Meditations with Calvin
Since no man is worthy to present himself to God and come into his
sight, the Heavenly Father himself, to free us from shame and fear,
which might well have thrown us into despair, has given us his Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord, to be our advocate and mediator with him, by
whose guidance we may confidently come to him, and with such an
intercessor, trusting that nothing we ask in his name will be denied
us. (3.20.17.)
Read more about the John Calvin's Jubilee
|
|
News
from the Board of Pensions
Read the entire "News
from the Board of Pensions" by Rev.
Ernesto Badillo, Regional Representative for the Synods of Boriquen,
the Covenant and the Trinity by clicking here. Here are some items that are covered in this issue of the newsletter are: - Modifications
to Prescription Drug Program for Active Medical Plan and Medicare
Supplement Program
- Dependent
coverage waiver option added
- New health
management service provider selected
- New coverage
approved for children with congenital developmental disabilities
- Medical
Plan maximum benefit increased
- Optional Dental
Program
|
|
Comings and Goings
Congratulations to
- Elder Jim Spindler, MD, has joined the staff at Hastings as a Commissioned Lay Pastor
- Rev. Brenda Deily has joined Rev. Jon Deily at Three Rivers-Centerville as co-pastors.
- Rev. Timothy Chon, formerly the Associate at Okemos, was called to
a new position serving both Lansing North and Lansing Westminster
congregations.
- First calls have been extended to Matthew Wright by the Jenison
Parkwood congregation and to Karen (Kate) Russick Huddelson as
Designated Pastor to the Ionia congregation. Both will be examined at
the Presbytery meeting this week at Camp Henry.
Installations and Ordinations have been scheduled for all, so it
will be a busy fall in our presbytery. We celebrate the transitions at
all these churches, and thank Rev. Linda Male who served as Interim at
Parkwood and Rev. David Baak who served as Interim at Ionia for their
gifts of service.
|
Youth Events
2009 Urban Plunge-Go Light Your World!
Come and join other youth from our presbytery for a weekend of service and fellowship. The dates are November 6-8 (Friday-Sunday) at
Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids. The cost is $35 per
youth which includes a t-shirt! Adult leaders are free! A flyer and
registration forms are available at the Youth Page website (www.lakemichiganpresbytery.org/youth). Contact Nate Roosien (nater@westminstergr.com) for more information. The registration deadline is October 14.
2010 Presbyterian Youth Triennium
Youth Triennium is held every three years at Purdue University in W.
Lafayette Indiana. It is a gathering of Presbyterian youth from the
USA and around the world. Youth entering 9th grade through
graduated seniors may attend. The 2010 Youth Triennium is being held
July 20-24. Information is available at the Triennium website (www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org).
The presbytery is planning on paying a portion of the $409 registration
fee per youth. Lynn Barger Elliott is the Triennium Registrar for our
presbytery. Please e-mail Lynn (lbe2504@comcast.net) by November 1 and indicate the number of youth from your congregation that are interested in attending.
|
|
Opening Doors to Discipleship
openingdoorstodiscipleship.com has a series of three courses in the Presbyterian/Reformed tradition to
help teachers and leaders equip themselves to be faithful teachers and
leaders. Call or email the presbytery office for the access code.
Course A -Teaching Skills
Session 1: Why am I a teacher/leader?
Session 2: How children and youth learn
Session 3: Understanding adult learning
Session 4: Bible study can be exciting for all ages
Session 5: Using learning centers
Session 6: Designing a welcoming and caring environment
Session 7: Storytelling
Session 8: Talking and listening in a teaching environment
Session 9: Using creative writing and drama
Session 10: The use of art in Christian Education
Session 11: Discipline in the church school
Session 12: Choosing your curriculum, planning your session
Course B -Bible Background
Session 1: An Overview of the Bible
Session 2: Stories of the Beginning
Session 3: Stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph
Session 4: That pivotal event-The Exodus
Session 5: The story of the Judges
Session 6: The Monarchy and Exile
Session 7: The Prophets
Session 8: The Writings
Session 9: Jesus' Early Years
Session 10: Jesus' Ministry and Teachings
Session 11: The Early Church
Session 12: The Epistles and Revelation
Course C -Presbyterian /Reformed Faith
Session 1: Who is God?
Session 2: Who is Jesus Christ?
Session 3: The Holy Spirit
Session 4: How we view the Bible
Session 5: Reformed view of sin and salvation (How Jesus saves us)
Session 6: Discipleship
Session 7: Who is the church?
Session 8: Governing ourselves in the Reformed tradition
Session 9: Worship and sacraments
Session 10: Mystery, faith and doubt
Session 11: Our hope
|
Happenings
Please let us know what's happening at your church so we can share it on the Happenings page.
North Church (Kalamazoo) members began inviting friends to join them at the church
to share a home-cooked meal, play bingo, or travel to see a movie
together. At the time the congregation found itself called by God to
enter into friendship with people living with serious and persistent
mental illness. While this journey has not been simple or easy for the
congregation, it has been a journey of discovery and transformation. We
have discovered that many families live with a loved one who suffers
with some kind of mental illness. We have discovered that a mental
illness can strike people of all ages and all circumstances. Often
families and their loved ones feel isolated, alone, forgotten. God has
transformed the congregation into a more open and welcoming place where
everyone, regardless of their unique life situation, is known as one
created by God for fullness of life in Christ.
Learn more about the Togetherness Group on our Happenings webpage or by visiting the church website at northchurchpcusakalamazoo.org
|
CONNECTIONAL and CONNECTED!
Thanks to technology we have the ability to not only be a
connectional denomination, but also to be connected! The staff of the
Presbytery of Lake Michigan wants to ensure that members in every
congregation are included when we send out news about the things you need to know. We especially want
to reach out to the leaders in the congregations -- pastors, elders and
deacons, key office personnel, Christian Educators, Clerks of Session and Treasurers often
need to receive directed communications. Please say "YES" when invited
to be on our "Constant Contact" lists! Our lists are private, never
shared, and you will notice with "Constant Contact" that there is no
lengthy list of other email addresses when you receive something from
the presbytery.
|
|
About Us
Presbytery of Lake Michigan is a middle governing body of the Presbyterian Church (USA) serving over 70 churches . If you wish to have something included in the newsletter, please read our Electronic Communication Policy then use our online form. Deadline for this newsletter is the 12th and 27th of each month.
Presbytery of Lake Michigan
1511 Helen Avenue
Portage, Michigan 49002
888.271.6567
|
|
Oct 4 - World Communion Sunday and Peacemaking Offering
Click here to find out how to add the Peacemaking video to your website! Why not use it for a Minute for Mission?
The Presbytery website now contains several Peacemaking promotional resources. Click here to check them out!
|
General Assembly
 Commissioners NEEDED (Elders and Clergy) to the 219th General Assembly in Minneapolis, Minnesota, 3-10 July 2010 and Synod Assembly Commission Application ( Word or PDF) Youth Advisory Delegate Application (Synod & GA) Word or PDF |
Order your Advent Calendar Today!
TO ORDER:
Call (800) 524-2612 and ask for item #12116-09-11 or order online.
Single copy $3;
$1.50 each for 10 or more copies;
$1.25 each for 100 or more copies;
$1 each for 250 or more copies, plus shipping and handling.
Subscribers to Presbyterians Today will receive the 2009 Advent Calendar in their November issue.
|
Communication Corner: How can you put love in your church communications? Discuss the 1 Cor 1-3 with your communication team.
1 If I could speak all
the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would
only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2
If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret
plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could
move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;[a] but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing.
 Are you on Facebook? Join our Group!
|
|
