Straits Talk

United Methodist and Presbyterian (USA)

The Church of the Straits

P.O. Box 430 * Mackinaw City, MI 49701

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Straits Talk

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMackinaw CityMichigan 49701

Permit No. 1

November 2015

Minister Pastor David WallisHead Usher Cless Hurlburt Organist Loretta MartinekTreasurer Janet SchaeferFinancial Secretary Jean HuntClerk Diane Robbins

Secretary Judy Churchill Office Phone: 231 436-8682

Pastor’s Home Phone: 231 436-5484E-mail – Pastor – norev@juno.com

Church office – office@churchofthestraits.comChurch website – www.thechurchofthestraits.com

OUR WORSHIP SCHEDULETraditional Worship 10:30 a.m.

Adult/Youth Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

The Mission of The Church of the StraitsTo worship God faithfully

To grow together spirituallyTo serve Jesus Christ and

our neighbor joyfully… in the power of God’s Spirit.

   The rod was used to defend and correct the sheep; defend against bears, lions, cougars, wolves, etc.   If a sheep would get unruly, the shepherd would throw his rod and hit the sheep a solid whack on the side of its head. It is a rod of correction: Isaiah 10:5 [God says] “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger.”   Exodus 4:2. “So the Lord said to him [Moses] ‘What is that in your hand?’ He said, ‘A rod.’”ü  it was a rod the Moses had when he talked with the Lord in the burning bush that was not consumed with fire. “So the Lord said to him [Moses] ‘What is that in your hand?’ He said, ‘A rod.’”  Exodus 4:2 *  a rod taken to the presence of Pharaoh. *  a rod [Aaron’s] that turned into a snake. And that snake ate up the Pharaoh’s magicians’ snakes. Exodus 7:8-12. *  it was the rod that was lifted up over the sea. [the Lord said to Moses] “But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” Exodus 14:16.   The word “rod” is not the same one translated in Psalm 23 but the implication and usage is the same.   The symbolic usage of the rod is used today as the Word of God …the rod of God. Hebrews 4:12-13 “For the word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”   If the shepherd sees a sheep that is wandering away or just ready to eat something poisonous, he would throw his rod. Even as the rod is flying through the air, it is an extension of the power, the will and the mind of the shepherd for that sheep. Then comes the whack. The shepherd does not have to be there; the rod carried the message. That is the

way it is with God’s word: it is an extension of Him. Next month we will discuss the Shepherd's "Staff" which function has a totally different purpose than the rod.

Donna Keene

**Donna is a dear friend of mine, a cancer survivor and also the church secretary at St. Paul’s UMC in Cheboygan. ~Judy Churchill

Operation Shoe Box 2015Our collection box is overflowing and I am so very thankful!! On Friday, November 6th, we will have a ‘BIG’ packing party, starting at 2 p.m. If you would like to

come and help pack boxes – that would be wonderful – everyone is welcome If you would like to pack your own box, empty shoeboxes are in Fellowship Hall. They need to be back to the church office NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18 th !!! Did you know that as shoebox gifts are distrubed, local pastors or church leaders present the Gospel in a fun way designed for kids while family and friends listen in. Along with their shoebox gift, children also receive The Greatest Gift, a colorful presentation of the Gospel in their own language. In the meantime, let’s continue to pray for the thousands of children who will receive these little shoeboxes of love. Call me if you have any questions. As always, donations of money are welcomed to help cover the cost of shipping for our boxes. Thank you and God bless.

~ Judy Churchill

We extend our sympathy to the families of those who have entered the Church Triumphant:Jodi Boyce (daughter of Doug & Ramona Boyce),

who passed away September 18, 2015.Bud Dexel, who passed away September 30, 2015.

23rd Psalm – Lesson 11

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul; He leads me in the path of righteousness

for His name sake.Yea, though I walk through the valley

of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil; for You are with me;Your rod and staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the

days of my life;And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

SHEPHERD’S ROD:  Most of the time, a shepherd with small flocks cannot afford to buy great masses of sheep. They will buy 1 – 5 lambs. They are scrutinized carefully before being added to the flock. They will use their rod to rub the backs of the sheep, rubbing the rod forward and backwards, counter across against the grain of the sheep wool separating it (to check out the quality of the wool as well as the skin underneath), checking their legs, hooves, teeth and ears, because they want to see that they are getting what they paid for. God says “You have not chosen me, but I chose you.” Jesus said “No man comes to the Son except the Father draw him and I will raise him up at the last day.”  In my imagination I see  God taking the time to examine me: rubbing His rod against me, checking me out (more-than-likely as I was still in my mother's womb). Personally, I feel that I am of no great importance but I am of value to Him, a sinner with nothing to offer Him but myself.  God sees beyond what I see in myself and bought me with something more valuable than gold or silver; He purchased me with

the blood of His only Son, Jesus Christ; who, by simply believing in Him and asking for forgiveness, cleansed me with His precious blood, so that I may be a part of His flock. Thank you, Father.

  If I am going to apply the 23rd Psalm to me personally, I need to acknowledge I was deliberately chosen out of this world. It was God’s decision. He said “I want that one to be my sheep.”

  “Ezekiel 20:37-38. “I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; I will purge the rebels from you, and those who transgress against Me; I will bring you out of the country where they dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then they will know that I am the Lord.’

  Not only was the rod an instrument of offense and defense, it was also a tool under which the sheep passes (counting).

  Quality and separation are the two reasons for the shepherd with his sheep and our Shepherds’ scrutiny of us.   Matthew 25:32 & 33 “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.” With regards to Judgment Day, sheep and goats are used as metaphors in the Bible. Sheep are followers of Christ, while goats chose not to follow Christ. Sheep are gentle, quiet and don’t give the shepherd too much grief. Goats, on the other hand, are rebellious and are used in the Bible to symbolized evil.

  Usually the rod was a short stout stick; not more than 2 feet long. It was usually cut from the very bottom of a hardwood sapling, right where the roots grow out. It was made of ash, hickory, oak or maple. It was strong and sturdy: “The Lord shall send the rod   of your strength out of Zion.” Psalm 110:2

1. The shepherd would shape the rod so that it would fit his hand exactly (no one else’s).2. Bark was removed, sanded down and polished.3. After the weight and balanced adjustments were made, the young shepherd would spend hours practicing on throwing it; as the rod is the main instrument of offense and defense that a shepherd carries with him. This reminds me of when we give young boys their first BB gun and how they would practice for hours in the back yard. Or when we give a baseball to a child, who eagerly waits on having one, and they will practice

throwing that ball what seems like forever.The Food Pantry will open for the 2015-2016 season on Wednesday, November 4th from 10:00am till Noon. The Pantry will continue this

schedule for the winter months. Donations can be dropped off at the church M-F from 9:00am – 2:00pm. Cash donations can be made out to the Church of the Straits, c/o food pantry. Questions, call Rose LaPointe at 436-5307.

Don’t forget to set your clocks back an hour on Saturday night, October 31st! You don’t want to miss Church on Sunday!

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING

SERVICE together with St. Anthony’s Catholic Church will be

Tuesday, November 24th at 7 pm. This year the service will be held at Church of the Straits. Please join us for this special worship tradition.

Olivia & Hannah Flemming Bake Sale –

Olivia is raising $6000 for the Lions of Michigan All State Band trip to Japan in June of 2016. Hannah is raising $1300 for the Western Michigan University School of Music

Summer Seminar in July of 2016. Enjoy Worship & Praise, then lunch & bake goods Sunday, Nov.1st.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.  —Melody Beattie 

Our SuperHero – Benefit for Jackson WallinPlease join us Sunday, November 8th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm – Audie’s Restaurant Spaghetti DinnerAdults - $7 * Kids 5 & under - $2 * Kids 6-10 - $5Live Auction ~ 50/50 drawing ~ Pick a card raffle

Jackson is the son of Justin & Allison. He is 6 years old and was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. He is currently receiving treatment at Helen Devos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. All funds raised will help the family with medical bills and travel expenses.

Donations can be given at any Citizens National Bank Locations under “Jackson Wallin”.

From Harm to Good Squanto, the Native American who helped the Pilgrims, has a background remarkably similar to that of Joseph in Genesis.  Years before the Pilgrims arrived in America, English traders kidnapped Squanto and other Native Americans and sold them as slaves in Spain. Incredibly, Squanto was bought by monks, who set him free and taught him about Jesus. Later Squanto sailed to England, hoping for passage to

America. But he had to wait years, so he worked as a stable hand and learned English. Finally able to travel home, he was devastated to find his tribe wiped out by smallpox.  A couple of years later, the Pilgrims came ashore, tired, sick and having lost many shipmates on the way. Implausibly, they encountered an English-speaking Native American, who shared his friendship and knowledge. Like Joseph going from his homeland to Egypt and from slave to expert leader, Squanto experienced God’s leading — even when the path was littered with misfortune.  Using Squanto, God saved a whole community. What some intended for harm, God turned into

good (see Genesis 50:20). AA Crisis Pregnancy Center Annual Harvest Dinner and Silent Auctionwill be held Thursday, November 19th. Doors open at 5:00 pm to view auction

items. Sit-down turkey dinner and all the trimmings will be served at 6:00 pm. Guest speaker this year is Jennifer VanRyckerghem of Freedom to Live Again ministries. The dinner will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Cheboygan. Advance Sale Only Tickets – $20.00 each – call 627-2626.

Come One, Come All to the Thanksgiving Day Potluck! Doug and Ann Fouty have graciously agreed to host dinner this year. Any men who would like to help with the turkey cooking and fellowship – meet at the church at 6:-00 am. The meal, to be served at 12:30pm will be a planned potluck. Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy along with coffee, juice and milk will be provided. Please bring your own table service and your favorite holiday dish to pass. If you know someone who would otherwise be alone on Thanksgiving, please invite them to join us. There is a sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall. Anyone wishing to help can call

the church office or Doug at 231 420-2518.

Guide My Words

Father, I face another day in which I will be called upon to use my words wisely and well. May they encourage those who listen. May they speak truth but also be said in love. May I pause before I pounce. May I be bold enough to speak when I would rather run away. Lord, I give my mouth to you today. May what comes forth be sweet and not bitter. May the journey each word takes from my mind to my heart to my lips be guided by your hand. May what comes out be life-giving rather than causing death. May my words make you proud and bring you glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

~ Karen Ehman, Keep It Shut (Zondervan) 

It’s Not Too Late to Make a Pledge for 2016!!Stewardship Forms are in Fellowship Hall, or call the church office, 436-8682.

Hanging of the Greens will be Saturday, November 28th at 10:00 am. A light lunch will be served for all the workers.

TransformationsGratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.

~William Arthur Ward

If you would like a plant to decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, please fill out the following form. You may take your plant home, or

give it away as a gift.IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

If you would like a plant to decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, please fill out the following form. You may take your plant home, or

give it away as a gift.IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Wms Bible Study 3pm Mens Brkfst 8amCantata 2pm Shoebox Dropoff Disciple IV - 2pm

Disciple II 6pm 1 Deadline!!15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Kate's KidsWms Bible Study 3pm Hanging of the Greens

Cantata 2pm 10amDisciple II 6pm 1 BOG 7pm

22 23 25 27 28

Cantata 2pm Wms Bible Study 3pmDisciple II 6pm 1

29 30

BIRTHDAYS: ANNIVERSARIES:Nov 2 Adam Laninga Nov 18 Brandyn Clemens Nov 1 Bob & Nancy SawyerNov 3 Elly Hendricks Nov 18 Ray RothNov 5 Cathy Brey Nov 19 Shirley SchneiderNov 7 Carl Cooper Nov 20 Zachary SmithNov 8 Liz Limberg Nov 21 Greg StanleyNov 9 Arial Durant Nov 22 Vincent MannarinoNov 9 Jonathan Duarte Nov 23 Loretta Martinek

Nov 11 Sue Kohs Nov 24 Missy DarrowNov 12 Melissa Kube Nov 24 Ann CravenNov 13 Kathy Heilman Nov 26 Marilyn ColeNov 13 Florence Tracy Nov 27 Colleen DurantNov 13 Jennifer O'Brien Nov 28 Katie StrittmatterNov 17 Hannah Morse Nov 30 Aaron Baxter

COS 7pm 24 Dinner 12:30pm 26

How can Paul be right when he addresses the church in Thessalonica and suggests to them that they should “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”(1 Thess.5:18) Surely there are circumstances that do not encourage a thankful heart. I can think of many instances, like a mother losing a child, or a job that has been terminated. A diagnosis of cancer or divorce papers certainly doesn’t merit giving thanks, do they?

Perhaps the key to understanding this verse from Paul is noticing that one key little word - “in”. Paul has never suggested that we give thanks “for” all the stuff that happens in life but he says it is extremely important to give thanks while we are going through the good and bad things that happen in our lives. In other words, As an example, I can always be thankful that while I have been diagnosed with cancer (which is a horrible thing), I have a God that “will never leave me nor forsake me” (Duet. 31:6). Do you understand the difference between being thankful “in” all things as opposed to “for” all things?

Another way of looking at giving thanks ”in” all circumstances is to see it in light of an oft quoted chapter and verse from Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This verse is indeed a promise to believers, not everyone, that everything that happens in our lives has a reason and purpose whether we can see it at the time or not. It is a promise that if we will give it all over to Him, that he will use it in our lives to bring about something good, something redeeming, something God honoring.

I remember when my grandparents on my Mother’s side were instantly killed in a crash with a semi several years ago. I was a teenager at the time and I looked to my mother as a rock in the Christian faith. She had often quoted Romans 8:28 to her sons in life but was having a real tough time applying this verse at this particular juncture in her life. She actually said in my presence, while talking with a friend that she couldn’t see this verse coming true in her life right then. I was a bit shaken in my faith because if my mom was questioning the validity of 8:28 then how could I continue to believe it as well.

Not long after I heard these doubts coming from my mother’s lips she came to the understanding that yes indeed these verses are true if we will trust God with all that is before us. She had the opportunity to help a dear friend through the grief of losing a parent just a couple months after she had shaken my faith with her doubt. She acknowledged then that God keeps his promise! She saw how an awful and tragic accident that took her parents, albeit to their mansion in heaven (they were Christians), became an opportunity for ministry to someone else that was hurting.

Wms Bible Study 3pm Mens Brkfst 8amCantata 2pm Shoebox Dropoff Disciple IV - 2pm

Disciple II 6pm 1 Deadline!!15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Kate's KidsWms Bible Study 3pm Hanging of the Greens

Cantata 2pm 10amDisciple II 6pm 1 BOG 7pm

22 23 25 27 28

Cantata 2pm Wms Bible Study 3pmDisciple II 6pm 1

29 30

BIRTHDAYS: ANNIVERSARIES:Nov 2 Adam Laninga Nov 18 Brandyn Clemens Nov 1 Bob & Nancy SawyerNov 3 Elly Hendricks Nov 18 Ray RothNov 5 Cathy Brey Nov 19 Shirley SchneiderNov 7 Carl Cooper Nov 20 Zachary SmithNov 8 Liz Limberg Nov 21 Greg StanleyNov 9 Arial Durant Nov 22 Vincent MannarinoNov 9 Jonathan Duarte Nov 23 Loretta Martinek

Nov 11 Sue Kohs Nov 24 Missy DarrowNov 12 Melissa Kube Nov 24 Ann CravenNov 13 Kathy Heilman Nov 26 Marilyn ColeNov 13 Florence Tracy Nov 27 Colleen DurantNov 13 Jennifer O'Brien Nov 28 Katie StrittmatterNov 17 Hannah Morse Nov 30 Aaron Baxter

COS 7pm 24 Dinner 12:30pm 26

As I have often said to many of you, “God takes the manure in our lives and makes fertilizer out of it” if we will let Him. Be thankful in all circumstances for that is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ. He will help you through the tough stuff and make you stronger because of it. This Thanksgiving, let’s truly give thanks!

Love you a ton,

Pastor Dave