Category Archives: Announcements and Stuff

A Thank you from the Grumm/Aebig Family

We would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for the benefit luncheon for Debbie. We thank those who planned it, made food, served, cleaned up afterwards and all the donations. Claybanks United Methodist Church family is amazing in all that you can do. We are happy to be a part of this church. We also are very thankful for all your prayers for Debbie. God Bless you all.

UMW September Meeting

The UMW is happily anticipating the Fall and the Advent season! Yes, that happy and sometimes stressful time of year is rapidly approaching! Our next meeting in October will be a time of reflection on our past year’s activities.

Our treasurer reported on our finances and she will send this year’s annual donations to the five organizations we support.

For our old business, we talked about the new pew coverings and that they will be tightened by Alan of R-Custom Fabric. We also shared the joy over the completed Nigerian well project and that the check was presented to Father Peter during the September Ad Council meeting.

For new business, we started planning for the decorating of the church for Christmas. Of course, that also means…A PIZZA PARTY!!!!!! Yes, once again UMW ladies will eat pizza and then decorate the church in late November, the Thursday after Thanksgiving.

Remember we always welcome new members to our women’s committee, even this late in the year. New members can help decorate and eat pizza!

Nursery Schedule

10/7 – Kathy Ohman
10/14 – Joyce Twiss
10/21 – Doris Graham
10/28 – Edith Bogart

“Canvas and Giggles”

Save the date of Saturday, Oct 13th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Diane Hicks and Edith Brown are hosting a “canvas and brown bag lunch” for all who are interested. This should be lots of fun and best of all, there’s no talent needed, anyone is welcome! Please bring a jar to rinse brushes, spray bottle, and your own brushes if you have them as well as your own brown bag lunch. Canvas, paints and brushes will be provided. Cost will be $10. RSVP to Reba at 321-869-3373 or 616-901-7002.

Calendar for Worship and Adult Study Fall 2018-Spring 2019

Adult Bible Study –  September 9 – October 21 or 28 – Hebrews continuation from spring study
November 18 – December 9  – Advent Study “Faithful-Christmas Through the Eyes Of Joseph”
Blue Christmas – Thursday, December 20th at 7:00 pm
Christmas Eve Service  – Monday December 24 at 6:00 pm
Adult Bible Study  – January 13 – February 17 or 24 (Scripture yet to be determined)
Lenten Study  – March 3 (four to five sessions) ending on April 14 (Series possibilities: Living as United Methodist Christians, The Way, or Our Faith Promise)
Ash Wednesday Service  – March 6
Palm Sunday  – April 14 – “The Cultural World of The Prophets”
Holy Thursday  – April 18 – Combined service with Montague UMC
Good Friday  – April 19 – Service Remembrance, “At Noon on Friday”
Easter Sunday  – April 21
May 5 – June 2 or 9  – Spring Bible Study (Scripture yet to be determined)

Pastor Gary and Art Grumm presented Father Peter with a check for the well in Nigeria

Thank you to all who participated in the fund drives to purchase a well for the Nigerian people. The Claybanks United Methodist Church family banded together to make a huge project a doable project. We are a small church, but a caring, loving and generous church who, when they see a need in the world, is willing to help all they can. Thank you CUMC!!!!! Job well done!!!!

Upcoming Mission Projects

October 14th – Serve this year’s last Family Promise Dinner
October 21st – Spaghetti Dinner fund raiser for Muskegon Rescue Mission
October 28th – Begin collecting Thanksgiving canned and boxed goods for the food pantry at Lebanon Lutheran Church – until Nov.12th.
December 9th – Caroling and cookies at the nursing home in Whitehall

“Canvas and Giggles”
Save the date of Saturday, Oct 13th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Diane Hicks and Edith Brown are hosting a “canvas and brown bag lunch” for all who are interested. This should be lots of fun and best of all, there’s no talent needed, anyone is welcome! Please bring a jar to rinse brushes, spray bottle, and your own brushes if you have them as well as your own brown bag lunch. Canvas, paints and brushes will be provided. Cost will be $10. RSVP to Reba at 321-869-3373 or 616-901-7002.

Fall Adult Sunday School
Adult Sunday School will begin on Sunday September 9th at 9:30 am with our youth as they return to Christian Study. Our Adult Class will pick up where we left off late last spring in Hebrews. We will begin by reviewing Chapter 8 and continuing through chapter 9. Class will run for about six weeks. We will take a short break and then begin an Advent Series: Faithful – Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph. This study is the newest study developed by Adam Hamilton for our 2018 Advent Season and includes outside reading, a short DVD presentation each week with class discussion. All are welcome to participate in both studies as they are available.

Youth Sunday School Beginning
Mechelle Schneider has graciously agreed to fulfill the position of Superintendent of Children’s Education. She will also be teaching the upper elementary/high school children while Karissa Pease will continue to teach the elementary children. Sunday School will begin on September 9th at 9:45 am with song time with Megan followed by classroom studies starting at 10 am. If you know of a child not already affiliated with a church, please invite them to join in the fun. CUMC would love to plant as many seeds in as many children as possible. After the seeds are planted, God will nourish them in His time.

Calendar for Worship and Adult Study
Fall 2018-Spring 2019
Sunday School Begins September 9 for Youth and Adults
Adult Bible Study September 9 – October 21 or 28 – Hebrews continuation from spring study
November 18 – December 9 Advent Study “Faithful-Christmas Through the Eyes Of Joseph”
Blue Christmas December 16
Christmas Eve Service Monday December 24
Adult Bible Study January 13 – February 17 or 24 (Scripture yet to be determined)
Ash Wednesday Service March 6
Lenten Study March 3 (four to five sessions) ending on April 14 (Series possibilities: Living as United Methodist Christians, The Way, or Our Faith Promise)
Palm Sunday April 14 – “The Cultural World of The Prophets”
Holy Thursday April 18 – Combined service with Montague UMC
Good Friday April 19 – Service Remembrance, “At Noon on Friday”
Easter Sunday April 21
May 5 – June 2 or 9 Spring Bible Study (Scripture yet to be determined)

Mark Your Calendars!
The New Era Christian School Fundraising Auction will be Saturday, October 20! Get ready to bid on great items and services donated by area business and supporters as you enjoy an evening of fellowship, food and fun! As part of this year’s auction theme, NECS Art Prize, art work done by students will be on displayed and up for bid! The silent auction is from 5:00-6:15 p.m. with the live auction starting at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be available from 5:00-7:00 p.m. All proceeds directly benefit New Era Christian School. If you have questions or would like to make a donation, please contact event chairs Val Vincent at (Vincentdvj@gmail.com or 231-329-2292) or Katie Bultema (231-206-0018). You can also obtain information through the school office at 861-5450.

Nursery Schedule
9/2 – Kathy Ohman
9/9 – Joyce Twiss
9/16 – Doris Graham
9/23 – Edith Bogart
9/30 – Carol Adams

Thank You So Much
Reba and I want to thank all who attended our gathering, sent cards and extended well wishes recently as we celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary. We truly have felt the love of family and friends and have been greatly blessed. Thank you for your love!
Pastor Gary and Reba

I want to thank you for the very generous gift for Secretary’s Day. It is always a blessing but completely unnecessary because I benefit in many ways personally from my job without any payment needed. I humbly thank you for allowing me to be of service to my church and ultimately to God.
Konnie

Nursery Schedule
8/5 – Joyce Twiss
8/12 – Doris Graham
8/19 – Edith Bogart
8/26 – Carol Adams

76th Annual Strawberry Social
Come one, come all! Bring yourself or the whole family! It’s the time of the summer for strawberry shortcake and ice cream if you choose. And where can you get a generous portion of this plus great fellowship? Well, at the Claybanks United Methodist Church on August 10th from 5 pm till 7 pm. What better opportunity for this community to gather in friendship than over this sweet treat!

Mark your Calendars
It’s been a fun and busy summer, but now it’s getting close to the time of year to settle down and get back to the basics. The 2018-19 Sunday School year will begin on September 9th with class beginning at 9:30 am for the adults and 9:45 am for the kids. There’s a class for everyone no matter your age. All are welcome. More information regarding the new superintendent and the teachers will be coming in the September newsletter.

Voices Eight Visiting
Voices Eight, the vocal group Larry Lindquist leads, will be joining us for worship on August 12th. They will be singing 3 songs during our service, one of which was requested last time they visited. A goodwill offering will be taken to help them cover the cost of music, travel, and any other expenses they incur while traveling to and from their engagements. Let’s dig deep to show them our appreciation.

Kids Camp Fund
It is a beautiful thing to help send kids to a summer camp. We’ve heard if from their mouths, they love the songs, the worship, the games, the friends, etc. This year we sent 8 kids to spend anywhere from 3-5 days. They had a blast. They helped with a pancake breakfast fund raiser to help with the cost, but we find that our camp fund is in the red by $372.75. If anyone feels God tug on your heart to help defray some of that cost, it would be appreciated. You can mark it as camp fund and place it in the offering. If need be, we will have another fund raiser to help with this arrearage and get us in the black to start next year. In no way do we want to tell a child he can’t go to camp next year because of the lack of money.
Thank You!!!

Nigerian Well Update
Eight months ago, the Missions Committee asked the Ad Board for permission to raise $5,500 to obtain a well in Nigeria to provide safe water for the Nigerian people. It was a huge undertaking for such a small church, but the committee felt it was an important mission. It is a great privilege to announce that CUMC has met that goal!!!! Hundreds of Nigerian people will now be able to get safe drinking water right in their village rather than walk miles and miles to obtain dirty, contaminated water. Good job CUMC!!!!

Up Coming Events
Because we have already met out goal for the Nigerian Well Project, we will begin to wind down on the fundraising activities. We will close out the pop can drive, the used book sale, and the various items on the table for sale on August 12th. We will continue with the plans for the brats on the grill and a spaghetti dinner in celebration of a job well done.

August 10th – 76th Annual Strawberry Social (Sponsored by UMW) (Not for Nigerian Well Project)
Now until August 12th
Pop can Drive
Used book sale
Various items on table for sale
August 19th – Brats on the Grill
September – Spaghetti Dinner

50th Wedding Anniversary Open House
Fun- Food-Beach-Family-Friends

Come join Reba and Gary Peterson as they celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary at the beach with family and friends! They will have an Open House on Sunday July 15th from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Summit Park.

Summit Park Location: 5581 S. Lakeshore Drive, Ludington Michigan. The park is located between Pentwater/Bass Lake and Ludington.  RSVP (231-869-3373) – No gifts please. You will bless us greatly by joining us!

The Royal Ringers Handbell Choir of Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ will present a concert for the lakeshore community at 4:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary, Sunday, August 5, 2018.  This is an intergenerational, ecumenical choir that meets once a week for rehearsal and plays for worship monthly. The concert will highlight both handbells and choirchimes in arrangements of new and familiar hymns, newly composed anthems and some congregational singing. There will be a freewill offering to a local charity.

68th Annual St. Joseph and St. Vincent Ox Roast & Homecoming  Sunday, July 8, 2018 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  Dine-In or Take-Out   Adults: $12.00 Kids (5-12): $5.00 Kids under 5: Free 2349 W. Jackson Rd. Hart, MI 49420 (From US-31 – Take the Pentwater – Monroe Rd. Exit (154), turn right (from the south) or left (from the north), go 2 miles East on Monroe Rd. then turn right onto 88th Avenue, then go 1 mile to our church and Faith Formation Center.   Some-thing for everyone! Raffles, Door Prizes, Bingo, Kid’s Games, Baked Goods, Crafts, White Elephant Sale, Silent Auction, Tours of beautiful St. Joseph’s Church built in 1909, Puddle Jumpers Car Club, and NEW this Year… Blessing of the Tractors!

Boundaries Class:  Offered through the Love INC reNEW program, an 8-week Boundaries Class will start Wednesday, July 11th at New Era Reformed Church. “When to say yes, how to say no” – this class will show you how to bring health and happiness to your relationships.  Boundaries is open for anyone to attend.  Classes meet weekly and begin with dinner at 5:30pm.  Call the Love INC office to sign-up: 231-861-5619

Thank You to the Many Church Groups that Have Provided Meals for reNEW! (CUMC is one of those churches!)

We Love Our Volunteers: Do you have a little extra time this summer? Are you looking for a meaningful way to serve?  Do you enjoy hanging out with others who love Jesus and enjoy helping people?  Then we have the place for you! Whether in the Donation Ministry, the Help Center, the reNEW Program, or individual acts of service, Love INC volunteers are sharing the Love of Christ in practical and helpful ways.  Contact Beth at 231-861-5619 to find out how you can get involved or visit www.loveincoceana.org and click on the “Volunteer” tab.

Nigerian Well Update
We’re getting really close!  Our current balance is $4,518.35.  That means we only have $981.65 left to raise before we will be fulfilling our goal of raising $5,500 for a well in Nigeria.  More importantly, we only have $981.65 to raise before we can bless a community in Nigeria that struggles daily to obtain safe drinking water.  We still have items for sale on the table, we’re still collecting pop cans, we still have a used book sale going on, we continue having monthly luncheons, and of course, you can always donate money by marking it and placing it in the collection plate.   God has blessed us in so many ways, lets pass the blessing on to others and purchase this well ASAP!

Up Coming Fundraising Events

• Now until September 30th
  • Pop can Drive
  • Used book sale
  • Various items on table for sale
• July 15th – Ice Cream Sundae Bar
• August 10th – 76th Annual Strawberry Social (Sponsored by UMW) (Not for Nigerian Well Project)
• August 19th – Brats on the Grill

Mark your Calendars!
The 76th Annual Strawberry Social/Bake Sale is slated for August 10th from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.  Come enjoy some shortcake and fellowship while at the same time supporting our UMW in their only fundraising event of the year.

Nursery Schedule
7/1 – Joyce Twiss
7/8 – Doris Graham
7/15 – Edith Bogart
7/22 – Carol Adams
7/29- Kathy Ohman

And God promised men that good and obedient wives would be found in all corners of the world.  Then He made the earth round…and laughed and laughed and laughed…

Thank You

Dear Claybanks Friends,

I wanted to thank you all so much for your support with the Oceana Shores Clean-Up Day.  The day consisted of a great sense of community.  We had 4 dumpsters at the park and one trailer.  These were pretty much filled by 11:00.  We ended up calling and getting 2 more dumpsters.  Folks were lined up with items waiting.

People from the park brought to the cook out hamburgers, chips and pop to add to the meal.  It was a wonderful group effort.  Folks from the community pitched in cooking, cleaning and visiting.  It was a fun day filled with building relationships and cleaning up.

Without your support this day would not have been possible.  Special thanks to all who made cookies, sat at a dumpster, helped with the cook-out and so much more.

Yours in Christ
Kathy Ohman

Pancake Breakfast

Thank you all for your generous donations to support our kids to go to camp.  The pancake breakfast was a huge success again, raising $514 this year.  Camp has been such a wonderful experience allowing the kids to engage in Christian fellowship and grow in the Lord.  They too appreciate all of your support.  😊

Teen Challenge

$476 was collected and donated to Teen Challenge while they were visiting recently.  Thank you to everyone for digging deep in your pockets for this very worthy cause.  A letter of appreciation from them is on our bulletin board.  

Nigerian Well Project

We’re getting there, folks.  Our balance as of May 20th is $4,301.  That means we only have $1,199 left to raisebefore we will be giving many, many Nigerian people safe, nearby water for drinking.  We still have items for sale on the table, we’re still collecting pop cans, we still have a book sale going on, we will continue having monthly luncheons until we reach our goal, and of course, you can always donate money by marking it and placing it in the collection plate.  Keep up the good work!

Up Coming Fundraising Events

Now until September 30th
**POP Can Drive
**Used Book Sale
**Various items on table for sale
June 10 – Salad Bar Luncheon
July 15th – Ice Cream Sundae Bar
August – 76th Annual Strawberry Social (Sponsored by UMW)

Nursery Schedule

6/3 – Liz Grossman
6/10 -Edith Bogart
6/17 – Carol Adams
6/24 – Kathy Ohman

Rothbury Clean-up Day
Volunteers are needed for the food table and to oversee a dumpster – what this means is that you would just welcome, visit and be “Encouragers”. I would like 2 volunteers per dumpster if possible.

Please bring your lawn chairs to be comfortable.

The Oceana Shores Trailer Park is located at 88th Ave and Meadow Lane in Rothbury,

Any questions please call Kathy Ohman
231-730-5310 or email me at Ohmank@mapsk12.org if you can volunteer for any of these times.

Time frames are:
9:00-11:30
11:30-2:00
2:00-4:00

Food table volunteer times
11:15-1:15

Nursery Schedule
5/6 – Carol Adams
5/13 – Kathy Ohman
5/20 – Joyce Twiss
5/27 – Doris Graham

Adult Sunday School Bible Study
Pastor Gary is continuing to lead an Adult Sunday School Bible Study that will be ending on May 20th. We are looking at the book of Hebrews with special emphasis on how it affirms so much of the Old and New Testament. Class runs from 9:30 – 10:15 am. Our class is an open class so if you are not able to make a class you are indeed welcome to join/rejoin at any time.

Nigerian Well Project Update
To date we have collected $2,841.85. We’re a little over half way but have slowed down considerably. If we’re going to make our deadline, we’ll need to pick up the pace a bit. We will continue to have more fund raisers for this project so be watching for them as we add them to the Upcoming Events. Something different is being planned for each month through September as well as a few continuing projects. Of course, you can always make a donation at any time by marking it as “Nigerian Well Project” and placing it in the collection plate. We hope to have 100% of the total needed and be able to purchase the well by November 1st.

Up Coming Fundraising Events
• Now until September 30th
o Pop can Drive
o Used book sale
o Various items on table for sale
• May 20th – Grilled Hot Dog and Hamburger Luncheon
• June 10th – Salad Bar Luncheon
• July – Ice Cream Sundae Bar
• August – 76th Annual Strawberry Social (Sponsored by UMW)

UMW News
The UMW women are off to a good start and ready to help the congregation any way we can. We started our meeting with a devotion presented by Mary Brumm followed by prayer. Doris took roll and read the minutes of the last meeting and then Elaine gave the treasurers report.

After deciding there was no old business to contend with, we moved on to new business. We discussed the possibility of our group supplying sandwiches and chips after the Teen Challenge Sunday on April 29th or should we have a potluck lunch; the potluck won!

Everyone is delighted over the prospect of new table coverings and we will happily embark on the selection after the pews are recovered so we can co-ordinate the color.

The pancake breakfast will remain next Sunday as we fund raise for our youth campers.

Once more, we extend an invitation to all women to join our happy, ambitious group willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Never be afraid to try something new.
​Remember, amateurs built the ark.
​Professionals built ​the Titanic
Anonymous

Adult Sunday School Bible Study

Pastor Gary will be leading an Adult Sunday School Bible Study starting Sunday April 15th and continuing for five weeks ending on May 13th. We will be looking at the book of Hebrew with special emphasis on how it affirms so much of the Old and New Testament. Class will run from 9:30 – 10:15 am.

Holy Week Schedule

Thursday, March 29, 2018
6:30 pm – Holy Thursday Service at Whitehall Campus of Montague UMC
Friday, March 30, 2018
2:00 pm – Good Friday Service at CUMC
Sunday, April 1, 2018 – Easter Sunday
9:30 am – Early Gathering
9:45 am – Breakfast Served
10:30 am – Easter Celebration

CLAYBANKS CAMP COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES THE EVENT
WE HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR:
Please plan to join us after the worship service SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018 for the FAMOUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUND RAISER. We are raising funds to sponsor kids in our church family to go to SUMMER CAMP. It’s a very worthy endeavor to allow the kids a chance to learn more about fellowship and fun in JESUS. We thank you for your generous support!! 😊

Nigerian Well Project Update

To date we have earned $2,653.25, close to half the money for the well. We will continue to have more fund-raisers for this project so be watching for them as we add them to the Upcoming Events. Something different is being planned for each month through September as well as a few continuing projects. At that time, we hope to have 100% of the total needed and be able to purchase the well by November 1st.

Up Coming Fundraising Events
• The month of March – Used Book Sale
• Now until September 30–Pop can Drive
• April 15th–Pancake Breakfast (fundraiser to help send our youth to camp)
• May 20th – Grilled Hot Dog and Hamburger Luncheon
• June 10th – Salad Bar Luncheon
• July – Ice Cream Sundae Bar

Pop Can Drive

As another way to collect for our Nigerian Well Project, we will be collecting returnable pop cans. We have set a container by the “Well” table in the fellowship hall. We also have a large box in the back classroom for larger donations. What an easy way to donate to a worthy cause without using your cash! PLUS, just think, you don’t have to remember to take them to the store yourself! 😊 (We ask, please, that you rinse all cans so the church doesn’t get too stinky!)

Church Cleanup

It’s that time of year again when we gather together to clean-up the yard at the church. We will be meeting on April 19th at approx. 4:00 pm. The silver lining to this is, as usual, there will be a hot dog roast afterward. So, mark your calendars, get rested up and join us. You will want to bring your yard-working tools and your own hotdogs, etc.

Nursery Schedule

4/1 – Kathy Ohman
4/8 – Joyce Twiss
4/15 – Doris Graham
4/22 – Liz Grossman
4/29 – Edith Bogart

Ad Council Notes

It has been agreed that our church needs a better means of communication between the Ad Council and the congregation. For that reason, we will begin printing the highlights of the meetings in the newsletters.

March Ad Council Meeting
• Gary has signed up some folks to be a part of the training program “Active Shooter Prevention”. This will be sometime in May.
• Family Promise has been going well. We will continue to provide and serve a meal to the homeless 4 times per year.
• 8 youth are signed up for camp. The registration fee for all 8 have been paid. Kathy was able to get $800 in scholarships and $200 in rebates to help with this.
• There will be a Bible study starting April 15-May 20 on Hebrews.
• It was agreed to purchase a gas grill for the church. It will be used for our May hot dog/hamburger luncheon and be available for other events as well.
• The purchase of a 24 ft. extension ladder for church use was requested by the Trustees and was granted.

Glorious Morning

Over the hillside, the sunrise is coming. Gentle and warm
It wakes up the day.
Reflecting His light for Jesus has risen. Heaven and earth now join in the praise! Those who have seen Him now are believers,
And we who now by believing have seen. Lifting our voices in one mighty chorus, Jesus is Lord and Savior and King
Glorious morning Jesus is risen!
No tomb could hold Him,
No stone could seal.
Glorious morning, the world has a Savior! He is alive and His truth is revealed.

Eternity’s war fought through the ages Comes to an end at Calvary’s cross
And the tomb now is empty
Light shatters the darkness
Night that seemed endless gives way to the dawn
Oh! Glorious morning Jesus is risen!
No tomb could hold Him.
No stone could seal.
Glorious morning the world has a Savior! He is alive and His truth is revealed. Glorious morning Jesus is risen!

No tomb could hold Him
No stone could seal
Glorious morning the world has a Savior! He is alive and His truth is revealed. Glorious morning!!

Submitted by June Freeman

Was It a Morning Like This.

Was it a morning like this?
When the Son still hid from Jerusalem
And Mary rose from her bed
To tend to the Lord she thought was dead

Was it a morning like this?
When Mary walked down from Jerusalem
And two angels stood at the tomb
Bearers of news she would hear soon

Did the grass sing?
Did the earth rejoice to feel You again?

Over and over like a trumpet underground
Did the earth seem to pound, “He is risen!”
Over and over in a never-ending round
“He is risen, hallelujah, hallelujah!”

Was it a morning like this?
When Peter and John ran from Jerusalem
And as they raced towards the tomb
Beneath their feet was there a tune?

Did the grass sing?
Did the earth rejoice to feel You again?
Over and over like a trumpet underground
Did the earth seem to pound, “He is risen!”
Over and over in a never-ending round
“He is risen, hallelujah, hallelujah!”

Over and over like a trumpet underground
Did the earth seem to pound, “He is risen!”

Was it a morning like this?
When my Lord looked out on Jerusalem.
He is risen!
Hallelujah, hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Submitted by June Freeman