Published: October 13, 2009 07:40 am      

Faith in Brief: 10/10/2009

Guest preacher at First Congregational

TRAVERSE CITY — First Congregational Church, 6105 Center Road, will host guest preacher Michael Wittmer at all worship services this weekend.

Wittmer is professor of systematic theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He also is the author of "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" and "Don't Stop Believing."

Wittmer will speak on the topic "Why Everything You Do Matters to God" at the 6:30 p.m. Praise & Worship today; and on Sunday at the 8:30 a.m. chapel service and at both traditional and contemporary worship services at 10:30 a.m.

The West High School Choir will join the Sanctuary Choir at the 10:30 a.m. traditional service.

Methodist church celebrates merger

TRAVERSE CITY — Traverse Bay United Methodist Church was created when Asbury United Methodist and Immanuel United Methodist churches merged five years ago and a birthday celebration is being planned.

The church, 1200 Ramsdell Road, will celebrate the merger Sunday with a service at 10:30 a.m., followed by a potluck dinner. Call 946-5323 for details.

Public invited to share lasagna dinner

TRAVERSE CITY — The congregation at Old Mission Congregational Church invites the community to its last dinner of the season.

The home-cooked lasagna dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church, 18687 Mission Road.

A $5 donation is suggested. Proceeds go toward restoration of the church.

For details, call Penny Paulley, 223-4844.

Grace Church offers adult education

TRAVERSE CITY — Wednesday Night Class with the Rev. Daniel P. Richards will resume on Wednesday at Grace Episcopal Church.

Participants will use Richard Foster's "Celebration of Discipline" to explore the basic disciplines of the Christian life, such as prayer, meditation, study and fasting.

Class will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 18 at the church, 341 Washington St. Call 947-2330 for details.

Operation Christmas Child open house

TRAVERSE CITY — Glen Eagle Retirement Community will hold an open house for Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan's Purse, which sends gift-filled shoeboxes to children around the world.

The open house will start at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Atrium at Glen Eagle, 3950 Sumac Drive.

Dianna DeYoung, area director for Operation Christmas Child, will be available to answer questions.

Residents and guests will display hand-knit and crocheted items, and other donated items that will go in shoeboxes to be sent to underprivileged children at Christmas and patterns will be available for anyone who would like to help.

To learn more, call 935-4553.

Woman to Woman Conference planned

Gaylord -- Deborah Klassen and Renee Bondi will be the keynote speakers at the eighth annual Woman to Woman Conference. The theme is "God's Abundant Garden -- Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit."

Klassen is a Canadian Juno Award-winning (equivalent to the U.S. Grammy) recording artist, and a worship leader who has been involved with many ministries including Focus on the Family, Precept Ministries International, Campus Crusade for Christ and the 700 Club.

Bondi lost the use of her arms, legs and singing voice in an accident at age 29. Against all odds and her physicians' prognosis, Renee's voice was restored and she has recorded six CDs since the accident.

The conference will be held Friday and Oct. 17 at Gaylord Evangelical Free Church, 1649 M-32. The registration fee is $40. On Oct. 17, a sandwich lunch will be available for an additional $8 or participants may go out to a local restaurant. For details or to register, call Donna Gennette, (989) 732-2647, or visit www.w2wconference.org.

First Baptist holds Craft and Bake Fair

TRAVERSE CITY — Shoppers are invited to get a head-start on the holidays at First Baptist Church's 16th annual Craft and Bake Fair.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 17 at the church, 244 Washington St. Handcrafted holiday items, baked goods and garden produce will be available. Call 946-4727 to learn more.

Catfish will top dinner menu

Kalkaska -- The Kalkaska United Methodist Men will host a catfish fry Oct. 24*.

The meal will be served from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.* at Kalkaska United Methodist Church, 2525 Beebe Road.

The cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 and younger and $25 for families. In addition to catfish, the menu includes cole slaw, hush puppies, rolls, beverages and dessert. For details, call 258-2820.

Guest speaker tells Peace Alliance story

TRAVERSE CITY — Local peace-builder John Parker will share the story of the Peace Alliance during a potluck dinner Oct. 18. The program is sponsored by the Potter's House Church.

The Peace Alliance is a nonpartisan, citizen action organization that represents a growing constituency of peace. Its mission is to empower civic activism for a culture of peace.

The public is invited to join the congregation for its 5 p.m. worship service at Grace Episcopal Church, 341 Washington St.

The dinner and program will start at 6 p.m. For details, visit www.pottershouseucc.org.

Genealogists help with Bibles, research

TRAVERSE CITY — The Grand Traverse Area Genealogical Society is holding a workshop about family Bible transcription.

Bibles often contain family information, but because it's often hard to find or understand, the genealogical society and the Job Winslow Chapter of the NS Daughters of the American Revolution will help retrieve and transcribe the information. Other genealogical material also is welcome.

Maria Harper, a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, will have a table on Native American research.

The free workshop is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 18, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave., Traverse City. For more information, contact Mary Briggs, 947-8017 or briggstcm@charter.net.

'Growing with God' program under way

Lake Leelanau -- The 2009-10 season of Growing with God is under way at St. Mary School.

The Program is for children from birth through kindergarten age and their parents. "Growing with God Story Hour" meets the first Monday of each month and "Growing with God" is held on the third Monday of each month.

Both programs meet from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. through May in the St. Mary School library. For details, call 256-9670, ext. 500.

Craft show has vendor space

TRAVERSE CITY — Booth space is still available for Traverse City Christian Schools' second annual Blessings Arts and Crafts Fair.

The fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 14 at the main school campus, 753 Emerson Road. Lunch will be available.

The vendor fee is $60 for an 8- by 10-foot space, or $40 for a 5- by 8-foot space. Electrical is available for an additional $5. Limited tables are available and crafters are asked to bring their own if possible. Interested crafters should call Monique Herman, 929-1747, ext. 127.

Help needed with Thanksgiving meal

TRAVERSE CITY — Donations of time, food and money are needed to help make the 21st annual Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner a success.

On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, meals will be delivered starting at 11:15 a.m. and the public will be served between 1 and 3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1003 Maple St. Anyone who wishes a meal delivered should call ahead.

Volunteers are needed to deliver meals and help at the church before, during and after the meal. Donations of gloves, socks for men and women, sweatshirts, boots in all sizes, and winter outerwear are needed. Bar soap, washcloths, razors, shaving cream, powder, facial tissue, and shampoo in small sizes, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, pads of paper and pens are needed to complete "Survival Kits." Checks, payable to the Community Meals Program with a notation "Thanksgiving Dinner" may be mailed to Community Meals Program, P.O. Box 102, Traverse City, MI 49685.

Call Sandra Svec, 263-7130, to have a meal delivered, for details, to make a donation, to volunteer or to share the names of shut-ins or those who will be alone on the holiday.

Gladhander early bird winners named

TRAVERSE CITY — Marian Hobson and Anthony Buday are the Gladhander Early Bird raffle winners.

The drawing was held Oct. 3 during the St. Francis homecoming football game. Hobson won $1,000; Buday won $500.

The grand prize drawing in the Gladhander raffle will be Oct. 24 at 11 p.m. The prize is a 2010 BMW 1 Series, a 2010 Cadillac CTS or $32,000 in cash.

There will also be nine drawings for $500 prizes and four drawings for $1,000 prizes. Tickets are $125 each or two for $200. Ticket holders need not be present to win. For more information, go to www.gladhander.com.