MID-WEEK UPDATE NOVEMBER 29, 2023

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Welcome to the Mid-Week Update. Welcome to the Mid-Week Update.  We’re here!  Yes, this is the beautiful time of year we celebrate our march to Bethlehem’s manger, where we marvel at its historical star, and eagerly await our Savior.  We think about angels appearing to shepherds, and those poor herders receiving that angelic message.  Our traditions flavor our lives.  Everybody knows Christmas.  Some appreciate the true message of Christ’s birth, while others thrill themselves with shopping and football. Our faith moves us to deeper devotion in daily life.  Maybe the secular Christmas is God’s way of holding out his hand to a distracted people.  The gospel is always available and people can turn from themselves anytime, and turn to the living God.  But the Bible does say, “Seek Him while He may be found.”  

Isaiah 55:6-7
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

All the news coming out of Israel today ought to move us to re-read the accounts Christ’s birth and God’s historical promises regarding the Promised Land.  Let’s not forget that our Savior, Jesus of Nazareth, is a Jew, and always will be.  He is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.  He is the king who is descended from David, and will return to rule on David’s throne.  He is the Bread of Life.  There surely is much history and future expectation surrounding Israel, and Bethlehem.  
While we indulge ourselves with the biblical accounts of our Christmas beliefs, let’s take note that Christ is coming soon.  Are we ready?  Let’s be about the Lord’s work while we wait.      
 
God bless all of you,
Pastor Kris

Call to Worship Leader:  Judy Hills
WL: God calls us to worship because we are restless until we find our
rest in God.  
P: Worship does not immunize us from hardship.  It is the key to
sustaining us through difficult times.  
WL: May our worship sustain us in life’s trials and afflictions.
P: And may God’s love melt our hearts in true worship.  Amen.  
Bible Reading Genesis 35:16-21

16 Then they journeyed from Bethel; and when they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel was in childbirth, and she had hard labor. 17 When she was in her hard labor, the midwife said to her, “Do not be afraid; for now you will have another son.” 18 As her soul was departing (for she died), she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), 20 and Jacob set up a pillar at her grave; it is the pillar of Rachel's tomb, which is there to this day. 21 Israel
journeyed on, and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

Greeters this week: Mike & Nancy Closka                        
Coffee Servers this week: Sharon Schlagel
Ushers this week: Dick Frederick
Communion Servers: Pastor Kris & Sarah,
  Howard & Jane Burdett, John& Candy Thomas
Advent Readers: Saturday, Larry Williams & Joe Koehn
                            Sunday, The Malewska Family

Announcements

Flowers Under the Cross are in celebration of  67th Wedding Anniversary  of Arthur & JoAnn Lamb and the Birthday of Mary Jo Lamb

(If you have asked for flowers for a certain date and you do not see your
name here, please call the office, Thank you)
Do you enjoy frosting Cookies?   Well.. we need your help on Thursday, Nov. 30th at 10:30, in the Church Kitchen.  For more information contact Wanda Roach.
The Cookie Fest will be this Saturday Dec 1st 9am – sold out. Come early!

This Sunday Dec. 3rd is the last day you can order Poinsettias for Christmas.
There will be a table out in the Gathering Area or you can call the office.

The FISH org. is in need of some volunteers to help set up for the Gift House.  The items need to be brought out to be displayed and to move some items.  Come at NOON on Dec. 3rd, and do a little work, enjoy some fellowship, and leave knowing you are making some children’s Christmas very special.
 
Huron Shores Chorus presents HARK! Joyful Music for the Season.  Fri. Dec 1st at 7pm at Oscoda United Methodist Church and on Sunday, Dec 3rd at Taws Presbyterian Church in East Tawas at 3pm. Free admission, Donations accepted.

The FISH Gift House will run from Dec.4th, 5th & 6th. In the gym & the Gathering space.

Ladies, Save this date, December 14th for the Christmas Tea. The sign-up sheets are on the bulletin Board in the Hallway. The Christmas Tea is for Ladies Only.  The ladies are served a beautiful dessert and treated to some entertainment.  The Men of the church are the waiters for the evening.  It’s a beautiful way to celebrate Christmas.
 
Gentlemen Save this date (December 14, 2023) to volunteer to be waiters at the Christmas Tea.  This is a time when you can treat the Ladies, who have worked hard all year at Church as well as at home.  Sign-up sheets are available Nov. 19t Dec. 3rd in the Gathering. Thank you in advance.


 
The Layette Ministry is looking for some Onesies (0–3-month clothing only),
PJ’s 0-3 month, Hats, and Booties.
 
Pledge Cards are available to anyone who would like to make a pledge for 2024.  They can be used to express interest in areas to serve as well as making financial commitments.
 
The Information Table still needs some volunteers who would be willing to sit at the table and greet people and seek out new people and give them info on our church. If you would be interested in doing this just let the office know.
Coffee after Service: Snacks are provided on Sunday after Service. We are always looking for volunteers to bring some snacks. There is a sign-up list on the refreshment table.  Please help out and sign up.  Thanks.

We are so thankful that we can celebrate Jesus’s Birth.  Thank you to everyone who helped decorate our Church.  It is very beautiful.
 
Thursday, November 30th
Thanksgiving Day, Church and Office closed
 
Saturday, December 1st        
8:30am MMPG
9am – sold out, COOKIE FEST
4pm Casual Service
 
Sunday, December 2nd
    10 am Service
    Set up for Gift House after Service

Monday, December 3rd
    Fish Gift House 9am – 3 pm
 
Tuesday November 4th
    Fish Gift House 9am – 3 pm
   
Wednesday, December 5th
      Fish Gift House 9am – 3 pm
     5:30pm Choir Practice
    7pm Book Study

Please Pray for:
Cheryl Rizzardi
Gar Keith
Joyce Lake
Dianne Knight
JoAnn Schirmacher (Cathie Compton’s Mother)
Sam Dutton
Stephanie Davis
Dan Lake (Don’s son)
Chuck Klenow
Peg Hoerner
Ashley Boudreau
Elite & Nancy Shellenbarger
Jane Burdett
Doris Tousley
 
There are no Birthdays or Anniversaries from Nov.30- Dec 6th