400 S. Main Street • Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 Phone: (989) 773-6934 • Fax: (989) 773-1855 • Web: www.mtpfumc.org

February 2019 NEWSLETTER

Our Mission

Making disciples

of Jesus Christ

for the

transformation

of the world.

Our Vision

First United

Methodist Church is

a

welcoming,

vital church,

filled with people of

all ages, from all

walks of life and

stages of faith,

growing together

to become

deeply

committed

Christians

who follow and

serve Jesus Christ.

Throughout the last month the leaders of the church have been engaged in reading books on church

leadership; including Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory by Tod

Bolsinger. Bolsinger uses the Lewis and Clark exploration of the American West as a metaphor for

leadership in the church today. When Lewis and Clark climbed the Lemhi Pass, having canoed up

the Missouri, they expected to find a river that would allow them to paddle easily to the Pacific Ocean.

What they found instead was the Rocky Mountains. Lewis and Clark could either give up or adapt to

this new reality. They decided to exchange their canoes for horses and continue their journey.

Like Lewis and Clark, the church must adapt to the new realities of today. Bolsinger contends that

many churches try to canoe the mountains believing that if they just paddle harder, they will be able to

move forward. The landscape has changed. After 1700 years, Christianity is no longer the dominant

world view of the Western World. Bolsinger says, paddling harder isn’t going to do any good. We

cannot simply preach more, sing louder or try harder. The landscape has changed. We can either

mourn the changing times or we can choose to learn a new way of being Christ’s church.

Like Lewis and Clark, the church needs to make an adaptation. The church has entered uncharted

territory and just doing what we have always done will no longer work. We have run into the Rocky

Mountains and we are trying to transverse them carrying canoes on our backs. Instead, we need to

listen, learn, and experiment; finding new creative ways to move forward. Churches face the choice

of the adventure of traversing the uncharted territory or death.

Lewis and Clark would have never made it to the Pacific Ocean if

it weren’t for the help of Sacagawea. As a Native American

teenage nursing mother, who had been kidnapped as a child,

Sacagawea had no voice, no privilege, no power and yet she

was the key to Lewis and Clark’s success. The terrain wasn’t

unfamiliar to her and her expertise made it possible for Lewis

and Clark to reach the Pacific Ocean.

Bolsinger maintains that if the Church doesn’t make space for

those who didn’t grow up being formed by the practices of the

church, we will not be able to move forward and be successful in our mission. Like Sacagawea, they

are the experts on how to navigate what is for many of us uncharted territory.

This doesn’t mean that we have to give up our beliefs or values, it just means the way we live it out

must dramatically change. We need to put down our canoes and learn mountaineering. If we are

going to fulfill the mission of the church of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of

the world” in this rapidly changing world, we are going to have to open ourselves up to change.

I pray that we are ready for an adventure; not afraid to go into uncharted territory. Further, I hope that

when things don’t go the way we expect, when we realize we have failed at our mission [there is no

water route to the Pacific Ocean] that we wouldn’t stop.

Pastor Julie

Stewardship Testimonial

Our thoughts on stewardship:

Bart began attending FUMC when he was a small boy and has

many happy memories growing up here. We were married in

this church and are very happy to be spending our retirement in

Mount Pleasant.

To us, stewardship means the use of time talents, and gifts that

we share individually and as a couple in our community and in

our Methodist church family. With that in mind, particularly as

"new" members of the community, we believe in the following:

• spending time and resources on those less fortunate

• expression of care for others....including family and friends

• praying for others

• using time and money in support of organizations that

protect the environment, honoring our creator

• supporting our church, with time, money, and talents

• making moral decisions

Bart and Patty Kjolhede

The February Loose Coin

The Association for Interfaith

Ministries/AIM

The Association for Interfaith Ministries is an organization

dedicated to valuing the spiritual gifts of persons with cognitive

impairments and enabling spiritual growth in cooperation with

our community.

Walk to Emmaus for Men

March 28-31 at Lansing First UMC

Are you looking for a way to connect with God in a new way

and grow as a disciple? Then prayerfully consider participation

in the upcoming Walk to Emmaus. This 72-hour experience is

filled with laughter, singing, learning, worship, prayer and

reflection. Members of our church are available to sponsor

interested men, and the discounted application deadline is

February 28. For more information contact the Church Office

at 989-773-6934.

UMW News

VALENTINE DAY CELEBRATION - Sunday, February 10,

2:00-4:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited to enjoy

delightful treats and beautiful decorations and hear an extra

special musical performance!

SPIRITUAL GROWTH RETREAT for all the women in our

congregation, with Ruth Jones on Fri., March 15 from 7:00-9:00

p.m. and Sat., March 16 from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. in Fellowship

Hall. Includes light refreshments and lunch, a take-home craft

and a time to be renewed spiritually with Christian sisters. Call

Janet Rice at 772-1285 to make your reservation.

2018 GENERAL FUND BUDGET SUMMARY

The Finance Committee is pleased to report that our First UMC General Fund finished the 2018 year with a surplus

balance. The primary reason for the surplus was pledged and unpledged giving which exceeded our budgeted ex-

pectations. Thank you all for your generous gifts that made it possible to not only erase the budgeted deficit for

2018, but to have a bit of a cushion as we enter the 2019 year. Your generosity makes all that we do at First UMC

possible.

Below is a summary comparing our budgeted figures to our actuals for the year:

INCOME

Budget Actual Difference

Pledged Income $259,897 $289,909 + $30,012

Unpledged Giving 61,000 69,227 + 8,227

Other/Special Giving 18,400 27,468 + 9,068

Total Income $339,297 $386,604 + $47,307

EXPENSES

Salaries & Benefits $245,295 $ 239,607 - $ 5,688

Ministry Shares 48,689 48,689 - 0 -

Bldg. Maint. & Utilities 42,100 44,166 + 2,066

Equip. & Supplies 20,647 22,681 + 2,034

Programs & Ministries 13,950 14,996 + 1,046

Insurance 9,730 8,591 - 1,139

Total Expenses $380,411 $378,730 - $ 1,681

As reflected in these figures, a $41,114 deficit was budgeted for 2018. By the end of 2018, our income had exceed-

ed budgeted expectations sufficiently to totally eliminate this anticipated shortfall. With this 2018 surplus, in addition

to surpluses carried forward from prior years, we are beginning the 2019 year with a positive balance. Praise the

LORD!!!

S U N M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I S A T

1 5:00 Preschool Pancake Supper & Silent Auction

2 8:30 Men’s Group Bible Study

3 9:00 Traditional Worship 9:00 Story Time 10:05 Bible Study 10:05 Adult SS 11:00 Contemporary Worship 11:00 Children’s SS 11:00 4th Day 4:00 Living Faithfully 4:00 Youth Hang Out 4:00 Youth Ministry 5:00 Youth Group

4 6:30 Gam-Anon 3:15 Prayer Group 6:00 SPRC 6:30 Gamblers Anonymous 6:30 Gam-Anon 7:00 Toastmasters 7:00 Boy Scouts

5 9:00 Women’s No Agenda Coffee 5:30 Worship Ministry 6:30 Praise Band

6 10:30 UMW Exec Board 4:30 Genesis Bells 5:30 Yoga 6:00 Chancel Choir 6:30 Missions Ministry

7 7:30 Men’s No Agenda Breakfast 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous

8 5:00 Parent's Night Out

9 8:00 Isabella County Founders Day & Quilt Show 8:00 Boy Scout Lock In

10 Boy Scout Sunday 9:00 Traditional Worship 9:00 Story Time 10:05 Bible Study 10:05 Adult SS 11:00 Contemporary Worship 11:00 Children’s SS 11:00 4th Day 2:00 Valentine Tea 3:00 Confirmation Class 4:00 Living Faithfully 4:00 Youth Hang Out 5:00 Youth Group

11 2:00 Staff Meeting 3:15 Prayer Group 6:30 Gamblers Anonymous 6:30 Gam-Anon 6:30 Stephen Ministry 7:00 Boy Scouts

12 9:00 Women’s No Agenda Coffee 5:30 Church & Society 6:30 Property 6:30 Praise Band

13 4:30 Genesis Bells 5:30 Yoga 6:30 Chancel Choir

14 7:30 Men’s No Agenda Breakfast 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous 7:00 Wesley Circle

15 March Newsletter

Deadline

16 8:30 Men’s Group Bible Study

17 9:00 Traditional Worship 9:00 Story Time 10:05 Bible Study 10:05 Adult SS 11:00 Contemporary Worship 11:00 Children’s SS 11:00 4th Day 4:00 Living Faithfully 4:00 Youth Group

18 3:15 Prayer Group 6:30 Gamblers Anonymous 6:30 Gam-Anon 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:00 Toastmasters

19 9:00 Women’s No Agenda Coffee 12:30 Mackenzie Circle 6:00 Finance 6:30 Praise Band 7:00 Bd of Trustees

20 4:30 Genesis Bells 5:30 Yoga 5:45 Wednesday Fellowship Meal 6:30 Chancel Choir 7:00 Education Ministry

21 7:30 Men’s No Agenda Breakfast 2:30 Fab 5 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous

22

23 9:00 Central Bay Children’s Ministry Leader Day

24 9:00 Traditional Worship 9:00 Story Time 10:05 Bible Study 10:05 Adult SS 11:00 Contemporary Worship 11:00 Children’s SS 11:00 4th Day 3:00 Confirmation Class 4:00 Living Faithfully 4:00 Youth Hang Out 5:00 Youth Group

25 1:00 Mary Martha Circle 2:00 Staff Meeting 3:15 Prayer Group 6:30 Gamblers Anonymous 6:30 Gam-Anon 7:00 Boy Scouts

26 9:00 Women’s No Agenda Coffee 6:00 Church Council 6:30 Praise Band

27 4:30 Genesis Bells 5:30 Yoga 6:30 Chancel Choir

28 7:30 Men’s No Agenda Breakfast 12:00 Joy Club 6:30 Narcotics Anonymous

12/30 111 32

01/06 165 13

01/13 143 13

01/20 132 10

Worship Attendance & Periscope Viewers

February 3 February 10 February 17 February 24

Outside Greeters (3) Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Curt Jensen 517-425-1606

Volunteers Needed

Inside Greeters (2) Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed

Ushers (2) Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed

Volunteers Needed

Refreshment Host(ess)

Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed

Use SignUpGenius to volunteer in our worship services. Your smiling face and willing heart are the hands

and feet that touch lives. Groups, committees and other teams are invited to serve together. Want

assistance or have questions about serving? Contact the Church Office at 989-773-6934

or email office@mtpfumc.org.

2019 WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS

Traditional Service at 9:00 AM

February 3 February 10 February 17 February 24

Outside Greeters (2)

Volunteers Needed Boy Scout Troop 604 Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed

Inside Greeters (2)

Volunteers Needed Boy Scout Troop 604 Mark & Suezell Francek (989) 289-2066

Volunteers Needed

Ushers (4) Ralph Pitts 772-2406 Linda Traum

561-670-9875 Volunteers Needed

Boy Scout Troop 604 Ralph Pitts 772-2406 Volunteers Needed

Ralph Pitts 772-2406 Linda Traum

561-670-9875 Volunteers Needed

Liturgist Volunteer Needed Boy Scout Troop 604 Bruce Kilmer 772-9896 Curt Jensen 517-425-1606

Refreshment Host(ess)

Greg & Jacqui Pridgeon Mary Martha Circle Volunteers Needed Volunteers Needed

Contemporary Service at 11:00 AM

2/1

Ross Howell

Patrick Smith

2/3

Dawn Harless

Karen Peters

2/4

Ashley Aultman

2/5

Denise Anderson

2/7

Dean Kreiner

2/8

Florence Anderson

2/9

Nancy O’Brien

Julie Sickles

2/1

Schyler Mars

2/15

Rob Clendening

Gerry Waggoner

2/16

Eric Moyer

2/17

Phillip Simpson

2/18

Judy Kreiner

Angela Moyer

2/19

Linda Smith

2/20

Jeff Crawford

Rachel Schnaar

2/21

Roger Partlo

February Birthdays

2/24

Sigrid Wood

2/27

Erica Harris

Carol Lanfear

2/28

Randy Martin

Please wish these folks a very happy birthday...

The Preschool Pancake Supper is Friday, February 1 from 5-7pm. It is all you can eat pancake, sausage, applesauce and beverage.

There will be a Silent Auction. Some of the items in the Silent Auction include; golf packages, gift cards to local businesses and

restaurants, gift cards to beauty salons and barber shops, CMU items, Thirtyone bags, Discovery Museum passes, Morey Courts,

and more. All proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the Preschool program.

The themes are Day and Night, Love One Another, Zoo, and Pond. The color is pink, the shape is heart and the letters are L, Q, V.

The Preschool will have no school on Friday, February 1 because of Pancake Supper set up. February 6 the 4yr. old classes will be

going to the Discovery Children’s Museum. They will explore and have fun for a couple of hours. February 14 & 15 is Pink Day and

the kids can exchange valentine cards. The kids can wear pink to school and will be frosting heart cookies for snack. On the 20 & 21

the preschoolers will get their pictures taken by Danny Pulver. He will be taking individual and class pictures.

Preschool registration for the 2019/2020 school year, will start in February this year. The week of February 11 will start registration for

families within the preschool. The week of February 18 will be registration for waiting list, past families and church families. The

week of February 25 and after will start open enrollment. Please contact Tina Rudoni if you know someone interested in our

Preschool Program.

I hope everyone is staying warm and thankful winter is half over, Tina Rudoni

400 South Main Street • Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858

February 2019

March Newsletter deadline is February 15th.

Snacks for Pullen

We are still able to make regular deliveries of Snacks to Pullen School. Thank you for continuing to sup-

port this Outreach Ministry. We will be collecting donations for the rest of the school year. Remember

children learn much better with something in their tummy!

Nutrition Club

We all know that Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Making a donation to

the Nutrition Club is an easy way to show the children in our community that

we love them. Remember for each $2.00 donation, a child is fed for the entire