Pastor is on Sabbatical

Dear Reconciliation MCC Family,

Through the generosity and support of this congregation, Pastor Steph has been granted a sabbatical through the month of August. She will return to church doing administrative duties on September 1, 2014 and back to full duties including preaching on Oct 1, 2014. This allows her the precious opportunity to experience rest and renewal after helping care for her mom in a long term illness and her death on July 19.

While away, our Board of directors, Rev Lin Stoner, and Betty Martin and all ministry teams will continue their vital work, and faithful ministry.

Pastor Steph is incredibly grateful for the privilege and blessing of serving as our pastor and for this wonderful gift of time away for rest and spiritual renewal.

Pastor is on Sabbatical

Relax In My Healing Presence

Relax in my healing presence. As you spend time with Me, your thoughts tend to jump ahead to today's plans and problems. Bring your mind back to Me for refreshment and renewal. Let the Light of My Presence soak into you, as you focus your thoughts on Me. Thus I equip you to face whatever the day brings. This sacrifice of time pleases Me and strengthens you. Do not skimp on our time together. Resist the clamor of tasks waiting to be done. You have chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from you.

Psalm 105.4; Luke 10.39-42

Relax In My Healing Presence

Gay and Christian: Believers Speak Reconciling Being Gay and Christian

Gay and Christian: Believers Speak Reconciling Being Gay and Christian Community Speakers Panel Discussion Presentation Topics How Can We Reconcile What the Bible Says with Who We Are? What Are the Cultural, Translation, and Interpretation Issues of the “Homosexual” Bible Passages? How Can We Reconcile the Fundamental Issues of Faith with the Fundamental Issues of Being Human? What is My Relationship to Christianity and the Church after I Come Out as Gay? How Can the Church Welcome Gay People in a Way that Honors Scripture and the Message of Christ? Speakers Dr Matthew Clark Clinical Psychologist The Clark Institute GayChristianTherapy.com Dr Stephanie Sandberg Calvin College Professor Author of Seven Passages, Lines, and Grains of Hope Daniel Dobson Writer, Cornerstone University Alumni, Veteran, and Pastor's Son Community Members’ Personal Stories and Testimonials Panel Discussion/ Q and A Wealthy Theater 1130 Wealthy St. SE Grand Rapids, MI Thursday May 30 7-9pm $10 Adults/ $8 with Student ID Tickets Will Be Available at the Door

Gay and Christian: Believers Speak Reconciling Being Gay and Christian

LGBT YOUTH Workshop for Parents and Professionals

What:  Helping LGBT Youth:   

                               Workshop for Parents, Therapists, Teachers/School Counselors,

                               Youth Pastors/Leaders, Attorneys, and Anyone Working with Youth

When: Saturday, August 23, 9am-2:30pm

Where:  Conference Room in the Waters Building, 161 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Who: Dr. Matthew Clark, Gay Christian Psychologist

Cost:  $75.00

RSVP and Prepayment is Required due to Room Occupancy and Food/Beverage

Morning Bagels, Fruit, Water, Tea, and Coffee will be provided by Sundance Grill

Lunch is On Our Own with Sundance Grill in the Building and a Variety of Restaurants in the Area

Advice for parents of Lesbian/Gay/Transgender Youth and Those Who Work with Them

Who is Here and Why?

All the New Terms and Our Youth's Thoughts

What LGBT Youth are Facing Today and What They Need from Us

How to Help Your Youth with His/Her/Their "Coming Out Process" and Development

The Parent's and Youth Leader's Coming Out Process in a World that May Not Support: How to Help You

Teachers and School Counselors:  What to Look For and How to Help

Creating Safe Schools and Gay Straight Alliances

Helpful Therapy:  How Conversion Therapies Harm and What LGBT Youth Need in Their Therapy

Parent and Therapists' Testimonies:  The Fall Downs and Bounce Ups

The Legal World and Rights You May Not Know

What the Bible REALLY Says about Homosexuality (misinterpretation/mistranlation/misuse):  The Church and Christianity in Response to the LGBT Youth and their Families

How this Information May Help You and Your Youth

Overview and Respectful Dialogue and Q&A

Have questions about Helping Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, and Bisexual (LGBT) Youth?Contact Dr. Matthew Clark

Click here

LGBT YOUTH Workshop for Parents and Professionals

God is Fully Attentive

Come to me with a teachable spirit, eager to be changed. A close walk with Me is a life of continual newness. Do not cling to the old ways as you step into a new day. Instead, seek My Face with an open mind, knowing that your journey with Me involved being transformed by the renewing of your mind. As you focus your thoughts on Me, be aware that I am fully attentive to you. I see you with a steady eye, because My attention span is infinite. I know and understand you completely; My thoughts embrace you in everlasting Love. I also know the plans I have for you: plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Give yourself fully to this adventure of increasing attentiveness to My Presence.

Romans 12.22 and Jeremiah 29.11

God is Fully Attentive

New Shed Arrives

Last winter took a toll on our shed with the weight of the snow caving it in. This morning the new shed arrived.

 

New Shed Arrives

Micah's Rule will be ministering in music at RMCC on Sunday Aug 3, 2014.  Invite your friends and neighbors! A love offering will be taken. http://www.micahsrule.com/

Frances F. Maxson     July 19, 2014 Life Legacy  |  Life Stories  |  Life Timeline  |  Historic Documents  |  Family Tree

Life Legacy MAXSON, Frances F. "Faith"-age 73 of Mt. Morris passed away Saturday, July 19, 2014 at her residence. Funeral services will be  held 1:00 pm Wednesday, July 23, 2014. Family will receive friends  and guests from 10:00 am until the start of service which will begin promptly at 1:00 pm at First Baptist Church of Clio 218 S. Mill St.  Clio, MI. Pastor Jim Marcus officiating. The final resting place for Ms. Maxson will be West Vienna Cemetery, Vienna Twp. F. Faith Maxson was born May 13, 1941 in Clio, MI the daughter of Benjamin and Mary Brunges. She was a long time resident of  Clio  attending Clio schools and graduating from Clio H.S. c/o 1959.  Later she worked for General Motors and retired from Buick after  22 years of service. F. Faith Maxson is survived by her children, Steph Maxson, Val Taubitz, Jeff Maxson, several grandchildren and  great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and other family members. F. Faith Maxson was preceded in death by: brothers, Frank and Jim Brunges; sisters, Ruth Burley, Mary Bacon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the cause of your choice.

We wanted to inform you that last night Saturday July 19, 2014, Rev. Pastor Steph Maxson's mother passed away after a prolonged illness.  Pastor and her family are thankful for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  We are asking  everyone to respect  family's wishes for privacy and not contact Pastor or Janet during this time of grief.  As soon as final arrangements have been made, we will post the information.  If you have any questions, concerns or needs for prayer please contact Betty Martin, Rev. Lyn, or Wendy Heltsley (616-723-3538). 

And Still, He Leads Us On

He leads us on by paths we did not know;
Upward He leads us, though our steps be slow,
Though oft we faint and falter on the way,
Though storms and darkness oft obscure the day;
     Yet when the clouds are gone,
     We know He leads us on.
He leads us on through all the unqueit years;
Past all our dreamland hopes, and doubts and fears,
He guides our steps, through all the tangled maze
Of losses, sorrows, and o'er clouded days;
     We know His will is done;
     And still He leads us on.

                           ~ Nicholaus LudwigZinzendorf

And Still, He Leads Us On