Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church Spire
February 1, 2013   
In This Issue
ANC Classes & Events
"York Connection"
Mission Trip To Africa
Special Visitors
Learn To Play Bridge
New Hymnals
2013 Theologian in Residence

Happy Birthday!

February Birthdays

  

February 2
Michael Walls
Jacob Strain 
February 5
Kurt Ranka 
February 7
Beverly Dornbusch 
February 9
Josephine Karmazin
Hildi Costello 
February 10
Loren Scribner 
February 11
Matt Hurst 
February 12
Addie Firnschild 
February 13
Paige Kruse
Joe Nardone
Jack Richardson
Denise Trombley 
February 14
Pat Dickson
Jenny Simon
Leah Trombley 
February 15
Sharon Westerdale
Bev Morris
Rob Hunter
Quentin Jensen 
February 17
Philip Reed
Bruce Markwardt
Robby Loveday 
February 18
Amy Nurenberg
William Butler III 
February 19
Judy Darin
Sandra Yardley
John Ryan 
February 20
Wyatt Force 
February 21
Barry Jensen
Irene Silye
Donald Treadwell
Taylor Konkus 
February 22
Ethel Carver
Alyssa Danyo 
February 23
Barb Thornley 
February 24
Kelsey Dubois 
February 25
Gabe Mans 
February 26
Brooke MacNee 
February 27
William Taylor
Denise Schiebout
Marcia Kenyon 
February 28
Colleen Horvat 
 

 

Stephen
 Ministry Stephen Ministry Logo

 


February 3. 
Psalms 71:1
In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.
  
 
February 10
Psalms 99:3
Let me praise your great and awesome name. Holy is he!
 

 

 

GIPC is a Stephen Ministry congregation. Contact a pastor or Julie Gloor for more information about this ministry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GIPC Connections

Our Website:
www.gipc.org

GIPC Church Calendar

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Adult Nurture Classes and Events

 

Sunday Morning Education Hour

9:30-10:20 am. Fireside Room

Psalms

 

Taught by Anna and Ed Kostaroff, the class will study the book of hymns used in the early Christian church to look for inspiration, comfort and guidance in today's busy lifestyles.

January 6-February 10

 

Wednesday Evening Adult Class
6:45-8:00 pm. Fireside Room
The lecture series continues as we study other faith systems and to foster understanding among the diverse faith groups with whom we share our planet.
  
February 6    Buddhism    Mr. Bill Secrest
February 20  Native American Spirituality  Dr. Kay McGowan
February 27  Sikh   Ms Raman Singh
***Please note: No class on February 13 (Ash Wednesday).
  
  
2013 Gipc Annual Women's Retreat

Friday, February 22nd - Saturday, Februsry 23rd

Weber's Inn, Ann Arbor, MI
  
Special Speaker: Marion Haynes-Weller
Marion has been a Presbyterian minister for 25 years, now serving at the Kreutz Creek Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania, a congregation known for its creative worship, innovative programming and community building service.
Please sign up at the Crossroads.
  
  
Christian Art at the DIA
February 16 & 24, March 3, 2013, 9:30 am
DIA Tour on March 17, 2013, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
  
The Detroit Institute of Arts owns a fantastic and valuable collection of religious art, especially of Christian Art. Addie Firnschild and Lea Schelke will facilitate an ANC Sunday class, Christian Art at the DIA, in 3 GIPC sessions and tour at the DIA on March 17. Participants will read scriptures that tell Christian stories and then study paintings and sculptures from the DIA. Addie and Lea will focus on how the artists use their skills to tell the religious stories plus reinforce and transmit spiritual lessons to the viewers.

The first session will take a quick look at works from world religions such as Hindu and Islam as well as some works by Native Americans and cultures from Africa. The focus will then shift to stories from the Old Testament such as Job, Lot, David, and Moses.
  
The second session will use New Testament scriptures, especially from Luke, about the birth of Christ. We will look at works that depict scenes from the lives of Christ and the Virgin and a parable or two such as the "Return of the Prodigal Son."
The third session will focus on Easter and include works such as "Christ's Entry Into Jerusalem," "The Last Supper," and "Lamentation Over the Dead Christ."
During the DIA tour on March 17, we will see the actual works studied during the classes plus many other works that are nearby. 
  
Please sign up for the DIA Tour at the Crossroads.
  
  

 

Men's Lenten Breakfasts

 

All men of the church are invited to the Men's Lenten Breakfasts starting February 16th and meeting five Saturday's at 8:00 am. in the Fellowship Hall. There is no meeting on March 9th; instead, please attend the Theologian in Residence that Saturday morning. Please join us for Bible study, fellowship and breakfast together during the upcoming Lenten season.

 
The "York Connection"  

 

 Tips for Seniors

 

In December's "York Tips," we offered a few myths about seniors. See if you can determine which of the following are true or false:
1. Older people are more religious than younger people.
2. Old age leads to loneliness and isolation.
3. Older people prefer to be with people their own age.
4. It is ok for older widows and widowers to live together without getting married. 

Answers:
1. Generally, if a person is religious in younger years, he/she will be religious as an older adult. Older persons, who are seeking community, will often find it in churches.
2. People who are alone and isolated at any age can become lonely. Widows and widowers living alone often experience loneliness, especially if they have physical limitations.
3. Generally, older persons need and seek the fellowship of younger people.
4. This is a controversial question because the decision must take into consideration both the ethical standards of the individuals involved and the financial impact of marriage.
Older Adult Ministry: A Guide for the Presbytery Committee 

 

 

How To Use . . . 

Did Santa bring you new electronics for Christmas, an iPod, iPad or iPhone? Maybe a Kindle or a Nook? We're planning to offer an electronic "How to Use" class. 

I

f you received new electronics, and would like some assistance in using your present, list your name on the sign up sheet at the Crossroads.

 

Don't forget "Game Day" on Wednesday afternoons from 4 to 6 pm. Tables are set for Euchre, Canasta, Dominoes and Mahjong. Bring a friend!

  

Mission to Africa

 

Dear Spire,
 
Many of us at GIPC are called to missions that are inspired by the Holy Spirit and embrace, at their core, service to others. 


Jim and Pam Becker are in the midst of answering a call to serve at Githumu Christian Hospital outside of Nairobi, Kenya in Africa. Pam Becker and her daughter, Sarah, went to Githumu two years ago for the dedication of a new water system, and to maintain and paint the facility. They went in support of Alice Yoder, fellow congregant from their previous church in Honolulu, Hawaii, (a young 90 years plus) who was born to missionary parents at the Githumu Hospital.
 
This year, Pam and Jim will install an emergency electrical generator as well as build an enclosure for it. Also, they will visit and take supplies to a Presbyterian Orphanage in Nairobi where the majority of the children are HIV positive. Jim and Pam will be in-country for 3 weeks.


Tuesday night, the GIPC Session, on a recommendation from the Mission and Stewardship Committee, approved a donation from the Hastings Fund of $2,000.00 in support of the Beckers' mission. The Hastings Fund was established in honor of the first pastor at GIPC, Wendling Hastings, and the interest is directed to domestic (50%) and international (50%) mission projects.


If you would like to support the Beckers, donations can be sent to:


Africa Faith Mission
c/o Doug Stiles (Treasurer)
3851 Sierra Drive
Honolulu, HI 96816


The scripture they have chosen for their trip is I Corinthians 12:6. Let's all join in supporting Jim and Pam with prayers for safe travels and fulfillment in their chosen mission.
 
In His Service,
The GIPC Mission and Stewardship Committee

Visitors . . .

  

On Sunday, February 3rd, we will have some special guests at the 10:30 worship service: the first-year students at Saints Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake. These men are all from Poland and are students of English as a Second Language with Carole Poleski. They will begin their theology studies at the seminary next year. 
 

We hope that many of you can stay after the service for lunch and conversation with these students who are interested in learning more about American culture and the variety of faith traditions in the United States. The opportunity to converse with Americans is key to their learning of English and to their "comfort level" in this country! 

 

Please come to the Fellowship Hall after the second service to meet our guests, extend a hearty Presbyterian welcome, and have lunch with them.

 

If you can bring a dish to share, salads and desserts would be welcome and you can sign up at the Crossroads. The main course will be ham and baked beans. But please don't feel that you have to bring anything -- just come and enjoy!

 

Yours in Christ,

Carole Poleski

Learn How To Play Bridge

Bridge Cards

 

Interested in learning to play bridge? It is said that a good mental challenge keeps the mind sharp. We can also promise fun & fellowship. Come join us and learn the basics of this long-standing favorite game. Anyone interested may email: Kathleen Rankin or Nancy Colina.  

Time to be determined.

  

 

New Hymnals For Worship
  
Donations continue to be accepted for purchase of the new Presbyterian hymnals for our sanctuary. If you would like to make a donation in honor or in memory of a loved one, use an envelope located in the pew rack. 
  
2013 Theologian In Residence
Dr. Cynthia Rigby

 

Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church invites you to join us the weekend of March 9-10, 2013 to hear Dr. Cynthia Rigby talk about "Believing in God." We are very pleased that Dr. Rigby has accepted our invitation to be this year's theologian. She will speak on Saturday, then preach at the 8:15 am. and 10:30 am. services on Sunday.

 

Dr. Rigby is well known for her writings, her preaching and her scholarship. She is the W.C. Brown Professor of Theology at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas. She is a prolific writer, author of over 30 articles and book chapters. An ordained minister, she is actively engaged with congregations and has just served as member of the General Assembly's task force that authored "The Trinity: God's Love Overflowing." She is also Austin's first faculty

member to be elected to the Austin Seminary's Board of Trustees.

 

Our program begins at 9:00 am. Saturday morning and will run until 1:00 pm. All are welcome to join us both Saturday and Sunday to hear this compelling speaker.

  
The Spire is a publication of the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church, 7925 Horsemill Road, Grosse Ile, Michigan.

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Please contact the church office or a member of the Communications Commission if you have any questions. Communications Commission: Sue Ashley, Marta Kramer, Ray Kramer, Carl Krohn, Nancy Morrison