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I've had some quite lengthy Weekly articles of recent, so I'm going to keep this one very brief.
We had the piano tuned in the choir room this week. This will be helpful for our choir rehearsals, as well as for community groups who have been renting space from us for rehearsals and performances. As I listened to the professional doing his work, I recalled that many instruments are tuned to "A440". "A440" is a musical term that refers to the pitch "A" above Middle C, having a frequency of 440Hz, or cycles per second. This is sometimes referred to as “concert pitch.” A standardized concert pitch is essential for musicians to play instruments together in tune.
Jesus is our A440. We are God's instruments, and our desire is to stay in tune with Jesus. When we do, we work together in harmony, and a beautiful concert of ministry takes place.
Lent is a season where we can ask God to adjust us, fine tune us, so we are in tune with our A440, Jesus. There are many ways for us to go about this: in nature, taking a walk, listening to music, etc. But try this out for size:
1. Close your eyes
2. Ask God to help you be in tune with Jesus
3. Use a Bible or devotional material, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to what you need to read and reflect on, daily or weekly.
4. Be quiet for 1-3 minutes, and see if God brings anything to mind.
5. Ask for the Spirit's help to stay in tune to what message God has for you to stay tuned throughout your day and week!
On the way there,
Pastor Adam
PS. AccessAbility Campaign Update: Over the next couple of weeks, you will be receiving a phone call from our AccessAbility Campaign Prayer Team. This call will not be asking for a pledge or financial commitment! It is a call seeking the prayer support of the entire congregation for God's provision and direction in making West Side accessible for all! We will also be asking if you have any personal prayer concerns that you would like prayed for by our team and pastoral staff. Thank you in advance for ungirding our AccessAbility vision with prayer and God's power!
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It's time to prepare for the Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza on Saturday, March 30th, from 10am-Noon! Click here to sign up for a volunteer slot. Please help us spread the word by personally inviting neighbors with little ones, friends, family members, etc. A personal invite is the most effective outreach. Join me in praying over this event as an opportunity for people to experience God's love and to feel connected to our community here at West Side.
Please pray for the youth and adults attending the Winter Retreat this weekend with First UMC. Throughout the weekend, teens will have various opportunities to develop their spiritual lives by experiencing the beauty of creation, connecting with peers, spending quiet time with God, and diving into faith-based discussions. We look forward to sharing our experience when we return!
Samantha Tidball
Associate Pastor
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Don't forget that Daylight Savings Time is this weekend!
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Leaf Cleanup
The snow is gone, and it's time to cleanup leaf accumulation on the western edge of the parking lot and along the fence line on the north edge of the church lawn. Wheelbarrows and rakes are available in the garage, rather than leaf bags, and the collected leaves deposited into the dumpster.
I have been busy with a variety of project's around the church, and this request is extended to the church family to fulfill this early Spring cleanup. I will provide access to the garage as needed.
Thanks for fulfilling this needed cleanup,
Doug Brewer 734 665-5840
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Easter Lily Donations
Help celebrate loved ones by contributing toward the cost of Easter lilies that
decorate our sanctuary. Any funds raised beyond the cost of the plants will be
used for our Pastor’s Emergency Fund to help families and individuals with
food, transportation, shelter, and other issues.
Please order here or on the forms in the welcome center and office.
If paying by check, please make your check payable to West Side UMC with
“Lilies” in the memo line. If you pay by check, each lily is $15.
Deadline for payment and order is NOON on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
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Get ready for another wild ride with some very interesting women of the Bible. We will begin this adventure on Wednesday, March 27th at 10:30 AM and finish the book on Wednesday, May 15th. We
gather around the fire place in the hospitality area and study a different woman each week. If you have to miss a session, that’s ok.
This class is an 8 week class filled with laughter and discovery. It’s very informal and the discussions are lively. If you ever thought you might like to try a Bible study, but were afraid, thinking you didn’t know enough or you don’t have time for a lot of homework, this is the study for you!
The book is available on Amazon for around $13 and I have found 4 used books that I have put in the office. They are free to the first 4 people who want one. Please call Betsy Doepken (317-437-0971) to have any questions answered.
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Save these dates!
Did you know that 1 in 5 adults in Michigan experience mental illness each year? It's time to take action and advocate for better mental health care access! Join fellow United Methodists in Michigan in making a difference for those in need. Let's work together to improve access to care and support for all.
The 2024 Advocacy Day at the Michigan State Capitol will be held on Wednesday, March 13. Last year, 350 United Methodists and friends from across Michigan spent the day advocating with their state legislators, and this year, we hope to grow that participation. Our focus in 2024 is assuring that all persons have access to affordable mental health care and to reduce the stigma of mental health that impacts every family in Michigan.
HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
- Register now and get all communications related to this event.
- Attend the Advocacy 101: Let's Talk about Power webinar on January 25 at 7 PM EST/6 PM CST.
- Watch the February 15 Lunch and Learn on Mental Health Advocacy at 12:15 PM EST/11:15 PM CST.
- Attend the first online training on Tuesday, February 20 at 7:00 PM EST. 'A Roadmap' with Tori Booker, Advocacy and Outreach Manager for Immigration Law and Justice Michigan.
- Attend the second online training on Monday, February 26 at 7:00 PM EST. 'Insights' with State Representative Julie Rogers, Chair of House Health Policy Committee; and State Representative Felicia Brabec
- Attend Advocacy Day on March 13 at 9:00 AM EST in Lansing.
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NEW Facebook Page
Our new Facebook page is live! Like us to be updated on what's going on around at West Side.
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Prayer Concerns
If you would like to include a prayer concern to be listed in this section of our Weekly email, please email the church office with the name, and if you would like, you may add a brief description, eg. surgery, cancer diagnosis, death in the family, etc. This concern will be listed for 8 weeks. You can request the office to leave the name on the list for a longer period as well.
Braima Turay (brother of Susan Pieh)
Sympathy
Terry Horning (brother-in-law of Vanessa Horning)
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West Side Bookworms
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The West Side Bookworms will be meeting on Thursday, April 4th at 10am. Please join us around the fireplace to discuss The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni. Need a copy? Call Betsy Doepken at 317-374-0971
Apr. 4 The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
May 2 The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
June 6 Throwaway Children by Diney Costeloe
NO MEETING JULY 4
Aug. 8 The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck
Sept. 5 The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
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West Side Reads
Our April, 2024 book will be: How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith.
Goodreads summary: “Beginning in his own hometown of New Orleans, Clint Smith leads the reader through an unforgettable tour of monuments and landmarks-those that are honest about the past and those that are not-that offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has been central in shaping our nation's collective history, and ourselves.”
This book is available on Audible, Kindle, new in hardback through Thrift Books on-line or Amazon, local bookstores in Ann Arbor and through Ann Arbor District Library.
Because we have Westside friends that are no longer in Ann Arbor, we will continue to have our discussions via zoom. Please join us on ZOOM in April as we continue reading and learning about Social Justice in our world.
Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/88900552827
Meeting ID: 889 0055 2827
If you have any questions at all, please contact Cindy Heflin Pelo at heflincl@gmail.com or Ann Andraska at yellowstonefun4@gmail.com
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Library Book of the Week
Former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter presents a novel of the Revolutionary War that emphasizes the role of the South in the battle for America's independence. With a multitude of previous nonfiction works, ranging in topics from the Middle East conflict (The Blood of Abraham) to the workings of democracy (A Government as Good as Its People), Carter uses his political understanding to bring this well-researched tale to fascinating life.
When newlyweds Ethan and Epsey Pratt move from Philadelphia to a settlement in Georgia, they find themselves drawn into the war despite all their best efforts. Side by side with their Quaker neighbors Kindred and Mavis Morris, the Pratts are forced to take up arms against the British, as the world around them is bitterly changed forever.
With a discerning eye and a commitment to historical accuracy, Carter provides a unique view of the American Revolution by presenting lesser-known aspects of the conflict -- including the shameful way everyone involved tried to manipulate and control the Indian tribes. Despite a huge cast of characters and an extremely detailed and complex narrative, Carter keeps the story rooted in the personalities of common folks faced with extraordinary difficulties. The Hornet's Nest is a vivid, compelling, and original fiction debut from one of our most noted history makers.
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Crafty Christians
Bring yourself, a craft or a coloring page for a fun time! We meet Fridays from 11am-1pm. All are welcomed for fellowship and laughter. Please contact Judy Smith with any questions.
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March
Community Offering:
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) works to alleviate suffering and serve as a source of help and hope for those impacted by natural or human-caused disasters around the world. UMCOR uses 100% of dedicated gifts in direct support of relief efforts. In order to help enable this feat, our March community outreach offering will join with similar offerings being collected around the world in support of UMCOR's operating expenses. This offering helps to "keep the lights on" at UMCOR so that other donations sent throughout the year can go straight to where they are needed most.
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In Memoriam
Frank J. Siller
April 30, 1930 - September 2, 2022
Nancy Brewer
January 14, 1944 - September 2, 2022
Judith Oakes Fraleigh
November 21, 1935 - January 18, 2023
Edith Laura Semark
August 18, 1934 - February 3, 2023
Trenna Elizabeth Garner
January 8, 1935 - January 14, 2023
Carol Kreischer
December 28, 1930 - February 25, 2023
Joyce Weldon Clark
September 28, 1935 - February 27, 2023
Richard "Rip" Kinney
March 17, 1934 - April 21, 2023
Graham Robert Putnam
April 11, 1947 - October 31, 2023
Stephen Lacoe
February 10, 1936 - February 15, 2024
Marguerite Fisher
November 21, 1923 - February 16, 2024
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Giving Generously & Virtually
If you are able to, please consider giving virtually in the upcoming weeks by visiting our giving tab from our website here, or using our text-to-give function (instructions on how to do this can be found here). Thanks for all that you do to support the West Side family!
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Pastor
Adam Bissell
adam@westside-umc.org
Associate Pastor
Samantha Tidball
samantha@westside-umc.org
Director of Music Ministries
Jacob Carroll
jacob@westside-umc.org |
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Office Manager
Lisa Mayne
westside@westside-umc.org
Church Office Hours - Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10am-2pm
900 S. Seventh St
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734-663-4164 |
This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
-Jeremiah 6:16a
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