Straits Talk

United Methodist and ECO Presbyterian The Church of the Straits

P.O. Box 430 * Mackinaw City, MI 49701

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Straits Talk

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMackinaw CityMichigan 49701

Permit No. 1

November 2016 Minister Pastor David Wallis Head Usher Organist Loretta Martinek

Treasurer Janet SchaeferFinancial Secretary Jean HuntClerk Diane Robbins

Secretary Judy Churchill Office Phone: 231 436-8682

Pastor’s Home Phone: 231 436-5484E-mail – Pastor – norev@juno.com

Church office – office@churchofthestraits.comChurch website – www.thechurchofthestraits.com

OUR WORSHIP SCHEDULETraditional Worship 10:30 a.m.

Adult/Youth Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

The Mission of The Church of the StraitsTo worship God faithfully

To grow together spirituallyTo serve Jesus Christ and

our neighbor joyfully… in the power of God’s Spirit.

Operation Shoe Box 2016Our donation box is beyond overflowing and it’s time to pack boxes! We will hold a big box packing party on Wednesday, Novermber 9th at 2:00 pm. Come and help

send some love to a child!! Or there are boxes available to pack your own. What a wonderful way to teach children about Jesus and sharing ♥♥ If you pack your own box, they are due back to the church by Wednesday November 16th!!!Call me if you have any questions. As always, donations of money are welcomed to help cover the cost of shipping for our boxes. Thank you and God bless. ~ Judy Churchill

Men’s Breakfast meets twice a month on the first and third Thursday of the month. Come, bring a friend and join in for food and fellowship!

On the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m., there is a Grief Support group meeting here at COS. There are no magical words to bring an end to your pain whether there was a loss of a loved one,

divorce or having a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. We come to receive care for ourselves, but most of all during each meeting, we care and support each other. Talking is healing. Come join us to find hope and healing. This meeting is open to anyone in the community.

We extend our sympathy to the families of those who have entered the Church Triumphant:Mary McCready, Anne Vieau’s mom, who passed away September 20.Bob Heilman, who passed away September 29.Nathan Cordray, who passed away October 2.Arnold Rinke, Denise Thompson’s dad, who Passed away October 22.

The family of Robert (Bob) Heilman wishes to

express their heartfelt thanks to Pastor Dave for all of his love, visits and prayers over the past few months to Bob and our whole family. We also want to thank our entire church family for all the prayers, cards and support in so many ways you showed us during this difficult time. It was and is most appreciated.

In Christian Love, JuneJon and Kelly Darrow and familyCharlie and Kathy Heilman and familyRobert R. Heilman

The Annual Remembrance Service will be Sunday, November 6th during worship. We will honor loved ones who have passed away during the past year. A candle will be lit and a bell run as each name is read. If you have a loved one who has passed away in the last year and would like to light a candle in their memory, please call the church office by October 31st, 436-8682. **As this is the first Sunday of November, Communion will be celebrated the following week.

The Food Pantry will open for the 2016-2017 season on Wednesday, November 2nd from 10:00am till Noon. The Pantry will continue this schedule for

the winter months. Donations can be dropped off at the church M-F from 9:00am – 2:00pm. Cash donations can be made to the Church of the Straits, c/o food pantry. If you have questions, call Rose LaPointe at 436-5307.

Imitating ChristThe biblical use of the term saint in the book of Acts … applies to each of us. All who are attempting to imitate the Christ in their lives merit the title of saint. Some do it more fully than others and are willing to let go of more to get the job done. 

~ Matthew Fox, Confessions The Prayer Group now meets on Sunday nights at 5:00 pm. Everyone is welcome, anytime. Prayer

requests are also welcome, contact Pastor Dave. God does listen!

As we prepare our hearts and minds this Advent Season, let us remember how blessed we are because of our Lord Jesus Christ. Starting the Sunday after Thanksgiving, there will be a poster where you can sign your Christmas greetings to our Church Family instead of sending them a Christmas card. There will be a box to place your stamp money or contribution, with the donation going towards helping someone heat their home this winter. A heartfelt thanks to all. Love in Christ, Your Mission Committee

Don’t forget to set your clocks back an hour on Saturday night, November 5th! You don’t want to miss Church on Sunday!

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE together with St. Anthony’s Catholic Church will be Tuesday, November 22nd at 7 pm. The service will be held at Church of the Straits. Please join us for this special worship tradition.

AA Crisis Pregnancy Center Annual Harvest Dinner and Silent Auctionwill be held Thursday, November 17th. Doors open

at 5:00 pm to view auction items. Sit-down turkey dinner and all the trimmings will be served at 6:00 pm. Dinner will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Cheboygan. Advance Sale Only Tickets – $20.00 each – call 627-2626.

Come One, Come All to the Thanksgiving Day Potluck! Doug and Ann Fouty have graciously agreed to host dinner again this year. Any men

Cornerstone School Annual BenefitHarvest Dinner and Silent AuctionTuesday, November 8 – 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Knights of Columbus Hall9048 Straits Hwy.

Cheboygan

Ticket Cost: Available from anyCornerstone Families or at the door.Adults (13 & up) $12.00Children (3-12) $6.00Family (Parents & Children from the same household) $30.00

who would like to help with the turkey cooking and fellowship – meet at the church at 6:-00 am. The meal, to be served at 12:30pm will be a planned potluck. Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy along with coffee, juice and milk will be provided. Please bring your own table service and your favorite holiday dish to pass. If you know someone who would otherwise be alone on Thanksgiving, please invite them to join us. If someone needs a ride, that can be arranged as well. There is a sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall. Anyone wishing to help can call the church office or Doug at 231 420-2518.

“Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.”

~ W.J. Cameron

To All of Our Lovely Church Family,Thank you for your extremely generous gift during Pastor

Appreciation month. Lisa and I always feel appreciated by you. What a timely gift as we head south to celebrate Matt’s wedding. Thank you for sharing in our joy as well. You are loved beyond words!Pastor Dave and Lisa

St. Anthony’s Annual Holiday Expo will take place Saturday, November 12th, 11am – 3:00 pm. Free Admission, Bake Sale, Door Prizes, Money Raffle, Lunch and lots of venders!!!

Greetings! How grateful we are to partner with you all at Church of the Straits, Peter & Kate Walugembe and Northern Lights Ministries! What a privilege to partner, pray

and support them as they faithfully serve in Uganda. I wanted to remind you that the Church Partnership team is available to serve you in any

way we can. Here are just a few ways we may be able to come alongside you:

* We can suggest resources and documents to help you in your mission vision.* We seek to collaborate with churches in issues such as pre-field training, support raising & missionary care.* Church Partner Forum – Every spring and Fall we invite church mission leaders to Orlando for an insider’s look at Pioneers.If you have never been, we would love to have you. We will cover your conference expenses – food and lodging. For more information: www.pioneers.org/send/church-partner-forum

Warm Regards, Dona StankichChurch Partnerships Team Facilitator Assistant

It’s Not Too Late to Makea Pledge for 2017!!

Stewardship Forms are in the Fellowship Hall, or call the church office, 436-8682.

The Children’s Handbell Choir has just begun and the kids are loving it! Practice is each Sunday at 10 am. Any child, 4 and over is welcome to join in whether they attend Sunday School or not.

“Greed says the more you get, the more you have. Christ says the more you give away in love, the more you are.”  ~ Frederick Buechner

Cornerstone School Annual BenefitHarvest Dinner and Silent AuctionTuesday, November 8 – 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Knights of Columbus Hall9048 Straits Hwy.

Cheboygan

Ticket Cost: Available from anyCornerstone Families or at the door.Adults (13 & up) $12.00Children (3-12) $6.00Family (Parents & Children from the same household) $30.00

If you would like a plant to decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, please fill out the following form. You may take your plant home, or

give it away as a gift.IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

If you would like a plant to decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, please fill out the following form. You may take your plant home, or

give it away as a gift.IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Kate's Kids Food Pantry 10-noonCantata Practice 2 pm AA noon

AA 3pm Wmn's Bible Study 3 pm ThanksgivingPrayer Group 5 pm Worship 7 pm 12:30 pm

21 22 23 24 25 26Food Pantry 10-noon

AA 3pm AA noonPrayer Group 5 pm Wmn's Bible Study 3 pm

Disciple II 6 pm27 28 29 30

BIRTHDAYS: ANNIVERSARIES:Nov 2 Adam Laninga Nov 1 Bob & Nancy SawyerNov 3 Elly Hendricks Nov 18 Brandyn ClemensNov 4 Cathy Brey Nov 19 Shirley SchneiderNov 7 Carl Cooper Nov 20 Zachary SmithNov 8 Liz Limberg Nov 21 Greg StanleyNov 9 Arial Durant Nov 22 Vincent MannarinoNov 9 Jonathan Duarte Nov 23 Loretta Martinek

Nov 11 Sue Kohs Nov 24 Missy DarrowNov 13 Kathy Heilman Nov 24 Ann CravenNov 13 Florence Tracy Nov 26 Marilyn ColeNov 13 Jennifer O'Brien Nov 27 Colleen DurantNov 17 Hannah Morse Nov 28 Katie Strittmatter

Disciple II 6 pm 20

Kate's Kids Food Pantry 10-noonCantata Practice 2 pm AA noon

AA 3pm Wmn's Bible Study 3 pm ThanksgivingPrayer Group 5 pm Worship 7 pm 12:30 pm

21 22 23 24 25 26Food Pantry 10-noon

AA 3pm AA noonPrayer Group 5 pm Wmn's Bible Study 3 pm

Disciple II 6 pm27 28 29 30

BIRTHDAYS: ANNIVERSARIES:Nov 2 Adam Laninga Nov 1 Bob & Nancy SawyerNov 3 Elly Hendricks Nov 18 Brandyn ClemensNov 4 Cathy Brey Nov 19 Shirley SchneiderNov 7 Carl Cooper Nov 20 Zachary SmithNov 8 Liz Limberg Nov 21 Greg StanleyNov 9 Arial Durant Nov 22 Vincent MannarinoNov 9 Jonathan Duarte Nov 23 Loretta Martinek

Nov 11 Sue Kohs Nov 24 Missy DarrowNov 13 Kathy Heilman Nov 24 Ann CravenNov 13 Florence Tracy Nov 26 Marilyn ColeNov 13 Jennifer O'Brien Nov 27 Colleen DurantNov 17 Hannah Morse Nov 28 Katie Strittmatter

Disciple II 6 pm 20

In 1Thessalonians 5:18 Paul tells the church that we should “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This is a very hard verse for people to grasp going through hard times. Some deal with lifelong struggles, while others deal with shorter term battles and when we are in them it is an impossible thing to say we give thanks for what is going on in our lives. We have witnessed the death of loved ones recently, both very young and very old and some in between and I want to give some encouragement on this month of Thanksgiving.

I want to correct a misunderstanding of what Paul is saying in this verse. Paul is in no way suggesting that we give thanks to God for the terrible things that happen in our life, but rather he is saying that we can give thanks to him “in” those struggles. That is a huge difference in interpretation. I am thankful that while I go through difficulties he is present. I am thankful that he will never leave me or forsake me (Deut. 31:6) even when I yell at him and dislike him because of what I am going through. He is a Heavenly Daddy that won’t abandon his children.

I am thankful that God looks beyond the moment of our circumstances and he has a path to getting us back to a good place in our lives if we will only let him. He can even work in the midst of the ugly, the dirty and the awful things that happen in our lives and bring out of it something good. Remember Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” He is saying that something good can eventually come out of something that seems so terribly bad if we will just give it over him.

May I give you a personal example of the above? As many of you know, my mother has Alzheimer’s disease. That stinks! But there are several good things that have happened in that journey that I want to thank God for. I have visited more with my dad then I have ever done in my life because we have always been so busy. I see him usually at least once a week. My faith is strengthened, not weakened in the midst of this. My kids are more inquisitive about the important things in life than they use to be. I am blessed that I serve here in Mackinaw City while my mother takes this journey. I could go on and on, but I am genuinely thankful to God “in all circumstances.”

You have much to be thankful for even if you are going through a rough time. Thank God with me would you!? When you gather around the table this Thanksgiving remember God is there too. I am thankful for all of you and what you mean to me and my family.

I love you,

Pastor Dave