November 2014

First Lutheran Church
First Lutheran Church
208 West Sandusky Avenue
Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311
937-592-7699
Fax: 1-888-471-1970
Email: [email protected]
First Hand
November 2014
Pastor, Jonathan Bull- [email protected]
Inside this issue:
Secretary, Lisa Nevers- [email protected]
Choir Director, Cheryl Walker- [email protected]
Giving altar items
2
Bell Choir Director, Larry Walker- [email protected]
Youth Events
3
Operation Christmas Child 4
Decorate the Church
7
Annual Meeting
8
Music News from Cheryl 9
All Saints’ Sunday
November 2, 2014
The Women’s Corner
10-13
Festival of Christmas
14
Serving in Worship
16-17
November Calendar
18
Collar Talk with Pastor Jon 20
The first Sunday in November is All Saints’ Day. This day is an occasion for
us to commemorate the faithful departed of the parish.
As early as the 3rd century, the church provided a celebration for all
martyrs. Over the years this observance expanded to include the apostles’
and then all the faithful who have died in Christ.
We remember reverently, before God, by name, those members of our
household of faith at First Lutheran, who our Lord has received into the
Church Triumphant during the past year. We also remember in prayer the
many families of our congregation who have lost loved ones in the past
year.
Join us for a Thanksgiving Worship Service on Wednesday evening,
November 26th, beginning at 7:00 pm. The service will include special
music. As we give thanks to God for the many blessings He has given to us,
we look to share some of these blessings with others. As part of our celebration, we are asking you to
remember those around us who need to be fed. Please bring basic non-perishable food items with you as part
of your offering. These items will be donated to the LCS Food Pantry to help feed Logan County families in
need.
1
Giving: Altar Flowers, Wine or Bulletin Covers
The Altar Flower Chart for 2015 has been posted in the lower narthex. Please
stop today and reserve your date of choice.
Sign-ups are for single vases, so there are two sign-ups for each Sunday. Cost of each vase is
approximately $18.00. Our flower coordinator, Margie Bixler, will contact you concerning the dedication.
Wren’s Florist, will bill you for the flowers.
The Communion Wine Chart for 2015 sign-up is in the lower narthex. Please
stop today and reserve your date of choice.
With not enough Sundays to provide all of our members an opportunity to place flowers, providing the
cost for Communion Wine will give further opportunity for families to offer gifts in the name of a loved
one. Sign-ups will be handled in the same manner as the flowers and a dedication similar to the one used
for the flowers would appear in the bulletin on the particular Sunday. Cost of the Sunday Communion
Wine is $12.00 for each Sunday of communion, and is payable to the Church.
The “Special” Bulletin Cover Chart for 2015 sign-up is in the lower narthex.
Please stop today and reserve your date of choice.
Worship Ministry Team decided to have “special” Sunday bulletin covers sponsored by families of First
Lutheran. This is an alternative to sponsoring altar flowers or wine. The covers can be designated just
like the flowers and wine – (to the Glory of God, in honor of, in memory of . . .). The cost is $20.00 for
each “special” Sunday. This can be split by two families.
2
6 pm—8 pm
LYO and Confirmation
Confirmation Schedule:
November 2– Exploring the Commandments: Part Three
November 9– Exploring the Commandments: Part Four
November 16– Service/Fun
November 23: World Religions
November 30: Thanksgiving Break
Holiday Help from the High School Youth
Are you in need of help at your home with holiday preparations? Need your house
cleaned before the family visits, bake all those wonderful holiday treats or need an
extra hand hanging all the decorations? Then you need the FLC High School Youth
to come help you! For a donation to the Youth Group you can have the youth come to
your house this holiday season to help you. Contact Lori Maben 844-1898
([email protected]) to get scheduled.
Awesome Kids 4 Christ
Who: YOU! (the awesome kids of First Lutheran Church and
their friends in grades 1 to 6)
Where: at First Lutheran Church
When: November 9th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
What: The Thankful Turkey Event!
(Including games, stories, a birthday, and more)
3
Message from the Learning Ministry Team
Noah’s Ark
Have you noticed that Noah’s Ark has come ashore in the lower
narthex? We are asking for your help once again to fill our Ark with
new and gently loved stuffed animals that will be distributed with
the LCS Toy Baskets this December. Last year we were able to fill
MANY bags with animals. Lets see how many times we are able to
fill the ark this year.
Out to Lunch Bunch will be dining at the Coppertop Restaurant
(Miami Street) in Urbana on Saturday, November 8th at 6:30 pm.
Everyone is welcome to join the group. For more information
please contact Judy Vassar or the church office.
Operation Christmas Child
Christian Action Ministry Team is asking for the congregation’s help to
donate items for Operation Christmas Child.
We will delivering our items to Calvary Christian School where they
will have a packing party and they are our local drop off point. The
items will be taken to Calvary Christian on Monday, November 17,
2014.
Please bring donated items in to the church and place in the box
located in the lower narthex.
Suggested items are: school supplies such as pencils, pens; small toys such as cars, kazoo etc.;
hygiene items such as toothbrush and toothpaste; other items such as T-shirt’s, sunglasses, hair clips.
Christian Action would also like to reach out to the Sunday School classes to participate in
this project. Make it a class project to bring in items from the list above.
A small shoebox can teach a child about the love of God, lead him or her to faith in Christ,
inspire pastors and plant new churches. What goes into the box is fun, but what comes out is
eternal. Be a part of changing lives through the power of giving a simple gift.
REMEMBER ALL ITEMS MUST FIT WITHIN A SHOEBOX.
4
VS
Saturday, November 29th the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Wolverines of Michigan.
First Lutheran Church will be selling homemade chocolate Buckeyes to commemorate this
battle on the gridiron! You can order your homemade Buckeyes to have on hand for the
BIG GAME! Proceeds from the sale will go to the 175th Anniversary Appeal.
The price for the delicious Buckeyes is $5.00 per baker’s dozen. Order forms will be
included in the November 9th & November 16th Sunday bulletins. Extra order forms will
also be located in the upper narthex. Please place the forms in the offering plate or in
Lisa’s mailbox. All orders are due by Sunday, November 16th. You may pick up your
orders after each service on Sunday, November 23rd.
Food on the First
As part of our celebration of the Holy Supper of our Lord, we are asking you to remember those around
us who need to be fed. You can help keep the LCS pantry stocked by bringing basic food items on the first
Sunday of each month. What is needed is canned items: especially fruits, vegetables, meats, and soups;
and basic non-perishable items: cereal, flour, sugar and juices. There is a basket in the upper narthex to
receive your donations. Let’s remember Food on the First as part of our monthly celebration of Holy
Communion.
Thanks to ALL who help out at Our Daily Bread. This community service would not be
possible without the help from all of you. Serving at Our Daily Bread is a once a month
commitment we have done for several years now. The next evening we will be serving is
Monday, November 17th. If you can’t help us serve, but would still like to help out, you could provide the
dessert. This month we are asking for cupcakes. If you haven’t had the chance to help at Our Daily Bread
please consider doing so. Please sign-up on the sheet located in the upper narthex. Volunteers are asked to
arrive at Our Daily Bread about 4:15 pm prior to the serving time of 4:30 pm. If you have any questions or
concerns, please contact the church office.
5
The church office will be closed
on Thursday, November 27
and Friday, November 28 for
the Thanksgiving holiday.
The deadline to get information in
the December newsletter is:
November 17, 2014
175
Come help us decorate the church!
th
We will be decorating the
church for the holiday
season on Sunday, December
7th beginning at 1 pm. If you
can help please sign-up on
the sheet in the upper
narthex.
Anniversary Appeal
Next Noisy $$$ Sunday–
November 30
Continue to save your coins!
It’s time to order poinsettias that will decorate our sanctuary during the
Christmas holiday. We order these lovely plants from Wren’s Greenhouse
here in Bellefontaine.
The cost for each poinsettia is $12.50. Proceeds from the sale of these goes
to the Youth Group Fund.
An envelope to place your order will be in the Sunday bulletin beginning
November 23rd.
*Please remember to include your payment with the order.
The deadline for orders will be Monday, December 8th.
The Card Ministry group will be meeting on Monday evening, November 17 th
at 6:30 pm in the church kitchen to make Christmas cards for our shut-in
members. Bring all your creative ideas!
6
Marriage: Candice Fisher & Mark Stevens (October 10, 2014)
Baptism: Judah Robert Deniston (October 12, 2014)
2013 Membership Statistics:
Year to date 2014:
Baptisms- 6
Baptisms–2
New Members- 4
New Members– 5
Confirmed- 0
Confirmed– 6
Deaths- 6
Deaths– 6
Transfers- 7
Transfers– 8
Requested Removal– 0
Requested Removal– 0
Average Monthly Attendance: October: 151
During the past months, we have remembered many in prayer. We remember in prayer all
who are in need of God’s presence and care . . . especially:
Regina Holdbrook
hospitalized
Alice Maier
health issues
Ruth Keck
recovering from surgery
Gloria Kipker
recovering from surgery
Gary Anderson
recovering from surgery
Chuck Gamble
health concerns
Jean Kerns
health concerns
Norman Hayes
health concerns
Bernice Beightler
health concerns
Amy Pulfer
recovering from surgery
Jean Baker
recovering from surgery
Judah Deniston
baptized
Nick Young
health issues
Noah Torsell
health issues
John Kelly
entered the Church Triumphant
Ashley Sloan
health issues
7
November Ministry Team Meeting Dates:
11/3- 7:00 pm
Council
11/8-
Property
9:00 am
11/17- 6:30 pm
Card Ministry
11/24- 7:00 pm
Worship
Ministry Team Highlights
Christian Action Ministry Team
 Ring of Lights Halloween
Walk
Finance Ministry Team
N

ovember 16, 2014
9:30 am
Budget work session
Learning Ministry Team

SS Christmas Program
Worship Ministry Team
The annual meeting of First Lutheran Church will be
held Sunday, November 16 in Rice Hall. We will
gather at 9:15 am, with the meeting starting promptly
at 9:30 am. Light refreshments will be served. Please
mark this date on your calendar and plan to attend.

Decorating date set

Christmas Services
Property Ministry Team

Various maintenance issues
Copies of reports from the monthly
meetings of each ministry team is
available for you to see. They are in
the binder located in the lower
Annual Reports will be
handed out on Sunday
morning, November 9th
between services. Stop by the
table in the lower narthex. Reports can also
be picked up in the church office during the
week.
8
Music News and Notes from Cheryl
Chancel Choir has begun, using the front pews on the pulpit side for a
temporary choir loft. Hopefully in another couple weeks we can move
back to our regular place. The bell choirs may have to wait a bit longer.
But it is such a worthwhile project (the renovating of the stained glass
windows). The sun shines through the one along Detroit Street and
sparkles like gold. We always have room for one or two or three more
singers; plenty of chairs when they are brought back from storage and
we can always “squish together” in the pews. Come join us on Thursday
nights at 7 p.m., or for a shorter Sunday morning rehearsal at 10 a.m. Surprise me!
Since November is a time to be particularly aware of our
blessings and giving thanks, what better way to end the
column than with the words of the old gospel hymn:
“Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings see what God has done.
Count your many blessings and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”
9
As a community of women, created in the image of God, called to
discipleship in Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, committed to
grow in faith, support one another, engage in ministry and action, promote healing and wholeness
in the church, society, and the world, we strive to act in faith. (mission statement of Women of the ELCA)
Thankoffering Sunday is November 23.
The gathering of a special mission offering, called Thankoffering, will take place during both worship
services on November 23 which is also Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the liturgical year.
The entire offering is sent to the national Women of the ELCA office in Chicago and is used for
special mission projects nationally and internationally. Some of the projects are: seminary
scholarships, job training, literacy, loans to women to begin small businesses in third world
countries, prison ministry, clean water projects in Africa and support for Lutheran Victoria Hospital
in Jerusalem. We invite all members to consider their blessings of the past year, and share with
others less fortunate by using the envelope provided in the bulletin that day to participate in this
special mission offering.
Sunshine Bags and Christmas Card Shower
This is another WELCA project where we seek the congregation’s help. The
table will be up December 7th and December 14th. We ask the congregation
to shower our shut-in and special concerns members with Christmas cards
and notes . Please do not seal the envelopes. A list of names will be in the
bulletins nearer to December. These bags of cards and small gift items that
WELCA adds always bring joy to those receiving them.
Small Group Gathering
Faith Circle will get together Tuesday, November 18th at 7 p.m. in the home of Pat Mitchell
(1115 Erie St; Bellefontaine) with the program by Cindy Weikart. Ladies of First Lutheran
and their family or friends are welcome to come and join in the fellowship.
Quilt Raffle
The WELCA Ladies are offering you a chance to purchase a raffle ticket for $1.00/ 6 for
$5.00 to win a beautiful Christmas quilt. Tickets will be available on Sunday,
November 30th and December 7th at the WELCA table in the lower narthex. The
drawing will be held on Tuesday, December 9th. Proceeds will go to the Women of
First Lutheran for their many projects. Thanks to the congregation for their support
on Quilt Dedication Sunday.
10
The congregation has
generously helped us cover
the tree with warm hats,
gloves, mittens for over
thirty years. The tree will
be up the Sundays of
November 30, December 7 and December 14.
It will be taken down and all donated items are
given to Lutheran Community Services to be
distributed with their Christmas baskets.
Thank You …
Thank you for coming to the hospital and for the
consolation you gave us during this difficult time.
Bob Simpson & family
I really appreciate the thoughtfulness of sharing the very
nice fall arrangement. Thank you! God definitely
blesses me and heard me. Your prayers were heard loud
and clear. Praise God!
A huge “Thank You” to the congregation for
your support of our dessert sale “A Taste of
Fall”. We took in just a few dollars short of
$400, which will be used for our projects. A
special thanks to all those who donated items for
the sale who have never attended a circle
meeting. We appreciate all of you. Watch for “A
Taste of Winter” on February 8.
Chuck Gamble
Thank you for the beautiful altar flowers and cards I
received after my last surgery. It was so kind of all of
you. Thanks to Pastor Jon for his visits before and after
surgery. It’s always nice to know someone cares. In
Christian love,
On-Going WELCA projects:
Keep collecting those pennies for Habitat for
Humanity. Br ing your pennies to the monthly
small group meetings, or drop them in the big jar in
the lower narthex by the women’s bulletin board.
Each time we reach $100, a check goes to Habitat.
Gloria Kipker
Thank you to everyone for your prayers and all the
thoughtfulness that was shown during our grieving time.
The altar flowers that were delivered to us were
beautiful too. We appreciate all the kindness.
Labels for Osterlen Home in Springfield. See the
women’s bulletin board for more details. There is a
basket on the ledge to receive your donations.
Gallons of Milk for Our Daily Bread: ODB goes
through many gallons of milk weekly so any extra
help in providing a gallon or two is greatly
appreciated. Take directly to ODB or bring to the
church refrigerator and BE SURE to TELL LISA
that you have done so.
Kevin & Robyn Miller
Chris Simpson & family
Thank you to everyone who donated food items for the
FLC Youth Hunger Walk. As food assistance
continues to rise your donations are needed more than
ever. Lutheran Community Services appreciates your
generosity.
MAGAZINES for Logan
Acres, Campbell House,
Jail, Juvenile Detention
and other facilities. A lar ge
plastic container is under the table in the lower
narthex. Check the lid for which magazines are
needed. Thanks to Maxine and Roger Cole for
continuing to oversee the collection, sorting and
delivery of the magazine bundles.
Tim Crusey, manager
Lutheran Community Services
11
Logan Acres Christmas Cheer
Suggested Items for Logan Acres Christmas:
sweatshirts, pajamas, sleep pants, "grippie" socks, cotton or fleece throws, knicks knacks,
pretty decorated boxes of tissue, cologne, lotions, pretty soaps, bath/shower gel, powder, combs,
Chapstick, emery boards, personal tissue packs, 2015 Wall Calendars, hand mirrors, combs, back
scratchers, candy-regular & sugar-free, Hulless popcorn, small bags of chips & snacks,
cornpuffs, cheesepuffs, CD’s – spiritual, country, 40's,50's,60's music, DVD’s - old movies from
40’s, 50’s, 60’s, Word Search puzzle books, coloring books, coloring pencils, pencils, pens,
stationary, cards, notepads, sticky notes, Large Print Books – Westerns, Spiritual, Amish books,
300 pc puzzles(18x24)
Please have to church office by Tuesday, November 25th.
12
"Liberia: Providing healthcare workers with protective equipment
against Ebola" (8/1/2014)
Last month I shared how our contributions to the malaria campaign
are helping others. Another disease we can help fight is Ebola. Here is a letter describing how LDR is involved.
I’m sure this is not all that will be done. It is similar to malaria in that there is no cure or vaccine, only
treatment and prevention.
“In February 2014, a person with the Ebola virus disease (EVD) was registered in Guinea. By the end of April,
the outbreak had spread to more than 250 people in Guinea and had crossed into Liberia and Sierra Leone. As
of July 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that there have been 1,201 cases of the Ebola virus
disease in West Africa, including 672 deaths, making this the most severe Ebola outbreak in recorded history.
Phebe Hospital, a Lutheran hospital in Liberia, has been dealing with the Ebola outbreak first-hand. Seven of
the health care workers at Phebe Hospital have tested positive for the Ebola virus, including three nurses who
died from the virus on July 23.
Working with Global Health Ministries (GHM) and the Lutheran Church in Liberia (LCL), Lutheran Disaster
Response is sending five pallets of Personal Protection Equipment via airfreight shipment to Phebe Hospital
and Curran Hospital (also Lutheran affiliation) in Liberia to assist in the response to the Ebola virus disease
outbreak in that country. The Personal Protection Equipment being sent consists of hazmat suits with hoods
and boots and several cases of disinfectant with spray bottles. These materials will allow healthcare workers
to safely provide care for patients who are infected with the virus.
Please join us in praying for our brothers and sisters in Liberia and the rest of the West Africa region who are
dealing with the risks of the Ebola virus. May Christ's healing hands grant them relief and protection. If you
would like to support Lutheran Disaster Response's work in providing assistance against the Ebola virus
disease in West Africa, please visit the Lutheran Disaster Response giving page.
What is Ebola virus disease?
Ebola virus disease (EVD) was formerly called Ebola hemorrhagic fever. It is a severe illness in humans that is
spread through direct contact with bodily fluids and indirect contact with contaminated materials, such as bed
linens that have been contaminated by an infected person's bodily fluids. There is no evidence that EVD can
be spread through airborne transmission.
Initial symptoms of EVD include fever, weakness and muscle aches. Progressed symptoms include vomiting,
diarrhea and internal and external bleeding. The incubation period for the virus is up to 21 days, and an
infected person is not contagious until she or he starts experiencing symptoms.
There is no vaccine for EVD, nor is there a cure. Treatment consists of supportive therapies to treat the
symptoms.”
Transmission can be prevented by avoiding close contact with Ebola patients and by wearing proper
protective gear while caring for patients. Outbreaks typically occur in Central Africa. It is being reported by the
World Health Organization (WHO) that this current outbreak is the first major outbreak in West Africa.
13
This year the fourth Sunday of Advent (December 21)
will be the date of the Christmas program. We are
moving away from the traditional format of a
children’s program that has been used for some years
to a celebration involving all ages and all music groups
of the congregation. The theme and title chosen for
this special day is “Festival of Christmas.” There will be
only one worship service that day, at 9:30 a.m. and a
time of fellowship and simple finger foods will follow. This will give more groups and more ages a
chance to participate and with the fourth Sunday of Advent coming so close to Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day, it will extend our celebration of our Lord’s birth a bit. Holy Communion will not be
celebrated that day but will be offered at both services on December 24 th. There will actually be
opportunities to provide extra music on December 21st, the 7 p.m. Christmas Eve service and the First
Sunday of Christmas worship on December 28th. Below is a form that will help make planning easier for
Pastor Jon and Cheryl. If you or members of your family would like to offer extra music, please fill out
the form below, cut it from the newsletter and return it to Cheryl Walker in person or in her church
mailbox BY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas Music
Name _________________________________
Phone _________________
Email address (if you use it frequently) _______________________________
Piano _________
Solo________
Vocal __________
Duet__________
Instrumental ____________
Other combination ___________________
I would be able to participate in this service (check all that apply). You will be doing one but it would
help our planning if we could spread people out during the worship cycle,
Festival of Christmas Dec. 21 ________
Christmas Eve
7 p.m. ________
First Sunday of Christmas December 28_______
First choice of song ______________________________________
Second choice of song _____________________________________
Every effort will be made to see that you get your first or second choice, but remember, the more familiar
the song, the more people that will request to use it. If you have questions, concerns, your idea doesn’t
quite fit this generic form, fill it out as best you can, and write a note for me to speak to you in person. Or
just come speak to me in person to begin with, or send me an email at home ([email protected])
Mrs. Walker
14
November Birthdays
11/01
11/01
11/03
11/03
11/05
11/08
11/08
11/10
11/10
11/10
Harold Traher
Tara Zedeker
Bonnie Cowan
Lucas McKenrick
Brayten Swisher
Roger Cole
Maxine Brunke
Bill Fent
Gail Keck
Julie Dixon
11/11
11/12
11/12
11/14
11/15
11/16
11/17
11/17
11/18
11/18
11/18
11/20
11/22
11/23
11/24
11/28
11/30
11/30
11/30
Ed Pulfer
Paul Karn
Conner Gamble
Sheryl Ray
Jennifer Horton
Laura Elder
Carl Gillespie
Zachary Schneider
Madison Shields
Joe Eckhoff
Josh Eckhoff
Aaron Chamberlain
Chris McKenrick
Mary Pummell
Keith Krueger
Brent Swartz
Bob Mitchell
Winnie Bodin
Brooks Bodin
November Anniversaries
11/30/1991
Andrew & Laura Burton
11/23/2012
Bonnie & Richard Cowan
11/24/1991
Mike & Julie Zoldak
Don’t forget to turn your clocks back 1
hour on Saturday, November 1st before
you go to bed!
Daylight Savings time ends November 2nd.
Don’t be late for church on
Sunday morning!
15
Serving in Our Worship - November 2014
8:15 am
10:45 am
Margie Anderson
Ray Swisher
Bill Badenhop
John Belser
Walt Stephan
Krista Belser
Kevin Miller
Diane Anderson
11/2
Mackenzie Swartz
TBA
11/9
Megan Keckler
Brandon Gamble
11/16
Shelby Starkey
Garrett Dixon
11/23
Olivia Reasor
Josh Eckhoff
11/30
Brandon Gamble
Brett Belser
11/2
Garrett Dixon
Shelby Starkey
11/9
Olivia Reasor
Josh Eckhoff
11/16
Brett Belser
Mackenzie Swartz
11/23
Megan Keckler
Joe Eckhoff
11/30
Daniel Weikart
Tommy Belser
11/2
Ryan Carman & Christian Miller
Conner & Zane Gamble
11/16
Jacob & Lucas McKenrick
Kyndal Newkirk & Connor Rose
11/23
Colby Borgerding & Hilary Horn
Caleb Torsell & Aidan Mifsud
11/30
Ryan Carman & Christian Miller
Samantha & Sarah Starkey
11/2
John Gensemer
Beth Harman
11/9
Jim Donnelly
Kris Swisher
11/16
Bill Badenhop
TBA
11/23
Cindy Weikart
Kevin Boone
11/30
Youth Sunday
Youth Sunday
11/2
Corey & Renae Van Hoose
Jinny Fergus & Brenda Shively
11/16
Jim & Janet Donnelly
Kay Schroer & Judy Hadley
11/23
Margie Bixler & Jill McKellop
Carl & Rachel Gillespie
11/30
Tod & Domonique Johnson
Ray & Kris Swisher
Ushers
Acolyte
Crucifer
Communion Helper
Readers
Communion Assist.
16
Greeters
11/2
Chris & Jennifer McKenrick
John & Krista Belser
11/9
Andy & Laura Burton
John & Krista Belser
11/16
Paul & Joann Karn
Tom & April Jameson
11/23
Terry & Sharon Thompson
Brent & Diane Smith
11/26 *Thanksgiving Service
Ray & Cheryl Kramer– 7 pm
11/30
Youth Sunday
Youth Sunday
*open, but not staffed
Kim Richards
Nursery
11/2
11/9
*open, but not staffed
11/16
*open, but not staffed
11/23
Brianna Jameson
11/30
*open, but not staffed
Worship Assistant
11/2
Daniel Weikart
Dave Vassar
11/9
Amber Weikart
Dick Griffith
11/16
Cindy Weikart
Kris Swisher
11/23
Brenda Shively
Kevin Boone
11/30
Daniel Weikart
Dave Vassar
Altar Guild
Dave & Diane Anderson
17
18
Report of the PastorOctober has been a hectic month. I have visited all three
nursing homes and the shut-ins of our congregation. In
addition I have made 15 home visits, attended 15 monthly
meetings, 4 visits to MRH, 4 visits to Columbus hospitals, 1 visit to a Lima hospital, 1
emergency home visit, 1 Northwest Conference meeting, 2 synod meetings, and 2 trips
with members to a Columbus doctor, 1 funeral including multiple consultations with the
family and I participated in serving Our Daily Bread. Sunday Night Live, a ministry to
our Middle and High School youth met 3 times, Awesome Kids 4 Christ met once (grades
1-6) and I participated in our last Adopt-A-Highway for the year. Time this month was
also used for visioning and goal setting. In addition to the above there is weekly
preparation for worship, personal prayer and study, and countless conversations with
members and non-members, both in the office and in our community. Together we can
continue to Keep Christ First as we work together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Go with God,
Pastor Jonathan D. Bull
19
Collar Talk
The past few weeks we have been focusing on Stewardship and our financial giving to the church. On
October 19, I shared the following in my sermon:
“The first thing we need to realize is that everything we have, everything we are, and everything we hope
to be is first and foremost a gift from God. When we understand the magnitude of this reality, our hearts
become captivated by the love and grace that God has lavished upon us. We then soon discover our
bodies, our minds, and most importantly of all, our hearts truly belong to God. It’s when God takes
possession of our hearts and sends the spirit to live there that we find it not only easier to render to God
the things that are God’s, but it becomes a great privilege and joy to do so.
When we say to someone, “I love you with all my heart,” what do we mean? We are saying, “I am
committed to you. All that I have is yours. I trust you enough that I am willing to share with you
everything I have, everything I am, and everything I hope to be.” That kind of commitment is what God
asks of us. Truly it’s all God’s in the first place. Render to God the things that are God’s.
There’s a silly story that makes a powerful point about where many people are with this. According to
the story, a much loved king was in need of a heart transplant. There was a great concern throughout his
kingdom. Everyone gathered outside the royal castle screaming and waving their hands. “Take my heart,
King, take my heart!”
Well, the king didn’t know what to do, but an idea popped into his head. He asked everyone to please be
quiet for a few minutes and he told them his plan. He would throw down a feather and whoever the
feather landed on, the king would take their heart for the transplant. The beloved king then threw the
feather out over the people and watched it drift back and forth. Everyone was still screaming and waving
their hands, “Take my heart, King,” but with one difference: they were leaning their heads back and
blowing the feather back into the air. “Take my heart, King (blow), Take my heart (blow).
We really don’t have much choice when it comes to paying taxes. Maybe that’s why we don’t have much
trouble with it. And we may be willing to give a few tokens to God. But our bodies? Our minds? Our
hearts? “Take my heart, Lord.” (blow). Save the tokens for the IRS. God wants and deserves our first
and our best. And when the Holy Spirit truly lives in our hearts, we will find rendering to God easier,
more important, and certainly more enjoyable than rendering to Caesar.”
Go with God,
Pastor Jonathan D. Bull
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