1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

JUNE 2015
ALLEGAN UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
409 Trowbridge Street
Allegan Mi 49010
269-673-4236
Fax No. 269-673-8856
JOYS AND CONCERNS
Listed below are some of the Joys and Concerns heard during recent worship services. We
carry each other’s burdens and dance dances for all of God’s children. Reach out and touch
someone’s life as you pray for them.
Email-secretary@allumc.org
Website alleganumc.net
Sunday Morning Worship
9:30 a.m.
JOYS
Robert K. Lynch
Pastor
269-673-2512k
Congratulations
Sari Hammon’s new granddaughter, Eastyn Geurink, was born on April 30;
Virginia Conklin celebrated her 70th birthday; Norm Pierson honored for his
25 years of contribution to our bell choirs.
Thank You
Chic Heckman is thankful for all the prayers and support during Lee’s
illness. Allison Wiley thanks Wende Wood for being an inspirational choir
director.
Celebrations and Joys
Barb Simpson celebrates family birthdays; Tim Dickinson shared his son
Jake will be an ER doctor in Indianapolis and Josh will be a surgeon in West
Virginia; Lee Heckman back in worship; Bach Sunday and our Chancel Bell
Choir and Joyful Noise.
ALLEGAN UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
is a caring, dynamic community of faith where all people
are invited to encounter God
and to celebrate a Risen Lord.
Through God’s Spirit we grow
spiritually, emphasize the
individual’s relationship
with Christ and others, and
change with and serve the
needs of the community.
Concerns on the following page….
JUNE 2015
PRAYERS AND CONCERNS
Prayers for our military:
Those connected with this congregation: Ryan Balgoyen, Tanner Boysen, Steven Carroll, Andrew
Cowen, Thomas DeBruyne, Matt Fullam, Stephanie Hadley, Isaiah Hadley, Dillon Hileski, Michael
Hileski, Gregory McIntire, Chelsea Reed, Jason Star, Jeremy Thompson, Dai Wessman and Dan
Wrobleski.
Continued prayers for those battling cancer or having treatment:
Jane Allen, Dale Barber, Evelyn Bierlein, Hanford Brink, Kyle Brower, Erin Brown, Bill Carr, Denise
Cherry, Jim Conlon, Tammy Christy, Stacy Davis, Sam Edgerton, Linda Evans, Ernie Hagerman,
Walter Hall, Angie Heckman, Dave Hitchcock, Ryan Howrigan, Monica Kraai, Mary Jo Lange; Julie
Maynard, Ken Milhiem, Villas Mohrland, John Murphy, Nancy Parker Newton, Philip Nicolai, Linda
Pullen, Phil Rose, Denise Schmidt, Carol Taylor, Mark Thomas, Terri Stapleton, Deb Stutzman,
Cessily Wotring Thackler, Naomi Watts, Jenny Walsh, Jen Wessman and those known but unnamed.
Health Concerns: Ginny Borgman’s sister, Cecilia, having dialysis; Al LeMaire's step mother, Sharon
LeMaire, recovering from ill health and had a stent inserted into her heart; Jackie Thompson’s niece, Natalie
Thompson, diagnosed with MS; Continued prayers for Andy Branham who continues physical therapy at home;
Continued prayers for Joan Rininger as she recuperates from knee replacement at home; Al Nielsen returned home
from the hospital; Carl Fuller is recuperating from a fall.
Prayer Shawls Given To: Andy Branham, Judy Gordon, Joan Rininger
Sympathy: Scott and Connie Dangremond family on the death of Connie’s mom, Beverly Harnden;
Haley Emmons on the death of her grandma, Mildred Beldon; Don and Linda Hausserman family on the
death of their son, Jason.
Thankful: We are very thankful Pastor Bob was not seriously injured when his tractor turned over on
him. He has a scraped/bruised leg. He was thankful for the people driving by who stopped to help him.
FROM THE HEART OF THE PASTOR
REV. ROBERT LYNCH
Allegan UMC Synergy: The Power of Togetherness
Allegan UMC Synergy is based upon a covenant partnership of shared values and goals for
ministry. Our goals for 2015 are simple: Continue to attract families with children, develop new
leadership and continue to nurture all our families with the power of togetherness!
Allegan UMC has a timeline of God’s glory that began in 1836 and continues today! This year
2015, we have celebrated 20 years of Kid’s Hope and 25 years of the Chancel Bell Choir! Let us praise
God as we continue the power of togetherness!
We have created an Allegan UMC Timeline of God’s Glory in our Fellowship Hall where you can
remember and post important dates of the church that have happened in our lifetime. Before we take it
down, we would like to celebrate Heritage Sunday, June 14th! At worship on June 14th we will honor our
“long-time” members:
June Querbeck 1936
Vern Olcott 1939 Jane Dangremond 1939
Carl Fuller 1942
David Waanders 1943 Marguerite Bloss 1945
Naomi Weaver 1948 Willard Jennings 1949 Bonnie Olcott 1949
Rachel Wait 1949
Jack Webber 1949
Hopefully we can make this a great celebration for the power of togetherness at Allegan UMC by
inviting family and friends for this special worship! After June 14, we will spend the rest of the summer
understanding what it means to being a church in Mission!
Being a Church in Mission!
The people of God are the church made visible in the world. It is they who must convince the
world of the reality of the gospel or leave it unconvinced. There can be no evasion or delegation of this
responsibility; the church is either faithful as a witnessing and serving community, or it loses its vitality
and its impact on an unbelieving world.
Mission is the action of the God of grace who creates out of love, who calls a covenant people
community, who graciously redeems and reconciles a broken and sinful people in Jesus Christ, and
who through the Holy Spirit, calls the church into being as the instrument of the good news of grace
to all people.
Mission is also the church's grateful response to what God has done, is doing, and will do. A
grace-formed church is one which responsibly participates in God's action in and for the world.
Mission is witness to the God of grace. Witness has four essential dimensions:
1. Proclamation. We proclaim the gospel. We tell the story of God's gracious initiative to redeem the
world. The imperative for proclamation is found in the gospel itself. Good news cannot be withheld.
2. Evangelism. To proclaim the gospel is fundamental; to invite persons to personal decision for and
commitment to Jesus Christ and his being is equally fundamental. The gospel calls forth response. The
invitation to respond to the gospel is evangelism.
3. Incorporation. We call persons to be incorporated into the Body of Christ. All who are “in Christ” share
in the mission of Christ.
4. Servanthood. We serve as agents of God's liberating and reconciling grace among the nations. Witness
is to whole persons and their social contexts. The wholeness of grace entails justice, mercy, and
forgiveness. Our aim is, therefore, transformed people in a transformed world.
THE CHURCH IN MISSION
Mission is the action of the God of grace who creates out of love, who calls a covenant people
community, who graciously redeems and reconciles a broken and sinful people in Jesus Christ, and who
through the Holy Spirit calls the church into being as the instrument of the good news of grace to all
people!
JUNE 7, 2015 2nd SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Ellen Bierlein will be
preaching and Rev. Bill Carr presiding over Holy Communion.
JUNE 14, 2015 HERITAGE SUNDAY: (Mark 4:26-34) We will honor our “long-time” members by
understanding the mystery of the mustard seed.
JUNE 21, 2015: Acts 2:1-4 A Church in Mission series: “Catching the Wind”
JUNE 28, 2015: Acts 2:14-21 A Church in Mission series: “Understanding Evangelism”
JUNE 28, 2015: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Community” “We are the Body of Christ.”
A Church in Mission series: “Understanding Church as
MEMORIAL DAY
May 25, 2015
NEWS FROM THE PEWS
BIBLE STUDY
This group meets every
week on Thursday at 12:30
p.m. the home of Chic
Heckman.
Come join us!
WHAT DO WE COLLECT?
CHECK OUT THE ROUND
TABLE OUTSIDE THE
OFFICE
Box Tops for Education for
North Ward Elementary
Lions Club - Glasses
Loose Change/Pennies Missions
Pop Tops from cans- Burn
Center in Chicago
THOSE WHO SERVE IN
June 2015
ACOLYTES
7 - Tara LeMaire
Chase Milbocker
14 - Adriana Brink
Anthony Thomsen
21 - Abby Hall
Allison Wiley
28 - Ryan Brink
Audrey Brink
7 - Trevah Dalrymple
14 - Chris Jurkas
21 - Kristy Milbocker
28 - Ami Salisbury
PIANISTS
7 - Tom and Lois Giles
Lee and Chic Heckman
7 - Doug and Amy Brink
Family
14 - June Querback Family
21 - Lisa Sebright and Family
28 - Barb Brewster
Chris Jurkas
GREETERS
I think I’ll call it a day,”
God replied.
NURSERY
COMMUNION SERVERS
FELLOWSHIP TIME
“I’ve just created a 24-hour
period of alternating light
and darkness,” God told one
of His angels. “Wonderful!”
exclaimed the angel. “So
what are You going to do
now?”
LITURGIST
7 - Ed Garvin
14 - Jim Sebright
21 - Sari Hammon
28 - Ellen Bierlein
7 - Terry and Donna Skoglund
Rod and Karen Rambadt
14 - Lee and Chic Heckman
Norm and Margaret Pierson
21 - Gene and Wende Wood
Tim and Mary Kay Borgman
28 - Ed and Sarah Thomsen
Family
Mark Bolyen
JR. CHURCH
June - No Junior Church
7 - Wende Wood
14 - Amanda Wood
21 - Ireland Armintrout
28 - Mackenzie Sturman
SOUND
7 -Tim Borgman
14 - Hanford Brink
21 - Jon Brink
28 - Ed Garvin
USHERS
7 - Jack & Becky Rininger
14 - JoAnne Giles
Willard Jennings
21 - Laura Weaver, Bailey Weaver
28 - Terry Skoglund
Cindy Thiele
VIDEO
7 - Barb Gibson
14- Terry Skoglund
21 - Susan Barnes
28 - Norm Pierson
Food Pantry
2015 Report
Month
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
TOTAL
2014 Visits
No. of People
91
74
105
119
96
103
125
115
116
116
98
125
1,283
Total Number of New Households YTD
2014
166
297
243
347
431
307
345
417
370
379
424
351
440
4,351
2015
# Of
People
# Of
Kids
101
86
106
100
30
378
302
285
384
108
Not Tracked
423
1,457
2015 Visits
64 (2/16-28)
121(Thru 3/31)
164(Thru 4/26)
42(Thru 5/17)
391
250(Thru 5/17)
FOOD DRIVE for JUNE: Cereal, Hamburger Helper, Pork and Beans
We will have our grocery carts out for any donations. God Bless You and thanks!
STATUS OF OUR FUNDS: We have been able to purchase the items we needed but will purchase again in
about three weeks, depending on how many receive food. Our account balance is $2,498.88. Thanks to everyone
for your support. Although the account is stable at this point, we still will need funds for future purchases.
ALLEGAN COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION—Non-Profit Spotlight: Look for our article in the
next issue which comes out July 2.
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
1 - Bonnie Olcott
2 - Joyce Hard
6 - Eilene Brink
Terry Brink
7 - Cade Thiel
8 - Joyce Brink
9 - Tessa Armintrout
11 - Gene Wood
14 - Ray Kinney
Bailey Weaver
15 - June Querback
William Armintrout
18 - Ami Salisbury
21 - Jennifer Dunning
James Flynn
22 - Paul McQuaid
23 - David Armintrout
Jack Rininger
26 - Karen Rambadt
Alyssa Trutsch
27 – Chris Stewart
Rhonda Griffin
Barb Simpson
30 – Nancy Armintrout
JUNE ANNIVERSARIES
10 - Rick and Linda Flynn
13 - Bob and Kim Leslie
20 - Mike and Virginia Conklin
22 - John and Pat Cantwell
23 - Norm and Margaret Pierson
24 - Paul and Rhonda Griffin
26 - Vern and Bonnie Olcott
29 - Willard and Judy Jennings
David and Nancy Armintrout
Please come and help us celebrate Mackenzie Sturman’s graduation from Allegan High
School! We will be enjoying a pig roast on Saturday, June 27th from 4-7pm at her home,
2825 116th Avenue, Allegan. We would love to see you there!
KIDS HOPE REMINDERS
June 1, 600 p.m. – KH End-of-Year/Grad party in Fellowship Hall.
All KH families and KH volunteers are invited.
We are planning a carnival theme.
June 4 – Last day of school/family picnic, awards assembly, K-2 field day event.
A special “thank you” note was received from the NW staff, thanking KH for the
Lunch and mini breakfast provided during Teacher Appreciation Week.
POM
Communion and Project of the month is the “Wesley Foundation.” A church
family has offered to match the total amount up to $250.
Offering change
and Penny Jar will continue to go towards Ministry Shares.
There is a sign-up sheet for summer special music in the Music Room. You can also contact
Ellen Bierlein or Jacque James.
You are invited to help us celebration John
Barber’s graduation from Allegan High School.
Sunday, June 7
1 – 4 p.m.
th
2624 16 Avenue (M222)
Ranee Rambadt will receive the “Educational Hero Award” on June 9 at
the Van Buren County Association of School Board Recognition
Banquet. This honor is in recognition of making a positive input on the
educational system.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our church family for their prayers and
continued prayers that I have a full recovery. I would also like to thank everyone for the
prayer shawl, all the cards I have received, the visits, and the food. Lee
2015 Allegan UMC
Family Camp Update
Family camp will be here before you know it ( June 28-July 4 ) - look for the sign-up sheet
in Fellowship Hall. The camp wants to know how many sites we need, so please sign up as
early as possible. We would like to have a full camp…..invite family and friends to join us for
a fun week.
This year we are celebrating Footprints in the Sand. We hope to have some special
activities on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Our tentative activities are as follows:
Monday-Friday – DEVOTIONS each morning. Sign up in Fellowship Hall or let Jon Brink
know if you can help.
Sunday – POTLUCK (need someone to set up), followed by VESPER SERVICE (Denton).
Tuesday – Footprints in the Sand -themed POTLUCK PICNIC DINNER (bring your favorite
picnic foods) and a fun activity or two (Terri Maule & Kristen Brink).
Following dinner, we will have our ever-popular TALENT SHOW with some of the best talent
in the area!!!
Wednesday – Footprints in the Sand continues with fun GAMES (Mary & Amy Brink).
Friday – CAMP PIE NIGHT
NEEDED: Someone to set up for the Sunday potluck.
Talented (or not) people for the Talent Show.
People to lead devotions each day.
See Hanford and Eilene Brink if you have other ideas or can help with any of the above
activities.
A big Thank You to our amazing church family during the passing of our mother,
Beverly Harnden. Many compliments to Pastor Bob Lynch for a wonderful service.
Our “luncheon ladies,” for our delicious luncheon and to all who prepared for it.
Thank you for all your prayers and expressions of sympathy. Your thoughtfulness is greatly
appreciated. May God bless our church family. Much love,
“The Harnden Girls”
Connie Dangremond
The Men’s Fellowship Group will be having a Rummage Sale on August 15.
Start collecting your items for the sale.
VBS
Mark your calendars!
June 14-18 6:15-8:00 p.m.
Scholarships Available - 3-day summer ‘camp’ for women July 16-18
Stay at Central Michigan University, enjoy good food (no cooking or cleaning up),
sleep in your personal bedroom, and network with West Michigan women. Now get
this---kids (or grandkids) go free! Yes, kids K-12 go free.
Mission U is an opportunity to study mission topics with worship and singing, audiovisual presentations,
and fellowship events. The topics for this year’s session are:
Created for Happiness: Understanding Your Life in God, Latin America: People and Faith, The Church
& People with Disabilities.
For more info contact Cindy Thiele at 673-4514.
Funeral Luncheons Note
Sue Thiel and Grace Switzer, co-chairs for funeral luncheons, will be resigning their long-standing
volunteer position as of July 1, 2015. There is a great need for a new team to fill this vital area of
mission within the church. Please contact Cindy or the church office if you can help. If you need
more information contact Sue or Grace.
UMYF
May 31 – 12-2 p.m.
We will be having a scavenger hunt.
June 7 – 12-7 p.m. Beach Day
All middle and high school students are welcome. You are also encouraged to bring friends.
It's graduation time and Memorial Day which means happy and sad times. Graduation
brings an ending and a beginning as students end one part of their education and, for
some, move on to higher education. It is a melancholy time for parents as it is hard to
believe they have reached this point and are ready to move on to their next phase in life.
Our church honored three graduates this past Sunday as we have watched them grow up
among us. We wish them well in whatever path they choose to follow and know who
holds the future in the palm of His hand. To John, Kristen, and Mackenzie: as the song
says, “friends are friends forever,” and we await hearing of this new chapter in your lives.
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance, not just of those who have died in the service of
our country but also in our lives. Visiting the cemetery, decorating graves, and
remembering those who have gone before us is a sad time that calls to memory those we
have loved and lost. Our church has had many losses over the last couple of years and,
sadly, there will be more. Two of our church families have suffered the loss of a mom
and a son just recently and their grief is very fresh and raw. I hope they feel the love of
our caring congregation and know we hurt for them. I lost my special friend June and
feel her loss daily. Our camping group has lost 3 members in the past year and my
favorite brother-in-law was one of them. My niece lost her grandson, dad, and husband.
Our friends lost their son. So you see, many will be remembering and missing loved ones
and I pray that memories will keep them close. We just never know when death will
come. Thank God that our church is always open to reaching out, even to those who
have no connection whatsoever. The pastor, organist, bereavement committee,
custodians, and just everyone opens their hearts and are eager to help in any way. I am so
proud to be part of such a caring church and I know God smiles each time we reach out in
His name to His people.
Judy
Sun
Mon
1
6-7:30 pm KH Grad/End
of Year Party (FH/KT)
Tue
2
Wed
3
8 -10 am TOPS (DS)
5-7 pm Weight
Watchers (FH)
Thu
4
5
12:30 pm Bible Study
(Heckman)
8 am - 4 pm Food Pantry
Pastor out of office
West Michigan
Annual Conference
7
8
10:30 am Vision Imp (FH)
9
5-7 pm Weight
Watchers (FH)
10
8 -10 am TOPS (DS)
11
9:30 a.m. Worship
11 am Sunday School (picnic)
15
16
17
8 -10 am TOPS (DS)
6:15-8 pm VBS
18
Pastor out of office
West Michigan
Annual Conference
14
9:30 a.m. Worship
6:15-8 pm VBS
4:30 pm Scouts (DS)
6:15-8 pm VBS
6:15-8 pm VBS
Fri
Sat
6
Delivery (FH/KT)
Pastor out of office
West Mich
Annual Conferenace
Pastor out of office
West Michigan
Annual Conference
12
8 am -12 pm Food Pantry
Delivery (FH/KT)
13
19
8 am -12 pm Food Pantry
Delivery (FH/KT)
20
25
26
12:30 pm Bible Study
(Heckman)
8 am -12 pm Food Pantry
27
2-4 p.m. Giles FH/KT
12:30 pm Bible Study
(Heckman)
Evening -Weaver/Allison
Wedding
12:30 pm Bible Study
(Heckman)
6:15-8 pm VBS
Sarah Circle-Dinner Out
21
22
9:30 a.m. Worship
23
5-7 pm Weight
Watchers (FH)
First day of Summer!
24
8 -10 am TOPS (DS)
Delivery (FH/KT)
9 am Men’s Fellowship
(FH)
12 pm NEWLETTER DEADLINE
28
9:30 a.m. Worship
After Worship-Bake Sale for
Cancer Relay for Life (FH)
29
30
5 -7 pm Weight
Watchers (FH)
Location Key
DS - Downstairs
FH - Fellowship Hall
HS - High School Classroom
KT - Kitchen
LB - Library
M - Music Room
MS -Middle School
SA - Sanctuary
YR - Youth