Join us this very special Sunday! | |
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Plan to worship with us this Sunday at 9:00 and 10:30 AM
as we welcome Rev. Roger and Erin Veliquette
and celebrate Communion!
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Plus, everyone is invited to Erin Veliquette's Ordination Service at 2:00 PM Sunday afternoon! | |
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The Ordination of Erin Veliquette- Sunday, November 6, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a special luncheon in honor of Erin!
Ordination to ministry is always a big deal! Join us as we seek God’s blessing upon Erin and surround her with our love and prayers as she enters her work as an Ordained Minister in the P.C.(U.S.A.). Erin has been called to serve as a Chaplain at the Baptist Health Hospital in Louisville, KY.
You can also watch Erin's Ordination using this link:
https://vimeo.com/event/2428548/embed
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This Sunday:
Sermon - "Faith on Earth"
Scripture - Luke 18:1-8
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We would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of cards, gifts and food during the month of October. We are so blessed to be part of such a generous church family. Thanks for showing Christ’s love!
Your Pastor and Church Staff,
Rev. Jim Porter, Wayne Potter, Cheryl Knight, Kim McCann, Ellen Merillat, Kathleen Peterson, Shawn Pollack, Amber Hoeksema, and Corey Pritchard
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The Family Ministry team would like to thank all who contributed to our Halloween event by bringing candy and other treats, decorating our space, and coming out to greet our guests and pass out treats. Your efforts helped to create a fun event for our church families and community!
Next up is “Christmas Crafts” on Saturday, December 3 at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We’re seeking crafters, decorators, food makers and servers, and anyone else who would like to help. Initial planning meeting will be this Thursday, November 10 at 2pm in the Fellowship Hall. Hope to see you there! Please contact Ruth Thomas at 571-262-9801 for more information.
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Pampered Chef Independent Consultant Shelly Shively wants to work with YOU, her church family, to provide entire meal kits to people in need this winter. Simply pick a dinner (and shopping list to the right), shop it, and drop it off. You can donate as many of the items below as you want. Meal kits will be packaged up as a service project for all ages after our 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, November 20. Lastly, Shelly will add in Pampered Chef spice blends to provide more flavor and flair to every meal kit, and kits will be given to families in need! Flyers are available at the Activity Center and donations can be dropped off at the church November 6-17. | |
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Please join us for an online auction to help fund our youth mission trip to Alaska in 2023! The auction starts on Friday, November 11 at 8:00 a.m. and runs until Monday, November 21 at 8:00 p.m. We will have goods, services and incredible experiences up for auction! Follow our Facebook page for sneak peeks at items to be included in the auction, and for a reminder once it starts.
The link to the online auction is: https://fundraiser.bid/AlaskaMissionTrip2023
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A Trip to Scotland with Pastors Jim and Jaime
And You’re Invited!
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So far, 24 people have signed up to join Jim and Jaime on a special trip to Scotland next October! Thinking about going? It’s not too late to sign up! Click below for the full brochure and more information.
Questions? Contact Pastor Jim at jporter@erfpc.org.
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"Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it."
— Song of Solomon 8:7
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Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) urges your support this hurricane season. In the wake of catastrophic impacts from Hurricane Ian, recovery is ongoing in places hit by Hurricane Fiona, including Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Storms are becoming more frequent and more severe, and this early in the hurricane season we must prepare for these broad and anticipated catastrophes that have not yet formed. Give today to enable our response, from emergency needs through the long-term recovery phase.
The needs for the response will be great. God’s people are called on to stand in the "GAP" — Give. Act. Pray.
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GIVE. ACT. PRAY.
GIVE: Financial support for relief efforts can be designated to DR000194, which supports the church’s response to hurricanes and typhoons. Gifts can be made online by clicking here, going to pcusa.org/GIVE-HURRICANES, by phone at (800) 872-3283, or by check made payable to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with "DR000194" written on the memo line and Mail to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
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ACT:
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Gift of the Heart kits are needed — learn more here.
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Stay informed and like us on Facebook, download resources and share updates with your congregation.
PRAY: Click the button below for a prayer by Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus, Director, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
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Books and signup sheet are at the Activity Center (A $5 donation to help cover the cost of the study book will be appreciated but not required. You can donate at class.)
What: Based on the popular, multi-season TV series, “The Chosen” focuses on the life of Jesus as seen through the eyes of those who actually met Him! Season One focuses on Simon, Matthew, Andrew, Nicodemus, and Mary Magdalene as they encounter Jesus. You will gain an appreciation of their unexpected changes of fortune in getting to know him.
When: Monday evenings, September 26 through November 14, 6-7:30 p.m., with food provided before class. Because the length of the videos varies, our dismissal time will also vary but 7:30 will be the latest.
Where: Fellowship Hall
Format: Build background, view video, read and discuss meaning of related Scripture readings (printed in the study guide) and how each reading applies to God/Life/you.
Facilitators: Pastor Jim Porter will start us off on September 26. Marcia Sumerix and Nancy Muhlig will lead some lessons, too.
(Note this video series is also streamed on Amazon Prime and available on the chosen.tv/app)
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Men’s Bible Study
All the men of the church are invited to join Pastor Jim for a bi-weekly Bible study that meets the first and third Thursdays of the month at 7:30 a.m. in the church fellowship hall. Please note the time change. Join us for a thoughtful study, good conversation, and fellowship with other men as we journey through life together!
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If you have children through the 5th grade or youth, make plans now to bring them to Sunday School and Youth Group each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. at the Lighthouse. Please contact Wayne Potter at 517‑416‑2813 with questions. | |
We need people who are willing to knit or crochet an adult shawl or a baby baptismal blanket, and we have yarn kits available in the church office. If you are able to help with this important ministry, please call Connie Clark or Mary Anne Frey. | |
The Community Cupboard is looking for volunteers. If you are interested in helping please call Pam Coleman at 847-445-8239 or email her at erccfood@gmail.com. In addition to needing assistance every other Tuesday from 4:30 to 6:45 pm and Friday from 7:30-9:45 am there is a need for help with deliveries, pick up of donated food, and other miscellaneous tasks. Thank you! | |
It’s Community Cash time again! Please keep all your Village Market receipts dated Sept 1, 2022 through May 31, 2023 and turn them into the Elk Rapids Community Cupboard. They can be placed in the ERCC box in the Narthex, the brown donation box outside the cupboard, or mailed to ERCC Box 572, Elk Rapids, MI. Thank you so much. | |
The Community Cupboard is open every other Tuesday and Friday with a delivery system for all families and individuals in need. Call Pam Coleman at 847-445-8239 for more information or to set up an appointment for food delivery. Plus, the Community Cupboard is accepting donations in a drop box outside the cupboard entrance on Chippewa Street. | |
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COVID UPDATE
As you know with the emergence of a new variant, COVID numbers in our area are once again increasing. Fortunately, while this new variant is more contagious, the symptoms are generally milder, resulting in fewer hospitalizations and serious illness. With this in mind, we are continuing to follow our current COVID protocols and encourage caution for all who attend church in person. If a person is not feeling well, or has been exposed to the virus, we ask those individuals to worship from home. Persons who are elderly and/or otherwise immune compromised should use their own best judgment as to whether or not to come to in person worship. Masks are optional, but are encouraged for those who feel safer wearing them. We will continue to stream our worship services on Sunday mornings and post them online for viewing later in the week for anyone unable to attend church in person.
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Giving and Church Finances
Thank you for your generous giving during this challenging time!
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Our pledged and unpledged giving is still below our budget through the 3rd quarter, ($35,180.00), but has stayed even with the last few months. In the past, our Members have always caught up towards the end of the year, so I trust that tradition will continue as we continue to do God’s work throughout our community and across the world.
Mike Husby, Treasurer
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Financial Help Available
Also, for those who have lost a job or your work hours have been reduced and you are in the midst of financial difficulty, please don't feel obligated to give at this time. We understand. We have funds available to help with rent, mortgage payments, utilities or other basic needs. Let us know if the church can help you in any way. We are here for you, and gifts from the Angel Fund are kept strictly confidential.
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How to Give on Online
Online Giving is safe, effective, and easy to do. Simply go to our website at: ERFPC Website. Click on the tab that says: "Giving" on top right, and then "Click Here to Give Online." You can make a one-time gift to the church, or set up a recurring payment for your weekly or monthly offering. Both credit cards or debit cards are accepted.
For those not able to give online, please contact our Financial Manager, Kim McCann, at finmanager@erfpc.org, and she can help you with a one-time or recurring electronic donation.
Also, Thank You to all those who are continuing to mail in their pledge each week while we are not able to worship in person.
Questions? Talk to Mike Husby at 989-619-0389 or Kim McCann at 269-806-4073. Your continuing support of the work of the church is greatly appreciated and needed at this time!
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Keep the Faith and Remember to Pray
As you take time each day to turn to the One who is with you through these difficult times, here is a suggested prayer:
A Prayer for an Inclusive Church
How great is your love, Lord God,
how wide is your mercy!
Never let us board up the narrow gate that leads to life
with rules or doctrines that you dismiss;
but give us a Spirit to welcome all people with affection,
so that your church may never exclude secret friends of yours,
who are included in the love of Jesus Christ,
who came to save us all. Amen.
— Reprinted by permission from the Book of Common Worship, ©2018 Westminster John Knox Press.(WJKP, 1993) 795. All rights reserved.
Questions? Comments?
Please call the church office at 231-264-8167 or Pastor Jim at 248-505-9064.
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