Volume 6, Issue 9
October 2016
In this Issue...
The Front Pew
Birthdays and Anniversaries
2
Contact Information
2
U.M.W. News
3
3
Church Conference
3
District Conference Registration
5
Breakfast Book Club
District Conference &
More
Christian Education
4
6
The Stone Column
I'm acting again at the Bay City Players. We have started running through the whole show - which means
putting everything together, fine tuning and committing it all to memory. We are on pace to be ready to
open on October 7th.
Jesus called the Pharisees stage actors - the Greek word in the New Testament translated into English is
“hypocrite”. What he meant was that they were putting on a performance - play acting in a certain way
to be seen and receive approval from their audience rather than being authentic. They were more
concerned about receiving approval from certain people while their relationship with God was strained.
I happen to believe that each one of us is an actor on the set that is sharing the Good News and building
God’s kingdom. We’re all in rehearsal – working on our parts, aiming to get better, none of us has arrived
yet. We each have roles to play – and this doesn’t mean we are being phony. In fact this might just mean
that we are more authentic when we use what God has given us to further the drama that God has
already set in motion.
Crystal Wall, an actor and OnStage Florida Columnist wrote about her craft in July. She admits that actors
can be selfish because we are trained to seek out the lights, we take pleasure out of our moment to shine
on stage. But then she writes something that seems almost contrary to being a hypocrite.
“We, as actors, have a duty to those who let us into their hearts, to give our whole selves to them
and focus on creating genuine, untainted art. We must let go of our egos and desires to grab
attention, and give ourselves to the production. Acting is about giving yourself away and trusting
that you will be given back in due time.…As actors, we are what we give, to the audience and to
the other actors on stage. We thrive off energy, so it is imperative that we not only take in the
energy, but also contribute some. True acting is putting away those selfish tendencies all humans
have, and selflessly accepting your role in the creation of something greater than your individual
performance.”
In fact, if we substitute just ten of Crystal's words, a case can be made that being an actor is not all that
different than being a disciple of Christ.
We, as Christians, have a duty to those who let us into their hearts, to give our whole selves to
them and focus on creating genuine, untainted love. We must let go of our egos and desires to
grab attention, and give ourselves to the Kingdom of God. Christianity is about giving yourself
away and trusting that you will be given back in due time.…As Christians, we are what we give, to
the world and to the other people on life’s journey. We thrive off energy, so it is imperative that we
not only take in the energy, but also contribute some. True Christianity is putting away those
selfish tendencies all humans have, and selflessly accepting your role in the creation of something
greater than your individual journey.
Peace & Blessings,
Eric
The Front Pew
Page 2
October Birthdays
1 Eric Ives
19 Kyle Betzold
3 Melody Dominowski
Shari Schott
4 Daniel Francke
20 Megan Brown
Bob Holmes
Holly Shank
9 Ann Davis
23 Gerry Decker
10 Erin Dowd
28 Bob Harvey
Robert Kulka
11 Karla Morgan
12 Kerri Meeks
Mark Stange
13 Kara Francke
October Anniversaries
October 3
Frank & Ann Davis
October 6
Andrew & Bethany McCollum
October 9
Lou & Michelle Green
29 Robert Pierce, Sr.
Nancy Tacey
30 Dallen Hatton
Becky VanTol
14 Donald Holsinger
15 Jacob Stone
Mark Trudell
18 Kennedy Green
St. Luke’s
United Methodist
Church
Mailing Address:
206 Scheurmann St.
Essexville, MI 48732
Telephone:
(989) 893-8031
Fax:
(989) 893-1026
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Office E-mail:
offi[email protected]
October 14
Jim & Jane Russell
October 24
Mark & Beverly Stange
October 26
Jim & Sue McCarty
October 27
Joe & Judy Fleming
Contact Information
Pastor: Rev. Eric A. Stone
[email protected]
A/V Coordinator: Andrew Felch
[email protected]
Christian Education Workers: Gloria Gonzales & Kelli Stojic
[email protected]
Church Accountant: Maria Jezierski
[email protected]
Music Director: Melissa Rookus
[email protected]
Office Staff: Melissa Frasik
offi[email protected]
Organist: Vicki Ahlberg-Ives
[email protected]
Page 3
United Methodist Women News
In place of Octoberfest Dinner this year, we will be preparing and selling 6-inch sub sandwiches on
Saturday, October 29, 2016. This just happens to be the day of the MSU vs U of M football game! Options
include vegetarian, Italian, turkey, roast beef, and a meat combo. Invite your friends to come and buy
their subs to eat during the game. Cost is $7.50 for one sub, $12.00 for 2 subs. United Methodist Women
will be in the fellowship hall after worship services in October, so you can pre-order your subs. This is
important, so we don't run out. Thank you for supporting us in our new endeavor.
Joye Kramer, U.M.W. publicity chairperson
Breakfast Book Club
Saturday, October 22 at 10:00 a.m.
Thursdays with Moses by Brad Densmore
Moses is perceived by people the world over — regardless of age or religion —
as one of the greatest prophets of all time. With this in mind, Brad Densmore
freshly reinterprets the concept of Tuesdays with Morrie to appeal to an
audience that knows no bounds. Thursdays with Moses begins with middleaged Brad traveling to Israel and becoming the victim of an earthquake. He
regains consciousness in 1398 B.C. — in the land of Moses. But what he really
awakens to is the wisdom of the Law as told to him by Moses himself. Readers
will delight in discovering what happens to Brad following his afternoons with
Moses-and discover they, too, are transformed by the great truths revealed.
Books are available to borrow from the Church library. All are welcome to join in the discussion.
Church Conference
Sunday, November 13 During Worship
Our new Saginaw-Bay District Superintendent, Rev. David Kim, will be
joining us in worship on Sunday, November 13 for this year’s church
conference. Committees and lay leaders take note! We require all
forms and reports be submitted to the church office no later than
Monday, October 31. Even those committees that don’t require
paperwork are strongly encouraged to write a report (1/2 page to 1
page typed) detailing the year’s accomplishments and activities so we
can celebrate them during worship. Let’s make this year’s conference
another great one!
Page 4
Saginaw Bay District Conference
The Front Pew
Thursday, October 27, 2016
The district conference is nearly here! This will be a great time of celebration with food, sharing,
fundraising, and testimony. We are trying to get 10 people from St. Luke’s to commit to
attending this conference! This means those in charge of ministry teams, committees, or other
leaders should try to attend. Registration information is available on the back of this page.
Another thing we’re hoping to have ready for this conference is an 8x10 photograph of our
church serving/doing/being/involved/praising/giving/sharing or being otherwise moved by the
Holy Spirit. We’re trying to find the best possible picture for this purpose, so if you have a photo
you would like submitted (cell phone images can be blown up!), please turn them in to the church
office or email them to offi[email protected]. The conference hopes to have pictures of
every church in the district! After the conference, we will be receiving a photo of another
church that we will spend the year praying for. We do need to have our photo in to the district by
Monday, October 17, so please turn your pictures in before then!
New in the Library!
The Library has many new resources for check out. Two new VeggieTales DVDs, Music CDs, audiobooks,
devotionals for the entire family, and new children's books! Look for the ~New Arrivals~ section in the
Library located in the north/south hallway.
Also, please remember to return checked out items in a timely manner.
Golden Friends
Golden Friends meet at noon Monday, October 3 at the Turkey Roost in Kawkawlin.
Please sign up on the bulletin board across from the fellowship hall.
Supplies and Volunteers Needed for Haunted Hallway
We are looking for candy and monetary donations for this year’s haunted
hallway! This year we’re participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project (which
provides alternative treats or toys so kids with food allergies can still have fun
on Halloween), which means we might need some extra donations—or
donations of a different type. Volunteers to staff rooms are also needed!
Please contact Brenda Kemp (893-1733) if would like to help out.
S T. L UK E'S UNIT ED
M ETH ODIS T CH URCH
Christian Education
O C T O B E R
2 0 1 6
HUM OR ME
A KIN DER GART EN
TEACHER GAV E
HE R CLASS A
"SHO W AN D
TELL"
ASSIGN MENT OF
BRIN G ING
SOM ET HIN G T O
REPR ESENT
THE IR R EL IG ION .
T HE F IRST
BO Y G OT IN
FRONT OF T HE
CLASS AND SAID,
"MY NA ME IS
BEN JAM IN AND I
AM JEWISH AND
THIS IS THE
STAR O F DAVID ."
T HE S E CON D
BO Y G OT IN
FRONT OF T HE
CLASS AND SAID,
"MY NA ME IS
MAR Y. I'M
CAT HOL IC AN D
THIS IS THE
CR U CIF IX ."
T HE T HIRD
BO Y G OT IN
FRONT OF T HE
CLASS AND SAID,
" M Y NA ME IS
Boundaries in Marriage
Your friendly Christian Education
Workers are excited to
announce our upcoming Marriage
Study! Perry and Kelli LyfordStojic will be hosting this exciting
six-week study in their home
starting October 4 at 6pm. A
light dinner will be provided.
If you are interested in joining
the study, please contact Kelli
Stojic at either 269-271-0944 or
[email protected].
Christmas VBS
December 3
10am-2pm
We will be doing an 8-week
DVD and discussion study by
Drs. Henry Cloud and John
Townsend called, Boundaries in
Marriage.
Recommending boundaries even
in marriage, they show how
respecting a spouse's personal
"territory" actually strengthens a
relationship as well as how to
safeguard marriage from
intruders such as idols, affairs,
and well-meaning parents.
TOM M Y. I A M
MET HODIST AND
Christmas Program
December 18
Rehearsals
This study is open to everyone,married , dating, or single.
Perry and Kelli Lyford-Stojic
1800 Prairie Street
Essexville
THIS IS A
CASSE ROL E ."
“The most wasted day of
all is a day without
laughter.”
-E.E. Cummings
St. Luke’s Gear Sale
We will be offering a gear sale
this fall with hooded sweatshirts,
t-shirts, mugs, and more available
for preorder in time for
Christmas!
We will also be pulling out some
old inventory we’ve been holding
out on so if there was a design
Planning Ahead
you loved but never managed to
lay your hands on, you just might
be in luck.
Keep your eyes peeled for more
information in the weeks to
come!
December 10
December 17
Watch the bulletin for more
information!
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
B.B.C. = Breakfast Book Club
U.M.M. = United Methodist Men
F.A. = Families Anonymous
U.M.W. = United Methodist Women
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
9:00 a.m. U.M.M.
Breakfast at Krzysiak’s
7:00 p.m. N.A.
N.A. = Narcotics Anonymous
2
3
9:30 a.m. Worship
Do-All Cleaning Day
10:30 a.m. Fellowship
12:00 p.m. Golden Friends
11:00 a.m. Church School
4
10:00 a.m.
Stampers & Scrappers
7:00 p.m. F.A.
5
6
6:45 p.m. Choir
7:00 p.m. N.A.
7
8
7:00 p.m. N.A.
9 U.M.W. Sunday
9:30 a.m. Worship
10:30 a.m. Fellowship
11:00 a.m. Church School
10
Indigenous People’s Day
Do-All Cleaning Day
11
10:00 a.m.
Stampers & Scrappers
7:00 p.m. F.A.
12
13
6:45 p.m. Choir
7:00 p.m. N.A.
14
15
9:00 a.m. U.M.M.
Breakfast at Krzysiak’s
7:00 p.m. N.A.
16
9:30 a.m. Worship
10:30 a.m. Fellowship
11:00 a.m. Church School
Coffee with the Pastor
17
Do-All Cleaning Day
7:00 p.m. SPRC
18 Newsletter Deadline 19
10:00 a.m.
6:30 p.m. Outreach Team
Stampers & Scrappers
6:30 p.m. Church Council
7:00 p.m. F.A.
20
6:00 p.m. Trustees
6:45 p.m. Choir
7:00 p.m. N.A.
21
22
10:00 a.m. B.B.C.
7:00 p.m. N.A.
23
9:30 a.m. Worship
10:30 a.m. Fellowship
11:00 a.m. Church School
24
Do-All Cleaning Day
25
10:00 a.m.
Stampers & Scrappers
7:00 p.m. F.A.
27
6:45 p.m. Choir
7:00 p.m. N.A.
28
29
11:00 a.m. U.M.W. Sub
Sandwich Sale
7:00 p.m. N.A.
30
9:30 a.m. Worship
10:30 a.m. Fellowship
11:00 a.m. Church School
31
Halloween
Do-All Cleaning Day
6:00 p.m. Haunted Hallway
26
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
206 Scheurmann St.
Essexville, MI 48732
Return Service Requested
Phone: (989) 893-8031
Fax: (989) 893-1026
E-mail: offi[email protected]
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Our Vision – Nurturing the world with God’s love.
Our Mission – Called by God to reach out and welcome all.
Haunted Hallway Returns
Monday, October 31
6:00—8:00 p.m.
in the Christian Education wing
Get warm, get treats!