Church Life - First United Methodist Church

Church Life
2015
Church Life
is published monthly
Royal Oak First
United Methodist Church
320 West Seventh Street
Royal Oak, Michigan 48067
Phone (248)541-4100
Fax (248)541-0192
E-mail: office@ROFUM.org
www.ROFUM.org
Editor, Webmaster:
Katrina Davis
office.manager@rofum.org
Webmaster:
Tom Allen
Proofers: Virginia Borts,
Kay LaCombe
News Reports:
The Congregation
July 12
for August Issue
Issue 7
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MINISTRY GOES TO THE LAITY
The story goes that one day in the year 1741, John Wesley, who
was supposed to be in Bristol, stepped into the parsonage room in
the Foundry (the name of the Methodist Chapel in London), in which
is mother was resting, and blurted out, “Thomas Maxfield has turned
preacher!” He was solidly against this. Thomas Maxfield had been
FIRST
one of the first and most promising of Wesley’s Bristol converts. He
THOUGHTS
had been given some responsibility in the ministry at the London
chapel, to pray with those who asked for prayers, and to expound the Bible in band
meetings (small groups). Now, Maxfield took it upon himself, a layperson, to actually
preach! Susanna Wesley, John’s mother, listened to his outburst and then offered her
final service to the shaping of Methodism. She said, “...take care what you do with
respect to that young man, for he is truly called of God to preach as you are. Examine
what have been the fruits of his preaching and hear him also yourself.”
So Wesley examined and heard Maxfield’s “lay preaching” and concluded, “It is of the
Lord; let him do what seemeth him good.” So, lay preaching became a vital characteristic and a driving force of the Methodist movement. It was lay preachers who were
sent by Wesley to America that initiated and led the Methodist movement on this side
of the Atlantic. As Methodism served the spiritual needs of a growing nation, it was
usually lay preachers and class leaders on the frontier who established the first
Methodist classes and Societies in a new settlement, only later calling on the Bishop to
appoint a pastor to come tend to the new church. Circuit-riding clergy appeared
infrequently at the early frontier churches (a church on the Detroit Circuit in Michigan
saw its pastor on one Sunday for every three months in their earliest years); so it was
the lay leadership operating under the direction of the pastor that cared for the congregation most of the time.
There is no doubt that ROFUM’s lay leadership is the driving force of life and ministry
in the church. Time and again, the notion that our laity drive the church is confirmed.
Our ministry is really of the laity and resourced by our clergy. There’s a role for each of
us! And God has a mission for each Christ-follower who calls our church “home”. We
Continued on page 2)
Baptism Dates.......................................... 6
Birthdays .................................................. 8
Calendar .................................................. 7
Homebound Members ............................. 6
Sponsors ................................................. 5
Missions ............................................... 3-4
Worship Schedule ................................. 12
PAGE 2
FIRST THOUGHTS
CHURCH LIFE
JUNE 2015
(continued from page 1)
need you. God needs you. And I am convinced of it. In the
tradition of Thomas Maxfield, it is you empowered by
God’s Holy Spirit, who are the light, the life and the voice
of the church.
Carpe diem (Seize the day)!
Rev. John H. Hice
Pastor
2015 CONFIRMANDS
11TH COMMANDMENT
During the 17th century, an archbishop
traveling through Scotland met theologian
Samuel Rutherford but kept his identity
secret. Rutherford invited the man to stay
with him. When Mrs. Rutherford gathered
the servants on Saturday to prepare for
worship the next day, the guest joined in and was asked a
basic question: “How many commandments are there?”
When the guest replied “11,” Mrs. Rutherford said, “What
a shame it is for you, a man with gray hairs, in a Christian
country, not to know how many commandments there
are!”
The next morning, Rev. Rutherford went out in the woods
to pray and heard his guest doing likewise. When he
discovered the archbishop’s identity, Rutherford invited
him to preach that morning. The archbishop’s topic? The
11th commandment, based on Jesus’ words in John
13:34 — “A new commandment I give to you, that you
love one another” (ESV).
ELEANOR GILBERT
DREW KOSNIK
MAYA LONGE
BEN MUTZ
HANNA TRIPOLI
FRANKLIN WAHL
ELI YARMY
Have you experienced our As We
Gather Service yet? If not, you
are invited, and welcomed.
Our seventh mid-week chapel service of
the year will be held on Thursday, July
30th at 11:00am. Each month our numbers
have been growing, and we are pleased
that many of our bag lunch guests, fellow
members, and the local community have found some
spiritual refreshment with powerful testimony, hymn
singing, scripture, and fellowship.
If you missed April’s, May’s or June’s service you can find
them on You Tube. Just go to www.youtube.com and
search for the As We Gather Service—ROFUM.
PAGE 3
CHURCH LIFE
I want to thank all of you for your
JUNE 2015
EDUCATIUS
INTERNATIONAL
prayers, cards, love, and sympathy at
the passing of my dad.
Love,
Athena and Merrill
Thank you everyone for your prayers,
visits and the love shown to me
through my stay in the Hospital,
Rehab Center and now at home.
Church Family is such a comfort.
God Bless all of you.
Florence Martin
SACK LUNCH TOTE BAGS
Recently I donated to Sack Lunch 22
tote bags I made from empty pet food/cat litter/bird seed
bags (the plastic bags, not paper bags). They were well
received, so I plan to make more, but...I need more bags!
If you buy items in this type of bag (remember, I need
plastic, not paper) and would like to make them useful
(rather than filling up the landfill) please contact me. Also
ask your neighbors and friends if they have any. And if
you’d like to make your own, I can show you how; they
are very easy and take only 1/2 hour to sew.
Sharon Cross
The Missions Committee received a request from Educatius International, a company working with Oakland
Schools Student Foreign Exchange Program to provide
host homes for foreign exchange students at participating Oakland County schools. Educatius International is in
need of families to host international high school students
for the coming school year.
From their website, “All types of families are encouraged to
apply; there is no “typical” host family. Families can have
small or teenage children at home, be empty nesters with
adult children, couples with no children, single adults and
single parents. Families shouldn’t worry about being too
busy. The more opportunity the student has to experience
your life, the better”.
Briefly, students are between 14-18 years old on arrival,
9th-12th grade. They have demonstrated a commitment to
academic motivation, shown maturity to succeed on the
program, and possess solid grades. English levels vary,
but they have studied English and passed an English
Proficiency test. They are in good general health and
meet the medical criteria. They are also fully insured and
have their own spending money. Much, much more info
can be found on their website (listed below) under Be A
Host Family, FAQ.
If you’ve ever thought about doing this, (or know someone
else who’s thought about it), please contact Debi Wilkelis,
International Coordinator, Educatius International,
586-381-5174, debiw.educatius@gmail.com,
www.educatius.org by July 10.
Sharon Cross
Mission Committee
PAGE 4
CHURCH LIFE
SCRAP METAL DRIVE
The next Scrap Metal collection
will take place on Saturday, September 5, 2015
from 9:00am-Noon.
JUNE 2015
News for All from the
United Methodist Women:
The next meeting for UMW will
take place in September.
ROFUM SHAWL MINISTRY
We are continuing our ninth year
together as we knit, crochet, and
serve the community. We meet on the
second and fourth Thursday of the month in the Parlor
from 1-3pm. Please join us!
BETHLEHEM MARKETPLACE
REMEMBRANCE
Shalom my friends. The Journey to
Bethlehem has begun. Recruiting for
participant roles in the Marketplace has
already begun. For those of you that
have signed on, thank you and welcome to an exciting day
of sharing our faith story and church with our community.
There is still room at the Inn, and we will be available
during coffee hours for you to join us this July & August in
Fellowship Hall after the 11:00am service.
We look forward to strengthening our fellowship with you
as we prepare our gift of love to our community for
Sunday, December 6, 2015.
God’s blessings be with you.
Bob Demyanovich
Bethlehem Marketplace Remembrance Co-Chair
Charlene Faunt
Bethlehem Marketplace Remembrance Co-Chair
WHATA FELLOWSHIP
The next meeting for
WHATA Fellowship will take
place in September.
ROFUM SUMMER
CHOIR
Do you love to sing but can’t
commit to choir rehearsal on a
regular basis? Here is your
chance to sing with a great
group. We will have a Men’s
Chorus and a Women’s
Chorus, open to everyone at
ROFUM. High school singers, retirees, and in-between
are invited to lift praise to God this summer. These
ensembles will meet to rehearse at 7:30pm on July 9 in
the choir room. Both choirs want a strong sound. Our
performance will be at the 11:00am service on July 12.
If interested in the Women’s Chorus, please let Alayna
know. If interested in the Men’s Chorus, please contact
Neal Harris. You can get the music early if you want to
practice ahead of time.
PAGE 5
CHURCH LIFE
JUNE 2015
Thank you to our Church Life Sponsors
Dr. Nancy E. Hartrick - Family Dentistry, Kinsey-Garrett Funeral Home, Paul Kremer – Garage Doors
Sponsorships:
 Single Issue $15.00
 Quarterly (3 issues) $45.00
 Yearly (12 issues) $180.00
Prices are based on a business card size space.
Individual Messages:
 Birthdays, Anniversaries, Greetings, etc. $5.00/issue
New sponsors are always welcome! Contact the church office (248/541-4100) to learn how you or your
organization can become a Church Life sponsor.
PAGE 6
CHURCH LIFE
JUNE 2015
Out of the Area
Christina Smith
Please mail to home:
Gertrude Penney
Keith Leenhouts
Olive Mae Glenn
Phone numbers & addresses will be
removed from the on-line version of
Church Life for security reasons
Peggy Smullen
Amole Koscien
Dorthella Kreger
Yvonne Quinn
Mary Lou Forester
Zenovia Courtney
Mary Tata
Jody Holton - Army (Washington D.C)
Thomas Morales - Navy (Italy)
Bobby Huneycutt - (California)
Mason Smith –ROTC: WMU/Army Nat’l Guard (MI)
Andrew Kostrzewa - Navy (California)
Avery Gardner - Navy
Son of Polly & John, grandson of Ben & Ruth Forsythe
Newphew of Anna Cline
Son of Ben Smith
Grandson of Marion LeBeau
Granddaughter of Joe Gardner
Dan Lewis - Army (Stateside)
Nephew of Kris Simms
Aaron Mingle - Navy (Afghanistan)
Nephew of Jane Walbridge’s Husband
Upcoming Baptism
Schedule
We will celebrate the sacrament of
baptism on the following dates:
Jul 26
Aug 16
Nephew of Anna Cline
Sept 20
Oct 18
If you would like to schedule a baptism, please contact the
church office at 248-541-4100, ext. 1224, Monday through
Thursday between 9am and 3pm.
Monday
Sunday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
3
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Communion
4
5:30p Sat Night Worship
9
10
11
5:30p Sat Night Worship
16
17
18
5:30p Sat Night Worship
19
20
21
22
23
9:15a Arise! Worship
9:30a Crafty Ladies
10:00a Weight Loss Jny
10:00a Program Staff Mtg 1:00p Shawl Ministry
11:00a Worship & CS/Bapt 7:00p Soul Stretch Yoga 11:00a Church Life Vols
10:30a Mom/Tot Yoga
5:30p AA
7:00p Debtors Anon
12:00p AA
12:00p Full Staff Mtg
8:00p Al-Anon
1:00p Church Life Vols
7:00p Soul Stretch Yoga
8:00p Ala-Teen
24
Noisy Bucket 25
5:30p Sat Night Worship
5
12
9:15a Arise! Worship
11:00a Worship & CS
7:00p Debtors Anon
13
10:00a
10:30a
12:00p
7:00p
Program Staff Mtg
Mom/Tot Yoga
Full Staff Mtg
Soul Stretch Yoga
7
5:30p AA
8:00p Al-Anon
8:00p Ala-Teen
8
14
1:00p Shawl Ministry
5:30p AA
8:00p Al-Anon
8:00p Ala-Teen
15
Vacation Bible School 9:00am-12:00pm
9:30a Crafty Ladies
10:00a Weight Loss Jny
7:00p Soul Stretch Yoga 12:00p AA
26
Noisy Bucket
9:15a Arise! Worship
11:00a Worship & CS
7:00p Debtors Anon
6
9:30a Crafty Ladies
10:00a Weight Loss Jny
7:00p Soul Stretch Yoga 12:00p AA
1
Program Staff Mtg
Mom/Tot Yoga
Full Staff Mtg
Soul Stretch Yoga
Saturday
2
Communion
9:15a Arise! Worship
11:00a Worship & CS
7:00p Debtors Anon
10:00a
10:30a
12:00p
7:00p
Friday
10:00a Program Staff Mtg
10:30a Mom/Tot Yoga
12:00p Full Staff Mtg
6:00p Backyard Blast
7:00p Soul Stretch Yoga
5:30p AA
8:00p Al-Anon
8:00p Ala-Teen
27
28
29
30
9:30a Crafty Ladies
10:00a Weight Loss Jny
10:00a Program Staff Mtg 11:00a Sack Lunch
10:30a Sack Lunch
12:00p AA
10:30a Mom/Tot Yoga
Chapel Service
Clothing Day
12:00p Full Staff Mtg
5:30p AA
7:00p Soul Stretch Yoga
7:00p Soul Stretch Yoga
8:00p Al-Anon
8:00p Ala-Teen
Choir Camp
31 CS – Church School
UMW – United Methodist
Women
PAGE 8
Please note: If you don’t see
your name on our birthday list,
please let us know! We may
not have your birthday in our
data base.
CHURCH LIFE
7-1
Tom Allen
7-3
William Leenhouts
Theodore Kempf
Rita VanBrandeghen
Sara LaPrise
Jack Hughes
Marcia Smith
7-15 Marcella Courtney
Jimmy Skelton
Alexis Petty
7-16 Betty Locke
Nicholas Krstich
Anthony Saunders
Charlotte Litfin
7-4
Patricia Loftin
Nicholas Kuznia
7-18 Janice Martin
7-5
Judith Friedman
Joan Johnson
7-19 William Schuman
Stephanie Doud
7-7
Robert Isrow
7-8
Sue Hilgendorf
Robert Hall
Peter Wurdock
Yvonne Bashur
7-20 Cynthia Cline
Salem Nahhat
Jessica LaRose
7-9
7-21 Danielle Moody
Marc Avery
Ada Gibson
Raymond Lawson
7-22 Charles White
Liesl Eckhardt
7-10 Kyle Smith
Polly Tan
Rosabelle Moody
Nathan Ubbelohde
7-23 Jane Walbridge
Natalie Smallwood
Riley Ecker
Declan Hemmingsen
7-11 Patricia Lambert
7-24 Dennis Allen
Kyle Fall
John Hughes
Sue Whitney
7-12 Lynn Johnson
Mark Sleeman
Donna Wood
7-13 Tracey Thomas
7-25 James Walbridge
Ethan Heckman
Juliet Hardin
Audine Tuscany
January 13, 1916 — May 25, 2015
Tom Wurdock
April 3, 1931 — May 31, 2015
Rhea Embry
December 3, 1922 — June 4, 2015
JUNE 2015
7-26 Seth Burgess
Robin Mazur
Emily Paswater
Sage MacNeill
7-27 Jennifer Tripoli
7-28 Kim Gaska
John Safran
John Slowik
7-29 Dorthella Kreger
John Dorsey
Courtney Baker
Jacqueline Crowe
7-30 Tim Barber
7-31 Stephanie Smallwood
Jill Puckett
Andrew Showers
Eric Paswater
Caitlin Dombrowski
PAGE 9
CHURCH LIFE
VACATION BIBLE
SCHOOL
Enjoy a fun filled week
where children preschool
through 5th grade experience being special agents on a
mission from God. July 13-17, 9am-noon. Registration
forms are available on our website or in the church office.
Contact Heather Nowak for more information.
JUNE 2015
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL
NEWS
We will continue to offer Sunday School
for the rest of the summer, but Kindergarten through Fifth grades will be taught in
a one room setting in the small dining
room on the first level. We will also offer
nursery and preschool care during the summer months.
Both the nursery and preschool rooms are air conditioned.
We will resume our traditional format in the fall.
CHOIR TOUR
Choir Tour is back this year as a
one day event. We will be traveling
to Chelsea Retirement Community on Thursday, August 6.
Youth 6th grade and up are welcome to attend. More
details to follow. Contact Jennifer Semivan or Heather
Nowak with any questions.
YOUTH BACKYARD BLAST!
July 15 at Jennifer Semivan’s house. 6-9pm
Bring a dish to pass, bathing suit, and towel.
Choir Camp is Almost Here!
July 26-August 1
Saturday, July 25
Mandatory Health Screening 9:00 am - noon
Sunday, July 26
9:15am Service—Commissioning of Camp Leaders
11:00am Service—Blessing of Campers
Camp Ohiyesa Check-in 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Last name N-Z 3:00-4:00 pm
Last name A-M 4:00-5:00 pm
Saturday, August 1
10:00 am Camp Ends
Sunday, August 2
11:00am Service—Camp Sunday Worship
Please be present. Bring Family & Friends!
Questions? Call Jennifer Tripoli, Camp Dean
Invite a friend!
YOUTH CHOIR NEWS
July is here, and ROFUM Choir
Camp is approaching quickly!
This is the event that kicks off
our youth choir’s preparation for participating in worship in
the coming year. And of course we swim, dance, laugh,
eat, sleep (a little) as well as sing. Don’t miss Camp
Sunday when our youth lead worship and give a preview
of the music they have learned and will share in future
worship services. In August our Middle and High School
Youth will visit Chelsea Retirement Community and share
their music with the residents there. Summer is a busy
time at ROFUM for our youth!
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Royal Oak, MI
Permit No. 330
320 W. Seventh Street
Royal Oak, MI 48067
Return Service Requested
Dated Material - Please Deliver Promptly
Mailed June 16, 2015
Worship Schedule
Saturday
Sunday
5:30 pm - Casual Worship in our Parlor
9:15am - Arise! Worship & Nursery Care,
9:15am - ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
11:00am - Traditional Worship
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Nursery / Preschool - Level 1 Room #112
Grades K-5 - Level 3 Room #304
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday
9:00am-3:00pm
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.