HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 35127 Garfield Road, Clinton Township, MI 48035

Church Office (586) 296-8760 Website: Hopeuccmi.com

Email: hopeucc@sbcglobal.net Facebook Public Page: HopeUCCMacomb

No matter how you celebrated Easter, I pray it was full of brightly-colored eggs or flowers in vibrant colors and with words like alleluia and joy. How are the days that follow Easter? Do you still hold onto Resurrection hope? As you get the kids back in their routine or look at your “to do” list or go to the doctor’s or wait for a diagnosis, can you still hear echoes of "Alleluia"? If you're facing a difficult decision or dealing with the hurts of life, can you still trust the promise of new life? Easter Sunday is meant to be glorious. Easter Monday can be hard. I wonder what Mary Magdalene did on Easter Monday? Did she talk to people, did she try to keep her eye on Jesus, and did she cook and wash clothes? Did Mary trust what she had witnessed, did the promise continue to hold joy? I’d like to imagine she gave thanks over and over again, as if praise and thanks were words to a song stuck in her mind. What if we spent the next 50 days until Pentecost remembering and sharing all the ways we see Easter love in our world? What if we spent the next 50 days saying thank you to our Lord? What if we showed appreciation to those who allow us to see God’s light shining through them? There are well over a dozen references, particularly in the psalms, to these words: Psalm 106:1 Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! That steadfast love is present not only on Easter Sunday but also on all the days to follow. As people of faith, we can hold tightly to the gift of Easter by giving thanks and showing gratitude for the smallest of gifts and the gifts beyond our comprehension. A quote by Henri Frederic Amiel inspires me: “Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” Let us give thanks to God for Easter and for the gift of steadfast love that continues beyond the Day of Resurrection. As individuals and as the church, let us live out our gratitude with acts of love and mercy. Thank you for being people of light. Thank you for being a church that shares the good news with each other and, more importantly, beyond our walls, as evidenced in the way you treat and care for others. Let us continue to be Easter people each and every day. Blessings, Pastor Meg

The Hope Church Beacon

MAY 2019

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THE LEADERSHIP OF HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Rev. Meg Wilson, Pastor & Editor ~ Sue Robinson, Publisher & Editor

Church Office (586) 296-8760

BOARD OF TRUSTEES President - Nancy Burnham Donna Canu Rev. Meg Wilson (248) 890-3264 Vice-President - Nancy Fay Rick Cole Administrative Assistant: Sue Robinson Secretary - Janet Dolland Ida Eckert Organist: Patrick Baker Treasurer - Norm Nenninger Donna Lasecki Accompanist: Denise Kildea Linda Parsons Christian Education: Tasha Woodruff Lori Sarnowski Youth Leader: Brooke Turner Jim Wilson Music Director: Deborah Frontczak Susan Winters

USHERS & COMMUNION SERVERS LITURGISTS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY

Communion Set Up ~ Lori Sarnowski & Tony Fortunato

MAY 5, 2019

Barry & Nancy Burnham, Linda Rehm & Joe Holland

MAY 12, 2019

Frank Foss, Tim Cole & Steve Nielson, Elaine Frank

MAY 19, 2019

Ed Rogers & Sue Rogers, Linda Sandula, Susan

Winters & Lori Sarnowski

MAY 26, 2019

Carl & Elaine Frank, Linda Rehm & Bob DeGryse

If you cannot Usher on your scheduled Sunday, please

find a substitute. If one cannot be found, please contact the church office so a replacement can be

found. (586) 296-8760

10:00 am May 5 Susan Winters May 12 Su Hess May 19 Bruce Anderson May 26 Linda Sandula

NEW: If you or someone you know would like the

monthly newsletter emailed, please contact the

church office by phone or email. This will save the

church printing and/or mailing costs. Thank you!!

Do you have Used &

No Longer Needed

Eyeglasses? There is

a box to deposit them

in on the table

outside the church

office. Thanks.

VETERANS ARE IN NEED OF

GENTLY USED BOOKS!

If you have any books

that you would like to

donate and would be of interest

to the Veterans, please place

them in the box under the table

outside the church office.

PLEASE NOTE: ONLY COL-

LECTING BOOKS AND NEWER

MAGAZINES; NOT CD’S AND

DVD’S. THANK YOU!

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HOPE CHURCH NEWS

GRADUATES

If you have a child or grand-

child graduating from high

school or college this year,

please submit a short bio

and photo that we can hang in Fellowship Hall in

their honor. Thanks!

WE NEED USHERS!

If you can spare about one hour of a month to

serve Hope Church as an usher, we would greatly

appreciate it. Please talk to Carl Frank or call the

church office to add you to the list. THANK

TWOCAN would like to thank the Congregation and

Friends for contributing $227.70 to help CWS

(Church World Service) with shipping costs when

they send aid to God’s children where need-

ed. TWOCAN will visit us again this Summer. Cash

in those cans!

Thank you very much!

TWOCAN and the UCC Women of Michigan

CONGRATS TO OUR CONFIRMANDS: JADEN, JORDAN AND SEAN!!

SUMMER IS RIGHT

AROUND THE CORNER!

The 2019 Camp Talahi sched-

ule is full of faith and fun for

campers of all ages. Please go

online to register camp-

talahi.org. The website has all the current infor-

mation. The CEC distributes Hope Church’s

camperships to youth who meet the require-

ments. The camp policy in general terms states:

The children and grandchildren of current

church members need to have a 2018/2019

Church School registration form on file. Chil-

dren and youth must have attended a minimum of

seven church school classes or worship services

at Hope UCC between 5/18 and 5/19 to be eligi-

ble. We encourage you to check out Camp Talahi

for first timers or if you have a tradition of en-

joying your summers at camp.

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HOPE CHURCH NEWS (cont.)

JIMMY JOHN’S

Hope Church has planned

two events at Jimmy

John’s Field this sum-

mer, so MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

On Friday, June 21st, at 7:05, it’s the

Eastside Diamond Hoppers vs. the Westside

Woolly Mammoths. It’s also Teacher Ap-

preciation Night with Fireworks following.

On Sunday, July 28th, at 1:05, it’s the

Westside Woolly Mammoths vs. the Utica

Unicorns. It’s also Reptile Day, presented

by Reptarium and Parents’ Appreciation

Day.

Tickets are only $15. Please sign up asap,

cash or check payable to Hope UCC, due by

Sunday May 19th. Forms are on the table

by the office.

LENTEN MUSIC SERIES RECAP

Thank you to all who took part in,

attended and served during our

Lenten Music Series. We were thrilled with both

the content and the participation. A special thank

you to Deborah Frontczak, our Music Director, for

coordinating the entertainment.

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KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM

We now have an opportunity to participate in the Kroger Community Rewards Program. It's

easy...all you need to participate is an email address and a Kroger rewards card. Then all you

need do is shop at any Kroger store, swipe your rewards card, and a percentage of your pur-

chase will be donated to the Hope Church Operating Account. If you have access to a com-

puter, you may enroll in the program by entering http://www.kroger.com into your browser and

follow this path....Savings & Rewards....Kroger Community Rewards....I am a Customer....Account Sum-

mary....Community Rewards....our Kroger number (HS995). If you don't have access to a computer, someone

from the Christian Mission and Witness Council will be available in Fellowship Hall after service through the

end of March to assist you in signing up. If you have questions or concerns about this program, please call Su-

san Winters.

WOMEN ARE GREATLY ENCOURAGED TO COME!!

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MOTHER’S DAY HONOR ROLL

MOTHER’S DAY is MAY 12, 2019 … a day set aside to HONOR our MOTH-ERS. A Booklet of Mother’s Names (Living and Deceased) will be put together. Please use the form below to list the names or names of those whom you would like to Honor or In Memory of … Enclose $1.00 for each name. Place this form in the offering plate with your money or check or it can be mailed to the church office. DEADLINE is Wednesday, May 8th. Questions … contact Sue at 586.296.8760 or at hopeucc@sbcglobal.net

IN HONOR OF LIVING MOTHER ~ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

IN MEMORY OF DECEASED MOTHER ~ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Placed by : Name & Phone # ________________________________

HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 35127 Garfield, Clinton Twp, MI 48035 (586.296.8760)

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HOPE SPARKLES EXERCISE CLASS

Now is the time to have FUN and GET FIT all at the same time! Come and join the EXERCISE CLASS at Hope Church which meets EVERY MONDAY and WEDNESDAY from 3 to 4 pm. Both men and women are welcome to join this on-going class. Cost is $1.00 per person per class. The instructor is from the Arthritis Foundation.

Benefits: Keep Joints Flexible & Muscles Strong Sleep Better & Increase Energy

Exercises Include: Stretching, Low Impact Cardiovascular & Working On Your Balance.

REMEMBER, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS “SHOW UP” FOR AN HOUR OF FUN & FITNESS WITH FRIENDS!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ORDER ALTAR FLOWERS?

Sign up sheets are posted in

the Fellowship Hall. Feel free

to sign up on a designated

Sunday, or contact the church office for the

availability. Cost is $20 per arrangement

COFFEE HOUR FOLLOWING 10 a.m. WORSHIP, SET UP 9:45

We are looking for groups, councils,

committees, etc. to take it for a

month. The chairperson of that group

would coordinate within their group who would take

which Sunday and time slot. Feel free to volunteer

for a particular month that would work the best for

your group. Please sign up in FH, talk to Ida or

contact the church office at (586) 296-8760.

Thank you.

SAMARITAN SEWING LADIES

For information on the ladies’ meetings, call Jean Frank or Helen Stovel .

UPDATED DIRECTORIES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE

Due to confidentiality, they are no longer left on the table outside the church office. A Reminder … if your directory information has changed and the office does not have it, please update me by calling (586) 296-8760 or emailing me at hopeucc@sbcglobal.net.

SENIORS (55+) GROUP

We will meet on the 3rd Monday

of May 20th at 11:30. We will

have a short business meeting, a pot luck lunch and

an afternoon of games and fellowship. We invite

you to join us.

GROUPS, ETC.

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HOPE PANTRY

Our Hope Pantry is always looking for

a few good volunteers. Once a month you will have

an opportunity to sign up and help our neighbors. On

the day before our pantry, six volunteers are needed

at 1:00 pm for about one and one half hours to unload

and stock bread and produce. Then the rolling pantry

shelves are put in place for Saturday, and we prepare

the shopping bags. On Saturday, six volunteers are

needed to shop with our clients, weigh the bags and

help them to the cars. Helpers need to arrive by

9:50, and we should be closed up by 12:30. Please

consider helping with this rewarding mission.

We, as a church, and each one of us individually, are

blessed to be able to support our neighbors, and this

mission returns so much to all of us. We hope that

you have the opportunity to participate in this

ongoing project, as we continue to grow HOPE as a

pantry and an extension of our church.

We will continue to need your support to keep the

pantry stocked. Your donations of paper towels,

toilet tissue, tooth paste, bar soap, shampoo, laundry,

dish detergent, and feminine hygiene products are

very helpful.

CHRISTIAN MISSION AND WITNESS

PANTRY UPDATE ~ APRIL

We distributed 1,500 lbs. of food,

paper products and cleaning supplies

in a single day! We served 29 fami-

lies. Thank you to all our dedicated donors and

volunteers who helped feed those in need.

SAVE THE DATE!

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15th, 6-10 PM, at Zuc-

caro's so you won't miss the 2nd ANNUAL

"PASTA WITH A PURPOSE SILENT AUCTION

AND RAFFLE, FUNDRAISER. Tickets are just

$25 and will be for sale after service in the

Narthex on Sunday mornings starting April 21

thru May 12. Tickets are also available in the

Church Office during the week.

We are accepting cash, checks, and credit

cards. Gluten free meals will be available for those

who are gluten intolerant. Please let us know when

you purchase your ticket that you need a gluten-

free meal. If you attended last year, you know

what a fun time it was for all. Please tell your

friends, relatives, and neighbors about this worthy

fundraiser, and encourage them to come with

you. We look forward to seeing you there.

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CHRISTIAN MISSION AND WITNESS (continued)

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TEACHERS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL

ARE NEEDED! If you love to be with children

and can give one hour on a Sunday to help teach

our children to grow in their faith and have fun

doing it, we could use your help! If you are

interested, contact Pam Flaherty.

Hope Church Family,

On behalf of the Sunday school department and the Christian Education Committee,

we would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who helped with our Easter Egg

Hunt and pictures with the Easter bunny.

It was a success because of you. Teamwork makes the dream work!

Tasha Woodruff

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On behalf of the Sunday school department and

the Christian Education Committee, we would

like to extend an invitation to join us on our trip

to the Michigan Science Center.

When: Sunday, June 23, 2019 after service

More information will be forthcoming

If you are interested, please see Tasha or Pam.

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DRIP, DRIP … ?

Here in Michigan we don't usually think about a water crisis. Heck,

we are surrounded by

water. We play in it, wash with it, clean with it, spray our grass

and plants with it, and

refresh our thirst with it. But outside our state there are 1.2 bil-

lion people (a fifth of the worlds growing population) living in regions

of water scarcity. So why wait to make a change till there are few-

er and fewer drops left? Through conservation, more water-conscious consumption and

smarter management of water, we can replenish and repair the

water cycle. Below ,I have listed a few facts on the amount of water needed to grow or

manufacture what we eat, buy and use daily.

What It Takes

1 cup of coffee 55 gal.

1 hamburger 660 gal.

1 gallon milk 879 gal.

1 orange 13 gal.

20 lbs. of dog food 4,000 gal.

1 cotton T-shirt 659 gal.

1 pair cotton jeans 2,108 gal.

1 car tire 518 gal.

1 car 13,737 gal.

I know these numbers are staggering, but they are only a small amount of what we

consume. We know it's impossible to reduce our water use to zero, but it is helpful to know

how much water is required, so that we're less inclined to overbuy or waste.

If you are curious about your daily use of water, you can go to the Online Calculator and type

in WaterFootprint.org. Look forward to seeing other water saving or reducing ideas in com-

ing bulletins.

Regards,

Karen Miller

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SE MICHIGAN DEAF COMMUNITY MINISTRY AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE CLASS REGISTRATION INFORMATION!

This online class is for individuals from beginners to more experienced ASL learners. The class is pro-

vided FREE of charge to you by ASLdeafined. This curriculum is used by 100’s of ASL Teachers across the

USA with students from the 7th grade thru College level using this unique program that makes learning Sign

Language easy and fun! This program is made available to you and anyone in your “Circle of Family & Friends”

who may have an interest in learning Sign Language – including Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community friends! So

you can sign up as many Family members and friends as you would like!

However, each student needs a unique email address as learners receive individual feedback based on personal

progress from the ASLdeafined instruction team.

Sign up today with the following steps. Send email to Paul Fugate at info@asldeafined.com; Email must

include: Your Name & Identify your home Church. After receipt of your email you will in turn receive email

instructions back from the Ministry team to you regarding a personal password and how to get set up online for

the course on the website ASLdeafined.com!

Any questions or concerns please contact;

Kevin Hogan

kevin@asldeafined.com

248-709-3703

Video Phone 313-432-9366

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COMMUNITY INTEREST

COMMUNITY DINNERS ST. PAUL UCC : Their dinners are on the first Wednesday of the month. St. Paul is located at 31654 Mound Road, Warren 48092, ph. # (586) 264-4777. ST. EPHREM CATHOLIC CHURCH: Hosts a community dinner the 2nd Thursday of each month from 5—6:30. They are located at 38900 Dodge Park, Sterling Heights (17 & Dodge Park), #264-1230. These dinners are year round.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

36223 ALFRED,

NEW BALTIMORE

Midweek Meal and Service continues every

Wednesday evening. The Meal, catered by Bob Halaas

and family of Penne Lane Restaurant, is served at

6p.m. A $5.00 donation is suggested. An informal

communion service begins at 7p.m. in the Sanctuary

with songs and scripture lessons/discussions. All

faiths are welcome. You may attend the meal and/or

the service.

Reservations are requested by calling

586 725-0909 by 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Dinner year round except one week in July.

JFK KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

Is having their Baby Diaper Drive for St.

Pio Baby Closet and Gianna House on Sun-

day, May 19th from 2 – 6 p.m. @ 33320

Kelly Road, Clinton Twp. Food will be

served 3 p.m. until gone. Suggested donation – cash or

diapers - $10. ALL are welcome / see the flier in Fel-

lowship Hall for all the details.

ABIGAYLE MINISTRIES

Invites you to attend their Annual Banquet

on Tuesday, May 14th, for an evening of

celebration, including testimonies from women

whose lives have been changed by their program.

Dinner is complimentary @ The Palazzo Grande,

54660 Van Dyke, Shelby Township; registration at 6

p.m., dinner and program at 6:45 – 9 p.m. Adults

only as seating is limited ~ pre-register by 4/16.

See all the details in Fellowship Hall.

HOW CAN THE CHURCH BECOME

A HEALING AGENT HERE ON

EARTH? ~ Announcing an exciting op-

portunity to join together with members

and guests of the churches of the DETROIT METROPOLI-

TAN ASSOCIATION as we explore and discuss, at our

Spring Association Meeting, how we can be a healing agent in

today’s world. Special Guest Speakers: The Reverend Doctor

Velda Love, Minister of Racial Justice for the United Church of

Christ. Reverend Doctor Love will be speaking on Racism and

White Privilege. The Reverend Doctor Chris S. Davies, Coor-

dinator for Congregational Assessment, Support, and Advance-

ment (CASA) for the United Church of Christ. Reverend Doc-

tor Davies will be speaking on the safety of woman in any en-

vironment, free from any threat or possibility of sexual abuse

and/or mental abuse, as well as any form of harassment. SAT-

URDAY, MAY 11, 2019 at the Plymouth United Church of

Christ, 600 E. Warren Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201. The Spring

Meeting will begin at 9 am and run through 2:30 pm, with the

speakers in the morning and the business meeting in the after-

noon. Registration begins at 8 am. A continental breakfast and

a lunch will be provided. The cost is $15 per adult, $5 per

youth, with a maximum donation of $25 per family. Please

rsvp to the DMA office at (313) 864-1411, by Tuesday, April

30, to receive lunch.

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MEMORIALS

ARNO WHITBREAD By: Jim Whitbread

IN HONOR OF

THE CONFIRMANDS By: Debi Mastalski; Darron & Katie Dickson

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PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS ...

Shirley Brinkman Carol Brzoska Nicolas Carrow Jim & Joyce Clifford Nancy Cole Sandy Felton Judith & David Fogel Carol Grathwohol-Cox Marilyn Holland Russell & Nancy Hornfisher Lucy Johnson Mickey Johnston Sandy Johnston Bill Kelly Lois Kelley Norma Kelly Ann Marson Mary Jane Masinick Kristin Miyamoto Diane Pettine Marilyn Richards Bobbi Rizzo Bill Stewart Ida Watkins Shirley Winship

HOPE CHURCH PRAYER LIST

Our congregation knows that prayer is our tool for connecting to God. Togeth-er, we pray in worship and we pray at home. Please check the prayer list in both the newsletter and the bulletin to help us keep our prayer requests current. You may contact the church office to remove or add a name. We also have a prayer sculpture in the church lobby and you are welcome to write a prayer re-quest on a heart and hang in on the sculp-ture. When we lift our concerns in pray-er, we will surely know the presence of the Lord.

Please remember those on our Prayer List … with a phone call, card, note and keep them in your Thoughts & Prayers. For those who are silent with your concerns and needs, a special prayer for ALL of you to have the strength, courage and pa-tience to deal with your individual situation.

GENE McCORNACK SERVICES A memorial service will be held

at Hope Church on Saturday,

May 18th, at 11 a.m. with a

gathering starting at 10 a.m. Please rsvp to the

church if you will be attending. In lieu of flow-

ers, memorial contributions may be addressed

to Macomb County Habitat for Humanity and

Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers. Entombment

will take place on Monday, May 20th at Great

Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, MI at 12:30

p.m. with full military honors.

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If you are not listed in the birthdays/anniversaries, please call the office and let me know or email me at hopeucc@sbcglobal.net. IN ORDER TO ADD YOU TO THE CHURCH’S DATABASE, I NEED THE MONTH, DAY AND YEAR. Thanks ~ Sue

Birthdays for the Month of May

1 Patricia Reich 4 Karen Brinkman 5 Tracey Steeves 6 Conor Magee 7 Logan Clifford William Rogers 9 Kathryn Kildea 10 Lois Allen Kathy Fisette 11 Donna Reeser Tom Reeser 18 Nancy DeGryse 19 Keagan Yousif 20 Samuel Cole Craig Reinhardt 23 Carl Frank Chrissy Lusk 26 Theresa Frank 27 Rick Cole 30 Grace Reich Dr. Leigh Snyder

May Anniversaries

9 Barry & Nancy Burnham 14 Justin & Megan Nielson 24 Frank & Sandy Foss Norm & Jan Nenninger

Birthdays for the Month of June

1 Russell Hornfisher Connor Parsons 3 Belinda Nielson 4 Bonnie Cacchione 7 Lori Almquist 8 Sean Kildea 9 Ashley McCuen Erin McCuen 6 Judy Scensny 12 Ann Marson Nicole Reinhardt 13 Andy Anderson Todd Eckert 15 Robert Allen George Betts 17 Brady Magee Jerry Zinger 18 Steven Clifford Debi Mastalski 23 Donna Lasecki 24 Charlie Foss 26 Sue Zinger 27 Janet Horan 29 Marguerite Marr 30 Kim Costigan

June Anniuersaries

3 Tom & Carol Shaner 5 Bill & Doris Stewart 7 Tony & Penny Butler Sebastian & Bobbi Rizzo Keith & Casey Watson 14 Kevin & Patti Dib 18 Bill & Donna Reeser 21 Kevin & Denise Kildea Larry & Karen McCuen 24 Kristen & Barb Lasecki-Webb 25 Joe & Shirley Polzin 26 Bob & Nancy DeGryse 28 Harry & Sue Drummond Alan & Lori Sarnowski

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May 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

Bells 6:15

Choir 7:30

3 4

AA 8:00

5

Worship 10 am

Sunday School

Coffee Hour

CARE presenta-

tion

6

Exercise 3—4

AA 7:30

7 8

Exercise 3—4

Deadline: Moth-

er’s Day Honor

Roll

9

Bells 6:15

Choir 7:30

10 11

Pantry 10—12

AA 8:00

12

Happy

Mother’s Day

Worship 10 am

Sunday School

Happy Hour

13

Exercise 3—4

AA 7:30

14

Board Meeting

7 p.m.

15

Exercise 3—4

Pasta Dinner

Fundraiser 6—

10 Zuccaro’s

16

Bells 6:15

Choir 7:30

17 18

Gene McCornack

service

Gathering @ 10 and

Svs. @ 11:00

ASL Jimmy

John’s Event

AA 8:00

19

Worship 10 am

Sunday School

Coffee Hour

All $ due for two

Jimmy John’s

events

20

Seniors Group

11:30 a.m.

Exercise 3—4

AA 7:30

21

Spiritual Council 6

pm; CMWC 6 pm

22

Exercise 3—4

23

Bells 6:15

Choir 7:30

24 25

AA 8:00

26 27

Exercise 3—4

AA 7:30

28

PFLAG

29

Exercise 3—4

30

Bells 6:15

Choir 7:30

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