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May 2017 CHURCH NEWSLETTER
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Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you;
never forget what you learned at your mother's knee.
Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair.
Proverbs 1:8-9
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QUESTION FOR MAY
What is your favorite Mom memory?
What is the best thing about having a mom
or being a mom?
Candy Kniss:
Seeing your child graduate from high school and college are very special events for moms.
Jim Merrills:
There's nothing stronger or more courageous than a mother who has stepped up to fill the void that was left by a father. My mother was an incredible woman.
Chuck Randall:
One of my most vivid images of a loving mother happened one time when Barb and I were doing laundry. I'm in a hurry as always and applying Shout to some grass stained jeans, but when Barb handed me the next pair I noticed tears in her eyes and I asked her what the problem was and she said, "I'm just so happy that my boys had a good time playing in the grass." That happened over thirty-five years ago and this incident is still instructive to me.
Tim Newkirk:
Regarding my mom: That feeling of being loved without judgment, of being taken care of, of the person always happy to see me. My wife: Watching her become a mother has revealed a side of her that is playful, (sometimes my older girls use the word loco when referring to her at this point); willing to slow down a bit and set aside the duties that she so faithfully made a priority before, in order to spend quality time with her girls. Also a protective side. Don't mess with momma bear!
Geetha Salvados: My mom believes in me more than I believe in myself. She does more for me than she does for herself. She worries more about me than I realize. She prays more for me than I'll ever know. She values me more than anything in the world. She loves me more than anyone else can.
Jan Bermingham:
Having a mom was easy! Being a mom - a bit tougher! My mom has been gone for ten years and I will always miss her. I learned so much from her: Women can do whatever God gives them the talent to do. Doing something together is more important than cleaning the house. If you love to read, your life will be enriched. Put your heart and soul into whatever you do, especially if you are doing it for someone else. You can't care too much. Fanning a campfire with a paper plate makes the flame brighter. Going to everyone's everything, even if you feel awful, is better than staying home and feeling awful (she battled lupus and severe arthritis for decades). And so much more - can't wait to see her again!
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ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:
HISTORY OF THE PAW PAW SDA PROMISE By John Boothby
My grandfather was an old time physician who made house calls and delivered babies at home during the Depression years, accepting food for his fees for service. He was a promoter of
 Seventh-day Adventist Christian education and financially helped many individuals through Christian schools, from elementary to medical schools. As one of those grateful individuals, he helped me in academy and college. Grandpa never expected a penny in repayment. This was his mission. What he modeled to the recipients was that someday they should help a student as their mission. His generosity had a big impact on my desire to help others obtain their dreams through Christian education and promote the love of God to others.
After joining the Paw Paw SDA church in the summer of 1976, Nancy and I started meeting with Chuck and Barb Randall and John and Jan Steffen. Our children were attending Kalamazoo Junior Academy and we often discussed the expenses involved with it and different ways of paying for our children's education. These conversations spawned the trial inclusion of the Paw Paw
 SDA Church's educational program as part of our church budget. Four decades later the trial is renewed every 6 to 12 months by the church at business meetings. Often we did not know if we could generate enough funds to allow any family with active membership in the church to send their children to an SDA school without a financial burden (90% co
 ming from the church, 10% from the family). But to this day, our faith has been rewarded time and again.
As the years went on, a bold dream bubbled up; how great it would be to have a fund, a trust, that would partially or fully cover the expenses for the education of our children outside of the church budget. I felt impressed it was time to act or no such fund would ever become reality. It needed to be a layman's fund, a separate organization, yet tied to the church, protected from being touched or vulnerable to misuse. After 3 or 4 years of wandering through paperwork graveyards, a young Adventist attorney, Mike Hamblin, who specialized in drafting and dealing with 501-C corporations stepped up to sav
 e the dream. In less than one year all the necessary paper work had been filed to the regulator agencies and approved.
On November 25, 2008 the Paw Paw SDA Church rolled out the Paw Paw SDA Promise, a name reminiscent of the newly minted Kalamazoo Promise. It is a charitable 501 C corporation, which means all donations are tax deductible, just as are church offerings and donations. A Board of Directors handles the administrative duties of the endowment fund. Church members are encouraged to include the PPSDA Promise in their systematic giving. The monies received are invested with a professional investment firm to grow the account.
Each year 90% of the
earnings are equally distributed to the those assisted by the church's educational program. A list of all children is sent to the Board once a year from the church educational committee for distribution. Ten percent of each year's gain is reinvested to grow the fund along with donations. The prayer of the PPSDA Promise Board is to eventually fully fund the church's educational program expenses, which accounts for nearly 40% of th
 e church budget. Since dreams have no limits, the PPSDA Promise Board would love to extend even further; the educational possibilities are endless.
Currently the PPSDA Promise stands at nearly $112,000, with over $2500 in the trust account, a significant growth in slightly over 8 years. We have received donations from two estates and a number of others have designated portions of their estates. In the future, these funds have an excellent possibility to shoulder a greater part of the educational commitment of the church.
Why do this? Why now, when so many SDA schools are struggling? That is why - we want to keep our schools operating and our children attending. The PPSDA Promise Board members are great supporters of Adventist Christian education, believing our evangelism should start with our youth, the present and future of the church. One very wise lady, once said to me many years ago, "John, you know there is nothing going to heaven with us, except with the care and teaching of our children, we have a chance of taking them with us."
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Local Seventh-day Adventist Schools
Fulfill the Promise!!!!
1601 Nichols Rd
Kalamazoo MI 49006-2007
269-342-8943
www.kalamazoojunioracademy.com
Berrien Springs Village SDA School
409 W Mars St
Berrien Springs MI 49103-1172
269-473-5121
www.vaes.org/
Ruth Murdoch Elementary School
8885 Garland Ave
Berrien Springs MI 49104-0001
269-471-3225
www.myRMES.org
Eau Claire SDA School
6562 Naomi Rd
Eau Claire MI 49111-9674
269-944-4132
www.eauclaireschool.org
Great Lakes Adventist Academy (Boarding School)
7477 Academy Road
Cedar Lake MI 48812
989-427-5181
www.glaa.net
Battle Creek Academy
480 Parkway Dr
Battle Creek MI 49037-2134
269-965-1278
www.battlecreekacademy.com
Andrews Academy
8833 Garland Ave
Berrien Springs MI 49104-0001
(269) 471-3138
www.andrews.edu/AA
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JUST PRAY - AND SAY YES!!!!!!
The Nominating Committee is up and running - and praying - and brainstorming - and praying - and calling - and praying - and waiting for your answer.
- If you have a hidden, or obvious talent, the Nom Com would love to consider volunteers! You can preempt a phone call. Volunteer!
- If you are asked to do something, and even after praying don't feel it is a good fit, make a suggestion of something else that might fit your God-given talents. "No, but I am willing to ___________________."
- There are no lifelong appointments. We share the opportunities for leadership and service.
- The Holy Spirit may be nudging you to consider a different role, maybe even one way outside your comfort zone.
- It is good to let the Holy Spirit be the Giver of Gifts and Talents and Passion! Accept His gifts.
- Doing something new can be exciting. And rewarding. And God's will for you and others.
- The Holy Spirit may be nudging the Nom Com to consider YOU!
 LEND
A HAND!
I CAN'T DO IT - BUT GOD AND I CAN!
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PAW PAW - LET'S GO!
For those that are wanting to log in more miles or just want to be part of an event, the Borgess Run is coming up Sunday, May 7. Runners/walkers have the choice of a Motivational Mile, 5k walk, 5K run, 10K run, 1/2 Marathon and a full Marathon; something for everyone. You can look online to get more information and it isn't too late to register.
http://borgessrun.com/
Paw Paw Borgess Run participants are Dan Bledsaw, Korissa Mattson, Janelle Randall, Lorena and Jessica Newkirk, Paul Ransler, Brian Cheung, KC Bermingham, Pastor Mike and Anndrea with the 3 girls! Since others may be running, please let Lorena know because she will be taking a group picture.
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LORENA'S HEALTH NUGGET FOR MAY
Can you believe that May 6th is "No Diet Day". I shook my head when I read that and thought there should be a "No Diet Year". I don't believe in diets for losing weight, that is. There are diets that are necessary if you have a health condition.
When I started college, I was about 20 pounds overweight. I did not like it! I tried different diets and ALL of them had poor results. Once I stopped dieting, I lost the weight. There are some healthy eating habits that I have adopted over the years which have helped me stay at my desired weight. I'll share a few with you:
- Always eat breakfast and try not to skip meals. If you don't have time for lunch, try a handful of nuts (almonds are my favorite), a piece of fruit or a nondairy yogurt. This keeps me from being famished at my next meal.
- Never eat non-fat or low-fat foods. The food industry has replaced the fat with more sugar! These types of foods don't help you lose weight, they actually can put on weight.
- Clean Eating is the best motto. Vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes are filled with nutrition. Lentils, garbanzos, all types of beans, quinoa, brown rice are a few examples of filling foods that improve your health.
- Water is my beverage of choice.
- Indulge occasionally, I can't pass up Aunt Barb's lemon meringue or apple pie or Joe's Cheesecake, yum!
So, do your body good, don't diet.
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CHOOSE HEALTH: FREE DENTAL CLINIC AND HEALTH FAIR
On Sunday, September 10, Dr. Brad Randall and Paw Paw Family Dentistry will be hosting the
 first Free Dental Clinic and Health Expo at the office complex on Red Arrow Highway. Several dentists will be offering services, similar to other free clinics that have been held across the state. This will take place during the final day of the 2017 Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival, and will be included in their publicity for Sunday events.
Both Paw Paw and Gobles SDA churches are teaming up with Dr. Randall to make this event worthwhi
 le for the people who take advantage of the opportunity. In the lower level of the offices and likely spilling out into the yard will be a Health Fair, focusing on Physical, Mental, Spiritual and Nutritional Health. If you are interested in assisting in one of these areas, please contact Cynthia Salgado (Physical Health), Renee Coffee (Nutritional Health), Tom Coffee (Spiritual Health) and Jan Bermingham (Mental Health).
Watch for further details, including possible upcoming evangelistic opportunities.
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One day, one act, one person, one moment, one change, one word, one smile, one compliment, one donation, one hug, one lending of a hand, one response, one nod, one encouragement, one text, one prayer, one sacrifice, one gift, one call, one visit, one note,
one unexpected act of kindness . . .
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MAKE ME A SERVANT TODAY
Are you looking for a ministry? A need that you can meet? A way to share the love of Jesus? Here are some ideas!
1.
CROP WALK: Get involved in the CROP Walk for Hunger on Sunday, April 30. Click here to register.
https://www.crophungerwalk.org/pawpawmi/Account/Register.
2.
The Ministry of YOUR GARDEN:
Dreaming about squishing your fingers in musty warm soil, planting your ever-growing pile of seed packets? As these longer days lead to warmer dirt, every gardening heart feels growing excitement. Did you know that gardening and service are natural partners.
Pla
nt an extra row of veggies or just one extra tomato plant with the goal of donating produ
ce to Eleanor's Pantry. Just bring the produce to the church on Sabbath and the Pantry Produce Shopper will deliver it to the Eleanor's Pantry for you.
As you dedicate that row of veggies to
Serving the Food Insecure, God will bless your garden and you, along with the health of the receivers.
3.
ELEANOR'S PANTRY: Jan Steffen is grateful for the offers to help with shopping for fresh items for Eleanor's Pantry. Thanks, Paw Paw! Of course,
more volunteers are welcomed.
4.
PANERA BREAD PICK-UP:
Call John Steffen at 269-808-4706 if you could help with a Saturday night pick up.
5.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: VBS is scheduled for July 31-August 5, 6:00 - 8:30 each evening. If you are interested in helping, please contact
Jan Bermingham, 574-850-6637.
6.
HELP OUT WITH PATHFINDERS: Contact Cate Seely,
crseely3@yahoo.com, to teach an honor, provide transportation, be a mentor or assist with Pathfinders.
7.
MOMS AND BABES:
 Moms and Babes fund has adopted the new United Christian Services Clothes Closet!! Monies from 'Moms and Babes' have been committed to providing new shoes and underwear for the little ones whose families are in crisis!! Your continued generosity is a blessing to so many!
8. Help for Young Families
:
Family Ministries is launching a new ministry designed to lend a hand when needed. Contact Meribeth Henry to learn more about this exciting opportunity - for ministry or for assistance.
By this all will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another.
John 13:35
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On April 22, Pastor Kojo Twumasi, challenged us to be the CHANGE AGENTS God has created us to be. He led us through the story of John the Baptist in Luke 2, pointing out how the cousin of Jesus interacted with people, proclaiming a gospel of repentance and forgiveness. John got results only because he pointed people to the Ultimate Change Agent, Jesus.
Tojo Twumasi is a lifelong resident of the United States, but says his family is originally from Ghana. He hinted that we will continue to see him frequently at Paw Paw. His passion for mission work, preaching, evangelism and youth are absolutely apparent, but are overpowered by his passion for the Lord. The big question is . . . what is our passion and are we accessing the Power to be an agent of change?
If you missed this dynamic message or any of our other sermons, remember they are available on line!
http://www.ppsda.org/sermons
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2017 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - OPERATION ARCTIC
Exploring the Coolest Book on the Planet!
Only three months until Paw Paw's VBS, Operat
ion Arctic, kicks o
ff
! Start talking with your friends and line them up to explore the COOLEST BOOK ON THE PLANET! We will be learning a lot about the Bible - and having lots of fun while we learn!
- JULY 31-AUGUST 4, MONDAY - FRIDAY EVENINGS
- Sabbath Program, August 5, 11:00
- 6:00 - 8:30 P.M.
- AGES 4-12 - Start Recruiting Now!!!
- Assistants for all departments
- Group Leader and Assistants
- Help with Costumes, Actors, Props for the Drama
- Decorations and Props
- Registration
- Set up and tear down
- Publicity, Advertising,
- Recruiting
- Donations
- Transportation
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BOXES, BOXES AND MORE BOXES
If you have shoe boxes, tissue boxes or any kind of small boxes that you would like to donate to VBS, they would be repurposed into crafts you've never even considered! Please let Veronica Soto know the quantity of boxes you would like to donate, but keep them at home until July (limited storage here at church).
Thanks for your help!
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2017 PAW PAW SDA MEN'S GOLF LEAGUE
The 16 Week PPS
 DA 2017 Men's Golf League starts on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, with 5:00 tee off times. As in previous years, the teams will be playing at Heritage Glen Golf Club in Paw Paw.
Thanks to Josep
h Fox for organizing and keeping everyone updated. If you have questions, he checks his jedwinfox@gmail.com email account regularly. At last count, more than 24 golfers - or golf wannabes had signed up.
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Do you have time to send a card, make a call, take a dish, run an errand, lend a hand or visit for an hour? Would you like to make someone's day better?
- Lewis Owen, 36154 Valley Drive, Paw Paw 49079
- Lorna Stagg,
1730 S. Clark Road, Dansville, MI 48819 (We hear she is doing better!!)
- Betsy Evans, 34219 M-40, Paw Paw 49079
- Sharlene Eldred, 34693 N. Brookwood Drive, Gobles, MI 49055
- Mary Kay Bever, 4220 Leisure Lane Apt. E435, Kalamazoo 49001
- Lester Lamb, 35539 Whiskey Run Road, Mattawan 49071
- Louise Weeden, 204 S. Gremps St. Paw Paw, 49079
- Carl Bacchus, 6689 Tulsa Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
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FOCUS ON FAMILIES
As Paw Paw SDA grows (current membership is around 350), we struggle to know everyone. The flavor of a warm and welcoming family is part of our "BELONG" brand, as you can see in the logo at the top of the newsletter. Everyone is valued and we want to know each other better. Each month, some of the new and old faces will be featured, so take a minute to get better acquainted. We are family!
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The Bacchus Family
Carl and Marcella Bacchus hail originally from St. Vincent, a beautiful, volcanic island in the southeastern Caribbean
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Vincent_(Antilles). They are lifelong Seventh-day Adventists; high school sweethearts who later married and became the parents of two sons while living in St. Vincent. Eventually, they decided to further their education and settled on Western Michigan University for their undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Marcella has degrees in education and counseling and has split her teaching career between elementary and middle school, both in general educ
 ation and special education. She is planning to retire at the end of this school year. Carl received his degree in public administration and retired in 2014 from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
With their retirements, they have decided to move to Atlanta, to be with their sons. Lowell and his wife, Jescenia are the parents of their only grandchild, Elizabeth. Trent and Jennifer are expecting their first child at any time. So Carl and Marcella have placed their home on the market and would love to have you take a look if your are in the hunt for a Kalamazoo residence. They have already started the painful process of purging and packing.
Both Carl and Marcella love to travel and can tell you stories about trips to Europe, several Caribbean islands and a cruise to Alaska, as well as trips within the US. Marcella keeps herself busy with reading, crocheting and photography, as well as anything that involves being with children. She has the gift of hospitality and many people have enjoyed meals and fellowship with the Bacchus family. Carl prefers to spend his leisure time outdoors and you can see his attention to beauty and detail in his yard, garden and landscaping. If you need a fierce competitor in Scrabble, he's your man.
They have both been very involved in church activities at Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Paw Paw SDA churches. Between them, they have served as elders, a deacon, VBS leader, Women's and Children's Ministry Leader and much more. Yes is in their vocabulary. They are glad to be Seventh-day Adventists and to continue to study the truth.
The blessings have been abundant according to Marcella. They are thankful for their attentive boys and their families, close friends and the ability to adapt to a new culture and country. They are especially grateful for being able to be the legal guardians for Mercedes and Elena while and after their mother was losing her battle with cancer. Recently Carl had an acoustic neuroma successfully removed and is awaiting a full recovery and praying for the return of his hearing. Marcella says, "We know how real God is in our lives and in the lives of our family members, in ways we can't even comprehend." Paw Paw will certainly miss the Bacchus family.
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THE MORRELLS
Travis and Mindy Morrell have a storybook start, the stuff romance novels make up! Once upon a time, two young Coloradans met over a sand table in kindergarten. As fate would have it, Mindy moved away after first grade, never expecting to see Travis again. However, as God would have it, they reconnected in college and decided after two dates to get married! And they lived happily ever after,
of course!
After graduating from Union College with degrees in Religion (Travis) and Communications/ Public Relations and Institutional Development (Mindy) they moved to Loma Linda where Travis completed Medical School and Mindy worked in event planning and Continuing Medical Education for Loma Linda University Health. A residency in dermatology brought the Morrells to Michigan and we are praying they decide to return after an upcoming, year-long specialized assignment out of the state.
Talus, 5 and Zeb, 4 were born in California, which is obvious in their choice of winter footwear - flip-flops. They love to play Legos together, create campsites and fortresses in the backyard, dig in the dirt, read books and make creations/experiments. As a family, they love traveling, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, riding bikes and any other activity that allows them to spend time together in God's nature.
Travis and Mindy have grown to know and love Jesus Christ in the Adventist church, and are thankful for the clear and beautiful image of God that people in the church have shown us, especially the depths of God's grace and forgiveness, His passionate love for all people, and his longing to know us all and be known.
The family moved to the Kalamazoo area in July 2016, dove right in to VBS and have fallen in love with the Paw Paw Church! When asked about blessings God has revealed to them, Mindy responded, "We are so grateful for the LOVE and community support of the Paw Paw church! The first Sabbath we attended Paw Paw we knew we had found our church family. Thank you everyone for welcoming us with open arms."
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KRISTA TURNER
PPSDA welcomed Krista Turner at the end of August 2016 when she moved to Kalamazoo from Berrien Springs. Krista is a literature PhD student at Western Michigan University, where she also teaches and does research. She attended Southern Adventist University for her undergrad years and majored in Art and Englis
 h. Her M.A. in English is from Andrews. We are proclaiming her our resident academic!
Krista grew up in Fargo, North Dakota, and abandoned her mom, Vicki, and her dad, Scott, to fend for themselves in those harsh winters when she left for SAU several years ago. Her older sister, Jessi, is a graphic d
esigner for the city in Olympia, Washington. Since she is a literature major, it is no surprise to find that she loves to read. Other hobbies and interests include traveling, antiquing, art/art history, and music. She dabbles in rock climbing and has a goal of becoming a more outdoorsy person some day.
Krista defies the stereotype that book worms and sports nuts can't inhabit the same brain, since she claims to be a sports lover, as well. Gymnastics were her early passion, followed by a nine-year span with track and field, six years of cheerleading and some playing time on basketball and volleyball teams (where her height must have been an asset). In college, she enjoyed intramural softball, floor hockey, basketball, soccer and volleyball. She still finds time for beach volleyball, which holds the place of the favorite sport. However, she leaves the best for last - her undying, never-to-be-re
placed love of the Minnesota Vikings. Skol Vikes. We are guessing that an Ancestry check would turn up a Scandinavian heritage.
Her connection to Paw Paw SDA came at the suggestion of family friends, Vern and Judy Liebelt, who are known to some old timers at PPSDA. Krista had been told she would find a friendly, welcoming church with a decent number of young professionals, among children, families, seasoned mentors and people who love to serve the Lord.
When asked how God has blessed her, she replied, "I feel extremely blessed to be able to pursue my education at a high level and study what I enjoy." Welcome, Krista Turner!
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THE KHILLAH FAMILY
John Khillah migrated to the US in 1992 (his mom and dad are Latif and Sania) and spent time in Jersey City, New Jersey and Berrien Springs before landing in Paw Paw in 1995 to finish his growing up. Candy hail
 s from Holland, MI and met John while attending Great Lakes Adventist Academy, so people at PPSDA knew her first as "John's girlfriend".
Both John and Candy work for the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.
John is a Public Safety Officer, meaning he wears multiple hats performing as a police officer, fire fighter and EMS. He is currently assigned to the specialty drug unit, the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team. Candy is a 911 Operator/Dispatcher.
They consider family to be God's greatest blessing, saying they are each other's best friends and treasure their time together. Leila will be six in a few days and is finishing kindergarten at Gobles Junior Academy. Her parents describe her as an amazing, kind, caring, loving, friend to all, who is full of joy and love for Jesus! Three-year-old Elijah is a mighty little guy who is still working out the kinks of being three. He is a big mama's boy with a heart full of love for those he loves most.
Because family is at the center, their rare and precious free time is made up of family time, day trips and mini get-aways with the kids - Chicago, Holland, waterparks, children's museums, aquariums. At the top of their list is summer in St Joseph for the beaches, parks, splash pad, carousel, pizza, and chocolate cafe. They welcome suggestions for family friendly fun spots, especially if you would like to join them. Disney World has captured the imaginations of Leila and Elijah and they have enjoyed a couple of visits to the Magic Kingdom.
John wishes for more tinker time in the garage and woodshop. He likes to learn how things work and enjoys fixing things himself, like their large, but outdated house (their description). Candy says he is a wonderful daddy.
Candy's hobbies include anything coffee related, working out and trying to be healthy, gardening, and being outside. She has been known to sacrifice sleep for family fun.
Although they frequently visit other churches, the Khillah family loves their home church and say that nothing compares to PPSDA and the people here. They look forward to the relationships their children will be developing with Godly Paw Paw friends. You will see Candy playing piano for the Beginners Sabbath School. They thank God for many blessings. Although they love their challenging and rewarding jobs, so they never feel like they are "working", they covet your prayers, especially prayers for John's safety, as his job can be dangerous. As a friendly family, they have extended invitations to everyone to come over and swim this summer! We hope they have a big pool!
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THE HENRY FAMILY
Tristan and Maribeth Henry are transplants from Toronto, Ontario, where they were "born and raised", but claim Portage as home these days. They received their education at Andrews University prior to their move to this area. Tristan works for Bronson Hospital as a Medical L
aboratory Scientist and Maribeth works for Rehab Staffing Specialists as a home health Physical Therapist. Because they want to be the caregivers for their boys, they have creatively scheduled their work time so one of them can be home, which makes full family time especially precious. They maintain a positive mindset by saying this has allowed them to work and grow as a team. It isn't uncommon for them to put thei r hands in for a "GO TEAM HENRY" cheer!
The couple is celebrating their tenth anniversary this summer. To round out their family, they are the parents of three delightful young men. Malachi, the oldest, is six and they consider him their athletic kindergartner. Isaiah is four and fills the bill as the imaginative preschooler. And if you know Nathanael, who is the baby at two, you will agree that he champions the biggest personality. They love their time together as a young family and are known to drop everything and make some memories.
One thing that we all have learned by watching the Henry family, is that they have a sincere passion for people. They take a "Church of Refuge" to the next step by providing a "Home of Refuge". Their commitment to being Jesus in the midst is evident and there are many people in the PPSDA congregation who have witnessed and experienced their caring compassion and help. They are listeners and givers and we are so blessed to have them here. Their doors are without locks in the best sense of the word, revolving doors to provide friendship and prayer, safety and advice and love. Friends and family, from near and afar, have used those revolving doors.
The Henry family started coming to PPSDA in 2011 and they quickly became involved in Children's Sabbath School and Family Ministries. Maribeth sings with a trio and Tristan is often filling various needs. Maribeth presented a new initiative for Family Ministries to the Church Board in April. A group of women have come together to provide assistance for young moms and families, as specific needs become apparent. In thinking of connections with the Paw Paw church, they say, "Thank you, church family, for your thoughts and prayers throughout Maribeth's dad's battle with cancer. He is encouraged by all the well wishes sent his way."
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Good Friday Communion - April 14, 2017
The Pastor, elders, deacons and deaconesses teamed up with the Teen Class to provide a special commemoration of the First Communion, the Last Supper. and an opportunity for us to share in Communion again.
If you were unable to participate, please contact the pastor who would love to arrange a time for your private Communion.
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REPORT FROM THE TREASURER
- Here are some nuggets from the Treasurers' Report for March 2017.
- Tithe was $46,249 for the month providing a YTD total 23.9% ahead of the Previous Fiscal Year-to-Date. 100% of Tithe is remitted directly to the Conference and represents over 60% of our total receipts.
- Income/giving to Church Budget was $12,288. That is $1,029 or 7.7% short of our monthly goal. However, we are still $22,567 or 24.2% ahead of our YTD Budget and $24,969 or 27.5% ahead of the PYTD.
- Cornerstone (capital/building projects) received $2,015 last month providing a positive balance of $53,089 to continue projects like seating in the 2nd Sanctuary, downstairs bathroom remodeling, and paving the gravel parking lot.
- Our reserves continue to be healthy and are earning interest in the LUC Revolving Fund.
- The PPSDA Promise (education endowment) investment account has a current value of $111,713 with an additional $2,503 in the PPAC Trust Account.
Remember you can conveniently give online by going to "
ppsda.org/connect" and clicking "Give".
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PRAYER REQUESTS
The Mattson Family: Loss of husband, father and grandfather, Reg Mattson (and for all of us because this loss touches the entire PPSDA family and beyond)
Keith Bodi: Recovery and possibility of more surgery
Lester Lamb - Health problems
Lorna Stagg - Health problems
Louis Owen - Health challenges
Charlene Eldred - Health challenges
Heidi Griggs - Surgery on April 24
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UPCOMING EVENTS
May 6: Gobles Junior Academy
May 7: Memorial Service for Reg Mattson, 4:00, Starks Funeral Home, St. Joseph (Visitation 2-4)
May 7: Borgess Run/Walk/Marathon
May 13: Pastor Michael Taylor, Fellowship Meal
May 14: Mother's Day
May 16: Finance Committee Meeting, Board Meeting
May 20: Dr. Stanley Patterson
May 27: Pastor Michael Taylor
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Don't miss anything that might be going on - even if you aren't there, you can be there!
Check out the Facebook page, which has very frequent updates, videos, pictures, and other posts. https://www.facebook.com/pawpawsda
Check out the Paw Paw SDA website, http://www.ppsda.org/ where you will find a variety of information about past and upcoming events, including links to other church related sites.
The Paw Paw YouTube Channel can be found at https://www.youtube.com/user/ppacav
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PASTOR'S CORNER
Earlier this year, I was asked to do the chapel service for Andrews Academy's Senior Convocation. I reflected on how, during my senior year, all of my understandings of the world were turned upside down because of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. (Yes, that "dates" me. :-P ) I told the seniors that there will no doubt come some awful consequence of a sinful world that would turn their world upside down. I encouraged them to help spread out the pressures and pain of whatever the world throws at them, to help hold each other up and to minister to one another when things get tough. I even brought in a bed of nails to visually show them the power of community.
Yesterday, I returned to Andrews Academy to tell the students that it's time to put that theory into practice. I told them that tragedy has happened, and that it's time to rally together. As a church, we should rally around the Mattson family; not because we
have to, but because we
want to. We have a family in crisis, and they need our love and support. Some options for how to respond to the family's needs include:
- Taking them a meal; sign up here: https://mealtrain.com/4d0966
- The family had registered for the Borgess Race this Sunday morning, and many have expressed interest in "Running for Reg"; if you're interested in racing, sign up here before tomorrow night: https://www.signmeup.com/site/reg/register.aspx?fid=0P2VGH7 and reply to this email if you're specifically interested in "Running for Reg" and I'll tell you how it works.
- In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family is asking that financial support be used to support "Reg's Legacy"; more information here: http://gofundme.com/3q2bwe0
As a matter of pastoral encouragement, however, I would hope that we minister to all who grieve during whatever tragedy and not just this family or this situation. This sinful world loves to cause chaos, and tragedy takes many forms. Let's find ways to be mindful of our entire church community during their tough times. For a complete Christian ministry that is truly Christ-like, I'd encourage us to go one step further and re-read just the first 11 words of the previous sentence. "Let's find ways to be mindful of our entire church community." In other words; let's be a community that helps others BELONG.
Blessings,
Pr. Michael Taylor
pastor@ppsda.org |
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