NEW! Tour the DDC CLINIC for children with special needs

Tuesday, Aug. 17^th @ 4 pm

SIGN UP by Sunday, Aug. 8^th, or call the church office, 632-0480.

AT A GLANCE:

God Shares a Meal, Fri. July 30, 4-6:30 pm, Social Hall. BBQ Chicken! Everyone welcome.

Chris Dulka & Don King in concert, Sunday, Aug. 1, 6:30 pm, here! Free!

Night at the Park – Fri. Aug. 13, 6 pm, Sperry Lane Pavilion at Mineral Lake Park.

WORSHIP & PICNIC At Meadow Ridge Park in Huntsburg, Sun. Aug. 15, 10:30 am;

Summer Sing, Thu. Aug. 19, 7:30 pm, Sanctuary

Men’s “Angling With Others” Camp out! Fri – Sun. Aug. 20-22.

Day at the Beach! Youth Fall Kick Off & all are welcome. Sat. Aug. 21.

See related articles for more info!

Summer Worship Schedule through Sept. 5

9:00 am & 10:45 am

Nursery provided during both services.

Children’s “KidsView” - An alternative church experience for children ages 5 – 12 available during the regular church service.

It’s a combination of Sunday School and Church where the kids can have fun while learning about Jesus.

Volunteers needed to lead “KidsView.”

All materials & lessons provided.

BIBLE STUDY Sundays @ 9:45 am

With the Philathea Class. Meet in the Olds Room, lower level near the Mill St. stairs. Class led by Jim Skinner.

Text Box:

GOD SHARES A MEAL

Friday, July 30

4:00 – 6:30 pm.

Menu: BBQ chicken, parsley potatoes, full salad bar, dessert & beverages. Free meal for anyone who wishes to come. Donations are accepted to help cover the cost of food, but are not required. Next meal: Friday, Sugust 27.

FREE CONCERT

Chris Dulka & Don King

Here on Sunday, Aug. 1, 6:30 pm

Ø An acoustic evening full of meaning

Ø Absolutely “free” no love offering taken

Ø Doors open at 6 pm

Ø Refreshments follow

NIGHT AT THE PARK!

6 pm Friday, August 13

@ Mineral Lake Park, Sperry Lane Pavilion

Come enjoy a time together as we gather for a time of fun and fellowship.

Volleyball court, swings and other activities for the kids, & horseshoes available at the park.

Bring your own food, table games, corn hole game, lawn chairs.

OUTDOOR WORSHIP

and ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC

Sunday, August 15, 10:30 am

RAIN OR SHINE

At Meadow Ridge Park

17395 St. Rt. 322, Huntsburg

2½ miles east of Rt. 528

- Bring lawn chairs or blankets (and extras for those who don't bring chairs)

- Worship along the lakeshore with 2 baptisms in the lake

- Picnic to follow in the Oak Pavilion

- Worship will be in the pavilion if the weather is bad

- Bring your own table settings and a dish to share. Beverages provided.

- Bring yard & table games

- A shuttle and parking help will be provided for the less-mobile of our church family

On this day, our entire congregation will be able to gather together at one time and worship!

It will be great for us all to be together.

Dress for the weather; flip flops and shorts are expected!

“Summer Sing Thursday”

August 19

7:30pm in the Sanctuary

Wear your shorts and flip-flops!

An informal time of fun & singing our favorite songs from Sunday mornings.

MEN’S NEWS

“ANGLING WITH OTHERS”

CAMP OUT! Aug. 20-22

WHO: All men invited!

WHAT? Men’s Christian Camp Out

WHEN? Aug. 20–begin set up starts @ 10 am, till High Noon Sun. Aug. 22.

WHY? To have some guy fun! Get out of the rat race for a few days. Fish, play outdoor games, relax and grow closer to your Lord and Savior.

COST? Suggested donation $15 for food & supplies

WHERE? Butternut Road, Newbury

CONTACT: Jim Skinner, 440-669-0823

Dad Yoder, 330-524-8451

Frank Szasz, 440-321-2660

YOUTH GROUP

For Youth Grades 6 – 12

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sunday, Aug. 8, Noon – 2 pm, Youth Group @ church.

Sunday, Aug. 15, Worship @ 10:30, picnic @ Meadow Ridge Park in Huntsburg. We will do some crafts from our Pirate’s Treasure Chest with the kids!

Saturday, Aug. 21: Fall Kickoff at Fairport! 1 – 6 pm. Meet here to carpool @ 1, or be at Fairport Harbor beach at 1:45ish. Bring: Dish and beverages to share. Swimsuits, towels, blankets, etc. and your permission/medical forms. Burgers, Dogs & Buns provided. AND…bring a friend or two. Family also welcome!

Sunday, Aug. 29: Youth Group @ 6-7:30 pm.

--Aimee Green

THANK YOU, CHURCH FAMILY

The Sam Fisher family thanks the church for all the prayers, cards, phone calls. Thanks especially to Pastor Ed for his comforting words at the time of Sam’s going home to be with the Lord. And also thanks to Pastor Micah for his visits and phone calls. We appreciated all the food provided the day of the funeral.

God bless you all,

MaryAn Fisher & Family

My sister Kathy and I would like to thank the members for all they have done for us, before and after our mother, Dora Williams, passed on.

Our mother was a member of this church for 79 years, and we can’t forget our older members for they are the ones that made our church what it is today. We thank you for visiting her and encourage you to visit our other older members.

Thank you again,

Martie Williams & Kathy Soltis

SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED

There is a great need for school supplies for children of many of the families who come to our Food Cupboard. School starts Aug. 23 this year. Supplies may be brought in at any time the church is open - the orange collection cart is in the Social Hall.

Thank you for helping bless our children!

DID YOU KNOW…

The Memorial Book was open the week of July 4^th in memory of Walter Clark and Reba Olds; week of July 11^th in memory of Jesse Town and Eugenia Thompson; the week of July 18^th in memory of Joe White and Clarence Ohl; and the week of July 25^th in memory of Elsie Kraus and Lila Harrison.

Prayer: You are welcome to come for prayer at any time the church building is open. The Prayer Room is located on the lower level next to the elevator.

Sharing our Joys:

The church family is invited to Graduate Open House for Zach Hess, Sat. July 31, 4-8 pm at Ron & Kathy Miller’s, 16410 Farley Rd., Middlefield.

Congratulations to Sandie Parnaby and Terry Simmers who were married by Pastor Ed on Friday, July 25^th in our sanctuary.

Sharing our concerns:

Our prayers and sympathy to the family of Ken of Burton who died on June 30.

Our sympathy and prayers to the family of Wally

Our sympathy and prayers to Gerry and family in the death of her husband Ned on Sunday, July 11. Ned was a member of our church since 2001.

Our prayers and sympathy to Everett and family in the death of his wife, Mae.

Our prayers and sympathy to the family and friends of George who died on July 19.

Our prayers and sympathy to Gloria and family in the passing of her sister, Pat.

Our prayers and sympathy to Kim in the death of her husband, Jim. Jim was the son-in-law of Jim & Joyce. Memorial Service Thursday, July 29, in Massillon. If anyone would like to carpool, be at the church at 8 am.

Our prayers and sympathy to Chuck and family in the passing of his father on July 25.

Our prayers and sympathy to the family of Brian, killed in a motorcycle accident July 15.

Prayer Requests received the week of July 4:

Mary – hospitalized in Illinois; sister-in-law of Mary Wallin

Prayer Requests received the week of July 11;

Ralph – heart valve replacement surgery

Peggy – cancer

Lois– heart

Long-term prayer requested for: John, Leah, Dorothy, Peggy, Clint, Candy, Alice, Harvey and Jeanette

Lois – Geauga Hospital July 14 for a couple of days, chest pains. She is at home and doing well. No problems found.

Prayer Requests received the week of July 18:

Richard – Geauga Hospital July 16, blood clot in his leg; at home July 22^nd. He will be limited in activity for 2 weeks, and unable to return to work for several weeks

Matt – beginning 8 months of chemotherapy.

A 15 yr. old boy with autism and many health issues; having surgery July 26 to remove colon due to cancerous polyps, and he might also have stomach cancer

Win bin – unable to leave China

Lorena – Akron City Hospital; heart stent on July 20

Cody, Todd, Lakyn, Frank, Jim – long-term prayer requests by Patti Armfelt

Prayer Requests the week of July 25:

Charlie – triply bypass surgery July 26 @ University Hospital

Dan – Metro Trauma, comatose & recovering from skull/brain surgery following an accident on July 25. He just graduated from high school, and dad, brother & sister have all served on the Montville fire dept. with Paul & Dennis

Carol – medical tests Aug. 10

Ruth – Geauga Hospital

Doris – Briar Hill, Hospice Care

Frank – coma for unknown reason; brother of Aimee Green’s brother-in-law; now awake but still unknown cause

Lareda – Hospice Care

Baby Isabelle – NICU Columbus; born prematurely, weighing 1# 11 oz and only 10” long. Parents are friends of Andrea

Bill – infection following minor surgery

Long-Term Prayer Requests: To keep someone on the prayer list, simply fill out the bulletin prayer request once a month. Or, contact the church office, 632-0480, or by email to mstanton@middlefieldumc.com, once a month.

Pray for all those in the military, including those from our church family

Prayers for those in long-term care facilities

FEED THE HOMELESS

Once a month, we provide food to feed the homeless in downtown Cleveland. For August, we need ground beef, brought to the church by Friday, Aug. 13^th. Sign up in the Social Hall. Thank you.

BLANK CARDS NEEDED

FOR CARD MINISTRY

Each month, we give note cards to all the residents at Briar Hill. Our thanks to Sue Gibbs and Charlene Gibbs for hand-writing notes in each one, about 115 cards per month. We are in need of blank cards for this ministry. You may bring cards in at any time, marked “For Sue Gibbs.” Thank you for helping us as a community reach out to the residents at Briar Hill and blessing them with a bright day!

FINANCIAL NEWS

Your semi-annual giving statements are now available. Pick up in the sanctuary. If you are unable to pick up your statement, contact Marcia in the church office and we will mail it to you.

Attendance:

July 4: 9:00 120; 10:45 73; July 11: 9:00 132; 10:45 88

July 18: 9:00 139; 10:45 116; July 25: 9:00 136; 10:45 100

Offering: July 4 July 11

Envelopes $5,397.50 $4,419.00

Loose Offering 116.50 169.25

Sunday School

Rent 1,125.00 60.00

$6,639.00 $4,648.25

Offering July 18 July 25

Envelopes $4,553.00 $4,164.45

Loose offering 218.81 169.00

Sunday School 9.00 3.00

$4,780.81 $4,336.45

Thrift Shop sales July 2 & 3 $209; July 9 & 10 $147; July 16 & 17 $147; July 23-24 $247.

Memorial Fund gifts were received in memory of Earl Warne; Ned Presley, Helen Gander and Mae McMillin.

Designated gifts were received for Captain’s tickets; Pioneer tickets; roof fund; capital improvements; Food Cupboard; Pastor’s Benevolence Fund; multimedia; adult ed books; VBS; Compassion child.

Noisy Pan offering for missionary support July 18 $240.57. Save your coins – next offering August 22.

DINNER AND THEATER

“Sherlock Holmes:

2 classic tales of Mystery & Good vs. Evil”

@ Thompson UMC

Saturday, Aug. 14, 6 pm Dinner & Show

Adults $7, children $5; Family $25

AND

Sunday, Aug. 15, 7 pm

Free performance of the plays (no dinner)

You are encouraged to bring a can of food to donate to their food pantry.

All are welcome.

Call 440-298-3033 for more information

Worship Service at BRIAR HILL SUNDAY, Aug.1

The first Sunday of each month, our church hosts a worship service for the residents at Burton Health Care Center and Briar Hill Nursing Home. For August, we will be going to Briar Hill on Sunday, August 1^st. Come join us and be blessed by being a blessing. All you need to do is have a warm heart and a smile for the residents. We’ll meet there at 1:45pm.

DAY AT THE BEACH

Saturday, Aug. 21 @ Fairport Harbor

All are welcome to join the fun with a picnic and day at the beach with the youth. Meet at the church to carpool at 1 pm, or meet us there about 1:45, until 6 pm. Bring a dish and beverages to share and your blanket/beach chairs. Anyone with a boat is encouraged to share your love of boating/tubing/jet skiing! See Aimee Green for more details; be_greena@lgca.org, or phone 440-321-9706.

THRIFT SHOP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Looking for a person to work the first Saturday of each month 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon. Also for a person to work with Marion Cox on the fourth Friday of each month. Same hours as above. Substitutes for both Friday and Saturday are needed. Please call Naomi Pollari at 632-5817 or Shirley Siracki at 632-1942

Financial Footsteps

Walking with the Lord in faithful Stewardship

Shalom! Many among us spent the week reflecting on the lives of the Hebrews and the Egyptians of ancient Egypt and Canaan with the young people of the church and community. The lesson was the life of Joseph and his very personal relationship with God. God blessed him and utilized him as a tool setting in motion the events that would lead to Moses and the Exodus. It is so important to realize that God does everything for a reason and His plans can encompass generations before the plan becomes obvious to us. We lose sight of the truth that God is in control and we are to be obedient to Him.

Prosperity followed Joseph wherever he went. Whether he was a slave, a prisoner, or a member of Pharaoh’s household, he never lost the blessing of God. God granted him not only the gifts to interpret dreams but the leadership abilities to be in a position to do God’s work. Even Pharaoh was able to recognize that he was a man filled with the spirit of God. A god that the pharaoh of Egypt would not have even believed in! Joseph called upon the power of his God, the God of the Hebrews, to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh. The Pharaoh not only accepted Joseph’s interpretation but acknowledged that his God was in control of the situation.

An often overlooked portion of this story is the advice that Joseph gave Pharaoh to deal with the coming famine. He directed Pharaoh to collect one-fifth of all the crops during the seven years of prosperity. This differs from the one-tenth that is normally considered a tithe. In looking at the current economy of our times, do we as God’s children utilize our times of prosperity in a similar manner? God gave Joseph the wisdom to gather a portion of the bounty and store it away to sustain the nation through the lean times that were approaching.

Every year, the Finance Committee must address the knowledge that there are giving cycles within the church; times of prosperity and times of famine. The church is still currently receiving enough weekly gifts to sustain us from month to month but without building the necessary reserves for lean times. The beginning of the year often signifies a time of famine for our church. The last two years the decision has been made to sell stock to get through that time period. The amount of “grain in our storehouse” is now about half of what it was two years ago. We cannot continue to use what is stored away to maintain our current situation. It is up to the leadership to utilize the resources that are being provided in a way that allows us to live within our means. Between now and January, the General Fund needs to build to a level of $8-10,000 of available cash. We are currently carrying about half of that. God has blessed us and we are in a much better position than we were at this time last year!

Please take a moment to pray about the needs of our church. God has a plan in store for us. It is up to us to have the faith to listen and follow His leading. It is up to us to be filled with the Spirit of God!

Faith and hope,

Juli Stone, Finance Chair

ANNUAL CONFERENCE REPORT

Dear Church Family,

Our annual church conference was held at Lakeside, Ohio, a few weeks ago and it was a wonderfully inspiring experience. Those in attendance were Pastor Ed, Pastor Micah, Kate Greth (lay delegate), Kim Park (lay delegate), Juli Stone (delegate at large for the district), and Michael Fiest (delegate at large for the district). LuAnn Burger and Cara Stone also enjoyed the week at Lakeside--at worship services and VBS activities. You were well-represented, Church Family.

The theme for the week was "Hope and Healing," and it was appropriate for what is happening in the world around us. Bishop Hopkins gave a wonderful sermon on Monday saying that true faith means letting go and looking forward into our future rather than looking back. It spoke to many on many levels. Being hopeful during times of trouble and letting God heal us is both powerful and humbling -- we just need to let Him help us.

The keynote speaker for the week was Dr. Scott Morris from the Memphis, Tennessee Church Health Center Clinic. He is a family physician as well as an ordained United Methodist Minister. Dr. Morris advocates strong ties between health, wellness, and faith. He believes in a responsibility to take care of the bodies God gave us. The center opened in 1987 with the goal of providing quality, affordable healthcare for working uninsured people and families. The center reaches more than 70,000 patients without relying on government funding. He believes we can revitalize the church by helping people by preaching, teaching, and finally healing. This is what health care should be about, and we in the church should be doing these for God's people.

There was much business discussed--all the various committees reported on their activities from the year. There were a few resolutions voted on: a resolution was defeated based on a misunderstanding of the UM General Board of Church and Society's lobbying activities, a resolution was passed to help insure better communication for youth and conference activities, a resolution was passed calling churches to bring hope and healing in response to exclusivity and discrimination, and a resolution was passed to recognize Rural Life Sunday each year on the Sunday before the Ohio State Fair. It always is amazing to see how many people are dedicated to the church via committees and activities at conference--people giving of their time and talent to work for God and further His kingdom.

On Monday evening we were thrilled to be a part of Pastor Micah's commissioning. There were a number of church family members who made the trip out to help celebrate this wonderful occasion. Pastor Micah had his wife, Jessica, and his Dad were also in attendance. It was a very proud moment for all of us, and we are so blessed to have Micah and Jessica as part of our church family.

The week was once again a beautiful one. The fellowship was enriching and as always it was a pleasure to serve you as your lay delegates.

Love in Christ,

Kate and Kim

AUGUST:

Happy Birthday!

1. Dave Thomas

3. Sarah Miller

4. Richard Straw

5. Bonnie Fabritius

Marilyn Atwood

Melissa Kraus

6. Carrie Barcikowski

7. David Blackford

Carl Prinkey, Jr.

Ted Selby

Clayton Yancey

8. Isabel Nicholes

Marilyn Esenwine

9. Betty Phillips

Julianna Barcikowski

10. Larry Kiviniemi

Janet Poole

12. Jay Becker

14. Julia Bargas

Ricky Szasz

15. Lu Ann Burger

Vinnie Hodgkinson

16. Jim Freeman

17. Tom Stanton

Justin Nastasi

18. Forrey Klingman

Skip Boehnlein

Christian Ervin

20. Doris Patchin

Kim Vystrcil

21. Fran Frank

Mattison Miller

22. Naomi Pollari

Bev Ferry

Carol Gappa

23. Jim Anderson

Ron King, Sr.

24. Ben Fashing

25. Della Morrison

27. Fred Wright

Don McClead

29. Sarah Mayer

30. Mary Kay Conley

Happy Anniversary!

4. Ben & Kendra Fashing

5. John & Mary Wallin

David & Karlene Pilarczyk

6. Gene & Claire Ziegler

7. Brian & Holly Fritinger

9. Mike & Lisa Ludwig

10. Paul & Heather Burger

Doug & Cindy Jahn

19. Ward & Julie Stone

Jeff & Vikki Naples

24. Elly & Marie Evans

28. Pastor Ed & Cindy Peterson

Rick & Betty Roose

Rev. Bob & Marjorie Zinsmeister

29. Rich & Bonnie Fabritius

31. Dave & Carol Coggins