November Birthdays
 

Stephen
 Ministry

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

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   In 2012, Kathy Benton served at the Ronald McDonald House and was moved by her experiences there. Since then, she has spear-headed continued service there and involved other GIPC volunteers. It is through Kathy's leadership that this mission opportunity exists and continues to touch the lives of families with hospitalized children. 

   Ronald McDonald House is adjacent to Children's Hospital and provides a home away from home for families of hospitalized children. Volunteers provide meals for the parents and siblings of the hospitalized children so that they have a hot meal two times a day while they are staying at the house.

   Our church began volunteering at Ronald McDonald House during 2012. During that first year we planned the meals, purchased the food, and cooked four meals at the house. In 2013, we will provide 2 breakfasts and 3 dinners for a total of 5 meals. Mission and Stewardship Committee allots up to $500.00 per year toward the cost of these meals.

   Those who have volunteered remember the smiles on the faces of parents as they come through the line, the stories the parents tell about their children, and the expression of gratitude for possibly the only meal they will have that day. The reward for this work is a sense of satisfaction that you can make a difference in this world and thankfulness expressed as you see God at work in our community.

   THINGS TO KNOW WHEN A LOVED ONE DIES 

  The women's rights movement and the laws enacted since have empowered victims of spousal abuse, yet cases go unreported because victims fear involving the authorities. Legal intervention may become necessary in the most serious cases. These result in strict penalties to protect victims from further harm. Times have changed for the better but unfortunately, the sad legacy of spousal abuse continues. Help is available: victims of spousal abuse may safely contact the 1-800-656-HOPE, hot-line to discuss their situation with trained professionals.   

  Deacon's Christmas Dinner

Mark Your  Calendars Early!

   The Board of Deacons is delighted to invite all adults to the Annual Christmas Dinner! This years dinner will be held on Saturday, December 7th. Fellowship and entertainment begin at 5:30 pm. with dinner at 6:30.

   You may choose any or all menu items on our buffet-style dinner. Entrees: Baked Chicken , herb crusted pork loin, roast beef, or a vegetarian meal. Salads: Caesar or Michigan salad, complemented by buttered rolls and green beans almondine.

   As in past years the Deacons will auction off gift baskets. Your donations are always appreciated. The Deacons also gladly accept other gifts such as ham, turkey, art, jewelry, and other appropriate gifts. Proceeds from the items benefit the Youth mission projects at GIPC. Donations go directly to our youth on their journeys of faith.

Suggested donation is $15 per person, along with an appetizer or dessert. If that is a hardship for anyone, please contact the Rev. Phil Reed since we hope that everyone will be able to attend.

  Please watch the crossroads for sign up sheets or see Trish Widger,Vicki DesJardins or Gus Skaggs for other questions.

Yours in Christ,
GIPC Board of Deacons

  The 2004 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) gave authorization to the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, the Presbyterian Association of Musicians, and the Office of Theology and Worship to begin research into the feasibility of a new Presbyterian hymnal. The results of this feasibility study were to be reported to the 217th General Assembly in 2006. With the help of Research Services of the PC(USA), a questionnaire was developed assessing the need for a new hymnal and was distributed in August 2005 to members of the Presbyterian Panel. This Panel consists of three nationally representative samples of groups affiliated with the PC(USA): members, elders, and ordained ministers. Research Services tabulated the results

of the Panel survey and then presented the results to the 2006 General Assembly, which granted authorization for the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation to research, develop, and produce a new hymnal. The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation assumed all costs for the development and production of the hymnal, including the expenses of

the Hymnal Committee. No money was spent on the project from the denomination's budget.
  After authorization from the General Assembly, members of the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song (PCOCS) were selected and met in the fall of 2008. They spent three years culling through over 10,000 submissions. The hymnal went into production in July 2012. Glory to God was shipped in the fall of 2013.
   The biblical narrative contains many references to singing joyfully to our God. In every generation we are called to claim our song and bear witness to what God is doing in the world. A new hymnal will give us an opportunity to make available a great wealth of hymns and spiritual songs that have arisen since the 1990 hymnal, to acquaint worshipers

with wonderful resources from Christian communities around the world, and to review again the great heritage of congregational songs that have been passed on to us from past generations of faithful worshipers.
   It's not too late to donate to help defray the cost in memory or in honor of a loved one. We are still in need of funds to cover the cost of the hymnals.  Each one costs us the discounted price of $15. You may put a check in the offering plate or contact the church office.
   May God continue to guide us on this path of discernment, and may our new hymnals help God's people sing joyfully for generations yet to come!  

  

  The Children's Nurture Commission has chosen the Heifer Project as its mission project this year. All of the children's offering will be sent to Heifer to fund bee hives and bees for communities that need them. You can watch the children's progress by noticing the bees at the crossroads. Each bee represents $1 given in offering. $30 purchases a hive and bees.

Blood Drive: Thanks to everyone who participated in our Blood Drive on October 13th - we had 17 people come in and make a donation.
 

ChristNet: St. Thomas Lutheran Church will be the host site for ChristNet this year. Our guests arrive on Sunday evening, November 17th and leave early in the morning of the 24th. As in previous years, our night to serve dinner and provide chaperones will be Wednesday, November 20th.   
   Sign-ups will begin on Sunday, November 3rd for Wednesday evening as well as helping with the set-up on the 17th and tear down on the 24th - help with laundry on the 24th is always appreciated also.

Thanksgiving Eve Service:  Please join us  for our annual Inter-Faith Thanksgiving Service to be held at Riverpointe Christian Church on Wednesday, November  27th at 7 p.m.
 

Inter-Faith Representative 

   I'd like to express my gratitude to be chosen as a Deacon. Since joining the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church two years ago I have been given the opportunity to do things I've never even dreamed of doing.
   I have never been a writer, yet I write short stories that actually touch others. Since finding and putting my total belief into the existence of God, I've realized that, yes, with God all things are possible and that leaves out no-thing.
   In a recent garage sale I joined with my good friend, Bethann Rodgers. Her goal was to collect $2,000 to be able to send an orphaned girl in Kenya to school K-12. My goal, through praying to God was to be able to double that and be able to send two girls to school. With the assistance of a letter to the Editor of the Ile Camera, what did we collect? Exactly $4,000! This amount was doubled by an anonymous donor, enough to send four orphaned African girls in Kenya to a Christian Boarding School for grades K-12. 
   As I continue to follow God, new doors continue to open. Can you imagine that I, a person that took 72 years of my life to find and believe in God, am actually taking home communion to others? It's true, with God, no-thing is impossible.

- David L. Dyer

   Join Matt Hurst on Sunday, November 17, from 2- 5 pm. to learn how to make wonderful soups and sautés for the winter weather. Matt's menus are always fun and his step-by-step instructions make everything easy to prepare. Even better, attendees get to dine on the finished products. 

Sign up at the Crossroads to make certain there's a spot reserved for you --  $8 a person, payable in advance. You'll go home with new recipes, new cooking techniques and satisfied taste buds.