First United Methodist Church
14999
South State Avenue, PO Box 207
Middlefield,
Ohio 44062-0207
(440) 632-0480
THE MESSENGER
February 2, 2012
Our Mission: To reach out in Christ’s love, offering His hope to all
at
First United Methodist Church of Middlefield
Worship
9:00 am & 10:45 am
Sun. Feb.
5: Communion.
Scripture:
Song of Solomon 2:1-7.
Sun. Feb.
12: Jr. Choir
singing.
Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:8-14.
Sun. Feb.
19: Noisy Pan offering
for missionary support.
Scripture:
Song of Solomon 3:1-5.
Sun.
Feb. 26:
First Sunday in Lent.
The theme for
Lent is “Fearless: The Courage to Question.”
Scripture:
Matthew 4:1-11.
FOR CHILDREN DURING WORSHIP:
Activity
folders are available on the front table in the sanctuary
for
children ages 3-9 who remain with their parents during worship.
NURSERY
provided during both services.
KIDSVIEW for children
ages 5-12, during 1st service.
Following
the Children’s Message at worship,
children
grades K – 6 are invited to attend KidsView.
SUNDAY
SCHOOL
Following
the Children’s Message during the 2nd worship service,
children
Grades Pre-school – Grade 12 are invited to attend Sunday School.
ADULT
BIBLE STUDY Sundays @ 9:45 & 10 am
9:45 Bible
study, Olds Room, lower level, and
10 am
Prayer Room, lower level next to the elevator.
UMW
Continental Breakfast
Sat.
Feb. 11, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Social
Hall
Guest speaker Ron
Witlicki, pharmacist from Quest in Middlefield. He will discuss various women’s issues including bone health,
exercise and circulation. There will be
a time of question and answer following his presentation.
Please
sign up in the Social Hall if you plan to attend.
Start
your crock pots!
We have invited the GO DAY
churches to join us in this great event:
Christ Covenant,
Horizons and Mapleview!
Prize for the best chili!
Sunday, Feb. 12,
4:00-5:30 pm.
Church Social Hall
$3.00 registration fee to enter your chili
$5.00 donation at the door for tasters/visitors,
ages 12 and up
$3.00 donation at the door for children
Under age 5 free
Hot dogs will be provided for the kids or
those who don’t like chili
Chili toppings
& beverages provided
CHILI CHEFS: Bring 2 quarts of chili in
a crock pot, a ladle and a list of ingredients in your chili (in case of allergies). Chili must be at the church by 3:30 the day
of the event. Register by Feb. 6th with Mitch or Julie Dulka @ mdulka1@windstream.net or julieanne1@windstream.net, or call
the church
office at 440-632-0480.
Proceeds benefit First UMC
Land Acquisition Fund
LENT
The theme for Lent is
“Fearless: The Courage to Question.”
Do you have
questions about life…its purpose and meaning?
Searching for
answers takes courage and a supportive community. Bring someone with you who is questioning.
What is Ash Wednesday?
Isn’t that for Catholics?
For Centuries, Ash Wednesday was a part of
the life of everyone in the Christian world.
Then, as the split between the Catholic Church and the Protestant
Churches became greater, Protestant churches stopped the practice of the
imposition of ashes at the beginning of Lent.
It took a long time for us in the
Protestant church to realize that we had cut off our nose to spite our
face. Now, many Protestant churches,
including our United Methodist Church, are reclaiming Ash Wednesday for
ourselves. We remember the way God
imparts His grace to us through spiritual practices such as receiving ashes on
Ash Wednesday.
When we receive the sign of the cross in
ashes on our foreheads, it is called the “imposition of ashes.” And it is just that, an imposition. It is uncomfortable, and inconvenient, and awkward. When we receive the ashes, someone says to
us, “God made you from dust, and one day you will return to dust.” Ash Wednesday reminds us of our total
reliance on God. God breathed life into
the ash heap and dust of the earth, and created us! Without God’s life-giving breath, all that remains of us is dust
and ash.
And so on Ash Wednesday, the ashes are
imposed on us, we hear those words, and we wear the mark of the ashes out into
the world, as a silent and powerful witness.
God created us from dust and ash.
One day we will return to dust and ash.
And in the mean time, God breathes life into us.
When you receive those ashes, and hear
those words, something indescribable happens.
Come on Ash Wednesday, and discover it for yourself.
--Pastor Ed
Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22
Early Ashing 6-9 am. Receive the mark of
the cross in ashes as you begin your day.
Prayer room, lower level next to the elevator. Please use the elevator entrance off the parking lot.
Evening worship 7 pm. Receive the mark of
the cross in ashes as we reaffirm God’s grace in our lives.
Mid-Lent Worship, Wed.
March 14, 7 pm.
YOUTH GROUP
For youth Grades
6-12
Schedules
and permission forms are available on the Youth bulletin board in the Social
Hall.
Sun. Feb.
5: Youth Group.
Feb.
10-12: Confirmation
Retreat, Camp Wanake.
Sun. Feb.
19: Dinner & a
Movie! 5 pm
Sun. Feb.
26: Relay for Life
Talent Show planning and decoration making.
-- Aimee
Green, Director of Youth Ministries
aimee.green@berkshireschools.org
HELP OUR YOUTH
Relay for Life Team: Sign up for
the MUMC Relay for Life team! Use
forms on bulletin board or visit www.relayforlife.org/Middlefield to register online. Team name: MUMC Middlefield
Dinner & Talent Show: Got Talent? Want to show it off? Relay for Life Dinner/Talent show
is Saturday, March 10th see Aimee to sign up !
--Aimee Green, Youth Director
aimee.green@berkshireschools.org
FIND YOUR PLACE!
Adult
Ministries
Exciting
new small groups!
You’re
invited to come join us:
“LIFE IN THE SPIRIT” follow-up
to “experiencing God.” Time to be
determined. Contact Pastor Jason for
more info.
“LAST WORDS OF CHRIST” 7 pm Tuesday evenings, beginning Feb. 21st
(introduction). Led by Carl Gibbs. Jesus’ final words as seen and heard through
the eyes and ears of those who stood near the cross. 8-week study.
WEDNESDAY EVENING
Serendipity-style Bible study.
Meets the 1st and 3rd Wed. evening, 7 pm, Prayer
Room. Led by Dennis Burger and Karlene
Pilarczyk.
SUNDAY MORNINGS, 10 am:
Prayer Room – “Deeper
Connection” Series. Topics: Forgiveness
of Jesus, Last Days of Jesus, Life of Jesus, Miracles of Jesus, Parables of
Jesus, Prayers of Jesus. Led by Dennis
Burger.
Philathea Class – Olds
Room. On-going study of the books of
the Bible. Led by Jim Skinner.
WOMEN:
Book Group – 3rd
Monday evening of the month. Contact
Katherine Mayer, 440-834-0074; fredmayer@sbcglobal.net. Meets in various homes.
Tuesday morning: Every other Tuesday morning, 9:00-10:30
am. Fellowship, study, outings! February dates: 7th & 21st. Meet in the Olds Room, lower level. Led by Sharon Janoski and Julie Clark. Current topic: “Taking Responsibility for
Your Life.”
MEN:
“Wounded
Warrior Project” We are
building an American flag picnic table to be auctioned off to raise money for
this project. Meet every Wed. evening
in February: Dinner at 6 pm, work on
table after that. Money raised from the
auction will help wounded soldiers from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Meet at Jim Skinner’s shop, Bradford Neal,
on S. State Ave. in Middlefield.
Contact Jim Skinner, 440-632-1392 or jim@bradforneal.com,
Frank Szasz at 440-321-2660, or Don Clark at 740-607-0823 for more info.
Monthly Breakfasts: Meet at 8 am on the 3rd Saturday
of each month at Jim Skinner’s shop, Bradford Neal, on N. State Ave. in
Middlefield. Breakfast, great
fellowship & discussion. Projects –
events – who knows what Jim Skinner might have planned! Come find out J
FINANCIAL
PEACE UNIVERSITY: Take the
first step toward a different way of life—a life without debt, financial stress
and fights about money. For the
financially secure as well as the financially stressed. Commit to this plan, and you will discover
Financial Peace. Take control of
your money. Change your family
tree. Live like no one else. Led by Dave Rennolds. Time to be determined.
“VERBS OF
GOD” Wednesday evenings @ 7
pm. Led by Kyle Herr. Meet in the Olds Room, lower level.
VISITATION
TEAM Monthly team
meetings to study, discuss, fellowship, learn how to be a caring visitor to
those in long-term care facilities and those who are homebound. Visits are such
a blessing, but you will be blessed as well.
Visitation at Burton Health Care and Briar Hill, at scheduled times, or
on your schedule. Team leader Karlene
Pilarczyk.
Volunteer
Opportunities:
Food Cupboard Contact Jack Steele, 440-632-5793
God Shares a Meal Contact Carol Gappa, 440-632-1240
Thrift Shop Contact Shirley Siracki, 440-632-1942
HAVE A
NEED you would like to see addressed in a small group? Contact Pastor Jason!
FOOD CUPBOARD MINISTRY
Our
Food Cupboard ministry serves area families in need, providing food, personal
care, and other needed items. This
ministry is financially supported through your generous financial donations as
well as items donated on Food Cupboard Sunday, from United Way, and now through
the Cleveland Food Bank network. Jack
Steele has been “the guy in charge” for some time, making sure items are
ordered from the Cleveland Food Bank, and making sure shelves are stocked.
You
can be part of this ministry:
1.
Volunteer(s) needed to staff the Food Cupboard when it is open on
Fridays, from 11 am – 1 pm. You can
volunteer weekly, once a month or whatever your schedule permits.
2. An
assistant is needed for Jack, to learn how the Food Cupboard operates and to
fill in for him while he and his wife take a vacation now and then.
If you are interested, please contact
Jack. Cell 440-537-4754. THANK
YOU!
NEW PRAYER
MINISTRIES
I want to
invite anyone who feels led by the Holy Spirit to pray for the future of our
church and for our land acquisition and building project. If
possible,
I'd like to meet with you for a time of intentional prayer. You can contact me via email at musiclady2003@windstream.net
or
phone: 440-286-1122
--Betsy
Anderson
Prayer
Room: Carl Gibbs will be
in the prayer room 6-9 am weekdays if you wish to stop in for prayer. The Prayer Room is located at the elevator
entrance off the parking lot. KNOCK
LOUDLY as the doors will not be unlocked.
E-GIVING
Ø We now offer the opportunity
for you to sign up for e-giving!
OPTION
ONE: Pick up registration forms in the sanctuary,
social hall, or call the church office.
Instructions attached to form.
OPTION
TWO: Online Giving. You set up and manage your own account through a link on our
website, www.middlefieldumc.com.
All contributions received through e-giving will go to our
General Fund which supports the mission and ministry of the church. You
may still contribute to special offerings as they arise, using your pre-printed
giving envelopes you currently receive. In addition, your pre-printed
giving envelopes will include a check box for "I give electronically"
if you still wish to place an envelope in the Sunday offering.
OPTION THREE: Consider working with your personal bank to set up
an automatic payment to the church for your regular giving.
Your electronic contributions will continue to be recorded on
your personal giving statement that is prepared quarterly and at the end of the
year.
Year-end financial giving statements: Pick up in the sanctuary. Call the office if you would like to have it
mailed to you.
Year-end budget reports are
available in the sanctuary, or call the church office for email.
Attendance:
Jan. 1:
10 am 146
Jan.
8: 9:00 110; 10:45 124; Sunday School
22
Jan.
15: 9:00 121; 10:45 122; Sunday School
36
Jan.
22: 9:00 126; 10:45 123; Sunday School
32
Jan.
29: 9:00 102; 10:34 121; Sunday School
28
Offering: Jan. 1 Jan.
8
Envelopes $3,284.00 $5606.00
Loose
offering 246.00
183.00
Christmas 53.00 650.00 rent
$3,583.00 $6,439.00
Offering: Jan. 15 Jan. 22 Jan. 29
Envelopes $4,820.00 $4,080.00 $3,678.70
Loose
Offering 69.57 94.00 70.00
Rent 1,150.00 $4,174.00 Sun. Sch.11.00
$6,039.57 ` $3,739.70
Designated
gifts were received for land acquisition fund, Compassion;
missionary; food cupboard; holiday help for the needy; books for small groups;
jr. choir; travel mug ministry. 24 Hour Famine for food cupboard & homeless
ministry; God Shares a Meal, pastor’s benevolence fund.
Memorial
Fund gifts were received in loving memory of Ruth McConnell.
Noisy Pan
offering for missionary support in January $181.37. Save your coins
– next offering February 19.
Thrift Shop
sales: Dec. 30
$90; Jan. 6-7 $189; Jan. 13-14 $95; Jan. 20-21 $145. Jan. 27-28 $128.
MAKING
A DIFFERENCE
Our thanks to Country Arts and Jewelry, Nauvoo Road,
for their continued support of our Food Cupboard.
Their on-going collection at the store brought us
over $1200 for our Food Cupboard!
MEN’S BREAKFAST
8
am Sat. Feb. 18
Meet
at Jim Skinner’s Shop
All men are invited! Come enjoy breakfast, fellowship, fun, and devotions. Jim’s shop, Bradford Neal, is located at
14503 N. State Ave. in Middlefield.
GOD SHARES A MEAL
Friday, February 24
4:00 – 6:30 pm
Everyone welcome!
Come enjoy a great meal and fellowship.
Free meal for anyone who wishes to come. Donations are accepted to help cover the cost of food, but are
not required.
Next meal March 30.
DANCE
FELLOWSHIP
Put your
dancing shoes on and come on down for a great time of fellowship and learning
different dance steps with Norm & Christine Miller! Don’t dance? Tables and chairs will be up for you to
watch and visit with friends.
DATES: Saturdays, February 11, March 24, April 14
and 28.
TIME: 7 – 9 pm
PLACE: Church Social Hall
HOMELESS
MINISTRY
Each month we are asked to provide different items
to help provide food or other items for the homeless in Cleveland. For February, we will collect blankets, new
or gently used. Please bring them in by
Friday, Feb. 10.
NIGHT OF WORSHIP
Sun. March 11
6 pm @ Maple View Church
Everyone welcome!
THANK YOU:
I
wanted to take this time to thank you for your committed response to paying
100% of your 2011 shared ministry funds.
Because of yoru generosity, mission and ministry will receive even more
funds in 2012!
--Jessica
Vargo, UMC Conference Treasurer
From
our District Superintendent:
I
wanted you to know how grateful I am, and the Cabinet is, to celebrate the
remarkable faithfulness in our common shared ministry in the form of
apportionments. You and this vital congregation
continue to participate in our unique ability to share Christ’s love all around
the world and in our backyards.
Please know that we share joy and notice
what you are doing. I imagine and am
not naïve to the many sacrifices that make this possible. More than this, I know that God knows and
see and cares about how these gifts are given and the many that receive and who
are blessed.
Our gratitude goes to the faithful who
gather to worship at Middlefield UMC.
In Christ’s Service,
David
Scavuzzo, District Superintendent
Western
Reserve District
East Ohio Conference
SUMMER CAMP info has arrived!
One way to help lead a child down the right path is through
East Ohio Camps, where they are nurtured in faith in addition to traditional
camp experiences.
Camp experiences
are available that appeal to children of all ages – moms – dads –
grandparents! Day camp – week-long and
weekend overnight camping experiences!
Special camp trips to Canada and W. Virginia are available! Youth opportunities available at Malone
University and Lakeside as well as camp events!
Pick up a
Summer Camp newspaper from the display table in the Social Hall, or visit
our conference website at www.EOCSummercamps.org
for a pictures and detailed descriptions of all events and opportunities.
Summer
Camp Open Houses:
Camp
Asbury – Hiram. Sun, Feb. 5, 2-6 pm.
Camp
Aldersgate – Carrollton. Sun. April 15, 2-4 pm
Camp
Wanake – Beach City. Sat. March 13, 2-5 pm with Resurrection Egg Hunt starting at 2:30
pm; Sun. May 6, 2-6 pm, and Sat. May 19, Wanake Ranch Grand Opening with pony
rides from 3-7 pm.
Financial Footsteps
Walking with the Lord in
faithful Stewardship
Blessings
to all! Prayers that you are filled
with the joy of the Lord! He has been
so good to our congregation. We have
hope! We have a future! We have plans!
While
recently reflecting upon the verse in Jeremiah, I was enlightened to something
that I had not dissected before. The
word used is “plans.” Not “plan,” as
though everything is set in concrete.
Not necessarily “plans”, as if there is one path and many things will
happen upon it. The word used is
“plans” because it is acknowledged that there are forces within the world that
try to corrupt God’s plan and change it to their own. Therefore, there need to be multiple paths to get to the future
that gives us hope and prosperity. Does
that translate into God wanting us to be monetarily wealthy here on earth? It seems Jesus was pretty clear about the
role of monetary wealth here on earth and its ramifications. Prosperity is found within.
Our
church is currently on a road with many paths and plans. We have hope in a future that glorifies God
himself. It is not for us to decide
what God wants. Our role is to open our
hearts and allow God to work through us to achieve the end result that He
desires. The months of January and
February are challenging financially in the church just as they are in the
household. Higher costs of living and
catching up from the holiday season impact the church just like they impact a
family. Currently, we are struggling to
make ends meet. Unlike in the times of
Jeremiah, this is not because we are facing war and slavery and torture and
God’s punishment. Just like the people
in Jeremiah’s time, we need to listen to the words of God and following his
leading so that He may bring us down the path to the plan that is meant for us
and our situation.
Please
keep our church in your prayers. God is
faithful!
Faith and hope,
Juli Stone,
Finance Chair
“For I know the
plans I have for you,” says the Lord.
“They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a hope and a
future. In those days when you pray, I
will listen. If you look for me in
earnest, you will find me when you seek me.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13
FEBRUARY
Happy Birthday!
1. Rick Wolfert
3. Christopher Coggins
4. Wes Wertz
6. Mitch Dulka
McKinzy Rupp
7. Richard Cook
Bill Blue
8. Rick Roose
Chris Schmid
9. Heather Freeman
10. Neil Hetrick
13. Marilyn White
14. Robert Freeman
16. Linda Humphrey
17. Debby Miller
Kristine Ervin
19. Marge Boardman
Ed Pollari
20. Karen Garlich
22. Nolan Park
Irene Carraher
Ken Humphrey
Cindi Boehnlein
23. Stephanie Gibbs
25. Lois Craig 91
Makayla Fritinger
27. Tammy Phillips
28. Gary Williams
Will Becker
Jim Loving
Sandy Hunter
Happy Anniversary!
14. Dave & Katie Thomas
Don & Sandy Hunter
Frank & Ann Szasz
19. Chuck & Marilyn
White
20. Brian & Katrina King
27. Duane & Shirley
Siracki