Announcements and Stuff

Posted on July 26, 2024 | Leave a comment

Landscaping Front of Church
The Trustees are looking for someone to assist David Naghtin to spearhead the renewing of the landscape in front of our church. These people are to lead the project coordinating with local nursery/landscape and get suggestions and then complete the project. Interested people should contact Dave Grossman (Chair of Trustees) or David Naghtin for additional details.

Memorial Service for Betty Graham
A Memorial Service will be held for Betty Graham on Friday, August 2nd at 11:00 am. Following the service Claybanks Women of Faith will be serving a luncheon for family and friends attending Betty’s Celebration of Life Service.

Old Time Worship and Church Picnic Sunday August 18th
We will once again (weather permitting) be outdoors for our Old Time Worship Service and Picnic. Attendees are encouraged to dress in old time clothes, hats and if available drive their vintage autos. We will worship in a style common to the early 1900’s and sing some of the old hymns. Following our worship we will gather for a picnic with food (hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, watermelon, plus) with a church photo and social time. Plan to be there and it is a fantastic time to invite family, friends, and neighbors.

Guest Worship Leader and Special Music Sunday, August 25th
Pastor Terri Cumming will be with us to lead us in worship and Megan Schihl will bring special music to us. Megan will be married to Danial Leinke later in the day at Claybanks UMC. Pastor Terri and Pastor Gary will be officiating. Also, on this Sunday we will have a special Bible presentation.

Suzanne Bellrichard Shoulder Surgery
Suzanne will be off for about six weeks for surgery on her second shoulder. We are praying for successful surgery and a speedy recovery. We have been able to replace Suzanne for a few Sundays with the music portion of our worship service. We are looking to fill three Sundays at present. If you know of someone who could help us with music, please contact Pastor Gary or our Worship Design Team.

Laity Sunday
October 20th is Laity Sunday, and we are asking through the power of the Holy Spirit to bring one or more of our church family to lead us in worship. When the Holy Spirit moves you, please contact Pastor Gary or a member of our Worship Design Team.

Ragner Relay – Save The Date of September 21st 
Something new is happening with the Ragner Relay. They will be starting in Traverse City (instead of Muskegon) and running the course in reverse order which means our hosting an exchange stop will occur from early Saturday morning to early afternoon. Details and sign-up times to be posted and announced soon!

Strawberry Social
Friday, August 9th we will host the Claybanks’ 81st Annual Social from 5:00-7:00 pm. The Claybanks Women of Faith will need all hands-on  deck. Volunteers are needed everywhere and especially to serve and clean up. Please tell, call, invite and inform your friends and family. So many in our community look forward to this event and we do not want anyone to miss it!

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Upcoming Worship Schedule

Posted on July 26, 2024 | Leave a comment

AUGUST SCRIPTURE AND MESSAGE

Sunday, August 4
Psalm 51:1-12
Acts 3:1-9
Speaking Out For Compassion

Sunday, August 11
Psalm 130
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Forgive As God Forgives

Sunday, August 18
Old Time Worship and Church Picnic
1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14
Romans 11:5-6
Grace At Work In Our Lives

Sunday, August 25
Terri Cummins – Guest Preacher
Exodus 26:31-33
Matthew 27:51
The Veil

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July 21st Worship Service

Posted on July 19, 2024 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, July 21, 2024
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
“Lord of the Dance”…………………UMH  261

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: God has called us to this place of peace and quiet.
All: We come, eager for rest and hope.
Leader: The Lord is always with us, offering us refreshment for our souls.
All: Let us partake of this wonderous gift.
Leader: It is the gift of the Lord’s love for us. Come and rest.
All: Praise God for the absolute compassion of God’s love. AMEN.

*Gloria Patri…………………………………UMH  70

*Affirmation of Faith………………..………UMH 887

*Hymn
”Near to the Heart of God”……………………UMH 472

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology………………….……………………………..…UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
”I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord”…………….UMH 540

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Reading
2 Samuel 7:1-14a……………………..…….….Page 245
“Gospel Reading
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56……..………………………………..Page 818

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
“Come and Rest”

Prayer

*Hymn
“Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name”…………UMH 663

*Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard

Liturgist  – Konnie Grant

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

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Posted in Weekly Service

July 14th Worship Service

Posted on July 12, 2024 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, July 14, 2024
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Eighth Sunday After Pentecost

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
“God of Grace and God of Glory”……….UMH  577

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: Come, give to the Lord your praises of thanksgiving.
All: We come this day, grateful for God’s wondrous gifts to us!
Leader: Sing with great enthusiasm of God’s mighty power and love.
All: We celebrate that love that frames our lives.
Leader: It is a wonderful thing to praise God!
All: May God’s praise always be in our hearts and in our lives. AMEN.

*Gloria Patri………………………………UMH  70

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”Blessed Assurance”………………………UMH 369

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology………………….………………………………..…UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
”Victory in Jesus”…………………….UMH 370

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Reading
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12-19………………………………….….Page 244
Epistle Reading
Ephesians 1:3-14……..………………………………………………Page 949

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
“Understanding Predestination”

Prayer

*Hymn
“Sent Forth by God’s Blessing”…………..UMH 664

*Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard

Liturgist  – Reba Peterson

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

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July 7th Worship Service

Posted on July 5, 2024 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, July 7, 2024
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Seventh Sunday After Pentecost

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”………UMH  127

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: Let God’s praise be heard in the midst of the congregation.
All: Shout praise to the Lord of hosts!
Leader: Let God’s praise be whispered in the spirits of the people!
All: We give thanks for the many ways you have loved and guided us.
Leader: Let God’s praise be proclaimed wherever we are.
All: May we praise God in all that we do and speak. AMEN.

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

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”America the Beautiful”…………………….UMH 696

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology………………….……………………………UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn
”Trust and Obey”…………………….UMH 467

Sharing of the Word

Old Testament Reading
Psalm 48…………..……………………………………….Page 450
*Gospel Reading
Mark 6:1-13…………..………………………………………………Page 817

Message by Pastor Gary Peterson
“How Brave Are You to Trust”

Communion

Prayer

*Hymn.……… “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”…………..UMH 462

*Benediction

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard

Liturgist  – Edie Bogart

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

Postlude – Please be seated

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Posted in Weekly Service

June 30th Worship Service

Posted on June 28, 2024 | Leave a comment

Claybanks United Methodist Church
Sunday, June 30, 2024
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Sixth Sunday After Pentecost
Adult & Teen Challenge

Welcome and Announcements

*Praise Song
“Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty”…..UMH  64

*Call to Worship
Leader: Wait for the Lord like those who hope in God’s mercy.
All: God’s steadfast love endures forever.
Leader: Watch for God, like those who eagerly await the morning.
All: We watch for God, whose power redeems us.
Leader: Hear God’s hopeful word, like those who long for pardon.
All: Sing praise to God and rejoice in God’s love.

*Gloria Patri…………………………………UMH  70

*Opening Prayer

*Hymn
”For the Beauty of the Earth”……………….UMH  92

Celebrating the Fourth of July

Prayers of the People – Joys and Concerns

Shalom Offering

The Offering of our Gifts and Ourselves

*Doxology…………………………………………..…UMH 95

*Prayer of Dedication

Sharing of the Word

Adult & Teen Challenge Ministry Team

Prayer

*Benediction

Postlude – Please be seated

Pianist – Suzanne Bellrichard

Liturgist  – Kelly White

Ministers – All People As We Live The Good News

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Posted in Weekly Service

Pastor’s Ponderings

Posted on June 28, 2024 | Leave a comment

Pastor’s Ponderings

Lay Representative and Pastor Report – Annual Conference 2024

To my Claybanks Church Family,

I want to take a few minutes to thank my Claybanks family for sending me to the Michigan Annual Conference as their Lay Representative.  This year’s theme was “Fearless, Embracing a New Future.”  Fearlessness is not the absence of fear or concern, but it’s living with “less fear,” according to Bishop Bard.   

While Bishop Bard gave a couple very moving messages and kept us laughing at many times, my biggest take-away was, “We will not always be at our best, though we strive to be, but we can always work to be at our better,”  in his message titled “Anything Good?”  I also considered the  guest speakers Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli and Rev. Doctor Lillian Daniel to be very dynamic and thought provoking.  From Rev. Gaines-Cirelli I gleaned a new short prayer:  “Let me trust in the Lord more than I distrust myself.”

The music we sang/listened to is always one of my favorite things.  We sang a combination of older hymns as well as some contemporary Christian music and even some that were composed/written by the music leader.  The icing on the cake was listening to the conference choir sing “It is Well with My Soul.”  They did an  absolutely phenomenal  job with my favorite hymn.

I would probably be remiss if I didn’t report back to you on the legislation and other reports that took place.  This is my most least liked part of conference, but here are just a few of the highlights:

  • The conference budget this year was lowered from last year by 8.4%.  A lot of this was due to the closing/disaffiliation of churches.
  • Only 73% of Ministry Shares were received last year.
  • 6,500 Rice packs were packed by fellow attendees which totaled 39,000 meals to be sent worldwide.
  • Passed the 2025 Minimum Salary Schedule
  • Voted in favor of Witnessing and Voting for Civility, Compassion, and Democracy in 2024
  • Voted in favor of a Call for peace with justice in the Middle East.

There was much discussion on many of the above legislation as well as amendments, amendments to the amendments, reversals, and explanations, but I must say, I believe most of it was done with dignity and grace.

Again, I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be your Lay Representative.

Sincerely, Konnie Grant

Claybanks United Methodist Church Family

Thank you Konnie for representing Claybanks UMC and thank you Reba Peterson for being an Equalization Representative. We were very well represented as a church at conference with three from our church.
Just to add a few things to Konnie’s report:  Our Clergy session detailed educational requirements for clergy during the next two years with emphasis on “Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism” training. We continue in a downward movement where we will come to a point of not enough clergy for all our churches in the future. Legislation for our Annual Conference did not include any of the items ratified by the General Conference (Held in late April and early May). Items will first go before the Jurisdictional Council and items for our ratification will be part of our Annual Conference Legislation in 2025.

We are in a time of unification for the United Methodist Church with the departure of 22% of our church in the conference during the past two years. Nationwide the percentage is similar, which presents to us as United Methodists many opportunities to do things a little differently as we strive to be the church that God calls us to be in making disciples for the transformation of the world for Jesus Christ.

Pastor Gary

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Posted in Pastor's Ponderings