Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church Spire
February 1. 2014  
In This Issue
Friends Of The Groom
York Connection
Adult Nurture
Theologian In Residence
Youth Sunday
Snow Days
Thank You!
Reminders
  

Happy Birthday!

February Birthdays
 

February 2
Michael Walls 
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
Joe Nardone
Paige Kruse
Jack Richardson
Denise Trombley 
February 14
Pat Dickson
Jenny Simon
Leah Trombley 
February 15
Sharon Westerdale
Bev Morris
Rob Hunter
Quentin Jensen 
February 17
Phil Reed
Bruce Markwardt
Robert Loveday 
February 18
William Butler III 
February 19
Judy Darin
John Ryan 
February 20
Wyatt Force 
February 21
Barry Jensen
Irene Silye
Donald Treadwell 
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 Q.Taylor
Marcia Kenyon

 

Stephen
 Ministry Stephen Ministry Logo

 

February 2
1 Corinthians 1:30
For it is with God alone that you have your life through Christ Jesus. He showed us God's plan of salvation; he was the one who made us acceptable to God; he made us pure and holy and gave himself to purchase our salvation.
 
February 9
Isaiah 58:10
Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you shall be as bright as day.

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

   

 


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Back By Popular Demand . . .
 
"A Weekend With Friends"
February 28-March 2, 2014
Family Retreat at GIPC
  
   Come spend the weekend with Friends of the Groom - no expensive wedding gift or fancy clothes needed!  If you were lucky enough to be here last year when the professional theater group, Friends of the Groom, was here, you'll remember and want to come. If you missed out, here's your chance to find out what the excitement was all about. Plan to come for this multi-generational event on Friday evening, February 28th, 7-9 pm., discovering what would happen if Sam Spade, detective from the Maltese Falcon, met Simon Peter from the New Testament. Join us for an entertaining, new look at Acts 12.
   Then come again on Saturday, March 1st, from 9 -noon for more fun looking at techniques to bring scripture alive in worship. We'll explore our faith creatively, using drama and storytelling. We'll watch, laugh, and think!
   We will also have an opportunity for 8-10 children and adults to sign up to work with the theater company from 1-2 pm. on Saturday to prepare for participation in Sunday worship. We will learn to bring the Christian message alive in an exciting and challenging format.
   Watch for both sign-ups at the Crossroads and plan to join us for this entertaining weekend as we explore our faith together.
 brightsunday
York Connection

  

  Tips For Seniors
  
   If the sun shines on Groundhog Day; half the fuel and half the hay.                    -Pennsylvania Dutch folklore
  
   Groundhog Day is a North American tradition of fairly recent origin. When German settlers arrived in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in the early 1700's, they brought with them Candlemas Day, a religious tradition having its origin in the pagan celebration of Imbolc. In medieval Europe, the feast of Candlemas was celebrated midway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Superstition held that the second half of winter would be stormy and cold, if the weather was fair and the sun cast a shadow. In their homeland, German farmers watched for a badger to cast a shadow, thereby predicting six more weeks of winter. In this country, German immigrants chose a ground hog, awakening from hibernation to replace their traditional badger. In February, following a mock ceremony, the ground hog's prediction was revealed to the public.
   The official celebration of Groundhog Day began on February 2, 1886 with a proclamation in The Punxsutawney Spirit by the newspaper's editor, Clymer Freas: "Today is Groundhog Day and up to the time of going to press the beast has not seen its shadow." Ever since 1966, when the ceremony became a public event, spectators have gathered at Gobbler's Knob, a wooded knoll outside of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to witness the prediction of Punxsutawney Phil, that state's official ground hog. Phil's fearless forecast has since become a national media event but, to date, only 39% of his predictions have actually come true. More remarkable is the fact that ground hogs have a life expectancy of about ten years, yet Punxsutawney Phil has made an annual appearance since the early 1800's. Go figure.                                         -Bayer Lee Credulous
  
  
Drop in "Feeling Fit" Yoga Class meets on Thursdays at 1:00 pm.  All ages and levels of mobility are welcome.  Cost is $5.00 a class. Class meets for 45 minutes.
  
Sit n' Knit for a spell. We are currently making scarves. Knit one row or 20 and the next person will do the same. Soon we will have a warm scarf for a woman in need. There are also samples and instructions for making bright colored baby washcloths for layettes. Location: on the bench outside the church office. Open to all who want to sit n' knit!
 
Game Day:
Come play a friendly game of euchre, bridge or dominoes on Wednesdays from 4-6 pm. in Fellowship Hall. Bridge game begins at 2 pm. Stay for dinner ~ only $4 a person. Sign up at the Crossroads or call the church office 734-676-8811 to reserve your meal. 
Adult Nurture Classes 

 

"The Greatest Prayer: Rediscovering the Revolutionary Message of the Lord's Prayer" by John Dominic Crossan
Wednesdays 6:45-8:00 pm

Class continuing through April 30th.
.   
   Join us in the Fireside Room for "The Greatest Prayer: Rediscovering the Revolutionary Message of the Lord's Prayer" by John Dominic Crossan led by Dr. Loren Scribner.    John Dominic Crossan is a New Testament scholar, a former Catholic priest and a noted historian of early Christianity. This study will offer fresh interpretations of our most familiar prayer. 
   Crossan's focus is on showing us how we can understand The Lord's Prayer both in the context of Jesus' era, when it was first heard as counsel for dealing with Roman captors, and in the context of the cares and concerns of our own time. His writing is provocative and challenging, making the reader consider anew words that have been taken for granted.
  

"The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism" by Timothy Keller
Sundays 9:30-10:20
January 26-April 13
  

   We look forward to seeing you on Sunday mornings! Please join us for some lively discussion and a deeper look at our faith.
   Is skepticism or faith on the ascendancy in the world today? The answer is that both are on the rise. But we don't reason with opposing views, we denounce them. Keller suggests that both sides should accept that both skepticism and faith are on the rise. We can then learn about both and discuss and debate with respect.
   Keller also suggests that both sides look at doubt in a new way. For believers, he equates doubts to antibodies that help prepare believers for times of trial and questions from non-believers. It's important to recognize that Keller is referring to doubts that are acknowledged and explored, not ignored.
   For skeptics, Keller suggests that they learn to look for the type of faith within their reasoning. All doubts represent a set of alternate beliefs.  "Every doubt, therefore, is based on a leap of faith."  (pg xviii)

 

 

2014 Theologian in Residence

 

  On Saturday, April 5, The Rev. Earl F. Palmer  will present a seminar on "C.S. Lewis: The Writer of Stories and Oxford Don"
   C. S. Lewis described his journey of faith in Jesus Christ by the phrase "Surprised By Joy". We will explore the reasons for his enduring influence on our lives. 

   Rev. Palmer retired from active ministry in Presbyterian churches in 2006. He is currently is a member of the Board of Trustees at Princeton Theological Seminary, the Board of Governors at Regent College, Vancouver, B.C. and the Board of Trustees at New College Berkeley, Berkeley, CA. He has authored 17 books and numerous video studies.
   Rev. Palmer will preach at both services on April 6th.

Mark your calendars for a most enlightening weekend! Watch for detailed information and sign-up at the Crossroads.
  

Many Thanks To GIPC's Youth! 

 

   We at GIPC are very fortunate to have such an active Youth group who worked together to present an awesome and inspiring Worship experience on Youth Sunday! It was so refreshing to witness the expressions of your faith ~ a most encouraging statement for the future of our world. Thank you so much!  

"Snow Days"

 

bleak winter
Think Spring!

   The GIPC office is usually closed when the Grosse Ile Schools close for extreme snow and/or cold conditions. However, staff members may be at GIPC when it is safe to come to work. Always remember that everyone's safety comes first, so in the event of inclement weather, please call the church office at 734-676-8811 to confirm that scheduled activities, programs, and services are going on or being cancelled.

  
Thank You

  

   Dear Board of Deacons and Church Members,
I am grateful for all your visits and telephone calls. Thank you also for the two poinsettias that helped make my room cheerful during the holidays. Keep those cards and letters coming.

God bless you all,

 Jane Rose

 
Reminders!

 

   You can still join us for Knit for Fun and Mission from 3:00 to 4:30, on scheduled Thursdays. If you do not know how to knit, we will teach you. You can start with a scarf and if you choose, make a lap blanket 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. 
   Meeting dates are: February 6th and 20th; March 6th and 20th. If you have questions please contact Vicki Des Jardins.


   Grace House II Items are needed! As you remember, the first Grace House was furnished largely through donations from GIPC. Check the display board located in the GIPC entry way for a plan of the house and to see how you can help to furnish the house and donate supplies. 
 

grace house  
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.
 
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