OVESTA EWS

Published monthly by:

Novesta Church of Christ 2896 N. Cemetery Rd. Cass City, MI 48726

Phone: (989) 872-3658

novestachurch@yahoo.com

www.novestachurch.org

Brad Speirs, Senior Minister Daniel Knowlton, Family Minister

June Issue

VOL. XXXIX - - - No. 6

June 1, 2014

Sermon Series ~ When God Builds A Church As we continue to seek God’s plan for our lives and our church, we realize that there are certain principles that our church should keep at the forefront of our energy and attention. Bob Russell, lead minister for years at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY, wrote about a book 15 years ago containing 10 Biblical prin-ciples that are important in growing a dynamic church. Over the next few months we are going to be looking at those principles and see how God can continue to work in our church and in our lives for His glory and honor. We hope that you’ll be able to join us as we seek to apply these Biblical principles into our personal lives and ultimately into the life of Novesta!

June 1st - Truth June 22nd - Excellence

June 8th - Worship June 29th - Faith

June 15th - Leadership

God took the strength of a mountain; The majesty of a tree; The warmth of a summer sun; The calm of a quiet sea;

The generous soul of nature; The comforting arms of night; The wisdom of the ages; The power of the eagle’s flight;

The joy of a morning in Spring; The faith of a mustard seed; The patience of eternity; The depth of a family need;

Then God combined these qualities and When there was nothing more to add

He knew His masterpiece was complete And so, He called it …

OUTDOOR SERVICE ~ July 20th We’ve still got a lot of the details to work out, but you can mark your calendars for a special day where we will be meeting up town at the park (Lions Pavilion) for worship, fellowship, and a great time as a church family. We’re go-ing to be having our entire church service up at the park and we’re going to be following that up with free swimming at the Cass City Pool, a Kickball game, A home run derby, softball, and, oh yeah, a Novesta GRILL OFF Potluck. Can’t wait to celebrate this fun day with you and your friends, so start spreading the word and make sure you’re in town to be a part of this fun church family day!

CAMPFIRE ~ JUNE 29th We hope that you’ll be able to join us on Sunday night, June 29th, at 6:00 p.m. here at the church for a church family campfire and worship gathering. We’ll have lots of fun around the fire singing, sharing, and eating! The Willing Workers class is hosting the campfire and Gib Kern will have the devotions. Hot dogs & beverage will be provided. Just bring your lawn chairs and a dish to pass. Hope to see you there!

Here We Grow Again... We have had a great month of additions for the Lord here at Novesta. April 27th … Branson Stimpfel was im-mersed following the morning worship. Branson is the son of Tom & Sloane Stimpfel and brother of CarLee. They live at 2286 Cemetery Road south of the church. May 4th … Kevvan Dorland was immersed into Christ after the morning service. Kevvan lives at 4584 Oak Street in Cass City. May 6th … Tuesday evening, Steven & Heather Walther were immersed. They live at 1759 S. Kingston Road. May 11th, Mother’s Day was a great day for many mothers and grandmothers with four bap-tisms. Those immersed that day are: Julia Maurer was baptized by her dad during the morning worship service. Julia’s dad and mom are Craig & Dawn. She has a sister, Caitlyn. They live between Bad Axe & Cass City at 4310 Ivanhoe Road. Stacey Wilcox was immersed following the morning service. Stacey & her husband, Chris, live at 1612 Remington Road, Caro. They have two little boys, Alex and Evan. Lauren & Bryce Bukoski were also immersed following the service. Their parents are Joe & JoEllen and they live at 7676 Gilbert Road, east of Cass City. We are so happy for all of these that have made this important decision and pray for them as they grow in Christ. We continue to pray for others that need to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.

We extend our most heartfelt sym-pathy to Vonda Kolb and Luann at the passing of Vonda’s daughter (Luann’s sister) Sally Eyer, on May 4th. We pray for them to be com-forted by God’s great love for them.

Wanna Get Away? 2 Great Trips to help you grow.

North American Christian Convention &

National Bible Bowl - July 7th - 11th

We want to invite everyone in the church to consider attending the NACC which is in Indianapolis this summer. The NACC is an annual gathering of thou-sands of Christians to worship and learn together. There are numerous workshops, an incredible ex-hibit hall, fantastic worship gatherings, and top notch speakers. There are programs and activities for all ages and in addition to all of this, the Bible Bowl Nationals are held at the same time and the same place. Comedian Tim Hawkins will even be performing live at the NACC this year. If you’re in-terested in learning more or attending, please talk to Brad.

Trip to the Creation Museum August 15th & 16th

This summer we’re taking a trip to the Creation Mu-seum located just outside of Cincinnati. The Crea-tion Museum is a fantastic place that celebrates all that God did in creation and the science that He has blessed us with. There will be more information coming in the July Newsletter, but we wanted to make you and your family aware of the dates that we’re planning on attending so that you can add it to your schedules.

DIRECTORIES Our Pictorial Directories are in!! Make sure that you’ve picked one up from the office, and please also remember to leave the little ‘pocket’ directories in the pews.

Financial Peace Corner Just a reminder to everyone to keep up with your budgets using GAZELLE intensity. At this point in the process, the mechanics of budgeting should be getting easier, but the EMOTION of making the change may be waning. It’s important to remember that over the next 3 months you will need to ‘LEAD your Heart’ to want to change, and then over time as you begin to see the results add up, your heart will lead you … so don’t give up, don’t give up, don’t give up! You can do this! Remember to live like no one else, so that later you can live and give like no one else!!! Remember that there are budget forms available in the middle hallway.

Quilting will stop for the sum-mer and will resume in September but maybe you’d like to know about the quilts we make and where they go. The Comfort Ministry’s quilts go to the Women’s Shelter’s in Tuscola, Huron, & Sanilac counties; to children who have had a trauma in their life such as the death of a family member, etc.; to fire victims; and others who need comfort. Each quilt has a label that says, “Because we care … Comfort Ministry at Novesta Church of Christ.” In the last five years we have made 560 quilts.

(Plus we also give Baby quilts to Novesta’s newborns.) The same ladies get together and make the quilts for Hospice. The quilts are distributed mostly by the Hospice center in Marlette, not only to the patients at that facility but also to those they serve in the area that choose to or are able to be at home. We have given 500 quilts in the last five years. (We push to do 100 each year.) So, altogether we have made 1060 quilts and have enjoyed it even though it sometimes makes the body tired and achy. We have great fellowship and have formed many great friendships. If you are interested, we love to have you join us when we resume in September.

DEEPER June 23-26 we are having a time of learning from the Bible, worshiping God and spending time with friends for 6th grade through high school. It will be from 7 to 8 in the evenings by the river behind Dave and Karen Speirs house. On Tuesday, the 24th, we will meet at the pavil-ion at the Cass City park at 5:30 and eat there because softball is that night. Come and enjoy time together. Any questions see Daniel

Young Adult Class Beginning June 8th

We are going to be studying how we should look at the Bi-ble and a better understand-ing of how we should read it. We will also have a brief over-view of the Bible. The class starts June 8 in the college

class and goes through August. Any questions see Daniel.

VBS: June 23rd – 26th 9:30 - 11:45 a.m.

This year we’re excited to announce our Jungle-Themed VBS Program called “Weird Animals: Where Jesus’ Love is One of a Kind.” God filled the world with a lot of crazy creatures...including you! When kids feel weird, different, or even lost in a crowd—nothing compares to the extraordinary love of Jesus. At Weird Animals Vacation Bible School, kids experience God’s Word in surprising and unforgettable ways! Each day, leaders reinforce one simple Bible truth—which makes it easy for kids to remember and apply to real life! We are inviting all 2 year olds through 5th Grade to come and learn that: Even when you’re left out...Jesus loves you! Even though you’re different...Jesus loves you! Even when you don't understand...Jesus loves you! Even though you do wrong...Jesus loves you!

Men’s Retreat - June 6th & 7th We want to invite all the men of Novesta to join us for a great night of Spiritual growth and community as we travel to Wolverine Christian Service Camp for a brief Men’s Retreat. The cost is $35, plus a few bucks of spending money. There will be a sign-up or you can also talk to Brad for more information. I need to know by Wednesday of this week if you are interested in attending. The theme is ‘Wake Up’. Hope you’ll be able to make it!

I hope you have been enjoying your time in God’s Word together as a family. Each week throughout the summer the suggested devotion is inserted in the bulletin. The devotions are planned to go along with the Sunday School les-sons. It’s great to get into the habit of having a family devotion time and show our children how important it is to read God’s words and instruc-tions to us.

NURSERY LESSON TRAINING We have some new helpers coming to the Nursery. We are having a teacher train-ing day on June 8 during second hour for the new nursery helpers and anyone else who could not make it to the previous train-ing days. For more information talk to Daniel or Tasha.

The Pocket Pal program, which has been a lot of fun getting to know one another, ends today, June 1. We will be having a breakfast of donuts and juice/coffee for all those involved in Pocket Pals next Sunday, June 8 at 9:00 a.m. so you can have breakfast with your Pal.

Teachers Meeting We are having a teachers meeting at the church at 6pm on June 9. Anyone who is a youth teacher or does anything with the youth at church is welcome and encouraged to come.

BIBLE BOWL Tournament Time!

June is the official start of the greatest Bible Bowl time of the year. During the next month our kids will be working hard to learn the text thoroughly, learn to buzz quickly, as well as memorizing many verses and lists. The team will be traveling for two weeks this month to compete in college tournaments. The first trip will include competitions at Milligan College and Kentucky Christian University, and the second trip will be to Johnson Bi-ble College. Please keep the students and the lead-ers in your prayers during this very busy month!

Marriage Class “Love, Marriage, & Stinking Thinking” Starting June 1st, there will be a new class meeting in the auditorium at 9:30. This class will be a fun time of learning & growing in our rela-tionships and specifically in our marriage rela-tionships. Mark Gungor is a leading voice in the world of marriage and his book and video series, ‘Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage’ is well known and highly respected.

Brad Speirs will be leading a discussion time around various topics that are presented in an entertaining and yet challenging way. We invite you and your spouse to join us for a ‘summer of love’ starting June 1st at 9:30 in the auditorium.

*Each week is an ‘independent’ topic so don’t get discouraged if you can’t make them all…*

Novesta’s Summer Memory Verse Program

The Bible Learning Program for our young ones (age 4 years thru 4th grade) begins June 1st until August 17th. Just as last summer, the children earn points by memorizing scripture, books of the Bible, etc. Those who have earned enough points will enjoy a day at the Water Park at Lapeer Community Center, a pizza party, and ice cream on August 23rd.

See Daniel or Kristy if you didn’t receive a booklet of the things to memorize and the points received for do-ing so.

Encourage the kiddos to memorize God Word, it will stick with them and they’ll have a fun time at their Re-wards Party on August 23.

YOUR GARDEN… First plant 6 rows of “peas”: Patience / Praise / Preparedness / Promptness / Persever-ance / Politeness. Then plant 6 rows of “lettuce”: Let us be faithful / Let us be unselfish / Let us be loyal / Let us love one another / Let us be truthful / Let us read our Bible. Next to them plant 4 rows of squash: Squash criticism / Squash indifference / Squash gossip / Squash laziness. No garden is complete without turnips: Turn up for Bi-ble Study / Turn up with a smile / Turn up with real concern for souls / Turn up with a willing spirit / Turn up with a tes-timony. Planting Instructions: Often the furrows of our heart must be plowed deeply in preparation for these seeds. To produce growth it necessitates daily watering from the tears of heartfelt prayer for the seeds to germinate. These plants grow all year long!

OUR MILITARY

Scott Brownson - (Tom & Doris Stimpfel’s nephew)

Jeremy Burns - Afghanistan (Sandra Yax’ nephew) Justin Fischer - (Tom & Doris Stimpfel’s nephew)

Matthew Harris - Afghanistan (Sandra Yax’ nephew)

Toby Kilbourn - (Jim’s son)

Ben Knoblet - (Tim’s nephew) Jamie Parrish - (Kristie Speirs’ brother, Betty Stilson’s grandson) - serving in Iraq

Matthew Peck - (Mark’s son)

Ryan Reid - (Jeff Hartel’s nephew)

Julie Roche Griffith - Air Force - Japan

Cody Ross - California

Jeffery Soldan - Afghanistan (Sandra Yax’ nephew)

Jason Spaulding - California

Brandon Speirs - Overseas

Joe Vandecar - Washington, D.C.

Jacques Weilbach - (Jacques & Marsha’s son)

Marius Weilbach - (Jacques & Marsha’s son)

SOFTBALL SCHEDULE 6/3 7:00 p.m. with C.C. U. Methodist on Field 2 8:45 p.m. with NC / LA on Field 2

6/13 7:00 p.m. with St. Paul on Field 2 8:45 p.m. with C.C. Missionary on Field 1

6/20 7:00 p.m. with Colwood 2 on Field 1 8:45 p.m. with NC / LA on Field 2

6/24 7:00 p.m. with Kingston on Field 2 8:45 p.m. with St. Paul on Field 1

6/30 7:00 p.m. with Refiners Fire Ministries on Field 2 8:45 p.m. with Gagetown on Field 2

7/7 7:00 p.m. with Colwood 1 on Field 1 8:45 p.m. with Colwood 2 on Field 2

7/18 7:00 p.m. with Deford on Field 1 8:45 p.m. with Kingston on Field 1

SAGINAW SOUP KITCHEN

June 20 Volunteers leave the church parking lot at 8:50 a.m. and go prepare and serve a hot meal to those in need. If you would like to help, sign up in the middle hallway or see Ray Peasley.

LONG TERM

PRAYER LIST

**Member Lester O’Dell - Emphysema Quinton Simpson - coma (Dena Anderson's nephew) Carol Hartman - recovery from surgery (friend of Pat McIntosh) Diane Wojtaszke - cancer (Ann Hartel contact) **Heather Roberts - continued healing of MS **Dena Anderson - extreme pain Steve Wilkinson - aneurysm Don Kruse - recovery **Larry Harper - Intestinal problems Allison Newbegin - tumor (Sharron Hartwick’s great niece) Tonya Armstrong - cancer (Sharron Hartwick’s niece) Mark Pierson - (Zmierski’s cousin) Lauren Hood - (Betty Powell contact) **Leonard Hawkins - Lapeer Brian Puterbaugh - recovery, head injury Rachael Maurer - recovery from auto accident **Phil Klaus - Graves disease Julie Patterson - recovery from surgery Les Auten III - Kidney disease Gary DeHann - Cancer (Auten’s brother-in-law) Elmer & Beatrice Micklash - Cancer (Nick Romzek’s grandparents) Joyce Brown - chronic illness (Taylor & Kennedy’s grandmother) Lee Nicol - ill health ATTENTION: If you know any of these on this list that are well and can be eliminated from it, please let the church office know.

Elders Meeting ~ June 2 ~ 7:00 p.m. If you have any praises or concerns, feel free to

share them with any elder or minister.

PROMOTION SUNDAY, JUNE 8th Those in Nursery thru High School will have their promo-tion on Sunday, June 8th. They will go to their regular classes first and then will be shown/taken to the class they will be going into.

To my Church family, The breakfast was amazing. It was a great honor to be there. Also thanks for the bible, it is beautiful.

Michaela Romain Class of 2014

CONGRATULATIONS...

...to Jerod & Brittany David-son on the birth of their baby boy, Quentin Michael, born May 25th. He weighed 6 lbs. 5 ozs. and 19”.

Quentin has a big brother, Xandere.

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

6/1 Pat Zinnecker 6/2 (A) Russ & Kristie Speirs 6/2 (A) Daniel & Tasha Knowlton 6/3 Ann Roche 6/4 Cooper Luana 6/6 Duane O’Dell 6/6 Bev Auten 6/7 Justin Murdoch 6/9 Dillon Peruski 6/10 (A) Harold & Joan Little 6/10 (A) Andy & Kim Gray 6/10 (A) Rob & Michelle Krueger 6/11 Brenda Venema 6/11 Lauren Walther 6/11 Jennifer Steely 6/12 (A) Chad & Cindy Pruitt 6/13 Seth Hiles 6/14 Lyle Severance 6/14 Justin Peters 6/14 Jodi Krueger 6/14 Kay Warner 6/14 Brittany Davidson 6/14 (A) Brandon & Michelle Speirs 6/15 Garrett Roberts 6/15 (A) Jim & Kathy Schenk 6/16 Larry Thick 6/16 Brad Pohlod 6/16 Rachel Miller 6/17 Scott Hendrian 6/18 Martin Louks 6/18 (A) Jim & Wanda Lonsberry 6/19 (A) Dennis & Michelle Hendrick 6/21 (A) Tom & Becky Howard 6/21 Patty Miller 6/22 Garold Peasley 6/22 Mark Mozdzen 6/23 Doris Hendrick 6/23 (A) Fred & Carol Hicks 6/24 Bill Claerhout 6/26 Cole Romzek 6/27 Kennedy VanWormer 6/28 (A) Dean & Diane Hoag 6/29 Karen Speirs 6/29 Tom Stimpfel, Jr. 6/29 Elmer Schulz

Graduation Open Houses

COLLIN HARTWICK June 7 ~ Noon - 3:00 p.m. ~ at church

MICHAELA ROMAIN

June 14 ~ 1:00-4:00 p.m. ~ at church

RACHEL PATERA June 15 ~ 1:00-4:00 p.m. ~ at her home

(5866 Robinson Road)

TYLER BRANDEL June 21 ~ 2:00-6:00 p.m. ~ at his home

(4554 Maharg Road)

LAUREN BUKOSKI July 6 ~ 1:00-6:00 p.m. ~ at her home

(7676 Gilbert Road, Cass City)

COMMUNION MEDITATION: 6/1 Ken Peters 6/8 Rob Hartwick 6/15 Gib Kern 6/22 Joel Brandel 6/29 Ken Peters DEACONS: Scott Hendrian Ed Nizzola Craig Maurer Stu Venema USHERS: Barry Brown Mark Peck Andy Gray Mark Zmierski Greg Mika A.M. NURSERY: 9:30 a.m. (all month) - Janie Kus 10:30 hour: 6/1 Amy & Emily Peters & Heather McCormick 6/8 Cathy & Caitlyn Healy & Susie Hartwick 6/15 Heather Roberts & JoEllen Bukoski & Mary Helen Pratt 6/22 Kristie Speirs & Shelli Herford & Cindy Klaus 6/29 Linda Downing & Stacey Wilcox & Caitlyn Maurer 7/6 Carol Hicks & Melissa Hicks & Doris Stimpfel WORSHIP LEADERS: 6/1 Lauren Howard 6/8 Kim Gray 6/15 Kristy Speirs 6/22 Fred Hicks 6/29 Sarah Zmierski SOUND SYSTEM: 6/1 Duane O’Dell 6/8 Scott Hendrian 6/15 Ken Peters 6/22 Brian Hicks 6/29 Dave Speirs POWER POINT: 6/1 Collin Hartwick 6/8 Carol Hicks 6/15 Ron Kampo 6/22 JoEllen Bukoski 6/29 Carol Hicks VIDEO RECORDING: 6/1 Tyler Brandel 6/8 Jonathan Brandel 6/15 Garrett Roberts 6/22 Lauren Bukoski 6/29 Nick Romzek

COMMUNION PREPARATION & CLEAN-UP: Marilyn Lester GREETERS: 6/1 9:30 (main) Dave & Karen Speirs (center) Les & Bev Auten 10:30 (main) Ryan & Shelli Herford (center) Duane & Kathy O’Dell 6/8 9:30 (main) Scott & Robin Hendrian (center) Gib & Pam Kern 10:30 (main) Ken & Patty Peters (center) Virgil & Amy Peters 6/15 9:30 (main) Jim & Wanda Lonsberry (center) Garold & Jamie Peasley 10:30 (main) Jeff & Ann Hartel (center) Steve & Andrea Ross 6/22 9:30 (main) Doris Stimpfel & Elfriede Englehart (center) Ed & Marideth Nizzola 10:30 (main) Mary Helen Pratt & Janice Winter (center) Jean Schulz & Mary Lou Spencer 6/29 9:30 (main) High School Class (center) Lauren Howard & Janet Wright 10:30 (main) Phil & Cindy Klaus (center) Barry & Kerry Brown 7/6 9:30 (main) Harold & Joan Little (center) Rob & Susie Hartwick 10:30 (main) Keith Little & Ron Speirs (center) Gib & Pam Kern JUNIOR CHURCH: Leaders: 2’s-3’s: Donna Little & Renee Nitz 4’s-1st: Laure Hiles & Melissa Hicks 2nd-4th: Patty & Rachel Miller Song Leaders: 6/1 Sharron Hartwick 6/8 Lauren Bukoski 6/15 Beth Mellendorf 6/22 Belle Hiles 6/29 Sharron Hartwick Communion Meditation: 6/1 Dave Little 6/8 Austin Keller 6/15 Tyler Brandel 6/22 Luke Koepf 6/29 Jon Brandel

THOSE SERVING IN JUNE

FACTS & FIGURES Average weekly attendance for the

month of May: A.M. Worship … 263

Offering average for May:

Sunday Offerings……….…$4,276.51 (Budget per Sunday: $4,135)

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

Elders Meeting 7:00 p.m.

3

Men’s Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

Softball Games

7:00 & 8:45 p.m.

4

Men’s Small Group Meeting

7:00 p.m.

5 6

RSVD for decorating

7

Collin Hartwick’s Open House

Noon-3:00 p.m.

8

Pocket Pal Breakfast - 9 a.m.

Promotion Sunday

Nursery Lesson Training during

2nd hour

9

Teachers Meeting 7:00 p.m.

10

Men’s Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

11

Men’s Small Group Meeting

7:00 p.m.

12 13

Softball Games 7:00 & 8:45 p.m.

14

Michaela Romain Open House

1:00-4:00 p.m.

15

HAPPY FATHER’S

DAY

Rachel Patera’s Open House

1:00-4:00 p.m. at her home

16 17

Men’s Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

18

Men’s Small Group Meeting

7:00 p.m.

19 20

Soup Kitchen 8:50 a.m.

Softball Games

7:00 & 8:45 p.m.

21

Tyler Brandel’s Open House

2:00-6:00 p.m. at his home

22 23 24

Men’s Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

Softball Games

7:00 & 8:45 p.m.

25

26 27 28

29

Campfire Service 6:00 p.m. at our pavilion

30

Softball Games 7:00 & 8:45 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

BIBLE SCHOOL

9:30-10:20

WORSHIP SERVICE 10:30

Men’s Retreat at WCSC

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL ~ 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. daily ~ 2 yrs. -5th grade

DEEPER for 6th grade - high school ~ 7-8 p.m. at the river by Speirs

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