Author: Rev. Ronald L. Young

News & Notes - December 3, 2017

10995 Canada Road, Birch Run, MI 48415 (989) 624-9204 www.stmartinbirchrun.org stmartin@stmartinbirchrun.org

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! Mark 13:32-33a

“Helping Hands” Caring Tree Ministry
The tree is in the Narthex to help families in the community who need assistance with Christmas. Please take a paper shape ornament and purchase the item needed. Return item unwrapped with the ornament tag included so we know who the gift belongs to. Gifts need to be returned no later than Sunday, December 17th. Thanks in advance for your help.
You Are Cordially Invited to attend our Children's Christmas Service
On Sunday, December 3rd at 4:00 PM, all church members are invited to see OUR Little Lambs of St. Martin, the FUTURE of our church as they present Jesus, the baby in the manger! Please plan to attend this event to support OUR children.
Franklin Ave Mission Christmas Help
Thank you to all who were willing to take a tag to help the children this year for Christmas. Remember, items will need to be turned in today Sunday, December 3rd to enable delivery on time.
6:00 pm Suppers before Advent Worship
Our Family Ministry is working to help raise funds for our youth service trip to help others. The meals will begin at 6pm in the Fellowship Center with a freewill donation to cover the costs & help the youth. Join us December 6th,, 13th, & 20th for this time of food & fellowship to help us all prepare!
Advent Services on Wednesdays
This December will include dramas put on by some of the Sr. High Youth. Everyone join us in the Sanctuary, Wednesdays beginning on December 6th at 7:00pm and continuing December 13th and 20th!
Youth Drama Reminders: Don’t forget to check with Randy for your script to see how we’re connecting the Gospel lesson. This helps all of us consider our preparations for Christ’s coming. Sundays are our main day to prepare for those dramas.
Food Pantry
We would like to thank all who have donated to the pantry to help our neighbors in the community. They do appreciate the help.

Advent Devotionals
Will be available for you to take for your spiritual growth. Watch for these booklets entitled Love Came Down and please take one to grow closer to God with your family. These studies will start in advent and run through the season of Epiphany!
Acolytes– SIGN UP!
Sadly, there are still many “gaps” for the Sign Up Sheet schedule for services. We need to fill them! The Sign Up has been out for you to be a part of. Going through the New Year we’ll need YOU to have these services covered! Remember: If you cannot make the service you signed up for, check the calendar in the newsletter to see who you can switch with. Thanks!
Staff Gift Boxes
There are gift boxes located at the back of the sanctuary for all our staff. If you would like to write them a quick note or card, place a gift card, or a monetary gift to show appreciation of them. The boxes will be out until December 27, 2017.
Senior Ladies Bible Study
The Wednesday morning Ladies monthly study has been moved to Thursday, December 7th in the education wing. Ladies remember this will be held at 10:30 a.m. for a short meeting and then we will carpool to go out to eat. I will be calling all of you to know who is going. Merry Christmas, Jackie Lee
Gift
A honorary gift from Loraine Veitengruber was given in honor of Willis Veitengruber 85th birthday for the Vicar Fund.
Holiday Worship Schedule
Sunday, Dec.3rd Children’s Christmas Service at 4pm
Wednesday, Dec.6th Advent 1 at 7:00 pm
Wednesday, Dec.13th Advent 2 at 7:00 pm
Wednesday, Dec.20th Advent 3 at 7:00 pm
Sunday, Dec. 24th Christmas Eve at
10:00 am Traditional/communion
4:00 pm Contemporary Service
7:00 pm Traditional/communion
Monday, Dec. 25th Christmas Day at 10:00am with communion
Sunday, Dec. 31st One Worship Service with communion at 10:30am with 5th Sunday Potluck to follow.
For more details check the church’s newsletter or website.

The Lutheran Witness
It’s time to re-subscribe or subscribe to the LUTHERAN WITNESS at a discounted rate. The Lutheran Witness is the official periodical of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and is published 11 times a year. Subscriptions ordered through your church will include the Michigan in Touch supplement at no extra cost. The new subscription year doesn’t begin un March 2018, but orders need to be in to the church office by December 15, 2017 to take advantage of a discounted District rate of $11.60/year. (Individual subscriptions ordered directly from CPH are $19.99/year.) Late orders will be charged an additional $2. Payment should be made directly to the church office. If you have any questions about subscriptions, contact Lori in the church office at 624-9204.
Financial Peace University
Thursday, January 11 - March 8, 2018 / 6:00PM-8:00PM
St. Martin Lutheran Church / 10995 Canada Rd / Birch Run
Coordinators: Carla, Randy, Stephanie (989) 624-9204
Online Class Registration Link: https://fpu.com/1052915
Welcome to Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University! We would love to have you join our January 2018 Class. There IS financial HOPE! Join us and see. Call the church office at (989) 624-9204 and ask for Randy or Stephanie.
Walk-ins are welcome, but if you know in advance that you'd like to join this class it is preferable that you are prepared with all of your student materials pre-ordered the week prior.
Thank You
I would sincerely like to thank everyone who kept my mom in their thoughts and prayers during her recent hospitalization and surgery. A special sincere thank you to Pastor Chinery for his personal visit after her release from the hospital. Love in Christ Natalie Smith
23rd Annual “Christmas in the Country”
The Taymouth Historical Association warmly invites everyone to start their Christmas celebration early as they are hosting their 23rd Annual "Christmas in the Country" program. It will take place on Sunday, December 3, starting at 3pm at the 1873 St. Paul's Mission Church. The little white church in the country will filled with Christmas carols and lots of special music lead by the Holy Cross Lutheran Church Choir from Saginaw. Also, scripture readings and a visit by the ole jolly man dressed in red. Admission is free, but please bring a two cans of non perishable food for the Birch Run-Taymouth Care program There will be a free will donation with proceeds directed to continuing the restoration of the church. There will be refreshments after the program. The church is located in the Taymouth Cook Cemetery, 13250 Seymour Road, just south of Burt Road. For questions, please call 989-751-7651

Last Week’s Attendance
Wed. 7pm	71
Sunday 8:00 am	89
Sunday 10:45 am	76
Total	236
Visitors	26

Those Serving This Week Dec. 3, Those Serving Next Sun. Dec 10, 2017

Serving	Sunday 8:00 am	Sunday 10:45 am	Sunday 8:00 am	Sunday 10:45 am
Lay / Assistant	Gene Shifter	Dave Sawchuk	Denny Fent	Jim Matzke
Prayer / Partners	Karla Mishler/Dawn Prueter		Tim & Veronica O’Connell
Ushers	Bob Gauderer / David Trinklein	Tony Quinn/Dale Wesener/Roger Zissler	Les Davis/Maxine Schmitzer/Dawn Prueter/Wayne Benkert/Kyle Hill	Darin Peterson/Dave Sawchuk/Tim Bender/Fred Irrer
Reader	Mary Lee	Terri Wesener	Chris Bailey	Vanessa Sanders
Altar	Mary Lee/Jenny Hughey		Mary Lee/Jenny Hughey
Acolytes	Ivan Chinery	Collin Crawford	Casandra Solinski	Harley Vanier
Greeters	Diann Duby /Jane Schemm /Janet Peters /Les & Cathy Davis	Jim & Carol Matzke	Elaine Knight /Jackie Lee/Ruth Herzog/Carla Miller	Marianne Nelson
Tech / Booth	Matt & Joe Bickel /Dawn Prueter	Dawn Prueter /Jeff Crawford /Shannon Coughlin	Paul Kuck/Larry & Sandy Gotham	Michelle Huizar/Jeff & Christa Crawford
Refreshments	Darin Peterson thru’ Frank Sauder		Carmen Sawchuk thru’ MaryAnn Timmreck

Serving Wed. November 29, 2017
Volunteer: Roger Tanner

Serving Wed. December 6, 2017
Volunteer: Youth

Stewardship Corner
By God’s grace, we are given the high honor of being God’s stewards. Being Christian stewards involves the way we view life and use God’s blessings. A steward is someone who takes care of another person’s property for the benefit of the owner. In Genesis chapter one, God makes mankind the steward over all He has made. “And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens…” (Verse 26). He has given us, along with other Christians, the responsibility of taking care of His property. Our purpose as stewards is again stated in the second chapter of Genesis. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). We are the managers and caretakers of God’s creation.

Stephen Ministry Friends
Many are not able to take the training but want to support the Stephen Ministry, so we have developed Stephen Ministry Friends offering more ministry opportunities to fit your gifts and time availability.
First, each Stephen Minister Trainee will have a person assigned to pray specifically for them as they go through the training. Typically, a current Stephen Minister is assigned to each Stephen Minister Trainee. Since we don’t have any Stephen Ministers yet to fulfill that role, Stephen Ministry Friends can stand in the gap.
Second, there is an incredible amount of paperwork that is constantly being completed and we’ll also need an SM Friend willing to inventory the forms and make sure that we always will have enough on hand . Forms will be completed after each evening of training as well as after Supervision and Continuing Education sessions.
Thirdly, Stephen Ministry funding through those who have a special passion for this ministry would be greatly appreciated. This can be done through an anonymous gift or by making a contribution to Stephen Ministry in honor or memory of someone or a special occasion.
Finally, as the program grows, other needs will become evident and we can implement our Stephen Ministry Friends as needed, empowering the program and the church at large.
There’s a sign up sheet on the information counter in the Narthex. Any questions check with Carla Roethlisberger, Thanks!
Stephen Ministry
St. Martin continues to serve with our Stephen Ministry. This one-to-one lay caregiving ministry is named for Stephen, one of the first seven laypeople called by the church to assist the apostles in caring for others. (You can read Stephen’s story in Acts 6 and 7.) Stephen Ministry is truly ministry—that is, service to others, caring for others in Jesus’ name, doing the work that God has both called and gifted his children to do. Do you feel a calling to care for others who are hurting? Do you desire the personal joy that comes from sharing Christ’s love with people? In the next few months, our Stephen Leader Team will begin training some of the members of our congregation to serve as Stephen Ministers. To learn more about Stephen Ministry, speak or call Pastor Jim, Carla Roethlisberger, or Randy Bickel.
Weather Reminder
Reminding you of the policy that when the weather is bad and Birch Run cancels school or if there are severe weather warnings then all our Ministries Activities for that same evening will be cancelled in order to try to keep the children & adults safely at home. If you have any questions about this then call the church office during regular hours for any information we may have. Thanks!
Food Pantry Needs
We have given out 60 food boxes this year and our shelves are very bare. Items we could use are: Canned Chicken or Tuna, Soups, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Spaghetti Sauce & Noodles, Can Fruit & Vegetables, Tomato products, Rice & Pasta side dishes, Macaroni and Cheese, SpaghettiO’s, Ravioli, Cereal, Powdered Milk, Hot Chocolate Packets and Snack Crackers. Food Pantry Needs
We have given out 60 food boxes this year and our shelves are very bare. Items we could use are: Canned Chicken or Tuna, Soups, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Spaghetti Sauce & Noodles, Can Fruit & Vegetables, Tomato products, Rice & Pasta side dishes, Macaroni and Cheese, SpaghettiO’s, Ravioli, Cereal, Powdered Milk, Hot Chocolate Packets and Snack Crackers.
Psalm 100
Encourages us to share our Joy for God with Him & each other! During this time of transition if you can use the gifts & talents that God has blessed you with in the areas of Worship Arts; e.g. singing, playing an instrument, the areas of the tech booth, please contact the church office or Pastor. Thanks for your service to the Lord!

ALL ABOARD THE PANTRY EXPRESS
Please look for the St. Martin & Peace of Mind “Pantry Express” in the Narthex where you can drop items off. Advent is a time for preparing, yet there are many in our community that can’t. We’ve given out around 90 food boxes for families this year! We are now looking for certain items to restock the pantry that we use to help others around us. Food Pantry Needs:
Canned Chicken or Tuna, Can Chili & Beef Stew, Soups, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Spaghetti Sauce & Noodles, Tomato products, SpaghettiO’s, Ravioli, Can Fruit & Vegetables, Rice & Pasta side dishes, Macaroni and Cheese, Cereal, Powdered Milk, and Snack Crackers. Thank you ahead of time for your generous sharing! Supported by Thrivent Financial Action Team.

Friendly Reminder
Fellowship is considered an every member ministry, so every family is included in the listing of “Those Serving” our monthly news letter & the news & notes. Fellowship expectations: You bring a finger food for 2 dozen; help to setup (8am) and clean-up (10:45am), depending on which service you normally attend. The kitchen is used during the week so we need to make sure that everything is cleaned up and put away. If not sure where it belongs please return to fellowship area.
Building Usage
We have number a of groups that use St. Martin. Please make sure that you check with the church office before you plan your next event in order to make sure that the area that you are hoping to use is available. Thanks for helping our work continue smoothly!
Hospital & Shut In Visits
We need your help with this; the local hospitals are rarely notifying our church of anyone’s admittance. If someone you know is sick or will be/is hospitalized & wants a visit you must contact the church office: 624-9204 or Pastor’s cell phone, in order for us to know their needs & we can then go minister to them. Thank you for your cooperation.
Chonda Pierce On Tour
On Saturday, Nov. 18 at Richfield Church of the Nazarene, Otisville, MI buy 10+ at once and Get $3 off per ticket. Tickets and more information are available online at www.awakeningevents.com To purchase VIP or group tickets (no extra fees for group), you must purchase online! (Follow the above link.) General admission tickets can be purchased online (with a small fee/ticket). ONLY General Admission tickets are available for purchase here at Richfield Nazarene Church for $27/person (cash only, please), visit us at: 7524 E. Mt. Morris Rd., Otisville, MI 48463.
WOMEN'S SPRING RETREAT - SAVE THE DATE
Our 2018 Ladies Retreat will be March 2 - 4, 2018 at The Springs in Gladwin.
Our Theme: Steppin' Out In Faith. Where has God taken you???..
What next adventure does He have planned for you???...
Round up your girlfriends... Plan a Mother/Daughter
weekend... Let's Step Out In Faith together....
For More Information Contact Karla Mishler 989-928-0376

Are You Ready?!?
The BEST way to get ready for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation is to use the same tool as Martin Luther, GOD’S WORD! “Young” or “Old” it doesn’t matter God will do great things for you with the time you spend in His Word! We have the 2nd half of the Bible Reading “schedule” that will get you through the Bible in 1 year in time for the anniversary. We have a printed copy on the Welcome Center or you can find it on the YouVersion Bible app under the “reading plans” section & search for “Reformation”, it should be the first one that pops up, & look for images of Concordia’s chapel with the stain glass & altar. Any questions you can check with Randy. The plan continues on & let’s all get ready of God’s Great Plans!
Members Help Update Information
Please help the Church Office by providing changes in address, phone number, email address, marital status, etc. Your help will insure we stay in touch and provide the very best in caring for every member. You can call (624-9204), email (secretary@stmartinbirchrun.org), note updates in the Friendship Registry, or hand us a note. We thank you in advance!
Are you sure?
We have had an occasion or two recently when the doors were unlocked or unlatched in the morning as staff was arriving to serve that day. When you are wrapping up your event here, please make sure that you not only check that the doors are locked; but that the doors have latched also. Thanks!
Stephen Ministry Training
Stephen Ministry Training starting at St. Lorenz on Mondays in January along with some Saturdays. If interesting in taking the training this winter, please contact Carla Roethlisberger 989.652.8260 or 989.928.1645, carlaroethlisberger@gmail.com. Training would be at St. Lorenz; however, St. Martin would be commissioning you and you would be joining our Stephen Ministry on the first and third Tuesdays of the month upon completion of training.

Hospitalization
When you or a family member are in the hospital and would like pastor or Randy to visitor you should contact the church office. It is taking up to two days to receive notice from the hospital after you have been admitted, and sometimes we are not contacted at all.
What Stephen Ministers are saying about the program:
Stephen Ministry has deepened my faith……the training has taught me things about myself as well as prepared me for this adventure……..I learned to listen more openly…..great training and the classes are filled with endless learning and self-awareness…..a lifelong ministry…..I am more aware of the feelings of others …..it has expanded my way of relating to others….the training is well worth the time even if the participant decides not to join this particular ministry….the training has helped me to respond to others when they are relating an event that has impacted their lives….it is challenging and rewarding……I have learned to listen before I speak…..I’ve become more compassionate……..I’ve learned to be an encourager……I have learned to accept where people are at in their struggle…..I have learned valuable skills and tools through Stephen Ministry training that enable me to care for others in their time of difficulty. ……God is working through me to bless others….I don’t need to feel like I have to fix anything…..God is the cure giver and I am the care giver. To learn more about Stephen Ministry, speak or call Pastor Jim, Carla Roethlisberger, or Randy Bickel.
Building Usage
We have number a of groups that use St. Martin. Please make sure that you check with the church office before you plan your next event in order to make sure that the area that you are hoping to use is available. Thanks for helping our work continue smoothly!
NEW CHOIR MEMBERS are welcome to join us on Sundays as we prepare for Christmas Worship Services. Can't make it? Plan to join us in 2017 as we prepare for the Lenten season and Holy Week. (MEN! We need more male voices to join us! Please prayerfully consider serving our Lord in this way at St. Martin.)
INSTRUMENTALISTS (Both adult and youth) will be called upon to add to our worship services in a variety of ways in the coming months.
Did you move or change your phone number?
Please help the Church Office by providing changes in address, phone number, email address, marital status, etc. Your help will ensure we stay in touch and provide the very best in caring for every member. You can call (624-9204), email (secretary@stmartinbirchrun.org), note updates in the Friendship Registry, or hand us a note. We thank you in advance!

WE COULD USE YOUR HELP AT RESTOCKING THE FOOD PANTRY WITH NON PARISHABLE ITEMS
We would like to thank those that donated items this past week. The donations are very much appreciated. Items that we are still in need of are:
All varieties of Soup, SpaghettiO’s, Canned Ravioli's, Beef Stew, Flavor Rice, Flavor Pasta, Cereal , Crackers, Tuna, canned Chicken, canned Ham, Vegetables, Fruit, Mustard, Ketchup, Dry Milk, Shampoo, Laundry Soap, Dish Soap, Hygiene Products, Toilet Paper & Kleenex. No Expired Food, Please

We wanted to take this time to thank you for the generous outpouring of love, prayers, cards and support during this most difficult times in or lives. We have truly felt lifted up in prayer and we know that's what has gotten us through so far. We just ask for continued prayer as we go on this journey and see what God is going to do with this. God has a plan, we just don't know what it is.
Green Thumbed Servants are needed
The Trustees are looking for a few members to help care for flower beds on our church property to help keep things looking nice over the summer. If you can help you can check with any of our Trustees or the Church Office, Thanks!