The Book of Psalms is filled with both Psalms of Praise, as well as Psalms of Lament.

Today, I sing praises to God! However, for the last six months I have probably spent

more time lamenting. I poured out my concerns. I announced my distress. Why do I

have to move? Why do I have to up end my family? Why are you tearing me away from

people whom I love? I had been at Williamston United Methodist Church for 7 years.

This marked the longest period I had lived in the same location in my adult life. I had a

community of people who I loved and cared for and who loved and cared for me in

return. For the first time I deeply grieved moving.

I often wish life could be joyful and that my heart could be filled with unending praise all

the time. I am reminded of the words of the writer of Ecclesiastes who states “There is a

time for everything.” There is even a time for lament. It is a key component of having an

honest and truthful faith. We are not called to candy coat our feelings and struggles.

Scripture speaks to this over and over again with psalms and stories of lament; including

an entire book of lamentations. Jesus even laments to the Father in the Garden of

Gethsemane, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible. Take this cup of suffering

away from me…” (Mark 14:36). Then, in his agony on the cross, Jesus cries out, “My

God, my God, why have you forsaken me…?”

Lament is a necessary component for us to overcome hurt and pain. Lament isn’t a

failure of faith, but an act of humility in which we express our true feelings and our need

for God’s help and comfort.

I expect this is a time of lament for many of you. Pastor Diane has been an important

part of your lives for the last 5 years. Know, that with God’s help, lament gives way to

joy and praise. I have already experienced that joy in my first month here. Your warm

welcome has been an answer to my lament. So, today, I give God praise!

August 2018 NEWSLETTER

Our Mission

Making disciples

of Jesus Christ

for the

transformation

of the world.

Our Vision

First United

Methodist Church is

a

welcoming,

vital church,

filled with people of

all ages, from all

walks of life and

stages of faith,

growing together

to become

deeply

committed

Christians

who follow and

serve Jesus Christ.

Praise & Lament Give thanks to the Lord;

call upon his name;

make his deeds known to all people!

Sing to God;

sing praises to the Lord;

dwell on all his wondrous works!

-Psalm 105:1-2 CEB

I cry out loud for help from the Lord.

I beg out loud for mercy from the Lord.

I pour out my concerns before God;

I announce my distress to him.

-Psalm 142:1-2 CEB

400 S. Main Street • Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 Phone: (989) 773-6934 • Fax: (989) 773-1855 • Web: www.mtpfumc.org

August Loose Coin Offering

Grace Children’s Hospital

Each day, Grace Children’s Hospital in Haiti provides

treatment to approximately 400 children. In addition to

providing healthcare, the children receive food, clean water,

a bed, clothing and education. No child is turned away due

to their family’s inability to pay. Donations allow Grace to be

a place of restoration for Haiti’s children.

Family Camp

First UMC’s annual Family Camp is August 17-19 at the

Lake Michigan Camp and Retreat Center in Pentwater,

Michigan. Camping options include cabins, platform tents,

and tent or RV sites. Plan to join us for fun family time,

beautiful beaches and inspiring sunsets.

You can still sign up through August 1, please contact the

Church Office at 989-773-6934. Per night costs are $60 for

cabins and $30 for campsites or platform tents. Feel free to

contact Jacqui Pridgeon at 989-773-1885 with other

questions.

Upcoming Walk to Emmaus

for Women

September 27-30, 2018 at Greenville UMC. The Walk to

Emmaus is a low-cost spiritual retreat giving you the

opportunity to meet Jesus in a new way. The 72-hour

experience is filled with laughter, singing, learning, worship,

prayer and reflection. Members of this church are available

to sponsor you and the discounted fee application deadline

is August 30th. For more information contact the church

office at 989-773-6934.

Resignation of

Director of Music Ministries

The Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) announces

the resignation of Dr. Casey Robards from the Director of

Music Ministries position and other roles effective July 23,

2018. Casey is leaving for a position at the University of

Illinois, her alma mater. She will continue to reside in the

area, but her travel and job demands will prevent her from

continuing her employment with First UMC.

“While it is with sadness that we say goodbye to Casey,”

said Jacqui Pridgeon, SPRC Chair, “it also brings us great

joy, knowing that Casey is pursuing her dreams and talents

through this new opportunity. We are so thankful for

the musical and leadership gifts she has shared with our

church over the last several years. We will miss her

and wish her God’s many and deep blessings on this music-

filled adventure.”

SPRC asks that congregants pray for God’s continued

leading and our discernment throughout this process. You

will find the jobs posted on our website www.mtpfumc.org.

Stay tuned for more updates about this in the near future.

Please extend your well-wishes to Casey via email at

caseyrobards@gmail.com.

UMW News

All Church Potluck Picnic

August 15 • 6:00 p.m.

West Pavilion • Island Park

Come one, Come ALL!! EVERYONE is invited to the All

Church Potluck Picnic. Bring a dish to pass, your own

table service and beverage cup. Beverages will be

provided. Following dinner, we will worship together, led by

the Lay Servants Committee, music TBA.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9:00 VBS 5:30 Yoga 6:30 Missions

2

7:30 Men’s No Agenda Breakfast 9:00 VBS 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous

3

9:00 VBS

4

9:00 VBS

5

9:00 VBS 9:00 Adult Bible Study

10:00 Worship

11:00 4th Day

6

11:00 D-Zone Meeting 3:15 Prayer Group 6:00 SPRC 6:30 Gamblers Anonymous 6:30 Gam-Anon 7:00 Toastmasters

7

9:00 Women’s No Agenda Coffee 5:30 Worship Ministry 6:30 Green Team 7:30 Lay Servant Committee

8

5:30 Yoga

9

7:30 Men’s No Agenda Breakfast 5:30 Youth Outing/ Paddlebot Concert 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous

10

11

12

9:00 Adult Bible Study

10:00 Worship

11:00 4th Day

13

2:00 Staff Meeting 3:15 Prayer Group 6:30 Gamblers Anonymous 6:30 Gam-Anon 7:00 Stephen Ministry

14

9:00 Women’s No Agenda Coffee 5:30 Church & Society 7:00 Property

15

Newsletter Deadline

5:30 Yoga 6:00 All Church Picnic

16

7:30 Men’s No Agenda Breakfast 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous

17

18

19

Family Camp

9:00 Adult Bible Study

10:00 Worship

11:00 4th Day

20

3:15 Prayer Group 6:30 Gamblers Anonymous 6:30 Gam-Anon 7:00 Toastmasters

21

9:00 Women’s No Agenda Coffee 12:30 Mackenzie Circle 6:00 Finance

22

9:00 Youth Painting Party 5:30 Yoga 7:00 Education Ministry

23

7:30 Men’s No Agenda Breakfast 1:00 Youth Painting Party 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous

24 25

26

9:00 Adult Bible Study

10:00 Worship

11:00 4th Day 4:00 Back to School Carnival

27

2:00 Staff Meeting 3:15 Prayer Group 6:30 Gamblers Anonymous 6:30 Gam-Anon

28

9:00 Women’s No Agenda Coffee 1:00 Stewardship 6:00 Church Council

29

4:30 Genesis Bells 5:30 Yoga 6:00 Preschool Open House

30

7:30 Men’s No Agenda Breakfast 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous

31

7/01 147 17

7/08 136 29

7/15 157 27

7/22 146 7

Worship Attendance & Periscope Viewers

August 5 August 12 August 19 August 26

Outside Greeters (2)

Fred & Barbara Stabley 989-621-8578

Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed

Inside Greeters (2)

Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Mark & Suezell Francek 989-289-2066

Ushers (4) Arlene Dunham 989-506-0406

Earl & Jan Bronson 989-506-9700

Volunteer Needed

Art Homan 772-7835 Ed Moe 772-3536 Volunteers Needed

Linda Traum 561-670-9875

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers Needed

Liturgist Volunteer Needed Kendall Farnum 989-854-0343

Fred Stabley 989-621-8578

Joan Long 772-1811

Refreshment Host(ess)

Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed

Begins September 9

9:00 a.m. Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary

11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship in Fellowship Hall

2018 WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS

Summer Service at 10:00 AM

8/1

Nancy Lewis

Bill Zehnder

8/5

Ron Elliott

Jan Johnson

8/6

Greg Pridgeon

8/8

Keaton Sheffert

8/9

Patricia Alberts

8/10

Kitty Thomas

Nancy Priestap

Fred Stabley

8/12

Sherry Trombly

8/13

Charlie Farnum

8/17

Amy Wolters

Sarah Douglas

8/18

Lisa Sheffert

8/19

Dyke Heinze

8/20

Marilyn Erickson

8/22

Lorraine Helminski

8/23

Sue Rummel

8/24

David Ebbinghaus

Ralph Lane

8/25

Bart Kjolhede

8/26

Alan Williams

Marrianne Smith

Janet Cummings

Matthew Weber

Jerry Stuart

8/27

Mark Kingsworthy

Bryan Crouch

Chuck Holek

Michelle Turpin

August Birthdays

8/28

Bonnie Bauder

Val Wolters

Jo Jennings

8/29

Leann Krueger

Marilyn Duke

8/30

Xavier King

8/31

Sandy Greenwald

Jane Martin

Patricia Feight

Please wish these folks a very happy birthday...

400 South Main Street • Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858

August 2018

September Newsletter deadline is August 15th.

FINANCE FACTS

As of July 1, we have completed one-half of our current fiscal year. So far our General Fund (GF) revenues have been sufficient to allow us

to keep current with our bills in addition to paying 45.5% of the $48,689 due for our Ministry Shares for all of 2018. Ministry shares are the

funds that each local Methodist church contributes to pay District, Conference and World Service ministries and expenses.

GF Carry Forward from 2017 $ 17,700

GF Revenues (1/1/18-7/1/18) 189,372

Total Available for 2018 GF $207,072

GF Expenses (1/1/18-7/1/18) 195,252

GF Balance @7/1/18 $ 11,820

As reflected in the above figures, during the first half of the year, we have spent nearly $6,000 more than we have collected. We have man-

aged by “dipping into” our GF Carry Forward balance from last year. If our GF revenues for the second half of the year, continue at the

same pace as the first half, we should be able to address the anticipated shortfall in our 2018 GF budget. Thank you all for your generous

gifts during the 1st half of the year. We are prayerfully optimistic that our continued giving for the remainder of the year will prove sufficient

to fully support the various ministries and programs of First UMC. As the year progresses, further updates about our church finances will be

shared.