the Visitor a publication of Flushing United Methodist Church

Church Staff

Pastor Jeff Jaggers

Spiritual Formation

Lore Dearing

Congregational Care

Jeanne Wisenbaugh

Office Staff Marty Cheely Pat Helmer

Music Coordinator Christie Dover

Choir Director Matt Packer

Youth Ministries Joy Lewis

August 21, 2013

Sunday WorshipSunday WorshipSunday WorshipSunday Worship 8:45 am Traditional

10:00 am Sunday School

11:15 am Contemporary

Published the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays (810)659-5172 Editor: Marty Cheely

413 E Main St, Flushing MI 48433

www.flushingumc.org e-mail: flumc@sbcglobal.net

Our Vision

Statement

Preparing Preparing Preparing Preparing servants who servants who servants who servants who

make a make a make a make a difference difference difference difference

in their in their in their in their community community community community

and the world and the world and the world and the world by knowing by knowing by knowing by knowing

Christ, sharing Christ, sharing Christ, sharing Christ, sharing Christ and Christ and Christ and Christ and emulating emulating emulating emulating

Christ.Christ.Christ.Christ.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LIFT OFF

SEPTEMBER 8

10:00-11:00 am

…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on

wings like eagles; they will run and not grow

weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40

I hope that you were blessed through the 30-Day Church Challenge. The word I have received over and over again by

those who participated in the Challenge Groups was very positive. People had a lot of fun and great conversation. Thank

you to all of our Challenge group leaders! On the last week of the Challenge Group to which I belong, we got talking about the challenges of outreach – specifically that attending worship or aligning themselves with a church is not even a consider-ation for a large percentage of the American population. The church is perceived as irrelevant, judgmental, boring and simply meaningless. The bad news is that the church will never be able to change that perception. Reread that last sentence. Let that sink in a minute. No matter how loving, how relevant a congregation may be or become, there will always be the congregations who protest at soldiers’ funerals; there will always be the pastors who spew vitriolic rhetoric to stir up one group or another. And, humanity will always see the worst before they see the best. So, the church will not be able to change our society’s perception. The good news is that you and I can – one person at a time. That’s not just good news – it is an imperative. If you don’t mind me saying, it’s right up there with the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations. We MUST change people’s perception of the church because the church is God’s vehicle for making disciples of Jesus Christ. Last Sunday, Jeanne Wisenbaugh told a story about Dr. Tony Campolo throwing a birthday party for a prostitute he didn’t even know to show her how much God loved her. The owner of the diner where he threw the party was incredulous that Dr. Campolo was “the church who throws birthday parties for prostitutes,” because that’s how much God loves her. Can we be that kind of church? Can you and I be that kind of people? I hope so – because I think that reflects the love of God more vividly than I have ever done before. I don’t know what people might think if we started throwing birthday parties for prostitutes. But, if we are doing it to make God’s love real in someone’s life…who cares?

God, I suspect.

With you on the journey,

NEW! Sanctuary Chairs The Worship Commi ee and the

Board of Trustees are excited to

announce that we intend to purchase

new chairs for the Sanctuary. The

chairs are walnut-framed with 4-inch

padded seats and a contoured back

for lumbar support. Each chair costs

$76. We want to encourage our

church family to prayerfully consider

purchasing a chair plus one. The plus

one is for the person who is not currently a ending a

church and whom you intend to invite to be your guest

here at FUMC. If you wish to purchase a chair in memory

of a loved one, that memorial will be documented by a

leaf on our Memorial Tree in the Narthex area.

NEW! SANCTUARY CHAIRS

Name: ________________________________________

Number of Chairs: ______ x $76 / chair = ____________

(In Memory Of): ________________________________

______________________________________________

Total cost (Number of chairs x $76)

_____________________

Please make check payable to “Flushing

UMC” and note New Chairs in the

memo line.

Please complete this por6on, and place

it in the offering plate or return it to the

church office by October 1.

Christmas in the Summertime Each year, many individuals fill a shoebox with items to be given as Christmas gifts in other countries through Operation Christmas Child of Samaritan's Purse. School sup-plies, artistic materials, summer clothes, notebooks, etc. are on school sales now. It is a good

time to stock up on these items. Shoeboxes and suggested items are on the mission collection station in Fellowship Hall. www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child.

Social Action Project As part of our focus on the activities of the United Methodist Women, our unit is asking for donations to help with the Health Kits and School Kits that we send to UMCOR for use in emergency relief situations. They provide vital support for UMCOR’s global developmental work and make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

If you want to help with this project—please sign up on the sheets in the lobby. Our committee will assemble the kits after we receive the items listed on the sign-up sheets. (this is different from previous years.) Please be sure to follow the guidelines listed by each item. Donations can be put in the UMW tub by the mission station in Fellowship Hall by Sept 18. Thank you. Ruth Brown, Social Action Chair, 659-0705.

6th Annual Buffalo Dinner & 4th Annual Tractor Show Sat Aug 24, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Durand, MI. $12 per adult, $6 per child, children 5 & under are free.

UMW Reading Program Deadline I hope you ladies have been enjoying some summer reading. Your UMW Reading Program lists need to be turned in on or before Aug 25, so that I can get them to the District Secretary before Labor Day. Thanks to all of you who are participating. Chris Osterman, Secretary, Program Resources, 810-629-7920.

5K Run/Walk Fundraiser Walk for Family Promise at Genesys Health Parks’ walking trail on Sept 7 at 10:00 am. $25, under 10 free. For more information log onto familypromiseofgc.org.

Men’s Picnic Sat, Sept 14

The New Commandment Men's Ministry is having a picnic Sat, Sept 14 at the home of Mel Weeden. We will begin grilling around noon and we may have some entertainment in the afternoon. We are inviting all men from the church to come out, have a burger or a dog, and learn about what the NCMM is doing. See if you would like to become a part of this important church outreach! We are teams of men serving the needs of members of our congregation. We invite you to join us! For information contact Jim Thomas, 686-3615. Calling All Ladies

Be part of a group of women that will sing at our worship services, one day only, on Sunday, Sept 22. There will be 2 rehearsals, Sept 8 and Sept 15, between services. You don’t have to be a good singer, just enthusiastic! The ladies will perform at both services on Sept 22 celebrating women in mission.

2013 Fall Sunday Morning

SUNDAY SCHOOL Opportunities

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

Adult Sign-up and Student Lift-Off Event Sunday, September 8 at 10:00 A.M.

Elementary Sunday School - PreK thru 4th Grade SOARING HIGHER WITH GOD Children will ignite their biblical imagination and get to know Jesus by watching an animated Bible story, digging deeper into the meaning of the story and doing a fun activity! Children's classes are located in the lower level of the church. Sunday Mornings 10 to 11 A.M. starting September 8

Classes for PreK-Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grade, 3rd & 4th Grade

Teachers: Chrissy Latstetter, Laurel Allyn, Jessica Rowley, Mary Ellen Zeller, Lori Dorman and Beth Ward

Tween Sunday School - 5th thru 7th Grade SOARING HIGHER WITH GOD Tweens will experience engaging Bible study, quirky videos, and hands-on activities. Sunday morning tween classes are located in the lower level of the church. Sunday Mornings 10 to 11 A.M. starting September 8

Teachers: Kevin & Wendy Meredith

Youth Sunday School - 8th thru 12th Grade GOOD GOD THEATER Youth gather in the UnderGround (found in the church's lower level) to view familiar (and not-so-familiar) Bible stories through the eyes of the people whom the scriptures are about. Ted & Company (the drama producers) have a unique take on biblical matters such as Cain and Abel's sibling rivalry, Jonah's frustration with life as a prophet, and the early church's deliberations about whether Gentiles should follow Jewish law. In addition to highlighting individual Scriptures, these vignettes work together to tell the bigger story of God's love for all creation. Sunday Mornings 10 to 11 A.M. starting September 8

Teachers: Sid & Connie Roman

Adults College and Beyond Psalms: A life-changing encounter with God's Word While reading the Book of Psalms you’ll experience feelings of joy, fear, shame, sadness, and at times inconsolable rage. You’ll broaden and deepen your understanding and experience of prayer by looking at the prayers of some of our spiritual ancestors: David, Moses, Asaph, and others. Their prayers will give you

countless examples of how you are to pray and what you are to pray for—examples God expects you to follow and emulate. This NavPress Study of Psalms will help you gain a firm understand of this book’s historical context, purpose, structure and meaning, apply it’s powerful and relevant wisdom to your life, acquire personal study skills and a thirst to return to the book to go deeper into its life-transforming truths while growing in Christlikeness through a life-changing encounter with God’s Word. Study Guide Cost - $10.

This 11-week class starts September 15 at 10 A.M. Facilitator: Paul Blanchard

The New Testament DVD Study by Professor Bart D. Ehrman, from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This study is a historical introduction to the 27 books of the New Testament. The study will try to address such significant questions as who wrote the books, under what circumstances, and for what audience; we will consider what the books of the New Testament say, what they mean, and their historical accuracy. Our ultimate goal is to have a fuller appreciation and understanding of these books that have made such an enormous impact on the history of western civilization and that continue to play such an important role for people today.

This year-long class starts September 15 and can be a long term commitment or week-by-week drop in. Facilitator: Carl Kinney - facilitator

The Sunday School Greeter welcomes students in the lower level to help locate classrooms and meet teachers.

Kids Church Keeping in Step: Finding God’s Way by Knowing God’s Word

Kid’s Church happens during the 11:15 A.M. contemporary worship service on the 2nd thru 5th Sundays. Before the message the pastor will invite children age 4 to10 to follow the Kid’s Church leaders out of the sanctuary to Kid’s Church (Room #2 in the church’s lower level). In Kid’s Church children will hear a Bible story and do an activity related to the story. Children will return to the worship service during the closing song. Kid’s Church gives children a chance to hear the Bible story on their age level and provides parents with the opportunity to fully focus on the sermon message. On the 1st Sunday of the month children remain in the sanctuary to experience worship and communion with their church family.

Teachers: Barb Ackerman, Lorie Goodale, Natalie Napier, Beth Ward

Small Group Community - Servanthood Explore how serving: honors God, reflects Jesus Christ, blesses others, matures believers, evangelizes and disciples.

Six weeks starting Monday, September 16 at 7:00 P.M. Facilitator: Keri Jaggers

2013 Fall

Beyond Sunday School

All committee treasurers are to have their books/bank statements turned into the church office by Tuesday, Sept.10. If you have any

Rummage Sale

Friday, Sept 27 9:30 AM—4 PM

Saturday, Sept 28 9:30 AM—12 PM

Earnings go to the United Methodist Women missions!

Unclaimed dishes and lost & found items will be donated to the Rummage Sale.

Your gently used treasures will be accepted

beginning Monday, Sept 16beginning Monday, Sept 16beginning Monday, Sept 16beginning Monday, Sept 16. No exercise equipment, computers

or encyclopedias, please.

Tuesday, Sept 17

4:00 pm ‘til food is gone

Many volunteers needed! Workers arrive at 3:00 pm

to begin prepping bags. No Experience Required

Supervised Youngsters and Teens Welcome Plenty of Work for Everyone

Our Church Family Aware of a concern or joy in our family? Please notify the church, so we can share them with you. Only first names will be published in prayer concerns.

Please remember in your hearts and prayers:

Thank You Dear Flushing United Methodist Church, Thank you for an amazing week at VBS. I had a great time. I got a chance to make new friends, to help feed cats & dogs, and I got to learn about Jesus & God in a very fun play. I can’t wait to help next year! Love, Julia Pattee

I would like to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers, cards and well wishes during my recent illness. A special thank you to Jeff & Keri who visited me. It is very gratifying to belong to such a caring church community. Thank you again, and I’ll see you in church. Valerie Sherwood

Job Opportunities The Detroit Conference of The United Methodist Church has 2 part-time positions available in the Flint area offices - Ad Assistant (3 days) and Office receptionist (2 days). www.detroitconference.org/news

✝ Dean’s mom Trudy transitioning

to more care ✝ Allen recovering from surgery ✝ Dave who lost his wife recently ✝ Man with possible throat cancer

✝ Mike needing a room to stay in ✝ Extended family with problems ✝ Our service men and women ✝ Bill recovering from surgery ✝ Wally having a heart cath

FCOC Needs Flushing Christian Outreach Center clients are in need of: toothpaste, peanut butter, laundry detergent, wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, and men's jeans, especially small and very large sizes. Also needed are your prayers to make sure we're following God's plan for this center.

Fresh Vegetables The gardens are ripening! If you have an overabundance you may place it on our Blessing Table in the lobby. Please take what you can use. Donations will go to missions.

Sunday, August 25 10:00 am SundaySchool Teachers Monday, August 26 7:00 pm Administrative Council Wednesday, August 28 6:30 pm Zumba 7:00 pm Lay Leadership

Sunday, August 25 Scripture Reader Carolyn Malaski Greeters 8:45 am Donna Essy 11:15 am Jamie & Sandy Kitts Coffee Hosts 8:45 am Dan & Pat Helmer 11:15 am Mike & Amy Ford Ushers 8:45 am Dave & Sue Lewis Jim & Laragene Triplett 11:15 am Laurie Pitkin Kids’ Church Beth Ward, Hannah Nettleton

Monday, September 2 Church Office Closed

Tuesday, September 3 7:00 pm Trustees Committee Wednesday, September 4

Newsletter Published 7:00 pm Praise Band Thursday, September 5 6:00 pm Handbells 6:30 pm Zumba 7:30 pm Centrum Choir

Sunday, September 1

Scripture Reader Sue Durling Greeters 8:45 am Jim & Velma Graham 11:15 am Carl & Sue King Coffee Hosts 8:45 am Judy Martz, Rusty Eavy 11:15 am John & Diane Roberts Ushers 8:45 am Harry & Ellen Hulet, John & Marcia Henson 11:15 am John & Diane Roberts Communion Servers 8:45 am Laragene Triplett, Carol Dick 11:15 am Laurel Allyn, Denise Charles

Worship Helpers

Worship Attendance Aug 11 — 214 Aug 18 — 214 8:45 am— 99 8:45 am— 98 11:15 am— 105 11:15 am— 116

Newsletter Helpers Wednesday, September 4

Wally & Marion Jurvelin, Valerie Sherwood

Church Calendar

Recycle Small Electronics We collect small electronic devices such as: Inkjet cartridges, Cell phones, Pagers, iPods, MP3 Players, Calculators...

Place items in the mission station basket in Fellowship Hall. Please note that we no longer collect batteries.

NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID

FLUSHING MI PERMIT #38

FLUSHING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 413 E MAIN ST FLUSHING MI 48433-2029

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the Visitorthe Visitorthe Visitorthe Visitor August 21, 2013 – Issue #13