1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

12
The Tower News
First United Methodist Church
111 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49014
www.firstumcbc.org
First United Methodist Church
The City Center Church
111 East Michigan Avenue,
Battle Creek, MI 49014
Address Service Requested
Volume 5 Issue 2 – May 2015
The vision of First United Methodist Church is to be a Vibrant,
Diverse, Christ-Centered People.
Continental Breakfast in the Woods
Your Church Staff
Ministers .................................................. All Members
Lead Pastor ....................................... Marshall Murphy
Co-Pastor .............................................. Scott Bouldrey
Administrative Assistant ................ Jean Harvey-Clark
Music Director .................................... Wendy Wheeler
Custodian ...................................................Jeff Stevens
Organist .................................................... Kay Ensfield
Keyboards ............................................. Naghielly Agy
Child Care ........................................ Allyson Cubberly
The TOWER News is published monthly.
Copy deadline is the 20th of the month. Please
electronically submit your information to:
Editor & Publisher: Jean Harvey-Clark
jharveyclark@firstumcbc.org
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 am to 5 pm
Closed for Lunch between 12-1 pm
Office is Closed on Fridays
Phone: 269.963.5567/ Fax: 269.963.6899
Pastoral Care: Marshall - 269.753.8056
May 2015 • Tower News
Worship
Schedule
9:00 am Praise Worship
11:30 am Traditional Worship
with Choir
Come join us Saturday, May 9, 2015, at
9:00 am for a continental breakfast of
coffee and doughnuts in the Woods;
Wesley Woods that is. It’s time for annual
clean up of two cabins in preparation for
the upcoming camping season. Enjoy the
sights, sounds, and smells of spring and
company of other volunteers as you work.
Perhaps you have never helped with
Wesley Woods clean up. Come, try it, you
might like it.
Please bring your own cleaning supplies.
This year there is no major project just
regular cleaning. Lunch will be served
when we finish which should be about noon.
For more information and to volunteer please see Sharon Gawlak at the
Service Team table.
May 2015 • Tower News
2
Happy Birthday to You!
05/01 Jim Davis
05/22
05/01 Rick McKelvey
05/23
05/07 Karol Henegar
05/23
05/10 Becca Anderson
05/23
05/12 Michael Dixon Jr.
05/15 Billie
R. Dalton
Account
Category 05/25
05/17 Harold Creekmur 05/26
05/17 Todd
Stagner
05/27
Income
Pledges
05/17 Morgyn Clair
05/29
Non-Pledged
05/19 Katie Moore
05/30
Loose
Plate Offerings05/30
05/20 Irene
Crisman
Mary Brigden
Georgia Dalton
Angelica Boshers
ChristopherActual
Gardner Income
Todd Boshers
YTD
Karina Moore
Dsidra Jansohn
$34,912.50
Sue Anderson
$6,110.00
Hattie Tuck
$1,877.70
Allan Moore
11
Community Prayer Breakfast
Tuesday, May 5, 2015, 7:25 am
at the Kellogg Arena
featuring Bob Goff, author of
"Love Does."
For
tickets go
% of
Amount
Ahead
Totalto
www.bccfoundation.org/
Annual
Budgeted
or
Annual
Budget
YTD prayerbreakfast2015
Behind
Budget
or call 269.969.2120.
$39,228.00 -$4,315.50 $156,912.00 22.25%
$6,249.00
-$139.00 $25,000.00 24.44%
Ron Sootsman, son of Ginnie and
$999.00
$4,000.00 46.94%
the
late Kay$878.70
Sootsman,
won the
Other Budgeted
$735.50 Governor's
$678.00
$57.50 Award
$2,975.00for24.72%
Fitness
the
Inspiring -$3,518.30
Story of the
Year. The
Total Budgeted
Income $43,635.70 $47,154.00
$188,887.00
23.10%
There will be no Youth
Sunday
award
was
presented
on
School on
May
10, (per future audit report), not income
2014Sunday,
Fund Balance
Carryover
Thursday, April 23 at Ford Field in
Mother’s Day.
$188,887.00
Detroit with Ginnie,
Clarke
Whinery, and Ron's son Joe in
Congratulations attendance. For details of his % of
Actual
Amount
Ahead
Total
Graduates!
Your amazing
Annual
achievements
see Battle
Expenses Budgeted
or
Annual
Budget
church family
Creek
April 30,
Account Category
YTD
YTD Shopper
Behind News,
Budget
page
10.
would like
to $25,342.00 $233.66 $110,029.00 22.82%
Expenses Total Salaries
$25,108.34
show you
how
$15,402.08 $16,668.00 $1,265.92 $66,669.00 23.10%
proud we are of
Total Parsonage
$780.36 We
$891.00
$2,061.00 37.86%
would $110.64
like to acknowledge
your accomTotal Ministry Shares
$1,251.00 and
$7,806.00
-$6,555.00
$31,219.00 4.01%
welcome
the recent
plishments. If you are graduating from
Total Office
$1,780.99 transfers
$2,337.00 of
$556.01
$9,328.00of19.09%
membership
high school,
college or any type of higher
BC 32.62%
Totalplease
- All Other
Budgeted
$8,175.00 Suggs,
$536.47 from
$23,418.00
education,
send
a picture and$7,638.53 Marjorie
Methodist
Worship $1,737.46
$1,350.00United
-$387.46
$5,400.00 32.18%
information on where you graduated
from Maple
Church,
and
Shuler
Harmon,
Finance
$219.03
$282.00
$62.97
$564.00
38.84%
and what your future plans are. We would
St, Matthews
United 34.43%
$5,918.00
$338.55 $16,204.00
like this information by MayBenefits
31. We$5,579.45
will from
Church $1,250.00
in Livonia,
Travel
$625.00
$522.41
8.21%
be serving refreshmentsPastor's
in your
honor$102.59
on Methodist
Sunday, June 7, after the 9:00 am service. MI. Thank you for sharing your
gifts and-$3,852.30
ministry$242,724.00
with us. 21.41%
Budgetedplease
Expensescontact
$51,961.30 $61,219.00
If you have any Total
questions,
Kathy Thornton
atYTD
967.0270.
YTD Income vs
Expenses Thanks!
-$8,325.60
Total Church Building
May 2015 • Tower News
May 2015 • Tower News
10
Finance Update
May Happenings at First Church
FUMC Consolidated Adopted Budget Report
March 31, 2015
These are Budgeted items only
Actual
Income
YTD
Account Category
Income
Pledges
Amount
Budgeted
YTD
Ahead
or
Behind
Church and Society information can be found on the bulletin boards at the top of the steps.
Total
Annual
Budget
% of
Annual
Budget
$34,912.50 $39,228.00 -$4,315.50 $156,912.00 22.25%
Non-Pledged
$6,110.00 $6,249.00
Loose Plate Offerings
$1,877.70
Other Budgeted
$735.50
$999.00
$678.00
-$139.00 $25,000.00 24.44%
$878.70
$57.50
$4,000.00 46.94%
$2,975.00 24.72%
Total Budgeted Income $43,635.70 $47,154.00 -$3,518.30 $188,887.00 23.10%
2014 Fund Balance Carryover (per future audit report), not income
Account Category
Expenses Total Salaries
Amount
Budgeted
YTD
$25,108.34 $25,342.00
Total Church Building
Ahead
or
Behind
Total
Annual
Budget
% of
Annual
Budget
$233.66 $110,029.00 22.82%
$15,402.08 $16,668.00 $1,265.92 $66,669.00 23.10%
Total Parsonage
$780.36
$891.00
$110.64
$1,251.00 $7,806.00 -$6,555.00 $31,219.00
Total Office
$1,780.99 $2,337.00
$556.01
Total - All Other Budgeted
$7,638.53 $8,175.00
$536.47 $23,418.00 32.62%
Finance
$219.03
$282.00
Benefits $5,579.45 $5,918.00
Pastor's Travel
$102.59
$625.00
$9,328.00 19.09%
$5,400.00 32.18%
$62.97
$564.00 38.84%
$338.55 $16,204.00 34.43%
$1,250.00
8.21%
Total Budgeted Expenses $51,961.30 $61,219.00 -$3,852.30 $242,724.00 21.41%
YTD Income vs YTD Expenses
Sunday
8:00 am
9:00 am
10::30 am
11:30 am
Praise Band Practice
Contemporary Worship
Choir Practice
Cornerstone Worship

Monday
9:00 am
Staff Meeting
Check with Esther Brown



05/06
05/06
05/12
05/13
n/a
05/26
Book Group:
May 3, 1:00 pm Clara’s
GIFT Group: Tuesday,
May 5: 6:00 pm, FUMC
May 19: 6:00 pm, FUMC
Martha Circle
May 13: 9:30 am, Gull Lake
*see article on page 4

Men’s Group:

Partners in Prayer:
Mondays, 6:00 pm
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Endowment
Trustees
Finance
Service Team
Staff Parish
Church Council
Adventures Group:
5:15 pm
6:30 pm
7:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
May 4: 7:00 pm,
Kathy Rizor’s
May 18: 7:00 pm,
Betty Dawson’s
4.01%
-$387.46
$522.41
SMALL GROUPS
$2,061.00 37.86%
Total Ministry Shares
Worship $1,737.46 $1,350.00
WEEKLY EVENTS
Wednesday
7:00 pm
Prayer Time
$188,887.00
Actual
Expenses
YTD
3
The Franklin Post Neighborhood Food
Pantry is looking for a coordinator. Please
see Todd Boshers for information.
Video Booth Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to assist
serving in the video booth on Sunday
mornings. For more information, see
Wendy Wheeler, Director of Music.
Pastor Marshall Murphy’s
FUMC Hours are
Monday-Wednesday: 9:00 am -2:00 pm.
He can be reached by phone or text at
269.753.8056 and via email at
mmurphy19@comcast.net.
-$8,325.60
May 2015 • Tower News
May 2015 • Tower News
4
9
Martha Circle Report for
April 8, 2015
There were seven members in
attendance at our April 8, 2015
meeting.
Our scripture reading was from Luke
Chapter 19 Versus 1-10. Eunice Kline
led us in our circle of prayer.
We reviewed the minutes of the March
meeting and Karol Heneger gave our
treasurers report of $1,166.63. We
voted to donate $300.00 to pay for one
child to camp this summer, $100.00 to
the Sunday morning refreshment
committee and later make a donation
to the Vacation Bible School.
A new listing of our shut-ins was
distributed. Dorothy Bickford
gathered five Bibles and they were
taken to the Haven of Rest.
We then tied off five of the I SPY quilts
for Charitable Union and Karol
Henegar took them there. Anyone
wishing to pick up some and tie them
off are welcome to do so. They are
given to families with new babies and
helps the babies learn many things
such as colors ,shapes etc.
Our last meeting for the 2014-2015
year will be held on Wednesday, May
13th. We will meet at the church at
9:30 am and take the church bus out to
Gull Lake for breakfast.
Please mark your calendars and plan
to join us…
We would like to extend an
open invitation to our
church family!
Please join us for
Emma’s Open House!
Helen Larder, President
May 2015 • Tower News
May 2015 • Tower News
8
5
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Where are you teddy bear?
You can get bears at Goodwill
We really need you badly.
or Salvation Army, as well as,
Our supply of bears for our
various dollar stores and yard
Prayer Bear project is
sales. Your kindness will bring
extremely low. The bears
a smile to the face of the
quickly find homes with
person choosing the “perfect”
those in need. It is time to
bear and then to the person
replenish our supply.
receiving the Prayer Bear.
Do you have some once
Help us to have two bears in
cherished and now lonely
each pew again, so we can
teddy bears which you could
enjoy having them leave their
donate to become a Prayer
home with us so they can make
Bear? Someone would be comforted and
someone happy, even for a little while.
have their days brightened because of your As always your help is appreciated.
generosity.
I would like to thank everyone that had any
part in making First United Methodists'
Dinner at Christ United Methodist a
success. From bringing food, to serving and
clean-up, it all went well. It was fun to get
together, eat dinner and make some new
friends. The food was delicious, if I say so
myself. A big SHOUT OUT to Hattie, she
came prepared with dessert, FUMC aprons
for us to wear, and cookbooks for prizes.
The men from CUMC said we could come
back anytime and bring dinner again.
“Bittersweet”
Local author and social worker, Gladys Seedorf, in her second book, “Bittersweet”,
tells a story based on her father’s life and his struggles with mental illness. Gladys
describes how mental illness affects not only the individual but the whole family.
Gladys brings to light the many hidden layers which mask the illness, so that help can
be obtained and healing can begin. The focus of the “Bittersweet” involves the family
unit, thus Gladys feels it can serve as a self-help book.
Maple’s Women Sharing Faith is hosting a book signing reception for Gladys. The
event is open to the public. Please join us for a short program, refreshments and
perhaps win a copy of “Bittersweet”. Books will be available for purchase. If you have
questions about this event, see Marjie Suggs or Shirley Carr
Carol Barr
Church Council Chair person
Saturday, May 23, 2015
2:00 pm
Maple UMC - 342 Capital Avenue, NE
Photos by Kathy Rizor
May 2015 • Tower News
The event will be held in Fellowship Hall. Please enter on the lower level from the
parking lot.
May 2015 • Tower News
Pastor Marshall Murphy
6
Reflections
Ephesians 4:9-16
7
Staff Parish Update
April 26, 2015
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born
of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.
9
God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so
that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved
us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved
us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love
one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13By this we know that we
abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
14
And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the
world. 15God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in
God. 16So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and
those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.
17
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of
judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18There is no fear in love, but perfect
love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not
reached perfection in love. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love
God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or
sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and
sisters also. (NRSV)
Dear Members and Friends of First United Methodist
Church:
As Chairperson of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, I wish to announce the appointment of Douglas
Vernon, our new co-pastor effective July 1, 2015. Doug
was introduced to us yesterday and we are excited
about the gifts he will bring to our church family.
Douglas is a retired Elder of the Michigan Area, having served over four
decades in both the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences of the UMC. He is a
graduate of Michigan State University, GarrettI am excited about the
announcement of Doug
Evangelical Theological Seminary, and the Detroit
Vernon being appointed to
Ecumenical Theological Seminary. In retirement, he
Battle Creek First UMC,
serves Garrett as a part time Development Associate.
effective in July. After I
Doug and his wife, Jane, are the proud grandparents retired from BC First UMC
of nine youngsters who reside in Colorado, California, in 1998 I served a few part
time pastorates and was then
Oregon, and Washington State. Jane is a retired
appointed to Kalamazoo First
elementary educator, now active in leading spiritual
UMC as interim senior pastor
because the previous pastor
growth classes, seminars, and retreats.
became ill and it was not
Doug is a Master Gardener, a sometime fly
known yet whether he would
fisherman, a lap swimmer, and a voracious reader of
return to ministry or retire.
historical fiction. The Vernon's share their Kalamazoo
In that process I had the
privilege of working with
home with their beloved Wheaten Terrier “Misty.”
Pastor Doug while he was
We will be planning a warm welcome for Doug and being appointed to follow
Jane upon their arrival in July. In the meantime, we will me. I've kept in touch with
be celebrating the ministry and faithful service of Scott. his ministry in Kalamazoo
during his tenure there, and
Please hold both families up in prayer during these
he has provided outstanding
months of transition.
leadership. I hope everyone
at Battle Creek First will
Trusting God’s amazing grace, Christ’s faithful love,
and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, we move anticipate his and Jane's
arrival and will have a
into the future.
wonderful experience
Serving Christ with you,
engaging in ministry with
him.
Anne Stagner
May 2015 • Tower News
May 2015 • Tower News
9
(When it says, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into
the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the same one who ascended far
above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) 11The gifts he gave were that
some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
12
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until
all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14We must no longer be children,
tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by
their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up
in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined
and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working
properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. (NRSV)
7
1 John 4:7-21
---Rev. Ron L. Keller