Worship

Sundays at 8:30am & 11am

• In-person in the Sanctuary

• Livestream Worship at 11AM on YouTube

http://bit.ly/3k7Z3Eu

HOLY COMMUNION WILL BE SERVED THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5th

Starting Feb 5^th, we will spend three weeks in worship

focused on being United Methodist.

We will focus on the core values of the

United Methodist Church:

2/5 Do No Harm

2/12 Do Good (Youth and Scout Sunday)

2/19 Believe the World is Our Parish

#BeUMC honors these core values that connect the people of The United Methodist Church. No matter the challenges we face, God is with us, and we continue to have opportunities to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

ALL CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

To conclude the #BeUMC sermon series, on Feb 19th, there will be a Sunday School class open to anyone and everyone at 9:45am in the Fellowship Hall focused on the meaning of Methodism. There will be a breakfast banana split bar for everyone in attendance. Please sign up using the link below or on the kiosk. (This class was originally scheduled for Feb 5th, but has been rescheduled for Feb. 19th.)

This past Sunday we ended our Faith in Movies series by looking at the movie Encanto. At the end of the message I invited families to come forward, a candle was lit from the Christ candle and I offered a blessing over each family. It was such a blessing for my soul to be with families in that moment.

Sermon’s do not include all information I discover when researching. But I found some interesting information that I thought you might enjoy. Diana Butler Bass writes, “February 2 is one of the most ancient Christian holy days — the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus — also called Candlemas. It commemorates the events of Luke 2 when Joseph and Mary brought their newborn son to the Temple in Jerusalem. The purpose was Mary’s purification, a cleansing ritual forty days after the birth of a son. Upon arriving at the Temple, they encountered Simeon, an elderly blind prophet awaiting the Messiah. He took the child from them and proclaimed:

"My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.

This event marks the final festival in the cycle of light. Weeks ago, Advent began with lighting candles in anticipation of the Jesus’ birth. The Nativity is accompanied by angelic beams on the family in a manger. Epiphany celebrates the star directing seekers to His birthplace. And, as the season following Epiphany unfolds, the light expands, inviting the first disciples to “come and see.” The final movement in the arc of light is Candlemas, where the entire world is set ablaze with God’s manifestation of love.

Christian feast days are, of course, theological. But they are laden with cultural meanings as well. In the Roman world, and in Europe where Christianity would flourish, early February was an important time in the cycle of seasons. The Presentation falls halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, and is the time when many of Europe’s ancient tribal people believed the earth woke up to new life. It marked the season of lengthening days — and was associated with fertility, the lambing season, and the returning of light.

The intersection of the Jewish story of Mary’s purification and Jesus the Light with the primal seasonal celebrations of Mother Earth and brighter days created the Christian celebration of Candlemas. Thus, on February 2, it became a practice that many Christians would bring candles to the church to be blessed — and then walk through towns or villages in candlelit processions.

The long weeks of winter candle festivals — from Advent to Christmas through Epiphany — end with us bearing light into the world. In a way, it all began so passively. Waiting for God to act, to birth peace and justice in the world. God did something for us, gave us a gift of life and light.”

Another reminder that God created the light. Jesus is light in the darkness. And yet we — fragile and flawed human beings — are the light of the world. Jesus says, “No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others.”



We have the opportunity to work with the Holy Spirit to wake up the earth, birthing new life, as we share the light of Christ bringing hope, love, and justice for all.

Wendell Berry writes this piece of poetry.

I know that I have life

only insofar as I have love.

I have no love

except it come from Thee.

Help me please to carry

this candle against the wind.

May we all shine the light of Christ bravely. If your family, whether your family is 1 or 8, was not present this week but you would appreciate a blessing. Let me know, let’s find a time to connect (my office or your home) and light a candle and pray together. Contact me at [email protected] or 586-515-0013.



Honored to be the pastor that watches the way that South Lyon First UMC shares the light of Christ with one another, this community, and the world.

Love and peace in Christ, Rev. Mary

PUB THEOLOGY

We are gathering at Third Monk Brewing this Wednesday, February 1^st, @ 7:30 pm.

This week we will discuss The Sovereignty of God, Becoming New in Christ, and Chat GPT... and anything else that is on your heart. Please come and join us for a cold beer (…or pop) and a lively conversation.

INFORMATION MEETING FOR GOD'S COUNTRY U.P. MISSION TRIPS

Join us on Sunday, Feb. 5^th from 12 – 1PM in the Friendship Room for the information meeting about our summer mission trips to God’s Country Cooperative Parish in Newberry. During the meeting we will provide details about the full-week adult trip in July, as well as information about the “family camp” trip in late June/early July for those who missed that information meeting a few weeks ago. 

Whether you’re a veteran of these trips or considering your first trip, this meeting will provide everything you need to know to make an informed decision. Learn about dates, housing, food, expenses, transportation, typical projects, and more. You have the option of joining in-person in the Friendship Room or virtually on Zoom. Contact the church office or Dave Smith for Zoom joining instructions.

KOH SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED!

In June 2021, Kwang and Kook-Wha Koh made a substantial legacy endowment to South Lyon First UMC to fund an ongoing science scholarship program. The application period for 2023 scholarships is Feb. 1 – March 31. For information about the program, including application criteria, look for the program information document and application form on the church website. It can be found under the “Scholarships” section of the “Grow” tab.  



WORSHIP DESIGN REQUEST

We are looking for bird cages of any size for use during Lent (without birds). Please contact Rev. Mary if you have a bird cage that you are willing to loan to the worship design team. Thank you!

LEGO MY EGGO FEB 10

Save the date and join us at 5:30 PM on Feb 10th in the fellowship hall and enjoy a waffle bar, Lego gallery on display, and Lego challenges. $5/person, or $20/family.

Please sign up at the kiosk or online.

MEN'S EUCHRE

The men’s quarterly euchre tournament meets on Friday, Feb 10th. Join us in the

Friendship Room for a great evening of fellowship, fun, and snacks. (Enter at Door #6.) Bring a $5 donation toward snacks, drinks, and prizes. Arrive at 6:45 to begin at 7:00. Typical end time is 10:00. Sign up on the kiosk for planning purposes. Contact Dave Smith

or the church office with questions.

HOME PLATE BASEBALL OUTING

Saturday, June 10th, is the date for the Christian oriented day at the Tigers. HOME PLATE is an annual outreach event held at Comerica Park at which current and former members of the Detroit Tigers, along with other professional athletes, share about their careers as professional athletes and their faith in Jesus Christ.

Men, women, boys, and girls of all ages attend this pre-game event from church and community groups located in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Ontario.

MEN'S TUESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

The men’s Tuesday night Bible study group begins their winter study on Dec. 6^th with “Nudging the Heart” by Dr. William A. Ritter. Join us from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. every Tuesday in the Friendship Room (door 6) or via Zoom. 

Bill Ritter is perhaps the foremost preacher of Michigan Methodism. In his fourth book he assembles a collection of sermons that “nudge the heart.” Each week we will read and discuss one of the sermons. Members of our group who know Bill can testify to the wisdom, humor and challenge always present in his sermons.

We have purchased a supply of books and they are available for $10. You may also purchase the Kindle version on your own. Contact Dave Smith for more information, including Zoom link.

GIVING ENVELOPES AVAILABLE

If you use the pre-printed giving envelopes, the 2023 envelopes are now available!! They are located in the office outside of the office of the Financial Secretary, Lindy Juergens (Room 103). If you are not able to pick up your envelopes, please contact the office or Lindy and we will drop them off to you or mail them to you. If you have not used the pre-printed envelopes, but would like them, please call the office or Lindy. You can also fill out a form to notify Lindy that you would like a booklet of envelopes. (The form is on the bulletin board above the envelopes.)  

MISSION OF THE MONTH - LIBERIA

Gretta Moffat Student Support and Sister Church Bethlehem Temple

We have come a long way in our relationship with Liberia which began in 2005. We have provided financial support to rebuild our sister church, to put in life-saving clean water wells, to start a traditional birth attendant (TBA) program to reduce infant and mother mortality in John Dean Town, and to make a difference in the lives of many rural Liberian children through school support scholarships. We have established and nurtured a personal relationship with our Liberian brothers and sisters, through regular contact, three mission trips, mutual prayer, love, and support.

It is now time to continue our support for them through our student scholarship program for the 2023 school year. Gretta Moffat Student Support-The direct student scholarship support that we have been sending since 2017 has been very beneficial for these rural children. Our financial support allows students to get an education through the 8th grade. The families in this rural area do not have the money to pay the small tuition fee for their children, and there are no free government schools in the area. Our donations of

$50.00 per student covers uniforms, school supplies, enrollment fees and most of the tuition. Principal Jerry Giah reported that in 2021-2022 school year, South Lyon FUMC covered 90% of the tuition fees for the students. Given this support, children from many neighboring villages make the dangerous, and up to two hour walk to Gretta Moffat so that they can have the opportunity to get an education.

In 2019 there were 132 students enrolled, and in 2022 there were 166. This is great news!

Additional great news is that our Hope Scholarship program which supports Gretta Moffat graduates is going very well. We currently support three Gretta Moffat graduates with some of the costs of attending High School in the city of Buchanan. There are no High Schools in the rural area, so they must move to the city to attend high school. There are many school costs associated with this, as well as the logistics of finding a place to live while attending high school in the city.

Currently Peter Tedoe and Decontee Gaye have been successful in their studies, and are in the 11 th grade. We are also supporting Catherine Davis who is in the 10th grade. The recommended donations for high school students is $300.00 per school year, but may be higher for 12th grade costs. As the funds we are collecting now will

go to their tuition for the 2023-2024 school year, we will be supporting two 12th graders through their High School graduation!

Bethlehem Temple, our sister church, is in a very remote bush area, often completely flooded and unreachable during the rainy season. They struggle to have adequate food supplies, battle numerous health conditions, and to provide education opportunities for the children. We also send support to assist with school fees for the children of our sister church village. South Lyon FUMC is doing amazing work around the world by helping rural Liberian children get an education and your support is greatly appreciated! Please keep our Liberian brothers, sisters and students in your prayers and prayerfully consider giving to the Liberia Mission of the Month which will support students at Gretta Moffat school, three Gretta Moffat graduates in high school, and children of our sister church Bethlehem Temple. All donations will go into the same fund, and there is no specific amount requested. Please give as God calls you to give.

Blessings, The Mission Team

For more information please check the Liberia section on the Kiosk and/or

email Patti Yerke

LAY LEADER ONLINE EVENT

Save the Date - February 16, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Have you thought about your calling as a lay person lately? Maybe you are being called as a Certified Lay Minister? How is God calling you?

Complete details will be available soon.

PRAYER RETREAT

Plan yourself some time away in 2023. Register today for "Introduction to Contemplative Prayer Retreat," February 16-18, 2023, at Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat Center. Immerse yourself in a time of spiritual renewal with an introductory retreat to spiritual practices including contemplative prayer, times of silence and guided learning. Enjoy leisurely meals, morning instruction, choose your own adventure afternoons, and a guided practice in the evening. Those new to contemplative practices as well as those more experienced are welcome. Led by Rev. Cora Glass, Rev. Dr. April Gutierrez, and Lisa Batten. This retreat center is a drug and alcohol-free space.

Learn more and register online using the link below.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES LOAN CLOSET

Are you in need of medical equipment? We may have what you need! We are now serving as an extension of the Center for Active Adults' Medical Loan Closet. Inventory will vary, but all equipment is available on loan to residents of South Lyon and their families.

Email Jen Denny or call the church office

for more information.