NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 144 ALLEGAN, MI 49010

Allegan United Methodist Church 409 Trowbridge Street

Allegan, MI 49010

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00-12:00 p.m. Pastor’s Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00-12:00 p.m. or by appointment

Phone: 269.673.4236 ● Fax: 269-673-8856 ● Email: secretary@allumc.org ● Website: alleganumc.org

Allegan United Methodist Church - August 2019

THANK YOU!: A huge thank you to my church family for the prayer shawl and bear, the thoughtful cards, meals and prayers that were given to me and my family while I recuperated from surgery and treatment after my diagnosis this winter/spring. Though I will be watched closely, I can say, with you all behind me, that I am cancer free!!!! - Mindy Sturman

Joys: Health Concerns: Continued prayers for Norm Pierson, Judie Randels, Kim Leslie, Annie Ward, Joy Masek, Mary Anderson, Vern Olcott, Kelly Larsen. Bill and Tita Balgoyen’s son, Paul, failing kidney. David Waanders recuperating from bronchitis. Prayers for Ginny Borgman’s friend as he still recovers from his car accident.

Prayers for our military: Those connected with this congregation: Ryan Balgoyen, John Barber, Alyssa Chamberlain, Sadie Clark, Zachary Cooke, Andrew Cowen, Matt Fullam, Stephanie Hadley, Isaiah Hadley, Michael Hileski, Aaron Maule, Gregory McIntire, Chelsea Reed, Jason Star, Dai Wessman, and Dan Wrobleski. Continued prayers for those battling cancer or having treatment: Jane Allen, Tom Arlington, Evelyn Bierlein, Terry Brink, Ed Bronson, Erin Brown, Paul Buckler, Denise Cherry, Jim Conlon, Tammy Christy, Stacy David, Bud Harney, Vic Hitchcock, Ryan Howrigan, Lesley Kibiloski, Kay Kool, Brianne Korteway, Kim Leslie, Ardes McIntire, Lyn McQuaid, Bruce Mejeur, John Murphy, Philip Nicolai, Michele Randal, Judie Randels, Toby Star, Florene Stultz, Terri Stapleton, Jackson Stout, Deb Stutzman, Cessily Wotring Thackler, Nola Thole, Trappy Truman, Danny Truong, Naomi Watts, Jenny Walsh, Jen Wessman & those known but unnamed. Concerns & Sympathy: Prayers for Annie Ward as she recovers from her heart transplant surgery. Prayers for Josh & Amanda Blom’s friend, as she deals with the unexpected loss of her fiancé. Travel mercies for all those heading to college this month. Continued prayers for those unnamed, having health problems, or have suffered loss.

YOU’RE INVITED!!

Please join us for an open house to celebrate Hanford and Eilene Brink’s 50th wedding anniversary August 17, 2019 from 2-4 p.m. We will have cake and other goodies. We would love for you to stop by and share your congratulations with them. They requested no

presents, just your presence.

Sermon Themes

Fear is a complex emotion. Sometimes it saves us. More often it robs us of the life we want. But we can take our lives back. For anyone struggling with fear or wondering how families and communities can thrive in troubled times, this series offers an informed and inspiring message full of practical solutions. Throughout the Series we will use Adam Hamilton’s Acronym to analyze FEAR: F: Face your Fears E: Examine your Assumptions in light of the facts A: Attack your anxieties with action R: Release your cares to God August 4, 2019 Unafraid Series: “Fear of Failure” Psalm 139:5, 7-10 The need of courage helps us deal with the fear of social interactions. August 11, 2019 Using Isaiah 1:1:10-20 When we as God’s people seek justice for God’s children and God’s creation, we will be able to experience true and lasting joy. Mark Bolyen preaching August 18, 2019 Using Isaiah 5:1-7 When we as God’s people seek justice for God’s children and God’s creation, we will be able to experience true and lasting joy. Mark Bolyen preaching August 25, 2019 “Trip Advice” Hebrews 12: 18-29 The writer of Hebrews gives us similar reviews of two contrasting destinations — the old Exodus trip to Mount Sinai and the more sublime trip to the heavenly Jerusalem.

THANKFUL CORNER

For the last couple of summers I have been working at the “Hands of Grace” food pantry with my grandma and grandpa. On Mondays I help grandma pass out food and on Friday I help grandpa package food and put it in the freezers and refrigerators. I love hanging out and helping the people and people enjoy my help. My grandma jokes to my dad, who is a school counselor, “Can she get community service for this?” Of course he says no! I have fun helping the people in need and the elderly. This is what our granddaughter Elli wrote about working at our food pantry. She is only 10 and this is her second year helping. Lately some of us have wondered how many more years the “Hands of Grace” food pantry will go on as those who are currently working it are aging out as their ages range from 50-80s. The ones in their 80s are getting up there and have some health issues to deal with. Andy and Arlene spend countless hours every week stocking, counting, sorting, and re-packaging. I have seen Andy unload his pickup, place the items on a cart, and take them downstairs only to lift them again on the shelves to store them! On Fridays Rod, Chris, or Andy pick up food at the warehouse. We are blessed with inmates (thanks Harry for arranging this) who unload the items and carry them into the church. Also, besides Elli, we have Hunter who is working on his community service towards graduation credit, Heather who comes when Hunter comes, others who have had grandkids as helpers are Brinks, Leslies, Jurkas, and probably others I don’t know about. So you see it takes many hands to help keep the “Hands of Grace” food pantry in operation. We need, as they say, new blood! Think about what God is calling you to do, pray about how you can help this outreach mission to the community from our church. God, you call us all in many different areas to serve. Soon the Nominating Committee will be asking folks to serve in various ways in our church. Help us to be still and listen to that still small voice and feel that gentle nudge and let us know it is You! Amen. Blessings, Judy

Never get tired of doing the little

things for others. Sometimes the little things occupy the biggest part of their

hearts. -Unknown

1 – Jolene Cornell 3 – Jacob Sturman 4 – Jill LeMaire 6 – Susan Burd-Barnes Kristy Milbocker 8 – Mackenzie Sturman Morgan Sturman 9 – Merle Dalrymple 10 – Patty Anderson June Smith 11 – Lori Dickinson 14 – Thomas DeBruyne

18 – Ben Anderson Mark Gibson 19 – Jan Edgerton Janice Tuffelmire 20 – Tyler Brink Tom Tuffelmire 21- Barb Brewster 25 – Jeremiah Wood 26 – Paul Griffin Jr. 27 – Pat Cantwell 28 – Lisa Sebright

10 – Terry & Nancy Brink 11 – David & Sandy Oetman 13 – Patrick & Leslie Ballard Lane & Mindy Sturman 16 – Hanford & Eilene Brink 19 – Emil & Nan Tomanek 23 – Don & Barb Sanborn 24 – Tom & Lois Giles Rod & Karen Rambadt 25 – Leonard & Susan Barnes

AD BOARD REPORTS

7/25/19

Scouting – Joan L. Rininger – Boy Scouts: On July 22 the troop did their road pick-up project and helped on a project for the food pantry. The troop returned from their summer camp trip happy but tired! At the Court of Honor on Sunday, July 28, several merit badges will be presented. The troop is asking the church to help find a location to store their service trailer. The troop is facing a large change beginning in October. In its 68 year history at this church this troop has never requested dues from any scout (this troop is one of a very few nation-wide that have never charged dues). Now, due to increased fees at the National level, local camp outs and trips, etc., fundraisers no longer cover all the various costs. At the COH meeting on July 28, Dennis Festerling, Committee Chairperson, will do a presentation on the committee’s proposal on how to cover this financial problem. Each scout will need to pay dues of $55 per quarter – this is a zero based budget. The troop will continue to plan on fundraisers to aide any family that cannot meet the dues requirement. Girl Scouts 80500 – Amy Brink The troop will be splitting up next year to make planning easier. The younger scouts will be joining another existing troop. The current troop will consist of grades 6-9. Food Pantry – Chris Jurkas – Financial: The pantry has $16,096.99, plus $287.90 in Meijer Food Cards.

Software: The pantry has purchased and will be changing software soon. We have a meeting next week where Rod will be presenting the new software to the committee. Living Faith – Rod Rambadt – Working on internal signage. Membership - Judy Jennings – Membership stands at 297. Missions – Trevah Dalrymple – The Missions Committee met on Monday, July 8th. At this meeting, future POM Missions were discussed. It was decided that the Red Bird Health Clinic in Kentucky would be the Project of the Month for August. The next Missions Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept 5, at 4:30 p.m. Trustee – Sandy Oetman – Our July meeting focused on Security Procedures. Steve Walma, Officer Knapp (Allegan County Sheriff's Department) and Officer Duesterberg (Allegan City Police Department) were in attendance. This is an unfortunate issue in our world today. Officer Knapp has offered to present a Power Point presentation on this important issue, which he has done for other area churches. Sandy will address this with the Ad Board at the July meeting (July 25). Hopefully we can set a date in the near future. Thanks to Steve Walma for arranging for the two officers to attend our meeting Worship – Judy Jennings – We are basking in the glow of Proclamation Brass and their visit to our church last Sunday. Much thanks goes to the Worship Committee members, all the helping hands for set-up and clean-up, all the wondrous food brought in, and Pastor Bob for putting the service together. Special thanks to Jan Edgerton and Proclamation Brass for gifting us with their talents and their time.

FROM THE HEART OF THE PASTOR Rev. Robert Lynch

Thank you in advance for your interest in completing the Gifts, Time, and Talent Survey. We will use the information you provide below to help put your gifts, time, and talent to use to serve God, our church, and our community. Please fill out attached form and return to office by August 18th.

The Spiritual Gifts Assessment helps individuals identify their God-given gifts for living faithfully as Christian disciples day by day and find meaningful ways to use their gifts in connection with others through the community of faith. The process helps people understand the nature of spiritual gifts and ways to enhance the effectiveness of their gifts by linking together with others. If you need help figuring out your gifts, go online and fill out your self assessment!

http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/spiritual-gifts-online-assessment

Arts Family Ministry Sing in a group Teaching Liturgical dance Elementary Play an instrument Youth Direct musicals or plays Adult Direct children’s choirs Substitute teaching Work with sound or lighting Nursery Assistance Work with multi-media Food/Snack Prep Make videos Serve in Children’s Ministry Build drama sets Serve in Youth Ministry Acting Vacation Bible Camp Work with puppets Church-wide event planning Sewing Make banners Serve in Worship Woodworking Greeting/Ushering Use calligraphy Parking attendant Photography Help with Children’s Time Maintain bulletin boards Help to set up Holy Communion Arrange flowers Help to serve Holy Communion Designing/graphing arts Set up the altar Knitting/Crocheting Help with KinderChurch Using sign language Campus Care Helping Others Gardening or landscaping Making hospital visits Lawn maintenance Prepare or supply meals Painting Write letters or notes General repairs Provide transportation Flooring Visit homebound members Room set up Organize local mission work Dry wall Speak a foreign language Electrical Plumbing I’m Interested in: Book Club Cooking/baking Women’s Group Name Men’s Group Youth Group Email Scouting Bible Study Phone Small Group Food Pantry Ministry Thank you very much!

• CLIENT VISITS: Our clients are eligible to visit our pantry twice per month as of July 1st. • SOFTWARE: New software has been purchased, and a meeting with the committee to present

software has been scheduled. • FOOD ITEMS NEEDED FOR AUGUST: Spaghetti Sauce and Oatmeal

Month 2018 Visits # of People 2019 Visits # of People # of Kids

January 98 334 112 259 106

February 82 275 164 516 186

March 74 221 70 225 80

April 84 275 103 328 121

May 90 303 93 309 110

June 115 369 13 41 20

July 99 317 115 356 131

Aug-Dec 446 1,469

Total 1,088 3,563 670 2,034 754

Mission Moments

The designated Project of the Month Mission for the Allegan United Methodist Church for August, 2019 is the Red Bird Clinic, Inc.

The Red Bird Clinic Community Health Care Center provides both dental and medical care to uninsured and under-insured people in the remote mountain area of the Appalachian Mountains. Health and Wellness ministries provide quality health and dental care in an area that is chronically under served. In addition to in-Clinic visits, the providers travel to the homes of their patients to provide care to those that are home-bound. Won’t you please help us be good Christian stewards in helping our fellow man in need?

Church and Parsonage Expenses - June 2019

June Income $15,762.56

Church Expenses

705 Admin. Misc. - Barb Gibson 67.10 705 UMC Annual Conf. 1,355.60

602 Charter (Internet, Phone) 183.89 606 Church Maintenance 468.17 602 City of Allegan (Water, Sewer) 73.30 602 Consumers Elect. 695.93 200 Donation 10.00 709 Machine Maintenance (Konica Copier) 323.91 602 Michigan Gas 137.72 805 Music - Choir 222.29 702 Office Supplies 34.45 703 Postage 110.00 505 Professional Reimbursement - Pastor Bob 20.00 602 Republic Services (Garbage/Recycle) (Church & Parsonage) 69.61 504 Travel - Pastor Bob 290.00

Wages 8,513.75 601 West Michigan Conference & Insurance 3,308.55

1710 UMCOR 518.00

Total Church Expenses for June 2019 $16,402.27

Parsonage Expenses

603 Charter (Phone, TV, Internet) 161.38 603 Consumers Elect. 97.58 603 Michigan Gas 40.73

Total Parsonage Expenses for June 2019 $ 299.69

(Non Audited) Total $16,941.96

SUPPORT OUR GIRL SCOUTS & BOY SCOUTS!!

POP BOTTLES/CANS WANTED!

The girl scouts are collecting pop bottles and cans to raise money for the Birthday Cake Kits they make for the

families that come to our Hands of Grace Food Pantry. You may turn your cans and bottles in anytime to the church.

There is a barrel located by the coat racks in the Fellowship Hall.

Any cans and bottles will be greatly appreciated by not just

these girls, but the kids who receive these kits!

HUNGRY FOR A SNACK? Boy Scout Troop 91 has just the snack you’re looking for. MEAT STICKS! Contact Joan Rininger at church or call 673-4160 for a list of available flavors and place an order. Only $1 per stick! You can’t beat the bargain.

ANY EMPTY STORAGE SPACE?

The Boy Scouts are looking for a place to store their service trailer (it’s used to carry all their camping supplies). Please call Joan Rininger at 673-4160 if you can help the troop.

SARAH CIRCLE INVITES YOU!

Sarah Circle will meet Thursday, August 15, at 1:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. This will be a potluck with table service and beverage provided. Devotions will also be “potluck”

and we invite those in attendance to bring something to share.

United Methodist Women

During this time of year there is not much activity going on with the Kids Hope Program. Our volunteers and the children are enjoying a well-deserved summer break. One of our three graduating 5th Graders took advantage of going to Camp Beechpoint on our Kids Hope funds. We will be starting in August planning for the 2019-2020 school year. I will be passing out volunteer forms for the past and returning volunteers to fill out. If any of you would be interested in volunteering an hour a week to mentor or be involved in the Kids Hope program, please call me or contact me. We will get the process going. School will begin September 3rd this year and our mentoring usually begins the first week of October.

Judy Curry Kids Hope Director AUMC

Sari Hammon and Nancy Peabody and Cindy Thiele spent three days at Albion College to attend the Mission U event by the United Methodist Women. Bishop David Bard led the class on the gospel of Mark. Other classes were ‘What about our Money?’ and ‘150 years in Mission’. Check out the flier for the one-day summary classes of Mission U on the UMW board.

NEWS FROM THE PEWS

THOSE WHO SERVE IN

August 2019

WHAT DO WE COLLECT? CHECK OUT THE ROUND

TABLE OUTSIDE THE OFFICE!

ACOLYTES

4 – Audrey Brink 11 – DeLaet Children 18 – Allison & Olivia Wiley 25 – Alex & Morgan Foune

NURSERY

4 – Jill LeMaire 11 – Abby Hall 18 – Kristy Milbocker 25 – Cathy Foune

Box Tops for Education for North Ward Elementary Lions Clubs – Glasses Loose Change/Pennies – Missions Pop Tops from cans – Burn Center in Chicago

COMMUNION SERVERS

4 – Nancy & Ireland Armintrout Bobby Tremaine Irene Waanders

FELLOWSHIP TIME

4 – 11 – Joan Rininger Corlee Harris 18 – Barb Sanborn Daryl Waggoner 25 –

PIANISTS

4 – Wende Wood 11 – Amanda Blom 18 – Ireland Armintrout 25 – Susan Thiel SOUND 4 – Willard Jennings 11 - Ed Garvin 18 – Hanford Brink 25 – Tim Borgman

GREETERS

4 – Merle & Trevah Dalrymple 11 – JoAnne Giles 18 – Lisa Campeau 25 – Barb Simpson Jeff Gowens

LITURGIST

4 – Daryl Waggoner 11 – Elizabeth Closson 18 – Daryl Waggoner 25 – Amanda Blom

TV MEDIA

4 – Ireland Armintrout 11 – Rod Rambadt 18 – Nathan Parrish 25 – Alex Foune

USHERS

4 – Bill & Tita Balgoyen 11 – Lisa Campeau Ed Garvin 18 – Kevin & Beth Ann DeLaet 25 – Bobby Tremaine JoAnne Giles

VIDEO

4 – Naomi DeLaet 11 – Jon Brink 18 – Bobby Tremaine 25 – Barb Gibson