Post on 20-Oct-2020
Romeo United Methodist Church Page 1
Reverend Trevor Herm, Pastor
Romeo United Methodist Church
Church Office: 586-752-9132 Church Fax: 586-752-0593
Anne Wilber, Church Secretary Cynthia Forsgren, Choir Director
Linda Schenburn, Christian Education Kari Reid, Treasurer
Ed LaLonde, Praise Band Hannah Engwall, Youth Director
February 2018
The GRAPEVINE is published monthly. The
intention is to communicate and promote the entire
program of the Romeo United Methodist Church
to members and friends. Your articles, comments
and suggestions are welcome. The editor reserves
the right to edit content and space as required.
Linda Eastman, Editor Phone: 586 281-6956 lindakeastman@aol.com
The Grapevine
Ash Wednesday February 14
Valentine’s Day February 14
This Month’s Events
UMW Sunday February 4
Haiti Dress Workshop February 26
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Pastor’s Paragraphs
Well it’s February so of course I’m going to write about love. I know we think that love will solve all our
problems, or at least help us through them, but we each need to be loved.
The way we celebrate Valentine’s Day captures how short term our view of love is. Love is more than a card
or a box of chocolates. We think of love as something we only need one day a year or when we’re with
someone we really like, but God offers us so much more to consider. God’s love lasts forever. And when God
talks about love, He combines it with faith and hope, so that faith teaches us to trust others, and hope helps
us to look to the future.
As we celebrate love this month may we learn to love like God does. May we learn to love everyone, not just
our sweetheart, or Valentine. And let’s not limit our love to just what we feel, but let’s practice a love that
embraces the world. God wants us to love with all the gifts and resources He gave us.
Thank you again for all the ways you let Carol and I know you were thinking of us this week during her surgery.
We love you all and are grateful for the chance to share together in our ministry as a church, as we seek to
love each other with a love that truly can change our world. Happy Valentines Day.
Pastor Trevor
DRESSES AND SHIRTS FOR HAITI
In 2017 RUMC contributed over 500 items of clothing to the Northwest Christian Haiti Mission. Part of those donations were dresses and shirts made by the ladies of UMW. There are pictures posted in Fellowship Hall of some of the children wearing the items we donated. UMW plans to continue this mission project in 2018. On Monday, February 26th at 10:00 a.m. we will again be making dresses and shirts to send to Haiti in July. The items will be delivered by Tom and Sharon Snively, the missionaries who spoke at our church on Mission Sunday. If you would like to be a part of this mission project please join us. If you are not a sewer don’t fret, there are other tasks that you can help with. Refreshments are always served, we are Methodists after all. Donations of fabric, bias tape, eyelet, buttons, etc. are always welcome. Please drop your donations in the box outside the church office.
BLUE WATER DISTRICT CELEBRATION As you know, Michigan District boundaries will be changed effective July 1, 2018. Join Rev. Elizabeth Hill, Blue Water District Superintendent, The Blue Water District Leadership Team, and our Blue Water District congregations on February 11th at the Lake Huron Retreat Center at 8794 Lakeshore Rd, Burchville, MI 48059 from 2 to 4 p.m. for a celebration of our Blue Water District. Our District name will be changed July 1st, and Romeo UMC will remain in our present District.
Romeo United Methodist Church Page 3
FEBRUARY VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE FELLOWSHIP TIME
4th UMW Sunday 11th Marilyn Bracy, Becky Laseke, Sue Rhoads 18th Ginny Power, Kathy Loba, Kathy Smith 25th Jeff and Mary McClay, Elaine Roberson
USHERS SCHEDULE Traditional Service Contemporary Service
4th and 11th Becky Laseke – Lead, Linda Eastman (4th Only), Ginny Power, Pat
Sebastian, Ron Sebastian Dory Hill
18th and 25th Craig Engwall – Lead, Judy Engwall,Hannah Engwall, Ed Buckner Don Adkin
GREETERS
9:00 A.M. Service
4th Elaine Roberson, Naomi Stasak 11th Becky Laseke, Marian Hevel 18th Bob and Lynn Bachholzky 25th Lou and Anna Bonanni
If you are not able to greet at any time scheduled, please make arrangements for a sub.
VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS
Seasonal Flowers Mary Jo Hosler 586-337-2692 Baby Blanket Ministry Ilene Lock 586-752-3952 College Ministry Paula Groomes 586-752-4003 Fellowship Hour Becky Laseke 586-337-1361 Greeters Gayle Beitel 586-232-3388 Nursery Jen Lamb 586-255-5557 Sound Board Dave Beskin 586-781-8346 Ushers Craig Engwall 586-504-6655 Communion Marilyn Bracy 586-752-6964
COMMUNION STEWARDS
February 4 - Pews
9:00 a.m. Marilyn Bracy Naomi Stasak 11:00 a.m. Marty and Karen Rastigue Pat & Ron Sebastian
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LITURGIST SCHEDULE
9:00 Service
4th Ned Grant 11th Ann Heller 18th Paul Heller 25th Mary Jo Hosler 11:00 Service 4th Combined Service 11th Ellen Dennis 18th Hannah Engwall 25th Alex Stork
SOUND BOARD
4th Claudia Royal 11th Laurie Bennett 18th Mischele Makhlouf 25th Claudia Royal
ALTAR FLOWERS 4th Open 11th Open 18th Ned and Amy Grant 25th Open **The price to sponsor altar
flowers is now $50.
NURSERY SCHEDULE
9:00 A.M. Service
4th McClay Family 11th Ginny Power 18th Laura Salsido 25th Marty & Heather Wagester 11:OO A.M. Service 4th Louchrisa Smith 11th Lamb Family 18th Dale & Jenny Teller 25th Louchrisa Smith
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Weekly Meetings
Communion Sunday First Sunday of each month Traditional Service Sunday 9:00 a.m. Sanctuary Fellowship Time Sunday 10:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall Prayers for Church Sunday 10:15 a.m. Prayer Room 106 Contemporary Service Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Knitting Class Tuesday 1:00 p.m. Room 110 His Table Community Meal Tuesday 5:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall Men’s Fellowship 2nd & 4th Tues 6:30 p.m. Room 107 Praise Band Practice Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Santa’s Workshop Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Life Skills Room Hand Bell Choir Practice Wednesday 6:45 p.m. Choir Room Choir Practice Wednesday 7:30 p.m. Choir Room Turning Point Office Thursday 9:30 a.m. Room 106
RUMC February 2018 Calendar
Sun 4th
UMW Sunday –Combined Service 10:00 a.m.
Tue 6th
Staff Parish Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Thur 8th
Staff Parish Committee Meeting
Church Council Meeting
5:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Sun 11th
BWD Office Closing Event at Lake Retreat
Center 2:00 p.m. to
4:00 p.m.
Wed 14th
Ash Wednesday Service
Valentine’s Day
7:00 p.m.
Thur 15th
Trustee Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Fri 23rd
Fish Fry #1 4:30 p.m.
Mon 26th
Haiti Dress Workshop 10:00 a.m.
Arvid and I would like to thank our church family for your cards, prayers and kind words during the passing of my Mother. Your support meant a lot to us. Lorraine Martin
Apportionment Fundraiser! Odyssey children continue to
collect returnable cans and bottles. We need yours! Please leave them in
the box in the lobby. $146.70 in January!
Thank you!
ANNOUNCEMENT PRESENTERS SCHEDULE
4th Carol Herm 11th Tom King 18th Judy Howard 25th Judy Engwall
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES
Wednesday, February 14, 7:00pm
The season of Lent will soon be upon us!! Mark your calendars, and plan to attend this important service.
February 4th has been
designated as UMW Sunday.
The entire morning will be
covered by women, greeters,
ushers, etc. There will be 2
guest speakers, Tom and
Sharon Snively, the
Missionaries that go to the
orphanage in Haiti and
deliver the dresses and shirts
we make and the other
speaker will be a survivor
from Turning Point.
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Play that “funky” music…….
“Funky” music is defined as music which moves your
body and your soul. I bring this up as a way to
introduce RUMC’s own purveyor of funky music, Ed
LaLonde.
Ed was given his first guitar, which he still has by the
way, by his grandfather when he was 8 years old. The
first song he learned on that guitar was, “Home on
the Range”. Ed also knows how to play bass guitar
and some keyboards but his main instrument is the
guitar. In the 11th grade he put his first band
together, Prophecy. The band played early 80’s rock
and roll. During this time period Ed wanted to have
fame and fortune as an entertainer. However, it
appears God had other plans for him.
After meeting his current wife Ed decided fame and
fortune were not the most important things in life.
He now believes it was God working on him through
his music. Ed began to concentrate more on Christian
music which led to him taking a job in a local
congregation, first simply as a player in the church
band and finally as the praise band leader. This
position lasted for approximately 8 years and when it
ended God had another plan for him.
It was at this point in time Ed met Gary Glanville and
eventually ended up playing here and being the
praise band leader at RUMC. This is Ed’s current
position in our church and he hopes to remain here
for a long time. His main goal now is to write more
songs of inspiration he can teach the congregation.
He currently has written about a dozen songs which
he will play from time to time along with more
contemporary Christian songs. Ed did reveal that his
one big dream is to go in a professional recording
studio and record the songs he has written. With God
looking over him there is a good chance it may
happen one day.
February Food Pantry Needs: Pancake Mix Saltine Crackers Cereal Coffee Jelly Pasta Noodles Bath Tissue Pasta Sauce Women’s Deodorant Beef Stew Shampoo Children’s Snacks Diaper’s (Size 4-6) We appreciate any non-perishable food items and
toiletries that you can donate. THANK YOU! Please bring your donations to Samaritan House, 62324 Van Dyke (between 28 & 29 Mile Roads) in Washington Twp. on Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can contact Samaritan House at (586) 336-9956.
A note from George Bryant: I am back home and
feeling better. I would just like to thank all of you for
the cards and especially the prayers during my recent
illness. I love you all and so appreciate your
support. I praise God for all you do.
Blessings, George Bryant
Financial Snapshot of the Operating Fund
as of 12/31/17
Actual Budget Difference
Income $386,452 $371,801 $14,651
Expenses 372,272 371,801 -471
Deficit 14,180 0 14,180
Unpaid Apportionments $ 19,668
Your church needs your financial support!!
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T Elliott Welch
To You Who Bring Small Children to Church
There you are sitting in worship or Bible study. Your child, or toddler, is restless. Perhaps they’re even a little boisterous. You try to silence them, and nothing. You try to pacify them with food or toys, and nothing. Eventually, you resort to the last thing you wanted to do: you pick them up, and before a watching audience, you make the march out of the auditorium. All the while, you’re a little embarrassed. Maybe you’re a little frustrated too. You might even think to yourself, “There’s no point in coming to church. I get nothing out of it because I have to constantly care for my kid.”
I want you — you mothers and/or fathers — to know just how encouraging you are to so many. The little elderly woman who often feels alone beams with a smile at the sight of you wrestling with your little one. She’s been there before. She knows how hard it can be, but she smiles because to hear that brings back precious memories. To see young parents and their small children brightens her day, and she may have just received bad news this week about her health, but seeing the vitality of young ones removes — if but for a moment — her fears.
The older man who always seems to be grouchy notices you too. He’s always talking about how children in this day have no respect or sense of good. But, he sees you — a young family — in church, and you don’t miss any gathering. Like clockwork, he can depend on the sight of you and your young family. You give him hope that maybe the church isn’t doomed after all, because there are still young parents who love God enough to bring their restless children to worship.
Then there’s everybody else. Some people will honestly become frustrated by noisy children in church. They have this warped idea that reverence includes absolute silence. It doesn’t. When parents brought their children to Jesus, the disciples rebuked them (Matt. 19.13-15), but Jesus rebuked His disciples. He said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” The term translated “children” in Matthew and Mark is paidon. The root of the word “pedagogue” is from this word. It defined children of either an infant state, or more particularly, it was with reference to those who were half-grown and could be either males or females.
When Luke wrote his account of this narrative, he used the word brephos; which means “infants.” Luke wasn’t contradicting Matthew and Mark’s account, because Luke wrote that they brought the infants “also” (Luke 18.15-17). They would have squirmed, maybe even cried. This was likely why the disciples rebuked the parents; as well as that they might have thought that the children were too young to understand the blessing Christ pronounced over them.
Bring your children to church. If you don’t hear crying, the church is dying. As hard as it might be for you as a parent who’s half-asleep, keep on doing what you’re doing. You are an encouragement, and you’re starting off your children’s lives as you should.
Copied: (Author Unknown)
Submitted by Christian Education
Romeo United Methodist Church Page 7
1st Martin Rastigue 2nd Scott Jones 3rd Steve Trenchemontagne 4th Paula Groomes
Cindie Wade 7th Derek Beaumont Paton Zimmerman Audrey Salsido Jenna Hodgin 9th Peggy Moore Julianne Nicol 11th Rachel Young 12th Shirley Engwall Grason Dixon
13th David Faris Chantelle Adkins 15th Donald Corah 16th Betty Walton Kathy Smith 17th Judy Baker 20th Esta Corbin 22nd Deborah Obrecht 23rd Joy Stevenson Mary Jane Johnson 24th Leonard Royal 28th Dona Back
Please join us from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018 at
Greystone Golf Club and Banquet Center for our 8th Annual
Pasta and Chicken Dinner.
The benefit dinner is for a great cause, our goal is $12,000,
which enables Samaritan House to provide emergency
assistance to more than 500 people each month.
Tickets are $25 each, with children 12 and under, $10. Advance
ticket sales only. Buy your tickets early, last year we sold out!
Samaritan House is seeking sponsors. For more information, or
to become a sponsor, contact (586) 336-9956 or email
shevents@att.net.
Easter Distribution Needs
Samaritan House needs the following items
for its Easter Food Drive. Please deliver the
following items to Samaritan House by March
1, 2018. Thank You!!
Box potatoes
Canned applesauce or cranberry
Mandarin oranges or other fruit
Green beans or carrots
Mayonnaise
Frosting
Cake mix
Brown sugar (box or bag)
Jelly beans
Jell-O
“A Time Mostly for Children” will
now be offered at second service!
A note from Nancy Harrar: Thanks to everyone for their prayers
and expression of concern for my dad, Frank Brown. I am happy to
report he is back to health and his usual activities. Praise the Lord!
mailto:shevents@att.net
Romeo United Methodist Church Page 8
On Sunday, January 7th, the children of Odyssey had the
opportunity to learn about the visitors from the East. As
they entered the room, scented candles of frankincense
and myrrh were burning. An atomizer was sending the
essential oils of frankincense into the air. Samples of the
dried crystals were available for touching and studying.
We learned that they were the dried resins from trees in
the Middle East. They had been very valuable and were
precious indeed. There were many uses for these
products back in Biblical times.
We watched a short video clip illustrating the
Wiseman’s journey and their dilemma with King Herod.
Then we read and acted out a story based on Matthew
2:1-12. After discussing the story, we made small
luminaries out of plastic cups to remind us of the star
that lit up the night sky. We punched designs and various
holes into the cups, inserted small LED tealights and then
went into a dark room to view our finished product. It
was very awe-inspiring and a good reminder to keep
beside our beds at night.
Dr. Arnold Hentschl, a family friend and regular
Sunday morning attendee of RUMC, thought the children
should have real gold, or something that symbolized that
special gift. He collected enough gold coins for each one
of our children to take home as a keepsake. There were
golden Presidential dollar coins and golden Sacagawea
dollar coins. Every child was able to choose their favorite
one as they went out the door that day clutching their
story papers and their luminaries. All in all, it was an
enjoyable morning and we all learned a lot. We have
enough coins left over so that if your child was not able
to attend that day and would like to learn more about
that lesson, we can accommodate them. See Mrs.
Schenburn or myself.
Respectfully submitted, Mary Jo Hosler
Hello my name is church,
I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about me. I have no shortage
of critics. Perhaps you have heard that I am...
- Boring
- Shallow
- Cheap
- A waste of time
You’ve heard that I am full of:
- Hypocrites
- Clowns
- Greedy people
- The self-righteous
Maybe you have visited me before and discovered:
- Horrible music
- Passionless singing
- Dry preaching
- Rude congregants
Maybe you needed me and I was:
- Too busy
- Too “righteous”
- Too broke
- Too blind
Maybe you joined me and found I was:
- Distant
- Demanding
- Dull
- Preoccupied
Maybe you tried to serve in me but were caught off guard
by:
- Business meetings
- Committees
- Teams
- Bureaucracy
Maybe you left and were surprised that nobody:
- Called
- Cared
- Noticed
- Invited you back
Romeo United Methodist Church Page 9
Hello my name is church, (continued)
In order for us to all worship in the same room Christ was:
- Shamed
- Beaten
- Killed
- Resurrected
Which is far worse than being:
- Bored
- Uncomfortable
- Embarrassed
- Ignored
So why not come back to church and let all of these messed up
people:
- Challenge you
- Sharpen you
- Strengthen you
- Humble you
I can’t promise you that the people will be great. This is church.
It’s not:
- Heaven
- Paradise
- Beulah Land
- The Celestial city
Come back.
- God wants you here.
- The body needs you here.
- The world needs your witness here.
- You belong here.
Hello, my name is church.
- I miss you.
- I love you.
- I’m sorry.
Can’t wait to see you.
Perhaps your experience has driven you to:
- Speak negatively of me
- Swear to never come back to me
- Proclaim that no one needs me
- Believe you’re better off without me
If this is true, I have something to say to you:
- I’m sorry
- I was wrong
- I blew it
- I made a huge mistake
But remember, I never said my name was:
- Perfect
- Flawless
- Complete
- Arrived
My name is church. I welcome the:
- Hypocrite
- Dry
- Self-righteous
- Shallow
I welcome the
- Sincere
- Passionate
- Forgiving
- Selfless
I cannot shut my doors to the people who make you:
- Angry
- Uncomfortable
- Impatient
- Self-conscious
But I would remind you that we couldn’t always worship in
the same room. In the Old Testament there was a division
between the:
- Gentile
- Jew
- Man
- Woman