Tidings

What’s happening in the
life of our church

October 3, 2024

---

A note from Pastor Alice

Blessings to all in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!

There are so many good things going on at the church these days. Read on in this copy of Tidings and be sure to put some of these events on your calendars. Our gatherings are better when you, specifically *you*, are there.

A quick update on the Organ Restoration work: We are working through the contract with Muller Organ Company to be sure everything we want and need is covered. Once a contract is signed, it will be many months before work begins; April at the earliest, but more likely August or September. It will then be approximately six months before it is completed and reinstalled.

You have all remained incredibly faithful and generous to this work. While the financial campaign won’t begin until January, we know there are some of you who will want to move funds around during this tax season. We have the ability to take and hold in designated accounts anything you give in advance of the campaign. If you have specific questions, let me know and we will work with you.

We are about to head into the time of year we ask you to prayerfully consider your giving to the church – in all the ways you give – with pledge cards to be returned during worship on October 20th. We will celebrate the harvest of those gifts with an after-church brunch. Stay tuned for more information.

Also, we will once again be hosting our Fall Harvest Dinner with Bethel AME and Adrian First Presbyterian Church. Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 17 at 1pm. We will provide turkey and stuffing and you will bring all the rest. It will be a great time of fellowship and community celebration.

(This edition of Tidings put together by our gifted and capable new admin, Ava Tocco. I hope you can greet her on Sunday.)

Faithfully,
Rev. Alice

---

The Next Two Weeks at a Glance

*Please visit adrianfumc.org for a regularly updated calendar

---

Family Ministry Events for
All Families of All Ages

Blessing of the Animals

Blessing of the Animals in our pavilion on Saturday, October 5th at 4pm. All animals and community members welcome! Any donations of supplies will be collected and provided to the Lenawee County Humane Society.

Parents Night Out

Parents Night Out is on Saturday, October 5th at the church, 5pm-8pm. Sign up to bring children and/or to help with the event at the round table outside of the sanctuary.

Family Fall Gathering at Heritage Park

Sunday, October 13 from 4pm-6pm. Come for hayrides, hot dogs, roasted marshmallows, cocoa and fun. All ages welcome! Sign up at the round table outside of the sanctuary.

Trick-or-Trunk

Trick-or-Trunk in our front parking lot on Saturday, October 26th from 5pm-6pm. Sign up to be a trunk or just bring donations of candy to help in the community joy-filled event.

---

Blood Drive

The Red Cross is hosting a blood drive this Tuesday, October 8th and they need our help! Join us in Fellowship Hall from 12:00 pm to 5:45 pm. Blood donations are in high demand and your donation could save up to 3 lives. 

What to expect: 

1. Sign in
2. Blood pressure, iron, pulse, and temperature will be checked
3. Donate! This part only takes 8-10 minutes
4. Enjoy juice and cookies and know you helped someone in need

Fun facts!

• Someone needs blood every 2 seconds in the U.S.
• Less than 10% of eligible donors actually donate
• You can track your blood to see where it went and how many people you helped

---

---

Join our hospitality team!

Looking for individuals, groups and teams to sign up for coffee hour now.

Remember, Coffee Hr. is open to any person or group to host such an important fellowship time.  The sign-up sheet is always available in the Narthex or the office. 

---

Prayer Gathering

You are invited to join in these upcoming opportunities for prayer and study. Where two or more are gathered, the Lord is there!

Prayer Opportunities
When: Wednesdays after WOW @ 6:30pm
Where: Sanctuary
Why: To pray for the coming election  

Prayer Study
When: Thursdays @ 10-11am
Where: Room 3
Why: Eight week study on the Lord’s Prayer

---

Help support the Adrian Community Preschool

WHAT? Holiday Auction for Adrian Community Preschool
WHEN? Monday, November 18th
WHAT TO EXPECT? Silent Auction, Bake Sale, and Limited Live Auction
WHAT IS NEEDED? Handmade items, Quality Antiques, Event Tickets, Themed Baskets, Seasonal Baked Goods, Men’s Items, New Seasonal Items.  ((Things that cannot be accepted are used items, garage sale items and clothing))
WHAT MORE IS NEEDED? Volunteers to help set up and monitor the event
MORE DETAILS: Items are due to the church by Thursday, November 14th, baked goods due by noon on November 18^th.

Questions? 
Christine MacNaughton, 517-366-8756 or Char Wilkens, 517-507-3327

---

---

For those things happening at the church in the name of the healing related work of God:

Red Cross Blood Drive in Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, October 8 from noon-6pm
Sign up at Red Cross!

United Way Health Check in Fellowship Hall

Thursday, October 10 from 8am-noon
A variety of vaccines will be offered. Blood tests available that require a 12-hour fast, prices range from $5 -$20. Blood pressure check and other health partners onsite. FREE MEDICATION DISPOSAL – no syringes, liquids or creams.

Connection Cafe in Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, October 23 at 11:30am
Come for food, fellowship, fun and learning with people in the community. Lunch provided. Topics led by Wellwise Area on Aging.

Call ahead to reserve a seat: Amanda Marsh @ Wellwise Services 517-592-1974

---

Adult Sunday School

Seeker’s Sunday Morning Study Group

The Seekers Sunday morning study group will be discussing:  Jesus’ AlternativePlan: The Sermon on the Mount by Richard Rohr.  “When Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God, he was talking about an utterly different way of relating to human society as we know it…In this book, Richard Rohr goes through the teachings of the sermon, explaining the historical and cultural context of each verse and offering guidance for what it means for Christians today. “

Seekers meet in the lounge at 10:45 on Sunday mornings.  Below is a link for information about the study. Purchase the book on your own in whatever format you choose.  

Please let me know if you will be joining the group. I will add you to the contact list for the reading assignments.

Adult Sunday Bible Study

Join in our ongoing Adult Sunday Bible Study in room 5 on Sunday mornings after church. 

This fall, our Bible lessons follow the theme “Claiming Identity.” They unpack and explore the concept of identity by examining the life and experiences of Esther, the factors that shape our identity, and how we find and claim our identity in Christ.
The writer of the student book is Dan Dick.

---

Information on our Wednesday Dinners:
Seeking cooks to manage one meal a month.

FYI: We have worked hard to keep the cost at $5/meal and find we can no longer faithfully sustain that price. Dinners are $7/meal or $25/family. As always, no one is turned away for any reason.

Also, our very best Chef Bryan agreed to cook for us until his busy season begins in November. If you would like to help step into this blessed ministry of creating meals for a community, please contact Rev. Alice.

RSVP (for planning purposes) by calling or emailing the church office or note on your connection card. Feel free to drop by last minute.

---

The Congregational Care Team

The Congregational Care Team invites the congregation to stop by Room 5 and share some joy. There are all kinds of wonderful cards available along with a church directory and return address labels. Stop by and brighten someone else’s day or brighten your own day by giving to someone else. All you have to do is add the stamp! Thank you to all who have donated cards. 

---

October 5: Heritage District Conference

Your  Heritage District Leadership Team has put together a District Conference event that you won’t want to miss! Join us for an inspiring day of networking and idea sharing featuring Keynote Speaker, Luke Edwards, author of Becoming Church – A Trail Guide for Starting Fresh Expressions. It is our hope that clergy and laity alike will come away energized with creative new ways to extend the love of Christ in the communities they serve! 

Learn more and sign up HERE.

---

Opportunities to Give

Little Free Pantry

Drop off in the red box outside of the nursery/preschool rooms or in the office. Take what you need and add as you are able.

St Mary’s Food Pantry

At Meijer checkout, purchase a Meijer Simply Give gift card. This $10 food-only Meijer gift card is donated directly to St Mary’s. The Meijer Simply Give Program is running until the end of December to keep providing fresh produce, eggs, milk, and bread to families in need. In September, St. Mary’s helped 163 families, 456 individuals, 174 of which were children. 27 new families came for food assistance. The need is greater every day and your continued support and donations are really appreciated. They also give toiletries and provide utility assistance with shut off notices.

Current needs: Peanut butter and jelly, cereals, fresh produce, and healthy snacks. 

Share the Warmth of Lenawee

Donations of goods as well as volunteers are needed. Top needs are disinfectant, toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, printer paper, eggs, whole milk, breakfast bars, coffee/sugar/creamer, non-perishable food items, cereal, bottled water, frozen meat, Advil/Tylenol, cold/flu meds, blankets/pillows, twin size sheets, and bath towels/washcloths. Please contact Heather if you are able to help with any events at heather@stwlenawee.org or 734-625-0053.

---

Ongoing Minstries

Please check the on-line calendar (click here) for all information & current updates.

Handicrafters
6:30 pm, 2nd and 4th Mondays 

Gardening
In the Memorial Garden Tuesdays (weather permitting) at 9:30 am

Quilters
Tuesdays from 10 am-2 pm in the Lounge

Men’s Breakfast
7:00 am, first Wednesday of month at Family Kitchen

W.O.W. (Wednesdays of Wonder)
5:30-7:30 pm weekly

Prayer Gathering
10:00 am, first Thursdays in Room 3

Handbell Choir
Watch for fall details as they become available.

Little Dresses
2nd & 4th Thursdays from 1-3 pm

Pub Theology
The 4th Thursday of each month at Aubree’s @ 5:30pm. 

---

For your information

Prayer Requests

Please contact the church office with your prayer requests by phone, email or note on your connection card. Prayer requests will be shared with the congregation through the bulletins and Tidings. If the prayer request is private, please note at the time of request.

We also invite you to share your joys and celebrations. Just email the church office!

Please know that prayer is our foundation and everything we do is surrounded in prayer.

---

Next bi-weekly Tidings will be published on October 17th. Please send articles to the office by October 10th. Contact the church office at (517) 265-5689 x402 or email at adrianfumc@adrianfumc.org.

On-Line Church Calendar can be found here.

Please sign up for coffee hour hosts and flower dedications at the Welcome Center or contact the office for open dates.