ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF May 3, 2020

9:30AM SERVICE ON FACEBOOK LIVE:  CROSS OF CHRIST LUTHERAN, PETOSKEY MI
“Empowered by the grace of God to love, lead, and serve.”

FLU/VIRUS SEASON:  We are asking that each of us take extra care of keeping the assembly healthy!  You can do the following things for helping us with that according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control):

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or with the disinfectant for at least 20 seconds
• Hand sanitizer needs be at least 60% alcohol
• Cough into your elbow or into a tissue and then throw the tissue away.
• REST AND STAY HOME if you are sick.
• Avoid close contact with people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay at home…stay at home…stay at home

Because of the different illnesses at this time we will continue to pass the peace through word only.  Peace be with you!
 
And from your pastor:

• Read scripture, books, newspapers…watch concerts or virtual tour art museums
• Pray
• Eat
• Sleep
• Rest
• Walk or exercise in your home
• Play a game or do a puzzle
• Keep a journal or a list of things that you are thankful for
• Make a difference where you are…clean up trash, send a card, reach out beyond yourself
• Know that you are loved and this will change
• Try to do activities that will bring calmness to you life. 
• BE PATIENT with each other! 

READINGS FOR SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020
First Reading: Acts 2:42-47
Today’s reading is a description of life in the community following Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit was poured out on God’s people. The new community is sustained in worship and fellowship, shares what they have, and ensures that everyone has enough.
42[The baptized] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
 
Psalm: Psalm 23
 1The Lord is my shepherd;
  I shall not be in want.
 2The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures
  and leads me beside still waters.
 3You restore my soul, O Lord,
  and guide me along right pathways for your name’s sake.
 4Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil;
  for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 
 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
  you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
  and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:19-25
Doing the right things does not guarantee that one will not experience difficulties, hardships, rejection, or even suffering. Here Christ is presented as the model for our path of endurance and loyalty to God, particularly amid adversity.
19It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
 22“He committed no sin,
  and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Gospel: John 10:1-10
Jesus uses an image familiar to the people of his day to make a point about spiritual leadership. Those who listen to Jesus are led to abundant life.
[Jesus said:] 1“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
  7So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
 
 
BIRTHDAYS for May
May 1: Jill Ryan; May 2:  Patty Schmoldt; Mary 4: Cyndi Yingling; May 6: Bev Engel, Jeff Ebert;
May 16: Evelyn Chaveriat; May 18:  Keith Braddock; May 19: Rob Manges; May 20: Brad Backus; May 21 Jonathon Norton; May 22: Ron Morgan; May 26: Bill Drake; May 27: Kasi Meckstroth, Tricia Rodgers; May 29: Norm Cutshall and Dean Morford; May 31: Mike Smith
 
ANNIVERSARIES
May 7: David & Tricia Rodgers; May 13: Jim & Cyndi Knibbs; May 26:  Jeff & Ann Ebert
 
CHURCH OFFERINGS You can mail your offering to the church at Cross of Christ Lutheran 1450 East Mitchell St. Petoskey, Michigan 49770.  There is also a “Give” app on our facebook page for you to use as a one time giving or you can get automatic giving through VANCO and you will need to contact David Meckstroth at 231-420-4830 or email him at kdmecstroth@charter.net  Thank you for remembering the church and its ministry and mission every day!  We are so very blessed.

CHURCH RAFFLE WAS A SUCCESS!   Thank you for your time and sales ability and for purchasing your tickets as well.  The Raffle made $4,750!  That is a huge help to our general fund during this pandemic. 
 
WORSHIP BIBLE STUDY AND CLASSES THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEK
Our studies and classes will be hosted on ZOOM where we can hear and interact with everyone participating.  So join in!  ZOOM is free to join in and there will always be a link sent on our facebook page.  If you would like the link in an email, please email me at pastorsherry@sbcglobal.net and I will make sure that you get the link!  It changes each week.  Please call Pastor Sherry McGuffin for help in navigating this or if you need to talk or if you have questions, or because you want to! 
 
To get onto Facebook Live you need to be a friend of the congregation.  Since starting facebook live sermons and worship we have had an influx of neighbors and friends join us.  This is live.  I do save it so that you can go back and look and I will begin to put them under videos on our facebook page so that you can find them quickly. 
 
Children’s sermons will be found on both of our facebook pages…Cross of Christ Lutheran, Petoskey MI  in the general service. 
 
Sunday, May 3:  9:30AM service Facebook Live
Monday, May 4:  8:15AM Bible Study;
Tuesday, May 5:  Confirmation at 10AM (ZOOM)
Wednesday, May 6:  Senior High ZOOM meeting at 7PM
Thursday, May 7: Middle School ZOOM meeting 7PM
Friday, May 8:  Write someone a note from the church!
Saturday, May 9: Call someone you haven’t heard from, from the church
Sunday, May 10:  service at 9:30AM (Facebook live)
 
HOW WILL WE GATHER AGAIN? I listened to a workshop held for our synod on what we need to do to plan to come back together.  While the stay at home order is through May 15, 2020, our Bishop has asked us to evaluate and decide what is best for our site.  Our council will be working on this and will also see the video that the Bishop and his staff hosted.  It is informative and asks us good questions from how we will gather, who will gather, how will we continue church and be church?  I encourage you to watch it if you can.  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pcuM8A2RHOA&feature=youtu.be
 
PAPER PANTRY:  Due to Coronovirus 19 we are changing plans for the Paper Pantry.  We will have one Paper Pantry a month, the 2nd Thursday of the month from 5-6:30PM.  Clients will receive 2 bags so that they only need to make one trip a month.  We are trying to keep people as safe with the least amount of contact as possible.  Our volunteers wear gloves and masks and the clients drive by and receive the supplies in their mode of transportation.  So we still take donations and supplies!  And we served 36 families at our last paper pantry in April.  Please pray for everyone who is vulnerable. 
 
STILL LOOKING FOR A CHAIR TO ORGANIZE SPECIAL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD AT CROSS OF CHRIST WHEN WE GATHER AGAIN!  This ministry is now more important than ever.  We need to be present in this community when we return from self quarantine and time away from each other.  We can and will be present in ways that build up community, welcome one another and our friends and neighbors home again…like a block party for this neighborhood and all of Petoskey…a home coming perhaps!
 
MARK THE CALENDAR:  NO MEETINGS ARE BEING HELD AT THE CHURCH AT THIS TIME UNTIL THE QUARANTINE IS LIFTED.  SO WHEN WE RETURN:  When using the church building for meetings etc. please mark the day and time on the calendar, on the bulletin board by the women’s bathroom, so a reminder can be put in the announcements.  It is important for the office to have this information.
 
THE DANIEL PLAN BIBLE STUDY  Dean Tahtinen began teaching this study.  This book is wonderful to read right now and to help us focus on what it means to be children of God in this time and place when it is hard to find a new rhythm to life.  Remember to eat healthy, exercise and PRAY without ceasing!
 
GIFTS TO BE GIVEN!!! When people ask you where you give donations…tell them Cross of Christ.  We welcome all financial donations so give in honor of someone or in memory of beloved. And as you prepare for your future planning remember Cross of Christ in your giving!
 
STEWARDSHIP OF THE CHURCH:  
Ron Marshall, Tom Olsen, John Poquette and Gary Engel have been meeting to talk about the needs of our building when we gather again.  Ron Marshall has put some hard work in a proposal with this group and we look forward to hearing from them soon.
 
MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH are planning a mission event this summer.  Because of COVID 19 and taking care of our family and friends and strangers we will be staying home for mission.  This year we can help a lot around our church and neighborhoods.  We will meet and work locally this year.  Stay tuned for more information.  We appreciate everything that you do to raise funds and plan ahead.    
 
BIBLE STUDIES:  8:15AM #Metoo Bible study is not meeting but we invite you to join in reading the devotions from “The Virtuous Life (The Holiness Tradition)” in Devotional Classics edited by Richard J. Foster and James Bryan Smith.  This week we are reading Catherine of Genoa. If you would like a book, please see Pastor Sherry McGuffin-Bays or let her know and she will place it in your box.  
 
TUESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY will continue meeting once the new books have been chosen and received.  I will let everyone know what the Bible study is going to be a book by Richard Rohr Jesus’ Plan for a New World:  The Sermon on the Mount  You can buy this for Kindle or you can order it through Amazon or even through McLean and Eakin. 
 
SMALL COTTAGE MEETING LEADERS Our small cottage leaders are trying their best to keep in touch with you and then they share with pastor Sherry any prayer concerns or needs.  Please know that they are working hard to keep you in prayer as well.  Our leaders are Sommer Poquette, Melissa Hansen, Kasi Meckstroth, Bryan Young, Gordy Engdahl, Jean Smith and Svetlana Ottney, and Gary & Bev Engel.  Thank you for your leadership and checking in with our congregation! 
 
CHILDREN should be receiving a letter with activities every week from Pastor Sherry.  Please let me know if you are not receiving one.  We have been mailing out 18-20 each week and so appreciate receiving notes and pictures back!  Thank you!!!!  Please contact the office at 231-347-5448 or 231-881-1212 if you would like to receive the activities. 
 
CHILDREN’S STORIES are found on our Cross of Christ Lutheran Youth Ministry Petoskey, MI facebook page.  Each week I read a few stories that you can share with your children or just watch yourself.  I only have so many children’s books, but if you or your child would like to read one, please do so and share with our families!
 
SHARING HOPE:  Support group for anyone who has a loved one with suicidal tendencies.  Second Thursday of every month, Genesis Community Center, 1124 Northmen Drive, 6:00PM – 7:30PM, contact Wendy Kuebler 231-881-7248.
 
ANNUAL DIRECTORY are in your boxes.  We have an addition:  Merle and Arlene Good 701 Vogel St. D6 Boyne City, MI 49712  (989) 335-0712  Please add the Goods to your directory.  Thank you!
 
Julie and Ric Pierpont 2214 Elmhurst Rd  Brutus, MI 49716 (address change)
 
Jean Smith telephone number change:  231-218-1946
 
Boyd Manges email correction:  docbman1@gmail.com
 
Vicki Morgan cell phone is 231-373-7007
 
Add Aileen and Brandan Ryan, Jack and Adam 10514 Burtlake Trail Brutus Michigan 49716
 
Janelle Warnemeunde cell phone number correction:  269-838-7152
 
FINANCIALS FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2020:
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR TREASURES

Fund                   Actual Income                   What we budgeted                       Difference
General                   $11,126.82                              $9,417.15                                     $1,709.67
Benevolence            $263.00                                flow thru                                      N/A
Property                  $657.00                                  $1,345.83                                     ($688.83)
Totals                    $12,046.82                              $10,762.98                                   $1,020.84

 Fund Status Year to Date: February 2020

                                            General Fund           Property Fund
Opening Balance                                                       $400
+ income                               $27,298.89                   $2198.00
-expense                               $27,939.47                   $3712.99
Ending Balance                     ($640.58)                  ($1114.99)
Ending total balance year to date: ($2155.57)
Note that in our benevolence we have over $12,000 as a gift from Women Who Care for the Paper Pantry.!!!                                                                             

 
THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING US IN YOUR OFFERINGS.  If you need a copy of our council minutes or finances please let the church office know.  We will get those to you as soon as possible or you can call Pastor Sherry McGuffin at 231-881-1212.  We want to be as transparent as possible especially with the public.  People are looking for a place to donate that makes a difference.  Tell them about our outreach through feeding people and paper pantry.  Tell them about adopt a highway and flowers for friends.  We have a lot to offer and support and we would appreciate the blessing of offerings. 
 
PRAYER LIST
For those in the armed services:  Michael Drake, Ryan Finley, Jeremy Hamal, Douglas Dinger, Derik Dinger

• Medical field who are our first responders to the COVID -19.  Thank you!  we pray for courage and rest and wisdom and we pray that we are able to serve you in this time.
• All those who are suffering from COVID-19, their friends and family and this unknown journey.
• Gary Marshall, brother of Ron Marshall
• Michael Koch, friend of Pastor Sherry
• Amy, niece to JoAnn Wilder and Boyd Manges
• Joey, cousin of Bryan Young, at home now and healing of COVID 19
• Emmanuel Episcopal Church as they continue the call process
• John Rush
• Kathy Rusche
• Chelsea Duffiney, niece to Jean & Mike Smith
• Reb Nicholson, Pastor Sherry’s cousin
• Mandy Meckstroth
• Carrie Swadling, friend of Pam Campbell
• Mackenzie Espinoza, family of Pam Campbell
• Greg Howard, son of Ann and John Howard, for healing
• Sabine, the granddaughter of Lynn and Gordy Engdahl, for healing
• John Foltz, brother of Ann Howard
• Joe McClatchie, family of Dagny King
• Jim Popp, Jeff Popp’s father
• Dale Courtney, Kris Olsen’s sister

• Rebecca Johnson, friend of Irene Feeley
• Marcia Froelich, family of Kathy Phelps-Rusche
• Rob Sarki for healing presence
• Craig Finley and family, brother of Sue Finley
• Ruth Koski, mother of Gail Drake
• Erica Riviera, cousin of Dean Morford
• The Luke Ulrich family in Malawi.