Straits Talk

United Methodist and Presbyterian (USA)

The Church of the Straits

P.O. Box 430 * Mackinaw City, MI 49701

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Straits Talk

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMackinaw CityMichigan 49701

Permit No. 1

September 2015Minister Pastor David WallisHead Usher Cless Hurlburt Organists Wayne Clemens

and Loretta MartinekTreasurer Janet SchaeferFinancial Secretary Jean HuntClerk Diane Robbins

Secretary Judy Churchill

Office Phone: 231 436-8682 * Pastor’s Home Phone: 231 436-5484E-mail – Pastor – norev@juno.com

Church office – office@churchofthestraits.comChurch website – www.thechurchofthestraits.com

OUR WORSHIP SCHEDULETraditional Worship 10:30 a.m.

Adult/Youth Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

The Mission of The Church of the StraitsTo worship God faithfully

To grow together spirituallyTo serve Jesus Christ and

our neighbor joyfully… in the power of God’s Spirit.

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Wms Bible Study 3pmPrayer Group 6 pm

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BIRTHDAYS: ANNIVERSARIES:Sept 2 Alison Cram Sept 19 Olivia Flemming Sept 6 Greg & Mary StanleySept 3 Chad Robertson Sept 21 Nancy Miller Sept 9 Drew & Caroline HartSept 4 Jim Churchill Sept 21 Karin Orsini Sept 10 Ken & Kristi LaningaSept 5 Mary Lou Peters Sept 22 Roger Moore Sept 10 Chris & Jolene RogalaSept 7 Matt Cooley Sept 22 Donna Hunt Sept 10 Matt & Shannon CooleySept 8 Werner Schoenknecht Sept 23 Larry O'Brien Sept 12 Todd & Sue KohsSept 8 Al Robbins Sept 25 Cidney Roth Sept 14 Don & Arlene Shanley

Sept 11 Walt Naumer Sept 27 Rob Griffin Sept 15 Steve & Kathy PlauntSept 12 Fred DeLong Sept 27 Gene Kapp Sept 23 Ron & Linda GwiltSept 12 Madison Jutson Sept 27 Lorahdelle Darrow Sept 28 Austin & Noelle MartinSept 16 David Cummings Sept 28 Peter Walugembe Sept 30 Jim & Judy ChurchillSept 18 Kim Jutson Sept 29 Pat DarrowSept 19 Sophie Orsini Sept 30 Greg BrownSept 19 Hannah Flemming Sept 30 Courtney Wallis

23rd Psalm – Lesson 9

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul; He leads me in the path

of righteousness for His name sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; for You are with me;Your rod and staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the

days of my life;And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

There is a shift here to whom the sheep is talking to. The sheep is no longer talking to another sheep – she is now talking to her shepherd. There is also a subtle shift in scenery – the sheep are moving from home base (winter pasture – feed lot) towards the tablelands of spring and summer pastures.  For us, as Christians, moving to “higher ground” is moving towards a deeper, more intimate relationship with God.   

“Death” is not the Hebrew word here. Death may be included or be feared but it is much broader than that. It is a walking in a valley of deep gloom; daily problems, trials, frustrations, fears and temptations that come upon us as we struggle up to that intimate and personal relationship with God. My “valleys” have been deaths of those I have loved, a divorce, breast cancer, and my children who have fallen away. What has been your valleys? We cannot develop that close intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father by being “air lifted” up, out of our valleys; it develops as we faithfully walk with the shepherd all the way to the top. The sheep (my) confidence lie in the fact that the Shepherd is

with me (“I will fear no evil for You are with me.”) 

“Shadow” – Shadows are things we fear. We try to avoid those things that make us fearful. Sometimes lurking shadows cannot be avoided (discouragement, disappointment, frustration, etc.). Unable to go around them we are forced to go through them if we are to continue our journey to the top (God). 

Going through the valley of dark gloom is going to produce fruit that is going to benefit others. Along the way, I am going to be fellowshipping with other people who have not yet gone through the kinds of things I have already experienced. I would be able to give comfort, encouragement and hope to those who need it. Each time my friend Debbie Schabes and I go back to C.T.C.A., for our follow-up evaluations, we are meeting women who are just beginning their cancer journey. Every time we share our story with one of them, it is like throwing a life line - it encourages them and gives them hope. We get something out of it as well - it strengthens us. I have another friend, Pat Tucker, whose son was murdered. Her grief is deep but she has been able to honor his memory by reaching out to others in volunteering at Hospice and during Thanksgiving time (around the time of her son's birthday) she volunteers to help serve a Thanksgiving meal to those who are struggling financially.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  We are going to go through “valleys.” We are going to be discouraged, feel fear, have our hearts broken but God is in the trenches with us, we are not alone. 

Have you ever felt like that sheep in the picture above: hopelessness; frozen in fear? The words "You've got cancer" can put you there or "I love another woman. I want a divorce.." or "Your child was killed in an auto accident by a drunk driver." Can you think of other ways? Even then - when you feel totally alone, swallowed up in darkness - He is there. Remember that..HE IS WITH YOU! Always.

Donna Keene

**Donna is a dear friend of mine, a cancer survivor and also the church secretary at St. Paul’s UMC in Cheboygan. ~Judy Churchill

“Don’t find fault. Find a remedy.”~ Henry Ford

Operation Shoe Box 2015Our collection box is growing and I am so grateful!! In November we will have a ‘BIG’ packing party. Remember, the monthly item is only a suggestion – if you

see something on sale that you think a child would love, that’s fine!

September is hair clips, hair bands, and toy jewelry month.

Call me if you have any questions. As always, donations of money are welcomed to help cover the cost of shipping for our boxes. Thank you and God bless. ~ Judy Churchill

Labor Day Sunday, September 6, at 9:00am at Church of the Straits, 10:30 at Conkling Heritage Park, and then at the park for the 11:00 am service – we welcome back 4 ONE Quartet. 4 ONE Quartet is a male southern gospel quartet from Reed City, MI. The group formed in March of 2012. They have had the privilege to be on the stage with; Perry's, Triumphant Quartet, and Soul'd Out. They have a song to share and message to communicate in today's world. These guys love God, family, each other and it shows that they love what they are doing with their 4 ONE mission! For more information, see www.4onequartet.com

Men’s Breakfast will meet Thursday, September 3rd at 8:00 am. Come, bring a friend and join in for food and fellowship!

Special Dates for September 2015 Labor Day, September 7 Patriot Day, September 11 National Grandparents Day, September 13 Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept 15 – Oct 15 POW/MIA Recognition Day, September 18 First Day of Autumn, September 23

Thank you to all the Teachers, Helpers, Registration People, Kitchen Staff, Story Teller, Mission Person, Music People, and Craft People who helped make VBS possible. We

had an average of 25 kids each day – a smaller number than past years, but the kids really enjoyed themselves. Stories were told, lessons were learned, Bible verses were memorized, songs were sung, snacks were enjoyed and crafts were made. This year the Mission project was for the First Baptist Church in Portland MI which was damaged by a tornado and high winds in June. The 175 year old church lost much of their roof and there were concerns that the steeple may be compromised. The children collected their pennies, nickels and quarters and raised $500.00 to help First Baptist Church rebuild!!

Grandparents Are Great! “What a bargain grandchildren are,” said comedy writer Gene Perret. “I give them my loose change, and they give me a million dollars’ worth of pleasure.”  When it comes to family heritage, grandparents are worth their weight in gold. They serve as storehouses of history and wisdom, helping children

see how they fit into a family’s legacy. Christian grandparents also provide a faith heritage that passes from generation to generation.  The apostle Paul acknowledged this important role of family elders when he wrote to young Timothy: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you” (2 Timothy 1:5, NRSV).

On Sunday, August 2nd, Pastor Dave baptized 5 girls in the Straits. Baptized into the Faith were:Ariel Faith Durant, Kara Jeanette Krueger, Brandee Renee McArthur, Adeline Rose Pietrowski, and Alexis Faith Schaefer.

Water is a wonderful sign for baptism. It is a gift of God from creation. It cleanses us from that which has soiled us. It refreshes us when we are hot and tired. Without it we could not live. Whatever use we make of water it can become for us a reminder of God’s gift of love and grace in accepting us into the household of faith.

We extend our sympathy to the families of those who have entered the Church Triumphant:George Stemkoski, who passed away July 31, 2015.

There will be a Memorial Service for Betty Nieland, who passed away July 4th on Saturday, September 12th

at 11:00 am with a light luncheon following. Florence Tracy would appreciate help with salads, desserts

and/or dishes to pass, thank you.

Like us on Facebook at: Church of The StraitsAlso, check out our website at:www.thechurchofthestraits.comIf you miss Sunday’s Service, you

can listen to the weekly sermon on-line.

Congratulations to Peter Walugembe who was sworn in as an official US Citizen in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, August 19th. Peter can now come and go to the USA/Uganda without conditions and restrictions. Peter,

Kate, Levi, Aiden and Eliana will be returning to Uganda sometime in September to continue their work with Northern Lights Ministries.

The United Methodist Church welcomes Rev. Alex and Brenda Awad, UM Missionaries in Israel/Palestine, on Thursday, September 3rd

at the UMC in St. Ignace. 6:00pm – join us for dinner with the Awad’s. Bring a dish to pass. 7:00pm – Presentation followed by a time for questions and answers.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day will be observed on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. This annual event honors our missing service members and their families, and highlights the government’s commitment to account for them.  Across the country, local POW/MIA

ceremonies are encouraged throughout POW/MIA Recognition Week, culminating with countless events and the national ceremony in Washington,

DC, on Recognition Day.  Support for these missing Americans and their families is deeply felt.  America’s POW/MIAs should be honored and recognized, rather than memorialized, with the focus on continuing commitment to account as fully

as possible for those still missing.  Strong, united support by the American people is crucial to achieving concrete answers.

I mowed my lawn for the first time this past Saturday (Aug. 22nd) since July 15th. I have never waited that long to mow but there just wasn’t much to mow except those long-stemmed weeds that grow no matter what. The lawn is also much greener than it has been in over a month. All this observation brings me to one obvious conclusion: If the plants don’t get their nourishment (water) they don’t grow.

Isn’t it the same as Christians? If we only get our nourishment once a week on Sunday morning, or much less often than that for some, we aren’t going to grow much! It’s kind of like getting the occasional sprinkle that only teases the grass to grow but it isn’t enough to keep it real healthy. Grass needs water quite often and Christians need spiritual food regularly to grow.

When someone comes into my office and indicates that they are in a spiritual slump or they don’t hear God’s voice or sense His direction anymore, it is almost always the case that they are not into God’s Word at the present time. How does God primarily talk to us? It is through His written Word. The very thing that should be happening is not happening. Spiritual mealtimes are being skipped and that person is becoming spiritually malnourished.

We all need each other and the fellowship of the church. Sunday mornings are extremely important to me, not because I am the pastor but because I am a believer and I need the body as an encouragement and I need to come to corporate worship to get my spiritual tank filled but that isn’t enough.

I need, and you need, to feed the soul during the week. Some people choose bible studies, accountability groups, or walks in the park with a fellow believer to feed the soul the things of God. All of us need to be in His Word because it is there that we find the answers to life, to difficulties, to human nature and disappointment, to God’s holy standard and to many other issues we face in life.

When feeding regularly in His Word, we become healthy enough to deal with anything that comes our way. We are growing and gaining strength in Christ and that is just what we need to make it each and every day. I encourage you to drink of the “living water”! We will never thirst for anything else when we have the one that satisfies. Would you covenant with me to drink more deeply in God’s Word so that we are a healthy church, that can bring the Good News to the hurting, the lost, the hungry, and the forgotten.

I love you dearly,

Pastor Dave