The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim;
let the earth quake!
The LORD is great in Zion;
he is exalted over all the peoples.
Let them praise your great and awesome name.
Holy is he!
Mighty King, lover of justice,
you have established equity;
you have executed justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
Extol the LORD our God;
worship at his footstool.
Holy is he!
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We Lift Up In Prayer...
New:
The Rev. Alex Peterson, Pastor of Lapeer-First
on the recent unexpected passing of his father, Randall S. Peterson on February 10th. Click here to read or listen to his obituary.
Mission Co-Workers:
The Rev. Cathy Chang and family who are serving in the Philippines.
Michael and Rachel Ludwig
,
our Mission Co-Workers
who are serving in Niger.
For those Teaching Elders (Ministers of Word and Sacrament) and Commissioned Ruling Elders (CREs) who are celebrating Ordination or Commissioning Anniversaries in February and March:
Elder Henry Kubin (3/5) Commissioned Ruling Elder of Alma-Eastminster
Elder Mary Kubin (3/5) Commissioned Ruling Elder of Alma-Eastminster
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In the last issue, I began to write about the "Great Ends of the Church" found in our Book of Order which summarize the mission of the church:
F-10304 The great ends of the Church are:
the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind;
the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God;
the maintenance of divine worship;
the preservation of the truth;
the promotion of social righteousness; and
the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.
Last issue, I wrote about "the proclamation of the gospel...." This issue I am going to skip ahead to "the maintenance of divine worship." The worship of God, while third in the list of Great Ends, is the single most important task of the church. It is what distinguishes it from secular organizations and even faith-based enterprises. It is the primary means by which we fulfill the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: "Q. What is the chief end of man? A. The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever."
Presbyterians have been engaged in "worship wars" over the past two generations. As the church has lost its place of privilege in society, lost members, and tried to kick-start renewal, it has experimented with various forms of worship from folk services to healing services to contemplative services to rock concerts. As Presbyterians, we have a particular theology that informs our worship but we do not have a mandated style of worship. The rubrics of worship are found in "The Directory for Worship" in our Book of Order. The central themes of our worship are: The encounter with God mediated through the Word of God in scripture; the acknowledgment of our need for God's grace through confession of sin, and the recognition of that grace through the declaration of God's promises and the administration of sacraments; and our response of gratitude through offering of our lives to God's service in mission to the world.
These themes of Proclamation and Response, of Grace and Gratitude form both the essential shape of our worship as well as of our lives.
At the Presbytery meeting March 6, we will be voting on a major revision to our Directory for Worship. The revision is designed to consolidate what is currently a somewhat rambling and over-regulated Directory. It also lifts up as the organizing principal of our worship that foundational rhythm of grace and gratitude. During our equipping time, we will have the privilege of interacting with the Rev. Dr. David Gambrell of our General Assembly office of Theology, Worship, and Education, focusing on how the Directory for Worship can benefit the mission of congregations.
God acts in grace toward us, we respond in gratitude to God. It is a simple yet profound summary of the Christian life. The proposed Directory puts it this way:
God acts with grace; we respond with gratitude. God claims us as beloved children; we proclaim God's saving love. God redeems us from sin and death; we rejoice in the gift of new life. This rhythm of divine action and human response-found throughout Scripture, human history, and everyday events-shapes all of Christian faith, life, and worship. (W-1.0102)
May our diverse and creative responses of gratitude for God's grace shape our worship and our lives as the Presbytery of Lake Huron.
Faithfully,
Dan Saperstein,
Executive Presbyter
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2017 Presbytery Directory
The 2017 Directory is now available on our
website. Click on the Directory link on the left side of the page.
Download and print as many copies as you need.
For everyone's privacy the page to access the directory is password protected. You will need the following information to access the directory:
***** The login information was included in the version sent to our mailing list. For privacy, we have not included that information on the version we post online. For the Username and Password, please contact
the Presbytery Office. ****
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Just a reminder that the Resource Center in the Presbytery Office is a room filled with useful resources free of charge for our congregations to use!
Click here to search our catalog and to request items. We will send you the materials or you may pick them up at the office or presbytery meetings.
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Annual Statistics Completed
We would like to thank our Clerks of Sessions and all who worked so hard on getting the Annual Statistics completed this year. We greatly appreciate your assistance!
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Board of Pensions Retirees Luncheon
The Board of Pensions of the PC(USA) will be hosting a retiree luncheon on Wednesday March 8, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church of Saginaw, 121 South Harrison Street, Saginaw MI, 48602. The purpose of the luncheon is to thank retirees for their service to the church, have great fellowship, and to hear an update on the work of the Board of Pensions, including any changes to the Medicare Supplement, experience apportionments, drug coverage through OptumRx, the Assistance Program, etc.
Both retirees and their spouses are invited.
Please RSVP to Rose Onan at ronan@presbylh.org. by March 1st. The Rev. Dr. Douglas Portz, our Regional Church Consultant will be present and will be glad to meet with individuals if there are specific questions or concerns about benefits. See you there!
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Presentation at Midland-Memorial
Literacy: A Bridge out of Poverty
with Dr. Kimberly Prime, President of Bay City and Saginaw Area Catholic Schools. March 11, 2017, 9:00am - 12:00pm, Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1310 Ashman St., Midland. Everyone is welcome!
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Fish Fry at Saginaw-Second
Second Presbyterian Church, located at 2665 Midland Road, in Saginaw Township will host a Fish Fry on Friday, March 17, 2017 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. The dinner includes all you can eat fish (fried pollock), coleslaw, potatoes, bread, beverage, and dessert. Cost is $10.00 adults, $4.00 children 5-11, free for children younger than 5. Take-Outs are available for $9.00.
A Bake Sale also takes place during the event. Come early to find your favorite cookies, breads, brownies, etc!
If you have any questions about this event please feel free to contact the church at: (989) 792-1023.
Visit our Facebook event page at:
Visit our church Facebook page at:
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Alma College has invited pastors and others from the presbytery to participate in a workshop with Robert P. Jones, author of The End of White Christian America, to be held at the college Monday, March 27 from 3:00pm to 5:00 pm.
Jones is the CEO of the
Public Religion Research Institute
, and has tracked the religious foundations of racialized politics, "white fragility," and other byproducts of the changing demographics of America. Jones will also be delivering a public lecture at the college at 7 p.m. that day.
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Lenten Noon-Time Concert Series and Handbell Festival
Memorial Presbyterian Church of Midland is pleased to announce their third annual Lenten Noon-Time Concert Series. This year's event kicks off on Friday, March 3, with former MPC organist Nick Schmelter, now Director of Worship and Congregational Life at First Presbyterian Church, Caro, followed by organist Robert Sabourin, long-time choir director of MPC and current Director of Music and organist at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bay City, on March 10. Other featured performers include the Zenith Saxophone Quartet, an undergraduate student group from Central Michigan University, on March 17; Dr. Mark Cox, Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Central Michigan University on March 24; Fangye Sun, Professor of Violin at Central Michigan University on March 31, and Dianne Granstra, soprano, current Director of Music at Trinity Lutheran Church, on April 7.
The concerts are held in the Sanctuary of Memorial Presbyterian Church of Midland located at 1310 Ashman Street. Performances begin at 12:15 and end promptly by 12:45 p.m. The concert series is free and open to the public.
Click here for information about the concert series.
Click here for information about the Handbell Festival.
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Healthy Lifestyle Program
Have you ever been told by a health care professional that you:
* Are at risk for developing diabetes?
* Have prediabetes?
* Have borderline diabetes?
* Have high blood sugar or glucose?
* Had gestational diabetes?
You may be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes but there is something you can do about it.
The National Diabetes Prevention Program (
DPP) is an evidence-based program that was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (
CDC). The program has been proven to significantly reduce participant's risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by making healthy lifestyle changes. By taking part in the program, you will learn the skills you need to lose weight, become more physically active and manage stress with the help of a trained lifestyle coach and the support from your fellow classmates.
This program is being offered here at Memorial Presbyterian Church through MiHIA (Michigan Health Improvement Alliance), MidMichigan Medical Center, and Memorial Presbyterian Church.
We will be starting a new program here at Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Start Date: February 23, 2017
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
For more information and registration information Contact:
Kellie Froelicher, RN,
BSN Faith Community Nurse
For more general information please visit www.MiHia.org
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Dear Lake Huron Presbytery,
I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother. (Philemon 1:7)
Even seeing your name on our list of supporters and knowing the gifts you share with this ministry has been refreshing to our hearts in this new year. It was especially so because of a rough week we've just been through. It started as were unsuspectingly pulled over by the police and taken to the police station because of paperwork that we thought was in order (and had carried us through many police checks before!). After a fine we were back on the road, but a few minutes later a motorcycle stacked with goods clipped the side of our car on a busy street and went sprawling to be run over by a truck coming the other way. The motorcyclist was not seriously injured but it quickly became more of our problem than it should have been. Then before we could get the paperwork needed from other sources to bring us up to the new standards, we were pulled over by the police again the next day and were very nearly brought into the police station again. A cloud was cast over the rest of the week of driving as we dodged the main roads and waited for people to respond to our paperwork requests. At the end of the week we didn't have the paperwork yet, but on the way to teach at the Bible school a truck dropped some gravel and produced multiple cracks and chips in our windshield. We were left wondering what else could go wrong in just a few days time. But as we turned our attention to the support we're received in this past year, and the signs of your love for us and the work that God is doing in Niger, we are drawn to turn our hearts in the opposite direction. What joy we have and what encouragement there is to continue in this work, knowing that so many blessings are poured out on us in just a few days time as well.
We pray that you realize how important you are to us! We could not be here without your connection spiritually, emotionally, and financially. May God continue to use you as a source of joy and encouragement for others!
Michael and Rachel Ludwig
If you would like to follow their adventures and their mission work in Niger, please contact Staci Percy at
spercy@presbylh.org or 989-799-7481 x2 for their blog address. (They have asked that the link to it not be published online.)
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From Cathy Chang and Juan Lopez
Dear Friends of Lake Huron Presbytery,
Greetings from the Philippines!
In one more month (March), we will be celebrating our 1-year anniversary of living and serving here. Hard to believe how the time has already passed!
Many of you already are supporting God's mission in southeast Asia, through your respective congregations, for which we are grateful. To add to your support, we learned that the Presbytery also added its financial support with a gift at the end of December-for which we're grateful to you and to God!
In early June, I (Cathy) am hoping to make a very brief visit and attend the Presbytery meeting at Alma College. I apologize in advance for not staying longer, but here's the promise that I can make: in late spring/early summer 2018, we are making plans to stay for a much longer time and enjoy extended time with all of you. It's not too late to start making plans and setting aside funds for this upcoming 2018 visit. We look forward to sharing with you, about what God is doing here in southeast Asia!
Grace and peace,
Cathy, Juan & Aur
élie
P.S. By way of reminder, here are some ways to stay in touch with us, our family life and our work:
**Friend me "Catherine Chang" at Facebook
**Watch videos at our YouTube channel -- Find it by browsing "Catherine Chang PCUSA"
**Subscribe to receive electronic Quarterly newsletters in your email inbox by
clicking here.
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Here are links to articles that we hope you will enjoy and perhaps spend some time discussing them with others. Click on the title to read the entire article.
"Membership ... is a joy and a privilege. It is also a commitment to participate in Christ's mission" (Book of Order, G-1.0304). Therefore, it is appropriate that new members be prepared and examined for membership by the session overseeing their care and nurture. While "[n]o person shall be denied membership for any reason not related to profession of faith" (Book of Order, G-1.0302), even if a new member is joining by letter of transfer or reaffirmation of faith, thus renewing a faith commitment made at an earlier date, they are still dedicating themselves to a new congregation and should know how the mission and ministry of Christ are lived out in that particular assembly. While the pastor can be helpful in sharing this information, and is often the one to lead a "new member class," the session is best-positioned to tell the church's story and invite discussion over areas of mutual interest and dedication. Such a discussion can help the ruling elders discern an individual readiness to grow in covenant faithfulness....
continue reading.
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I sometimes see pastors concerned about how it will look if they promote a certain article or blog post on social media. This is especially true if the article instructs a church on how to treat the pastor or what to do for Pastor Appreciation Month, to give two examples.
"How am I supposed to share this with the people who need to see it without looking like I'm self-serving?" or "This is more an article for members than pastors, but how am I supposed to get them to read it?"
These are fair questions. Although most of us like to share good content on social media, most pastors do not want to come across as preachy, pushy or self-promotional. That is absolutely understandable.
So, how can we share content that will catch the attention of our church members without the negative side effects? Here are three ideas
.
..
continue reading
.
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In northern Vermont, about two hours east of Burlington, a white chapel appears, at first, to be a traditional New England church.
But look beyond the towering spire and rolling hills and you'll notice something else: The church is actually a dog chapel, built to honor the bond between dog and owner.
It sits on a 150-acre mountaintop farm-called
Dog Mountain
-that's been welcoming dog lovers since it opened in 2000. Stephen and Gwen Huneck first bought the property in 1995 and, over the years, transformed it into a leash-free, artistic puppy paradise, with plenty of room to run.
..
continue reading
.
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NOTE: The articles listed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of or intended to be an endorsement by the Presbytery of Lake Huron but are shared to encourage discussion of various topics.
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Connect With Other Churches In The Lake Huron Presbytery
There are so many wonderful things going on in all of our congregations. Several of our churches have set up Facebook pages to help spread the good news not only to their members but to all who may be interested. Liking other church Facebook pages is a great way to connect with others in the presbytery and to share ideas with each other. Here are some of the churches that have Facebook pages:
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'Like' Us On Facebook
The presbytery has a Facebook page and would like you to join us. Get updates and information faster. Connect with others to share ideas and to post information about events happening in your congregation. Join us today!
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| Staci Percy Communications Manager/Recording Clerk spercy@presbylh.org 989-799-7481 x2 |
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About the
Bi-Weekly Brief
Hundreds of elders, educators, and church leaders read the Presbytery of Lake Huron's email sent out every other week.
You can reissue or modify this content for your own church bulletin or newsletter, without crediting the Bi-Weekly Brief, but please credit any organizations, photographers, etc, that we credited.
NOTE: The Presbytery of Lake Huron retains permission to modify submissions for clarity and length. Inclusion of an item in the Bi-Weekly Brief means that we think it's interesting and/or important, and does not constitute an endorsement of its point of view or its journalistic accuracy.
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Commission on Ministry - Outreach and Admin Team
February 22
11:00 am
Installation of the Rev. John "Scott" Kroener
February 26
3:00 pm
Personnel Team
February 27
10:00 am
Alma Youth Mix
March 3-5
Presbytery Meeting
March 7
9:30 am
Board of Pensions Retirees Luncheon
March 8
12:00 pm
Commission on Preparation For Ministry
March 15
10:00 am
Worship Planning Team
March 15
1:00 pm
Commission on Ministry - Outreach and Administration Team
March 22
11:00 am
Personnel Team
March 27
10:00 am
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Details on these meetings can be found on the presbytery's website on the calendar.
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