Reflecting the Father's Name

Renowned actor Sidney Poitier once said, "I decided in my life that I would do nothing that did not reflect positively on my father's life." For those blessed with a father they admire and respect, such a decision can be deeply shaping. How might it influence the way you set priorities, live with integrity, or serve as a positive example to you people watching your life?

For all of us --- children of the only perfect Father---may this be our prayer and intention:

God, while earthly fathers are a blend of strenths and flaws, you give yourself to us a our heavenly Father, wholly loving, kind and deeply invested in our good.  Help me seek to reflect positively on you. May my life spread your love, kindness and care far and wide, and may others see you in me.  Amen.

Pastor Mark

Dear Church Family, Friends, and Christians:

As the Session has started a new year, the direction of the church has been a major topic. We have talked about attendance and how to bring in new people, outreach, and other topics.

The concern held by the entire group was the percentage of members attending regularly. This is not a recent thing; in fact, all churches are suffering from it. Most think bringing in new people is the answer. Experience has shown it to be ineffective, but not that we shouldn't try.

What if we change the business model? What if we can go from existing to thriving? Instead of trying to convert people, we build disciples? If we all go to God and ask what we as individuals can do, it will affect the whole.

Our church is a warm and welcoming group of worshipers. If we make attending a priority, it will show to newcomers, and they will want to be part of what is happening here. We are asking everyone to pray and listen for guidance as to the importance of God in your life. We are not trying to shame anyone or single anyone out. All we ask is for individuals to look inside of themselves and take stock of their relationship with their Lord and Savior.

The Elders are tasked with taking care of the spiritual health of the people. This is an area we all agreed on as a starting point. Any questions, comments and even criticisms are welcome. Please talk to us. We can't help if we don't know.

Sincerely,

Your Session.

Required Minimum Distribution

This year is presenting a significant financial strain1 for our church.  At the same time, many are concerned with the economy as it relates to personal finances.  It’s a great time to remind our members of a mutually beneficial contribution option for those 73 and older.

Once you turn 73, you are generally required to start withdrawing from certain retirement accounts (such as your traditional IRA, 401(k), or similar employer -sponsored retirement plans) in what is known as a required minimum distribution (RMD). If you don’t withdraw, you’ll take a significant financial hit. The IRS penalty for not taking the RMD is 25% of the amount not taken by the deadline. The deadline to take your first RMD is usually April 1, of the year after you turn 73, and December 31, each year after that. Your RMD for any year is the account balance as of the end of the prior calendar year divided by a life expectancy factor according to the IRS. Normally, a RMD is included as gross income on your tax return. However, Congress passed the Protecting Americans From Tax Hikes Act, which established the Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD). This act codified the practice of charitable giving directly from IRA accounts.  By contributing directly to the church from your IRA, you can satisfy some or all of your RMD.  This Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), is not treated as ordinary income and is exempt from income tax.  For First United Presbyterian Church members who need to manage their funds to avoid a high tax bracket on their adjusted gross income, please consider donating a portion or full amount of your RMD to the church in the form of a Qualified Charitable Distribution.  As with all tax questions, consult your tax preparer for details as they relate to your personal financial situation.

The Women’s Bible Study’s Monthly Mission Project for the month of June will be to collect gift cards to assist the Presbytery Point Camp this summer.  These money cards will be used to purchase various supplies for camp and for activities for the campers. Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated.  Cash and gift cards may be left in the designated, labeled box, in the Narthex on Sundays or in the church office during office hours M-F 9AM-1PM. 

Bible Study will resume September 16th. Have a blessed summer!

Presbytery Point needs your help!  It takes a village to make it a successful season; our church is part of that village.  We do have a wish list on Amazon, but if you would like to help in a more local way, gift cards are the best way! Cards from GFS, Walmart, Meijer, or Visa / Mastercard are the best way to go.  These gift cards will then help to purchase what we really need and reduce the stress on our volunteers to get items to camp.  Some of the things that these cards would help us purchase are items for our camp store, arts and crafts, bait for fishing, and many other items and activities. Gift cards may be dropped off at the church office, addressed to Brenda Ransom, or sent directly to the camp.  Thank you so much for supporting the camp in so many ways! It is never too early to get your campers registered and volunteers are always welcome! Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God!”

Season of Pentecost

This stained-glass artwork sits on my desk, right next to my computer monitor. It is a wild goose, surrounded by fiery orange and red swirls. I created this particular piece because I have not been able to stop thinking about the old Celtic image for the Holy Spirit: the Wild Goose.

In Celtic Christianity, the dove did not represent the Holy Spirit. Instead, they imagined the Spirit as a wild goose - untamed, loud, hard to predict. The sort of creature that does not move in straight lines or wait politely for permission.

As Pentecost approaches, I am drawn again to this image of the Holy Spirit as a Wild Goose.

In Acts itself, Pentecost does not feel especially tidy. The Spirit arrives like wind that rattles windows and fills lungs. Fire appears over ordinary people’s heads. Language spills out in ways no one planned for.

The disciples do not seem prepared so much as interrupted.

And somehow, that interruption becomes the beginning of the church.

Unpredictability can be uncomfortable for us, Presbyterians. We do love a good plan. A good agenda. A good process. And honestly, those things matter. They help us live and lead faithfully together.

But Pentecost reminds us that the church was never born from careful predictability alone. It was born when ordinary people became open enough to be carried by something larger than themselves. Open enough to speak. Open enough to listen. Open enough to follow the Holy Spirit somewhere they had not intended to go.

That is how the Wild Goose moves. Not through certainty, but in nudges, restlessness, and holy curiosity. The Wild Goose refuses domestication. It has a habit of showing up where things feel slightly unsettled. It is the sense that God is not finished with us yet.

Pentecost may be less about having the right answers and more about being open enough to be surprised by God again.

May we be open to the Wild Goose in our midst this Pentecost, leading us toward deeper courage, deeper compassion, deeper faithfulness, and deeper life. Toward communities that are becoming, slowly and imperfectly, more healthy, more bold, more centered in Christ.

One holy honk at a time.

Thanks be to God.

PW is seeking nominations for "Honorary Life Membership". Nominations must be turned in by July 1st. Please turn in your nomination to the church office in a sealed envelope addressed to Margaret Eagle.

Our "Welcome Summer" Luncheon is slated for Tuesday, June 16th at 12:00 noon in the Social Hall. All ladies are welcome. Salads and desserts (and volunteers!) are still needed. Please contact Margaret Eagle if you'd like to volunteer your time or bring a tasty salad or dessert.

Our annual rummage sale will be held on August 1st and plans are underway. Start cleaning your attics, basements, garages and cupboards of your overflow and unused items. If you are willing to help in any way, please contact Doris Boogerd at 616-901-4299.

The June 11th Circle 3 meeting will be held at Applebee's at 12:00 noon. This will be the last meeting until September 10th.

Seven graduates were recognized on Sunday, May 17th: Kamryn Corbiere, Jordyn May Roe, Skyler Joshua Vincek, Alyvia Lori, Max Bailey, Gabby Gorsuch and Colton Schmidt. Each graduate was given a gift by the church as well as by the Textile Social Group. Following service, a special cake was presented by the Christian Education Committee. Cake, cookies, punch, and coffee were enjoyed by all. Congradulations to our graduates and best wishes on all of your future endeavor's! (photo below is of graduate Kamryn with the cake donated by the Christian Education Committee.