This Sunday:
This Sunday, April 11, we will continue to worship using our zoom format, individually, but still as one body, united in Christ. Rev. Andrew Mead will bring us a message based on the scriptures of 1 John 1 – 2:2 and Psalm 133. Our Bilingual English/Swahili service worships at 11:30 am.
Next Sunday:
In the Sunday, April 18 GPS session we will welcome Prof. Pennlyn Dykstra-Pruim of Calvin University, who will help us learn how to better understand and navigate cultural differences. Prof. Dykstra-Pruim has authored books on this topic, including Understanding Us and Them: Interpersonal Cultural Intelligence for Community Building. All who are interested in discovering how to harmonize our diverse voices in worship and community (especially as it relates to the Basic English Service and refugees and immigrants generally) are invited to attend. For more information about our presenter, and the topic of her talk, visit here.
Re:New Wednesday Nights at COS:
You’re Invited to join us IN PERSON this spring for “Re:New – Wednesday Nights at COS” For 6 weeks during Eastertide (Apr. 14-May19), COS will be embracing themes of renewal and growth and new life and hope in our Wednesday night series “Re:New – Wednesday Nights at COS.” People of all ages are invited to spend time together OUTDOORS and with masks on as we reflect and respond to God’s promise to make all things new.
Dates: April 14 – May 19, 6:30-7:30pm Note: in inclement weather, all programs will likely be postponed/canceled. Also, food and drinks will not be served, but you are welcome to bring a water bottle. Bathrooms will be available, and masks are required.
Adults: Adults at COS will have the opportunity to hear from and interact with members of COS who are engaged in the work of renewal in unique ways. Our list of presenters includes Tracey Gebbia sharing her work of transforming old fabric into new creations, Gail Heffner sharing about the work of Plaster Creek Stewards, Joan Huyser-Honig and her work with the COS Community Garden, and more! Come ready to spend time outdoors–and wear comfortable shoes as part of our time may be spent walking around the church property.
Worship 6-6:30 pm: Wednesday Evening Taize Prayer services will take place in the sanctuary at COS. These services will be limited to 25 people each. The services will include scripture, prayer and meditative music, but no corporate singing. Masks will be required for the entire service. And social distancing will be required in the sanctuary.
7th & 8th graders: WNZ is transitioning back to WNL! (But Zoom will still be offered…at least in April.) From 6:30-7:30pm, Mr. Leahy will continue to lead classes via Zoom for the month of April—but Pastor Andrew will be at COS in April, guiding students IN PERSON who show up at church for our WNL meetings! How awesome is that?! Lord willing, meetings in May will all be held at COS. See you soon!
Preschool-6th grade: Join us on Wednesday nights this spring for creation-themed outdoor programming for preschool-1st graders and 2nd-6thgraders! Kids should come dressed for games, outdoor exploration, and crafts. Food and drinks will not be served, but kids are welcome to bring a water bottle. Bathrooms will be available, and masks are required.
Church News:
Financial Update:
Last week’s offering and online giving (includes monthly ach): $34,859.91
Giving for the month of March: $115,529.13
Current giving for the month of April: $34,859.91
Monthly budgeted General Fund Giving is: $112,926
Interested in becoming a member at Church of the Servant? We have 2 new member classes each year and so it’s again time. Even during these pandemic days the work of the church is thriving. If you are interested in learning more please contact Ben Videtich, our Congregational Life Coordinator, at ben.videtich@coscrc.org or leave a voice mail at 231-349-1328.
Households can meet in the building! During this pandemic, it has been difficult for households to meet properly. Zoom burnout is REAL. However, the Covid rules have been loosened slightly and now groups of 25 or less can meet together in our church building. We will have a few spaces set up for there to be proper social distancing and masks are required. Per state and national guidelines, no food or beverages can be served. Please contact Ben Videtich, our Congregational Life Coordinator, at ben.videtich@coscrc.org or 231-349-1328. He will then put you on the schedule and let you know how to enter the church and where to meet.
Blood Drive coming to COS! We will host a blood drive in our building on Monday, May 10, from 2-7pm. You can make an appointment now online at https://donate.michigan.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/128137 . If you need assistance with that, please contact Ruth Huisman (452-2611). This is our first drive in the building since November of 2020. We are so pleased to be able to host here again, and look forward to welcoming back all our faithful donors! Thank you for sharing your gift of life!
ESL resumed in the COS building on March 23 for 3 sessions. On April 6, Tuesday evening classes begin. Student attendance was at 23 at these 3 session over these past two weeks. No vacant class! Students and tutors are very eager to reengage in learning and teaching English with the COVID protocols in place.
The New 2021 Church Directories have arrived! The new yellow directories will have your family’s name and address label on the front. Directories are in mailboxes at church. Feel free to come to church and ring the front doorbell and pick your directory up. Sorry for the omission: Eric Bartels and Wendy Nance are still active members at COS along with their children, Sophie and Ian. Contact the church office for their contact info.
In GPS on April 25 we welcome Robin Harris leading us in “The joys and challenges of multi-ethnic worship”. Robin Harris served for decades in cross-cultural contexts, including ten years in northern Russia. She earned MAs in Intercultural Studies (CIU) and Ethnomusicology (Bethel Univ) and a PhD in Music/Ethnomusicology (UGA). In addition to serving as Director of Dallas Int’l University’s Center for Excellence in World Arts, she speaks at colleges and conferences about ethnodoxology and its application to cross-cultural work. She also serves as the President of the Global Ethnodoxology Network (GEN), an organization she helped to launch in 2003. Her publications include co-editing Worship and Mission for the Global Church: An Ethnodoxology Handbook (William Carey Library, 2013) and Storytelling in Siberia(University of Illinois Press, 2017).
The Council invites the congregation to prayerfully consider nominations for the offices of Elder and Deacon for the September 2021-2024 term. You are welcome to nominate others (ideally after consulting with them), or yourself. For those of you who participate in our various committees and teams, we would also invite you to discuss as a committee or team who among you might be suited to serve in the capacity of council member. A nomination form is available here.