Blaine

January 2018

Important Upcoming Events:

• Sundays - Worship at 8:30 & 11:00 am

Sunday School, 9:45 am

Choir, 6 pm

• Mondays - Lois Ministries, 1:30 pm

Boy Scout Troop 10, 7 pm

Men’s Bible Study, 7 pm

• Jan 1 - Happy New Year!

• Jan 4 - Safe Harbor Meal

• Jan 7 - Regular Worship Schedule and

Sunday School Resumes

• Jan 8 - Men’s Prayer Breakfast, 8:30 am

• Jan 8 - Men’s Bible Study continues

• Jan 9 - Tuesday Winter Bible Studies begin

for both men and women

• Jan 11 - Lunch with Friends, Noon

• Jan 11 - Elder Meeting, 7 pm

• Jan 14 - Youth Breakfast, 9:40 am

• Jan 14 - Celebration for Joslyn, Noon

• Jan 15 - Christian Ed Meeting, 7 pm

• Jan 17 - Worship Meeting, 9 am

• Jan 24 - Potluckers, 6:30 pm

• Jan 24 - February Blaine Visitor deadline

• Jan 27 - Men’s Wild Game Dinner, 5 pm

We are the church - not just spectators

or silent critics, but participants in

God’s glorious program of spreading

his kingdom across the globe.

HOW WILL YOU SERVE IN 2018?

Our Functional Committees are gearing up for the year and welcome new members. What are our Functional Committees? •Worship •Congregational Fellowship

•Missions •Evangelism/Membership

•Church Property •Christian Education For more information about opportunities within the committees, contact a chairperson or staff member. Their contact information is listed on page 2 of this newsletter. Have you asked yourself, “Where will I serve the church this year?” It takes all of us serving to allow our church to reach out to the community and our own church family with the love of Jesus. Be ready with a positive response when asked to serve, or volunteer before being asked. Please see the ‘How Can I Serve’ bulletin board in fellowship hall and prayerfully consider what area of the church you can best use your time and talents. This includes:

Greeters Ushers Welcome Center Kids Kare Children’s Moment Fellowship Hosts Worship Leader Worship Reader Nursery Care Snow Removal Garden/Landscape Lawn Mowing

Need a phone number to volunteer, join, or help a working committee? Please call the appropriate person listed below:

STAFF: Office Manager, Dede Nugent 352-9148 Congregational Fellowship, Missions, Property Bonnie Putney 352-4940 Christian Education, Membership & Evangelism Carolyn Waterson 882-9802 COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Christian Education: Shannon Gillison 231-383-0007 Congregational Fellowship: Dodie Putney 882-4067 Membership & Evangelism: Kate & Ralph Jenkins 231-709-3525 Missions: Jan Heverly 231-649-4884 Property: Kim Lathwell 882-1398 Worship: Lynda Faber 231-299-5862

MONTHLY FINANCE UPDATE

2017 General Fund Budget: $209,430.00 Monthly General Fund Need: 17,452.50

Received Over / Short

January 23,666.00 + 6,213.50 February 13,134.00 - 4,318.50 March 16,026.26 - 1,426.24 April 14,141.00 - 3,311.50 May 16,144.00 - 1,308.50 June 16,294.36 - 1,158.14 July 15,955.00 - 1,497.50 August 14,990.10 - 2,462.40 September 15,327.51 - 2,124.99 October 17,292.92 - 159.58 November 14,045.00 - 3,407.50 December* 19,853.61 + 2,401.11 TOTAL -12,560.24

*4 of 5 weeks recorded at time of printing.

FROM WHERE I SIT JANUARY 2018

I received an email from a sweet couple in our church the other day. Let me share it with you.

“A lady went to her Pastor and said ‘Pastor, I won’t be going to your church anymore.’ The Pastor responded ‘But why?’ The lady said ‘Ah! I saw a woman gossiping about another member; a man that is a hypocrite; the worship team living wrong; people looking at their phone during service; among so many other things wrong in your church.’ The Pastor replied ‘OK. But before you go, do me a favor: take a full glass of water and walk around the church three times without spilling a drop on the ground. Afterwards, leave the church if you desire’” “The lady thought: too easy! She walked three times around the church as the Pastor had asked. When she finished she told the Pastor she was ready to leave. The Pastor said, ‘Before you leave I want to ask you one more question. When you were walking around the church, did you see anyone gossiping?’ The lady replied ‘No.’ ‘Did you see any hypocrites?’ The lady said ‘No.’ ‘Anyone looking at their phone?’ ‘No.’ ‘You know why?’ ‘No.’ ‘You were focused on the glass, to make sure you didn’t stumble and spill any water. It’s the same with our life. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we don’t have time to see the mistakes of others. We will reach out a helping hand to them and concentrate on our own walk with the Lord.'” On Sunday morning, as I was carefully carrying the full Communion Cup into the sanctuary, I thought about this email. What a powerful truth! Anyone who thinks they should help with Communion, just let me know. Yours in Christ, Pastor Bob

SERVING IN JANUARY

8:30 a.m. Praise & Worship Service

Worship Leader - Greeter - Usher - Maggie Baker

11:00 a.m. Traditional Service

Elders - Steve VanDePerre, Sarah Esper Worship Reader - Sonja Reitan Diaconate Servers - Linda & John Byers, Howard & Judy Ingleston Greeter - Loy Putney Usher - Lorraine LaGuire Diaconate Preparer - Rhonda Nye

SERMON SCHEDULE

JANUARY 2018

Jan. 7: Guest Pastor Jan. 14: 1st Reading: John 1:43-51 2nd Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Title: “Called” Jan. 21: 1st Reading: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 2nd Reading: Mark 1:14-20 Title: “Called by God” Jan. 28: Guest Pastor

JANUARY

Birthdays

1 Richard Briske, Kylee Merrill 3 Rita Minteer, Nina Margetson 5 Brielle Gillison, Charlotte Gerhke, Maggie MacDonald 7 Victor Cicansky 8 Mallory Olson, Makenzie Waterson 9 Janet Maat 10 Gary Waterson 11 Mary Smeltzer 12 Katherine Waterson 16 Elizabeth Merrill, Rick Maat 19 Jan Heverly 22 Selena Cruz 24 Marilyn Cruz 25 Evan Smeltzer 27 Leslie Putney 29 Elaine Putney 31 Isabella Cruz

Anniversaries

1 Richard and Cynthia Briske

Open: Tues - Sat 9:30 am - 5:30 pm

(231) 325-7750 • benziehabitat.org/restore

13998 Honor Hwy (3 miles east of Honor)

JANUARY

COFFEE FELLOWSHIP HOSTS

9:30 AM NOON 1/7 Available Available 1/14 Available Cathy & Yvonne 1/21 Available Available 1/28 Available Available Please note the coffee hour that needs a hostess and sign up on the fellowship hall bulletin board. Remember to: KEEP IT SIMPLE

BOY SCOUT TROOP 10

Boy Scout Troop 10 is taking orders and installing the reflective 911 Signs for your driveway. Order forms are available on the scout bulletin board in fellowship hall. These address signs are endorsed by all Benzie County Public Safety Services.

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Bob and Brothers & Sisters at Blaine:

Such a nice surprise to come home and find a

gift expressing your love and support for us old

Nelsons! Thank you for your love, your prayers

and your continued support, it is so special to

have a Church family such as yourselves, we

feel like we have been adopted! And that is a

great feeling!

We pray for you daily and wish each and every

one of you a most Blessed Christmas and a Joy-

filled new Year!

With love and gratitude,

Sallie & Bill Nelson

A New Year brings new ideas!

We talked at the SS reveal party and decided to try something a little different

for 2018-2019. Because the reveal party is not as well attended as we would like due to the busy-ness of the season, we propose running the Secret Sister year from May 1-May 1 instead of by the calendar year. Everyone felt that this might give both the snow birds and those of us busy with holiday opportunities a better chance to participate. There will also be new sheets coming out soon to sign up and return to Dede by April 1st to give our friends more information about us personally. So enjoy a few months off and get ready for 2018! Look for more announcements in the com-ing weeks and months and a huge "Thank You" to everyone who made 2017 a very special year! Any questions or suggestions can be directed to our committee, Dee Lathwell, Nina Margetson and Donna Brown.

THANK YOU

Thank you to our Dear Church Family! Deb and I so appreciate all of your love and support. And your generous Christmas gift simply melts our hearts! It is a gift from God, a true blessing, to be connected with all of you in Christ! Thank you for your love.

Bob and Deb Larimer

Celebration for Joslyn Gilroy Collins

We want to encourage and support Joslyn and her new son, Cash James Gregory Sunday, January 14, 2018 during the noon fellowship time after second service; everyone is invited to bring a gift and stay for cake and ice cream. Baby Cash will be a couple of months old. Suggestions: gifts of baby boy clothes size 4 months and older; disposable diapers; wipes; any gift you choose.

WELCOMING OUR GUESTS

There have been many encouraging comments from guests about what a friendly and welcoming church family we have. The Membership/Evangelism Ministry Team wants to build on that strength by inviting EVERYONE at Blaine to take advantage of the Welcome Center. If there's someone in one of our services who is a first time guest (or you've brought a guest with you), or someone who hasn’t come in a while, and whoever is serving at the Welcome Center has stepped away, PLEASE take the initiative to make our guests feel welcome. Give them a blue gift bag with info about the church (there is always a supply of these in the back of the Welcome Center counter). Then politely ask them if they would fill out an info card (on the counter) so we can get to know them better. Completed info cards can be given to the Membership/Evangelism Committee members (Ralph/Kate Jenkins, Bob/Cathy Bodell, Gary/Carolyn Waterson). Also, more volunteers are needed to take turns helping at the Welcome Center EACH SUNDAY. Please consider serving in this way, and the Membership/Evangelism Ministry Team will serve with you until you’re comforta-ble. Please sign your name on the sheet on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. We’re all in this together and can give our guests a positive experience when they're here at Blaine.

We’re thankful for the time we spent recently with the church family at Blaine. Thanks to those who braved the snow to eat together and hear more about our mission work and Indonesia. We picked up a copy of the Advent Devotional Book and are reading it daily. It is encouraging! Thanks to all who took time to serve God and the community this way. We pray you are encour-aged this Christmas and continue to find ways to shine the light of Jesus wherever you are. Peace, Jay & Karen Devers.

THANK YOU Dear church family, Thank you for your gift presented on the 17th in worship. It is a joy to serve this church in devel-oping programs of education and outreach and to plan the music ministry of the church. I often say to folks how blessed I am to have the opportunity to do ministry with all of you. Thank you again for your caring hearts and your willingness to help our church reach the world for Jesus and serve others in our community. Blessings, Carolyn Waterson

A NEW YEAR On Sunday, January 7th we return to our regular Sunday morning schedule of Worship at 8:30 and 11:00 am and Sunday

School at 9:45 am for all ages. Why not make a new year’s resolution to have Sunday School and Worship a part of your faith life in 2018? This is a good time to invite someone you know to begin the new year as a part of our church family. Maybe it will be a family you invited to come on Friend Day, during the Christmas season, or someone new. Our church has much to offer those who are looking for a church home to learn more about their faith and grow in their faith and is a wonderful place to worship and build strong friendships. Help a friend of yours discover the family at Blaine by inviting them to come with you this week to Sunday School and Worship.

THANK YOU

Many folks deserve ‘thanks’ for the work they did to make Christmas special for our church and community. Lots of extras needed to be done around the church and many people said ‘yes’ to helping make sure they got done. It is wonderful to know that our church family cares for each other and witnesses to that caring over and over; because of you someone’s life was brighter and blessed this Christmas season as we celebrated “MOVING TOWARD THE MANGER”.

Lois Ministries - Mondays, 1:30 pm, Small Sanctuary Lois Ministries is a prayer ministry for mothers and grandmothers. They meet in the small sanctuary, and pray for the Blaine Church Family, their children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. Please call Shirley Felt 231-864-4420 for more information. We’ll meet January 8, 15, 22, 29.

Men's Prayer & Breakfast - Second Monday, January 8th, 8:30 am Meet at the Lighthouse Café in Elberta for prayer, breakfast and fellowship. For more information, please call Skip Noble 352-7035.

Lunch with Friends - Second Thursday, January 11th, Noon

Mary Lou and skip Noble are the hosts for this “Lunch” at 1044 Watervale Rd. Men and women are welcomed. Drinks and your table setting are provided. Please come for fellowship, lunch and card ministry. Special friends: those shut in, hospitalized, far away, or need a “special thinking of you receive a card from “Lunch with Friends” –specially signed with a personal note from all in attendance, about 20 friends!

Potluckers - Wednesday, January 24th, 6:30 pm

The January meeting of Potluckers will be at Charlotte Putney’s home on Putney Road at 6:30pm. Bring a dish to share and come for good fellowship, food and a short study/devotion time.

Fellowship Groups: Groups that meet regularly include the following. Each group is different in character, but involves a devotion/prayer, fellowship and more. Important information for you is that you are invited to any group or groups you would like to attend. Just call the leader for more information.

MEN’S WILD GAME DINNER Saturday January 27, 2018

5:00 pm Appetizers

6:00 pm Dinner Fellowship Hall All Men are invited to this potluck dinner! Bring a Wild Game Dish to pass and a non-perishable food item for BACN.

BENZIE AREA CHRISTIAN NEIGHBORS benziebacn.org

BACN SUNDAY Third Sunday of the month, January 21st.

2804 Benzie Hwy, Benzonia, MI 882-9544

Safe Harbor of Manistee County Safe harbor began again in November and is provided by different churches and safe shelters in Manistee rotating

their services. Safe Harbor is a night place to sleep for the homeless; they have breakfast and a good dinner. Shirley Felt and Bonnie will provide a meal on December 26 and will again on January 4. If you would like to provide something, or get more information talk to Shirley Felt at 231-864-4420 or Bonnie 231-352-4940.

SHOPPING WITH PURPOSE The yellow box is for “Family Fare” grocery receipts. Blaine Christian Church and Frankfort

Schools are sending collected receipts to Benzie Area Christian Neighbors as a way of collecting more receipts faster. You may add your Family Fare receipts to the box.

From the office of the General Minister and President Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.

Summary of Blaine Christian Church Remittances Giving Year to Date as of

10/31/2017 Total for 10 months of 2017- $14,327.22

10 months of 2016- $$14, 532.67 $ change – ($205.45)

% change- (1.4%) For the complete account information and a note from Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister & President see the letter on the mission bulletin board in the education hallway.

MISSIONS

As we explore the many ways Blaine Christian Church serve others, we are amazed at all we do!! Please continue to do kindness, show compassion and be of a servant attitude. In 2017 missions supported BACN, LoveINC, Benzie Academy, Habitat (fund raising and building), The Senior Resource Center, the MI Region and Mission Scholarships. In November, Blaine is a Drop off Center for Northwest MI Operation Christmas Child. In addition, Blaine Church tithes regularly to Disciples Mission funds. Family Life Center and Safe Harbor meals are provided. In 2018 we are looking forward to 2 mission trips; 10 volunteers under Wayne Faber’s leader-ship to Key West Lower Keys and Wayne and Nina Margetson will serve in Guatemala. Blaine’s local Mission tithe will support BACN, LoveINC, Habitat, and “Benzie Blessings in a Backpack”. We will explore other missions to help those in need such as helping with Safe Harbor (for the homeless) of both Manistee and Benzie County. As we begin 2018, pray for those less fortunate, those who are homeless, those who are hungry and those people who unselfishly give of them-selves to serve others. Thank you.

Reminder of Collection Dates for the Hallway Baskets

First Sunday of the Month: items for Cupboard of Love, Benzie Academy

Third Sunday of the Month: items for Benzie Area Christian Neighbors (BACN)

January is National Mentoring month and we are thankful for our partnership with Betsie Valley School and the KIDS HOPE USA program that continues to make a difference in the lives of children. The mentors are

meeting weekly with their child at school and the prayer partners are being faithful in their time of prayer for these children and mentors. The teach-ers and staff are excited about our help with the students and time we are spending in the school. The church is asked to also pray for this minis-try and those that are serving in it. The following people are serving as mentors in the program: Maggie Baker, Bob Bodell, Ted Mick, Jan Mick, Gary Waterson, Bruce Caylen, Jenny Caylen, Mary Lou Noble, and Carolyn Waterson. Prayer partners for the mentors include: Cathy Bodell, Dee Lathwell, Deb Kessler, Sharon Trense, Ralph Jenkins, Michael Waterson, Linda Yeager, Ted and Jan Mick. There is always a need for more mentors. Speak to Carolyn Waterson if you would like more information. New mentors can be added at any time. There also continues to be a need for a Prayer Partner support person. Thank you to all who have volunteered to mentor and be prayer partners, you are a blessing in a life of a child and a witness to your faith.

BLAINE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

MISSION TRIP

January 27 – February 3, 2018

The Mission team will be volunteering for Habitat for Humanity Key West and the Lower Keys, January 27-February 3. Habitat for Humanity believes that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and afforda-ble place to live. As a Christian organization, founded in 1976, they build and repair houses using volunteer labor and donations. Their partner families purchase these houses through no-profit, no-interest mortgage loans or innova-tive financing methods. Their mission is, “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.” The team will help Habitat for Humanity Key West and the Lower Keys carry out this mission in their local area. The team includes Pastor Bob Larimer, Dave and Laurie Puccio, Russ Tiller, Gary and Carolyn Waterson, Wayne, Lynda, and Joel Faber, and Dale Faber (Wayne’s brother). The team has not been informed of specific projects they will work on yet, but has been told by Habitat that they are focusing on Hurricane relief right now. As the date approaches, the team will receive more details about the work they will be doing. Thank you to all who were a part of the brunch after the December 17 worship service, making food, helping serve, cleaning up, and supporting financially. The mission team is grateful for the support, both financial as well as prayer support, which the congregation has given. Please contin-ue to pray for the team as they work together to build homes, communities and hope for those affected by the hurricane.

YOUTH NEWS

The youth had a fun December as they enjoyed pizza together and worked on their presentations for the Christmas program, which was held on December 17th. Thank you to all who participat-ed and helped to present “Keepsake Christmas” to the church family. Plans for January: New study “What God Wants” beginning on January 7th. Youth Breakfast at 9:40am on January 14th leading into the Sunday School time.

WINTER MID-WEEK

BIBLE STUDIES

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Monday night at the church at 7pm, continuing with the book of Acts. NEW MEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Tuesday night at 6:50 pm “Uncommon” by Tony Dungy. If inter-ested and not signed up, see Gary Waterson for study book availability. Begins January 9th. WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Tuesday morning at 9:30 am OR evening at 6:50 pm “All Things New” by Kelly Minter. If not signed up and interested, see Carolyn Waterson for book availability. Begins January 9th.

Our church offers Sunday School classes for ages 2 years-adult that meet each week at 9:45am. There is also childcare for those under age 2 years if needed. Sunday School is a wonderful way to grow in your understanding of the Bible and to spend time with others in the church family. The children’s classes will be studying the life of Jesus during the early part of 2018. The Middlers (4-6th gr) will be studying about ‘Who’s in Charge?’ The Youth class will be doing a study on “What God Wants”. The upstairs’ adult class will continue with their study of the Psalms beginning with chapter 38 with Cynthia Briske and Shelli Merrill as leaders. The downstairs’ adult class will be starting a new study called “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan with Sarah Esper as leader. All classes begin again on January 7th. Plan to begin your new year in Sunday School.

Grow Benzie's winter potluck series is starting January 9th!

January 9: Bees & Beekeeping 10,1 6:00 pm January 17: Holistic Farm Management Series, 5:30 pm January 23: Food As Medicine, 6:00 pm Culinary demo at 5:00 pm, featuring Chef Steve Tebo, Laura McCain RD, and Dr. Jake Flynn, Crystal Lake Clinic January 30: Veterans Night, 6:00 pm

5885 Frankfort Hwy, Benzonia, MI (231) 882-9510

Thank You! Thank you very much for the generous gift and Christmas wishes. I appreciate the support, care and love that are given to me as I work for the church. Blessings, Dede

Blaine Christian Church… Thank you so much for the monetary gift. It

truly is never expected. For Frank who is always

there to help with “church”, I will take him and

some friends out to dinner. Thank you,

Bonnie

Let the peace of Christ

rule in your hearts,

since as members of one body

you were called to peace.

And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15

Blaine Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 7018 Putney Road Arcadia, MI 49613

Our Mission

Our purpose at the Blaine Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is to live and share the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Together, we seek to learn, teach, hear, minister, support, grow and worship as a community of faith. As Christ’s disciples, we accept the call to reach out with God’s love to those outside the church. Thus, as part of the Church Universal, we intend to serve both the physical and spiritual needs of our immediate community and the world. To this end we commit ourselves to witness and serve in the fellowship and traditions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Rev. Robert D. Larimer, Pastor

(231) 352-9148

www.blainechristianchurch.org

email: blainechurch@gmail.com

SUNDAY MORNING

SCHEDULE

8:30 a.m. Praise & Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service

9:45 a.m. Sunday School

Coffee & Fellowship following services.