Straits Talk

United Methodist and Presbyterian (USA)

The Church of the Straits

P.O. Box 430 * Mackinaw City, MI 49701

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Straits Talk

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMackinaw CityMichigan 49701

Permit No. 1

July 2013Minister Pastor David WallisHead Ushers Cless Hurlburt and

Tom LimbergOrganists Wayne Clemens

and Loretta MartinekChoir Director Gerry Lou KaniaAccompanist Cidney RothHospitality Chair Jerry PriorChristian Education Anne VieauTreasurer Janet SchaeferFinancial Secretary Sheryl Childs

Secretary Judy Churchill Office Phone: 231 436-8682 * Pastor’s Home Phone: 231 436-5484

E-mail – Pastor – norev@juno.com Church office – office@churchofthestraits.com

Church website – www.thechurchofthestraits.com

OUR WORSHIP SCHEDULEJune 2-16 - Traditional Worship – 10:30 a.m.Adult and Youth Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.

OUR SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULEStarting June 23 - Traditional Worship 9 and 11 a.m.

Adult Sunday School 10:15 a.m.

Sunday Night Vesper Cruise at 8 p.m. (starting June 16)

The Mission of The Church of the StraitsTo worship God faithfully

To grow together spirituallyTo serve Jesus Christ and

our neighbor joyfully… in the power of God’s Spirit.

Bible Quiz:

Preserving God’s House Brick by BrickOur need to raise $30,000 to maintain the beauty of our church is very close to the goal!! As money comes in,

our church chart is being filled in. If you haven’t purchased a brick, there is still time. Remember that every little bit helps and together we can do it!

Sponsor a Child for CampSummertime is here and so is church camp for many lucky children. Camp memories last a lifetime. If you would like to provide a week of camp for a child who would otherwise not be able to afford it, please donate to the Church of the Straits Campership Scholarship Fund. It costs approximately $300 per child to attend camp for a week. Any donation, no matter how large or small is appreciated and could make a huge difference in a child’s life. For more information on camps available, contact Pastor Dave or the church office.

We extend our sympathy to the families of those who entered the Church Triumphant:Rollin Vernell Carey (father of Aaron Carey), who passed away June 1, 2013.Marsha Teysen (daughter of Ken & Betty Teysen), who passed away June 15, 2013.

“Sew Me In”Sew me in your hem, oh Lord. Tuck me where your garment folds.

Sew me in and keep me close. Stitch me in the linen folds. In your garment I will stay Where I’ll hear you speak and pray. Sew me in, oh precious Lord. Tuck me where your garment folds.

—MaryAnn Sundby

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!

Performing Live in a Benefit Concert“a thank you to our sponsors”

Sunday, July 7th at Church of the Straits7:00 pm

Come with your family and friends.

All donations and contributions to benefit the work ofNorthern Lights Ministries.

E-mail: northernlightsministries@gmail.comWebsite: www.northernlightsminstries.org

Living Thanks! “Thank you!” I exuded, after receiving a hefty bag of homegrown tomatoes. I set the produce on the kitchen floor; I would attend to it shortly. But I got distracted — for days.

Finally, I lifted the bag to make use of the gift, and the bottom fell out. Many of the tomatoes had become squishy, their juices soaking the paper beneath them. Instead of making good use of the generous gift, I was left cleaning up rotten tomatoes and throwing many of the veggies away. We do the same with God’s gifts: “I’ll practice piano tomorrow … next week … next month …” until soon we don’t remember how to play at all. We pass up chances to visit someone dear and, when she moves away, regret squandering the friendship. We opt to sleep in instead of attending worship, unaware of what gifts of God’s Word and Christian fellowship we’ll miss. Next time I receive something — from God or anyone else — may the Spirit help me not just give thanks but live thanks by using and enjoying the gift!

—Heidi Mann

PRESENTS:PETERWALUGEMBE

A Service of Baptism was celebrated for Henry James Mallory on Sunday, June 16th. Henry, born December 5, 2012, is the son of Cory and Jennine Mallory and grandson of Julie Mallory.

The Annual Church Picnicis Sunday, July 7th following the 2nd worship service (12:30 p.m.) at the Pavilion behind the Mackinaw High School. Everything will be provided – just bring your appetite! Members, visitors, ALL are welcome for food and fellowship.

Once Again We Welcome The Calvarymen, Sunday, July 21st, at both services (9 and 11a.m). A free-will offering will be taken to

offset the expenses of their ministry. The dedication of this group is evident in the sincerity and passion of their singing. They believe every word they sing! (www.calvarymen.com)

What’s Your Bugle? Numbers 10 tells of God’s command that Moses make two bugles for various purposes: summoning the leaders, sending the people to war, announcing worship, presenting offerings, calling everyone for a festival. “Blow the bugles,” declares the Lord. “They will keep your attention on God” (v. 10, The Message). What “bugles” draw our attention to God? Maybe church bells chime daily near your home. Maybe worship attendance serves as the “bugle” that calls you back to the Divine. Some people place a small dot-sticker on the face of their watch to remind them to pray whenever they check the time. A sticker on your cell phone or MP3 player might work even better. Maybe you set your Bible or devotions on the kitchen table before bed to remind you to start your day with God. God’s people get distracted easily, whether with tent-pitching in the Sinai Desert 3,500 years ago or

with jam-packed schedules today. We all need a “bugle.” What’s yours? VBS 2013 was another success!  Our theme SonRise National Parks was enjoyed by

over 30 students, many teens and adults.  We had a fabulous group of teachers and helpers, and we would be blessed to have each and every one of them back next year. Thank you to everyone who made a donation to our t-shirt project and/or food needs.  We truly have a very generous community!   Monday, was about True Peace, found in Psalm 46:1, and about Jesus calming the stormy seas.   Tuesday’s theme was True Riches in the miraculous meal of bread and fishes, Philippians 4:19, which tells us "God will meet all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."   Wednesday, we learned about True Power when Jesus was tempted in the desert, and how God's powerful word will help us when we're tempted to sin.  Our Bible verse was 1 Corinthians 10:13.   True Love was the day's promise on Thursday, when we learned the story of the good shepherd and memorized 1 John 3:16.   And on Friday, we learned about True Hope when Paul and Silas were put in prison, and how they used that opportunity to praise Jesus.  Our Bible verse was Psalm 33: 20-21. Each year, we ask the children to bring in their spare change, which we collect all week and donate to a specific charity.  This year we chose to give half to victims of the Colorado wildfires and the other half to the tornado victims in Oklahoma. Between spare change (birthday money - you'll have to trust me on that one) and bringing in returnable bottles and cans, we collected $311.99!   We had a terrific week of beautiful weather and young children praising Jesus!  There's nothing like it, and if you haven't stopped in yet to check it out, please come next year!  It's already in the works and is currently slated for the week of June 16-20, 2014. I would love to have some "work bees" throughout the year for building/painting sets and making decorations.  Please prayerfully consider how YOU can help with Vacation Bible School. 

Special Summer Music If you or one of your summer guests would like to provide special music (instrumental, vocal,

solo, duet, etc.) please contact the church office. You may sing/play for either one or both services.

Pastor Dave at Jr High Camp

I must be realizing I am middle aged now! In the middle of August, my brothers and I are going to rent some Harleys and go on a 3 day or so ride (I think it may be in Wisconsin). Can you imagine me on a Harley? I should probably get a fake tattoo or something to look the part. Ha! Ha! Anyway, we all realized we are getting a little older and we need some brother bonding time. Now please don’t picture the “Wild Hogs” movie when you think of us. We may be crazy but not that crazy!

My brothers are all strong in their Christian faith and our love for each other runs deep. I am truly grateful to God for them and my parents! Why am I sharing this? In part it is to ask for your prayers on our travels, but more so it’s to encourage us all to look at our lives and take inventory of what is important to us. My faith, my family and my church are up at the top. I want them to stay there but other things creep in from time to time. The business of life can take its toll on those things that should be priorities. It’s time to step back and reassess.

Matthew 6:34 says to not worry about these other things in life because God will take care of you. James 5:13ff says we shouldn’t be planning all the stuff of life and leaving God out of it. We should always include and seek the advice of our heavenly Daddy as we move through life. We need to continue to bond with Him just as I am seeking to bond some more with my brothers. We don’t have a clue as to what the future holds, but we know the one who holds the future and that should be good enough.

How are your priorities? Are you lost in your work, swamped by your responsibilities or imprisoned by your financial situation? None of these things have to be that way. We have made them that way because we have given them too much priority. With God’s help lets re-inventory our lives in such a way that we can enjoy what God describes as the “abundant” life (John 10:10). It is not to the neglect of these other things, but it is placing them in their proper order of priority.

My prayer is that God would restore to you the joy of your salvation and give you a roadmap to make the most important things the most important things in your life.

Love you all,

Pastor Dave