Tidings

Tidings

What’s happening in the
life of our church

October 31, 2024


A Note from Pastor Alice

Dear beloveds,

The leaves have almost finished their cycle of life as we come to the celebration of our loved ones who have also finished the cycle of their lives on earth – All Saints Sunday. It is always a beautiful and sacred time of remembering. I hope you will all be able to join us in person as we speak again the names of our loved ones.

I celebrate with you the ministry that you have all brought to fruition in the past weeks:

  • a celebration of beginning the program year, with picnic, games and so much joy
  • a beautiful time blessing our animal companions
  • a parents’ night out that was filled with children’s energy and servant hearted helpers
  • completion of our annual charge conference work, including blessing our first Leadership Board
  • the return of the choir and the beautiful music they sing to God in our presence
  • a Red Cross blood drive and United Way HealthCheck fair
  • completing the contract for the organ repair work
  • a wildly fun Trick-or-Trunk with over 200 children received (not to mention their families)
  • incredible Wednesday dinners with healthy meals and joyful conversations

We celebrate the  many, many people who faithfully care for the lawns and gardens, the kitchen, the building, the flowers on the altar and care for our congregation and our community. You make such a difference. Thank you!

As we celebrate the abundance of the harvest and as you return your  pledge cards with your commitments of your time, talents and financial gifts to this body of Christ, we recognize the deep sacrificial giving done by so many. Regarding financial pledges, to date we have received 74 pledges, equaling $322K in commitments. God has provided all of you with much, and from your abundance you have responded to God’s invitation.

Make sure you have the Fall Harvest Dinner celebration on your calendars: November 17 at 1pm. It will be a wonderful time with Bethel AME.

Faithfully,
Rev. Alice


Service Opportunities

We have various service events this season. Please sign up by clicking on a link below or in the Welcome Center.

Altar Flowers
Coffee Hour
Quiche Project
Sunday Mornings
WOW After Dinner Activities


Stewardship 2025

You should have received a stewardship card in the mail. These cards ask you to note both your financial and service commitments for the approaching year. We invite you to give as an act of faith. Please remember that there are many ways to give: through prayer, volunteer work, or financial contributions. Your generosity truly makes a difference. 

“I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17)


Meet the Chorale Scholars!

This semester, Adrian FUMC has begun a partnership with the Adrian College Choirs.  We have hired two college students to be part of our Wesley Chorale.  We are excited to add their voices to our choir and to extend our reach further into the Adrian College community.

Hi there! My name is Mackenzie Sybert, and I’m from Ottawa Lake, Michigan! I am a senior vocal performance major at Adrian College, where I sing in the Adrian College Choir and the Women’s A Cappella ensemble. I’m also involved in Alpha Sigma Alpha and the Student Government Association on campus. After graduation in the spring, I am hoping to go to graduate school and earn a master’s in vocal performance. One fun fact about me is that I have a dog named Rosie, who I love more than anything! When I’m not singing, you can find me reading fantasy novels, going on snack runs with my friends, or enjoying a good movie. I’m so grateful for this opportunity, and I’ve loved singing with the Wesley Chorale these past few weeks!

Hi! My name is Kady Stoddard and I am a vocal performance major at Adrian College. I’m also part of the Adrian College Choir and Women’s A capella ensemble. I’m so glad to have the opportunity to sing with the Wesley Chorale and I can’t wait to continue to grow in my music while being a part of this chorale! 


Fall Harvest Dinner

Join Adrian FUMC, Bethel AME, and Adrian First Presbyterian Church on November 17 at 1PM for a harvest meal. Please bring a dish to pass!


Holiday Auction: Help Support the Adrian Community Preschool

WHAT? Holiday Auction for Adrian Community Preschool
WHEN? Monday, November 18th. Review and bid on Silent Auction 6-7pm. Live Auction 7 pm. 
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 18th.

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


Quiche Sale to Support the Outreach of our Food Ministries

The annual Adrian First Quiche Sale to support the outreach of our Food Ministries is here!! House-made Ham & Cheese, Spinach & Mushroom, and Grilled Chicken & Broccoli quiche are available for $20 each. Order forms are available on the website, Narthex, and in the church office. Orders are due by noon on Sunday November 17th. Quiche will be available to pick up at the church near door 13 to Fellowship Hall from 10:40am to noon on the following Sunday, November 24th. The quiche make great holiday breakfast or brunch meals, or great gifts. Proceeds from this sale help fund our Food Ministries – Homebound Hot and Frozen Meal Program and Share the Warmth Meals for the year.  What a delicious way to help fund an important ministry of our church. 

We are looking for volunteers to help make the quiche and assemble the quiche boxes on Friday Nov. 22nd from 4pm to 8pm, and Saturday Nov. 23rd from 8:00am to 12:30pm.

Click HERE to volunteer for the Quiche Sale.


Connection Cafe

Come meet people and enjoy food, topics, and fun!
November 25, 11:00AM–12:30PM


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 @ 6:30-6:45
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


Join our Hospitality Team!

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

“Thank you to Alice and all the various committee’s who signed up to do coffee hour while I healed from my knee accident. I called Alice from the ER when I got news I might have to be transferred to Grand Rapids for further care. I was alone and Alice was the first person I wanted to talk to. I cried, and we prayed….The Dr. came back and the CT scan didn’t find any major debris. I was really happy, till the stitches started. I especially want to thank those who prayed for and with me. I am all good now but 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.” – Marty Schoonover

Click HERE to volunteer for coffee hour. 


Adult Sunday School

Seeker’s Sunday Morning study group 

The Seekers Sunday morning study group will be discussing: Jesus’ Alternative Plan: 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.


WOW (Wednesdays of Wonder)

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. Beginning in September, the dinners will be $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.   


Ongoing Ministries

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

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

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

Quilters: Meet every Tuesday in the Lounge from 10 am – 2 pm 

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

W.O.W. (Wednesdays of Wonder): 5:30 pm – 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: Meet the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 1 – 3 pm

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

Chorale: Every Sunday at 8:15 am in Room 18


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.

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.


For your information

Prayer Requests & Updates

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 November 14. Please send articles to the office by November 12.  
Church website Adrian First UMC. Contact the church office assistant Pam Myers at (517) 265-5689 x402 or by email at adrianfumc@adrianfumc.org


On-Line Church Calendar is on the website.
Please sign up for coffee hour hosts and flower dedications at the Welcome Center or contact the office for open dates.