*We will celebrate our Junior Church Leaders this Sunday!

*Save the date for October 6th! We will be having our Fall Fun Day! The event will be right after worship at the Friends of the Jordan pavilion. We will have cider and coffee and donuts. Come enjoy the new boardwalk, refreshments, and the company of others. We’ll have a nature scavenger hunt for kids (and adult too, if interested).

Please pray for:

The Visser Family on the loss of Ken's sister, Aleta Whitaker; Ken Schiemann who is recovering from cataract surgery; Gary Peters concerning treatment options for a recent early prostate cancer diagnosis; Ken Visser who had surgery on 8/20 for his fracture in his back; Stacey Chipman who broke her foot and had surgery on 8/15; Lorna Peebles who was in the hospital and is home now; Cathy Stark Hawley; 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!**

Tech: Ryder Malpass

Jr. Church: Stacey Chipman

Liturgist: Debbie Chappuies

Ushers: Ralph Kooistra and Andy Malpass

Fellowship: Brooke Hawley

Flowers: Denny Archer

Live Streaming: Trent Raymond

Tech: Bristol Skop

Jr. Church: Toni Jeffery

Liturgist:Liz Nachazel

Ushers: Nathan and Laken Skop

Fellowship: Dee Hawley

Flowers: Mary Jason

Live Streaming: Trent Raymond

Tech: Gavin Spence

Jr. Church: Anne Olstrom

Liturgist: Susan Kinloch

Ushers: Rhonda Brennan and need volunteer

Fellowship: Kay and Tom Hughes

Flowers: Linda Snyder

Live Streaming: Trent Raymond

September 15th: Liam Chappuies

September 17th: Rev. Jim Porter

None this week!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Meet and Eat on Monday! It was a record crowd! Thank you to Tom Hughes, along with his sous chefs Kay Hughes and Rhonda Brennan, for the incredible meal! We are so blessed to have this event each month!

The Stewardship Campaign will begin in September. Letters and pledge cards have been mailed. We will have a Minute for Mission on both September 8th and September 15th and follow up with Stewardship Sunday on September 22nd. You are welcome to bring pledge cards in anytime, deposit them in the back of the sanctuary in the card box, send them through the mail, email Sarah in the office with your pledge, or fill out a the google form below. Pledging is voluntary, but it is also really important. It gives the Finance Chairperson and the Session guideposts as we consider how to use our financial gifts. We thank you for your thoughtful prayer regarding stewardship. If you have any questions, please contact Ralph Kooistra. If you do not receive a letter and pledge card and would like one, please email Sarah at ejfirstpres@gmail.com

Pledge Card via Google Form: https://forms.gle/LLPiCPkXUq1acuur7

The Deacons are planning a Fall Fun Activity on October 6th following worship! The event will be right after worship at the Friends of the Jordan pavilion. We will have cider, coffee and donuts. Come enjoy the new boardwalk, refreshments, and the company of others. We’ll have a nature scavenger hunt for kids (and adult too, if interested), too! Thank you to the Deacons for organizing this fun activity!

September 5, 2024

Dear Congregation,

We are writing to share some important news with you. Our beloved organist and music director, Bob Bryan, who has faithfully served our church for over 50 years, has announced his intention to retire. Bob’s dedication and talent have been a cornerstone of our worship services for decades, and his music and leadership have enriched our spiritual lives in ways words cannot fully express.

Bob’s chosen retirement date is not yet firm. He is committed through the Christmas season and possibly as late as spring 2025. As we prepare for this transition, we want to assure you that the Personnel Ministry Team is committed to finding a suitable replacement who will continue the tradition of excellence that Bob has established. We will be exploring various options and seeking input from Session and our congregation as we undertake this important task.

Please join us in expressing our deepest gratitude to Bob for his many years of service. Special events will be planned to honor his contributions as we approach his retirement, and we hope that you will participate in celebrating his remarkable legacy.

In the coming months, we will keep you informed of our progress and any developments regarding the search for a new music director. We ask for your prayers and support as we move forward in this process. If you have suggestions or contacts we might explore, please provide that information to Sarah in the office, and she will pass it along to our committee for follow-up.

Thank you for your understanding and for being a part of our church community.

In Christ’s love,

Jen Wilson, Chair
On Behalf of the Personnel Ministry Team

Our next Meet and Eat is October 14th. Dinner is at 5:30 pm. Please come, and bring a friend or two! It would be helpful if you could sign up so we know how much food to prepare. The sign-up will be in the Sanctuary Hallway and Fellowship Hall, or you may email Stacey at StaceyChipman317@gmail.com.

If you forget to sign up and want to come, PLEASE COME anyway! We will have plenty! It's all about the Loaves and Fishes!

September: Potatoes and Back to School lunch items

Toiletry items are appreciated all year round: shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, hand and body lotion, laundry soap, hygiene products, etc.

Per Capita is $39 per member for 2024. If you would like to help the church in paying this, you can write a check out and put in the memo line "per capita". There are also separate envelopes in the back of the church for this. Thank you!

Devotionals are available in the foyer!

September 15th: Session Meeting

September 22nd: Stewardship Sunday; Pledge cards due

October 6th: Fall Activity for Congregation following worship; World Communion Sunday; Peace and Global Witness Offering

November 10th: Operation Christmas Child Boxes Due

November 3rd: Congregational Meeting

November 17th: Session Meeting

December 1st: Hanging of the Greens; Advent Happening

December 15th: Christmas Pageant

December 24th: Christmas Eve Service

Please join Pastor Jaime for Devotional Yoga on Wednesdays at 10:00 in the fellowship hall.

Choir Practice is now held before Worship on Sundays. Thanks!

The looks of the Presbyterian Foundation giving page has changed! It is much easier to navigate than previously! Check it out! It's easy to sign up for online giving to First Presbyterian Church of East Jordan! Either scan the code or click on the following link!

https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZDWE/home