Pastor’s Passages

Late in November, we began putting the weekly prayer list on a separate insert in the bulletin. It was the hope of the Deacons that the larger type, extra space for adding your own names for prayer at the bottom and handy size would encourage everyone to keep it with their devotional books and Bibles for daily use.

Is there anything more important in our shared life together than praying for each other and our loved ones?

Leonard Sweet, in his book, AQUAchurch, quotes Archbishop William Temple, who once said, “When I pray, miracles occur.”

“A friend traveling with him replied, ‘Perhaps what you call miracle is nothing more than mere coincidence.’

“The archbishop replied, ‘Yes, I suppose so, but I have noticed that when I do not pray, the coincidences do not occur.’”

We have had much occasion in the last several months to pray for each other. We have friends and loved ones who have received extensive medical treatment. We have seen hospitalizations and rehabilitation. We have dear ones who continue to receive treatment for long-term conditions. Many have faced bereavement. We pray for the well-being of those in the military. Jobs, relationships and social conditions are also on our mind. Prayers for the congregation and its people are often on our lips.

One item that doesn’t make it to the prayer list is for the spiritual development of people we know and love. It may be on our minds, but it is seldom spoken of. The spiritual disciplines of prayer and Bible reading, Christian fellowship and worship, acts of service and mercy are vital to the life of every person seeking to walk the Way of The Master Jesus. Spiritual maturity comes from the daily practice of seeking God’s presence through these means of grace.

The daily walk with Jesus begins and ends with prayer. To know Jesus as Friend, Redeemer, Encourager, we need to spend time with Him. –Not just time reciting a list of “I wants,” but also time listening quietly for the Spirit to lead us along the path of Truth, Love and Light. There is no other way to make a true friend of the True Friend.

If you’d like to talk about your prayer life and daily Bible study, I’d be pleased to share with you. At least one member of our congregation has resolved this year to read entirely through the Bible. (So far, so good!) I began to use a devotional guide at the beginning of the year that Loretta bought several years ago, A Guide to Prayer for all God’s People. It is helping me in making time every day, regardless of how rushed I think I am, to make a quiet time with God. I see the day through a different lense after becoming centered in God’s Spirit.

We have devotional booklets at the back table of the church in both regular size and large print which are delivered quarterly. If you live away from Pittsford and can’t attend services, we’d be pleased to mail you each copy as it is received. If you’d like a full year devotional book to take home with you, I have several new or like-new devotional books available, and anyone would be welcome to have one.

I have several copies of the Bible in contemporary language also available as a gift to you. If the language of your Bible makes it difficult to grasp the meaning of the passage, perhaps a contemporary translation would help you for comparison.

If there are any who would like the prayer list emailed weekly, I’d be happy to do that.

God has a big year ahead for us in 2006! With prayer and God’s guidance, we will follow where He leads. Pray! Read! Listen! Follow!

Blessings, Pastor Terry

Unique Women News

The Unique Women have been busy with fall and winter projects. The 2005 pecan sale, chaired by Cinda Walton, was again a success. The 2006 Friendship Box project was chaired by Marian Gier and 21 boxes of goodies were delivered to 25 friends in our community. As always, a “big thank-you” to all who support our pecan sale through your purchases and sales; and to those who contribute funds and goodies for the Friendship Boxes.

The Unique Women used profits from last year’s fundraisers to purchase and have installed, 6 large storm windows with screens as well as two stationary storm windows, for the Fellowship Hall.

A Ladies Tea in honor of Mothers Day will be held on May 13^th. Please watch the Sunday bulletin for additional information on this event.

Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two “wolves” inside us all. One wolf is Evil. It is anger, envy, pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.” “The other wolf is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, truth, generosity, compassion and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

(Seen in the First United Methodist Church of Adrian’s newsletter.)

Lent 2006 Services and Activities

This year, Easter is much later, so our Lent calendar looks much different from last year’s early season.

The lectionary readings come from the gospels of Mark and John this year. Please read the week’s Old and New Testament passages during each week and ask the Spirit to lend us understanding of God’s Word for us.

March 5 -- Genesis 9:8-17 and Mark 1:9-15
March 12 -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 and Mark 8:31-38
March 19 -- Exodus 20:1-17 and John 2:13-22
March 26 -- Number 21:4-9 and John 3:14-21
April 2 -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 and John 12:20-33
April 9 – Palm Sunday – Isaiah 50:4-9a and Mark 11:1-11
April 16 – Easter Sunday – Acts 10:34-43 and John 20:1-18

After discussion at Deacons, Fellowship Night and Winter Council, we will have a Lent Gathering each Sunday morning at 9:30, beginning on March 12, and continuing through April 9. We will be viewing the video Walking the Bible, which originally aired on PBS. It is a 10,000 mile journey through lands of the Old Testament. The narration is superb, the theologians and archeologists are very helpful with their explanations, and the video photography is stunning. We will view the video for approximately half an hour, which will then leave about fifteen minutes for discussion before the choir member will leave for rehearsal.

Others attending may continue to discuss the video and enjoy fellowship time. Coffee, hot water for tea and cookies will be available each morning. In order to insure that choir rehearsal doesn’t get slighted, the viewing will start promptly at 9:30 each Sunday.

Join us in this wonderful way to follow the path of the Bible patriarchs during the season of Lent. Remember, it begins on the Second Sunday of Lent, March 12 at 9:30.

Our Holy Week worship will begin on Palm Sunday at the regular time of 11:00. The worship space will be decorated with palms, and all of us will take home a palm leaf, as a symbol of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem at Passover time.

We will observe Communion at our traditional Maundy Thursday service on April 13 at 7:00 p.m. This meaningful service is quiet, intimate, and brief. It is a perfect way to remember the last moments of Our Lord with his disciples. Please plan to be with us that evening.

This year, we will host the annual Good Friday Service held in conjunction with the Osseo and Camden-Frontier United Methodist Churches. Pastor Don Lee will be preaching. It is always well-attended, and is a wonderful opportunity to share ecumenical fellowship with our neighbors to the west.

Easter Sunday is a great day of celebration for all! Bring family and friends. For many, this is a high point of the Christian worship year. The triumph of God over death and hopelessness through a living Christ is worth shouting about! We hope to see all of you who on April 16.

Ahh…Michigan

Michigan winters! It rains, and snows, and sleets. We slip and slide and plan our outings only after watching the Weather Channel. Our roads develop annoying potholes, and with the spring thaw, those potholes turn into mini versions of the Grand Canyon. I’ve heard it said that cars have actually been swallowed up, never to be seen again!

Our heat bills soar and we keep a supply of blankets in our living rooms. After a heavy snow, we bundle up and prepare ourselves for hours of winter fun cleaning our sidewalks and driveways. (We’ve already made our chiropractor appointment for the next day and have taken an aspirin to thin the blood a little!) And just as you move that last shovel full of snow at the end of the driveway …the county snow plow cruises past and fills it back up with snow and road slush.

As children, most of us looked forward to the first snow of winter with glee! Sledding and building snowmen were our main concerns, and who cared if it was cold! As we grow older, it becomes harder to enjoy the cold and snow of winter, (or so I’ve noticed), but we still can if we watch it through the eyes of our children or grandchildren.

Even considering all of the above, there’s a certain awe about living in place that’s graced with four seasons. Driving home one afternoon, I was looking out across the frozen fields, bordered by small woods. The trees looked like black pipe cleaners against the gray February sky. In places, corn stubble poked up through the snow covered fields, and all seemed still across the countryside. As happens every February, I started thinking about spring. In my minds eye, I could almost see the trees turning pink and pale green with the beginnings of their new coat of leaves. I could picture the fields of stubble plowed under, and imagine the sprouts of the new crops dotting the land. And then it happens…you know what I mean! One day you walk out your door, take a deep breath and realize it smells like spring! It’s a mixture of earth and foliage and warmth. You notice the frogs have started croaking in the evenings and species of birds that were quite scarce all winter are suddenly flocking to your feeder. The early evening darkness of winter seems to have disappeared overnight. Why it’s light out until 7 o’clock! The rains come and your flower garden pops. The heavy aroma of lilacs and freshly mown grass fills the air.

Soon, almost as if God waves a magic wand, the trees burst forth in all their splendor and the countryside turns green and lush and full of the promise of things to come. Summer in Michigan is a smorgasbord of sights, and sounds and smells. Spectacular sunsets, water lapping on a lakeshore, the smell of fresh cut hay or hot dogs cooking on the grill. Fishing, camping, picnics, or just sitting on your porch swing at the end of a long day, can all be very satisfying indeed.

Fall is just as miraculous in Michigan. If you’ve never seen a stand of maples in full fall color with the afternoon sun shining on it, then you’ve missed one of God’s most spectacular displays. The smell of freshly fallen leaves, harvested corn fields and crisp morning air assails your nose! Jack-O-Lantern’s will appear on porches and the smell of warm cider and pumpkin pie will emanate from many a kitchen.

So take heart everyone! In just a few short weeks, the wonderful cycle of the seasons will be changing for the warmer. We will have all of the wonders of spring, summer and fall spread before us once again. Ahh…Michigan!

Submitted by Lynette Brocht

Fellowship Night

Thirteen of our number got in on great vegetable soup and snacks, and brownies and ice cream at the parsonage on Sunday night, February 12th. We had a great time visiting and played some games from a Cokesbury book for churches from the ‘30’s. (Can you believe 13 people can eat almost a gallon of ice cream?)

If you weren’t there, we missed you! If you’d like to host a fellowship night soon, let Becky or Terry know.

Military Prayer List

We ask your continued prayer for the following individuals who are serving in the armed forces:

Petty Officer 2nd. Class Chad Black

Captain Joseph Brocht

HM3 Vernon Goss

Specialist Shawn Halleck

Lance Corporal Jamie Hilliker

Sergeant Mark LeaTrea

Captain Matt LeaTrea

MM1 Joe Peters

Staff Sergeant Jason Shough

Colonel Debbie VanDeVen

In addition to those serving in the military, we hope you will continue to remember those individuals in our congregation and community who are in need of healing prayers.

Missionary Committee

     A special offering collected for Hurricane Katrina victims amounted to $665.00 and the Committee added an additional $135.00 for a total of $800.00. The contribution was sent to the NACCC Katrina Fund.

     Four families in our community have been assisted with help in buying clothing, paying a gas/utility bill and paying medical bills.

     Contributions have been sent to six charities with the newest one being the St. Peter’s Free Health Clinic. Direct assistance in the amount of $700.00 has been sent to friends with ties to Waldron, missionaries in Brazil. They call Hillsdale County home when in the USA. The church participation in the 2005 World Vision – Love Loaf project provided $188.50 this year. "

Lent Gathering

Our first Sunday for “Walking the Bible” will be March 12th. We will begin promptly at 9:30a.m., to view the video, which has been featured on Public Television. In the program, the host travels over 10,000 miles to visit places of the Bible, including the assumed location of the Garden of Eden, the place of Abraham’s call, Mount Ararat (Noah’s ark) and many other key locations of the Biblical record.

The cinematography is stunning. Renowned archaeologists and Bible scholars join Bruce Feiler in tracing the long history of God’s walk with the Chosen People. Coffee, tea and cookies will be offered. Following each week’s viewing, we will discuss the video and will adjourn for choir practice promptly at 10:15a.m.

Be sure to join us! This video series will continue through Lent and will certainly help you to connect what you read in the Bible with the geography of our modern world. The gatherings will be held in Fellowship Hall.

Trustee Report

The Trustee's reported that in 2005 a new furnace for the sanctuary side of the church, including an air conditioning unit, was purchased and installed. Foam insulation was also placed on the walls in the crawl space under the sanctuary. Bids are being collected for the extensive tuck point work and foundation repair, needed on the exterior of the church. Project completion may have to be split over a few years, due to the cost.

Office Telephone 517-523-2765. Church Telephone 517-523-2385.

Terry Bobzien, Pastor, Cell Phone 517-499-5470.