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God of grace and peace,
in Jesus Christ you stand among us
as a sign of healing, hope, and joy
in our fearful, wounded world.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit
so that we may have faith and life
through Christ, our risen Savior.
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 In Our Prayers
All Administrative Professionals on this Administrative Professionals Day. We are grateful to all who serve our congregations and we are particularly grateful to Rose Onan, the presbytery's Administrative Assistant. Thank you Rose and all of you in our congregations who go above and beyond on a daily basis. You are a true blessing to us all!
Rebecca Francek, Inquirer Under Care of the Presbytery continues to experience significant health issues.
Karen Banaszak, Certified Christian Educator, who is experiencing significant health issues.
Cynthia Bolbach, Moderator of the 219th General Assembly who has cancer.
We encourage everyone to send a card or e-mail or make a phone call to those listed. Sometimes a small gesture creates a big smile. Contact information for anyone on this list may be obtained by calling the presbytery office at 800-621-6905 or 989-799-7481 For those Teaching Elders (Ministers of Word and Sacrament) and Commissioned Ruling Elders (CREs) who are celebrating Ordination or Commissioning Anniversaries in April and May: The Rev. Dr. Daniel Ahn (5/18) - Honorably Retired The Rev. Kenneth Anderson (4/30) - 55 years - Honorably Retired The Rev. Alec Brooks (5/1) - Honorably Retired The Rev. George Gillette (4/27) Honorably Retired The Rev. Andrew Miller (4/4) Pastor, Mt. Pleasant-First The Rev. Dong Won Park (4/15) Honorably Retired The Rev. Dr. Brian Stratton (4/2) - 35 years - Alma College The Rev. Dale Swihart (5/16) - Pastor,Fenton-First The Rev. Dr. Joseph Walser (5/22) - Honorably Retired The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Weenink (5/18) - Pastor, Bay City-First
For our congregations and their leaders: Sandusky The Rev. Mike Wilson, Supply Pastor; The Rev. Ken Hetzel, Moderator of Session
Swartz Creek-Mundy Elder Gloria Watson, Commissioned Ruling Elder
Tawas The Rev. David Myers, Interim Pastor; The Rev. Janice Chambers, Pastor Emerita
Twining-Maple Ridge The Rev. David Myers, Moderator of Session
Ubly The Rev. Ron Grimes, Moderator of Session
Vassar-First The Rev. Dr. Clint Cozier, Interim Pastor
Yale-First The Rev. Jim Offrink, Supply Pastor
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 Copyright Compliance Class Follow Up
We had a great turnout for the free copyright compliance training on April 16th at Flint-First. More than 60 people from 23 congregations took advantage of this unique opportunity to learn and share.
Visit our Copyright Compliance page to view a slideshow of the event.
Thank you very much to Flint-First for being such wonderful hosts. A huge thank you as well to our training facilitator, Susan Fontaine Godwin. We are very grateful that she was willing to share her expertise with us.
Susan is the President and Founder of Christian Copyright Solutions in Alabama. She has been working with and training church personnel in copyright compliance for over 16 years. She is also a professor of Copyright Law and the Church and Intellectual Property at the University of Mobile and author of Solving the Puzzle of Copyright Compliance: Why & How We Honor Copyrights. Many of you would like to have been able to attend this unique event but were not able to. While there were not materials distributed at the event that we can share with you, during the day Susan highlighted several items on the Copyright Solvers website that will be of use to you. Here are some of those links for you:
Christian Copyright Solvers home page Information and ideas under the Learning Center tab: Fact Sheets covering a wide range of copyright issues Brief videos explaining some copyright issues Debunking some common myths Other areas of their website with great info: Copyright Community blog with a lot of great info Report Card quiz on how compliant your church is and the areas that need to looked at more closely These links were mentioned by attendees: Public Domain royalty free music Faith Clip Art clip art and other graphics available for an annual fee Church Art clip art and other graphics available for an annual fee Visit our Copyright Compliance page to view a slideshow of the event. We encourage you to pass along this information to others who may find it useful. |
 Order Your 2012-2013 Presbyterian Planning Calendars Now and Save
Order the 2012-2013 Presbyterian Planning Calendar. The theme is "Presbyterian Mission".
This 19-month calendar that begins with June 2012 contains many planning aids for pastors and other church leaders. It includes lectionary for Sundays and special days, liturgical days, liturgical colors, resource information for PC(U.S.A.) programmatic emphases, updated synod, presbytery, and PC(U.S.A.) staff directories, color foldout synod/presbytery and world maps. Order Copies Now! The Presbytery Office will place a bulk order for the 2012-2013 Presbyterian Planning Calendar for individuals and churches. If the calendars arrive in time, they will be available for pick-up at the June 6th Presbytery meeting at First Church, Fenton. Otherwise, they can be picked up at the Presbytery office. The cost will be determined after the number of orders is known. If at least 50 are ordered the price will be $9 per calendar. The next price break will be $13 per calendar if the total order does not exceed 49. Your church will be invoiced after the orders are placed.
Click here for a fillable form that may be saved and e-mailed to Rose Onan at the Presbytery Office.
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 Health Fairs Need You
Did you know that over 20 years ago the Presbytery of Lake Huron began holding five-day Health Fairs each summer for the hundreds of migrant workers who came to the area to work on local farms? With professionals and volunteers they gave medical exams to migrant families. We still do that, discovering various problems especially with diabetes, high blood pressure, eye and dental problems. Such people are referred to local clinics. Migrant families are still our main emphasis, but with the decline of migrants coming to the state we have added health fairs for needy inner city children. Each person is given a "health kit" and a booklet on basic health care. All leftover kits (each worth about $25) are distributed to women's and men's shelters. You can help meet this critical need by putting together a health kit.
Visit our Health Fairs 2012 page under the Around LHP tab on our website for details on how to make a health kit.
You may bring kits to the following locations: Preferred Drop Off Site: By Thursday, May 31: By Monday, June 11 |
 Flint-First Looking For Children's Ministry Director
Children's Ministry Director opening at Flint-First. If interested or know of anyone who may be interested please send resume' to Flint-First in care of Linda Smith or e-mail to grablellsmith@gmail.com.
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Alma College's High School Leadership Academy
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 Alma College's High School Leadership Academy
Do you know a high school junior who is creative? Artistic? Technically or scientifically savvy? Do you know a student who has a passion for educating the public on important issues or wants to create positive change in society?
Alma College's High School Leadership Academy is prepared to help students take action. Academy participants work with Alma College faculty and current students to explore issues and ideas that affect our local, state, national and international communities. The 2012 academy will be held July 8-14, 2012.
The 2012 Academy will focus on moving our communities to being healthy, economically vigorous and environmentally sustainable. Using the expertise of faculty and the rich array of multimedia tools on campus, participants will also create an original documentary video that explores where their communities are today and what they might be in the near future.
In addition to developing and applying leadership skills, students will gain experience in conducting field research, persuasive storytelling, digital video editing and movie making. You also have the opportunity to expand your leadership skills through interactive sessions in which values, integrity and commitment to action are explored.
The academy incorporates scholarship, stewardship and leadership to prepare the next generation of leaders for a changing world. It is made possible through a generous gift from The Dow Chemical Company.
The High School Leadership Academy is a residential program for students completing their junior year of high school.
Applications are requested by May 25, 2012 and the participant fee of $110 is due by June 15, 2012. The fee covered both room and board for the week-long experience. For more information and an application, see www.alma.edu/academics/leadership/institutes/academy
Questions or concerns? Please contact the Center for Responsible Leadership at 989-463-7043 or leadacademy@alma.edu. |
Bay City-Westminster Hosting Missionary
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 Missionary From India Visiting Bay City-Westminster
Bay City-Westminster is hosting a Missionary Night tomorrow, April 26th at 7:00 p.m., and everyone is invited. Please help us welcome Anne D. a missionary from India. She will share her experience as a missionary and talk about the India Caste system. Refreshments are provided. |
Life Planning Seminar Offered
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 Midland Chapel Lane Offers Life Planning Seminar
Chapel Lane Presbyterian Church in Midland, will host two life-planning seminars for informational purposes and to encourage life planning by members. Topics will include wills and estate planning and funeral and end-of-life planning. There will be two separate seminars, one to be held on Sunday, April 29, from 7:00 - 9:00 pm, and the second on Monday, April 30, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the church, 5501 Jefferson Ave., Midland, MI 48640.
The first evening, Sunday, April 29, will cover Wills and Estate Planning and will be led by Steve Keizer from the Presbyterian Foundation and Midland attorney Todd Gambrell.
The second evening, Monday, April 30, will cover End of Life and Funeral Planning and will be led by David Smith from Smith-Miner Funeral Home in Midland and the Rev. Dr. Rhonda Myers, Pastor of Chapel Lane Presbyterian Church.
General topic areas will include the basics of wills, charitable giving options, personal data worksheets, funeral service elements, grief management, and legal considerations. You are welcome to attend either one or both seminars.
There is no charge for the seminars. Light refreshments will be served. Please respond that you plan to attend by calling the church office, 989-631-2081, leaving your name, telephone number, number of persons attending, and, if there is a need for child-care, the ages of the children.
For further information, please contact Blaine (Sandy) Miller at SMiller7200@yahoo.com or 989-631-5611 or Linda Langrill at LLangrill@chartermi.net or 989-631-4530.
We hope you can join us for these informative seminars.
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 Heritage Sunday Is May 20th
Presbyterian Heritage Sunday has been set aside by the General Assembly of the PC(USA) as an annual day to celebrate, reflect upon, and learn more about the long and rich history of the Presbyterian movement in America. It falls on the Sunday closest to May 21, the date of the opening of the first General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America in 1789. The Presbyterian Historical Society supports Heritage Sunday by preparing bulletin inserts for use by congregations throughout the United States. The Heritage Sunday bulletin insert for 2012 celebrates the 160th anniversary of the Presbyterian Historical Society and its vital role in the church, and serves to remind all Presbyterians of the importance and value of their history. A full-size and half-size bulletin insert are now available at the links below or on their website. 2012 Heritage Sunday
Bulletin insert full page
Bulletin insert half page Tips for Celebrating Your Presbyterian Heritage |
Spiritual Retreats At The Weber Center
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 Spiritual Retreats Planned At The Weber Center For This Summer
The Weber Center in Adrian, MI has several retreats scheduled for this summer. They also offer the opportunity Private Retreats and Individual Direct Retreats.For information on what they offer please visit their website by clicking here. |
Host A Missionary In Residence
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 Host A Missionary In Residence At Your Church This Fall
Imagine every member of your congregation involved in a "stay at home" international mission trip for five weeks when you participate in the Synod of the Covenant Mission to the USA Program. Host congregations are still needed for our 2012 program. Missionaries are coming from Taiwan, China, Madagascar, and Mexico from September 26 to November 1, 2012. Cost to your congregation could be as little as $1,000. Everyone in your congregation would have the opportunity to learn about another part of the world and the challenges facing Christians there. Each person can gain a fresh perspective on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, acquire a deeper understanding of the global nature of Christ's church, and be challenged to greater faithfulness. Your "missionary" will be a church leader, prepared to preach, teach, and share fully in the life of your church as he or she shares his or her life and faith. If you would like to develop more interest in world mission in your congregation, this is an opportunity to develop a deep and personal relationship with a Christian from another part of the globe and learn what the Christian church is doing there. If your church already has an interest in world mission, this would be an opportunity to expand that interest. You can host a mission partner for five weeks for LESS than it would cost to send ONE person to another country. What might happen if you take advantage of this opportunity? Here are some quotes from recent hosting experiences. From a church in the Presbytery of Lake Michigan: "We loved (our mission partner). God has blessed her with an intuitive sense of what people can and need to hear.... People eagerly attended in-home small groups, adult classes, and other events. "In small groups gathered to get to know her, we talked about our faith and she talked about living her faith in a secular country where, when she was young, being a Christian was costly. (Her mother lost her job because of her faith when she was a child.) She taught us gratitude for the many material things we take for granted and the open-hearted sharing of the Christians in her country who don't count giving as a loss to themselves. Her singing and guitar-playing brought us together with common melodies and new words. "Reflecting on her experience in her final worship with us, she reminded us how much we live our faith "on the street" and among "the least of these" and encouraged us to continue a congregational life balanced between time within our sanctuary and time in the world. She encouraged us to treasure one another, for members to treasure the pastors, and for the pastors to treasure the congregation. She saw us with optimistic and loving eyes." From the Presbytery of Scioto Valley: "An important aspect of the experience was an improved understanding of the circumstances Christians live under in other parts of the world. Also, we learned that our actions as Christians in the United States have powerful, sometimes dangerous, implications for Christians living in Islamic states. Many people in both the church and community were unaware there were Christians living in Pakistan. Or, they had given very little thought to it. People came to a realization that not all Pakistanis were terrorists. As a pastor, it was exciting to see as awareness grew with the people and former fears and misunderstandings disintegrated into new friendships." From the Presbytery of Eastminster: "This was unusual to have a mission partner who was so worldly and familiar with the USA and our language. She definitely was very candid and very perceptive to what is going on in the church and with the young people in America. (They are not as respectful to their elders as they should be. This is definitely true as is demonstrated in the schools today, etc.)" Want to learn more? Read the Frequently asked questions on our website or contact the Mission to the USA Coordinator, Karen Nottelmann at 231-652-1056 or knottelmann@aol.com. Deadline for application has been extended to June 1st. Apply now! HOST CONGREGATIONS ARE NEEDED! Is there another congregation with which you could partner in hosting? |
Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2013
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 Presbyterian Youth Triennium Announces Theme For 2013 Event
"I AM" will focus on Jesus' illustrations and instruction to his disciples.
Ministries with Youth, in the Office of Evangelism of the General Assembly Mission Council, is pleased to announce the theme for the 2013 Presbyterian Youth Triennium: "I AM." Event participants will consider and explore the "I AM" statements of Jesus, as shared with the disciples and the early followers of Jesus, as well as the Hebrew understandings of God known simply as "I AM."
The deep connections between the divine "I AM" and the human "I am . . ." will carry the 2013 theme through the five-day event and back home with the youth who attend." We are being called to help our youth and our congregations think about who we are as people of God, who is as reachable as a vine, as necessary as bread, and as longing for our presence as a good shepherd, says Gina Yeager-Buckley, Ministries with Youth associate and Triennium team leader.
More than 4,000 youth are expected to attend the largest gathering in the in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Young people will experience the "I AM" theme in worship, small group Bible study, guided conversation, recreational gatherings, and creative expression opportunities. "We want young Christians to explore the nature of God through Jesus Christ," says Bill Buchanan, co-coordinator for the Triennium worship team. "As they wrestle with their sense of God and self in today's world, we hope they will hear God calling, 'I AM with you, preparing a place and path for you to be my eyes, hands, and feet in the world.'"
Continue reading.... |
 Looking For Ideas For Children's Sermons?
If you are looking for ideas for your children's sermons, check out the blog Children's Sermons Today by The Rev. Dianne Deming, member of New Castle Presbytery. From Dianne: Access to the blog is free to everyone--no registration or fee necessary. I know there are plenty of dedicated folks out there struggling to come up with a children's sermon occasionally or perhaps even weekly. It is my goal to keep my stories simple, relevant to children and easy to understand and prepare, therefore being helpful to those blessed with the important task of communicating the Gospel to children in the context of the children's sermon. They are tied to the Lectionary readings. I consider this to be my ministry and would appreciate your help in spreading the word about this resource. About Dianne: "I started life in Southern California, graduated from the University of Redlands and San Francisco Theological Seminary (1981). My husband, Frank, and I were ordained together in the Weldon Valley Presbyterian Church in Goodrich, Colorado. We have served churches in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Delaware. We are blessed with two sons, who were the inspiration for my books of children's sermons, "A Time with Our Children: Stories for Use in Worship," written when they were small." |
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Presbyterian News Service
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 Connect With Other Churches In The Lake Huron Presbytery
There are so many wonderful things going on in all of our congregations. Several of our churches have set up Facebook pages to help spread the good news not only to their members but to all who may be interested. Liking other church Facebook pages is a great way to connect with others in the presbytery and to share ideas with each other. Here are some of the churches that have Facebook pages:
Alma-First
Bay City-Westminster
Caro-First
Deckerville-First
Flint-First
Holly (New open page; they still have a private group page)
Lapeer-First
Linden
Midland-Memorial
Saginaw-Second
Saginaw-Warren Avenue
Sandusky
Vassar-First
Others have group pages that you have to request to join. Those include:
Holly
Mt. Pleasant-First
If your congregation has a page and it is not listed here, please contact Staci Percy at spercy@presbylh.org. |
 'Like' Us On Facebook
The presbytery has a Facebook page and would like you to join us. Get updates and information faster. Connect with others to share ideas and to post information about events happening in your congregation. Join us today! |
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Staci Percy
Communications Manager/Recording Clerk
spercy@presbylh.org
989-799-7481 x2
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Upcoming Meetings
and Events
(All meetings are at the Presbytery Office unless otherwise noted)
Committee on Ministry April 25 11:00am Life Planning Seminar April 29-30 Midland Chapel Lane Last Day to Request Time on the June Presbytery Meeting Docket May 11 Trustees May 17 9:30am Nominating Team May 17 1:00pm Health Fairs Committee May 23 10:00am Committee on Ministry May 23 11:00am
Memorial Day Presbytery Office Closed May 28 Last Day to Request Space/Equipment Needs for June Presbytery Meeting May 29 Presbytery Meeting June 5 9:00am Fenton-First | |
Details on these meetings can be found on the presbytery's website on the calendar.
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