Pot Luck Sunday

Potluck Sunday, all the great chefs, cooks, can openners or just plain fast food orderers will meet next Sunday, June 7th for the June Potluck. Come and sit leisurely with folks from church, get to know your church family better. Dishes will be served immediately after morning service.

Bring a dish the size of your family, and some to share.

Elections

Our church is a family that is organized and coherent because we have the same goals: a Christ filled life, family ministries and fellowship. We are organized because we have a great leader in our Pastor, Mark Patchett and our elected members.
Our governing boards are not comprised of appointed positions, but are elected by the church membership. May 31, the last Sunday in May at 6p.m. elections and the local church conference will occur.
Make it a point to be there!

Crocodile Dock Vacation Bible School 2009

Just a reminder to all the parents that Vacation Bible School (V.B.S.) is coming your way and we want you to join us for an exciting bayou adventure this summer!

Where Fearless Kids Shine God's Light

V.B.S. is a time for you child to learn about God's love and goodness and how we can share that with others.

Your child will get to sing and dance to new bayou tunes that will rock your dock! They also get to become a part of the Bible stories. Plus, we have fun crafts, exciting new games and, everyone's favorite: snacks!

Each day your child will receive a"Bible Point" memory verse so that they can take the learning beyond the bayou and into their daily lives; share with others what they have learned here at V.B.S.

So, whether it is playing games, learning new memorable songs, feeling like they are part of the Bible stories, or making new friends, your child will have an unforgettable time with us at V.B.S.

Grades (2009-2010): K-6

Dates: July 27 to July 31

Times: 6:30 - 8:00

Friday is our short night. We meet for about a half hour inside with the parents and then the ice cream social to wrap things up!

Don't forget to tell your family, friends and neighbors.

Hope to see you there!

Vacation Bible School Set Up 2009

This year is a bayou theme and we welcome all the help we can get! Everything on this list is for decoration or adult use only. If you think you might be able to donate or lend 1 or more items for the week of VBS please let Alicia Russel know ASAP. Thank you for your help in advance!

* Fishing Vests (khaki cargo)
* Straw Hats (preferably Tom Sawyer style but, I will take what I can get!)
* Artificial plants
* Fishing Gear (poles, life jackets, tackle boxes, etc)
* Fishing Nets
* Wicker Fishing Creels
* Alligator, raccoon, opossum, turtle, lobster toys (Large and small)
* Lanterns - any size will do (we'll need about 6)
* Camping string lights
* Rope
* Blue sheets
*Spanish Moss
*Cardboard (All sizes but, the bigger the better)
*Oatmeal cartons
*Outdoor bug zapper

Don't Forget:
With nice weather comes garage sales, so... for all of you who enjoy the 'art' of a bargain hunting trip, here is a great opportunity to help us out!!

Pioneer Club Leader Wrap Up

Fun Food and Fellowship have always been a part of my church experience. And the Pioneer Club leader wrap up fit right into that tradition. Our joy in working with the kids from each club was highlighted during the evening's discussions.
Each leader filled out a list of questions relating to 'bests' of the year.
* Going to TK for a special day and having all the Pathfinders from 4th grade yelling 'hi' to us!
* A child's heartfelt prayer: a witness that the Lord loves the little children.
* Voyagers class was asked to bring in school supplies for EGO (International Fun Badge). One student remembered just before heading off to club. He went through his own 'supplies' and came in with a bag full of crayons, pencils and erasers.
* The 'Best Friend' pictures at them all when we took only the 6th graders.
* Watching the kids enter church each week: full of smiles and energy!
* Watching one child during opening songs and at the Sunday award ceremony.
* One leader was given a special pendant so the he would not forget that God loved him and so did the student!
* On young boy revelling in the dress up time as he wore a suit coat and tie and announced: I'm Pastor Mark!"

Absolute Fun Times
* Chariot Races in the sanctuary and Human Bowling!
* Club interaction: Friends are friends forever when teh Lord is the Lord of them.
* Voyager club was invited to their leader's house to cook. The kids were so cute at preparing the food - and they ate and ate and ate!
* The Puppet Show
* Making S'Mores and the sudden look of " I know" on their faces during discussion time.
* Each openning night during song time.

These are just a few chosen times... there were so many it was hard to pick a best!

Softball Schedule

Softball Team is having a great time! Be sure to attend their games to cheer them on and I am sure they can always use a few extra players as well!

May 18 6:10 South

June 1 6:10 North

June 8 7:10 North

June 15 7:10 South

June 22 6:10 South

June 29 7:10 North

Summer Calendar Events

We have several great events coming up this summer and kicking off after Memorial Day with the Local Church Conference on Sunday, the 31st of May at 6 PM!

Here are some more "must attend" times!

June 7th-Potluck Dinner after Morning Services!

Sunday Evening Worship Services begin in June at 6 PM

July 27-July 31 Vacation Bible School! Great time if interested in helping please contact Alicia

August 16-20 Youth Camp

Also, do not forget the Mother's Day Banquet this Friday, May 15th at 6 PM! A great time for all including the "kitchen help" in black and white! Guys, let Ron know if you can help!

Finally, we will be having a baptismal service on Sunday, May 17th at 6 PM at Windsor Woods in Wayland! Need directions? Ask Pastor, Ron or Gwen on Sunday morning or give Pastor a call!

If you have any calendar inputs please forward to dalekissinger@aol.com or simply provide a comment to this blog.

Note from the pastor

Just a reminder that on May 17th we will be having baptism servies at the Wayland Pool in the evening at 6:oo p.m. In addition we will be accepting new members into the congregation in the month of June. Thank You. Pastor.

Extraordinary Women Conference: Fall Schedule

Free to be Real "The Lord and the Spirit are one and the same, and the Lord's Spirit sets us free."

II Corinthians 3:17

This year's Extraordinary Women tour is about getting real with who you are in Christ so you can live the extraordinary, authentic life God dreams for you. No checklists. No false guilt. Just you, God and tens of thousands of women joining together to face your struggles, find your strengths, and grow in Him. Together we can encourage each other through His Spirit to be the women God has called us to be.
Join fabulous speakers, artists, authors and tens of thousands of women in 2009 for insightful messages, inspiring worship, and authentic life. Because living God's dream is about your heart being free - Free to be Real.
Blessings,
Julie
President of Extraordinary Women

Fall 2009 Conference Schedule
October 2-3 2009
Fort Wayne, IN
Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Super Early Bird Special through 7/10/2009 Individual tickets: $49/ Groups of 10+: $49
Early Bird Special through 8/28/2009 Individual tickets: $59/ Groups of 10+: $49
October 9-10 2009
Ypsilanti, MI
EMU Convocation Center
Super Early Bird Special through 7/17/2009 Individual tickets: $49/ Groups of 10+: $49
Early Bird Special through 9/4/2009 Individual tickets: $59/ Groups of 10+: $49
All group orders of 10 or more receive 1 free registration!
Here is how to register...
Online: www.ewomen.net
Phone: 1-800-526-8673

May Events

May 3 Sunday Pioneer Club Awards during morning service
May 9 Saturday Pioneer Club End of Year Barbecue 5 PM
May 15 Friday Mother Daughter Banquet
May 17 Sunday Baptismal Service
May 26-30 Spring Clean Up Week

Weather Warning Policy

Church policy for bad weather is:

Services will be canceled if National Weather Service has issued a Weather Warning. It will then be broadcast on WOOD TV8.

Pioneer Club Brings out the "Kid" in Everyone

Wednesday night will soon be here. It is a highlight of our week. Some look at it as hump day - half way in between weekends. Dale and I look at it as 'time to smile and laugh out loud! We lead the 3rd and 4th graders at Middleville Wesleyan Church. We range from 12 to 16 'clubbers' each week. Third and fourth grade young people do not like to sit still. They do not like to have a lesson plan read to them. They LIKE interaction. They LOVE participation. They ARE fantastic.

Our children come from as many different backgrounds and home life situations as can be imagined - in Club life is good. In club, we all listen. In club, we play games, and pray and sing and KNOW that God loves us individually. We also have a responsibility to God to listen to and interact with our families. There are no accidents or 'whoops' with God. He knows, and cares.

Thank you for sending your children to us each Wednesday. It would be a quiet night without them!

Misunderstood Parents

Misunderstood Parents

You thought you were happily smiling at your child from a hard stadium seat or a hot packed auditorium.
But your child looked at your face and saw approval of him and joy in what he was doing.

You thought that you were just patting him on the back or on the head, or just ruffling his hair.
But your child cherished the warm loving touch and his heart was brightened.

You thought you were reading a bedtime story with all the funny and scary voices.
But your child enjoyed the fact you read every word even though he had heard them a hundred times before.

You thought you were letting your child help paint the house even though the paint got kind of runny and drippy in places.
But your child knew that you were working together as a family and felt a sense of accomplishment as a family.

You thought you were singing silly songs or counting the cows on a long boring trip.
But your child learned that it was fun being together no matter where you were.

You thought you were spending a few minutes of your time by throwing a ball in the back yard or baking some cookies.
But your child, who realized that your time is precious, knew you were investing it in him.

You thought that you asked your child's opinion about something that wasn't too important.
But your child thought you asked because his opinions and thoughts were important.
You thought you were being a good host by inviting your child's friends in for a cool snack on a warm summer day.

But your child knew that his friends were important to you and always welcome in your home.
You thought the tears in you eyes went unnoticed when your child accomplished an important goal in his life.
But your child knew that he was deeply embedded in your heart and you sensed his accomplishment.

You thought that the refrigerator was as good of a place as any for hanging all the art work and "well done" papers that came home from school.
But your child felt important when he came home from school each day with something to show you and tack up in his personal hall of fame.

You thought you gave your child some simple chore or job to do and told him, "Well done," with a smile when he did it.
But your child learned responsibility and began to realize he could tackle even tougher things.

You thought you were helping a troubled restless child get some sleep by fixing a cup of hot cocoa.
But your child felt that you were opening your heart around a kitchen table and making all the problems a lot smaller.

You thought the vacation wasn't much of a success because the fish didn't bite and the sun didn't shine.
But your child still remembers everything that happened and he still laughs at all of the funny parts.

You thought you were just pointing out the words in the church hymn book with your child's finger as he tried to sing along.
But your child learned that singing praises to God in worship was important.

You thought you were just giving him a quick hug at a special moment or "just because."
But your child carried it with him for a long time, because what you really said was, "I'm proud of you!", or "I love you!"

You thought you were just giving him a little kiss on the cheek to tell him good bye as he left for school.
But your child felt warm and loved because he knew there would be another one waiting for him when he got home.

Come to think of it, there are a lot of times when parents really are misunderstood!

April 2009 Calendar of Events

April 29 - Last Pioneer Club of the season