July Cascadian

Hello Friends,

These past few weeks have been fast paced as I have been getting acquainted with the staff and the various processes in the church. Needless to say, I am very happy to be here and am grateful for the warm welcome I have received from the congregation. The parsonage has been nicely prepared and I am amazed at how it has been supplied with everything I need.

This summer will be an unusual time as Adam Carlson is doing an interim ministry in Danville, Illinois, and Michael Dirksen is busy with camp matters at the Crystal Conference Center. In the fall, we will be making some slight adjustments to our staffing to better serve the church.

As a reminder, I am on site from Saturday evening until Thursday afternoon. I plan on being at my home in Frankfort from Thursday through Saturday.

Thank you for accepting me as your interim and I trust this time we have together will be filled with faithful progress.

Tim Murtaugh

4th of July Parade & Hot Dog Sale

We still need a lot of help with the 4th of July Parade & Youth Hot Dog Sale. There are many ways to chip in and get involved:

PARADE: Help decorate the float or walk with us in the parade to pass out candy and church fliers. We'll meet at the staging area at 8:30am to set up or 9:30am to walk.
HOT DOG SALE: Donate food items, help set up or clean up, grill the hot dogs or sell tickets!

This event is an amazing way to be present in the community and all the money raised from the hot dog sale support our youth ministry. Click the button below or contact the church office to sign up or for more information.

All-Church Outing to the Whitecaps

Tuesday, July 23 | 6:00pm

Cascade Christian Church is heading to LMCU Ballpark to watch the Whitecaps take on the Lansing Lugnuts. We will attend a 6:30 game, so please meet at the church at 5:15 to carpool or meet us at the main ticket gate if you drive yourself (plan to meet at about 6:00). We’ll purchase tickets at the game, prices vary from $11-$20 and it is Church Bulletin night at the Whitecaps so tickets are half off if you bring a bulletin (we’ll have extras!).

We're Hiring!

We are currently hiring a 20-25 hour/week Elementary and Middle School Youth Leader position. If you know of someone who is great with kids and has a passion for teaching kids about Christ, please let them know about our position. The position could start anytime but we are really hoping to have someone hired by the fall. Please help us spread the word. Candidates can apply through our website.

Offering Envelopes

2024-2025 Offering Envelopes are now available. If you received envelopes last year, you can pick up your 2024-2025 envelopes in the Chapel entryway or Sanctuary Narthex for the next two Sundays. If you've not received offering envelopes in the past but would like some, please contact the church office!

Wanted: Vacation Bible School Volunteers

Vacation Bible School 2024 is coming up on August 5-9 from 9:00-11:30am and we need you to make it an unforgettable week for the kids in our church and community! There are many ways to get involved. Be a crew leader, lead a station, assist in the classroom, or help provide transportation. Not a kid person? No problem! You can help with snack prep in the kitchen, prepare the craft materials, or assist in set-up and decoration. There's a place for everyone to lend a hand and be a part of this amazing ministry and outreach opportunity. Click the button below to sign up or contact Michael Dirksen for more information.

VBS Work Days

Lend a hand as we get prepared for Vacation Bible School! Stay for the whole time or drop in for as long as you can help.

Monday, July 8 | 4:00-7:00pm
Saturday, July 27 | 11:00am-3:00pm
Monday, July 29 | 4:00-7:00pm
Wednesday, July 31 | 4:00-7:00pm
Saturday, August 3 | 11:00am-3:00pm
Final Setup: Sunday, August 4 | After 9:30 service until done

Regional Women's Retreat at Camp Crystal

August 16-18

Women of the church are invited to join others from across Michigan at the Regional Women's Retreat at Camp Crystal. This year's theme is "Women Adorned for Justice" and the retreat will feature speaker Sophia Maria Barnett. Sophia is a licensed minister, an advocate for Socio-Economic Justice, and the founder of the Making A Child Change Foundation. The weekend will feature workshops centered around human justice, environmental justice, gender justice, and anti-racist justice, as well a wide range of free-time activities to enjoy. Registration is $165 (all-inclusive) and the deadline is August 5. Scholarships are available. Click the button below to register or learn more.

Visit our Website

PICTURED: The 15 ladies who attended the Women's Dinner Out at Cascade Roadhouse in June had a wonderful evening enjoying delicious food and great conversation.

Sunday School Teachers Needed

We still need some Sunday School teachers for July and August! The lessons will be provided, sent to the teachers in advance, and the curriculum will be in each classroom. We need two volunteers per Sunday, and could use your help. Contact Michael Dirksen or click the link below to sign up to help!

Recognizing Sue O'Brien

On Sunday, June 23, we celebrated Sue O’Brien following her retirement from the Child Development Center on June 7. In addition to being an active member of Cascade Christian, Sue has been one of the CDC’s longest-serving staff members and was a devoted lead teacher in our preschool for over 20 years. We will be collecting cards and a love offering for Sue through the first two weeks of July. We give thanks for the impact she’s made on the lives of countless children, and we wish her all the best in her retirement!

July Recurring Events

SOUL WARMERS: Mondays, July 8 & 22, 2:00-4:00pm & Monday, July 15, 6:30-8:00pm | Knitting and fellowship in Room 112. Beginners and experienced knitters are welcome!
BOARD MEETING: Thursday, July 18, 6:00pm | This month's meeting will be held in person in Centennial Hall. All are welcome to attend!
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION: Saturday, July 20, 9:00am | Join us in the Coffee House for a time of meaningful discussion.
GAME NIGHT: Friday, June 28, 7:00-9:00pm | Bring a drink and a snack to share and meet in the Chapel Basement. Contact Debbie Jones with any questions.

Save the Date: Vacation Bible School 2024

August 5-9 | 9:00-11:30am

Mark your calendars and spread the word to friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers that VBS 2024 will be August 5-9! Kids ages 4 through 6th grade welcome! We also need volunteers to help make VBS an amazing week for our kids. Contact Michael Dirksen with any questions!

Sunday School

Sundays during the 9:30 Service

Sunday School continues to meet through the summer during our 9:30 service for Pre-K through 5th Grade. Kids will start service in the Sanctuary with their families and will be dismissed from there to go with teachers to the 2nd floor of the Fort (Education Building). PARENTS: We need more teachers to help in July and August. If you're willing to help out for a Sunday or two, contact Michael Dirksen.

Elementary Camp Highlights

62 people from all over the state of Michigan gathered at Camp Crystal for Elementary Camp to hear about Jesus Christ! Linda Alexander’s granddaughter, Willow, was baptized. One of the most exciting things about the camp this year was how many younger campers we had which is a sign that we will continue to grow in the years to come! A special thanks to all of our counselors and CITs without whom Elementary camp could not happen.

Weekly Events

Sunday School continues to meet weekly at 11:00am for Middle & High School students. Wednesday Night Youth Group will resume after the church picnic in the fall.

Please Note: Middle/High School Sunday School will not meet on July 14 or July 21 due to camp.

4th of July Hot Dog Sale

On July 4th every year we do a hot dog sale to help raise money for the youth group. This year the funds will support not only our Mackinac Island Trip, but also our scholarship fund for camp. Please click below to sign up. There are many ways to help even if you can't attend on July 4th!

Michigan's Adventure Trip

Tuesday, July 9 | 9:30am

Middle/High School students are invited for a day trip to Michigan’s Adventure! We’ll meet at church at 9:30am. Bring $50 for the cost of the ticket and money for snacks and souvenirs. Church will provide lunch and dinner!

Middle School & High School Camp

We hope you already know these dates but July 14th-20th we will be up at Camp Crystal for MS & HS Camp! We hope you're also ready for a week of fellowship and also some pretty wacky games as well! This year's theme is "Linked in Love", where we're exploring what the Bible says about how the love of God changes us and helps us to be His disciples who bring wholeness to a broken world. As we seek to create and strengthen life-giving relationships, we remember that such love flows from God, links us all together, and we give thanks.

Mackinac Island Trip

August 12-14

If you would like to go on our annual Mackinac Island Trip, click the button below to sign up. We will be leaving from church around 1:00pm on August 12th and returning around 1:00pm on August 14th We hope you will join us and invite your friends!

Kathryn Den Houter's husband, Jim Jackway, passed away on Monday evening, June 24, following a six-year battle with cancer and its complications.
We continue to pray for the grieving families of Richard Lyon (father of Susan Merrill) and June Rayle (grandmother of Emilee Syrewicze and Elle Holes).
Sue Lockhart's daughter, Angie, had a double mastectomy on June 28.
Katrina Cripps is having surgery to treat a large hiatal hernia on July 2.
Laura McDowell is suffering from a broken arm.
Susan Strobel is asking prayers for pain management.
An anonymous individual wrote in asking for prayers for their young adult son as he searches for a good job.
Leo Raap remains in the hospital and they are trying to get the fluid off his lungs in hopes of getting him off the ventilator.
Andrew Alt continues to battle terminal cancer and appreciates our prayers.
Terri Wing is awaiting surgery on August 20 to address her stomach cancer.
We continue to pray for Adam and Andrea Carlson as Adam serves as a pastoral intern/interim minister in Danville, Illinois for the summer. If you'd like to stay in touch or send the Carlsons words of encouragement, Adam still uses his Cascade email address (acarlson@cascadechristian.com) and they receive mail at the church in Danville: 1101 N. Vermilion St., Danville, IL 61832.
We rejoice in the baptism of Linda Alexander's granddaughter, Willow, at Elementary Camp.

If you have a prayer concern or joy you'd like added to the list, please contact the church office.

Those in Care Centers:

Joanne Crawford (Mission Point)
Margie Duiven (The Woods; Don is at home)
Angie Gilder (Raybrook)
Fay Johnson and Barb Bryant (Sentinel Pointe)
Doris McNeeley (Green Acres, Ionia)
Bonnie Merritt (Holland Home, Raybrook)
Ron Bly and Barbara Peters (Sunrise)
Dorothy Rieger (StoryPoint, Rockford)
Russ Swanson (Corewell Health)
Scott Zeeryp (Eaton Co. Health & Rehab, Charlotte, MI)

Doug Blazer – July 2

Gideon Roots – July 2

Peggy Boelkins – July 3

Audrey Dirksen – July 4

Matthew Hinsch – July 4

Megan Erickson – July 6

Grace Van Veghel – July 6

Brian Burgess – July 9

Bill Sleeman – July 10

Cam Penner – July 11

Claire Froumis – July 12

Lois Van Veghel – July 13

Rebecca Warner – July 21

Waylon Fonnesbeck – July 23

Ariana Reavis – July 25

John Cooley – July 26

Steve Dirksen – July 26

Jan Schichtel – July 28

Cathy Dahlquist – July 29

Holly Froumis – July 31

Timothy Howe – July 31

Contact the church office to add your birthday to the monthly list!