Messenger
May 2012
A STORY ABOUT GOD’S
MYSTERY
~ GOD IS NEVER WRONG ~
A king who did not believe in the goodness of God, had a slave who, in all
circumstances would say: My king, do not be discouraged, because everything God
does is perfect, no mistakes!
One day they
went hunting and along the way a wild animal attacked the king.
His slave managed to kill the animal, but could not prevent his majesty from
losing a finger.
Furious and
without showing his gratitude for being saved, the nobleman said
"Is God good? If He was good, I would not have been attacked and lost my
finger."
The slave
replied only "My king, despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is
good, and He knows the "why" of all these things. What God does is perfect. He
is never wrong!"
Outraged by
the response, the king ordered the arrest of his slave. Later, he left for
another hunt and was captured by savages who made human sacrifices.
While on the
altar, ready to sacrifice the noble, the savage found that the victim had a
missing finger and so he was released. According to them: he was not
so complete to be offered to the gods.
Upon his
return to the palace, the king authorized the release of his slave to whom he
said very affectionately:
“My dear, God was
really good to me! I was almost killed by the wild men, but for lack of a
single finger, I was let go! But I have a question: if God is so good, why did
He allow me to put you in jail?
“My King, if
I had gone with you in this hunt, I would have been sacrificed for you, because
I have no missing finger.” Therefore, remember: everything God does is
perfect. He is never wrong.
Often we complain
about life and the negative things that happen to us, forgetting that nothing is
random and that everything has a purpose.
Every
morning, offer your day to God.
Ask God to
inspire your thoughts, guide your actions, to ease your feelings. And do
not be afraid. God is never wrong!
You know why
this message was sent to you? I do not know, but God knows, because He never
makes mistakes.......
The path of
God and His word is perfect, without impurities. It is the way
of all those who trust in Him, as He says in 2 Samuel 22:31.
Surely this
message arrived at the right moment. May God put in your heart
the desire to send it to someone. Do not be ashamed to send it to the right
person.
God knows, He knows why. God is never wrong!
Grace and Peace, Pastor Bill
P R A Y E R C O N C E R N S
Arbors of Michigan City
Carol Schultz
Joan Staffel
Betty Stevenson
Settlers House
Dorothy Johnson
Clare Bridge Cottage, Alterra
Ruth Daschbach
Golden Living Center - Fountainview
Janice Schlundt
Hamilton Grove Retirement Community
Lucille Crutchfield Mildred M. Hanson
Rittenhouse
Dorothy Peckat
Lifecare Center of Michigan City
Libby Rogers
MONTHLY REPORT
February 29,2012
Income Expenses
General Account $15,007.58 $14,783.05
Building & Grounds $7,345.61 $11,309.40
Checking Account Balances
General Checking $ 26,460.93
Special Checking $ 53,468.67
Benevolent Checking $ 10,478.87
SPRING RUMMAGE SALE
THANK YOU!
Thank you to one and all who helped in any way with our once again very successful spring Rummage Sale! Without your generous spirit and willing hearts and hands, it would not have been possible.
Watch upcoming News Notes and the June Messenger for our final tally and more information.
UCC NATIONAL YOUTH EVENT
July 10-13, 2012
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Cost: $425-$500 per person
Deadline to Register: May 21, 2012
For more information, please go to http://www.ucc.org/youth/nye
WOMEN’S ENSEMBLE
Calling all women who would like to join our new Women’s Ensemble choir group! We will sing once during the summer and will practice several Sundays after services. Please let Holly know if you would be interested in joining this new praise group.
“Singing is praying twice!”
MOTHER & DAUGHTER BANQUET
Tuesday, May 8, 2012, 6:00 p.m.
$8.00 Adults; Children 5-11, $4.00
Children 4 and under, Free
Come join us for a lovely and entertaining evening! Tickets are available from Women’s Guild members or the office. Please let Karen Lawrenz or Ruth Deutscher know if you are aware of any child 4 and under who will be attending so we may provide enough seating.
MISSION IN MIDDLESBORO
Due to the 2011 flooding in Middlesboro, Kentucky, there are homeowners that need our help. The Disaster Preparedness Recovery Team is planning a mission trip for two weeks beginning June 17 through June 30. More details will be forthcoming, but please consider joining us for a weekend or a week. Please call Tish Levendoski at 325-3232 for more information.
THANKS, CONFIRMATION CLASS!
Many thanks to our Confirmation class for wrapping gifts for nursing home residents. The tissue boxes were especially creative! Cube-size tissues, hand cream, small brushes and combs, lip balm and crossword puzzle books are always appreciated. They can be put in the basket outside the Adobe Room.
SUMMER MISSION TRIP OPPORTUNITY
There will be a mission trip to Harlan, Kentucky, from July 22-28, 2012. Participants pay cost of transportation and $75 per person; if more than one member in a family is participating, cost is $50 after the first family member. Children as well as adults are welcome to participate in this mission trip. Workers will stay in air-conditioned quarters at Holy Trinity Catholic Church and will be cooking all their own meals. A full kitchen will be available for use. Normal work days will be from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.. For more information, please contact Bob Stanley of Peace UCC, Merrillville, at 219-942-6803, or Alan Blakeburn, Pastor of Ellenberger UCC, Indianapolis, at 317-439-1617. You may also email Mr. Stanley at rsnowretired@hotmail.com or Pastor Blakeburn at pastoralamb@comcast.net.
USHERS
Ushers for the month of May are: Elaine & Bob Burkhart, Con Eichelberg, Paul Beebe, Tom & Cindy Corzan
THANK YOU!
A heartfelt and sincere Thank You! goes out to David and Amber Linsemeyer for donating (and filling!) the Easter eggs for the Easter egg hunt two weeks ago.
Your thoughtfulness, generosity, and hard work is very much appreciated!
BLOODMOBILE
The next Bloodmobile will be at St. John’s on Tuesday, May 1st, from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.. Please call 1-800-RED CROSS to schedule your blood donation appointment.
GROUND CREWS NEEDED
To help hold down the expenses of the church, the Trustees of St. John’s are asking for your help in caring for the church grounds. We need at least 4 different ground crews who will mow and trim, do edging, trim shrubs, and pick up trash on the church grounds. Each crew will be responsible for one week a month during the mowing season. The time commitment will be about 2 hours. A crew should consist of at least 2 persons over the age of 18, unless supervised by a parent or guardian. Please sign up on the bulletin board by the church office.
ST. JOHN’S PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION
St. John’s Preschool is now taking registrations for the 2012-2013 school year. Cost is $100.00 per month for the Pre-Kindergarten class, class size is approximately 24 children. Cost is $85.00 per month for the Beginner class, class size is approximately 16 children. Applications are available from the church office.
ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP
The support group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month here at St. John’s United Church of Christ. For more information, please call the Alzheimer’s Association at (219) 464-9600.
CHURCH SOFTBALL TEAM
Our St. John’s Softball Team will be playing this summer, but we need team members! Please join us this summer! Sign up on the sheet on the main bulletin board. Questions, please call Erin Kearney (219.851.3960) or Judy Kearney (872.5366). Sign up and join in the fun!
PLEASE NOTE!
ST. JOHN’S CABLE BROADCASTING SCHEDULE
Effective immediately, the schedule to broadcast St. John's current Sunday worship services has been changed to Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m. and Fridays at 3:15 p.m. The schedule has changed due to reorganization within the Access La Porte Co/Channel 99 broadcast station. Previously taped services can still be viewed on Sundays at 1:15 p.m.
Mark Your Calendar!!
St. John’s Jonah Fish Fry
Friday, June 15th, 2012
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
All you can eat!
Reserve Friday, June 15th, on your calendar for our annual St. John’s Jonah Fish Fry. Watch for further information in upcoming News Notes. Also, it’s not too early to start thinking about on which team you would like to serve or how you can help!
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