“Now fear the Lord and serve the Lord with all faithfulness.

Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River

and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seem

undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day, whom you

will serve, whether the gods of your forefathers served beyond the

River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.

But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

“Now, then,” Joshua said, “throw away the foreign gods that are

among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.”

And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God

and obey.”

-Joshua 24, 14-15, 23-24

In Joshua 24, the congregation of Israel makes intentional choices about their present and future. The 12 Tribes of Israel have wandered and finally moved into to the Promised Land. At a place called Shechem, Joshua gathers the people before God to decide who they will be and whose they will be. They recount stories of their faith and history. God used their wandering to form them as a people and teach them God’s ways. At Shechem, the congregation of Israel renewed their covenant of faith as a guide for how they would live in the Promised Land. (From Does Your Church Have a Prayer? In Mission Toward the Promised Land, by Brown, Merry, and Briggs) As we move into Phase 2 of the Vital Church Initiative, our congregation has an opportunity to make choices that will affect our present and future. God also calls us forward to a Promised Land, where we respond to God’s call and live together as a congregation of Jesus’ disciples. In order to begin our process of decision making, we will engage in a sermon series and an All-Church Bible Study based on the Biblical principles presented in the study: Does Your Church Have a Prayer? Through the study and series we will learn about God’s intention for our congregation- our Promised Land. We will discuss obstacles which prevent us from being the church God intends. We will learn how the Biblical principle of Beyond and Within can transform the identity of a congregation. Finally, we will discover why it is essential for members of a congregation to have the mind of Christ among them if they wish to enter God's Promised Land for Jesus' disciples. (Does Your Church Have a Prayer? p.7) The Bible study will also give participants an opportunity to offer insights and ideas for the VCI Consultation process as we claim our mission and plan for our future. God calls every congregation to move toward the Promised Land, a community of unity and joy in discipleship with Christ. I invite you to be part of a Bible study group and to join in worship as we make this journey together. Traveling with you, Pastor Lynn

Church Events,

Birthdays, Kids Hope,

Caring Ministry,

2 & 3

Nurture Ministry 4 & 5

Finance, Outreach,

Staff Parish, more

Church Events

6 & 7

UMW, Youth Ministry,

Calendar

8 & 9

Inside this issue:

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October 2014

The Book Club will meet on October 13 at 6:30 in the Conference Room. We will dis-cuss The Kitchen House, by Kathleen Gris-som, tells of life, class, race, dignity, deep bur-ied secrets and family on a Virginia plantation before the Civil War. Join us!

Don’t forget to attend The Beal Memorial

Celebration: Following Jesus' Footsteps in the Neigh-borhood. September 28, 2014, 3-6 PM, Midtown Cen-ter, 96 W. 15th. Check the website: www:bealmemorial.org for more information and to read the "Jesus stories" from our "Neighborhood.

The Meet and Eat Singles will go to The Stable Inn on Thursday, October 23 at 6:00. Please call Dave Newton for a reser-vation by Tuesday the 21st. The Stable Inn is on US 31 north on the way to Grand Haven. All singles are welcome to

join the group for dinner!!

The deadline for article submissions for the November Focus is October 17. Please email articles

to mhaney@fumcholland.org by that date or earlier. If a hard copy must be used, please bring

to main office by that date also. If you would prefer not receiving the Focus in the mail, please

let Marj Haney know at mhaney@fumcholland.org

Page 2

Happening this Month

F OCUS

Kids Hope Volunteers Needed!!

School has started and that means Kids Hope is start-ing for another year. Do you have one hour a week

during lunchtime to spend with a child in need? A child at Holland Heights could be waiting for you!! Training is provided and days are flexible. Please contact Kathy Lindstrom at 738-1689 or klindst0702@gmail.com for more information. Prayerfully consider this great volunteer opportunity!

Come join the Lunch Bunch on Sundays following the 10:45 a.m. service. We will gather at the Good Shepherd window to get a head count and head out to a local

restaurant. All ages are welcome to join including singles, couples, and families. Check the bulletin for the days’ location or contact David Newton.

Epsilon will meet Wednesday, October 15th at 11:30 AM at Beechwood Inn. Please call Dave or Dorothea at 392-3493 by the 13th for reservations.

will meet Thursday, October 2 at 1:30 to ride the bus to Crane’s Orchards in Fennville. Call Sharon Rocker at 392-1966 for reservations, which are required.

The Family Fellowship event for October is a trip to Post Family Farm on the 10th. Please watch your email and Facebook for rsvp and other information.

Birthday Wishes! These friends are celebrating at least their 85th birthday this month. Please extend your well wishes!

October

5 Joe Peters 145 Columbia Ave. #664 Holland MI 49423

15 Dorothea John 623 W. 29th St. Holland MI 49423

19 Don Bocks 144 River Hills Dr. Holland MI 49424

New Church Pictorial Directory

We will be finishing the photography on Sept. 30 - Oct. 4 and then be getting the final activity pages together. We hope to review the direc-tory and have them printed as soon as possible. If anyone missed getting their picture taken and wants to submit one for $10 (and have the photographer's permission) you have to do so by the 10th of Oct. You would then be able to receive a directory.

Please be in prayer for these congregation members and friends...

OCT OBER 20 14 Page 3

Pearl Arobine; Al Pratto; David Lindstrom; Marsha Van Hekken; Robin Briggs; Mary Mowrey; Norine Jones; Courtney Dooley; Marcia Riemersma; for those who have lost loved ones this month and for those who have loved ones who are sick or recovering.

Pray for God's peace and comfort for the family and friends of Lorrena Hornbeck who passed away on August 28. Her services were held in South Haven.

Pray for God's peace and comfort for the friends and family of Jim Townsend who passed away on Thursday, September 4. He was a long-time, active member of our church before retiring to Clark Home in Grand Rapids. His wife Corinne survives him. His service was held at Clark Home and he was buried in Petoskey where he was born. Condolences can be sent to Corinne at 1551 Franklin St, S.E., # 385, Grand Rapids MI 49506.

Caring Ministry Sharon Rocker, Director of Care Ministries (ext. 104)

Notes of appreciation for prayers, visits and/or donations have been received from Jim and Barb Bosman, Al Pratto, and our Kids Hope partner school. These notes can be found on the bulletin board near the lounge in the 9th Street hallway.

Flu Shot Clinic Volunteers Needed!

We are looking for 2-4 volunteers for Sunday, October 19th, 9:30am – 11:00am, and 2 volunteers for Tuesday, October 28th, 10:00am – 12:00pm to help with the Flu Clinic. You would be helping people get checked in and fill out paperwork. If you can help out with this, contact the church office at 396-5205.

Get Ready to be INSPIRED to REACH more people through your United Methodist church!

REACH SUMMIT is designed to spark creativity, inspire leadership and prepare you to transform your church. Discover great possibilities for the future of your church. Then, after the SUMMIT weekend, you can continue learning throughout the year with a REACH Network Group. Come be inspired to trans-form your church and REACH new people with the good news of Jesus Christ.

Where: Crowne Plaza Lansing West

When: Fri & Sat, October 17-18, 2014

Plus special worship Friday evening with Pastor Trey and the Urban Village Praise Band (from Urban Village Church, downtown Chicago)

For more information go to reachsummit.org

There will be some staff going Saturday for the day, please call the office if you’d like to join them.

Page 4

Nurture Ministry Marj Haney, Director (ext. 106) Heidi De Moss, Director of Adult Ministry

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Ongoing Classes Sunday Morning

FaithLinks Class Where : Filling Station contact Peg Minert UMC FaithLinks material Leadership will be provided by FaithLinks members. Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 ~ UMC FaithLinks material

Pastor Lynn’s Class Where : Conference Room led by Pastor Lynn Does Your Church Have a Prayer?: In Mission Toward the Promised Land. By Marc Brown, Kathy Merry, and John Briggs. (see further description on the next page)

Short - Term Class Where : Lounge Led by Tania Dozeman and John Buttrey Does Your Church Have a Prayer?: In Mission Toward the Promised Land. By Marc Brown, Kathy Merry, and John Briggs. (see further description on the next page) Two class with the same topic are being offered to accommodate everyone

Parenting in the Pew

Led by Marj Haney. Where : Heritage Room Oct. 12 ~ Make A Joyful Noise Oct. 19 ~ A Holy Hug

Fellowship Space

Coffee and Conversation East end of Fellowship Hall

Our Jubilant Journey for Kids is off to a great start! This year we are using the Cokesbury curriculums called Grow Proclaim Serve in our early and middle elemen-tary classes and Cross Trainer for our 4th and 5th grad-ers. There is always room for more kids!

Worship Center and the Bible Class are also going well, with over 30 kids each week. If you have a Worship Center aged child, please sign up to take part in a Center one Sunday this fall. Seeing what happens in the Centers is the best way to be aware of what happens there and to be able to talk to you child after church about what they learned. Beginning on October 12, the 3rd Graders in the Bible Class will begin staying in worship just a bit longer, until right before the sermon. Please refer to the bulletin each week for when they will be dismissed and Mrs. Riley will be gathering them in the back to go upstairs to their class.

Choir practice for children through 8th grade began on Sunday, September 14th. There is room for you!!

Angelic Choir for 3 year olds through Kindergarteners is at 10:15 in Room 201.

Those who are here for their Jubilant Journey class will be escorted out of the classroom by Marilyn Kelly. If you are just coming for choir, please meet her in the room.

Kidz Praise Choir will meet at 9:00 am each morning in Room 304. This choir is for all kids grades 1-8 and meets until Jubilant Journey begins at 9:40. The kids will be taken to their classroom following choir. We hope to sing about once a month in church and also do at least one small play at some point over the school

year. Please note: We will not be meeting on

September 28 or October 5. See you on the

12th!!

Would you be interested in being a College Connector? This would involve

being a Christian friend, sounding board, coffee buddy, or mentor to a college

aged young adult (who may or may not be attending college at this time) during

this transitional time in their life. If this sounds interesting to you, please call or email LuAnne

Stanley Hook at 396-5205 ext. 108 or lstanleyhook@fumcholland.org

OCT OBER 20 14 Page 5

Starting this month...have you signed-up yet?

All Church Bible Study Does Your Church Have a Prayer?: In Mission Toward the Promised Land. By Marc Brown, Kathy Merry, and John Briggs. Recommended by the Vital Church Initiative (VCI), which we are participating in, this 6 week Bible study resource uses study and reflection of Biblical stories and practical truths to help us plot a way forward toward what we can accomplish in God’s name. Each week folks will read Bible texts, and a workbook, discuss in small groups, and take an individual survey. The surveys are gathered and used as a source of data for our VCI consultants. They are a great way to have your voice be heard in this VCI process. Both the VCI and Nurture teams are hoping that everyone who is able will find a way to participate in this study in Small Groups though out the week. Following is a list of all of the groups offering this study. Sign-up on the board in the back of the Sanctuary on Sunday, or through the week as you pass through. Sunday Morning Bible Study Sunday Morning Led by Tania Dozeman & John Buttrey Lounge at 9:40 Pastor Lynn’s Class Sunday Morning Led by Pastor Lynn Conference Room at 9:40

High School Class Sunday Morning Led by Matt & Liz Carr Eclipse room at 9:40 for grades 9 - 12 Sunday Night Group Sunday Evening Led by Dave Marckini & George Ward Lounge at 5:30 please bring a sack dinner to eat during this study time this group will be divided into 2 to 4 groups meeting

around the church Coffee Klatz & Conversation Monday Morning Led by David Newton Lounge at 9:30 The Rocker Group Monday Evening contact Bill or Sharon Rocker 7:00pm various locations

Began September 22 (meets every other week)

After Lunch Bible Study Tuesday Afternoon Led by Heidi DeMoss Lounge at 1:00pm Tuesday Night Group Tuesday Evening fed by Steve and Sandy Snyder Sr. Snyder home

Full at this time Wednesday Bible Study Wednesday Evening Led by Pastor Lynn Conference Room at 7:00pm Ladies Only Thursday Morning Contact Marsha Burnham (every other week) Care Ministry Office at 9:00am Minnich/Chamness Group TBA Led by Dave Minnich & Jim Chamness place TBA

Page 6 F OCUS

Finance Update Kent Jagnow, Treasurer (ext. 103)

As we approach the last quarter of the year, I would ask that all of us to be as faithful to their pledge commit-ment as you possibly can. We are exiting the summer months which tends to be the time when our contribu-tions are usually below our needs. Vacations and the usual summer activities are the main reason for this de-crease.

During January through June our contributions aver-aged $ 11,064 per week. During July and August our contributions averaged $ 9,213. This represents a 16.7% average decrease per week.

Also, in the coming weeks we will start to receive infor-mation concerning the Stewardship Campaign for 2015.

I ask that you faithfully consider the support you offer to our church.

Our financial position still remains in a favorable trend. We are $ 7,019 favorable to our NET budgeted income and expenses or approximately 1.82%.

Also, please consider signing up for our AUTOMATIC CONTRIBUTION system. Each month, or ½ month, you can have your contribution automatically deducted from your checking or savings account and sent directly to the church. Use the sign-up form on the Church Web Site or stop in the office and see me.

A Message from the Staff Parish Relations Committee and the Trustees:

Later this fall, Walt Garrett will be retiring from his position as Lead Custodian here at FUMC. After 15 years of caring for "God's House", Walt has decided to "hang up his mop" and spend more time with family. Staff-Parish has already begun gathering applicants to fill the custodian position, but, working alongside Trustees, have also reshaped the custodian duties, hours, and policies partly based on the building walk-through this past winter. The hiring of Mike Monteith as building supervisor and the decision to hire a full-time, modified second shift custodian are two of the results of the work of the combined committees.

Opportunities have also opened up for you the congregation to take more ownership of the church building. Many hours are spent every week setting up and tearing down room configurations for the various groups that meet in the building. In the past, most of this work has been done by the custodians, but with the new policies that bring the custodian's sole focus back to cleaning, Staff-Parish and Trustees are inviting you to share in that responsibility. By asking you, the FUMC family, to take time before your event to set up tables and chairs, and after your event to wipe down tables, stack chairs, and do some light clean up of the room, we are all physically sharing in the work of ministry to the church community and beyond. Be creative with the solution -- are their members in your group who can do this the day before your event? Can you enlist other volunteers from the congregation to assist? Are you someone willing to give a little bit of time each week or month to help with set-up or take-down? We have a snow removal service for the winter months, but are you willing to pick up a shovel and help keep the entrance ways and sidewalks clear during times when the professionals are not on call? Training will be provided and SPRC and Trustees are more than happy to assist you in recruiting some "brawn"! Contact Katie Curneal (kcurneal04@hotmail.com) or Kaarli Riley (jimkaarli@gmail.com) with questions.

Outreach Ministry

OCT OBER 20 14 Page 7

On October 19th, our bread pan offering

will go to the United Methodist Community House in Grand Rapids. This will enable Community House to continue to offer child-

care, before and after-school care, programs for youth and teens, transitional housing for women seeking a healthier lifestyle, and congregate meals and activities for seniors who might otherwise have no options for contact outside their homes. Our United Methodist Women help support this ministry that makes such a difference in the Sheldon Street neighborhood.

Our middle school youth went to United Methodist Community House this past summer. Feel free to ask them about their experience. Our United Methodist Women members have been asked to give $5 each in order to help them finish off their new roof.

Help support this important ministry on October 19th!

Bring to the Church in October for Community Action House: (baskets at each door)

Food Pantry Item of the month: Spaghetti Sauce and pasta Also could still use Laundry Soap, Hand Soap, Dish Soap and Toothpaste

Important Outreach Meeting

Tuesday, October 7th

The Outreach team meets quarterly and is in the pro-cess of reorganizing. If you have an interest in the Outreach area, please attend this meeting on Tuesday, October 7th meeting in the Filling Station downstairs beginning at 7:00 p.m. What outreach ideas do you have or what areas of outreach might you be willing to join? There is a new Outreach Brochure that we will be discussing that evening as well.

Clinic at the end of October:

On Saturday, October 25th Justice for our Neighbors is hosting a Green Card Refugee Clinic in Fellowship Hall. If you are interested in helping out, the training begins at 9:00 a.m. To find out more or to sign up, contact Sally Garrett at 298-2016 or fuzzy_garrett@hotmail.com

A membership class will begin on October 19 from 4:30-6 in the Confer-ence Room. This class will meet Nov. 2nd and Nov. 16th as well at the same time and place with those who desire to

join doing so on December 7. Please see Pastor Lynn if you are interested in attending this class.

This fall's American Red Cross blood drive is October 12, from 8:30 - 2:30. Our Sunday blood drives have an outstanding record of success in which we welcome the community at large. If you are not currently a donor, please consider doing so. You can register at the phone number or website shown below. Let's commit to making this first drive of the season a real FUMC:Holland success story. For more information, contact Tim Haney after October 5th. Thank you!

We will be hosting two flu shot clinics this fall. The first one will be held on Sunday, October 19 in the Fellowship Hall from 9:30-11AM. The second one will be on Tuesday, October 28

from 10AM-noon in the lounge. These clinics are open to the public so please let your friends know they are welcome to come and get their flu shot. Please bring your insurance cards with you when coming to the clinic.

Page 8 F OCUS

Service Group for October is Joy Circle and Meals in time of need is Shalom.

October meeting Schedule is as follows:

2 Executive Board Meeting at 6:30 in the Conference Room.

8 Hope Circle is at noon in the Lounge

9 Shalom Circle is at 10:00 and Joy Circle at 1:00

13 Bazaar Meeting at 7 in the Lounge

23 Evening Apart, Courtland Oakfield UMC, Rock-ford

30 Executive Board Meeting at 6:30 in the Lounge

There will be no General Meeting so encourage helping at one of the workshops for the Bazaar listed below.

We are updating our list of college students who would like to receive complimentary issues of the Alive Now magazine this school year. Please contact Marla Coombes at 616-786-3249 if you or someone you know would like to be included.

And into the kitchen we go: Work-shops for the UMW Holiday Bazaar

Thursday, November 13, is coming fast, and the holiday elves are getting ready to bake cookies, make candy, and put together those famous Meth-odist pigs-in-the-blanket.

The workshops welcome everyone, church members or not, so bring your neighbors, friends, and family, in-cluding the in-laws. Come when you can, and leave when you must. Many hands will make light work of

the measuring, mixing, rolling, cutting, baking, and all the other tasks. There are lots of laughs that go along with the work and companionship of the day, too. If you can’t take part in a workshop, check out the list of items that are needed and contribute some of those.

--- Candy Workshop: Wednesday, October 1, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Joan Fein would like donations of sugar and light corn syrup; leave them in the kitchen marked for the Candy Workshop.

--- Cookie Workshops: Thursday, October 2; Wednesday, October 15; and Monday, October 27; all are 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations of butter, Crisco, white and brown sugar, flour, nuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and cocoa are needed; leave in the kitch-en marked for the Cookie Workshop. Contact Nancy if you can help at one or more of the workshops: Her email is nancy.storey@gmail.com

--- Pigs-in-the-Blanket Workshop: Wednesday, October 22, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Country Store can use packaged homemade snacks, breads, sweet treats, small pies (no cream pies), and home-canned goods. Polly Diehl thanks everyone for their donations of jars and sugar for her canning; she has a good supply now.

And be thinking about what could leave your home as a contribution to Attic Specials. Popular items are toys, kitchen and other household items, small appli-ances, linens, pictures, and seasonal decorations. No clothing, please!

These can be brought to the church on Sunday—but preferably on Monday—the week of the Bazaar.

United Methodist Women

ROOM TRANSITIONS: From Prayer Room to

Ministry Staff Office

A number of years ago, Jan Lancaster, our parish nurse, needed to leave her position with us and vacate her office at the east end of the north corridor. A vision formed in my heart of using the space to create a prayer room, a quiet place for prayer and meditation. I was joined in my vision by Barb Webber and Dorothy Chamness who worked hard to transform the office space to a prayer space. Over time, it became apparent that the room was used only on occa-sion. For various reasons and perhaps, simply, because of

busy schedules, few people stopped to spend time there in prayer.

At the end of September, we will close the prayer room and return it to office use. David Newton will move his office up from the basement and be located in the space at the east end of the north corridor on the main floor.

I am thankful to Barb and Dorothy for venturing with me on a vision. I believe our life of prayer is not dependent upon a room set apart, but is a part of our everyday lives of love and service in Jesus’ name. –Pastor Lynn

Youth Ministry LuAnne Stanley Hook, Director (ext. 108)

OCT OBER 20 14 Page 9

Schedule of Events

October 7 Outreach 7:00 PM

October 9 Trustees 7:00 PM

October 13 Endowment Team 7:00 PM

October 14 Staff Parish 7:30 PM

October 16 Stephen Ministry 7:00 PM

October 19 New Member Class 4:30 PM

October 21 Finance 7:00 PM

October 28 Church Council 7:00 PM

Pictorial Directory photos taken:

October 1-3 from 3-9 and October 4 from 9-2

in Fellowship Hall

Each week:

Tuesday noon: Senior Meal

Thursday 7:00: Volleyball

School is in full swing, and our youth are having a great time together! We kicked off the year with some messy games, and everyone got their fill of sloppiness. As we head into the official fall season, retreats, service pro-jects and other activities dominate the schedule, so your prayers are welcomed for dry Sundays in October. Here’s a peek at our schedule this month:

Sunday, October 5—5:30-7:30 p.m. Both groups will hopefully be helping some church members with their moving process. Dress in sturdy shoes and for the weather. Please pray for a smooth move!

Sunday, October 12, Both groups, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 19—Both groups will meet at 1:30 to head over to Best Pals Animal Rescue in West Olive. Please wear clothes that can handle animal hair and

bring a pair of work gloves and a rake. We will return to the church soon after 4:00. No dinner this evening!

Saturday-Sunday, October 25-26, Middle School Retreat at Wesley Woods Camp! We’ll return in time for parents to pick up youth after second service.

Sunday, October 26, No middle school meeting. Senior highs to bring sack lunch and eat after church together. Then we will board the church bus for a trip to Crane’s Corn Maze and some goodies. We’ll be back by about 4:30 p.m.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

October 2014

Pastor Rev. J. Lynn

Pier-Fitzgerald

Phone: 616-393-6242

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Holland, MI

Permit No. 445

Worship Topics for October Sunday Morning 8:30 and 10:45

Pastor Lynn Pier-Fitzgerald, preaching

SERIES: Toward the Promised Land: Our Congregation and God's Future

(All Church Bible Study: Does Your Church Have A Prayer?) Oct. 5 "Jesus Prayed for You" John 17: 1-5, 13-26 World Communion Sunday Oct. 12 "What Reality Do You Choose?" Numbers 13: 17- 14: 9 Oct. 19 "Overcoming Giants" Numbers 13: 25-14:9 Oct 26 "Asking the Right Questions" Mark 9: 30-35

57 W. 10th St.

Holland MI 49423

Return Service Requested

FI RST UNIT ED MET HODI ST CHURCH

Phone: 616-396-5205

October 2014

Visit us online at

www.fumcholland.org