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IN TOUCH WITH COMMUNITY
JULY - AUGUST 2014
USING OUR SPIRITUSING OUR SPIRITUSING OUR SPIRITUSING OUR SPIRIT----FILLED TALENTS FILLED TALENTS FILLED TALENTS FILLED TALENTS
TO FOLLOW GOD’S PLAN FOR OUR LIVESTO FOLLOW GOD’S PLAN FOR OUR LIVESTO FOLLOW GOD’S PLAN FOR OUR LIVESTO FOLLOW GOD’S PLAN FOR OUR LIVES
Submitted by Mary Seaman
The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 reminds us that we all have God-given talents and abilities at various levels, and we must use the “talents” God has given us wisely. God has a plan for each of us, plans to give us “hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). Each one of us is a necessary part of God’s total plan. Using our talents helps to build His kingdom.
Pastor Chip shared how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things (e.g. Kisses from Katie). God also uses us to do ordinary, servant-like, helper things that honor God and show love for our neighbor. As we give of our talents, we can bring about “extraordinary” changes in people’s lives and in the world.
My mother was a shining example of one who serves. Though she was the mother of five children and had a very modest budget for running the household, there was always room for others at our table. She quietly offered prayers of thanks and shared what she had. When a teenager felt he had no place to go after finding out his dad was not his biological father, he walked six miles to our house. He needed time to deal with the shock. Mother arranged for him to stay with us for the school year; she made his school lunches, washed and ironed his clothes, listened to his struggles, and prayed for him, just as she did for the five of us. Mother was doing what her spirit-filled heart directed her to do—be the face of Jesus to a “lost” teenager. She didn’t question God’s plan for her. Mother clearly demonstrated God’s word: “ …Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5: 16).
The following devotional from Our Daily Bread, Feb. 18, 1914, titled Helpers Needed, addresses the spiritual gift of helping.
To some people, the term helper carries with it second-class connotations. Classroom helpers assist trained teachers in their classes. Helpers assist trained electricians, plumbers, and lawyers on the job. Because they aren’t as skilled in the profession, they might be viewed as having less value. But everyone is needed to accomplish the task.
The apostle Paul had many helpers in his work of ministry. He listed them in his letter to Rome (chap. 16). He made special reference to Phoebe, who “has been a helper of many and of myself also” (v. 2). Priscilla and Aquila risked their own lives for Paul (vv. 3-4). And Mary, Paul said, “labored much for us” (v.6).
Helping is a spiritual gift, according to 1 Corinthians 12:28. Paul listed it among the gifts from the Holy Spirit that are given to believers in Christ’s body, the church. The gift of “helps” is just as needed as the others that are listed.
Even the Holy Spirit is called a “Helper.” Jesus said, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, … will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26).
In whatever ways the Holy Spirit, the Helper, has gifted you, let Him use you for His honor. ----Anne Cetas
PAGE 2 IN TOUCH
Camp Geneva; a strike at East Jordan Iron Works; my mother’s unexpected pregnancy,
which made Bob and me move up our wedding date from June to early February; a move to
Kalamazoo (away from friends and family) at the age of 21 with two small children; a
precious baby sister with the diagnosis of Down Syndrome. The Bible says in Jeremiah
29:11 that God has a plan for good. Not all of these seem real good!!! This is the rest of the
story.
My first week at Camp Geneva, our group from Atwood Reformed Church shared a cabin
with a group of girls from Muskegon. I became close friends with one girl, Lynn-elle
Ortquist. We exchanged letters, attended camp on the same week the following year, and
began visiting each other for a week in the summer. This friendship continued into
adulthood. When Bob and I got engaged, in September of 1955, we set our wedding date for
June 1956. That’s when my mother’s unexpected pregnancy (with the baby due mid-July
1956) made us change our plans. Lynn-elle was born July 11, 1956 and we dearly loved her.
Mom became worried about her slow development and pressed for answers. The answer we
got was a blow—Down Syndrome—no hope, no help, no services, and a life expectancy of
up to 13 years. Surprisingly, Lynn did quite well, with a lot of attention and
encouragement.
In the meantime, Bob and I had two little girls in three years. After our daughter, LeeAnn,
was born, my Camp friend, Lynn-elle, and her mother came from Muskegon to visit—just
in time to hear that Bob was out of a job because of the strike at East Jordan Iron Works.
We were devastated. But God had this plan. Lynn-elle’s father was the head of Human
Resources at Brunswick in Muskegon—and Brunswick was opening a new plant in
Kalamazoo. Mr. Ortquist had trained the person who was hiring in Kalamazoo! Bob had a
job!! We moved to Kalamazoo, living for the winter in a cottage that our sister-in-law’s
aunt rented to us! We were young and homesick, but we thrived. By 1962, we had added a
son and another daughter to our family.
Then God added another dimension to our family. I had heard on TV that Michigan
Children’s Aid Society was looking for foster mothers for newborns waiting to be adopted.
That sounded like something I could do and still stay at home with our children. So we
started taking in babies. I loved it, except for when they left for their new homes. But,
fortunately for me, there was an almost endless supply. One baby would leave and a new (Continued on page 6)
THE BLESSING OF GOD’S PLAN
Submi�ed by Noreen Joliffe
PAGE 3
Remembering our Military Men and Women Remembering our Military Men and Women Remembering our Military Men and Women Remembering our Military Men and Women
Please pray and send words of encouragement. Please pray and send words of encouragement. Please pray and send words of encouragement. Please pray and send words of encouragement. Numbers in parenthesis indicate their birthdate. Please consider sending birthday cards
•CMCR - Mariah Miller - 176 Longview Lane, Poplarville, MS. 39470 (8/23)
•David R. Merrill/AIC (Air Force)- PSC 41 Box 4577, APO AE 09464 Lackenheath, England (9/13)
•Danielle Merrill/AIC (Air Force)- PSC 41 Box 4577, APO AE 09464 Lackenheath, England (10/20)
•1LT Kyle Leese - 1600 Marion Center Road, Charlevoix, MI. 49720 (serving at Camp Grayling)
•Garrett C. Miller II (U.S. Navy) – 14315 Wedgewood, Sterling Heights, Michigan 48312
•FC3 Nuttall, Logan D (U. S. Navy) - WEPS/CG 04 USS Monterey (CG61) FPO AE 09578-1181 (4/22)
•PFC1 Jeffery Buckner (U.S. Army) - 130 Hickman Court, Raeford, N.C, 28376 (11/15)
•1 Lt. Boss, Megan (U.S. Army) - 721 Seven Mile Ferry Road, Clarksville, TN 37040 (11/19)
•Capt. Kathryn Marks (Ricks), DDS, (Air Force) - 3840 Cross Creek Trail, Valdosta, GA. 31605 (11/18)
•Commander Russell John Coolman (Navy) - 7079 Pecan Chase, Frisco, TX 75034 (03/04)
•Cameron G. Canupp (US Air Force) - PSC 41 Box 5218, APO AE 09464, USA (Lackenheath England) (6/21)
•Jones, Cyril (US Army) - 576th Engineer Company, Shindand Air Base, APO, AE 09382 (3/24)
•Rct Keie, Christopher D. (US Marines) MC CES (AMAT/EFTS/RMTS/TETS) Bldg., 1737 8th Street, Box 788253, Twenty-nine Palms, CA. 92278(1/10)
CONGRATULATIONS AND BLESSINGS TO:
� Delbert and Carolyn Batdorff on their 55th wedding anniversary, June 27th.
� John and Sonya Martin on their 50th wedding anniversary, May 16th.
� Joe and Christy Vogelheim on the birth of a granddaughter, Hadley, on May 28th. Hadley is the daughter of Ryan and Katie Vogelheim and great-granddaughter of Bob and Mazie Potter.
� Paul and Katie Glotzhober on the dedication of their daughter, Mackenzie .
� Paul and Katie Glotzhober on becoming new members of CRC.
---Submitted by, Mary Seaman
SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO:
� Mike and Amy Pott and their family on the passing of Mike’s mother, Rose Ann Pott.
� Dale and Darlene Buckner and family on the passing of Dale’s brother, Earnest Buckner.
� Dick and Pam Swenor and family on the loss of Dick’s father, Gordon Swenor.
� Vic and Kathy Martinchek and family on the loss of Kathy’s mother, Ann Crawford.
� Trevor and Marilyn Wood and family on the passing of Marilyn’s father, Carlton Engle.
� The Belmar family on the loss of both Wilma and George Belmar.
PAGE 4
WELCOME NEW MEMBERSWELCOME NEW MEMBERSWELCOME NEW MEMBERSWELCOME NEW MEMBERS
New members, WAYNE AND SANDY BOSS, both have roots in Charlevoix. Wayne’s
dad, Oscar, and Lawrence Boss were brothers; however, Wayne grew up in Clawson, MI.
Sandy has lived here all her life, except for one year when she and Wayne lived in Alaska.
They have raised three children—Jeremy, Lisa, and Jonathan; all three are married.
Jonathan and his wife Laura (Nitchman) also a,end CRC. Wayne and Sandy enjoy being
grandparents to their seven grandchildren, ages eleven months to eleven years. They are
excited to announce that Jon and Laura are expecting their third child.
Sandy graduated from Charlevoix High School, has worked for a real estate firm, and is
currently employed as a receptionist at Char-Em where she has been employed for 22
years.
Wayne a,ended junior colleges in the Detroit area, then, transferred to Michigan Tech in
Houghton where he earned a BS in civil engineering. He is a registered land surveyor.
He is self-employed at Boss Engineering of Charlevoix, a branch of the family business
now owned and operated by his brothers in Howell.
Besides spending time with her grandchildren, Sandy enjoys shopping, playing games
(especially cards), cooking, and entertaining guests.
Wayne spends his leisure time hunting, a,ending sports events, and playing hockey. He
presently plays on a league in Traverse City. Wayne actually “enjoys cold weather”! He
also enjoys remodeling work and is busy helping Jon and Laura remodel their recently
purchased “new” home.
Wayne and Sandy join our congregation by transfer of membership from the Assembly of
God Church. They chose CRC as their church home because they “know lots of people
here and appreciate Chip’s ministry, especially his bible-based sermons.”
(Continued on page 5)
PAGE 5 IN TOUCH
******
New member, DERRICK CARROLL, grew up in Pinckneyville, Illinois; however, his wife,
Lisa (Hooker), is a Charlevoix native. He met Lisa in 1993 while serving in the US Coast
Guard on the Acacia. Derrick is the father of two daughters: Anastasia, who is married and
is employed as a schoolteacher in South Carolina, and five-year-old Victoria, whom he and
Lisa adopted at birth.
In 1996, Derrick began training in a state police academy. He has been employed as a
policeman in various places throughout Michigan and transferred to Petoskey in 2011.
Presently, he is Assistant Post Commander for the Gaylord Region, which covers five
counties.
During his leisure time, Derrick enjoys motorcycling, spending time with family, and
relaxing at the beach. He loves northern Michigan.
When he was seeking a church, Derrick’s neighbor, Tom SchulC, invited him to CRC. He
decided to become a member of this church because he found the congregation “very
welcoming” and “liked Chip’s messages.”
******
Minnesota is the home state of new member, MATT THOMPSON. After high school, he
earned a BA in social sciences from Washington State Univ. Ma, grew up on a dairy farm
and decided to pursue faming as his career. His wife, Mandy (Boss), also grew up on a
dairy farm and their mutual love of farming brought them to Mandy’s hometown of
Charlevoix two and one-half years ago. Presently, they are running the dairy farm of
Mandy’s parents, Bud and Judy Boss.
Ma,, an outdoors enthusiast, spends his free time fishing and hunting. The most exciting
event in his life, recently, is the birth of his son, Caiden, who is fourteen-months-old. Being
a dad is his new pastime!!
Membership at CRC was a natural choice for Ma, since this is Mandy’s home church and
they were married here.
(Continued from page 4)
PAGE 6
one would come—sometimes on the same day. Because I had several adopted cousins, I knew
the happiness they would bring to their new families and that made it easier to let them go.
Then things changed a little. In 1967, we got Johnny, a one-year-old African-American child
who stayed for over a year. We loved him and talked about adopting him, but God had
another plan! There was a movement of social workers concerned about placement of African-
American children in white homes and a big effort to find African-American families
(something we supported, but not “our” Johnny). I began praying that, if Johnny was chosen
by a family, God would send us another child who needed us. The social worker, Mrs.
Huntington, called us and said, “A family has chosen Johnny. We have a new baby with Down
Syndrome who needs a home for at least six months. Are you interested?” God had SO
prepared us for this!! We had Paul for almost three years, while his parents were trying to
decide where to put him permanently. (During this time, my sister Lynn-elle was growing up
and doing very well.) We knew that Paul needed to live with a family and asked Mrs.
Huntington for some sort of a way that we could plead Paul’s case. She came back a month
later with word that his family had decided to place him for adoption and wanted us to have
the first chance to keep him! We did!
Now we started to look at Lynn-elle in a whole new light. We noticed that, although Lynn had
neighbor girls who came to play Barbies and were very nice to her, they soon outgrew her in
development and went on to other friends. By this time, we were active in a group that
promoted adoption of hard to place children (now the Council on Adoptable Children) and I
was attending meetings around the state. At a meeting in late March of 1973, I ate lunch with
a woman who ran an agency for hard to place kids and told her that we might be interested in
adopting another child with Down Syndrome. I said we would need a boy, under a year
without a heart defect. She called me a week later and said she had been to a national meeting
and heard that there were at least four babies who met that criteria in Boston and gave me the
address. I wrote to Catholic Charities of Boston and they called me to say they would start
sending me files! (Babies with D.S. were so hard to place forty years ago; they didn’t always
follow the rules!) We chose Matthew from the four because his racial combo made him extra
hard to place. Thanks to God’s gift of that year with Johnny, it didn’t make any difference to us
and we liked brown eyes and curly hair! We picked up Matt in Boston on June 3, 1973.
Matt had some very low muscle tone, so we plugged him into the Occupational and Speech
Therapy departments at Western. (Thank you, God, for sending us to Kalamazoo.) Matt did
(Continued from page 2)
(Continued on page 7)
PAGE 7 IN TOUCH
very well, as did Paul, and I got pushed into going to college. I graduated in 1981 with a
degree in O.T. I worked for a number of years as a developmental therapist, which allowed
me to work with families who had new babies with D.S. as well as other conditions. Our
experiences often helped us help other families to adjust to their new roles. What a
blessing Paul and Matthew have been in our lives!!
When Bob and I were dating it was our plan to get married and have several children. Bob
would work and we would live up North where we both were born and raised. It was not in our plan that Bob would lose his job, or that we would live in Kalamazoo for 40 years,
and certainly not in our plan that we would adopt two children with D.S. and have them still living with us 45 years later. God’s plan has made our lives so much richer and has
allowed us, through Paul and Matt, to impact many other lives. We really like God’s plan!!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).
(Continued from page 6)
PAGE 8
Ministry UpdatesMinistry UpdatesMinistry UpdatesMinistry Updates
F.A.C.E.S. Orphan MinistryF.A.C.E.S. Orphan MinistryF.A.C.E.S. Orphan MinistryF.A.C.E.S. Orphan Ministry
FFFFoster • AAAAdopt • CCCCare • EEEEducate • SSSSupport
Submitted by Lynda Stolt
F.A.C.E.S. will be represented again this year in our Venetian Parade. What a great
opportunity to bring awareness of the Orphan crisis to our community. If you share in our
mission to “Show Christ’s love through F.A.C.E.S. to orphans, vulnerable children and
those who come alongside them,” then we encourage you to join us and walk (or ride) with
us to show your support.
Contact Sarah Polleys at 675.2390 or [email protected]) for more information.
Orphan Sunday is November 2nd and planning has
started. We are so excited to welcome Johnny Carr,
Author of Orphan Justice as our guest speaker.
(Continued on page 9)
PAGE 9 IN TOUCH
Johnny is a conference speaker and orphan care advocate to denominations, national
religious associations and conferences including Saddleback Church, Catalyst Conference,
The Idea Camp, Q Ideas, and others. He is also author of Orphan Justice that challenges
churches to rethink how they have handled
social justice issues directly related to orphan care
(March 2013). He and his wife have visited many
orphanages and have also helped bring attention
to a deaf school in central China that was in dire
need of aid. Today the school is better than it has
ever been and all of the teachers and their
families are now believers in Jesus Christ.
Johnny believes that the Church must take the
lead in the world’s orphan crisis. His goal is to inspire the Church to truly understand and
obey James 1:27, which calls believers to care for orphans.
Our Orphan Sunday Service will be held at the High School again this year with an
informational luncheon to follow for all those desiring to know more about the role they
can play in caring for orphans, vulnerable children and those who come alongside them.
Find out more about Johnny at: http://orphanjustice.com/johnny-carr/
Watch for the new F.A.C.E.S. website coming soon at www.FACES-ministry.com
There are great opportunities ahead for the F.A.C.E.S. Team and YOU to
care for the orphan, vulnerable child and those who come alongside them.
(Continued from page 8)
(Continued on page 12)
Book Review
KISSES FROM KATIE Recommended by Pastor Chip
On the one hand, I’m very excited to share
this book recommenda(on, Kisses from
Ka(e, because it is a story of faith in ac(on.
It’s a tremendous example of how one
person’s obedience can change the world
for so many. Yet, I also am afraid that her
story will discourage you
because your story isn’t
like hers. You might read
this book and be thankful
for Ka(e, but think to
yourself, “I’ll never be her
and my life will never
impact others like hers
does.” So says you, but
what says God? You are
not called to Ka(e’s life,
but you are called to give
your life for the sake of
Christ and let him write a
story through you that will
truly be a story of
transforma(on and love.
Kisses from Ka(e: A Story of Relentless
Love and Redemp(on (2011) is wri�en by
Ka(e Davis with help from Beth Clark. It is
Ka(e Davis’s story of how God called her to
Uganda, to adop(on, to love relentlessly
the people, especially children, of Uganda.
It is a story of hope in the midst of what
seems like hopeless circumstances for
children and for those who care for them.
It is a story of God’s power and his
willingness to take what Ka(e offers and
bring about life transforma(on. It is a
story of courage, perseverance, grace, and
sacrifice. It is a story of life
and of death. It is a story of
what it looks like to follow
Jesus and what Jesus will do
when we follow him because,
ul(mately, it is a story of
love, not just the love that
Ka(e offers to so many, but
the incredible ways she is
experiencing God’s love
through so many.
Please read this book. Please
read it to remind yourself
that when we (you and I) put
our faith in ac(on – when we
prac(ce our faith – God is
faithful and will move in ways
beyond our imagina(on. He will provide
what we need. He will express his love
through us. He will bear fruit. He will
change people’s lives (ours included) as He
works. But He will not force us to prac(ce
our faith. That is up to us.
PAGE 10
HIGHLIGHTS FROM JUNE’S CONSISTORY MEETINGHIGHLIGHTS FROM JUNE’S CONSISTORY MEETINGHIGHLIGHTS FROM JUNE’S CONSISTORY MEETINGHIGHLIGHTS FROM JUNE’S CONSISTORY MEETING
Submitted by Pastor Chip
♦ Doug Nitchman shared his desire to enter the Commissioned Pastor Program through the RCA.
The Consistory passed a motion to accept Doug into the Commissioned Pastor Program.
♦ Bud Klooster presented the Facilities Improvement recommendations. He requested approval of
architect Jeffrey Parker for Phase I plans and the formation of a Building Committee. Monies
will come from cd’s held by the church. The Consistory passed a motion to implement these
recommendations.
♦ The Marriage Team presented their mission statement: “Enriching marriages, strengthening
families, changing lives through Christ.”
♦ Ted Polleys shared the Youth Ministry report, highlighted by the mission trip to the Dominican
Republic and the relationships that are being formed. He also explained his future plans and
ideas for his personal growth and for growth within the community. The Consistory prayed for
Ted as well as other prayer requests.
PAGE 11 IN TOUCH
LOCAL OUTREACHLOCAL OUTREACHLOCAL OUTREACHLOCAL OUTREACH
A local outreach team is being formed. Anyone who would like be a part of this team, please
see Jan Boss. Our responsibilities will include setting the Local Outreach budget, helping
people to become aware of local needs, encouraging people to take part in their community. I’d
love a team made up of people from East Jordan, Petoskey, Boyne City, Ellsworth and
Charlevoix.
VOLUNTEER CHOIRVOLUNTEER CHOIRVOLUNTEER CHOIRVOLUNTEER CHOIR
Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer? Would you enjoy singing in a group of warm
and friendly folks who already have had the privilege of sharing a wide range of music from the
hearts of both ancient and modern composers? If you can sing and
are willing to commit to weekly rehearsals, choir may be just the
spot for you.
We are a group of ordinary people who believe God created us; that
He made possible all the blessings of life which we enjoy; and that
we are returning to Him just a small measure of praise and honor
which are so rightfully His.
Keep your eyes open for when fall rehearsals begin, and make your “volunteering” a matter of
prayer.
---Submitted by Cindy Mansen
MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT
The Marriage Enrichment Team Marriage Enrichment Team Marriage Enrichment Team Marriage Enrichment Team is looking for a few more members. If interested, please come
to our next meeting on July 7th at 7:00 p.m. here at the church. A red suggestion box is
available at the Information Center for your ideas. We hope to get some great program
(Continued from page 9)
(Continued on page 13)
PAGE 12
suggestions!
Sign up for Family Life’s Moments with You,
a daily couples’ e-mail devotional at:
www.oneplace.com/ministries/familylife-today/read/devotionals/moments-with-you/
Come to the Garden!Come to the Garden!Come to the Garden!Come to the Garden! Written by Joy Klooster
One individual in our church uses her talents and passion for farming/gardening to help
provide hundreds of others with food. Rebecca Berg has donated a portion of her land for
the food pantry garden. Rows and rows of tomatoes, cabbage, peppers, cucumbers,
broccoli and other vegetables were planted in June. There is also a strawberry patch that is
flourishing. Much help is needed to keep the garden weeded and eventually harvested.
The produce is taken to the area food pantries and distributed. The garden is located near
Rebecca’s home on Old US 31 North. Rebecca welcomes volunteers who can help.
Whether you can come once a week or once in a while, your help is cherished. In
Matthew 9:37, Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;
therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest.”
That is our prayer that volunteers will come to the garden or call Rebecca at 231-622-3732
for the next gathering.
PAGE 13 IN TOUCH
PAGE 14
I don’t know about you, but many times I feel that society works hard to play tricks on us parents. How many times have you wanted to impulsively scream out loud an objection because all the superhero shows are rated “Y-7,” but boys’ toddler underwear are smeared with Spiderman, Batman, and Ironman? Backpacks, water bottles, coloring books, lunch pails, bedding, and supermarket toy aisles are inundated with these iconic graphics. Ok, so this begs the question… if children aren’t supposed to be exposed to these characters until they are older due to aggressive and thematically mature content, why does society entice our youngsters at such an inappropriately early age?
Being a parent of a preschool age boy, I have been concerned about this issue. I have worried about my son’s exposure to unhealthy “warring” content and I have also become exhausted “warring” with him about it. I recently read an article in the Scholastic publication: Parent & Child that did not invalidate my concerns, but spoke into them with a perspective that I feel is informed, particularly appealing to basic psychology and human nature.
The article, “Is War Play Bad For Kids” by Holly Pevzner, supports a surprising fact: viewing aggressive content in regimented doses and having monitored aggressive play times actually helps kids become compassionate adults. I understand that we have become sensitive to violence (and for good reason), but when we always jump on and smother our boy’s natural instinct to turn a stick into a sword and toilet paper rolls into bombs, we are jumping all over their instinctive nature to protect and fight for the good. We also are telling them that their imaginations are bad and this is truly dangerous. This invites our boys to be sneaky and hide their real feelings. Pevzner upholds the scientific reality that there has been no link established between play violence in childhood and real violence in adulthood. Rather, research shows that rough-and-tumble play actually brings
enormous benefits, like better friendships, improved social behavior, and increased confidence.
War-play feeds the imagination. Dr. Lawrence Cohen, Ph.D., co-author of The Art of Roughhousing says, “When kids act out themes of good and evil, they’re actually learning to bridge the gap between their raw impulses and emotions and the grown-up world of logic, language, and morality.” Also, it makes kids feel more powerful which works toward helping them master their fears (especially of death), which thematically is something that is very hard to negotiate in appropriate terms from parent to child. To conclude, there is an understandable feeling of counter intuitiveness, but pretend aggression in child’s play teaches cooperation. “Where there are good guys and bad guys, there are relationships, loyalty, and opportunities to help friends in need, “says Dr. Cohen.
While it’s important to listen to the “experts,” I do feel that as parents we need to balance information with first-hand knowledge of each of our children’s natural tendencies. Obviously, we can play an important role in our children’s play as we guide their actions and monitor how aggressive they become. Certainly, there are teachable moments as we help them learn how to resolve conflicts and strategize outcomes that are for the good. Children who are more aggressive by nature may need to be tempered at times and children who cower by nature may need to be encouraged to stand up for themselves.
The overall point for parents, here, is to be wise and vigilant but not to agonize, obsess, or become unrealistic with policing kids as they naturally and effectively develop necessary skills during the dramatic, chaotic, and often aggressive art of child’s play.
Parent to Parent by: Maria Pierpont
PAGE 15 IN TOUCH
As many of you know, I love to go for a run,
so naturally I love the scripture that Paul
writes in Hebrews 12:1 “Let us run with
perseverance the race marked out for us” I do
not know if Paul actually liked to run or even
ran any foot races, but I do believe he is
telling us, we all have a God designed “race”
to run, AND its marked out for us. Jeremiah
29:11 “I know the plans I have for you,
declares the Lord.” How do I know the plan
or race marked out for me?
READY = I made the decision to seek out my
spiritual gift, given to me
by grace. Romans 12:6,
“We have different gifts,
according to the grace
given us.” We all seek
many things during our
lifetime, hoping to find fulfillment in them.
One of my passions is to cook and bake. I also
love to plan activities that bring people
together. I believe when the Holy Spirit
speaks to my heart to help serve in the
Kitchen, to help provide meals, or even to
bake a plate of cookies to brighten someone’s
day, I know my passion for cooking is being
used in the act of serving. As we invite
people into our lives, especially when sadness
or tragedy strikes, God desires for us to use
our gifts as a source of encouragement,
strength, and hope. The greatest blessing in
my life is to know I was able to help a friend
when they needed me most. You have heard
it said: “you may be the only Jesus some of
your friends, neighbors, and family ever see.”
Satan does not want us to discover our gifts;
he wants us to ignore our responsibility and
the nurture of one another. Satan desires to
steal! Our responsibility is to eagerly serve
God out of love and obedience to Him, to use
our spiritual gifts to serve others as God has
served us. Love is the best thing we can
commit our life to. Love for God, Love for
Family, Love for people. Love not only
blesses others; it also blesses the one doing
the loving. Concentrating on being a blessing
to others has brought me
joy and has blessed my
life. 1 Corinthians 12:31,
“But earnestly desire the
greatest and best gifts,
the one that is highest of
them all ~ Love.”
SET = Set time to seek out your spiritual gift,
Set time to pray, Set time to study God’s
word, Set time to listen to the Holy Spirit’s
prompting, Set time to GO!
GO = Go use the natural talents God has
gifted you with to run the race. Let God write
his story on your life. If you do not know the
plan, trust ~ it’s Good! Jeremiah 29:11b, . . .
“plans to prosper you and not harm you,
plans to give you a hope and a future.” Invite
people into your life; GO and be a blessing as
we are so blessed. 1 John 4:12, “If we love
one another, God lives in us and his love is
made complete in us.”
Ready ~ Set ~ Go!!! Submitted by Kris Way
PAGE 16
Church Directory
Begin by providing the office with your updated directory information (forms are at the Infor-mation Center). Don’t forget to send a digital photo for the directory. Once your data has been input, the office will advise you when you can continue with the following:
CRC AnnouncementsCRC AnnouncementsCRC AnnouncementsCRC Announcements
COFFEE HOSTS AND HOSTESS
To be a coffee host or not to be a coffee host? That is a burning question here at C.R.C.!
The coffee host list is made up randomly in the church office with the hopes every family will only have to do it once a year. Some people have a special gift of baking and creating a delicious “spread”. Others are willing to serve with crackers and cookies. As this is not a “competition” or a “brunch”, we want to thank everyone for their service. The joy of coffee hour is not the food you put on the table but the conversations and relationships it builds with new and old members alike. It doesn’t matter if you have a piece of fruit in your hand or a store bought cookie, the results are the same: relationships.
With three services we realize it is a big time commitment from each one. You need to get here one-half hour early and stay an extra one-half hour to have coffee ready after the first service and clean up after the second. THANK YOU… Please say “yes” when you are called and don’t feel like you have to stay home for three days baking or spend your life savings buying special things; one cracker or cookie is all anyone needs! THANK YOU.
FALL CLASSES
Some exciting plans are being made for Adults on Wednesday nights this fall. Stephen Ministry training will be taught for both fall and winter terms, led by Jan Boss and Leslie Cunningham. Pastor Chip will be leading a couple classes this fall: one titled “ Practicing the Way of Jesus” and a six week Inquirer’s Class. Other offerings will include: Art with Jan Glass, Making Soap for Your Homes, Basic Guitar with Ev Wujcik, and multiple instructions on Social Media and Smart Phones. There will be Choir and classes for children ages 4 – High School.
Dinner will be served each Wednesday night beginning at 5:00 p.m. We can use volunteers to help cook, serve and clean up. See Dianne Coolman.
All the details have not been ironed out, but watch in August for the fall brochure.
Learn, Grow, and Serve by Becoming a Stephen Minister
Do you have gifts for caring, encouragement, and listening? If so, please prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister. We will be training another class of Stephen
Ministers in September. Stephen Ministers provide emotional and spiritual support and care to people who are going
(Continued on page 18)
PAGE 17 IN TOUCH
PAGE 18
through a difficult time, such as divorce, grief, hospitalization, unemployment, terminal illness, relocation, chronic illness, or loneliness. Sometimes you get a call from a friend or family member and you just don’t know what to say, Stephen’s training gives you the tools to listen, ask the right questions and care, not cure.
To find out more about becoming a Stephen Minister or how you or someone you know could be matched with a Stephen Minister, talk with one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders: Jan Boss or Leslie Cunningham.
Crisis Clearing House
A new ministry is beginning here at CRC in the fall. For lack of a better name, we are currently calling it “Crisis Clearing House,” and we are looking for volunteers. We need people who would be willing to prepare a meal or help with transportation. The ministry hopes to extend God’s love and care to persons in our church body, and in our community, who are in need of meals due to events like birth, death, surgery, illness, etc. Also we hope to make transportation available for various types of appointments for those who lack transportation, or are unable to drive following surgery, for example.
The plan is for a special phone number to be called, either by the person in need, or by a friend or family member, and a contact number left by voice mail. Then the ministry
“point person” will call for details regarding the need. If the person in need is already connected to a small group, the small group would be asked first to provide support; otherwise, our point person will work through established volunteers to set up a plan.
If you know of someone going through a tough time, either in our church, or who is not connected to a church, and they could use a ‘hand up,’ you could call the message line and between you and the point person the need would be addressed.
But to carry this out we need Volunteers! On the information desk are “application forms” which would indicate your willingness to help, when you might be available, and how to contact you. You would always be free to decline when called. Please fill out a form and place it in the file folder behind the forms and help us as we begin this important ministry for our church and the community!
(Continued from page 17)
www.communityreformed.net Where can you find a lot of information about what’s going on at Community Reformed church of Charlevoix? You may
say, “ask an elder or deacon” or “ask Lynda Stolt” or “read about it in the weekly bulletin.” Those are all good answers, but
one other quick way to get information you may want to check out is the CRC website. If you type
www.communityreformed.net onto your internet browser, you will have access to a plethora of information. There is
information on:
� Mission/vision statements and who CRC is
� Beliefs and practice statements
� Adult, family, youth and children opportunities
� Local and Global Outreach including Safe Haven Breakfast Club and F.A.C.E.S. information
� Sermon topics and ability to listen to previous sermons
� CRC calendar of events
� Submission of confidential prayer requests
� Contact information, church hours
� Church staff, elders and deacons
� Small group information
� Announcements, CRC at-a-glance
� Tithes and offering opportunities
� Photo gallery
� And much more!
A lot of time and effort is put into maintaining this website. Be sure to check it out. You won’t be disappointed!
PAGE 19 IN TOUCH
Non-Profit O
rg.
US Po
stage
PAID
Perm
it No. 81
Charlevoix, M
I 49720
COMMUNITY R
EFORMED C
HURCH
100 Oak St.
Charlevoix, M
I 49720
Con
tact
s at
CRC:
Chip Sauer, Pastor
Jan Bo
ss, D
irector of Spiritual Formation
Ted Polleys, A
ssociate Pastor
Lynda Stolt, Office Adm
inistrator
Michael Brown, M
aintenance Engineer
Leslie Nitchm
an, O
ffice Assistant
Theda W
illiams, W
orship Director
Gail C
herry, Director of Children’s M
inistries
Dianne Coolman, K
itchen Manager
Cindy M
ansen, Choir Director
COMMUNITY REFORMED
CHURCH
Phone: 231-547-9482 Fax: 231-547-9598
Email: [email protected] www.communityreformed.net
Join us for Worship:
Sunday, 8:30, & 10:15 a.m. Nursery: 8:30, & 10:15 a.m.
Sunday School: Sunday, 10:15 a.m.
Prayer: Sunday, 7:15 a.m.
Monday - Friday, 6:15 a.m. Wednesday (2nd floor City Hall), 12 p.m.
Wednesday, 5:00 pm Saturday, 7:15 a.m.
