February 2015

Monthly Newsletter of Faith Bible Church

Orchard Harvester
Monthly Newsletter of Orchard United Methodist Church

IN THIS ISSUE
Ash Wednesday ............ 1
Bible Basics .................. 4
Bible Recipients ............ 7
Bunco Night ................. 5
Celebration Plans .......... 3
Confirmation Retreat ..... 4
Closer to Love .............. 1
Current Events ............. 5
Fishers of Men .............. 4
Flying Pancakes ............ 4
Fun in the Sun Day ....... 4
Funtastiks .................... 5
Gleaners ...................... 6
Kitchen Shower............. 6
LAF ............................. 5
Lenten Study ................ 1
Mark Your Calendar ....... 8
Missions Update ............ 6
MOPS .......................... 8
Music Ministry ............... 5

CLOSER TO LOVE
by Rev. Suzanne Goodwin

n the midst of the dark and cold of winter, the idea of lovethe kind that warms
your heart and reminds you why life is goodcan be as refreshing as a spring
breeze. Love is good and our souls crave it as much as our bodies crave the sunshine!
So where can we get a little more of it?
February offers two seasonal opportunities to bask in the warmth of love. Think
Valentines Day is just for lovers? Nope! St. Valentines Day actually dates back to the
5th century and recognizes the sacrificial love of the martyrs. Its a love that we can
honor every day with small but significant sacrifices of our ownHere, you go first!
or Let me help you with that! Expressions of sacrificial love tend to reflect back on
those who freely give it. Give the love and feel the love!
Here among your Orchard family love can be found in our preparations for Lent. How
is Lent a season of love? There is no greater love that has been given to humankind
than the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And Lent is the season
when we open our hearts to receiving that gift in full measure. Need a little more love?
I urge you to open your heart, your life, and your schedule for taking a little time to
spend with Jesusthrough prayer, scripture, or even our Lenten book study which
leads us to Easter with a reflection on the I am sayings of Jesus.
May this season of love fill you and feed you, and may the love of Jesus Christ shine
on and in you, and brighten your darkest winter day!

Prayer Concerns............ 7
Rev. Carols article ........ 3
Spotlight ...................... 2
Thank You .................... 6
Womens Retreat .......... 5

Ephesians 5:1-2

Preparing
at O
Orchard
PREPARING
LLent
ENT AT
RCHARD
CHURCH-WIDE LENTEN STUDY

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP SERVICE

February 18 @ 7:30 pm

This years church-wide Lenten study is Rob Fuquays The God We

Can Know: Exploring the I Am Statements of Jesus. Consider
joining one of the various study groups now being formed as we
discuss the I Am statements of Jesus, see the places He walked in
the Holy Land, and listen in worship to the impact these statements
have in our growth as His disciples. Class offerings and sign-up
sheets will be available beginning Sunday, February 8. Studies begin
the week of February 22.

SPOTLIGHT ORCHARD

SHINING GODS LIGHT INTO THE WORLD!

Each month we highlight a group, a friend, or member of Orchard to see how they are finding ways to shine
Gods light out in the world! Contact Deanna Kohl if you have a suggestion for a future Spotlight candidate!

MILDRED RICE

ne of the great strengths of Orchard is the

legacy to be found in long-time members
and friends who have worshiped and served
over the years. They serve as living strands of
continuity connecting
us to the foundations
of our roots and the
possibilities of our
future.
Meet Mildred Rice, age
102 and making plans
for her future! If
youre relatively new
to Orchard, you may
not have met Mildred,
who moved to Florida
several years ago to
be near her daughter,
Carla. Mildred was a
founding member of
Aldersgate UMC in
Redford. Shortly after
the death of her
husband, she moved
from Redford Twp. to
Farmington Hills and
began attending
Orchard in 1979. Mildred loved our church
community from the start!
She became an active and involved member in
the life and ministries of Orchard, serving as a
member and leader in the United Methodist
Womens Rachel Circle, which used to volunteer
at a local nursing home. She collected Bill
Knapps receipts from all her friends and used

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them to purchase 8-foot tables for Fellowship

Hall. Mildred was also active in Missions and
enjoyed serving food at the Baldwin Center in
Pontiac, as well working with Gleaners Food
Bank, which she still
supports today!
Mildred has great
memoriesand still
talks abouther
travels to Israel,
Egypt, and Rome with
her Orchard friends
and Rev. Bob Brown.
Her friends remember
her as classy and
always well-dressed
and wearing heels.
In 2012, Mildred came
back to visit Orchard
and see the new
Memorial Garden
when she was here for
the occasion of her
100th birthday. While
her attire may not be
quite like her friends
remember, shes still classy and well dressed!
Riding a motorcycle in heels is a lot more
challenging than in a pair of nice sneakers!
Mildred is anticipating returning to Michigan
sometime in the next year where shell
eventually move into assisted living. Shes
looking forward to being near her five
grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

TENDING THE ORCHARD

eing snowed in is kind of fun

but it doesnt help us get the
Harvester done! Please forgive
our tardiness! I promise that in
the future we will do better!
Sometimes circumstances
beyond our control make it
difficult to meet a deadline. This
is especially true this winter
when staff members are sick and this mean old Senior
Pastor makes them go home. And then there is the
weather. A newsletter like ours takes a lot of time,
talent, and effort to produce.
A legendary snow always makes me smile, even if we
have to cancel our annual Super Bowl party! I love how
the snow unexpectedly alters our schedules, if only for
a day. My neighborhood is alive, not only with
shoveling, but kids and sleds, animals, and even people
of every age on snowshoes. I think in retirement I will
have to get myself a pair of snowshoes!
On my dining room table is a gift I received from our
junior high youth group, A Valentine Day Count. It is
a large board composed of felt hearts for every day,
filled with candy and a scripture verse to help count
down the days to Valentines Day. It was delivered to
my house by Gregory Kosiba and Lizzie Coleman, and
their chauffeur, Brenda Schultz. Gregory explained they
delivered them to our shut-ins and then quickly
exclaimed, Rev. Carol, youre not a shut-in, but we
wanted to include you, too! What a nice surprise to be

remembered and affirmed. I am sure they touched all

of our shut-ins hearts.
February is all about love touching hearts and a bit of
snow! God calls us to love one another and February
provides an opportunity to express that love in a
variety of ways. To whom will you send a Valentine, or
remember with a note, a phone call, or some kind of
surprise? How will you share Gods love and your own
with those around you?
One way was suggested to me by Jorge and Donna
Pacheco, who are celebrating their 57th wedding
anniversary. They asked if they could renew their
wedding vows in the worship service on February 15. I
thought perhaps there might be others who would like
to renew their vows as well. At a special moment in the
service, I will invite couples to stand and affirm the
vows they shared on their wedding day. In addition, we
would love to share your wedding photos. Please send
them to us by email (lindahall@orchardumc.org) or
bring them to the church office. If you are a widow or a
widower, we would love to have your photos as well.
Maybe DyAnn St. Clair could even find us some
wedding cake for coffee hour!
Love takes shape in our lives in so many different
ways. God loves you! May that love be translated in all
you say and do across these February days. Remember
what Paul said, These three things remains: faith,
hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.
In Christs love,

MAKING PLANS TO CELEBRATE

any have asked about plans to honor and celebrate the wonderful years of ministry
with Rev. Carol as she prepares to retire. Be assured that plans are being made!
Two dates you may want to pencil in on your calendar are Sunday, June 14 likely to be
Rev. Carols last Sunday of preaching when Staff Parish will host an All-Church
Celebration with a program and reception to follow; and Friday, May 29 which will be an
adults-only dinner at Glen Oaks Country Club. Particular times and details will be
forthcoming as plans are developed.
Stay tuned for more details and start collecting your favorite Rev. Carol stories!
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FISHERS

OF

MEN

2000 years ago Jesus called ordinary people to tell

others about His saving grace. This is still our mission
today and it what our children are learning in WOW
and Power Hour. We are to follow Jesus out into the
world and leave His footprints for those who follow
behind us.
And Jesus said to them, Follow Me, and I will make
you become fishers of men. Mark 1:17

Family Fun in the Sun!

FOR 3RD-6TH

Sunday, February 8

GRADERS!

Starting February 22 at 10 am
Wear your bathing suit under
your church clothes and bring your beach
towel to church for WOW and Power hour
for some fantastic summer fun! Then
return to church at 2:30 for family games,
ice cream before we head over to the
Costick Center on 11 Mile Road to swim
from 4-5. $8.00 family fee for all this fun!
RSVP to Ms. Meghann at
megsnyder2@sbcglobal.net so we can get
an accurate count for games, ice cream,
and swimming!

Our Bible exploration class, Bible Basics, will

be starting on February 22 at 10 am. If your
3rd-6th grade child has not yet received a Bible
from Orchard, please let Rev. Suzanne know.

We are a grace-based church and we appreciate the grace you continue to show us
as we work to provide the best experiences for our children and youth. We love the time we spend with them!

SHROVE TUESDAY
FLYING PANCAKES
Tuesday, February 17

February 6-8

5:307:30 pm

Each year our confirmands take two weekends to go

away and study all things Methodist in preparation
for declaring their faith and becoming members of
the church. February 6-8 will find our 13
confirmands, along with Rev. Suzanne and leaders,
sequestered at the Judd Collins
Center in beautiful Onsted, MI.
Please pray for our confirmands
as they take this important
journey of faith and
discernment.

Join us in celebrating Shrove Tuesday,

February 17 (the night before Ash
Wednesday). Invite your friends and family
to join you for all-you-can-catch pancakes
and sausage! Tickets are $7 ($3children
under 5; ages 2 and underfree!). Tickets
will be available in the Narthex after worship
services. All proceeds will go to support the
Youth Mission Trip to Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
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CONFIRMATION RETREAT

CURRENT EVENTS

IN THE

CAF

Monday, February 9 at 10:30 am

oin us for a cup of coffee and some Christian dialog on the events of the day that
challenge our faith. This once-a-month class led by Dave Albery meets this
month on February 9 at 10:30 am in the Caf. Bring your Bible and any news
items youd like to share.

LAF
FUNTASTIKS

Friday, February 13 at 11:30 pm

Our Funtastiks will celebrate Valentine's Day with games

and a soup lunch on Friday, February 13 at 11:30 am.
Bring your favorite game along with your favorite
sandwich; we'll also provide dessert and coffee. Look for
more information on two special upcoming events on
March 27 and May 5!

(Life After Fifty)

LAF is in the planning stage for the

next set of events, after recently
sharing a great evening of potluck
dinner, fellowship, and a couple of
Donna's famous games. Watch
bulletins and the website for our
upcoming schedule. Contact Donna Young at
(248) 489-0881 or jdmskyoung@sbcglobal.net if you have
an idea for an activity or wish to be put on the email list.

FAMILY BUNCO NIGHT

February 27 at 7 pm

Mark your calendars for this evening of family fun and laughter brought to you by
Congregational Life. Theres no cost, but please bring a dessert or snack to share.
There will be prizes! Watch for more information in our weekly bulletins!

MUSIC MINISTRY
Here at Orchard we believe that music
tunes our hearts to receive the wonders of
God's grace and love, as well as being a
gift from God. Our gifts come in different
shapes and sizes, but we all have one! If
you play an instrument, sing like a star, or
just like to sing with the radio, there is a
place for you here!
Chancel Choir meets on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm. We
always welcome new singers. Its great fun with variety of
musical styles and great people!
Sonlight Choir for children up through grade 6. They
meet at 11:45 during the second worship service and sing
once a month in worship.
Faith Players is our youth choir for those grades 7-12.
They do everything from Christian rock to musical theater,
also incorporating their instrumental talents. Rehearsals
are at 5 pm on Sundays, and will resume March 1.

Chancel Ringers, our handbell group, will hold rehearsal

on Thursday, February 5 at 7:30 pm. We have a few
ringing positions to fill. We have a new night (Thursdays
@ 7:30), with new and exciting music, styles, and
structure!
Contact Jamie Reed at jamierb326@aol.com for information on
how you can use your gifts in music!

WOMENS RETREAT
March 68 in Chelsea, MI

All women are invited to attend this

years annual retreat in Chelsea,
Michigan from March 6-8. We will
learn and grow during this special
time of being together as women of
God as we discover whats in
store for us because God
loves us! Registration forms,
complete with all the details,
are available at the
Connection Point.
Page 5

MISSIONS UPDATE FROM OUR SUPER SUNDAY OF MISSION

Sunday, February 1, was a Super Day at Orchard!

Souper Bowl of Caring

Our youth groups participated with over
2,017 youth groups in the nationwide
Souper Bowl of Caring campaign,
which this year distributed 100% of the
proceeds of $3,453,991 to local charities
to fight hunger. Fusionour senior high groupsold
enough sub sandwiches to raise $586 toward making
and distributing 400 lunches to the hungry this coming
summer through the N.O.A.H. Project in Detroit. In
addition, JAMour junior high groupwill be sending
$147 each to two local charities: Hospitality House and
Gleaners Food Bank. Thank you on behalf of the youth
at Orchard, and the hungry in our area.

Dresses for Africa

Around 25 peoplesewers and
non-sewersparticipated and
made over 30 dresses at our first
ever Dresses for Africa mission
project. Simple dresses were
made out of pillow cases and
other fabric, and will be
distributed through the
orphanages, churches and schools
in Africa to plant in the hearts of
little girls the message that they
are worthy! Many thanks to the
organizersJeannine Hales,
Janice Mitchell, Carole Parker, and
Brenda Schultz for the hours of
work beforehand to make this
event happen!

Madison Hales and Sarah

Rinker with the dresses
they made.

ur Childrens Santa Shop in December was an amazing success! The children were full of
pure joy while shopping for their loved ones (and a little bit for themselves!). From the
money raised, a $200 donation was sent to the Baldwin Center along with the many mittens,
hats, and scarves from the Mitten Tree. What a wonderful blessing you all are!

GLEANERS FOOD BANK

Saturday, February 28 @ 12:15 pm

ave the afternoon of Saturday, February 28,

for a hands-on mission project as our
Missions Team travels to Gleaner's Food Bank to
pack food for the hungry. We will plan to depart
from church at 12:15 pm. Sign-up begins
February 8. For more information, contact Cathy
Albery at (248) 681-0822.

Page 6

As we cleaned and reorganized the MAC Kitchen,

we noticed that many items needed for a successful
church kitchen were either mismatched or missing!
Mark the date of Sunday, March 15 at 10 am, in
your calendars and look for more details on how
you can help restock the MAC kitchen. We will be
registered at several area stores, for all budgets, to
help shower the kitchen with new items!

IN THE LIFE OF ORCHARD

ach year we present our 3rd graders (and any new 4th or 5th graders) with their very own
Bible. These Orchard children received their Bibles on Sunday, January 25, 2015:
Julia Bussone
RJ Hicks
KaiYah King
Amalia Rosenblum
Joshua Rosenblum
Grace Salley
Coleton Spencer (February 1)

In the life of Orchard, we believe in the power of prayer.

Join us in intercession, thanksgiving, celebration, and remembrance.

WE PRAY FOR...
Kristen Ahern and friend, Michael
Karen Arseneaus friend,
Marie Symanow
Nick Bonskys Uncle Frank
Eleanor Bulloch
Frances Childress cousin,
Berta Beglund and family,
and her cousin, Connie
Jan and Art Christy
Mary Clarks brother, Jon Franzen
Carolyn Cole
Jennie Cross friend
Rev. Marshall Dunlap
Family of Karen Fitzgerald
Barb Galletts mother, Lori Tolle,
and her brother, Greg Tolle
Melissa Halls friend, Loretta
Tracey Hammarens brother,
Chris Griffin, and her mother,
Jean Griffin
Harmons grandsons friends, the
family of Lucas Vansprange
Sheri Hicks father and mother,
Ron and Jayne Harworth,
and godmother, Carolyn Reid
Hubbs friend, Shane Dwyer
Rev. Carol Johns
Peggy Knuttilas friends,
Donnie Rushford; Bonnie,
Valerie, Renee and Patrick
Doud; her daughter, Taylor;
and her parents, Pauline and
Paul Knuttila

Anthony Kosiba
Barbara Lees daughter, Kristen
Jim Lowes friend, Darlene
Maniers friend, Sawyer and his
family
Laurel Marks friend,
Elizabeth Diamond
Barbara Orchard
Linda Paulsons daughter,
Colleen Hawk
Beverly Ragland
Brad Snider and family
DyAnn St. Clairs father,
Maury Schlasner
Masha Sohn
Charley Stone
Heather Strang
Dot Tengler
Jerry Truitt
Barb Ulmans son, Colin
Van Harens son, Todd
Eileen Victory-Boehle
Karen and Paul Wagners niece,
Erin Dillon; neighbor, Art Vuolo;
and friend, Curtis Hay
Betsy Watson
Cathy Weeks

WE CELEBRATE
Connor John Phillip Maguire, born
January 18, 2015 to Shannon and Ian
Maguire. Connors grandparents are
Donna and John Young, and Lecia and
Paul LaFortune. Great-grandparents are
Dorothy and Ronald Folkes, Marjorie and
Alexander Young, Linda and Phil
Feamster, Marilyn LaFortune, and Evelyn
and Bill Maguire.
WE REMEMBER
Former Orchard member,
Dora Schiller (Jan. 8, 2015)
Ian Maguires grandfather,
Phil Feamster (Jan. 13, 2015)
Jim Trawick (Jan. 21, 2015)
Vivian Henderhans uncle,
Arthur Gustina (Jan. 27, 2015)

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The Orchard Harvester is the newsletter of Orchard United Methodist Church.

The March 2015 Harvester deadline is February 16, 2015.
E-mail articles may be directed to Deanna Kohl, deannakohl@orchardumc.org
Pastors: Rev. Carol J. Johns and Rev. Suzanne K. Goodwin
Worship Services at 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Christian Education at 10:00 a.m.
Phone 248 626-3620

Fax 248 626-6836

Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Farmington, MI
PERMIT No. 216

Web Site www.orchardumc.org

Orchard United Methodist Church

30450 Farmington Road
Farmington Hills MI 48334-1939
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Mark Your Calendars

Its never too early to think ahead!

March 6-8
Sunday, March 8
Sunday, March 15
Thursday, March 19
Sunday, March 22
Friday, March 27
Sunday, March 29
Thursday, April 2
Friday, April 3
Sunday, April 5
Sunday, April 19
Saturday, April 25
Saturday, May 2
Sunday, May 3
Sunday, May 31
June 20-28
July 13-17

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Womens Retreat
Daylight Saving Time begins
Scout Sunday
One Great Hour of Sharing
Taiz Service
Soup/Salad Luncheon
Funtastiks Lunch & Speaker
Palm Sunday
Maundy Thursday Service
@ 7:30 pm
Good Friday Community
Service @ 12:15 pm (here)
Easter Sunday
Rockin the Resurrection
Worship Services
Rebuilding Together
Community Outreach Auction
Graduation Sunday
& Crop Walk
Confirmation
Fusion Mission Trip
Vacation Bible School

he second semester of MOPS is just

getting underway! We would like to
thank all of the loving Orchard MOPPETS
ladies for your wonderful care of our sweet
little ones while we moms take time to
support each other and grow closer to God.
Words cannot express our gratitude. MOPS
meets on the first and third Thursdays of
each month at 9:30 am through the first
week in June. Room is available for new
members who are interested in joining.
Please contact Tess Janoch at (248) 835-6270 or
Missy Katcher at (734) 776-1511 for more
information.