Sharing with Steve
There is an old saying that there are only two things that are inevitable in life, death and taxes. One hurts around April 15, but the other one can hit at any time and any day. Even when we know that death is coming it is still a punch in the gut. The loss may lessen, but the emptiness is still there. I do not remember my tax bill in 2010, but I know that is when my dad died.
Death knocked on a door this week. I was the first grandchild in our family. Fourteen months later my sister was born. We would be the only grandkids for thirteen more years. Then my cousin Jimmy was born. He was an only child and a joy for his parents. Though there was an age difference we always got along well. I visited him and his family when I was a youth minister. They lived near Gettysburg. We visited a nearby small ski resort. During the summer the resort had an alpine slide. It was a cement slalom tube that went down the mountain. You would ride on a sled that was on coasters. They had side by side runs. Jimmy and I started at the same time. He laughed at me all the way down. I just knew that I was going to fly out of a curve. Knowing that he was beating me and seeing my anxiety gave him great joy. It was a good time. We did not see each other much except at Christmas and the last few years hardly at all. When we did see each other it was as if no time had passed. Several years ago he got cancer. The doctors tried everything, but to no avail. He passed away earlier this week. He will be missed.
Death knocked on a door this week. When we moved to Michigan in 2004 I met someone who shared my love of college football and basketball games, Norm Tope. Norm was a few years older than me, but we were from the same generation. He had served in Vietnam. He had worked for UPS, but at some point had been diagnosed with MS. When I arrived in Michigan his eyesight was failing and he had a hard time getting around, but he could still enjoy watching college games. On a Saturday I would go to White Castle and buy about ten hamburgers and a couple of fries. I would return to his house and we would eat sliders and watch college football. He had a surgery that was supposed to help him, but he would turn out to be one of the 10% that it did not help. His body got weaker and he eventually went to stay in the Veterans Home in Grand Rapids. During college football he would call me each week to help him make his picks. I would visit him every six weeks to two months. We often just sat and talked. I introduced him to a Chick-Fil-A sandwich. He told me it was the best chicken sandwich he had ever tasted. I would push him around the nature area. We would sit and talk and fend off mosquitoes. His body finally gave out and he passed away this morning. He will be missed.
Talking about death is always tough. Even though it is inevitable we try everything to avoid it, but yet it still comes. As Christians we need a different outlook. Jimmy and Norm are in a much better place right now. Christ gives us that hope. The sadness that we feel should be just that: sadness that we have lost a loved one and they will be missed. At the same time we should have joy because of hope in Christ. We should have joy that our loved one is with the Lord, no longer living in a world that is full of pain and discomfort. Jimmy and Norm have fought the good fight and are now receiving their reward. I encourage you to be faithful and fight the good fight. That is our hope in Jesus Christ.
Tom Schwartzenberger – October 2
Arleen Rossol – October 3
Kathy Couture – October 8
Denis & Kathy Couture (Ann.) – October 8
Gene Paul – October 10
Carolyn Bennett – October 16
Dan & Elaine Bright (Ann.) – October 17
Wendy Kapusta – October 20
Pat Wundrach – October 20
Ron & Theresa Meegan (Ann.) – October 21
Wayne Thomas – October 21
Jim Martin – October 24
Nona Wundrach – October 26
Jeremy & Brandy Cox (Ann.) – October 28
Mary Koster – October 31
Stephanie Ciuba – October 31
Adult Bible Study
After a month’s delay we will be getting back into the swing of things with adult Bible study. We will be meeting Wednesday, October 9, at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will be starting Mark Chapter 5. This is a great way to learn about the life of Christ. We study for about fifty minutes and then have a prayer time. Plan now to join us. We will also meet on Wednesday, October 23.
Celebrate Fall at Meadowbrook
Our Annual Fall Festival will take place on Friday, Oct. 25, from 6 pm to 8 pm. Games and activities will take place and hot dogs, chips, and popcorn will be served throughout the evening. All the games and activities result in candy being handed out. We need help in a couple of ways. We need candy: Please bring bags of individually wrapped candy to the office. We need volunteers: If you can help or have any questions please see Brenda Cox. Let’s have a great time again this year!!
Donate Blankets to God’s Helping Hands
We are collecting blankets for God’s Helping Hands this month. Drop off your donation in the church lobby, and see Carol Howell if you have any questions
Thanksgiving Baskets for
Lighthouse of Oakland County
Lighthouse of Oakland County provided Thanksgiving baskets to 1,500 families last year in Oakland County. This year Meadowbrook is partnering with them to help provide food for these baskets.
Please drop off your donations in the foyer on any of the following Sundays: October 20, 27, November 3, 10 & 17. Following is a list of food they are most in need of:
Canned yams*, Canned vegetables, Canned fruit, Canned soup, Broth,
Canned cranberry sauce, Gravy, Evaporated milk*, Pie crust mix*, Box/Can Potatoes, Muffin Mixes, Cake Mixes, Frosting*, Pumpkin Pie Filling , Stuffing, Jello.
*tend to run low on these items*
If you would also like to donate money or grocery store gift cards to help Lighthouse purchase turkeys for these baskets, please put your donation in the designated can on the collection table. If donating by check, please make payable to: Lighthouse Emergency Services (your gift is tax deductible).
Thanks for being a blessing to needy families here in Oakland County!
Any questions, please see Linda Tingley
Annual Meeting
The 2019 Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, November 10, following the morning service. Reports will be given by the elders, deacons, and minister. The 2020 budget will be presented and voted on. Election of elders and deacons will also take place. If you have any questions please see Steve or one of the elders.
Sisters in Service Meets Monthly
Sisters in Service (SIS) women’s group meets every month from September through April (except December). Meetings take place the 4th Monday at 6pm except for January and February when they meet the 4th Saturday morning. The format for the 2019-2020 season will have alternating months working on a project with “fun and fellowship” months. The kick-off in September started with a pot luck dinner when plans were made for the season, which include October Fun & Fellowship, November prepare plastic bags to crochet mats for homeless, December is the Church Christmas Party, January prepare meals for Haven, February Fun & Fellowship breakfast, March & April to be determined. Please see SIS President Lynn Ross if you have questions.
Interested in MCC Leadership Position?
Men who are willing to serve as leaders, elders or deacons at Meadowbrook should see one of the elders this month to get a self-nomination form and screening questionnaire.
Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child begins this month
Starting Sunday, October 6th there will be a display in the foyer for Samaritan’s Purse “Operation Christmas Child” (Shoebox Ministry). Please go online to www.samaritanspurse.org for further information about this annual event.
We will have 2 different shoebox sizes this year to accommodate larger items such as soccer balls or stuffed animals. Soccer balls and pumps will be available for purchase and are located in the church office (See Steve). More information about those items will come later. The cost of shipping is $9 per shoe box. You are strongly encouraged to make your payment online and print your label. That way you can track where your shoebox was sent. Sisters in Service is willing to assist in paying for shipping if needed. Please return your shoeboxes to the church by November 10th. If you have any questions, please contact Carol Howell or Lynn Ross.