Dear Friends of First United Methodist Church – Brighton and Whitmore Lake,

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
-Lamentations 3:22-23

We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the church. Together we raised $10,000 to support Ukraine. We have raised over $5,000 to support the efforts of the Samaritan Counseling Center, and we are well on our way to raising over $50,000 for a Tiny Home at Cass Community Social Services. We have generously supported Habitat for Humanity, the VINA Community Dental Center, The Noah Project, and other mission projects around the world. Thank you for your faithful support of all these missions.

For 26 years we have been paying down debt from the construction of the new sanctuary and children’s wing in Brighton. For the first time in almost a quarter century we are within striking distance of being debt free! The most recent statement from our lender indicated that the principal value of the mortgage is a little over $90,000. Every month the church pays about $8,000 against the principal value of that loan. This line item represents about 15% of the yearly budget.

Without any additional payments we will finish paying off the debt in July 2023. Prior to the pandemic, it was the practice of the church to issue an appeal to members to help make what we called a 13th mortgage payment. This payment was made directly against the principal value of the mortgage. It helped accelerate the retirement of the debt.

This year we are asking families connected to the church to consider giving toward a 13th mortgage payment. This will help pay off the debt sooner. Paying it off early helps reduce interest and paves the way to an exciting new chapter of ministry. We continue to be committed to helping people Know God, Love God and Serve God.

We hope you would consider helping eliminate this debt by making a contribution to the 13th Mortgage payment. As we get closer to paying it off we look forward to planning a big celebration of the retirement of this debt. We are incredibly grateful for the continued faithful generosity of First United Methodist Church.

Thank you for considering this appeal,

Rev. Jon Reynolds & Rev. Lindsey Hall

When was the last time you got a professional picture taken? The church has grown and changed a lot since our last directory, too! We’ve invited Universal Church Directories to take photos and create a new directory for First United Methodist Church. Our church directory will not be complete without you!

When people enter the doors of the church they are looking for a place to belong. Our directory brings us together to develop new relationships, get to know each other across different services and campuses, as well as an opportunity for you to connect with your own family members.

This is a low-pressure, no-risk situation.

• Make an appointment for your portrait sitting (online is easy) and we’ll send a you a reminder.
• You can have multiple poses and immediately choose what you’d like included in the directory.
• Receive a free 8×10 and directory.
• You may choose to purchase additional portraits on the day of photography (no obligation).
• Yes, you can invite additional family members, friends, etc. Anyone can make an appointment (they are not required to be in the directory if they just want to have photos taken). Each household gets its own appointment slot.

Dates

• Aug. 15 – 17 (M-W), 2 – 8:30 pm • Brighton Campus
• Sept. 15 (Th), 2 – 8:30 pm • Whitmore Lake Campus
• Sept. 16 (F), 2 – 8:30 pm • Brighton Campus
• Sept. 17 (Sat), 10:30 am – 4 pm • Brighton Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

• Yes, pets are allowed (of course you’ll need to keep them confined with you in the building)
• Yes, anyone can schedule a photography appointment. You don’t need to be a member of the church
• No, you don’t have to buy anything. The church earns “points” for the number of appointments and sales. The points will be used for things like printing extra directories or pages.
• Yes, we’d love you to volunteer to help (we need people to help make appointments on Sundays in June, call people in July, check-in people when the come in August and September). Contact Joann Schmidt to volunteer.

Food Drive

The Disaster Response Team of the Michigan Conference suggests several important things United Methodists can do to assist thousands of their neighbors who are now suffering from flooding in mid-Michigan.

Reprinted from the Michigan Conference website

May 21, 2020 | LANSING, Michigan – Over the past two days historic flooding continues to impact the Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan. It is estimated that 10,000-12,000 people have or will be affected by flooding. Michigan United Methodists join Bishop David Bard in praying for people living in the region, first responders, and community leaders.

Nancy Money, the Coordinator for Disaster Recovery Ministries for the Conference, reports that a $10,000 grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), requested by Bishop Bard, has been approved. These funds will assist in the Conference’s immediate response to relief needs in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Needs will be assessed by the Michigan Conference Disaster Response Team in coordination with local leaders. Keep reading

You Can Help

The Disaster Response Team, chaired by the Rev. Robert Miller, is asking Michigan United Methodists to respond in these ways at the present time:

• Assemble Cleaning Buckets & Hygiene Kits. Please follow these instructions, that include new COVID-19 sanitation protocols.
• Donate to the Michigan Conference Disaster fund. For those wishing to donate to Great Lakes Bay Region flood victims, checks may be sent to the Michigan Conference at 1161 East Clark Road, Suite 212, DeWitt MI 48820. It is important to include this exact language in the memo: #4407 Michigan Area Disaster Response. Give online here.

Please note. Volunteers are not needed at this time. The Disaster Response Team has mobilized and readied Michigan’s trained Emergency Response Teams (ERTs). ERTs will be deployed when impacted communities are ready and able to receive them. General Volunteers In Mission will be needed in the future.

If you are having difficulty getting things you need while trying to stay home and stay safe, church volunteers are ready to help. Call the office with your request (such as picking up groceries or prescriptions, taking items to the post office) and you’ll be matched with a church member. Contact Wendy Carmack during office during weekday hours, M-Th 9 am – 4 pm and Fridays 9 am – 12 pm, 810-229-8561. wendy@brightonfumc.org. Outside of business hours, you are welcome to email, call or text your pastors. Pastor Sherry, sherry@brightonfumc.org and 810-360-9995. Pastor Bob, bob@brightonfumc.org and 810-571-0185.

Journey with us through the Love Story of Jesus and His church. Ours pastors love to the tell the story and invite you to share it, too.

Dear Friends,
It has been many weeks since I’ve seen you. I’ve missed greeting you and hearing your stories. I’ve missed worshiping with you. I pray for you and for the church every day. My hope is that this greeting finds you well.

Even though our church buildings are closed, we continue to be the Body of Christ. Many groups and classes are meeting online. The United Methodist Women have sewn and donated over 1,000 masks to hospitals and nursing home. Our church members are donating food to local food banks and volunteering. Last week we sent many boxes of food to Cass Community Social Services in Detroit.

Through the remarkable gifts of technology, we are worshiping every Sunday. We have had to learn very quickly how to lead worship in a new way. We’re making it happen by God’s grace!

While this has been a financially challenging time for the church, we are committed to paying our church staff and other financial obligations. I am thankful for our generous congregation. We have received offerings by mail and online. In addition, we have applied for and received a payroll loan through the CARES Act. It is a forgivable loan that will help with church employee costs in April and May.

We are also actively planning for the reopening of our church buildings and a “new normal” for ministry. I can assure you that before we open our church campuses and resume in-person worship that we will have plans in place to keep our congregation members safe to the best of our ability. We will also continue to host worship online and record it so that people who need to stay home can worship with us.

In the coming days and weeks, find the latest news through our emailed news, website and Facebook pages. Also, please feel free to call the church office at 810-229-8561. You can call me at 810-360-9995 or Pastor Bob at 810-571-0185.

I’ll admit that I don’t like living with uncertainty. I am finding comfort knowing that our Savior has risen and offers us peace, even in the most difficult times. I am reminded of the words to the hymn “Because He Lives” by Bill and Gloria Gaither.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

My prayer is that in these uncertain days we have courage to face the future. Our fear is gone because Jesus lives.
Blessings,
Pastor Sherry

March 18, 2020

Dear Friends,

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. My hope is that this letter finds you and your family safe and observing the precautions outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our government officials.

On Friday, March 13, Bishop David Bard, the bishop of the Michigan United Methodist Church, requested that all church worship services, classes, and events be suspended until the end of April 5 in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are abiding by that request. The CDC has recommended that groups over 50 not meet for eight weeks (as of March 15). We will keep you advised of when on-site church events will begin again through our website, Facebook, E-news and on the phone message at our office.

At this time our church buildings are closed for all but essential activities.

WORSHIP, STUDY, PRAYER

• We will worship together online on Sundays at 9:30 am. The worship service is available through our website or Facebook pages. Recordings of worship, including audio recordings of the sermon will be available at our website or Facebook pages.
• For those in classes or small groups, leaders may be in touch with you about continuing study through video conferencing.
• If you are not currently in a class or group, please consider preparing through this Lenten season by reading the Passion Narratives in the Gospels: Matthew, Chap. 21-27; Mark, Chap. 11-15; Luke, Chap. 19-23; John, Chap. 12-19
• If you have not done so, ask to receive daily email devotions from Pastor Sherry, sherry@brightonfumc.org
• Stay connected with other congregation members on a private Facebook group that we’ve established. Look for an invitation to join in our E-news and our Facebook pages.
• Explore a new way of praying. Write in a journal or take a “prayer walk” in your yard. Look to the Psalms as a source for prayer.

SERVICE IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST

We are called to creative service in these extraordinary times. Please consider serving the community in the following ways.

• Pray intentionally for family, friends, neighbors, and our community and world. Make a list of people you know who could become very sick if they contact the virus and pray for them by name. Pray for healthcare workers and first responders. Pray for those who are experiencing economic hardship and feelings of isolation.
• If you need assistance with errands of any kind, contact the church.
• If you are willing to join a growing number of volunteers who are willing to run errands, please email helpinghands@brightonfumc.org.
• Become part of a phone call/letter/card-writing ministry. Contact stephanie@brightonfumc.org and she will connect you with a member of the congregation who would be blessed to receive words of encouragement from you. You may also know of other people beyond the church who could benefit from this gift.
• Provide food for those who will experience shortages in the coming weeks. Look for information on our website and Facebook page for ways you can respond to our community’s needs.

GENEROSITY

I give thanks to God for the generosity of this congregation and encourage you to continue with your regular giving practices as you are able. Many of you participate in Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), which allows your regular gift to the church to be transferred directly from your financial account. Others are reaching out by mail. You may also choose to use our online giving options.

Our church leaders are committed to paying all church employees through this challenging time, as well as fully meeting other financial obligations.

Faithful friends, today I am mindful of the last words that John Wesley spoke, “Best of all, God is with me.” In the days ahead, we will continue to be the Body of Christ. God uses the church in extraordinary ways in extraordinary times. Best of all, God is with us.

My prayers are with you all.

Blessings,

Pastor Sherry

The Rev. Lindsey Hall and the Rev. Jon Reynolds have been appointed by Bishop David Bard to serve as co-pastors for First United Methodist Church – Brighton and Whitmore Lake Campuses, effective July 1, 2020.

Pastors Jon and Lindsey are married and have two children, Joshua (age 4) and Lydia (age 2). Jon grew up in Clarkston, Michigan and attended Albion College where he studied Philosophy and Political Science. After college, Pastor Jon was called into ministry while working as an intern at Cass Community UMC in Detroit. Pastor Jon attended Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Chicago where he met Lindsey. After seminary, Jon served as an Associate Pastor at St. Paul’s UMC in Rochester, Michigan where he helped launch two worship services and focused on reaching young adults. Pastor Jon currently serves as an Associate Pastor at Cass Community UMC. Outside of church, Jon loves biking, walking the dogs, and the Detroit Tigers!

Rev. Lindsey was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University where she studied Communications and Theatre Arts. After college, Lindsey served as a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries in Hawaii, working with children and youth. Called to ministry, Pastor Lindsey attended Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity in 2013. Pastor Lindsey has served at Birmingham First UMC since 2012 as an Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Contemporary Worship. Rev. Lindsey loves mission work, small group discipleship, preaching, and working with people of all ages. Lindsey loves singing, dancing, drinking coffee, eating chocolate, and visiting her family in Nebraska and Texas.

Pastors Jon and Lindsey will serve our congregation as co-pastors, a model new to our church. Neither will be a senior or associate pastor; instead they will share responsibilities equally and cross-over in most areas. We pleased and excited about Pastors Jon and Lindsey’s appointment, and know that you will welcome them with open minds and open hearts. Please hold them in prayer during these months of transition.

Read the full letter from the Staff-Parish Relations Committee.

Pastor Bob Fuchs has been appointed to serve at DownRiver UMC. The Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker-Lewis announced last fall that she would be leaving Brighton First UMC in June. Her husband the Rev. George Lewis is retiring and the couple are moving to Mattawan, Michigan. Sherry will be working for the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan.

Pastor Bob Fuchs has been appointed by Bishop David Bard to DownRiver United Methodist Church in Taylor, Michigan, effective July 1, 2020. We are appreciative of Bob’s gifts and his service while appointed here and long before that. As United Methodists, we affirm with faithful understanding that we, the Church, are the Body of Christ. It is Christ’s sustaining Spirit that will guide us in the days ahead. We will trust and rely on Christ’s presence and grace during this time of transition.

In the coming weeks and months, we will have the opportunity to express our appreciation for Pastor Bob’s ministry in our midst. There will be time to say our good-byes, and time to begin planning a welcome for the new person whom God will send to become our next pastors.

Read full letter from the Staff-Parish Relations Committee

Our faith community is clear about our mission. We exist to help others to know God, love God and serve God. Our purpose influences all that we do in worship, faith formation and service. I give thanks to God for so many who serve to make our mission possible. We are truly a blessed church.

Another way that many have said “yes!” to the mission and effectiveness of First United Methodist is through generous gifts. In mid-2019, church leaders became concerned about a growing gap between church expenditures and giving. We made adjustments in spending and let the congregation know about the church’s needs.

I give thanks to God for the faithful response of so many.

• First United Methodist Church begins 2020 financially sound with all bills paid.
• In 2019, we donated materials and time for outreach and gave $72,611 for mission, outreach and mission teams.
• We continue to grow a “maintenance reserve” fund, anticipating building repair costs.
• We paid 100% of our clergy pension obligation ($18,833)
• We gave 71% of our “Ministry Shares”, support for the United Methodist denomination (gave $50,661).

As we move into 2020, we will work from a budget that incorporates our vision and reflects good stewardship. I am privileged to be in ministry with you in this fruitful time in the life of our church.

Blessings,

Pastor Sherry

Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker-Lewis email

Worship Series January 12 – February 2, 2020

Songs in the Silence

Sometimes we suffer in silence with great burdens. When silence has been our practice, what will be our songs of lament and hope? We will look to the Book of Lamentation and Psalms to find a new song.

Jan. 5 – Culture of Silence listen online

Jan. 12 – Mental Illness listen online

Jan. 19 – Addiction listen online

Jan. 26 – Domestic Abuse listen online

Feb. 2 – Depression and Suicide listen online

Resources are available in the Community Room (Brighton) and the Upper Hall (Whitmore Lake) for anyone facing these issues. Break the silence and talk with someone. To talk to a pastor, call the church office, 810-229-8561.

Resources

National Alliance on Mental Illness

• National: nami.org
• State: namimi.org
• Local: namilivingston.org

Addiction Resources: There are many resources available locally, including support for family members of those who struggle with addiction. Use these websites or talk with a pastor.

• Alcoholics Anonymous – aa.org
• Narcotics Anonymous – na.org
• Gamblers Anonymous – gamblersanonymous.org
• Codependent Anonymous – CoDa.org
• Al-Anon and Alateen Support – al-anon.org
• Celebrate Recovery – celebraterecovery.com

Domestic Violence Resources

• Livingston County – LACASA, 24/7 hot line 866-522-2725, lacasacenter.org
• Washtenaw Country – Safe House Center, 24/7 hotline: 734-995-5444, safehousecenter.org
• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 24/7 hotline: 800-787-3224

Mental Health Crisis Lines

• Livingston County, Community Mental Health Crisis Line, 517-546-4126
• Washtenaw County, Community Mental Health Crisis Line, 734-544-3050
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-TALK
• Suicide Hotline,800-SUICIDE, 800-615-1245

Brighton Campus Worship

400 E. Grand River Ave., Brighton

Sundays

8 am, Worship and Holy Communion weekly

9:30 am, Worship and Sunday School for 3 years through 6th grade

11 am, Band-Led Worship, Sunday School (multi-age class) for children K-6th grade

A nursery is available during 9:30 am services for children under 36 months old.

Children’s Ministry Info

Whitmore Lake Campus Worship

9318 Main St., Whitmore Lake

Sundays

9:30 am, Acoustic Band-Led Worship