THE CLARION SEPTEMBER 2019 CLARE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Making Disciples of Jesus by Helping People Know God Grow in Faith and Share Godrsquos Love

FUNDRAISER FOR PASTORrsquoS MISSION TRIP Sunday September 15th

immediately after the 11 AM service Soup Salad and Desserts Free to attend

will be collecting a goodwill offering to support Pastor

John on his trip to the Philippines Anyone who is willing to donate soup salad or dessert please

contact Rachel at 989-533-8585 or by email at

rdpotter89gmailcom

Harvest Happening Sunday Sept 29th

Immediately following worship at Elvis amp

Connie Dentonsrsquo home 8191 Crawford Rd Clare

Watch bulletins for details

CLARE UMC STAFF AND SCHEDULE Pastor

Pastor John G Kasper pastorjohnclareumcorg Leadership Team Chair

Mary Ann Shurlow Office Manager Judy M Bailey

jbaileyclareumcorg Youth Director

Rachel MacGregor rdpotter89gmailcom

Organist(815) LuAnne Humphrey

Pianist(1100) Sepehr Pirasteh

Choir Director Tracy Lubs Clare UMC Preschool and Child Care

Center pcccclareumcorg

phone 989-386-4815 Church Office Hours

Church Office phone 386-2591 930-noon amp 1-400 pm

Monday ndash Friday Worship Services

815 amp 1100 Sunday School (Sept- May)

930 AM Adult Sunday School

FRIENDS BIBLE STUDY TO RESUME

We will be starting a new study on Wednesday Sept

4th from 9-1030 am At Darlyn Turnerrsquos home (712

S Rainbow Dr) Clare A ldquoWomen of Faithrdquo Series

ldquoTrusting God -A Life Without Worryrdquo Each week we will look at a different man or woman of the Bible that discovered the power of relying on God as we are

reminded that the same God that led guided and protected them will do the same for us

today Books are $7 and available from Darlyn now

989-621-6828

Impact Zone and Sunday School Begin September 8

We have a great line-up of teachers and classes for everyone from preschool to adult The preschool through youth will meet in the education building MAD ndash Middle Aged Disciples (formerly YAC but theyrsquove aged-out as young adults) will meet on floor three of education building

The Agape Class studying the book of ACTS meets in the fellowship hall of the worship center Chapel Study Group focusing on what it means to be Methodist meets in (yes) the Chapel just off the fellowship hall And Exploring Clare UMC for those who are just curious or would like to become a member will meet in the worship area (sanctuary)

Highway Cleanup September 21

Volunteers Are Needed Join in the fellowship and fun with the Clare Methodist Church by participating in the Highway Clean Up Project It is on Saturday September 21 at 830AM with a weather make-up date of September 28 The route covers a 2 mile stretch along US 127 going North from the North Clare Exit Dress for the weather Hardy shoes or boots are recommended You must be at least 12 years old to participate The church is on 7th and Pine Streets We will meet in the 7th Street parking lot For questions call Ellen Fuller at (989) 240-3777

Church Conference

Mark your calendars

Our church conference is

scheduled for Sunday October

13 at 2pm Our conference will

join with the other churches of

our D-Zone at the Rosebush

United Methodist Church

Virgie Wilsonrsquos 100th birthday October 4th Unfortunately we wonrsquot make it back to Clare this year She had a TIA a couple of weeks ago (recovered ok) it we decided no trip to Michigan Those that know her and want to send a card can do so Address Virgie Wilson 14 Paquette Ct Hampton VA 23666 Thanks so much With love from Virgiersquos family

RUMMAGE SALE

OCT 1-12 YOU MAY BRING

YOUR ITEMS IN TO ED BLDG

ANYTIME

Truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for

it will be done for them by my Father in heaven Matthew 1819

New International Version

Prayer is an incredibly powerful movement especially when an entire congregation prays the same prayers for the church Prayer connects us to the heart mind and power of God Prayer allows us a deeper understanding of the grace truth and purpose of God All prayers are meaningful All prayers count All prayers matter to God But it seems like there may be

certain prayers that if prayed together would move the heart of God

Would you join me in praying the following 7 Life Changing Prayers for our Church during the month of September

1) A prayer for reconciliation

Heavenly Father thank you for your grace kindness and mercy We know that the foundation of reconciliation begins between you and each of us individually But you have also called us to pursue reconciliation whenever we experience conflict or division with each other

Forgive us Father for the division we create in our churches Help us to work through unresolved conflict and extend grace and kindness to one another We ask that the unity of the Spirit would prevail so that we could live in such a way that brings glory to your name and bears fruit in the body of Christ

2) A prayer for compassion

Jesus we thank you for the compassion that you so lavishly and continually pour out upon us Your Word makes it clear that you care deeply for those who are like sheep without a shepherd Your love is great for those in physical and financial need for those who suffer for the fatherless for those who need healing and so many more

We pray Jesus that your spirit would prompt us to live out that same kind of compassion May we do for one what wersquod like to do for many We pray that we would continue to grow as a compassionate caring and loving church starting with each of us as leaders

3) A prayer for wisdom

God thank you for the promise of your wisdom Our thoughts ideas and creativity have little to no eternal value without you We pray for the courage to act upon that wisdom May it help us as leaders in making good decisions

Grant us the wisdom to more fully understand your will and purpose for the church in the specific circumstances in which we serve We seek your wisdom and guidance to lead the church in a way that brings glory and honor to you

4) A prayer for redemption

Jesus thank you for the price you paid on the cross that makes a way for the forgiveness of our sin Your love and grace are overwhelming and extravagant We pray that our passion for those who are far from you would be contagious We ask that our hearts would be broken for the lost like yours We desire to see a flood of decisions to follow you and baptism stories that move the hearts of many

5) A prayer for maturity

Heavenly Father in the same breath that we ask for your favor in redemption we know that itrsquos your desire for every believer to mature in their faith Thank you that you provide your Word the Holy Spirit and the Church to help that take place

The pull of the world is strong temptation is ever present and the spiritual battle is real Yet we know that you are with us and provide a way for us to grow mature and live a life that is pleasing to you We especially pray that we may serve our children and students in such a way that our growing faith inspires them to follow in the same footsteps

-continued on next page-

6) A prayer for generosity

God we could never out give you but we want to give like you mdash generously Thank you for all the good and perfect gifts you provide for us and for the opportunities to advance the gospel

We pray that our church would be generous with their time finances talents and abilities We pray that we would be generous with kindness patience and encouragement We desire to be a church who serves others well We desire to serve because itrsquos a privilege to be part of your Kingdom work and because we care about others We pray that a spirit of generosity would prevail both inside the church and outside into the community

7) A prayer for transformation

Jesus this is our big-picture prayer and we are convinced that it aligns with your heart We pray for true transformation in the lives of the people we serve May there be tremendous life change

We are asking for marriages to be restored people to be freed from addictions and healing to take place in broken hearts We pray for teens to rise into leadership in their schools for our business leaders to speak boldly for you and that each of us would see ourselves as an ambassador of your transforming power

May we carry your name well Jesus and see many lives changed for the good

With You on the Journey Pastor John

Kingdom Living Itrsquos More than a Game

When we believe in Jesus as our Savior and Lord we become citizens of the Kingdom of God Yes we still

physically live in and are citizens of Clare Michigan United States of America But now we are called to live out our

new heavenly citizenship while still on this earth Doing this can be difficult Godrsquos standards are much higher than

earthly standards God expects us to love when others donrsquot love us back God expects us to play right when others

refuse to play by any rules at all Our new life is more than a game though It may well be a matter of life and death

Kingdom Living Itrsquos More than a Game

September 1 Communion Sunday ldquoPep-Talk in the Locker Roomrdquo ndash Joshua 11-9

September 8 ldquoBefore the Game Beginsrdquo ndash Joshua 21-68-11 24

September 15 ldquoGet Your Head in the Gamerdquo ndash Joshua 31-5

September 22 ldquoTime to Step onto the Fieldrdquo ndash Joshua 36-17

September 29 Guest Speaker ndash Pastor Serving Emmaus Walk

October 6 World Communion Sunday ldquoRivalry Trophy ndash So All Will Knowrdquo ndash Joshua 41-9 19-24

Exploring Clare UMC

What does it take to become a member of Clare UMC What does it mean to be United Methodist

Do I have what it takes to be a part of the church What must I do to become a Christian

Pastor John will be offering the Exploring Clare UMC for those who are curious about what Clare

UMC is all about and for those who desire to become members of Clare UMC The 7-week class will begin on

September 8 during the Sunday School hour

If you are interested please talk with pastor John or call the office so that we will have enough materials prepared

As We Move Forward Together

In all we do and the goals we make our primary focus is on our Mission to Make Disciples of

Jesus by Helping People Know God Grow in Faith and Share Godrsquos Love Herersquos whatrsquos

continuing as we seek to do this better

The Leadership Team has identified what it believes Guiding Principles to give order to the

church as well as Policies that will serve as boundaries to our mission focus They are as follows

bull Everything we do will glorify God

bull We will respect others and their views ndash we will treat others as we hope to be treated

bull Prayer will be the foundation of all our decisions

bull The Leadership team will always strive for unity within the board and within the church

bull Established ministries will be evaluated at least annually in accordance with the mission statement

bull New ministries will be evaluated every six months for one year then annually

bull The Leadership team is to encourage all regular attendees of Clare United Methodist Church to participate in a

ministry or small group as a part of their spiritual growth path

bull Our Guiding Principles are a living document and subject to change as necessary

The Leadership Team is considering the best time to present what our new governance model looks like to the

congregation Keep watch for details

How does one become a disciple How are disciples made Who makes disciples Is there a path to growing in

faith The Spiritual Growth Path team is discovering how who and what so that we together grow More information

forthcoming

Please be in prayer asking God what next steps of ministry might be in store for you to enable us to bring love

hope and encouragement to the people of our community

Central Bay District Conference October 19th 2019 at Saginaw First UMC You cannot just teach someone to Christ Christ must be revealed This is the sweet spot of the dinner church vision

it creates a place where Jesus will predictably reveal himself to all kinds of people

Verlon Fosner author of Welcome to Dinner Church will be presenting training sessions in the morning and

afternoon Dr Verlon Fosner has lead a congregation in Seattle Washington since 1999 In recent years the

congregation transitioned from a traditional proclamation church into a multi-site Dinner Church called Community

Dinners (wwwCommunityDinnerscom) Verlon holds a Doctorate of Ministry from Assemblies of God Theological

Seminary and has written several books ldquoDinner Churchrdquo ldquoDinner Church Handbookrdquo and ldquoWelcome to Dinner

Churchrdquo

DS David Kim is looking for 10-15 persons from our church Please call the office by October 11 that you would

like to attend and we will get you registered

Donrsquot forget we begin promptly at 900 am Morning snacks will be available during check-in

Clare School Back Pack Program The Clare School Back Pack Program provides backpacks filled with food to help cover the

weekend needs of some of our school children In need of a new storage and packing location it is now housed in the education building If you would like to become acquainted with or a part of this vital ministry please connect with Alicyn Johnson or call the church office

THANK YOU Dear Church family My daughter Sue Grant had her stem cell transplant on 8219 U of M hospital Ann Arbor All went well She will be in the hospital for 3-4 weeks for close monitering Her 2 sisters tested but did not match to be her donor She said to sing a huge Praise to God for her donor from the International A complete stranger to go thru a lot of testing and procedures to give her this incredible gift Sue would like to thank the prayer chain for their continued prayers thoughts and concerns She knows she is surrounded by love and is humbled Thank you again for all of your prayers Ruth Jones(Sue Grantrsquos mom)

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 2 Staten Jason Stinson Patricia 3 Johnson Steve Blow Jean 4 Esther Norman 5 Hopkins Kathy 6 Tyler Barb 8 Gallagher Gerry Mussell Kellie Denton Gabrial Sherwood Gabby 9 Ducham Deb Freeborn(Kleinhardt)Kacie Zinser Ashtyn 10 Kingsbury Allison 12 Curtis Eleanor 13 Staten Janet Shurlow Mary Ann 14 Sowle Janet House Janet Haggart Nyle 15 Mahon Barb Hunt Chris 16 Anderson Erma Barnard Joyce Ann McGregor Jason White Ed 18 Newton Chloe 20 Dice George Dice Janet 21 Staten Ken Turner Trista Greg Wood 22 Brown Kendra 23 Lubs Scott Lickman Megan Lickman Michelle 24 Packer Matthew Viers Maya 28 Gross Sally ODay Kelly 30 Arnie Krause

Pastorrsquos Going to the Philippines I will be traveling to the Philippines January 10-18 2020 as part of the United Methodist Central Bay District mission team I am extremely excited to be serving the Lord in this capacity and I am inviting you to join me on this journey

We will be traveling to Cebu City and Olango Island to minister to the believers there to aid in evangelism reach out to the street children encourage the pastors and laity and minister to the University of the Philippines students We will be conducting revival services holding VBS visiting the neighbors and in general making the name of Jesus known Our message is simple ndash Jesus loves Would you help us make it heard

You can be a vital part of this mission team in 2 ways First and most importantly pray for protection and health for the team for the team to have wisdom guidance and love from the Lord for the people of the Philippines that they come to know the Lord as their Savior and grow in their faith that the Lord uses this mission trip to not only reach those in the Philippines but that He uses this to challenge convict encourage and call the believers here in America into ministry and above all that the Lord is glorified in this

Second as do most things this mission requires finances The cost is actually very reasonable ndash I am expected to raise $1500 Any additional funds raised will be used to cover VBS materials evangelism outreach gifts dinners that we will be hosting training and support of the pastors hiring of a driver while we are there and any other ministry expense that arises If you would like to give to financially help support me in this ministry please make your check payable to Clare United Methodist Church attention Pastor John mission trip

Thank you for your support and I am looking forward to being able to share with you all that the Lord has done when I return Till then may the Lord bless and keep you Pastor John

THANK YOU Dear Church family

Thank you for all the prayers and many many many beautiful cards of encouragement Thank

you also for the beautiful plants amp flowers For the tasty food the visits and for the many

many prayers please keep them coming Linda amp Bill Droomer

THANK YOU

To my family at Clare United Methodist Church I donrsquot know how to express my gratitude for all

you have done for my family after losing my son Christ was a very special person and I am so

thankful he was able to be blessed by all of you To the church ladies for the luncheon thank you

so much To the special group of ladies that have been praying for Chris and our family for

the last 5 years I am truly thankful Love Tina(Seiter) Day

THANK YOU Dear Church family

Thank you so much for all the kindness and love Special thanks to all that made the day a better one Special thanks to Pastor John for

helping thru everything I could not have done it without you Sincerely Cindy Wilson and the

family of Dale Brandon

In our Thoughts and Prayers With our Deepest Sympathy

Family amp Friends of Family amp Friends of Dorothy Brooks Janet Hicks (A long time member of our church family) (A long time member of our church family)

Service to be held Memorial Service to be held Saturday August 31 at 10 am Friday Sept 6 at 3pm

Visitation Fri Aug 30 from Visitation from 1-3 at Clare UMC 2-5 amp 6-8 pm at StephensonWyman before memorial service and Saturday August 31 from 830-10 am at Clare UMC

Memorials Wayne Mater has been remembered with a memorial gift to the Camp Scholarship fund from Dr amp Mrs James Goenner Mike amp Rhonda Goin Phyllis Shields has been remembered with a memorial gift to the Clare UMC General Fund from Jeanette Acker and Mike amp Rhonda Goin Shirley Beemer has been remembered with a memorial gift to the Clare UMC Memorial fund from Duffy amp Sharon Doxtader and Erma Anderson Chris Stambaugh has been remembered with a memorial gift to the Clare UMC Saturday Soup fund from Mr amp Mr Lee Eisenhauer and Mr amp Mrs Tom Mooney Leonal Green has been remembered with a Memorial gift to the Clare UMC PreschoolChild Care Center Playground from Don amp Suzanne Kvam Donna Heckman has been remembered with a memorial gift to Clare UMC General fund from Mike amp Rhonda Goin