FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

296 Hoffman Street, P.O. Box 633, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Office: 269.857.2929 www.1stcongregational.net

Office Email:cong633@verizon.net Pastor’s Email:rhaferman@verizon.net

Pastor: Richard J. Haferman Cell: 269.655.7925

Youth Director: Todd VanGrouw Choir Director: Glenn Bareman

Organist: Lynn Betts Head Usher: Tom Betts Parish Nurse: Renna Birkholz

Faith in Action through Worship, Service and Fellowship

August 2008

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
			30 6 pm New Praise Practice	31	1	2
3 10 am Worship Nursery Provided Communion Noisy Offering 11 am Fellowship Hour	4 6:30 pm Prayer Group	5	6 6 pm New Praise Practice	7	8	9
10 10 am Worship Nursery Provided 11 am Fellowship Hour	11 *5:30-8 VBS* 6:30 pm Prayer Group 7 pm Women’s Open Discussion Bible Study	12 *5:30-8 VBS* noon -5:45 Blood Drive Douglas Community Church	13 *5:30-8 VBS* 6 pm New Praise Practice	14 *5:30-8 VBS*	15 *5:30-8 VBS*	16
17 10 am Worship Nursery Provided 11 am Fellowship Hour	18 6:30 pm Prayer Group 7 pm Diaconate 8 pm Prudential Bd	19	20 6 pm New Praise Practice	21	22	23
24 10 am Worship Nursery Provided 11 am *Dick & Pam’s Retirement Party*	25 NEWSLETTER INFO DUE 6:30 pm Prayer Group 7 pm Women’s Open Discussion Bible Study	26	27 6 pm New Praise Practice	28	29	30
31 10 am Worship Nursery Provided 11 am Fellowship Hour

REFLECTIONS FROM OUR PASTOR

What do I say to a Congregation I’m leaving? Well, I could reminisce, or brag about some achievements, or take advantage of the opportunity to get some licks in; tell the people to shape up, chastise them for not doing more. None of those possibilities appeal to me.

Ten years have passed by quickly. I take with me memories of your kindness, your willingness to learn, grow and participate. Your generosity in selling us our house for what the Church paid for it will always be remembered and appreciated. I thank you for tolerating my many peculiarities and worship surprises. Being urged to form a circle and toss skeins of yarn to each other to show how connected we are and what can happen when one string moves, is not suggested in any book of worship. But you did it willingly and saw the effect one string, one person can have on an entire group. Nor was there too much fuss when I invited everyone up for a taste of Dom Perignon Champagne, recalling the satisfaction Jesus expressed because of a woman’s extravagance. Many of you have shared with me your personal stories of hurt, failure, grief, and discouragement. Thank you for your trust. I have always appreciated your interest in missions whether it was in giving money, or hands on help at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, or the Youth Center in Saugatuck. Many of you serve the Lord in ways that go unnoticed: rides for others, cards sent, telephone calls made, dinners brought over, and prayer.

My prayer for you is that the selection of an interim Pastor to help you work through the transition process, and the calling of a Pastor who will lead and challenge you to grow in your faith will all go smoothly. Along with that my hope is that you will love and accept your new Pastor into your hearts as I have felt loved and accepted by you. God is good. May God continue to bless The First Congregational Church family.

Richard J. Haferman, Pastor

8/10 Deacons

8/24 Bets Nevenzel

8/10 Deacons

8/24 Dick & Pam’s Retirement Party

8/31 Bets Nevenzel, Sylvia Rudich, Graham Duryee