December 2019
the Visitor Our Vision Statement
a publication of Flushing United Methodist Church
For this is how much God loved the
Preparing servants who make a difference in their community and the world by knowing Christ, following Christ and sharing Christ.
world—he gave his one and only,
Church Staff
Sunday Worship
Lead Pastor JJ Mannschreck Office Manager Rose Dessinger Director of Music Christie Dover Christian Ed. Director Lisa Mitchell Youth Leader Tramell Ferguson Custodian Marlene Cooper Play Place Director Brooke Daily Play Place Sandy Abueita Sarah Covert Hanna
unique Son as
a gift.
So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life. John 3:16-The Passion 8:45 am Traditional Service 11:15 am Contemporary Worship
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services 5:00 pm A Family Christmas 7:00 pm Contemporary Worship 11:00 pm Traditional Service
December 29: One Service at 10:00 am Holiday Office Hours The office will be closed from December 22, 2019 thru January 4, 2020. Regular office hours: Monday—Thursday 9-4pm. Published the last Wednesday of the month (810)659-5172 Editor: Rose Dessinger
413 E Main St, Flushing MI 48433 www.flushingumc.org e-mail: flumc@sbcglobal.net Pastor JJ’s email: pastor@flushingumc.org cell #: (248) 219-8598
Greetings from the desk of the Pastor! We made it through November and December has arrived! We are drawing near to the end of my first FULL year in Ministry in this beautiful town of Flushing – and what a year it has been! At the beginning of this year, we set several goals for this church – and we have accomplished many of them. Attendance has increased slightly, membership classes went well, we found three or four major new forms of outreach (community garden, worship on the riverfront, handing out water in Flint, Messy Church, and more). Also, the first semester of Life Groups was a rousing success. But perhaps the easiest to measure is our financial health. This year we set the goal of paying our apportionments on time throughout the year. In the past we have developed a habit of waiting until the end of the year and then desperately calling for help to fulfill our budget. As of the end of November, we have paid 11 straight months of apportionments on time and in full, while at the same time doing more than ever with the ministries and programs of this church!! I am so very proud of you all for this – congratulations! Here’s the crazy part – this church’s giving has not increased dramatically. Our generosity this year has been just a little bit more than last year (and less than we’ve done in previous years). However, with good financial management by our incredible Finance Committee with cooperation of the staff, treasurer and volunteers – we have stayed ahead of our finances all year long! In fact, the increase in giving for this church matches up almost exactly with the amount needed to pay our apportionments on time through the year. It’s almost as if we set a goal and God has been helping us get it done. Perhaps we need to set bigger goals! But because of that consistent, good financial management in this church we are having a very different conversation this time of year. Rather than asking the question – how can we get enough to cover all our needs?
Instead we are asking – who else can we help with our gifts? For the first time in years we decided to increase the budget of this church for 2020. We began to dream – how else can God use us in this little corner of the world we call ours? You see, it is not uncommon in a church around this time of year for the Pastor to reach out to the ministry leaders and say, “please reduce expenses, and stop spending money so we can meet all of our ministry obligations first.” But THIS year, because of our newfound financial stability I have been blessed to give our ministry leaders a very different message: Dream a little with me. Dream of what this church can be. In the midst of the holiday Chaos, we will be having a Stewardship Moment on December 8th. A moment when we are encouraged to stop and look at our finances – to find a way to grow a generous heart. One of the best ways to do that is to Dream. The bible speaks consistently of donating 10% of our income back to the church, and if every member of this church gave 10% (based on average incomes of Flushing) – we would have an annual budget of 1.3 million dollars. (Our actual budget is $305,000) And truly – we do just fine with our budget, we do a lot of good work. But imagine what more we could do! Imagine what this church could do in our little town with a fully funded budget. I want to challenge you in this season of giving, to become a person in this church who makes the dreams come true. If I can be a little cheesy – I want you to be a Dream Maker. This is one of my favorite parts of ministry – we have some very big dreams for this church (have your heard about our possible building project?). When the pieces of church begin to work together the way they are meant to, when the body of Christ begins to come alive – we can finally start to dream. Let’s find out how can God use the gifts of this church (both financial and otherwise) to change the world! Come and Dream with me my friends, but until then, I’ll see you on Sunday!
Pastor’s Bookshelf
Welcome to my bookshelf! Each month I will discuss a recent book that I’ve finished. *disclaimer; I don’t always have time to sit and read physical books, but I do quite a bit of my reading through audiobooks these days.*
Mere Christianity By C.S. Lewis This one is an oldie, but a goodie. I first read this book years and years ago, but I try to revisit it often. C.S. Lewis is well known as one of the greatest Christian authors of the 20th century – he had a way of taking complex theological teachings about God and making them understandable for the common man. As a very common man myself, I’ve always deeply appreciated his work. During World War II, during the infamous blitz in England, Lewis was invited by the BBC to give a series of wartime broadcasts on Christian faith. In those talks he outlines the very basics of what it means to be a Christian. The people needed to hear a word of hope in the midst of tragedy. He spoke on the radio several times from 1942 to 1944 and then they gathered up all his talks into the book we call “Mere Christianity.” It’s a wonderful, light-hearted book that encourages Christians in their walk with God – I pray it lifts your holiday season this year.
One Worship Service ONLY December 29th @ 10:00 AM
continues Dec 1 at 12:30pm. Here’s another opportunity to come to enjoy pizza and ask Pastor JJ anything and everything. It's just a regular opportunity to get together with the congregation and get to know one another better.
Holiday Office Hours Both Pastor JJ Mannschreck and Rose Dessinger will be on vacation from December 22nd thru January 2nd. The office will be closed during that time. If you have an emergency or need to speak to someone, there will be someone in the office to answer the phones Monday and Thursday mornings each week from 9:00 am to noon.
Address Change: Removed (deceased): Blanchard, Paul Goldner, Maurine
Notes From The Office Christmas Eve Servants Needed We are looking people who are willing to be Greeters, Ushers and Communion Servers for 3 Christmas Eve services on December 24th. We need servants for 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm and 11:00 pm.
The requested Food Pantry donation for the month is: The requested Personal Item donation for the month is:
ENDOWMENT NEWS This past year, the Endowment Fund has received donations/gifts totaling approximately $2500. Just as they say on those PBS fundraiser drives, every dollar/ penny/bit counts. We thank these donors for their commitment to the concept of sustainable growth that these gifts represent. Gifts to the Fund are invested and only the earnings can be used for projects not covered by the regular church budget. This past year the Fund awarded $1650 in grants for the community garden and nursery and Christian education needs. For more information, look for the Fund brochure in the Information rack by the front door and consider a donation.
Sunday Worship 8:45 am & 11:15 am
Christmas Memorials Remember someone special this holiday season by giving a Christmas Memorial Donation. The poinsettias soon to adorn the Centrum will serve as a reminder of the donations given in honor of or in th memory of friends and family members. Order by December 15 Names for whom gifts have been given will be listed in the December 24th Christmas Eve bulletin. A suggested donation is $10, but all donations are welcome. Donations given will support: The South Flint Soup Kitchen Located on Fenton Road at the former Lincoln Park United Methodist Church, they provide over 30,000 meals per year to the homeless and food insecure families of South Flint. In addition to nutritious meals, children receive a healthy snack and free books to take with them. Clients also receive access to a food pantry and to personal hygiene products, diapers, and toilet paper. The South Flint Soup Kitchen acts as a resource center to direct people to community partners for additional services. Pastor Horne provides pastoral care and ensures that everyone who comes in the doors feels the love of Jesus Christ. The South Flint Soup Kitchen is an EngageMI East Winds District Christ Centered Mission. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas Memorials (Return to church office by Sunday, December 15) Attached is a gift of $____________ Given in loving Honor/Memory of (Circle one, please): _____________________________________________________ Given by:
Giving Opportunities from our aith n ction eam We offer several ways to be a blessing to others during this Christmas season: Angel Tree We are helping 5 Flushing area families (including 12 children) that need help this Christmas. Help them put items under their tree by getting an angel on the Angel Tree ($25 gift limit). Please return wrapped item (place the angel back on the gift) by Sun, Dec 22nd.
Church World Service/Heifer International: Living Gifts Anyone not wanting to donate to any of the above can also donate to Church World Service: Living Gifts. Make check payable to Flushing UMC and write CWS: Living Gifts in the memo line.
Christmas Eve Offering This year we will be giving all donations we receive on Christmas Eve to help support a program at Flushing Middle School called Positive Behavior Support program. This program helps prepare students to succeed in school, as well as when they leave their hallways and go out into the real world. By recognizing positive behavior, they are preparing their students to be productive citizens in the work force and community when students leave school. They use our donations for rewards to help recognize students positive behavior to give gifts from gift cards, monetary or gifts from local businesses.
The Holy Land Revealed The Adult Sunday School class led by Jim Thomas will reconvene in January. We will start a video lecture series from Great Courses entitled "The Holy Land Revealed". There are 36 half hour lectures tracing the history of the Holy Land from the arrival of the Israelites and the First Temple Period through the beginnings of Christianity. Using biblical and archaeological sources we will learn about the fascinating history of this important region.
Name Lewis, Sarah Micinski, Marilyn Alexander, Cindy Grindstaff, Trudy Merrifield, Pam Kalahar, Matthew Stauffacher, Lori Popovits, Mason Covert, Barb Jackson, Greg Mosey, Dean Packer, Kristi Pattee, Julia Wagner, Lindsey Hathaway, Bruce Lechota, Ramsey Johnson, Evelyn Napier, James Bloodworth, Judy
DOB 12/1 12/4 12/4 12/4 12/5 12/7 12/8 12/8 12/9 12/11 12/11 12/11 12/11 12/11 12/13 12/14 12/15 12/15 12/16
Bodis, Nick Wisenbaugh, Arlie Rowley, Nolan Schmaler, Maxine Menosky, Karla Krueger, Bob Popovits, Nicholas Windle, Mable Sands, Denise Nettleton, Hannah Thomas, Jim Fonger, Elizabeth Kipp, Ron Messina, Katelyn Graham, Velma Schlicht, Joyce Williams, Lilah LeCureux, Kyler Abdella, Camryn Metz, Cathy
12/17 12/19 12/19 12/20 12/21 12/22 12/22 12/23 12/23 12/23 12/24 12/24 12/25 12/27 12/28 12/28 12/28 12/28 12/30 12/31
Finance Snapshot through November 2019 Amount received YTD: $265,684 November: General: $24,303 Capitol: $1, 982 2019 Apportionments: $49,485 Paid to date: $45,038 We are STILL 100% current on this years apportionments!
Wednesday, December 11th ~ 6:00—9:00 pm
All are welcome ~ See you on Wednesday, December 11th!
th
Dec 14
Men’s Breakfast
@ 8:30 am @Kathy's Restaurant
(All Men are invited) Shirley Cochran from Motherly Intersession will be our speaker this month, so please come and enjoy fellowship with other men of Flushing UMC as well as Hope UMC.
Our Church Family
Aware of a concern or joy in our family? Please notify the church, so we can share them with you. Only first names will be published in prayer concerns.
Please remember in your hearts and prayers: + + + + +
Shirley, battling pneumonia Dianne on loss of her mother Kevin, having knee replacement Bonnie, with breast cancer Dale, recovering from heart attack
+ Patty, waiting for kidney and liver + Jeff, for recovery from addiction + Ed, recovering from surgery + Mary Lou, continued healing
To Lori Stauffacher, friends and family on the loss of Joan Cunningham. To the friends and family on the loss of member Maurine Goldner. To Cindy Pratt, friends and family on the loss of her mother.
In this season of Thanksgiving, I am so thankful and grateful for the love and care I have received from you, my church family! All the prayers, calls, visits and cards with well-wishes have energized my spirit and helped me continue to recover from a terrible and painful fall! A special thanks to Rose Dessinger and John Henson for stepping in and using their expertise as Stephen Ministry Leaders to complete the final weeks of GriefShare on my behalf! God is so good all the time!!! God bless you all, Mary Lou Martin To Youth Group: Thank you for the fruit basket you delivered to us. It was greatly appreciated. Thank you, Larry & Barbara Launstein You donated 61 Samaritan Boxes and 641 Stuffing Boxes on Nov 24th. Thank you to everyone who made this such a successful year.
Worship Servants Greeters 8:45 am Dec 1 - John & Marcia Henson Dec 8 - Bruce & Sylvia Hathaway Dec 15 - Harry & Ellen Hulet Dec 22 –Jerry & Carol Dick Dec 29 –Peggy Blanchard, Nancy Elsner Coffee Hosts 8:45 am Dec 1 - Jerry Todd, Dave Lewis Dec 8 - Rusty Eavy, Judy Martz Dec 15 - Jerry & Carol Dick Dec 22 –Bill & Sue Martin Dec 29 –Ruth Brown, Kris Rundell Ushers 8:45 am Dec 1 - Bill & Sue Martin Dec 8 - Jerry Todd Dec 15 - Larry & Sue Ridge Dec 22 –Bruce Hathaway, Mel Weeden Dec 29 –Lois Griffin, Larry Launstein Scripture Readers 8:45 am Dec 1 - Sue Durling Dec 8 - Cheryl Butts Dec 15 - Dave Lewis Dec 22 –Cathy Metz Dec 29 –Alta Parsons
Greeters 11:15 am Dec 1 - Bob Halbedel, Kris Supernaw Dec 8 - Carole Dewely Dec 15 - Teresa Casteel, Tom Lawrence Dec 22 –Cathy Riley, Denise Johnson Dec 29 –Lori & Joe Dorman Coffee Hosts 11:15 am Dec 1 - Tammy Workman Dec 8 - John & Diane Roberts Dec 15 - ? Dec 22 –Bob Halbedel, Kris Supernaw Dec 29 –Marlene Cooper, Becky Stamm
Ushers 11:15 am Dec 1 - Cathy Riley, Denise Sands Dec 8 - Bob Halbedel, Kris Supernaw Dec 15 - Denise Trantham, Jeff Welch Dec 22 –Greg & Anne Winarski Dec 29 –Blair & Tracey Booth
Deadline: December 16, 2019
Nov 3 - 208 Nov 10 - 186 Nov 17- 153 Nov 24 - 199
November 27, 2019 – Issue #11
the Visitor
FLUSHING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 413 E MAIN ST FLUSHING MI 48433-2029
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