FAITHNews
The Newsletter of Faith United Church of God
www.faithunitedcog.org
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July 2015
Kids Hope USA
Youth News
Kids Hope is already in the works for this
Fall and promises to be even more exciting
and a greater opportunity for Alpine
Elementary and Faith United to connect in
some very special ways. If you would like to
make a difference in the life of a child who so very
much needs your friendship and support, let me know.
There is always one more child in need of a Mentor. Are
you that person?
Judy Kerwin, Kids Hope Director
Time: 10:30 - 11:00 AM
Ages: 4 thru completion of the 3rd grade
Children's Church will be offered at 10:30 AM on our
Lower Level on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays of each
month. Time for Children will take place on 5th
Sundays. Each week we will be doing hands-on worship
where kids encounter God, so we always encourage your
children to attend!
Children's Church Volunteers:
July 5 = No Children's Church
July 12 = "Patience" - Wendy Shick
July 19 = "Kindness" - Andy & Brittany Lerch
July 26 = "Goodness" - Mary Irving
Volunteers, if you are unable to be here on the date
that you are scheduled, please contact Lisa McDaniel.
FAMILY FUSION POOL PARTY, JULY 7
Family Fusion will be going to Pastor Miranda's for a
Pool Party on Tuesday, July 7 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.
Bring a snack to share, one piece or fully covering
swim suit, and your sand volleyball skills.
July 10-17 Charlevoix Camp meeting Camping
Family Fusion is going on a group camping trip in
conjunction with Charlevoix Camp meeting. Daily
youth events, nightly worship, beach trips, sunsets on
Lake Michigan, bon fires, etc. Cost – $100.
SUNDAY NIGHT FUSION, JULY 19
Attention Youth and Parents!
The time and location of Sunday Night Fusion on July
19 has been changed! Instead of 6:00 pm, the event
will go from 3:00 to 6:00 pm, and the location has
changed to Pastor Miranda's for a Pool Party!
Note: Will we not have Sunday Night Fusion on
Sunday, July 5 (4th of July Holiday), July 12
(Charlevoix Family Camp, July 10 - 17), and July 26
(Pastor Miranda's Guatemala trip).
Questions? Please contact Pastor Miranda at (231)
349-4106, or fusionfamilyym@gmail.com.
Thank you!
We want to recognize Carol Cutter and Lisa McDaniel
for the countless hours that they spent preparing for the
2015 "Everest" Vacation Bible School. Thank you to the
many volunteers that helped out during the week - for
help with the set-up and take down, for all the donations
of the food and props. We couldn't have done it without
your help! We had a GREAT week!
Young Adult Small Group
Due to the busyness of everyone's schedules, the Young
Adult Small Group will NOT be meeting this summer.
Watch for more information in September.
Our Mission Statement
“Love God, Grow together in Christ, Serve others”
Church Office Closed, July 3
Readers Anonymous, July 20
The church office will be closed on Friday, July 3, in
observance of Independence Day.
Faith United Ladies Readers Anonymous will be
meeting on Monday, July 20, 2015 at 6:00 PM. The
location of the meeting has been moved to the home of
Judy Kerwin. You’re welcome to join us!
Faith Promise Review
No Sunday School, July 5
Due to the amount of people gone for the July 4th
Holiday, the Discipleship Board has made the decision
to cancel Sunday School classes on Sunday, July 6.
Feeding America, July 14
Please put the following dates on your calendar for
2015: July 14, August 11, September 8, October 13,
November 10, and December 8.
The Service Board has scheduled these dates for a
food truck to be at Faith United, and volunteers are
needed from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. If you are not able to
arrive at 4:00 pm, then come as soon as you can. The
truck arrives at 4:30 pm and customers are serviced from
5:00 to 6:00 pm or until the food is gone.
If you know of anyone who needs assistance with
food, please share with them the dates and times above.
A sign-up sheet will be available on the table in the
narthex.
Items / Donations Needed for Pastor Miranda's
Trip to Guatemala
At the end of July I have an opportunity to travel to
Guatemala to work with their Church of God
missionaries and host a VBS. A 4 person team
representing 3 ChoG churches in MI will be traveling
together! We will have the opportunity to be Jesus to
tons of children! I will also be speaking at a few
churches in the evenings. This is my first trip to a third
world
country.
If
you
are
interested
in financially supporting this trip- great!
See: http://www.gofundme.com/mirgoestoguatemala
We covet your prayers as we prepare and while we
are down there! We will also be collecting and bringing
crayons, children's scissors and hard candy. (These
things can be dropped of at Faith United ChoG or
Orchard View ChoG) Thank you so much for your love
and support!
The deadline for collection of items will be Sunday,
July 19th.
Here is a review of the ministries our Faith United 20142015 Faith Promise Program covers: Discretionary
Fund - $500; Mel Trotter Ministries - $500; Bethany
Christian Services - $500; Pine Rest Christian Mental
Health Services - $250; Kids Hope USA - $500; Place of
Promise, Wounded Knee - $500; Alfonso and Elizabeth
Ayala, Missionaries in Belize - $750; Neville and Anne
Tan, Pastors in Singapore - $750; Mission Trips - $750;
Emergency Response Fund - $1,000.
Five hundred dollars of the Emergency Response
Fund was sent to Nepal in May to aid in the tragedy
suffered there.
We thank you for your faith in God’s supply and for
your commitment to your pledge. You folks really care
about others. God bless all.
Health Corner
For those of us who love summer, but don’t have the
time or funds to take that month-long vacation, there are
some simple, free ways to relieve stress and anxiety.
Take a look at the Health Corner posting for July in the
lower level stairwell for ideas that, if used, can greatly
enhance your quality of life at any time and in any
season. In fact, if you would like a copy, just let me
know and I’ll get it to you either as an email or in your
mailbox at church. You are always in my prayers.
Your Parish Nurse, Judy
Northwest Food Pantry
Did you know that the Northwest Food Pantry has a
website? Please check them out at: nwfoodpantry.org.
For the month of July, we are collecting soup, canned
spaghettio’s and ravioli. Many other food items and
non food items are needed as well. Thank you for your
support of the NWFP!
Secret Prayer Sisters
Ladies, if you haven't already put a note in your Secret
Prayer Sister's mailbox to wish her a happy and safe
Summer, please do so sometime soon. It's a great way to
let someone know that you are thinking of them and
keeping them in prayer!
Volunteers Needed!
Pastor Miranda Away
The Service Board has been in contact with Waverly at the
Northwest Food Pantry, and there are two upcoming
volunteer opportunities in mid July. The work is rigorous
but not for a long period of time.
There are two volunteer opportunities: many bodies are
needed on Friday, July 17th at 8:00 until approximately
11:00 or so to help sort and separate food amongst
approximately 10 food pantries. It's at Bethlehem Lutheran
church downtown. It's a workout, but TONS of fun.
Two more people are needed for Thursday, July 16th
at 3:45 at the DeVos, where we pack all of the food from
the Spartan food show. This should take 2-3 hours and you
need to wear open toed shoes.
A sign up sheet is located in the narthex. Please sign up
by Thursday, July 2. There will be an individual sign up for
each event.
If you have questions, please call the pantry (451-4036) and
ask for Waverly.
Pastor Miranda will be leaving for a Mission Trip to
Guatemala on Thursday, July 23, and returning on Friday,
July 31. Pray for traveling mercies and God's presence to
be with her while she is away.
5th Sunday Fellowship, August 30
Please mark your calendars for
Sunday, August 30
as we worship together during a Fellowship time.
We will celebrate this occurrence by
gathering in the narthex immediately
following the morning service for a time
of refreshments and fellowship.
It's a great opportunity to get to
know your friends at Faith better.
Join us in this fun event!
There is no Sunday School on this day
so parents are encouraged to bring
their children upstairs to join in the fun!
Sunday School, Youth and Adult Classes
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Newsletter Deadline
Deadline for articles to be turned into the church office for
the August 2015 edition of FAITHNews is Friday, July 10,
2015. Thank you!
Church Secretary Away
Our church secretary, Rhonda will be on vacation July 1827, 2015. Connie Evans will be in office (limited hours)
filling in for Rhonda while she is away.
YOUTH
Youth Class (6th - 12th grades)
Teacher: Miranda Turner
Class meets in room #4 on the lower level
ADULT
July Nursery Workers
Infant
5 – Velvet Lerch & Janice Ertle
12 – Rhonda Plants & Brittany Lerch
19 – Mary Irving & Abby Irving
26 – Karen & Kayla Lovins
Toddler
5 – Connie Evans & Jolie Stanton
12 – Amy & Hannah Blauw
19 – Erika & Lydia Irving
26 – Tonya & Jamie Mashue
Please contact Velvet Lerch if you are unable to serve on
your scheduled Sunday.
CHILDREN
Infant (Newborn up to 2 year olds)
Teacher: Connie Evans
Toddlers (2 - 3 year olds)
Teachers: Erika Irving and Sue Athanon
Pre-K - 5th Grade (4 years - 5th grade)
Teachers: Carol Cutter, Lisa McDaniel
and Heather Bessinger
Class meets in room #1 on the lower level
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Foundations Class
Teachers: Steve McDaniel, Steve Shick,
Subs: Ryan & Becki Simpson
Studying: The Fruit of the Spirit
Class meets in the Narthex
Adult Pulpit Class
Teachers: Marcia and Garrett Holleman
The Adult Pulpit Class will be taking the summer off
and returning in September.
Bridges Class
Teachers: Lou Van Dyke and Millard Knapp
Sub: Barb Bleiler
Studying: Adult Bridges Curriculum
Class meets in the west end of the Fellowship Hall
Elective Class I
Teachers: Mark Peterson and Gloria Weltevrede
Studying: What Paul Meant by Gary Wills
Class is meeting in the center of the Fellowship Hall
Elective Class II
Teachers: Michele Hickerty, Esther Hickerty, and
Rhonda Plants
Studying: NIV Standard Lesson Commentary
2014-2015, edited by Ronald L. Nickelson
Class meets in the east end of the Fellowship Hall
Faith United Church of God
3290 Walker Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49544-9431
Phone (616) 784-5060 / Fax 784-9141
Church Website: http://www.faithunitedcog.org
Church Staff
Pastor: Steve McDaniel (sdmcdaniel@faithunitedcog.org)
Youth Pastor: Miranda Turner (fusionfamilyym@gmail.com)
Office Secretary: Rhonda Plants (secretary@faithunitedcog.org)
Church Custodian: Karen Stevens
Kids Hope USA Director: Judy Hewett Kerwin (judyhewett@comcast.net)
Parish Nursing Program
Judy Hewett Kerwin, R.N. (judyhewett@comcast.net)
Living Link Missionaries
Neville & Anne Tan (Singapore)
Alfonso & Elizabeth Ayala (Belize)
Sundays
10:00 AM Celebration of Worship
11:15 AM Sunday School
6:00 PM
Sunday Night Fusion at Faith United (July 19)
Charlevoix Family Camp
Camp #2: July 11 - July 17
Evangelist: Rev. Dr. John Davey
Song Evangelist: Rev. Matt Stone
For questions or Registration: Robbie Dancer @ (989) 463-6263
bdancer1@chartermi.net
charlevoixcamp.com
Warner Memorial Camp Meeting
July 17 - 25
Featuring Robin Wood
To make a reservation call (269) 434-6844 or email info@warnercamp.com
Saint Louis Camp Meeting
August 6 - 14
Pastor Melissa Pratt, Evangelist
Dr. Steven Darr, Song Evangelist
You can reach us via email at info@stlouiscamp.org
or by calling the camp number (989) 681-2581