Chimes
First United Methodist Church of Grand Ledge
First United Methodist Church
www.grandledgefirstumc.org
411 Harrison St.
Grand Ledge, MI 48837
(517) 627-3256
Office Hours
Mon.-Thur. 9:00 a.m– 3:00 p.m.
Fri. 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
CHURCH STAFF
Children’s Choir .......... Bethany Zeuch
Chimes Coordinator ......... Deb Nichols
Choir Director .................... Kyle Zeuch
Custodian .........................Lysle Finney
Custodian .............................Jan Jacobs
Education .......................... Rae Cornell
Education .................. Debbie Olmstead
Financial Secretary ............ Tina Hoxie
Organist ................... Tamar Mikeladze
Pastor ................... Rev. Cynthia Skutar
Pastoral Asst.. ................. Kim Metzger
Secretary .......................... Deb Nichols
Treasurer............................ Pat Basgall
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Ad. Council ..................Walt Eschtruth
Ad. Co. Vice-Chair.. .......Rick Delleree
An. Conf. Lay Rep. ............Dave Peake
Caring ............................. Janet Haueter
Communications ........... Linda Kimball
Endowment ..................... Harry Levins
Family Ministry .... Courtney Millbrook
Finance ........................... Harry Levins
Lay Leader ..................... Mike Mowery
Leadership .............. Rev. Cindy Skutar
Membership ...................... Barb Moyes
Memorials ......................... Barb Kelsey
Missions ............................ Pat Basgall
Music Endowment ................Rita Price
Staff/Parish Relations ....... Gary Brown
Trustees ......................... Mike Mowery
UMM ...............................Lysle Finney
UMW...................................................
Visitation ........................ Sandie Kinne
Worship Support ............... Cecil Miller
April 2015
Holy Week and Easter
Celebrations of Worship
(All services to be held here at FUMC)
Palm and Passion Sunday
March 29th at 9:30 a.m.
Holy Thursday
April 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday
Community Ecumenical Worship Service
April 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
GROUP LEADERS
Greeters ..................... Amy Hirschman
Guys Lunch Out...............Lysle Finney
Liturgists............................ Pat Basgall
Quilt Group..................... Janet Haueter
Ushers ......................Richard Anderson
Women’s Study ........ Sue VanKampen
STAFF EMAIL ADDRESSES
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Vol. 18 No. 4
Easter Sunday
(One Worship Service)
th
April 5 at 9:30 a.m.
2.
Vol. 18 No. 4
Easter 2015
“After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
Suddenly, there was a great earthquake…
for an angel of the Lord…came and rolled back the stone…
But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid.
I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.
He is not here.
He has been raised from the dead!”
Matthew 28
Christ is alive! Christ is here! Easter shouts the news of his resurrection!
Sometimes we are looking for Christ in familiar places only to meet him in new and
life-transforming ways. The disciples grieved when Jesus died, believing he was gone
from them. But they were wild with joy on Easter morning. The good news of
resurrection is that God had never left them.
Pamela Crosby writes: “The wonderful news of resurrection shouts that Christ is still
here! He is still in our presence. But where shall we look? Jesus’ presence can be
found in both the obvious and unlikely, in the comforter and stranger, in the
successful and the defeated, in enemies as well as in friends. His presence has no
limitations.” When we grasp even a tiny fragment of the meaning of Easter, we
tremble at the power of God’s love. It is a love that will never leave us.
As you come to discover those places in which new life is springing forth, may the
blessing of God the Creator, Christ the Redeemer and the Holy Spirit, our Sustainer,
be upon you and all of your loved ones.
In His Name,
Cynthia Skutar
Pastor
Vol. 18 No. 4
3.
SCRIPTURES FOR APRIL 2015
Please refer to them for weekly focus and prayer
April 5th
Easter Sunday
One Celebration of Worship at 9:30 a.m.
Scripture:
Preaching:
Liturgist:
Greeters:
Valet:
Ushers:
Acts 10: 34-43, Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24, 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11, John 20: 1-18
Rev. Cindy Skutar
William Woods
Pat Basgall, Karen Shepherd, John & Candace Haskell
Ray DeBar
Gary Brown, Paul Duncan, Rick Delleree, Bob VanKampen
April 12th
nd
2 Sunday of Easter, Sabbath Sunday, Communion, Sabbath Potluck
Scripture:
Preaching:
Liturgist:
Greeters:
Valet:
Ushers:
Acts 4: 32-35, Psalm 133, 1 John 1: 1 - 2: 2, John 20: 19-31
Rev. Cindy Skutar
Barb Moyes
Dodie Coviak, Bonnie Finney, Pam & Charlie Jennett
Mike Moyes
Dave & Kathy Oliveto, Kathy Boltz, Bob VanKampen, Rick & Debra Delleree
April 19th
3rd Sunday of Easter, Kim Metzger preaching
Scriptures:
Preaching:
Liturgist:
Greeters:
Valet:
Ushers:
Acts 3: 12-19, Psalm 4, 1 John 3: 1-7, Luke 24: 36b-48
Kim Metzger
Pat Basgall
Ray DeBar, Virginia Anderson, Susan Dalebout & Harry Levins
Terry Dankenbring
Rick & Deb Delleree, Ralph Morr, Bob VanKampen
April 26th
4th Sunday of Easter
Scriptures:
Preaching:
Liturgist:
Greeters:
Valet:
Ushers:
Acts 4: 5-12, Psalm 23, 1 John 3: 16-24, John 10: 11-18
Rev. Cindy Skutar
Mary Lou Hanna
Gary & Florence Brown, Bonnie Sackett, Gladys Templin
Jerry Welborn
Terry & Linda Kimball, Debra Delleree, Bob VanKampen
MAGNETIC NAME TAGS
The Membership Committee is offering the opportunity for you to purchase magnetic name tags if you are
interested. Forms are available at the Welcome Center, and instructions are included on the form. The name tags
will be white with your choice of a gold or silver frame. The cost is $8.50 per tag and payment must accompany
your order. Questions? Call Kim Metzger at 627-3256, or email her at [email protected].
4.
Vol. 18 No. 4
2015 Camping Corner
The Camping Season is upon us and there is much to do. There are many events approaching to
help raise the needed funds for our Camp Scholarships. It costs $399 to send one kid to camp
for a full week. We need your help and support. Here’s how you can help.
1. Camping Breakfast is on May 3rd following worship.
(around 11 a.m.)
The camp breakfast will be on one of our Sabbath Sundays, so mark your calendars now! Keep an eye out for
more information about this upcoming event and how you can continue to partner with the Camping
Committee to raise the needed funds for Camp Scholarships. For this yummy breakfast we are asking for a
free will donation.
2. Camp Fund Raising Updates
15 Kids Registered for Camp thus far!
Camp Sunday
$ 1,099.00
Swiss Steak Dinner
$
TBD
Silent Auction
$
TBD
Camp Breakfast
$
TBD
Endowment
$ 2,321.58
Subtotal Money Raised
$ 3,420.58
Thank you so much for your continued support!
Camping Committee
$
10% of money raised put back into Endowment
- 342.06
Total Money Raised To Date $ 3,078.52
 Last year we raised $6,608.00 and were able to support sending 23 kids to
camp
3. It’s not too late to register for camp!
If you are between the ages of 1-99, there is a Christian camp experience waiting for you. There are many
types of camps to choose from: kids camp, family camp, father/son camp, grandparents raising grandkids
camp, active camp, horse riding camp, and so much more. You can choose a camp based on your schedule or
your interests. There are many Methodist camp locations to choose from all around our state. Camp is a
great way to meet “kids” your own age, to have a blast, and get to know God better. Camping brochures are
on the table just outside the High School Café Room. You can register online and fill out the needed
paperwork, or you can pick up a registration packet. If you need help registering or choosing a camp, contact
Kim Metzger at [email protected] or call her at the church, 517-627-3256.
4. Thank you to all of you who helped to make this year’s Swiss STeakDinner and Silent Auction
such a success!
The Camping Committee
Vol. 18 No. 4
5.
Youth Gathering...Save the Date….
Who:
Calling all Youth! 5th - 12th grades
What:
FUNtastic YOUTH GATHERING and catered lunch
Where:
Maybelle’s Café
214B South Bridge Street,
Grand Ledge, MI 48837
When:
Sunday, May 17 @ 11 a.m.
Why:
To brainstorm and dream about
ways we want to spend time
together.
Connections
What is Connections?
Connections is a new group forming for anyone living at Independence Village.
What do you do there?
It is a time to get together, share in a short devotion, pray for each other, play games,
and have fun!
When is it?
The second Monday of each month from 2:00 - 3:00p.m.
Where is it?
We meet in the Garden Room at Independence Village.
For more information contact Kim Metzger @ 517-627-3256
CHURCH PHOTO DIRECTORY
Inserted with this month’s CHIMES is a flyer containing the basic
information from Life Touch about the directory pictures.
6.
Vol. 18 No. 4
ALTERNATE METHODS OF GIVING
As a non-profit organization, we are always looking for ways to help raise funds for the church.
Did you know that we currently participate in 2 rewards programs?
MEIJER COMMUNITY REWARDS
Meijer Community Rewards allows us to raise additional funds. Here’s how you can participate. We would like
you to join Meijer Community RewardsSM. It’s free and can be done online at Meijer.com/rewards, in store by
applying for a Meijer Credit Card or by mailing an enrollment application to Meijer 1 Card application processing
(address is on the form). The Meijer 1 CardSM is a non-financial card that should be used with cash or a PIN-based
debit card to link your purchases to your Meijer Community RewardsSM account. If you already have a Meijer
Credit Card, just call 1-800-962-7011 to add Meijer Community RewardsSM to your Meijer Credit Card account.
Then simply use your Meijer Credit Card or pay with cash or your PIN-based debit card with your swiped Meijer 1
CardSM whenever you shop at Meijer. Use it for Meijer gas, food, clothing, toys, housewares, jewelry, hardware,
garden and more! We’ll automatically receive a percentage of your purchase totals, with double the rewards
when you use your linked Meijer Credit Card!
SM
This program can make a wonderful difference. Meijer Community RewardsSM gives rewards on over 150,000
items! Best of all, the program automatically earns money whenever you shop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you have any questions, please call the church office or visit the Meijer website at Meijer.com/rewards. We
have sheets of frequently asked questions and answers and the application forms too.
AMAZON SMILE
AmazonSmile is another way to earn dollars through a rewards program. When you shop at AmazonSmile,
Amazon donates o.5% of the purchase price to First United Methodist Church. Simply bookmark the following
link: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/38-1734600 and support us every time you shop.
ELECTRONIC GIVING
For Your Convenience We Provide Electronic Giving
Electronic Giving is a convenient, consistent way to help our church grow.
Consider scheduling a recurring electronic contribution today. It’s easy! You will no longer need to write out
checks and prepare envelopes every week. Even when travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from
attending services, your electronic contributions will continue to be received on an uninterrupted basis.
Get started today!
Ask for an authorization form
in the church office. Or visit
our church website.
Vol. 18 No. 4
7.
MISSIONS
MINISTRY SHARE DESCRIPTIONS
(2 of 8 informational articles)
We promised to explain the use of each of the areas
of our Ministry Share donations. Here is the second
in a series of eight informational articles.
Administrative Funds
Every four years 1,000 delegates, including a
delegation from the West Michigan Conference,
gather from around the world to set direction for the
ministries and budget of UMC, and to update the
Book of Discipline. Your gifts provide for the
administration and safeguarding of the United
Methodist Church finances and legal interests and to
maintain denominational records.
LONG RANGE PLANNING FOR MISSION
Offering and Opportunities
August - Blessing in a Back Pack
In August we will be supporting Blessing in a Back
Pack. Our Church joins with many other churches
and organizations in the Grand Ledge School District
to support this important program. In the month of
August we will be focusing on donations for back to
school needs. You may also make contributions at
any time throughout the year. Looking for someplace
to volunteer your time? There is also need for
volunteers to help stuff the back packs each week at
various times during the school year. Contact Bernie
Johnson at 627-6898 if you would like to help with
this local mission.
See the explanation of this program below
Hunger Doesn't Take Weekends Off
Immediate Need
Volunteers for the Grand Ledge Food Bank
Please contact Linda Peach, Director at 627-4348, if
you are able to help. The Food Bank serves low
income families and persons who are disabled,
unemployed, homeless, and those with temporary
emergencies living in the Grand Ledge School
District, which includes Eagle, Mulliken and
Wacousta areas. Weekly pantry hours are on
Tuesdays from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; and Thursdays from
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Other hours may be available by
appointment and emergency need.
May 17th – Blanket Sunday
In May you will have an opportunity to make a
donation of $10 toward the purchase of a blanket in
memory or honor of a loved one. These blankets will
be distributed in times of disaster within the U.S. and
around the world. Please be thinking about this
significant mission.
We will also have
acknowledgement cards that you can mail to those
your honoring to tell them about your offering.
More information will follow next month.
What Do We Do?
Blessings in a Backpack provides elementary school
children who are on the federal Free and Reduced
Price Meal Program with a backpack of food to take
home for 38 weekends during the school year.
Backpack food includes easy-to-prepare, ready-to-eat
foods, like granola bars, juice boxes, mac and cheese,
and oatmeal.
Why Do We Do It?
There are 20+ million children in this country who
are at risk of hunger. The consequences of hunger are
much more than a growling stomach. Poor nutrition
can result in a weaker immune system, increased
hospitalization, lower IQ, shorter attention spans, and
lower academic achievement. Children are fed during
the school week by federal government programs, but
we want to make sure they’re getting nutritional
meals over the weekend too.
Blessings in a Backpack is a 501 C (3) non-profit
organization currently feeding over 72,000 children
in 700 schools in 44 U.S. states and the District of
Columbia. The program is a hybrid of private sector
funding and public partnership carried out in public
schools. We are feeding the future of America, one
school at a time.
8.
Vol. 18 No. 4
(continued from page 7)
How Much Does it Cost?
$80 - $100 feeds one child on the weekends for one
38 week school year through the Blessings in a
Backpack program.
The Results: Nourished Kids Ready to Learn
Students who participate in the Blessings in a
Backpack program show marked improvement in
school attendance, test scores, behavior, and health.
Food is an essential building block, and in this case
truly is a blessing, especially to a hungry child! Visit
the Get Involved section of our site to find out the
various ways in which you can help Blessings in a
Backpack feed more children.
October 4th – CROP WALK
We can help end hunger “one step at a time”. We
will join other churches in the community to “Walk
for Food”.
Seek pledges for your Walk. We
encourage families to get involved!
More
information will follow soon.
October 11th through October 17th
Volunteers in Mission (VIM)
MidWest Distribution Center in Chatham, Illinois
Please hold these dates. It is not too early to start
planning to experience our national and international
outreach in motion. Volunteering at the Distribution
Center offers an experience beyond comparison. Be
a part of putting kits together, repairing or
refurbishing donations, preparing items for shipment.
You will be matched to the skills you are able to
offer. Stay in a modern facility with many very nice
amenities. We would like to see new people
experience this event, and will also accept repeater
attendees. Jerry and Mary Thompson will lead this
group.
More information will be provided in the upcoming
months. You are encouraged to sign up early.
Contact the Office, Pat Basgall – Missions Chair, or
Jerry & Mary Thompson – VIM Leaders.
We are also excitedly organizing a Youth Mission
Trip to the Distribution Center in the near future.
Something you would like to do? Questions?
Please contact – Pat Basgall – Missions Chairperson
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Sunday School teachers needed. If you have ever
thought about working with the children of our
church, now is the time. There is an opening in the K2nd grade class and one in the middle school class.
Class meets from 10-10:45 a.m. every Sunday,
except for Sabbath Sunday, until the school year ends
May 17th. We will also be needing teachers at the
beginning of the new school year in September. If
interested please contact Debbie Olmstead at 6277429 or leave a message in the education mailbox by
the coat rack.
Vacation Bible School
Think Summer…and Vacation Bible School! This
year’s Vacation Bible School will be held July 21-23
from 5-8 p.m. in the evening. We are looking for
volunteers to help lead groups, set up, clean up, help
with the meal, and many other jobs. Please leave a
message at church or with Debbie Olmstead at 6277429, or Rae Cornell at 622-0432.
COMMUNICATIONS
Weekly Reminder
Did you ever forget to bring your own table service
to a church potluck? Or, did you ever neglect to pull
your items together in time for the church rummage
sale? The Communications Committee believes it
has a solution for keeping you abreast of upcoming
events and activities at GLFUMC. The Weekly
Reminder is an e-mail alert that’s been in the
planning stages for the past several months. It has
not moved to the next level, i.e., getting out to
congregants, due to the minimal number of persons
who signed up for this service.
As such, we are making another call to folks within
the church who have an e-mail account and who, we
believe, would find this friendly weekly reminder
useful.
If you are one of these people and you want to see
The Weekly Reminder launched, we would ask that
you make sure the Church Secretary, Deb Nichols
(627-3256) has your e-mail address on or before
April 20th. Look for an update on the status of this
project in an upcoming issue of the Chimes
newsletter.
Linda Kimball, Communications Chair
Vol. 18 No. 4
9.
UMW
Enrichment meeting will be held on Monday, April
6th at 1:00 p.m. in the parlor.
CHURCH SOFTBALL!
The Orange Crush softball team is gearing up for
another season! Games take place every Tuesday at
6:30 p.m. starting Tuesday, May 6th. We will have a
practice or two and welcome potluck in April! If
you've always wanted to play, this is the year! For
those of you that want to cheer us on, I will post the
schedule as soon as I get it. Please contact Lance
Margrif @ 517-898-5078 for questions or additional
information.
***Date Change***
SABBATH SUNDAY
April 12th
The 1st Sunday of each month has been
designated as our Sabbath Sunday. On Sabbath
Sunday’s we celebrate being in communion with
each other in worship and thru a fellowship
potluck after the worship service. Easter falls on
the 1st Sunday of April this year. Due to this, we
will be celebrating Sabbath Sunday on April 12th.
Please mark your calendars to reflect this change.
MYSTERY BOOK CLUB
RUMMAGE SALE
It’s time for our Spring Rummage & Bake Sale
Get rid of your Stuff
Merchandise can be brought in
Monday, April 13th
Tuesday, April 14th
We cannot accept Television donations
Sale Dates
Wednesday, April 15th 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 16th 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
GLUMDOG
April 18
The Grand Ledge United Methodist Dining Out
Group will meet at the R-Club at 6:00 p.m. on
Saturday, April 18th. The restaurant is located on the
West side of Canal Road, across from Auto Owners.
Beef, chicken and fish entrees are on the menu.
Please call Mary Lou Hanna at 627-4360 or Dodie
Coviak at 323-4323 by April 15th to reserve your
spot.
The Mystery Book Club selection for April will be
Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas. The title is
drawn from a help wanted ad found by young
Thomas Llewelyn, a former scholar down on his
luck. The interview process is unique, requiring not
just proficiency in office skills, but the ability to
observe and demonstrate physical co-ordination.
When he passes all tests with flying colors, his new
employer tells Thomas that he will be working as an
enquiry agent’s assistant. The life of a private
detective in 1890’s London proves challenging as
Llewelyn and his boss, Cyrus Barker, solve a case of
crucifixion in the Jewish section of town that could
erupt into a full blown battle. Please join us on April
20th at 7:00 p.m. in the parlor as we discuss the insand-outs of this exciting book. If you have any
questions, please call Sue VanKampen at 627-2360.
GRAND LEDGE FOOD BANK
As Spring approaches, let us remember those still in
need. During the month of April, we are asking for
your help to keep the shelves full for our local
families that use the food bank. Needed items we are
collecting for the month of April are:
 Cooking Oil (10-12 oz. bottles)
 Salad Dressing (Ranch, Thousand Island, etc.)
 Canned Chicken
All donations can be placed in the basket near the
Nursery across the hall from the pastors office.
Thank you for your kindness in helping feed those in
need.
The Mission Committee
10.
Vol. 18 No. 4
First United Methodist Church
411 Harrison Street
Grand Ledge, MI 48837
Non-Profit Organization
US POSTAGE PAID
Permit No. 97
Grand Ledge, MI
Return Service Requested
Sale Dates
Wednesday, April 15th 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 16th 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
www.grandledgefirstumc.org
April Birthdays
1
Charles Jennett
2
Julie Childs
Whitney Maguire
11
Max Millbrook
John Young
12
Jennifer Haddix
Melanie Vukovich
20
Rita Price
Brodrick McPhail
Beth Schuchaskie
21
Michele Childs
Mary Jenks
Shawn Carr
3
Dominick Jones
Nancy Hansen
13
4
Rae Cornell
14
Sandy Brush
Samantha Gross
Bryan Buckhave
22
Cindy McDowell
15
Leslie Algren
Mike Chesher
BevaLee Smith
24
Maxine Burkhardt
Christopher Cornell
Jodi Fenton
16
Katie Kappler
Holly Dible
25
Jonathon Brush
Taylor Mills
Paula Richey
5
Melissa Mack
Lee Auge
6
Max Hedberg
Colleen Jennings
Evan Mack
7
Jeff Parks
Katie Brush
Mollie Woods
8
James Hoxie
9
Cathy Goodman
10
23
17
John Maurer
18
Paul Woods
19
Ben Carter
Joyce Morr
Marvin Hardy
Jody McKean
26
Lisa Lefler
Jennifer Kempf
Danyelle Hardy
Ray Baker
Parker Tallent
27
Mary Thompson
Patty Sanchez
28
29
Brett Anderson
30
Dorothy Childs
Sara MeyerHamelink
Reid Olds
David Peake
Bill Swint
Lucas Fredericks