Straits Talk

United Methodist and Presbyterian (USA)

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

December 2015 Minister Pastor David Wallis Head Usher Cless Hurlburt 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.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship – 7:00 pm

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.

23rd Psalm – Lesson 12

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul; He leads me in the path of righteousness

for His name sake.Yea, though I walk through the valley

of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil; for You are with me;Your rod and staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the

days of my life;And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

SHEPHERD’S STAFF:  The staff was very important to the shepherd. In fact, just about everyone in Bible times carried one. Staffs made excellent walking sticks and served as weapons to defend against attackers.  The shepherd’s staff guides the sheep and his rod protects them from attacks of wild beasts. The sheep are comforted by the sound of the staff on the rocks – they know the shepherd is near and ready to protect them. This is particularly true at night when the sheep could no longer see the shepherd. The shepherd knew their ability to be fearful so he would gently tap his staff on a rock throughout the night so the sheep would know he was still near them.  The shepherd used his staff to beat down the bushes where his flock grazed to search for strays or check for snakes and lizards. Many of these reptiles were poisonous and could be fatal to the shepherd or his sheep.  The staff was used in 3 ways:  1.  Drawing the sheep together. This was especially important during lambing season because in a large flock there were often

dozens of lambs being born at the same time. It is easy for a ewe to lose her lamb in all the confusion. The shepherd makes sure the right lamb goes to the right ewe. When there are hundreds, and sometimes thousands of ewes in one flock, the staff becomes very important. As much as he is able, the shepherd watches the lambs being born.  If there is any confusion between lamb and ewe, he uses his staff to hook the lamb around the neck through the body (a very difficult maneuver); picks up the lamb by his staff, and carries it to the proper ewe. He cannot touch the lamb; if he does the ewe will not allow the lamb to suckle from her because of the human smell.  2.  The staff is used to reach out and grab a lamb for close inspection. The shepherd hooks it by neck or leg and leads it to where he will examine it.  3.  The staff is used to guide the sheep as they are moving along as they tend to wander away. They always think the pasture is greener somewhere else, and they start wandering away. The whole flock will be going one way, but there will be one that heads in her own direction. The shepherd will frequently use the blunt end of the staff to jab the sheep’s ribs and nudge it back in the direction of the flock. 

The rod equals correction.The staff equal guidance.

~ Donna Keene

**Donna is a dear friend of mine, a cancer survivor

and also the church secretary at St. Paul’s

UMC in Cheboygan. ~Judy Churchill

Thank you to everyone who came and helped fill the COS shoeboxes. We filled 57 boxes with the generous items you donated throughout the past

year! Each box has a tracking label, so I’ll let you know where they end up! Thank you, also, to everyone who filled a box themselves, or donated toward the shipping.. We had a total of 88 boxes! Please keep the children who will receive these gifts in your daily prayers. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to fill the big box during the year.. For December – anything goes: mittens, hats, small toys, pencils, scissors, hard candy, hair bands, toothbrushes,

stuffed animals… whatever you find!The Finance Committee is writing the church budget for 2016. They're placing their trust in God and believing in our members and friends to support the church's ministry. Let us show our faithfulness with good stewardship through our time, talents and treasures.

It’s not too late to send in your pledge if you have not done so!

Annual Christmas Potluck, will be Sunday, December 20th

immediately following worship. Bring your own table service and a dish to pass

2015 Community Cantata Mark your calendars! The 2015 Straits Area community Cantata will be performed on Sunday December 13th at 2:00pm at St Anthony’s Catholic Church. 39 singers have been rehearsing every Sunday at the Church of the Straits

since October. We are performing “The Glory of the Lord” a celebration of Christmas, arranged by Tom Fettke. The group is under the direction of Gerry Lou Kania and Tracy Textor. The program is an exciting musical interpretation of the coming of our Lord! There will also be music by a brass group, soloists, and a special piano processional. Accompaniment will be provided by two keyboards, a bass guitar and a percussion! It will be a glorious way to celebrate the Advent!

A special free will offering will be taken to support the 2016 Cantata and The Mackinaw Area Food Pantry!! Please invite your friends and family and let’s fill the coffers of the Pantry for the long winter! Checks may be made out to Church of the Straits. There will be a time of fellowship with punch and cookies immediately following the Cantata.Art work by Mackinaw City Area Students, sponsored by the Mackinaw City Area Arts Council will be displayed once again this year.

Hope to see you all there!!!Congratulations to Peter and Kate Walugembe on the nice article about one of their students, Samuel.

Meet Luyonde Samuel! He is one of our determined students. He lost both of his parents at a young age but that did not stop him from doing well in school. After his primary school, he appeared in the news papers as one of the best students in the country. He is doing sciences and he wants to do medicine at the University and become a doctor. He is getting ready for his final high school

examinations in two weeks. Although he lost sponsorship, we didn't give up on him. If you would like to sponsor Samuel, you can contact us at

northernlightsministries@gmail.com. Also pray for him to pass very well. (taken from NLM Facebook page)

The Wonder of ChristmasAt Christmas, shivers in the spine have nothing to do with climate. Songs are sung not with the lips but with the heart. And light comes not from utilities but from the heavens. 

—Author unknown

Food Pantry is Open – Every Wednesday from 10am – noon.All donations are welcome, food & cash, and can be dropped off at the church or call Rose LaPointe at 436-5307. Any member of the

church or community that is in need of food during these tough economic times is encouraged to come.

Angels Among Us “When God wants to speak and deal with us,”

said Martin Luther, “he does not avail himself of an angel but of parents, or the pastor, or of our neighbor.” Never underestimate how powerfully God can use you in the life of a child, a church member, a friend or a stranger.  The Hebrew word for angel also means “messenger.” You may be specially chosen to deliver to someone the message of God’s love or guidance. Listen intently for what God would have you share with others, then do so faithfully and caringly. 

WANTED: knitted/crocheted/store bought hats & mittens for K-3rd grade kids in the Mackinaw City School. Bring to the church or office marked Attn: Marita Archer. Let’s keep the children warm ♥♥

Starting Wednesday, December 2nd, the church will have a Christmas table of new or very gently used items for those who need a gift for someone, but can’t afford the out of pocket expense. We are asking for your help with this table. If you have any items you are not using or don’t need any longer – and they are ‘gift worthy’, we could use them. Items can be dropped off at the church office anytime. Please mark them for the Christmas Table. Thank you, Rose LaPointe

Thank you to all the ladies of the church who attended the ‘kitchen shower’ on November 17th. So many wonderful salads, rolls, desserts!!! There were wonderful gifts for the kitchen – new knives, a mop

& bucket, chopper, Crockpot, a mixer, spoons, aprons, mixing bowls, towels, cutting boards, new salt & pepper shakers for the stove, paper/tape/pens, waffle iron, frying pans, broom, and other assorted items. Thank you to the men of the church for the new cabinets. If you haven’t seen it – take a peek!

“Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.” ~ Janice Maeditere

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

PPRC 6pm Men's Brkfst 8am(re-instated)

Disciple IV 2pm1 2 3 4 5

Communion Poinsettia

Prayer Meeting 5pm Disciple IV 2pm Orders Due

6 7 8 9 10 11 6-8 pm 12

Cantata 2pm BOG 7pm Men's Brkfst 8amSt. Anthony's

Prayer Meeting 5pm Disciple IV 2pm14 15 16 17 18 19

Kate's Kids Church Potluck

Prayer Meeting 5pmDisciple II 6pm

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31BIRTHDAYS: ANNIVERSARIES:

Dec 3 Roy Cole Dec 22 Rose LaPointe Dec 1 Nelson & Denise ThompsonDec 4 Nicole Laninga Dec 22 Suzann Darrow Dec 5 Chuck & Ginny Brew Dec 6 Obera Darling Dec 23 Dick Hunt Dec 16 Nelson & Rose LaPointe

Dec 11 Alex Clemens Dec 24 Kathryn Kube Dec 18 Bill & Danna MarvinDec 12 Amy Grieger Dec 26 Randy Kube Dec 20 Frank & Christina HartmanDec 12 Shirley Hyatt Dec 26 Debbie Moore Dec 23 Al & Diane RobbinsDec 12 Frank Smith Dec 27 Margaret Goldman Dec 29 Walt & Betsy NaumerDec 14 Ginger Mannarino Dec 28 Ann Hayes Dec 29 John & Ann ChurchillDec 14 Patty Curth Dec 29 Ron GwiltDec 16 Samantha Cooley Dec 30 Stephen HeilmanDec 18 Naomi GomezDec 18 Logan SmithDec 19 Emily HinsmanDec 21 Lana QualeyDec 22 Pastor Dave

** Wm's Bible Study has been cancelled for the month of December. But will resume

January 4th.

Disciple II 6pm 13

Dear COS Family,

Another year is ending and what a wonderful way to end the year – celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior. Our family is so thankful for each and everyone of you. You are such a blessing to us! Each year we may go through times of joy, peace, sadness, frustration, uncertainty, but through it all God is with us. This time of year when you reflect on the true meaning of Christmas it’s hard not to be filled with awe. God sent His only son, a babe born in a manger, and the gift of life eternal when we have a personal relationship with Him. WOW!!!

May you feel the warmth of that LOVE all year long!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS from our home to yours!!!!

Hugs,Pastor Dave, Lisa, Matt, Amber, Courtney and Carter

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

PPRC 6pm Men's Brkfst 8am(re-instated)

Disciple IV 2pm1 2 3 4 5

Communion Poinsettia

Prayer Meeting 5pm Disciple IV 2pm Orders Due

6 7 8 9 10 11 6-8 pm 12

Cantata 2pm BOG 7pm Men's Brkfst 8amSt. Anthony's

Prayer Meeting 5pm Disciple IV 2pm14 15 16 17 18 19

Kate's Kids Church Potluck

Prayer Meeting 5pmDisciple II 6pm

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31BIRTHDAYS: ANNIVERSARIES:

Dec 3 Roy Cole Dec 22 Rose LaPointe Dec 1 Nelson & Denise ThompsonDec 4 Nicole Laninga Dec 22 Suzann Darrow Dec 5 Chuck & Ginny Brew Dec 6 Obera Darling Dec 23 Dick Hunt Dec 16 Nelson & Rose LaPointe

Dec 11 Alex Clemens Dec 24 Kathryn Kube Dec 18 Bill & Danna MarvinDec 12 Amy Grieger Dec 26 Randy Kube Dec 20 Frank & Christina HartmanDec 12 Shirley Hyatt Dec 26 Debbie Moore Dec 23 Al & Diane RobbinsDec 12 Frank Smith Dec 27 Margaret Goldman Dec 29 Walt & Betsy NaumerDec 14 Ginger Mannarino Dec 28 Ann Hayes Dec 29 John & Ann ChurchillDec 14 Patty Curth Dec 29 Ron GwiltDec 16 Samantha Cooley Dec 30 Stephen HeilmanDec 18 Naomi GomezDec 18 Logan SmithDec 19 Emily HinsmanDec 21 Lana QualeyDec 22 Pastor Dave

** Wm's Bible Study has been cancelled for the month of December. But will resume

January 4th.

Disciple II 6pm 13