E-Prompter - August 4, 2008

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Pastor's Perspective -
Thirty-Eight Hours

July 14, 2008, shortly after noon: I dropped off the car at the church parking lot, unloaded my suitcase and travel bag from the trunk and began the three-block walk toward the bus station, located in the same building as the Secretary of State office. The sun was high overhead; I had not yet begun my journey and already I was perspiring. After a brief stop at the book store, where I picked up a used paperback to read along the way, I eyed the bus station, now less than a block away, and a sense of foreboding came over me. Thirty-eight hours. That's how long the trip was going to take. I'd read the ticket over and over again and that is clearly what it said: the bus trip from Alma, Michigan to Casper, Wyoming takes thirty-eight hours. What in the world would I do for thirty-eight hours?

I pressed my way through the bus station doors and quickly glanced around. A young lady, probably twenty-something, was seated alone, surrounded by ratty old suitcases, each of which was stitched together with duct tape. She looked toward me, and, not quite sure what else to say, I instinctively blurted out, "How are you today?"

"Oh, I'm fine," she said. And then, to my amazement, she proceeded to tell me her life story. She had come to Alma to be with a young man. That hadn't worked out. Neither had a marriage she had previously been in, although the ex-husband is great, she told me, because the divorce settlement was paying for her bus ticket. She was going down south to be with another boy. She had been with him once before, had left because he beat her up, but they had talked about it and she was sure he wouldn't do it again. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" I asked. Yes, she was absolutely sure. Then, as quickly as it had started, the conversation came to a close as we were told to take our places on the bus.

And so it went. The first of many conversations in a scheduled thirty-eight hour trip from Alma, Michigan to Casper, Wyoming, via Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Bismarck and Billings.

I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I enjoyed the long journey from Alma to Casper. Truth be told, I've probably never been happier to complete a trip in all of my life. I didn't necessarily enjoy the trip, but I am grateful. You see, I was struck, once again, by what a remarkable thing it is to be together, to share our stories, to help one another out, to listen and talk and laugh. I saw many acts of kindness on this trip, total strangers helping one another, talking along the way, friendships forming and then ending as quickly as they started, as one went this way and another that. (I saw a good deal of inhospitable behavior, too - judgment, racism, cliquishness; but that is a different article for a different day.) I saw it, experienced it, lived in it for the whole of the scheduled thirty-eight hour trip. Community. Forming and re-forming and re-forming again.

A man I know would call what I witnessed and experienced on the bus ride "the public life" - the opportunities in our lives that we all have to serve as host/hostess to the stranger, where we don't necessarily have expectations of getting to know one another well, but the transient relationships are important and good and the world is a little bit better just because we talk, listen, interact help and care. I'm grateful for my immersion in "the public life" of a Greyhound journey.

By the way, the schedule was wrong. It took thirty-nine hours to travel from Alma to Casper.

Pastor Steve

Message from Ben Kreider, Youth Pastor

Greetings from Kentucky! I was thrilled when I received the news and invitation to join with you at the end of August as your youth pastor. Getting that phone call was a huge confirmation of the calling God has been putting on my heart for a while now. And what better way to affirm God's calling on our lives than to go to God's people, his church, to discern that call? I look forward to walking with all of you as together we seek to join our lives to God's love for the world. I believe God wants to pour out his Spirit on his church and I am blessed to be coming alongside such a strong group of leaders whose hearts truly yearn for God's glory to be manifest in the lives of his people.

Before long I will be finishing up my responsibilities here in Kentucky and preparing to transition to Alma. During this time, I appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers, as this will be quite a new and exciting season for me. Since I have started getting to know a good number of our church families, I have already begun to feel very much at home. Just remember that as summer comes to a close and seasons change, the love of Jesus remains the same. Continue to rest in him and I will see you soon!

Blessings, Ben

Less Than Three Weeks Left!!!

The deadline is fast approaching to fill out an application to become a ChristCare small group leader. We will receive applications up to August 24. Click here to access an application form.Contact Beverly Hamp or phone 463-3730 for information.

Ladies Retreat

Please join us on Thursday, August 21st as we give Chris Sipka a "Have a great time but miss us terribly" party! We will meet at the church at 9AM and then head to the beach in Ludington. Please bring a sack lunch for the beach and money for dinner on the way back. If you are unable to make the day at the beach then plan on joining us at 7PM at the home of Connie Bieske for a night of fun and fellowship. Please bring a snack to share and a sleeping bag if you would like to stay overnight for a slumber party. We hope that you are able to find a sitter (for those of you with children) and stay for the evening. For more information and to RSVP please call Connie at 463-6952 or Sue Stack at 833-7186.

Family News

FROM THE FAMILY OF CHRISTOPHER SEELBACH:
You have no idea what it meant to have your love and support during this almost impossible time. The plant basket was beautiful - your hugs, words, and tears, even more so. Thank you.
We love you, Doug, Diann and Sara

Meeting Scheduled

The Church Council and Board of Elders will meet on Thursday evening, August 14, in the West Room at 6PM. At that setting, we will hear recommendations about our buildings from Gil Tobias, a representative of Akers Construction.

Worship Choir

Our church's worship choir will soon begin a new season. Regular rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, September 3rd @ 6:30pm. If you enjoy singing and some wonderful fellowship, why not consider making this choir ministry a part of your fall schedule? Please contact Ron Woolsey or phone 463-3730. Thank you!

Welcome Center and Greeters

Summers end appreciation picnic is scheduled for 4PM Saturday, August 23rd rain or shine at the Church Of God Campgrounds located at 8489 North Bagley Road in St. Louis. Hot dogs, sloppy joes, drinks and table service will be provided. Bring a dish to pass and lawn chairs if you have them. Please RSVP in person or contact Dorothy or phone 989-842-5376. Or you may call Betty at 989-763-7990 or Kitty at 989-772-1862 by Monday, August 18th.

Back to School Clothing Drive

Another school year is about to start and we have been asked once again to assist with the clothing drive lead by the Gratiot County DHS (department of human services) office. Please bring your gently used or new clothing items and leave them in the tub provided in the narthex, just outside the church office. For more information please contact Dan Carley, DHS at 989-875-82228.

Childcare Needed

You don't have to be a professional childcare provider. You just need to provide care for either the babies in the nursery or toddlers in the 2's & 3's. One hour, one Sunday a month. You will find out not only will the children be blessed but you will be blessed by the children. Are you ready to be a blessing? If you are please contact Karen Brown or phone 463-6878 The new schedule is being made now and will start in September, so PLEASE call SOON!

E-Prompter

Do you have information that you would like to share with the church through this bi-weekly edition? Please submit your announcements for the E-Prompter by Friday mornings at 9AM or phone 463-3730.

Food Pantry

Our food pantry is in need of replenishment. We continue to see a need for this ministry and the pantry needs your help. Please keep in mind that these must be non-perishable items that meals can be made from. Please bring your donations to the church office.

St Louis Church of God Camp Meeting

115th Anual St Louis Church of God Camp Meeting is August 7-15, 2008. There are still sites available. The camp is located at 8489 N. Bagley Rd. east of St. Louis. Barbra Sneeden is the evangelist this year. Concert on Thursday Night for Kick off. Children and Youth activities through out the week. Contact the Camp for details or phone 989-681-2581.

Stronghold

Stronghold will be featured during a special concert on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 3PM at the Saint Louis Church of God camp ground. The camp is located at 8489 N. Bagley Rd. east of St. Louis. Sharing contemporary southern gospel music, the group takes its name from Psalms 18:2, which says, "The Lord is my Rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."