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, Minister

October Issue VOL. XXXVII - - - No. 10

October 28, 2012

Harvest Party ~ October 27th ~ 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Our Harvest Party will be on Saturday October 27th from 11am-1pm for all children up to 6th grade. As always, there will be free games, prizes, and food. Even though the party is not on the traditional day of the “town-wide trick or treating night”, please feel free to dress up in your costumes and come on out and have a great time!

Of course the day can’t be pulled off without great volunteers, so please mark this day on your calendars and be watching for the sign-up in the middle hallway! Also, we have a few games in need of “updating” and some could really use a fresh look. If you can help “spruce” up some of our games or have a completely new idea, please see Brad or Kristy Speirs. They don’t have to be anything fancy or elaborate—just a quick fun challenge for our kids! Thanks so much in advance!

Also, if you like to decorate, we could really use some extra hands in turning the church into all things “harvest” for the special day! If you have pumpkins, straw bales or corn stalks that we could “borrow” for the night—that would be terrific!!

SWAP DAYS IS THIS WEEK !!! OCT. 1—5 Sunday & Monday: Bring your stuff

Tuesday & Wednesday: 8:30 a.m.—8:00 p.m. open to our church folk - come take what you want

Thursday & Friday: 8:30 a.m.—6:00 p.m. open to the public (ends at Noon on Friday)

SERMON SERIES

Throughout the month of October we’ll be exploring ‘The Church.’ We will be spending time each week looking at what the 1st church really looked like and how we can live lives that resem-ble those of that early church that was filled with God’s presence. We invite you to grab a friend and join us for worship each week.

BRICK FUND SUNDAY October 30th all offerings (except the amount that goes to Missions) is going toward paying off our building loan. We’ll be paying off the balance and we’ll be debt free!!! PS: We are planning a Homecoming Celebration for the 2nd Sunday of November and will be celebrating being debt free. More information on this event will be coming soon.

BOARD MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT ~ OCT. 1 ~ 7:00 P.M.

Updates For Your Directory Whenever we have any changes in address, phone, email,

etc. we will put it in the Newsletter for you to ADD TO YOUR DIRECTORY.

Joe & Samantha Corrion Barker

4556 Sebewaing Road … Owendale, MI 48754 Joe’s cell: 670-6230 ... Samantha’s cell: 975-6955

R.J. & Katie Klaus 3003 Crawford Road … Cass City, MI 48726

R.J.’s cell: 989-780-4174 Katie’s cell: 989-780-3675

COMMUNION MEDITATION: 10/7 Fred Hicks 10/14 Gib Kern 10/21 Rob Hartwick 10/28 Russ Speirs DEACONS: Craig Maurer Duane O’Dell Ed Nizzola Larry Thick USHERS: Joel Brandel Mark Peck Andy Gray Dave Peruski Brian Hicks Nick Romzek A.M. NURSERY: 10/7 9:30 Janie Kus 10:30 JoEllen Bukoski 10/14 9:30 Janie Kus 10:30 Ann King 10/21 9:30 Janie Kus 10:30 Robin Beckrow 10/28 9:30 Janie Kus 10:30 Linda Downing 11/4 9:30 Janie Kus 10:30 Cindy Klaus WORSHIP LEADERS: 10/7 Fred Hicks 10/14 Kristy Speirs 10/21 Lauren Howard 10/28 Samantha Corrion SOUND SYSTEM: 10/7 Brian Hicks 10/14 Dave Speirs 10/21 Scott Hendrian 10/28 Ken Peters POWER POINT: 10/7 Lyle Severance 10/14 Carol Hicks 10/21 Ron Kampo 10/28 JoEllen Bukoski COMMUNION PREPARATION & CLEAN-UP: Patty Peters

THOSE SERVING IN OCTOBER

GREETERS: 10/7 9:30 (main) Doris Stimpfel & Janet Wright (center) Mark & Patty Peck 10:30 (main) Andy & Kim Gray (center) Les & Bev Auten 10/14 9:30 (main) Barry & Kerry Brown (center) Garold & Jamie Peasley 10:30 (main) Jim & Wanda Lonsberry (center) Rob & Susie Hartwick 10/21 9:30 (main) Doris Hendrick & Elfriede Englehart (center) Ryan & Shelli Herford 10:30 (main) Ed & Marideth Nizzola (center) Chad & Cindy Pruitt 10/28 9:30 (main) Phil & Cindy Klaus (center) Scott & Robin Hendrian 10:30 (main) Keith Little & Ron Speirs (center) Dave & Karen Speirs 11/4 9:30 (main) Les & Bev Auten (center) Dave & Beckie Peruski 10:30 (main) Ken & Patty Peters (center) Gib & Pam Kern JUNIOR CHURCH: 10/7 Leaders: Jodie Mika & Donella Peasley Songs: Sharron Hartwick 10/14 Leaders: Jodie Mika & Donella Peasley Songs: Lauren Bukoski 10/21 Leaders: Jodie Mika & Donella Peasley Songs: Beth Mellendorf 10/28 Leaders: Jodie Mika & Donella Peasley Songs: Bailee Ross 11/4 Leader: Dawn Maurer Songs: Sharron Hartwick

With Special Thanks to all of you, This extra-special thank-you note sent to you today holds more appreciation than any words can say … for you’re among the nicest people we have ever known, and you’ll never be forgotten for the thoughtfulness you’ve shown. Thanks for everything - we want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for all your prayers and concerns for our son Les. We ap-preciate the prayers sent up and would like continued prayers for his Kidney Transplant scheduled for January 2. In Christian Love,

Bev & Les Auten & family

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

10/1 (A) Scott & Robin Hendrian 10/1 Eddie (Bear) Nizzola 10/2 Jenny Wymore 10/2 Phil Klaus 10/3 (A) Chuck & Kelli Hendrick 10/4 Wanda Lonsberry 10/4 Daren Miller 10/6 Lena Teller 10/6 Dave Peruski 10/7 Ralph Zinnecker 10/8 Dennis Hendrick 10/8 Aubrey Nizzola 10/8 Madelyn Wymore 10/8 Becky Keller 10/10 John McIntosh 10/11 (A) Ray & Donella Peasley 10/11 Jodie Mika 10/11 Zoe Mae Speirs 10/13 Dawn Maurer 10/14 (A) Gary & Dena Anderson 10/14 (A) Joe & JoEllen Bukoski 10/14 (A) Dave & Beckie Peruski 10/14 Gary Anderson 10/15 (A) Duane & Kathy O’Dell 10/15 (A) Doug & Laura Hiles 10/15 Steven Walther 10/15 Kelli Hendrick 10/16 Summer Childers 10/17 (A) Ron & Randee Speirs 10/17 Jim Schenk 10/18 Rachael Koepf 10/19 Collin Hartwick 10/21 Sally Koepf 10/21 Carol Hicks 10/21 Sophia Romain 10/24 (A) Les & Bev Auten 10/24 Jordan Hendrian 10/25 Pam Kern 10/25 (A) Gib & Pam Kern 10/29 Michelle Speirs

5th Quarter Thank-You

It’s hard to believe but we’ve already wrapped up another season of 5th Quarter Parties and we just want to say thank you to all the volunteers, snack makers, and prayers that make this ministry success-ful. Let’s continue to pray that God will grow the seeds that are planted during these parties.

Family Game Night October 19 ~ 6:30 p.m.

Come join us for Family Game Night Friday night, October 19. There was a great group last time with 18 participating in the games. Wanda Lonsberry was the winner and we won’t say who got the booby prize! We begin with a potluck @ 6:30 p.m. then start our games. The kids usually play in the gym or en-joy Wii or video games. The adults play Euchre or other games if there are those who want to play something else. It’s a really fun time for the whole family.

YOUR ELDERS MEET 7:00 P.M.

The next elders meeting will be October 29 at 7:00 p.m. If you have any praises or concerns, feel free to share them with any elder or Brad.

FACTS & FIGURES

Average weekly attendance for the month of September (to date) was:

Bible School … 89

A.M. Worship … 210

New Members in 2012 ~ 8

Offering averages for September (to date) was:

Sunday Offerings……….…$3,800.80

(Budget per Sunday: $3,520)

BRICK Fund: Balance: $15,697.66

Received this month for payments:

$775.00

OUR MILITARY

Scott Brownson - (Tom & Doris Stimpfel’s nephew) Justin Fischer - (Tom & Doris Stimpfel’s nephew) Toby Kilbourn - (Jim’s son) Ben Knoblet - (Tim Knoblet's nephew) Lester Maurer - (Gloria Maurer's son) Jamie Parrish - (Kristie Speirs’ brother, Betty Stilson’s grandson) - serving in Iraq Matt Peck - Mark’s son Ashleigh Rabideau - (Robin Beckrow’s niece) Ryan Reid - (Jeff Hartel’s nephew) Julie Roche - Air Force (Doctor in Residency) Chris Skiles - Reserves Brandon Speirs - North Carolina Karl Stuckey - (Mittlestat’s nephew) Jacques Weilbach - (Jacques & Marsha’s son) Marius Weilbach - (Jacques & Marsha’s son)

Annual Meeting Coming December 3rd

If you would like to recommend someone you think is qualified to serve as an elder or deacon of the congregation, let one of the elders or Brad know by Sunday, October 28. The Finance Ministry is asking for input for next year’s budget before their meeting on October 30. All Ministry groups and other leaders need to submit requests for funding by that date to allow the Finance Ministry time to prepare a budget for congregational approval at our annual meeting December 3rd.

Announcing… OUR

FELLOWSHIP POTLUCK

OCTOBER 10 ~ NOON

On the 2nd Wednesday of each month we meet for a Fellowship Potluck. This is for anyone who is avail-able during the noon hour. Just bring some food to share and come join in the fellowship. Beverages and table service are provided.

OCTOBER 10 ~ 9:00 AM If you enjoy sewing or tying off quilts or would just enjoy the company, we’d love to have you come join us. There’s a job for everyone. Some tie, some pin, another keeps the needles threaded, and some sew bindings. It is all done to show God’s love and to give comfort to those who are going thru a tuff time. (NOTE: Bring a dish to pass as this is also the day of the Fellowship Potluck.)

We extend our most heartfelt sympathy to Elsie, Fred & Carol, Brian & Melissa, Brad & Kristy and families at the passing of their dear husband, father, grandfather, Gerald Hicks, on Sept. 25 We pray for their peace and comfort in the knowledge of God’s love for them.

Listed below are several Small Group opportuni-ties … choose one and join in.

SUNDAYS 6:00 p.m. at church. Becky Zmierski is the leader.

MONDAYS 7:00 p.m. at Joel & Janice Brandel’s home (4554 Maharg Road)

TUESDAYS 10:00 a.m. Ladies Bible Study meets at church with Marilyn Lester the leader.

6:15 p.m. at Brad & Kristy Speirs’ home (4890 Akron Road)

7:00 p.m. Men’s Bible Study at church led by Ray Peasley

WEDNESDAYS 7:00 p.m. (20 Somethings) group meets at R.J. & Katie Klaus’ home at 3003 Crawford Road.

7:00 p.m. at Skip & Ellen Speirs’ home (7181 Shabbona Road)

THURSDAYS 7:00 p.m. at Virgil & Amy Peters’ home (3560 Phillips Road)

FRIDAYS 2:00 p.m. at Burt & Marilyn Rosenberger’s home (4866 Woodview Lane)

It’s that time of year again… a chance to stretch the legs, loosen up the arm, and play some fun flag foot-ball! We’ll be playing on September 30th, October 14th, & October 28th up at the practice fields behind Cass City High School. Everyone 7th grade and up is invited to join us as we have a good time of fellow-ship together. We’ll probably start playing about 12:15ish each week and we usually play for about 2 hours. Hope to see you there, and bring a friend. P.S. – Old people are strongly encouraged to join us!

FLAG FOOTBALL

After-School Shine Our First Night of After-School Shine was amazing and we’re looking forward to all the great things that God is going to do through this new ministry at our church. If you have kids or know of kids ages 4 years old – 6th grade, we invite you to join us Wednesdays after school from 3:30 – 4:45. We have snacks, songs, play time, & a great lesson each week.

Youth Group

Sunday nights we invite all 7th – college age students to join us for a time of fellowship, encouragement, and growing in Christ. We meet @ 6PM each night and we’d love to have you join us. We’ve got a 7th & 8th grade class and a high school/college class also. Hope to see you.

BEGINNER BIBLE BOWL RESUMES

October 2, after school, Beginner Bible Bowl will begin their practice sessions studying the book of Acts. Anyone in grades 3 to 5 are welcome and encouraged to join us. If you have any questions, see Sharron Hartwick.

LONG TERM PRAYER LIST

**Member

Chris Klco - (Amy Peters' brother) Heather Fisher - seizures (Eric & Wendy’s daughter) Quinton Simpson - in a coma (Dena Anderson's nephew) Carol Hartman - awaiting heart transplant (friend of Pat McIntosh) Lester O’Dell - Emphysema Diane Wojtaszke - cancer (Ann Hartel contact person) Aneita Denhoff - (Carrie Gilley’s mother) Elmer Lewis - (Doris Hendrick’s brother) Les Auten, III - awaiting transplant January 2nd **Heather Roberts - continued healing of MS **Dena Anderson - brain tumor Steve Wilkinson - aneurysm **Bill Britt - healing from his surgeries Don Kruse - recovery (Michelle Speirs’ grandpa) **Larry Harper - Intestinal problems Marge Johnson - nursing home in Indiana Allison Newbegin - tumor (Sharron Hartwick’s great niece) Nancy Gyomory - tumor (Doris Hendrick contact) Tonya Armstrong - cancer (Sharron Hartwick’s niece) Mark Pierson - (Zmierski’s cousin) Lee Hartel - recovery from surgery Mary Gyomory - recovery from hip surgery Ted O’Dell - cancer (Duane’s brother) **Bernie Wutzke - cancer Debra Slanec - cancer (niece of Peggy Nordquist & Norma Speirs) Wyatt Sutton - cancer (1st grader @ C.C. Elementary) 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.

SAGINAW SOUP KITCHEN

October 19 ~ 8:50 a.m. You are encouraged to join the group of volunteers from Novesta that serve at the Saginaw Soup Kitchen the 3rd Friday of each month by preparing and serving food to those in need. Sign up on the bulletin board in the middle hallway if you would like to help.

Service of Remembrance November 4 ~ 3:00 p.m.

Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City is again providing a “Service of Remembrance.” This is an opportunity for families to come together once again in tribute and memory of their loved ones. You are invited to attend and show your support for these families.

FORGOTTEN MAN MINISTRIES Annual Benefit Dinner October 16 ~ 6:30 p.m.

at the Caro High School Cafeteria (sign up on the board in the middle hallway)

Sunday evening, October 7th at 6:00 p.m., we will begin rehearsing the music for our Christmas Cantata titled, “Noel and Alleluia! Jesus is Born.” If you have any questions, see Carrie Gilley. Come join us!!!

NUTRITION CLASS

The Nutrition Class led by Janet Wright will resume on Thursday, October 4th. If you want to weigh in, come at 5:30. The class begins at 6:00 p.m.

LUNCH BUNCH OUTING We are planning to go to the Thumb Area Center for the Arts musical “My Fair Lady” that will be per-formed the 1st week of November in Caro. Watch the bulletin for more info as to date & time and we’ll have a sign up to know how many tickets to pur-chase.

SOUTH EAST ASIA WORK We have received this message from them: “Since the break down and vacation of our neighborhood Sunday group four months ago, we have been thinking about when and where to start a new group. My leadership partner and I both have been heavily involved in two separate Sunday groups - one in the middle of town and the one in our neighborhood. One always has to have priority over the other as the Sunday morning and the other

as Sunday evening or one as a mid-week meeting. For a long time the one in the middle of town has had the priority and there was a time that we have tremendous growth - we more than doubled in just two years time. However when I returned, the group was back to only the core six people once again. It seems not just the number of people but the personal growth has been stunted. We have met together with all the leaders, discussed the issues, and had many times of corpo-rate and personal thought time seeking His wisdom. We have decided to make the re-building of the neighborhood Sunday group our priority and continue with the middle of town group as a more in-tense personalized Book study during the middle of the week. It’s our hope to bring the core six peo-ple back to a place where they are ready to stand strong again. My leadership partner and I both have been working with people on our respective sides of the neighborhood and we are both ready to take those relationships to deeper levels that a new Sunday group meeting can help with. We are excited about this new step although change is always a bit never-wracking at first; we trust that He is faithful!” HIS HOUSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP The September newsletter tells how Roberto, an international student from Mexico, attended the His House services at CMC this year. Roberto was challenged to share the Gospel with those closest to us, especially roommates. Roberto went back to his room and shared the Gospel with his room-mate, Yusuke, an international student from Japan. Their conversation went into the night and by 3:00 a.m. Roberto asked Yusuke if he would accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Yusuke ac-cepted. You can read more about this amazing story from the His House Newsletter on the mission board. C.R.A.M. (Christ Reaching Asia Mission) We shared earlier that CY took a little house and remodeled it so it could be used to begin taking in orphans while the large Yang Pao Orphanage is being built. On the mission board you can see a picture of the completed “Little House” and the progress of the large Yang Pao Orphanage. The house parents Las Lao and Lao Ye have their first child to care for, they named her Genesis because she was the first promised child. She will be called Genny for short. Genny is 5½ years old and has cerebral palsy. She cannot walk, talk, stand or sit without assistance, but she has a big smile. MATT & SHELBY HONIG In a couple of months the Honig family will be moving back to the States. They have started selling their furniture. Shelby & Matt are already living out of suitcases. Things are disappearing left and right. Keegan lost his bed and sooner or later they all will be sleeping on the floor. They were able to sell the land they had purchased and made a good down payment on a house in St. Louis, MI. Other transitions: Shelby will remain with PBT in some capacity, helping with Discovery Inten-sive (introducing Bible College students to PBT Ministries) and plans to visit PBT fields as opportu-nities and needs arise. Matt is planning to stay with PBT full-time, moving into an Assistant Re-gional Area Director role. He will help teams in North Eurasia succeed in their Bible translation and related ministries. Matt will also be training to become a consultant, which would further allow him to serve teams overseas in the final text-checking phases and bringing books to publication.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

9:30-10:20 a.m. - Bible School

10:30 a.m. - Worship

6:00 p.m. - Jr./Sr. High Youth Groups 6:00 p.m. - Choir practice

6:00 p.m. - Small Group meets at church

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

C.E. Ministry

Meeting—6 pm

Board Meeting 7 pm

2

Ladies Bible Study—10 am

Beginner BB-3:30

Men’s Bible Study-7 pm

3

Shine 3:30—4:45 pm

4

Nutrition Class 6 pm

(weigh-in 5:30)

5

6

7

8

9

Ladies Bible Study—10 pm

Beginner Bible Bowl—3:30 pm

Men’s Bible Study

7 pm

10

Quilter’s Comfort Ministry—9 am

Fellowship

Potluck—noon

Shine 3:30—4:45 pm

11

Nutrition Class 6 pm

(weigh-in 5:30)

Mission Ministry Meeting

7 pm

12

Gym reserved by Jodie Mika

10 am—noon

Reserved for rehearsal

13

Reserved for wedding

14

Flag Football 12:15ish

15 16 Ladies Bible

Study—10 pm

Beginner Bible Bowl—3:30 pm

Men’s Study-7 p

Forgotten Man Dinner—6:30 p

17

Shine 3:30—4:45 pm

18

Nutrition Class 6 pm

(weigh-in 5:30)

19 Soup Kitchen

8:50 am

Gym reserved by Jodie Mika

10 am—noon

Family Game Night—6:30 pm

20

21 22 23

Ladies Bible Study—10 pm

Beginner Bible Bowl—3:30 pm

Men’s Bible Study

7 pm

24

Reserved by Quilters for

Hospice—9 am

Shine 3:30—4:45 pm

25

Nutrition Class 6 pm

(weigh-in 5:30)

26

Gym reserved by Jodie Mika

10 am—noon

27

Harvest Party 11 am—1 pm

28

Flag Football 12:15ish

29

Elders Meeting 7 pm

30 Ladies Bible

Study—10 pm

Beginner Bible Bowl—3:30 pm

Men’s Study-7 p

Finance Budget Meeting –7 pm

31

Shine 3:30—4:45 pm

SMALL GROUPS Sundays @ 6 pm at church Mondays @ 7 pm at Brandel's Tuesdays @ 6:15 pm at Brad & Kristy’s Wednesdays @ 7 pm at Skip & Ellen’s Wednesdays @ 7 pm at RJ & Katie’s Thursdays @ 7 pm at Virgil & Amy’s Fridays @ 2 pm at Rosenberger’s

SWAP DAYS: (8:30a—8:00p for church folk) (Public 8:30a-6p & 8:30a—noon)

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