Straits Talk

United Methodist and Presbyterian The Church of the Straits

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

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PAIDMackinaw CityMichigan 49701

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October 2016 Minister Pastor David Wallis Head Usher Organist Loretta Martinek

Treasurer 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.

Operation Shoe Box 2016This is our last month for collecting this year. We will have a ‘BIG’ packing party in November. Remember, the monthly item is only a suggestion – if you see something on sale that you think a child would love, that’s fine!

October is suckers and hard candy (no chocolate) 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

Men’s Breakfast is back to 2 meetings a month starting in October – the first and third Thursday of the month. Come, bring a friend and join in for food and fellowship!

Church of the Straits will be holding a Grief Support Group on the 2nd Monday of each month, at 1:00 pm. Please call the office if you have any questions, 436-8682. This meeting is open to anyone in the community.

We extend our sympathy to the families of those who have entered the Church Triumphant:Eleanor Hastie, who passed away September 3rd.

There will be a Memorial Service for Eleanor Hastie on Saturday, October 8th at the First

Congregational Church of Charlevoix at 11 a.m. with a lunch to follow. Sunday, October 9th will be a committal service at Lakeview Cemetery in Mackinaw City at 1 p.m. People are welcome to come to Eleanor’s home at 308 E. Sinclair afterwards for coffee.

“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ~ William

Cullen BryantPastor Dave’s Disciple II Class will resume Sunday, October 16th, 6 p.m. Those in the class should have Lesson 17 finished by the start of class. Anyone is welcome to join in, even if you haven’t taken the first part of the study. Call the office for a book!

The Baptism of Jonathan Efraín Duarte was celebrated Saturday, August 6, 2016 in the Straits at the Gary Williams Park. Jonathan is the son of Dianne and Silvio Duarte. Jonathan was born November 9, 2006 in Traverse City.

The Baptism of George Price Karll was celebrated Saturday, September 17, 2016 in the Straits near McGulpin Lighthouse. George was born December 26, 2015, in Petoskey to Mike and Michelle Karll. He is the grandson of Ann and Ron McClue.

Welcome to our Church Family, Jon and George.

The Annual Remembrance Service will be Sunday,

November 6th during worship. We will honor

loved ones who have passed away during the past year. A candle will be lit and a bell run as each name is read. If you have a loved one who has passed away in the last year and would like to light a candle in their memory, please call the church office by October 31st, 436-8682.**As this is the first Sunday of November, Communion will be celebrated the following week.

The Food Pantry will open for the 2016-2017 season on Wednesday, November 2nd from 10:00am till Noon. The Pantry will continue this schedule for the winter months. Donations can be dropped off at the church M-F from 9:00am – 2:00pm. Cash donations can be made to the Church of the Straits, c/o food pantry. Questions, call Rose LaPointe at 436-5307.

Fall Youth Sunday School begins on Sunday, October 2nd, at 9:30 am. Welcome to ‘team teachers’ Kim & Jamey Jutson and Katie Strittmatter who join Judy & Jim

Churchill for the younger students (age 4 – 2nd grade). Ann & Greg Vieau and Nelson Thompson have agreed to help Ann Craven with the 3rd grade and older class. This is going to be a great year!! We are so excited to welcome back kids and new kids. Call the office if you have any questions

Look Up!Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind. …As long as you are proud, you cannot know God. A proud [person] is always looking down on things and people. And, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see

something that is above you. ~C.S. LewisWarmest wishes and congratulations to the Wallis Family!Pastor Dave and Lisa’s

daughter Courtney and Caleb Jaggi announced their engagement on Wednesday, August 31st. A summer 2017 wedding is being planned.

On Sunday, September 4th, son Matt announced his engagement to Megan Crabtree. Matt and Megan will be married Saturday, October 29th, as Matt is being deployed in December.

Indian River UMC is looking forward to hosting the Grand Traverse, Heartland, Marquette and Saginaw Bay Districts as we welcome Bishop David A. Bard to the Michigan Area on Sunday, October 23rd beginning at 3pm. In light of this honor, we would like to provide everyone with the following information:

Take exit 313 off I-75 and follow the signs to the church.

Live worship will begin at 2:45pm as we prepare our hearts for the service.

Please plan to stay following worship to meet Bishop Bard. Food selections will be available.

Blessings,Pastor Patti A. HarpoleIndian River United Methodist Church956 Eagles Nest RoadIndian River, MI 49749231.238.7764

…. So, with that being said – October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Because we love our Pastor and his wife so much – let’s help them go to Florida for Matt’s wedding! We thank him for his constant dedication to us, for the comfort and direction he gives, for his ministry, guidance and care… always ready and willing to share. Donations of ‘any amount’ can be sent between now and October 24th. You can drop them off at the office, in the collection plate or send it directly to: The Church of the Straits

PO Box 430, Mackinaw City, MI 49701Please mark your gift ‘for Pastor Dave’. Any questions, call Judy M-F 9am – 2pm at 436-8682.

Appreciate your Pastor who gives you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way he lives,and let his faithfulness instruct you,

as well as his truthfulness. Hebrews 13:7

Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone

takes what belongs to you,

do not demand it back.Do to others as you

wouldhave them do to you.

Luke 6:30-31 This year, our Stewardship Campaign will be “Radical Generosity” and will begin on Sunday, October 2nd. Celebration Sunday will be October 23rd! Pray for our church, its ministries, and your contribution by way of prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Give as a sacrifice of praise, for it is out of His hand we give. God will provide the increase.

The Prayer Group that meets on Sunday nights will move from 6:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday, October 16th because of the Disciple II class that resumes on that date. Everyone is welcome, anytime. Prayer requests are

also welcome, contact Pastor Dave. God does listen!

Always Valued

When Paul talks about treasure in clay jars (2 Corinthians 4:6-9), he’s referring to the gospel message. The apostle compares the human carriers of the treasure, including himself, to breakable vessels that aren’t impervious to outside influences and can fail. But that causes the carriers to rely on God’s strength when facing afflictions.  Part of the usefulness of the image — and Paul knows this — is that broken clay jars were used as blank “pages” for writing letters, business receipts, invitations to meals and weddings, and so on. He emphasizes that even when we’re broken, we’re useful in God’s kingdom. When we feel defeated by failure, Jesus still considers us valuable. 

“When life gives you more than you can stand … kneel.”

~Unknown2016 Cantata News Our Cantata Chorus is already hard at work preparing a meaningful advent service for the community! It will take place on Sunday December 11 at 2:00 pm at St. Anthony’s, followed by a cookie

and punch fellowship/ reception. Art work from the 2017 Winterfest poster contest created by Mackinaw City Area School children will once again be on display. We are doing something a little bit different this year… We thought we had a new director for our Community Cantata, but in August, that person notified us that she would not be able to direct us after all. Because this notice was given so late,our Cantata will be a traditional Lessons and Carols Service with our Cantata Chorus providing some glorious music between each lesson! There will be some traditional hymns and solos as well. Gerry Lou Kania will once again prepare and direct the Chorus. Our Rehearsals will take place at The Church of the Straits on October 2 and 30, November 20 and December 4. An additional rehearsal may be called on Saturday November 12 with the time to be determined. If you would like to lend your voice to this wonderful community tradition we would love to have you join us! The music is easily recognizable and even if you missed the first rehearsal you will be fine!!

We hope you will mark your calendars now and invite your friends and family to this beautiful service of lessons and music of the Advent season! Once again, an offering will be taken which will go to support the Food Bank at Church of the Straits and the 2017 Cantata. Our traditional Community Cantata Service will return next year!!

A door symbolizes our invitation to engage in prayer and personal relationship with Jesus: “Knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7, NIV). Conversely, a door represents Jesus’ desire to be invited into our lives and hearts: “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20, NIV). 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22Celebration Sunday Men's Group 9 am

AA 3 pm Wms Bible Study 3 pm AA noonPrayer Group 5pm

Disciple II 6pm BOG 7:00 pm23 24 25 26 27 28 29

AA 3 pm Wms Bible Study 3 pmPrayer Group 5 pm

Disciple II 6pm30 31

BIRTHDAYS: ANNIVERSARIES:October 2 Jennifer Cole October 16 Mindy Rogala October 1 Randy & Traci DarrowOctober 2 Shannon Cooley October 17 Cheryl Newman October 8 Roy & Meredith ColeOctober 2 Sam Strittmatter October 21 Arlene Shanley October 16 Rob & Jennifer GriffinOctober 4 Jonathan Lyons October 24 Jennifer Smith October 18 Jerry & Jane HauptOctober 6 Janet Schaefer October 24 Amber Wallis October 29 Joe & Karin Orsini

October 7 Cliff Smity October 24 Marianne Murray October 21 Jerry & Marita Archer

October 10 Anne Vieau October 26 Mary Sklenar October 28 Denny & Lana Qualey

October 12 Nelson LaPointe October 26 Ben StrittmatterOctober 13 Judy Most October 26 Sarah RogalaOctober 15 Stella Smith October 28 Noelle MartinOctober 15 Edie BennettOctober 15 Rosemary Downing

I am not sure why, but I am very excited about this year’s stewardship campaign because God has blessed us so much and I want us to continue to be a blessing to this community and all around the world. Not to change the subject but I received an imessage (on my iphone) from a previous student we sponsored in Uganda. Her name is Nakakooza Martha! I was so excited to hear from her because she is an adult now and she is teaching Sunday School in Busesa Miracle Center Church in Iganga District. She just wanted to let me know she so appreciated our investment in her future and she is happy and productive in her life following Jesus. Thank you to the Church for supporting ministry and to the Walugembe’s for their mission work.

That leads me into stewardship! Very soon you will be receiving letters about pledging (or not) your support to the church in the coming year. As long as I have been here this exercise, or discipline, has never been about a budget but always been about ministry. Think of all the things that happen because we give to the church. Nakakooza Martha is one thing that happened. Opportunities for Christian Education through Sunday School and Bible Studies, VBS, and our worship together on Sunday morning is another. Opportunities for mission and outreach through the food pantry, local missions and Operation Christmas Child are yet others.

Folks, I could go on and on about the kinds of love and care that come from good stewardship in this church. This coming Sunday (which will actually be a previous Sunday when you get this letter) I am preaching a sermon on radical Christianity. I want us to be on the lookout for ways to share the love of Christ with others. I want us to truly be Monday through Saturday Christians. God gave to us so let’s look for ways to give to others.

“Radical Christianity” should be a redundant statement. Christianity should be radical in its love by its very nature. Jesus radically loved us by giving his life for us. Jesus, who is King of kings and Lord of lords, said he came “to serve and not to be served”. That is a radical statement in today’s world. Real Christianity will get noticed. Real Christianity is compelling. Real Christianity leads to changed lives.

Let’s be nuts in our stewardship this year! Let’s think of more and more ways to be the church in this world. Let’s use our financial resources, our human resources, our divine resources, our time resources to reach out and make eternal differences in people’s lives.

Our theme verses this year are Luke 6:30-31, “Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” God has blessed, God will bless, and we shall be a blessing!

Love you in Christ,

16 17 18 19 20 21 22Celebration Sunday Men's Group 9 am

AA 3 pm Wms Bible Study 3 pm AA noonPrayer Group 5pm

Disciple II 6pm BOG 7:00 pm23 24 25 26 27 28 29

AA 3 pm Wms Bible Study 3 pmPrayer Group 5 pm

Disciple II 6pm30 31

BIRTHDAYS: ANNIVERSARIES:October 2 Jennifer Cole October 16 Mindy Rogala October 1 Randy & Traci DarrowOctober 2 Shannon Cooley October 17 Cheryl Newman October 8 Roy & Meredith ColeOctober 2 Sam Strittmatter October 21 Arlene Shanley October 16 Rob & Jennifer GriffinOctober 4 Jonathan Lyons October 24 Jennifer Smith October 18 Jerry & Jane HauptOctober 6 Janet Schaefer October 24 Amber Wallis October 29 Joe & Karin Orsini

October 7 Cliff Smity October 24 Marianne Murray October 21 Jerry & Marita Archer

October 10 Anne Vieau October 26 Mary Sklenar October 28 Denny & Lana Qualey

October 12 Nelson LaPointe October 26 Ben StrittmatterOctober 13 Judy Most October 26 Sarah RogalaOctober 15 Stella Smith October 28 Noelle MartinOctober 15 Edie BennettOctober 15 Rosemary Downing

Pastor Dave