VISIONS, POSSIBILITY AND MIRACLE

SUNDAY

Mary said to the angel, “how can this be?” The angel said to Mary, “ The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;… For noth-ing will be impossible for God.” -Luke 1: 34-35

It seems impossible. A group of 8th grade students so excited about their class that they arrive 25 minutes early. That is what has taken place in this year’s Confirmation class. The students get up earlier on Sunday morning and come to church for vigorous discussions about the Bible, the Church, and about serving and being a Christian. They have taken on a challenge to read the four Gospels and they are having fun learning! They are being ‘formed’ as Christian disciples through the work of the Holy Spirit and skilled Confirmation teachers, mentors, parents, grandparents, and this congregation.

About the same time our youth were learning with such excitement, a new challenge surfaced for our congregation. A building inspector helped us become aware that it was time to replace the entire church roof. The cost is ambitious, around $189,000. As faithful people gathered to consider how to raise funds for the project, another vision emerged. There are other building improvements which now or soon will demand our attention. The decision was made to be bold and take on the challenge of updating and equipping our building for ministry for now and for years to come. With Church Council approval, June 8, 2014 was designated as Miracle Sunday with a goal of raising $600.000. Included in the project are other improvements to the Education wing, the church kitchen, the sanctuary sound system, and organ. There may also be the opportunity to begin plans for future building renovations.

As you read this you may think that this is impossible. Yes, without God it would be impossible. Luke’s gospel points to the work of the Holy Spirit who accompanies and leads into new ventures for God. It is the power of the Most High which overshadows doubts and fears. A miracle is a God-thing. If God blesses our congregation and its future, a miracle of generosity and faithfulness will take place. God’s blessings come with expectations. We will need to search our hearts and make hard choices to do our part to reach the goal.

I hope you will take every opportunity to attend the Miracle Sunday meetings and to ask questions of the leaders and of me. (One meeting will take place between the two services on May 4th) The miracle of Miracle Sunday will require us to trust God and one another as we work together toward the goal.

Miracle Sunday is a vital step into the future for our congregation. This step is about more than funds for a building. It is a radical step of faith in God who in Christ is leading us to grow in ministry to our community and our world. The Renovation team is working on a Master Ministry Plan, and the Vital Church Initiative Team is preparing to move to Phase Two of the renewal process for our congregation. As we move toward June 8, I ask you to pray and seek God’s guidance. Expect the Holy Spirit to stir your heart. Most of all, remember the promise of scripture: With God, nothing will be impossible.

-Pastor Lynn

Church Events, Caring

Ministry, Blood Drive,

memorials, VCI

2 & 3

Nurture Ministry 4 & 5

Finance, UMW, Youth

Ministry, Calendar

6 & 7

Inside this issue:

Fo

cu

s

FI

RS

T

UN

IT

ED

M

ET

HO

DI

ST

C

HU

RC

H

May 2014

The deadline for article submissions for the June Focus is May 16. Please email articles to mhaney@fumcholland.org by that date or earlier. If a hard copy must be used, please bring to main office by that date also. If you would prefer not receiving the Focus in the mail, please let Marj Haney know at mhaney@fumcholland.org

Page 2

Happening this Month

F OCUS

Come join the Lunch Bunch on Sundays following the 10:45 a.m. service. We will gather at the Good Shepherd window to get a head count and head out to a local

restaurant. All ages are welcome to join including singles, couples, and families. Check the bulletin for the days’ location or contact David Newton.

Epsilon will meet Wednesday, May 21st at 11:30 AM at Beechwood Inn. Please call the church office 616-396-5205 by the 19th for reservations.

will NOT meet in May. Please consider volunteering at the church or the Civic Center during Tulip Time. Call Sharon Rocker at 392-1966 for more information.

Family Fellowship will be hosting their Cheap Date Night on Saturday, May 17th. If you have any questions, contact Traci Howard and watch the facebook group and emails.

Our last Book Club (until September) will be Monday, May 12. We will discuss The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway. The following is the author's description of his book: "While a cellist plays at the site of a mortar attack to commemorate the deaths of twenty-two friends and neighbors, a

woman sniper secretly protects the life of the cellist as her army becomes increasingly threatening". Read the book and join us Monday, May 12 at 6:30 in the Conference Room.

Invite your friends, family and neighbors for the 27th Annual Tulip Time Handbell Concert Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Our three bell choirs: Sabbath Day Ringers, Tintinnabulation Ringers and Celebration Ringers will present a program of sacred, Broadway, jazz, pop, rock, and classical music. Admission is free but a free-will offering will be taken to cover expenses.

Birthday Wishes! These friends are celebrating at least their 85th birthday this month. Please extend your well wishes!

May

3 Ivy Cammenga Resthaven Maplewood #256 49 E. 32nd St. Holland MI 49423

5 Ella May Evans 145 Columbia Ave. Apt. 315 Holland MI 49423

9 Alice McGeehan 630 Hastings Ave. #114 Holland MI 49423

11 Ila Heavener 755 E. 16th St. #108 Holland MI 49423

25 Paul Mc Ilwain 12156 Parkview Ln. Apt. 1B Holland MI 49424

30 Gene Bair 352 N. 145th Ave. Holland MI 49424

31 Mildred Shidler 1131 Legion Park Dr. Holland MI 49423

Please be in prayer for these congregation members and friends...

MAY Page 3

Karon Kauffman; Heather Doty; Bill Westerman; George Kleis; Marcia Riemersma

Sympathy to Jim Beals and family on the death of Pat Beals on March 30. Pat’s memorial service was held here at the church on April 5. There will be a Celebration of Life to remember Pat on May 3, 2014 from 1:00-3:30 in the auditorium at Freedom Village. Family and friends are encouraged to attend this celebration! It will be the kind of party that Pat would have appreciated!

Sympathy to the family and friends of Marilyn Witkop who died on April 7. Her memorial service was held here at the church on April 26.

Caring Ministry Sharon Rocker, Director of Visitation Ministries (ext. 104)

Stephen Ministry Training- More Than Halfway There!

“Christ Caring For People Through Peo-ple”

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. —Philippians 1:9-1

The latest group of Stephen Ministers have completed much of their 50 hours of training, and will soon be ready to do “for real” what they have been learning through role-playing and study -- to provide Christian care and a listening ear for people in need.

Their training has covered such topics as: treating the elderly, listening skills, and dealing with bereavement. These Stephen Ministers have listened to guest speakers who talked about social work and hospital

calls. One presenter gave the group information on 211: the area community service referral organization. They have read books and articles; they even had homework!

Trainers Ann Nieuwkoop and Marsha Burnham have nothing but good things to say about this group. They are dedicated, devoted, and have been active participants in the classes. They will make fine Stephen Ministers, and are being commissioned sometime this spring.

The Stephen Ministry leadership team plans to recruit and train more Stephen Ministers in the future. There will always be a need for caring Christians willing to provide one-on-one support. If you feel you want to become part of this group, contact Ann Nieu-wkoop (nieuwkoo@gmail.com; 405-0701) or Marsha Burnham (marci76@gmail.com; 395-0054).

Tish Bowman, a former member here at FUMC and currently the Associate Pastor at Grand Rapids First UMC will be ordained as an elder in full connection during Annual Conference next month. The West Michigan Annual Conference will be held at Calvin College in Grand Rapids June 11-14. The Ordination service will take place on Saturday, June 14 at 1:30 in the Fine Arts Auditorium on campus. More information will be available soon, see the June Focus.

Notes of appreciation for visits, cards and Easter lilies have come to the office from Marlys Stewart, Ivy Cammenga and Alice McGeehan. These notes can be found on the bulletin board near the lounge in the 9th Street hallway.

Page 4

Nurture Ministry Marj Haney, Director (ext. 106) Heidi De Moss, Director of Adult Ministry

F OCUS

Spark Rotation will have our last 4 week rotation of the school year, The Woman at the Well, the first three weeks of May. The 18th will be our last day of the Jubilant Journey for the school year. We will start back up with something brand new on September 7. Watch for details this summer!

Summer camp registrations are now open at http://westmichiganconference.org/eventsessions

Everything you need to know about camping in the West Michigan Conference and beyond is at that same website. Please see Marj Haney if you need help navigating the site. The brochures are out now and those who went to camp in the past should have receive one at their home address. There are a few extra here at the church. After registering for your week, please let Marj Haney know so the scholarship can be sent to the Conference office. Camps must be paid in full by May 15 so please let us know before that.

Annual All Church Campout August 9-10, 2014 Plan now to join us for a weekend at Lakeview Campground in north central Michigan, about an hour north of Grand Rapids. We have 14 sites reserved and they are first come, first served. Our first night is paid for so you will just be required to pay $26 upon arrival for your second night. More information about the campground can be found at www.lakeviewcamp.org We have the Luke and John loops, sites 46-51, 53-56 and 58-61. It may still be possible to book one or both of the cabins that are also in those loops but you will need to see Marj Haney asap about those. Reservations are now available through Marj or Tim Haney. Look forward to seeing you there!!

Please let us know soon if you plan to camp. So far, I have no reservations. If we end up needing to cancel, I would like to let the campground know far in advance. Thanks!

Another week of Vacation Bible School will soon be upon us and many, many volunteers are needed to make the week go smoothly. This year’s theme is Workshop of Wonders and will take place July 27 through July 31, Sunday through Thursday, each even-ing from 6:00 to 8:30ish. We will rotate the kids through 4 centers each evening— bible story, music, recreation/snack, and science. We are still in need of someone to lead the science center. We also need shepherds who will walk with the groups to the various centers and help out in the classroom where needed. Youth from grade 6 on up are welcome to help, either in a center or with a group. Adults are needed for each group as well. We also are looking for someone to “play” the main character and someone to manipulate the puppet for both the opening and closing portions of the evening. If any of these things sound like fun to you, please see Marj Haney as soon as possible. There will be a leader meeting the first part of June, watch your email for a message about that once you are signed up to help.

Another component we will be adding if we can get enough help for it is a more intentional outreach to the surrounding neighborhoods of the church. It would be great if people would be willing to canvass the neighborhood with the information about our VBS a couple weeks before the event. If you have a passion for this type of outreach, please let Marj Haney know as soon as possible.

Wanted! New Small Group Leaders. Desired Qualities: heart for others; ability to guide a discussion; willingness to commit 6 to 8 weeks to leading a study; maturing relationship with God that you are willing to share with a group. If that sounds like you call Heidi. If that doesn’t sound like you at all, but this is nudging at your heart, call Heidi. Let’s have a talk about where God might be leading you... (She’ll treat you to coffee or tea even if you don’t say yes) (616)307-2585 Heidi’s cell.

MAY 20 14 Page 5

Adult Nurture Opportunities 2014 is a good year to grow closer to God... How can Nurture Ministries help? There is still a chance to view and study the Lenten Study, The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus by Adam Hamilton

Join this small group and catch this ongoing study every other Monday in the lounge with The Rocker Small Group ~ contact Bill and Sharon Rocker for details Ongoing Classes FaithLinks Class Where : Filling Station contact Peg Minert UMC FaithLinks material Leadership will be provided by FaithLinks members. May 4 ~ The Nature Connection May 11 ~ Radical Life Extension May 18 ~ Brunch (last meeting of the school year) Pastor Lynn’s Class Where : Conference Room led by Pastor Lynn Sermon based Discussions Pastor Lynn will lead group discussion on the scripture text for the day. This will correspond with the worship for the day. May 4 ~ Two Emmaus Walk Stories May 11 ~ The Future Starts Now: Brand New Life May 18 ~ The Future Starts Now: Everything to Live For May 25 ~ A Holy People Lecture/Presentation Classes Where: Lounge May 4 ~ Discussion and information on projects to be funded by our Miracle Sunday May 11 ~ Mother’s Day May 18 ~ Peace with Justice ~ presentation of DVD on King Avenue UMC becoming a Reconciling Congrega-tion ~ King Avenue United Methodist Church, Located in Columbus, Ohio has a long history of outreach and in-clusion. I the mid-1990s the congregation reassessed its quiet acceptance of gay persons, and after a challenging transition period, King Avenue is now a Reconciling Congregation. It has witnessed its membership increase in the hundreds in every demographic category. With

this has come a new opportunity to reach into the com-munity and to share the congregation's story of inclu-sion and growth. The DVD will be shown in sections, with discussion in between. DVD sections: "The Doors Are Open" - An introduction to our con-gregation and it's mission of inclusion. "Journey to Inclusion" - Our journey towards inclusion and the challenges and insights along the way. "Personal Reflections" - Testimonies and personal ac-counts from our congregation. "Power of Reconciling" - The step from inclusion to a reconciled congregation. May 25 ~ Memorial Day Sunday Assortment Where : Lounge or Fellowship Hall (watch for posting) What : Offering on a topic of interest. Fellowship Space Coffee and Conversation Where : West end of Fellowship Hall What : A time to gather and visit with each other, or just relax and refresh. Copies of the newspaper are pre-sent, as well as coffee, tea, and often some light refresh-ments. What do you think? ~ What are some of your big questions? in life? about God? about faith? parenting? marriage? cooking? Chances are if you have a question, so does someone else. We can’t seek the answers together if we don’t share the questions. Let Heidi know what big questions are, and maybe we can work on some answers (or at least some pondering) together. Contact Heidi at (616)307-2585 with a text or a call, or email at ssomed.h@gmail.com.

Page 6 F OCUS

Service Circle is Shalom

May 1: Executive Board, 6:30 pm

5-10: Tulip Time lunch and dinners will be served at the Church and Marktplaats at the Civic Center. To help at the church kitchen call Sally Garrett at 298-2016 or Kristina Shoulders at 403-5451 or email garrettshoulders@hotmail.com To help in the dinning room call Linda DenUyl at 298-2781 or email ldenuyll@comcast.net To help at the Civic Center call Dorothy Chamness at 396-3292 or email jkcham@wmol.com Serving at Tulip Time is lots of fun and very rewarding. We look forward to working together to raise money for missions.

Please Note: Our church and the kitchen are still in need of additional men and women to volunteer to help in the kitchen during Tulip Time Week, with food prep and most importantly, dishwashing and dishwashing helpers!!!! We are now looking at a near record number of reservations bus groups and patrons for TT meals!!! HELP IN THE KITCHEN FOR DISHWASHERS and HELPERS is needed for the following times: Monday 5/5: 10:30am to 2:30pm. Tuesday 5/6: 10:30am to 2:30pm. Wednesday 5/7: 10:30am to 2:30pm and 4:30pm to 8:30pm. Thursday 5/8: 10:00am to 3:00pm. Friday 5/9: 10:00am to 3:00pm and 4:30pm to 9:00pm. Saturday 5/10: 10:00am to 3:00pm. Help is also needed for cooking assistance on Tuesday 5/6: 2:00pm to 8:00pm. If you can help for any of these times or maybe just part of the times, PLEASE CONTACT Sally Garrett at 616-298-2016.

Thinking ahead to the bazaar this fall...if you have jelly jars or pint sized jars you aren’t using, Polly Diehl would love to take them off your hands for a project. Please leave them in the church office with her name on them. Thanks!

United Methodist Women

Finance Update Kent Jagnow, Treasurer (ext. 103)

Youth Ministry LuAnne Stanley Hook, Director (ext. 108)

MAY 20 14 Page 7

Schedule of Events

May 13 Staff Parish 7:30 PM

May 8 Trustees 7:00 PM

May 12 Endowment Team 7:00 PM

May 20 Finance 7:00 PM

May 20 Stephen Ministry Event 7:00 PM

May 27 Church Council 7:00 PM

JFON clinic on Friday, May 16

Each week:

Tuesday noon: Senior Meal

Thursday 7:00: Volleyball

Happy Spring! It may be doubtful whether spring will officially come this year or not, but the calendar is marching forward in Youth Ministry! This is our last month of youth group meetings, and includes some of our favorite annual events. It also includes our least-favorite event: saying goodbye to our seniors. We’re going to miss them greatly! Please pray for the graduating youth of our church as they move on from high school into “what’s next.” For many, this will be college, but for some it might be travel, a job, a mix of job and college classes, or other combinations. Each one needs our prayers and support as they move forward into a new phase of life and finding out what God is calling them to do and be. Thank you for sup-porting the youth of our church!

Youth Schedule:

Saturday, May 3: Senior Saturday Event for high school seniors. Meet at the church at 9:30 a.m. for a day of considering your future beyond high school as follow-ers of Christ.

Sunday, May 4: Confirmation Sunday (held during second service).

Youth Group, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Annual Taste of Tulip Time! Bring money (at least $10) to buy fair food from the various Tulip Time vendors as we walk around and enjoy the festival atmosphere together.

BYO drink to save on expenses. No other dinner provided this evening.

Sunday, May 11: Mother’s Day, no youth group. Spend quality time with your mom and/ or grandma!

Sunday, May 18: Last Youth Group Meeting of the Year! 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Hook’s, 6618 Butternut Drive in West Olive. Please drop off in storage unit parking lot across the street and you’ll be “shuttled” down the long driveway. Youth leaders may park up by the house. Bring bug spray, dress for the weather, and plan on hanging out with your youth group family on our 10 acres. Picnic potluck meal will be organized by parents. Come and say goodbye to our graduating seniors!

Looking ahead to June:

Middle School Mission Trip to Grand Rapids, June 10-12

Senior High Mission Trip to Toronto, June 22-28

It’s CAMP SEASON! All youth, sign up now for church camp at one of the many great West Michigan Conference Camps! Let Marj Haney know if you sign up, and half of the cost will be paid for with $10-for-10 funds from our generous church family. Further help is also available if needed, and for families with multiple children going to camp and mission trips.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

May 2014

Pastor Rev. J. Lynn Pier-Fitzgerald

Phone: 616-393-6242

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Holland, MI

Permit No. 445

Worship Topics for May Sunday Morning 8:30 and 10:45

Pastor Lynn Pier-Fitzgerald, preaching

Series: “The Future Starts Now” May 4 Confirmation Sunday “Two Emmaus Walk Stories” Luke 24:17-23 Holy Communion May 11 “The Future Starts Now: Brand New Life” 1 Peter 1:1-5 (The Message) May 18 “The Future Starts Now: Everything to Live For” 1 Peter 1:1-5 May 25 “A Holy People” 1 Peter 1:1-2, 9-10 Dedication of Memorial Window in Lounge

57 W. 10th St.

Holland MI 49423

Return Service Requested

FI RST UNIT ED MET HODI ST CHURCH

Phone: 616-396-5205

May 2014

Visit us online at

www.fumcholland.org