Dear South Lyon First Family,
Our fall sermon series is now complete and November is right around the corner. The Tie that Binds series reminded all of us that we are tied together in Christ and nothing symbolizes that more for me then when we gather around the communion table. Watching you tie fabric on the tapestry allowed me the gift of praying about our interconnectedness. Each week I would run my hands over the ties that were created in both worship spaces and prayed over you, giving thanks that we are part of the same family of God that worships together in this place and at this time.
God seemed to open my ears and hear your stories in a deeper way. I found myself looking through our historical books giving thanks for the great cloud of witnesses that once worshiped here but now find their rest in God’s presence. I thought about those that are worshiping currently at South Lyon First, and then I began imagining those that will sit in these pews well after we have all finished our lives on this earth. Together the past, present, and future combines us into this amazing blessed family of God and I am filled with gratitude. Family has always had a special part of my life, whether it be those that I am connected to by adoption, birth, marriage, my “friend” family, or my church family. A lot of the memories I give thanks for include a table, kitchen table, card table, picnic table, or communion table.
This month you make preparations to gather with loved ones for Thanksgiving. I want to share with you a poem by the poet Joy Harjo. She uses the metaphor of a table as what holds us together, as the place where we engage the highs, lows, and complexities of our human relationships.
As I read it, I thought of the church, and the centrality of the communion table that draws all our diversity into a common experience in Christ. I think of my family meal table, where my family and I connect, share, pray, imagine, and laugh over the daily events of life. And I think of you and your family, gathered around your Thanksgiving table.
Relationships with family members are not always easy. The ones we love the most are sometimes the ones we fight with the most. But as the poem suggests, our table, our kindred connection to one another, is both a “house in the rain, and an umbrella in the sun.”
So, read this poem and enjoy. As you make your way through this month, start giving thanks today. In fact give thanks to God everyday and relish your connections around the tables of your life.
Perhaps the World Ends Here
Joy Harjo, 1951

The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live.
The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since creation, and it will go on.
We chase chickens or dogs away from it. Babies teethe at the corners. They scrape their knees under it.
It is here that children are given instructions on what it means to be human. We make men at it, we make women.
At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts of lovers.
Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our children. They laugh with us at our poor falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back together once again at the table.
This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella in the sun.
Wars have begun and ended at this table. It is a place to hide in the shadow of terror. A place to celebrate the terrible victory.
We have given birth on this table, and have prepared our parents for burial here.
At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow. We pray of suffering and remorse. We give thanks.
Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying, eating of the last sweet bite.
Your sister in Christ, Rev. Mary McInnes
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November Worship Series
Our sermon series for November is titled Abiding in the Reign, as in the reign of God. This series is about claiming the gifts of living in this life and yet fully participating in the reign of God, or what has been traditionally called the kingdom of God. We will start with a celebration of the Saints on November 3 and end with a look forward to the coming of the Christ Child on Christ the King Sunday, November 24.

November 3 “Choosing to Abide”; Luke 19:1-10,
All Saints' Sunday
November 10 “The Spirit Abides”; Haggai 1:15B-2:9
November 17 “Shaped by the Reign”; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
November 24 “Allegiance to the Reign”; Colossians 1:11-20, Christ the King Sunday
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Sunday Morning Children’s Ministries
November & December
In order to rest our volunteers and reimagine our children’s worship ministry on Sunday mornings, Children’s Church will be on hiatus during November and December. Children’s messages will continue during all three services.
The following alternatives will be available:
8:15AM Daybreak
Nursery: Infants – 3 year olds
Worship Activity bags: 4 year olds – 3
rd
graders
10:45AM Ignite
Nursery: Infants – 3 year olds
Grace Space: 4 year olds – 3
rd
graders
11:00AM Cornerstone
Nursery: Infants – 3 year olds
Worship Activity bags: 4 olds– 3
rd
graders
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Hanging of the Greens - November 24
The Hanging of the Greens will take place Sunday, November 24 at noon. Meet in the sanctuary to help decorate for the Christmas season! Pizza will be served and all ages are welcome!
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Mission of the Month:
Capernaum Health Clinic
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Capernaum Health Clinic is named after a village located on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus taught at the Temple and healed many people.
In 2011 a group of churches in the Metro Detroit called E.A.C.H (Everyone a chance to hear), along with several churches in South Lyon hosted free medical and dental services for members of the community. As a result of this initial free clinic, in 2012 a coalition of community leaders and local churches, (Crossroads Community Church, First United Methodist Church, Fellowship Evangelical Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church, Oak Pointe Church, First Presbyterian Church and St. Joseph Catholic Church) wanted to bring free health care to South Lyon. Capernaum Health Clinic formally became a nonprofit using the Capernaum name in 2013, and continues to provide much-needed medical services to the South Lyon community.
Capernaum's mission statement and the guiding principal of work is: "We strive to demonstrate the love of Jesus in South Lyon by providing caring and compassionate medical and dental services for people in our community." The clinic is for anyone in the South Lyon area who does not have adequate health care coverage to meet their needs. The clinic seeks to serve those people who, for whatever reason, currently find themselves uninsured or unable to access medical care.
In a South Lyon Herald article published in April of 2017, Dr. Cherie Trembath, a member of our church, said, "Our major mission is to serve people in the school district. We don't turn anyone away. We don't look at their zip code or income. If they say they need medical care, we take it at face value. At the clinic, we see what people want and need. It might be a physical or a chronic problem. Many can't afford their medications or going to the doctor's office, Capernaum’s goal is to get people into appropriate long-term care based on their needs."
Along with general medical care, the clinics offer dental care, an optometrist, a podiatrist, dermatologist, and hearing screening. "We can refer people for lower-cost hearing aids and longer-term services", Trembath explained, that along with referrals for specific medical care, Capernaum also has access to financial counselors at Providence Hospital who can work with clinic patients to figure out what kinds of services for which they may be eligible.
Capernaum Health Clinic is doing important work in our community. We can help them to continue to provide these much-needed health services by giving generously to our November mission of the month.
In Christ,
The Mission Team
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T
he next free Capernaum Health Clinic will be held November 4-8 at Fellowship Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 22200 Pontiac Trail. Dental hygienists, medical doctors & nurses, an audiologist, a dermatologist, and a mobile mammogram unit will all be available on various days during the week. See the schedule on the kiosk or Ignite bulletin board for more details.
If you or someone you know needs medical or dental care please call 248-225-4581 for an appointment.
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Winter Hats and Scarves for Cass
As you probably know, we have a group here at church, Stitching for Christ, who meets every Tuesday from 2pm-4pm. We knit or crochet prayer shawls for you to give to friends and family who may need an extra touch of God’s love.
This year, in addition to the prayer shawls, we decided to make some winter scarves and hats. One whole bin of them has been taken to God’s Country Cooperative Parish in Newberry for distribution in their Christmas gift program or in their clothes closet.
We’re still making more scarves and hats, and we’d like to take them down to Detroit to Cass Community Social Services. Jessica Mytty has contacted Sue at Cass, and she said that they would like to use them in their Homeless Outreach Program.
So we’re off and knitting! We’d like you to join us! If you knit or crochet, you may want to make a scarf or two to donate to Cass. If you don’t knit or crochet, maybe you’d like to purchase a knitted scarf and/or hat for this project. Sue has requested that we send dark colors of scarves and hats to Cass; the clients very much prefer that over bright colors.
Please bring your items to church by December 15, so we can take them to Cass before Christmas.
Thank you!
Kathy Smith
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Serving From the Heart Workshop
Saturday, November 9
9AM – 4PM, Friendship Room
Are you looking for a way to connect with others? Want to get involved but are overwhelmed by the options? Knowing how God wired you to serve with joy just might help you do both! This one day workshop includes a Spiritual Gifts assessment, an overview of the service opportunities at SLFUMC and a framework to help you navigate them. Contact Kendi for more information:
kendikristine@att.net
. Sign up on the kiosk or online:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C49A8AC23AB9-sharing
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Church Conference – November 17
Our yearly church conference will be held Sunday, November 17 at 2:00 pm at Northville FUMC. Participating churches will have a combined time together, as well as a breakout meeting for each individual church. During this time we will elect new church leaders, receive membership reports, recommend pastoral compensation, and review the work of our lay servants. All SLFUMC members and friends of the congregation are invited to attend.
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Women’s Book Club - November 19
This month's book club will meet Tuesday, November 19th at 6:30 pm in the Hart Chapel.
Please remember that friends are welcome at any time. It is my hope and prayer that this time together allows us to share from our readings, our life experiences, to be in Christians fellowship, and to lift one another in prayer. Keep reading and growing. For more info, contact Rev. Mary (
revmarymcinnes@att.net).
November 19 – Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
December 17 – Christmas Poetry and Cookies – at the parsonage bring a treat to share
January 21 – The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates
February 18 – Half the Sky – Nichols Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
March 17 – Be Bold by Rachel Billups
April 21 - ?? would love someone to recommend a book for April
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Fall into a Great Book!
Check out our church library located next to the copy room. From devotional books and church history to children’s books, we have resources for you. Take a moment and browse through or watch for the traveling cart in a church space near you!
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Ladies Game Night
Friday, November 15
6-9PM, Friendship Room
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Upcoming Opportunities for Men
• Every Tuesday morning: devotion, prayer and breakfast 6:30 am in the Parlor
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•
“First Saturday Breakfast” 7:30 – 9:00 November 2
nd
in the Friendship Room features our newest staff member, Kendi Holcomb Densmore, sharing about her life journey.
•
The Tuesday night weekly Bible study group meets 7:30 – 8:30 in the parlor. We are traveling “A Road to Discipleship,” a 12-week Bible study prepared by staff members of our national organization of United Methodist Men. Each lesson stands alone, so drop in when convenient!
•
Quarterly Euchre Tournament 6:45 – 10:00 pm November 8
th
in the Friendship Room. Sign up on the kiosk or Ignite bulletin board.
•
“First Saturday Breakfast” on December 1
st
will feature Patrick and Charlie Maguire speaking about their experience with a Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraiser.
•
During late October/early November we will be building two additional offices in the World Building of Cass Community Social Services. Watch for details.
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FREE Gratitude Yoga & Meditation Retreat November 16
On Saturday, November 16
th
from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm you are invited to our chapel to explore a deeper restorative focus in yoga and meditation. This is open to the community, for us to come together and share gratitude healing practices before the holidays. We’ll explore a deeper restorative focus in yoga, breath work, and meditation. This is not 3 hours of physical practice; there will be meditative practices interspersed. Please RSVP to Ronda Barnes (
rondbarn@med.umich.edu
).
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Ignite Band Opportunity
If you, or someone you know, are a musician who is passionate about worship and looking to play or sing with a band, we have an opportunity for you! The Ignite band is currently looking to expand our pool of talented servants. We rehearse Thursday nights from 7-9 PM in the Fellowship Hall. You need NOT be available every week. Please email the Ignite Band Director, Aynsley Fant at aynsleyfant@att.net or call/text 615-319-9581 to set up a time to be heard and see if it's a good fit.
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Cool Yule Family Fun Event
December 7
It is time to start planning for this amazing free annual event that brings the Christmas spirit to our community. Here are just a few ways that you can help:
SAVE THE DATE - FAMILY FUN EVENT - December 7th from 3:00-5:00 PM
COME TO THE PLANNING MEETING - November 6th at 6:30PM
SIGN UP TO HELP - Please see the kiosk or the bulletin for ways to get involved.
DONATE AN INFLATABLE - If you are willing to lend the church a Christmas inflatable, please contact Jen Denny at
jendenny@att.net
.
SPREAD THE WORD & INVITE FRIENDS!
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All-Church Christmas Pageant
Sunday, December 15
4:00 pm Sanctuary
Followed by a hot cocoa bar in the parlor!
Participants of all ages and talents welcome!
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Thank You To Church Family
To My Church Family,
I would like to thank everyone for their cards, prayers, and phone calls while I was recovering from my surgery. Thank you, Michelle, Darlene, David, Damon, Rev. Kenny, and Rev. Mary. It really means a lot to me. God bless you all.
Janis Norton
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Church News
- Adalyn Hungerford, daughter of Garrett & Andrea Hungerford, baptized September 29, 2019
- Liam Parrish, son of Peter & Christina Parrish, was born on September 19, 2019
- Pat Ulman, mother of Matt Wutke, passed away on October 3, 2019
Welcome To Our Newest Member!
Please welcome our newest member, Suzanne Brown, who joined our membership on October 20th. Suzanne transferred here from Amazing Grace Lutheran Church in The Villages, FL. She is retired and currently living in South Lyon with her husband, George. She has two adult children, Michael Brown and Karen Hantz. She loves to read and to stitch. Suzanne’s fellowship friend is Bobbie Bushey.
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Click the link below to see
this month's birthdays!

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Sunday Worship Schedule
8:15 am Daybreak in Sanctuary
9:30 am Sunday School for all ages
10:45 am Ignite in Fellowship Hall
11:00 am Cornerstone in Sanctuary
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 3:30pm
Closed Fridays
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for more information about our church or any of these programs!
Do you prefer a printed copy of our newsletter? Hard copies are available on the kiosk in the lobby!
Newsletter is edited by Lori Penndorf
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