The mission of Middle Sandy Evangelical Presbyterian Church is to

Middle Sandy
Evangelical Presbyterian Church
January Worship Schedule
9:00 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship Service
Child Care available during the Worship Service for
ages infant through 5 years.
During the holidays, it seems I am writing these
articles looking back. What I mean is that I feel like I tend
to start my thoughts with, “Now that this (insert season) is
over...” and here we are again, Christmas has passed,
2014 has passed, and now what? (I'm “borrowing” Scott
Mason's December 28th sermon title as food for thought)
Psalm 34 starts out:
1 I will extol the LORD at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
It is this same spirit of worship and praise that
should always be on our hearts and minds no matter
what season it is. I know that life deals us blows
sometimes and there are events in our world that make it
hard to feel worshipful, but we need to remember that this
world is not our final home. Christ came on Christmas so
he could offer salvation to humanity through the gift of
eternal life! For that alone, we should be praising God
each and every day. Advent this year for me was all
about not letting the awful things that happen in this world
draw me down and squash my hope and faith. For that to
happen, God reminded me each week (in sermons) that
our true home is not of this place. For that I am forever
grateful. I am also grateful of God's mercy, because even
though we human beings continue to sin and hurt and kill
one another, He sees fit to rescue His people, grant
forgiveness, and give eternal life! For that I am even
more grateful, because I am a sinner in this world too.
Thank you, Lord Jesus for your mercy and grace!
May God continue to grant you the same Spirit of
worship that permeates our lives during the Advent and
Christmas season!
Pastor Tracy
In Our Thoughts and Prayers…
We encourage you to send a card or letter to one or two each month.
Addresses are available in the church directory or in the church
office.
Continuing health needs:
Darlene Brooks (Dorothy Burbick’s sister) (ALS)
Jim Hanna
Tim Hume (healing from blood disease)
Pat Humphrey (general health concerns)
Colleen Lewis (healing from surgery)
Carol Lowe (Anna Mapes’ sister) (brain cancer)
Don Mathey (pray for healing)
Donna Moats (Hodgkins Lymphoma)
Diane Sanor
Dorothy Smythe
Michelle Slingerland (recovery from surgery)
Ken Smith (on-going cancer treatment)
Prayer for family and friends of our missionary Lucy
Lincoln, was passed away recently.
Military Service:
Brian Burbick (Navy - VA)
Eric W. Hampe (Ohio Army National Guard, Stow, OH)
Samuel Metzger (Socotch’s son-in-law, Navy - Charleston, SC)
Jason Snyder (Carole & Don Mathey’s grandson) (Army
recruiter in Chicago)
Jon Pagnucco (Jane Stryffeler’s grandson) – Navy (CA)
Our Missionaries - for Holy Spirit protection and great
perseverance in their work.
Jeff & Natasha B. (EPC missionaries in Asia)
Abe & Diane Bible (Ukraine – beginning a new tract
ministry) (pray for Ukrainian Christians that they would have
a peaceful influence on the Ukrainian situation)
Lisa Smith (Campus Crusade in IN – training short-term
student missionaries)
Dave & Diane Spurdle (Church planting in Japan)
Willie Swift (UMU student, summer intern with CRU in NJ)
Paul & Reinhild Sydnor (ministry to refugees in
Lille, France and Malta) (also Luke and Tessa Sydnor both
on summer mission trips)
In Nursing Homes or Home-bound:
Linda Bandy (Crandall Medical Center)
Shirley Burdick (Great Trails Rehab Center, Minerva)
Pauline Martin (Crandall Medical Center)
Lowell Smith (at home)
OPEN STATED SESSION MEETING
December 8, 2014
During the month of November, the Pastor made two nursing
home visits and eight out in the community. He officiated at the
funeral of Dick Humphrey and attended the Presbytery meeting
on November 22. Youth Group was restarted by Pastor Tracy
and Cindy. Other activities throughout the month were shared.
Pastoral Concerns: Discussion on Christmas gifts for shut-ins to
be personally delivered by the committee members. Looking for
another committee member for 2015. Monetary gifts were given
to the following: Pregnancy Center - $150, WBMA - $100,
Christina House - $150, Tobin - $100, Acts 2 - $100, Way Station
- $50, Domestic Violence Shelter - $150. Eight Aldi’s $25 gift
cards purchased for needy people at the Pastor’s discretion.
Property: By approved motion from the Session, the remaining
church maintenance fund money from 2014 will be carried over
into 2015 to help offset the painting of the front of the church in
the spring. Also approved to allow the property committee to
have the treasurer pay the janitor’s salary on a weekly basis,
instead of monthly, making it easier to pay people who fill in.
2015 budget was agreed upon. Need new committee members
for 2015. Bills totaling $217.13 were approved for payment. Will
fix light in the choir loft and replace the spot light bulb.
Old Business: The history on the Session’s decision concerning
Boy Scout meetings to be held in the church was recounted. A
decision was initially made to continue to allow the meetings, after
a presentation by a Buckeye Council scout executive, but the
decision was later remanded.
New Business: Pastor Tracy’s vacation request for December
25 – January 2 was approved. A Session planning/retreat
meeting to plan for the upcoming year’s calendar will be held
January 10, 2015, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Pastor Tracy’s
home. The Session will need to have a special meeting to
approve the 2015 budget submitted by the Finance Committee
before the end of the year.
January Birthdays
Joseph Smythe
John Hampe
Dorothy Burbick
Jessica Sands
Cynthia Lohnes
Megan Carver
Sydni Rae McQuilkin
Carrie Carver Berger
Ivan Bohrer
Darlene Martin
Barb McCain
Gloria Spencer
2
4
10
11
13
14
14
21
21
25
31
31
SUPER BOWL SUB SALE!!
The Mission Trippers will be having Sub
Sale on Sunday, February 1. Cost for
each sub is $5.00 and includes chips
and a cookie. Orders will be taken until
January 25. Please support the Mission
Trippers in this fundraiser!
January Anniversaries
Don & Linda Bandy
23
Please turn in your articles for the
February Sandpiper to Debbie
Socotch by January 25 or e-mail to
[email protected]
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
Tuesday, January 13
1:00 – 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall
Why was Moses one of the smartest men in the Bible?
He knew a Lot!
Who was the most financially savvy man in the Bible?
Noah, while the rest of the world was in liquidation, he
was floating his assets!
Who was the most financially savvy woman in the Bible?
Pharaoh's daughter, she went down to the local bank and
drew out a little prophet!
Youth Group will meet
Sunday, January 4th and 18th
from 6-7:30pm.
Sand through
the
Many
Hourglass….
A new supply of sand fills the
hourglass to say, “Welcome 2015”.
But before looking ahead, I will
reminisce about Christmas 2014. Much
praise is given to our dedicated choir
director Linda McQuilkin, organist Connie
Stoudt, and the faithful choir members.
Their music has been beautifully inspiring
all year long, and especially during Advent.
We all appreciate your using your musical
abilities to praise the Lord. Applause is also
given to the young “Messengers” whose
vocal talents have been so welcomed.
We can tuck away memories of how
Jesus’ birth was celebrated at Middle Sandy.
Each week during Advent and on Christmas
Eve, the Advent candles were lit during a
short ceremony at the beginning of the
worship service. Pastor Edwards’ Advent
messages focused on Jesus’ birth: Wait,
Watch, Prepare, and Peace. The Nativity
scene in the front yard (thanks to Terry
Slingerland) was there for all passers-by to
observe. During the Trim-A-Tree service,
the sanctuary tree was decorated with
members’ ornaments and those provided by
Diane Sanor. Wreaths hanging from each
window and poinsettias on the stage added
to the beauty of the sanctuary. All were
tributes to the birth of the “Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace”. Isaiah 9:6
Do some of you long-time members
remember when the sanctuary tree was
decorated with chrismons? They were
symbols shaped liked stars, sheep, angels,
and candles for example. They were cut
from thick sheets of foam, and placed on the
tree with the white lights. Then changes
were made, and decorations like ones that
are on the tree now began to be used.
Pat Humphrey extends deep sincere
deep gratitude to all who helped to celebrate
Dick’s life, especially during his memorial
service. She is very appreciative to the PW
and other helpers who provided the meal for
family and friends. She asked to please
accept this as her note of thanks because
arthritic fingers make writing difficult for
her.
In “The Music Man”, Marian is the
librarian…the song is so cute… at Middle
Sandy the PW are to become “Marians, the
librarians”, as they sort through, keep, or
give away books in the library and the
parlor. If anyone would like to join them,
you would be welcome the morning of
January 26. If more than enough sorters
arrive, kitchen cleaning is also on the
agenda. So, roll up your sleeves and “spic
and span” the kitchen and libraries. Yes,
”many hands make light the work”.
May the sands in your hourglass
during 2015 bring blessings to you and
others, as you serve Him Who blesses us all
so richly.
January
MSPS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
1
Fri
2
Sat
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
6:00 pm Youth Group
Missions Committee
after church
11
7:00 pm Property
12
6:00 pm Youth Group
25
Pastoral Concerns
13
1:00 – 6:00
Blood Drive
Christian Ed after
church
Soup Lunch
18
6:00 Choir
7:00 Prayer Group
19
20
6:30 pm Lions
Meeting
26
9:00 PWIM
14
2:00 pm Session
Retreat
15
16
17
22
23
24
29
30
31
6:00 Choir
7:00 Prayer Group
21
6:00 Choir
7:00 Prayer Group
27
28
6:00 Choir
7:00 Prayer Group
Congregational
Meeting
2015
Middle Sandy Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Pastor Tracy Edwards
P.O. Box 153, 4306 Homeworth Rd.
Homeworth, OH 44634
330-525-7840
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #1
Homeworth, Ohio
44634
JANUARY 2015
The mission of Middle Sandy Evangelical
Presbyterian Church is to know Jesus Christ
and to make Him known through the
worship of God and the teaching, preaching
and living of His infallible word
by the power of the Holy Spirit.