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volume 26 • number 4

Dear Friends,

May the hope and promise of Easter Resurrection rest upon you.

Rehearse with me this account of the finding the empty

Mark 16 1-3 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so

they could embalm him. Very early on Sunday morning, as the sun rose, they went to the tomb. They worried out loud

to each other, “Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for us?” 4-5 Then they looked up, saw that it had been rolled back—it was a huge stone—and walked right in. They saw a

young man sitting on the right side, dressed all in white. They were completely taken aback, astonished. 6-7 He said, “Don’t be afraid. I know you’re looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He’s been

raised up; he’s here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty. Now—on your way. Tell his disciples

and Peter that he is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You’ll see him there, exactly as he said.” 8 They got out as fast as they could, beside themselves, their heads swimming. Stunned, they said nothing to anyone.

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome go to the grave with the expectation of death and decay. In

the midst of their disappointment and grief, they haven’t even thought ahead enough to plan for rolling back the

huge stone that covers the entrance. Imagine their surprise when they find the stone rolled back. They walk right in

and find empty tomb. Except for whom I presume is an angel. They are both confronted and comforted by the angel.

The angels commands them, Do not be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus….

Think about the words Mark uses to describe the emotions of the women: beside themselves, their heads swimming,

stunned.” They flee the grave as fast as they could. These women were the bravest of the brave (the rest of Jesus’

followers were in hiding). Yet they feel all these other emotions. One impression: the way we feel is the way we feel

and that’s ok. We all have a myriad of emotions both pressing and lifting us during these days. We should accept

that all those emotions are ok.

The angel tells the women to take action despite how they may feel. Now—on your way. Tell Jesus’ disciples and Pe-

ter that he is going on ahead of you… You’ll see him there, exactly as he said. God expects us to be people of action.

Our Methodist heritage affirms that command with this guidance. Guidance that each of us can apply: Do no harm…

Do good… Stay in love with God. Jesus told us, 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you,

so you must love one another. 35

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” [John

13]

There is a resurrection promise for us to embrace during these days: Jesus is going ahead of us. Jesus is both present

with us and going ahead of us. We are living in challenging times. Be encouraged. Trust and obey.

May God bless and keep you,

A p r i l 2 0 2 0

A publication of the Petoskey United Methodist Church

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volume 26 • number 4

THE BELLTOWER (ISSN 38-1784822) is

published monthly except July by the Pe-

toskey United Methodist Church. The dead-

line for the newsletter is the 20th of each

month.

Send copy and correspondence to:

Melissa Joneson

Petoskey United Methodist Church

1804 East Mitchell Road

Petoskey, MI 49770

(231) 347-2733

info@petoskeyumc.org

MAILING REQUIREMENTS Due to postal regulations, we are charged $.68 whenever the Belltower is mailed to an incorrect address (UAA - Undeliverable As Addressed). This includes anyone who has placed their mail on hold or is having mail forwarded. The post office will not forward third class mail. If a newsletter is re-turned to us, as undeliverable, we will place your future mailings on hold until you contact us at (231) 347-2733. If you are leaving the area for a period of time, please notify us, so that we can deliver all mail to you during your absence. This will help us to not incur the expense of returned mail. Please be aware that dates must be accurate. If we do not have the date for your return to and from a winter address on file, please help us out by calling or sending this information. If you do not wish to receive this mailing in the future, please contact the church office at (231) 347-2733 to be removed from the mailing list.

THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU

Monday thru Thursday

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Friday

9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Saturday: CLOSED

Bulletin ~ Tuesdays at Noon

Belltower ~ 20th of each month

Dr. James P. Mitchum Pastor

Doug Mantha Director of Ministries

Melissa Joneson Office Secretary

Melissa Joneson Treasurer

Sue Herrington Financial Secretary

Michelle Mitchum Praise Band Director

Phillip McLellan Chancel Choir Director

June Zoerhof Kings Choir Director

Sue Moffatt Carillon Ringers Director

Paul Ferris Organist

Charles Murray Custodian

LeaAnne Montel Nursery Coordinator

February 2020 Financial Report

Attendence for February: 448

2020 YTD 2019 YTDGeneral Operating Fund Income: 52,638.02$ 63,136.85$

General Operating Fund Expenses: 66,374.20$ 64,168.98$

Net Income/Loss: (13,736.18)$ (1,032.13)$

Mortgage Balance as of 2/29 156,671.82$

Needed for Mortgage YTD: 10,115.18$

Giving Toward Mortgage YTD: 7,025.06$

Difference: (3,090.12)$

Missions Giving 2020 Thru 2/29

Community Assistance: 1,290.00$ Bal 929.39$

Manna: 51.50$ Bal 3,438.44$

Radio Ministry: 307.70$ Bal (1,082.94)$

UMCOR: 1,115.00$

Advance Specials:

Other Missions: 1,879.38$

Total Missions YTD: 4,643.58$

2020 Budgets

General Operating Fund Income $393,356.00

Buildings Maintenance Fund Income $16,000.00

Minimum Mortgage Payments $60,691.08

Monthly Mortgage Payment: $5,057.59

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volume 26 • number 4

The following are websites for resources to use with kids:

https://www.canr.msu.edu/rlr/index

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w0IWvDa5tPDfFjZioypbY7S-IJmLTa-ilNwj73S_llA/edit

Children’s bulletins resources are available online for kids at https://

games.childrensbulletins.com. Use the resource code JZZCDC to login.

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volume 26 • number 4

The Elderberries

The Elderberries will be joining many other groups in cancelling their luncheons. We will read-

dress this in April and resume if conditions improve with the current coronavirus.

We can still communicate with one another on the telephone and tex-

ting. Be safe.

Bev McConnell

email: bevmac70@sbcglobal.net

Cell: text or call 231-645-5000

RUMMAGE SALE POSTPONED

Due to the circumstances of our world, at this point in

time, we have to postpone our spring rummage sale. We

don’t know if we will be able to reschedule it or not. But

for now, the fall schedule is on the calendar! Let’s make

it a huge one; while you are unable to leave home, take

the time to box up rummage and set it aside for when

we can start collecting. Thank you for your willingness to

help. Susan Wirgau 231-838-5986

We have Zoom for meetings if anyone would like to use it,

including small groups. Contact Doug Mantha if you have

questions.

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volume 26 • number 4

Mission Initiatives

The entire program and organization of United Methodist Women focuses on mission. Our mission initiatives include:

Providing opportunities to grow spiritually

Equipping women & girls to be leaders

Providing transformative educational experiences

Organizing for growth & flexibility

Working for justice through service & advocacy

Focus on Women, Children & Youth

From its beginning, United Methodist Women has focused on ministries with women, children, and youth.

Women

Women have been empowered by leadership education opportunities, mission education, the Reading Pro-gram, tools for advocacy and more. These opportunities allow women to act and to empower women in the United States and abroad.

Children

Children often do not have a voice in this world, so United Methodist Women care for them and advocate on their behalf. United Methodist Women commit to children globally through community centers, educational op-portunities for refugee children, homes for street children, advocacy against sexual exploitation and child labor, educational institutions and much more.

Youth

United Methodist Women work with youth organizations globally and with programs and projects that support and empower youth. United Methodist Women also enable youth to be in mission by support of the US-2 pro-gram, the mission intern program and the Global Justice Volunteers program.

WOW! That’s a lot! (Disclaimer: The above paragraphs were taken directly from UMW’s website: unitedmeth-odistwomen.org) Go there to learn even more!!!

Even better, come to our first meeting of the year, UMW 101, Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 10 a.m. in the Youth Room. Along with a refresher on the origins and goals of UMW (we are not just little old ladies who run a rummage sale), we will be having our Call to Prayer & Self Denial. This Is one of 3 offerings taken throughout the year. If our meeting is cancelled, I will have some very informative videos posted on PUMC’s website.

Fear not, for I am with you: be not dismayed, for I am your God: I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will up-hold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Be safe! Pam Moyer President, Petoskey UMW

United Methodist Women FAITH ∙ HOPE ∙ LOVE IN ACTION

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volume 26 • number 4

If your birthday or anniversary is missing from this list, or incorrect, please call the church office so we can update our files 347-2733 or info@petoskeyumc.org

Mark & Denise Antonishen 04/07/1984 36 years

Bob & Susan Wirgau 04/24/1976 44 years

Jack & Babette Stolz 04/27/2008 12 years

Charlie & Helen Huntington 04/28/1986 34 years

3 Lauren Cole, Troy Goodrich,

Norman Nasson, Melissa Cranick

4 Ron Ludgin, George Winn, Ed Tibble

6 Gabby Guthrie, Pam Moyer

7 Gaye Alexander

10 Kathy Mychkovsky

11 Dan Cole, Nick White

12 Dean Carper

13 David McDowell

16 Jeff Blanchard, Shirley Seguin

17 Matthew Keene

18 Annie Miller

19 Dana Cole

20 Landyn Karr, Joel Smith,

BJ Wirgau

21 Peyton Miller

23 Katie Ludlow

24 Evalynn Kreiser

26 Evie Wilcox

27 Jackie Carper

30 Shannon Hausler

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volume 26 • number 4

Cards and notes are always welcomed.

Contact the church office for addresses.

Long-Term Care &

Shut-ins

Bay Bluffs

Mary Brubacher

Miriam Rasmussen

Boulder Park Terrace

Gail Liebold

Dean & Jackie Carper

Independence Village

George & Martha Palmateer

Betty Hayner

Marian Jurries

Pearl Dally

Louise Yeager

Winn Sluyter

Mallard Cove

Betty Doherty

At Home

Jennifer Joneson

Barb Fannin

Jennifer Osborn

Marijane Ricketts

Friends & Relatives of Church Family

Norma Wirgau

Mother of Bob Wirgau

Dolores & Ron Dawson

Friends of John & Nancy Miett

Active Military Duty

Jed Hutchinson, US Air Force

Son of Sue Hutchinson

Jacob Kuziel

Mitch Kuziel & Deb Munn

Adam Upleger

Nancy Miett

Ethan Gulledge, U.S. Navy

Grandson of Bob & Sue Gulledge

Names can be added or removed to the prayer list by calling Pastor James or Doug Mantha.

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volume 26 • number 4

“\We exist to seek and nurture lifelong followers and servants of Jesus Christ.