Caro United Methodist Church

Good News From the Hilltop - March 2010

Notes from Pastor Jerry

As we move through Lent we will continue our focus on prayer not only in the Sunday services, but also in several other events in the weeks ahead. Our district has assembled several prayer labyrinths and made them available to local churches. Prayer labyrinths appear in the floors of many European cathedrals. The labyrinths were often used as a means to meditate, pray, and connect with God and Jesus who is "the Way, the truth, and the life." Labyrinths are most often circular paths upon which a "pilgrim" makes their way to the center. We will be borrowing one of the district prayer labyrinths on the weekend of March 20-21. You will find it set up in, the Fellowship Hall and l hope that you will take time to walk it and experience a new form of prayer.

We are hosting the Caro Prayer Room on the evening of March 26th. The Prayer Room will be located in our chapel and will be open from 8 p.m. on Friday evening until 2 a.m. Saturday morning. During those hours there will be time to pray and hear various persons share music as a guide for prayer. Then during Holy Week we are making plans for another opportunity for prayer -- a Taize Prayer Service. Taize services are built around music, scripture, a guided mediation on what is read, and silent prayer. The Taize service will be held in the chapel also and the time will be announced by way of the weekly Newsflyer in the bulletin when all the arrangements are finalized.

We also have a Lenten Event scheduled for Tuesday, March 9, during which we will hear from Rev. Mark Miller who was part of the mission team from our conference that was in Haiti at the time of the earthquake that brought so much devastation and loss of rife. The Mission Committee will serve a meal at 5:30 p.m. and Mark will speak at 7 p.m.

Elsewhere in this issue of the Hilltop you will also find announcements of a Saturday Lunch that our youth will serve at the Cass Community Center in Detroit on March 6th. There is also a Soup and Sandwich Lunch that the UM Men will host following worship on Sunday, March 14th. And our choir has been preparing for a Lenten Cantata that will be the center of the 11 a.m. service on Palm Sunday, March 28th.

As we move through the remaining days of Lent, may it be a time for us to draw closer to God who is continually seeking to draw close to us.

Jerry

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Worship Opportunities in March 2010

March 7 - 3rd Sunday in Lent, Communion
8:30 AM and 11 AM Worship - Sunday School for all ages 9:30 AM
Luke 13:1-9; Psalm 22:1-11 - Message: "Prayer Grammar"

March 14 - 4th Sunday in Lent
8:30 AM and 11 AM Worship - Sunday School for all ages 9:30 AM
2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3,11-32 -  Ray Karr, preaching

March 21 - 5th Sunday in Lent
8:30 AM and 11 AM Worship - Sunday School for all ages 9:30 AM
One Great Hour of Sharing, Prayer Labyrinth
Psalm 126; Matthew 26:36-46 Message:  "On Going Round and Round"

March 28 - Palm Sunday
8:30 AM and 11 AM Worship - Sunday School for all ages 9:30 AM
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Luke 19:28-40 Message: "When the Shepherd Became a Lamb" 8:30 am.
"Journey to the Cross" Lenten Cantata, 11 a.m.

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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS

Arriving Soon!

"Finance From a Christian Perspective"

When: Sunday March 7 at 9:30 AM

Where: In the Chapel

Hope to see you there!

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Youth Fellowship

UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS FOR MARCH

March 5 -  Preparation for Cass Community Center in Detroit

March 6 - Cass Community Center in Detroit

March 7 - 6-8 p.m. Youth Group - Sunrise Service / Breakfast planning

March 13 - 9 a.m. Make St. Patrick's bay cookies

March 14 - Sell St. Patrick's bay cookies after each worship service

March 21 - 6-8 p.m. Youth Group - Sunrise Service practice

Reminder; Easter - April 4 - Sunrise Service at 7:00 a.m. and Breakfast at 7:45 a.m.

For more information, call Jane McCracken.

Download - Youth Waiver & Medical Authorization Form

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Special Announcements

THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU

To all you cookie bakers, packers, and contributors to our Love Boxes sent to college students and military. You came through with flying colors! Also much appreciation to those who gave money for postage. Hope you had a Happy Valentine's Day!

Ron Laeder, Higher Education Coordinator

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HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

SUNDAY, MARCH 28 - PALM SUNDAY
11 a.m. - Cantata by our Chancel Choir "Journey to the Cross"
Palm branches for everyone!

THURSDAY, APRIL 1 - 7 P.M.
SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION
Sometimes called Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday, service is a remembrance of The Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples in "the upper room."

FRIDAY, APRIL 2 - COMMUNITY GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE Time and Place TBA

SUNDAY, APRIL 4 EASTER SUNDAY CELEBRATION
7 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service led by Youth
7:45 a.m.    Easter Breakfast sponsored by Youth 8:30 &11 a.m. Easter Celebration Services

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The LOGOS MINISTRY - Transforming lives and Congregations

The LOGOS Leadership Team met on Thursday, February 11 and continued to plan for this new weekly, after school ministry to begin in September. The team is excited about this opportunity for our church and community, but we know that a program is only as good as the people who commit to being part of it. You may be thinking about giving some of your time to this ministry, so we wanted to let you know what areas will need adults who are willing to nurture Christian relationships with the children and youth who participate.

Bible Study: The goal of Bible Study is to nurture children into intelligent, obedient, and Biblically-informed disciples. Teachers will be needed for each of the grade levels or spans to work with small groups of children or youth. The Bible will be learned in the context of loving relationships that mark authentic Christian community.

ReCreation: The goal of ReCreation is for the children to experience great fun at the expense of no one else. Adults are needed to facilitate games and activities that show respect for the worth, dignity, and preciousness of one another.

Worship Skills: The goal of Worship Skills is to develop responsibility for and practice in worship skills, because worship is our primary service to God as disciples. Adults are needed to work with the children to encourage, prepare, and equip them to participate in the congregational worship experience. This may be done through song, bells, puppets, speaking, drama, or dance.

Family Time: The goal of Family Time is to provide a joyous, cross-generational celebration over a shared meal as we experience being in the family of God. Family Time will require adults who can prepare the celebration space, prepare meals, or provide relationship building as a Table Parent.

Look for an opportunity to sign up to be part of this unique and caring ministry soon. The Leadership Team will meet again on Thursday, March 4 at 6:30 in the Parlor. All interested persons are welcome to join us.

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VISITING OUR SHUT-INS

Members of our church family who are unable to attend church may feel left out, lonely and forgotten. They are so grateful for visits from members of our congregation. Those of you who visit our shut-ins or facility-bound members are such a wonderful blessing to their lives. We thank you so much for being a part of the outreach ministry of our church.

To assist Pastors Jerry and Ray, we need to keep track of which members are receiving visits, and which ones are not, so that we can assign a person to become their visitor and call on them regularly.

If you know of a person who is home-bound or facility-bound and is not receiving visits from a member of our church, we need to have you report this to us so that we can correct the situation.

We have posted a list of the people who are shut-ins in the hallway outside Donna's office, near the drinking fountain. If you are visiting someone, please write your name or initials next to the names of the people you are visiting. This will help us to make sure that all of our shut-ins are receiving regular visits from the congregation.

God bless all of you who visit our shut-ins! Thank you for being a part of this ministry!

Anita and Chuck Hollen

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December 31,2009

Caro United Methodist Church
670 Gilford Road
Caro, MI 48723

Dear Friends in Mission

Thank you for your gift in support of the following UMCOR projects:
Project #    Project Name                               Country/State          Amount
982810       Church World Service, Blankets        Global                          $482.00
999895       Undesignated - UMCOR                    Global                             $25.00

Because you gave, UMCOR is able to "Be There" and "Be Hope" on your behalf. UMCOR programs provide food for the hungry, help farmers grow plentiful and nutritious food, and support people left destitute by natural disasters and war. Your gifts go a long way to bring healing and hope to people in need. We give thanks for your generosity.

You can find out more about UMCOR's work by visiting our website at http://www.umcor.org. To receive weekly updates about UMCOR's work, sign up on our website for the UMCOR Hotline, a weekly email about the latest happenings at UNiCOR.

Please let us know if you have questions and/or concerns, as we welcome the opportunity to speak with you. The Gift Processing Unit can be reached at 212-870-3611. To learn more about The Advance, please visit http://www.advancinghope.org.

This gift will bring hope to those who need it most. Grace and Peace,


Roland Fernandes                                                Shawn Bakker
General Treasurer                                                Associate General Secretary
United Methodist Committee on Relief                  The Advance

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If you have a change of address, phone number, etc., would you please let the church office know so we can keep our records up-to-date. Thank you.

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The Good Samaritan Fund

From The Good Samaritan Fund
Of the Caro Area Churches
~ Assembly of God ~ Caro United Methodist ~ Colwood United Brethren ~ Community of Christ ~
~ First Presbyterian ~ Kingston United Methodist ~ Lighthouse Baptist ~ Living Waters Chapel ~
~ New Creation Community ~ Restoration Outreach ~ Caro Sacred Heart ~
~ Shabbona United Methodist ~ St. Paul Lutheran ~ Wahjamega Country ~

Report for January 1, 2010 through January 31, 2010

We want to thank everyone for their continued support. It means so much to the people and families being served. Your dollars and donated food items helped many in need. We dispersed a total of $1232.08 plus 2198 pounds of food, serving a total of 53 households (166 persons)!

Thanks once more for your generosity!

Total number of households served 53. Total number of people served 166 (Men 60 Women 55 Children 51). Total money dispersed $1232.08 (Gasoline Cards - $20.00) (Housing - $Zero)
(Medical Supplies - $Zero) (Utilities - $704.37) (Other Items - $507.71). Total of 2198 pounds of groceries given out.

~Income & Expense Report~

Total Deposits $6122.02 Total Expenses $42.58 (CenturyLink for phone service - $42.58)

Reported by Bernard Kreh

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THANK YOU, SYMPATHY AND CONGRATULATIONS

- Dear Pastor Jerry and Ray Karr: Thank you so much for your wonderful visits during my knee surgery and rehab. It always helps to pass the time visiting,  with friends. My two new knees are starting to behave themselves and my - progress daily is amazing. I also wanted to thank the congregation for their numerous cards and concerns. I am truly blessed to have such a caring church family. Warmly, Nicki Williams

- Dear Caro United Methodist Church Family: Thank you so much for the package of goodies for Valentine's Day! It is always nice to know that you are thinking of me. Between college, homework and work, I keep myself pretty busy these days! Again, thank you for the Valentine's treats! Kaleigh Stoddard

- Dear Church Family: Thank you for the Valentine's Love Box. It is great to know that you're still thinking about me even as I move onto college. Hope all is going well in the church. Sincerely, Chris Timmins

- To My Church Family: Thanks so much for the Valentine's Box! It was very much needed, just the week before exams. My roomies and I loved all the wonderful cookies, such a nice break from the cafeteria! Thanks again, Jess Timmins

- Dear Church Family: I just wanted to say thank you so much for the Valentine's Box you sent me! It was so nice and thoughtful and tasty too! I really appreciate you guys thinking of me, and thanks for adding some more happiness to my day! Thanks so much, lots of love, Dayna Roe

- Note from Dick and Sandra Partlo: "Dan and Lori have a baby girl, Julia Faith Miller. We are so excited for them. Fourteen years is long enough. Thanks be to God."

- We received an e-mail from Jean Brack Hudson, Reid Brack's daughter, that Reid was 95 years old on February 18. He has moved rooms and is on the 2nd floor, Rm. 203, of Masonic Pathways Health Center, 1200 Wright Ave., Alma, MI 48801. He is doing well and actually went off hospice in September. He is in good spirits and always enjoys visits.

- Congratulations to Kathy Karpovich and Paul Gwizdala on their marriage here on Saturday, February 13.

- Congratulations to Andy and Renee Jarvis of Holt, MI, on the birth of a son, Zachary Andrew, on February 8, weighing 6 Ibs.14 oz. Zachary is welcomed home by big sisters Becca and Allie. Proud grandparents are Bud and Mary Beth Jarvis.

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OUR MINISTRY TEAM

Ministers: Our 425 Members
Pastor: Jerry Smith
Pastoral Asst: Ray Karr
Administrative Asst: Donna Pouliot
Organist: Nancy Reim
Choir Director: Brenda Stein
Custodians: Jo Emery & Gary Corkins
Treasurer: Ronda Timmins
Financial Secretary: Barbara Gaul
District Superintendent: Louise Ott
Bishop of Michigan Area: Jonathan D. Keaton
Our Covenant Districts in Liberia:
Cape Palmas (D.S.: H. Nyenorsee Hinneh),
Garraway (D.S.: Robert Sieh, Sr.),
Kru Coast (D.S.: Zachariah K. Sweh)
Our Covenant with Haiti: Rev. Raphael Dessieu, President of Methodist Church of Haiti Bishop of Liberia UMC: John Innis
Missionaries in Liberia: Herbert & Mary Zigbuo

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