Straits Talk

United Methodist and ECO Presbyterian The Church of the Straits

P.O. Box 430 * Mackinaw City, MI 49701

Return Service Requested

Straits Talk

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMackinaw CityMichigan 49701

Permit No. 1

December 2016 Minister Pastor David Wallis Head Usher Organist Loretta Martinek

Treasurer Janet SchaeferFinancial Secretary Jean HuntClerk

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 Service 7:00 p.m.

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.

Operation Shoe Box 2016At the Packing Party we were able to pack 37 boxes for the children. Each box has a tracking label, so I’ll let you know where they end up! Thank you to everyone who

helped, filled a box themselves, or donated toward the shipping..In total, the church sent off 57 boxes this year. Please keep the children who will receive these precious gifts in prayer. Thank you and God bless. ~ Judy Churchill

Men’s Breakfast meets December 1st and 15th this month. Come, bring a friend and join in for food and fellowship!

On the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m., there is a Grief Support group meeting here at COS. There are no magical words to bring an end to your pain whether there was a loss of a loved one,

divorce or having a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. We come to receive care for ourselves, but most of all during each meeting, we care and support each other. Talking is healing. Come join us to find hope and healing. This meeting is open to anyone in the community.

We extend our sympathy to the families of those who have entered the Church Triumphant:Diane Robbins, who passed away November 2nd.Bev Hingston, who passed away November 6th.

The Prayer Group now meets on Sunday nights at 5:00 pm. Everyone is welcome, anytime. Prayer requests are

also welcome, contact Pastor Dave. God does listen!The Food Pantry is open for the 2016-2017 season every Wednesday, from 10:00am till Noon. Donations can be dropped off at the church M-F from 9:00am – 2:00pm. Cash donations can be made to the Church of the Straits, c/o food pantry. The Food Pantry Crew is looking for new or gently used adult sized boots, coats, cold-weather clothing. They also have a new book cart for people to take/leave a good read. Thank you to Carl Strieby for making the beautiful cart!! If you have any questions, call Rose LaPointe at 436-5307.

Dear Friends, Thanks for the cards, calls, errands, meals, and prayers during the first month of my shingles. A special thanks to my laundry person and to my “nurse” who put ointment on my back. Thanks to a friend’s early recognition of my viral disease, I benefited from an anti-virus medication. Now the shingles have been mostly brought under control. Love, Jo Ann Rinehart

As we prepare our hearts and minds this Advent Season, let us remember how blessed we are because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Starting the Sunday after Thanksgiving, there will be a poster where you can sign your Christmas

greetings to our Church Family instead of sending them a Christmas card. There will be a box to place your stamp money or contribution, with the donation going towards helping someone heat their home this winter. A heartfelt thanks to all. Love in Christ, Your Mission Committee

Amid this sometimes crazy season,quiet my heart, Lord.

Help me find Christmas peace in you.

Hanging of the Greens will follow worship on Sunday, December 4th. A light lunch will be served to all the workers. Plan to stay and dress up the church for Christmas with the church family!

The Finance Committee is writing the church budget for 2017. 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 18th immediately following worship. Bring your own table service and a dish to pass

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 ♥♥

Jesus is the WordTo say that Jesus is the Word is another way of saying he is God speaking to us. While we struggle with our clumsy words, God needs only one Word to perfectly communicate the depth and mystery, the passion and the overwhelming grace of who he is. By that Word, Light became a living being. Manna became man. Wisdom became a person. In him, Life came to life; all that God is came to us in that One Final Word we call Jesus.

~ Michael CardImmanuel: Reflections on the Life of Christ

The Wallis Family invites you to theirAnnual Open Houseat the Parsonage,

307 E. JametSaturday, December 10th

from 6 – 8 p.m.Dessert will be served!

If you would like a plant to decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, please fill out the following form. You may take your plant home, or

give it away as a gift.IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

IN HONOR OF:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

GIVEN BY:

Where’s Your Security?When A Charlie Brown Christmas debuted in 1965, religious references were unheard of on television. Yet the show’s climax features the Christmas story verbatim. As Linus begins reciting Luke 2,

he’s clutching his ever-present blue blanket. Yet, as pastor Jason Soroski points out, Linus drops it right as he utters the words “fear not” (Luke 2:10). 

Soroski believes the timing is intentional and that “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz sends a simple, brilliant message. “The birth of Jesus separates us from our fears,” Soroski writes. It “frees us from the habits we are unable (or unwilling) to break ourselves. The birth of Jesus allows us to simply drop the false security we have been grasping so tightly, and learn to trust and cling to him instead.” 

“Behold the King of Glory!”The Straits Area Community Cantata is coming… Mark your calendars - the Cantata will be performed on Sunday afternoon December 11th at 2:00pm at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. 40 Community singers have been rehearsing since October. We are performing a “Lessons and Carols” service, a glorious way to celebrate the Advent! Once again, we will have the music of a brass quintet to greet us as we arrive. A special free will offering will be taken to support the 2017 Cantata and The Mackinaw Area Food Pantry!! Please invite friends and family and

let’s fill 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!!!

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

Maeditere Gift-Giving Solutions Trying to find gifts for certain people — or letting others know what you want — can be quite challenging. After all, most of us don’t need anything.  Realizing that the best gifts aren’t material items offers a new perspective on giving and receiving. Consider these insights from author Charles Swindoll:  “Some gifts you can give this Christmas are beyond monetary value: Mend a quarrel, dismiss suspicion, tell someone ‘I love you.’ Give something away — anonymously. Forgive someone who has treated you wrong. Turn away wrath with a soft answer. Visit someone in a nursing home. Apologize if you were wrong. Be especially kind to someone with whom you work. Give as God gave to you in Christ, without obligation, or announcement, or reservation, or hypocrisy.” 

♥ More congratulations for the Wallis Family! ♥Pastor Dave and Lisa’s daughter Amber, and Aaron Green announced their

engagement on Friday, November 18th. A fall 2017 wedding is being planned. ♥

If you would like a plant to decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, please fill out the following form. You may take your plant home, or

give it away as a gift.IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

IN HONOR OF:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

GIVEN BY:

Weston Dennis Martin is here! Born November 10th, 5:45 p.m., 19 lbs, 21”. Son of Austin and Noelle Martin, grandson of Liz & Tim Zabik and Wayne Clemens. Welcome little one ♥ ♥ ♥

Truth IncarnateThe Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other child. The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the Incarnation.

~ J.I. Packer

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYMen's Group 9 am

Men's Brkfst 8am**Women's Bible Study will take a break over the month of Decembe Disciple IV 2pm will resume Monday, January 9, 2017

1 2 3Communion AA noon Men's Group 9 am

Hanging of the Greens PPRC 6:30pm Pantry 10am-noon Poinsettia Prayer Meeting 5pm Disciple IV 2pm Orders Due

Disciple II 6pm4 5 6 7 8 9

Cantata 2pm AA noon Men's Group 9 amSt. Anthony's Grief Support 1pm Pantry 10am-noon Men's Brkfst 8am

Prayer Meeting 5pm Disciple IV 2pmDisciple II 6pm

11 12 13 14 15 16 17Kate's Kids AA noon

Church Potluck Pantry 10am-noonPrayer Meeting 5pm BOG 7pm

Disciple II 6pm18 19 20 21 22 23 24

AA noon Men's Group 9 am Pantry 10am-noon

25 26 27 28 29 30 31BIRTHDAYS: ANNIVERSARIES:

Dec 3 Roy Cole Dec 21 Lana Qualey Dec 1 Nelson & Denise ThompsonDec 4 Nicole Laninga Dec 22 Pastor Dave Dec 5 Chuck & Ginny Brew Dec 6 Obera Darling Dec 22 Rose LaPointe Dec 16 Nelson & Rose LaPointe

Dec 10 Betty Strieby Dec 22 Suzann Darrow Dec 18 Bill & Danna MarvinDec 11 Alex Clemens Dec 23 Dick Hunt Dec 29 Walt & Betsy NaumerDec 12 Amy Grieger Dec 26 Debbie Moore Dec 29 John & Ann ChurchillDec 12 Frank Smith Dec 26 George KarllDec 13 Ron McClue Dec 27 Margaret GoldmanDec 14 Ginger Mannarino Dec 28 Ann HayesDec 14 Patty Curth Dec 29 Ron GwiltDec 16 Samantha Cooley Dec 30 Stephen HeilmanDec 18 Naomi Gomez Dec 30 Meghan (Downing) HoffmanDec 18 Logan SmithDec 18 Naomi GomezDec 19 Emily Hinsman

6-8 pm 10

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYMen's Group 9 am

Men's Brkfst 8am**Women's Bible Study will take a break over the month of Decembe Disciple IV 2pm will resume Monday, January 9, 2017

1 2 3Communion AA noon Men's Group 9 am

Hanging of the Greens PPRC 6:30pm Pantry 10am-noon Poinsettia Prayer Meeting 5pm Disciple IV 2pm Orders Due

Disciple II 6pm4 5 6 7 8 9

Cantata 2pm AA noon Men's Group 9 amSt. Anthony's Grief Support 1pm Pantry 10am-noon Men's Brkfst 8am

Prayer Meeting 5pm Disciple IV 2pmDisciple II 6pm

11 12 13 14 15 16 17Kate's Kids AA noon

Church Potluck Pantry 10am-noonPrayer Meeting 5pm BOG 7pm

Disciple II 6pm18 19 20 21 22 23 24

AA noon Men's Group 9 am Pantry 10am-noon

25 26 27 28 29 30 31BIRTHDAYS: ANNIVERSARIES:

Dec 3 Roy Cole Dec 21 Lana Qualey Dec 1 Nelson & Denise ThompsonDec 4 Nicole Laninga Dec 22 Pastor Dave Dec 5 Chuck & Ginny Brew Dec 6 Obera Darling Dec 22 Rose LaPointe Dec 16 Nelson & Rose LaPointe

Dec 10 Betty Strieby Dec 22 Suzann Darrow Dec 18 Bill & Danna MarvinDec 11 Alex Clemens Dec 23 Dick Hunt Dec 29 Walt & Betsy NaumerDec 12 Amy Grieger Dec 26 Debbie Moore Dec 29 John & Ann ChurchillDec 12 Frank Smith Dec 26 George KarllDec 13 Ron McClue Dec 27 Margaret GoldmanDec 14 Ginger Mannarino Dec 28 Ann HayesDec 14 Patty Curth Dec 29 Ron GwiltDec 16 Samantha Cooley Dec 30 Stephen HeilmanDec 18 Naomi Gomez Dec 30 Meghan (Downing) HoffmanDec 18 Logan SmithDec 18 Naomi GomezDec 19 Emily Hinsman

6-8 pm 10

Dearest Church Family, Christmas 2016

The Christmas season is always a time of reflection. Another year is almost over and a new one is about to begin. We think of all the blessings God has showered on us throughout the year, the memories created, the joy of a new born baby, the heartache of the loss of a loved one, financial or health struggles.

As we anticipate the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior your heart can’t help but be filled with awe and wonder. A tiny baby came to serve, sacrifice and save us. May the love of God fill your hearts and shine so brightly that the world can see His love flowing from you.