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The Front Pew February 2018 Volume 7, Issue 2
The Stone Column Lent begins smack dab in the middle of February this year. The date is familiar to even the most prudish and cynical anti-commercial reluctant-romantic types. Yes, Ash Wednesday is on Valentine’s Day. Do you remember the last time this happened? I didn’t, because it was before I was born, in 1945.
I saw a re-tweet recently with a picture of someone receiving ashes on the forehead – in the shape of a heart rather than a cross. This person found it appalling. I was intrigued.
The intersection of these two days is causing some to take sides – as if they can’t co-exist harmoniously. Certainly, the worst aspects of the cultural celebration of Valentine’s Day are incongruous with how the church has traditionally approached Ash Wednesday. I’m choosing to accentuate the best of both Christian feast and fast festivals. The history of St. Valentine’s Day is muddled in legend, and yet what we know of both the legend and history is that the day is a celebration of love. Ash Wednesday ought to remind us of God’s passionate pursuit of relationship and extravagant love for us.
The journey of Lent through Holy Week to Easter Sunday is one that begins with a reminder of our mortality. The symbol of the cross in ashes on our forehead or hand is a paradox of both death and the promise of new life. The apostle Paul uses the word foolishness to describe this in his letters.
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:18
How appropriate it seems to me that this year Easter Sunday shares its day with another familiar date – April 1st. Let the journey from valentines to fools fill us with love and life.
Peace & Blessings,
Eric
Birthdays & Anniversaries 2 Contact Information 2
Thanks 4 UMW News 3
Breakfast Book Club 3 Trustee Corner 5
Open Prayer 4 VBS 8
Christian Ed Page 6 Calendar 7
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Page 2 The Front Pew
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:
Pastor: Rev. Eric A. Stone
Church Accountant: Donna Gross
Christian Education Worker: Gloria Gonzales
Music Director: Melissa Rookus
A/V Technician: Andrew Felch
Office Staff & Nursery Direc-
tor :
Cora McKeon
Organist: Vicki Ahlberg-Ives
Webmaster: Sheila Good
Contact Information
2 Jill Dugan
3 Matthew Jezierski
4 Florence Decker
7 Tyler Greshow
Jane Russell
11 Bill Bertelsen
Judy Maillette
13 Shelley King
Trinity McKeon
14 Brenda Scramlin
16 Nicholas VanTol
19 Michelle Green
February 6
Frank & Jenny Jackson
February 13
Mike & Betty Luce
February 20
Bill and Manila Sanders
February 29
Gerry & Florence Decker
February Birthdays
23 Cora McKeon
Janice Wagner
26 Gertrude Arnold
27 Gloria Barriger
Remy Holmes
Janelle Lind
29 Renee DuRussel
Erin Heckard
February Anniversaries
Page 3
United Methodist Women News
Our next meeting will be March 14th at 6:30 P.M.
We wi l l b egi n p l anning the Mot her – Daught er Banquet t o be held i n t he sp ri ng. A l l i deas fo r t his ev ent are w el co me – won ’t you att end t he m eet ing and share you r i deas ? The minutes and financial report from the January meeting have been
posted on the UMW bulletin board located outside fellowship hall across
from the library. Please check out the bulletin board, read the minutes.
In the church library on the rolling card, you will find books suitable to the UMW Reading Program. Take a
moment to pick out a book for your reading pleasure.
Saginaw Bay District United Methodist Women Spiritual Enrichment Brunch will be on Saturday, February
10 at the Caro United Methodist Church. If you are interested in attending, please see Gloria Gonzales for
more information.
The Sp ir i tua l L i f e R et reat wi l l be on F r iday and Satu rday, Apri l 27 and 28 at T he Spr ings i n G ladwi n. There is a s i gnup s heet on the Unit ed Methodi st W om en bul let i n board or s ee Gl or ia Gonz al es . The k eynot e sp eak er is R ev . Ju l i e Yod er E lm ore who has s erv ed in the A lask a C onference and i s cu rrent l y serv ing in the W est Michig an Conference.
Breakfast Book Club Breakfast Book Club - next meeting Saturday, April 21st at 10 a.m. Please watch weekly worship bulletin for further information.
Library St. Luke's Library - stop by and see several new family and faith DVDs.
The February meeting of the United Methodist Women has been
cancelled due to the Ash Wednesday Service on the same night.
Page 4 The Front Pew
With Thanks So many things in our daily life remind us of God’s presence and plan in our world. I think
about a garden. A special place that can offer a calming and reassuring promise. The seasons re-
mind us of the cycle of life and it’s perpetual renewal.
Even in Winter we enjoy a garden. The symmetry of branches; the quiet rest that all life needs;
fallen leaves protecting and nourishing the tender roots that will awaken and push up new
growth in Spring.
St. Luke’s Memorial Garden has a wonderful group of dedicated people who offer so much in
service. Dan, Karla, Sally, Remy, Ron, Frank, Sheila, Virginia, Maureen, Brenda, and Janice. Thanks
to them all, and to others who have given of themselves in support and gifts. So bundle up in
hats, scarfs, coats and gloves; reflect and give thanks for these who have gone before us, and
most of all rejoice and enjoy.
SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES
Find your Perfect Summer Camp. Explore the Michigan Area United Methodist
Camping website at UMCAMPING.ORG/EVENTS. The 2018 Christian camps
are online and ready for planning your summer adventure. Registra-
tion is now open. Your deposit will hold your spot. Don’t miss out. There are some new camps offered this year. At Camp Kinawind they are offer-
ing a May the Forest Be With You camp (“jedi” training”) and also adult and
family trip camps. New camps are also being offered at Crystal Springs, Lake
Michigan, Judson Collins and Wesley Woods. There is a $50 camper rebate for
first time campers. Summer may seem so far away…but you can make your plans for camping now. If you have questions or would like more information,
Page 5
Trustee Corner
Trustees wish to thank outgoing Board members Judy Fleming and Ken Jezierski for
their time and service and Perry Stojic for chairing the Board this past year. We welcome
Ron Batzer, Joye Kramer, and Cindy Sinicki to the Board. In our January 2018 meeting
officers were elected for 2018.
Board Members for 2018 are:
Dan Morgan, Chair Perry Stojic, Vice Chair Karla Morgan, Secretary
Joye Kramer Missy Campanaro Jeff Jump Ron Batzer Cindy Sinicki
In our January meeting we approved Kawkawlin Roofing to make repairs to the Church
roof and Dependable Sewer to clear clogged foundation drains at the Hart St.
parsonage.
Repairs to the Church parking lot have been tabled due to lack of funding. Parking lot
repairs are estimated to cost $60,000. The Trustee annual maintenance budget is @
$7000; we also rely on an annual allotment from the Cornerstone Endowment Fund of
@ $11,000 and individual efforts by the congregation.
We anticipate major Hart St parsonage costs in 2018 for tree removal, repairs to the
north basement wall due to water leakage, foundation drain repairs, replacement of the
master bedroom shower enclosure, replace floor covering and window treatment
throughout and possible window replacement.
The Trustees plan to dig up and repair the storm sewer connection of the Church
parking lot and Thompson St parsonage basement drain and reline the Church Parking
lot. We will put greater emphasis on the study to determine the advisability of selling
the Thompson St Parsonage. Bridenbaugh Services is contracted to remove snow from
the parking lot and sidewalks. However, drifting snow can quickly cover walks.
Congregation assistance is needed and appreciated to clear walks before Sunday
services and events.
Please contact a trustee or put a note in the Trustee mailbox on property/maintenance
issues or questions.
Dan Morgan
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS
We are tickled pink to announce that “Valentine’s VBS: Love Thy
Neighbor” will be held Saturday, February 10 from 5-8pm. Kids will be treated to
a pizza party, craft time, an engaging story, and energizing recreation activity! Pre-
registration (online, by calling the office, or filling out a registration form) will
begin February 1. if you are interested, in being a volunteer of have questions?
See Gloria Gonzales or Kelli Stojic.
The Prayer Ground. This will be a
space at the front of the sanctuary near the piano. It is intended for families with in-
fants and toddlers, recognizing that small children are often more engaged when they
can see what is going on. We will have small tables and chairs, a baby bouncer and
soft toys to keep out littlest ones occupied. We hope that this will be a way to wel-
come young children into our worship rather than expecting them to either sit quietly
in the pew or not be present at all. This is a example of what you might find in a Pray-
er Ground.
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St. Luke’s United Methodist Church 206 Scheurmann St. Essexville, MI 48732
Return Service Requested
s t l u k e s u m c m i . o r g
Phone: (989) 893-8031
Fax: (989) 893-1026
E-mail: [email protected]
Our Vision – Nurturing the world with God’s love.
Our Mission – Called by God to reach out and welcome all.
