The Open Door

P. O. Box P. 926 - 989.831.5240 The Open Door The Open Door is published monthly Stanton, MI 48888 by the First Congregational Church of Stanton Stephanie Herzog, Editor June 2017 305 North305 Camburn Street The Congregational First Church of Stanton Howdy y’all and happy summer! I love summer time with the warmer weather and From the desk of Pastor Jamey the slower pace of life. I can be outside more and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. But even in the summer, Can I Get An “Amen?” God is working and moving and arranging His plans to I have become fond of reading old books. There’s something comforting I feel when King bring glory to Himself and to draw His people to Him. Solomon’s statement “nothing new under the sun” rings true from the dank pages and was written by a long-past pastor or theologian. In a strange way, it feels like I’m building relationships with I would like to encourage you to join one of our small groups this dead people. I look forward to meeting them in person one day to say, “Thank you for a ministry summer or even host one yourself. that persisted even to one who was yet unborn on the day of your interment. You have blessed lives beyond your own and mine is one of them.” I hope that ends up being true of my own ministry, as well. This summer, the ladies small group will take a short break before beginning their next study - see Julie Terry for more details. In 1894, Jonas O. Peck published a book entitled, The Revival and the Pastor. He writes, The Wednesday ladies’ prayer group and the Saturday men’s group will continue to meet - see Beverly Nichols and Tom Burge for details there. What mountains are to a landscape, great revivals are to the kingdom of God on earth. Such were the reformations and revivals under Luther, Wesley, Whitefield, They are both doing a wonderful job, and I know they would love it if Edwards, the Tennents, Nettleton, and Finney. It was a changed world after their you joined them. lives and labors. There were new inspirations and outlooks in human society. The Thursday 1 p.m. group will be starting a new series soon. Come join There was an upward trend in morals; there was more religion in the world; there them for fellowship, fun, and a time of great Bible study. was purer social life; there was greater stimulation to intellectual growth; there was Plus, we are still interested in starting a group this summer for couples with a sweeter domestic life; there was reformation in the manifold relations of man, and in the thousands on thousands there was aspiration awakened for the highest kids - see Kim Simpson or Stephanie Herzog for more details. and noblest attainments of character. All this unspeakable good, and much that is Also, we have the small group for young adults on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m., not even hinted, resulted from these great revivals (p. 18). come find out what that is all about! I think it’s time for some new mountain vistas on Stanton’s landscape. Our community would benefit from “an upward trend in morals,” “more religion” in the county, “a purer social Jesus said - “I have come that they might have life, and have it more life,” and so on. However, before starting in on the way the world is “going to hell in a abundantly.” handbasket,” the honest curmudgeon must look in the mirror. After all, some of Jesus’ closest followers were in the crowd that day on the mountain when he asked, “Why do you look for the Proverbs 27:17 - Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. speck in your neighbor’s eye while ignoring the log sticking out of your own eye” (Matthew 7)? I Joining a small group is one of the best ways you can experience abundant life, think it’s time for some new vistas out my window and yours, too. find help and encouragement for your journey, and share in the love of Christ. If we’re going to see a moving of God’s Spirit among us, we must first look for the Spirit to move within us. Stimulation of one’s intellectual growth does not stop after formal education That they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ ~ Colossians 2:2 ends. Informal education is something we would all do well to continue. And, renewed attainments of noble character don’t just appear, they are first longed for in the heart of the Pastor Mark individual, then the church community, then the wider community. In other words, as the church goes, so goes the town; as the Christian goes, so goes the church. Continued on next page Pastor Jamey’s article continued… The Flavor of Kindness As we begin the life of David I beg you . please, please, please do not let this sermon series be a mere exercise in informational exchange. More than learning data about David the man, learn the ways of David the man-after-God’s-own-heart. Don’t permit the time spent examining his biography deter you from the most valuable lesson of adopting his spiritual passion. What I’m talking about is the Talking to God difference between information and transformation. Invite God to take the information (facts and trivia) and translate them into formulas for your own transformation (spiritual growth). Let’s look to Thank God for giving you the ability to speak. Ask Him to God together for renewal of heart and mind that is in keeping with the great revivals. Let’s aim toward show you how to use your words carefully. our own revival. Begin personally, then pray for the fire of the Holy Spirit to spread across FCC and the surrounding community. I pray that this flock under my care be not conformed to the world, but transformed by the renewing of your minds (Rom. 12:2). Let’s look to God together for this Diving In reformation blessing across Stanton, but let’s begin by allowing Him free reign over FCC as a Have each family member write down six words on a piece of paper: three kind community and each one of us individually. words and three unkind words. Don’t share your lists just yet. Fill two bowls with snacks. One bowl should have a sweet snack (candy-coated chocolate) and the other Many thanks from the With the new season bowl a sour snack (lemon burst). Then, have each family member take a turn Trustees, to all of those who reading a word from his list. The others have to guess if it is a kind (sweet) or approaching, the choir unkind (sour) word. When guessed correctly, everyone gets a candy-coated stayed after service on May 7 is preparing to take chocolate or lemon burst to “taste” the word. and helped clean up the their summer hiatus. church. Your assistance was If you would be Going Deeper so appreciated and interested and willing to provide a The words you use make a difference. Words can be sour, or they can be sweet. the church looks so Sunday’s special music presentation, They can hurt feelings, or they can repair relationships. Words can build people up much nicer for your please contact Stephanie Herzog. or tear people down. Because your words are powerful, you need to choose them efforts. carefully. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, the apostle Paul urges believers to “encourage Special music opportunities are one another and build each other up.” When you choose kind words, you’re giving available all summer. others a taste of God’s kindness, and that brings Him honor. Talking to Each Other Operation Christmas Child • Is it easier for you to think of kind or unkind words? Why? June’s donation items are: small toys, stuffed animals, • How does sharing kind words make you feel? How does receiving kind words make you feel? and balls. Donations may be left in the OCC box on the • What are some things you can do this week to table in the entryway. replace unkind words with kind words? —Bridgette Booth First Congregational Church of Stanton Honors 2017 Graduates Taylor Carey, graduated from Central High School, Traverse City, MI. Her par- Breanna Merritt, graduating from Central Montcalm High School. Future plans ents are Brandon and Michelle Cary and great grandmother is Janet Brundage. are undecided, but she has interests in the architectural field. Her parents are Chad Merritt, (Michelle Damaska), Angie Brooks. Grandparents are John and Car- Katie Clemenshaw, graduated from Lowell High School. She is attending Grand ol Bookwalter. Rapids Community College. Her future plans have not been determined. She is the daughter of David and Dohna Clemenshaw and granddaughter of Roger and Brookelyn Miller, graduating from Central Montcalm High School. Attending Cen- Deborah Hinton. tral Michigan University to study athletic training. Her parents are Michelle Damaska, (Chad Merritt), Dale Miller. Grandparents are John and Carol Bookwal- Brennan DeRaad, graduated from Ferris State Univerisity with a bachelor of ter. science degree in Welding Engineering Technology. He will be working in Battle Creek. He is the son of Jeri Ritter and grandson of Dooder and Mitchell Nichols, student at Central Montcalm High School. Plans to finish col- Sharon Ritter. lege studies at Central Montcalm and pursue studies in accounting at a four-year college. His parents are Jamey and Michelle Nichols and grandparents are Jerry Devin Fike, graduating from Greenville High School.

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