August 14, 2015

Norm’s Notes 

Linda and I attended our niece’s “cowgirl” wedding in Michigan last Saturday. Her dad suddenly passed away last December. He “collected” Allis Chalmers tractors – they are orange. Everything at the wedding was done in orange and white. Just beautiful!! The bridesmaids dressed in orange dresses and cowboy boots and the guys wore blue jeans and cowboy boots. The ceremony was outside at her grandpa’s farm (my brother). The reception was under a huge tent where the tablecloths were orange and white. She married a John Deere type guy.
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“Mingle, Muffins, and More” has been one of the best new ideas we have done in a long time. I have connected with people I never knew and reconnected with others. Section 6 of the sanctuary is this Sunday. If you missed M-M-M when your section was doing it, come to this one. This idea may be repeated again next year.
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In the creating small groups category, I had a new attender who wanted to connect with others. She is early 30’s, husband around 40, and two kids under 5. I asked the secretary to do a search of our church database for other families like this and found two other families – regular attenders of FMC. So we created a new small group of these three families. Here is the God sighting in this – the new family already knew one of the FMC regular attenders, their kids play soccer together and the men went to college together for two years. And the two regular attenders knew each other because two years ago one of them was a new attender and the other invited them over for dinner their first Sunday here. This will be a good small group. 
 
I am always looking for leaders of small groups – all ages of leaders. After prayer, contact me if you feel lead to lead a small group.

 

It’s great to be your Caring Pastor. See you Sunday!
Pastor Norm  
 Caring Pastor 
 
Odds and Ends From Here and There…
Linda and I had breakfast a few weeks ago with a couple whose job is leading teams of recruiters for teaching jobs overseas. They are responsible for finding 700 teachers for overseas schools. Very interesting to talk to them. They attend FMC in the few weeks they are in the States in the summer.

 

The TV station 12.3 antenna TV reaches out to Muslims all over the world. It originates from eastern Michigan and is run by Missionary Church pastors. Check it out:ABNSAT.com 

 

Have you wondered, like me, who they are polling that they show Donald Trump ahead in the presidential race? Not any normal person I know!

 

I met a family moving back to the area from Detroit because they want to raise their kids in a small town. They did not attend FMC before moving to Detroit but will be now.

 

There is a person who comes to church early each week and gets their coffee and donuts then sits in the coffee area and watches everyone come in through the front doors and prays for each one as they enter the church.
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ChristianCinema to find a good movie.
Small Groups at FMC. Join a small group.
 
 
Trip with Linda
Saturday, October 17 to Frankenmuth, Michigan.
Travel in comfort on a Cardinal bus. Cost is $45. Sign up and pay at the Connection Center by September 16. You must pay when you sign up.
Leave FMC at 6:45 a.m.
Return at 9:00 p.m.
This trip is filling up fast (only 9 spots left as of today)
 
 
A New(er) Car…
Our partner in ministry in Israel needs a newer car. The fund for this is at about $10,000 of the $25,000 needed. Thank you for your gifts to this fund. 
 
 
Observations around the church…
When little Braelyn Bonner, Ryan and Jessica’s 9 month old daughter, sits in her carrier, she holds on to the side handles like she is hanging on for dear life. She is so cute.

 

A dad and his 2 year old daughter were sitting in the foyer eating donuts together. The daughter wiped her sticky hands on dad’s blue jeans and he didn’t stop her. He is a good parent.

 

The new paint and decor in the Children’s Assembly Area is really sharp. Stop by and take a look.