FIRST UNITED

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Rev. Denise Griebler

denisegriebler1stucc@

gmail.com

CELL: 630-297-1740

OFFICE: 586-727-3155

FAX: 586-727-8341

E-Mail: firstucc@comcast.net

Website:

www.firstuccrichmond.yolasite.com

OFFICE HOURS:

MONDAY— FRIDAY

9:00 AM - 12 NOON

Afternoons by appointment

Pastor Denise is in Richmond on

Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday

We are

a Christian

community

called to

love God,

love neighbor,

love self,

as Jesus taught.

FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

RICHMOND, MICHIGAN

August, 2014

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world:

Red and yellow, black and white,

They are precious in his sight.

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

The first time I ever sang that song I was four years old. At Vacation Bible School. It was easy for my four-year-old self to understand – Jesus loves me; Jesus loves every-body. In VBS I learned one of the most important teachings of the Christian faith. That simple song and its teaching has guided my life. Really! It’s gotten me into the most interesting relationships and encounters, and some-times even into the most interesting trouble. It taught me that I am beloved by God. And that every human being is beloved by God. It taught me that children matter deeply to God.

Imagine where that kind of thing can lead if you take it seriously . . .

Vacation Bible School is a wonderful opportunity for our children to learn about God. In Richmond our church joins with Trinity Lutheran and First United Methodist to bring an awesome Vacation Bible School (VBS) to the children of our community.

Have you signed up?? The dates are August 4-7: community meal at 5:30 pm—learning stations at 5:50 - 8 pm—at Trinity Lutheran Church. For children 3 years old - 5th grade (completed 5th grade). Register on-line at tlcrichmond.org.

Closing worship service on August 10 at 11:30 am.

continued on next page

(continued from front page)

The program is fast-paced and super-fun. This year’s theme is Weird Animals. Children will learn Bible stories for life through songs, drama, art projects, a clean water mission project, games and even food. Adults from our church who are involved include Dean Handrow, Jennifer Northam, Traci Bartell and me. (If I’ve missed anyone, please forgive . . . it’s my first VBS in Richmond, and it hasn’t happened yet!) So even though VBS isn’t at our church, there will be plenty of First UCCers in the mix. I hope your children can join us! Did I mention the songs? Every child will get a CD of the music Traci will be teaching through-out the week. I guarantee that CD will become part of your family’s sound-track for the coming year! Full of songs that teach faith. Some are fun, some are serious. Some are serious and fun. I bet there will be one or two that you and your child will remember for the rest of your life. On Sunday, August 10, 11:30 am, the three congregations will gather at Trinity Lutheran so that all the VBS kids can show us their stuff: songs for sure, art work, maybe a skit. We’ll get a glimpse of what they learned together about faith and God’s love for them and for all. And we’ll witness their joy. There’s nothing better than that! Please plan to join in the joy of the day.

I hope we will have a good crew from First UCC for VBS. Get your kids signed up. Invite your kids’

friends. Invite your neighbors’ kids. And everybody please plan to come to the Sunday program on

August 10!

~ Pastor Denise

Water, Water Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink Imagine what it would be like if nothing came out of the tap. Or up from the well. Thank you for all of the ways you have considered this reality during the mass water shut-off nightmare in Detroit. After 17 people were arrested for blocking the water shut-off trucks at Homrich Wrecking Company (including your pas-tor and her husband!) and 1,000’s marched (including the Bartell sisters and your Con-ference Minister!), the Detroit Sewerage and Water Depart-ment announced a 15-day sus-pension of water shut-offs. A

victory to be sure. But there’s a long way to go before a real resolution is achieved. What’s needed is a water affordability plan. The last thing we need is a private company put in charge of supplying (selling!) water. Water must be pre-served as a common, assess-able to all. Here are the numbers that can be confirmed for May: 4,531 shut-offs; 2,234 turned back on. That leaves a lot of people without water! The People’s Water Board reports that there are now 15,000 households in Detroit without water.

The 15-day moratorium on shut-offs is indeed good news. But, there’s no real plan for restoring the water to those who have been cut off, or for stopping future shut-offs. There’s a $1million fund the DSWD has put in place and $90 million in outstanding water bills. There are no other water assistance programs in place through the city, county or state. It doesn’t take a math wiz to see that this is far from over. Thanks to First UCC for the ways you have offered solidar-ity and support to the people of Detroit in this time!

Scripture Readings for August

August 03 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21

August 10 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33

August 17 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28

August 24 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Exodus1:8-2:10; Psalm 124; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20 August 31 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 3:1-15; Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28

Called to Care Team

Mary Alice Busch 586-727-7009

Bob Chrostowski

586-727-9904 (H) 586-855-1823 (C)

Reb & Sally McNinch 586-727-1000

Vision Statement:

The purpose of this church shall be to worship God, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to celebrate the sacraments; to realize Christian fellowship and unity within this church and the Church universal; to render loving service toward humankind; and to strive for righteousness, justice and peace.

Mission Statement:

We are traveling life’s road: created by God, guided by Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and grounded in scripture. We strive to be individuals on a spiritual journey and a community sharing God’s love with all.

Office Hours

The secretary is in the office from 9 am till 12 noon, Monday thru Friday. If you need additional assistance other times, please send Helen an email at firstucc@comcast.net or leave a phone message at the church office: 586-727-3155. Thank you.

Good Ol’ Days Weekend Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7

Blessing of the Backpacks

Sunday, August 31 at the 10:00 am service

Please join us for our annual “BACK TO SCHOOL” Family Worship Service. Whether you are preparing to go back to school or not, this service promises to be inspira-tional for everyone. All those headed back to school: students, coaches, staff and faculty are invited to join us and bring your tools of the trade—backpacks, briefcases, mops, balls, ladles, whistles, etc. for blessing during wor-ship. We’ll also have lots of special singing and surprises.

And, don’t come by yourself! Invite friends you know who are heading back to school as well. P.S. September 14 is Rally Day—the first day of Inter-generational Sunday School. We look forward to another great year of building our faith, having fun and develop-ing good friendships

Once again, during the “Good Ol’ Days” week-end, we are planning a yard sale and bake sale to raise money for our church.

A portion of our parking lot will have church tables of donated items (no clothing, please). The rest of the park-ing spaces we will rent for ten dollars each to those who have their own items they wish to sell. And, we always have a nice variety of deli-cious baked goods for sale along with grilled hot dogs, chips, pop and water. It is clear that we generate the greatest dollars for our church when we all contrib-ute items for the sales, so we’re counting on your help.

If each family donates one used item and one baked item, we will have much to sell. We need lots of volunteers to make this fundraiser a big success. Can you donate an hour or two on Saturday or Sunday? If you can, please sign up for your favorite job on the sign-up sheet that is posted in the narthex.

Adopt-A-Bill—Here’s How it Works: 1) Take an Adopt-A-Bill envelope from the display board in the narthex.

2) Pick a bill from the board.

3) Place your check (made out to First United Church of Christ) or cash along with the bill in the envelope.

4) Place the envelope in the offering plate or mail it to the church.

Every contribution is greatly appreciated and helps to support our church.

We need your reports by August 15. Your Finance committee is putting out the call to all committees to submit your budget requests for the year 2015. No matter if it has been a line item forever, we need to have it submitted by each committee. Yours in Christ, Mark Davis Kim Grewe Chris Hensch Kim Schrote Ron Schrote Ray Trombley Rich Weinert

First United Church of Christ

First United Methodist Church

Trinity Lutheran Church present…

WHERE: Trinity Lutheran Church 35110 Division, Richmond COST: $5 per child (includes CD and T-shirt) DATES: August 4 -- 7 TIMES: Community Meal at 5:30pm Learning Stations 5:50 -- 8:00pm AGES: 3 yrs - 5

th grade (completed 5

th grade)

Closing worship service: August 10 at 11:30 am *Infant and toddler care also available ($5 per child) Register online now to reserve your spot: tlcrichmond.org

First UCC Prayer Chain

Pastor Denise 630-297-1740

Sue Weinert 586-206-1719

Diane Porrett 586-727-1374

Jennifer Northam 586-727-5176

Reb & Sally McNinch 586-727-1000

Mary Alice Busch 586-727-7009

Paulette Trombley 586-784-5726

Karen Eltringham 586-727-5855

Joyce Townsend 586-727-9735

Shelley Champion 248-804-6915

If anyone would like to be added to our prayer chain, please call the church office at 586-727-3155. Thank you.

SMILE!! It’s picture time for our

new church directory.

Lifetouch will be at our church on Monday, September 29 and Tuesday, September 30 from 2:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. to photograph us. You will receive a complimentary 8 x 10 portrait with no other obligation to purchase any other pictures unless you choose to pur-chase more. Sign up times and information will follow. Let’s try to have everyone photo-graphed to make a wonderful directory for our church family.

Where’s the Beef? Dear Friends, This has been a very busy year in the life of our church. That is one of the reasons that we have had to forego the Roast Beef Dinner. The other reason is because Mary Alice Busch has had a very trying year. So, this year your Finance committee is asking for your support with a Beefless Beef Dinner.

We would like you to spend $8.00 for a chance to win one of two $50.00 gift certificates for meat from Weeks Meat Market on 32 Mile Road. Since many of you worked or donated food to the dinner, we would like you to use those funds to take a chance on the gift certificates. The drawing for the winners will take place after church service on August 3.

Needless to say, your church needs all the help you can give it. Your donations will be added to your yearly giving. Extra tickets are available in the church office or see Ron Schrote after Sunday service. Thank you and God bless you, Your Finance committee

With Deepest Sympathy

We give thanks to God for the life of Jackie Krause who passed away on July 10. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

What’s Going on at First UCC? If you would like to be an active participant in any of the goings on at First UCC or have any questions concern-ing what our committees do, feel free to reach out to the committee liaison. The many committees that make sure things run smoothly are made up of volunteers, and each commit-tee is represented by a church council member.

Mission Kathi Miller (586-727-1726)

Buildings and Grounds Bill Wagner (586-292-2700)

Worship Terri Houston (586-727-7034)

Vitality

Kathi Miller (586-727-1726)

Finance Kim Grewe (586-894-3093)

Stewardship Veronica Chrostowski (586-727-9904)

Christian Education Dean Handrow (586-727-3993)

Memorial Lynn Dunsmore (586-727-5217)

Personnel

Ron Schrote (586-925-8801)

The various committees and liaisons are as follows:

August 3

Greeters……………Al & Mary Alice Busch

Ushers………………David & Ruth Hartwell

Lay Reader……….Mary Alice Busch

Communion Preparer...Paulette Trombley

Communion Servers…...Ron & Kim Schrote

August 10

Greeters…………..Rich & Sue Weinert

Ushers……………..Bob & Veronica Chrostowski

Lay Reader……..Chris Hensch

Altar Flowers….Diane & Glen Porrett

August 17

Greeters………….Lucia Marshall & volunteer

Ushers…………….Rich & Sue Weinert

Lay Reader……..Traci Bartell

Altar Flowers….Need Volunteer

August 24

Greeters…………..Darrel & Sharlene Haws

Ushers……………..Ray & Paulette Trombley

Lay Reader……...Lucia Marshall

Altar Flowers…..Need Volunteer

August 31

Greeters………….Ray & Paulette Trombley

Ushers…………….Al & Mary Alice Busch

Lay Reader……..Joyce Townsend

Altar Flowers….Ray Trombley

September 7

Greeters………….Bob & Veronica Chrostowski

Ushers…………….Ron & Kim Schrote

Lay Reader……..Ruth Hartwell

Communion Preparer….Sally McNinch

Communion Servers:…...Al & Mary Alice Busch

Servers Rotation Schedule—2014

Pastor Denise’s Office Hours and Pastoral Care I plan my week to be in Richmond on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. It’s possible that the days may

move a bit as I respond to various needs that arise, but for the most part, that’s when I’ll be in town. If possible, please plan for committees to meet on one of those days or evenings. Thanks so much! If there are situations that arise in which you’d like pastoral care, please call to let me know. In the old days, hospi-tals and rehab/nursing facili-ties used to inform pastors

when one of their flock was admitted. That doesn’t happen anymore. You can reach me directly by calling my cell phone— 630-297-1740 or call the church office and leave a message with Helen or on the answer-ing machine. I’m always happy to receive your calls. Pastor Denise

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” —Genesis 8:22

Harvesting has begun!! We have picked more than three pounds of beans that have been gently steamed, frozen, and stored in one-pound packages. They will reach the Richmond Food Pantry soon where they will join with other gifts to make a nour-ished meal for some in need; offerings of love and offerings of hope. Thanks to all who have weeded and watered!

Other plants are going strong. Green on the tomatoes is slowly ripening to red and the carrot and beet rows have been thinned. Great and good community work is happen-ing and blossoming through the work of this garden. Feel the Spirit move even through the pesky Japanese beetles that are finding a home there these days! Let every living creature say “Praise and Thank You!!”

The Adult Choir will begin rehearsing again on Wednes-day, September 3rd at 6:45pm.

Now is the perfect time to consider joining in the fun and meaningful work of music ministry. Rehearsals take place weekly. The time commitment, other than worship, is one hour weekly. Choir leads during

worship two Sundays per month. Our first Sunday to join in 11am worship will be Rally Day: September 14. If you have any questions, please contact Traci Bartell at traci.bartell@gmail.com or 586-557-2264.

Our Church Finances

In the spirit of keeping everyone in the loop, here’s our six-month financial report. Note that we are currently operating at a —$4,583 loss. June was the first month this year in which our giving exceeded our expenses. Thanks to all for your generous support for our ministry!

First United Church of Christ

Income and Expenses Statement

For the Month and Year-to-Date June 30, 2014

June Y-T-D Y-T-D Over / Annual

June Budget Actual Budget (Under) Budget

5,582 5,148 27,828 30,884 (3,056) 61,768

1,652 1,667 11,539 10,000 1,539 20,000

132 667 532 4,000 (3,468) 8,000

125 20 219 125 94 250

0 0 163 0 163 0

240 200 1,321 1,200 121 2,400

142 184 2,011 1,100 911 2,200

Total Normal Income 7,873 7,886 43,612 47,309 (3,697) 94,618

Total Pastoral Ministry 3,735 4,038 28,249 24,225 4,024 48,450

Total Worship 720 752 7,383 5,920 1,463 11,504

Total Christian Education 0 31 0 175 (175) 350

Total Office Administration 918 1,085 6,683 6,986 (303) 13,972

Total Building & Grounds 869 1,127 12,965 9,868 3,097 19,136

Total Missions 0 663 2,206 3,978 (1,772) 9,150

Growth & Outreach

Fund Raising 33 50 497 300 197 600

Miscellaneous Expenses 0 59 81 350 (269) 700

0 15 0 90 (90) 180

Total Budgeted Expenses 6,274 7,820 58,064 51,892 6,172 104,042

Recap:

Total Normal Income 7,873 7,886 43,612 47,309 (3,697) 94,618

Total Budgeted Expenses (6,274) (7,820) (58,064) (51,892) (6,172) (104,042)

Total Budgeted Profit / (Loss) 1,599 66 (14,452) (4,583) (9,869) (9,424)

Join us on August 10...

Trinity Lutheran Church 11:30 am service

We will share a Tri-church worship service and cele-brate with the children as they share what they have learned in Vacation Bible School.

Please submit your articles or announce-ments for the next issue of Sharing the Word no later than August 18.

Camp Talahi Retreat & Nature Center…

Summer 2014 Mini Camp/June 29— July 2

Adventure Camp/July 6—July 11

Junior Camp/July 13—July 18

Senior High Camp/July 18—July 25

MADD Camp/July 27—August 1

GAS Camp/July 27—August 1

Family Camp/August 1—August 3

Talk w/Pastor Denise for more information.

Our Website is up and running…

Come take a look! Here’s the address: www.firstuccrichmond.yolasite.com

During the summer months, our worship service will begin at 10:00 am.

June 1 — September 7

Grab Your Calendar and Hi-Liter Marker…

Our Annual Church Auction will begin right after Sunday worship service on November 16.

So start thinking about all the special gifts you’re going to take home with you, all the items you want to donate, the good food and most of all, the funds we’ll raise to sup-port our ministry and all whom we touch with God’s love and justice.

Thank you to all who helped send 21 Baby Kits to Church World Service...

We sent three boxes to the Brethren Service Warehouse in New Windsor Mary-land on July 2. When the boxes get there they are opened and checked for all items and then await to be shipped off to any part of the world. Just think of the number of people we will have touched with our 21 baby kits—21 babies + 21 moms+ 21 dads; the number continues to grow.

MISSION CALENDAR 2014

February Health Kit items due in church

on or before February 23

March *One Great Hour of Sharing

Offering on March 30 April Shoe Drive for Grace Center of

Hope, Pontiac—April 26

May Shoe Drive continues—May 3

*Blanket Sunday Offering on May 11 McRest @ Armada UCC Church

June *Strengthen the Church

Offering on June 8 Baby Kit items due in church on or before June 22

August School Kit items due in church

on or before August 24

October *Neighbors In Need Offering

on October 5 Bread for the World Bread Sale on October 19

November Shoebox Christmas Gift

Collection for KIDS due in church on or before Dec. 7

December *Christmas Fund Offering on

Dec. 21

*Envelopes will be provided

Check the Mission bulletin board at the back of the church for the detailed list for the baby, health, and school kits plus any other Mission updates. Look for canisters for the ongoing collection of Box Tops for Education, Campbell’s labels, & coins for the Holy Joe’s Café Coffee for the Troops.

School Kit Items Needed by August 24

First UCC is so blessed! Through our Mission committee we have been given a $250.00 grant from our denomination’s Disaster Min-istries to assemble additional Church World Service School Kits. The need right now for CWS school kits is HUGE. UCC Disaster Min-istries offered the grant because of the need and wanted to give it to churches who are willing to help.

The kits are given to children in impoverished schools, refugee camps or other difficult set-tings. Each little mind needs the right tools to grow, and these simple supplies can be the pathway out of poverty for a child in need.

So….we have a challenge to meet. Instead of 30 kits, we want to fill 60 kits. First UCC can do it. All items need to be at church by Sun-

day, August 24. We will use the $250.00 grant money to purchase additional items, process-ing and shipping costs. Thank you in advance for stepping up to this challenge and let us pray that many students will NOT enter their classrooms with empty hands.

We need the following items to assemble a School Kit:

One pair of blunt metal scissors (rounded tip) Three 70-count spiral notebooks (no loose-leaf or filler paper) One 12-inch ruler One hand-held pencil sharpener One large eraser Six new pencils with erasers One box of 24 crayons

All these items go into a 12” x 14” cloth bag. These bags are made by the loving hands of several church members.

Stop

the Water

Shut Offs!

We continue our program this month with letters that tells us why it is important to support the mission and vision of the church from folks that are part of our family of faith. If you want your story to be included in our newslet-ter or tell your story on a Sunday morning during monthly Stewardship

moments, just let anyone on the committee know, or drop off your story at the church office. Yours in Christ, Veronica Chrostowski Mark Davis Chris Hensch Kim Schrote Ron Schrote Ray Trombley Rich Weinert

Dear Members and Friends,

I was first introduced to First UCC through a dance group known

as Dance with the Spirit. I didn’t realize that when I started

practicing with that group, I was actually going to be asked to

perform. However, doing so has given me the opportunity to meet

and develop lasting relationships with numerous members of the

congregation in addition to the spiritual fellowship that enriches

my life both in and out of church.

In addition to the volunteer time I give to the church, it's impor-

tant to give financially to support not only the normal operations

of the church, but for the church to provide spiritual and material

aid to the community.

First UCC has given me a strong sensing of belonging.

Mark Davis

Prayers coming your way... This page in our newsletter shares prayer concerns and prayer opportunities within the life of our family of faith. By actively praying for the concerns presented, we strengthen our congregation, our brother and sister churches, our association and our conference.

If you have prayer concerns you would like to see added to this page, please contact Pastor Denise or call the office at 586-727-3155. Please add the following concerns to your personal prayer time:

Those from our family of faith who are distant, homebound or dealing with illness:

Bertha Teska…..Donna Bartell…..Carl Kulman…..

Leona Conner…..Lucille Trombley…..Marjorie Pentzien…..

Bob Reindel….Paulette Trombley….Chuck Busch….

Bob Chrostowski….Sue Weinert….Jim Volkenant….

Ann Quinn….Amy Follebout….Jackie Waszkiewicz….

Reb McNinch….Detroit residents living without running water due to the mass shut-offs; for a just peace between Palestine and Israel; for immigrant children being detained

August 17 - 23

Kristina Dunsmore

Karen Eltringham

Doris Anne Ensley

August 10 - 16

Jerry & Lynn Dunsmore

Erin Dunsmore

Justin & Avrie Dunsmore

August 3 - 9

Leona Conner

Mark & Vicky Davis

Dennis & Joyce Dubay

August 24 - 30

Doris Essenburg

Carolin Hartway

David & Ruth Hartwell

First UCC’s Weekly Prayer Discipline for AUGUST

“Clip and Keep Reminders”

We wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following members who are celebrating their birthday in August:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the children of our church who celebrate a birthday this month:

We also wish a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to the following members whose wedding anniversary is in August:

14 - Justine & Avrie Dunsmore

15 - Brian & Cathy Conner 21 - Glen & Diane Porrett

26 - Warren Sue Burmann 29 - Carl & Kiane Kulman

B E S T W I S H E S T O Y O U !

04 - Sally McNinch

04 - Terry Schroeder 04 - David Busch

06 - Lucia Marshall 07 - Donna Bartell

13 - Rich Weinert

17 - Bill Jones 22 - Shelly Handrow

26 - Justin Dunsmore

17 - Avery Hamburg

24 - Lucas Winkleman 29 - Brianna Jones

Weekly Offerings:

July 20 $1,347.00 July 13 $1,854.00 July 06 $1,967.00 June 29 $ 779.00 Y-T-D Adopt-A-Bill $3,130.25

July 20…………………...40

July 13…………………...49

July 06…………………...38

June 29…………………..38

FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

68651 SOUTH FOREST

RICHMOND, MI 48062

Return address requested

No Matter Who You Are

Or Where You Are On Life’s Journey…

You Are Welcome Here!