OVESTA EWS

Published monthly by: Novesta Church of Christ

2896 N. Cemetery Rd. Cass City, MI 48726

Phone: (989) 872-3658 novestachurch@yahoo.com

www.novestachurch.org Brad Speirs, Senior Minister

Austin Keller, Associate Intern Minister

Jordan Hendrian, Student Intern Minister

December Issue

VOL. XXXXI - - - No. 12 December 4, 2016

Matt Schantz - Guest Speaker We’re super excited that next week, December 11th, Matt Schantz, from New Churches of Christ Evangel-ism, will be joining us to share the message during church. Matt recently began working with NCCE and is looking to start a fresh wave of church planting in the state of Michigan. Matt will also be sharing with us dur-ing the 9:30 Bible School hour in the auditorium. Matt is the former His House campus minister at Central Michigan and an all-around awesome guy. You will be blessed to hear him share on the 11th, hope to have you join us!

CHRISTMAS BASKETs & GIFTS This year we have at least four families that we are providing with a food basket and gifts for the children. We want them to have a Merry Christmas and experience God’s love for them through us. There is a food list on the bulletin board in the middle hallway to sign up for what you would like to donate. Also, there will be foam ornaments on the tree in the foyer. The items listed on each ornament are just suggestions. (Suggested price is $15-20.) So….. (1) take an ornament, (put your name on the clipboard that coincides with the ornament you took) (2) buy the gift, (3) wrap it, (4) attach the ornament on the gift, (5) bring it back to church and place it in the office. We plan to deliver the baskets/gifts on December 20. Please have the gifts/food items at the church by Sunday, Dec. 18. Thank you everyone in advance for your kind generosity.

Christmas Events . . . (see more info inside) > > > > > > > December 4th - 6PM - Community Christmas Sing @ Living Word on Houghton Street in Cass City

December 18th - Kids Christmas Program @ 9:30AM

December 21st - Church Caroling Night @ 6ish

December 24th - Christmas Eve Service @ 6:30 PM

December 25th - Christmas Day (Bible school @ 9:30, Family worship @ 10:30)

Caroling December 21st - 6ish

It’s time for our yearly trip to spread Christmas cheer! We will let you know a more definite time as

we get closer, but we’ll be meeting at the church and then travel to a couple of the group homes up town to sing a few songs and share some of Jesus’ love.

*singing talent not necessary *

Kids Christmas Program December 18th at 9:30 a.m.

We will all meet in the auditorium during the Bible School hour on December 18 for the Kids Christmas Program. They will be sharing with us the songs they have learned, etc. Be sure to join us for their spe-cial program.

Christmas Eve Service December 24th ~ 6:30 p.m.

Our annual Candlelight Christmas Eve Service will be filled with special music, reading of the Christmas story, communion and uplifting con-gregational singing. Be sure to invite your family and friends to attend with you as we are reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

Bible Bowl News Our Bible Bowlers recently traveled to Hershey PA for an early season tournament and both our teens and beginners had great tournaments! Our Teen team finished in 3rd place behind only 2 of the best teams in the country including last year’s national champions. Our Beginners had an incredible tournament and won every game they played winning both the round robin and the double elimination tournament. The kids also finished 1st place in the team test average for the tournament. Please keep all the kiddos in your prayers as we have 8 kids in Teen Bible Bowl and 20 Beginner Bible Bowlers.

L. I. F. T.

December 8, 2016 at 1:00 PM is the next LIFT meeting. Deb Barrons will be our hostess and has invited Kim Wasik, L.M.S.W., A Family Care Specialist, to talk with us on “Holiday Moods and Blues.” Also Deb will demonstrate how to make gorgeous holiday bows. Bring your favorite rib-bon and learn to make special bows. Refresh-ments will be served. Come and bring a friend and enjoy a great time of fellowship.

Annual Congregational Meeting - December 12th

We invite all members to join us for our annual meeting as we look back over the past year, hear from our ministry leaders and look to the future of Novesta and God’s plans for our church and His Kingdom. This year’s ballot is posted in the middle hallway and absentee ballots are available in the office. Hope to have you join us on the 12th at 7:00 p.m. Please note: Sunday, December 11th, the Annual Reports booklets will be available with our financial status, information about the different ministries we have, and the ministers’ reports. Read them over to know more about what goes on here at Novesta. If you find a minis-try that you’d like to become involved in, just contact that ministry leader and let them know of your interest.

LONG TERM PRAYER LIST

** Members Steve Wilkinson -aneurysm Quinton Simpson - coma (Dena Anderson's nephew) Diane Wojtaszke - cancer (Ann Hartel contact) **Heather Roberts - continued healing of MS Don Kruse - recovery (Michelle Speirs’ grandpa) **Larry Harper - Intestinal problems Mark Pierson - (Zmierski’s cousin) **Leonard Hawkins - Stonegate in Sandusky Rachael Maurer - recovery from auto accident Julie Patterson - chemotherapy Les Auten III - upcoming Kidney transplant Joyce Brown - (Taylor & Kennedy’s grandmother) Judy Ferguson - Lupus/cancer (Zmierski’s aunt) Lindsey Jensen - recovery from auto accident Muriel Wygant - cancer (Irene Nicol’s daughter) **Marilyn Rosenberger - ill health Mary King - staph infection ATTENTION: If you know any of these on this list that are well and can be eliminated from it, please let the church office know.

Bible Study Opportunities

Ladies Bible Study Tuesdays @ 10:00 a.m.

(Ladies will not meet on the 27th, will resume January 3rd)

Men’s Bible Study

Tuesdays @ 7:00 p.m.

GREAT LAKES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

(We received this letter from the college and thought you would like to know this information.)

Great Lakes Christian College announces a partnership with The Solomon Foundation that will blaze a new trail of hope for our ministry and college. The GLCC Board of Trustees made the decision on October 28, 2016 to accept the gift/leaseback proposal from The Solomon Foundation which results in the College gifting our property to The Solomon Foundation and, in return, they pay off our mortgage obligations and provide a generous grant that will be used for operations. The assets that we gift and the future lease pay-ments we make are used to fund loans provided to churches for expansion and growth by the Solo-mon Foundation. It is the Solomon Foundation’s purpose to serve churches by lending churches money so they can build and expand their minis-tries. God continues to answer prayer and to pro-vide and release His resources to ensure we have a College in Michigan that will grow in its effec-tiveness of training students for Christian leader-ship in the church and in the world. We believe this to be one huge positive step forward in what we will accomplish for the cause of Christ in Christian higher education. We will continue to anticipate your faithful support and your students attending GLCC. The Solomon Foundation is a major blessing and pro-vides relief financially but we must work hard to see more students attend Great Lakes so we can fulfill our mission of training servant leaders for the church and world. Rejoice with us in this de-cision and work with us to fulfill our noble task. In Christ,

Larry Carter, President Online Giving

We want to encourage everyone to consider setting up an online giving account. It is easy to set up and convenient to use. It also allows you to set up recur-ring gifts or tithes, so that you can be faithful in giv-ing even if your schedule is changing or you’re un-able to attend on Sundays. We also know that many are no longer carrying cash or checks with them, so the online option makes it possible to still be faithful in giving. To get started, go to our church website and click on the ‘donate’ tab.

Christmas Word Search

ABEL EZEKIEL PESTILENCE ABOMINATION GABRIEL PHARAOH ADAM GOD PHILOSOPHY ANGEL HEAVEN PRIEST ANGELS JESUS PROPHET BOOKS JEZEBEL PROBERB EBENEZER PARABLE SALVATION EDEN PARCHMENT SHEPHERD

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

12/1 (A) John & Jane Luana 12/2 (A) Scott & Robin Neff 12/2 (A) Rod & Renee Nitz 12/3 Brad Good 12/4 Steve Ross 12/4 Joe Delong 12/4 Karen Anderson 12/5 Carl Keller 12/5 Taylor Beckrow 12/7 Braden Murdoch 12/8 Chris Ziehm 12/8 Becky Howard 12/8 Alex Hopper 12/9 Elfriede Englehart 12/9 Dylan Peruski 12/9 Jenny Baker 12/11 (A) Ryan & Shelli Herford 12/12 Larry Miller 12/13 Amelia Swoish 12/14 (A) Mark & Becky Zmierski 12/14 Heather Roberts 12/15 Donella Peasley 12/15 Sherry Thick 12/16 Jesse Nye 12/17 Seth Stephens 12/18 (A) Dave & Pam Kolacz 12/19 Mary Helen Pratt 12/19 Evelyn Daskam 12/20 Larry Harper 12/21 Gabrielle Romain 12/21 Jamie Krol 12/22 Madison Ware 12/22 Jacob Ware 12/22 Jim Lonsberry 12/23 DJ Wheeler 12/26 Peggy Nordquist 12/27 (A) Ron & Ann Roche 12/28 Madison Beckrow 12/31 Kenny Grady 12/31 Dave Mellendorf

Youth Christmas Party (for 6th—12th grades) Dec. 11 ~ 5 PM

at Dave & Heather Weiler’s home Please Note: Boys bring pop & Girls bring snacks

Fantasy Football It’s the final stretch run, and in the 3 leagues Kenny Grady, Nick Romzek, and Craig Emmert are the current leaders, but there’s plenty

of teams nipping at their heals! Best of luck to all the teams!

Right Now Media Free Service for everyone

Did you know that our church has free access to thousands of Christian videos and Bible Studies online. By sending us your email, you can be a part of right now media which is the netflix of Christian speakers and leaders. From kids videos to marriage classes and everything in between, you can find it on right now media. If you’re not already signed up, contact the church office. All that you need to start is your email address and again it’s absolutely free!

PLEASE NOTE:

Gary & Dena Anderson and Skip & Ellen Speirs are collecting money for the Minis-ters’ Christmas gifts.

Cards & Notes

Brad, Kristy and the Novesta Family, We would like to thank you for the prayers and help that Novesta blessed us with. We are sooo blessed to belong to Novesta Church. The love and care that was given during our time in need surpassed any expectations. There is so much fellowship within these walls of the Lord’s house. Again, thank you sooo much. Thanks !!!

From a Very Grateful family

To My Church Family, Thank You for all your cards, calls, visits & prayers while I was in the hospital for knee replacement. The prayers really helped on dif-ficult days and I’m doing well now.

Doris Hendrick

OUR

MILITARY

Scott Brownson - (Tom & Doris Stimpfel’s nephew)

Ben Knoblet - (Tim’s nephew)

Zac Potrykus - Navy—(Dora’s son)

Ryan Reid - (Jeff Hartel’s nephew)

Julie Roche Griffith - Air Force - California

Cody Ross - Marines - California

Mystery Member Last Mystery Member was: Dan Shaw Now see if you can guess who our mystery member is for this month. The clues given tells you a little bit about the person and helps us get to know each other a little better. 1. I graduated from Cass City High School. 2. I enjoy helping others and to serve our

Lord. 3. Fall is my favorite time of year. 4. I have 10 beautiful grandchildren. 5. I was born in Hamtramek. 6. I enjoy painting in watercolors and draw-

ing in charcoal unique buildings. 7. I went back to school at 57 years old and

received my degree, became a counselor. 8. I’m State and Federal certified as a hous-

ing specialist.

WHO AM I ?

FACTS & FIGURES

Average weekly attendance for the month of November:

A.M. Worship … 265

Offering average for November: Sunday Offerings……….…$4,345.53

(Budget per Sunday: $4,730)

Financial Peace University (new class begins Jan. 9th)

The new year is right around the corner, and one of the best gifts you can give your family is the gift of financial peace. A new class will be starting January 9th at Hills & Dales Hospital. This class is going to be ‘amazing’ and comes with some pretty incredible perks. First - the kits are completely free (THERE IS NO COST TO ATTEND). 2nd - If you’re a new class member and you attend all 9 weeks of the course, you will be entered into a drawing with a chance to receive a $1000 gift to start your emergency fund… (YES, I SAID $1000). This class will be limited to the first 20 families/individuals that register so talk to Brad today to make sure and reserve a spot!!! This will change your life!

THOSE SERVING IN DECEMBER

COMMUNION MEDITATION: 12/4 Ken Peters 12/11 Gib Kern 12/18 Dave Little 12/25 Fred Hicks SERVICE COORDINATOR: 12/4 Chris Wilcox 12/11 Joel Brandel 12/18 Stu Venema 12/25 Ed Nizzola USHERS: Dave Beckrow Greg Mika Barry Brown Mark Peck Andy Gray Mark Zmierski A.M. NURSERY: 9:30 a.m. (all month) - Janie Kus 10:30 a.m. 12/4 Donella Peasley, Jen Steely & Linda Downing 12/11 Andrea & Bailee Ross & Brittany Davidson 12/18 Dave & Tosha Mellendorf & Kristie Speirs, 12/25 Family Worship … No nursery 1/1/17 Cindy Klaus, Jeff & Carlette Swoish WORSHIP LEADERS: 12/4 Kristy Speirs 12/11 Sarah Keller 12/18 Kim Gray 12/25 Fred Hicks SOUND SYSTEM: 12/4 Scott Hendrian 12/11 Ken Peters 12/18 Brian Hicks 12/25 Dave Speirs POWER POINT: 12/4 Kevven Dorland 12/11 Carol Hicks 12/18 Ron Kampo 12/25 JoEllen Bukoski VIDEO RECORDING: 12/4 Garrett Roberts 12/11 Madison Beckrow 12/18 DJ Wheeler 12/25 Nick Romzek

COMMUNION PREPARATION & CLEAN-UP: Carol Hicks GREETERS: 12/4 9:30 (main) Tom & Jennifer Mittlestat (center) Larry & Sherry Thick 10:30 (main) Steve & Andrea Ross (center) Ryan & Shelli Herford

12/11 9:30 (main) Gib & Pam Kern (center) Scott & Robin Hendrian 10:30 (main) Chris & Stacey Wilcox (center) Tom & Sloane Stimpfel 12/18 9:30 (main) Garold & Jamie Peasley (center) Mike & Carol Gaszczynski 10:30 (main) Phil & Cindy Klaus (center) Jeff & Ann Hartel

12/25 9:30 (main) Virgil & Amy Peters (center) Doris Hendrick & Elfriede Englehart 10:30 (main) Andy & Km Gray (center) Ron & Ann Roche JUNIOR CHURCH: Leaders: 2’s—3’s: 12/4 Chris & Stacey Wilcox 12/11 Jerod & Brittany Davidson & Crystal Strickler 12/18 Bill & Amy Claerhout 12/25 Family Worship - No Jr. Ch.

4’s—K: 12/4 Lauren Bukoski 12/11 Michael & Tami Daskam & Royce 12/18 Pam Kolacz 12/25 Family Worship - No Jr. Ch. 1st—3rd: 12/4 Joanne & Becky Hopper 12/11 Sharron Hartwick 12/18 Janie Kus 12/25 Family Worship - No Jr. Ch.

4th—5th: 12/4 Jenny Baker 12/11 Kerry Brown 12/18 Ryan & Shelli Herford 12/25 Family Worship - No Jr. Ch. Song Leaders: 12/4 Lauren Bukoski 12/11 Sharron Hartwick 12/18 Kristy Speirs 12/25 Family Worship - No Jr. Ch.

Communion Meditation: 12/4 RJ Klaus 12/11 Austin Keller 12/18 Gary Anderson 12/25 Family Worship

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3

Fellowship Area

RSVD by Ellen Speirs

4

Community Christmas

Hymn Sing 6 pm @

Living Word

5 6

Ladies Bible Study - 10 am

Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm

7 8

L. I. F. T. 1 pm

9 10

Fellowship Area RSVD by Kim Gray

11

Matt Schantz w/NCCE Preaching

Youth Christmas

Party - 5 pm @ Weilers

12

Annual Congregational

Meeting 7 pm

13

Ladies Bible Study - 10 am

Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm

14 15 16 17

Fellowship Area RSVD by

Pat Zinnecker

18

Children’s Christmas Program 9:30 am

19 20

Ladies Bible Study - 10 am

Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm

21

Caroling Night 6ish

22 23 24

Christmas Eve Service 6:30 pm

25

Family Worship (families all to-

gether, no nursery or toddlers class)

10:30 am

26 27

NO Ladies BibleStudy

Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm

28 29 30 31

Fellowship Area RSVD by Bev Auten

SUNDAY SCHEDULE 9:30-10:20 a.m.

Bible School 10:30 a.m. ~ Worship

6:00 p.m. Youth Group (6th-12th grades)