L VE LETTERS - WordPress.com...2015/09/11 · Thank You for considering this great incentive for our class participation! Love Letters Sept/Oct 2015 Love Letters is published bi-monthly

Sept/Oct 2015 Transforming lives In the Name of Christ through the church

A bi-monthly publication of Love In the Name of Christ—Muskegon County—2735 E. Apple Avenue Suite A

L VE LETTERS

In Romans 12:9-13 we are told by Paul; Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident

hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

As you can see by the above picture, we are striving to transform lives from the inside out. We are doing this through our growing and popular Comprehensive Programming;

featuring our New Image Class, where our neighbors learn their strengths & weaknesses, understand their value, gifts and skills. They also learn how to

turn a negative into a positive, how to overcome fear and perfectionism, along with learning to set goals. From there, they sign up for the elective classes

in our year long programming curriculum.

Many changes are happening at Love INC as we assist in life transformation and many hands are needed. What a great opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus while

letting His light shine through each and every one of our dedicated volunteers. There is no better feeling than to be the light at the end of someone’s tunnel and help them see

there is a better way; that they are loved and have value!

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Love Letters Sept/Oct 2015

Love Letters is published bi-monthly by Love In the Name of Christ of Muskegon County at 2735 E Apple Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442

The thing I liked most about this class; “The way I see myself, I can now be a lot easier on myself” “This class gives me hope” “To think more positive and that with God’s help I can do all things” “It was bible based and that it was good because it helps in every-day living” “The relevancy of this class to real life” “That it gave me confidence to be me. I learned that God accepts us just as we are” “That I need to find my way back to the Lord & myself”

I learned: “A lot more about God and that I wasn’t the only one who had problems” “That God is always with me, more than I thought!” “I am a special person; I’m truly loved by God” “A whole lot, wish we had another six weeks” “A lot about myself. Most important to me not to procrastinate” “That God can help in any way to get your mind back on the right path”

Other things you want to say: “This class should have 10 weeks so we can cover more material.” “Please keep these classes going” “I really think that this class is not just a must have but a good class to open up folks for the rest of their lives” “This is a very special class to be in. Very nice people” “Thank you for having me. I have a new look on life now!” “Thanks for never giving up on us!” “I am going through life altering changes. I am not having a pity party, I

am able because of this class to accept and be thankful for the positive

changes this is allowing to come into my life”



Do you feel that this class has led to any life transformations in

“New Image has taught me the bible says things that actually reflect on our life and has meaning behind it. Most of the things in our New Image class have been real life experiences” “The class has provided me the opportunity to make new friends and to study the bible in a contemporary manner that applies to my daily life” “I love New Image class. I have learned more in this class then at all of the churches that I have ever attended.”

“I feel this is almost the best thing for my life at this point in my life.” “The class provides a place to share our life experi-ences and how we can deal with them in Christ.” “This is a safe environment to allow God to touch lives and change lives. If I won the lottery I would get a blank check and give it to Love INC to keep doing what you are doing!” “It has helped me think through things more and connect to God in the midst of my circumstances.” “I learned to get off my high horse and look more into bible verses for inspiration.” “I learned the root cause for my procrastination since retiring, perfectionism has been an issue in my life but had been under the radar till I retired. The class helped me realize it”

“This class helped me make and continue to make changes in my life for the better.” “I went from wanting to kill myself to getting a job and things are really looking up. Thank God for Dave, Mary, Love INC and the group”

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE NEW IMAGE LEADERS!



Classroom participation = wrap around services

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CONGRATULATIONS to David DeHaan II the winner of the 2014 Arctic Cat Wildcat

His name was drawn from the raffle wheel by a 9 year old girl. He happened to be at

our fall festival event so we were able to get some great pictures. When his ticket

was handed to Matt by the young lady who drew the name, we were all in disbelief.

David is the son of our longest serving volunteer! His mother, Margo has been

volunteering for us at Love INC since 1984 and his father David fills in whenever

asked picking up food and anything else we need. What a huge blessing for this family

that gives so much back to our community and the neighbors we serve!

A HUGE thank you to Eddie Babbitt from Babbitt’s Sports Center for this wonderful

donation to Love INC. We are excited to report that $17,000 was raised for our

ministry. We are blessed because of your generosity! THANK YOU!!!



Hampton Green Farms has been a great partner, graciously hosting our annual Family fun Fall Festival with Joyful Noise. The grounds are gorgeous, the horses are beautiful and the staff are top notch! Thank you Chef Fred, Joan, Claudia, Kim, Antwon and all the friendly staff who waited on our every need and helped made this fundraiser a big success!



We appreciate each and every one...

Donations made “In Memory” of:

Ron Nyenhuis By: Marlene Bramer Vicki Broge Andrew & Melissa George Doris Kalinowski Harrison & Charlynne VanderHorn Jim & Jan Pascavis Peter & Nancy DeBoer Esther Betten Mark & Bonnnie Meengs Paul & Joan Bergmann Arden & Dena Alexander, MD Mary Bolt By: Fruitport Community Schools Connie Giller By: Dick & Janet Morgan

Thank You to these businesses

and families for your sponsorship

of our Family Fun Fall Festival…

Joyful Noise Event Sponsor:

Sherri Albertie Becker—Waddell & Reed

Shape Corporation

Kids Games Sponsor

Eagle Alloy Inc.

Nugent Sand Company, Inc

Aero Vision

Pumpkin Patch Sponsor

Shoreline Insurance

Rich & Cathy Golz

Bruce & Barb Duizer

Joe Singerling

Dave & Louanne Utzinger

Mr. B’s Pancake House

Parmenter O’Toole

Matt & Cheryl Kaley

A quick story that warmed our hearts regarding a small business in the Whitehall

area. This business has only 15 employees and doesn’t have a big profit margin.

The owner called and said that they had a good quarter and wanted to support our

ministry so he purchased 25 tickets for the Arctic Cat Wildcat we were raffling

off...that’s $2500.00! Then he said if he was lucky enough to have his company

ticket pulled, he was going to make it a company vehicle and buy a calendar to allow

the employees to sign it out as they wished. What a great company to work for.

One that looks out for his employees and makes sure that they are happy and taken

care of. Unfortunately, their ticket wasn't pulled but what a wonderful gesture on

behalf of his employees and our ministry.


Are you looking for a way to get involved???


We have a few opportunities where you can really make a difference:

~Life Coach

~Furniture Pick Up

~Child Care

~Handy man

~Warehouse helper

~Teaching something that you love in our classes

~Snowbird Relief: Some of our wonderful clearinghouse volunteers travel south for

the winter. We really don’t know why. Are you able to fill in on “Snowbird Relief”

during the months of November — March. You will have the summer off and put in

only (4) hours per week during the winter; answering phones and talking with our

neighbors in need in the clearinghouse. Training will be provided.

Please prayerfully consider how God is calling you to use your time and talents in our

ministry. We can always work around your busy schedule! Call the office to find out

more information on how you can be of service and be the light in someone’s world.

Christmas will be here before we know it and although we know what

the one TRUE meaning of Christmas is...we are still teaching our

neighbors. They have been busy earning points and learning all we

are teaching them. They are listening to our mentors when they are

told not to spend their money on things that are “wanted” and not

needed, and this includes Birthday and Christmas presents. Our

neighbors have been actively trying to change their lives for the

better. Now we are getting into the stressful time of year where little

kids are anticipating a shiny new toy under the Christmas tree and

Mom and Dad really can’t afford one. We have a Christmas Store

that can really help them out. They have been “banking” points

they’ve earned which they can use to purchase gifts. Can you help

our class participants by either buying a few toys and dropping them off at the Love INC of-

fice? If you would like, we have a few ladies who LOVE to shop, so if you are able to send in a

monetary gift, these ladies will go look for the good sales so that NO CHILD from our class par-

ticipants will be forgotten this Christmas; just put “Christmas” on the memo line. You may also

put it on your charge card by calling the office during business hours.

Thank You for considering this great incentive for our class participation!

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Stay connected and grow with us...

We would love to stay connected with you and grow together. Our underlying mission is to grow God’s kingdom. It takes many hands to do all He asks of us. We at Love INC have a passion for people and we strive to see the best in everyone. Our goal is to work with people to show them there is a better way, hold them accountable and then watch as God transforms their lives. We ask them in depth questions regarding their income to debt ratio...we discuss goal setting...we talk about where they see themselves in (6) months. We stress the importance of living within their means. There are so many good things going on at Love INC. God is working through us and using us. What a humbling experience it is to be part of such a grace filled ministry . There are many ways to stay connected with us... Facebook: Like us on Facebook: search for Love INC of Muskegon and help share our news, stories, prayer requests, photos, and updates. Twitter: Follow us on Twitter: @LoveINCMuskegon will be updating regularly on Love INC programs and events. Website: Visit us at http://www.loveincofmuskegon.com often to stay connected with what is happening at Love INC. E-mail: We would like to stay better connected with email. Now, we don’t want to blast your accounts with non stop mail, but we would like to send out reminders and bi-weekly emails at times. Please send us an email. Our address is @loveincofmuskegon.com and you can address it to either: info@ , mattk@ , paulas@ , or melissab@, and we will add you to our address book. You will not be sent spam...only bi-monthly emails, prayer requests and reminders.

Clearinghouse Volunteers: Answer phones and screen our neighbors in need. Assess their situation, go over goals and opportunities available, schedule pantry visits. (4) hour shifts available. Call 773-3448 Ambassador: Be a Love INC Ambassador...business cards are available at the Clearinghouse Office. See Matt, Paula, Melissa, or a board member for more details about how you can spread the word about our mission and ministry.

Life Skills Teacher: Teaching small groups in Money Management, Powerful Parenting, Stress Management, Small Home Repairs, Gardening, Canning, Sewing, Communication & Listening Skills . Any special talent you have can be beneficial to our Comprehensive series. These segments or (8) week classes are geared to equip our neighbors in need with the tools they need through biblical, practical principles and teachings, so they may begin to transform their lives.

Mentors: Work one on one with a neighbor in need, teaching them goal setting, working with a budget and being able to live within the budget they created.

Jobs for Life Champion/Mentor: In this biblically based program, we teach the skills necessary to acquire gainful employment through resume’ writing, interview techniques and how to dress for success. Life Coach: Work one on one with a neighbor in need, teaching them goal setting and walking along side them with spiritual, family and/or parenting support.

Prayer Partner: Get on our list of people that want to pray for our neighbors in need. Each month we send the monthly prayer requests via e-mail or US Mail. Sign up to be a Prayer Warrior today! Because no matter how you send it...God answers “knee” mail.

Board Member: Are you interested in becoming a board member? Do you know someone who would make a good board member? Each board member serves a (3) year term and you can serve (2) terms. Call 773-3448 to learn more about this direction-setting team.

Event Committee: Do you like fundraising? Do you like planning parties and events? Are you creative? Your ideas are welcomed and appreciated. You can send ideas to Paula or you can call her at 773-3448. We would love to have you join this team where monthly to bi-monthly brain storming meetings are held.

Love INC and friends on Channel 7: Watch us on Comcast Channel 7, usually the first Tuesday & Thursday of every month at 8:30 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 pm and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.


DONATE ONLINE —

www.LoveIncofMuskegon.com

YOU make a difference in the lives of people in need. Each need brought to Love INC represents an opportunity to connect with one of God’s children,

Charge my gift — circle one::

Credit Card Number_________________________________________ Expiration Date________ Cardholder signature_________________________________________ Security Code________ The above name and contact information is required for all credit card transactions Last 3 numbers on back of card

Love INC of Muskegon County * 2735 E. Apple Ave. Suite A * Muskegon , MI 49442 * 231-773-3448

Enclosed is my tax deductable gift of: ___$25 ___$50 ___$75 ___$100 ___$500 ___$1000 ___Other

Name_________________________________________________ Email__________________________________________ Address__________________________________________City___________________________State______Zip__________

My gift is in honor, memory, or celebration (please circle one) of: _______________________________________________________ Please send notification Mr./Mrs./Ms.____________________________________________________________ of my tribute to: Address_______________________________________ City___________________ St _______Zip_________

______ I/We want to become a prayer partner. Please send me the monthly Prayer Requests via ______Email ______ US Mail

Board of Directors

Joe Singerling, President

First Congregational Church Muskegon

Casonda Brown-Oakes, V.P. Friendship Missionary Baptist

Bruce Duiser, Treasurer

Unity Reformed Church

Matt McKinnon Fellowship Reformed Church

Velma Shea Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Dick Morgan, Secretary

St. James Catholic Church, Montague

Maureen Mussman Laketon Bethel Reformed Church

Joel VanderWall Forest Park Covenant Church

Executive Director: Matthew Kaley,

St. James Catholic Church [email protected]

Clearinghouse Coordinator/Office Manager: Paula Scott-Stewart

Laketon Bethel Reformed Church [email protected]

Administrative Assistant: Amy Martell

New Beginnings Assembly of God [email protected]

Relational Ministries Coordinator: Melissa Brooks

Kentwood Community Church [email protected]

Our Staff

Documents

L VE LETTERS - WordPress.com...2015/09/11 · Thank You for considering this great incentive for our class participation! Love Letters Sept/Oct 2015 Love Letters is published bi-monthly