Category Archives: Announcements and Stuff

Thank You

Suzanne, Reba and I want to thank you for the gifts and cards we have received from you during this Holiday Season. May the joy we share with each other be a lasting greeting of love for all to appreciate and remember.

Pastor Gary

Scriptures on Hope

Fill in the Blanks! (self-correcting quiz!)

Job 13:15
Though he _ me, yet will I ___ in him: but I will maintain mine own ____ before him.

Proverbs24:20
For there shall be no reward to the ____ man; the candle of the ____ shall be put out.

Romans 8:24-25
For we are saved by ___: but hope that is not seen is not ___: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with _ wait for it.

1 Corinthians 15:19
If in this ___ only we have hope in ____, we are of all men most _____.

Hebrews 11:1
Now __ is the substance of things ____ for, the evidence of ____ not seen.

1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the _______and Father of our Lord Jesus _____, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the _____ of Jesus Christ from the _.

1 Thessalonians 5:8
But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a ______, and the hope of salvation as a _.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
BY ROBERT FROST

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep

New Year’s Traditions and Celebrations

In many countries, New Year’s celebrations begin on the evening of December 31—New Year’s Eve—and continue into the early hours of January 1. Revelers often enjoy meals and snacks thought to bestow good luck for the coming year. In Spain and several other Spanish-speaking countries, people bolt down a dozen grapes-symbolizing their hopes for the months ahead-right before midnight. In many parts of the world, traditional New Year’s dishes feature legumes, which are thought to resemble coins and herald future financial success; examples include lentils in Italy and black-eyed peas in the southern United States. Because pigs represent progress and prosperity in some cultures, pork appears on the New Year’s Eve table in Cuba, Austria, Hungary, Portugal and other countries. Ring-shaped cakes and pastries, a sign that the year has come full circle, round out the feast in the Netherlands, Mexico, Greece and elsewhere. In Sweden and Norway, meanwhile, rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is served on New Year’s Eve; it is said that whoever finds the nut can expect 12 months of good fortune.
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/new-years

Prayer To Begin The New Year

Lord, grant me a joyful heart and a holy sense of humor. Please give me the gift of faith to be renewed and shared with others each day. Teach me to live this moment only, looking neither to the past with regret, not to the future with apprehension. Let love be my aim and my life a prayer.

Covid 19 Update
The Claybanks United Methodist Church in order to keep our church family safe suspended the in-person meeting of worship and other church activities for December. Based on the continuing surge of Covid 19 infections in our community we will not be able to gather together until the alert level in our community is reduced. Your church leadership will continue to monitor and communicate with you the plans for our church family. Please keep each other in prayer. Continue to use whatever media you feel most comfortable with as you continue to stay in touch and support each other. Please also remember that your financial support is needed to continue meeting the financial obligations of the church that are ongoing.

UMW
The UMW would like to thank everyone who ordered from the RADA company during the month of October. From your orders, our ladies group made a profit of $178.00. We will try to make this an annual event. Thank You!!

Quotable Quotes

Use what talents you possess;
The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.
Henry Van Dyke

There is not surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved;
It is the finger of God on a man’s shoulder.
Charles Morgan

Do not worry about what people are thinking about you – for they are not thinking about you. They are wondering what you are thinking about them!
Anonymous

I regret often that I have spoken; never that I have been silent.
Syrun

Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping them up.
Rev. Jesse Jackson

Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.
Will Rogers

Lord, when we are wrong, make us willing to change. And when we are right, make us easy to live with.
Rev. Peter Marshall

Adversity introduces a man to himself.
Anonymous

The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved, loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.
Victor Hugo

When a man has quietly made up his mind that there is nothing he cannot endure, his fears leave him.
Grove Patterson

Never argue at the dinner table, for the one who is not hungry always gets the best of the argument.
Whatley

Don’t tell me that worry doesn’t do any good. I know better. The things I worry about don’t happen!
The Watchman-Examiner

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt

The most glorious moments in your life are not the so-called days of success, but rather those days when out of dejection and despair you feel rise in you a challenge to life, and the promise of future accomplishments.
Gustave Flaubert

It is a glorious thing to know that your Father God makes no mistakes in directing or permitting that which crosses the path of your life. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter.
It is our glory to trust Him, no matter what.
Joni Eareckson Tada

Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
T.H. Thompson

A Gift for the Soul

Written by
Mother Teresa

People are often un-
reasonable and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse
you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you.
Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people
may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be
enough. Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

Nomination Committee
We have opening for Church Leadership positions. If you would like to be considered or would like to nominate someone (please discuss with them prior to submitting that person’s name) contact Kathy Ohman, Konnie Grant, David Grossman, Edythe Brown, Brenen Twiss or Pastor.
Positions to be filled:
Financial Chair
Outreach and Missions Chair
Director of Christian Education
Worship Design Team Member

Community Food Drive
Claybanks UMC will be collecting food goods for the Trinity Lutheran Community Food Bank on the next few Sundays in November. On Sunday November 22 just prior to Thanksgiving we will celebrate and conclude our efforts with a Sunday Worship Message entitled “We Are A Food Bank”. Please bring your canned goods and non-perishable items to church through November 22nd. You will find containers in the fellowship hall in which to place you gifts. Thank you for your support of this community mission project.

UMW

Wow! Nary a cobweb anywhere! And dust, gone. Windows sparkle on the inside. This is all compliments of the UMW because following our October meeting, we ladies cleaned! Thank you UMW!

At the meeting, we hung the picture of the painting of the Lord’s last supper on the west wall of the main church entry. We talked about having Art’s beautiful sculpture of the Last Supper placed on the wall where the clock now is outside the office door and putting the clock on the wall by the “Pass thru” window by the kitchen. It should be the only thing on that wall and the pictures on the table beneath removed and placed elsewhere. Of course this is only with the approval of the artist, Art.

We planned to meet in November to decorate for Christmas, but that date is not fitting because it is before Thanksgiving. There is a short space of time between Thanksgiving and the first Sunday of advent which is the last Sunday of November. Let’s meet Thursday, December 3rd. Cinda and I will make sure the advent wreath and candles are in place for the 1st Sunday of Advent.

On a good note, we have permission from Gary to enjoy our usual pizza party the day we decorate!

Edie B.

Nursery Schedule

Nov. 1 – Carol Adams
Nov. 8 – Cheryl Gaultney
Nov. 15 – June Freeman
Nov. 22 – Kathy Ohman
Nov. 29 – Joyce Twiss

IF I HAD KNOWN
By Mary C. Davies
If I had known what trouble you were bearing;
What griefs were in the silence of your face;
I would have been more gentle, and more caring,
And tried to give you gladness for a space.
I would have brought more warmth into the place,
If I had known.
If I had known what thoughts despairing drew you;
(Why do we never try to understand?)
I would have lent a little friendship to you,
And slipped my hand within your hand,
And made your stay more pleasant in the land,
If I had known.

VETERAN’S Day
NOVEMBER 11

Thought for today:
by Sydney Sweeney

Dear Veterans,
Those of us who have not served
will never fully understand
the sacrifices you’ve made
both in times of peace and of war.

We will never fully understand
what you were required to do
or how you were able to do it.

We will never fully understand
the depth of your scars.

But what we can offer you is this:

We see you.

We recognize your humanity.
And we send you love
that is gentle, patient, and healing.
With blessings and gratitude,
we ask that you remember you are loved.
Thank you.

Claybanks Updates
We have an FM Radio Transmitter for those who would like to be a part of worship yet do not feel quite ready to move into the building. Within 100 yards our church, worship will be able to be received on your car FM Radio at 103.9. During these uncertain times, your Claybanks UM Church is striving to meet as many needs as possible for our friends and family.

On October 18th Claybanks UMC will celebrate Laity Sunday by using our great laity leadership to conduct our worship service. We have needs in these areas for worship on that Sunday: Those willing to give a short 3-5-minute witness of how God has been active in their life. Person(s) willing to lead us in prayer during our prayer time in worship. Please contact Pastor Gary if you are willing to serve. Assistance is available in performing these needs for our worship from Pastor Gary.

All Saints Day will be recognized on Sunday November 1st. If you have a memory of someone and would like their name read during worship, please forward their name to Pastor Gary.

On Sunday November 22nd we will be looking at Matthew 25:31-46 and our Message will be “We Are A Food Bank”. To recognize the giving season of Thanksgiving and Advent we will be collecting food and financial donations for our local food bank programs. During the preceding weeks you are encourages to bring non-perishable food items to be placed in our food collection or you may mark your special giving donation with “Food Bank” and place them in our donation plate as you enter the sanctuary.

During 2020 Claybanks UMC has designated Love, In The Name Of Christ (Love, INC)as our “Special Mission”. There are a number of needs that Love, INC. has requested assistance with as they have moved into new Headquarters across the street from their Mission Store. If you are willing and available to assist, you can access a list of some of their needs by visiting their website and clicking on “New Office Project” tab. Some listed are material needs and others are work project needs.

Adult Bible Study will resume on October 18th meeting in Fellowship Hall at 9:30 am. We will pick up where we left off back in March with – lesson number 8 Sound Teaching For Faithfull Living in The New Testament Study of Disciple Fast Track. Starting on Sunday November 22nd we will begin an Advent Series that will take us through Advent.

Cleaning of the Church – we would like to begin in October a sharing of the cleaning duties for the upkeep of the church. You will find a sign–up sheet in the entryway just prior to entering the sanctuary. Jobs have been divided up so that many can be involved with small projects:

Sanctuary
Fellowship Hall
Bathroom/office area
Kitchen and Pantry
Northside classrooms
Southside classrooms and hall
Please pray and fully consider where you can be of assistance.

United Methodist Women
The UMW held a short meeting the third Thursday in September.  We discussed how to contribute to laity Sunday which is coming up soon.  Pastor Gary will be helping us with this!  We would like to present the bibles to our graduates on that Sunday. We will meet again in October even if there is little to discuss but we will always do a prayer or two and have a devotional message which often is of a humorous vein!
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RADA CUTLERY SALE
Please have your order for Rada in by Wednesday, October 28th!!

Quarantine Exercise (from last spring)

There were sixteen books hidden in the Quarantine Exercise. In case you are still looking, let us help you. Some were easy and a few were especially difficult.

The sixteen are:
Mark
Numbers
Luke
Kings
Acts
Revelation
James
Ruth
Job
Amos
Esther
Judges
Titus
Lamentations
Hebrews
Peter

Great job if you found all of the books!

How did you do on the Puzzles from our August Newsletter?

Facebook

Claybanks United Methodist Family Facebook page is great place to get news and updates from our Claybanks family and to post information interesting to all. Please remember that the only pictures that can be posted are ones you have permission from all those in the pictures. Some of our members do not care to have their pictures posted. Please respect their desire for privacy.

Wednesday Open-Church Night

We were very successful in getting our church family back into our church on Wednesday evenings as we prepared for returning to in-person worship. With our return to worship we will not be scheduling Wednesday open-church night for the time being. Should the need arise, our current worship arrangement change, or you desire to return to Wednesday evening open-church night, please let Pastor Gary know of any desire or need that you may have or see.

Missions

With the opening up of our area many of the different agencies in mission need our help to assist those in need. We encourage you when possible to volunteer your time serving those who are seeking help and assistance. Love INC. will re-engage their reNew program beginning in September. We as a church will be supporting the reNew program by providing meals during their fall program. Details and dates will be determined soon. Plan to assist by providing part of a meal or assist in serving a meal to participants, their children and staff.

Anyone remember this old hymn?

I Must Tell Jesus
(1893) by Elisha A. Hoffman

I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me,
He ever loves and cares for His own.
​​
Refrain:
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
He is a kind, compassionate friend;
If I but ask Him He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.
​​
Refrain

Tempted and tried I need a great Savior, One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share.
​​
Refrain

What must I do when worldliness calls me?
What must I do when tempted to sin?
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me,
Over the world the vict’ry to win.
​​
Refrain

UMW Meeting
August 20, 2020

Once more the ladies of Claybanks UMW met while wearing masks and social distancing. I am so proud that we are able to gather together, fellowship and enjoy being together in spite of the restrictions. We listened to a couple of devotions that were laced with humor, opened with prayer, and conducted business. We are trying to figure out a way to get the bibles presented to our graduates and how we might be able to deliver them.

We still are solid enough financially to support the five agencies we contributed to last year. When we finalize the amounts, we will inform the congregation in the newsletter. We also discussed how to present the laity Sunday on October 18th in such a way as to include members from the whole congregation, especially the men.

Cinda is coming up with a plan for us to purchase the popular Rada kitchen supplies and knives. She will write about her plan.

Respectfully submitted by Edie Bogart

UMW RADA CUTLERY SALE

At our August meeting the ladies group decided to sell RADA kitchen utensils once again. You can find their items online at http://www.radacutlery.com or in one of their catalogs found on our communication table in the fellowship hall.

We will be sending in an order at the end of October, so take a look through a catalog and write down any items you’d like to purchase. There are order forms in the center of each catalog. After you’ve filled out your order please give it to Cinda Moulds. We are requesting payment at the time of ordering. You will notice on the order form that there is a $1 processing fee. This is to help cover the cost of shipping. Any questions, see Cinda

Only one life ‘twill soon be past.
Only what’s done for Christ will last!

UMW
The UMW met in July and oh what joyous time for us. We had a short typical meeting but mostly we were so happy to be together – with masks and social distancing. Abiding by the Corona virus safety guidelines was no problem because we were all so happy to figure out who was behind the mask! In fact, we were so glad to be together that we plan to gather the third Thursday in August at 1 o’clock just to see how we are faring, to have a devotion time, and offer prayer for everyone that needs it.

Shalom, Edie

Open Church Night
We will be continting our Open Church Night for visiting our church to meditate, pray, listen to music that Suzanne provides for our soul, and visit with the pastor and friends outdoors. The Church will be open from 5:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday July 29th and August 5th. Many visited our church on July 22nd our first night of Open Church.

Church Charge Conference
Saturday August 22nd at 1:30 pm we will participate via Zoom with our District Superintendent Margie Crawford using the Web facilities at White Lake United Methodist Church. To prepare for this conference the Administrative Council, Staff Parish Relations Committee and Nomination Committee will be working to meet the requirements of the Michigan Area Conference annual church conference.

NURSERY SCHEDULE FOR AUGUST, 2020
Aug 9​ Carol Adams
Aug 16​ Cheryl Gaultney
Aug 23 June Freeman
Aug 30 Kathy Ohman

Mid-Month Meditation
Philippians 2:3 “When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves (NCV) or (NLT) Do not be selfish; do not try to impress others. Be humble, think of others as better than yourselves (NLT).
I do not believe I am different from some of you in becoming aware of illness and death from the Covid -19 pandemic. As Covid-19 has continued on for these past months and it seems that each week I become aware of more and more people that I know, my extended family members and others in my community who have come in contact with Covid 19 and many of them have gotten ill from this disease. In talking with some of them the words that I continue to hear over and over again are that it is an illness that they do not want anyone else to have to go through and prayerfully if they do become ill that they survive this illness and escape from deadliness of this disease. So many of these people have implored that, “A face covering is essential and a responsibility that each one of us has”. And I will add that if we are true followers of Jesus Christ and we are to love each other then we will put others before ourselves.

I have been caught in a real dilemma these past few weeks as I deal with attitudes of people. It all stems from what some people believe is political and others as myself believe it is not political and that wearing a face covering is what we do because we love all of God’s people. As a United Methodist I strongly believe in the Social Principles that we as a denomination have adopted as a way of living our lives. There has been a lot said about the wearing of face coverings or not being required to wear a face covering. The Scripture I opened with from Philippians states that we are to do all we can for others even when it places a burden on ourselves. We do all we can for others because God requires this of us to love Him and all that he has created.

I firmly believe that fearful people do not sacrifice, but bold people do sacrifice. Reba and I have been bold over the past weeks in advocating for wearing face coverings as a way of protecting those we meet and yes, we know and recognize that face coverings also protect ourselves from possible exposure to Covid-19. I came across this article written by Pastor Gerald Longjohn which for me best states why I believe we should recognize physical science and how Scripture can support wearing of face coverings. This is how and why I live. Gerald Longjohns words: “Great Christian thinkers such as Brother Lawrence in the 1600s and much more recently James K. A. Smith have written about the ways in which small, seemingly ordinary interactions and habits can help us embody virtues and practices that heighten our awareness of God.

Let me tell you about how this might relate to the reality of wearing face coverings in the weeks and months ahead. I think they present us with a powerful opportunity. Here is how….. Each time I put on a face covering I am asking the Lord to remind me of Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” I am asking that God will use the piece of fabric to remind me that: I have been chosen, that God loves me and that he has made me holy. What an incredible gift God has given us! Remembering me that I can recalibrate everything else that I experience and do each day.

God is cultivating compassion. The face coverings remind me of those who are hurting, grieving, or fighting illness. It gives me a moment of solidarity with healthcare workers who are on the front lines. It identifies me with those who are vulnerable.

God is cultivating kindness. This season has left me a little more prone to sarcasm and cynicism. I want the face covering to remind me to be kind, to smile with my eyes, to be particularly gracious to employees who have to enforce face covering requirements.

God is cultivating humility. This season that we are in has been humbling on so many fronts. I have to daily admit what I do not know. The face covering can remind me that humility is a good thing and that perhaps I can welcome this process.

God is cultivating gentleness. Maybe the fabric, the tug on my ears, the way I have to keep adjusting the face covering on my nose and certainly the way it muffles my voice can be reminders to engage more carefully and to listen more intently.

God is cultivating patience. I am ready to get back to “normal” but perhaps putting on the face covering, even as I am getting quicker at it, can be a moment to pause, to slow down, and to take life at a less frenzied pace. And it certainly can be a reminder to engage more patiently with others.

Of course, this is all easy to write when I am at home and without a face covering. So feel free to remember me in the days ahead and perhaps take a minute to pray for me next time you put on a face covering. I will do the same for you.”

Let Come Before God
On Wednesday evening (July 22nd, 29th and August 5th and more Wednesdays if needed) from 5-7:00 p.m., the Claybanks UMC Sanctuary will be open for everyone who would like to come and just be. Suzanne will be playing music for our souls. Come take some time to pray and meditate. Pastor Gary will be available to talk and prayer with you. We will also have a resource table for you to look over and take materials if you would like. We pray that this will be an opportunity to start re-engaging prior to our assembly in worship together in the very near future.

Updates
It is not written in stone but we are looking at resuming in person worship outdoors on Sunday August 9th at 10:30 am. We will have marked off safe distance areas for those who would like to sit on the lawn in the sunshine and we will have a FM transmitter (for your car radio to assist in listening) for those who would choose to remain in their autos. The parking spaces on the north side of our parking lot will be designated for in car worship. Stay tuned as we near August 9th for confirmation and additional details on re-engaging in worship as COVID-19 allows us to resume worship more safely and using the guidelines from the State of Michigan which will help us determine this possibility of in person worship. Our intent is to worship outdoors for a few weeks as weather permits. We will move inside to worship as safety for all and weather encourages us to move indoors and resume worship in our sanctuary.

Giving
During the first part of July our Treasurer has sent out giving statements for the first half of 2020 giving year. Please compare your statement with your planned giving as we continues to support our Claybanks Church’s ongoing expenses and missional support. If you did not receive a statement please contact Cinda.

Mega Schihl
Reba and I had an opportunity to spend a couple of hours listening to Megan and her brother Luke play music in Pentwater on the Café Greens. She is doing well and her parents are experience improving health at this time. She sends her love to all!

Personal Note
I am humbled and sincerely grateful to Anne Riegler, the Mears and Shelby United Methodist Churches for allowing me and the Claybanks UMC to be a part of worshiping with them over these past few months. We talk about how as Methodist we are connected. Being able to be a part of worship with them has been a blessing for me and many of you have expressed your thanks and appreciation for the resources that they have shared with us. The Holy Spirit has been at work these past months in keeping us engaged through radio and webcasts. We have truly connected in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!