Pastor Lynne McQuown
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
~ Isaiah 41:10
“Aren’t you afraid?” I keep getting asked this question. About our upcoming trip
to the Holy Land. About having a child who struggles with depression. About
politics, finances, having an aging parent, the future of The Church, school/ church
shootings, and so much more. “Aren’t you afraid?”
Actually? No. Not really. Maybe because I’ve lived long enough to know that
usually our worst fears don’t come true. It’s the stuff we can’t even imagine that
blindsides us and takes our breath away. Maybe because I know that anything
worth doing involves risking, stepping out, and trusting.
Yes. There are many scary things in our world. And evil still exists in so many
horrific manifestations each and every day. Things can go wrong in our lives and
in the world. And sometimes they do. But God....Our God is bigger than anything
we can fear. And it is that same God who created us to have ABUNDANT life,
not necessarily a sheltered, safe existence. We have the choice to isolate ourselves
and try to stay “safe,” or we can keep living, loving, exploring, serving, and trust-
ing that God is with us, no matter what, and that will be enough.
As 35 of us (14 from JFPC) prepare to step out into a Holy Land pilgrimage, I’ve
been reflecting a lot on Epiphany. I’ve been pondering the thoughts and feelings
of the magi who stepped out into the unknown, following a star, with the hope it
would lead them to the promised Messiah. I’ve been thinking about Mary and Jo-
seph leaving everything behind and fleeing, with a baby, as refugees into Egypt.
I’ve been thinking about our God, who chose to inhabit the precious, vulnerable,
en-fleshed life of a human being so that we would know extravagant grace and
love.
The dictionary defines “Pilgrimage” as: “A journey, often into an unknown or for-
eign place, where a person goes in search of new or expanded meaning about the
self, others, nature, God, or a higher good, through the experience. It can lead to a
personal transformation, after which the pilgrim returns to their daily life with
new eyes.” A pilgrimage always asks that we be open, willing to be changed,
which can be anxiety producing. But COURAGE literally means, “take heart.” It
is not the absence of fear, but the decision that some things are more important
than fear. Fear doesn’t get the last word.
This year, may we all step out in faith into a pilgrimage – physical, geographical,
or spiritual – into unknown places that draw us closer to God, to each other, and to
the purpose of our own lives. As pastor/author Frederick Buechner says, “Here is
the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.”
JAN Calendar and Newsletter
Click here to download a copy.
Our travelers are leaving on Sunday, January 26th for the Holy Land. They are boarding their bus at 10:15 am. As a result we will be holding our church service at 9:30 , one hour early. Come at 9am for coffee and donuts.
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Services
Services are held in the main Church:
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Sunday Morning Services are at 10:30 AM
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Sunday School for youth will be held during church services.​
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Communion is held on Easter Sunday and the first Sunday of each month.
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Nursery is available during church services.
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Current Events
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100 Women Who Care - Jonesville Chapter - 2nd Monday in January, April, July and October at 6:15 p.m.
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Take a Break Tuesday - Second Tuesday of each month, 1:00 p.m.
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Bible Study-Wed at 10:30am
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Grief Recovery Group-1:15pm
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Faith in Fitness..Thurs. noon to 1pm Hillsdale College
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Knit Wits - 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
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Pub Theology - TBD
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Adult Choir - Rehearsals every Wednesday 6pm
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Songwriters: First Monday of each month
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Young at Heart - TBA
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Grounded in Grace Coffee House..W,Th,Fr from 9am to 1pm
Come Join Our Choir!
Take a Break Tuesday
(2nd Tuesday of the month 1pm)
January Saucy Dog
February Olivia's
March El Cerrito
April Hillside Lanes
May Cavoni's
June Spangler's
July Johnny T's
August Burgers Unlocked
Sept. Local Eatery
October Pizza Hut
November Cottage Inn
December Hillsdale Brewery
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1st Sunday of the month
Communion Sunday
Grief Group Our congregation has suffered significant losses in the past couple of years. Many in our midst are grieving – the loss of loved ones, jobs, relationships, health. If you are in grief, (over anything), you are invited to JFPC’s Grief Group. We have no curriculum, no agenda, no purpose other than to listen, to support each other, and to offer a safe place to grieve openly. We will meet Wednesdays at 1:15pm. (Come earlier for a crêpe and coffee
Back by popular demand – Wednesday 10:30 am Bible Study begins May 8. In May and June we will be journeying through the book of Genesis. All are welcome
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JAN. calendar of events
13 100 Women Who Care 6:15pm
14 Take A Break at Saucy Dog 1pm
15 Bible Study 10:30am, Grief Group 1:15pm
16 Faith and Fitness noon
19 Congregational meeting after church
19 Pub Theology
22 Bible Study 10:30 am,Grief Group 1:15pm
23 Faith and Fitness
26 Church Service 9:30 am
26 Travelers leaving for Holy Land
29 NO Bible Study 10:30 am,NO Grief Group 1:15pm
30 NO Faith and Fitness noon
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CHURCH LIFE
Memorial Garden
Join us
on Facebook.
Made to order savory and dessert crepes. We make our own fillings and use fresh ingredients. By donation. Proceeds are used for outreach to support local non profits.
Grounded in Grace
Coffee House
We are open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM!
We are now serving crepes each day!
Located in the Church Fellowship Room - enter through the back door
Coffee and Tea (Keurig) for a suggested donation
All are welcome – bring a friend or neighbor; meet a new friend or neighbor!
This ministry of hospitality began with a desire to provide a Christian environment, in which people can congregate, to develop relationships leading to greater self and interpersonal relationships with each other and God. 10% of the proceeds each month will be given to local, non-proift and service organizations such as Hope House, Community Action Agency, Domestic Harmony, Youth trips, or a food pantry.
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Leigh and Jason Raddatz
Pastor Lynne McQuown and family
Bill and Kathy Adams
Grounded in Grace Coffee House
Small Title
The Mick Sisters
Sharon and Scott Dow
Kathi and Ron Boyle
Mary and Tim Skupinski
Please email us.
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