication, a deep interaction,a realigning of our hearts and minds to something deeper and more real than what are normallyaccustomed to. We are moved from a normal habit of surface chatter, of kibitzing about the weatherand the mundane so we can open a space for something that means something, that makes adifference. That normal habit is so ingrained in us that the Apostle Paul was inspired to persuade

World Day of Prayer

“Pray continually.” -- 1 Thessalonians 5: 17 CEB

March 22 - Fourth Sunday of Lent“Psalms of Lent - Sheparding”Psalm 23

March 29 - Fifth Sunday of Lent.Psalm 130“Psalms for Lent - Crying”

March, 2020

Newaygo Congregational United Church of Christ432 Quarterline • Newaygo, MI 49337• (231) 652-6624

Jonathan Riedel, Pastor

TThhee CChhuurrcchhmmoouussee

Thank You. . .Bill and Jeanne Leaver would like to

express their thanks for all the kind words,thoughtful cards and prayers as they go onthis journey together. Our church family is thebest!

36th Annual Newaygo/GrantCROP Hunger Walk

On October 6, 2019, walkers from 6 areachurches participated in iour local Walk forHunger. Folks gathered at the NewaygoUnited Methodist Church for a soup lunch at12:30. Sixty one walkers followed theRiverfront Park Trail, taking a stand againsthunger. Our Nine walkers brought in $732 ofthe total of $4,610.52. O this, 25% stayslocal, going to Meals on Wheels and theFood Pantry at Love, In the Name of Christ.The remainder is given to Church WorldServices for use worldwide.

Thank you for your generous support of thisMission Project for the past 36 years.

Mission & Social Action CommissionSue Johnson Miriam StrohpaulLinnea Godfrey Joyce Twining

Ann Passage

Sunday MorningBible Study

9:00 am

We are reading Paul’s Letters to theCorinthians.

Come and join us..

Women’s Bible StudyTuesday Morning Bible Study meets at 10

a.m. We will take a careful look at thereadings the pastor will be preaching aboutthe following Sunday

Tuesday Morning BibleStudy - 10 am

We are looking at the featured Bible read-ings for the next week’s sermon. Come andjoin us.

Tuesday Noon ClassesTheologians You Should Know

Christians thinkers, past and present, havea way of capturing what God is up to andbringing it into our lives in real and transform-ing ways. Situations and language mightchange, but the questions we ask about ourlives’ meaning and what God has to do with itall do not. So we continue our look at someof the many writers and activists who havedotted the Christian landscape. Join us inconversation as we look briefly over theirlives and thoughts. Here is a schedule ofour topics:

March 03-Gregory of NyssaMarch 10-OrigenMarch 17-Francis of AssisiMarch 24-John Henry NewmanMarch 31-Hildegarde

(continued from page 1)

Gloria, Conrad Jr., Fred & Lucas, Maxine,Carolyn S. and Marcia S.

the Followers of the Way in Thessalonica to pray continually. Pray until you get past the casualconversation, pray until you are open to the silence, pray until it becomes a habit of bypassing thenoise and cutting through to what you really need to say. Pray until you no longer need words butfind yourself simply able to rest comfortably in God’s presence, wherever you may find that.

Perhaps it is good to have a dedicated day for prayer because prayer does take dedication. It ismeant to be a practice, something to do over and over again so it becomes more natural. I mustconfess that I do not pray as I was taught to pray. On my knees with customary liturgy tends to lullme to sleep rather than to attention despite my mother’s many attempts to instill that pattern withinme. Better for me is a silent walk through a breathing forest, with my eyes open to what ishappening around me. In the quiet, I ask myself simple questions. “As I look around, what is Godtrying to tell me today? What do I need to learn? Where do I need to listen? What should I ask for?Where should I be still?” I do not rush toward some answers because often they do not comeimmediately.

In all my hyperactivity, in the presence of my racing mind- a mind that tires quickly of routinerituals and memorized words, I have learned to leave open spaces for God to speak when God willspeak. Often, the words seep up through my unconscious, gain voice through others who engageme in conversation later, echo through a song I finally pay attention to, or resonate through theunanswered questions of my heart. I do not expect sudden epiphanies or dramatic, movie-perfectsound. With my hearing loss, I have learned not to put my faith completely in what I can hear.Instead I will wait in the stillness until the noise both without and within settles down so I can listenfor God’s small voice, inviting, never compelling, welcoming, never putting up barriers, persuading,never resorting to brute commandeering, opening doors, rather than building walls.

Sometimes I remember to take the time to do this. And, sometimes, I do not. Maybe it is bestthat we do have such a day as World Day of Prayer so we can flip open our calendar and besurprised by its existence, surprised enough to pause long enough to let God sneak a part of God’spresence in edgewise. For all the difference that can make. Then we really would have somethingto communicate about.

The Rev. Jonathan D. RiedelPastor, Newaygo Congregational UCC

On Thursday nights, our church will behosting the CIRCLES Newaygo County. Thisprogram is designed to help people work theirout of poverty by improving their networkingand job-fulfilling skills. Each participant ispaired with a partner and a supportivecommunity that can help them locateresources and explore their talents. Eachparticipant’s family is encouraged to beinvolved so we provide educational daycareand school age programs as well. We arepleased to be the host church again.

Emergency Contact InformationIf you would like to have us have a contact

number to use for you in case of anemergency only, please leave the person’sname and number in the office. Thisinformation will only be kept in the office forour records only.

Thank You

Pick a Topic Sermons

Pastor would like to hear from you aboutwhich topics you would like Pastor Jon tofeature during his Pick a Topic sermons. Ifyou have a suggestion, you can call Pastorat 652-6624, put a note in the offering plate,or email him at

revjdriedel@gmail.com.

Treasurer’sReport

January 16, 2020 toFebruary 15, 2020

Income Total Exp.

January 19 $414.00

January 26 2,493.00

February 2 1,070.71

February 9 2,700.00

January 12 3,185.00

Total $6,677.71 $8,494.31

Difference ($1,816.60)

Phillips Fund $160,357.01

This is after the money for the heat

exchangers and the money for Mission and

Social Action projects for this year have

been subtracted.

Family Fund 68,133.99

Souper Bowl $61.71

Thank you for your generosity. We are

thrilled to have Circles meeting in our

church again.

Dawn Anderson, Treasurer

Canned Goodsfor Food Pantry

We are continuingthe collection of Canned Goods for thefood pantry. There is a special need at thistime of the year. There will be a box underthe coat racks in which to put yourdonations.

Thank You

Deadline for the AprilChurchmouse

Please send any information or articlesyou would like included in the April Church-mouse to the office by Thursday, March 26.

You may e-mail information to:churchmouse@newaygoucc.orgor leave a hard copy in the office.B

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1. What got us started on the housing project?A few years ago, when we realized the magnitude of the Genny Cooper gift, as a

congregation, we agreed that we should use this gift to do something significant for our community.We acknowledged that, between the Phillips Fund and the Church Family in Need Fund, we hadsufficient funds to support church operations for a period of time. We felt then that using theGenny Cooper estate for a project for the community was the best way to honor Genny Cooper. Atthe same time, we agreed to support the Circles Program for immediate benefit to the community.The congregation approved the use of the Cooper estate for assessing the feasibility of affordablehousing.

To date, we have not used any of the Genny Cooper monies for the housing project. Everyexpense has been from donated funds, contributed specifically for the housing project. No churchfunds have been used, thus far, for the housing project,

2. Is there a community need for affordable housing?Yes! It is well-documented that affordable housing is the #1 priority for families in this area.

The Fremont Area Community Foundation and True North have extensively documented the need.The fact that every new housing project that's affordable is occupied on completion, says it all.

3. What research have we done about the project?Interested congregation members have pooled donations for a feasibility study of the potential

for the project with a recognized authority on affordable housing, Lindsay Hagar. He assessed theproposed site and ran several scenarios of the project with proposed rents, etc. Mr. Hagarconcluded that it was feasible to build 10, 2-bedroom units on the church's property and generateenough rent to cover the cost of the building and pay down a $600,000 mortgage. The estimatedconstruction costs at the time was estimated to be $1.4 This was May 2017, and the cost ofconstruction has changed significantly.

The assumption has always been with this project that, once we determined to proceed withthe project, the church would deed the vacant parcel to a new non-profit housing corporation totake over the project. Whether the church gives any Genny Cooper money to this endeavor has notbeen decided. The new housing corp would take over the project completely with full responsibilityto raise the money, build the facility and take over the operation of the housing units. THECHURCH WOULD HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY OR OBLIGATION FOR THE PROJECT. Thechurch would not be responsible for the project in any way, not financially nor operationally.

4. How much does it cost to build an apartment complex?We do not know yet. We eventually will have a project description and design to be able to

approach contractors and get bids. We are probably 3-4 months away from being able to do that.

5. Will we (the church) have to raise the monies to build this project?NO! The new housing corporation will have complete responsibility and authority to raise the

money. The church will have NO obligation or responsibilities for raising funds.We already know of several potential donors, but we cannot approach them without a more

complete description of what the project will cost.

6. Do we have an architect with experience in these types of facilities?YES! Mary Duncan has extensive experience with these facilities, including projects in

Sturgis and Buchanan (100 unit complexes); Fremont town homes - 24 units; renovation of homes in Kalamazoo to 200 units; and renovation of neighborhood apartments in Kalamazoo -60 units.

FAQ About Housing Project7. How will the apartments look near our church building?

We are working on that now. The idea is to create as much separation as possible but keepthe look of the new building complementary with the church building. It will feel different at first andtake some getting used to.

8. Will building on the land behind the church harm the wet lands there?No. We have had soil experts engaged to assess the building site and their conclusion is that

the wetlands will not be disturbed. We will have to get DNR permission which we believe we willreceive. All rules regarding protection of our watershed will be followed.

9. Who will manage the day to day operation of the apartments?NOT THE CHURCH! The new housing company which will own the apartment complex will

have complete responsibility for the operation of the facility, including leasing the apartment units,collecting the rents, maintaining the grounds and the building. We would anticipate that the housingcompany would turn this over to a professional property manager. We have already beenapproached by several.

10. What kind of neighbors will the renters be?We hope good neighbors and certainly would create that expectation with the property

manager. They do background checks on potential renters and that should keep out people whohave been disrespectful of property in their pasts. There is no certainly that you will not have aproblem renter, but that is the responsibility of the property manager NOT THE CHURCH!

11. Will the church share a parking lot with the apartments?NO! There will be a separate entrance to the apartments from Quarterline and separate

parking lot.

12. Would our church have any involvement with the management or the renters?NO! This will be a separate organization with responsibility for the apartments. The church will

have no involvement.

13. How many apartments would there be?We are determining that now.

14. How does our church benefit from this project?We will have directly benefited at least 10 families with needed shelter. We will have filled a

big need in our community. It will be an on-going legacy to our church.

Beyond this, it is the belief of some that this may encourage people to attend our churchbecause they'll see that we've done something to benefit the community.