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Weekly Blurb -- Nov 16, 2012
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Welcome to
First United Methodist Church
of Michigan City, Indiana
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Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for Transformation of the World
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THE VANISHING SEEKERS
by Thom Schultz
Much of the contemporary church has fashioned itself to be "seeker-sensitive." But what if the seekers are no longer seeking?
Seeker-friendly churches have been shaped with good intentions. Making church ministry more accessible to the unchurched is an admirable objective.
The reigning assumption: large masses of unchurched men and women are actively looking for or seeking a religious opportunity, organization, or event. Then, the thinking goes, we just need to create a worship service that incorporates characteristics of other professional spectator events that these unchurched folks find elsewhere. And if we do a professional job on stage, the seekers will find what they're seeking. At least that's the hope.
Increasingly, however, the seekers don't really fit this profile. It's fair to say church visitors are seeking. But these visitors are typically upset refugees from other churches who are seeking a more perfect church. It's musical chairs.
A new Pew Research Center study depicts the growing reality of the vanishing seeker. Most Americans do not regularly attend church. And the fastest growing sector is the "nones"-those who say they have no religious affiliation at all. This segment grew from 15 percent to 20 percent in just the last five years. Among those aged 18-29, the unaffiliated encompasses 32 percent of the population.
And get this. Among the "nones," 88 percent say they are not looking for a religion that would be right for them. They are not seekers.
Lifetree Cafe and Group Publishing spotted this trend some time ago. They decided to drop the term "seekers." But they noted that 90 percent of the population still acknowledges a belief in God. So, they now refer to the majority as "spiritually open." They may not be seeking a religious experience, but they're open to connecting with God.
What does all this mean for the present and future church? A few implications:
- Look for ways to go to the people on their turf and their schedule, rather than expect the people to seek out a typical religious service that runs on a churchy schedule.
- Learn what people are actually seeking, and find ways to meet those human needs. Then form authentic relationships and earn the right to share your faith.
- Move from passive spectator services to settings that allow the "spiritually open" to participate, ask questions, and share their thoughts.
When it comes to Sunday morning churchgoing, the majority is playing hide and seek...without the seek.
This article appeared on HolySoup.com . October 31, 2012. Thom Schultz is an eclectic author and the founder of Group Publishing and Lifetree Café. Holy Soup offers innovative approaches to ministry, and challenges the status quo of today's church.
The above offers some interesting challenges and opportunities for the Witness and Outreach ministries of our church. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please present them for consideration to Pastor Gwen and our Admin Council.
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"Making Christmas About Christ" 
Pastor Gwen will be leading Bible Study for the Advent Season.
The study is for only four weeks on Tuesdays.
Dates are Tuesday, Nov 27 thru Tuesday, Dec 18.
Each Tuesday will have a 1-hour session at 10:30 am and 7:00 pm.
Please sign up on the sheets on the Welcome Center in the Narthex as soon as possible since we need to order books for attendees.
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Ushers, Greeters, Liturgists,
Allison Haynes is going to be contacting most of you as she is going to be in charge of scheduling people for the above jobs. She will be scheduling the liturgists and communion servers. There are also still openings for ushers and greeters. If you can help with any of these services, please give Allison a call. She'll be glad to hear from you.
You can contact her at (219) 229-9881.
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College and Military
Well, believe it or not, recognize it or ignore it, the Holiday Season is fast approaching. This means a lot of things, but for our college kids it means it's almost the end of the first semester.
It's that time that we want to remind our college and military members that we are here thinking and praying for them and wishing them the best wherever they are.
Please complete a form, if you haven't done so already, so that we can send them a box of treats to help with their late night studying.
Any questions, please call Melissa Morse at 874-3479.
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Willing to Give Time One Sunday a Month?
We need your help! If you can give one Sunday every four to six weeks, please give us a try. Read a Bible Story to the children, do a craft, a science project, show a Bible video. We have lots of materials to choose from. You name the Sunday.
If you want more information, please call Joyce Dalton @ 874-5832 or leave your name and phone number in the Church office and we will get back to you.
Please give prayerful thought toward helping build the future of our Church. Christian Education Committee
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| Prayer Corner
Please keep these in your prayers
Our United Methodist Church
military members and their families
Health and Recovery Issues
Shirley Aigner, Steve Beardslee, Tina Carey, Brigitte Coan,
Angie Davis, Lance Domke, Elma Epple, Ruth Gabbert,
Carson Gallagher, Carol Gilbert, Dennis Hippensteel,
Wally Hook, George Jenks, Mike Kallahan Jr., Becky Lute,
John Lyness, Marcella Ratcliffe, Sandy Staback,
Madelyn Tedesco, Sally Wenzel. and Roxanne Yagelski
If you have someone listed on the prayer corner, please keep the office informed of their progress.
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Homebound Ministries
When you say your Thanksgiving prayers, remember those who are shut-in because of age or illness. We are thankful for the service they gave our church during their active years.
Dennis Hippensteel will celebrate his birthday on November 27th.
You can help him celebrate by sending him a card or note at:
Life Care Center, 802 Hwy 20 East, Michigan City, IN 46360
Marlene Woodfield
Homebound Ministries Coordinator
219-362-4406 or mtwoody@comcast.net
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UMW Christmas Bazaar
Saturday, November 17
Bazaar at 11:00 am in Narthex
Luncheon at 12:00 noon in Community Room
Tickets are $9.00 for the luncheon and are available from any UMW member, UMW chairperson, or the church office.
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Upper Room
The latest issue of the Upper Room is available on the Welcome Center in the Narthex or at the front entrance to the Sanctuary. Suggested cost is 75 cents for the small edition or $1.00 for the larger copy. Any contribution towards the purchase of a copy would be greatly appreciated.
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Community Thanksgiving Service
On November 18, The Ministerial Alliance is sponsoring a Community Thanksgiving Service at 6:00 p m at St. John's United
Church of Christ, 101 St. John Road. Michigan City.
Our Memorial Handbells and Café Band will be part of this service.
Everyone attending is asked to bring non-perishable food items that will be given to the Salvation Army Food Pantry.
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Scripture Readings for the Week
We join with Protestants around the world who are reading, studying, and meditating on passages in accordance with the Standard Sunday School Lessons for 2012-2013.
Mon 11/19 Will They Listen to Me Exodus 6:6-13
Tue 11/20 Too Late to Obey Deuteronomy 1:41-45
Wed 11/21 Charged to Teach Deuteronomy 4:5-14
Thu 11/22 The Voice of Discipline Deuteronomy 4:32-40
Fri 11/23 The Word is Very Near Deuteronomy 30:6-14
Sat 11/24 We Would Like to Hear Acts 28:16-22
Sun 11/25 Teaching Boldly and Acts 28:23-31
Without Hindrance
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Give-Back Day
Give-Back Day is an opportunity to give to the church by getting to eat out in support of a local restaurant.
We celebrated an excellent Give-Back Day at Swingbelly's. Everyone's participation is sincerely appreciated.
Next Give Back Day will be Tuesday, Dec 4, at Holly's on Franklin.
Coupons will be available soon. Tricia Kuiken
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Help Us Decorate
On Wednesday, November 28, we will be decorating the church for Christmas from 9:00 am until we are finished. Please call the church office and let Maryann know if you will be able to help. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
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Our Patriotic Christmas Tree
This year, we will only put lights on our Patriotic Tree in the Narthex. We are asking people to donate an ornament of their choice in memory of or in honor of someone who has served their country in the Armed Forces. Please attach this person's name to this ornament. If it can't be put on the ornament, put it on a tag that can be attached to the ornament. If you have questions, call Maryann in the church office (872-7200).
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Articles Left in Office on Sundays
If you leave items in the church office on Sunday mornings,
please leave a note on them so office staff will know whose they are.
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This Sunday Services:
8:15 a.m Contemporary Worship Service 9:00 a.m. Children's Choir Practice 9:30 a.m. Children's & Adult Sunday Schools 10:45 a.m. Worship Service 2nd & 3rd Sundays of each month at 6:00 p.m. "Come As You Are" Cafe Service |
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Weekly
Calendar
Worship Service
9:00 a.m.
Children's
Choir Practice
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Blood Pressure Clinic
9:30 a.m.
Children, Youth
and Adult
Sunday School
10:45 a.m
Worship Service
Youth Bells - No Practice
6:00 p.m.
Community
Thanksgiving Service
at St. John's Church
Monday, Nov 19
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Soup Kitchen
7:00 p.m.
Gambler's Anonymous
(Community Partner)
in the Library
Tuesday, Nov 20
6:00 p.m.
Memorial Handbells
Wednesday, Nov 21
10:00 a.m.
Overeaters Anonymous
(Community Partner)
in the Chapel
12:00 noon
Church Office Closes
5:00 p.m.
Café Band Practice
6:00 p.m.
Contemporary Choir
7:00 p.m.
Chancel Choir
7:00 p.m.
Alcoholics Anonymous
(Community Partner)
in Middle High Room
Thursday, Nov 22
Church Closed
Happy Thanksgiving
Friday, Nov 23
Church Office Closed
No Canasta in Nov or Dec
6:00 p.m.
Madrigal Practice
Saturday, Nov 24
6:00 p.m.
Madrigal Practice
Sunday, Nov 25
8:15 a.m.
Worship Service
9:00 a.m.
Children's Choir
Practice
9:30 a.m.
Children, Youth
and Adult
Sunday School
10:45 a.m.
Worship Service
Youth Bells - No Practice
6:00 p.m.
Madrigal Practice
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This Month's Mission
Open Door Clinic
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Hospital Visitor
This Week:
Sylvia Wilkins
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Our
Worship
Services
on PBS TV
Cable Channel 99 Wed 2:30pm Fri 4:30pm Sun 7:00pm |
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