November 2019 Volume 7 Issue 10 New Life News 6584 Howard City-Edmore Rd. Six Lakes, MI 48886 989.352.7788 [email protected]www.newlifeunitedmethodist.com Pastor's Ponderings pg 1 Circle of Friends News pg 2 Leone Whittum poem pg 2 Pastor's Pondering ctd pg 3 RC Blood Drive pg 3 Grief Support pg 3 Church Calendar pg 4 Birthdays & Anniv. pg 4 Annual Church Conf. pg 4 OCC Shoeboxes pg 5 Thurstons Concert pg 6 Thanks / Veteran's Day pg 6 In This Issue Our Mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Our Vision is to be Rooted in Jesus, to know, grow, and share His love. Ron Kinsey Administrative Assistant “Spiritual growth springs forth in grace from our very desire for God’s presence. This does not take effort or striving. It takes courage, a kind of showing up, attentiveness.” --Gerald May Lately I have caught myself scurrying from place to place as I go about my daily life. Usually after the fact, I realize that I have allowed myself to slip into a way of life in which I was running from here to there with no time for listening and paying attention. It is easy to allow ourselves to get caught up in the busy-ness of the holiday season as Thanksgiving and Christmas draw near. We slide into a way of life that offers little or no opportunity for paying attention to the presence of God in our lives. We long for a word from the Lord but somehow we have been lured into believing that the kind of pace we keep is what being a Christian requires. Contrast this lifestyle with Moses' experience with the burning bush in Exodus 3. Moses had been in solitude for forty years while tending flocks, so he had become very quiet on the inside. It was almost like God had been waiting for Moses to settle down and become quiet enough so God could speak to Moses directly. When Moses saw the burning bush that was not consumed he turned aside to see this great sight. It seems that there was a cause and effect relationship between Moses’ willingness to pay attention and God’s willingness to speak. All of us have burning bushes in our lives, places that shimmer with grace, alerting us to the possibility that God is at work doing something that we could not have guessed or imagined. An essential discipline for Christians is to craft times for quiet noticing in which we allow God to show us those things that we might otherwise miss. We need time for the chaos in our souls to settle a bit so that we can turn aside to look at the great sights in our own lives and seek understanding about what they mean. As you come to the end of this reading, take a few moments to pay attention to your own life. First of all, pay attention to your breathing. Notice how in the rush of things, your breathing tends to become shallow and something you take for granted. On this day, take time to breathe deeply and more slowly. Receive each breath as God’s gift to you, evidence that he wants you to be alive today. continued on page 3 It is not happy people who are thankful, it is thankful people who are happy!
Transcript
November 2019 Volume 7 Issue 10
New Life News6584 Howard City-Edmore Rd.Six Lakes, MI 48886989.352.7788newlifeumc6584@gmail.comwww.newlifeunitedmethodist.com
Our Mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.Our Vision is to be Rooted in Jesus, to know, grow, and share His love.
Ron KinseyAdministrative Assistant
“Spiritual growth springs forth ingrace from our very desire for God’spresence. This does not take effort orstriving. It takes courage, a kind of
showing up, attentiveness.”--Gerald May
Lately I have caught myselfscurrying from place to place as I goabout my daily life. Usually after thefact, I realize that I have allowed myselfto slip into a way of life in which I wasrunning from here to there with notime for listening and paying attention.It is easy to allow ourselves to getcaught up in the busy-ness of theholiday season as Thanksgiving andChristmas draw near. We slide into away of life that offers little or noopportunity for paying attention to thepresence of God in our lives. We longfor a word from the Lord but somehowwe have been lured into believing thatthe kind of pace we keep is what beinga Christian requires.
Contrast this lifestyle withMoses' experience with the burningbush in Exodus 3. Moses had been insolitude for forty years while tendingflocks, so he had become very quiet onthe inside. It was almost like God hadbeen waiting for Moses to settle down
and become quiet enough so God couldspeak to Moses directly. When Mosessaw the burning bush that was notconsumed he turned aside to see thisgreat sight. It seems that there was acause and effect relationship betweenMoses’ willingness to pay attention andGod’s willingness to speak.
All of us have burning bushes inour lives, places that shimmer withgrace, alerting us to the possibility thatGod is at work doing something that wecould not have guessed or imagined.An essential discipline for Christians isto craft times for quiet noticing in whichwe allow God to show us those thingsthat we might otherwise miss. We needtime for the chaos in our souls to settlea bit so that we can turn aside to look atthe great sights in our own lives andseek understanding about what theymean.
As you come to the end of thisreading, take a few moments to payattention to your own life.First of all, pay attention to yourbreathing. Notice how in the rush ofthings, your breathing tends to becomeshallow and something you take forgranted. On this day, take time tobreathe deeply and more slowly.Receive each breath as God’s gift toyou, evidence that he wants you to bealive today.continued on page 3
It is not happy peoplewho are thankful, it isthankful people whoare happy!
page 2
What's happening in NovemberKnitters group Sundays, 4pmWidows Might Thu., Nov. 14 1:00pmCircle of Friends Mon., Nov. 18, 7:00pmUMW Sunday Sun., Nov. 24
Just turn around and it's November -WOW time fles! But Praise God it's themonth of Thanks!Number 1 on our list is a big thank you forthose of you who baked, bought and camefor lunch at our Annual Craft Sale. OurUMW made just over $500, that we arepleased to go to our handbell choir.Next up on our list is Operation ChristmasChild. Missy and I'm sure others, have beencollecting things to put in the boxes for kidswho don't have the things we see everyday, and have. If you would like to pack abox, we will have them available inNovember, OR if you would like to attend a"Packing a Shoebox Party", that date isWednesday, November 13, at 6pm. Wehave all you will need to put in the box. Theonly thing you need is the funds to ship thebox, which is $9.00. So please mark yourcalendar, it should be a fun night. Kids loveit. You can see our "Why Not WednesdayKids" in action. The final date to turn inshoe boxes is November 17th.One more thing is to remind you of ourmonthly Circle of Friends meeting. Feelwelcome, Monday, November 18th, at 7pm,at New Life. Hope to see you there.The last thing is our annual UMW Sunday- the date has been set for this event to beNovember 24th. Please come to see all thatthe UMW does here at New Life, andaround the world.Sue B
Whispers
A trace of fog hung lightlyupon the morning airthe sky a delicate bluea new day, dawning fair.
White wisps of clouds, crowningFall's colored, loveliness.My praise be unto Himin all His gloriousness.
The sun began to smilegiving warmth to morning light.I feel His Presence, wondrous . . .my heart in Him delights.
He invites me then to walkupon a path with Him.One of tender intimacyand joy wells up, within.
. . . for the joy of the Lord is your strength.Nehemiah 8:10
OH Henry Bars
Melt 1/2 cup margarine, 1c chocolate chips and 1 cuppeanut butter on low heat. (use a double boiler) Add 1-10ounce package miniature marshmallows, until they aremelted. Add 3 1/2 - 4 cups rice krispies and 1 cup spanishpeanuts. Put in buttered 9x13 pan or use parchmentpaper.Frost while warm with frosting.Melt 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/3 cup milk, 1/4 cupmargarine, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and 2 - 3 cups powderedsugar.Spread and cool: then enjoy
Here is a delicious recipe that has been requested bya few women recently, that came from Mary Lou
Botma.
UMW SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH
page 3Pastor's Ponderings continued from page 1Then, take time to notice anything in your own life that seems surprising or out of the ordinary. Ask God to reveal
whatever it is in your life that might be a burning bush and ponder what it might mean for you. It doesn’t matter whether itseems significant or insignificant to you. The fact that God is bringing it to your attention and speaking to you about it is reasonenough for you to take off your shoes and respond with reverence. Listen to what God has to say to you with utter willingnessto follow the wisdom or guidance that comes.
May God’s presence be revealed in your life in fresh new ways.
Grace,Pastor Tim
Monday, Nov. 4th, 2019 - 6 to 7:30 pmNew Life United Methodist Church Library6584 W. Howard City-Edmore Rd., Six Lakes989.352.7788 or [email protected]
New Life United Methodist Church - 6584 W. Howard City-Edmore Rd., SLTuesday, November 26, 2019 - 12pm to 5:45pm
For info or appointment, visit redcrossblood.org (sponsor code: New Life UMC)or call 1-800-733-2767, Walk-ins are also welcome
24 10a Worship-UMW 11a Sunday School 4p Knitters 6p Comm Thkvg Srv-Free Methodist Church 7:30p AA
25 5:30p Cardio Drumming 5:45p TOPS
26 12-5:45p RC Blood Drive
27 8:30a Men's Bible Study
9:30a TOPS 10a Pryr & Care Team NO evening activities
28 Thanksgiving Office Closed
29 Office Closed
30
TheWidows Might, will be holding their Annual Thanksgivingpotluck on Thursday, November 14th, at 1pm, at the Church.They will be meeting in the adult classroom.
page 5
NON-LIQUIDHYGIENE ITEMS
Operation Christmas Child - Ideas for your Shoebox Gifts
*soccer ball with pump*doll*stuffed animal*musical instrument*shoes
"WOW" ITEM*toy cars
*jump ropes
*yo-yos
*toys that light up and makenoise (with extra batteries)
TOYS*socks*hats*sunglasses*hair clips*jewelry and watches*flashlights (with extrabatteries)
ACCESSORIES
*a message to the child*a photo of yourself, yourfamily, or groupIf you include your name andan address, the child may beabvle to write back.
A PERSONAL NOTE
*toothbrushes*bar soap*washclothes*combs
*pens, pencils, andsharpeners*crayons and markers*notebooks and paper*coloring and picture books*solar calculators
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
October through November it will be Operation Christmas Child time - so watch for back to school sales,for items to pack. Watch for details of an upcoming Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing party.
You are invited to attend a packing party at theChurch, on Wednesday, November 13th, at6pm. A lot of items have been collected, andyou can help fill shoeboxes. Funds to sendthese boxes would be also appreciated. Itcosts $9.00 to send a box.Thank You for your help and support!
New Life UMC6584 W. Howard City-Edmore Rd., Six Lakes
page 7Learning to give thanksLast December I had my second knee replacement. Expecting this recovery to mimicthe first, I went home to heal quickly. Instead, 10 days later one normal step led to thevertical splitting of my femur, an ambulance ride and surgery to insert screws and along metal plate. I spent Christmas in the hospital and New Year’s in a rehab unit,feeling anything but thankful. Nearly a year later, the slow recovery continues.
Yet I see much to be thankful for: my caregiver cousin, who lengthened her stayconsiderably; my family; church friends who provided meals, prayers and love; anddoctors and therapists, who put me back together and continue to encourage me.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I continue to work on patience but am learning — with God’s help — to “givethanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
—Sandy Hyland
We honor our veteransOn Veterans Day we honor men and women who have served and sacrificed in one of America’s armedservices. The holiday is also meant to highlight America’s quest for world peace and our nation’s desirefor justice and freedom throughout the world — our nation’s higher goals.
Veterans Day is actually rooted in Armistice Day. On November 11, 1918, America and her allies met withGerman leaders to sign a truce ending World War I. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson decided that ournation should remember with gratitude the end of that war and honor those who served in the military.He called the holiday, Armistice Day. Armistice means “truce.”
In his proclamation the president wrote that Armistice Day was an “opportunity … given to America toshow her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”
The name Armistice Day was kept until 1954 when Congress changed the name to Veterans Day honoringveterans of every era. President Eisenhower called on all citizens to observe the day remembering thesacrifices of veterans and “the task of promoting an enduring peace.”
New Life United Methodist Church6584 W. Howard City-Edmore Rd.Six Lakes, MI 48886
Thank you, God, for the “great cloud ofwitnesses” (Hebrews 12:1, NIV) who have gone before usin faith. Empower us, in turn, to share our faith withothers.
