N

NOV 6

VISIT: southlyonfirstumc.org

for more information

Hello Dear Friends,

Today is the day after our presidential election. I knew that a group of our people would wake up sad, frustrated, and maybe angry today, while another group of people would wake up joyful and thankful for the election results, and yet another group is just tired of it all and glad that the texts, calls, and advertisement mailings will stop. You have all been in my prayers. Regardless of where you find yourself today, be gentle with yourself, feel the emotions, center yourself with God’s spirit, be kind to your neighbors, and continue to be the person that God is calling you to be so that you are sharing God’s love and grace in our world.

Bishop David Bard shared an email yesterday and it really kept me focused during yesterday’s election chaos. I will share part of his message,

“Many of you may be familiar with the work of this Howard Thurman’s writings which  combine powerful insights into the inner spiritual journey with a prophetic call to engage the wider world in the quest for justice…...

(One) of Thurman’s profound meditations is on the work of Christmas. I know it seems I am a month early on this one. The brief meditation begins with “When the song of the angels is stilled / When the star in the sky is gone,” and it continues for a few more lines about the ending of the birth story of Jesus. Thurman goes on to say that when the story ends, “The work of Christmas begins.” For Thurman, the work includes finding the lost, healing the broken, feeding the hungry, and making peace….

This work for the common good is not only the work of our political and governmental systems; it belongs to us all. It is part of the work of the church, which proclaims that God so loved the world. We often personalize John 3:16, and that is appropriate. God loves each of us in Jesus, and that is good news to share…..

When the ballots have been counted, the elections have been certified, and the oaths of office have been administered, the work for the common good begins. It involves feeding the hungry, healing the broken, rebuilding communities, creating peace, fostering justice, building more beloved community, recognizing our common humanity as created in the image of God, and encouraging each person to grow in love. It is work we engage in as followers of Jesus Christ who proclaim that God so loved the world.”

May we as individuals and as a church continue the work for the common good just as this church has done for over 190 years. 

Love and Peace in Christ, Rev. Mary

How is your reading going? Maybe an App for your phone or an audio reading of the Bible would be a helpful tool for this year.

 This App is my favorite Bible App. It has everything in one place for me. There are many free options, and also audio and research tools for purchase

that I have used for study and sermon prep for years.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bible-app-read-study-daily/id332615624

 Here is a free Audio Bible App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bible-audio-video-bibles/id378075859

WANTED: THANKSGIVING DINNERS

Please help us create Thanksgiving meal packages for twelve local families. In order to make it clearer what is needed and what has already been covered, please use the Sign-Up Genius link below if you are able to contribute.

RESULTS ARE IN!

Thank you for your support for this year's Chili Cook-Off Tailgate Fundraiser, raising almost $1,100 for future Trustee projects, while cheering on the Lions!



Congratulations to the winning chili entries:

Jen Liskey, Beef Chili

Terry Bond-Manville, Non-Meat Chili

David Manville, Best in Show Chili

Jeanette Russell, Non-Beef Chili

A SUPER CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

This year we are bringing back the church Christmas pageant and we are hoping to have a large number of children and youth participants. Rehearsals will be held during

the Sunday School hour (9:45-10:45) from Nov 3-Dec 8

with no rehearsal on Thanksgiving weekend (Dec. 1).  

The performance will be on December 15 during the 11am service. You do not need to be a regular Sunday School attendee to participate, but we are asking those who would like speaking roles to commit to attending all 5 rehearsals. 

Please let us know how you are interested in participating by answering the questions

in the link below.

NOVEMBER MISSION OF THE MONTH

The Capernaum Mission (Formerly known as Capernaum Health Clinic)

The Capernaum Mission strives to demonstrate the love of Jesus in South Lyon by

providing caring and compassionate medical and dental services for those people who,

for whatever reason, currently find themselves uninsured or unable to access medical

care. Capernaum offers several week-long clinics each year, which are free for those in

need. Our new Director of Faith Formation, Katy Doyle-Hohf, currently serves as

Executive Director of The Capernaum Mission.

Please prayerfully consider supporting this mission of the month.

Your Missions and Outreach team.

NURSERY HELP NEEDED

We need your help to make our little ones and their families feel welcome and comfortable during worship! Please sign up to help our nursery coordinator, Heather Shipley, on Sunday mornings in the church nursery.

FAMILY FUN EVENT DEC 7 (3-5PM)

We need your help to make this event a success. If you are available and willing to help, please sign up here or on the kiosk today! Please contact Jen Denny with any questions or for more information.

SOUTH LYON CO-OP FUNDRAISER

South Lyon Co-op Preschool would like to invite you to our upcoming fundraiser. 

On 11/12/2024, from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, we are holding a dine-to-donate fundraiser at Mojave Cantina. Twenty percent of sales will be donated to the school. (The flyer is attached.)

**A printed flyer must be presented to Mojave Cantina staff so the school can receive the donation.** 

We appreciate your support!

ANGEL TREE SUPPORT

The Angel Tree program is a popular way to spread the giving spirit of the Christmas season. It takes many hands to help many families. Please consider volunteering your time to cover one of the tasks in this ministry. Please use the sign up link and contact Tina Sain with any questions or for more information.

If any Sunday School classes, or families, are interested in adopting one of our Angel Tree families, please reach out to Tina Sain, tinasain@gmail.com, by November 9 and let her know, specifying what size family you are looking for. You will be assigned your family by Nov. 22. Please let Tina know if you have any questions. 

MEDICAL CLOSET NEEDS

There are a few items that we need donated to continue to adequately meet the needs of the community. If you have any of these items and would like to donate them, please email medicalcloset@southlyonfirstumc.org or call the church office.

Transport Wheelchair

Knee Scooter

Giving Options

·       Use WebGive at our website by clicking here or by using the our QR code :            

·       Use our giving app on your phone, VancoMobile

·       Dropoff a check in our drop -box at door #4 at the church

·       Mail a check to SLFUMC, 640 S. Lafayette, South Lyon, MI 48178

·       Explore other options on the Giving page of our website by clicking here here

Please be aware that we will never ask for your financial, account, or payment information by email. If there is a question, you will be contacted by phone or in person by a staff member.

Staff members will never ask for gift cards or financial help by email.

BUILDING USE REQUEST

Yes! The church has space available for your group or event! Spaces fill up quickly and there is an approval process, so please allow as much time as possible between your request and the date of your meeting or event to ensure that we can

accommodate your needs.

Office Hours

• Mon, Tues, Thurs 10am - 1pm
• Wed 10am - 3pm
• Fri closed

Check out our website or our live calendar

for more information about our church or any of these programs!

Do you prefer a printed copy of our Midweek Messenger? Hard copies are available in the tote outside the main doors to the church and on the kiosk.