Colossians 3:16 (RSV) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Hymns have been an important part of my life for a number of years. As we enter this season of Fall, I think about Thanksgiving hymns. “We Gather Together to Ask the Lord’s Blessing” is a Dutch song that became a Thanksgiving hymn in America in the 1900’s. For me it brings to mind our church and its current situation. We gather every Sunday to praise the Lord, ask for forgiveness, and to receive inspiration as we enter the week ahead. We gather in meetings to figure out our way forward. We gather at dinners at home and church for support, encouragement, and fellowship. As we look forward to Thanksgiving, followed by Advent and Christmas, let us remember to always look at how the Lord has blessed us and to be thankful. No, life will never be perfect. We will have all sorts of difficult times, stressful times, and sad times, but if we trust God, we will also find blessings in each situation. God has promised to remain with us through it all. We just need to feel that promise in our hearts. As the last line of the hymn states: “Sing Praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.” Prayer: Gracious God, Let us always ask and search for your blessings and let us be thankful for Your continued presence in our lives. Amen. Jackie Strecker 250 W. Huron, Vassar, MI 48768 VassarFPC.org November 2019
Transcript
Colossians 3:16 (RSV) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Hymns have been an important part of my life for a number of years. As we enter this season of Fall, I think about Thanksgiving hymns. “We Gather Together to Ask the Lord’s Blessing” is a Dutch song that became a Thanksgiving hymn in America in the 1900’s. For me it brings to mind our church and its current situation. We gather every Sunday to praise the Lord, ask for forgiveness, and to receive inspiration as we enter the week ahead. We gather in meetings to figure out our way forward. We gather at dinners at home and church for support, encouragement, and fellowship.
As we look forward to Thanksgiving, followed by Advent and Christmas, let us remember to always look at how the Lord has blessed us and to be thankful. No, life will never be perfect. We will have all sorts of difficult times, stressful times, and sad times, but if we trust God, we will also find blessings in each situation. God has promised to remain with us through it all. We just need to feel that promise in our
hearts. As the last line of the hymn states: “Sing Praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.”
Prayer:Gracious God, Let us always ask and search for your blessings and let us be thankful for Your continued presence in our lives. Amen.
Jackie Strecker
250 W. Huron, Vassar, MI 48768 VassarFPC.org November 2019
If you are in need of Pastoral care, please contact the church office , and/
or Clerk of Session Dan Johnson.
Do you or someone you know need visitation?
In the hospital? Home bound? In a nursing facility? Please let the church office know so that a visit can be arranged. You are also encouraged
to call your care team Deacon.
Community Thanksgiving
This years community Thanksgiving will be November 24th at Vassar First Baptist Church. Dinner is at 4:30PM with the
service following at 6PM. We have been asked to bring salads or vegetable trays.
There is a sign up sheet on the table in the Parlor. Any questions please contact Viola
Dues at 989-660-5106
Angel Tree
The angel tree will up in the sanctuary beginning Sunday, November 17th thru Sunday, December 1st.
This project provides gifts for children in need this Christmas.
If you would like to participate in this project please take an angel from the tree and sign the list on the podium in the parlor. Fits should be wrapped with the angel gift tag attached to them and returned to the church by Sunday, December 8th. IF you have questions please contact Lynn Franko at 989-823-7590 or [email protected].
We will be decorating the church for the Christmas season on Sunday, December 1st beginning at 3:30PM.
This will be followed by the Advent Soup Supper at 5:00PM.
Carols by Candlelight
Sundays Dec. 1, 8, 15, & 22
Join us at VFPC at 7PM for Advent Evening of Prayers, Candles, Carols, Scripture, Seasonal
Readings, and Special Music provided by various soloists, choirs, and musical ensembles
from the community and surrounding area.
A free will offering each evening will go to the Vassar Ministerial Alliance.Brief fellowship
following the service each Sunday evening.
Any questions please contact Steve & Lynn Franko or Pat Middlin.
Poinsettias
It is almost that time!
Watch the table in the parlor for information
regarding this years poinsettia sale.
Any questions please see Connie Gamet or Sue
Campbell.
NEWSLETTER INFORMATION DEADLINE
Nov.- 26
COMMUMION SERVERS November 3rd Assist Bob Strecker & Lori Hubbard #1 Alex Campbell #2 Kevin Haines #3 Dianne Hackett #4 Nicole Baker
GREETERS 3rd: The Wegrzyn Family 10th: Kevin & Brenda Haines 17th: Steve & Lynn Franko 24th: NEEDED
USHERS 3rd: Kevin Haines, Mike Kennard, Mark O’Connor 10th: David, Scott, Zack Wegrzyn 17th: Ted Gamet, Russ Hubbard, Alex Campbell 24th: Lynn Childs, Dan Johnson, Bill Shoop
WORSHIP LEADERS 3rd: Kevin Haines 10th: Russ Hubbard 17th: Lori Hubbard 24th: Kim Wegrzyn
VIDEO/TECH 3rd: Linda Shoop 10th: Tanya Steele 17th: Mike Kennard 24th: Dianne Hackett
Session Highlights (from March 2019)Session met on Thursday, March 28th, 2019. Here are some of the highlights of the meeting. Pastor
Doug Abel was our Moderator.
• Elder Dan Johnson was excused.
• Due to computer problems on Dan Johnson's behalf, there were no minutes to approve.
• Financial report shows we are operating on a -$ 5,958.50 for the year. February showed a loss of -$ 8,484.04
• 2019 apportionment is $28.77 per member. This is voluntary, but if we could each write a check for that amount (per member), it would really help.
• Next 5th Sunday is March 31st, 2019. Donations will go toward the Vassar Ministerial Alliance.
• Communion was served on March 3rd, 2019 by Pastor Doug Abel. Steve Franko assisted. Elders serving were Shelley Abel, Nicole Baker, Dan Johnson and Bob Strecker..
• Report was done by the Terms of Call Task Force: ½, ¾ or full time.
• We all must understand the financial situation of our church. We must support it (I.e. GIVE!) “I must care and take responsibility for our church!”
• More people need to step forward be be worship leaders, ushers, greeters, tech support, Sunday School volunteers and help in the nursery.
• We will be conducting an audit of our books, but it will be by Bob Strecker and one other church member.
• Communication and Publicity team is trying to invite more people to our church.
• Next Session meeting will be Thursday, April 24th, 2019. If you have concerns, please talk to a Session Member/Elder.
Respectfully submitted,
Dan Johnson, Clerk of Session
Session Highlights (From September 2019)Session met on Thursday, September 26th, 2019. Here are some of the highlights of the meeting. CRE Don Wixson was our Moderator.
• All Elders were present.
• Clerk Dan Johnson finally got his computer problems taken care of, and the Minutes for March 28th, April 25th, May 30th and August 22nd meetings were all approved (finally).
• With the passing of Don Asher, our membership now stands at 123. Don's memorial service will be April 11th, 2020.
• Financial report shows we are operating on a -$ 11,991.23 for the year. August showed a gain of $ 494.94
• 2019 apportionment is $28.77 per member. This is voluntary, but if we could each write a check for that amount (per member), it would really help. Apportionment for 2020 will be $29.00
• Next 5th Sunday is September 26th, 2019. Donations will go toward the Vassar Ministerial Alliance.
• Communion was served on September 8th, 2019 by Pastor Dan Saperstein. Lori Hubbard assisted. Elders serving were Nicole Baker, Alex Campbell, Lynn Franko and Bob Strecker..
• Pulpit is being filled rather successfully. Thank you Steve Franko for scheduling.
• Buildings and Grounds has been doing a lot of updating around the outside!
• We all must understand the financial situation of our church. We must support it (I.e. GIVE!) “I must care and take responsibility for our church!”
• More people need to step forward be be worship leaders, ushers, greeters, tech support, Visitations and help in the nursery.
We will be having “Carols by Candle Light” each Sunday of Advent beginning at 7:30 pm
• Next Session meeting will be Thursday, October 31st, 2019. If you have concerns, please talk to a Session Member/Elder.
Respectfully submitted, Dan Johnson, Clerk of Session
