Words from Pastor Merlin

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Greetings and Happy New Year to everyone!

Since my last entry a lot has been happening here at Cherry Hill UMC.

The Advent season was one of learning and growing together as we tried to learn from Ebenezer Scrooge about how to grow from a Christmas filled with “humbugs” to the beauty of celebrating the “Hallelujahs” of the season. On the first Sunday of Advent, three of our parishioners could be seen wearing long lengths of chain around their necks and I don’t mean gold necklace chain. These chains represented the “chains forged in life” that we can all drag around if not careful. Thanks to Ed Luebke, we also had a top hat that was used each of the four weeks and Christmas Eve to represent the Dickens’ Era. The season culminated with a beautiful, well attended Christmas Eve Service which included first time visitors as well as extended family of Cherry Hill folks. It was great.

As we head into the new year we look forward to continued strengthening and momentum building. Our focus will continue to be on Spiritual Growth. We are moving in that direction with lots of active participation by the congregation in meaningful worship, Thursday Evening Prayer meetings, Bible Study and Biblically Based Financial Stewardship.

The folks of Cherry Hill continue to be involved with local mission – caring for children and the poor in our area. Plans are well under way for a joint team from Denton: Faith UMC and Cherry Hill UMC to take a short term Mission Trip to the Portland Parish of Jamaica come June.

On January 31, the Leadership Team will participate in a “Leading like Jesus” workshop here at Cherry Hill UMC where we will concentrate on what it means to have “The Heart of a Servant Leader” and how to develop Holy “Habits of a Serving Leader”. We will also explore the means to developing the mission, values and strategy that will take us into the future as a viable part of the body of Christ.

On February 7, the Ann Arbor District is sponsoring a series of workshops under the title, “Leadership Under Pressure” which will concentrate on specific ministry areas in our local church.

With these opportunities for growth I believe we will be well on our way to catching a vision for what God has in store for us here. We can no longer afford to be wandering around out here on the “ridge” but must be engaged in our world with purpose and vigor.

With the growing enthusiasm that I see and several new families that are not only visiting but staying, I believe that not only will Cherry Hill UMC survive but that it can thrive once again.

Also, stay tuned for an announcement regarding a Summer Vacation Bible School on the back lot of Cherry Hill UMC.

God Bless You All!
Pastor Merlin

Our pastor can be reached at either (734)495-0035 or at (734)233-4065. His email is cowtownpreacher@hotmail.com.