May 2013 Newsletter the Vine Fb

7/30/2019 May 2013 Newsletter the Vine Fb

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Just as a branch separated rom its supporting vine cannot live, let alone produce any ruit,

so we are helpless when we are not connected to Jesus, the source o our hope and salvation.- John 15:5

TheVinehttp://www.IthacaUMC.org

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Love God. Love others. Serve the world.

Monthly Newsletter of Ithaca and Beebe United Methodist ChurchesMay 2013 Edition

Dear Friends,

Grace and peace to you in the name o the Lord Jesus Christ!

It is quickly approaching Pentecost Sunday. I look orward to sharing thestory o the churchs birth once again! How exciting to recall and to celebratethe birth o the Body o the Christ. I have been asked a number o times whatguides what we learn/study in service. My simplest answer is the Church Year.

Yes, the Church marks time dierently rom the world. While the worldmarks time rom January 1 December 31, the church marks time via thelie o Christ and his church. What we speak on in service is dened bythat Church calendar. Each year we retell the general story and go deeper.

Adventbegins our year here we ocus on the incarnation, God with us, the

prophecy o the coming Messiah. Epiphanybrings us to the wise men, therevelation o Gods sel -revelation thru Christ to the gentiles and missions.

And the weeks that ollow are about the lie o Christ while here on earth his teachings, miracles, calling o the disciples, etc. As we move towardsAshWednesdayand Lentwe ace Jerusalem with Christ, march towards the cross.Easterbrings us into the power o the resurrection and Easter appearances.

Ascension Sundaybrings Jesus return to the Father and leads us to Pentecost the arrival o the Holy Spirit and the birth o the church. Post Pentcost weocus on sanctication/maturation o the Body o Christ. This leads us toChrist the King Sunday, which ends the Christian Calendar year.

The Worship Design team works hard to maintain the integrity o theChristian year and continue to keep us all growing in Christ. Did you know

that each week there is a group o people that meet or upwards o severalhours to review each Sundays past service and prepare or the next? Whilewe oten are working out details or the coming Sunday we are also working4-6 months out. This team consists o musicians, teachers, ambiance persons,tech people all working together so that each Sunday will bring us into thethrone room o God or worship.

Many people thinkwe just randomly chose topics, series based on our ownpersonal likes. The truth is the very opposite. We thought you might liketo know that your local church has a team o people who are intentional,deliberate, and prayerul in planning each corporate worship service.

Bible StudyThe Bible TV Mini-series

Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

in the sanctuary.

Take a closer look atscripture in light

of the mini-series.

Everyone is welcome andencouraged to attend.

These teachings are a wonderfulopportunity for small groups.

In Christs love and service,Pastor Cindi

Dont orget . . . Baked Potato BarSunday, April 28, immediately

ollowing worship service.A minimum $5.00 donation per person.

Pack the church and support theYouth Mission Trip.


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Ithaca/Beebe Newsletter The Vine - May 2013 2

Ithaca UMCYouth Group

Grades 6-12

Meets Sunday evenings4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

at the churchCome join us!

The Youth Group is collecting bottles and cans tohelp nance their summer mission trip. A dona-tion tub is in the narthex. I you have lots o bottles

and cans and would like us to pick them up, contactKen Gibson or Patty Macha.

Thank you or your continued support!

The kindergarten through th grade Sunday School class taught by JuneHusted and Steve Foster has ocused some o their eorts during the pastschool year on service (Matthew 26:34-40).

Shown is the sunshine bracelet that the children make, which changes colorin the sunshine and is accompanied by a greeting card signed by them.

One such recipient is Steves great aunt (shown with Steve) who recentlyturned 98 and is recovering rom an illness. She said o the children Tell themI love them and am praying or them. What great little caregivers we have! Iyou know o someone who could use a greeting and bracelet, please let thechurch oce, June or Steve know.

June and Steves class is now collecting gently-used, cleaned and washedclothing through the end o this school year or the less ortunate. Donationsare appreciated. Contact June or Steve i you have any clothing donations.

Check out our new booths!

Youth bonding time . . .

Ken and Edward.

Thanks or the snacks! Smile activity fnale.

What great little caregivers we have!


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Ithaca/Beebe Newsletter The Vine - May 20133

Missionsby Barb Swanson, Missions Facilitator

As part o our conerence Six Lanes o Giving, under Lane Five- Racial, Ethnic, Local Churches, our church has been contributing

or many years to the Charlevoix Greensky Hill Indian Church and Battle Creek Washington Heights United Methodist Church.

Greensky Hill Indian Church, North East o Charlevoix, is a simple log church builtin the 1850s. The church is named or Peter Greensky, a Chippewa lay preacher, whobrought Christianity to his native brothers and sisters in the Leelanau area during the1830s. The churchs rst members were part o the Little Traverse Bay Band o OdawaIndians. Currently, the church has an active, racially mixed congregation, some o themembers being descendants o the original worshippers.

The church has morning and evening Sunday worship with Sunday School orchildren at both services. Christian ellowship is celebrated ater the morning serviceat the coee and sweets time and ater the evening service with a potluck meal. Thereis a Bible Study and active mens group and a womens group, as well as a womensdrumming and singing group. For many years the mission has had annual camp

meetings that drew Indians rom several states and Canada. Donations to the churchsupplement the church budget to allow special activities.

Washington Heights UMC

Washington Heights United Methodist Church and Community Ministries is an Arican-American church located in Battle Creek.Besides its strong worship and ellowship activities, it devotes a lot o time and eort to community ministries. They provide nutri-tious meals to men, women and children, their Our Place provides ater-school programming or the youth o Battle Creek, andthey have senior programming that includes a Senior Time Monday Friday rom 10 am to 1 pm with lunch at 12 pm. Donationsto Washington Heights UMC help support their various community programs.

Greensky Hill Indian Church

Golden Cross Sunday

A special ofering will be taken Sunday, May 5 or Golden Cross Sunday. This oering helps support the Methodist ChildrensHome Society, the Clark Retirement Community, and the Bronson Methodist Hospital. The Methodist Childrens Home Societysmain program is to provide or children who are emotionally troubled and homeless. Some are abused, others deserted, but all arehaving diculty coping. Although adoption is a secondary program, it is still a main concern.

The Clark Retirement Community seeks to provide quality care in a Christian atmosphere o love and concern in addition tocomortable shelter, nutritious meals and on-going nursing care to those who need it. The Home seeks to meet the physical, spiri-tual and psychosocial needs o residents.

The Bronson Methodist Hospital is a major regional center seeking to provide quality care or sick and injured persons, as wellas expressing concern or the mental, spiritual and social welare o people. The pastoral care department is concerned with anin-house chaplaincy including the training o clergy or this ministry. Thank you for giving generously.

On April 19, orty-our 5th and 6th grade students showed up at the church, on a cold, rainy evening enjoyed themselves in asae and un environment. From 6-8pm, they played video games, ping pong, ooz ball, and air hockey, just to name a ew. A7:00pm Mark Monroe came in with an arm load o pizza boxes which is ree to the kids, thanks to generous contributions rom thechurch and local supporters o the Fortress Ministry. The kids wash down the pizza with a variety o pop and water or $.50.

Several adults volunteered to supervise the event. They were: Mark Monroe, Patty Reeves, Keith and Donnalea Chan, PhyllisSchleder, Vicki Parling, Arden Densmore, Scott Hall, and Gwen Becker. Thank you all very much or giving up your evening to makethis a special time or these 5th and 6th grade students. Our next Fortress 56 will be held on Friday, May 31, rom 6-8 p.m.

Fortress 56 Gwen Becker and Karen Weller, Co-coordinators Childrens Ministry


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by Sandra Reeves, Beebe

(If you have any news for Beebe Corner, please contact Sandra at 875-36

Beebe services begin at 9:00 a.m.and we welcome guests at any time.

Our church is located at the corner oNorth Baldwin and East Tyler Roads.

May Greetings rom Beebe UMC

Beebe Corner

Spring is here, church! And in a season where new lie is opening up all around us, I thought it was also a good time to oer achallenge to us as a body. I you have been worshiping with us regularly, you know that we have begun a sermon and study serieson Developing a Christian Worldview. Our preaching team at Ithaca UMC believes that can only happen as we grow rooted andgrounded in Gods word The Bible.

With that in mind, I wanted to issue a 40-day Bible-reading challenge to each and every one o us. Whether youve been a mem-ber or decades or have little or no knowledge o Scripture, my prayer is that you would accept this challenge in aith, remember-ing that Gods word is living and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, jointsand marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes o the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).

As you read each day, pray or the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you are reading and make note o any questions thatcome to mind or blessings that you experience. I would love to hear rom you o how God is using this time in His word to blessand grow you in your aith. You can send these comments to me personally via e-mail at [email protected] or text me onmy phone at (989) 506-7996 or post them to my Facebook or on our Ithaca UMC Facebook page. Your testimony will bless us asleaders and countless others who can be encouraged and strengthened by your words.

The ollowing 40-day plan is an overview o the major themes and people o Scripture. It comes rom the opening pages o the ESV(English Standard Version) Bible:

Day 1 Genesis 1-2 Day 21 John 11Day 2 Genesis 3 Day 22 John 15Day 3 Genesis 15; 17:15-27 Day 23 John 17Day 4 Genesis 21:1-7; & Chapter 22 Day 24 Matthew 26-27Day 5 Exodus 3-4 Day 25 John 20Day 6 Exodus 20 Day 26 Luke 24Day 7 Joshua 1 Day 27 Acts 2Day 8 1 Samuel 16-17 Day 28 Acts 9Day 9 1 Kings 3; 8:1 9:9 Day 29 Acts 16Day 10 1 Kings 18 Day 30 Acts 26Day 11 2 Kings 25 Day 31 Romans 3Day 12 Daniel 2-3 Day 32 Romans 7-8Day 13 Ezra 3 Day 33 1 Corinthians 13

Day 14 Isaiah 9, 53, 61 Day 34 1 Corinthians 15Day 15 Luke 1-2 Day 35 Galatians 5Day 16 John 1:1-18 Day 36 Ephesians 6Day 17 Luke 4:14-44 Day 37 Philippians 1:18 2:18Day 18 Matthew 5-6 Day 38 Colossians 3:1-17Day 19 John 3 Day 39 James 1Day 20 John 5 Day 40 Revelation 21-22

Ilookforwardto

hearingfromyou.

Mark

40-day Bible Reading Challenge Mark Monroe - Ithaca UMC Lay Leader


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Ithaca/Beebe Newsletter The Vine - May 20135

Growing in Grace! by Sue Silverthorn, Evangelism Facilitator

Evangelismthe E word! What is it really? Simply put, it is sharing the love o Jesus Christ with others. with ourthoughts, our words and our actions. That sounds simple enough! We already love others (at least in part, anyway!). Lovingsomeone else (in part, at least) is something we can do! In act, we have been airly successul at doing that! Sooooo . . . so ar,so good!

Now, there is something that nags at me, why do we eel anxious when we think o telling someone else about Jesus, whomtrue love comes rom? Is it because we dont give true unconditional love as Jesus did? Is it because we see our own aults andailings and get bound up in our thoughts o ailures instead o the glorious truth o Christ s boundless gracious, merciul love?Is it because we listen to imagined worries about timing and relationships, etc.? Hmmm, yes . . . yes . . . and another yes! Ibelieve that i we are honest with ourselves we will admit to the act that all o these happen much o the time!

I have learned that when I am anxious about anything, my eyes and heart are turned away rom the ONE who loves perectly,and who HE IS, and HIS sucient GRACE or me, and or you, and I need to get my ocus back on Jesus.

Lets turn our eyes and hearts more to Jesus. Lets love the Lord with all our hearts and with all our souls and with all ourminds (Matt. 22:37). In Jeremiah 29:13-14, the Lord says we will nd him when we seek him with all our hearts and he will

bring us back rom captivity, even captivity o ear! As we seek Jesus with all our hearts, minds and souls the Holy Spirit opower, o love and o sel-discipline will reign instead o timidity (2 Tim. 1:7).

43 Everyone was flled with awe at the many wonders and signs perormed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in

common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the avor o all the people. And the Lordadded to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:43-47

Acts 2 Church - Small Groups - Jerry Hamm - Disciple Facilitator

Ithaca UMC is not simply a church with small groups. As a church o groups, we believe that as the Acts 2 church met togetheron a regular basis, we should as well. To be a believer, to be a part o Christ Church is (or should be) to meet together on a regularbasis. This must become a passion or all o us; that as we desire to be Christs church, we would also want to look closely at theActs 2 model and then be courageous and obedient enough to emulate it.

Here are the current (open) small groups:

Mark Monroe - Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. (Mens)

Ken Gibson - Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.* (Couples)Gwen Becker - Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.* (Womens)Scott Merchant - Wednesdays at 6:00 a.m. (Mens)

Roger & Mary Hall - Sundays at 1:00 p.m. (Couples)Charyl Turner & Marilyn Lumsden - Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. ( Womens)

Carol Merchant - Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. (Womens)Jerry Hamm - Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.* (Mens)

Please, i your group is open and not listed here let Jerry Hamm know.*The asterisk groups are currently meeting during The Bible TVmini-series on Wednesday nights

I am orever grateul that others did these very things or me, so Icould begin to know and receive Jesus as my Lordare you grateultoo? Lets give Jesus all our hearts, minds and souls, and then we willgrow in HIS GRACE!


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Adult Sunday School - 9:30 a.m. in the Wesley Room

K-5 Sunday School - 10:30 am. in the Education Wing

Youth Group (6 - 12 Grades) - Sundays at 4:30 -6:30 p.m. at thechurch

Sunday Evening Worship - 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday Evenings - The Bible TV Mini Series Study - 7:30 p.m.at the church

May 7 - Teachers Review - 7:30 p.m. at the church

May 11 - Mothers Tea Time at the church

May 19 - Leadership Team - 1:30 p.m. followed by Admin Board May 9 is the next BINS UMW meeting.The meeting will be held at Ithaca UMC at 1:30 p.m.

Mothers Tea Time on May 11.Tickets are $7.00

Looking or a Family Camping experiencethis Summer?

The Albright Family Bible Camp near Reed City, will beheld June 23 (Sunday at 6:00pm) and concludes June 27,2013 (Thursday ater evening service). There are classes orall ages, with an evening service which includes a Praise andWorship team, and a special speaker. Plenty o ree time is

scheduled or un activities or the amily such as tubing andcanoeing down the Hersey River. An in-ground swimmingpool, shufe board, ball eld, and biking/hiking trails andmany other activities add to the amily un!

The camp started in 1984 by Rev. Stan Hayes and GeneBecker as part o the United Methodist Church Conerencesdesire to celebrate the Bicentennial o the churchs begin-ning. It was to be a one-time camping experience, but theresponse to the camp was so overwhelming that it hascontinued or 29 years by popular demand.

I this sounds good to you and your amily, you can nddetails on our camp website amilybiblecamp.org or call

Gwen Becker, 875-4213 or a brochure. The cost or eachamily or individual is by donation based on what God leadsyou to give.

Teachers Review MeetingMay 7 - 7:30 p.m.

at the church

Come see what were up to!

Goodies, un, and ellowship.The Family Activities Committee would like to know ianyone is interested in attending a Lugnuts baseball gamSunday, August 18. We will leave ater church. August 18 is als

Kids Day and there is a post-game Christian concert eaturin

Julian Drive. Tickets are $8.00. Please call Joelle Gibson at 875

4559 and leave a message i you or your amily would like to

attend. Please respond by April 28. Thank you.

Spring Cleaning . . .

The Trustees are asking or volunteers to help with Spring

Cleaning the church. You can set your own time to work. For

details and what needs to be cleaned, please contact:

Ron Davis, Keith Chan or Linda Monroe.

Documents

May 2013 Newsletter the Vine Fb