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~Contents~
Q & A with Pastor Rob .............. . Page 1
September Activities …………. Page 2
Flu Shot Clinic & Church Picnic - Page 2
Traveling Bible Study …………. Page 3
CROP Vespers Cruise …………. Page 3
Birthdays & Anniversaries ……. Page 3
Volunteers’ Schedules ………..... Page 4
Safety First! …………………….. Page 4
Sept SS Program .…...………….. Page 5
Pilgrim Fellowship ……………… Page 5
CROP Hunger Walk …………… Page 5
Sept Mission Emphasis ………... Page 5
Every Monday Matters …………. Page 6
Chancel Choir & New Praise ….. Page 6
News from the Pews ……………. Page 7
Boy Scout Troop 29 News ……… Page 7
Hospital Stay? ………………..…. Page 8
Get Pastor’s Sermons online …... Page 8
MCCCC Annual Meeting ……….. Page 8
Contact Information …………… Page 8
Our Covenant We covenant with the Lord and one with another, and
do bind ourselves in the presence of God, to walk together in all
his ways, according as he is pleased to reveal himself unto us in
his blessed word of truth.
Our Goal
The church exists to change lives. That's
what we're about. It's simple to say,
harder to live. Every single week, we
find a way to love God through worship,
one another through fellowship, and the
Saugatuck/Douglas area through simple
acts of service. We don't always get it
right. But we have fun trying.
The Lakeshore Congregationalist September 2013
A Publication of First Congregational Church of Saugatuck
Serving since 1860, Issue 9
“We take God seriously, not ourselves.”
Pastor Rob’s Q & A
Q: Any advice for kids going back to school?
A: Be yourself. Most people spend huge
chunks of their life trying to be the kind of people
they think the kind of people that they want to be
with would want to be with.
Q: Huh?
A: Exactly.
Q: So what would you suggest instead?
A: Decide ahead of time that you can’t please
everyone, and then be very careful about who you
choose as friends. We all have a built-in need to fit in,
but we also have the God-given ability to choose
where. What you’re looking for is a small, trust-
worthy crew, the kind of people who will tell you off
and then stick up for you two minutes later. Their
opinion matters. Everyone else, you take with a grain
of salt. Keep what’s helpful. Ignore the rest.
Q: What about my parents?
A: What about them? They’re not going to be in school
with you. This is your first taste of the real world.
Your parents will always love you, cheer for you, and
be there for you as much as they’re able, but more and
more they’re going to step back, not because they
want to, but because they have to if you’re ever going
to stand on your own. Love on them and learn
everything you can from them, but in school, you need
a crew.
Q: How do I find friends like that?
A: You start by being one.
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The Lakeshore Congregationalist September 2013 Page 2
September Activities
Sunday Worship Services – 10:00am
Nursery Provided
Communion will be served 1st Sunday
of the month
Sunday School – 10:15am
Social Hour after Worship – 11:00am
Blood Pressure Clinic after Worship,
every 1st Sunday of the month, with
Parish Nurse, Renna Birkholz or
Terri Borgman.
Chancel Choir starts back up: 1st
practice Sunday, Sept 8th at 9am, with
Cathy Brockington.
New Praise Practice: Day & time
varies weekly, call Jack Nyland, 616-
499-5199 for the current practice time.
“Make Monday Matters” coordinated
by Pastor Rob Brink. (More info Pg 6)
Labor Day Bridge Walk Pancake
Breakfast, Mon, Sept 2, 9am. Help
out at the Masonic Lodge during
annual breakfast served to walkers.
Sunday, Sept 8, 11am, assist with
the Flu Shot Clinic @ FCC & make
& deliver meals to home members.
Monday, Sept 9, 7pm, Digital
Blessings @ Respite Coffee Shop, in
Douglas.
Monday, Sept 23, 7:30am, @
Douglas Elementary School, hand
out Appreciation Goodie Baskets to
staff.
Sundays, Sept 15th and/or Sept 29th
participate in fundraisers for CROP.
See additional information in other
articles in this newsletter.
Boy Scout Troop 29 meet on 2nd & 4th
Sundays of the month, Sept 8th & 22nd,
@ 11am in FCC Fellowship Hall.
Pilgrim Fellowship Group meets on
Sundays, Sept 8th & 22nd, @ 4:00pm.
Continued
Activities cont.
Tuesday, Sept 10th @ FCC, 10am, WFC’s Meeting &
Bible Study in The Gathering Room.
Traveling Bible Study meets Thursdays, Sept 12th &
26th @ 6:30pm. See additional article for more info.
SS Children’s Choir practices: Sundays, Sept 15th &
22nd, after worship, and Sunday, Sept 29th , 9:30am.
Star of Saugatuck Vesper Cruise for CROP, Sunday,
Sept 15th, 4:45pm. See article for more information.
Tuesday, Sept 17th @ FCC:
7:00pm, Diaconate & Trustee Boards meet
8:00pm, Prudential Board meets
Weds, Sept 18th, October Newsletter submission
deadline, please be prompt with your articles.
Sunday, Sept 29th Children’s Performance during
worship.
Sunday, Sept 29th, 2pm @ Community Church of
Douglas, Annual CROP Walk for Hunger.
Flu Shot Clinic & Picnic
It’s Time to Here @ First Congregational Church of Saugatuck
Sunday, Sept 8th Walk-in Clinic begins at 11am thru 12:30pm
Flu Shot $27
Pneumonia Shot $65 But Wait!!! You are also invited to join us
for a free picnic lunch in the Church’s Fellowship Hall, For Free!
We will be serving hot dogs, potato salad, chips & a
beverage.
So beat the Flu & have a nice meal too!
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The Lakeshore Congregationalist September 2013 Page 3
Traveling Bible Study All are invited
to attend our
in-home,
informal Bible
studies.
We will meet
this month on
Thursday, Sept 12th @ 6:30pm, in the
home of Vic & Jane Mayer, 443 Amity
St, Douglas, MI and again on
Thursday, Sept 26th @ 6:30 pm, in the
home of Delores Laupa, 1332 Blue
Star Hwy, Glenn, MI.
Call David Edwards for more
information (616-546-0432).
The Star of Saugatuck Vespers
Cruise for CROP will be on
Sunday, Sept 15th Departing from the downtown dock
at 5:00 p.m.
(So be there at 4:45pm)
The Van Houten’s will entertain and
share a short devotional during the
cruise and light refreshments will be
served. The cruise is limited to 150
people, so get those tickets now while
seats are available. Tickets cost $15
per person, with all proceeds donated
to Communities Responding to
Overcome Poverty (CROP).
For tickets: call 269-857-2996, see or
call Peggy Boyce @ 269-857-2735, or
stop in at the First Congregational
Church during office hours, M-T-W
10am – 2pm.
Happy Birthday September People!
Sept 1 – Murlyn Vollink
Sept 2 – Amy Faber
Sept 3 – Patricia Kerr
Sept 4 – Karen Wolffis
Sept 4 – Adriane Sagal
Sept 8 – Lily Howitt
Sept 11 – Shirley Porter
Sept 12 – Analiese Schmitt
Sept 14 – Kevin Boyd
Sept 19 – Dylan Sagal
Sept 21 – Grace Shields
Sept 22 – Jack Nyland
Sept 23 – Kathleen Slawson
Sept 24 – Michael Schmitt
Sept 25 – Dick Haferman
Sept 27 – Cathy Brockington
Congratulations to our
September Anniversary Couples!
Sept 1 – Fred & Laurie Schmitt
Sept 4 – Jeff & Paige VanderMolen
Sept 6 – Blake & Karen Wolffis
Sept 9 – Dan & Connie Rusiecki
Sept 9 – Graham Duryee & Sylvia Rudich
Sept 10 – Richard & Linda Crawford
Sept 21 – Michael & Laura Camarota
Sept 21 – Jeff & Karen Baker
Sept 23 – Richard & Marty Reyes
Sept 24 – Michael & Patricia Gentry
Sept 28 – Jon & Samantha Van Raalte
If you notice that your birthday or anniversary was
omitted just call the church office (269-857-2929)
and update our records. Thank you!
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The Lakeshore Congregationalist September 2013 Page 4
Welcome Team &
Acolyte Schedule
Adult & Youth
volunteers are needed:
Pick an open date below, speak with
our Welcome Team Coordinator
Brad Rudich and/or sign-up on the
clipboard, at the Welcome Desk.
Thank you.
Sept 1 – Two Adults needed
Acolyte – Eli Brink
Sept 8 – Greg & Sheryll Van
Portfleet
Acolyte – Youth needed
Sept 15 – Two Adults needed
Acolyte – Youth needed
Aug 25 – Steve & Terri Borgman
Acolyte – Youth needed
Fellowship Host
Schedule
September
1 – Hank & Bonnie Stegenga
8 – Church In-House Picnic
15 – Andra Stormer & Terry Van Dis
22 – Graham Duryee & Sylvia Rudich
29 – Bryan & Marie Shields
October
6 – Prudential Board
13 – Wayne & Phyllis Yff
20 – Linda Dine & Janet Hanscom
27 – Barb Baker, Jeff & Karen Baker
If you have a conflict with the date
assigned you please feel free to swap
with someone else, however contact
the church office with any changes.
Scripture Reader Schedule
Sept 1st – David Edwards
Sept 8th – Sheryll Van Portfleet
Sept 15th – Janna Rudich
Sept 22nd – Amber Wingard
Sept 29th – Dotty Houser
To volunteer for future Sunday Readings, sign-up on
the clipboard at the Welcome Desk or speak with
Jennifer Wingard.
Nursery Worker Schedule
Sept 1 – Andra Stormer
Sept 8 – Marlene Rininger
Sept 15 – Tina Sturrus
Sept 22 – Adriane Sagal
Sept 29 – Janet Hanscom
Oct 6 – Connie Rusiecki
Oct 13 – Karen Baker
Oct 20 – Myrna Dornan
Oct 27 – Peggy Boyce
If your assigned date does not work with your
schedule, please find a substitute and contact the
church office with any changes, thanks.
Safety First!
We love our family church,
especially the little ones who
bring so much life to our
congregation. Help keep them
safe by completing a Registration Form for each
child and a Screening Form for each adult. They are
worth it. See the volunteers in the Sunday School
department for these forms.
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The Lakeshore Congregationalist September 2013 Page 5
September
Sunday
School
This September we will build a solid
foundation for the rest of the year,
learning about the Bible and how to
find specific passages. Our memory
verse for the month is 2 Timothy 3:16
“All scripture is God-breathed” This
month, Children's Chapel will focus on
Sharing God's Love.
What we will learn:
We will become familiar with the
parts of the Bible
We will locate specific books and
verses in the Bible.
We will learn strategies for finding
verses quickly
Family Time and Prayer:
Read: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Reflection: Brush up on your Bible
basics together. Get out your Bibles
and practice finding the Testaments,
Books, and Verses. See who’s the
fastest in the family.
Prayer: We will be focusing during
our opening time on prayers of
thanksgiving. What are you as a
family thankful for? Take some time
each day to pray together.
Offering: Our focus for the month of
September will be the Heifer Project
Children's Performance: Sunday,
September 29th, 10am. We will
rehearse Sundays, Sept 15th and 22nd
immediately after worship and at 9:30
am on Sunday, Sept 29th.
Jr/Sr. High Youth
Program: Pilgrim
Fellowship
Our youth program is up
and running, with a small
but happy group of teens.
Normally we meet on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the
month to take time to really listen to each other, and
practice a spiritual discipline. Once we've got our
heads on straight, then we start planning.
The meeting dates this month will be Sundays,
September 8th & 22nd at 4pm in The Gathering Room.
Saugatuck/Douglas/Ganges
CROP Hunger Walk
Sunday, Sept 29, 2:00 pm
Walk begins and ends at
Community Church of Douglas,
6780 Wiley Road, Douglas, MI with registration
beginning at 1:30 pm. If you would like to participate
as a walker, please contact Peggy Boyce (269-857-
2735) for a Donation Envelope. Christian Neighbors
will receive 25% of the total Hunger Walk income.
Sponsor a walker financially and help end hunger one
step at a time!
September Mission Emphasis
This is the 31st year of the CROP Walk being held in
the Saugatuck/Douglas/Ganges area, and the goal is
to raise $20,000. This can’t be done without every-
one’s help. Here at FCC the Sept mission emphasis
donations will go towards CROP. When giving, mark
“CROP” on your envelope or check memo line.
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The Lakeshore Congregationalist September 2013 Page 6
How can
we show
God’s
amazing
love in
simple
ways?
How can
we convince our community of God’s
freely given love? Every week, we rise
to the challenge to Make Monday
Matter.
In August, we dropped some digital
blessings on Saugatuck, handed out
free drinks to sidewalk shoppers
parking in our lot, and gave away free
stuff during the Taste of Saugatuck in
the Veteran’s Park.
Check out our upcoming projects!
(Note: they’re not always on a
Monday)
Labor Day Bridge Walk Pancake
Breakfast, Monday, Sept 2: 9am @
the Mason’s Lodge. Come help in
whatever way we can, during this
annual meal served to the walkers.
Sunday, Sept 8, Flu Shot Clinic &
Family Church Picnic. Beginning at
11:00am, help out during the Flu
Shot clinic, enjoy the Church Picnic,
then pack & deliver dinners for our
home members.
Monday, Sept 9: 7pm @Respite
Coffee Shop in Douglas. A church
that only blesses the physical world
will miss what God is doing online.
Bring your smart phone, laptop, or
iPad. Grab a drink, help plan future
EMM projects, and leave digital
blessings all over town. Special
target of the month
Saugatuck/Douglas schools.
Monday, Sept 23: 7:30am @ Douglas
Elementary School. Kick off the new
school year by sharing Appreciation
Goodie Baskets with the staff of the school. Drop off
your marked goodie donations, to the church
kitchen, prior to distribution date.
Sunday, Sept 15th @ 4:45pm and/or Sunday, Sept
29th @ 2pm: Participate in one or both of the
fundraisers for CROP. The Star of Saugatuck
Vespers Cruise on the 15th, and the CROP Walk on
the 29th. See bulletin fliers for more information.
Have connections in the community? Know of a
project that needs to get done? Contact Pastor Rob
with project ideas you may have for October.
Remember. “Unassuming acts of kindness convince
people of the love of God more persuasively than
words.”
Hello Choristers! Chancel Choir is
starting up for another year of
singing the praises of the Lord
during our worship services.
Rehearsal will begin on Sunday,
September 8th, at 9am in the
Fellowship Hall. We sing SAB (Soprano-Alto-Bass)
and SATB (Soprano- Alto-Tenor-Bass) music, with
suggestions from the congregation welcome at any
time. Our practices will begin with fall and Holiday
music. Junior & Senior High School students and all
adults are invited to join the Chancel Choir group.
For more information contact Cathy Brockington, 269-
857-2146 or Glenn Bareman, 616-566-1613.
Like Contemporary Praise & Worship music?
Love to Sing Praises to God?
Do you play a guitar, drums, piano or other
instrument?
Our Spirit inspired New Praise Group would love to
have more voices and musicians. We practice every
Friday evening at 7:30pm right now, but that can be
changed to accommodate people’s schedules. We
welcome any and all to our practices and to join us in
singing God’s praises! Speak with Jack Nyland at the
sound control desk or call him at 616-
499-5199 for more information.
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The Lakeshore Congregationalist September 2013 Page 7
News from the
Pews
Barb Baker would like to thank
everyone for all the blessings she
received during her hospital stay &
rehabilitation, after her recent knee
replacement surgery. All your
support through prayers, visits,
calls, cards & meals was greatly
appreciated. Thank you.
Keep the family members of Kelly
Burns-Mack, Joan Lamb’s daughter,
in your prayers, as they mourn her
recent loss.
Dale Winter & Jack Nyland both
experienced a recent hospital stay,
due to some medical concerns and
Jane Mayer is suffering from a
recurring illness, and all would
benefit from your prayers on behalf
of their health at this time.
Keep Myrna Dornan’s grand-
daughter Ellie in your prayers, due
to several medical complications.
Pray for our Home Members: Gerry
Bekken and his daughter Colleen,
Cheryl Brown, Gwen Crawford,
Anna Diepenhorst, Shirley Porter,
Bonnie Raue, Lois Shields, and Marc
Waugh.
SAVE THE DATE: The Annual
Hearts for the Homeless “Sleep in a
Box” event will be happening on Sat,
Nov 9th at the Red Barn Theatre.
Watch for more info to come.
Did you know that every member of
an NA church gets one free copy of
the Congregationalist magazine? If
not, you should. All we have to do is
request it. Email or call the church
office at 269-857-2929 to get on the
subscription list.
Troop 29 News
Troop 29, sponsored by FCC, meet on the 2nd & 4th
Sundays of the month, at 11am, downstairs in the
Fellowship Hall. Troop Master Dan Pannozzo and his
wife, acting Secretary, Angela Carrion, appreciate the
church’s support and ask for continued involvement
in their current fundraiser.
Need someone to do an odd job around the house?
pull weeds
clean flower beds
haul junk from the garage or basement to the curb
rake leaves
mow the lawn
wash the car
pet sitting or walking
more…
If so, please consider calling a boy scout to do the job.
The boy scouts from Saugatuck Troop 29 are making
themselves available to do odd jobs in an effort to
raise money for troop outings.
The scouts will work for whatever you want to donate.
Please contact Troop Master Dan Pannozzo @ 561-
865-9077 to arrange for a scout to help you. Thank
you!
Congratulations to:
Artom Rank for achieving
scouting’s highest rank of
Eagle Scout, at a recent
ceremony held here at the
church on Sunday, Aug 11th.
Good job Artom, we salute you
for a job well done!
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The Lakeshore Congregationalist September 2013 Page 8
Hospital Stay in Your Future?
Pastor Rob Wants to Be There!
As many of you know, privacy laws of
the last few years are making it more
difficult for us to know if you’re in the
hospital. The area hospitals interpret
these laws very strictly. So how can
you make sure you receive care from
your pastor while you are in the
hospital? Tell the medical staff you
belong to First Congregational Church
of Saugatuck. Ask someone to call us.
Call any time. Here’s our policy on
hospital visiting: If you are in the
hospital and we know about it, we will
visit you as far as we are physically
able, or we will find someone who can.
Thanks for your help so we can help
you!
Contact phone numbers:
Church Office – M, T, W 10am-2pm,
269-857-2929, after hours it will go to
our answering machine.
Call Pastor Rob any time at:
Cell: 616-283-5990 or
Home: 616-929-4255
To subscribe to Rev. Rob’s Sunday
Sermons go to:
http://app.bombbomb.com/app/form/?fo
rm_id=7538e5e0-e48e-4301-b548-
354393ec83a8 Fill in the requested
information and you will receive his
weekly sermons, via your email, to
watch at your leisure.
Michigan Conference of Congregational Christian Churches
172nd Annual Meeting
Friday & Saturday, Oct 18 & 19, 2013
@ Suttons Bay Congregational Church 218 W. Madison
Suttons Bay, MI 49682 Phone: 231-271-6036
Registration begins at 3pm on Friday, Oct 18th for a
cost of $35 each, which includes a dinner Friday evening and
Saturday breakfast & lunch.
Registration forms are available in the Saugatuck FCC
office, if you are interested in attending.
FCC’s Contact Information:
Church Address: 296 Hoffman St, PO Box 633, Saugatuck, MI 49453
Pastor: Reverend Rob Brink Email: [email protected] Office Mgr:
Mrs. Kathleen Slawson Office Phone: 269-857-2929 Office Hours:
Mon-Tues-Weds 10am-2pm Email: [email protected] Website:
www.1stcongregational.net Facebook: 1st Congregational
Saugatuck
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