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Welcome Pastor Dave, Kathy

and Hannah Coleman

July 17, 2011

What a wonderful day it is, to welcome our new pastoral family, the Colemans. Pastor Dave's family comes to Countryside from Clarkston, Michigan. We want to say a warm welcome, and may God bless your ministry here as you become a part of this wonderful community. We love you already, and are looking forward to what He will be doing through your work here....

God bless your family and once again - WELCOME!!!

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Graduation Sunday

Sunday, May 22, 2011

We are so proud of our high school graduates!

This year our high school graduates were Nicholas Stone,

Sloan Seiler, Geremy Good, Justin Wilkins,

Cassondra Marks and Ryan Vansickle.

Please pray God's continued Blessing on our seniors

as they go into the world and create a life of their own.

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CLC Awards Banquet

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

WOW! What a great CLC Banquet/Awards night!

We had 163 in attendance for our picnic potluck dinner

and 230 in attendance for our awards night!!

We had many special awards presented. Eighteen children had perfect attendance for the year. We presented the Todd Award - all badges earned from 1st & 2nd grades to 5 children; the Fairbairn Award - all badges earned from 3rd & 4th grades to 8 children. The BIG award of the night was the John Wesley award for earning ALL badges from 1st-6th grades. The recipients were: Grace Darling, Emily Green, Lacey Nielsen & Emily Morris. Congratulations girls for a job well done!

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Election for Superintendent

Saturday, April 9, 2011

On Saturday, April 9, East Michigan Conference held

an early election for our new Superintendent.

For Countryside church, it was a bitter-sweet election, because the name on the ballot was our own Pastor Paul A. Castle. After ballots were counted - Pastor Paul became our new

Superintendent Elect!! As much as we will miss

him at Countryside as pastor (after 18 years), we know

he is following God's leading in this position.

Our congregation will miss you, Pastor Paul, but also know you live each day wanting to follow where He leads. You will be a great shepherd of Christ's people in your new position, and

you and Kristy will be terribly missed at Countryside.

We have been blessed to have had

you here as our pastoral couple!!

Superintendent and Mrs. Dan Shinabarger,

Kristy and Superintendent Elect Pastor Paul A. Castle,

Bishop and Mrs. Dave Kendall

God Bless You Always!!!

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CLC Outreach Night

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

On Wednesday, March 30th we had our annual CLC outreach night. We had a variety show with our teen praise band GATEWAY, our 'Puppets for Christ' did some songs, and we

had some awesome magic tricks performed by Nathan Ainsworth.

The big hit for the night was our very own 'Minute To Win It' game. Kids were picked from the audience to participate in this fast moving game. Everyone had a great time and we had

around 200 people in attendance.

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Valentine Banquet

Saturday, February 5, 6 p.m.

Our annual Valentine Banquet this year was held at Demott's Westpark Inn. We had a delicious meal, sat among fellow Christians and had a wonderful evening. Our musical

entertainment for the event was our very own singing

Pastor Paul, with love songs from days gone by.

A lovely evening was had by all.

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New Year's Eve Teen Lock In

Friday, December 31

There were 85 teens in attendance and 12 adults for this year's teen lock in. Those in attendance were from Countryside and seven other churches. From between 9 P.M. Friday night and

7 A.M. Saturday morning, the teens played basketball,

dodgeball, nerf wars, video games and many more. They also

had lots of snacks and some went ice skating at the local ice skating rink. Youth leader John Morris taught a lesson

from 2 Corinthians 13 on love and trust and led the teens

in a group challenge. Following the lesson, six teens

invited Christ into their hearts.

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Adult Christmas Program

Saturday, December 18 and

Sunday, December 19, 2010

For 2010's adult Christmas program, our worship director

Matt Cleveland created the musical, "Behold the Lamb of God".

It was a very inspirational presentation that featured the choir, solos, duets, quartets, drama and the nativity.

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Children's Christmas Program

Sunday, December 12, 2010

"All I Want For Christmas" was the title of this years children's Christmas program! This year we combined our two services and had one big service at 10:00 A.M. It was a very joyful morning as we gathered to watch the children tell the true meaning of Christmas. Following the presentation, each child was given a

bag of Christmas treats to take home.

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Homecoming Sunday

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Each year Countryside has a Homecoming Sunday on the first Sunday of December. This is an exciting time to see past attenders and children that have grown and moved away. Following the service each family took home a loaf of homemade bread!

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Winning Christmas Float

Saturday, December 4, 2010

With much heart and passion, a group of our families, headed up by Grant Stone, created another dazzeling Christmas float for the Sandusky Christmas Lighted Farm Implement Parade. This years float featured a small church with puppets singing, two trains circling a church, a star and a manger scene. It was then all decorated by trees and thousands of lights. It's fun to see so much Christmas spirit in decorating the float, and the joy and excitement on the faces of those who see it in the parade! Countryside received the highest award, the Mayor's trophy, for the float.

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Harvest Dinner of Thanksgiving!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Our annual all church Thanksiving dinner was held on Sunday, November 21. We began the day with praising God, from whom all blessings flow! Then we gathered in the Family Center where

a wonderful turkey and dressing feast had been prepared.

It was a great day of fellowship and expressing

our gratitude to God for all of our blessings!

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CLC Harvest Parade

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

On October 27, we had our annual costume parade for children

2 years-3rd grade / hayride for children 4th-6th grade.

The costume parade took place at the Sanilac County

Medical Care Facility and Stonegate Village.

We had over 70 children in attendance.

The older children went on a hayride, then came back to the church for cider and donuts. There were 37 in attendance. Everyone - including the adults had a great time!

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God Shaped Hole

Sunday, October 17, 2010

On October 17, a special drama was shared. Music,

drama, video and visuals were woven together to present how we all have a God shaped hole in our lives that only Christ can fill.

It was a very moving presentation put together by

our worship leader, Matt Cleveland.

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Youth Outreach Sunday

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Our first Sunday in October began our fall outreach. The focus

of the day was reaching out to youth. The teens took part in the day by handing out bulletins, opening doors to welcome

arriving families and assisting as ushers.

Our teen praise band, Gateway, opened the service with

praise music, the we enjoyed testimony and songs by

Sonshine, a smaller group from Teens for Christ.

Everyone enjoyed coffee and donuts during our fellowship

time before Sunday school. It was a wonderful day in

Christ with friends, family and many first time guests!

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Minute to Win it - Teen Outreach

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Countryside's Teen Outreach night opened with our

Gateway youth band leading several high energy, fun songs.

Following the praise time, the popular 'Minute to Win it' game

was played. Students were chosen to compete in

different, amusing and timed games.

It was a fantastic evening for all the youth involved.

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Paul [Elvis] Castle Sings at

Frankenmuth Auto Festival

Friday, September 10, 2010

Our very own Pastor Paul Castle dressed as ELVIS for the Auto Festival in Frankenmuth, Michigan this year! He was asked to

sing as Elvis, for people to enjoy as they wandered the festival. Pastor Paul sang from 3:00 to 8:00 P.M., and was even interviewed by channel 12 news! It was a fun evening, and 'Elvis' enjoyed every minute, sharing his talents with the old songs.

Many people had their picture taken with 'the King'.

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Pretty Princess Formal

August 28, 2010

25 of God's beautiful princesses spent a few hours at the

Pretty Princess Formal. The day was designed special for

young ladies 6th grade and younger. They made picture frames, necklaces, wands and tierras. Each girl walked the runway and modeled the formal dresse they wore. Photo shoots were in front of a beautiful backdrop, and the day ended with snacks. The event was headed by Theresa Kohler, Sally Zambron, Jodi Franzel and Hannah Cleveland, all sporting formals themselves.

Everyone had a wonderful, special day!

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Baptism

July 11, 2010

Christ welcomed four into his arms through baptism on July 11. We rejoice with those who are baptised

and washed clean of their sins.

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Vacation Bible School

June 21-25, 2010

Kids galore at Countryside's Vacation Bible School this year! Children have fun during story time, skits, crafts, snacks, recreation and game time. Many volunteers were there to

make the week fun and exciting!

What a great way to share God's word!!!

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Father's Day

Sunday, June 20, 2010

A fun Father's Day was had by all this year at Countryside.

Big Boy's Toys were displayed inside and outside the church.

We had tractors, farm equipment, vintage cars and

motorcycles - all for the wandering eye!

Each father went home with a gift from Countryside church!!

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Wedding Reception for

Matt and Hannah Cleveland

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Worship director, Matt Cleveland was married to Hannah Reis

in Marion, Illinois on Saturday, May 15. Pastor Paul officiated. Countryside put on a reception for them so the families of Countryside could celebrate and rejoice with them.

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Family Center Sale

June 3, 4 and 5, 2010

Countryside held a big all church sale to help with the debt reduction of the Family Center. Sally Zambron organized this event which brought in $2,014.00. A big appreciation to everyone who worked hard to make the sale a success!!!

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Sunday School Movin' Up Day

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Each year in the spring, we promote our children up to the next grade level. This is a special day to recognize the children, our teachers and to promote the importance of Sunday school for discipleship and spiritual growth. Christian education director, Kristy Castle, headed up the program.

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CLC Banquet/Awards Night

May 12, 2010

Wednesday, May 12, 2010, was our annual CLC Banquet/Awards night. A picnic style dinner was had with 159 in attendance. After the meal, we headed into the sanctuary for our awards ceremony. The children had the badges that they had earned for the last part of the year announced. There were 211 in attendance for the awards. There were also special awards given out that night too. The Fairbairn award went to: Olivia Elsholz & Nicole Riha. The Roberts awards went to: Charlene Krohn & Derrick Scott. There were also prizes given out for perfect attendance, outstanding attendance and for a 1 time missed. The evening was a huge success and the students had a great year!

See you in the fall!

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Mother's Day Weekend

May 8 & 9, 2010

Mother's Day weekend began with a Mother / Daughter Brunch on Saturday, May 8. A delicious meal was served with an inspirational program following. For the program, Heather Castle provided special music, Katie Frostic shared the story of her mother and everyone was treated to a tap dance by the Kohler girls.

Then on Mother's Day, May 9, we had a guest speaker share her testamony of God's redeeming love. Carrie Gerrild and her two daughters were a blessing to everyone on Mother's Day. Following the service, each mother took home a nice decorative plaque as a gift for Mother's Day.

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CLC Outreach

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Each year Countryside has an evening that we set aside for a Wednesday night CLC outreach. This year we entertained from within. Our teen youth band, Gateway, performed and led high energy songs for the evening. Along with Gateway, our teens put on a skit and told jokes, and our Puppets for Christ sang songs. Nathan Ainsworth gave us his all,

with his magic. The evening was a huge success, and

everyone had a great time!

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Senior Citizen Luncheon

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Once again the Seniors met for a luncheon and fellowship. Ron Kopacz always puts together something of interest for afterward, and on this day he had our music director Matt Cleveland put on a concert. Matt play guitar and sang to his audience. The afternoon was enjoyed by those that attended.

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