Claybanks United Methodist Church

July 19th Worship Service

Posted on July 17, 2026 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, July 19, 2026
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
* Indicates to stand as you are able

Welcome and Announcements
*Praise Song
”I Love to Tell the Story”…………….UMH 156

Prelude

*Processional
In this place, among these people
God is worshipped, God is praised.
We have seen the signs and wonders;
The lost are found here, the dead are raised.
We are living the Gospel story;
lives are changed, and mountains moved.
Won’t you come and work among us?
You are welcomed, you are loved.

*Call to Worship
Leader: I will bless the Lord at all times;
ALL: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Leader: My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
ALL: Let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

*Gloria Patri……………………….UMH 70
*Opening Prayer
*Opening Hymn
”Since Jesus Came into My Heart”……TFWS 2140

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns
Prayers for Healing
The Lord’s Prayer
The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves
*Doxology………………………………..…UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn
”Just a Closer Walk with Thee”……………..TFWS 2158

Sharing of the Word

Epistle Reading
Colossians 4:6…………….…………Page 958
*Gospel Readings
Mark 4:34…………………….……..Page 816
Matthew 28:19-20……………….….Page 812

Message by Pastor Terri Cummins
“Don’t You Love a Good Story?”

*Closing Hymn
”The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve”………….TFWS 2241
Benediction
Postlude – Please be seated

Words of Reflection – Jesus had a gift for storytelling. His parables leave us thinking and soul searching. They are memorable and they are persuasive. Is there anyone who does not love the vision of a father running to welcome his wayward son? And what about all the wonderful messages of love and forgiveness that one vision evokes. It’s still true today…… No matter how far you have gone, no matter how awful your life is, you can always come home. Our arms are open…..and we have room for you.

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard
Liturgist – Roger Carlson
Ministers – All People As We Live The Good New

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Posted in Weekly Service

July 12th Worship Service

Posted on July 10, 2026 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, July 12, 2026
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
* Indicates to stand as you are able

Welcome and Announcements
*Praise Song
”Lord of All Hopefulness”………….TFWS 2197

*Call to Worship
Leader: The Lord redeems the life of his servants.
ALL: Thanks be to God!
Leader: No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
ALL: Praise the Lord!

*Gloria Patri……………………………..UMH 70
*Opening Prayer
*Opening Hymn
”Come and Find the Quiet Center”…..TFWS 2128

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns
Prayers for Healing
The Lord’s Prayer

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves
*Doxology……………………………………UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn
”Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross”………………UMH 301

Sharing of the Word

Epistle Reading
Ephesians 6:10-18………..…………Page 952
*Gospel Reading
James 4:17…………………………..Page 982

Message by Pastor Terri Cummins
“Suit Up”

*Closing Hymn
”How Firm a Foundation”..……UMH 529
Benediction
Postlude – Please be seated

Words of Reflection – In what specific situation is God calling you to exercise humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, and love?

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard
Liturgist – Ellen Zimmerman
Ministers – All People As We Live The Good New

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Posted in Weekly Service

July 5th Worship Service

Posted on July 3, 2026 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, July 5, 2026
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
* Indicates to stand as you are able

Welcome and Announcements
*Praise Song
”Grace Alone”.…..…..……….TFWS 2162

Prelude
*Processional
In this place, among these people
God is worshipped, God is praised.
We have seen the signs and wonders;
The lost are found here, the dead are raised.
We are living the Gospel story;
lives are changed, and mountains moved.
Won’t you come and work among us?
You are welcomed, you are loved.

*Call to Worship
One: O give thanks to the Lord with your whole heart.!
All: On the day I called, you answered me.
One: God’s steadfast love endures forever.
ALL: Thanks be to God!

*Gloria Patri………………………………UMH 70

*Opening Prayer
*Opening Hymn
”America”…………..……..UMH 697

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns
Prayers for Healing
The Lord’s Prayer

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves
*Doxology……………………………………..…UMH 95
*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
”The Summons”……………………….TFWS 2130

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Reading
Psalm 138:8…………….………….Page 503
Epistle Reading
Ephesians 2:10……………………Page 950
*Gospel Reading
Mark 3:13-14……………………..Page 814

Message by Pastor Terri Cummins
“Your Prodigal Pastor Returns”

Holy Communion…………….……UMH 15-16
*Closing Hymn
”America the Beautiful”……….UMH 696

Benediction
Postlude – Please be seated

Words of Reflection – Are you feeling God’s pull in your life? Is He calling you to a new or different path? Do you trust Him? Follow Christ’s lead. God loves you and you will not be led astray.

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard
Liturgist – Edie Bogart
Ministers – All People As We Live The Good New

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Posted in Weekly Service

June 28th Worship Service

Posted on June 26, 2026 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, June 28, 2026
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
* Indicates to stand as you are able

Welcome and Announcements
*Praise Song
”Blessed Assurance”.………….……UMH 369

*Call to Worship
Leader: Come to the mountain of God,
All: The place of God’s holy presence.
Leader: No matter how steep the climb,
All: God journeys with us and helps us along the way.

*Gloria Patri…………………………..UMH 70

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love?….TFWS 2223

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns
Children’s Time
Shalom Offering

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves
*Doxology……………………………………….…UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn
”As a Fire Is Meant for Burning”…………….TFWS 2237

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Reading
Genesis 22:1-14…………………….Pages 15-16
*Gospel Reading
Matthew 10:40-42…………………..Pages 791-792

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
“Until We Meet Again”

Prayer
*Hymn
”Lord of the Dance”……………..UMH 261
Benediction
Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard
Liturgist – Reba Peterson
Ministers – All People As We Live The Good New

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Posted in Weekly Service

Pastor’s Ponderings

Posted on June 26, 2026 | Leave a comment

By Pastor Terri Cummins

I remember our leave-taking. Almost a decade ago. I was excited to be going to a new appointment and back to only one church. But I was so very sad to leave you. Claybanks UMC folks all have a very special place in my heart. Now, I thank God, the Bishop, and the Cabinet for bringing me back! I feel like Jack Nicolson in the movie The Shining….I’m baaaaccck!!!!!!

Anyway, I’m glad to be back among you. Some of you may not know me, there are some new faces, and some of you don’t remember things about me, so I’ve been asked to fill you in. There’s a lot to say, but I think I’ll just tell you about my beginning……….. I found my faith a little late in life. I was in my mid-thirties when my children started asking questions about God that I couldn’t answer. So, I began to ‘take’ them to Sunday school, but I didn’t go in with them. My home church, Crestwood UMC, had Sunday school after their service so I would get them there and when I saw folks coming out I would send my children in.

They usually would get there in time for Kool-Aid and cookies and then Sunday school was after. I would take my Sunday newspaper and a cup of coffee and go down the street to a park and sit in my car and read my paper and enjoy some quiet time for an hour and then go back and pick my children up. One Sunday, the folks didn’t come out on time….the minutes ticked by and finally I got out of my car and peeked into the window to see what was going on. And SOMEONE SAW ME! She saw me and insisted that I come in! She said that church was just starting and we hadn’t missed much! WHAT?! Just starting!? Seems, that I had forgotten about the time change! OOPS.

The way the people treated my children, and the way my children walked around in the church with confidence and belonging, impressed me. I began to go inside with them on a regular basis, and we began to go in time for worship. God caused a lot of things to happen for me in the next couple of years, and one day, as I sat in the sanctuary, I realized that I was a believer. I can still feel the awe of that realization as I sat there, understanding that I was His!

My call started soon after, but I kept ignoring it until after my children were grown. I was a single parent and needed to raise them. Plus, I was sure that I was not ‘fit’ to be a pastor. I didn’t know enough, I hadn’t been raised in the church. But God calls who He calls and in 2010, following several careers including those as a Church Administrative Assistant and as a 911 Dispatcher, I finally said ‘yes’ to the persistent call I had been hearing to go into ministry. This decision turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. I finally knew what it felt like to be EXCITED to go to work! And I shouldn’t have worried about my lack of knowledge because when I finally decided to say ‘yes,’ God filled me so completely that I was able to lead with confidence, even if I had to ‘look things up’ once in a while.

I think it is because of my late-blooming faith, that I carry such a deep passion for sharing my faith with folks who don’t know Him. You see, I can still remember what it feels like to not know Him. It is my mission in life, even in retirement, to share Christ and His Good News with EVERYONE! Everyone must at least have the opportunity to Know Him! No matter who you are, what you’ve done, or what you know. Everyone is a much-loved child of God and needs to hear about their Father and the Salvation purchased for them by Christ!

So now I have been given the opportunity to come back, part-time, and follow the call God is still sending me. I am so excited and feel so blessed that He has chosen me to partner with the good people of Claybanks UMC as we walk the faith walk together. We were a great team together once. I know that we’ll rock it again!

Pastor Terri

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Posted in Pastor's Ponderings

Announcements and Stuff

Posted on June 26, 2026 | Leave a comment

MISSIONS

Thank you all once again for a wonderful pot luck luncheon on June 14th, as we welcomed West Michigan Adult and Teen challenge!! I can’t speak enough about the generosity of this church as we also raised $267 above our set donation to this invaluable outreach program. GOD IS GOOD!

For July we will have a donation table in the fellowship hall to help fill the needs of The Ladder in Shelby. There will be literature and information about the items requested on the designated back table. They offer meals, Adult, Family, and Youth activities, along with fitness programs to the Oceana Community all in the hopes of sharing their Love for Jesus through this outreach facility. Please plan to have your donations completed by the last Sunday in July. Thank you again for all the love and support you offer to our friends in Christ.

2026 ANNUAL
CONFERENCE REPORT

Annual Conference was held in Traverse City again this year. I found it uplifting, educational, touching, spiritual, and exhausting. Following are a few of my “take-aways:”

Theme this year was Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously.
Bishop Bard’s opening worship service sermon “Confessions of an Accidental Methodist” invited us to explore growth in grace and love, which lies at the heart of the Wesleyan way of following Jesus. As usual, he did not disappoint and kept us laughing and crying along with every other emotion in between.
The General Board of Global Ministries announced that the Michigan Conference led the denomination in giving in 2025, with gifts totaling $1,274,931 which supported nineteen missionaries and helped with feeding and migration ministries, disaster response, and multiethnic ministry.
Because we need to balance ministry needs with current financial capacity, we approved a resolution which called for reducing the number of districts from seven to four, effective July 1, 2026. The current and proposed 2027 budgets will fund five superintendents, one for each district and a fifth conference superintendent will collaborate with and resource the four district superintendents. Our new District name will be Central Shores District.

One year after approving the $215,000 Gardens of Hope campaign for ministry in Haiti it was reported that we were able to send $110,000. This money was used for such things as vocational courses, provided healthcare to three hundred patients, offered fifteen scholarships, held three clinics, and many other crucial uses. One hundred, fifty-one Michigan congregations out of 500+ congregations have participated. We voted to extend the campaign another year in hopes of reaching our goal because as Rob Nystrom stated, “loving boldly sometimes takes a little longer.” There will be two different bike rides to raise money for this campaign, if anyone is interested. They also are taking individual donations if you wish to contribute. (CUMC has sent $350 from our general fund for this mission this year.)

Membership in the Michigan Conference is down 46% largely due to churches closing or disaffiliation.

The clergy for the Michigan Conference have been involved in Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism Education and Training for the past two years and will be continuing education and training in the future. It was well received by the Conference and decided that program would be made available to local church leadership and laity of the Michigan Conference.

During the legislative sessions we voted on thirteen different resolutions. Some of them were a quick, unanimous vote while others took much discussion, but all was done politely and respectfully. I have copies of the resolutions if anyone would like to see them.

The Finance Committee reported they were able to balance the budget for 2027 and it will remain the same as it was in 2026 – $8,032,538, which I find encouraging.

These are just a few things that made it into my notes from the conference. If you would like to watch a video or read any other reports given, please see me or Pastor Gary. We would be happy to share.

As in past years, I thank CUMC for sending me to our conference. I hope I have served you well in my voting and have represented our church in a way that honors your trust in me. I was proud to do so. As in years past, I

took part in the business of the UMC but I also grew personally.

Thank You!

Pastor Gary, Reba, and Konnie