January 1. 2014

In This Issue

The Bible Challenge

York Connection

Thank You

Knit For Fun and Mission

Adult Nurture Offerings

Happy Birthday!

January Birthdays

January 1
Bruce Ranck
January 2
A. John Schweickart
January 4
Ben Dixon
Quintin Lilley
January 5
Yi-Chia Schmaeman
Shannon Genter
January 6
Sara Speer
January 7
Katie Chambers
January 8
Dennis Reckley
January 10
Alexis Seely
January 11
Julia Allen
January 12
Philip Kennedy
Rochelle Blum
January 14
Laurie Dixon
Robert Ranka
Kelly Chambers
January 15
Lindy Falster
Fabio Klamm
Hanna Swanson
January 16
Barbara Richardson
Thomas Repp
January 17
E. Lea Schelke
January 18
Helen Morrison
Sandy Bettinger
January 19
Linda Harmon
Robert Harris
Raymond Geist
January 20
Karl Charlson
January 21
Melissa Sykes
January 26
Dina Nardone
Marty Coakley
January 27
Janice Holmes
Landon Ranka
January 28
Erica DesJardins
January 29
Jack Frucci
January 30
Corinne Worden

Stephen
Ministry Stephen Ministry Logo

January 5
Psalm 147:1
Hallelujah! Yes, Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing his praises! How delightful, and how right!

January 12
Isaiah 42:1
See My Servant, whom I uphold; my Chosen One, in whom I delight. I have put my spirit upon him; he will reveal justice to the nations of the world.

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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Subscribe to our sermon podcast on iTunes: "Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church Sermons"

Check out what's happening nationally:

www.pcusa.org

Take Up The Challenge in 2014 . . .

Happy New Year! How about starting off this New Year by being a part of One Bible ~ One Year ~ Together ! Can you believe the Bible can be read in its entirety in one year! This is your chance to do it along with many others at GIPC! While you're reading three Bible Chapters each day, there will also be opportunities to join weekly group discussions along with periodic meetings to answer questions and raise issues.

KICKOFF POTLUCK is Sunday, January 5, at noon. Bring a salad or dessert to pass. ANC will provide lasagna, beverages and rolls.

Reading begins TODAY!

If you haven't already, sign up at the Crossroads. For 5$, you may purchase a reading guide to keep you on track.

York Connection

Tips For Seniors

"New Years is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks and friendly calls and humbug resolutions. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain

New Year's Eve ranks low on my list of favorite holidays. Counting down to midnight and the associated hype has never excited me much: I've never understood the significance of that dropping ball nor do I wish to forget my old acquaintances. In some parts of the world, including Detroit, celebrants shoot guns into the air with reckless abandon. What's with that? Traditionally, New Years is seen as an opportunity to make new beginnings: "In with the new, out with the old," as they say. I support that approach but remain guarded, making no easy-to-break resolutions and keeping my expectations low. That way, I'm never disappointed when events turn out differently than I planned and every gift of good fortune becomes a pleasant surprise. I have many fond memories of New Year's Eve celebrated quietly, at home. A memorable exception to those occurred in 1980 when, inspired to explore, dream and discover, I drove my family to Disney World. After a long and exhausting day in the park, we boarded the midnight boat to return our car. Midway across the lake, we were suddenly engulfed in an enormous fireworks display. The impact of bombs bursting overhead literally took our breaths away and the images of star-like embers raining upon us shaped a dreamlike finale to our day and a Mark Twain-sanctioned welcome to the New Year.

-Mr. Twaddle

The York Connection wishes you a safe

and happy holiday!

Game Day:

Game Day resumes on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. Come play a friendly game of euchre, bridge or dominoes every Wednesday from 4-6 p.m. in fellowship hall. Bridge game begins at 2 pm.

Thank You

Dear Members and Staff,

   What a wonderful Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, turned out to be. It was the high point of these last several years of my life. A most profound "thank you" to all who made it possible. I am in their debt a thousand times over.
A special "thank you" to Phil and his kindness and warm welcome as well as to the choir for the beautiful anthem and to Doug and Carol for the organ and flute music which had so much meaning for me.
   Also a very sincere "thanks" to the Board of Deacons and Worship Committee for the beautiful and tasty reception.
If there is anybody else who needs a special "thank you" and I have forgotten them, please forgive me. I am most grateful to all who made this day possible. I shall not forget the whole experience.
   Thank you members, staff and all who were there!

Love,

Dick Milford

And we at GIPC "thank you", Dick, for your most inspiring love message!

Knit For Fun And Mission

Come and knit with us in Fellowship Hall beginning on Thursday, January 9th from 3:00 to 4:30. If you do not know how to knit, we will teach you. You can begin by knitting a scarf. If you already know how to knit, we will also be making lap blankets for patients receiving chemo at Karmanos. You will need to bring size 15 needles and either 4 skeins of yarn for a scarf or 7 skeins for a lap blanket. We suggest using Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick yarn which may be purchased at Michaels.

Our knitting group are on Thursdays January 9th and 23rd; February 6th and 20th; March 6th and 20th. Look for the sign up sheet at the Crossroads. If you have any questions please contact Vicki Des Jardins or Kathy Benton.

Join Us In The New Year . . .

Sunday Morning class resumes on January 8th from 9:30-10:20 for Philip Yancey's "The Jesus I Never Knew" led by John Colina.

Wednesday Dinners resume on January 8th at 6 pm. Just $4 a person gets you a great meal and fellowship followed by a busy Wednesday Evening Schedule at GIPC.

"Getting Started" class geared for non-members who are interested in learning more about our church and how we do "Presbyterianism". Come to dinner at 6 pm. on Wednesday, January 8th, then meet with our Outreach folks in Room 110.

Early Birds resumes on Wednesday mornings at 7:30 pm. in the Fireside Room.

Beginning on Wednesday, January 8th, from 6:45- 8:00 pm., the Rev. Dr. Loren Scribner will lead a a class discussion of the book by John Dominic Crossan: "The Greatest Prayer: Rediscovering the Revolutionary Message of the Lord's Prayer."

For more information visit the Crossroads on Sunday mornings where you can sign up for these activities.

The Spire is a publication of the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church, 7925 Horsemill Road, Grosse Ile, Michigan. The purpose of this newsletter is to share news and information about GIPC and our denomination.

Contributions are invited and encouraged. The Communications Commission reserves the right to accept or reject submissions and to edit to fit available space or for style and consistency.

Material is due six business days before the first or the fifteenth of the month. Emailed submissions should be sent to spire@gipc.org.

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