This time between Christmas and

Lent has been given to exploring the Gospel of Luke, yoked

to time spent in our Judeo/Christian prayer book known as

the Psalms. How fortunate we are to have in our possession

God’s Word, and what a blessing is ours to be able to pray.

In all manners, Jesus is our supreme model for living a full

life as intended by God. We do well to pay close attention

to Him. Jesus believed in prayer. He didn’t pray to be seen

and heard; He prayed for all the right reasons that we’ve

been made in such a way that we can pray. And He prayed

before major decisions needed to be made, specifically

seeking His Father’s will. If Jesus took that seriously, how

much more important is it for us to pray.

Last night we gathered to pray for God’s direction for us as

we strive to become more risk-taking in our mission efforts.

We were thrilled to fill our Prayer Center to overflowing

with those willing to intercede on behalf of our Church

family. Beginning our time in praise, confession, and

thanksgiving, we went in different directions throughout

the church building to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We were invited to write down anything we perceived to

be laid upon our hearts and drop those messages off in the

church office before leaving.

I invite you to do the same. Come before God in personal

communication with Him, asking Him to guide our Church.

Invite Him to show you how you can partner with Him in

fulfilling His will for our faith community. If it becomes

clear to you that we should be engaged in a specific mission

outreach, please write that down and drop it off in the of-

fice. If no one is at the Receptionist’s desk, located right in

front of our Prayer Concerns board, please leave it on the

desk. We are anticipating great things for our Church, and con-

fident that as we follow faithfully the path God calls us to fol-

low, that lives will be transformed in a wonderful way.

Psalm 25: 9 says of God, “He leads the humble in what is right,

and teaches the humble His way.” I don’t think there was a per-

son who ever had lengthier conversations with God than Moses.

Numbers 12: 3 says that Moses was more humble than anyone

else on the face of the earth. Knowing my mother well, I might

be inclined to argue that, but there it is in God’s Word. And

Moses was used by God in mighty ways to change the quality of

life on planet Earth, leading the Hebrews out of Egypt, receiv-

ing the Ten Commandments and instructions about worship and

community formation. His people have been used by God as a

light unto the nations ever since, laying for us a sure foundation.

Moses was willing to wait before God, weighing candidly on

the scales every consideration for or against a proposed course.

And God swayed his judgment, touching those scales to sway

the balance. Our task is to keep our hands off the scales, and

pay close attention to which way the Lord is leaning.

Please join us in prayerful pursuit of ALL that God has in store

for us as His people. And may He return His favor upon you and

yours!

John

Reflections From JohnReflections From JohnReflections From JohnReflections From John

BeaconBeaconBeaconBeacon

February 10, 2015 Volume 42, Issue 2

March Events

P a g e 2 B e a c o n

SING HALLELUJAH ON EASTER SUNDAY!! All are invited to gather in the sanctuary at the end of worship to sing Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” along with the Chancel Choir and Orchestra. If you want to stand with the choir and sing from a choral score, please come to the Chancel area. Music will be provided.

Two great NOTEworthy Concerts coming up!

Sunday, March 1, 2:00 pm Pipe Dreams the Michigan Philharmonic Marcia Van Oyen, organist and Frank Ticheli, composer Michigan Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Procession of the Nobles for organ and orchestra Antonin Dvorak: Carnival Overture (side by side) Frank Ticheli: Blue Shades (1997) Camille Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 3 “Organ Symphony” Tickets required – for info 734-451-2112 or www.michiganphil.org Complimentary tickets are available for those unable to afford a ticket – contact Marcia Van Oyen

Sunday, March 15, 3:00 pm Sounding Light “From Age to Age” a concert of timeless choral Masterworks, free admission; a free-will offering will be taken Travel through time to discover the true treasures of music history with the golden voices of Sounding Light as your guide. This acclaimed chamber choir will share spar-kling gems by Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, and Felix Mendelssohn as well as cherished riches by Alexander Gretchaninoff and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Tom Trenney will lead Sounding Light’s master singers in a wealth of music of the masters in a concert for the ages. For more information, please visit www.manyvoicesonesong.org Ushers are needed for this event. If you can help, please contact Marcia Van Oyen

P a g e 3 V o l u m e 4 2 , I s s u e 2

What I didn’t realize at the time was Con-nors was a mentor to the younger Krick-stein. They spent time together working on tennis, playing cards, eating together. Jimmy thought of Aaron as a son. Yet that match took so much out of the two men that each couldn’t bear to talk to the other afterwards. First a week passed, then a month, then a year. Finally, after 23 years of not talking to each other, Aaron Krickstein picked up the phone and called his old mentor. The result was that last month, 63 year old Jimmy Conners played his final public tennis match against 47 year old Aaron Krickstein. The match was nothing like the original. Conners played in street clothes, while both men joked throughout the game. I wonder what the two men missed by holding that grudge for nearly a quarter of a century? It warms my heart to see the pictures of the two of them together again. And it makes me think, are there any grudges I have to let go of? Are there any grudges you need to let go of? Excuse me, I think I have to make a phone call.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words,

and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, for-

giving one another, just as God through Christ has

forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32

A few weeks ago I had my old T2000 tennis racket with me in the Impact Service. As a few people commented, I look at home with a ten-nis racket in my hand. After all, that was my game in high-school. While that metal racket I had was state of the art in its day, the real rea-son I wanted that particular racket in high school was because it was the model used by my tennis hero Jimmy Conners. Recently I saw an article discussing the 1991 US Open match between 39 year old Jimmy Conners and 24 year old Aaron Krickstein. I recall that match like it was yesterday. I was torn in allegiances. Conners was my hero, but Krickstein was the up and coming youngster, born in Ann Arbor. So I thought of Aaron as a home-town guy, a friend of a friend of a friend, if you will. That match was historic. Conners won in five sets over Krickstein in a tennis match that took almost 5 hours. Imagine, five hours of run-ning, jumping, diving, and stretching! Because of it being rebroadcast over and over, it has been deemed the most watched match in tennis history

We are a new group at PFUMC for “18-25” year olds,

those who have graduated from high school but have yet

to find themselves as an adult. We will be drawing closer

to God through fellowship, study and action. Our first gathering will be 9:00 a.m. Sun-

day, March 15 for Sunday school in room L13. Please feel welcome to join us on this

dynamic journey. For more information contact Amanda Williams at youth@pfumc.org

P a g e 4

Jesus shows me God’s

power in the world.

John 5:17

Jesus replied, “My Father is still

working, and I am working

too.”

The Wedding at Cana

Jesus Walks on Water

Feeding 5000

The Man Beside the Pool

March 8th —5:30 pm

Area 56 is a place for 5th & 6th Graders to experience

meaningful Bible Study, Life Changing Fellowship, Outra-

geous Games, Important Service Projects, & Wacky Snacks

MISSION MOMENT:

Imagine No Malaria

Kelly Erickson’s Blood Drive— For Kelly’s senior year service project

for National Honors Society, Kelly has organized

another blood drive and needs at least 30 confirmed appointments

in order for the blood drive to take place. Your support of the

project is much appreciated and you will be helping to save

hundreds of lives.

Date and time: March 21, 2015—9 am—2:45 pm

Location: PFUMC in the Fellowship Hall

Please sign up today at www.redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code: PFUMC in the blue box in the

top right hand corner labeled “Give Blood. Find a Blood Drive”.

If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Erickson at kellyerickson14@gmail.com

PFUMC Quilting Group Update— We were called to quilt together for a purpose. In the last 15 years, we

have made 55 lap-size quilts and donate them to First Step and Methodist Children’s Home Society!

In order to keep going strong in this mission, we welcome anyone interested in quilting to join our group. Be-

ginners are welcome. We enjoy quilting in a warm, friendly and casual atmosphere.

There are multiple ways you can get involved : join us during our afternoon sessions on the 3rd Wednesday of

each month; quilt on your own and donate your completed quilts or quilt tops; or quilt one-on

one with a member of the group. Feel free to get in touch if you are interested in joining the

group or learning more about our mission.

Marilyn Quinn 734—895-1654 Beverly Butler 734-335-6657 Betty Tarpinian 734-404-6427

P a g e 5

Valet Parking is now available from

9:30 am—10 am and

for pick up from 11:15—12:00.

Just follow the signs and we will take good care of your car.

◊ We still need volunteers to sign up to help park cars.

◊ Contact Mary McCully—(734) 634-6484

Feb 22...NOW OR NEVER Pack Your Coffin

Mar 1…..ALL IN Charge

Mar 8….ALL OUT Rim Huggers

Mar 15...ALL IN ALL Soli Deo Gloria -to the glory of God alone

Many people think they are following Jesus, but the reality is, they’ve in-

vited Jesus to follow them. They call him Savior, but they’ve never surren-

dered to him as Lord.

Beginning February 22 with a new 4 week sermon series and Small Group

Study we invite you to join us and make defining decisions to follow Jesus

in ways you may have never dreamed before. If you go all in, God will

show up and show off His power and glory in your life and the life of our

church!

BONUS SERMON: Mar 22...ALL OR NOTHING One Decision Away

Join the Poppy Circle Fellowship Group, Wednesday, March 25th for discussion

“Beyond Accessibility: Opening our Doors Wider so that all May Worship!” We

will be meeting in the library from 7—8 pm to focus on ways to help our church

be open and accessible for people who may need, or like, some assistance with

accommodations for our worship services and church programs.

Mary McCully—734-634-6484

P a g e 6 B e a c o n

Financial Update for January 2015

Income = $ 79,122 Expenses = $ 78,945 YTD Income = $ 79,122 YTD Expenses = $ 78,945

Sunday 9 am Sunday School 10:10 am Worship 11:30 am Fellowship

Time 5:30 pm FUSION youth

Monday 9:30 am Monday Morning

Women Bible Study

Tuesday BSF

1

2 pm—NOTE worthy

concert

2

60 + Lunch

7 pm—Disciple 1

3

6 pm Lent dinner

1pm & 6:30 pm

They Like Jesus but -

6:50 pm Evangelism

8

AREA 56—5:30 pm

5 pm FUSION

Day Light Savings time

Change your clocks

9

7 pm—Disciple 1

10

6 pm Lent dinner

1 pm & 6:30 pm

They Like Jesus but—

7:00 pm LATTE Adult training

7 pm Financial Peace Univ.

15

5 pm FUSION

3 pm NOTE worthy concert

16

7 pm Disciple 1

17

6 pm Lent dinner

1 pm & 6:30 pm

They Like Jesus but

7 pm Financial Peace Unvi

22

ASP Brunch

5 pm FUSION

23

7 pm Disciple 1

24

1 pm & 6:30 pm

They Like Jesus but

7 pm Financial Peace Univ

6 pm Lent Dinner & Program

29 PALM SUNDAY

12:30 pm—Lent pot luck

30

31

Meijer Rewards Jan. 2015

$107.91

“Tis the Season to ..VOLUNTEER! We are in need of volunteers (high school age and

up ) for upcoming Soup Kitchen date at Baldwin Center in Pontiac, March 1, 2015.

We meet in the PFUMC church lobby at 11 a.m. (leave the service early) and carpool

together. Willing to help? Please sign up in one of the following ways:

go to Signupgenius.com (search for the signup under mmhender-

son@ameritech.net or find the link on our church website), on the

kiosk at church, e-mail Melissa at mmhenderson@ameritech.net or

call Melissa at 734-455-4227.

HELP!

The dishes have

been washed and

ready for pick

up— please find yours and take

them home so they can be used

at another time.

P a g e 7 V o l u m e 4 2 , I s s u e 2

Start saving “your treasures”

for the Church Rummage sale—

April 26-29.

Wednesday 6 am Prayer Breakfast 5:45 pm Jubilate Choir 6 pm Cherub Choir 6 pm Bible Study

6 pm Impact Band Practice

7:30 pm Chancel Choir

Thursday

7:30 pm Festival Bells

Friday Saturday

4

6:30 pm Learn to knit

5

7pm Staff parish

6

7

11

9:30 am Faith Fellowship

6:30 pm Learn to Knit

12

2 pm Knit & Crochet

7 pm Christian Ed meeting

7 pm Trustee meeting

13

7:30 pm Noteworthy

Concert

14

18

1 pm—PFUMC Quilting

6:30 pm Learn to Knit

19

7 pm Church Council

20

21 Blood Drive 9 am

25

6 pm Finance

6 pm Poppy Fellowship

6:30 pm Learn to Knit

26

2 pm Knit & Crochet

27

28

March 2015

P a g e 8 B e a c o n

CELEBRATION, POTLUCK, & EASTER EGG HUNT

To everyone who volunteered, attended, or

donated to the youth-sponsored Valentine’s

Dinner on February 7. The youth served a won-

derful meal and all were blessed with a

great time! AND… we raised $1,586.00 for

our B1 Fast project: Imagine No Malaria!

THANK YOU!

Our youth are participating in UMC’s

B1 Fast

Fast Today, Change Tomorrow

March 20 & 21

WHAT: We’re fasting for 24 hours to

better understand poverty and the

unjust systems sustaining poverty in our

world. All funds we raise support Im-

agine No Malaria. Just $5 covers the

cost of malaria medication for a person

and $10 provides a bed net for a family.

WHY: Because we don’t want to just sit around

while thousands die every day from diseases of

poverty. Together, we can make a difference.

HOW CAN YOU HELP:

1. Pray – Ask God to work in and through our students. 2. Volunteer – Join us for an amazing B1 Fast weekend! 3. Give – Write a check to PFUMC and give it to one of our youth. 4. Bring in Pop Cans – We are collecting returnable bottles and cans March 8-20 at the church.

KNOW ANY YOUTH (7th-12th) LOOKING TO GET AWAY FOR THE WEEKEND?

Do they love to hang out with other teens and have FUN?

• Do they want to know more about CHRIST or deepen their

relationship with Him?

The SPRINGHILL WINTER RETREAT is for them!

Hurry! There are only a few spots left and registration will end

soon. Email Amanda (youth@pfumc.org) for more information or

to reserve your space!

LENT EVENT—SUN.

MARCH 29

AFTER WORSHIP

WE ARE PROVIDING DRINKS, HAM &

ROLLS. PLEASE BRING A SIDE, SALAD,

OR DESSERT THAT WILL FEED 12

NO NUTS, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P a g e 9 V o l u m e 4 2 , I s s u e 2

“I Don’t Like to Read”

This is a statement many people make but it does not mean that you

should not come to the PFUMC library. We do have many books here,

but we also have non reading options.

We have audio books on CD—so you could listen to a book while driving

or doing housework.

We have DVD’s—you could watch a movie or a documentary. This is a good option on a cold snowy

day.

We have DVD’s of the Sanctuary Service—so if you missed a week you can catch up .

We have magazines—sometimes it is easier to read a short article than a big book.

We have music CD’s—you can listen to some of your favorite Christian music.

These items are available for children and adults.

So come in and check something out and while you are at it you may even find your-

self taking home a book.

Thank you from the Salvation Army Plymouth. I pray that 2015 is off to a great start for you and your family. We want to share our appreciation to everyone who donated their time, talents and monies to help support our 2014 Christmas programs. We also want to share an update on the status of our fundraising campaign and holiday assis-tance given to those in need. Our overall 2014 Christmas fundraising goal is $315,000. We have received $316,969.78 or 100% of the goal to date. Furthermore, $221,174.60 was collected in the Red kettles. We can not forget about the 500+ brave and hearty individuals, who stood in the cold, rain and the snow to ring the bells during the Red Kettle Campaign. We are blessed that many bell ringing volunteers returned from last year to help out. Our community is blessed with wonderful volunteers such as you, and we say Thank You!

Counting Ministry

Due to retirements/relocations, the Counting Ministry is in

need of additional volunteers (regular counters and substitutes).

Counting is performed each Sunday immediately after the offering is

taken with completion into the Fellowship Hour.

The Counting Ministry has six rotating teams.

Please contact Gene Kornegay @ 734-455-5108 or

gene@pfumc.org if you are able to participate.

What, again?

Another Historic Cancellation

The old saying, Heavens to Mergatroid! (whatever that means) seems to fit the fact that for the second year in a row we had to cancel our 60+ luncheon. It seemed that February 2, 2015 was colder, snowier and blustier than even January 6, 2014. While we are flexible and able to take whatever comes along in stride, let us hope that we are not seeing a precedent set for an annual snow day. But onward and upward to the month ahead ~ the winds (mild ones, we trust) of March will usher us into Spring and all its wonderful promise. March also means we will enjoy Chef Cheryl’s delicious corned beef & cabbage lunch in the spirit of good ole St. Paddy’s Day.

P a g e 1 0 B e a c o n

M a r c h B i r t h d a y s

3/24 Mallory Scrimger 3/25 John Leeper Florence Turner 3/26 Beverly Forsyth John Glasser Jack Hakala Kathleen Salla Wayne Wheelock 3/27 Jeriyn Bullock Dave Clark 3/28 Joy Coyle Barbara Kraft Jessica Murray Geof Satterfield 3/29 Carol Massey Janet Robertson Ryan Waidmann

3/1 Judy Badour Zoe Hetzel Jan Wilson 3/5 Carole Brooks Mark Viergutz John Whitecar 3/6 Kayla Davis Anna Fowler Thomas Gomrick Deborah Kay 3/7 Tom Benjamin David Smith 3/8 John Grenfell III Bailee Jones Sawyer Jones Brad Soash 3/9 Mary O’Shaughnessey 3/10 Florine Adsit Melvin Bobcean Katherine Whitecar 3/11 Amy Montgomery Richard Pushies

3/12 John Thomason 3/13 Elizabeth Ramsay 3/14 Beth Barrett Joan McNally Jeremy Muse Julia Rodriguez Leah Stevens Shawn Swales 3/16 William Brooks Jennifer Hetzel Madison Kummer Richard Moore 3/17 Keith Erickson John Migyanka Jake Underwood 3/19 Silas Buster 3/20 Jennifer Boebinger Harvey Rumpel 3/21 Jodi Johnson 3/22 Kylie Satterfield Owen Weber

3/30 Chris Cook Linda Hubbard Charles Migyanka Paul Worley 3/31 Bonnie Iler Krista Keski-Hynnila Darlene Little Brenda Rice

60 + NEWS

Did you know that the first Kiwanis Club was born in Detroit 100 years ago? We are pleased to have Mr. Jim Heymes of Detroit Kiwanis #1 as our guest speaker next month to tell us about how Kiwanis came into being and how it evolved into the inter-national service organization it is today. Join us and help celebrate 100 years of service to their communities around the globe.

Mark your calendars: Monday, March 2nd, 11:30 am in Fellowship Hall and only $6. You can make your reservation on the sign-up sheet in the Great Hall, or call Mary (248-374-0369) or Sandy (734-459-5471). See you then.

Daisy Troop 40642 will be selling cookies outside Busch’s in Plymouth on February

22 and Hiller’s in Plymouth on March 1. Support your Girl Scouts and enjoy the

cookies.

P a g e 1 1 V o l u m e 4 2 , I s s u e 2

Prayer concerns

Sanford Burr Pat Carne Calvin Gress Joann Gress Pharold Haist Rev. Bob Selberg Helen Sorensen Ned Stirton Carol Thomas Paul Worley

Andrew Brown John Cook Glen Coker Rev. Roy Forsyth Bev Forsythe Janice Groat Don Iler Gary Krueger Alex Magee Vince Maiorana Carol Meszaros Sharon Minning Mike Paulsen

Nancy Remick Esther Richards Earl Rickard Kathleen Salla Jean Scheppele Peter Slazinski Barbara Stinebaugh Garrett & Sarah Sutphin Tammy Todd Meredith VanValkenburgh

Kris & Sarah Kappler

Kazakhstan

Don and I would like to thank our church family for their cards, prayers and sup-port. Your visits to the hospital and Heartland did a lot to lift Don’s spirits. Your hugs and words of encouragement did so much to lift my spirits and keep me going!! I also want to thank those who have provided meals for Don and me. During the busiest of times it is nice to know that you don’t have to worry about making a meal. Above all I would like to thank the six angels who came and installed the ramp for us so that Don is able to get out in the world!! We feel very blessed to have such a caring and loving church family! Don and Bonnie Iler

Justin Atkinson Kevin Clafton (Strobridge)

Linda Erickson Danielle Gomrick

Nathan King Austin McCall (Triebwasser)

Andrew D. Piggott Evan Ray (Ramsay)

Dan & Ashley Schmitt Marshall Gartner

(Henderson)

Amelie age 4, friend of Montgomery family Andrew, friend of Tammy Todd Bertha Hauk, Lucy Shaw’s sister Bill Baumgartner, friend of Charlie Roebuck Brent Bode, son of Tom & Barb Bode Bryce Bode, son of Tom & Barb Bode Catie Gunning, daughter of Rev. Pat England Caitlin Carolyn Anulewicz, friend of Jan & Chuck Migyanka and Jan Kavulich Doris Dixon, friend of Pam Davis Jack Trotter, great nephew of G. Coker Judi McDonough, Carrie Wood’s sister Kelly Pohutski Machni, friend of Jan, Chuck & Susan Migyanka Mary Crago, Donna Moore’s mother Ricky Gyde, son of Muriel Gyde Shelly Flynn, cousin of Renee Mckarge

Thanks so much to all my friends at Plymouth First Church for their

kindness shown me while I was in the hospital recently. So many

prayers, phone calls, cards and visits from Pastor John and Carrie

Wood were really appreciated. God is so Good!

How grateful I am for such a loving and caring church family.

Beverley Forsyth

Dear Church Family,

Thank you for your phone

calls, cards and prayers

during my recent illness.

Pastor John’s hospital visit

and Carrie Woods visit to

my home were greatly ap-

preciated. It is heartwarm-

ing to be a part of such a

caring congregation.

Elsie Mae Trinka

WE’RE ON THE WEB! WWW.PFUMC.ORG

Plymouth First United Methodist Church 45201 N. Territorial Rd Plymouth, MI 48170-6528 (734) 453-5280 Fax: (734) 453-0375

Beacon & Calendar deadlines:

E-mail articles by 5 pm on the 10th of the month to cathym@pfumc.org or pat@pfumc.org

Dated Material—Please do not delay. Periodical postage paid. Postmaster please send address corrections.

USPS 34-050 Mailed: Once Monthly

PERIODICALS

GAME

NIGHT

Who will be

this years

favorites?

Interactive Lenten

Workshop

Katie Geddes Band

Dinner by the Triebwasser’s

30 Minute Seder

& Kid’s Program

Bring a dish to pass

that serves 12 to 15

people. NO NUTS

PLEASE!