OVESTA EWS

Published monthly by:

Novesta Church of Christ 2896 N. Cemetery Rd. Cass City, MI 48726

Phone: (989) 872-3658

novestachurch@yahoo.com

www.novestachurch.org

Brad Speirs, Minister

December Issue

“Merry Christmas”

VOL. XXXVI - - - No. 12 November 27, 2011

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Monday, December 5 ~ 7:00 p.m.Monday, December 5 ~ 7:00 p.m.Monday, December 5 ~ 7:00 p.m.Monday, December 5 ~ 7:00 p.m.

Our annual Congregational meeting will be December 5 at 7:00 p.m. Besides hearing the

various ministry reports and goals, you also have the opportunity to vote and show your support for

individuals seeking important offices within the church. (Sample ballot is posted on hallway board)

Make plans to be here on Monday, December 5th.

Please note: Sunday, December 4th, the Annual Reports booklets will be available with our

financial status, information about the different ministries we have, and the minister’s report.

Read them over to know more about what goes on here at Novesta. If you find a ministry that you’d

like to become involved in, just contact that ministry leader and let them know of your interest.

CHRISTMAS BASKETS & GIFTS

This year we have four families that we are providing with a food basket and gifts

for the children. There is a food list on the foyer bulletin board to sign up for what you would like to

donate. Also, there will be a small ornament tree in the foyer. The items listed on each orna-

ment are just suggestions. So, (1) take an ornament, (put your name on the clipboard that coincides with the ornament you took),

(2) buy the gift, (3) wrap it, (4) tape the ornament on the gift,

(5) bring it back to church and place it in the office. We want to deliver the baskets/gifts on December 20. Let’s plan to have the gifts and food items at

the church by Sunday, December 18th. We want to thank everyone in advance for your generosity.

Turn the page to find all the many events of Turn the page to find all the many events of Turn the page to find all the many events of Turn the page to find all the many events of the Christmas Season listed in order so that the Christmas Season listed in order so that the Christmas Season listed in order so that the Christmas Season listed in order so that you will be able to attend/participate and not you will be able to attend/participate and not you will be able to attend/participate and not you will be able to attend/participate and not miss any of them.miss any of them.miss any of them.miss any of them.

Updates For Your Directory Whenever we have any changes in address, phone,

email, etc. we will put it in the Newsletter for you to ADD TO YOUR DIRECTORY .

IRV & CARRIE GILLEY

New email: igilley@airadv.net

THOSE SERVING IN DECEMBER

COMMUNION MEDICATION: 12/4 Rob Hartwick 12/11 Ken Peters 12/18 Russ Speirs 12/25 Fred Hicks DEACONS: Craig Maurer Larry Thick Ed Nizzola Bernie Wutzke Duane O’Dell USHSERS: Leonard Hawkins Dave Peruski Michael Howard Dillon Peruski Andy Gray A.M. NURSERY: 12/4 9:30 Marilyn Lester 10:30 Andrea & Bailee Ross 12/11 9:30 Karen Speirs & Becky Klinkman 10:30 Janie Kus & Robin Hendrian 12/18 9:30 Cindy Pruitt 10:30 Andrea Ross & Karen Speirs 12/25 10:30 NO Nursery WORSHIP LEADERS: 12/4 Lauren Howard 12/11 Sarah Zmierski 12/18 Adult Choir 12/25 Fred Hicks SOUND SYSTEM: 12/4 Ken Peters 12/11 Brian Hicks 12/18 Dave Speirs 12/25 Duane O’Dell POWER POINT: 12/4 Lyle Severance 12/11 Carol Hicks 12/18 JoEllen Bukoski 12/25 Ron Kampo COMMUNION PREPARATION: Carol Hicks

GREETERS: 12/4 9:30 (main) Virgil & Amy Peters (center) Harold & Joan Little 10:30 (main) Chuck & Kelli Hendrick (center) Vonda Kolb & Bernie Wutzke 12/11 9:30 (main) Duane & Kathy O’Dell (center) Lyle & Heather Severance 10:30 (main) Deb Deering & Ann Hartel (center) Steve & Andrea Ross 12/18 9:30 (main) Doris Stimpfel & Janet Wright (center) Jim & Wanda Lonsberry 10:30 (main) Janice Winter & Mary Helen P. (center) Jean Schulz & Mary Lou S. 12/25 10:30 (main) Andy & Kim Gray (center) Les & Bev Auten 01/01 9:30 (main) Garold & Jamie Peasley (center) Chad & Cindy Pruitt 10:30 (main) Bill & Judy Britt (center) Ed & Marideth Nizzola JUNIOR CHURCH: 12/4 Leaders: Shelli & Ryan Songs: Sharron 12/11 Leaders: Shelli & Ryan Songs: Lauren B. 12/18 Leaders: Brad S. Songs: Beth 12/25 NO JUNIOR CHURCH (kids will worship with their parents)

Church Phone Directory

The first of the year we will be updating our

Church Phone Directory. If your name is not

currently in the 2011 phone directory …..

OR you have changes that need to be made,

OR you have cell phone numbers to be added,

OR you have email addresses to be changed

OR added, please let the office know ASAP.

OPPORTUNITY FOR SERVICE

Looking to serve at the church? Wanting to help

out, but not sure where? Beginning in January

we will be using volunteers to clean the church

on a weekly basis. We're looking for individuals

and families that are willing to help us keep our

church clean. There will be a few set times we'll

need things done, but for the most part we can

work within the schedule that you have

available. If you are interested in being

a part of the team, or would just like

more information about it,

please talk to…..Brad

Speirs, Carol Hicks,

or Dawn Maurer.

CARDS & NOTESCARDS & NOTESCARDS & NOTESCARDS & NOTES

To my Church family & Friends,

I would like to Thank everyone that came

to my house (while I was gone) and worked

very hard raking my leaves.

It was a big job, but never too big for our

Church family. It looks very nice now, and I

am very grateful to all of you who came.

Thanks you, from my heart.

With Love,

Elfriede Englehart

Thank you to all those who came to wish

Brandon well as he goes into the Marines.

Thank you too to all those who brought a des-

sert. Please keep Brandon and his family in

your prayers as he pursues this new phase of

his life.

Thanks again,

The family of Brandon Speirs

Dear Friends at Novesta,

At Thanksgiving more than ever, our

thought turn gratefully to those who have

made our progress possible. And in this spirit

we say, simply but sincerely “Thank You and

Best Wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.”

Thank you for helping to make it possible

for 65 students to be baptized in the last 60

days.

Gratefully,

His House Christian Fellowship

Gary Hawes

Proverbs 3:5,6

Novesta Church,

Thank You so much for the flowers! All

your prayers have been so helpful! I’m so lucky

to have all of you! Thank You.

God Bless,

Jacklynn Janos

NOTE: Gary & Dena Anderson and Skip & Ellen Speirs are collecting money for the Minister’s Christmas gift.

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

12/1 (A) John & Jane Luana 12/2 Jamie Keller 12/3 Ashley Hendrick 12/4 Steve Ross 12/4 Carl Keller 12/5 Taylor Beckrow 12/7 Lex Miller 12/7 Braden Murdoch 12/8 Chris Ziehm 12/8 Becky Howard 12/9 Elfriede Englehart 12/11 Jessica Gracey 12/11 (A) Ryan & Shelli Herford 12/14 (A) Mark & Becky Zmierski 12/14 Heather Roberts 12/15 Donella Peasley 12/15 Sherry Thick 12/15 Lisa Miller 12/18 Tim Blehm 12/19 Mary Helen Pratt 12/19 Burt Rosenberger 12/19 (A) Joe & Samantha Barker 12/21 Gabrielle Romain 12/22 Jim Lonsberry 12/26 Rob Hartwick 12/26 Peggy Nordquist 12/27 (A) Ron & Ann Roche 12/28 Madison Beckrow 12/28 (A) Rob & Susie Hartwick

Bible Study Opportunities LADIES BIBLE STUDY

Tuesdays @ 10:00 a.m. MEN’S BIBLE STUDY

Tuesdays @ 7:00 p.m.

FACTS & FIGURES

Average weekly attendance for the month

of November 2011 (to date):

Bible School … 115 A.M. Worship … 187

New Members in 2011: 15

Offering averages for November 2011

(to date):

Sunday Offerings……….…$3,844.49 (Budget per Sunday: $3,846)

BRICK Fund:

Balance: $38,054.50 ( Payment per month $1,206.75 )

Received this month for payments:

$1,380.00

OUR

MILITARY Scott Brownson - (Tom & Doris Stimpfel’s nephew) Justin Fischer - (Tom & Doris Stimpfel’s nephew) Blain Gniewek - Brad’s brother Brad Hartel - (Jeff & Ann’s son) Toby Kilbourn - (Jim’s son) Ben Knoblet - (Tim Knoblet's nephew) Tommy Kolb - (Vonda’s grandson) Lester Maurer - (Gloria Maurer's son) Jamie Parrish - (Kristie Speirs’ brother, Betty Stilson’s grandson) - serving in Iraq Matt Peck - Mark’s son Ashleigh Rabideau - (Robin Beckrow’s niece) Ryan Reid - (Jeff Hartel’s nephew) Julie Roche - Air Force (Doctor in Residency) Chris Skiles - North Carolina Brandon Speirs - California Karl Stuckey - (Mittlestat’s nephew) Jacques Weilbach - (Jacques & Marsha’s son) - in Afghanistan Marius Weilbach - (Jacques & Marsha’s son)

NO FAMILY GAME NIGHT

THIS MONTH

It was decided at our last Family Game

Night that we would not meet in December

but will resume in January.

A Mystery … Who Could It Be

Who could it be? When you think

you’ve figured out who the mystery per-

son is, ask them if you’re right.

Our last Mystery Person was

Robin Beckrow

CHECK NEXT MONTH’S NEWSLETTER

FOR OUR NEXT MYSTERY PERSON

Teen Christmas Party

December 18th from 5 PM – 8 PM. We’ll be meeting @ Brad & Kristy’s house for a fun time playing games, etc… Plan on bringing a white elephant gift to

exchange: * THIS CAN NOT BE SOME-THING NEW, it MUST be something that you find around your house that you no longer need or use, something that was once worth between $10 – $20ish that now has little value to you *

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS HYMN SING (December 4 @ 6:30 p.m.)

The Community Christmas Hymn Sing will be held at the Cass City Missionary Church on

Koepfgen Road at 6:30 p.m. Put this on your calendar and plan to attend. It is a great

night of Christmas carols and fellowship with those in our community.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM (December 11 @ 5:00 p.m.)

The Children’s Christmas program will be Sunday December 11th @ 5pm. The

Jr. Choir as been hard at work preparing a couple of specials; each of the Bible

School Classes 2 yrs—4th grade are working on some very special skits; and Jr.

Church is practicing a couple of great songs to share as well! Following the

program will be a punch & cookie afterglow. If you are willing to bake cookies

for this special night, please sign-up on the middle bulletin board!

CAROLING NIGHT (December 15 @ 6:00 p.m.)

‘Tis the season to warm up our vocal chords, lend a smile and warm a heart to

show God’s love! The Worship Ministry is planning an all-church caroling

night on Thursday December 15th @ 6pm. The plan is to hop in the church van

and head to Tendercare, Northwood Meadows, and the Senior Commons. If

you would love for us to swing by your home and sing –we’d love to as well!

Just let the office know. Also, if you are someone who normally gets “caroled

to”—know that we are only making a few stops, so if you’d like us to pick you

up and take you along, please let the office know as well! As always, the more the merrier! If you can’t

sing a note—it’s ok!! The elderly LOVE the company, love to sing along, and love to know that someone

cares about them! (Sign-up to carol in the middle hallway).

ADULT CHOIR CHRISTMAS CANTATA (Dec. 18 @ 10:30 a.m.)

The Adult Choir will present the Cantata titled “Heaven On Earth” at the

10:30 a.m. service on December 18. Heaven on Earth...what an extraordinary

concept! That is exactly what happened when Jesus came to us as a baby on

this earth. The King of kings and Lord of lords came from the Heavenly Fa-

ther to reveal Himself to us on that day 2,000 years ago and nothing has ever

been the same. Since that day, believers around the world are now contemplating the reality of Heaven

in their own lives.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE (6:30 p.m.)

Our annual Candlelight Christmas Eve Service will be filled with special music,

reading of the Christmas story, communion and uplifting congregational singing. Be

sure to invite your family and friends to attend with you as we are reminded of Je-

sus’ birth and why we celebrate Christmas.

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE (One Family Service @ 10:30 a.m.)

Join us for a Christmas Day “Family” Service when the children worship with their parents

as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We’ll meet at 10:30 a.m. and worship

with our family (there will be no Sunday School classes and no Jr. Church).

SOUP KITCHEN ~ DEC. 16 ~ 8:50 A.M.

Novesta helps prepare and serve food on the third Friday each month. If you would like to help, you are encouraged to sign up on the board in the middle hallway. It is a great opportunity to serve and there is great fellowship as you work together to help others in need. It’s very rewarding.

PRAYER

MINISTRY

SPEAKS

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to

forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from

all unrighteousness.”

I John 1:9 KJ

Spend time in prayer and please make these your prayer requests for December 2011:

• Pray for us to always keep in mind that our Lord’s

mercies keep us from being consumed. Lamentations 3:22-23

• Pray for us to know we are able to do all things through Christ. Philippians 4:13

• Pray for us to be watchful for signs of the end times. Mark 13:19-20

• Pray for us to be doers of God’s Word. James 1:22

• Pray for us to know that God’s Word is truth and powerful. Hebrews 4:12

• Pray for us to keep the door to God’s kingdom open at all times. Matthew 6:10

• Pray for us to be as giving as Jesus was for us. John 13:34

Remember,

Guardian Angels, This is our church family, we should all

pray every day for all of God’s children, be

faithful in your prayers. God Bless you all.

Community Prayer Topic: We must all stand strong for God. Our Father

hears the cry of the righteous. There is a great

need in the community for people to take time

out if our neighbor needs help. Searching I

find there is a spirit of greed within the commu-

nity. There is an answer for us, Pray, Pray,

Pray.

A special note from me to you:

Love your neighbor as yourself. We should show love in action. Our teenagers are in a great battle which is a great spiritual battle. We as God’s servants need to encourage them and talk to them and most of all, listen to them. Encourage them to know that God has a perfect plan in their life.

Smile, Jesus Loves You and So Do ISmile, Jesus Loves You and So Do ISmile, Jesus Loves You and So Do ISmile, Jesus Loves You and So Do I

Bernie Wutzke

LONG TERM

PRAYER LIST

**Member ** Lee Nicol - (Irene's son) ** Roy Evans - heart issues Heather Fisher - seizures (Eric & Wendy’s daughter) Chris Klco - (Amy Peters' brother) Quinton Simpson - in a coma (Dena Anderson's nephew) Carol Hartman - awaiting heart transplant (friend of Pat McIntosh) Shirley Zellar - (Pat McIntosh’s mother) Lester O’Dell - Emphysema Don Buehrly - Tendercare Diane Wojtaszke - cancer (Ann Hartel contact person) Lynn Fish - (Carolyn Mittlestat’s father) **Tim Blehm - hearing loss Wendy Lester - cancer Harland Lounsbury - stroke (Pat McIntosh contact) Lisa Starr - brain tumor (Brad Gniewek’s cousin) Jean Densmore - (Grace Nellett & Ruth Ann Kitchin’s aunt) Garrett Roberts’ mother & brother - cancer Ashley Patrick’s mother Aneita Denhoff - (Carrie Gilley’s mother) Elmer Louis - (Doris Hendrick’s brother) Harland Tuckey - (Doris Hendrick contact person) Les Auten, III - recovery from kidney surgery **Heather Roberts - continued healing of MS **Marilyn Rosenberger **Dena Anderson - constant pain **Wanda Leboida-Klauka - constant pain Caleb Blehm - cist on brain Steve Wilkinson - aneurysm Bruce Mullins - burns Larry Smith - recovery **Kathy Storey - recovery from knee surgery **Bill Britt - recovery & healing of his foot Don Kruse - recovery (Michelle Speirs’ grandpa) **Larry Harper - Intestinal problems **Gordon Holcomb - at Tuscola County Medical Care Mike Zmierski & family Families … in our church & community without work ATTENTION: If you know any of these on this list that are well and can be eliminated from it, please let the church office know.

CO-ED VOLLEYBALL Starting in January we’ll be participat-ing in the church co-ed adult volley-ball league that meets at the Cass City Middle School. If you’re interested in playing this year, there will be a sign-up in the middle hallway (You must be over 18). If you have any questions, talk to Brad Speirs.

Babysitting Night

If you are in need of FREE babysitting while you

get some much needed Christmas shopping done,

the Women’s Christian Fellowship would love to

help you out! We will be available Friday De-

cember 2nd from 3:30 pm—11 pm here at the

church to watch your kids. A pizza dinner,

Christmas cookie decorating, Christmas crafts

and a Christmas movie time is all being planned.

Please let the office know by

Tuesday, November 29th if you

plan on leaving your child with

us so we can have the proper

amount of crafts & cookies, as

well as knowing how much pizza

to order.

FELLOWSHIP POTLUCK December 14 at NOON

Wednesday, Dec. 14, is our next Fellowship

Potluck at noon. Bring a dish to pass and

invite some friends to join us. This potluck is for anyone

who is available during the

day and would like to come for

a time of great food and

fellowship. Come join us, you

will be glad you did!!!

PLEASE NOTE: There will be NO SHINE on Wednesday evenings

during the month of December. It will resume January 4th.

YOUR ELDERS MEET

The next elders meeting is this Wednesday, November 30, at 7:30 p.m. Their December meeting will be Dec. 28 at 7:00 p.m. If you have any praises or concerns, feel free to share them with any elder or Brad.

Bible Bowl Report

On November 5th, our Bible Bowl teams had their 2nd tournament of the year. We had 8 kids travel to Lansing for the day, and they all did a great job. The kids were quiz-zing over Matthew 8 – 12. Those that played on Saturday were: Sarah Zmierski, Kayla Zmierski, Alison Blattner, Austin Keller, Jacob Redmond, Cole Romzek Luke Koepf, Trenton Loomis The Results for the Day: (Out of 10 teams) Team Results: Novesta Red – 1st place (undefeated) Novesta Blue – 5th Place (tied for 4th) Novesta Green – 7th Place Individual Test: (150 pts available)

Luke Koepf – 1st place (137) Sarah Zmierski – 5th place Jacob Redmond & Kayla Zmierski (tied for 9th) Alison Blattner 17th Trenton Loomis 20th

Thanks to everyone for the prayers and encourage-ment… please keep it up! Our next tournament date is De-cember 3rd Please keep the Beginner Bible Bowlers in your prayers as they get ready for their tournament of the year that day as well!

WINTER HELP

With the winter weather coming, we are going to

need some volunteers to help us keep the walks

and doorways ice and snow free. If you are avail-

able on Sunday mornings early when it’s snowed

or iced, etc… we’d love to have you come and lend

a hand to get us ready for our morning classes

and services. We’d love to set up a rotation

of those that are ‘on’ each week in case

of bad weather. Please let Andy Gray

or Brad Speirs know if you can help.

NEEDED: We are looking for volunteers to help in Jr. Church. The more that sign up the less often you will be taking your turn. There is a sign up in the hallway. If you have any questions, see Brad Speirs.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

Baby Sitting by Women’s Christian

Fellowship 3:30-11:00 p.m.

3

4

Community Christmas Hymn Sing 6:30 p.m. at

C.C. Missionary

5

Prayer Time 10:00 a.m.

Annual Meeting

7:00 p.m.

6

Ladies Bible Study 10:00 a.m.

Men’s Bible Study

7:00 p.m.

7

Jr. Choir 5:45 p.m.

Adult Choir 7:00 p.m.

8

Mission Ministry Meeting 7:00 p.m.

9

Reserved by Marideth Nizzola

10

Fellowship area reserved by Zinneckers

11 Food Pantry

Sunday

Children’s Christ-mas Program

5 p.m. w/afterglow

12

Prayer Time 10:00 a.m.

13

Ladies Bible Study 10:00 a.m.

Men’s Bible Study

7:00 p.m.

14

Fellowship Potluck NOON

Adult Choir 7:00 p.m.

15

Christmas Caroling 6:00 p.m.

16

Soup Kitchen 8:50 a.m.

17

18

Adult Choir Christmas Cantata

10:30 a.m.

Teen Christmas Party @ Brad & Kristy’s - 5-8 pm

19

Prayer Time 10:00 a.m.

20

Ladies Bible Study 10:00 a.m.

Men’s Bible Study

7:00 p.m.

Deliver Christmas Baskets/Gifts

21

22 23 24

Christmas Eve Service

6:30 p.m.

25

Merry Christmas

No Sunday School 10:30 a.m. only

26

Prayer Time 10:00 a.m.

27

Ladies Bible Study 10:00 a.m.

Men’s Bible Study

7:00 p.m.

28

Elders Meeting 7:00 p.m.

29 30 31

New Year’s Eve

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

9:30-10:20 a.m. - Bible School

10:30 a.m. - Worship