Church Life
2015
Issue 3
DEEP GRATITUDE
Church Life
is published monthly
These things just don’t happen in a vacuum. All that we’ve experienced together over the past weeks and months is the result of
sacrifice and generous contribution.
Royal Oak First
United Methodist Church
320 West Seventh Street
Royal Oak, Michigan 48067
Phone (248)541-4100
Fax (248)541-0192
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ROFUM.org
Editor, Webmaster:
Katrina Davis
[email protected]
Webmaster:
Tom Allen
Proofers: Virginia Borts,
Kay LaCombe
News Reports:
The Congregation
Members of the New Wave Retreat, the New Wave Team, and the
New Wave Riders have drawn on God-inspired vision to fashion a
strategic plan, flesh it out, and then shepherd it into implementation.
They set the stage for the physical work on our building to fit in to the over-arching
quest.
FIRST
THOUGHTS
Building plans have been developed to date through the diligent work of Patrick
Calhoun and the rest of the members of the Building Improvement Team who have
worked together with our architect over hundreds of hours. Patrick has given several
presentations of the plans as they were updated and you have contributed your ideas
and critique.
Ray Blessman and Andrew Sluss have given strong leadership, boundless energy,
clear vision, and a determination that we should not do a job half-way and consider it
done. They have led our ROFUM Rebirth Leadership Team with strength and steadiness with all its moving parts coming together for a prayerful, deeply spiritual
response from our congregation.
Joe and Jean Foster, Pam Sluss, and Mary Lou Graeber’s work created a prayerful
atmosphere for us to begin, unfold, and complete our commitments.
March 8
for April Issue
Communication pieces beautifully designed and well-presented are the result of
Caroline Scott whose work ranked with the best that our consultant has seen in over
a decade of work with churches across the country.
Mary Nahhat has worked with lots of creative friends and staff (and family members)
to provide worship services that have moved
Continued on page 2)
our souls.
Baptism Dates.......................................... 7
Birthdays .................................................. 9
Calendar .................................................. 8
Homebound Members ............................. 7
Kid’s Page ............................................ 11
Sponsors ................................................. 6
Missions .................................................. 5
Worship Schedule ................................. 10
PAGE 2
FIRST THOUGHTS
CHURCH LIFE
(continued from page 1)
Trish Lambert brought us a pancake celebration to bring
our fund drive to a joyous conclusion down its homestretch.
Jon Cline has doggedly watched and provided for all the
physical detail to work along the way. When our postage
meter wouldn’t work at the most crucial moment, he and
Cynthia picked up the whole bundle of vision brochures
and marched them to the post office, hand-mailing them
instead.
Jessica LaRose and Karyn Murray led our children and
youth to lead us, going before us in expressing gratitude
and participating in commitment.
John Boyse, Chris Christopher, and Bill Bond helped many
of us make early and generous commitments: preparing us
all to leave a legacy for generations to come.
You have prayed, celebrated, discussed and obeyed in
making your commitments. Some have gone before the
rest of us, generously and inspirationally.
MARCH 2015
Kay LaCombe and company have helped us all to be
on-board, and have developed a plan for those who will
join us later to participate as well.
Our consultant, Rev. John Laster, has provided expertise
and faith: believing in us before many of us were sure.
This is a phenomenon. So many moving parts working in
concert at the same time. A miracle in the making and
nothing short of it.
Deep thanks: to all these above and to those who should
have been mentioned.
Deep thanks.
And deep thanks to God who is in and through and ahead
of what is happening in this historic movement of our
church.
Carpe Diem,
Rev. John H. Hice, Senior Pastor
FINANCE UPDATE
God is Good...All the Time...All the Time...God is Good.
When the Church needed you most, you were there. Very
proud to report that we overcame a dire operating income
deficit for the year to finish near breakeven. This was only
possible due to very generous gifts in the months of
November and December. December typically provides
the highest level of giving for the year for a myriad of
reasons...Christmas season, extra programs, taxable
income reduction plans, pledge catch ups, etc.
What was unusual this year from most was that November
was our biggest giving month of the year. Giving more
than doubled (nearly tripled) expectations for tht month. It
was in large part due to that one month, that our year end
deficit was nearly eliminated. Many that gave in November, gave as they were called by Rev. Hice to dig deep
and provide additional “2nd Mile” contributions. That call to action was necessary and the response was awesome.
Thank you for your very generous gifts. Thank you to
everyone that serves God at ROFUM by and with any
means you can. Through your attendance, your volunteerism, your participation, your share talents, and your love,
our Church thrives and the work of God is witnessed.
Thank you for loving our church...and what a great church
it is.
See you in church!
Michael Dresden
Finance Chairperson
PAGE 3
CHURCH LIFE
Thank you for your kind words and cards
I received as I recovered. They meant so
much to me. A special thanks to Rev. Bob
and Rev. Hice for their calls.
In Christian Love,
Betty Latimer
Many thanks from the Homeless
for the items you provided on their
Christmas Tree.
8 Scarves
27 Pairs of Gloves
17 Hats
2 Pairs of Socks
2 Sets of Earmuffs
The tree will be up again—10 months from now.
Boy, time flies!
Peggy Gill
MARCH 2015
A special thank you from me to anyone who took the
time to do their part in showing love, care, support,
concern, and respect for your church home...ROFUM!
From picking up a discarded bottle in the parking lot,
to leading a group within the church in a leadership
type role—all is appreciated! From Bob Demonovich
having caution signs made for Lafayette’s Fellowship
Hall entrance; to Bob and Sherry Giles getting more
efficient light bulbs for our parlor: to Joe Foster’s
painting, and general maintenance: to Bill and Kathy
Carlsen’s landscaping and outdoor maintenance: and
last but not least to everything that you yourselves do
when no one is around to witness it, but GOD himself…
All is appreciated!!!
Fred Bowden
SUB SALE SUCCESS
Twenty-plus youth and their parents
showed up early Super Bowl Sunday
morning to make Sub Sandwiches. In
just 25 minutes, thanks to the excellent
organization of Robin Richardson, 115
delicious sandwiches were made. Unfortunately, we had
to turn some folks away who had not pre-ordered. A profit
of over $400 was made for our summer choir camp.
Thanks to all who purchased and we hope you enjoyed the
game!
NEW AT GILDA’S CLUB—
MEN’S SUPPORT GROUP
There is a new men’s support group at Gilda’s Club on the
second Thursday of each month from 6:30pm—8:30pm.
Betty Becker
May 25, 1924—February 9, 2015
Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit provides a social and emotional
support program for men, women, teens and children living
with cancer, their families and friends in a nonresidential,
home-like setting. There is no cost to participate in the program.
The clubhouse is located at 3517 Rochester Road in Royal
Oak. Call 248-577-0800 for more details.
PAGE 4
CHURCH LIFE
MARCH 2015
There will be a breakfast meeting of WhatA Fellowship on
Saturday, March 28, 2015. Breakfast will be at 9:28am
with the program to follow at 10:15am. Irene Miller, a
Holocaust survivor, will share her story of survival, as she
promotes tolerance and acceptance of diversity. Come
and enjoy a good breakfast and become enlightened.
News for All from the
United Methodist Women:
United Methodist Women
Luncheon & Program
March 5th
9:30am in the Parlor—UMW Executive Meeting
Leader: Virginia Sleeman
12:15pm—Luncheon & Program: Prayer &
Self-Denial
Leader: Mary Lou Graeber
WE NEED YOU!!
The office is looking for a few
volunteers to help with various
tasks. Don’t know anything
about office work? That’s ok!
We will show you. Let us know
what your strengths are and we
can find the perfect task to
match you with. Don’t want to make a long-term commitment? That’s ok too! There is always a “one-time” thing
that needs doing. Please contact the office during office
hours at 248.541.4100 or by email at [email protected].
Meeting: March 18 at 9:30am in
the library.
This month’s book discussion will
center around exciting stories of
remarkable Michigan women from
our past history.
All are invited to join us to hear these interesting tales of
the lives of these women. For more information call Mary
Nahhat 248-546-6230.
PAGE 5
CHURCH LIFE
SCRAP METAL DRIVE
The next collection date is Saturday,
March 7th, from 9am – noon.
Funds from this drive go to our sister church in Lithuania.
Thank you for your support. Mark Lowman
ROFUM SHAWL MINISTRY
We are continuing our ninth year
together as we knit, crochet, and
serve the community. We meet on the
second and fourth Thursday of the month in the Parlor
from 1-3pm. Please join us!
MARCH 2015
PRAYER EVENT AT ROFUM
You are invited to a prayer event on
Saturday, March 7th, from 10am to 2pm.
You will have an opportunity to pray,
meditate and reflect as you visit the
different prayer stations in our church
on level 2. During our spiritual journey, let’s ask, “Lord,
what do you want to do through me?”
The themes of the 10 stations include:
Gratitude, Church and Ministry, Self & Family, Church
Leadership, Capital Campaign, City and State, Country,
World, Military, and Personal Prayer Requests.
Light refreshments will be provided.
FIESTA DINNER CONCERT
ALMOST HERE
Friday and Saturday, March 13 and
14, Fellowship Hall will move south of the border as the
Sanctus Choir and other church musicians present our
annual Dinner Concert with a Latin theme. Following a
delicious Mexican dinner (don’t worry, the food will be mild
but spicy will be available) there will be an hour of music
set to a Latin beat. Tickets available after all services.
CHAPEL MINISTRY
OFF TO A PROMISING START
By the time the March Church Life is in your
hands, we will have had our first two Chapel
services. It has been a spiritual time as our
sack lunch guests and church members have shared their
faith, offered prayers, sang hymns, and heard the Good
News of salvation. The next service will be the last
Thursday of March, the 26th, at 11:00am in the chapel. All
are welcome. The service lasts about 30 minutes. If you
would like to share your Christian witness at one of these
services, please call Neal Harris (248-689-3382) or e-mail
him at [email protected].
Hope to see you there.
Your ROFUM Prayer Team
PAGE 6
CHURCH LIFE
MARCH 2015
Thank you to our Church Life Sponsors
Assured Home Nursing Services, Inc., Dr. Nancy E. Hartrick - Family Dentistry, Kinsey-Garrett Funeral Home,
Paul Kremer – Garage Doors
Sponsorships:
 Single Issue $15.00
 Quarterly (3 issues) $45.00
 Yearly (12 issues) $180.00
Prices are based on a business card size space.
Individual Messages:
 Birthdays, Anniversaries, Greetings, etc. $5.00/issue
New sponsors are always welcome! Contact the church office (248/541-4100) to learn how you or your
organization can become a Church Life sponsor.
PAGE 7
CHURCH LIFE
Evergreen Health & Living Center
19933 W. Thirteen Mile Rd.
Southfield, MI 48076
Dorothy Cowley – 420L
248-971-2493
Rhea Embry—312R
248-593-1727
Please mail to home:
830 Normandy Rd.
Royal Oak, MI 48073-5210
Keith Leenhouts
Sterling Woods
36430 Van Dyke Ave. Apt. 109
Sterling Heights, MI 48312
Yvonne Quinn
586-978-7398
American House
777 E. Woodward Hts Blvd
Hazel Park, MI 48030
Peggy Smullen - 116
American House
1915 Baldwin Ave. Apt. 001
Pontiac, MI 48340-1177
Amole Koscien
Villages of Clinton Twp.
15393 15 Mile Rd.—Apt. 226
Clinton Twp., MI 48035
Mary Tata
586-296-2374
American House
2300 Grand Haven Dr.
Troy, MI 48083
Dorthella Kreger – 233
248-577-9904
Chelsea Retirement Community
801 W. Middle St, Apt 687
Chelsea, MI 48118-2317
Olive Mae Glenn
1-586-256-5144
MARCH 2015
Out of the Area
Maggie Fries
255 Mayer Rd. Apt. 264L
Frankenmuth, MI 48734-1344
Christina Smith
P.O. Box 930
Good Hart, MI 49737-0930
231-242-0294
Gertrude Penney
PO Box 840040
St. Augstine, FL 32080-0040
904-471-1442
Phone numbers & addresses will be
removed from the on-line version of
Church Life for security reasons
Shorepointe Nursing Center
26001 Jefferson
St. Clair Shores, MI 48081
Mary Lou Forester
1-586-279-2512
Joe Garrett - Army
Aaron Mingle - Navy (Afghanistan)
Jody Holton - Army (Washington D.C)
Thomas Morales - Navy (Italy)
Bobby Huneycutt - (California)
Mason Smith –ROTC: WMU/Army Nat’l Guard (MI)
Andrew Kostrzewa - Navy (California)
Avery Gardner - Navy
Grandson of Delores Grier
Nephew of Jane Walbridge’s Husband
Son of Polly & John, grandson of Ben & Ruth Forsythe
Great-grandson of Audine Tuscany
Son of Ben Smith
Grandson of Marion LeBeau
Granddaughter of Joe Gardner
Dan Lewis - Army (Stateside)
Nephew of Kris Simms
Upcoming Baptism
Schedule
We will celebrate the sacrament of
baptism on the following dates:
Mar 15
Apr 12
Great-grandson of Audine Tuscany
May 17
Jun 21
If you would like to schedule a baptism, please contact the
church office at 248-541-4100, ext. 1224, Monday through
Thursday between 9am and 3pm.
Monday
Sunday
Communion
1
Tuesday
Wednesday
2
3
4
Alexander Techq 10:00a Adult Book Study
10:00a Program Staff Mtg
Crafty Ladies
10:30a Mom/Tot Playgrp
10:30a Mom/Tot Yoga
BSA 1601
12:00p AA
12:00p Full Staff Mtg
Soul Stretch Yoga 1:15p Library Comm
5:45p Holy Cow
Music Guild
6:45p BSA 1615
7:00p Soul Stretch Yoga
7:00p Men’s Basketball
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
5 World Day of Prayer 6
Communion
7
9:30a UMW Exec Mtg 8:00a Alexander
9a-noon Scrap Metal
12:15p UMW Prog &
Technique
Collection
Lunch
10:00a Prayer Event
5:30p AA
5:30p Sat Night Worship
6:30p Carillon Ringers
7:30p Sanctus Choir
8:00p Teen Al-Anon
2nd Sunday in Lent
8:00a
9:30a
7:00p
7:00p
8:00p
Newsletter Deadline 8
9
8:00a Alexander Techq
9:30a Crafty Ladies
5:00p Web Team
7:00p BSA 1601
7:00p Soul Stretch Yoga
10
11
10:00a Adult Book Study
9:30a Charity Circle
10:30a Mom/Tot Playgrp
10:00a Program Staff Mtg
12:00p AA
10:30a Mom/Tot Yoga
6:45p BSA 1615
12:00p Full Staff Mtg
7:00p Men’s Basketball
5:45p Holy Cow
7:00p Soul Stretch Yoga
7:30p Knowledge Circle
12
13
14
1:00p Shawl Ministry
8:00a Alexander
8:00a BSA Wilderness
5:30p AA
Technique
First Aid Class
6:30p Carillon Ringers 6:30p Fiesta! Dinner 5:30p Sat Night Worship
7:30p Sanctus Choir
Concert
6:30p Fiesta! Dinner
8:00p Teen Al-Anon
Concert
16
Alexander Techq
Crafty Ladies
Web Team
BSA 1601
Soul Stretch Yoga
17
18
10:00a Adult Book Study
9:30a UMW Book Disc
10:30a Mom/Tot Playgrp
10:00a Program Staff Mtg
11:00a Church Life Vols
10:30a Mom/Tot Yoga
12:00p AA
12:00p Full Staff Mtg
1:00p Church Life Vols
5:45p Holy Cow
6:30p Church Council S1 7:00p Soul Stretch Yoga
6:45p BSA 1615
7:00p Men’s Basketball
7:20p All Meetings
7:30p SPRC
8:25p Church Council S2
19
20
Noisy Bucket 21
1:00p Love & Peace 8:00a Alexander
5:30p Sat Night Worship
Circle
Technique
5:30p AA
4:30p Fish Dinner &
6:30p Carillon Ringers
Cookie Walk
7:30p Sanctus Choir
8:00p Teen Al-Anon
9 :15a Arise! Worship
9:15a Bereans Class
10:00a Angelus Choir
11:00a Worship & CS
12:00p Pancake Breakfast
4:00p Confirmation Class
7:00p Debtors Anon
7:00p Cantata Chorale
3rd Sunday in Lent
Daylight Savings
9:15a
9:15a
10:00a
11:00a
Arise! Worship
Bereans Class
Angelus Choir
Worship & CS /
New Members
12:30p Sanctus Choir
Council
4:00p Confirmation Class
7:00p Debtors Anon
7:00p Cantata Chorale
4th Sunday in Lent 15
One Great Hour of Sharing
9:15a
9:15a
10:00a
11:00a
Arise! Worship
Bereans Class
Angelus Choir
Worship & CS /
Baptism
4:00p Confirmation Class
7:00p Debtors Anon
7:00p Cantata Chorale
5th Sunday in Lent
Noisy Bucket
22
9:15a Arise! Worship
9:15a Bereans Class
10:00a Angelus Choir
11:00a Worship & CS/
4:00p Confirmation Class
7:00p Debtors Anon
8:00a
9:30a
5:00p
7:00p
7:00p
23
8:00a Alexander Techq
9:30a Crafty Ladies
5:00p Web Team
7:00p BSA 1601
7:00p Soul Stretch Yoga
Palm Sunday
29
30
:15a Arise! Worship
8:00a Alexander Techq
9:15a Bereans Class
9:30a Crafty Ladies
10:00a Angelus Choir
10:30a Sack Lunch
11:00a Worship & CS/
Clothing Day
4:00p Confirmation Class 5:00p Web Team
4:00p Kim Christopher’s
7:00p BSA 1601
50th Birthday Party
7:00p Welcome to the
7:00p Debtors Anon
Party! Orientation
7:00p Soul Stretch Yoga
24
25
26
10:00a Adult Book Study
10:00a Program Staff Mtg 11:00a Sack Lunch
8:00a Alexander
10:30a Mom/Tot Playgrp
10:30a Mom/Tot Yoga
Chapel Service
Technique
12:00p AA
12:00p Full Staff Mtg
1:00p Shawl Ministry
6:45p BSA 1615
5:45p Holy Cow
5:30p AA
7:00p Men’s Basketball
7:00p Soul Stretch Yoga 6:30p Carillon Ringers
7:30p Sanctus Choir
8:00p Teen Al-Anon
31
10:00a Adult Book Study
10:30a Mom/Tot Playgrp
12:00p AA
6:45p BSA 1615
7:00p Men’s Basketball
27
28
9:28a WhatA Fellowship
5:30p Sat Night Worship
CS – Church School
UMW – United Methodist
Women
PAGE 9
Please note: If you don’t see your
name on our birthday list, please let
us know! We may not have your
birthday in our data base.
CHURCH LIFE
1-
Vincent Notarantonio
David Murray
Ray Slowik
Sarah Cook
2-
Laura Hice
3-
Darren Wahl
Janet Carlson
Mark Consolacion
Ava McCulloch
4-
Michael LaPrise
5-
George Samson
Carole Duffy
Ava Tereau
6-
Joan Hoelaars
Shaelyn Simms
Jamie Pepper
8-
Benjamin Mutz
Ashley Schalm
Heather Nowak
9-
Angela Nielsen
10- Lee Poirer
Joslyn Drysdale
11- Scott Cummings
Latrese Zryd
Carol Edward
12- Elsa Reynolds
Patrick Umstead
James Thompson
MARCH 2015
13- George Samson, Jr.
Zenovia Courtney
Randy Fall
Noreen Sleeman
Elizabeth Visci
Florence Martin
14- Donald McCreedy
Sharon Giles
15- Emmanuel Samson
Sarah Greco
Kyle Bodway
17- Ervilla Lee Hoffmann
Drew Kosnik
Mary Tata
Phyllis Wagster
Rosemary Walker
18- Lori Vickers
Nathan Kubacki
19- Goldie Chiti
Cynthia McCarthy
Chloe Johnson
Kyle Watkins
Justin Watkins
20- Beverly Burgess
Kira Tull
Kristina Simms
Abigail Kremer
21- Michele Zryd
Nolan Tull
Cynthia Goodaker
Allison Harris
22- Howard Emorey
Kay LaCombe
Maya Longe
Christian Southern
23- Lillyana Little
James Hice
24- Velma Lowman
Robert Giles
Lori Suarez
Jacob DeTavernier
Marko Kashubara
25- Adrianna Burgess
Brendan Murray
26- Braeden Simms
27- Janet Cork
Christian Samson
Jean Macintyre
William Starling
Donaven Smith
28- George Hoelaars
29- Kimberly Christopher
Gaberiel Budnar
Marjorie Welch
Karl Evans
30- Aubrey Pepper
31- Christel Samson
2015 Fish Dinners are Here!
Don’t be late for church!
Set your clocks forward Saturday
night, March 7th!
Fridays, 4:30—7:00 p.m.
March 20
Spread the word!
Invite your neighbors and friends.
Baby Cod from Iceland (baked or deep fried), Walleye (fried) or
Chicken Tenders. All dinners include fries or baked potato,
coleslaw, roll, butter, beverage, and dessert (such a deal!!)
PAGE 10
CHURCH LIFE
MARCH 2015
THE ROFUM YOUTH GROUP
Worship Schedule
Saturday
Sunday
5:30 pm - Casual Worship in our Parlor
9:15am - Arise! Worship & Nursery Care,
9:15am - ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
11:00am - Traditional Worship
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Crib Nursery - Level 3 Room #302
Preschool - Level 3 Room #304
Grades K-2 - Level 4 Room #405
Grades 3-5 - Level 4 Room #403
Grades 6-12 - Level 3 Room #306
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday
9:00am-3:00pm
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
WEATHER ALERT
Please note that when the Royal Oak
Schools close for inclement weather,
we cancel Holy COW (Church on
Wednesday).
has had a great start for 2015. First
we celebrated the New Year with a
lock-in party. A few weeks later we
hosted a successful Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser where we raised over
$700 for the discipleship trip to
YOUTH 2015 in Orlando, Florida. Thank you to everyone
who joined us for dinner that evening to support the youth
group.
The ROFUM Youth Group just returned from a Youth
Winter Retreat in Gaylord. Thank you to Kevin and Robin
Richardson who graciously hosted twelve teenagers for
the weekend. We had an amazing time tubing, skiing, and
even swimming in a heated indoor/outdoor pool at
Treetops Resort. A fireside chat and prayer, fun games,
yummy food, and a chance to catch up with old friends
while making new friends rounded out a great weekend.
For the month of March we will have the opportunity to
attend the Renaissance District Youth Lay Servant
Retreat. This weekend provides the chance for youth to
fellowship with other UMC youth groups from our district
while learning how to become leaders in the church and
our communities. The retreat is scheduled for March 2022.
In April we will be returning to Cass Community Social
Services for a spring break mission trip. We always
encourage youth to attend our mission trips, but would
also like to extend our welcome to all members at
ROFUM. Families are encouraged to attend as a meaningful alternative to a traditional spring break. The dates
of our mission trip are April 7-10. The cost is $80 is per
person, scholarships are available.
The youth group needs prayer partners! If you would like
to help the youth group, but are unable to attend our
events or outings, there is another way to support the
ROFUM youth group. We would like to ask members of
our congregation to pray for one specific youth for an
entire year. It is our desire to have a prayer partner for
every one of our youth.
If you are interested in any of the activities listed above or
in becoming a ROFUM youth prayer partner, please
contact Heather Nowak for more information at
[email protected] or 586-718-3354.
PAGE 11
CHURCH LIFE
MARCH 2015
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