July 2021

Hello Fellow Travelers, Saying hello, a common place thing to do, most days. Would you not agree? With that said, there are many ways that we say hello; a nod in the grocery store aisle, a wave from the steering wheel, or my favorite, a silly gif sent in a text. And then there is word; Hola, Jambo, Ciao, Guten Tag, Yo, What’s Up, Hey, and Howdy. Hello. We greet, receive, hail, welcome and address. Hello. We say this word in acknowledgement of seeing someone or to open a dialog. It is etiquette to open correspondence with a hello. When you say, ‘Hello’ or ‘Good Morning’, you make a connection. Beyond greeting a person, we greet new experiences. We welcome promotions or new jobs. We greet each new day. We look to refresh, make new, things around us, saying hello to something changed or improved. Biblically, the word used is, ‘Greetings’ or ‘Salutations’ or simply to greet. Abram greeted the angels at his tent door, moving into his journey away from his family, following God’s word. Paul writes to community after community, calling them into and reminding them of God’s love and the work in following Jesus. I think that as we are emerging, dare I say, into a post pandemic life, we have the opportunity to say hello to new things here at church. What if we served meals to our community once a month? Once a week? What if we talked to our neighboring churches to fulfill the need for Safe Harbor in the winter? We are constantly evolving and emerging, there is always a new day to embrace a new thing. We can say hello to dreams that are yet unspoken. What are the dreams that are yet unspoken that you would like to say hello to? While you are contemplating all of the ways to say hello, please stop by the office and give a Hola, Guten Morgen, Howdy, and Hello to Diane as we welcome her into the office. Hello is a new adventure. See you along The Way,

Pastor Patty

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BENZONIA UCC

July Birthdays

1 Cleo Finch

8 Cynthia Schnarr

8 Angie Haase

9 Jared Milks

16 Darlene Gray

19 Laura Kassanos

22 Nancy Call

24 Neil Nugent

25 Hannah Rodriguez

28 Neil Marshall

29 Tiana Gould

30 David VanHammen

31 Aaron Hickey

Flowers

If you would like to supply flowers for the altar, please sign up on the bulletin board or contact the church office. You may then bring in your own flowers or donate $30 to the church flower fund for an arrangement to be purchased from Victoria’s Floral.

July Volunteers Coffee

July 4 Deacons

July 11 Chris Jones

July 18 Linda Jenema

July 25 Soul Sisters

Head Usher:

Money Count:

UCC Church of the Month

As part of our continuing efforts to work together with our fellow United Northern Association churches as a community of faith, we invite you to pray this month for the ongoing mission and ministries of the First Congregational UCC of Gaylord.

Nancy Reynolds

Pat Forrester

Pat Miller

Doris Marshall

Barbara

Philip Lyman

Misha

Greg Lowry

Maddie

Terry

Mary T.

Andy W.

Steve S.

Esther VH.

Mary

Dana

Family and friends of Ed Gipson

Terri

AJ

Russ

Janna

Bob F.

Denise

Jim R.

All those who continue to grieve the loss of a beloved

Remember in Your Prayers

Web Links

Michigan Conference News: michucc.org Church Facebook Page: facebook.com/BenzoniaCongregational United Northern Association Facebook Page: facebook.com/UnitedNorthernAssociationUCC

Cards and Notes

“Thank you so much for your contribution to the student pantry at Frankfort High School. This was a huge undertaking and would not be possible without the support of community members like yourself. Food insecurity is something our peers should not have to suffer from, thanks to you, we are one step closer to eliminating that burden. We are forever grateful for your support. Thank you! - Sydney Miller, Student Council President, Frankfort High School

Check out all of our notes and cards on the bulletin board!

BIG for BACN

For our BACN donations this month, we are trying to collect a BIG pile of condiments. Help us help those in

need by participating in our ongoing Bring In Groceries program!

BACN Builds Capital Campaign

BACN is proud to announce they are kicking off the public phase of their capital campaign. Please plan to join them on Monday, July 26 from 5-7 PM at their location on Benzie Highway for the public celebration of the BACN Builds Campaign.

Stay tuned to the Church Family Update and bulletin for more information!

Volunteer Opportunity

If you are interested in how our Church works, this is for you. We are undertaking an update of our By-laws. To do this we are forming a committee of 5 Church Members. You can make a difference. Your ideas count. If interested please contact the Church office, Pastor Patty or myself at jslat42@gmail.com. Jerry Slater, Moderator

Liturgists

If you are interested in participating in the worship service as a liturgist, please see Pastor Patty.

Liturgists for July are: July 4: Cath Kelder July 11: Mike Jones July 18: Jim Sheets July 25: Jo Bahry

Pastor Parish Committee

The following members comprise the Pastor Parish Committee: Andy Case, Linda Joy, and Mary Wulke. This committee works to enrich the positive relationship between the congregation and Pastor Patty. If you would like to offer feedback or share your thoughts, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of the committee members.

One Room Schoolhouse—Volunteers Needed!

Our summertime one room schoolhouse Sunday School program began on June 20. If you would like to volunteer to lead a lesson, the signup sheet is available on the bulletin board. We are still looking for volunteers for the following dates: July 11 & 18, August 15, and September 5.

You can lead a craft, an activity, or anything you like!

Singing Update

We will begin congregational singing during church services in July. You are invited to sing the gloria, doxology, sung response to the benediction, and one verse of each hymn beginning July 4. Please participate as you are comfortable. We understand that some may not be ready to sing yet or may choose to do so masked. The choir's return is yet to be determined. We will keep you updated as we continue to monitor and adapt as necessary.

Listening Campaign Update

Benzie Faith in Action hosted the first Community Meal on June 17 and it was well attended! The next community gathering and meal is scheduled for Thursday, July 22 at the Benzonia Memorial Park at 6 PM. Stay tuned to the Church Family Update and weekly bulletin for further details! If you are interested in attending, please see Barry Hahn, Beth Sheets, Cathy Hahn, or Sara Moorhead.

July 2021

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1

9-10:30 AA (Barn)

10-12:30 Tutoring

12N AA (Barn)

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

7:00 NA (Barn)

2

10-12:30 Tutoring

3

1:00 Harriet Stone Funeral

4

10:30am Worship BIG Sunday Communion

6-8 ACOA (Barn)

5 Office Closed

9:45-11:15 Barn Personal Use

12N AA (Barn)

12-5 Bridge Club

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

5-7:30 FLC

7:00 AA (Barn)

6

10:00 Yoga (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

7:00 WAA (Barn)

7

12N AA (Barn)

2:00 Elisabeth Case Funeral

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

7:00 AA (Barn)

8

9-10:30 AA (Barn)

10-12:30 Tutoring

12N AA (Barn)

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

4:00 Deacons

7:00 NA (Barn)

9

10-12:30 Tutoring

10

11

10:30am Worship

6-8 ACOA (Barn)

General Synod Begins

12

9:00 Trustees

9:45-11:15 Barn Personal Use

11 Commodities

12N AA (Barn)

12-5 Bridge Club

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

7:00 AA (Barn)

13

10:00 Yoga (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

7:00 WAA (Barn)

14

12N AA (Barn)

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

7:00 AA (Barn)

15

9-10:30 AA (Barn)

10-12:30 Tutoring

12N AA (Barn)

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

7:00 NA (Barn)

16

10-12:30 Tutoring

17

18

9:00 Christian Education

10:30am Worship

Bring a Friend to Church Day

6-8 ACOA (Barn)

General Synod Ends

19

9:45-11:15 Barn Personal Use

12N AA (Barn)

12-5 Bridge Club

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

7:00 AA (Barn)

20

10:00 Yoga (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

5:00 Council

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

7:00 WAA (Barn)

21

12N AA (Barn)

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

7:00 AA (Barn)

22

9-10:30 AA (Barn)

10-12:30 Tutoring

12N AA (Barn)

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

6:00 Benzie Faith in Action Communi-ty Meal at Benzonia Memorial Park

7:00 NA (Barn)

23

10-12:30 Tutoring

24

25 10:30am Worship

6-8 ACOA (Barn)

26

9:45-11:15 Barn Personal Use

12N AA (Barn)

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

7:00 AA (Barn)

27

10:00 Yoga (Barn)

12N AA (Barn)

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

7:00 WAA (Barn)

28

12N AA (Barn)

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

7:00 AA (Barn)

29

9-10:30 AA (Barn)

10-12:30 Tutoring

12N AA (Barn)

3-6 Tutoring (Barn)

7:00 NA (Barn)

30

10-12:30 Tutoring

31

First Congregational Church of Benzonia UCC 901 Barber Street, P.O. Box 234

Benzonia, MI 49616

Phone: (231) 882-4922

F I R S T C O N G R E G AT I O N A L C H U R C H O F B E N Z O N I A UCC B E N Z O N I A , M I C H I G A N

Office Phone: 231-882-4922

Office Hours: M—Th 9am—Noon, F 8:30am—11:30am

Office Email: secretary@benzoniacongregational.org

Our Website: http://www.benzoniacongregational.org

Our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/BenzoniaCongregational