Family Ties - March 2008

March Birthdays

1	Cory Bruins Will Rosel
5	Debbie Rosel
6	Connor Tibbe
7	Aubrey Taylor
9	Joel Barkel Betty Bergsma
11	John Richardson
13	Alayna McClellan

14	Glenn Veeneman Tyler Snyder
15	Chase Berg
16	Tyler Kary
17	Kyle McClellan
19	Natalie Tibbe Karla VanHouten
20	Kathy Veeneman
21	JoEllen Meerman

22	Meryk Bruins
23	Beka Wiersma
27	Stephanie VanDoorn Josiah Kingma
28	Marilyn Meindertsma Kyle VanDoorn
30	Molly Thiss
31	Amy Pitz

Pastor’s Page
The Message for Me
Near our home in Wisconsin a new building was going up. I watched as the empty field had a foundation poured and walls be built up. I would wonder what it was going to be as I passed by. As the construction progressed, a small wooden sign was eventually placed out by the highway stating that it was going to be a tire store.

The building took its final shape and the interior work began. Soon the small wooden sign was replaced by taller sign that was lit with the store’s name and also had a large section where multi-color text and graphics could be displayed.

As the store first opened the sign displayed the different brands of tires the store sold. It also displayed other types of services offered, like alignments. There was a waving American flag displayed when holidays such as Memorial Day and the 4th of July were approaching.

One day as I was driving by I remember wondering to myself, "I wonder if they have tires for motorcycles?" My motorcycle was due for a new tire and I was looking for alternatives to a dealership. I didn’t have time to stop in and I wasn’t in a big hurry to find out so I didn’t call later that day.

It was one or two days later when we were driving past the store. As we approached the store the message on the sign changed and this is what it read: MOTORCYCLE TIRES? YES! I was dumbfounded. It was like the message was just for me. I remember seeing a scene from L.A. Story where Steve Martin was talking to a billboard on the L.A. freeway. From my recollection, the electronic billboard displayed messages only he could see. I laughed and told Lisa that I had just wondered if they sold motorcycle tires and now I had my answer.

Not all messages in life are so clear or seem so directed at us. Many people want such clear answers when it comes to questions of faith and questions regarding Jesus Christ.

This month we celebrate Easter. There are some who say that Jesus never rose from the dead. There are some who say that Jesus never existed. And there are those who testified that Jesus was crucified, that the tomb he was placed in was empty and that Jesus appeared to the disciples and some others.

I believe there are signs that point to the truth of the biblical accounts. The signs tell us that Jesus is indeed the Son of God who assumed our flesh, was crucified, died and was placed in a tomb. The signs also tell us that Jesus was raised from the dead.

Just as I wondered about motorcycle tires at the new store, I am certain there were many others. While the message on the sign was for me, it was also there for all to see. So it is the same with the message of Easter. It is a message that spoke to us very personally; and it is a message that speaks to all. Share the Good News!

~~ Elder’s Corner ~~
by Jim McClellan
At the start of our Elder meetings each month we have been discussing the ministry of the Elder, taken from a book titled the same written by Robert Wheit.

We have looked at topics such as the history of the Elder, the offices of the church, being called and ordained, discipline and discipling, and Elders’ relationships with the Pastor.

Just this past week we looked at the topic of “visiting.”

After all those heavy topics you would think this is the easiest one. Not for me. It’s not that I don’t enjoy visiting people of my elder care list, because when I can it’s always been a good experience. The problem is when I schedule visits.

I look forward to the day I can slow down a little, work a little less, and have a little more time. But it looks like that’s not happening for a while. So if you’re available before 6 a.m. and after 9:30 p.m., let me know! That’s right, 9:30 night night time. My batteries are getting old and take a while to recharge!

I still have childhood memories about Pastor-Elder home visitation, not all good ones at that. My brother and sisters and I all dressed in our Sunday best. Catechism books in hand, looking all angelic. Threatened by our parents to speak only when spoken to, keep answers short, address them as sirs, and don’t say anything to embarrass us.

On one home visit the Pastor was telling how he had given up a good job to answer the Lord’s calling to be a minister, and didn’t mind at all living the life of a poor pastor. I said, “Well it’s sure working – every Sunday morning on our way home from church Dad mentions about what a poor preacher you are.” Goodbye summer vacation – I’ve just been sentenced to three months hard labor.

I promise, our Elder visits won’t be like that, we won’t even ask for money.

So, while it is difficult to get schedules to mesh, I want you to know that I will make time, day or night if you have a reason to need your Elder. Busy-ness will be secondary to your needs. Also, it doesn’t have to be a “home visit” if you don’t want it to be. It could be over a cup of coffee, or a talk after church. If we as Elders don’t do a good job of seeking you out – turn the tables and seek us out. We will welcome the opportunity.

In the service of Christ, Jim McClellan

	Easter Services Schedule March 20-23
	Maundy Thursday Service with Communion Good Friday Community Service at Cville United Methodist Church Easter Prayer Vigil (through midnight Easter morning) Sunrise Service Easter Breakfast Easter Service	7:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 7:30 a.m. 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m.

Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour on March 9th!

On Thursday, March 6th, the Healing Hands medical mission team will leave for Nicaragua. On the 7th we will take small planes to fly from Managua to Puerto Cabezas on the Caribbean side. A church in the village of Tuara will be our hotel and each day clinics will be conducted in the following communities:

Sagnislaya	Sisin	Boom Sirpi
Auhiaphini	Betania	Krukira

We will fly back to Managua on the 15th and go to a resort on the Pacific. On Monday the 17th we plan to return to the freezing weather.

Please pray for us each day that hearts will be opened and bodies will be healed. Together we can bring God’s rich love to those who have few earthly possessions.

The March Scrapbook/Craft Night has been canceled because it falls on Good Friday. Plan to join us April 18.

American Red Cross Blood Drive
Our February 4th Blood Drive saw 33 potential donors, of those 27 were able to donate. The Red Cross requires a donor to be free of all cold symptoms and to be over an illness at least 7 to 10 days before donating blood. Thanks to all the volunteers and donors for their time and donations. The next blood drive in on Monday, April 7, from 12:30pm until 6:15pm.

Church Life – mark your calendars!

Sunday, March 23
Sunrise breakfast

Saturday, April 26
Join us for a night of fun and games at church followed by a taco supper. Games start at 4PM, tacos at 5:30PM. More games after the tacos.

Sunday, May 4
Graduate recognition with cake during fellowship.

Sunday, May 18
Volunteer recognition with a potluck after worship.


		Give us your feedback – what do you think? In an effort to save paper resources and financial resources there are plans to switch the monthly Family Ties to e-copies this summer. The COS website will have the entire newsletter available and an email will be sent out each month with a link when it’s ready to view. If you do not have access to the internet a paper copy can be placed in your narthex mailbox. If you prefer the paper newsletter over the electronic copy please let the office know.

An exciting opportunity for you to touch the future of COS is available! The Sunday School could currently use three more teachers to finish out April and May. All materials are provided -- you just provide the leadership as you guide our children into learning more truths about our wonderful Savior! Please contact Debbie Meindertsma (895-6142) if you'd like to be a part of this venture.

L.I.F.T.
Living In Faith Together
Join us March 16th for activities for all ages.

From the Thursday morning Bible Study: Matthew 16:19
“I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

The keys would open doors to lost people – Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles. Binding and Loosing refers to what is permitted or not permitted in the church.

Jesus is giving his followers the authority to make new interpretations of the Bible. They debate, discuss and pray before making decisions about the Bible (I Timothy 5:19 Jesus said, “Where two or three come together in my name there am I with them.”)

Have you had your fill of Winter? Spring is just around the corner. For those who are heading to a warmer climate during Spring break remember “exposure to the Son may prevent burning.” HAPPY SPRING!!!!!!!

Severe Weather Cancellations
Channel 17 (WXMI) does not announce church cancellations or closures.
We will be utilizing Channel 8 (WOOD) and Channel 13 (WZZM) if necessary.

Cran-Hill Ranch presents the Spring Scrapbook Retreat, Friday, April 11 at 7PM to Sunday, April 13 in the afternoon.
Cost $90. Call 231-796-7669 or email

for more information.

Peace Lutheran Church, 389 James Street in Holland, is hosting a set of workshops titled “Inclusion and Welcome for Persons with Disabilities – A Call to the Church.” They will be held Sunday afternoons on March 9 and May 4 at 1:30PM. Cost is $10. To register call 399-9000 or email

Announcing the Russian Orphan Lighthouse Project –
a unique opportunity to impact a child’s life for Christ and the future, with a cross-cultural experience for your family! The Lighthouse Project is seeking families willing to host a Russian orphan in their home from approximately March 20-29. During this time, the children will participate in a Russian-language Vacation Bible School, receive a Russian Bible, enjoy family activities and attention not available in an orphanage, and hopefully meet a family wanting to adopt them. It is not required that host families be interested in adoption. Available children are ages 7-15; there are single boys, girls, and sibling groups. The cost to host a single child is $600, which covers part of the cost of visa, airfare, and train travel from the orphanage to Moscow. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Becky De Nooy at 616/245-3216.

The annual C.O.S. Auction will be held Saturday, March 15!

An evening of great food, fun, and the opportunity to bid on items both everyday and extraordinary is planned.

All proceeds will go towards the C.O.S. building/property fund.

Donations to be auctioned are welcomed! Please drop your donation off in the church office or to any deacon by Sunday, March 2.

Just for fun...

A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup out of the jar. During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old daughter to answer the phone. 'Mommy can't come to the phone to talk to you right now. She's hitting the bottle.'

A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's locker room. When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, 'What's the matter, haven't you ever seen a little boy before?'

It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the station. As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was barking, and I saw a little boy staring in at me. 'Is that a dog you got back there?' he asked. 'It sure is,' I replied. Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then towards the back of the van. Finally he said, 'What'd he do?'

While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our minister heard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt. Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin. Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small box and cotton batting, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of the deceased. The minister's son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his father always said: 'Glory be unto the Faaather, and unto the Sonnn, and into the hole he goooes.'

MOSES Bible Study meets every Wednesday night at Faith Community CRC, 5250 Byron Center Avenue in Wyoming. We begin at 7:30 with praise and worship, move into small groups to study scripture, and conclude with a time of fellowship and snacks. For more information contact the MOSES office at 616/949-0344.

March 2 - Fourth Sunday in Lent
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41

March 9 – Fifth Sunday in Lent
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 130
Romans 8:6-11
John 11:1-45

March 16 – Palm Sunday
Matthew 21:1-11
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

March 23 – Easter
Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10

March 30 – Second Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Psalm 16
1 Peter 1:3-9
John 29:19-31

Serving Community
East Greeters:	March 2 March 9 March 16 March 23 March 30	Arlene Bubnik Rodger & Theresa Cheadle Chuck & Connie Cook Angel & Heather Dominguez Jeannette Eisen
Coffee:	March 2 March 9 March 16 March 23 March 30	John & Marty Richardson Rich & Darlene Roper David & Ariana Rosel Dennis & Lee Ann Rosel
Nursery:	March 2 March 9 March 16 March 23 March 30	J McClellan family K McClellan family Meindertsma family & LVH Miller / Hekhuis families Mooney family & Melissa Veldman
Sound System:	March 2 March 9 March 16 March 23 March 30	Kyle McClellan Ray Tibbe Bob Veeneman David Rosel Jeff Smith
Sunday School:	March 2 March 9 March 16 March 23 March 30	Joy Flanders & Sue Smith Joy Flanders & Sue Smith Joy Flanders & Sue Smith no Sunday School Joy Flanders & Sue Smith
Communion Set Up:	March 2 April 6 May 4 June 1	David Rosel Marv Bergsma Denise Wiersma Molly Thiss

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