1 March/April 2016

Wayland United Methodist Church 200 Church Street Wayland, MI 49348

TO:

The ARK

Wayland United Methodist Church Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

WORSHIP WITH US AT: 10:00 AM

Join us for coffee fellowship following worship!

For Up-To-Date information “Like Us” on Facebook and visit our website: www.waylandumc.org

NEW CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY-THURSDAY 8:30 AM-12:30 PM

NEW PASTOR OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Office: 269-792-2208 ~ Pastor Jeff: 269-944-9231

Office e-mail: office@waylandumc.org

Pastor Jeff email: jeffwrev@gmail.com

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

P A I D PERMIT NO. 2 WAYLAND, MI

Address Service Requested

2 January/February 2016

Are You Willing to Offer a Good Word?

Good morning and God bless you. As the Lenten season gives way to Holy Week

(Palm/Passion Sunday is March 20) and EASTER (March 27), I am grateful for learning

from Gifts of the Dark Wood: Seven Blessings for Soulful Skeptics (and Other

Wanderers) by Eric Elnes. In this Lenten worship and Wednesday study series, we have

explored gifts of Uncertainty, Emptiness, Being Thunderstruck, Getting Lost and

Temptation. The author’s perspective is that “You have a place in this world. It is a place

where awkwardness dissolves and you are most fully alive, therefore most fully human.

You know this place very well, though you may feel far from it…You may not always know how to get to it, but

you recognize it every time.”

Another recent learning opportunity was the “Creating a Culture of Hospitality” event in conjunction with our

Grand Rapids District Conference. Jim Ozier was the lead teacher for this event. He emphasized the strongly

personal dimension of hospitality through his stories and his suggestions for ministry. One that I found particularly

appealing had to do with the power of recommendation. He said that while people may feel awkward directly

inviting friends or neighbors to church, they may still be a positive influence through their willingness to put in a

good word about the church in their daily lives in the community.

For the last couple months, I have concluded our worship services by asking, “I wonder whom we will meet next

week for the first time because you invited them to come with you?” I have encouraged you to not invite people

to church, but to invite them to come with you to worship. We know that personal invitation is the primary way

that new people come into the life of the congregation. This effort supports our first congregational goal:

Grow church attendance to an average number in worship of 100 people.

Grow the average number of regular attendees, defined by attending 2 times per month, by 10%.

Because of this insight, I have modified my end of worship question to be “I wonder whom we will meet next

week for the first time because you were willing to say something positive about the Church this week?”

What if you shared how you have found a hospitable spiritual place in this world in our congregation? What if

you talked about what you like about being involved in the church? What if you mentioned something you learned

in our worship series or the adult Sunday School class study of Genesis?

A good estimate is that about half of our community is not involved in a congregation or does not have any

experience with Church. Which means we have a wonderful opportunity each week to say something positive

about the Church that people may hear for the first time. Who knows how God will use our willingness to

offer a good word? I like the way that St. Paul wrote to the people of Corinth about the power of their

recommendation:

“But the only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves! Your lives are a letter written in our hearts,

and everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Clearly, you are a letter from Christ prepared

by us. It is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on stone, but on

human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).

Peace, Pastor Jeff

269-944-9231; jeffwrev@gmail.com

3 March/April 2016

March

April 1 Bell Choir practice 7:00 pm

2 Doug & Donna Cole 15th Anniversary Lenten Meal and Study @ WUMC, 6:30 pm

3

4

5

6 Open Communion 10 am

7 Sabrina Shirley Birthday

8 SPPRC meeting 7:00 pm

9 Lenten Meal and Study, United Church, 6:30 pm Bell Choir practice 7:00 pm

10 Kenneth & Elly Pasma 49th Anniversary

11

12

13 Daylight Savings Time: SPRING FORWARD

14 Women’s Fellowship Sue Jensen’s home, 7 pm

15 Bell Choir practice 7:00 pm

16 Lenten Meal & Study, United Church, 6:30 pm

17 Kim Zuidema Birthday

18

19

20 Palm/Passion Sunday Jack Hott & Judy Shafer Birthday

21

22

23 Kenneth Pasma Birthday

24 Maundy Thursday Worship, United Church 7:00 pm

25 Good Friday Worship, WUMC, 7:00 pm

26 Rachel Harding Birthday

27 EASTER Sunday, 10 am worship

28

29

30 Dennis Muczynski Birthday

31 Harold Lenz Birthday

1

2 Becca Phillips Birthday

3 Open Communion 10 am

4 Worship Team meeting 7:00 pm Ken Josey Birthday

5

6

7 Memorial Team meeting 7:00 pm

8

9 Keith & Tammy Kohtz 22st Anniversary

10 Keith Kohtz Birthday

11

Women’s Fellowship Margaret Smith’s home, 7:00 pm Don Dandrow Birthday

12

13 Ryan Mauchmar Birthday

14 Gwen Josey Birthday

15 Beverly Williams Birthday

16

17

18

19 Kelvin & Rita Lapham 31st Anniversary Ad Council/Finance Team meeting 7:00 pm

20 Grant Chestnut Birthday

21 Pastor Jeff Birthday

22

23 Doug & Kristen VandeZande 11th Anniversary Mason Allen Fein & Edward Miner Birthday

24

25 Lori Roberts Birthday

26

27 Jack & Janel Hott 20th Anniversary Wilma West Birthday

28

29

30 Brandon Ash Birthday

4 January/February 2016

Children’s Sunday School meets 11:15 – 12:30

Our intergenerational format with a free light meal resumes April 3. Beverly Williams leads this educational ministry. Thank you to the families and supporters who help our children learn about Jesus and Christian life together as the Church.

Adult Sunday School meets 11:15 - Noon We are studying the book of Genesis chapter by chapter each week. Through questions and discussion, we are discovering the unique character of this first book of the Bible. Bring your own Bible or use our New Living Translations. No advance preparation is necessary. Pastor Jeff leads this class.

Monday, March 14th at 7:00 pm @ Sue Jensen’s home

&

Monday, April 11th at 7:00 pm @ Margaret Smith’s home

Do you knit, crochet, or have other interests? Call Sue Jensen (269-792-2830) or Margaret Smith (269-792-6710) with questions. Please come even if you don’t have a hobby and just like to visit.

Search and Like “Wayland UMC” on Facebook. We use Facebook as a communication source for daily Scripture passages; ministry team meeting reminders; and upcoming Church events. We want to increase the number of people reached in this way.

5 March/April 2016

Lenten Worship Series “Gifts of the Dark Wood”

March 6- Lent 4- Open Communion March 13- Lent 5 The Gift of Getting Lost The Gift of Temptation Psalm 42:1-5 (Hymnal) & 1 Samuel 3:1-9 2 Corinthians 5:15-19 March 20- Palm Sunday March 24- Maundy Thursday The Gifts of Misfits At United Church, 7:00 pm Multiple Readers for Passion Story March 25- Good Friday At Wayland UMC, 7:00 pm

Easter – Pentecost Worship Themes 2016 “The Cup of Freedom”

March 27 – EASTER April 3 – Open Communion Freedom to Move Forward Freedom to Sing Luke 24:1-12 Acts 5:27-32

April 10 April 17 Freedom to Follow Freedom to Rise Again John 21:9-19 Acts 9:36-43

April 24 Freedom to Love John 13:31-35

6 January/February 2016

Get fit and walk indoors this winter at Wayland Union Middle School! Free of charge - - walk indoors during the winter months. Location: Wayland Union Middle School, 701 Wildcat Drive, Wayland. Days/Time: Monday-Friday 6:00-8:00pm Dates: November 2, 2015 through April 29, 2016 There will be no hall walking during holiday breaks, professional development days, and snow days as well as Jan 26 and April 26.

Congregational Goals for 2016

Our objective is to create a balance

between our inward focus and outward focus.

1. Worship participation: Grow church attendance for average number in

worship to 100, grow average number of regular attendees, as defined by

attending 2 times per month, by 10%.

2. Spiritual Growth: By increasing number of leaders and committee members, at 10% growth in

committee participation. Current Leadership 28.

3. Discipleship: Grow our education department and offerings, goal to have 40% of attendees

involved in something outside of Sunday worship.

4. Education of local and church conference Missions by increasing monetary support; % of

giving or noisy offerings.

So, what if you cannot be in worship? No problem, you can listen to the worship service through our web site! Go to www.waylandumc.org and find the Listen Live link. Choosing it, you will have streaming audio from our sound system. And if you want to listen to worship from a prior Sunday, choose the Archived Services link right next to Listen Live.

Wondering if our worship service, or events are cancelled?

Please check your email, the church’s Facebook page and Wood TV 8.

7 March/April 2016

THE STORY BEHIND THE SONG: Amazing Grace The words of the hymns we sing in church have special meaning to many of us. But did you ever wonder about the story behind the song. Who wrote it? What was his/her life like? What were the circumstances that led him/her to write a particular song?

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound . . .” These are the beginning words of one of the most beloved hymns of all times—written in the 1700s, yet still popular today. The author, John Newton, was born to a commander of a merchant ship and a Christian mother who died when John was a young child. At the age of 11, he went to sea with his father; and at age 19, he was impressed into service on another ship. Conditions on the ship were so intolerable, John deserted, but he was soon recaptured, publicly flogged, and demoted. At his request, he was traded into service on a slave ship and he became the servant of a slave trader, who brutally abused him. John was rescued from that slave ship by another sea captain who had known his father. John went on to become the captain of his own slave ship.

Sailors were not noted for the refinement of their manners, but Newton had a reputation for profanity, coarseness, and debauchery, which even shocked many a sailor. On one of his voyages, there was a severe storm, which damaged the sails and splintered part of the ship. John was tied to the helm where he desperately tried to steer the ship to safety—he stayed tied to the helm 11 hours, where he had lots of time to think about his life. He thought about the Bible stories his Mother had taught him; and at the storm’s worst moment, when all seemed lost and the ship would surely sink, he called out, “Lord have mercy upon me.”

Later in his cabin he reflected on what he had said and began to believe that God had addressed him through the storm and that grace had begun to work for him.

A few years later, John Newton decided to become a minister. Although his initial request was denied, John persisted, learned Greek and Hebrew, and became ordained. Many people came to hear him preach and attendance at his church became so large, that the church had to be expanded. John Newton became friends with many Christian leaders of his time, including George Whitfield and John Wesley.

During his time as a minister, he wrote several songs, including “Amazing Grace” and “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds.” Only God's amazing grace could and would take a rude, profane, slave-trading sailor and transform him into a child of God. In his later years, Newton never ceased to be amazed by God's grace and often told his friends, "My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior."

Think about John Newton’s life the next time you sing, “Amazing Grace” which can be found on page 378 of The United Methodist Hymnal:

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.”

8 January/February 2016

March Worship Service Servants April Worship Service Servants

March 6 April 3

Communion: Paul Nyenhuis Communion: Rod Mauchmar

Opener: Bob Jackson Opener: Bob Jackson

Liturgist: Kelvin Lapham Liturgist: Julie Phillips

Greeters: Paul & Robin Nyenhuis Greeters: Doug & Donna Cole

Ushers: Bob Jackson & Gary Ragan Ushers: Bob Jackson & Keith Kohtz

Coffee: Tammy Kohtz Coffee: Margaret Smith & Elaine Rewa

March 13 (Daylight Savings Time Begins) April 10

Opener: Harry Smith Opener: Harry Smith

Liturgist: Gayle Stewart Liturgist: Kelvin Lapham

Greeters: Anderson Family Greeters: Doug & Donna Flick

Ushers: Harry Smith & Rod Mauchmar Ushers: Harry Smith & Paul Nyenhuis

Coffee: Sue Jensen, Kristen & Emma VandeZande Coffee: Kim & Maggie Anderson

March 20 (Palm Sunday) April 17

Opener: Gayle Stewart Opener: Gayle Stewart

Liturgist: Kelvin Lapham Liturgist: Gwyn Meisenbach

Greeters: Brian Middlemiss & Lori Roberts Greeters: Don & Nell Dandrow

Ushers: Gayle Stewart & Brian Sprouts Ushers: Gayle Stewart & Doug Flick

Coffee: Sandi Ragan Coffee: Brian Middlemiss & Lori Roberts

March 27 (Easter Sunday) April 24

Opener: Wade Greenawalt Opener: Wade Greenawalt

Liturgist: Ron Thebo Liturgist: Gayle Stewart

Greeters: Ken & Elly Pasma Greeters: Paul & Susan Schloop

Ushers: Wade Greenawalt & Pete Phillips Ushers: Wade Greenawalt & Ken Pasma

Coffee: Sarah Fein Coffee: Julie Phillips

9 March/April 2016

Thank you for your generous Noisy Offerings during January & February!

We supported the Mark & Becky Smallwood at Red Bird School/Mission,

Wayland UMC Ministry Shares, Wayland UMC Local Emergency Fund & the

Strength Through Service Program.

The March Noisy Offering supports Abby Phillips’ Poetice International.

Abby serves as a Program Architect, who wants to see impoverished countries

transformed by equipping and empowering indigenous leaders to shepherd

their communities into spiritually, sociologically and economically healthy lifestyles. The April Noisy

Offering will support the Wayland United Methodist Mission Trip in October to Henderson Settlement.

We collected 77 lbs. of food & $10.00 for the Christian Neighbors Food Pantry during January and

February! The requested Food Pantry item for March and April is oatmeal, applesauce or fruit cups.

Community Action of Allegan County

Congregate Senior Meal sites for ages 60 plus

Hopkins United Methodist Church 322 N Maple Hopkins

Mon, Wed, Fri 11am-1pm

Baraga Manor 301 Washington Otsego

Mon thru Fri 11am-1pm

Wayland United Methodist Church 200 Church Wayland

Tues & Thurs 11:00am-1pm

Come join us for a hot lunch and pleasant conversation along with interesting

news, games and educational information.

Call 24 hours in advance to order your meal. 269-673-5472 ext. 261

Thank you everyone for your support of the Nut & Candy Fundraiser, to help our youth go to summer camp. Any youth interested in going to a Christian camp should let the office know by the end of April.

10 January/February 2016

From Troop 97 Our scouts just recently competed at the Annual Klondike Derby on February 6 at Charlton Park near Hastings. We competed against 12 other sleds for the coveted “Spirit Jug” and of course, the first place trophy, which we have held for the past 2 years.

We had five boys spend the night along with two adults and I am pleased to say all that spent the night earned their Polar Bear patch (you have to spend 20 hours out in 32 degrees or colder to earn) and they will be presented their Polar Bear patches at our next Court of Honor. We had five boys come out and join the five that spent the night and all 10 boys ran one sled. The boys of our Pink Flamingo patrol did great in all of their stations and won a cast iron dutch oven for having the highest score in the Pioneering station. Our scouts missed the trifecta by only 5 points finishing in second place. The winning patrol was from our neighboring Troop 96 in Hopkins, so congrats to them. Just this past weekend we conducted the Arrow of Light and Crossover Ceremony for our Wayland Pack 3097. The pack had three boys receive their Arrow of Light rank and crossover into Boy Scouts with our neighboring Troop 96 in Hopkins. Our ceremony team, once again hit it out of the park with an AWESOME ceremony. Thank you to all who helped and participated. Mitchell Lapham held his Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday March 6. We enjoyed presenting Mitchell his Eagle Rank and a memorable Court of Honor. Our reservations for this summer’s high adventure trip have been booked. The adventure will consist of whitewater rafting, climbing, and caving in Ohio Pyle for a few days then traveling to Gettysburg with a stop at the Flight 93 Memorial on our way to Gettysburg. We will spend 2 days at Gettysburg and then will spend one day at Hershey Park. It will be a great adventure for the scouts and leaders of Troop 97! We are all looking forward to the July 30 departure date.

11 March/April 2016

Ministry Shares are the financial dimension of our relationship with the West Michigan

Annual Conference. From our Conference Treasurer, “We give to Ministry Shares in

response to God’s love – to support the various ministries of our lay and clergy in starting

new churches, in mission and outreach, in evangelism, in spiritual education and nurture

of all ages, in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

Our 2016 Ministry Shares are $15,923. From our Conference Treasurer, “The recent

(2015) annual conference voted to approve the various ministries of the conference that

requires a sum of money that is equivalent to 13.0% of your church income…Additionally,

the district ministry share is based on the per-member rate or budget approved by your

district conference.”

While right now we are not in a position to pay 100%, we are planning to grow back to

that commitment. At our Administrative Council/Finance Team meeting on 12/17/15, we

decided to continue our 2015 practice of committing 5% of the monthly General Fund

offering total for our monthly Ministry Shares contribution. New for 2016, we will be using

a portion of our Noisy Offerings in selected months as additional Ministry Shares

contributions. We report General Fund offerings and other gifts in the bulletin.

We also plan to invite recipients of Ministry Shares to be guests in worship throughout

the year so we may be more personally aware of the impact of our giving.

These are the calculations for January and February 2016:

1/3 $2,125.51 2/7 $2,578.16

1/10 $2,382.51 2/14 $643.16

1/17 $944.35 2/21 $1,785.00

1/24 $9,265.51 2/28 $2,338.16

1/31 $1,463.35

Total General Fund $16,181.23 Total General Fund $7,344.48

5% payment $809.06

Noisy Offerings $124.00

Total January payment $933.06 5% payment $367.22

12 January/February 2016

Donna Flick‘s Kitchen

Florida Key Lime Pie

4 eggs Graham cracker pie crust

1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk Whipped cream

3 oz key lime juice

Separate 4 eggs. Combine egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk. Mix well.

Slowly add lime juice and stir until filling is smooth and creamy. Pour into crust. Place

in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. Serve chilled topped with whipped cream.

Apple Pie Cupcakes

4 tart apples, peeled & cubed. Toss with miture of 2 T brown sugar, a pinch of salt, ½

tsp cinnamon & juice from a ½ of a lemon. Cook for 5 minutes.

Open a can of cinnamon rolls & flatten each one by pressing into circle with fingers.

Grease muffin tins & fit each flattened roll into 8 cups.

Divide apples into each cup & top with miture of ¼ c flour, ¼ c brown sugar, ¼ c nuts &

2 T cubed butter. Combine until crumbly.

Bake at 400 degrees, 10-12 minutes, cool & enjoy!

Daily Prayer

Dear Lord, I’m proud to say, so far today, I’ve got along all right. I have not gossiped or whined, or

had a single fight. I haven’t lost my temper once. Or outraged my mate. I have not lied, I have not cried, or

loudly cursed my fate. So far today, I’ve not one time, been grumpy of morose. I’ve not been spiteful, cold or

vain. Self-centered or verbose. But Lord, I’m going to need your help throughout the hours ahead. So give me strength,

dear Lord for now I’m getting out of bed.

Thank you Donna Flick!