Sharing with Steve
Our theme for 2015 here at Meadowbrook is “Fix Our Eyes On Jesus.” We started the year with a series of sermons looking at the different names of Jesus. We next looked at people who encountered Jesus and the difference or lack thereof that He made in their lives. On Sunday, July 12, we will begin a new sermon series. If we are to fix our eyes on Jesus that means that we do not let Him out of our sight. As we travel this journey what does it look like? We will be looking at the Sermon on the Mount and its implications for today. Recent current events have shown how strong culture is in influencing how we live our lives.
One of my main resources will be a study on the Sermon on the Mount by John Stott. Listen to what he says on the back cover of the book: “The followers of Jesus are to be different, different from both the nominal church and the secular world, different from both the religious and the irreligious. The Sermon on the Mount is the most complete delineation anywhere in the New Testament of the Christian counter-culture. Here is a Christian value-system, ethical standard, religious devotion, attitude to money, ambition, lifestyle and network of relationships–all of which are totally at variance with those in the non-Christian world. And this Christian counter-culture is the life of the kingdom of God, a fully human life indeed but lived out under the divine rule.”
Please be praying about this series. We need to be prepared to give a Christian response and live a Christian lifestyle in the world today. This will not be a negative series nor will we be condemning people. We will not examine the pros and cons of our government. We will leave that to others. What we will examine is Jesus’ sermon and how it applies to us today.
YOUTH MINISTER SEARCH UPDATE
We are making progress as we search for a youth minister. We have given this position a new name, Family Life Minister. We are not large enough to hire someone to specialize on either the teens or children. We need someone who will minister to all of our children and their families, thus the name change. We have received several resumes. We have narrowed these down to two. We have received another one which we have not had time to discuss. We are calling the references and taking notes for discussion. The search committee will be meeting soon to Skype with both of these young men to see them face to face and ask questions and also to answer any questions that they may have. Please be keeping this process in your prayers. We are trying to move quickly and wisely. We have had difficulty getting everyone together, but hope that soon we will overcome those obstacles. Thank you for your prayers. We will keep the congregation informed of any progress that is being made.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Vacation Bible School is right around the corner. We are doing something different this year–we are doing an evening VBS. We are hoping that we can get more children and adults involved. We will be starting on Sunday evening, August 9, and go through Thursday evening, August 13. That will give you Friday evening to rest up for the Family Fun Festival on Saturday, August 15. This year we are going to spy school. Part of our education will be learning about the 12 spies who were sent into the Promised Land by Moses. We can’t tell you much more than that because it is “Top Secret.” VBS is for youth pre-K through 5th grade. If you want to volunteer please e-mail Tabitha Martin at fabchicatab@yahoo.com. For more information please see Tabitha Martin or Brenda Cox. Please be keeping this in prayer and “thanks” in advance for supporting and helping our 2015 VBS.
SISTERS OF YARN
This group is using their talents to touch other people’s lives. They knit and crochet hats and scarves to give to the needy. This endeavor will last through the summer and fall so that these items will be ready to give away for cold weather. The sky is the limit when it comes to patterns, colors, and sizes. There will be a gathering soon to share patterns and yarn. This is one way that Christ can be shown to the community. Please see Debbie Stallings or Elaine Bright for more information.
SAVE THE DATE – LADIES TEA
Ladies, put the Sisters in Service Ladies Tea on your calendar for Saturday, September 26th. You won’t want to miss it.
SECOND ANNUAL SCRAPBOOK CROP AT MEADOWBROOK
By Cindy Gerstenlauer
Meadowbrook will be hosting the second annual Scrapbook Crop on Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. It will be open to church attendees as well as to the community. Proceeds will benefit our Teen Ministries to help finance outings like camp and CIY. Registration forms are available on-line, on the bulletin board in the foyer, or by contacting crop coordinator Cindy Gerstenlauer, cgerstenlauer@comcast.net.
Most scrapbooking is done away from home, free from all the obligations and distractions, as that is when there is designated time to do it. When an actual date is made to scrapbook, then it is a happy event to spend time with others in a similar pursuit, and more gets done. Preparing for this event gets you organized and motivated to do something constructive with all those photos. You don’t have to feel guilty about this time away as typically you are working on something for your loved ones, who enjoy looking at the fruits of your labor. You come home refreshed with a sense of accomplishment.
Scrapbooking is a lot like quilting, only instead of working with cloth, you are working with photos. You are stitching together your lives onto scrapbook pages, just like stitching together the squares of a quilt. You care about your color choices, your techniques, and your placement. Scrapbook techniques change over time, just like anything else. Tools get invented and become popular. The craft or medium we use may vary, but our hearts and goals are the same, to put our lives onto fabric and paper. We chronicle who and what we care about. We chronicle our hopes and dreams and prayers.
The beauty of scrapbooking is that each person is making an album that suits them alone. Beginners and more advanced scrappers can comfortably sit in a crop together. Each person will take an idea you give them and make it their own at their own level and in their own style. Scrappers typically like to share their ideas, pages, techniques, and creations with each other. Supplies and equipment are often shared. When people are inspired it takes very little else for them to enjoy the day.
How Meadowbrook Members Can Help
Even more value can be added to the event by knowing you are helping others by your attendance and participation. Volunteer opportunities will be in the Sunday Bulletin and will be posted on the bulletin board in the foyer. It is especially important that the teens be present and willing to assist croppers as necessary, especially when unloading and loading their cars. Please save the date!
BLOOD DRIVE
The Red Cross will be at Meadowbrook on Monday, July 6, between 12:30 and 6:15 p.m. To make an appointment, call Theresa at 248-340-9215. Invite a friend to join you. Blood supplies during the holidays are always dangerously low.
Borrowed Church Property Procedure Established
Anyone wishing to borrow items from the church building should first get permission from Steve Martin. In addition, check to see that items you are borrowing are not needed for a church function (such as tables and chairs for a pot luck) by checking the church calendar at www.mccrochester.org. A Log Sheet for borrowed items is located in a binder in the church office. Please return items promptly after use and in good condition.
Stefanie Kapusta – July 9
Harry & Kaye Thompson (Ann.) – July 12
Hector Urteaga – July 18
Ken Small – July 19
Sandra Krugh – July 21
Mike & Sue Rose (Ann.) – July 21
Mike Rose – July 22
Brenda Cox – July 22
Harry Thompson – July 24
Samantha Kapusta – July 25
Eunice Salminen – July 27
Marian Murphy – July 28
LAWN CARE FOR JULY
Week of June 28 – Green Team
Week of July 5 – Orange Team
Week of July 12 – Red Team
Week of July 19 – Blue Team
Week of July 26 – Green Team
