The Messenger
First Presbyterian Church: August, September, Oct. 2024
THOUGHTS AND INSPIRATION
As much as the "earthly" season of summer brings us such joy, it's also a great time to spend on our "spiritual" season of summer. Whether it's a walk on a beautiful beach, a stroll along a nature path, or spending more of our leisure time for devotions, Bible Study, or quiet reflection, it is a perfect season to deepen our relationship with God. May the rest of the summer continue to nourish your body and soul! Love and blessings to all our church family,
Nancy Sherman and Brenda Malpass
As long as the earth endures seedtime and harvest, cold and heat,
summer and winter, day and night shall not cease.”
Genesis 8:22
LETTER FROM PASTOR JAIME
Now in light of all that, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you? Only this: to revere
the Lord your God by walking in all his ways, by loving him, by serving the Lord your God with all your heart and being.
Deuteronomy 10:12
Dear Friends,
As many of you know, I’m an avid hiker. I love to spend time in the woods, connecting with
God through nature, and recently walked about 170 miles of the Camino de Santiago in Spain
(The Way of St. James). In a society that grows more and more polarized by the day, taking
regular walks, grounds me. Walking allows me time and space to slow down my pace, to
connect with myself, with God, with my neighbors, and with the natural world. As I listen to the
birdsong, smell the fragrance of the pine, and notice the light dance though the trees, I soften and
relax into a nurturing rhythm, step by step.
A few years ago, after preaching a sermon about hiking, I received a note in the mail from my
dear friend, Donald Kinloch. The letter contained the Latin phrase, Solvitur ambulundo, which
means—It is solved by walking. I love this phrase because it is simple and yet deeply profound.
Sometimes I walk because I’m wrestling with a problem I don’t know how to solve and I need a
change of scenery. Other times, I walk because body aches from too many hours sitting behind a
desk, or my dog, Lacey, whines pitifully longing for some attention. Whatever the reason,
walking just makes me feel better. It allows me to get out of my own head, and into my body,
and it reminds me of the goodness of God. As troubled as the world is, the birds still sing and
the flowers still bloom and the stars shine bright in the night sky. Solvitur ambulundo: It is solved
by walking.
I encourage each of you to get out and take a walk. Notice the goodness of God all around you.
Connect with your breath. Move your body. Talk to your neighbor. Enjoy the company of your
dog. And remember: It is solved by walking.
God Bless,
Pastor Jaime
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
We were delighted to welcome five new members into the church on Sunday, July 21st. Pat and Nikki Little, Vic and Mary Patrick, and Jim Provost all joined the church! We are excited to have these new members! Please take the time to introduce yourselves and welcome them if you haven't already!
ANNUAL PICNIC A BIG SUCCESS!
YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRIES FUN!
Vacation Bible School is scheduled for August 12-14 at the Community Church/Catholic Church from 5-8 pm. We need volunteers! We also need volunteers to serve on the Vacation Bible School Committee. This ecumenical committee was created to provide a great Vacation Bible School experience. Let Stacey know if you are
able to join!
Stacey Chipman
Director of Youth and Family Ministries
DEACON'S CORNER
MOMENT FOR MISSION
Summer is moving along, and the church is busy filling baby bottles for the Moms and Tots Baby Bottle Campaign. The final date to turn in your bottle is Sept. 1, Labor Day weekend. If you don't have a bottle yet, they are in a basket in the back of the church. Please give your filled bottle to Susan Kinloch or leave it in the church office.
The Back-to-School sales have already begun, and the kickoff for the church collection of supplies for our school community will begin August 4th. Please take advantage of great sale prices and shop early! While shopping for our schools, you can also shop for our annual Christmas Shoebox Drive, which begins Sept. 29 and ends on November 10th. There are many great items like markers, paper pads, scissors, etc. which can fill a Shoebox and give a child something they need and will appreciate!
Beginning October 13th, we will be asking for your support to purchase gift cards for the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Baskets. The deadline will be November 10th. Last year, our church raised $1300.00 for this mission and we were able to purchase about twenty-six $50 gift cards to Save-A-Lot for the Thanksgiving Baskets!
Our church donated $457 for the Pentecost Offering, of which 40% will return to our Youth Program.
Ongoing programs that minister to Crossroads and Care and Share are also opportunities to bless others. Prayer Squares have been given to Crossroads and the baskets seem to empty quickly! Thank you, Joan Sherman, for knitting all of these squares. Also, each month different items are collected by our church for the food pantry. Please check the weekly update to get information before you go shopping.
Remember, you have been blessed to be a blessing!
Susan Kinloch
Elder, Mission and Outreach
FINANCE FUN
The annual stewardship campaign will be kicking off soon. In 2023 we moved the campaign from our traditional November timeframe to late summer to make it easier for our seasonal residents and snowbirds. Many of our members and friends supported that change so we are going with that again this year. Please participate if you can. The letters and pledge cards will be coming in August and we will be doing presentations during Sunday services. If anyone would like to participate in the presentations please contact me anytime. Your help would be appreciated and your public expression of support for the campaign and First Presbyterian Church East Jordan would mean a lot.
We are blessed by our members, friends, and guests with financial support for our church. We ended June with a total income of $97,435.09. The total expenses were $102,356.48 leaving us with a deficit of $4,921.39. Small mid-year deficits are not uncommon and we have a congregation that supports our financial mission.
Have a nice summer,
Ralph Kooistra, Chairperson of finance and stewardship
DELICIOUS DELIGHTS
CORN SALAD
Don’t you just love fresh sweetcorn? We do, but corn on the cob can become a little overdone. I have discovered a corn salad recipe from Ina Garten that allows the sweetness of fresh corn to be enjoyed without the mess of eating it on the cob. I don’t care what I’m making; if it calls for onion, I go straight to Vidalias! However, this recipe calls for red onion, so I decided to take a walk on the wild side and go with it. I must say, the combination is great! I do think the sweet Vidalias would pair very well with this, but the red onion adds a nice touch of color. You can enjoy this as a side dish with your favorite barbecue served cold or at room temperature and/or use some of it in a great Cob salad! When I serve this, I don’t really consider this a “salad,” but rather the vegetable for the meal. I hope you get a chance to try this while good, fresh sweetcorn is available to you!
Corn Salad
Serves 4
Ingredients:
5 ears of fresh corn, shucked
1 small red onion, diced
several fresh basil leaves
salt & pepper to taste
Dressing:
3 T. cider vinegar
3 T. good quality olive oil
To cook the corn, bring water to a boil and add a little salt to the corn. Let the corn cook for only 3 minutes. Drain and place the corn in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Once it is cooled, carefully slice the corn off the cob with a sharp knife. Put the kernels in a large bowl along with the diced red onion. Pour on the dressing and mix, adding salt and pepper to taste. Let this sit for at least an hour so the flavors can marry. Just before serving, add fresh basil leaves that you have sniped or sliced and give it another toss. The corn will be sweet and crunchy!
This can actually serve more than 4 adults if you are offering other dishes, like a salad and potato, which is a good thing, as you will have leftovers for the next day! Have extra cherry tomatoes you need to do something with? Throw them in the corn salad!
Enjoy!
Debbie Chappuies
SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
May
- No Meeting
June
- Homebound Communion training was presented by Pastor Jaime
- Motion made to use money from the Sidebotham funds to cover the cost of the elevation inspection
- Motion to pay for asbestos abatement
July
- No Meeting
Submitted by Clerk of Session, Nancy Visser
PRAYER CONCERNS
Please pray for:
Ken Visser who has a compression fracture in his back following a fall; Nancy and Eileen's friend, Frances Fuller, who is having heart issues; Nancy Gordon-Hugman's sister, Peggy, who is struggling to recover from Covid; Zila Healey; Cal Gotts; Andrea Sarto, a member of Presbytery, who is battling cancer; Sally Cyr; Donna Kline; Vic Patrick; Lou Thumser; Ken Visser; Jeff Cook; Melanie McNitt; Tom Reid; John Doidge (brother of Lorna Peebles); Jeff Olstrom; Leslie (Sally Lilak's friend from Florida); Josh Fizer (Paul and Liz's nephew); Ben Wiklanski (Ken Kline’s nephew) ; Josh Spears; Stacey Vondra (Bob Bryan's daughter); Rich and Wava Dietrich's sister-in-law, Lynda, who is struggling with Dementia; Bob Visser; Artie Jones; Stephanie Saad; Clare Boyd; Kristine Olstrom; Mary Jason; Bonnie Grover; Ken Kline; Our Nursing Home Residents: Jim and Marie Shepard, Gayle Gotts, Nancy LaCroix.
**Please let us know if you need someone added to or removed from the list! Thank you!**
THANK YOU!
- Thank you to Matthew Kodis for providing special music on June 30th. Matthew is the son of Jim and Nancy Kodis and was a member of the U of M Varsity Glee Club.
- Thank you to Brenda Malpass and Stacey Chipman who coordinate the Meet and Eat each month! This has been a wonderful addition over the last year and we are so thankful for the time and talent they put into this event! Thank you Stacey and Brenda!
- Thank you to Pat McGinn for coordinating the asbestos tile removal in the basement!
YOUTH NEWS!
- Ted and Tracey Sherman are proud to announce the graduation of their daughter, Alyssa, from EJHS. Alyssa graduated Summa Cum Laude and received the Academic Award of Excellence. She will be attending Michigan State university in the all. Alyssa is also the granddaughter of Ted and Nancy Sherman.
MEET AND EAT GETS PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR DINNER AND CONVERSATION!
A year ago last June, we began a new outreach event at First Presbyterian Church called "Meet and Eat," and it is exactly what the title says, we come together as friends to spend an evening and enjoy a meal together. We average about 20 people each month for our Meet and Eat. The event intends to bring people together who may be eating alone, someone who really doesn't enjoy cooking or those who just like to spend time with friends with a meal thrown in. The food is provided so no one has to worry about bringing a dish to pass. We do have a small basket for donations if you wish to make one which goes towards the next meal, but this certainly isn't expected of anyone. The meals are scheduled for the second Monday of the month in the fellowship hall starting at 5:30. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. There will be a sign-up sheet in the sanctuary for you to sign up just so we know how much food to prepare. Hope to see you there!
GRADUATION SUNDAY CELEBRATION!
ASBESTOS TILE PROJECT IN BASEMENT
On July 15th, Pat McGinn supervised a big undertaking at the church. The asbestos tile in the small bathrooms and in the old nursery were removed. The Session has been looking at refurbishing this area of the church to make it more user friendly. However, when we went to remove the carpet, it was discovered that it was heavily glued to the tiles and removing it would break the tiles causing a safety issue. Additionally, there were tiles in the two bathrooms that had been cracked. Because the floor is made of asbestos tile, an abatement company came in and properly removed and disposed of the carpet and tiles underneath in the nursery and the tiles in the bathroom. The next step will be to paint and redo the flooring! Funds for this project will come from the generous donations made to our memorial fund.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE STARTS AUGUST 4TH
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES!
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box/
Did you know that you can build a shoe box online and have it sent? This is another great way to support this mission. You can actually follow your box online!
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/buildonline/
THANKSGIVING BASKETS
CHURCH CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES
August 12th: Meet and Eat; 5:30 pm
August 12th-14th: VBS; 5-8 pm; East Jordan Community Church; Please let Stacey know if you can help ASAP!
August 18th: Session Meeting
September 9th: Meet and Eat; 5:30 pm
September 15th: Session Meeting
September 22nd: Stewardship Sunday...pledge cards due!
October 6th: World Communion Sunday; Peace and Global Witness Offering;
October 14th: Meet and Eat; 5:30 pm
October 20th: Session Meeting
November 3rd: Congregational Meeting
RECURRING MEETINGS/EVENTS:
DEACONS MEETING – Every-other month on Mondays
SESSION MEETING – 3rd Sunday of each month following Worship
DEVOTIONAL YOGA – every Wednesday at 10:00am (Fellowship Hall)
CHOIR - every Wednesday at 6:00 pm (Sanctuary)
LOOSE CHANGE SUNDAY – 3rd Sunday of each month. You can also give this via our online giving options (designate “Deacons”).
YOUTH GROUP: Second Sunday of each Month
MEET AND EAT: Second Monday of every month! 5:30 pm! Sign up if you can in the Sanctuary hallway or by emailing Stacey Chipman.
BIRTHDAYS IN AUGUST
1: GAVIN SPENCE; ALLEN DOWTY
3: WYATT GOTTS; BILL KUPP; DENNIS ARCHER; RALPH KOOISTRA
4: JOAN SHERMAN
5: NATHAN SKOP; LAURA SNYDER
6: SUSAN KINLOCH
11: JEN WILSON
14: MADISON BUCKHOLZ
15: BRENDA KLINE; PAUL NACHAZEL
16: VIC PATRICK
18: PAT MCGINN; DARCIE DIETRICH
20: TRACY MALPASS; MIKE JASON
21: DUANE CHAPPUIES; MIKE YOUNGS
24: ANNE PAYNE; BILL LORNE
26: REMY CHAPPUIES
27: HANNAH THUMSER
28: NANCY VISSER
29: STEVE BELL
BIRTHDAYS IN SEPTEMBER
1: EVAN CHAPPUIES
2: JULIE DOWTY
5: NANCY SHERMAN
7: ANTHONY WILSON; JACKY DUNLAP
11: EMMETT CHAPPUIES, MARLENA WILSON, MATTHEW SHERMAN
14: BILL SPENCE
15: LIAM CHAPPUIES
17: REV. JIM PORTER
25: CARTER SHERMAN
29: REV. JAIME KLINGER; TREVOR SPENCE
30: ROBERT C. CAMILLER
BIRTHDAYS IN OCTOBER
1: MATTHEW MALPASS; BILL OLSTROM
2: CORA HAWLEY
4: TONI JEFFERY
9: LEO THUMSER
14: CAROLYN MCGINN
15: TRENT RAYMOND
20: RHONDA BRENNAN
23: DEVIN KURZALS-HAWLEY
26: AXEL OLSTROM
ANNIVERSARIES IN AUGUST
1: BILL AND KAREN LORNE
3: JEN & JOHN WILSON
10: BRENDA & TRACY MALPASS
18: MATTHEW & NATALIE MALPASS; STEVE AND
KATHRYN BELL; ANTHONY & AMBER WILSON
21: KRIS & LAURA SNYDER
22: ABBIE HAWLEY & DEVIN KURZALS-HAWLEY
23: TED & NANCY SHERMAN
25: BOB & DIANE HAWLEY
26: BOB & CELE MALPASS
ANNIVERSARIES IN SEPTEMBER
8: RICHARD & PAT ALLEN
9: TED & TONI JEFFERY
11: RICHARD & PATTI HODGE
12: DUANE & DEBBIE CHAPPUIES
ANNIVERSARIES IN OCTOBER
6: RICHARD EATON AND SANDY JOHNSON
7: GEORGE & DEE SMALL
11: BILL & ANNE OLSTROM
16: JAMES & KARI CAMILLER
CHURCH OFFICERS 2024
SESSION: Brenda K. Malpass, Patrick McGinn, Toni Jeffery, Susan Kinloch, Jen Wilson, Donna Kline, Ralph Kooistra. Nancy Visser is the Clerk of Session.
DEACONS: Kathy Frake, Dee Hawley, Natalie Malpass, Liz Nachazel, Brooke Hawley, and Anne Olstrom.
Online Giving for First Presbyterian Church of East Jordan
About Us
Email: ejfirstpres@gmail.com
Website: ejpresbyterian.com
Location: 207 Williams Street, East Jordan, MI, USA
Phone: 2315362941
Facebook: facebook.com/ejpresbyterianchurch