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John Donne possessed the gift of writing an opening line which carved a channel for the rest of his poem.
“Sweetest love, I do not go for weariness of thee.” “Death, be not proud.” “For God’s sake, hold your tongue and let me love!” Jesus began his Sermon on the Mount with eight memorable beatitudes. No one would have remembered a sermon which began, “It’s so nice to see you all here today,” or “I want to remind you that our pledge campaign is underway, and we need all of you to give generously.” Most of us remember at least some of the beatitudes. This mnemonic device will help. Remember four p’s, three m’s, and one h: poor in spirit, pure in heart, peacemakers, persecuted; meek, merciful, mourn; hunger and thirst. Discussion: That historical examples show the meek inheriting the earth? Activity: Memorize the eight beatitudes. ______________________________________________________________________________ Remember in prayer this week: Francis Corera at RO Beaumont, Bob Grusnick at Heartland, Vivian Hansard, Eunice Kraase, John Northey, and Tom Stevens. Join us this Sunday for Noisy Sunday with your loose change and loose dollar bills. Following worship, the Health Pros offer free blood pressure checks. Our Winter Ministry Fair happens during our coffee fellowship time. Need a table? Email Tom Stevens. Want to find out where you may fit in? Stop by each table and explore the possibilities! Sunday, January 29th, from 1:00 to 3:00pm will be a memorial visitation for Sandy Northey. Her memorial service will be at 3:00pm in our sanctuary. A meal will follow hosted by the United Methodist Women. Let us share Sandy’s celebration of life together.
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We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and angel, Sandy Northey, wife of John Northey.
Her memorial service will be Sunday, January 29, 2017, at our church. Memorial visitation will be from 1:00pm-3:00pm in Mercer Hall. Her Memorial Service will be at 3:00pm, with a meal following in our Christian Life Center. Prayers and strength for John and his family during this time of grief Thoughts: The author of Matthew was eager to prove to the educated Jews that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah. Frequently, he quotes verses from the Old Testament to demonstrate that Christ’s birth and ministry were the fulfillment of prophecies.
Matthew 4:16 cites Isaiah 9:2, which predicted, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Later in Isaiah 9, Handel found the words for his immortal “For unto us a Son is born.” Nearly 800 years before Christ’s birth, Isaiah wrote that God promised us “the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Discussion: In what ways does our church help the light to shine in darkness? Activity: In these darkest evenings of the year, all of us feel a special need for the light and warmth of Christ’s love. Pay a compliment. Smile. Welcome a visitor to our church. Listen to another person’s sorrow with loving sympathy. Remember in prayer this week Francis Corera, Bob Grusnick, Vivian Hansard, Sandy Northey, Mildred Parker, and Tom Stevens. We are saddened to learn that Tom Beagan, Sr. passed away yesterday. His funeral will be Thursday at 11am at Sawyer Fuller Funeral Home, 2125 12 Mile Road (two blocks west of Woodward), Berkley. Visitation is Wednesday from 3-9pm at the funeral home. Mid-week Word meets tomorrow at 10:00am in the Chapel with Pastor Weatherly. We discuss the scripture seen above for the coming Sunday. Food and fellowship abound. Don’t forget this Saturday is the Women’s Retreat. Next Sunday is All Music Sunday. Bells and choirs will be heard. Please join us and bring a friend for 10:00am Worship. Thoughts: “How did you get that bruise?”
In our declining years, some of us hear that question often. Usually, we don’t even know we have a bruise. “Where?” we ask, surprised. “On your arm! There, see?” And there it is, a purplish smudge of which we were unaware. Now that we know it’s there, we feel the soreness. We watch its purple change to greenish-yellow and finally disappear. This takes time. A reed is slender and defenseless. If a reed is bruised, it is close to broken. People who suffer pain, physical and/or emotional, are bruised reeds. The servant in whom God’s soul delights will not break bruised reeds. Matthew 12:20 repeats this promise. Discussion: When in your life have you felt like a bruised reed? Activity: Bruised reeds need smiles and hugs and listening ears and comforting words. Try to supply at least one of these. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Remember in prayer this week Francis Corera, Bob Grusnick at Heartland, Vivian Hansard, Eunice Kraase, Sandy Northey, Mildred Parker at Wellbridge, and Tom Stevens. United Methodist Women gather this Thursday at 9:30am for Ruth Circle and 7:00pm for Deborah Circle, both at the church. All women of the church are invited to one or both of these gatherings. This Saturday morning at 8:00am, please join Men’s Breakfast, and stay for Trustee work day from 9:00am to noon. From 4:00 to 7:00pm is visitation at the church for Jean Sheren’s brother, Bill Gilbert. Sunday join us at 10:00am for UMW Sunday, Baptism, and Human Relations. The memorial service for Bill Gilbert will be at 3:00pm in the sanctuary with visitation beginning at 1:00pm. A dinner will follow the service. February Tidings deadline is Monday, January 16th. Please send articles to jessieTFUMC@gmail.com with a copy to troyfirstumc@gmail.com. Thank you. Thoughts: “Well, we found him.”
“Yes, but not as we expected.” “It was a very humble home.” “But there was no doubt that this child was born King of the Jews.” “No, the star led us directly to his home.” “Will his parents know to treasure our gifts?” “Yes, I think they will. His mother seemed wise beyond her years.” “Perhaps we were wrong to ask Herod for directions.” “But he assured us he wanted to go worship the child, also.” “Surely you didn’t believe him.” “No, of course not. That’s why we’re going home a different way.” Discussion: How would history have been changed if the wisemen had not consulted Herod? Activity: Imagine a neighbor of Joseph and Mary in Nazareth telling about the visit of the wisemen. ______________________________________________________________________________ Remember in prayer this week Francis Corera, Bob Grusnick, Vivian Hansard, Eunice Kraase, and Mildred Parker. Don’t forget our challenge for the month of January for Christianity 101 is to smile at strangers whenever you have a chance. For complete article, read your January Tidings. This Sunday is the last day to sign up for the Women’s Retreat on January 21st. Please see Sue Abbey in the CLC or call her today. For complete description of the Retreat, read your January Tidings. This Sunday (January 8) at 3:00pm Pastor Weatherly will be joining in the District Dr. Martin Luther King celebration at Centro Familiar Christian UMC, 1270 Waterman, Detroit 48209. Details in January Tidings. Remember our Spiritual Gifts Assessment? The time has come to utilize our gifts and be fruitful. Check the January Tidings for dates and times of group gatherings with Pastor Weatherly. Please RSVP to the church office with your availability. |
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