OVESTA EWS Published monthly by: Novesta Church of Christ 2896 N. Cemetery Rd. Cass City, MI 48726 Phone: (989) 872-3658 [email protected]www.novestachurch.org Brad Speirs, Senior Minister Austin Keller, Associate Intern Minister Jordan Hendrian, Student Intern Minister January Issue VOL. XXXXII- - - No. 1 January 1, 2017 Follow Have you ever noticed that we often want to complicate what God has made simple. We try to earn what God has freely given. We try to fix what God has already restored. We try, and try, and try… and usually don’t do very well. What if instead of trying, we sought instead to trust and follow… God’s instructions and commands to us are really not much different than those that he gave to people long ago. In fact, most every- thing God would tell us comes down to 2 things; hear and obey! Over the next few weeks we will be talking about what it looks like to simply follow God, by hearing and obeying. January 8th - When it takes ‘forever’ (Noah) January 15th - When the details are few (Abraham) January 22nd - When the plan seems impossible (Joshua) January 29th - When no one else will (David) February 5th - When the math doesn’t work (Gideon) February 12th - When the stakes are high (Daniel) Family Sunday - January 29th We are really excited that on months with 5 Sundays (4 times a year) we are going to be having a family Sunday at Novesta in which we have all of the kids do ‘big church’ with their moms & dads. We will still have our nursery and 2’s - 3’s class available those weeks, but we’ll be gathering with our kiddos on these days and worship together as young & old. Financial Peace University Starts January 9th at Revive in Cass City Tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Looking to be a good steward of what God has blessed you with? Want to get on a budget and see where your money is going? Want to get a check for $1000? This 9 week class can bring fulfillment, peace, and joy back to your financial situation. This session of FPU there is no cost for the kit, and one of the families that completes all 9 weeks will be receiving a $1000 starter check to help with their emergency fund. Spots are filling fast, so talk to Brad Speirs soon to reserve your slot.
www.novestachurch.org Brad Speirs, Senior Minister
Austin Keller, Associate Intern Minister
Jordan Hendrian, Student Intern Minister
January Issue
VOL. XXXXII- - - No. 1
January 1, 2017
Follow Have you ever noticed that we often want to complicate what God has made simple. We try to earn what God has freely given. We try to fix what God has already restored. We try, and try, and try… and usually don’t do very well. What if instead of trying, we sought instead to trust and follow… God’s instructions and commands to us are really not much different than those that he gave to people long ago. In fact, most every-thing God would tell us comes down to 2 things; hear and obey! Over the next few weeks we will be talking about what it looks like to simply follow God, by hearing and obeying.
January 8th - When it takes ‘forever’ (Noah)
January 15th - When the details are few (Abraham)
January 22nd - When the plan seems impossible (Joshua)
January 29th - When no one else will (David)
February 5th - When the math doesn’t work (Gideon)
February 12th - When the stakes are high (Daniel)
Family Sunday - January 29th We are really excited that on months with 5 Sundays (4 times a year) we are going to be having a family Sunday at Novesta in which we have all of the kids do ‘big church’ with their moms & dads. We will still have our nursery and 2’s - 3’s class available those weeks, but we’ll be gathering with our kiddos on these days and worship together as young & old.
Financial Peace University Starts January 9th at Revive in Cass City
Tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Looking to be a good steward of what God has blessed you with? Want to get on a budget and see where your money is going? Want to get a check for $1000? This 9 week class can bring fulfillment, peace, and joy back to your financial situation. This session of FPU there is no cost for the kit, and one of the families that completes all 9 weeks will be receiving a $1000 starter check to help with their emergency fund. Spots are filling fast, so talk to Brad Speirs soon to reserve your slot.
OUR
MILITARY Scott Brownson - (Tom & Doris Stimpfel’s nephew) Ben Knoblet - (Tim’s nephew) Zac Potrykus - Navy—(Dora’s son) Ryan Reid - (Jeff Hartel’s nephew) Julie Roche Griffith - Air Force - California Cody Ross - Marines - California
“Dig In” New Curriculum for our kids starts January 8th. We are really hoping to encourage a few more families in to investing an extra hour a week into the spiritual lives of their kids and themselves. We have great teachers first hour (9:30 Sunday mornings) and this new curriculum will provide them with a great ave-nue to help lead our kids to a greater understanding and love of Jesus and the Bible. We invite you to consider this investment and realize the eternal re-wards that can come with it. Talk to Austin Keller for more information & classes.
Take the Journey As we launch new curriculum for our kiddos, we are also starting a new study for our adults in the audito-rium at 9:30. We will be ‘taking the journey’ each week with a new topic and see what the Bible can teach us about a wide variety of current topics and issues. Some of the topics will include Priorities, Ad-diction, Purity, Courage, Potential, Letting Go, and more. We always have fresh coffee and tea and we’d love to have you join us. In addition to the study in the auditorium we also have 4 other adult classes, including a woman’s Bible study, that take place during that time as well.
Welcome, New Member… We welcome Delores Wisenbach who was im-mersed on December 20. We look forward to get-ting to know her better and enjoy the fellowship of a fellow follower of Christ.
Co-Ed Volleyball Our adult co-ed volleyball league is starting this THURSDAY night! The games will be at the Ellington Church of the Naza-rene. We have spots reserved for 2 teams, so we need to have at least 12 people total and 4 girls that are planning on playing. If you’re interested in join-ing the teams, please talk to Brad or call the church office. We’d LOVE to have you join us!
Basketball Join us during the week for a time of fun and fellowship. We’ve been playing on Thursday nights, but we may be switching to Tuesday nights down the line. Keep an eye on the bulletins and facebook for updates and times.
Michigan Statewide Attention High School Students. March 3rd - 5th is going to be an incredible weekend of worship, learn-ing, and fellowship as we travel to Kalamazoo for this year’s convention. Information and cost will be coming shortly and you can talk to Jordan about signing up. So no excuses, and no saying no… just plan on being there and loving every minute of it!
L.I.F.T. (Ladies In Fellowship Together)
ATTENTION LADIES! January’s LIFT Program will be Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. We will be having a potluck Brunch and would love for all the ladies 18 and older to join us. It will be a great time to visit, get to know each other better and for encouraging each other. We would love for you to join us. We will also be do-ing a “White Elephant” gift exchange. Just bring an item you have from home to exchange (do not purchase something new), this can be something funny, homemade or some item you no longer use. This is always a fun time to see what you end up with. There will be a sign-up on the bulletin board in the middle hallway so we know how many plan on attending and also if you would like to bring a dish to pass.
LONG TERM PRAYER LIST
** Members Steve Wilkinson -aneurysm Quinton Simpson - coma (Dena Anderson's nephew) Diane Wojtaszke - cancer (Ann Hartel contact) **Heather Roberts - continued healing of MS Don Kruse - recovery (Michelle Speirs’ grandpa) **Larry Harper - Intestinal problems Mark Pierson - (Zmierski’s cousin) **Leonard Hawkins - Stonegate in Sandusky Rachael Maurer - recovery from auto accident Julie Patterson - chemotherapy Les Auten III - upcoming Kidney transplant Joyce Brown - (Taylor & Kennedy’s grandmother) Judy Ferguson - Lupus/cancer (Zmierski’s aunt) Lindsey Jensen - recovery from auto accident Muriel Wygant - cancer (Irene Nicol’s daughter) **Marilyn Rosenberger - at Fishers in Mayville Mary King - staph infection Dan Allen - infection, complications ATTENTION: If you know any of these on this list that are well and can be eliminated from it, please let the church office know.
Mystery Member Last Mystery Member was: Char Krueger Now see if you can guess who our mystery member is for this month. The clues given tells you a little bit about the person and helps us get to know each other a little better. 1. I have been going to Novesta for over 20
years. 2. I married my high school sweetheart 3. A portion of my income comes from insects 4. My favorite hobby is to can.
WHO AM I ?
Shine... ...Returns after school on February 1st! We are already making plans and looking forward to our next ses-
sion of Shine with all kids ages 4yrs old - 5th grade! If your child is not already a part of this incredible program, there will be registrations coming soon. Talk to Austin, Brad, or Kristy for more information.
Bible Bowl News Both our Teen & Beginner Teams have been busy studying throughout the month as they look ahead to the coming competitions. The Beginners have 2 more regular round robins before they head to Louisville for their big tournament March 3rd - 5th. The Teens are having a review month in January before begin-ning their new material again for February - April. Please keep all the kids and volunteers in your prayers as they study and learn God’s word. Pray that God’s word would stick in their minds and change their hearts as well.
5th Quarters Jan. 13th and Feb. 3rd, 17th & 24th
5th Quarters are back and we’re looking forward to these parties as more opportunities to love students and develop relationships. Jordan would love to have a few more volunteers to come and share life with these students. If you’re available to help or interested in learning more about this ministry, please talk to Jordan.
Ladies Bible Study
Tuesdays @ 10:00 a.m.
Men’s Bible Study Tuesdays @ 7:00 p.m.
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday January 15, 2017 ~ 3:00 p.m.
Right to Life of Michigan invites you to meet at the Caro
Courthouse steps for a memorial service for the 27,000 babies aborted in Michigan in 2016.
FACTS & FIGURES
Average weekly attendance for the month of December:
A.M. Worship … 307
Offering average for December:
Sunday Offerings……….…$4,693.22 (Budget per Sunday: $4,730)
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
1/1 Mike Gaszczynski 1/1 Dena Anderson 1/1 Jessica Elston 1/3 Harold Little 1/4 Matthew Koepf 1/5 Emily Speirs 1/7 Shawna Kamrad 1/7 Doris Stimpfel 1/7 Jackson Little 1/9 Kirstin Mika 1/10 Janie Kus 1/10 Chuck Peasley 1/12 Kristy Speirs 1/13 Michelle Hendrick 1/13 Tonya Ziehm 1/15 Jenna Yax 1/16 Keith Lowe 1/16 Katie Romzek 11/6 Lilli Steely 1/17 Deb Zmierski 1/17 Gib Kern 1/18 Jack Muska 1/18 Lilyon Roberts 1/19 Brian Hicks 1/19 Janet Wright 1/22 Dave Little 1/23 Kellie Speirs 1/24 Kennedy Brown 1/24 Devon Koning 1/24 (A) Barry & Kerry Brown 1/26 Emily Peters 1/27 JoEllen Bukoski 1/27 Shelli Herford 1/29 Ron Speirs 1/29 Patty Peters 1/29 Colby Sutton
Cards & Notes
Thank you for the wonderful Thanksgiving basket. It was greatly appreciated. Thank you to everyone for their prayers while I have been down with my hip—but I am on the mend. Hoping to make it to church soon. Thank you again and may God Bless everyone. Love in Christ,
Sandy & Don Yax To our church family, Thanks for all your prayers for our son Les for over 6 years - God heard and answered. Son Les is still moving forward in the process and proce-dures to get the kidney transplant. Thanks for the prayers for the elder Les, for his health issues and the decisions he has to make. You all are special and are loved so much by our family. In Christian Love,
Les & Bev Auten Dear Friends at Novesta Church of Christ, Wishing you all a blessed Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Je-sus Christ! Thank you for your continued partner-ship this year in bringing the Good News of salva-tion in Him to those who haven’t heard. In His Love,
Matt & Shelby Honig & family
Novesta Church of Christ, Thank you so very much for being a part of the 30th Annual Cass City Community Thanksgiving Dinner. There is no way we could have had such a successful event without the support and gener-osity of the community and people like you.
Katie Jackson
CONGRATULATIONS…
...to Todd & Miranda Toner on the birth of their baby girl, Finley Grace, born on December 16. She weighed 7 lbs. 5 ozs. and 19½ inches. Finley has a sister, Peyton, who I’m sure is enjoying her too.
THOSE SERVING IN JANUARY
COMMUNION MEDITATION: 1/1 Gib Kern 1/8 Dave Little 1/15 Fred Hicks 1/22 Ron Speirs 1/29 Gib Kern SERVICE COORDINATOR: 1/1 Ron Speirs 1/8 Stu Venema 1/15 Mike Gaszczynski 1/22 Larry Thick 1/29 Scott Hendrian USHERS: Dave Beckrow Greg Mika Barry Brown Mark Peck Andy Gray Mark Zmierski A.M. NURSERY: 9:30 a.m. (all month) - Janie Kus 10:30 a.m. 1/1 Cindy Klaus, Jeff & Carletta Swoish 1/8 Ann Roche, Karissa Schrader & Joel Brandel 1/15 Heather Roberts, JoEllen Bukoski & Mary Helen Pratt 1/22 Amy & Emily Peters & Tiffany Gonzales 1/29 Shelli Herford, Robin Beckrow & Joanne Hopper WORSHIP LEADERS: 1/1 Sarah Keller 1/8 Kim Gray 1/15 Fred Hicks 1/22 Kristy Speirs 1/29 Brandon Speirs SOUND SYSTEM: 1/1 Dave Speirs 1/8 Scott Hendrian 1/15 Ken Peters 1/22 Brian Hicks 1/29 Ed Dunckel POWER POINT: 1/1 Kevven Dorland 1/8 Carol Hicks 1/15 Ron Kampo 1/22 JoEllen Bukoski 1/29 Carol Hicks VIDEO RECORDING: 1/1 Garrett Roberts 1/8 Madison Beckrow 1/15 DJ Wheeler 1/22 Nick Romzek 1/29 Garrett Roberts
COMMUNION PREPARATION & CLEAN UP: Jr. High Class GREETERS: 1/1 9:30 (main) Barry & Kerry Brown (center) Duane & Kathy O’Dell 10:30 (main) Paul & Tasha Binder (center) Michael & Tami Daskam 1/8 9:30 (main) Garrett & Heather Roberts (center) Les & Bev Auten 10:30 (main) Ken & Patty Peters (center) Mary Lou Spencer & Jean Schulz 1/15 9:30 (main) Doris Stimpfel & Janet Wright (center) Ed & Marideth Nizzola 10:30 (main) Melvin & Carolyn Mittlestat (center) Chuck & Kelli Hendrick 1/22 9:30 (main) Dave & Karen Speirs (center) Tom & Jennifer Mittlestat 10:30 (main) Mark & Patty Peck (center) Ryan & Shelli Herford 1/29 9:30 (main) Larry & Sherry Thick (center) Gib & Pam Kern 10:30 (main) Steve & Andrea Ross (center) Chris & Stacey Wilcox JUNIOR CHURCH: Leaders: 2’s—3’s: 1/1 Chris & Stacey Wilcox 1/8 Jerod & Brittany Davidson & Crystal Strickler 1/15 Bill & Amy Claerhout 1/22 Jen Steely & Tonya Ziehm 1/29 Jordan & Amber Kus 4’s—K: 1/1 Lauren Bukoski 1/8 Tami & Michael Daskam & Royce 1/15 Tasha & Paul Binder 1/22 Pam Kolacz 1/29 No Jr. Church - Family service 1st—3rd: 1/1 Joanne & Becky Hopper 1/8 Sharron Hartwick 1/15 Janie Kus 1/22 Dave Little 1/29 No Jr. Church - Family service 4th—5th: 1/1 Jenny Baker 1/8 Kerry Brown 1/15 Ryan & Shelli Herford 1/22 Ryan & Melanie Radabaugh 1/29 No Jr. Church - Family service Song Leaders: 1/1 Lauren Bukoski 1/8 Sharron Hartwick 1/15 Kristy Speirs 1/22 Pearl, Kirsten, Madison & Ray 1/29 No Jr. Church - Family service Communion Meditation: 1/1 Austin Keller 1/8 RJ Klaus 1/15 Gary Anderson 1/22 Dave Little 1/29 No Jr. Church
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2
Gym RSVD by
Al Dadacki 6 pm
3
Ladies Bible Study - 10 am
Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm
4
Bible Bowl 3:30 pm
5
Co-Ed Volleyball
6 7
8 9
FPU Begins (meets at Revive)
10
Ladies Bible Study - 10 am
Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm
11
Quilting 9 am—3 pm
Bible Bowl
3:30 pm
12
Co-Ed Volleyball
13
Jr. Church room RSVD by
Amber Kus 6:30 pm
5th Quarter
Party
14
L.I.F.T. Brunch & White Elephant
Exchange 10 am
15 Sanctity of Human
Life Sunday
16 17
Ladies Bible Study - 10 am
Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm
18
Bible Bowl 3:30 pm
19
Co-Ed Volleyball
20 21
22 23 24
Ladies Bible Study - 10 am
Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm
25
Quilting 9 am—3 pm
Bible Bowl
3:30 pm
26
Co-Ed Volleyball
27
RSVD by Jodie Mika
28
29
Family Worship 10:30 am
30 31
Ladies Bible Study - 10 am
Men’s Bible Study - 7 pm
SUNDAY SCHEDULE 9:30-10:20 a.m.
Bible School 10:30 a.m. ~ Worship
6:00 p.m. Youth Group (6th-12th grades) 2017
PLEASE NOTE: We will be making a new directory this month and would like your help. Check the directory you now have and if any changes need to be made, let the office know. We also want to add families that are not currently listed … so if your name isn’t in the directory and you would let us add yours, we need addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, etc. (it’s not just for members but for all those who are attending). I’m also updating birthdays & an-niversaries and would appreciate that information too.
