Current News
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Teen Family Game Night
Saturday, January 30, 2010
We just had our second annual teen family game night, January 30. We enjoyed a chicken dinner with everyone else bringing their favorite dish to pass. After eating, there were a lot of activities to enjoy like games in the youth room such as pool, air hockey, foosball, ping pong and TV games. Some also played basketball, mini golf and a few tried their hand at playing Wall Twister. Yes...some played Twister on a climbing wall, but the big excitement of the night was the big Family Fued in one of the rooms. There was a game of about 30 people playing the DVD Family Fued game.
A lot of our local businesses gave family board games and
gift card for meals. Overall, we had a wonderful
family night with everyone that was able to come.
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CLC Awards Night
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wednesday night, January 27, 2010, was our first CLC awards night and what a night it was!!! The program was headed by our CLC director, Priscilla Foote, and we had a total of 228 family and friends (and CLC children) in attendance. The kids sang 2 songs and then the children
got to wear their sashes and show off how many badges
they have earned so far this year.
It was a wonderful night had by all!!!
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Countryside Snowbird Reunion
January 13, 2010
Pastor Paul and Kristy went to Florida the week of
January 11th for Countryside's Snowbird Reunion!
Eighteen people gathered for a fun time of fellowship at the Golden Corral in Zephyrhills on Wednesday, January 13th. The Castles were also able to visit in the homes / parks
of many of our families in Florida for the winter.
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Time Capsule Opening
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Ten years have flown by!!!! The people of Countryside created a 'time capsule', sealed December 26, 1999. It was to be opened on the first Sunday of January, 2010. January 3, 2010 arrived! After Dan Surbrook opened the box, Pastor Paul Castle read from its contents. The box contained attendance on December 26, 1999, and a question/answer survey that many of our attenders filled out.
Pastor Paul read many surveys that day to the congregations and it was interesting to hear what people wrote. It was
also very sad to as we realized how many of our
church family had gone on to be with the Lord.
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CLC Children Carol at
Medical Care Facility
and Stonegate Village
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Many Christian Life Club Students and teachers went
caroling at the Medical Care Facility and Stonegate Village. While the younger classes stayed back at the church and
had Christmas parties with their teachers, the older students went caroling. Residents love, and look forward to
having the children come and sing to them.
What a Blessing children are - especially to the elderly!
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Children's Christmas Musical
Sunday, December 13, 2009
It All Happened In The Country was this year's children's Christmas musical / play. Priscilla Foote, our CLC Director, worked very hard to have the children know parts and songs for this very impressive program. The Christmas story was presented in a fun 'country' way. The children, along with
a few adults, had fun putting on this play and they all
did a wonderful job!
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Puppets for Christ
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The Puppets for Christ team put on a Christmas show at Autumnwood, of Deckerville, Saturday, December 12.
After the show, the teens visited with the residents. One of
the residents they visited with, was our own Edith McKenney.
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Lighted Farm Implement Parade
Friday, December 4, 2009
Countryside church, once again entered a float in Sandusky's annual Lighted Farm Implement Parade. This year our float featured our teen praise band headed by Countryside's new music ministry leader, Matt Cleveland. The band featured Matt as vocalist and on electric guitar, Olivia Bracken, vocalist, Kaitlyn Foote on bass guitar and
Kerra Foote on drums.
Many helped put the float together, but the master mind behind the creation was Grant Stone. The float won first place in the Religion/Community Award!
Thank you to all who worked so hard to make this another great float for our lighted parade!!!!!
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Courthouse Tree Lighting
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Our Wednesday night CLC group was asked to sing at Sandusky's Annual Tree Lighting. The community can 'purchase' bulbs on the trees either in honor, or memory of a loved one. They light two separate trees and one of those trees is for our military. We had 59 children in attendance
and after they sang, they each got to have a cookies and
hot chocolate, then they were able to put an ornament on
the children's tree. Each of the children also got to take
home an ornament. It was a fun evening for all!
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Senior Citizen Luncheon
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Senior citizens gathered for a luncheon fellowship on Thursday, December 3. Ron Kopacz, senior citizen luncheon coordinator, always provides a speaker or some sort of entertainment for those who attend. After this luncheon, Katie Frostic provided the topical discussion of senior issues.
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CLC Harvest Fun Night
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
On October 28, 2009, our CLC group had their harvest fun night. The 2 year olds through 3rd grade went to the Sanilac County Medical Care Facility and had a costume parade for the residents, then crossed the street and went to Stonegate Village. There were 67 children at the event and the kids,
as well as the residents, had a terrific time.
Our 4th through 6th graders had another kind of fun. They went on a hayride and when they returned, they were served
apple cider and donuts. There were 34 children on the hayride. They also had a great time!
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Service of Renewal,
Unity and Vision
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Countryside;
The Pillar of Truth, Bond of Love,
Word of Life, Light of the World!
Our worship service was bonded together by combining both the contemporary and traditional worship services on this Sunday. Scriptures were read and charter members prayed for special needs of the church. We ended our service with prayers of renewal, unity and vision for Countryside.
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CLC Fun Fair
New Season Kick-Off
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
We had our new CLC (Christian Life Club) fun fair kickoff. As estimated, we had over 300 children and adults attend this event! Everyone had a wonderful time.
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Parking Lot
August 16, 2009
In August we had our parking lot repaired. The cracks were filled and the entire lot was seal coated and restriped. The total cost was $7,000. We appreciate so much those who gave a special offering to make these much needed repairs.
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Family Center Gets A Face Lift!
August, 2009
Recently the front of our Family Center was remodeled! The non-brick surfaces had begun to deteriorate so they were replaced and updated. Dan Surbrook oversaw the project with Dave Raymond assisting. The new look is beautiful and actually gives Countryside a 'warm, country, homey' feel. Thanks to everyone who helped in any way with the project (Gerald Foote - electrical, Ray Orchard - washing big window), and thanks to all who gave financially to help
us with this much needed repair!!
 
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Matt Cleveland
Minister of Worship
August 2, 2009
Matt Cleveland, our new Minister of Worship, arrived in Sandusky with UHaul and all of his belongings on July 26th. His first Sunday to lead worship is August 2nd. We are very excited and honored to have Matt as a part of Countryside staff. For detailed information about Matt, please go to the "About Us" website tab, then go to "Staff" and click on Matt's name. The below picture is of Matt and his girlfriend Hannah.
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20 Years of the Lord's Service
in East Michigan Conference
July 23, 2009
On Thursday evening, July 23, Pastor Paul and Kristy Castle received a plaque for their 20 years in God's service in
East Michigan Conference. The award was given to
them one evening during Family Camp at Covenant Hills,
by Superintendent Dan Shinabarger.
Congratulations on a job well done!
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Son Canyon River Adventure Vacation Bible School
June 22-26
Son Canyon VBS was a great success this year!
The children had fun in music with awesome, energetic
songs, great crafts and had a ball during recreation.
Storytime was wonderful too with many children acting
out parts in Bible stories. By the end of the week,
22 children had given their hearts to the Lord.
Praise God!!
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Father's Day
Sunday, June 21, 2009
This was our day to honor our fathers. What a great day! Our parking lot was peppered with father's day 'big boy toys' like motorcycles, a tractor and combine, older cars, kayaks and there was even a remote controled helicopter demonstration by Ron Darling! Coffee and donuts were served in the
Family Center and each father went home with a special gift.
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All Church Garage Sale
June 18, 19, 20
Many people of Countryside helped out by supplying items, setting up, being tellers, and simply helping out where and when needed. There was a bake sale, with proceedes
going to buy new folders for the choir, and the
teens supplied lunch and puppet shows on two of the days.
The income for these three days was around $3,400
and will go toward helping to pay off the family center.
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Sunday School Moving Up
Sunday, June 7, 2009
It's that time of year when all of our Sunday school
children 'graduate' from the class they are in and
'move up' to the next Sunday school class. It is a big
day for the children and the teachers. The children wore
their graduation caps, the handbell choir played along
with a song, and the children sang. What a glorious day!
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Spring Softball Team - 2009
This years team came out number 1 at the end of the season. We had a great softball year, and the support from the spectators was incredible! What a fun season!!!
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Christian Life Club Awards Night
May 13, 2009
This evening many awards and badges were presented to students in CLC. The John Wesley award is the highest
award and this year was awarded to two students;
Brooke Krueger and Michael Markey..
 
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Mother's Day
May 10, 2009
We were blessed on Mother's Day this with a
mini concert from Heather Castle. Her songs were
beautiful, and straight from her heart.
Heathers heads up the music ministry at Countryside.
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Mother's Day Banquet
May 9, 2009
This year our Mother's Day Banquet began with a delicious brunch followed by browsing at craft/personal interests tables. Many of our Countryside ladies sponsored tables and displayed their hobbies and hand crafted items.
Naysa Heilig demonstrated knitting to many of our
little girls that attended this fun filled banquet.
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Talent Night
May 3, 2009
Many people were on our list for talent night.
We had singing, puppets, instruments, jokes and readings.
A great evening was had by all.
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Senior Citizen Luncheon
April 30, 2009
Many seniors came out for a
potluck luncheon and fellowship time.
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Countryside Comfort Ministry
April 16, 2009
Countryside Comfort Ministry is Countryside's
newest ministry. Ladies gather to create and put
together 'lap quilts' to comfort those in hospitals,
medical care facilities, or home shut-ins.
Amy Darling made and delivered our first
quilt on April 16, 2009 to Barry Lester.
He was so excited to receive his 'special blanket'!
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Easter Sunday
April 12, 2009
Easter morning began at 8:00 A.M. with our
Sunrise Service being conducted by our teens.
The program consisted of the story of the resurrection performed by the teen puppet program.
.....then at 8:30 A.M., was our all church Easter breakfast. The Family Center was packed with over
300 hungry people for our traditional Easter breakfast.
Following Easter Breakfast was our Worship Services
at 9:30 and 10:55 A.M. A special worship experience
was put together by Heather Castle, which wove
together songs sung by the choir, narration and
skits created by Todd and Tina Foote.
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Journey to the Cross
Good Friday, April 10, 2009
Something new for this year was the Journey to the Cross. Journey to the Cross was a self-guided tour through the final days of Jesus. There were 13 stations throughout the church where you would read and meditate on a particular phase of Christ's journey to the cross. Over 100 went through this
very moving, emotional journey. The many tears were
witness to the power of this experience.
Top picture is Stations 5 and 6 and is the entrance
to the Garden of Gethsemane. Inside pilgrims
would reflect upon Jesus' passion as He faced
the agony of the cross and take communion.
Second picture is Station 8 and depicts Jesus' trial.
Here you are asked to imagine yourself in Peter's shoes.
You watch Jesus being beaten and mocked, and feel
the hopelessness of all your dreams being crushed.
Station 9 symbolizes the crucifixion. Here, you kneel
in front of the cross and imagine yourself at the scene
of Jesus's crucifixion. Next you would write on a piece
of paper a sin that you have been struggling with,
fold the paper, and nail it to the cross.
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CLC Outreach Night
April 1, 2009
Each year our CLC (Christian Life Club) hosts a community fun family outreach night. This year our special guest was Sheldon Rhodes who does magic, juggling and humor. It was a great evening of fun as well as hearing the gospel of Jesus. We had a great turnout with close to
300 in attendance, the majority being children!
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College Scholarship Banquet
March 21, 2009
To help provide scholarships to our college teens, each year
a fundraising banquet is held. This years entertainment
featured The Black River Bluegrass Boys. Over 100
attended the event and approximately $2,300.00 was raised!
Each year 50% of money raised is destibuted in
scholarships, and 50% goes into building an endowment.
The endowment is now over $10,000.
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CLC Communion
March 18, 2009
Each year at Easter time, Priscilla Foote, CLC (Christian
Life Club) director has Pastor Paul come to chapel to explain
and serve communion to the CLC students. It's a special
time as the children learn about God's great love for them!
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Pastor Paul Sings
For Community Outreach
Recently Pastor Paul had the opportunity to "sing for the Lord!" As he says, "it's a fun way to get outside the stained glass windows and use my gifts to develop new friendships!" He sang three times in March '09: For a fundraiser for the Lapeer Free Methodist youth group, for the special needs adults of Sanilac Country through Community Mental Health and for the Sandusky Stonegate Village Senior Adult Home.
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CPR Class
March 14, 2009
Kim Rudolph, from Covenant Hills Camp, presented
a first aid and CPR class at Countryside, Saturday,
March 14th. Several of our church leaders, teachers,
workers and others attended this class.
Countryside's Christian Education Director, Kristy Castle, organized this training session to help more of our workers
be prepared for an emergency should one arise.
Those who successfully completed the all day session
will receive CPR certification from Red Cross.
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Teen Ski Trip
February 17, 2009
Youth Director John Morris, packed a bus full of teens and headed north to Snow Snake Ski Resort in Harris, Michigan. Everyone had a great time and came home safely!
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CLC Store
The 2008-2009 year of Christian Life Club (CLC) had an exciting new addition to the program. To help encourage
the children, Priscilla Foote added a store where the children can go shopping a couple of times a year. When shopping,
the children purchase items with 'CLC dollars' that they
earn by attendance, bringing their Bible, memory
work, bringing friends and other projects.
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Valentine Banquet at Zehnders
This year Countryside's Valentine Banquet was held
on February 6th, 2009 at Zehnders in Frankenmuth.
Many gathered for a great meal and selected
couples shared memories of how they met.
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