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COMMUNICATOR
August
FROM
THE DESK OF PASTOR ED......
I was
carrying a couple of bags of turquoise, white and black
M&M’s that had been placed beside our plates at the
wedding reception to my car. Someone much younger than
I called to me saying, “Don't leave them in your car.
The heat will melt them.”
I replied, “Don’t worry. They melt in your
mouth, not in your hands.” Then I told him why.
It was an important thing during World War II
when M&M’s were developed. You see, the problem was the
military needed to be able to give their foot soldiers a
way to get some extra energy while on the move. They,
at first, provided chocolate bars to the GIs, but that
wasn't too successful. On hot days the extra edge they
needed on their marches to the front lines and in the
heat of combat would melt in the package. It was
impossible to quickly eat the chocolate not to mention
deal with the mess.
Out of necessity the M&M was developed. A
soldier in a foxhole could now quickly grab a handful of
the candy that would not melt in hand from out of his
backpack to quiet his growling stomach and remove the
ache of hunger. This would allow him that little edge
he would need to keep moving forward.
We all need that little extra that will not
melt away as we travel life’s journey. For those of us
who are Christians our M&M is the Word of God - the
Bible.
In the Bible it says that God’s Word is a
“...lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm
119:105). If we would only take the time to read and
learn from God’s Word the journey of days we each must
travel on the face of the earth will be filled with all
the sustaining power our lives could ever need. God's
Word is food for our journey through life. It does not
melt away. It gives us that edge that propels us into
God’s future.
Well, there they still sit on my desk: these
packages of M&M’s from Melissa (Davis) and Mitch
Schmacker’s wedding reception. It’s 5:45 am. I’m
thinkin’ I could use just a little extra edge. You
know, it’ll help me get through ‘til breakfast and that
first cup of coffee. (I won't tell Judy if you won’t.)
Yep, they do melt in your mouth.
With Love,
THANK YOU..
Thanks to everyone who had anything to do with
planning the observance of my 60th birthday as a
surprise part of our annual picnic (you all looked so
good in your party hats when we arrived). You made it a
wonderfully memorable day for me that I will always
cherish.
Thank you,
Ed
YOUTH AND CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SEARCH
As of this printing the Christian Education
and Nurture Committee is planning to meet to discuss
who, if any, of the 5 candidates they’ve recently
interviewed for the position of Youth and Christian
Education Director they might like to interview a second
time in more depth. The committee’s hope is to have
this new staff member in place by Rally Day this Fall.
Keep this important work in your prayers.
A
SUMMER BREAK
The Pastor will be taking week number 3 of the
5 weeks he has for vacation in 2010 beginning July
26th. He will return to the office on Monday, August
2nd. Should you have any need for pastoral service,
please call our Administrative Assistant Peg Meyer.
SUMMERFEST WORSHIP
It has been our tradition on Summerfest
weekend (August 13-15) to join with the other
congregations in town for a community worship service
that Sunday morning. So, bring your lawn chairs to the
community park downtown for worship at 10:00 am on
Sunday, August 15th. Each pastor of all the
congregations participating will have a part in the
service. Our pastor will be giving part of the sermon
that morning. This is truly a great occasion when we
have all our different churches worshiping together.
And, of course, our regular worship at the church
building will be canceled that day.
SUMMERFEST PARADE
Once
again on August 14th, our church will be walking in the
Summerfest parade. All who are able are welcome to come
and join us. We will be giving candy out to the children
along the parade route. Walkers are encouraged to wear
read shirts.
SERMON SCHEDULE FOR
AUGUST
The
sermons scheduled for Sundays in August are:
§
August
1st Teri Goodwin, Lay Leader - Supply Coverage
§
August
8th “What Do You Treasure?”, Luke 12:13-21
§
August
15th Summerfest Community Worship
§
August
22nd “God’s Benefit Plan”, Psalm 103:1-8
§
August 29th “Looking to Jesus”, Hebrews 11:29-12:2
FOR THE
SUMMER ....
WORSHIP
TIME AND OFFICE HOURS....
?
Summer worship time is at 10:00 am every Sunday through
September 5th. We will return to our 10:30 am worship
time on Sunday, September 12th, Rally Day.
?
The church office will be closed all day every Friday
through Friday, September 3rd. Hours for Monday through
Thursday will remain as they are now.
WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR
AUGUST
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|
Aug. 1 |
Aug. 8 |
Aug. 15 |
Aug. 22 |
Aug. 29 |
|
Worship |
10:00 am |
10:00 am |
10:00 am
Summerfest Community Worship |
10:00 am
|
10:00 am |
UPDATE :
BUILDING FUND LOAN TO CURRENT FUND
Summer
is here as is evident by the heat, long days, and the
decrease in giving to Church. In order to pay our
regular expenses plus the quarterly payments in June,
$5,000.00 was borrowed from the Building Fund,
increasing the loan balance to $20,217.30 . Hopefully we
can increase our giving so we will not need to borrow
more to make the September quarterly payments and can
return to paying the loan back.
Thank
you, David Dickman, Treasurer
2010
MEMBERSHIP REVIEW
Around the 15th of June
every
member of record
(with the exception of nursing home residents and
military personnel) should have received a letter from
the Consistory. Included with the letter was a postage
paid, pre-addressed post card that you were asked to
return after checking one of three choices, signing and
printing your name. The choices were:
1.
I want to remain a member;
2.
Please remove my name from membership;
3.
I have joined another church
This will allow us to have an
accurate membership count.
Many
thanks to those who have returned their cards and if you
have not yet sent your card back, please do so as soon
as possible.
‘BREAKING BREAD’ COMMUNITY MEAL
St. Paul's offers a weekly free community meal,
"Breaking Bread." We serve meals from 4:30 to 6:00 pm
on Thursdays. The schedule for August will be:
¥
August 5th
¥
August 12th
¥
August 19th
¥
August 26th
************************************************
FOR AUGUST
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO......
1 - Zach
Lemmerman
1 - Dylan Brown
2 - Ethan
Anderson
3 - William
Boshears
5 - Maxwell
Gottschalk
6 - Keely
Koeper
17 - Clare
Caywood
21 - Reece Long
22 - Claire
Wourms
25 - Tyler
Hammitt
27 - Kyle Lucas
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WEDDING
%
Congratulations to Melissa Davis and Mitchell Schmackers
who were married July 10th!! Melissa is the daughter of
John and Becky Davis.
********************************************************
“Hold
on to love; it is life’s greatest gift
of all, for it shares, cares, and gives
meaning to life.” Author Unknown
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THE TEN MOST IMPORTANT REASONS
FOR JOINING THE CHOIR!!
10. Reserved front row upholstered seats every
Sunday,
9. Four steps closer to heaven than the congregation.
8. Collection plate is never passed in this area.
7. Salary of choir members has never been challenged
(never had a strike or a picket line).
6. Best looking choir director in the area (although
hard to live with sometimes).
5. Excellent view of the congregation regulars who
rest their eyes during the sermon.
4. Special fan provided for warm spring and summer
services to provide comfort.
3. Uniforms provided at no charge,
2. No tryouts. Open to young and old. Practice only
once a week (1 hour).
1. The Lord gave us all special talents and asked us to
use them to his glory. If you enjoy music, please
join the choir and experience a very satisfying life.
CHOIR PRACTICE
¯
Choir practice begins on Sunday morning, August 22nd at 8:30
am. If you have any questions or are interested in
joining the church choir, please contact Becky Anderson,
Director of Music. Watch the newsletter or Sunday
bulletins for information on when Bell Choir practice
will begin.
WOMEN'S NEWS
à
BUSY
NEEDLES
- meets the last Tuesday of the month. Join us for
fellowship, knotting, cutting, and binding. Contact
Margaret Hunter at 419-305-1321. We will meet through
the summer months.
à
QUILTERS
- will not meet in August.
à
The Women’s Guild cabinet met on July 20th to work on the 2010-2011 booklet. The study book this
year will be 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life by Joyce
Meyer. Thanks to Carolyn Wiehe for making aprons to be
used for church dinners. It was decided to again
collect school items to be used locally. We will also
buy $100.00 worth of scientific calculators for students
and $500.00 was donated towards new church office
computers. The Fall guild meeting will be September 27.
!
TIME
FOR SCHOOL!!!
- We are collecting school supplies items for the St.
Marys City Schools. Items needed are:
Tab Dividers
Pocket Folders with prongs
Jumbo Book Socks (book Covers)
1 inch size 3 Ring Binders
16 or 24 Crayola Crayons
Glue Sticks
Dry Erase Markers (low odor dark colors)
Highlighters
#2 Pencils
3 x 5 lined index cards
Boxes of tissues
These
items can be placed in the ‘tub’ in the sanctuary or
brought to the church office. Thanks to all of you who
help make this project a success!!
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THANK YOUS.........
To St. Paul’s Women’s Guild,
Wanted you to know how appreciative we were for
the luncheon. We understand the time this requires.
Everything was delicious!
Thank you,
Darlene and Jim
Hollman
Charles P. Ross
Bud and Kay Ross
(Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Darlene and her family.
Darlene’s mother, Ethel Ross passed away on July 2nd.
Please remember her family in your prayers).
****************************************************
Thank you for the scholarship money. It will be
very helpful in the fall at University of Northwestern
Ohio. It was greatly appreciated,
Thank you again,
Kim Opperman
****************************************************
Thank you so much for the generous scholarship
money. It will be extremely helpful to me when I attend
The Ohio State University at Lima next fall. Thanks
again for the scholarship and all the support.
Rachael Now
****************************************************
We did it; he was truly surprised and happy to
receive over 50 beautiful birthday cards for his 90th
birthday! We drove to Bear Creek for his birthday and
enjoyed the luncheon and show.
Thank you - we are so blessed with our St. Paul’s
Church family.
Ruth and Willis
Henschen
****************************************************
“When you reach the end of your rope, you will find the hem
of His garment.” ..Author Unknown
MEMORIAL DONATIONS
To the Memorial Fund in memory of Marjory Schmidt -
St. Paul’s Women’s Guild
To the Memorial Fund in memory of Nancy Shannon -
St. Paul’s Women’s Guild
To the Memorial Fund in memory of Wallace Schmidt -
Galen & Martha Cisco; Fred & Janet Swartz; Verneda Fark &
Family
To the Memorial Fund in memory of Ethel Ross -
Mary Alice Stoner
COMMUNITY/AREA NEWS
R
TODAY’S SENIOR LIVING SERIES
- sponsored by the Auglaize County Council on Aging - a
monthly program of presentations and discussions on a
wide variety of topics which interest today’s senior.
They are free and open to the public and held the third
Tuesday of every month at the Council on Aging from
11:00 am - 12:00 Noon. For more details, please call
Trena or Michelle at 419-394-8252 or 1-866-244-6401.
R
AGAPE
CHOICE PANTRY HOURS
- Agape Ministries, Inc. 1220 East Spring Street; St.
Marys, OH, will now offer morning Choice Pantry hours
every Tuesday from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. plus each
Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 12:00 noon until
2:30 P.M. Any questions, please call Agape Ministries
at 419-394-8700.
R
CALLING ALL VETS!
- “Vet 2 Vet” - the first Friday of each month from 1 to
3:00 pm at the Auglaize County Council on Aging, 610
Indiana Ave. in St. Marys. This program is for all
Veterans of any era. Come and share stories with other
Vets that can relate. Doug Howard from the Veterans
Administration will be there to answer questions. Call
Trena at the Council at 419-394-8252 to register.
R
HEALING MEMORIES BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP
- meets monthly at the Grand Lake Health System Annex at
1122 East Spring St. in St. Marys - every second Tuesday
at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. 2010 meeting topics are:
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Aug. 10 - Meeting the
Needs of Mind & Emotion
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Sept. 14 - Moving Ahead
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Oct. 12 - Your Healing
Memories
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Nov. 8 - Preparing for
the Holidays
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Dec. 14 - Holiday
Memorial Service
For
more information call 419-394-3387, Ext. 2808.
FOR THE RECORDS - INFORM US PLEASE!!
(
If you
will be going to the hospital or if someone you know is
hospitalized, please call the church office and let us
know. Please help us in this effort. Thank you.
(
Please
call the church office with address corrections. Also,
if you do not see your Birthday or Anniversary listed
during the correct month, please let us know. Please
call 419-394-3811. Thank you!!
(
Home
phone # for Pastor Ed and Judy is 419-300-9771
J
smucc@bright.net - is the church e-mail address. You can
e-mail articles for the newsletter or a message for the
Sunday bulletin via the Internet.
J
ebray@bright.net is Rev. Bray’s personal email address if
you would like to contact him.
J
mstrand@bright.net to contact Kendra Strand for the Email
Prayer Chain Requests.
J
www.stpaulsuccsm.org - church web site address
J
Televised worship service- our worship service here at St. Paul’s is also
shown on TSC cable - channel 2 every Sunday at 10:30 am
and also on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm. There is a one
week delay of the service shown.
J
Dial-A-Devotions can be heard daily: call 419-394-2222.
J
Staff of St. Paul’s UCC:
®
Rev. Ed Bray, Pastor
®
Al Baker, Minister of Visitation
®
Becky Anderson, Director of Music
®
Laura Yelton, Director of Children’s Choirs
®
Andrea Spencer, Organist
®
Ann Vogel, Organist
®
Tom Hevlin, Organist Emeritus
®
Peg Meyer, Administrative Assistant
®
Bob Schumacher, Custodian
®
Rich Spencer, Audio and Video
®
Kendra Strand, Web Page Coordinator
®
Jennifer Ginter, Church School Superintendent
®
Amy Keller, Confirmation Teacher
®
Kathy McGee, Sunday Nursery Supervisor
"F.Y.I.”
4
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
- for the September issue of The Communicator is
Monday, August 30th. NOTE: The September issue of
the newsletter will go out later this time due to Peg’s
August vacation and Rally Day being the second Sunday of
September.
ë
LOCATION FOR LABELS/BOXES DROP OFF
- A box has been placed inside the church parking lot
door for labels, boxes and receipts for the MR/DD
Program. Thanks so much for saving these items!!
$
EYEGLASSES FOR THE NEEDY
- collected by the church school classes. Donated
glasses should be placed in the basket at the North
entrance to the sanctuary.
ë
A LIFT CHAIR
is available for 'loan' to anyone in the church who
might have a need for it. Please call the church office
for more information.
ë
ATLAS 600 VISION MACHINE
- to assist those who have vision problems with reading
books, newspapers, prescription
labels, writing personal checks or viewing family
photographs - making this possible with video
magnifiers. This item is currently out on loan to one
of our church members.
ë
LAMINATOR
- available in the church office. This is used by the
Sunday School teachers for classroom projects and
activities and by the office staff. We will also
laminate items for church members for a fee of $1.00 per
item (NOTE: maximum size we can laminate is 8 ½ x 11
inches).
ë
OFFERING ENVELOPES
- are distributed by quarterly mailing. Please notify
the church office if you do not receive your envelopes
or if you are not receiving envelopes and would like to
be added to this mailing list. Also......PLEASE NOTIFY
THE CHURCH OFFICE IF YOU HAVE A CHANGE OF ADDRESS.
K
TP FOR AGAPE
- Please continue to bring in the toilet paper so can
meet our quota for the new year. We have asked that
every family donate 48 rolls each year. Thanks to
everyone who donates to this project.
ë
COPIES
- if you need copies made of any personal items, you may
stop by the church office and Peg will be glad to make
them for you. If it is a large project, it is best to
call ahead. Cost for making copies for church members
is 15 cents per copy if you use the office paper or 10
cents per copy if you bring your own paper.
ë
THE DVD/CD DUPLICATOR
in the church office enables us to make multiple copies
of the morning worship service. Please call Peg in the
office to request a copy. The charge for duplicating a
DVD will be $2.00
each. Monthly sets of worship DVD’s can also be mailed
at a cost of $10.00 per month. Call the church office
for more information.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THINGS TO NOTE.......
n
CALL-EM-ALL
- Please let the church office know if you are
experiencing any problems with the Call-Em-All phone
messages. . Also, please contact the office if you
would like to be removed from the calling list or listen
to the broadcast and at the end follow their directions
to ‘opt out’ of any future broadcasts - this will remove
your number from the calling list. If you would
like to make a financial donation to this, please submit
your contribution to the church office or place in a pew
envelope and mark it 'Calling Program'. Thank you!
n
‘BREAKING BREAD’ COMMUNITY DINNER
- If you would like to make a financial contribution to
help with costs for the weekly community dinner, these
will be gratefully accepted. Donations can be placed in
the Sunday offering plate or mailed to the church
office. Please be sure to indicate your name on the
envelope if you would like to receive credit on your
giving statement. Contributions of #10 canned food are
also accepted.
n
BINGO
will be played on the following dates this summer-
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St.
Marys Living Center on Monday, July 26th at 7:00 pm
(cookies, quarters and help needed).
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Otterbein on Monday, August 16th at 7:00 pm (cookies,
quarters and help needed).
?
Auglaize Acres on Monday, September 13th at 7:00 pm
(cookies, quarters and help needed).
Please
be on time and ready to play. Contact Dorothy McMullen
or Rose Leffel if you have any questions.
OUR WIDER CHURCH........
Want
to Make a Difference in Someone’s Life?
Join
Terry and Jeanette Tangeman for a week of home
rebuilding Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2010 working through our
own UCC Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, MS. We will be
staying at the Mission in the brand new Volunteer
Building and working in the neighborhoods enabling
people to move from under the bridges, out of the woods,
or out of relatives’ and friends’ homes into their own
places. Believe it or not, five years after Katrina,
there are still those who have no permanent home. In
addition there are those who have come from other areas
following other storms and need housing. There is also
work to be done feeding people daily in the soup kitchen
and helping to provide assistance in the office. Cost
will be around $170 per person not including
transportation. You can drive, carpool, or fly. If you
are interested please contact Jeanette Tangeman at
419-234-7935, or email tangeman@ohiolink.net soon. You
have the opportunity to provide hope and God’s love in
tangible form to hurting people as well as a personal
life changing experience.
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2010 CHURCH OFFICIALS
President of Congregation Doug Spencer
Vice-president of Congregation Mike Hirschfeld
President of Consistory
Bob Klein
Vice
President of Consistory Joan Leffel
Members of Consistory
Elders: Joan Leffel Larry Kill
Jane Nuss
Bill Dustman Sherrie Keighley Sharon Sullivan
Trustees: Doug Spencer Fred Scheer Steve
Ginter
Deacons: Dale Schmidt Mike Laird
Robert
Klein Harold Poppe
Kara Birt
Rose Leffel
Vonnie Martin
Jason Clark
Shawn McGee Amy
Lauth
Ron Ketchum
Melissa Koeper
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
FINANCIAL REPORT
JUNE 2010:
Current Fund:
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Budgeted through June 30, 2010 - $121,902.00
?
Received through June 30, 2010 - $108,050.00
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Expenses through June 30, 2010 - $120,607.00
?
Received through June 30, 2009 - $114,791.00
Mission Fund:
?
Budgeted through June 30, 2010 - $15,000.00
?
Received through June 30, 2010 - $17,539.00
?
Received through June 30, 2009 - $13,992.00
Status of 2010 Budget:
Current Fund
?
Budgeted through July 18, 2010 - $137,139.00
?
Received through July 18, 2010 - $120,091.00
Mission Fund
?
Budgeted through July 18, 2010 - $16,875.00
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Received through July 18, 2010 - $19,427.00 (includes Haiti Earthquake Relief donations)
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
HIGHLIGHTS OF 7/13/10
CONSISTORY MEETING
ú
Minutes of the June 8, 2010 meeting were approved.
ú
June 2010 Financial Report was accepted. Discussed how future payments
on the property will be made since no dividends received
from BP from the most recent quarter.
PASTOR’S REPORT:
ú
Pastor
Ed reviewed his activities for the month of June.
ú
He
also expressed his thanks to everyone for the
celebration of his 35th ordination to the ministry and
the gift of the keepsake box.
MINISTER OF VISITATION REPORT:
Al Baker
ú
For
June Al had 10 home visits, 25 nursing home visits, 3
hospital visits, 3 church related meetings, a birthday
party and delivered 24 dinners.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Budget
and Finance Committee:
Dave Dickman
ú
Further discussion of how to make payments on the
property with several possibilities mentioned.
ú
A
check for $763.20 has been received from an anonymous
donor with request it be used to develop a scholarship
fund for nursing students. This will be referred to
Lynda Hadley and the Scholarship Committee.
ú
Gave
approval to Dave to lock in gas rate for the church for
the upcoming year at $6.99 per MCF.
Trustees:
Doug Spencer
ú
Trustees are still hoping to obtain the vertical lift
from the high school when the auction is held and will
get bids for the installation costs if this does occur.
ú
There
is a ‘wish list’ for other items which includes hallway
lighting for the educational building and a video
surveillance camera system for the parking lot area.
ú
Currently plans for the elevator are on hold.
ú
Fred
reported nursery air conditioners are now in working
order; invoice will be submitted to the church insurance
- has been determined damage was due to lightning.
ú
Fred
requested permission to remove the shrubs in front of
the church on Perry St. and also to remove or trim back
the trees by the sign on the corner. There were no
objections to this so trustees will proceed.
ú
Doug
said plans are to put grass around the shrubs on the
north side of the new parking lot area as it is very
difficult to stay on top of the weeding there.
Christian Education and Nurture Committee:
Kara Birt
ú
Vacation Bible School will be held here next year.
ú
Will
have a golf cart in the Summerfest Parade again this
year; passing out candy along the way; walkers are
needed.
ú
Five
applicants are being interviewed on July 15th for the
Christian Ed/Youth Director position.
ú
There
will not be a rummage sale at the church this year.
Christian Mission & Outreach Committee:
Harold Poppe
ú
For
the month of June - 588 meals were served at the
weekly community dinner.
Elders:
Bill Dustman
ú
18
took altar communion on July 4th.
Personnel Committee:
Dale Schmidt
ú
Dale
questioned if Consistory would prefer the new Christian
Ed/Youth Director position to be hourly or salaried.
Due to the flexing of hours, they would prefer it be
salaried.
ú
They
also suggested starting low (depending on experience)
because salary can then be increased if work is
satisfactory, etc. Also to be considered with funding
for this position is worker’s compensation and social
security.
Hospitality Committee:
Rose Leffel
ú
Committee planned the June 13th celebration meal for
Rev. Bray’s 35th ordination to the ministry, the June
27th Golden Sunday luncheon, a funeral dinner and the
picnic this coming Sunday.
Agape
Ministries:
Pastor Ed
ú
Pastor
Ed noted that money from St. Paul’s Pastor’s
Discretionary Fund was donated to pay for the new sign
in front of Agape.
ú
Fred
also noted that the backpack program at Agape is going
well; grant money was used for this
ú
And
Doug mentioned that the ‘Christmas in July’ will be held
at local groceries on July 24th with collection of food
for Agape and partner programs.
NEW
BUSINESS:
ú
Doug
said Rich told him the FCC has taken over our current
wireless frequency and we will need to buy 2 new
microphones at approximately $618.95 each. Approval
given for this to be referred to Memorial Committee for
purchase of 1 mike at this time.
ú
Fred
mentioned that he installed Microsoft Word on the extra
computer in the office and discovered there is not
enough memory to accommodate it, causing it to perform
very slow. The computers in the office are 5 to 6 years
old. Consistory requested he check on costs of updating
the office computers.
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