JUNE FIRST
PRESS
Our Vision
We are a regional congregation dedicated to developing followers
of Jesus Christ who experience the joy of God's love moving through
their lives every day.
A Message From Pastor Jan
June is coming fast and it is coming with a whole
lot of thrill and excitement. Graduations abound. Announcements
are out. Senior pictures are being passed around. Weddings flourish
in the month of June. Reception halls are booming. Gowns and tuxes
are being fitted. Outings for anniversaries and family reunions
are being planned. Celebrations for the end of spring and the
beginning of summer are plenty. Some sports organizations are
finishing up their seasons and dance studios are having recitals.
Picnics and vacations are in preparation mode. It is a special
time of year when accomplishments are acknowledged and joy resides
in the celebrants. Fresh air, sunshine and new freedom awaits.
Along with the festivities there is something new happening. There
is a transition that lurks in the background of all the celebrations.
After the balloons are popped, the cake eaten and the decorations
taken down, a realization will hit-something has passed, something
is over, something is no more. Now there is a wide open space
in front for the next move.
It is sobering to think that grief is present in and around all
the fun and excitement of June activities. Gone will be the familiar.
Gone will be the comfortable things. Gone will be the security
we take for granted. Good, bad or indifferent, there is a grief
process that comes with every transition. One must say good-bye
to the old and embrace the new. It's like standing with one arm
being pulled in one direction and the other arm pulled the other
way.
Henri Bergson has said, "To exist is to change; to change
is to mature; to mature is to create oneself endlessly."
Change is inevitable. But change also creates an opportunity to
grow and mature. Graduation moves us to higher learning or mastery
of a skill. Marriage opens up a world of interaction and commitment
to another individual. The season end of a particular sport or
dance activity gives free time to develop a new creative outlet.
Change comes and goes, and even good changes like graduations
and weddings produce a level of stress and anxiety. Fear sometimes
accompanies transition. It works its way into our future because
we haven't been there yet. Fear helps to develop the negatives
that inhibit forward movement. Fear has been described this way:
"false expectation appearing real." One needs a constant
to ride the waves of transition and change.
Looking to God, our constant, rather than to ourselves, we find
God's answer for transition. We read in Psalm 37: "Our steps
are made firm by the Lord……..though we stumble, we shall
not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by his hand." Besides
being in God's thoughts and in God's hands, Jesus assures us that
we are not to be afraid. Let's enjoy the fruits of our labors.
Let's boldly look back and bravely look ahead. Whatever mode of
transition we may find ourselves to be in this June, remember,
we can be sure that God has gone ahead to smooth out our path,
to light our way and to call us into the future.
In Christ,
Janice
What's Happening in June
Sunday Worship
Traditional 10:00 a.m.
Contemporary 11:30 a.m.
Blood Drive
June 10, 2:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Festival of Health
Tuesday, June 15
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Father's Day
Sunday, June 20
Communion
June 27
10:00 & 11:30 a.m.
Monthly Readings
Have you been reading through the Bible this year? June is a great
month to sit outside and read through these books: 2 Kings, 1
& 2 Chronicles, Psalms 126-150, Philippians, Colossians, and
1 & 2 Thessalonians.
Blood Drive
The Blood Drive is Thursday, June 10, 2:00-8:00 p.m. A pint given
helps in up to three needed situations. Please consider how you
can be part of this life giving event. Call Diane Wallis to help
or for an appointment.
Festival of Health
The Health Fair Fiesta will be held on June 15. Last year was
a great success and was a help to many people. We expect a great
turnout as we again celebrate with a fiesta theme. We can use
volunteers to assist at the various stations, and would appreciate
any time you can give. Contact Julie Ogg or Jan Stephens.
Letters for Children
.The Letter Writing Campaign to our World Vision Children has
been a great success. Some of the students have sent letters to
us in response to the friendly notes received. We have another
opportunity to open up a portion of the world to these students
by writing about our lives and the area we live in. You can participate
on Sunday, June 27 at 11:10. Come and compose a letter of interest,
care and encouragement to a child. Materials will be provided.
Wedding Vow Renewal
We are planning to celebrate the institution of marriage by having
a service of renewal of wedding vows on Sweetest Day, Saturday,
October 16. This will be a gala event beginning with the service
at the church followed by a reception with light refreshments
at the Lafayette Grand. There will be a photographer, DJ, and
flowers for the brides and grooms. If you participate you will
be given special invitations to send to your friends. The congregation
will also be invited to attend. We will need an early estimate
of the number of people who will be participating, so please talk
it over with your loved one, put it on your calendar, and contact
the church office.
Presbyterian Women
The next meeting of the FPC Presbyterian Women will be a potluck
at the home of Nancy Duffield on Friday, July16 at 11:00 a.m.
All Women of the church are cordially invited.
The Synod wide Gathering of Presbyterian Women will take place
at Dearborn Presbyterian Church, June 25-27. For details, see
Nancy Duffield or check online at: www.pwsoc.org.
Road Work
Work is being done on the sidewalk of Wayne Street during the
month of June. If the ends of the street are blocked off, please
enter the parking lot from Warren Ave. off Saginaw or use the
Oakland Press parking lot to the west of the church.
Seeing God's Love in Action
We have noticed God's love flowing in the following
ways recently:
Each week Carolyn Thibideau, Steve Keith, Gloria Lacy, and the
Chancel Choir, Heritage Ringers, Prayze Band, and Youth Choir
express their love of the Lord and our congregation by making
wonderful contributions to our worship.
Marybeth Todd, the Evangelism Committee and volunteers showed
great love as they planned and hosted the tremendous Tropical
Tea Party in May.
The Member Care Committee organized a fun game night in May. All
who attended felt the warmth of good fellowship.
Opportunities to Put God's Love into Action
Would you like to contribute to someone's health
or even save a life? By participating in the Blood Drive or the
Festival of Health this month you can show God's love to strangers.
See page 2 for details.
Habitat for Humanity's annual Blitz Build will be June 21-26 and
July 12-17. You can help provide a new home to a deserving family
by volunteering on one of those days. First Presbyterian preferred
dates are June 25 and 26. Sign up online (habitatoakland.org)
or by phone, 248-338-1843.
Auburn Hills has a program of matching volunteers with seniors
who need minor home repairs. Contact Deacon Joyce Raczka or the
church office for more information.
The choirs need someone to learn the recording system and run
it on some Sunday mornings to record the anthems, solos or other
music. If you would be willing to do this, please speak to Carolyn
Thibideau.
June Music
6 "Sweet, Sweet
Spirit", Doris Akers
Offertory Solo: "Dear
Jesus", Daniel G. Rath
13 "Precious Lord,
Take My Hand",
George N. Allen
11:30 Service Speakers
6 Tom Duffield
13 RoyLangwig
20 Jan Langwig
27 Roy Langwig
Email
Please use the following addresses to contact church staff:
General Messages:
church@firstpresbyterianpontiac.org
Roy Langwig: rlangwig@gmail.com or
roy@firstpresbyterianpontiac.org
Jan Langwig: jan@firstpresbyterianpontiac.org
Joelle Jarrait: joelle@firstpresbyterianpontiac.org
Julie Smith: julie@firstpresbyterianpontiac.org
Carolyn Thibideau:
carolyn@firstpresbyterianpontiac.org
Steve Keith: steve@firstpresbyterianpontiac.org
