Category Archives: Pastor’s Ponderings

June 4th Worship Service

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, June 4, 2023
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
*Indicates to stand as you are able
Trinity Sunday       

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
For the Beauty of the Earth”………….UMH  92

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: O God, our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
All: Your glory shines from below and grows from above.
Leader: You bring wisdom from the youngest and most vulnerable of us.
All: You call forth delight in those who live both long and deep.
Leader: We look to your creation and find you everywhere.
All: We see you in the moon and the stars.
Leader: O God, our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth.

*Gloria Patri………………………..…..….….UMH   70

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”Every Time I Feel the Spirit”……………..UMH 404

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology………………………..…………UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song………UMH 544

Sharing of the Word

Epistle Reading
Acts 6:1-8…………….…..Page 889

*Gospel Reading
Mark 16:14-20……….……Page 830

Message by Pastor Dion Stumpo
“Moving Forward in Pentecost”

Prayer

*Hymn
Forward Through the Ages”…………….UMH 555

*Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard

Liturgist  – Edie Bogart

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

Pastor’s Ponderings

As I write this Pastor’s Ponderings for our June newsletter, I am going to do something a little unusual and get personal in my thoughts and writings for our newsletter.

The Psalmist in chapter 13, verse six, wrote “I will sing to the Lord because he has been good to me.” June is a special month around our house in that both Reba and I celebrate birthdays. For me, with my birthday at the end of the month, I consider those Psalmist words significant for the many years that I can celebrate that I have lived a blessed lifetime. But I believe each birthday that we get to celebrate is significant and we should praise God for giving us the time he has chosen to give us here on this earth.

At my age now, I can celebrate a list of gifts that God has given me that would fill up this entire newsletter. I am happy, healthy, married to a beautiful woman, I have great children and two fun grandchildren. I have had a number of different careers and educational experiences over the years. For the past 17 years, I have been addressed as pastor and have had an opportunity to serve three churches in the United Methodist denomination. What a blessing these years have been for me. And to get to as many years as I have lived, I do feel blessed. When I contemplate my future, I see no struggles, I only see the happiness the God has given me. Recently, I lost a longtime friend who I have been blessed to share a few years in retirement with here in Pentwater. After losing my friend Paul, I start to wonder what lies ahead for me. What additional things does God have in store for me?

Because of a number of other road markings that I have recognized in recent years, I am reminded of another, Psalm 34:8, God invites us to “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” It was early in my ministry when I recognized God can deliver us from those things that smother our hope, but God’s blessings require our participation. So, in these past few days I have begun to look back and look at the opportunities God provided for me and when I recognized the opportunity and participated in what God had in store for me, that is when I found my life most fulfilling. Just recently, I had an opportunity to be with twenty-four youths who came to the Lake Michigan United Methodist Camp for a weekend in preparation for their confirmation. I had a small role greeting them when they first arrived at camp, giving them directions, where they needed to go to register, where to roll out their sleeping bags, and to direct them to the dining hall. In the dining hall they received the first blessing of the weekend in a meal designed for them including chicken tenders, french fries, soda, and ice cream shakes. I also got to teach a class about trust and was able to get them to participate in some activities to build trust. Not only did they learn about trusting in God, but they also learned about trusting in each other. A small joy that weekend but one that brings much gladness to my heart.

It is my hope and desire that God will continue to use me for what time I have left at Claybanks United Methodist Church, confirmation retreats, Keryx Ministries, maybe an expanded role at Love In The Name Of Christ or maybe a new and exciting assignment. I will continue to be open to other possible opportunities. I look forward to the continued sharing with those that I meet, and when they ask me what I do in retirement, I get to respond by saying “I am blessed to serve our Lord and Savior.”

I dedicate this pondering to my friend Paul, known in Pentwater as the friendly face who was the keeper of the four blocks of “Main Street.”

May 14th Worship Service

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, May 14, 2023
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Sixth Sunday of Easter
*Indicates to stand as you are able

 Mother’s Day      

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above”……UMH 126

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: From the north and south, from the east and west….
All: All are welcome here.
Leader: With hands raised high or hearts quietly pondering….
All: We come to worship God.
Leader: Bringing our love, opening our minds….
All: We draw near to God, near to each other, and near to Christ, the Word of God.

*Gloria Patri………………………..…..….….UMH   70

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”All Things Bright and Beautiful”……………UMH 147

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology
………………………………………UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
The Care the Eagle Gives Her Young”….…UMH 118

Sharing of the Word

First Reading
Ruth 4:13-17…………..……Page 212

Second Reading
1 Samuel 2:1-11………..……Page 214

Message
“Mothers of Faith”

Prayer

*Hymn
How Like a Gentle Spirit” (Ver. 1-4)……….UMH 115

*Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard

Liturgist  – Art Grumm

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

Pastor’s Ponderings

I am writing this message as Reba and I are returning from what will be almost three weeks visiting family. We are on the road traveling from Colorado back to Michigan. We have made this trip about once a year for almost thirty years. It started as an eighteen-hour trip when we would drive straight through, sleeping for a few hours at a time at a rest area. Since we moved further north and added a couple of hours of time and we have gotten older, we would spend one night at a hotel. On this trip, we recognize that we can take even more time and visit the country that previously we had just sped through, so going and returning we stopped twice to stay overnight each way. What is that saying, “Stop and smell the roses”.

This trip was to be primarily about family. Our first visit included visiting Reba’s only remaining sibling, an older brother, who lives in southern Missouri and who we have not seen for a long period of time. Much of our time was spent reliving the stories of the “Baker Family.” We took a drive around the area that was in the beginning of spring planting. The primary crops grown in that area are cotton and rice. It is in the flood plain of the Mississippi River where many years ago levies were built to keep the river from over flowing its banks.

From there we went west to Wichita, Kansas and visited their       outdoor preservation of the Plains Native America History River Front Passage. From there, we turned to head for the mountains visiting Castle Rock as we climbed to Alma, Colorado where our son and his family live. Alma is the highest incorporated community in the United States at 10,578 feet. When we get out of our car in their driveway, our GPS tells us we are at 10,532 feet. The air is thin, and we feel the effect for may days in that we labor for breath when we do anything that takes the smallest increase in effort, yet they have become so adjusted to it that our grandchildren have said, “Grandma how come you are breathing so hard?”

Our week-plus there included snow, cold, sleet and some warmth when we visited down into Denver out of the mountains. One of the highlights for all of us was a visit to the Denver Aquarium which included exhibitions of  Colorado native aquatic life, and freshwater and salt water aquatic life. Our return trip back, we climbed back up into the mountains where there was more snow and our granddaughter exclaimed, “Its Colorado!”

The most important part of our trip was just being with family and sharing time together: playing board games, having pizza and movie night, playing charades, seeing doll fashion shows, visiting a race track with a grandson who gets to watch his father compete on the track, and worshipping at their small community church that has grown since Covid. The highlight of our visit was to see the growth in children, the family and to talk with them about expectations for the future. And, of course, what they want to do when they visit us this summer in Michigan!

Love family, take the time to be together and give hugs!

April 30th Worship Service

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, April 30, 2023
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Fourth Sunday of Easter
*Indicates to stand as you are able

West Michigan Adult & Teen Challenge       

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
 “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love”……..TFWS 2223

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: Sing praises to God, you people of faith.
All: We give thanks to God, who heals and restores.
Leader: Praise God, who transforms us, who heals and loves us.
All: Praise God, who clothes us with joy.
Leader: Do not be silent. Praise the Lord!
All: We give thanks to our God, today and always.

*Gloria Patri…………………..…..….….UMH   70

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn

”Surely the Presence of the Lord” (sing 2x)…….UMH 328

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

Shalom Offering

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology………………………………..…………UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

West Michigan  Adult and Teen Challenge

Sharing of the Word

Message by Pastor Bill Payett

Witness

Music

*Benediction and blessing for our meal

Postlude – Please be seated

Potluck meal following worship

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard

Liturgist  – Kelly White

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

Easter Sunday Service

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday April 9, 2023
*Indicates to stand as you are able

Visit To Empty Grave (Outside weather permitting)
Leader: Come Easter people, gather ‘round.’
All: The first light of Easter has broken through.
Leader: This fire tells us that Easter has come.
All: Jesus Christ has risen, just as He said.
Leader: See the empty tomb, Christ has risen!All: Christ has risen indeed!
Leader: Now all the prayers that we have prayed during Lent, we send to our risen Christ, in the first fire of Easter morning. Hear our prayers O light of God.

Hymn
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”………….UMH 302

*Gospel Reading
John 20:1-8…….…….……Page 882

Lighting The Easter Candle
Leader: We light the Christ Candle
All: With this candle, we carry the first light of Easter into our beautiful church building.
Leader: Easter people, gather ‘round’, your Light has come.
All: Jesus Christ has risen, just as He said.
Leader: Christ has risen!
All: Christ has risen indeed!

Special Music

Easter Morning Prayer

Light breakfast in Fellowship Hall (Prepared by the Claybanks United Methodist Women)

Worship Service
All Process into Sanctuary together following the Christ Easter Candle

*Gospel Reading
John 20:9-10………..….…..Page 882

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
Up from the Grave He Arose”……..UMH 322

Prelude

*Call To Worship 
Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made.
All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Leader: The crucified one is risen in glory.
All: The stone the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
Leader: This is the Lord’s doing.
All: It is marvelous in our eyes.
Leader: Let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

*Gloria Patri

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
Crown Him with Many Crowns”………….UMH 327

Prayers of The People – Joys and Concerns 

The Offering of Our Gifts and Ourselves 

*Doxology

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
In the Garden”……..….………..UMH 314

Sharing The Word 

Old Testament Reading

Psalm 118 1-2, 14-24………Page 492

Epistle Reading
Colossians 3:1-4……..………Page 957

*Gospel Reading
Luke 24:13-35………..…….Page 860

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson

The Easter Joy of Resurrection

*Prayer 

*Hymn
He Lives”…………..………UMH 310

Benediction 

PostludePlease Be Seated

Pianist​​​​:  Suzanne Bellrichard

Liturgist: Konnie Grant

Ministers:  All People As We Live The Good News

Pastor’s Ponderings

Adult and Teen Challenge West Michigan will join us on Sunday, April 30th for worship. To prepare to welcome them, I would like to give my Pastor’s Ponderings over to them as I have taken the liberty of bringing together some of their materials so that we can better understand and prepare for their visit.

Purpose and Philosophy Adult and Teen Challenge West Michigan
Our first endeavor is to lead each person to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We believe that a person can be forgiven and delivered from a sinful, addictive past through faith in the Blood of Christ, and His redemptive work on the cross. The one-year discipleship process begins through the teaching of God’s Word. Our instructors teach the Word to our students and how to apply it. They are taught how to pray and fellowship with God. They learn what it means to live and walk by faith, the importance of work and church attendance.

Biblical Counseling for each student is provided by our pastoral staff. These sessions provide an opportunity for the student to ask questions, to work through personal problems, and for spiritual development. This personal counseling is a vital part of the discipleship process.

Adult and Teen Challenge endeavors to help people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well, and spiritually alive.

After Graduation
Some of our graduates will accept staff positions at one of the over 240 Teen Challenge Centers throughout the country. Others go on to complete interrupted high school education, college education and careers. Many of our graduates are serving with distinction as pastors, church lay leaders, business people, and highly regarded employees.

Results
A study by the US Health, Education and Welfare Department indicates there is hope for the drug-addict and alcoholic. It has been determined that Teen Challenge has an amazing 86% cure rate. Those who complete the Adult and Teen Challenge program report being drug free six to seven years or more years after entering the program. Reasons for such success, as determined by those who have studied the program, believed the installation of faith by a forgiving God can offer the addict a firm spiritual support which the socially and physically insecure person urgently needed to shore up their self-image and insecurity. It is believed that such systems become self-validating, and their basic needs of security, recognition, response, and new horizons are met in this specific approach which is totally absent in many other therapeutic community programs. Faith does make a difference.

History of West Michigan Teen Challenge
The creation in 1958 of Teen Challenge in New York City was a direct result of one man’s obedience to God and prayer by David Wilkerson. Still to this day, lives of the students, their families and friends are continually being transformed by the love of God. This transformation was brought to West Michigan by Pastor Phil McClain in 1970. Phil and others made contact with individuals on the street. In 1971, a home was purchased on Lake Harbor Road where individuals could come together for church services. In 1972, a home had been purchased and Teen Challenge moved to a larger complex on Larch Ave. in Muskegon. In 1973, a live-in program was started for women on South Henry, which could accommodate twenty-four women. In 1974, the former Little Black Lake School facility was purchased for a men’s  live-in program. Highly disciplined schedules were established for both programs to help build inward stability and self-discipline for those who had committed the challenge. In 1994, an even larger facility for women was established on South Harvey.

Daily classes are held, students are taught standards of life and morals that are compatible to their conscience, sanity, the law, society and health, as they hold true to the mission statement established for Michigan Adult and Teen Challenge.

Mission statement: Evangelize people who have life controlling problems and initiate the discipleship process to the point where the student can function as a Christian in society applying spiritual motivated biblical principles to relationships in the family, local church, chosen vocation and the community.

Over the years, the West Michigan program has helped thousands of adults and young people overcome their life controlling problems and become productive citizens in society. Many times, staff serve as intermediaries with law enforcement agencies on behalf of the students. Adult and Teen Challenge average 125 students in the program year-round. The average age of an individual in the program is twenty-three years.

The current men’s facility consists of: a multipurpose building with office space, kitchen combination gyms, classroom, cafeteria, bathrooms, and shower room; a pantry; dormitories for students and an apartment for single staff; newly renovated Chapel; and two four-plex units to house married staff. The women’s facility consists of: three dormitories; a fellowship hall, cafeteria, office space, bathrooms; single staff housing; and supervisory housing.

Funding
Adult and Teen Challenge is not government funded. They are a nonprofit, tax-exempt, religious corporation with their own local board of directors. They are supported by contributions from private individuals, families, businesses, and churches. Adult and Teen Challenge will not turn anyone away for lack of funds if they are willing to make a life change. Should you desire more information about Adult and Teen Challenge please go to: www.wm-tc.com.

We look forward to once again worshipping with Adult and Teen Challenge on Sunday, April 30th followed by a potluck meal which the Claybanks UMC will share with them in community.