The Witness
Issue VI June 2016
Different denominations and expressions of Christianity have different ways and means of deciding and ordering their common mission and ministry. In The United Methodist Church we do this through conferences. Our conferences are made up of an equal number of voting lay persons and clergy.
We just completed our every four year General Conference held in Portland, Oregon this time. General Conference is the only body that can legitimately speak for the entire denomination and is the only body that can amend The Book of Discipline and set the budget for the global church for the next four years. It is a global body with nearly 40% of the delegates coming from outside North America. I am waiting for a user-friendly summary of what General Conference did and will share that with you soon.
In early June, Pastor Deb, Pat Hodgson, Robin Wilkening and I will travel to Indianapolis for the Indiana Annual Conference. There we will celebrate the lives of pastors and spouses who have died in the past year, give thanks for the faithful service of clergy women and men who are retiring from active ministry, ordain and commission new clergy in the early stages of their ministry, adopt an annual budget and annual conference policies. We will have a time after our return for Pat and Robin to report back to you about what happened at Annual Conference.
In July, our Indiana delegates to General Conference along with an additional number of delegates will participate in the North Central Jurisdictional Conference. We elect and assign bishops at Jurisdictional Conference. Bishop Michael Coyner will be retiring this summer after 12 years of faithful leadership here in Indiana and we will have a new bishop take office September 1.
Please pray for the delegates to Annual and Jurisdictional Conference and for the woman or man who will be appointed to serve as our bishop for the next four years. It’s not always the smoothest system, but it is our system – and the Holy Spirit manages to work through our system pretty well.
In Christ and in hope,
Pastor Mark
Youth Events for the Month
- Youth Group Sundays @ 4 pm
June 5
June 12
- Community Event @ the Portage Public Library Smart Social Media Skills for Teens presented by the Purdue Extension Thursday June 16 at 2 pm
-High School Camp - That Thing @ Epworth Forest June 19-24
Valpo UMC has offered to share a cabin with us if any high schoolers are interested in attending. Please speak to Kate Blakely if you're interested. Portageumcyouth@gmail.com or 574-621-0070
- Any teens who want to help with VBS this year (June 26-30) please talk to Dawn Harbart or Kate Blakely
WORSHIP THEMES FOR JUNE
June 5 Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Back to Basics: Fundamentals, Not Fundamentalism Pastor Mark
GRACE HAPPENS
Luke 15:10
June 12 Graduate Recognition & Scholarships Awarded
Back to Basics: Fundamentals, Not Fundamentalism Pastor Deb
NO SIN, NO SAVIOR
Romans 3:23
June 19 Father’s Day
Back to Basic: Fundamentals, Not Fundamentalism Pastor Mark
SAVING & RESISTABLE GRACE
Romans 3:21-26
June 26 Back to Basics: Fundamentals, Not Fundamentalism Pastor Mark
BLESSED ASSURANCE
Romans 8:14-16
WANT TO SIGN IN THE CHOIR?
No, that is not a typo Spellcheck failed to catch. We’re talking about a sign language choir. A sign language choir typically communicates the words to songs through the beautifully expressive movements of signing while accompanied by either a recording or, in some instances, live musicians and singers.
Krista King, a fluent and talented signer, is willing to teach and lead such a sign choir for our church. We would start out slowly and easily, making this something for children, youth and adults, and build repertoire. We would hope to make this a regular periodic, but not weekly part of one or more of our worship services. If you would like to explore this, please contact the church office.
HANDS ON MISSION OPPORTUNITY
Churches in our North District have been asked to bring nail clippers and metal nail files to Annual Conference June 9-11 to be added to the offerings of the other districts of the Indiana Conference to make Health Kits that UMCOR (The United Methodist Committee on Relief) will make available to people recovering from disasters.
If you are able and willing to participate, please purchase these items and bring them to the church by June 7.
SAME BOOK, SAME PAGE READINGS FOR JUNE
We are challenging ourselves to read through the Bible in 2016. The page numbers for the following daily readings are from the paperback New Living Translation Bibles available at no cost.
June 1 Song of Songs pp 399-403
June 2 Proverbs 1-3 pp 376-377
June 3 Proverbs 4-6 pp 378-379
June 4 Proverbs 7-9 pp 379-380
June 5 Proverbs 10-12 pp 380-382
June 6 Proverbs 13-15 pp 382-384
June 7 Proverbs 16-18 pp 384-386
June 8 Proverbs 19-21 pp 386-387
June 9 Proverbs 22-24 pp 387-389
June 10 1 Kings 5-6, 2 Chronicles 2-3 pp 202-204, 260-261
June 11 1 Kings 7, 2 Chronicles 4 pp 204-205, 261-262
June 12 1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5 pp 205-206, 262
June 13 2 Chronicles 6-7, Psalm 136 pp 262-264, 371-372
June 14 Psalms 134, 146-150 pp 371, 374-375
June 15 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8 pp 206-207, 264
June 16 Proverbs 25-26 pp 389-390
June 17 Proverbs 27-29 pp 390-392
June 18 Ecclesiastes 1-6 pp 394-396
June 19 Ecclesiastes 7-12 pp 396-398
June 20 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9 pp 207-209, 264-265
June 21 Proverbs 30-31 pp 392-393
June 22 1 Kings 12-14 pp 209-211
June 23 2 Chronicles 10-12 pp 265-266
June 24 1 Kings 15:1-24, 2 Chronicles 13-16 pp 211-212, 266-268
June 25 1 Kings 15:25-16:34, 2 Chronicles 17 pp 212-213, 268
June 26 1 Kings 17-19 pp 213-215
June 27 1 Kings 20-21 pp 215-216
June 28 1 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 18 pp 216-218, 268-269
June 29 2 Chronicles 19-23 pp 269-272
June 30 Obadiah, Psalms 82-83 pp 548-549, 353
First Friday Fellowship will meet on Friday, June 3rd at 5:00pm. at Kelsey’s Steakhouse, 2300 Morthland Dr. Valparaiso. R.S.V.P. to Kathy Tatlock at 219-276-1887.
This group meets once a month at different restaurants for food and fellowship.
It’s Graduation Time!!!!
If you are graduating from high school, trade school, college, or graduate school (or graduated last December), we would like to recognize your accomplishments. Please fill out the Graduation Form (200 word maximum) found at the Connection Center, the Church Website, or Facebook. Be sure to include what you’ve been doing, what your future plans are, and include some pictures (past and present) to share. Send the completed Graduation Form and/or pictures to Leigh Neace-Coffey at leigh.neace.coffey@gmail.com (text pictures to 219-246-8994) no later than June 5th. Graduation recognition will be on Sunday, June 12th, at each of our worship services.
Let’s Get Moving!!!
Interested in getting some exercise in the company of friends? Let’s organize a walking group! All interested meet at Crossroads (the farm – south parking lot entrance, turn left) on Tuesday, June 7 at 8am. We will walk the prayer path. If terrain is too hard to walk on we will determine a place on the trails to walk. The current plan is to walk Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-9am.
Not able to walk during the day? Would you be willing to organize an evening walk? Let Pastor Deb know.
Royal Family Kids Camp gives children who have suffered abuse and/or neglect a week of camp where they are ‘royalty’.
Many of these children are in foster care. Most of the children do not have much of their own. So each year, you here at Portage 1st help to fill a back pack with supplies they will need for camp. If you are able to complete the following list or perhaps go in with someone else to complete a list it will be greatly appreciated.
Each pack will contain:
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• New towel
• New washcloth
• Body wash
• Comb
• Brush
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
Items can be brought to church and placed in the marked laundry basket.
United Methodist Men
Our United Methodist Men had our last regular season meeting Saturday-05/07/16.
Our next regular meeting will be Saturday-09/10/16. We basically meet the first Saturday of each month from @ 8-10 AM for an informal breakfast meeting that includes a bible study session before we close. We may not meet the first Saturday if it is around a holiday or another important scheduled event. We meet (9) months taking a break during the summer months. Our men’s group is open to all men (and ages)who are seeking fun fellowship with other men and seeking to grow in faith and knowledge in their relationship with Jesus Christ. We welcome all men. It is not required that you are a United Methodist Man, but that you are just seeking good fellowship with other Christian men.
Current Activities:
• Support Cub Scout Pack 487. Chris Adkins is our church pack liaison.
• Support UMW with their spring and fall Rummage Sales.
• Actively support Incarcerated Men’s Ministry – mainly men at Westville Correctional facility.
• Sponsored 05/08/16 Mother’s Day breakfast hosted by UMM.
• Sponsoring Rail Cats Game for family - Saturday-06/25/16 @ 6:10PM. Tickets are $9 per person or $14 with a meal ticket which includes pop, chips and hot dog.
Listed below are our current UMM officers. We welcome and encourage you to talk to any of these men and ask any questions that you may have about the United Methodist Men. And we welcome you to consider joining us for breakfast and fellowship sometime soon.
Mike Matthew 2016 President 219-508-9616
Steve Massow Vice President 219-742-0926
Chris Adkins Treasure 708-372-9732
Ray Nadolski Secretary 219-730-3022
David Coffey Outreach/Membership 219-246-8994
Glenn Yerby Outreach/Membership 219-508-6437
Ed Piontek Bible Study Leader 219-364-0718
Car Show
Rev up your engines once again!
This year's car show will be held on August 6th and we need your help! You can help in various ways.
Sign up at the connection center in the narthex. This year, we especially need donated gifts for door prizes and giveaways. Preferably any car related item or gift cards are always a great for door prizes. They can be dropped off with Susie during the week, or contact me, Steve Massow at 742-0926.
These prizes make the day exciting and special for all those attending. We look forward to Fun, food, music, and classic cars contests and more!! All proceeds this year will be donated to the Royal family kids camp. Send a child to camp mission.
Don't miss this one!
The first Saturday in August every year.
May God bless you richly!
Summer Children’s Church Schedule
With summer vacations and sports events there may be times that you are not available. Below is a proposed schedule for the entire summer. If you are not available on your scheduled date will you call someone else on the list and arrange for a trade? That will be very helpful. Please know that your support of our children is greatly appreciated. Anyone who would like to be added to the rotation schedule please talk with Pastor Deb. Better yet jot down your name and put it in my mail slot. Thanks a bunch.
June July August
5th - Dominic Paglicci and Pastor Deb 3rd – Rosemary Schest &Donna Lenburg 7th – Ethan Keehn and Pastor Deb
12th – Cheryl Hamilton and Pam Parks 10th – Riley Miller and Pastor Deb 14th – Donna Lenburg & Pastor Deb
19th – Clara Harbart and Pastor Deb 17th – Simeon Bright and Pastor Deb 21st – Pam Parks and Pastor Deb
26th – Amber Welch and Ethan Keehn 24th – Wendy Smith and Clara Harbart 28th – Bill and Shannon Liesch
31st – Tara Keehn and Judy Hedstrom
A DOGGONE GOOD EVENING is being planned for Friday, June 24th!
Put your pet on a leash and head for the farm (S. entrance of parking lot and turn right) because we will have pet centered activities planned for the evening.
6-6:30 “Blessing of the Animals”
Bring your pets as we observe a long standing Christian tradition which reminds us to show gratitude for our pets as they are gifts from God. The first Blessing of the animals some credit to St. Francis of Assisi, who is said to have been doubting his decision of priesthood. As he walked along a path he noticed the birds and began to preach to them about God’s glories stating the reasons both humans and birds should be grateful.
6-6:30 Games with animal related themes
6:30-7 Dinner
7-8:00 Campfire/sing-a-long/tall tales/vespers
Bring: Lawn chair Hot dog roasting sticks insect repellent A tall tale to tell
Your pet(s) on leash or in carrier
*If it rains all festivities will be moved indoors at the church.
A NOTE FROM PASTOR DEB
Summer has been a long time coming so we need to make the most of the warm weather. I hope you will plan to have a ‘doggone good time’ at our June neighbors within our community so don’t hesitate to invite others.
The ‘Blessing of the Animals’ time has always been enjoyable. I had hoped that our ‘bad’ cat would behave kinder and gentler after her blessing but it didn’t happen – she was resistant to the grace that was offered. While she no longer attacks me for no reason she still has her ways of letting me know she does not appreciate my bringing another cat into her home. Anyone looking for a very pretty cat (named Wanda ) and has no other pets at home, she is yours for the asking.
Other summer activities include Vacation Bible School – Sunday, June26-Thursday, June 30. Extra hands are always needed. Talk with Dawn Harbart to offer your help.
The Annual Car Show is slotted for August 6 with proceeds going to local charity. A list of ways to help is on the Connection Center.
Our youth will be taking part in a ‘Box City’ on August 20th to bring awareness and raise funds and goods for ‘Family Promise’ who are beginning here in Porter County to assure families who find themselves homeless have resources. If you want to know more about this talk with me, Robin Wilkening or Wanda Samuelson.
Last year we held our first ever 5k run through the Sacred Steps model. This year Sacred Steps will be Sept. 24th. Be watching for more details about the actual event.
You may be thinking, “I am not a runner”. There is a very important way that you can help us raise money for Heifer International who work world-wide to help persons find their way from poverty to self-sustaining lifestyles by supplying farm animals, education, fresh drinking water and so much more. Check out their web site www.heifer.org
But I digress. How can you help? We need sponsors – corporate and business sponsors. Do you or do you know of anyone who owns a business or works for a business that may be willing to sponsor the event? How about your workplace. The businesses you frequent? We have sponsorship applications and cover letters available. Please step out of your comfort zone and ask for support of this worthy cause. Thinking of a child being hungry breaks my heart as I imagine it does yours.
Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ to a suffering world.
In Christian love,
Pastor Deb
Get Ready little explorers…Vacation Bible School is coming!!!
Cave Quest
Following Jesus the Light of the World
June 26th -30th 6:30pm-8:30pm. Pre-K - 5th Grade
Come and meet new friends, try amazing experiments, spelunker sports, lip-smacking snacks, surprising adventures and incredible music.
Registration information available at the Welcome Center.
Happy June Birthday to…
01 Melvin Joyce 07 Sandy Holtzman 19 Bryan Dixon
01 Erin Davenport 07 Todd Warne 19 Amber Kramer
01 Austin Shebel 08 Zachery Sullivan 25 Pat Hodgson
02 Nick Nickerson 09 Mark Dicken 27 Chuck Lorenz
02 Debbie Rousselle 15 Patrick Costello 28 Matt Lopez
02 Betty Smith 15 Gabriel Harbart 29 Jean Gilliland
03 Melinda Metz 17 Fran Berry 29 Bob Romanov Jr.
04 Jackie Green 17 Brandi Costello 29 Jessica Karsten
05 Dee Nickerson 17 Barbara Dicken 30 Carolyn Lenburg
06 Addison Poole 18 Jim Reeder
Happy June Anniversary to…
02 Ron & Karen Mauer 15 Kirk & Dawn Harbart
05 Ryan & Melissa Sullivan 22 Randy & Robin Wilkening
08 Joseph & Annette Wray 23 Richard & Sherry Pinarski
09 Greg & Tara Keehn 24 Robert & Joyce Shone
09 Chuck & Virginia Phillips 25 Paul & Amanda Peterson
11 Andrew & Jenny Brown 26 Larry & Sue Fingerhoot
15 Doug & Teresa McKiddy 30 Bill & Amber Kramer
Issue VI June 2016
Different denominations and expressions of Christianity have different ways and means of deciding and ordering their common mission and ministry. In The United Methodist Church we do this through conferences. Our conferences are made up of an equal number of voting lay persons and clergy.
We just completed our every four year General Conference held in Portland, Oregon this time. General Conference is the only body that can legitimately speak for the entire denomination and is the only body that can amend The Book of Discipline and set the budget for the global church for the next four years. It is a global body with nearly 40% of the delegates coming from outside North America. I am waiting for a user-friendly summary of what General Conference did and will share that with you soon.
In early June, Pastor Deb, Pat Hodgson, Robin Wilkening and I will travel to Indianapolis for the Indiana Annual Conference. There we will celebrate the lives of pastors and spouses who have died in the past year, give thanks for the faithful service of clergy women and men who are retiring from active ministry, ordain and commission new clergy in the early stages of their ministry, adopt an annual budget and annual conference policies. We will have a time after our return for Pat and Robin to report back to you about what happened at Annual Conference.
In July, our Indiana delegates to General Conference along with an additional number of delegates will participate in the North Central Jurisdictional Conference. We elect and assign bishops at Jurisdictional Conference. Bishop Michael Coyner will be retiring this summer after 12 years of faithful leadership here in Indiana and we will have a new bishop take office September 1.
Please pray for the delegates to Annual and Jurisdictional Conference and for the woman or man who will be appointed to serve as our bishop for the next four years. It’s not always the smoothest system, but it is our system – and the Holy Spirit manages to work through our system pretty well.
In Christ and in hope,
Pastor Mark
Youth Events for the Month
- Youth Group Sundays @ 4 pm
June 5
June 12
- Community Event @ the Portage Public Library Smart Social Media Skills for Teens presented by the Purdue Extension Thursday June 16 at 2 pm
-High School Camp - That Thing @ Epworth Forest June 19-24
Valpo UMC has offered to share a cabin with us if any high schoolers are interested in attending. Please speak to Kate Blakely if you're interested. Portageumcyouth@gmail.com or 574-621-0070
- Any teens who want to help with VBS this year (June 26-30) please talk to Dawn Harbart or Kate Blakely
WORSHIP THEMES FOR JUNE
June 5 Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Back to Basics: Fundamentals, Not Fundamentalism Pastor Mark
GRACE HAPPENS
Luke 15:10
June 12 Graduate Recognition & Scholarships Awarded
Back to Basics: Fundamentals, Not Fundamentalism Pastor Deb
NO SIN, NO SAVIOR
Romans 3:23
June 19 Father’s Day
Back to Basic: Fundamentals, Not Fundamentalism Pastor Mark
SAVING & RESISTABLE GRACE
Romans 3:21-26
June 26 Back to Basics: Fundamentals, Not Fundamentalism Pastor Mark
BLESSED ASSURANCE
Romans 8:14-16
WANT TO SIGN IN THE CHOIR?
No, that is not a typo Spellcheck failed to catch. We’re talking about a sign language choir. A sign language choir typically communicates the words to songs through the beautifully expressive movements of signing while accompanied by either a recording or, in some instances, live musicians and singers.
Krista King, a fluent and talented signer, is willing to teach and lead such a sign choir for our church. We would start out slowly and easily, making this something for children, youth and adults, and build repertoire. We would hope to make this a regular periodic, but not weekly part of one or more of our worship services. If you would like to explore this, please contact the church office.
HANDS ON MISSION OPPORTUNITY
Churches in our North District have been asked to bring nail clippers and metal nail files to Annual Conference June 9-11 to be added to the offerings of the other districts of the Indiana Conference to make Health Kits that UMCOR (The United Methodist Committee on Relief) will make available to people recovering from disasters.
If you are able and willing to participate, please purchase these items and bring them to the church by June 7.
SAME BOOK, SAME PAGE READINGS FOR JUNE
We are challenging ourselves to read through the Bible in 2016. The page numbers for the following daily readings are from the paperback New Living Translation Bibles available at no cost.
June 1 Song of Songs pp 399-403
June 2 Proverbs 1-3 pp 376-377
June 3 Proverbs 4-6 pp 378-379
June 4 Proverbs 7-9 pp 379-380
June 5 Proverbs 10-12 pp 380-382
June 6 Proverbs 13-15 pp 382-384
June 7 Proverbs 16-18 pp 384-386
June 8 Proverbs 19-21 pp 386-387
June 9 Proverbs 22-24 pp 387-389
June 10 1 Kings 5-6, 2 Chronicles 2-3 pp 202-204, 260-261
June 11 1 Kings 7, 2 Chronicles 4 pp 204-205, 261-262
June 12 1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5 pp 205-206, 262
June 13 2 Chronicles 6-7, Psalm 136 pp 262-264, 371-372
June 14 Psalms 134, 146-150 pp 371, 374-375
June 15 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8 pp 206-207, 264
June 16 Proverbs 25-26 pp 389-390
June 17 Proverbs 27-29 pp 390-392
June 18 Ecclesiastes 1-6 pp 394-396
June 19 Ecclesiastes 7-12 pp 396-398
June 20 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9 pp 207-209, 264-265
June 21 Proverbs 30-31 pp 392-393
June 22 1 Kings 12-14 pp 209-211
June 23 2 Chronicles 10-12 pp 265-266
June 24 1 Kings 15:1-24, 2 Chronicles 13-16 pp 211-212, 266-268
June 25 1 Kings 15:25-16:34, 2 Chronicles 17 pp 212-213, 268
June 26 1 Kings 17-19 pp 213-215
June 27 1 Kings 20-21 pp 215-216
June 28 1 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 18 pp 216-218, 268-269
June 29 2 Chronicles 19-23 pp 269-272
June 30 Obadiah, Psalms 82-83 pp 548-549, 353
First Friday Fellowship will meet on Friday, June 3rd at 5:00pm. at Kelsey’s Steakhouse, 2300 Morthland Dr. Valparaiso. R.S.V.P. to Kathy Tatlock at 219-276-1887.
This group meets once a month at different restaurants for food and fellowship.
It’s Graduation Time!!!!
If you are graduating from high school, trade school, college, or graduate school (or graduated last December), we would like to recognize your accomplishments. Please fill out the Graduation Form (200 word maximum) found at the Connection Center, the Church Website, or Facebook. Be sure to include what you’ve been doing, what your future plans are, and include some pictures (past and present) to share. Send the completed Graduation Form and/or pictures to Leigh Neace-Coffey at leigh.neace.coffey@gmail.com (text pictures to 219-246-8994) no later than June 5th. Graduation recognition will be on Sunday, June 12th, at each of our worship services.
Let’s Get Moving!!!
Interested in getting some exercise in the company of friends? Let’s organize a walking group! All interested meet at Crossroads (the farm – south parking lot entrance, turn left) on Tuesday, June 7 at 8am. We will walk the prayer path. If terrain is too hard to walk on we will determine a place on the trails to walk. The current plan is to walk Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-9am.
Not able to walk during the day? Would you be willing to organize an evening walk? Let Pastor Deb know.
Royal Family Kids Camp gives children who have suffered abuse and/or neglect a week of camp where they are ‘royalty’.
Many of these children are in foster care. Most of the children do not have much of their own. So each year, you here at Portage 1st help to fill a back pack with supplies they will need for camp. If you are able to complete the following list or perhaps go in with someone else to complete a list it will be greatly appreciated.
Each pack will contain:
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• New towel
• New washcloth
• Body wash
• Comb
• Brush
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
Items can be brought to church and placed in the marked laundry basket.
United Methodist Men
Our United Methodist Men had our last regular season meeting Saturday-05/07/16.
Our next regular meeting will be Saturday-09/10/16. We basically meet the first Saturday of each month from @ 8-10 AM for an informal breakfast meeting that includes a bible study session before we close. We may not meet the first Saturday if it is around a holiday or another important scheduled event. We meet (9) months taking a break during the summer months. Our men’s group is open to all men (and ages)who are seeking fun fellowship with other men and seeking to grow in faith and knowledge in their relationship with Jesus Christ. We welcome all men. It is not required that you are a United Methodist Man, but that you are just seeking good fellowship with other Christian men.
Current Activities:
• Support Cub Scout Pack 487. Chris Adkins is our church pack liaison.
• Support UMW with their spring and fall Rummage Sales.
• Actively support Incarcerated Men’s Ministry – mainly men at Westville Correctional facility.
• Sponsored 05/08/16 Mother’s Day breakfast hosted by UMM.
• Sponsoring Rail Cats Game for family - Saturday-06/25/16 @ 6:10PM. Tickets are $9 per person or $14 with a meal ticket which includes pop, chips and hot dog.
Listed below are our current UMM officers. We welcome and encourage you to talk to any of these men and ask any questions that you may have about the United Methodist Men. And we welcome you to consider joining us for breakfast and fellowship sometime soon.
Mike Matthew 2016 President 219-508-9616
Steve Massow Vice President 219-742-0926
Chris Adkins Treasure 708-372-9732
Ray Nadolski Secretary 219-730-3022
David Coffey Outreach/Membership 219-246-8994
Glenn Yerby Outreach/Membership 219-508-6437
Ed Piontek Bible Study Leader 219-364-0718
Car Show
Rev up your engines once again!
This year's car show will be held on August 6th and we need your help! You can help in various ways.
Sign up at the connection center in the narthex. This year, we especially need donated gifts for door prizes and giveaways. Preferably any car related item or gift cards are always a great for door prizes. They can be dropped off with Susie during the week, or contact me, Steve Massow at 742-0926.
These prizes make the day exciting and special for all those attending. We look forward to Fun, food, music, and classic cars contests and more!! All proceeds this year will be donated to the Royal family kids camp. Send a child to camp mission.
Don't miss this one!
The first Saturday in August every year.
May God bless you richly!
Summer Children’s Church Schedule
With summer vacations and sports events there may be times that you are not available. Below is a proposed schedule for the entire summer. If you are not available on your scheduled date will you call someone else on the list and arrange for a trade? That will be very helpful. Please know that your support of our children is greatly appreciated. Anyone who would like to be added to the rotation schedule please talk with Pastor Deb. Better yet jot down your name and put it in my mail slot. Thanks a bunch.
June July August
5th - Dominic Paglicci and Pastor Deb 3rd – Rosemary Schest &Donna Lenburg 7th – Ethan Keehn and Pastor Deb
12th – Cheryl Hamilton and Pam Parks 10th – Riley Miller and Pastor Deb 14th – Donna Lenburg & Pastor Deb
19th – Clara Harbart and Pastor Deb 17th – Simeon Bright and Pastor Deb 21st – Pam Parks and Pastor Deb
26th – Amber Welch and Ethan Keehn 24th – Wendy Smith and Clara Harbart 28th – Bill and Shannon Liesch
31st – Tara Keehn and Judy Hedstrom
A DOGGONE GOOD EVENING is being planned for Friday, June 24th!
Put your pet on a leash and head for the farm (S. entrance of parking lot and turn right) because we will have pet centered activities planned for the evening.
6-6:30 “Blessing of the Animals”
Bring your pets as we observe a long standing Christian tradition which reminds us to show gratitude for our pets as they are gifts from God. The first Blessing of the animals some credit to St. Francis of Assisi, who is said to have been doubting his decision of priesthood. As he walked along a path he noticed the birds and began to preach to them about God’s glories stating the reasons both humans and birds should be grateful.
6-6:30 Games with animal related themes
6:30-7 Dinner
7-8:00 Campfire/sing-a-long/tall tales/vespers
Bring: Lawn chair Hot dog roasting sticks insect repellent A tall tale to tell
Your pet(s) on leash or in carrier
*If it rains all festivities will be moved indoors at the church.
A NOTE FROM PASTOR DEB
Summer has been a long time coming so we need to make the most of the warm weather. I hope you will plan to have a ‘doggone good time’ at our June neighbors within our community so don’t hesitate to invite others.
The ‘Blessing of the Animals’ time has always been enjoyable. I had hoped that our ‘bad’ cat would behave kinder and gentler after her blessing but it didn’t happen – she was resistant to the grace that was offered. While she no longer attacks me for no reason she still has her ways of letting me know she does not appreciate my bringing another cat into her home. Anyone looking for a very pretty cat (named Wanda ) and has no other pets at home, she is yours for the asking.
Other summer activities include Vacation Bible School – Sunday, June26-Thursday, June 30. Extra hands are always needed. Talk with Dawn Harbart to offer your help.
The Annual Car Show is slotted for August 6 with proceeds going to local charity. A list of ways to help is on the Connection Center.
Our youth will be taking part in a ‘Box City’ on August 20th to bring awareness and raise funds and goods for ‘Family Promise’ who are beginning here in Porter County to assure families who find themselves homeless have resources. If you want to know more about this talk with me, Robin Wilkening or Wanda Samuelson.
Last year we held our first ever 5k run through the Sacred Steps model. This year Sacred Steps will be Sept. 24th. Be watching for more details about the actual event.
You may be thinking, “I am not a runner”. There is a very important way that you can help us raise money for Heifer International who work world-wide to help persons find their way from poverty to self-sustaining lifestyles by supplying farm animals, education, fresh drinking water and so much more. Check out their web site www.heifer.org
But I digress. How can you help? We need sponsors – corporate and business sponsors. Do you or do you know of anyone who owns a business or works for a business that may be willing to sponsor the event? How about your workplace. The businesses you frequent? We have sponsorship applications and cover letters available. Please step out of your comfort zone and ask for support of this worthy cause. Thinking of a child being hungry breaks my heart as I imagine it does yours.
Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ to a suffering world.
In Christian love,
Pastor Deb
Get Ready little explorers…Vacation Bible School is coming!!!
Cave Quest
Following Jesus the Light of the World
June 26th -30th 6:30pm-8:30pm. Pre-K - 5th Grade
Come and meet new friends, try amazing experiments, spelunker sports, lip-smacking snacks, surprising adventures and incredible music.
Registration information available at the Welcome Center.
Happy June Birthday to…
01 Melvin Joyce 07 Sandy Holtzman 19 Bryan Dixon
01 Erin Davenport 07 Todd Warne 19 Amber Kramer
01 Austin Shebel 08 Zachery Sullivan 25 Pat Hodgson
02 Nick Nickerson 09 Mark Dicken 27 Chuck Lorenz
02 Debbie Rousselle 15 Patrick Costello 28 Matt Lopez
02 Betty Smith 15 Gabriel Harbart 29 Jean Gilliland
03 Melinda Metz 17 Fran Berry 29 Bob Romanov Jr.
04 Jackie Green 17 Brandi Costello 29 Jessica Karsten
05 Dee Nickerson 17 Barbara Dicken 30 Carolyn Lenburg
06 Addison Poole 18 Jim Reeder
Happy June Anniversary to…
02 Ron & Karen Mauer 15 Kirk & Dawn Harbart
05 Ryan & Melissa Sullivan 22 Randy & Robin Wilkening
08 Joseph & Annette Wray 23 Richard & Sherry Pinarski
09 Greg & Tara Keehn 24 Robert & Joyce Shone
09 Chuck & Virginia Phillips 25 Paul & Amanda Peterson
11 Andrew & Jenny Brown 26 Larry & Sue Fingerhoot
15 Doug & Teresa McKiddy 30 Bill & Amber Kramer
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