June 29
for more information
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Worship
Sundays at 9:45am
- Livestream Worship at 9:45AM on YouTube
http://bit.ly/3k7Z3Eu
- In-person in the Sanctuary*
*Outside worship in the backyard tent on the second Sunday of the month beginning June 12th. Bring a chair.
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Our worship theme of Stories from the Shores is giving us the opportunity to walk with faith stories from the Bible that are rich with invitation to be called, to trust, to go, to rest, to heal, to have faith, to listen, to pray, to obey, to feed, to remember, to care, and to encounter Jesus Christ in powerful ways while reflecting on the images of water.
This weekend the theme focuses on the word HEAL and our nation celebrates its independence. To say anxiety, polarization, hatred, and frustration are running high in our nation is an understatement. These feelings were set on fire last week with the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. This is a complicated topic and it has raised the temperature and division in our country. What saddens me the most is the hatred being spewed between humans.
We need a healing…a healing in the name of Jesus Christ. (Mark 3:7-12) I see the unclean spirits all around, at times even when I look in the mirror. I do not want to be an unclean spirit in this world. I want to be one that reflects God’s healing power of love into this world. That reflects care and love towards others. That has compassion and love for others that are struggling on both sides of issues. I believe true change will not happen in our country just through law making, but through how we choose to see one another, to walk with one another, to love one another, and to pray for healing for one another, our country, and our world.
We are allowing ourselves to be divided and to see one another as the enemy. When that happens I think we become the “unclean spirits.” Are we willing to see Jesus, to believe he is the Son of God, and to reflect his healing love, grace, forgiveness and acceptance in this world? Are we willing to believe in making changes and to take steps to do so without hatred for other people? Are we willing to allow God to use us for good, so that we reflect his healing power into a hurting world?
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These are the questions that are rolling around in my spirit today. The photo you are looking at was taken this morning on Houghton Lake. The water was so calm that the sky was perfectly reflected in its surface. As I looked at the reflection, I rewrote today's message. Please receive it not for one side or another on any topic, but instead as a call for all of us to think about how we are walking with God during these times. South Lyon First UMC has a mission and God is calling us forward to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
Love and Peace,
Rev. Mary
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BIBLE READING CHALLENGE
Join the summer challenge! The Education Team is challenging us to read 3 stories from the bible each week during the summer. These bible stories are included below. Cross off the stories as you read them. There will be a prize for all participants at the end of the summer.
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STORIES FROM THE SHORES
After the birth of Jesus, we move away from the child Jesus and encounter the man, the prophet, the teacher, the healer, and the trouble-maker Jesus! We discover, through a focus on the book of Mark, the ways in which Jesus models discipleship and calls for us to follow. In Mark, Jesus is almost constantly at the shoreline, in a boat, getting out of a boat or into one! No doubt, we are in this boat together as we seek to be the disciples Jesus has called us to be. This summer we encourage you to send us YOUR pictures from the shores. Please email your shoreline photos to Jen Denny.
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PUB THEOLOGY
We are gathering at Third Monk Brewing this Wednesday, June 29th, at 7:30PM to discuss Overturning Roe, Growth & Change, and the Human Family. Please come and join us for a cold beer (…or pop) and a lively conversation.
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CAMPFIRE SONGS & S'MORES JULY 1
On Friday, July 1st, from 7-9PM in the green space behind the church, we will eat. We will sing. It will be awesome fun for everyone! Bring your favorite S'more fixin's and your camp chairs to the SLFUMC firepit!
RAIN PLAN: If it is raining at 5PM or after, we will reschedule for a different date.
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FREE PICNIC LUNCHES
WILL BE SERVED
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
NOON - 1:00
JUNE 21 - AUGUST 18
Free books are also distributed with lunches. We are currently in need of books for teens (middle school and high school). If you have books for donation, please drop them off in the Summer Lunch Program basket in the church parlor or in the outdoor tub.
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SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM NEWS
If you are interested in helping with this summer's Summer Lunch Program, please email Kristina Kotila, the SLP coordinator, at slp@southlyonfirstumc.org.
If you would like to contribute to the weekend meal bags, please drop off individual macaroni & cheese cups or individual peanut butter cups in the church parlor or outside bin by door #4.
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL, July 25-28, 9-11AM
This year's theme is Food Truck Party and we need YOU to help make it a success! Participant registration is open to 4 year old’s through 5th graders. To register as a participant please use this link. Adult and Youth volunteers are encouraged to sign up here.
FOOD TRUCK PARTY July 24
Join us for a Family Picnic to kick off VBS week, Sunday, July 24, 11AM – 1PM. The Shimmy Shack food truck will be onsite and you can find the menu here: Truck Menu 5-18-22 web (shimmyshack.com). Feel free to bring your own lunch or buy it.
Bring your lawn chairs and we’ll eat together under the tent! ALL ARE WELCOME!
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NURSERY DIRECTOR POSITION
Do you enjoy children? You can make a difference at SLFUMC. We need your help to provide a fun and safe environment for our Church Nursery! We are hiring for a Nursery Director position. In just 4-5 hours each week, you can help our church family with our most precious asset-The Children! Interested in more information? We would love to hear from you! Please submit a note or resume to the church office.
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JUNE MISSION OF THE MONTH
Sister Church Bethlehem Temple and Gretta Moffat Student Support
Our relationship with Liberia began in 2005, and we have had a strong connection with them supporting access to clean water, food, and education for children. Progress has been made in all these areas, but significant needs remain, especially with access to education for rural children.
Bethlehem Temple-Our sister church is in a very remote bush area, often completely flooded and unreachable during the rainy season. They struggle to have adequate food supplies, to battle numerous health conditions, and to provide education opportunities for the children. Yet they remain faithful, hopeful, and appreciative of our relationship with them.
Gretta Moffat Student Support-In 2017, we began an effort to help the children of the rural John Dean Town area go to school. We worked with Jerry Giah, the principal of Gretta Moffat School, to pair up students with sponsor families from our church. Although the pairing system is now not practical, our donations of $50.00 per student covers uniforms, school supplies, and some of the tuition.
In August 2021, Principal Jerry Giah reported that there were 143 students attending Gretta Moffat school, with four students graduating from the eighth grade. The number of children starting school continues to increase due to our scholarships, as does the number of students graduating from the eighth grade. Graduating from eighth grade in rural Liberia is a huge accomplishment. Although we are no longer able to receive individual pictures with updates for each child, Principal Giah sends regular emails, student lists, group pictures and an annual school report.
In October 2021, we sent $3000 to help support Gretta Moffat students with tuition, uniforms, and supplies for the '21-'22 school year, which started in November. We were also able to provide continued support for the two high school students (Peter Tedoe and Decontee Gray) who are now in 10th grade and to add support for another student in the 9th grade. The recommended donation for the high school students is now $300.00 per school year. We also recently heard that twenty young children from our sister church, Bethlehem Temple, benefited from the scholarship funds that were sent in 2019, and they are hoping for continued support.
To provide updates regarding the Liberia students and educational programs that we support, we have added a Liberia update section on the Kiosk. You can also check my Facebook page which sometimes has pictures and videos sent from Principal Giah.
South Lyon FUMC is doing amazing work around the world by helping these children get an education and your support is greatly appreciated! Please keep our Liberian brothers and sisters in your prayers and prayerfully consider giving to the Liberia Mission of the Month which will support Bethlehem Temple, students at Gretta Moffat school, and three Gretta Moffat graduates in high school. All donations will go into the same fund, and there is no specific amount requested. Please email Patti Yerke if you have any questions.
Please give as God calls you to give. Blessings, Patti Yerke & The Mission Team
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PARSONAGE RENOVATIONS
Just like your home, our parsonage needs updating to bring it inline with community standards and the requirements of the Michigan Conference. The first project that the Trustees would like to tackle is providing a second full bath. This will make our parsonage a more comfortable option for current and future families. Right now there is only 1.5 baths, and the Michigan UMC Parsonage requirements are for 2 full baths. As you can imagine, this project alone will cost in excess of $15,000 and our current budget and capital funds cannot cover the cost. If you would like to contribute toward helping get our parsonage up to date, please consider making a donation indicating it is to be used for "parsonage renovations."
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Please also keep our prayer partners in your devotions:
Bethlehem Temple UMC – our sister church in Liberia
Helen Roberts-Evans – our covenant missionary in Liberia
Local Ministry Partners – Capernaum Health Clinic & Active Faith
The United Methodist Church
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Giving Options
· Use WebGive at our website by clicking here or by using the our QR code :
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· Use our giving app on your phone, VancoMobile
· Dropoff a check in our drop -box at door #4 at the church
· Mail a check to SLFUMC, 640 S. Lafayette, South Lyon, MI 48178
· Explore other options on the Giving page of our website by clicking here here
Please be aware that we will never ask for your financial, account, or payment information by email. If there is a question, you will be contacted by phone or in person by a staff member.
Staff members will never ask for gift cards or financial help by email.
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Office Hours
- Mondays 9am - 3:00pm
- Tuesdays - Thursdays 9am - noon
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for more information about our church or any of these programs!
Do you prefer a printed copy of our Midweek Messenger? Hard copies are available in the tote outside the main doors to the church.
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