Leaves Maple

April 2016 NEWSLETTER

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Message from the Pastor…

April 2016

The Adult Sunday School class is currently sharing a book by Mark Batterson entitled The Grave Robber. Rev. Batterson has a unique way of stopping us in our tracks as we renew our acquaintance with some of the miracles Jesus displayed in the Gospel of John. As we studied the healing of the royal official’s son in the fourth chapter of John, Rev. Batterson introduced us to a benediction penned by Dr. Richard Halverson who served as a chaplain to the US Senate. The last time Dr. Halverson spoke this benedic-tion was at his own funeral, via tape recording.

YOU GO NOWHERE BY ACCIDENT. WHEREVER YOU GO, GOD IS SENDING YOU.

WHEREVER YOU ARE, GOD HAS PUT YOU THERE— HE HAS A PURPOSE IN YOU BEING THERE.

CHRIST (WHO INDWELLS YOU) HAS SOMETHING HE WANTS TO DO THROUGH YOU WHERE YOU ARE.

BELIEVE THIS, AND GO IN HIS GRACE AND LOVE AND POWER.

Think about it for a moment—when was the last time you were actually aware that you went some place because that’s where God wanted you to go?

Imagine—you are at the grocery store for a divine reason… You are in line at McDonald’s because that’s where God wants you to be… You are sitting next to THAT particular person in the doctor’s waiting room because God has a purpose behind it. You are God’s divinely appointed ambassador in that particular situation—and He is with you!

Now, to tell you “the rest of the story”. The class dis-cussed this benediction THE VERY SAME WEEK of the mass shooting in Kalamazoo…

It made us catch our breath…it made us stop and think…it put the question of “Why?” in a whole new perspec-tive.

It has made me stop and think (not all the time—but some of the time) about WHERE I am going and WHY I am going there.

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It has made me pause when I find myself stuck in a line that seems to never move…it has made me more aware of the people around me at the store, the hospital, the bank—even in church.

Jesus knew very well where He was going when He went to the cross. He knew it was no accident that His life ended at Calvary’s hill. He was well aware of His purpose on this earth from the time of His birth. He knew (and taught) that everything He did was for God’s glory. He did nothing without His heavenly Father’s direction. During this month as spring bursts forth around us, I challenge you to read and re-read Dr. Halverson’s benediction. Let it seep into your spirit and become a part of your everyday consciousness.

YOU GO NOWHERE BY ACCIDENT. WHEREVER YOU GO, GOD IS SENDING YOU.

WHEREVER YOU ARE, GOD HAS PUT YOU THERE— HE HAS A PURPOSE IN YOU BEING THERE.

CHRIST (WHO INDWELLS YOU) HAS SOMETHING HE WANTS TO DO THROUGH YOU WHERE YOU ARE.

BELIEVE THIS, AND GO IN HIS GRACE AND LOVE AND POWER.

I dare you to live your life by these words for the next 30 days. Then, let’s talk. I can’t wait to see where God has sent you—where He has used you in His kingdom. Traveling God’s road together,

Rev. Linda

A COINCIDENCE

is a small miracle

where God prefers to remain

anonymous.

Monthly Ushers

Jose Caballero

Stacy Caballero

Otis Moore

Vondella Strowbridge

Greeters

April 3 The Keeler family

April 10 The Bert Miller family

April 17 Dave & Carol Knockemus

April 24 Tillie Porter &

Merle Kraft

Liturgists

April 3 Morris Banks

April 10 Jean Brown

April 17 Edith Clements

April 24 Tina Bickford

WORSHIP AT THE OAKS 706 North Avenue

3:00 p.m.—Legacy Lounge Area

April 3 Gerry Belden

April 10 Tresa Tully-Yates

April 17 Morris Banks

April 24 Marji Suggs

Sunday

Worship Helpers

Noah’s Ark at Maple

During the season of Lent, any

loose change collected during

the services was for the pur-

chase of farming units used by

Heifer International.

Here are the totals.

Week 1 4 flocks of chickens $ 80

Week 2 3 clutches of rabbits $186

Week 3 1-1/4 of a pig $166

Week 4 1-1/2 of a sheep or goat $172

Week 5 3 Beekeeping units $ 92

Week 6 1 planting of trees $ 58

Extra $$ to be divided $102

TOTAL $754

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Sojourners Asking the questions Sharing the journey

A group for those traveling the uncharted highway through cancer.

Sunday, April 10 6:00 pm

Lower level of Maple UMC

THE GOLDEN MAPLES (a group for 50+)

Wednesday, April 20 at 12:00 noon. Potluck lunch in the fellowship hall.

Table game playing will follow!

Bring your own table service, a dish to pass and your best game face.

Be prepared to smile and laugh a lot!

Women’s Support Group

We will meet on Tuesday, April 12 at 12:00 noon. Bring your sandwich and the sides will be supplied by our hostesses, Jeanette Barve and Jill Mason.

We look forward to seeing you then!

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Jane Turnbull

June 15, 1927—March 5, 2016 Jane Boice Turnbull passed away Saturday, March 5th, at her

home in Battle Creek after a long battle with cancer. She died

peacefully, surrounded by family members. Jane was born in Jackson,

Michigan on June 15, 1927 to William and Edith (Dunnington)

Boice. Jane lived most of her life in southern Michigan, moving often

as a child to various cities, including Spring Arbor, Kalamazoo,

South Haven and Battle Creek. In May of 1955, Jane married James "Don" Turnbull of

Battle Creek.

Putting herself through college, Jane earned degrees in nursing from Spring Arbor Col-

lege and Johns Hopkins University, as well as a Master's Degree from Western Michigan

University. Jane went on to teach nursing for over 25 years at Kellogg Community Col-

lege, and has seen half of Calhoun County's nurses come through her classroom.

Before her struggle with cancer, Jane enjoyed oil painting, gardening, stained glass, music,

genealogy, and antique shopping. She was an active member of Maple United Methodist

Church.

Surviving family members include Patricia Turnbull Schafer of Watsonville, California,

three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, also of California. She was preceded in

death by her husband, Don, and a son, Thomas.

The funeral service for Jane was held on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the

Royal Funeral Home, Battle Creek with Reverend Linda Stoddard officiating. Burial

followed the service and was in Hicks Cemetery, Pennfield Township.

Memorial donations in Jane's honor may be directed to Heartland Hospice or Maple

United Methodist Church, Battle Creek.

The family wishes to extend the utmost appreciation to Heartland Hospice for their sup-

port and care, and to the Maple United Methodist Church family.

Published in Battle Creek Enquirer on Mar. 9, 2016

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Being in a wheelchair makes it

hard to get around, but we never

miss your sales! The church mem-

bers are so nice and helpful.

So, I want to share my miracle

with you. I had a stroke two years

ago, found a wonderful chiro-

practor and friends praying for

me. After the stroke, I couldn’t lift

my left foot. Last Friday, I lifted

my foot!

Praise God I can walk with a walker. Please

tell everyone God answers prayer.

Thank you,

Sylvia Vasquez

Thank you for being such good friends with

Mom (Jane Turnbull). You all were constantly

in her prayers and thoughts, although she

couldn’t be there with you. We give thanks to

God for you and will continue Mom’s prayers.

Thank you,

Patty, Pete & kids

Thank you for all my birthday cards. Jennifer McDonald

A big thank you to Marilyn Stoddard for her years of service to the music program. We ap-preciate her leadership and inspiration in leading the choir. She shared her love of music.

The Maple family

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Monthly Food Pantry Focus

CEREAL and Canned Fruit

With Spring Break this month, there

will be more children home and hungry.

Cereals have become even more nutri-

tious over the years and make a quick,

healthy snack or meal that kids can

make themselves.

The Food Bank is very low on canned fruit and the pantries are

not able to order from their source, so they are counting on do-

nations of this product.

As always, paper products, such as tissue, and other personal toi-

letry items, such as bar soap, are always needed.

NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD PANTRY NEWS

The Annual Food Bank Challenge (formerly the Feinstein Challenge) continues through April 30. The amount donated to the food bank is increased by 10% ($20 = $22). Donations can be made out to the Food Bank of South Central Michigan with NE Food Pantry on the memo line. The yellow form, available in the church or at our pantry, can be used as well. Thank you, in advance, for your contributions!

Maple United Methodist Church 342 Capital Ave. NE

Battle Creek, MI 49017

Visit us at mapleumc.org

Pastor: Rev. Linda Stoddard

Church Phone: (269) 964-1252

Church Fax: (269) 964-3121

Church Email:

mapleumc@yahoo.com

Church Website: mapleumc.org

Office Hours:

Mon.-Fri. 9:00 a.m.-Noon

VISION STATEMENT

The vision of Maple United

Methodist Church is to be

deeply rooted in Christ; our

branches reaching out to our

neighbors, bearing fruit in

all seasons, and giving all

praise and glory to God.

Sunday Worship Times

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

11:00 a.m. Worship Service

Follow us on Facebook @ Maple UMC