The United Methodist Church of Alanson, Michigan,
invites you to worship with us on Sundays at 9 a.m.,
under the wisdom and guidance of Pastor Mary Sweet.
Pastor Mary Sweet is a licensed pastor and has been guiding the Alanson and Harbor Springs United Methodist Church congregations since 2011. We are all blessed to have her in our lives.
Pastor Mary lives with her husband, Jeff, and their pets, Chloe, the cat, and Max, in Harbor Springs. Max is a 6-month old rescue doggie from the Bahamas.
Last update: 6/18/13
Community-wide Vacation Bible School for kids aged 4 to 13 will be offered at Grace Community Church in Pellston from 10 am to 1 pm June 17-21. Lunch and transportation (from the Alanson UMC) is provided. There will be music, stories, crafts, activities and FUN for all. There is no charge to attend. Please call 526-2414 to pre-register any interested children.
Sunday, June 23, 2013 9 a.m. Worship
The United Methodist Church at 7330 Chicago Street, Alanson observes the 5th Sunday after Pentecost on June 23rd at 9 a.m. with Pastor Mary A. Sweet. Special music will be provided by Helene Kleymeer, guest soloist with Kay Farrimond on piano. The church building is fully accessible and air conditioned.
Come to our musical worship service on Sunday, July 7th at 9 a.m. with His Way II!!
Hours and contact information for the Alanson United Methodist Church:
The church Office Manager, Mary Beth Spanburg, is available on Monday through Friday 9 to 12:30 p.m. Mary Beth can be reached at the Harbor Springs' church office at (231) 526-2414.
The Alanson United Methodist Church is located at 7330 Chicago Street, Alanson, Michigan 49706, across the street from the Littlefield School (a block off of U.S. 31). Just turn up the hill at the sole village light and you'll find us on the left-hand side of the road! The direct telephone number to the church is (231) 548-5709. Mail for Alanson members may be sent c/o the Harbor Springs UMC at 343 East Main Street, Harbor Springs, Michigan 49740. McLaren - Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey has emergency contact information for Pastor Mary if the need arises.
All faiths are invited to share worship and communion with us. The Alanson United Methodist Church offers worship services at 9 a.m. on Sundays. A Children's Message and Sunday School coincides with Sunday worship services. During the summer, Sunday school is on recess and activity bags are provided to the children who remain in the sanctuary during the entire service. An Adult Study Group meets casually after services in the church hall, at approximately 10:15 a.m. Communion is offered on the first Sunday of the month. Nehemiah Sunday is the second Sunday of each month with donations of paper products, coffee, creamer, sugar always needed to help out at our local homeless shelter. A special offering for UMCOR is collected on the last Sunday of the month. Beautiful instrumental and organ and piano music are provided by Marion Kuebler and accompanied by Marga Eickholt on cello, and we are often graced with wonderful choir voices from our membership under the tutelage of Marion.
Special services and events occasionally take place, and weddings, baptisms, etc., can be scheduled through the church office. The hall is available for rent. We currently host the Women's Resource Center playgroup on Wednesday mornings.
Vacation Bible School is held during the summer, yet many other activities (hayrides, shopping sprees, etc.) are held throughout the year for our young parishoners and their friends.
Here is a postcard photo of our church building in 1914. It was used as a Presbyterian church at that time. The second photo was taken in 1950. Thanks to Tom Fairbairn for providing these vintage shots!
Some history of the Alanson United Methodist Church...
The United Methodist Church of Alanson was founded in 1889. In the 1940s, the congregation joined with the then-Presbyterian Church, moving into the latter's building where it continues to worship. This building is over 125 years old this year, and while the original church remains intact, an addition and improvements to the building have been made over the years, resulting in a beautiful worship area, plus a full kitchen and hall area (available for a donation for parties), as well as two bathrooms. Access to the church is handicap accessible. The average worship attendance is 46. Services are given in English.
Many members of the church have experienced and shared many of their life's highs and lows with the church. We support our members and their families and friends, and we have a prayer call chain when times of extra prayers and support are needed by anyone.
Donations of non-perishable foods and paper products to benefit the Nehemiah Project Hospitality House (a homeless shelter), located in Petoskey, Michigan, are collected and delivered by church members. Please feel free to occasionally bring items to drop in the box when you come to worship.
The Alanson United Methodist Church is part of the West Michigan Conference, and information about the Conference can be found at http://www.westmichiganconference.org/ Additional information about the United Methodist Church and its principles can also be found at www.umc.org
Also, feel free to visit the Harbor Springs United Methodist Church website at http://www.umcharborsprings.com to see what's taking place at our sister church.
