"Celebrating God's Presence, Serving All People"
United Church News June 21st, 2019
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Some days ago, I read an article in a ministry magazine about why younger generations hesitate to attend Christian worship services. The author argued that the "worship wars" of the 1990's (contemporary vs. traditional) are now pretty much over. The question younger generations are now asking is not: "Is this worship traditional?" Nor are they asking: "Is this worship contemporary?" The question younger generations are asking is: "Is this worship real?" Can the message be trusted? Can the messenger be trusted? Is the worshiping congregation authentic and real or is the congregation fake and putting on a show? Indeed, there is a deep spiritual hunger in our world for what is real, authentic, and true.

God also values what is authentic and real. With grace and a listening ear, God welcomes our authentic and real selves into God's presence. Jesus's parable of the pharisee and tax collector speaks of how important it is for all of us to present our real selves before God. I look forward to sharing more about this in my sermon on Sunday entitled "Authentic and Real" from Luke 18: 9-14. See you Sunday!

In Christ,

Pastor Mark 
This Sunday's Sermon Title and Scripture Reading
Worship Sunday at 10am
Sunday, June 23rd
" Authentic and Real "
We are loved and forgiven by God when we present to God our real and authentic selves.

Scripture :
Luke 18: 9-14

Reader : Alicia Purple
Deacons : Sheila Sawyer and Jeff Denslow
Ushers : Mary Jane Irvine and Dave Fuller
Greeter : Karen Lombardi
Music
Giana DiPetrio will be our guest soloist this Sunday. It is always a pleasure to hear her sing!

Favorite Hymns

Thanks to the congregation, we have a very good problem on our hands. We had an unusually high number of people request favorite hymns this summer; therefore, we will be singing favorite hymns all summer long through September. If the hymn you requested is not sung in June, kindly be patient as you'll hear it at some point this summer. Your ministers and music director make every effort to ensure that hymns fit thematically with the sermon in worship each Sunday. So if you have not yet heard your favorite hymn, stay tuned (pun intended). Thanks so much for your understanding, and a big thank you for all your many requests!
Children's Church

Lesson:
Paul and the Preacher

Teacher:
Cheryl Axelson

Assistant Teacher:
Pam Shudes
Week in Review
Father's Day

This past Sunday, the children of UCMI honored the men of our congregation with a special Father's Day chocolate treat.

Each custom Hershey bar read "Thank you for making life so sweet!"

Check out the video slide show to see all the joy and fun this brought!
Congratulations Williams Family!

In celebration of Father's Day, Pastor Mark Williams also made a special announcement to the congregation- he and Emily are expecting their third child, a girl, this October.

We are thrilled for the family and can't wait to meet the new bundle of joy!
Bargain Basket Update
Join us every Thursday for our Thrifty Thursday special of the week!

Today is the final day of our 2-day summer sale. Everything is 50% off- don't miss out!

Next Thursday, everything in our back room will be 50% off, including displays. Help us clean out and prepare for our exciting construction project!
Celebration of God and Country
Join us for a patriotic celebration of God and Country after worship on Sunday, June 30th.

Hot dogs, brats, snacks, drinks, and desserts will be served. Bring the whole family for good food and fellowship!

A sign-up sheet for attendees and side dishes is located in the Narthex.
Focused Prayer Summer Study
Come experienc e a deeper, refreshing way to pray “The Lord’s Prayer” through a “Focused Prayer” technique and come expecting to receive a fresh touch from Heaven!

"Focused Prayer" or "Soaking Prayer" is a praying technique which allows you to develop a more intimate relationship with Christ's Living Word and His Wondrful Presence.

Come learn a beautiful way to pray each phrase of The Lord's Prayer as never before. Develop an even more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit, which will put you on track to grow close to God and receive answers to your prayers.

Pastor Kathy's 6 week study begins Tuesday, July 9th and meets every Tuesday in the Sanctuary at 10 AM through August 13th.

Come join us and learn a new technique that will change your prayer life forever!
Summer Book Discussions
Pastor Kathy Sprague's 5-week book discussion on Max Lucado's Anxious for Nothing, continues this Tuesday, June 25th at 10am in the Sunset Conference Room. Over the past few decades, studies have shown that Americans are the most anxious people in the world. We take the most medication for it, see doctors to treat it, and spend fortunes trying to relieve it. How have we let our fears get the better of us? In Anxious for Nothing, Max Lucado leads participants to reflect on the promises of Philippians 4:4-8.  This passage from Paul’s epistle contains an antidote to anxiety that will help you develop a mindset of resilience.
Join Pastor Mark Williams on Wednesday, July 10th at 10am in the Sunset Conference Room for a discussion on Michael Medved's The American Miracle . In The American Miracle , bestselling author and radio host Michael Medved recounts some of the most significant events in America’s rise to prosperity and power, from the writing of the Constitution to the Civil War. He reveals a record of improbabilities and amazements that demonstrate what the Founders always believed: that events unfolded according to a master plan, with destiny playing an unmistakable role in lifting the nation to greatness.
In The Coming Week at UCMI

Tuesday, June 25th
  • 10 AM Anxious for Nothing Book Study (SSCR)

Thursday, June 27th
  • 9:30 AM Church Life and Growth (SSCR)

Click on the link below to see what the next few months have to offer at UCMI!
Online Giving
To all those who would like to use our Online Giving Program, while up North for the summer or for the convenience, please click on the link below to see how you can do so.
Upcoming Birthdays
6/21- Rich Kostecka
6/23- Gordon Timmerman
6/23- John Foster
6/24- Linda James
6/25- June Gulumian
6/26- M.P. Rines
6/26- Rita Clark

We hope your special day is filled with fun surrounded by the ones you love most!
We're sorry we missed your birthday! If you do not see your birthday listed in the e-news please check with the church office to see if we have all of your info!