JANUARY MEETING SCHEDULE

January 10 - 7 PM - Leadership Team

January 31 - 7 PM - Diaconate Board

 BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK

If you would like to financially support the Blessings in a Backpack program, you may give through the church—just use the brown envelopes and write “Blessings in a Backpack.” 

“There  is  a  spirit  of  helpfulness  that  shines through everything you do. Even the warmest of Thanks would never be  enough  to show our appreciation for all your prayers, cards, phone calls, emails, texts & dinner!  Please know how much we appreciate each & everyone & what a true blessing you all are to our  family.”                                           ~ The DePalma Family

“Thanks so much for the “Fruit Basket”.  It was so pretty, I hated to open it.”       ~ Austin & Erlene Sibley

 “Many thanks for the Christmas gifts received from our  members this year.  We thank you all for your care and support.”     ~ Staff of FBC

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS…

Tuna Helper, Chunky soup,  peas, corn, green beans, pork & beans, small boxes of sugar, beef stew, chili, flour, tomato paste, canned diced  tomatoes, canned stewed tomatoes, spaghetti sauce,  oatmeal, pancake mix & syrup,  cereal for kids,  jelly & jams, canned fruits (peaches, pineapple, mandarin oranges), Ramen Noodles, chicken noodle soup, cream of chicken soup, mushroom soup, applesauce.

 FROM PASTOR JIM’S DESK 

Happy New Year to each of you!! I trust you have enjoyed a restful and peaceful Christmas and New Year season. I hope you were able to take in one of the services held at the church during the Christmas season.

 I want to take this chance to thank just a few of our volunteers this year.  Gary Gilliand did a great job with his first Children’s Christmas program.  I hope he’s ready to volunteer again for next year.  Thanks also to the Thomas Small group for decorating the Sanctuary and Narthex again this year.  Our boards coordinated their efforts to purchase and deliver gifts to our own shut-ins and then some other seniors in our community who were in need this year.  Many others worked behind the scene to cook and clean and do all kinds of things that were needed.  Thanks to all!!

 I do want to mention the new Family Night that will begin Wednesday, January 18.  We’ll begin the evening at 6:15 with a light meal provided by our volunteers.  We’re hoping to be able to provide a meal for 3-4 dollars per person.  Then at 7:00 we’ll break up into the following groups:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        A special program for children (probably in the Youth Center)

        Prayer Meeting for Adults

        Bible Study for Adults

At 8:00 p.m. we’ll gather for a closing prayer and we’ll be on our way.  We hope this will be an opportunity to provide some additional learning opportunities for our young people and their parents who are not currently involved in any small group.

 One of the keys to getting this off the ground is determining the number of people who will be eating with us.  I ask (BEG) you to sign the sheet in the narthex with the number who will be attending.  This is really necessary for the success of this program.  We are also always looking for volunteers to help with the children’s program or in the kitchen.

 We hope you’ll add this to your weekly calendar.

 See you in church ~ Pastor Jim

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY

 In the New Year we will be starting a Wednesday night program; a family night with a dinner, children’s program, small group study, and prayer service.  It is scheduled to begin with dinner at 6:15 and everything end at 8:00 p.m.

 The small group will be studying the material, “The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus,” presents to the two disciples, in other words, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scripture concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

 The two men were saddened by the death of their Messiah, because they thought it was the end.  They did not believe Jesus had risen from the dead, so they were left with three faulty perspectives.

 First, their viewpoint lacked a spiritual dimension, leaving them with a human understanding of the events.  Take note of how Cleopas characterized the death of Jesus.  Don’t miss the lack of any divine involvement.

 Second, their own agenda determined their expectations.  Many disciples made the mistake of thinking that the Messiah would merely recapture the glory days of King David.  In other words, they hoped Jesus would bring Israel the same power and prosperity she once enjoyed, only magnified and multiplied.

 Third, they failed to acknowledge the resurrection.  If these two followers believed that Jesus had risen from the dead, two things would have been true.  First,  they would have been walking   toward Jerusalem to see the risen Lord, not away.  Second, they would have seen the trials, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus as the fulfillment of all He promised, not as the end of their hopes.

 Please make plans to join us as we come together on Wednesday night as a family.

~Pastor Wally

Sunday Night Women's Group

4:30 p.m. in the Church Parlor - Led by Marilynn Tenore.

Sunday Night Group

6 p.m. in the Church Fellowship Hall - Led by Pastor Jim.

Monday Night Home Group

Every other Monday 6 p.m. at the Holzhueter home - 1768 Maple, Wyandotte - Led by Wally

Monday Night Home Group

7 p.m. 2nd & 4th Monday at the Scott Home - 8654 Allen, Allen Park - Led by Wayne VanderWalker.

Thursday Night Home Group

7 p.m. 1st & 3rd at the DePalma Home - 24280   Wilson Dr., Brownstown - Led by Rich DePalma. 

Friday Night Home Group

6:30 p.m. 1st & 3rd Friday at the Mohn Home - 256 Felice, Wyandotte - Led by Mary Ellen Mohn.

Friday Night Home Group

7 p.m. 2nd & 4th Friday at the Thomas Home - 20089 Herzog, Rockwood - Led by Tim Thomas.

YOUTH CORNER

We brought in the New Year a little early with our New Year’s Eve EVE Bash on Friday.  We are hoping that 2012 brings us all closer to our Savior.  As I think about what I would like to happen this year, I’m for once...stumped.  Personally, 2011 was filled with a constant theme for me (much like most of my life).  I tried to stick with the plan that was constantly changing and reworking.  My personality doesn’t do well with change.  I like to know what to expect and where God’s voice is and go marching on.  But lately God has been teaching me something over and over.  I don’t always need a “plan.” 

As I’m learning to juggle being a mom of two amazing boys and serve the Lord as He has called me, I have come to the realization that I have no plan.  My only plan is to obey what God is telling me to do in that  moment.  I would like to look down the road 5 years or more and have expectations but right now I’m just   going to serve in this moment and lean heavily on the wisdom and knowledge that He gives me for that moment.  I firmly believe when we are broken before Him and fervently asking and seeking His direction we find the peace that we desperately need.

 What about you?  What is God telling you to do this year.  Maybe there is a relationship that needs to be repaired or a step up towards more holy living.    Whatever God is speaking to you about I pray that we can all have the obedience to follow through.

 Coming Up at DRIVEN:

January 8th @ 6 p.m. DRIVEN starts back!

Winter Camp & Mission trip deposits will still be accepted, although it will not guarantee your spot (we will refund if that camp is full). 

~ Pastor Julie

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