FROM THE HEART OF THE PASTOR
A PRAYING PEOPLE
Over the next two months, I will be preaching on the Lord’s Prayer. For nine Sundays,
we will be looking at this beautiful prayer and, hopefully, find this prayer as our source and
commitment of being a praying people.
The aim of the series is to remind each of us of what we are doing when we pray the
Lord’s Prayer, to make us think about its meaning and purpose and to do this in such a way as to
make the prayer come alive for us today. The Lord’s Prayer wants us to become more conscious
of God’s love and care for us. For many people, this prayer has become a string of memorized
words or a mere collection of words that have been repeated so often that it has lost its meaning
and is devoid of genuine faith! I believe it is important to discover once again the depth of each
phrase of this prayer and be encouraged to act in accordance with these wonderful words.
Besides focusing on the Lord’s Prayer, I am hoping this sermon series commits our
church to continue to be a praying people! The first Sunday begins the series with Thomas
requesting from Jesus, "Teach us how to pray." We are in many ways like the disciple Thomas
who certainly knew how to pray but was jealous of witnessing how Jesus prayed! So praying like
Jesus becomes an important ingredient in understanding the Lord's Prayer. Jesus gives us in the
Lord’s Prayer not only a prayer to repeat in itself but also a prayer to be for us a pattern of our
own prayers. Jesus gave to his friends and gives to us a prayer which is both a prayer to use by
itself and a pattern for all prayer.
Along with the Lord’s Prayer, we will be reflecting on the Psalms. The Psalms are
basically the prayers of the people of Israel. They are primarily community prayers, prayers for
the people in worship. But the individual prayer is here as well. Though most of them were
used in Israel’s corporate worship, they reflect the deep cries of individuals. As a way of
practical application as a response to this Sermon Series, I am asking that you would
consider writing your own psalm or your own personal interpretation of the Lord's Prayer.
My hope would be that individuals may come forward each Sunday and share their
prayers with the congregation! I would even consider reading it for you if you are fearful of
reading in front of others!
So please join me and invite a friend, neighbor or family to our Sunday Worship time and
discover once again the power of prayer and the beauty of the psalms. The psalms encourage us,
challenge us, and, in the toughest times of life, instill confidence in us, a confidence for all
seasons. The Lord’s Prayer helps us to remember the sovereignty of God and our pledge of
allegiance to our Creator. I can not think of a better way of spending the summer Sundays
together. See you in the Sanctuary!
SERMON THEMES
A PRAYING PEOPLE
In the Lord’s prayer, in answer to his disciples’ request, “Lord, teach us how to pray,"
Jesus gave to them and gives to us a prayer which is at one and the same time a prayer to
use by itself and as a pattern for all prayer.
Sunday, June 2, “Lord Teach Us To Pray”: Luke 11:1 We begin our series by understanding
how Jesus prayed!
Sunday, June 9, “Our Father”: Psalm 48 We continue our series by understanding the notion
of “Father." Fatherhood of God assured the people of the nearness of God! Fatherhood of God
assured the people of the mercy of God, and the Fatherhood of God involved the loving
obedience of the people
Sunday, June16, “Hallowed Be Thy Name”: Psalm 24 We see the importance of revering
God’s name. Reverence for God: God must be praised and glorified in words, and God must be
reverenced in the heart!
Sunday, June23, “Thy Kingdom Come”: Psalm 89 We continue to understand the
faithfulness of God and being in covenant. Accept the will of God and be willing to hand oneself
over to the Grace of God.
Sunday, June 30, “Thy Will Be Done”: Psalm 14 We continue to understand the wisdom of
God and God’s ways. Belief in the wisdom of God equals belief in the love of God.
JUNE 2013
PRAYERS AND CONCERNS
Prayers for our military:
Those connected with this congregation: Ryan Balgoyen, Tanner Boysen, Ross Cady, Steven
Carroll, Thomas DeBruyne, Matt Fullam, Stephanie Hadley, Isaiah Hadley, Dillon Hileski,
Michael Hileski, Gregory McIntire, Jason Star, Jeremy Thompson, Travis Waigand, Dai
Wessman and Dan Wrobleski.
Continued prayers for those battling cancer or having treatment:
Jane Allen, Colleen Anderson, Dale Barber, Evelyn Bierlein, Kim Brady, Denise Cherry,
Tom Comeau, Jim Conlon, Pam Dahlman, Ernie Hagerman, Ryan Howrigan, Austin
Joostberns, Monica Kraai, Monica Kreutz, Villas Mohrland, Philip Nicolai, June Nielsen,
Jerri Remynse, Phil Rose, Michael Salisbury, Terri Stapleton, Deb Stutzman, Jay Tange, Dan
Wagner, Jenny Walsh and those known but unnamed.
Sympathy Extended to: Bev Commons and family on the death of her husband Bob.
Health Concerns: Jay Tange home with Hospice care; Tara LeMaire broke her arm playing
soccer; Denise Cherry cancer surgery May 13; Bill Carr’s sister, Sandra, had heart valve
replacement surgery in May; June Querback back from Cleveland Clinic and decisions to
make.
Concerns: Diane McElwee shared her concern over the southern California wild fires and her
son is one of those firefighters; Bailey Weaver’s dog passed away; Kevin DeLaet would like
prayers for a close friend whose son has moved out; those affected by the Oklahoma tornado in
May.
Travel Mercies: Ginny Borgman and Tim Borgman as they take Chris to Jackson for his
summer internship; Carolyn Carr returning from Oklahoma; Bob and Kim Leslie’s daughter travel mercies in Korea.
Memorial Day: Remembering those who gave their life so we can be a free nation.
JUNE 2013
ALLEGAN UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
409 Trowbridge Street
Allegan Mi 49010
269-673-4236
Fax No. 269-673-8856
Email-secretary@allumc.org
Website alleganumc.net
Sunday Morning Worship
9:30 a.m.
Church School
11:00 a.m.
Robert K. Lynch
Pastor
269-673-2512
JOYS AND CONCERNS
Listed below are some of the Joys and Concerns heard during recent worship services. We
carry each other’s burdens and dance dances for all of God’s children. Reach out and touch
someone’s life as you pray for them.
JOYS
Congratulations: Madelyn Spreitzer, Nadia Spreitzer, Mackenzie Sturman and
Hunter Weeks who were in the school production of “Joseph and The Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat;” Ed and Sarah Thomsen on the birth of Charles Alexander
on April 21—he was 6# 2 oz. and 19-1/4” long; Barb Simpson became a great
aunt; our high school grads - Katie Anderson and David Stewart; our college
graduates - Amy Barber, Becky Barber, Nathan Lynch; Law School graduate Laurie Tange; Sue Chappell for her excellence in meeting all State and Federal
guidelines, and her efforts earned APS a $10,000 “Incentive Award”; Marty and
Joan Ruiter welcome their new granddaughter, Roselie.
Thank You: Joyce Brink thanks all those who came out for the church/
parsonage work bee and they accomplished a lot; Trevah Dalrymple thanks
everyone for their prayers during Merle’s surgery and continued prayers
through his recovery; Kim Leslie thanks everyone for their prayers while
their daughters had pneumonia - they are on the mend; Bill Carr thanks
everyone for their prayers for his sister, Sandra, who had heart valve
replacement; Memorial Day - Remembering those who gave their lives so
we can be free; Pastor Bob thankful to have the time off to enjoy his son’s
college graduation.
ALLEGAN UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
is a caring, dynamic community of faith where all people
are invited to encounter God
and to celebrate a Risen Lord.
Through God’s Spirit we grow
spiritually, emphasize the
individual’s relationship
with Christ and others, and
change with and serve the
needs of the community.
Celebrations and Joys: Mary Kay Borgman happy her son is moving back
to Grand Rapids; Bailey Weaver enjoyed her time with her Mom and is
enjoying tennis this year; Mother’s Day and all
Moms; Ed Garvin’s daughter, Kim, appointed VP
and CMO at Johnson Control; Mike and Virginia
Conklin celebrate the time with their friends from
Wisconsin who have been through many health
problems; Barb Brewster’s grandson and family
were in a car accident but are okay.
Concerns on the following page...
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(Concerns on the following page…)
(Concerns on following page)
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
9:30 am Worship
11 am Sunday School
4 pm Scouts (DS)
3
4
8 am - 12 pm Food Pantry
(FH/KT)
6-7:30 pm Kids Hope
Grad/End-of-Year
Party (FH/KT)
10 am - 7 pm Catholic
Fam. Services (DS)
4:30 -7 pm Weight
Watchers (FH)
9
9:30 am Worship
11 am Adult Sunday School
11 am Sunday School Kids
To Park
10
11
8 am - 12 pm Food Pantry
(FH/KT)
10:30 am Vision Imp (FH)
10 am - 7 pm Catholic
Fam. Services (DS)
4:30 -7 pm Weight
Watchers (FH)
16
17
18
8 am - 12 pm Food Pantry
(FH/KT)
10 am - 7 pm Catholic
Fam. Services (DS)
4:30 -7 pm Weight
Watchers (FH)
24
25
8 am - 12 pm Food Pantry
(FH/KT)
10 am - 7 pm Catholic
Fam. Services (DS)
4:30 -7 pm Weight
Watchers (FH)
Father’s Day
9:30 am Worship
11 am Adult Sunday School
23
9:30 am Worship
11 am Adult Sunday School
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
30
9:30 a.m. Worship
11 am Adult Sunday School
3 pm Pentwater Family Camp
5
8:30 am TOPS (DS)
7
1-4 pm Food Pantry
(FH/KT)
8
13
14
15
1 pm Bible Study (FH)
4 pm Middle Sch Quartet
7 pm Adult Ringers Quartet
6 pm Wedding Rehearsal
4:30 pm Wedding - Curry/Ross
19
8:30 am TOPS (DS)
20 1 pm Bible Study (FH)
21
22
12-7 p.m. FH/KT - Peabody
26
8:30 am TOPS (DS)
27
28
1:00 pm Bible Study (FH)
4 pm Middle Sch Quartet
7:00 pm Adult Quartet
9 am Men’s Fellowship
(FH)
29
1 - 3 pm Jennings
50th Anniversary
Open House (FH/KT)
6 pm Chancel Choir and
Chancel Ringers
Potluck Picnic
Parsonage
12
8:30 am TOPS (DS)
6
1 pm Bible Study (FH)
4 pm Middle Sch Quartet
6:30 pm Ad Board (FH)
7 pm Adult Ringers Quartet
4 pm Middle Sch Quartet
6:30 pm Sarah Circle Grill House
7 pm Adult Ringers Quartet
Location Key
DS - Downstairs
FH - Fellowship Hall
HS - High School Classroom
KT - Kitchen
LB - Library
SA - Sanctuary YR - Youth Room
June is the month of brides, and I was one of those, 50 years ago! I met this man on a cold
snowy November night when he came to the door of my friend’s home. He was dressed in red
and black hunting garb, sported a week’s-worth of whiskers, had a grin from ear to ear and
flirted with me! Surprisingly, he called the next week and thus our courtship began. We dated
for almost a year before he proposed at the Ionia Free Fair and I said, “Yes!” My mom
liked/loved him from the start, but my dad was concerned because he was older than I, and I
would not get Social Security when he did. Well, I did not get Social Security when he did, but
it was not a problem. We were married on June 29, 1963, at Wesley Park UMC which was my
home church. My two brothers, cousin, a friend, and my nephew were part of our wedding
party. Willard’s brother-in-law, sister, and niece also took part. Sadly, my two brothers and my
nephew have all passed away and we will miss them at our celebration. We bought our first
home on Della Court and thus our journey into marriage began. We welcomed, with love, our
four children – James, Jeffrey, Joel, and Julie and became busy parents attending church, school,
scouting, and sporting events. Two of our children had critical health problems, and we walked
that scary time together as we really needed to lean on one another. Camping was an important
part of our family’s life and still is today as we have belonged to a camping group for over 40
years. Our lake lot on Miner Lake hosted many celebrations over the years and some of our kids
still gather there. We out-grew our first home and moved to North Street where we have lived
for over 30 years. Willard worked at Rockwell International (Blood Brothers) and retired after 33
½ years. He later went to work for Perrigo’s and worked 17 years before he retired for good. I
was a stay-at-home mom who did daycare for many years. An opportunity came for me to work
at the church as their secretary, and I retired from there after 27 ½ years. We have been blessed
with 14 grandchildren, and four of them are married so we now have 18 and one great-grandson!
We attempt to attend our grandchildren’s events as they are an active group, and we are very
busy grandparents and love seeing them grow and participate in their many activities. Now we
have entered into the “golden years” so they say and have enjoyed the time to take short trips,
spend time with friends, sit on our porch, watch the Detroit Tigers, volunteer at our church, and
share time with our family. Life is good and God has been and is an important part of our years
together.
Dear God, I am about to celebrate 50 years of marriage with my love, my friend,
wonderful father of my children, and a real hands-on grandpa and great-grandpa!
How good is that?
Thank you for the gifts of love, marriage, children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and friends. Where would we be without
them?
Love, Judy
NEWS FROM THE PEWS
BIBLE STUDY
THOSE WHO SERVE IN
JUNE
JR. CHURCH
Not held during summer.
This group meets every
week on Thursday at 1:00
p.m. in Fellowship Hall.
Come join us!
WHAT DO WE COLLECT?
CHECK OUT THE ROUND
TABLE OUTSIDE THE
OFFICE
Box Tops for Education for
North Ward Elementary
Lions Club - Glasses
Loose Change/Pennies Missions
Pop Tops from cans- Burn
Center in Chicago
ACOLYTES
2 - Kalyn Salisbury
Aaron Salisbury
9 - Clyde DeLaet
Naomi DeLaet
16 - Chase Milbocker
Ryan Brink
23 - Hunter Weeks
Allison Wiley
30 - Abby Hall
Ireland Armintrout
COMMUNION SERVERS
2 - Tom and Lois Giles
Beth Ann DeLaet
Naomi DeLaet
FELLOWSHIP TIME
Allegan Sports Complex
Monday - Thursday
9:00 a.m.
Everyone welcome!
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS
The Food Pantry is looking for
empty shampoo bottles. If you
have any, please drop them off
at the church. Thanks!
SARAH CIRCLE
Circle will meet at the Grill
House on Thursday, June 20,
at 6:30 p.m. Please call Nancy
Peabody at 673-3294 to get
your reservation in.
MISSING COAT
If you’ve seen a green spring
coat with a hood, please
contact the office. Thanks!
2, 9, 13 - Corlee Harris
Jack and Becky Rininger
Joan Rininger
23 - Jackie Thompson
Jen Thompson
30 - Terry and Donna
Skoglund
GREETERS
2 - Al and Eleanor Nielsen
Carl and Doris Fuller
9 - Vern and Bonnie Olcott
Don and Barb Sanborn
16 - Doug and Shirley Duryea
Cindy Thiele
Kathy Tice
23 - Pat Philley
June Querback
Denny and LeahVanOrder
30 - Doug and Cherrie
Stewart family
Dave and Irene Waanders
2916 23 30 -
LITURGIST
Terry Skoglund
Terry Skoglund
Joy Masek
Joy Masek
Joy Masek
NURSERY
2 - JoAnne Giles
9 - Lisa Sebright
16 - Sara Ramaker
23 - Amy Brink
30 - Heather Weeks
PIANISTS
2 - Wende Wood
9 - Amanda Wood
16 - Lisa Campeau
23 - Mackenzie Sturman
30 - Sue Thiel
SOUND
2 - Tim Borgman
9 - Jon Brink
16 - Hanford Brink
23 - Ed Garvin
30 - Eleanor Nielsen
USHERS
2 - Mike and Virginia Conklin
9 - Patty Anderson
Hanford Brink
16 - Laura Weaver
Bailey Weaver
23 - Tim Borgman
JoAnne Giles
30 - Mark Brink
Kathy Dunning
Missions Corner for June
COMMUNION AND PROJECT OF THE MONTH
Camper Scholarships for our own
Allegan Youth
OFFERING CHANGE AND PENNY JAR
We continue to support the Ministry Shares with our
offering change and penny jar. As of May 12th we
have $6,440.75 towards our goal of $24,000. We’ve
added an additional $130.00 this past month. Keep
up the good work!
SPECIAL SUNDAY OFFERING - JUNE 9
Volunteer in Mission Awareness Sunday
United Methodists have believed, from the beginning, that each of us is called to
participate in the outreaching ministry of Jesus Christ. John Wesley described this
work in simple, practical terms: "Do all the good you can, in all the places you can,
to all the people you can."
Adult Sunday School
The Adult Sunday School class will meet informally after worship in Fellowship Hall during the
summer. We will start with the first chapter of 1 Thessalonians and there will be a discussion.
50th Wedding Anniversary Open House
Please join the Jennings children and families in honoring their parents, Willard and Judy Jennings, on
their 50th wedding anniversary. An Open House will be held at the Allegan United Methodist Church
on June 29 from 1:00-3:00.
No gifts please.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
2013 Relay for Life – Allegan County Fairgrounds
August 10 – 11, 2013
Jackie Thompson is forming a team from AUMC. If you would like to join, contact her.
Congratulations to our 2013 High School Graduates
who were honored at a breakfast and during worship on May 12, 2013.
Katie Anderson
David Stewart
Congratulations to our 2013 College Graduates!
Amy Barber – Kellogg Community College – Elementary Education – WMU in the fall
Becky Barber – Baker College – Baker/Pastry
Nathan Lynch – DePauw University – Physics and Philosophy
Laurie Tange – Thomas M. Cooley Law School
.
PENTWATER FAMILY CAMP JUNE 30TH – JULY 6TH
Church Family camp is fast approaching, and here are a few informational items for those planning to
attend. We have heard from the new camp manager, and our week is on the calendar. Rambadts and
Jennings are planning to make a trip up there in early June to take a look around. Camp opens at 3:00
p.m. on Sunday, June 30, and ends on Saturday, July 6, at 12:00 noon. The cost is $30.00 per night.
Sunday at 6:30 p.m. we will have an all-camp potluck but do need folks to set it up. Hanford and Jon
have come forward and offered to lead our Vesper Service, time to be announced. On the sign-up
chart there will be spaces for folks to sign up for Devotions which will be held Monday - Friday
mornings at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 2, 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., Rambadts and we will host a pancake
breakfast with more details to follow. Thursday, July 4, we are looking for ideas and someone to
implement their ideas. These are just the plans that we are aware of, and others will be added when
folks come forward to volunteer. A sign-up poster will go Sunday, June 6, in Fellowship Hall.
Questions, call the Jennings, 673-4989.
Wednesday, June 5, at 6:00 p.m.
Parsonage - 1310 M40 South
Bring a dish to pass - Meat provided
JULY 28 – AUGUST 1
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
We need helpers to:
Teach
Do Crafts
Lead outdoor games
Help with Science activities
Lead songs
Walk students from room to room
Prepare snacks/Donate snacks
Decorate
VBS works best if the entire church is involved!
(Contact Linda in the office to tell her how you can help.)
2013 Report
Month
January
February
March
April
May
TOTAL
2012 Visits
61
39
66
49
72
287
No. of People
2013 Visits
No. of People
221
133
247
178
254
1,033
49
45
47
77
57
275
175
165
152
273
200
965
Number of Households 131
(as of 5/27)
77
Pantry Needs: Banquet Homestyle Dinners, Kraft Tangy Italian Spaghetti, chicken and
dumplings or noodles, noodle sides only, stuffing, pancake syrup, bar soap, laundry soap.
Desperate Needs: Scalloped potatoes, dish soap, paper towels, cereal, dish soap.
Contributions of cash will help purchase items not received.
Thank you very much for your support. Your gifts of food and money have helped to keep
people from being hungry in the Allegan area.
Mission Committee