Presbytery of Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan Newsletter January 30, 2012
Upcoming Events

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In This Issue
2012 Meeting Dates
Give & Take
Pastors Birthdays
Justice Advocates
Mission Service
Alma Youth Mix
SDOP
Ashes To Fire
Alma College
Camp Greenwood Eblast
Youth to Nicaragua
St. Olaf Choir
Resource Center
Donations
Youth Events
Communications
Stewardship
Opportunities
 

2012 Presbytery 

Meeting Dates 

 

Sat., Feb 11, 2012- Holt First

Sat., April 14, 2012

Tues., June 12, 2012

Tues., Sept 11, 2012

Tues., Nov 13, 2012

 

Needs

Book of Occasional Services - A Liturgical Resource Supplementing the Book of Common Worship    details

 

Give and Take -

Music-Music-Music

See details at Give and Take

Hard Hats - Available.  Lyons-Muir Church, Phone 989-855-2247   

Choir Robes - Available. First Presbyterian Church, Battle Creek, MI.

 

February Pastors

Birthdays

 

Click here

General Presbyter's Note -
 

I heard a great sermon this morning on Philippians 1:1-11. Paul's salutation to the saints in Philippi, express my sentiments toward the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Lake Michigan Presbytery.

"Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel" (Philippians 1:2-3).

  To continue on John's Blog - click 

 
~~~  Thank You ~~~
 
The Best family appreciates all of the kind words, cards, and prayers following the death of Eileen's mother several weeks ago.  The support and love of our presbytery family has been a great comfort in this difficult time.
 
John and Eileen
 

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From the Office

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Eco Palms

ecopalms

 Click here to order Eco-Palms for Palm Sunday, April 1, 2012 or order by phone: (612) 624-7418 

 

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  Board of Pensions 

 

While taxes may be one of the few certainties in life, the same can't be said of tax laws - they can, and often do, change. And these changes could affect how you report income and expenses in a number of ways. By keeping informed and up to date on these changes, you could potentially save big on your tax return.

In 2011, tax law was under discussion and subject to change late into the year. The 2011 Tax Tips Webcast for Ministers and Churches, presented by the Board of Pensions, includes the most up-to-date information from last year. This e-learning module will be available on Pensions.org by January 13, 2012. It will be prerecorded, so you can access it 24/7 and easily go back to review and focus on topics of interest. No registration is necessary to view it.   go here

 

 
Outreach Ministry Team

CALLING PRESBYTERIAN JUSTICE ADVOCATES TO WASHINGTON  

 

'Presbyterians and Economic Justice'

New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C.

 

Register now to join the Office of Public witness and all the ministries of Compassion, Peace and Justice for a training day in Washington, D.C. Participants will have a full day of practical, church-based training and investigate the role Christians must play in today's changing society, particularly on issues of economic justice. Plenaries and workshops on faith-based community organizing, practical tools for simple living, justice as discipleship making, social responsibility through investing and many more!

March 23-26: Ecumenical Advocacy Days

Come to the 10th Annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days, March 23-26, 2012, in Washington, D.C., where we will explore "Economy, Livelihood and Our National Priorities" through the lens of Isaiah 58. Join other Christians in seeking a global economy and a national budget that break the yoke of injustice, poverty, hunger and unemployment throughout the world, heeding Isaiah's call to become "repairers of the breach and restorers of streets to live in." 


Mission Service - Latin America/Caribbean

Below are new PC(USA) mission service positions that are being recruited for Latin America and the Caribbean. A full list of positions, worldwide, may be found on the One Door recruitment website: https://onedoor.pcusa.org/

Please keep these searches in prayer and think about those you know who may have the gifts for one of these positions. Will you "call" them? Maybe it is you!  to find out more
 
Professor of Bible, Systematic Theology, or Pastoral Theology, Peru  click here
YAV Site Coordinator, Peru click here
Professor of Biblical Studies, Colombia click here
Intercultural Encounter Facilitator, Guatemala click here
Facilitator for Joining Hands Network, Haiti click here

Discipleship Ministry Team

Alma1-30-2012Alma Youth Mix 2012: Take Up Your Shield

Alma College
March 9-11, 2012
Teens Grades 9-12 and Adult Leaders
$50 early bird special includes meals and a t-shirt

The Alma Youth Mix is a Senior High youth event sponsored by Alma College, Lake Michigan Presbytery, and Lake Huron Presbytery. It is held on the Alma College campus in central Michigan.

The Alma Youth Mix is held annually to provide a Spiritual event for youth and to provide a fun time to meet Senior High youth from other Churches in the Area. We provide a Keynoter, Small Group activities, Music, Freetime, Dance and plenty of excellent food.

The event begins on Friday at 8:00 and ends Sunday at 12:30. We sleep on the floors of the gym and the weightrooms and eat at the Hamilton Commons Cafeteria. There is time for fellowship, spiritual growth, playing and relaxing.

For more information click here to visit their website.

Self Development of People
 

The Presbytery level of SDOP (Self Development of People) is looking for members. If you or someone you know are interested in getting involved with awarding grants to groups who are working to change structures that perpetuate poverty, oppression and injustice, please call Sallie Campbell at 517-482-0668.


Ashes To Fire:  The Transformation of Our Souls led by Tom Long  Ashes1-30-2012

February 18                  8:30am to 3:30pm         Flint-First  

  

Lent/Easter/Pentecost: Ashes to Fire is an opportunity for the transformation of our souls. As Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are retold,Jesus' story becomes our story. May our hearts be open to the touch of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord. How can this season be different from previous Easter cycles? This day retreat on Transfiguration Weekend is designed to open new avenues of transformation. 

   

Session One: "The Churches at the Four Corners"
We will spend some time sitting in the pews of the Church of St. Mark, the
Church of St. Matthew, the Church of St. Luke,and the Church of St. John. How do each of these congregations understand the gospel and the nature of the Christian life? What resources for the Lenten journey can each of the churches provide?

Session Two: "Out of the Depths: Praying with the Psalms in Lent"
We will explore the psalms as sources of strength and faith in the "winter seasons" of our life.

Session Three: "Something Old, Something New: Faithful and Vital Worship in a Windstorm of Change"
In a time when worship styles and changes are swirling around in the church, we will examine some ancient traditions that are worth holding onto and some places where the Spirit is doing a new thing among us. 

   

Cost: $12.00   Please contact the church office at 810.234.8673 to sign-up by February 13, 2012.

First Presbyterian Church, 746 S. Saginaw St., Flint, MI 48502   www.fpcf.org   810.234.8673 


"Resonance: A Celebration of the Performing Arts"

 

Alma College proudly presents "Resonance: A Celebration of the Performing Arts" at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 4, 2012 at the historic Detroit Opera House in downtown Detroit. The Alma College Choir, Percussion Ensemble, Pipe Band and Highland Dancers join guest high school performers from the Detroit area for an exhilarating performance in one of Detroit's most elegant venues. Join us for an exciting concert that will resonate with our alumni, friends and future students.

Tickets are now available online at www.alma.edu/resonance as well as the Detroit Opera House Box Office, and Ticketmaster outlets. Complimentary tickets are available to high school students and may be obtained at www.alma.edu/resonance. For questions or additional information, please contact the Alma College Alumni Office by calling 989-463-7245 or emailing alumnihouse@alma.edu.


Camp Greenwood Alligator 7-2011    Camp Greenwood Eblast!!

 

We live in a time and place where everything is immediately obtainable: food, entertainment, travel, information, etc. This leaves me to believe that instant gratification has turned into a necessity for many people, especially for my generation and younger. Times like these are why Camp Greenwood experiences are so crucial to our campers. The kids that come to our camp for the first time to continue


   

Youth Trip to NicaraguaNicaraguaYouthTrip 1-30-2012

Focus is on Addiction

June 8 - 15, 2012

Approximate Cost: $1500

 

Limited Scholarship Support is Available

 

For more information and an application click here, and or contact Summer Foster at summerfoster@hotmail.com or call 517-974-7229.


The St. Olaf Choir

Anton Armstrong, conductor

February 8   

CFAC Auditorium | 7:30 p.m.  

 

 

The St. Olaf Choir, with 75 mixed voices, is the pioneer

a cappella choir in the United States. Since its founding

in 1912, the St. Olaf Choir has set a standard of choral

excellence and remained at the forefront of choral artistry.

Calvin College is thrilled to welcome Anton Armstrong,

conductor, back to Calvin for St. Olaf's 100th Anniversary

performance.


New in the Resource Center   


Donations to the Resource Center   

 

Cleaning out your library or office? Consider donating usable books or curriculum to the Resource Center. Just bring donations to the presbytery office or to a presbytery meeting. If we cannot use them, we will make them available to others who can. Thanks!


Youth Events -
For complete information or to download a flyer click here -  www.lakemichiganpresbytery.org/youth 

 

 

  • Middle High Youth Mix at FPC, Hastings, February 24-26, 2012
        Flyer - click here     Adult Registration - click here
        Student Registration - click here     Church Guidelines - click here
  • Alma Youth Mix, March 9-11, 2012. Visit the AYM website (www.almayouthmix.com) for updates

  • Administration Ministry Team

     Communication Corner 
      

    The bulletin is one your most important communication tools (second only to your website!). Guess what? It's not the order of worship that guests are interested in - it's all that 'other stuff'! Read more...


     
    joke1-30-2012

    2012 Kaleidescope
      
    2012 Kaleidoscope - March 2012
    Stewardship
    The PC(USA) Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference will be held March 12-14, 2012 in Charlotte, NC. The theme is "Gratitude and Generosity, Living the Faith."  Registration for the 2012 Stewardship Kaleidoscope has opened. Click here  to register online.  Click here download the electronic brochure and registration form.   

    Opportunities  

    There are two ministry opportunities in Lake Michigan Presbytery which are NOT posted on the Congregational Leadership Connection site yet. If you are interested,  or know of someone interested in knowing more about these positions, please contact John Best, General Presbyter. 
    • Administrator -  Hastings area church - more info
    • Program Director at Camp Greenwood - more info
    • Designated Pastor Postion at First Presbyterian Church in Dimondale - more 

    Volunteer Positions - click here