From the Pastor’s Pen… · 2020-07-06 · services, writing cards and letters, sharing...
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From the Pastor’s Pen… FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH WEST BRANCH Greetings and Peace to you in the name of our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ! I am pleased to share that we are beginning Phase 1 of the return to our church building! A detailed set of information is included in this newsletter and so I will not go into further details here other than to say that our first in-person worship service in our sanctuary will be at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 5 th ! I am so excited about being with some of you on that day, but I realize that, for others, it will simply not be advisable to take the risk of in-person attendance on Sunday, yet. Your Leadership Team has formed a task group to oversee our gradual, safety first, reopening of our facilities. We have also committed to the long-term provision of services online, via Facebook and our website at westbranchfumc.org. Until we are all able to return to a more “normal” routine, it is critically important for us to keep connected with one another via phone conversations (all members were provided with a church directory), texting, messaging services, writing cards and letters, sharing photographs, etc. I cannot encourage you enough to keep in contact with each other…and not just your “closest” friends but also with our newer members, those who will probably have to wait a bit longer to come back to in-person gatherings, and others for whom you may have special concerns. As we prepare to move forward in Christ together, your Leadership Team is working hard to provide you with the essentials for ministry. I am presently offering a daily devotional on Facebook at 10:00 a.m. from Monday through Friday and an evening bedtime prayer at 9:00 p.m. each day of the week. We are now subscribed to RightNow Media, which is a treasure trove of programming, videos, Christian documentaries, conferences, Bible studies, children’s programming and so much more! Our Virtual GAP Kid’s Camp is kicking off this coming week! Our Scouts are beginning to meet in smaller groups for outside activities. Work is
Transcript of From the Pastor’s Pen… · 2020-07-06 · services, writing cards and letters, sharing...
From the Pastor’s Pen…
FIRST UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
WEST BRANCH
Greetings and Peace to you in the name of our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ!
I am pleased to share that we are beginning Phase 1 of the return to our church building! A
detailed set of information is included in this newsletter and so I will not go into further details
here other than to say that our first in-person worship service in our sanctuary will be at 9:30
a.m. on Sunday, July 5th!
I am so excited about being with some of you on that day, but I realize that, for others, it will
simply not be advisable to take the risk of in-person attendance on Sunday, yet. Your
Leadership Team has formed a task group to oversee our gradual, safety first, reopening of our
facilities. We have also committed to the long-term provision of services online, via Facebook
and our website at westbranchfumc.org. Until we are all able to return to a more “normal”
routine, it is critically important for us to keep connected with one another via phone
conversations (all members were provided with a church directory), texting, messaging
services, writing cards and letters, sharing photographs, etc. I cannot encourage you enough to
keep in contact with each other…and not just your “closest” friends but also with our newer
members, those who will probably have to wait a bit longer to come back to in-person
gatherings, and others for whom you may have special concerns.
As we prepare to move forward in Christ together, your Leadership Team is working hard to
provide you with the essentials for ministry. I am presently offering a daily devotional on
Facebook at 10:00 a.m. from Monday through Friday and an evening bedtime prayer at 9:00
p.m. each day of the week. We are now subscribed to RightNow Media, which is a treasure
trove of programming, videos, Christian documentaries, conferences, Bible studies, children’s
programming and so much more! Our Virtual GAP Kid’s Camp is kicking off this coming
week! Our Scouts are beginning to meet in smaller groups for outside activities. Work is
continuing to improve our social media presence and outreach, including plans for significant
additions to our website, westbranchfumc.org. We are now collaborating with community
organizations, fellow churches, local businesses, and volunteers to co-sponsor community
food distributions most weeks providing thousands of meals each month—free of charge—to
anyone who has a need! Our building has been temporarily closed for gatherings, but the
Church is NEVER closed to the sharing of God’s Love and Grace.
Certainly, we live in challenging times…but also exciting times. Simple acts of Christian
compassion and love can truly influence lives of all ages in profound ways. With the Love of
God in our hearts, the life of Christ as our template, and the Holy Spirit as our guide and
teacher, we ARE building the Kingdom of God. Hallelujah!
Keep in touch with one another…Keep praying…Keep sharing…Keep loving…Keep
serving…remain faithful and we all will continue to be blessed.
God bless!
WBFUMC IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE
PHASE ONE OF OUR RE-0PENING
Sunday July 5th, 2020
At 9:30 a.m.. ONLINE SUNDAY SERVICES WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE SO YOU CAN JOIN
US IN PERSON OR ONLINE.
THE STAY AT HOME ORDER IS GONE BUT THE VIRUS IS STILL WITH US!
SAFETY MEASURES WILL BE IN PLACE------
Wear Masks Practice Social Distancing
Use Hand Sanitizer
Wash Your Hands---Often Don’t share items
If you have questions call the First United Methodist Church @ 345-0210
PRAYER CONCERNS Please contact the office if you know of anyone that should be added to our
Prayers. If you are listed below, and wish to be removed from our prayer concern
list, call the Church Office: 989-345-0210 or
Email: [email protected] or drop a note. Thank you!
Current Concerns
Kay Davison
Shirley McClenahen
Laura Prescott
Lanae Shields
Bill Warnecke
Kay Belanger
Diane Pulaskey
Esther Schultz
Jeff Fagan
Ongoing Concerns
Anthony Dibble
Rebekah Hayden
Sandy Hufstedler
Military
Sgt Rick K Glass
M Sgt Jeff Hosmer
BM2 Michael Kirchhoff
Adam Leathorn
Lt. William B. Mallory
Noah Schlegel USAF Airman
SR Mathew Mahl
In Iraq:
SSG Jay Hale
In Spain:
Ricky Stachowski
Church
Trinity United Methodist
Church ~ Rose City
The Gilmore Family
Serving in Honduras
ralphaleda@yahoo,com
Prayer is communication with the Divine. It can be whispered or chanted or written or expressed in the work you
do. However it is expressed, it is never in vain. ~Donna Wilk Cardillo
**Please remember your
commitment to our Church**
Our expenses will be going down by a small
amount, but we are heavily dependent
upon your commitment to the Church to be
able to pay the bills.
Renee in the office can help you set up
automatic payments from your bank to the
Church and of course, you can mail your
payment in at intervals that you choose.
Thank You!
Maggie Robinson Finance Chair
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
2
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
3
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
4
Facebook live
Evening Prayer 9pm
5
Worship 9:30a
Evening Prayer 9pm
6
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Prayer Shawl 1p
Evening Prayer
9pm
7
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
8
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
9
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
10
Food Drive 10a
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
11
Facebook Live
Evening Prayer 9pm
12
Worship 9:30a
Evening Prayer 9pm
13
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer
9pm
14
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
15
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
16
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
17
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
18
Facebook Live
Evening Prayer 9pm
19
Worship 9:30am
Evening Prayer 9pm
20
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Prayer Shawl 1p
Evening Prayer
9pm
21
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
22
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
23
CSFP 10a
Food Drive 10a
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
24
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
25
Facebook Live
Evening Prayer 9pm
26
Worship 9:30am
Evening Prayer 9pm
27
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer
9pm
28
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
29
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
30
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
31
Facebook live
Daily Devotional
10am
Evening Prayer 9pm
Calendar
Subject
to change
Calendar
Subject
to change
Yvonne & Bob Mahl 7/1
William & Marlene Sawyer 7/2
Lee & Sandi Osterland 7/14
Ray & Gloria Brunzell 7/15
Timothy & Fiona Dibble 7/15
David & Sherrie Hickman 7/18
Mark & Lori Carter 7/20
Jeff Card 7/3
Melanie Nolan 7/5
Timothy Dibble 7/6
Sandi Osterland 7/6
Ivan Lewis 7/9
Bill Warnecke 7/10
Charlie Clark 7/15
Mickie Nyquist 7/15
Mary Cummings 7/19
Pat Edwards 7/22
Michael Pugh 7/24
Kaitlyn Guoan 7/28
Sueann Hughey 7/28
Darlene Jones 7/30
Matt Pollard 7/31
Leadership Team Church Updates
June 19, 2020
Disclaimer: As I write this I realize that things are moving rapidly here at WBFUMC. Therefore I must
say that the following report is accurate to the best of my knowledge at the present time.
1. PARSONAGE RAMP: The North Country Cooperative Parish will be installing a wheelchair ramp at
the parsonage sometime this summer. Our church is a charter member of NCCP. The cost of the parsonage
ramp is being covered by the Central Bay District.
2. PPP GRANT: Our church received a federal payroll protection plan grant as part of the Covid-19
relief effort. 75% of the grant has to be spent on salaries and the other 25% is ear marked for utilities. Liz
Steinhurst and Maggie Robinson spearheaded the arduous process of application and pushed our petition
through successfully. They deserve a lot of credit. The PPP monies will help lessen the stress on an always
strained general budget.
3. GAP SUMMER CAMP: The children’s GAP program that takes place each summer at the church has
been canceled for this year. In its place an online virtual camp is being planned. The conference has appoint-
ed three interns to work with our church volunteers and Linda Hall to develop and produce online lessons. If
you have any questions or wish to help contact Linda at the church.
4. BACK TO CHURCH: We will resume Sunday morning worship services at church on July 5 at 9:30.
More detailed information will be forthcoming in the form of a flyer and letter that will be sent out. A
detailed announcement will also appear on the church’s website, Facebook and in the monthly newsletter.
6. TRUSTEE PROJECTS: I will quickly touch on a few improvement projects. If you want more infor-
mation about any of these projects feel free to give me a call. (345-2978)
The parsonage has finally received the air conditioning units that have been discussed on and off for
years. A tip of the hat to Rich Colvin and Gary Hughey for their efforts in getting this done.
In the sanctuary: The new projectors have already been installed and technology upgrades are in the
works that will improve our sound and video recording capabilities.
Plans are underway to replace the outside entrance doors with new ones that, hopefully, will be easy
to open. We are also hoping to be able to install wheelchair friendly automated doors at the entrance by the
kitchen.
7. ELECTRIC PIANO/CLAVINOVA: A new clavinova has been purchased to replace the old one that
wore out. It should be installed before we begin holding services in the sanctuary again.
8. RIGHTNOW MEDIA: Our church has subscribed to Rightnow Media as a video service. This will
allow each of us to access thousands of high quality Christian videos on any of our online devices for free.
The potential for the use of this service in home devotions, small group learning settings, or Bible studies is
limitless. More information is available from Rightnow Media. com or from the church.
Submitted by Doug Hughey
Leadership Team Chair
First United Methodist Church 2490 West State Rd 989-345-0210
West Branch, MI 48661 Fax: 1-989-345-3480
[email protected] Website: westbranchfumc.org
Office hours: Tuesday through Friday -- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed from noon to 12:30 for lunch
Worship service: Sundays 9:30 a.m.
Staff:
Pastor: Tim Dibble
Office Administrator: Renee Guoan
Family Outreach: Linda Hall
Organist: Carol Kerby
Custodian: Chris Guoan
