Sunday Morning Services
8:00 am and 10:00 am
A message from the pastor...
June/July/August 2025
Over the years that I have served as pastor, I have met a number of solid families. These families live in stable, peaceful homes. The children are well-adjusted and do well in life. What I have found is that these families usually have a father who cherishes his wife and provides for his children. His life at home is a priority. In addition, faith is an important part of his life. Consequently, he serves as an example of Christian living for his household. He takes the time to attend church. He leads devotions and makes sure that his sons and daughters are instructed in the Lord (Eph. 6:4).
This is not to say that loving and faithful fathers never have family problems. I have seen good parents struggle with a trouble child. I have also seen children manage to do well despite growing up in a broken home.
Despite these exceptions, it can still be said that fathers serve as a bedrock to successful families. Their role in providing security and stability for the household cannot be overstated.
Yet our society often does not value this important vocation of fatherhood. They are often portrayed as helpless buffoons in our entertainment media. Any parent who has read the Berenstain Bears knows that Papa Bear is nothing more than an overgrown cub. It’s the competent, mature Mother Bear who runs the house and sets the rules. In addition, if a divorce should happen, fathers can have their role in their children’s lives cut back to every other weekend and a few weeks during the summer.
But this should not come as a surprise in a society that often labels masculinity as toxic. Children need to be spared from fathers and their troublesome testosterone.
In contrast, the church should appreciate and esteem the role that God has given to fathers. After all, this is what we are invited to call the Almighty God who made the heavens and the earth. He is not just Lord of all, but he is also our heavenly Father.
As our Father, he provides all that we need so we can get along in this world that he has created. He guards and defends us. He also has revealed his deep and profound love by sending his only Son to be our Savior. He would not spare his beloved Son, but he gave him up for us all. As a result, Jesus would be put death on a cross for our sins. Because he rose again on the third day, we can trust that his sacrifice has reconciled us to God. Our place is with him as his children.
Therefore, let us celebrate the work of fathers. Let us encourage them to be faithful in their vocations. When the love and grace of God is reflected through fathers, stable homes with solid families usually result. Moreover, children grow up in the faith.
God’s peace be with you!
Pastor Nelson
OFFICIAL ACTS |
Baptisms |
0 |
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Confirmations |
Kaelyn Lohman (5/4/25) Josha Tryska (5/4/25) |
|
Weddings |
0 |
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Funerals |
0 |
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Grace, mercy and peace to you all from Christ our Lord! Summers in West Michigan are the best. Having the lake, the trails, and the festivals really make summer so good! I know Emilie and I will be taking full advantage of all that West Michigan has and will be sharing all these goodies with Millie and Levi.
With Summer here, I want to encourage you all to take time to be in the Word. That truly is the best way you will rest. The summer will be even better if you start a new habit of reading your Bible every morning. Make it part of the day. Be intentional with your time and slow down. Summers get busy here. We must always be focused on the Gospel though. Keep your eyes and ears open to all the opportunities that you will have this summer to share God’s word, to share Jesus. Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Remember this verse when you are out and about this summer. When you are on the beach, how can we walk humbly with God? Or when you go to one of the many festivals, say to yourself, how can we love kindness? We must always represent Christ in what we do and say. We are the salt. Share Jesus whenever you can, do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
The summer calendar as of June 1. Please remember the best and most up to date calendar will be posted on Facebook and in the weekly newsletters.
Blood Drive - June 4th
Alaska Mission Trip - June 10th - 19th
Family Breakfast - June 29th
4th of July Parade - July 4th
Family Pool Day - July 9th
VBS work day - July 12th
Family Blueberry Picking - July 12th (still figuring out details)
National Youth Gathering - July 17th - 24th
VBS work day - July 26th 9am - Noon
VBS work day - July 27th - 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Vacation Bible School Begins - July 27th - July 31st
VBS clean up - July 31st - 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Family Water Day - August 4th
Michigan Adventures day event (Tentative cost of $25/person) (date TBD)
Blood Drive - August 6th
Unity Fest Family Free day - August 6th
Family Mini Golf - August 17th
Confirmation Parent Meeting - August 27th
Confirmation Begins - September 3rd
Confirmation Retreat Arcadia - October 3rd - 5th
Remember things will be added or more information will be posted on costs, dates, times, and expectations.
In Christ,
Russell Baumann ~ Family Life Director
John 3:30
Good Shepherd Preschool
We finished up the year with many fun activities: a tour of Weesies Greenhouses, a field trip to the Montague Library, a play day at my house, and our closing program with songs and cookies. Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support throughout the school year.
As we head into summer, we are already planning and preparing for next school year. A big project planned for this summer is creating an outdoor play space for the preschoolers. If you are interested in helping with any of the following, please let me know:
installing 4'x8' vinyl fence panels around two sides of the lawn area on the south side of the church building, digging up sod to prep for the sandbox area, hauling sand to the sandbox area, donating scrap lumber to be used to build a mud kitchen and/or playhouse, building a mud kitchen and/or playhouse.
We will also be holding a Paper Products and Play Doh Drive in August. Watch the bulletin for more details.
Marilee Bailey
Good Shepherd Preschool
Director and Teacher
231-894-8471
Foundation of Faith Bible Study
Has it been a while since your days of confirmation instruction? Have you forgotten the two tables of the law?
Do you have trouble defending infant baptism?
Join us for our Foundation of Faith Bible Study as we explore the six chief parts of Luther's
Small Catechism. Classes will be on
Wednesday's at 6:30 pm on the following days:
June 2nd & June 18th
July 2nd & July 9th
August 13th & August 20th
Youth and Communications Coordinator
Hi church family! I'm excited to step into the role of Youth & Communications Coordinator here at St. James. My job is to help share the life of our church-announcements, events, special ministries, and photos through our social media and communication channels.
If you have something you'd like to share with the congregation or the community, I'm your go-to person! Whether it's an upcoming event, a ministry update, or photos from a recent gathering, I'd love to help get the word out.
You can reach me at
stjamesycc@gmail.com or by phone/text at 231-670-9931. I also have a mailbox for any hard copies; it is across from the church office
Looking forward to working together to keep our church connected and encouraged!
Sharing Jesus with joy, serving with purpose.
Amber Mayville
Grieving with Hope
Summer Meeting Schedule
Monday, June 2nd, July 7th, & August 4th, at 10:00 am
Love Family News
Meals continue to be delivered to shut ins once a month. You can help by delivering a couple meals or sending money for the Love family account to be used for the meals. Thank you!
Please Pray For the Alaska Mission Team!
They leave for Alaska on, June 10th and return on June 19th. May their mission work be fruitful!
Please Pray
Pastor Nelson and Bob Meacham as they leave for the District Convention on June 22nd-June 24th.
Trombone Camp 2025
Trombone Camp begins on June 24th and runs through June 30th. They use much of the church space for different classes and small group learning. Watch the bulletin for any performance dates! Or stop in during the week to hear them practice!
Muskegon Pregnancy Service
Can you believe it? MPS is turning 40! 40 years helping women in unplanned pregnancies. Happy Birthday!
40 years of life-saving services! Join us in our $40 for 40 campaign. Contact
https://muskegonpregnancyservices.org/donate for more information.
Coming Soon:
LifeWalk Celebration Picnic
Thursday, June 12, at Ross Park from 5:30-7:00 pm
Contact MPS for info to walk and get sponsors.
Help us celebrate 40 years of hope & courage!!
Father's Day
Sunday, June 15th. Blessed is the father who guides with wisdom, supports with love, and leads with kindness.
Congratulations to our 2025 Graduates!
Jack Bailey
Brianna Bentz
Delaney Hopma
Riley Mulder
Kendall Rachow
Paige Ramthun
Isaiah Towne
Reese Tryska
We will celebrate our grads on Sunday, June 22nd, at the 10:00 am service.
Trail Life - USA
Calling all Dirty Cars!
Trail Life Troop MI-8945 is hosting a carwash on June 28th, from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM at WinBerg Construction
(8868 Water Street) Stop by and support our Trailmen!
Join us for the White Lake Area 4th of July Parade, Friday, July 4th, 10:00 am, downtown Montague & Whitehall. Line-up begins at 9:00 am (behind Whitehall City Hall) with a parade start of 10:00 am.
Entry is FREE for Chamber members, non-profit groups, & individuals ($25 charge for non-member businesses and politicians).
There is 4-unit maximum per entry and all units must be decorated.
Contact the White Lake Area Chamber & Visitors Bureau for more information at 231-893-4585 or `minfo@whitelake.org'.
White Lake Music Festival
Once again, St. James Lutheran is hosting five of the multiple concert for the White Lake Misic Festival.
We are looking for people to "host" at each concert. Below is the schedule. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board if you can help.
7:00 pm, Friday, July 28th
7:00 pm, Saturday, July 29th
7:00 pm, Wednesday, July 23rd
7:00 pm, Thursday, July 24th
7:00 pm, Saturday, July 26th
Grief Relief
What more can be said about grief? Plenty. There are numerous upon numerous books on the subject-each providing a different perspective. Many of those sources have been added to our church library. But most of them agree on some of the basic concepts:
-everyone grieves differently
-there is no timeline for grief
-grief never heals-it is how you learn to cope with it
-you do not know what a person is going through till you experience it yourself
A person can also find numerous references of Bible verses about grief. Some references list 25 + Bible verses about grief to find solace in difficult times. Another site lists 20 uplifting Bible verses about death to bring peace and hope.
There are listings of
- the Top 20+comforting Bible verses about grief and loss
- 55 comforting Bible verses about loss and the death of a loved one
- 30 Bible verses about death
- 11 Bible verses to bring comfort in a time of loss
- etc, etc...
True, many of these Biblical references may be quoting the same chapter and verse.
Personal quotes number beyond comprehension on grief and loss. One of our own church members has copied down an assortment of over 95 quotes and Bible verses that have come to her attention over the last 2+ years of her personal experience with grief and loss.
What is the point of all this?
Grief is not an illness. You don't just take a pill and wake up healed. Grief isn't just missing what was - it's learning to live without what will never be... Not until you've lost a child do you know how it feels to be sad every single day. Grief is so much harder than anyone tells you.
SO...
When someone enters a life of loss and is grieving, there may come a desire or longing for answers and understanding; a search for answers to "why?" "how could this have happened?" and "why to me?"
At first, family and friends surround the person with love and attention. But soon, life resumes to normal for them and the grieving person is alone. The person wonders if he\she is the only one who feels this? She questions what now? She seeks reassurances that what is being experienced isn't abnormal. So the books written on the subject of grief, the emotions expressed in song lyrics, the personal quotes by others grieving, all those can provide some of the answers.
But most of all, and the utmost comfort, can be found in the words provided by our Lord Jesus Christ in any and all of the Bible verses. When everyone else goes on with their daily tasks, God is still with us. He is available 24/7. His love for us is so deep that he died on the cross. He brought grief by His death but he brought eternal life by His Resurrection. There is so much reassurance and truth in every word uttered in the Bible. He gives comfort and answers to all our questions. No other reference books, quotes, etc. can give the promise that our grief will come to an end. Only our God and Savior can promise everlasting life to all who believe.
I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. John 11:25
VBS 2025 SCUBA
"Plunge beneath the waves to forge a mighty faith"
Sunday, July 27th - Thursday, July 31st
Vacation Bible School is just around the corner, and we're so excited to welcome kids for a week of learning, laughter, and growing in God's Word! Registration is now LIVE on our Facebook page and church website!
Sign ups for volunteers have also been posted! We're still in need of Group Leaders and help with Prep/Work days leading up to VBS. Whether you can lend a hand behind the scenes or lead a group of kids, your support makes all the difference!
Click
here to register.
Be sure to look for our DONATION TABLE coming in June for more opportunities to help!*
We're also looking for 5-6 more Thrivent Action Team cards to help cover supplies and activities. If you're able to apply for a card or have questions about how, please let us know.
If you would like to help us spread the word about VBS, we have Flyers available and would love for you to share them around town or at a business you may own!
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Emilie Baumann (260-458-4286) or Amber Mayville (231-670-9931).
Let's come together to bless our kids and community through this amazing ministry!
Music Festival
The
Unity Christian Music Festival is a four-day Christian music festival held annually in Muskegon, Michigan, at Heritage Landing. This year, the festival takes place from August 6-9, 2025. It features over 20 top Christian artists, local and international non-profit booths, activities and games for all ages, food vendors, and more. A pre-event, "Day Zero," is held on Wednesday, August 6th, and is free to the public.
Women of St. James
Camp Arcadia Women's Retreat
September 12th -14th ~ Gretchen Ronnevik
Have you ever wanted to get away with a few friends and family to relax and revive your soul. Here's an opportunity I'd like to share with you. If you decide to attend you can register your group at the Camp Arcadia website.
September 12th - 14th ~ Gretchen Ronnevik
Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted
When we mistake spiritual disciplines for to-dos, time slots on our schedule, or Instagram-able moments, we miss the benefits of Christ's continual and constant work for us. This weekend we will reclaim spiritual disciplines as good gifts given by our good Father, instead of heavy burdens of performance carried by the Christian. Only when we recognize our failure to maintain God's commands do we also realize the benefit of our dependence on his promises. It is good to grow in dependence on Christ who is not just the author, but the perfecter of our faith.
Gretchen is a mother to six kids who are quickly growing into adults. Her family lives in western Minnesota. Gretchen works as a writer and enjoys knitting, reading many books at the same time, and embarrassing her teenagers in public.
This sample schedule is from 2023, but will give you a general idea.
Onsite
Adults (18+) $750 per adult, teens (14-17) $570 per teen
Youth (7-13) $420 per youth, children (3-6) $290 per child
Babies (0-2) $0 per baby, Housing Surcharges (onsite guests only)
Single Occupant Inn Room +$125, Inn - Private Bathroom +$405
Aspen Cottage (1-2 guests)+$425, Birch Cottage (6-8 guests) +$560
Spruce Cottage (4-6 guests) +$561, Cedar Cottage (8-9 guests) +$600
Juniper Cottage (12-16 guests) +$717
Offsite
Adults (18+) $475 per adult, Teens (14-17) $355 per teen
Youth (7-13) $260 per youth, Children (3-6) $130 per child
Babies (0-2) $0 per baby, Minimum Deposit (Onsite or Offsite): $175
Online Service Directions!
How to watch our services online step by step: on Facebook Live on Sundays at 8:00 am
- In the top search bar... Go to https://www.facebook.com/stjamesmontague/videos
(You do not need to have a Facebook account page to access this)
- Close the popup box asking to login to your Facebook account.
- Scroll down through the Facebook page until you come across the most recent videos
- Click on the Live video of the church service.
- Explore the rest of the Facebook page and watch other videos. 😊
June Birthdays |
06/01 Edwin Bender | 06/14 Stacy O'Connell |
06/02 Aidan Buchberger | 06/17 Betty Hager |
06/02 Harper Seymour | 06/17 Dirk Patrick |
06/03 Char Dean | 06/18 Jase Lohman |
06/03 Joel Best | 06/18 Louie Bender |
06/04 Randy Weiss | 06/19 Brianna Bentz |
06/04 Roger Smith | 06/20 Karissa Tryska |
06/05 Royce Kroll | 06/20 Paul Schultz |
06/07 Robin Owens | 06/22 Olive Oquist |
06/08 Lynn Pastras | 06/23 Courtney Friday |
06/08 Riley Mulder | 06/25 April Lipka |
06/09 Bob Wackernagel | 06/25 Isaiah Towne |
06/09 David R. Ramthun | 06/25 Kendi Rachow |
06/10 Alyssa Goodrich | 06/26 Jared Justian |
06/11 June Buchberger | 06/27 Amy Urban |
06/14 Adalynn Dean | |
July Birthdays |
07/01 Melinda O'Connell | 07/16 Vicki Vanderlaan |
07/03 Odin Oquist | 07/17 Elizabeth Birkhofer |
07/05 Carol Towne | 07/17 Genevieve Kroll |
07/05 Jeremy Turpin | 07/17 Kyle Stevenson |
07/06 Bob Dean | 07/18 Henry Schultz |
07/06 Cameren Cooper | 07/18 Sue Streblow |
07/06 Carol Crevier | 07/19 Zach Buchberger |
07/07 Briann Justian | 07/21 Delaney Hopma |
07/09 Dave McNeil | 07/21 Henry Friday |
07/09 Tyler Grover | 07/21 Theodore Huls |
07/10 Brent Rogers | 07/24 Alex Goodrich |
07/10 Leif Oquist | 07/25 Gerry Hissong |
07/10 Wolfgang Koenig | 07/25 Peyton Schultz |
07/11 Charlotte Rice | 07/25 Randy Zeller |
07/11 Lillian Stevenson | 07/27 Henry Bailey |
07/11 Marilee Bailey | 07/27 Jack Bailey |
07/13 Jenna Stevenson | 07/27 Julie Grow |
07/13 Nikki Seymour | 07/27 Olivia Johnston |
07/13 Ty McCormick | 07/30 Rhianna Sheesley |
07/14 Kashton Ramthun | 07/31 Marsha Schlager |
07/15 Eric Vanderlaan | |
August Birthdays |
08/01 John Patrick | 08/12 Ruschel Friday |
08/01 Kim Hardy | 08/13 Hannah Boulet |
08/01 Mike Griffith | 08/14 Ron Barrs |
08/02 Tim Hanson | 08/16 Eloise Baxter |
08/03 Beth Meacham | 08/16 Pam Kroll |
08/03 Ruth Ann Francis | 08/17 Cashton Chamberlain |
08/04 Art Jones | 08/17 Rusty Streblow |
08/05 Sarah Justian | 08/18 Drew DeRose |
08/05 Shelby Friday | 08/18 Killian Nordlund |
08/06 Oliver Bantien | 08/19 Faith Mayville |
08/07 Asa Stevenson | 08/20 Amber Mayville |
08/07 Keira Lindstrom | 08/20 Virginia Roesler |
08/07 Lolita Silvis | 08/21 Ken Causie |
08/08 Gloria Alvarez | 08/21 Rich Canniff |
08/08 Grace Kool | 08/22 Julia Hasenbank |
08/08 Mary Ann McPheron | 08/24 Brooke Sheesley |
08/08 Matthew Hedges | 08/24 Janet Gifford |
08/08 Patti Engelter | 08/24 Penny Mayville |
08/09 Ben Stevenson | 08/25 Vicki Schultz |
08/09 Betsy Patrick | 08/26 Evelyn DeLong |
08/09 Martin LaFever | 08/26 Rich Kessler |
08/09 Wren Mills | 08/26 Willa Mills |
08/10 Becky Winters | 08/28 Angie Wigren |
08/11 Cathy Hissong | 08/30 Dylan Hopma |
08/11 Kelly Bantien | 08/30 Tracy Sheesley |
08/12 Dale McKenzie | 08/31 Maggie Huls |
08/12 Fred Bentz | |
SERVING us in JUNE |
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| 8:00 | 10:00 |
ELDERS | Keith Ramthun | Henry Friday |
TRUSTEES | Ron Bailey | Ruschel Friday |
USHERS | Keith Ramthun | Brad VanBergen |
| Jay Mulder | Ken VanBergen |
| Riley Mulder | Gary Mason |
| Ron Bailey | Randy Weiss |
ALTAR CARE | Ron Barrs & Angie Wigren |
PRAYER PARTNER | 1st | Sam Bender |
| 8th | Dave McNeil | No Second |
| 15th | Jay Mulder | Service Prayer Partner |
| 22nd | Ron Bailey |
| 29th | Ron Barrs |
GREETERS | 1st | Phil & Mary Albrecht |
| 8th | Alicia & Ethan Koski |
| 15th | Brent & Chris Rogers |
| 22nd | Jerry & Dianne Gardner |
| 29th | Kevin & Chris Buchberger |
MULTI-MEDIA | 1st | Jeri Wonders | Marci Bentz |
| 8th | Eric Lindstrom | Jill Squire |
| 15th | Alicia Koski | Eric Lindstrom |
| 22nd | April Lipka | Friday Family |
| 29th | Michael Kool | Eric Lindstrom |
COFFEE HOUR | 1st | Katie & Lilly Rice, Tanya Simon |
| 8th | Amanda & Katelynn Cooper |
| 15th | Alicia Koski & April Lipka |
| 22nd | Kathi Strahl & Sarah Justian |
| 29th | Allison Rant & Nikki Seymour |
ALTAR FLOWERS | 1st | |
| 8th | Courtney Friday |
| 15th | |
| 22nd | Paul & Eileen Schroeder ~ 50th anniversary!! |
| 29th | |
NURSERY |
We will not have volunteer nursery staff for the summer months.
The space is still available for families to use. The worship service
is streamed live on the TV in the nursery!
|
SERVING us in JULY |
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| 8:00 | 10:00 |
ELDERS | Bob Wackernagel | Jeff Boulet |
TRUSTEES | Josh Huls | Joel Best |
USHERS | Ken Causie | Jeff O'Connell |
| EB Boulet | Joel Best |
| Tom Blink | Chris Hassenbank |
ALTAR CARE | Pat Smith |
PRAYER PARTNER | 6th | Rick Gifford |
| 13th | Josh Huls | No Second |
| 20th | Eric Lindstrom | Service Prayer Partner |
| 27th | Jordan Lohman |
GREETERS | 6th | Marsha Ramey |
| 13th | J. Gifford / D. Hammersley |
| 20th | Connie & Annette Neubauer |
| 27th | Jake & Amy Wackernagel |
MULTI-MEDIA | 6th | Alicia Koski | Marci Bentz |
| 13th | Jeri Wonders | Jill Squire |
| 20th | Eric Lindstrom | Friday Family |
| 27th | April Lipka | Marci Bentz |
COFFEE HOUR | 6th | Faith Mayville & Amber Mayville |
| 13th | Cheryl & Vern Leitz |
| 20th | Sarah Bernhardt & Gloria Bernhardt |
| 27th | Kim DuBois & Sue Griffith |
ALTAR FLOWERS | 6th | Lisa Siedenstrang |
| 13th | AJ & Janet Vanderleest |
| 20th | |
| 27th | Merle & Nancy Bernhardt - 43rd Anniversary! |
NURSERY |
We will not have volunteer nursery staff for the summer months.
The space is still available for families to use. The worship service
is streamed live on the TV in the nursery!
|
SERVING us in AUGUST |
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| 8:00 | 10:00 |
ELDERS | Greg Neubauer | Merle Bernhardt |
TRUSTEES | Casey Seymour | (Elder) |
USHERS | Greg Neubauer | Bob Meacham |
| Karen Neubauer | Merle Bernhardt |
| Rex Allen | Jeff Boulet |
| Tyler Grover | Jerrod Moore |
ALTAR CARE | Marsha Schlager |
PRAYER PARTNER | 3rd | Alan Mayville |
| 10th | George McLaughlin | No Second |
| 17th | Greg Neubauer | Service Prayer Partner |
| 24th | Leif Oquist |
| 31st | Todd Rachow |
GREETERS | 3rd | Bob & Kim Wackernagel |
| 10th | Scott & April Lipka |
| 17th | Lisa Siedenstrang |
| 24th | Bruce & Lauren Wackernagel |
| 31st | Dave & Sue McNeil |
MULTI-MEDIA | 3rd | Michael Kool | Eric Lindstrom |
| 10th | Alicia Koski | Jill Squire |
| 17th | Jeri Wonders | Friday Family |
| 24th | Eric Lindstrom | Eric Lindstrom |
| 31st | April Lipka | Marci Bentz |
COFFEE HOUR | 3rd | Kellie Rachow & Girls |
| 10th | Pat Smith & Carolyn Koski |
| 17th | Mary Albrecht & Cathy Hissong |
| 24th | Diane Babcock & Erika VanBergen |
| 31st | Connie Kring |
ALTAR FLOWERS | 3rd | Jeff & Melinda O'Connell |
| 10th | DuBois/Griffith |
| 17th | Rex & Pat Allen |
| 24th | |
| 31st | |
NURSERY |
We will not have volunteer nursery staff for the summer months.
The space is still available for families to use. The worship service
is streamed live on the TV in the nursery!
|
If you are unable to fulfill your assigned duty, please make arrangements with someone before or after you on the list. Thanks!
Funeral Luncheons
If we have a funeral, Faith Mayville, our Luncheon Coordinator will contact you for help. Each funeral luncheon requires table/chair set up, food donations, food servers (kitchen staff), and table/chair take down. Faith will let you know what is needed.