“With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, I have obviously been thinking of what I can tell you that you haven’t already heard before.  As I was studying the Bible, specifically Ephesians 6:1 where it states that “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right,” I couldn’t help but notice my wife and daughter and their recent interaction.

The two of them were spending some quality time together, bonding as most daughters and mothers do, and I had to chuckle when I heard my daughter speak up and tell her mom that “God wouldn’t be happy with what Joey did in class today and I told him that!”  Now, I’m not advocating that you need to necessarily speak up to that extent in school, but we can learn from this little instance.

We, as parents, do our best to raise our children in the way of the Lord; however sometimes it seems as though we’re not being successful.  Much like sometimes in Youth Group, it seems that we’re speaking to you but it isn’t sinking in.  With our daughter, there have been times that we thought she wasn’t paying attention or not taking it seriously.  However, when you hear her say that she realizes that others are not doing things that please God, it reassures us that she is, in deed listening.

As Ephesians 6:1 says, we are to obey our parents “in the Lord”.  No matter what our age is, whether we’re teenagers or adults, we still are to obey our parents.  When we do things that show we have been listening to them, not only are the parents pleased, but God is pleased.

As Mother’s Day approaches, we will be running to the store getting a nice card, flowers and something special for our dear mothers.  However, the best thing you could do for your mother is to show that you truly do love her by respecting her and listening to her.  Make this Mother’s Day a memorable one for your mom.

Until next time,

Pastor Eric

~~~

Monday, April 30, 2012

This coming Thursday, May 3rd is National Day of Prayer.  Some of you may have heard of this, some may not have.  It is a day set aside for Christians to spend, focusing on praying to God for all aspects of our lives; from family, to the government, for missionaries to world peace.  Some churches, even some Christians don’t do anything special on this day.  This is just another day in the week, plodding along waiting for the weekend to arrive.  How sad!

I am proud to say that is not what our church is like.  At 6pm on Thursday evening , Pastor Jim will gather with other pastors in Lapeer on the Old County Court House lawn to have a special service to commemorate that day.  Along with praying, there will be singing and readings from historical figures, as well as a small group breakout time to better allow for focusing on issues that are important to each of us.  I encourage all of you to attend, if at all possible.

On the topic of prayer; most Christians go to God in prayer for wants and needs, mostly for themselves, and we fail to remember the guide that Jesus gave us in Matthew chapter 6 about how to pray properly.  We forget to give God the honor and respect He so greatly deserves.  We forget to thank Him for all that He has given us.  Our lives are so busy that we want to run through our prayer time, almost as if it’s one of our daily “chores” that we have to get through in order to make our day complete.

My challenge to each of you this week is to slow down in your prayer life.  Take some time to think about all that God has done for you.  If you have to, list on paper the things He has blessed you with .  You might be surprised as to how much He really has done for you!  If we focus on that, we’ll properly put into place the things that are important in life and when we go to the Lord in prayer, our hearts will be more in tune to what He wants to talk to us about.  See if you can double the amount of time you spend in prayer.  If you normally pray around 2-3 minutes, double it to 5 minutes.  Spend some of the time before you start praying to quiet yourself before God.  Find your “closet” (Matthew 6:6) and quiet yourself before the Lord.

May the God of peace give you the rewards you so richly deserve.

In Christ,

Pastor Eric

~~~

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

After attending the play A Picture Of Calvary last weekend and listening to the complete Easter story, I feel compelled to make reference to how some of the people involved in this event can give us hope in today’s world.  When we turn on the TV, or jump on the internet and read the latest news, all we hear is the violence (Treyvon Martin killing, war in Iraq); the negativity (any political ad for the upcoming presidential election); or sadness (cancer reports, children left alone to fend for themselves by their parents).  To listen to just that, would make anyone depressed to the point of wanting to give up, feeling as if there is nothing for which to live.

I sit here today, as I type this blog, and re-assure you that there is a hope for each of us in today’s sin-filled world.  That hope is Jesus!  He died for us, took the pain, the violence, the negativity, the sadness; both physical and emotional, and gave us the hope that if we live for Him, He has already allowed us to gain something much better than this world could ever offer . . .  Eternal Life without any pain, sorrow or agony.

Matthew 5:3-12 says; “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

What a great promise this is!  No matter where we fall into any of these categories (and we all do at some point or another in our lives) God gives us a PROMISE of His blessing.  Nothing here on earth can give us that guarantee!

As we get back into the daily grind of work, school or just life in general, let’s remember the words that Jesus said to the disciples in the early part of His ministry and cling to the promise of the great reward we have waiting for us in heaven.

Until next time,

Pastor Eric

~~~

Thursday, March 29, 2012

In talking with other Christians lately, it seems as though the devil is working overtime to try and tear down the work that God has started.  Whether it’s as an adult who has been working full-time for a number of years, or a teenager who is working part-time to earn money for a car or school; we all as Christians face difficulties of different sorts.  In facing those challenges, we may get easily discouraged or frustrated in how things play out.  Try as we might to handle things the way we should, our human nature begins to take over and we are like Peter when he walked on the water toward Jesus.  We look around and take our eyes off of Jesus and begin to stumble.  When that happens, we need to remember Psalm 138:7 which says; “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me; thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.”

The next time something doesn’t seem to go right, or you think you’re getting treated unfairly, remember that God will protect us in the time that we need Him to the most.

Until next time,

Eric

~~~

Thursday, March 22, 2012

The past few weeks at work have been a little tough for me.  As most of you know, I work primarily as a loan officer at a local credit union.  When you work full-time, you in essence have a second family that, whether you like to admit it or not, you spend approximately 40 hours a  week with.  Your co-workers and you sometimes spend more time together than your family, or at least it seems like it.

I’m not sure if it’s the devil trying to get at me or just the Lord testing me, but I have one co-worker in particular that is my equivalent of Paul’s “thorn in my side”.  This person is my polar opposite.  From doing unethical things in the workplace to being overbearing and high maintenance, they have covered the whole arena of trials for me.  I’ve tried my best to tolerate it and be a “team player”, even following the Lord’s leading to say something to them about some of their behavior in a non-threatening way, to no avail.

This morning, as I’m here in my living room having my quiet time in a quiet house, I came across this scripture that I’ve heard a thousand times before but really spoke to me.  I thought I would share it with you.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

A couple of simple sentences that put everything back into perspective.  Even though the things of this world get us down, I need to remember that God is in control and will give us the peace that we need to face anything.  So as I begin my day, I am encouraged to be reminded that God is with me, even at work, and that I can face today with a peace and excitement that no matter what happens at work, at home or anywhere in between, I can trust Him to see me through it.

I hope this lifts you throughout the rest of the week and I look forward to seeing each of you at church on Sunday morning.

Pastor Eric

~~~

Monday, March 12, 2012

The Tea Cup

There was a couple who took a trip to England to shop in a beautiful antique store to celebrate their 25^th wedding anniversary.  They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially teacups.  Spotting an exceptional cup, they asked, “May we see that?  We’ve never seen a cup quite so beautiful.”

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke, “You don’t understand.  I have not always been a teacup.  There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay.  My master took me and rolled me, pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, ‘Don’t do that. I don’t like it! Leave me along!’ but he only smiled and gently said, ‘Not yet.’” Then WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around.  “Stop it! I’m getting so dizzy! I’m going to be sick!” I screamed.  But the master only nodded and said quietly, “Not yet.”

He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then he put me in the oven.  I never felt such heat.  I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door.  “Help! Get me out of here!” I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head from side to side, “Not yet.”

When I thought I couldn’t bear it another minute, the door opened.  He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool.  Oh, that felt so good! “Ah, this is much better,” I thought.  But after I cooled, he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over.  The fumes were horrible.  I thought I would gag.  “Oh, please, stop it, stop,” I cried.  He only shook his head and said, “Not yet!”

Then suddenly he put me back in to the oven.  Only it was not like the first one.  This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate.  I begged.  I pleaded.  I screamed.  I cried.  I was convinced I would never make it.  I was ready to give up.  Just then, the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf where I cooled and waited and waited, wondering “What’s he going to do to me next?”

An hour later, he handed me a mirror and said, “Look at yourself.”  And I did.  I said, “That’s not me; that couldn’t be me.  It’s beautiful.  I’m beautiful!”

Quietly he spoke: “I want you to remember, then” he said “I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you’d have dried up.  I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled.  I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn’t put you there, you would have cracked.  I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn’t done that, you never would have hardened.  You would not have had any color in your life.  If I hadn’t put you back in that second oven, you wouldn’t have survived for long because the hardness would not have held.  Now you are a finished product.  Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you.”

The moral of this story is this:

God knows what He’s doing for each of us.  He is the potter and we are His clay.  He will mold us and make us and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kinds that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will.

So, when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to “stink”, try this:

Brew a cup of your favorite tea in your prettiest teacup, sit down and think on this story and then, have a little talk with the Potter.

Pastor Eric

~~~

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Greetings!

As we draw closer to spring and the new life that will soon be blossoming from the ground, we have a new change to the church website.  I will be doing the Student Body Blog on a regular basis.  This will be a way for the teens of our church to see words of encouragement or thoughts to ponder during the week.

Check back on a regular basis to see what I’ve updated.  I promise it will be short, sweet and interesting.  See you soon.

Pastor Eric

Welcome to our website. We are thrilled that you are visiting our site and sincerely hope that you enjoy your visit. We trust that it will help you better understand who we are as a local body of believers in Christ.

We are a caring church where the Word of God is preached. We care about people and love to greet new people. We would count it a privilege to care about your heart and life, and assist you in  growing in your personal relationship with the living God.

If you are new, I encourage you to click on the “I’m New to Hunters Creek Community Church.” This button will take you to a description of what to expect when you visit for the first time. It, along with the rest of the web site, should answer many questions that you may have about our church. If any of your questions are not answered, please feel free to contact me through e-mail or by phone. I would love to interact with you and seek to answer any questions you may have.

Enjoy the rest of your visit to our web site. I sincerely hope that it will be of help to you. We also hope that you visit us soon for a Sunday morning or evening service.

Sincerely In Christ,

Pastor Jim
Senior Pastor

On Saturday, April 21st and 28th, six churches will participate in this Men’s Basketball Tournament held at Hunters Creek Community Church Fellowship Hall/Gym.

The first game on the 21st will begin at 8:00 AM.

Contact Aaron Sweeten for more details!

The Boy Scouts will be selling concessions including fruit and many lunch items as well as popcorn, candy and numerous beverages; Gatoraid, pop and water. Proceeds from food sales will go to the Boy Scouts’ fund, Troup 217.

On Wednesday, April 18th, the Senior Saints will be going on a “Mystery Trip”.
This will be a fun and exciting trip that we are sure everyone will enjoy.

The “Trip” is FREE.

We will be stopping at a nice (mystery) restaurant on the way home, which should cost less than $10.00 per person.

We will be taking the church bus. Meet at the church at 9:30 AM.

Please sign the sheet in the Narthex if you plan to attend. We must get our resevations in to this mysterious place!! ☺

The Pregnancy Resource Center of Lapeer will be having their 2012 fun-raising Banquet at Hunters Creek Community Church on Tuesday, April 24th.

Doors open at 5:30 PM and the silent auction will begin at that time.  Dinner will be served at 6:30 PM.

This years guest speaker is Bob Dutko from WMUZ, Christian Talk Radio, 103.5 FM.

There is no charge for the evening, however, tickets are required.To get your free tickets, you may call the Pregnancy Resource Center at 810-667-0055 or Hunters Creek Community Church at 810-664-6037.

The Senior Saints will be going on an overnight trip to “The Shack” in White Cloud, (Jugville) MI Thursday & Friday, May 10th & 11th.

Regular rooms are $60.00 back view, and $70.00 lake view per night, and that includes banana splits in the evening and breakfast in the morning. We have reserved a block of rooms and everyone must call and pay for their own room. They are holding 15 rooms until March 10th, and after that we will see if we need fewer rooms, or more (if available).

Of the first floor rooms, 2 are regular rooms and 4 are hot tub tooms. They will charge the same price for the hot tub (normally more expensive) as regular rooms IF the tubs are NOT used. These would probably be reserved by people who have a hard time with the stairs. (There is no elevator!)

Please call SOON to make your reservation if you are planning to go. They will hold the credit card info until check-in and then charge the card. If you should change your mind or are unable to go, a full refund will be given 20 days prior to the date of stay. In the case of an EMERGENCY they will refund up to check-in. If someone just changes their mind, or can’t go for another reason, they may have someone else take their place.

On Thursday night if there are enough guests, there will be a buffet of 3 meats, 2 vegetables, 2 potatoes, salad and beverage for $12.50 plus tax. If there should not be enough for the buffet, Prime Rib or Chicken Breast dinner would be available for the same price. We need to let them know ahead which entree, if that is the case. Banana splits would still be the dessert. (PLEASE NOTE: When you make your reservations, the meal price will be included in the charge they tell you.)

We will be leaving the church at 10:00 AM on Thursday the 10th. It’s about a 3 hour drive and we’ll be stopping for lunch on the way. Check in is 3:00 PM. (We MAY  be car-pooling on this trip rather than taking the bus.)

Check out is 10:00 AM. On the way home we plan to come back by way of M-46 through Saginaw. We’ll be stopping for lunch/shopping at Blanchard, south of Mt. Pleasant, for a visit to a unique small town of shops, tea room, ice cream parlor etc., called Loafers Glory, before returning home about 4 to 5 o’clock on Friday.

The phone number of The Shack is 231-924-6683. The person’s name we talked to is Sherry. She’s the owner. Make sure you tell them that you’re with Hunters Creek Group.

Please let either Karen Hope or Gail McClelland know if you have made a reseation or are planning to.

Senior High Students …

We are excited to announce this summer’s mission trip the week of July 15-20. We will be going to Jersey Shore, PA, New Tribe’s Missions Mobilization Center, where our missionaries, the Lilley’s serve. We will be on a Wayumi Expedition.

What is Wayumi Expedition? It’s a week of missions and camp rolled into one. Unlike the typical missions trip where one goes and serves, this unique experience challenges teens to think about missions and immerses them into a cross-cultural missions experience without leaving  the U.S. They even get to sleep in a hammock, in jungle camp for the week.

Check out the web site which tells you all the details of what to expect while you are there. http://usa.ntm.org/go/mission-trips/wayumi

The cost is $199.00 per student with a $50.00 non-refundable deposit due by March 28th.

This years Soccer Camp will be held on Monday through Friday, July 23 – 27.

Watch for more info coming up soon!

Family Camp will be held on August 2-4, 2012 at Covenant Hills Campground, Otisville, MI

Please watch the church bulletin for more details coming soon!

September 14^th – 15^th

Lions Bear Lake Camp

3409 N. Five Lakes Road

Lapeer, MI 48446

“Discerning The Voice of God” … by Priscilla Shirer

We have decided to put a twist on this year’s Ladies Retreat, a camping experience! We may arrive at the camp anytime after 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Supper that evening is at 6:00 p.m.  Saturday, breakfast is scheduled at 8:00 a.m. and lunch at noon.

PLEASE NOTE … Lodging will be in nice cabins!

Departure time on Saturday is no later than 5:00 pm.  This retreat is for ladies who are at least 18 years old; those who are 16 or 17 years of age must attend with their mother.

The cost for this special weekend is $35.00 per lady. This includes lodging, Friday’s supper, Saturday’s breakfast and lunch, as well as materials needed for the retreat.  We will let you know more details at a later date. We look forward to seeing you all for a great time together as we get into God’s Word as sisters in Christ.

To register: Send your name, address, phone number, and check for $35 (made out to Hunters Creek Church) to Hunters Creek Church, 2471 Metamora Rd., Lapeer, MI 48446.

If you need more information, please call the Church Office at (810) 664-6037.

Super Bowl 46!

Sunday, February 5th at 5:30 PM.

Tickets are now available in the Narthex for this year’s Super Bowl Party, held at the home of Todd Tindall.

This is an outreach opportunity so invite your neighbors, friends and family.

Young men 14 years and older may attend with their father. The price of tickets ($3/person or $5/family) includes snacks and prizes. Please plan to bring a potluck dish to share.

We will be collecting cans of soup for “Souper” Bowl Sunday from our congregation. They will be donated to Love INC.

The AWANA program meets every Wednesday evening from 6:30 PM till 8:15 PM during the fall and winter months.  (Exceptions will be noted on the church calendar.)

The AWANA dinners are served from 5:45 PM till 6:15 PM. This meal is prepared each AWANA night for the students and all the Wednesday evening workers as well as our church families. A donation is accepted to cover the expense.

On the first three Sundays of every month we offer a Special Education Children’s Church (SECC) during the morning service. This program runs the entire length of the AM service. Please feel free to drop your child off before church starts and pick them up after the service concludes.

SECC is for children with Special Needs. The target age for students is 4-12 years old. We have trained and experienced workers attending to the children each week.

The class meets downstairs in the Kindergarten room.

The program assists your special child in learning God’s word through a variety of ways!

Please feel free to call the church office for more information.

Some of the workers that you may expect to see are Andrea Henderson, Paul Bigler, Kathy Pate, Diane Rossi, Christ Schultz and Sandi Henderson.

What is GriefShare?

GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you after your loss of a spouse, child, family member or friend using God’s Word as a guide. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. GriefShare seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You’ll gain access to valuable GriefShare resources to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life.

How GriefShare Works

It may be hard for you to feel optimistic about the future right now. If you’ve lost a spouse, child, family member or friend, you’ve probably found there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. This can be a confusing time when you feel isolated and have many questions about things you’ve never faced before. GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Each GriefShare session has three distinct elements:

Video Seminar With Experts

Each week your GriefShare group will watch a video seminar featuring top experts on grief and recovery subjects. These videos are produced in an interesting-to-watch television magazine format featuring expert interviews, real-life case studies, dramatic reenactments and on-location video.

Support Group Discussion With Focus

After viewing the video, you and the other group members will spend time as a support group, discussing what was presented in that week’s video seminar and what is going on in your lives.

Workbook-Based Personal Study And Reflection

During the week you will have the opportunity to use your workbook for further personal study of the grieving process and to help sort out your emotions through journaling. Your group will spend time discussing questions and comments from the workbook study.

When To Join A GriefShare Group

You are welcome to begin attending the GriefShare group at any session. Each is “self-contained,” so you do not have to attend in sequence. You will find encouragement and help whenever you begin. You will be able to continue with GriefShare through the next 13-week cycle and view any of the videos you have not seen.

Who Should Come … Who Should Not

GriefShare is for people grieving the death of a loved one. Many other life situations bring deep grief, such as separation and divorce, a loved one who is dying, estrangement, loss of a loved one to a cult, loss of custody of a child through divorce and more. If you are struggling with a loss not due to a death, GriefShare is not designed to meet your grief needs for healing.

A GriefShare group meets in our main church building each Thursday evening from 7:00 – 8:30 PM. Call the church office to register.

For more information on GriefShare Visit www.GriefShare.org

Check the bulletin or the on-line calendar for updates.

All ladies, 18 years and older, are invited to our Fellowship Hall for some great exercise and fellowship each Thursday throughout the winter months. (Check the bulletin in case of a cancellation)

We will begin at 6:30 P.M.

Please plan to bring non-marking sport shoes to help protect our gym floor.

If you have any questions, plase contact Lisa Bach.