Category Archives: Announcements and Stuff

Our Shut-Ins
New to our newsletter each month will be a list of those who are not able to attend worship or be at other church activities frequently, our shut-ins and those in senior care facilities. If you have someone we could place on our list please let us know. We are doing this to encourage you to send cards or place phone calls, pray for, or if possible a visit to them occasionally. Your time, care and love will bring joy into their lives.

Elaine B
Olive F.
Paul M.

New Members
Recently Claybanks United Methodist Church welcomed Bob and Karen Pleasant as members of our church. Should anyone else like to become a member and/or be baptized please contact Pastor Gary or Edythe Brown our Membership Chairperson.

UMW News – Strawberry Social
Mark your calendars, here it comes! The date for the renewal of our Strawberry Social is rapidly approaching – Friday the Thirteenth – August! Nothing but good luck! Some of you may have already seen the sign out front announcing the happy event.

Congregants hone your baking skills if you are willing or so inclined. We happily accept baked goods of all types for the bake sale held that day. Also there have been donations of garden produce in the past to sell for the UMW. What a “yummy” time we will have!

Also, if you can help on the day of the social as a waitress or in any capacity, please remember to sign up. The sheet for signing is on the back table of the fellowship hall nearest the sanctuary.

Spread the word far and wide that the Claybanks United Methodist Church will once more fellowship with one and all over strawberries with your choice of biscuits, ice cream or “the works”!

Church Family Meal – On Sunday August 8^th we will have Teen Challenge join our worship with testimonies and a message. Following worship, we will join together for a church family meal. It has been a long time since we have been able to eat and be together in this kind of event. Hamburgers and hotdogs cooked on our grill will be provided. We ask that those who are able bring a dish to share. Please plan to be with us as we eat and fellowship together.

Worship – During the last of the summer and into the fall we are asking those who have would like to provide some fresh cut flowers from their yard to bring them on Sunday mornings to add a little color to our sanctuary. No reservations are needed just bring them when you come. We will place them around our worship area and on stands.

Nominations
In anticipation of an early Fall Church Conference our Nominations Committee has started their work to fill the 2022 Slate of Committee and Administrative Council representatives.

We are looking, at present, to fill an opening on Administrative Council (Outreach and Mission Chair and Director of Christian Education). Openings on committees includes Trustees, Staff Parish Relations Committee, Nominations and Worship Design Team.

Should you be willing to serve in one or more of these positions or you know someone who would like to serve please contact one of the Nominations Committee members: Kathy Ohman, David Grossman Edythe Brown, Konnie Grant or Pastor Gary.

Special Remembering
Because of Covid-19 we were not able to gather to honor those from our church who passed away during the Pandemic in ways that we traditionally would like to do. We need to celebrate the lives of Helen Cox, Inge Dalbke and Richard Nienhouse and will do so as we gather for worship on Sunday June13th. We will be sharing special moments of their lives and participate in a special liturgy as we speak Words of Grace for lives well lived. Please plan to be with us on this special Sunday of sharing.

Book Mission
Love in The Name of Christ will be collecting Christian books and Bibles on June 29^th.  All of the books that can be distributed through the Thrift Store will be available on their store shelves. The extra books will be sent to Mission Cry in Fowlerville, Michigan who will send the donated books around the world. If you have Christian books that you would want to donate; bring them to Claybanks UMC on or before June 27^th and place them in containers provided in the Fellowship Hall and we will see that they are taken to Love INC on June 29^th. They are really in need of any books written in Spanish.

UMW meeting
How sweet it was for the UMW to gather at the church on a warm sunny May afternoon to plan the 2021 Strawberry Social!  Last month we gathered and discussed if we would need to do things differently due to the Covid virus, but now we are planning to offer the same warm, friendly service to all at our indoor tables. Some traditions are so difficult to give up and this Strawberry Social, held the second Friday in August, is one tradition we want to keep.  How hard it was to not gather last year over this dessert so I know how grateful we will feel to once more share this time together with the larger community.

UMC Facebook Group
As our church moves closer to being more like “normal”, it has been decided to keep our private Facebook group  This helps many of us keep up with goings-on at church in between Sunday worship.  If you’re not a member of this Facebook group but would like to be, contact Pastor Gary or Cinda Moulds.

We Need Your Help
Liturgists are needed for the summer months and volunteers are needed to clean the church from June through the end of the year. Please sign up on the sheets located on the table in the Fellowship Hall.

Adult Sunday School – will return from May 2^nd to June 6^th for five Sundays.  We will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall using safe distancing beginning at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 10:15 a.m. to be able to move into worship time.  Our study will consist of a few of the shorter books of the New Testament.  We will begin with Titus on May 2^nd.  Other books we will look at are Philemon on the 9^th, Books of John on May 16 and 23, Jude on the 30^th and a book to be determined by the class on June 6^th.  All are welcome for any of the Sundays.  You All Come!

UMW meeting
Our UMW ladies started out meeting as usual with a devotional reading and prayer.  The reading came from “Help Lord, I’m Having a Senior Moment” by Karen O’Connor.  We all know God has a sense of humor, so we do enjoy a bit of humor before our meetings and this book certainly gives that to us!

Then it was on to more serious business.  We will be keeping close watch on our financial situation and by Fall we will decide on the missions we support and if we need to make any adjustments.

We discussed how we might help Elaine by supplying Sunday morning sanctuary flowers.  This is too much for Elaine alone to worry about and she might even need help with her flower gardens.  We recognize in gratitude, her flower contributions through the years, following the years of flowers from Alma Martin’s garden.  For now, we will rely on volunteer presentations rather than putting out another sign-up sheet.

We discussed how the strawberry social will be held this year.  We most likely will serve from a table by the kitchen like when we have luncheons and let people seat themselves.  Hopefully, the weather will be lovely, and we can commune out-of-doors.  Men, be prepared to figure out a way to set up tables for us! People are already asking if we will have the social this year and the answer is “God willing” yes!

We Need Your Help
Liturgists are needed for June through August and volunteers are needed to clean the church from June through the end of the year. Please sign up on the sheets located on the table in the Fellowship Hall.

Peru Medical Mission 2021
Our April 25^th Worship Service was led by Denise Schuitema who presented on the Peru Medical Mission trip that she plans to attend sometime in 2021.  Denise introduced herself and showed photos of a previous mission trip. She said that donations of multi-vitamins for both adults and children, new bras, and toothbrushes would be appreciated and would greatly benefit the people they will be serving.  A donation box was left in the Fellowship Hall.  Carol Royalty presented Denise with a check for $500 from our church.

Church Annual Clean-up
Tuesday April 20^th from 4:00-7:00 pm (alternate date because of poor weather April 27^th)

Adult Sunday School
Following a short break the Adult Sunday School will resume for one Sunday in April, the five Sundays in May and concluding for the summer on June 6^th. 

Schedule: 9:30 – 10:15 in Fellowship Hall

April 11^th – Exploring how to better use our Bibles

May 2^nd – June 6^th Short Books of the New Testament to include Titus, Philemon, Books of John and possibly Jude.

Church Support
Claybanks UMC overall financial condition has improved now that we have returned to in-person worship. Through March we still lag slightly behind in year to date giving. Please review you monthly 2021 giving plan for support of Claybanks UMC operations and mission funding.

Pastor Gary and Reba will be in Colorado (Playing with grandchildren during their Spring Break) from April 15^th – 30^th. Should you need Pastoral care Pastor Anne Riegler (Pastor for Mears and Shelby UMC) will be available. Her cell number is 231-631-0573. Please coordinate through Edie Bogart when possible.

Thank You

Our family would like to thank everyone for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  We are comforted knowing that Richard is in Heaven with his Lord and Savior

Lucille Nienhouse and family

Holy Week Worship Opportunities

Palm Sunday 
Claybanks UMC 10:30 am In-person
White Lake UMC 9:00am (Montague) in-person and online

The Praise Center (Whitehall) 11:00 am in-person and online
Mears UMC 9:15 am in-person and online
Shelby UMC 11:00 am in-person
Centenary UMC (Pentwater) 10:30 am limited in-person and online

Holy (Maundy) Thursday
Claybanks UMC – No Service
White Lake UMC – The Praise Center 7:00 pm
Mears and Shelby Combined Service at Shelby UMC 7:00 pm in-person
Centenary UMC (Pentwater) 6:00 pm limited in-person and on-line

Good Friday
Claybanks UMC 2:00 pm – in-person
White Lake UMC (Montague) 1:00 pm in-person
Mears UMC 1:00 pm in-person and online
Shelby UMC – 7:00 pm in-person
Centenary UMC (Pentwater) 7:00 pm limited in-person and online

Easter Sunday
Claybanks UMC 10:30 am in-person
White lake UMC 9:00 am (Montague) – in-person and online
The Praise Center (Whitehall) 11:00 am in-person and online
Mears UMC 9:15 am in-person and online
Shelby UMC – 11:00 am in-person
Centenary UMC (Pentwater) 10:30 am limited in-person and online

UMW meeting

Hello to all the women who are ready to fellowship after the difficult year we have had because of the pandemic. This third Thursday in March brought the UMW back together and what a large gathering! It was obvious we missed being together to conduct business but especially to fellowship in person even though our smiles were behind masks!

We established the officers for the new year, received the report on Easter flowers from Patsy, and talked about having the Strawberry Social return this year.

The Easter plants will be $12.50 this year and must be ordered really soon.

God is ever present with us, individually or collectively. All women are welcome to join us on the third Thursday of each month. Although we meet at one o’clock, any day working women that want to be part of UMW, please contact Edie Bogart to see if we can establish an additional way to include everyone.

Thank You
Our family would like to thank everyone for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  We are comforted knowing that Richard is in Heaven with his Lord and Savior

Lucille Nienhouse and family

Adult Sunday School Returns – We have returned to active Sunday School for our adults. From now through Lent we will be meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. “The Passion Play” which we began last Lent before Covid-19 cause us to suspend our study together will be our focus this Lenten Season. Scripture readings are available for your participation in the Fellowship Hall.

Nominations – We have filled some of the openings for leadership that we have at Claybanks UMC. We are looking to fill a few slots still. We have openings in Nominations, Worship Team and Missions. If, you have interest or know someone, please talk to one of our Nomination Committee members or Pastor Gary. Those filling our vacant positions will be confirmed at the Administrative Council meeting in March.

Our Mission Committee – is looking to support the needs in our community and beyond. If you know of a need that we may be able to support, please bring it to one of our committee members or Pastor Gary.

UMW – will resume meeting this third Thursday of March (18th)

UMCOR Sunday – is March 14th – We will have a special offering on that Sunday. When we give to UMCOR Sunday we are underwriting UMCOR relief so that whenever a disaster strikes, like in the Texas freeze recently, UMCOR could respond immediately. They were there and assisting United Methodist Churches which opened their door for warming, shelter, meals, and water. This rapid response could not have happened so quickly if it were not for the support churches give on UMCOR Sunday.

Our Shut-Ins – Please remember our shut-ins with your cards, calls, and prayers: Olive Fordham, Room #18, 6827 Whitehall Rd., Whitehall, Mi 49461

SPRING IS COMING!!!

Hey folks!  It won’t be long before our congregation will be back together, and our regular duties will again be necessary.  One of those duties we have is the honor of working together on the annual church clean-up/hot dog roast.  Weather permitting, we have scheduled Tuesday, April 20^th (with an alternate date of April 27^th) around 4 PM as the day we will do this.  This is not only a chance to do some work for God by beautifying our church, but to also gather for some socializing and a hot dog roast around the campfire.  Please put the date on your calendar. The more people that come, the less work for all and the more fun we will have at the campfire. Hope to see you there!                          

Dave G. and Konnie G.

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.