MARCH 2017

Highland Herald A Publ i cat ion o f F i rst Presbyter ian Church - Muskegon, Mich igan

The annual Lenten Breakfast will be held on Saturday morning, April 8th at 10 a.m. The program is based on the PW study, “Who Is Jesus?” taken from the Presbyterian Today’s Lenten Reflections. Refreshments will be served following the program of music and reflections. Please sign up on the sheet posted on the bulletin board in the main hallway prior to Friday, April 7th.

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A Publ i cat ion o f F i rst Presbyter ian Church

It was my good fortune to visit and work with Rev. Kirk Miller, friend and colleague who is pastor of First Presbyterian church in Holt, Michigan, in early February as we attended an overnight strategic planning session at Camp Greenwood. After that weekend, I listened to his Sunday sermon on the internet and was introduced to a concept that piqued my curiosity. I thought you might find it interesting as well and find that it merits further exploration.

He used a term that struck me at first as quite odd to hear taught from a pulpit: “Spiritual Indifference.” My first thoughts were, “That sounds like encouraging apathy! We can’t teach apathy!” As it turns out, Spiritual Indifference is, as Kirk pointed out, found in the disciplines of St. Ignatius, which led me to look into it a bit further. My search first found language on “the grace of detachment,” which immediately resonated with some of the healthy practices I am learning from the 12 steps of Adult Children of Alcoholics. So I continued the search to discover more. According to Ignatius, “The grace of indifference or detachment… is the place where we have surrendered to God the outcome of our hopes, fears, and worries, and we trust God enough that no matter what happens, ‘God’s grace will be enough for me.’”1 It is a surrender of will that comes with language that helps me better understand the oft-repeated phrase “Let go, and Let God.” Ignatius believed that God calls us to: “a complete indifference with regard to all created things, not preferring health to sickness, riches to poverty, honor to humiliation, long life to a short one. We wish only for those conditions that will aid our pursuit of the goal for which we have been created.”2

Radical words like these surely raise some questions and perhaps even some alarm. However, from the perspective of one who has come to see more and more how often I have allowed my will to lead my perceptions, responses and actions into futile grasping for control and away from healthy acceptance, the wisdom of this perspective is ringing true. It certainly appears to have solid Scriptural grounding. In Daniel, Chapter 3, when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were threatened to be cast into the fiery furnace if they did not comply with the king’s law to worship a golden statue, they affirmed that whether or not God would save them or would allow them to die in the tortuous fire, they would not worship the statue. Their faith in God was not contingent upon favorable outcomes. Paul displayed the maturity and wisdom of surrender in his witness to the Philippians in Chapter 4:11b-13. “For I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Indeed, Jesus consistently practiced trust and obedience to God’s will even to the point of accepting excruciating circumstances gracefully. We all remain moved and somewhat mystified by Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, “yet, not my will but yours be done." (Luke 22:42b)

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MARCH 2017

Continued from Page 2 Rev. Jay Ayers, another friend, put forth an affirmation of acceptance and radical trust in God regardless of outcomes when on Facebook he noted “that Herod arrested and executed James son of Zebedee, and then arrested Peter, who was rescued the night before his execution by an angelic intervention (Acts 12:1-10): in the midst of persecution and distress, sometimes you get a miracle, and sometimes you die. The prayer that Jay added is one that causes me to tremble with the weight of real surrender and deep trust that I aspire to, but falter in offering: “Grant me to know, O Lord, that it is not about whether or not I get rescued, but about knowing that in life or in death, I belong to you.” The Dalai Lama and Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu, in the “The Book of Joy,”3 also speak of acceptance as essential to finding peace and joy. They make the important distinction that acceptance of reality does not mean resignation to evil and injustice. Indeed their lives testify to their belief in prayer and action to advocate for and bring about change. However, their wisdom prevents them from the futility and despair of demanding their will and on their time schedule. Their teaching is consistent with the serenity prayer, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” For them, acceptance means not fighting reality; it is finding one’s place within reality, sustained by a peace that comes from a deep trust which leads to the practice of forgiveness, advocacy, good-will, peaceful resistance and love to friend and enemy alike. Going further, they define gratitude as embracing reality. They both have learned ways to be grateful even when circumstances show that evil is rearing its ugly head. Rather than despair, they trust in the greater power of God’s goodness and look for ways to pray and act that will participate in the bringing about of hope and goodness regardless of how dark the situation may be. This depth of trust is evident in the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50), who wound up unjustly imprisoned in Egypt after his own brothers sold him into slavery and told their father he was dead. Instead of being crushed by the reality of his circumstances, which came about through evil deeds and systems, he accepted reality and lived with integrity and faith. When the tables turned and his brothers came to him to plead for food and assistance, he did not return evil for evil. Rather than the vengeance that most observers would have found to be appropriate, Joseph said, with the kind of healthy spiritual indifference that leaves me in awe, “Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.” (Genesis 50:20) If Spiritual Indifference strikes you the same way it does me, it seems a very hard teaching, yet in that way it appears to be consistent with many of Jesus’s teachings. Such lessons are not for monastics or beatified Saints only, but for all who believe in God who the Bible says is love. Perhaps it is only belief in God’s love that can ever hope to give us the courage to wrestle with our doubts, hesitations and fears in order to fully trust that “all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Blessings, Pastor Jim

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Church Officer Nomination Forms: Each year the Congregational Nominating Committee of FPC seeks your input as to persons in our congregation you believe to be gifted for service and leadership as ordained members of the Board of Deacons and the Session of Elders. Please prayerfully consider suggesting to the CNC the name of particular members to serve for the Class of 2020. Nomination forms can be found on the table in the narthex or in the reception office.

Looking for a current bestseller or classic work? The shelves of the FPC library are full of good books in many categories. Circulation is simple: sign the book card inside the front cover and place the card in the small basket to the right of the library door. Do the reverse to return a book. Happy reading.

In 2016 our Spring Break trip took us to Kansas for a wedding-planning visit with Jennica and Blake and allowed us a chance to visit friends at the church I served in Iola for many years. There we encountered, to our delight, a resurrected version of an old church tradition observed on the Sunday after Easter. It was our first ever experience with “Holy Humor Sunday.” Upon sharing stories of our experience with several friends back here at home, the idea met with enthusiasm, and the youth liked the idea so well they offered to help organize and conduct our own “Holy Humor” worship service here this year on April 23. Here’s an excerpt from a description of the tradition (taken from joyfulnoiseletter.com): Many American churches are reviving an old Easter custom begun by the Greeks in the early centuries of Christianity-"Holy Humor Sunday" celebrations of Jesus' resurrection on the Sunday after Easter. For centuries in Eastern Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant countries, the week following Easter Sunday, including "Bright Sunday" (the Sunday after Easter), was observed by the faithful as "days of joy and laughter" with parties and picnics to celebrate Jesus' resurrection. Churchgoers and pastors played practical jokes on each other, drenched each other with water, told jokes, sang, and danced. The custom was rooted in the musings of early church theologians (like Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, and John Chrysostom) that God played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead. "Risus paschalis - the Easter laugh," the early theologians called it. The tomb was empty! In 1988 the Fellowship of Merry Christians began encouraging churches and prayer groups to resurrect Bright Sunday celebrations and call it "Holy Humor Sunday," with the theme: "Jesus is the LIFE of the party." As we made plans to worship with our friends in Kansas, we were invited to arrive for worship dressed in silly attire (arousing suspicions that we were being set up to be the only ones doing so). However, when we arrived, my green clown hair, silly hat and mismatched clothes fit right in as most of the worshipers were very creative with their wacky wardrobes. The whole service incorporated humor and laughter in ways that brought out the joy of our faith very thoughtfully and from a refreshing perspective. After a solemn Lenten season and our Easter celebration, I urge everyone to join in helping us continue the festive spirit by planning your silly outfits and maybe even thinking of a funny story or joke to tell. I’ll admit that the idea at first had me wondering just how such an emphasis would affect the service of worship. I’m happy to report that any hesitations I had quickly faded away as we had a very moving worship experience! So please come with open minds and hearts and be ready to celebrate with laughter and joy on Holy Humor Sunday, April 23! Blessings, Pastor Jim

A Publ i cat ion o f F i rst Presbyter ian Church

Sunday April 23rd

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MARCH 2017

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING Lent is traditionally a season of fasting and prayer. During this time, Christians pay close attention to spiritual disciplines that deepen our understanding of what God is doing in our lives and in the world. As a church, we spend time together hearing about and praying for the ministries of compassion and justice done through our support of One Great Hour of Sharing. Jesus’ ministry was among those who were most vulnerable. He preached good news to the poor and release to the captives. One Great Hour of Sharing helps us share this same good news to those same vulnerable people in our world today: those who are hungry, who are suffering from disaster, who are dealing with oppression in society. Every gift made to this offering will meet the needs of people, and you will read about just a few of these individuals over the coming weeks in bulletin inserts. These stories will help us to see the face of those whose lives have been changed by our gifts, but they are only a few of the thousands and thousands of people served in this important ministry. Visit the One Great Hour of Sharing website (www.presbyterianmission.org/oghs) to find out more information on how your support of OGHS helps people all over the world, and offer prayers for the projects and people who receive them. Please give generously to the offering and join Christians all across the country in opening their hearts to the abundant love of God through One Great Hour of Sharing. ~Stewardship & Interpretation Council

Join us with your favorite kids on Sunday, April 9th from 2-4pm! We will have some yard games, an art area and egg hunts for children 0 - 10 years of age:

2:15 pm - 0-3 year olds 2:45 pm - 4-7 year olds

3:15 pm - 8-10 year olds

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We have some great opportunities for you to engage with the youth in our community in the next couple of months. Easter Egg Hunt- We have gone from 120 to 500 kids in our community checking out our church in the last year at our outreach YY events so it will be a big surprise to see how many join us for the Easter Egg Hunt! Come be a welcoming face from our church family on April 9th from 2-4pm. VBS- Are you interested in helping out with VBS? From take home small projects, to working on building and setup, to working with our kids during the week, we have plenty of opportunities to help out. Put your name on the sign-up sheet on the upcoming events bulletin board and we will find the perfect fit for you! Holy Humor Sunday is coming up on April 23rd (the Sunday after Easter). The youth are getting together to help continue the party and joy of Easter! More details to come but this is definitely a week not to miss! Unity Christian Music Festival will be August 10-12th this year and will feature artists like TobyMac, Laura Story, and Tenth Avenue North! The church has access to special sales and they will be available for sign up through May 16th.

3-day passes: $45 each 1-day tickets: $25 each Family passes: $175

Want to join us on Day Zero for free on August 9th? Sign-up on the bulletin board.

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Spring has arrived, but let’s not jump the gun. We could have a snowflake or two! We plan on having a church clean up on April 1st or 15th at 9 a.m. weather permitting. However, if you find yourself with nothing to do, stop over to the church during the week and Rich can get you a leaf bag or two and you can clean your favorite area. The wind has blown a lot of leaves and branches our way, so just about any place needs picking up. It has been brought to my attention that we have many church keys out there and we need to know if you really need that key. If you are not currently an active deacon or elder and don’t use the key, please turn it in to Joan Bengston. If you have a key and use it occasionally, we need to know that, too. I am well aware that many of you do things after hours and need to get into the church. Please update your key status. If we don’t get a positive response, we may have to change the locks and distribute keys only to members that need them. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

We are having a camera installed in the nursery in the next week or two as a change in the Child Protection Policy requires it. Safety of our children is a top priority. We are still working on installing smoke/fire alarms. Due to the many additions made to the church over the years, it is sometimes difficult to run wiring long distances. There doesn’t seem to be a good wireless system on the market at this time. We are in conversation with two sources to try and come up with a suitable alarm system. Rich has been painting many areas of the original church and all walls and doors that have a fresh coat of paint look great . Thanks, Rich!! Property Council is looking into installing a railing on the steps of the chancel. It, like everything else, has to look right and be functional at the same time. When the weather breaks, we will be installing a bike rack near the Sherman parking lot. We have collected money or have pledges for nearly half of the parking lot redo. Thank you all for your donations! Lastly, if you have a suggestion or complaint, please leave a note for me in my mailbox. Please include your name. We can’t answer questions or get clarification of issues if we don’t know who left the message. Unsigned messages may end up in the trash. Robert Hartman, Moderator Property Council

A Publ i cat ion o f F i rst Presbyter ian Church

General Fund Financial Figures

2017 Dollars and Sense Summary

February Year To Date

Total Income (actual) $ 20,857 $ 46,130

Total Expenses (actual) $ 23,273 $ 50,174 Net Increase (Decrease) $ (2,416) $ (4,044)

Budgeted Income $ 23,510 $ 51,897

Actual contributions were lower than pledges in February.

Thank you for your continued financial support. ~ Finance Council

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MARCH 2017

There will be a baby shower for Ani and Mike Olsen on Sunday, March 26th. Even if you didn’t get to sign up, you’re welcome to come. Bring a book as your gift for the baby (be sure to put your name on it somewhere). If you can’t attend, you may still participate by bringing a gift and leaving it at church in the copy machine room across from the office. Please tell either Nancy Bierenga or Pam Correll know that you have left a gift.

The Outreach and Communications Council would like to help you grow our church. We will sponsor a Bring A Friend Sunday on September 13 and are telling you now so you have time to pray about who God will inspire you to invite. We’re planning a celebration of all we offer at FPC, not only for worship, but also for growth and service opportunities during the week.

As a congregation we have been praying for five new families to come to FPC in the year. Last year God honored that prayer with approximately 13 new individuals or families to visit and/or join us. We have welcomed at least four new sets of people during March of this year, so we have a great start on 2017. Most people that come to visit a church don’t come because it has the best pastor (even if they do). They don’t come because they heard about the great coffee and cookies after church. They come because a friend invited them. Sometimes you have to offer to pick them up or to meet them at the door.

Please start praying now about who you could invite. Pray that their hearts will be open to your invitation and that God will lead them to accept. You don’t have to wait until September 13 to bring your friends, and we’ll warmly welcome them whenever they appear, but especially that day we’re hoping to pack the place with Praise and Worship!

You may have noticed that we’ve added a bulletin board in the hall across from the women’s restroom in the hallway. This is a special board where members are invited to hang flyers or notices about items that might be of interest to others in the congregation. For instance, if your club is having an event that you’d like to have others attend, hang the flyer there. Kids – selling candy bars? Hang a note. In a play at school? Hang the info about tickets. After the event is past, it would be helpful if you take down your own flyer, but it will also be monitored by O&C.

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MISSION TRIP REQUESTS

Hello FPC! We would love your help to raise funds for our mission trip to West Virginia in July. Would you please save your bottles and cans for deposit and bring them to church to Jean Seward or Bev Spiwak. We will have a yard sale in June and would love donations for that. We appreciate all of the help with the trip. Thanks. MISSION COUNCIL "THANK YOUS" From Shari Hughes at MAP Supper House, "Thank you so much for your generous donations for the Supper House. The response to our request for help due to our financial crisis has been incredible! "Thank you also for the years of consistent volunteers you have provided to serve the guests at Supper House. God is indeed at work in you and the ways you bless this ministry." We have received thank you notes from The Hope Project, Community enCompass, Habitat for Humanity, and for our gift to the Kaufman Operating Fund at Grand Valley State University. A hand-written note came from Muskegon Rescue Mission. "Thank you so much for your gifts of food and toiletries for those we serve here at our shelters. Each day there are many in our community who come to us for food and a place to get cleaned up. Your kindness allows us to meet their needs while showing them the love of Christ."

LOVE IN THE NAME OF CHRIST MISSION BOX FOR APRIL

The mission box emphasis for April is Love in the Name of Christ. Please consider these items when shopping - personal care products are especially needed: deodorant, shampoo, hair conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand lotion, hand soap, tissues, feminine hygiene products and all shaving products. Food items requested are canned meats and tuna, hamburger and tuna helpers, canned vegetables, cereals, pancake mix, syrup, peanut butter, jelly, chunky soups, spaghetti sauce and noodles, crackers (all varieties), flavored rice, instant oatmeal, canned fruit and juices. Consider baby needs: toothbrushes for small children, small tubes of toothpaste, new layette items, baby lotion, baby bath supplies, and newborn and medium sized diapers. Please note all items must be new and unopened. Canned goods that have expired or are dented cannot be delivered. Please note also all agencies have been contacted recently and their needs changed as requested. Many, many thanks to our generous contributors of food and personal care items.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BLANKET SUNDAY

“God, you wrap your love around us, Like a blanket, soft and warm.

You give rest when we are weary, You protect us from the storm. May each person who finds shelter, In these blankets that we share

Also feel the joy and comfort, Of your love’s protecting care.” CWS, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

Many persons in our local community will feel God’s love wrapped around them like a blanket soft and warm as forty lovely blankets have been delivered to the Household Pantry at Mission for Area People and Every Woman’s Place. Church World Service will distribute blankets to persons throughout our country and the world whenever natural disaster strikes or civil war erupts using our FPC Blanket Sunday Offering of $580.00. Many thanks to our congregation for your generous support of Blanket Sunday.

A Publ i cat ion o f F i rst Presbyter ian Church

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BREAD FOR THE WORLD BREAD SALE SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 In April 1983 our Session approved our Covenant Church pledge to support Bread for the World and we have remained faithful to that pledge for 34 years because of our bakers and purchasers who support our advocacy the first Sunday of the month. Please consider contributing your favorite Easter bread or baked goods for our next Bread Sale which is Sunday, April 2nd. $69.00 was received from our March Bread Sale. Everyone is invited to contribute your favorite baked items and you may price it or we will price it for you. Bread for the World is an ecumenical grass roots Christian organization which seeks to act as an advocate for hungry people in the United States and throughout the world. .

“O Jesus, you willingly gave yourself up to be crucified for us and all people. May we be strengthened by your amazing grace and endless mercy

to dedicate ourselves to putting an end to the causes of hunger and poverty. Amen.” Lenten Prayers for Hungry People 2017

CENTS-ABILITY OFFERING Sunday, April 2nd

Our Cents-Ability Offering was $169.45 for the month of March. This offering collected each month in the bread pans supports local food programs and is one component of the Presbyterian Hunger Program. Bills as well as coins are appreciated as this is our only source for supporting the Saturday Morning Neighborhood Breakfast at First Congregational UCC, sponsoring two Feeding America trucks per year with First Congregational UCC and contributing to Supper House serving supper five nights per week to 150 or more children and adults in Muskegon Heights. When writing a check for the offering, please place it an envelope designating it Cents-Ability Offering. Please contribute generously when the bread pans are passed on Sunday, April 2nd.

A Publ i cat ion o f F i rst Presbyter ian Church

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McLaughlin Grows Urban Farm is a program of Community enCompass and helps achieve our mission to empower people and build community in Downtown Muskegon neighborhoods by sharing God’s love, as we walk alongside neighbors, seeking justice and a better quality of life for all through long-term sustainable changes.

CSA Information/Registration

What Will I Get? 2017 will include several types of shares. Read through the descriptions below to find the perfect sized share for you!

Full Weekly Share Each Full Weekly Share (equivalent to full grocery bag or more) consists of freshly harvested vegetables. We have found that one Full Weekly Share is ideal for a family of three or four. Possible seasonal vegetables offered will include a bounty of assorted mature and baby kale, lettuces, salad mixes, Swiss chard, mustard greens, spinach, heirloom tomatoes, root vegetables, summer and winter squashes, onions, leeks, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, assorted beans, snap peas, bell and hot peppers, a variety of herbs and more! Every-Other-Week Share The same size as the Full Weekly Share, but picked up half as often… every-other week! This share was designed for smaller families. Spring Salad Share Available for four weeks in the spring, this share consists of enough assorted fresh greens to make several large salads for each week distributed! Greens Share Available for six weeks in the late autumn, this share consists of two or three heavier variety greens such as (but not limited to) kale, cabbage and collards, to cook and use for several hearty side or main dishes each week distributed! CSA Share Payment Options: Check or Money Order: Fill out the registration form below and check payment type. Make check or money order payable to “Community enCompass.” Return registration form and payment to 1105 Terrace, Muskegon, MI 49442. Please call 231.728.3117 or email farmmanager@communityencompass.org with questions. Complete registration online at: communityencompass.org (click on the McLaughlin Grows link). Or mail/drop off completed form, with payment made out to Community enCompass (with McLaughlin Grows CSA Share written in the memo line), to our administrative office at 1105 Terrace, Muskegon, MI 49442.

A Publ i cat ion o f F i rst Presbyter ian Church

Each Share may be picked up on Wednesdays from 3 – 6 p.m. from McLaughlin Grows Urban Farm

on the corner of Larch and Hoyt Streets.

Share Value

Full Spring/Summer Share 12 Weeks (June 7th – August 23rd)

$320

Every-Other-Week Spring/Summer Share 6 Weeks (June 7th – August 16th)

$165

Full Fall/Winter Share 12 Weeks (August 30th – November 15th)

$320

Every-Other-Week Fall/Winter Share 6 Weeks (August 30th – November 8th)

$165

Spring Salad Share 4 Weeks (May 10th – May 31st)

$75

Greens Share 6 Weeks (October 11th – November 15th)

$150

CSA Member Agreement: In registering for a 2017 McLaughlin Grows CSA share, I/we the registrant(s) understand the following:

CSA members must pick up their share on the scheduled pick up day. CSA members who cannot pick up their share must find someone to pick up their share for them. CSA shares that are not claimed on the pick-up day will be donated to needy families.

McLaughlin Grows Urban Farm grows using ORGANIC PRACTICES, so there may be occasional discoloration spots on vegetable surfaces. This does not affect the quality or taste of the produce. Slight imperfections are the very small price we pay for fresh, healthy, SAFE food! I have read and understand the above. Signature________________________________________________________________________________________________

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A Publ i cat ion o f F i rst Presbyter ian Church

APRIL BIRTHDAYS 04/02 Kathy Dickinson 04/03 Bev Spiwak 04/05 Amber Young 04/06 Nancy Simon 04/06 Larry Ayers 04/10 Mark Schumaker 04/11 Lois Waalkes 04/13 Luke Seward 04/13 Mike Foster 04/14 Melissa Boughton 04/16 Rodger Kroes 04/17 Mary Ann Page 04/18 Kirk Wahamaki 04/19 Jolene Cloutier 04/20 Judy Jazdzyk 04/20 Sally Morrell 04/22 Andrew Hussey 04/23 Inge Boelkins 04/23 Isabelle Reynolds 04/28 Ray Genter 04/28 Marty Waalkes 04/29 Nancy Bierenga 04/30 Brook Ireland APRIL ANNIVERSARIES 04/04 Bob & Inge Boelkins 04/07 Richard & Edythe Wierda 04/11 Bob & Yvonne Friel 04/17 Dave & Vella Caruso 04/27 D & Sally Morrell

FPC Family, In late February, we had a four day break from school. Life in La Unión is slow and isolated, so I decided to spend my vacation out in Tegucigalpa, Honduras’ capital, where I lived in 2014. I have some great Honduran friends out that way, and we spent a few days going to the movies, exploring the city center, and basking in the crowds of people, refreshing my extroversion and filling my social spirit. At the same time, going to Tegucigalpa is always painful. It is a city with deep inequality, poverty, and violence, mostly the results of US demand-driven drug trafficking and government corruption. Work is hard to find, and trash coats the streets.

In those moments, I contemplate the incredible, undeserved privilege I have as a white, Christian, and straight North American man. It has never been hard for me to find work, go to school, or fulfill my hopes and dreams. For the 80% of the world that lives on less than $10, this is not the reality, certainly not for many people in the country where I currently live. In the midst of this reality, I reflect on Jesus’ call, not based on US citizenship, but as Christian citizens of a kingdom that supersedes our geographical place of birth. Our society is bloated with such division and mistrust based on such arbitrary, non-Christian ideas like nationalism, wealth, and physical security. Deep inside, whether I want to admit it or not, I benefit from these ideas, ignoring the suffering, poor, and humble Jesus who says, “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). I appreciate our church because I know many of you who take this call seriously. You study, ask critical questions, emphasize interfaith and international relationships, and desire to be conformed to God’s image in place of culture’s expectations. Thank you for inspiring and encouraging me from afar to try to grow likewise. It is good to be part of FPC! I appreciate your prayers. We are in a tough time of the school year, and I am also working through what I will be doing next year. I would appreciate prayer for these things, as I continue to hold you all up as individuals and a congregation in my own prayer time. I look forward to being home soon and worshipping with you all again! ¡Saludándoles con un abrazo! Tyler Slamkowski February 28, 2017 To our dear family and friends from FPC. I want to thank you all so much for your prayers, your phone calls and cards. Having quadruple bypass surgery and being 1,300 miles away from home is not easy. But, we thank God every day for all of you and we are so thankful for the warm weather here in Florida and not having to fall on the ice or snow. I am still having problems with a lingering cough and low blood pressure. Once we get these two problems figured out I should be on the road to recovery. Doctors say “give it 3 to 4 months.” That is hard for an impatient person like myself. Not sure when we will be returning to Michigan. At this point I know that I couldn’t travel if I wanted to. But, as I said, Florida is beautiful at this time of the year. Hopefully, I will be able to get back to the pool and riding my bike before we head north. Thank you again to all our dear friends. Sincerely, Sharon Genter and Ray also 03/16/17 Update: The cough is getting better, but far from gone. I am back to the pool and riding my bike again. We miss all of you and hope to see you in May. ~ Sharon

On Sunday, March 5, Mitzi Bixler was presented with the Presbyterian Women's Honorary Life Membership f o r h e r v a r i e d contributions to Supper House and Bread for the World through the Hunger Committee. We appreciate Mitzi's sharing her many talents with us at FPC.

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A Publ i cat ion o f F i rst Presbyter ian Church

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A Publ i cat ion o f F i rst Presbyter ian Church

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Hosanna First Presbyterian Church 2577 Wickham Drive

Muskegon, Michigan 49441-3182

Phone (231) 759-1275

Fax (231) 759-7825

www.fpcmuskegon.org

God has given us perfect hope through

Jesus Christ our risen Savior.

He has made a way for us to live an abundant life, both now and forever!

GOD BLESS YOU at Easter. “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” I John 4:9