United Methodist and ECO Presbyterian The Church of the Straits

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

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Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMackinaw CityMichigan 49701

Permit No. 1

July 2018 Minister Pastor David Wallis Head Ushers Todd Kohs and

Greg Pietrowski

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

Church office – cotsoffice@yahoo.com Church website – www.thechurchofthestraits.com

OUR WORSHIP SCHEDULETraditional Worship 9 and 11 a.m.Adult Sunday School 10:15 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.

July 2018 Minister Pastor David Wallis Head Ushers Todd Kohs and

Greg Pietrowski

Operation Shoe Box 2018July is pencil sharpeners, sm.

calculators, kazoos, etc

“One of my favorites in my shoebox was white socks because in the orphanage you

get bad quality socks that always stink and have holes in them.”–Timur, Central Asia

One child in Grenada was delighted to find his shoebox packed with underwear in his exact size. His family was so poor that they could not afford to buy this for him.

Coffee Hour Leaders – Each month someone is responsible to find people to serve coffee hour. Please continue to sign-up in Fellowship Hall. Questions, call the ‘lead person’ or the office.

→ July – Darlene KruegerAugust – Dutch MillerSeptember – Laura JacksonOctober – Deb Downing

VBS has been scheduled! This summer VBS will be held August 13th – 17th 9am – noon with the Friday Parent Program from 12-12:30 pm, at The Church of the Straits. Our theme this year will be SonRiseNational Parks! Come to a land of

invigorating power and beauty where there is nothing between you and God’s big sky! Kids will enjoy the thrills of daily treks where they can face extreme challenges and learn to depend on the promises of Jesus. VBS is open for ages 4 – to those going into 6th grade. Please prayerfully consider being a volunteer. If you have any questions, please contact Ranger Judy in the church office 231.436.8682. ** Watch for a ‘shopping list’ of items we will need for VBS. In the meantime, if you could save toilet paper tubes. We will need them to make binoculars.

Thanks! **Next Planning Meeting Wed. July 11, 10:30 am.Once Again We Welcome The Calvarymen!! Join us on Sunday, July 29th, as we enjoy the music and worship of The Calvarymen at both the 9 and 11a.m services. A free-will offering will be taken to offset expenses of their ministry. The true dedication of this group is evident in the sincerity and passion of their singing. They believe what they sing! www.calvarymen.com

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Immediately following the 2nd service (12:30 p.m.) on Sunday, July 29th will be our Annual Church Picnic. Again this

year we will stay right here and picnic on the beautiful grounds surrounding the church. Everything will be provided – just bring your appetite! Members, visitors, ALL are welcome for food and fellowship.

Sponsor a Child for Camp Summertime is here and so is church camp. Camp memories last a lifetime. If you would like to provide a week of camp for a child who otherwise could not afford it, please donate to the COS Campership Scholarship Fund. It costs about $325 per child to attend for a week. Any donation, no matter how large or small is appreciated and could make a huge difference in a child’s life. For more information on camps available, contact Pastor Dave or the church office.**Kids who would like to go to camp, please talk to Pastor Dave about a possible scholarship!

We love to have Special Music for Summer: If you or one of your summer guests would like to provide special music (duet,

instrumental, vocal, solo, etc.) please contact the church office to set up a date and what you would like to do. You may sing/play for either one or both

services.When I was younger, I read a lot, so for many years my belief was I was a smart cookie and knew everything. I had belief in many things, with no basis in truth. God started showing me the truth, but it was a painful process

for me. Mainly because I wanted to believe what I wanted to believe. It didn’t matter if it was true or not. My hope in sharing my story to all of you is that I can help you avoid the pitfalls I fell into.

In this politically correct world, it is sometimes tuff to know what truth is and what isn’t. I figure if I have trouble with this subject of truth then so do you. So what is truth? Jesus said in John 14:6(NIV), “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” If Jesus is then the truth who is Jesus. In John chapter 1:1-5 it says, 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” The word… think about it. Jesus is the word. He is the word of God. So the truth is the word.

In Hebrews 4:12 it says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Also in 2Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” I can get on board with that, can you? So if 2 Timothy is true we have all the truth we will ever need. If you don’t read Gods word daily may I suggest you start reading it, especially if you are seeking truth! I will leave you with this scripture Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” So in closing if you want to know the truth look in God’s word and you will find it.

“He who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.” ~St. Basil

A Memorial Service will be held for Ann Churchill, Monday, July 23rd at Headlands Dark Sky Park Event Center in

Mackinaw City from 1pm – 3pm. Family would love for any and all to attend.

We extend our sympathy to the families of those who have entered the Church Triumphant:Sandy Hughes, who passed away May 23, 2018Dorothy Simpson, who passed away May 25, 2018

A COS Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, July 8th, to be held between services, at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary. The two purposes for the meeting follow: Youth Leader Position: The Finance

Committee has recommended a means to fund this position for a minimum of the next 1 ½ - 2 years, when the overall success of this effort will be fully evaluated. The BOG has approved this plan and is moving forward to a congregational vote to be held at this time.

COS Bylaws: Minor editorial edits have been completed within our church bylaws, updating verbiage reflecting our move to the ECO Presbyterian Denomination. Bylaw updates require congregational approval, which will also be completed at this meeting.

Please attend as you are able for these important topics.

“Lord, remember me” The funeral of renowned evangelist Billy Graham was a celebration — not of the preacher’s long life and many accomplishments but of his arrival in heaven. Graham, who

died at age 99 in February 2018, was confident he’d spend eternity with Jesus but knew the reason wasn’t his own status or actions.  Graham knew he was a sinner in need of forgiveness. “I still need the cross,” he said.  Graham added, “I am not going to heaven because I have preached to great crowds or read the Bible

Mikes’ Musings

many times. I’m going to heaven just like the thief on the cross who said in that last moment: ‘Lord, remember me.’”

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYWorship 9 & 11 am Men's Group 9am

Communion PPRC 6:30 pm Men's Brkfst 8am

Wms Bible Study 3 pm

1 2 3 4 5 6 7Worship 9 & 11 am Men's Group 9am

Congregational Missions Mtg 10 am VBS Meeting 10:30 am

Meeting 10:30 am Wms Bible Study 3 pm

8 9 10 11 12 13 14Worship 9 & 11 am Men's Group 9am

Kate's Kids Pinecrest Fellowship

Wms Bible Study 3 pm 2-3 pm

15 16 17 18 19 20 21Worship 9 & 11 am Men's Group 9am

Evangelism Mtg 10am

Wms Bible Study 3 pm BOG 7 pm

22 23 24 25 26 27 28Calvarymen 9 & 11

Annual Picnic

following Worship!! Wms Bible Study 3 pm

29 30 31

BIRTHDAYS: July 26 Mackenzie JutsonJuly 1 Carter Jaggi July 26 June HeilmanJuly 6 Knox Wilson July 29 Gay SchoenknechtJuly 8 Mary Stanley July 31 Deb MillerJuly 9 Kylie Reed

July 10 Cobe Robertson ANNIVERSARIES:July 11 Cynthia Thompson July 1 Caleb & Courtney JaggiJuly 13 Rian Esper July 1 David & Stephanie SkeelsJuly 14 Jerry Archer July 3 Ron & Mary CooperJuly 16 Levi Walugembe July 9 Lowell & Maribeth BarnettJuly 16 Myran Thompson July 10 Brad & Samantha ReedJuly 19 Addie Pietrowski July 14 Mike & Donna CanalesJuly 20 Vicki Bryers July 23 David & Sherry PaquetJuly 21 Lyn Benefiel July 24 Jerry & Estella SmithJuly 23 Dick Spayde July 25 Nick & Dee NickersonJuly 25 Carl Strieby July 28 Dutch & Deb Miller

Have you ever heard the term “good things come to those who wait?” I am not sure where that originated from but there can be some truth in that statement. I am reminded of how many times in Scripture where we are told to “wait upon the Lord!” Twice in the Psalms we are exhorted to wait. In Psalm 27 (Please read it), despite difficult circumstances the Psalmist (probably David) is putting his trust in God to take care of things that are outside his control and he ends the Psalm with these words, “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait of the Lord.”

Psalm 130:3-5 indicates that even though we fail there is forgiveness and God has a plan so wait for it. “If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand: But with you there is forgiveness; therefore, you are feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word, I put my hope.”

It is now the middle of May and I am seeing signs of true spring. The flowers are poking out of the soil, but I do not see the blooms yet. The trees are budding but I don’t see the leaves yet. It is the “yet” that gets to us sometimes. We aren’t there yet! That is where the “waiting” comes in. We may have to wait because God is fixing our mess. We may have to wait because it just isn’t the right time for the bloom in our lives to happen. We may have to wait because God is protecting us or teaching us. We may have to wait with no explanation whatsoever, but I hope we all understand that God has our best interests in mind.

As a child of God, I want to trust him like a little child trusts his or her parent. We know we are safe in them. We know they will provide our needs. We know that we don’t really need to concern ourselves with anything we need because our parents will provide all that is necessary. God is our Father and we are his children. He cares for us even more than we care for ourselves.

Wait on Him! His timing is perfect, and he can be trusted completely.

Love you in Christ,

Pastor Dave