·
I rejoiced that an issue was resolved,
·
or a relationship no longer takes much effort to maintain,
·
or a challenge has been met and I am ready to relax,
·
or a certain stability has returned to life after a
tumultuous experience.
Then the
pine needle returns to the surface. What I assumed was buried or completed has
somehow appeared again. While I was guarding the front door, it reappeared by
the back. While I was resting, it took advantage of my ease. When I was
assuming everything was to be smooth, it stormed back on a wave.
The
Apostle Paul, in our scripture above, reminds us that we dare not be
lackadaisical in our faith. He states, “Be on your guard.” The followers of
Christ must continually remember that challenges remain before us.
Yet, when
those pine needles do return and we are needled by irritations, we must
remember that we are to “stand firm in the faith”. The promise of God’s love
and help remains steadfast. As today’s disciples, our first goal is not to find
ease in Christian living. Our goal, instead, is to be faithful to the
message of Christ. Such a goal will mean that we will need the assurance of
God’s presence as we “stand firm” on behalf of our belief.
We may
assume that we have conquered all problems but needles will work their way back
up into our lives. When such happens, let us not be pricked and succumb to its
pain. Instead, may we remain steadfast in the working of Christ.
O Lord, when we are needled, help us to find your strength so that we
might remain firm in our faith. Amen.
Rev. Ron Mowry
From Pastor Paula’s desk
Then Jesus
was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted… Matthew 4:1
This time every year the world becomes a collage of
dreariness and cold. As the wind swirls through maple branches which screech in
motion, the chill of cold sinks deep within bone and muscle, causing an
uncontrollable chatter. Snowflakes in a vast array of sizes seem to leap from
the sky to form a soft blanket to the earth where buried within lies the life
which will erupt through the dark confines of the earth in a few months. Until
then the barrenness speaks volumes.
As the calendar erupts into a new month, the days will
swiftly pass until we are confronted with the gift of Ash Wednesday which draws
us into the a time of Lent. It is during this time that we are called
into a period of reflection. Reflection – a time to look within our own
hearts and perhaps be confronted with the barrenness of our own lives. Jesus
went into the barrenness of the desert as he began his ministry. Forty days and
nights without food and water, his physical existence denied…and it was during
this time apart where he was tempted by Satan.
Tempted,
in the desert, alone.
Alone
without food and water, contemplating what might be ahead, Jesus entered into
the beginning of his ministry. A barren time really became a time of strength
and encouragement. Here in the wilderness Jesus walked in obedience.
Jesus, the Son of God, resisted temptations which focused on
physical needs and desires; possessions and power; and pride. (Matthew
4:1-17) How was he able to do that? Because even in this barren,
empty time of his life, he knew the Word of God. Deep within the flesh of
his body, exhausted and empty, He spoke the WORD of his Father, which had
power!
As Ash Wednesday and Lent move toward us we have an
opportunity for reflection. In our lives we can set aside a time to be emptied,
to place all the things which keep us shackled, at the feet of Jesus, and in
this new emptiness make it a priority to reflect on our lives. Then fill
ourselves up with the Scriptures, which will erupt from within our emptiness to
give us LIFE!
Tempted, in the desert, alone? May Lent be an experience
which makes way for the eruption of LIFE!
Rev. Paula
Koch
Friday
Fellowship
Please circle
your calendar for Friday, February 15 and join us for lunch at noon at the
Senior Center. Our program will feature
Genny Teske speaking on “Living Blind.”
Ms. Teske is legally blind and will give us a look at a different way of
life. All seniors are cordially invited to join us. See Betty Smith for reservations.
February
Birthdays
Feb. 1 Marianne
Waldrop
Feb. 7 Pat Boyette
Feb. 8 Ed Speith Esther Moore
Feb. 14 Russell McKee
Feb. 20 Marge Szabo
Anniversaries
Feb. 7 Lee &
Irene Sprague – 60 years – Congratulations!
Thought
for the Day
An optimist is a person who goes into a grocery store with $10.00 and
feels he needs a cart.
United Methodist Women induct new
president
Please welcome Pat Boyette as the
new President of our Strongsville United Methodist Women. Pat is new to the
group and excited about the upcoming projects we will be sponsoring.
Please support her with your attendance at our many events.
I would like to thank the
Strongsville UM Women and our church for allowing me to be the President of
this group for the past several years. It has been an honor and a
privilege to serve this group, the church, and mission work across the
world. I look forward to working with Pat.
Karen Muskoff
West Side Community House Note
Due to lack of storage both here
and at West Side Community House, we are no longer collecting clothing in the
back hall. Please, do not leave anything there for now.
LydIa Circle
The ladies of Lydia Circle will
meet February 7 in Tiber Hall at 12:30 pm. We will be planning our meetings for
the year and preparing labels for Red Bird Mission (bring scissors). This will be a “bag lunch” meeting.
Betty
Berry, 238-6495
Grace
Kellner, 234-0938
Elizabeth Circle
Elizabeth Circle will be meeting on
February 4th at 7:30 pm at the church for an evening of "Prayer and
Self-Denial". This is an annual activity to remind us of our purpose. All
ladies of the church are invited to attend.
Becky Weaver 572-7738
Sweetheart
Dinner
Give your sweetheart a night out at the annual Sweetheart
Dinner, sponsored by the United Methodist Men. All are invited to join the festivities at Mapleside Restaurant
on Friday, February 8. Cost is $25.00 per person. The Youth Mission Team will provide
babysitting. RSVP by January 31 to Phil
Weisbrod, (330) 220-7556 or jandpweisbrod@svldcpa.com.
Have a family night out with Bibles, brownies &
board games
Come join us for fun and chase away the winter blahs! Come
to “Bibles, Board games and Brownies” on Friday, February 1st at
7:00 pm. Bring your Bible, favorite
family board game (i.e. checkers, Monopoly, Candyland), and a plateful of your
favorite brownies. Coffee and milk will
be provided.
For more information, contact Lisa & Mike Johnson,
846-6899
Join the “Pushing 30’s” for pop, Uno, and pizza!
You are invited to fellowship with the PUSHING 30's on Saturday MARCH 2nd from 7 - 9pm. Pushing 30's is a social group designed for those in their late 20's thru 30's! Come join us at the church for an evening of fun and fellowship, of course with food! Please bring a snack food or pop to share! Child Care will be provided, but we need reservations by February 25th! Give the Church office a call to sign up!
A Note from the Treasurer
Thank you for being a most
generous congregation! There were times
in 2001 that we struggled to meet our obligations. A freeze was put on all “optional” spending. All obligations were paid in full and we
were able to add $2,497.74 to the Copious Fund.
$542,806.62 was given to the
Current Expense budget (all of which was spent).
$19,290.71 was given to Memorials,
including interest on established Memorials.
$6747.13 was given to Improvement
Funds, including rental by Ridgewood Pre-school.
$9209.06 was given specifically to
various Missions within our church.
$28,073.50 was designated for
Special Offerings including $1443.69 to Strongsville Emergency Food Bank and
$1843 to Habitat for Humanity. This
total also includes $11,800 from the Christmas and over $5000 from the Easter
Offerings. This means that beyond our overhead, over $84,000 was donated to the
needs of others. This is even more
amazing when the giving for the Capital Campaign is added in to the total
amount received by the church.
$293,778.76 was added to the
Capital Campaign Fund through donations and interest.
Paula Dragovich
Christian Education News
Is it summer yet???
I don't know about you, but after
New Year's day I'm ready for warm weather. (Sorry winter sports
fans.) Now don't get me wrong, I like snow, just not over a prolonged
period of time.
Why talk about summer now?
Because COE and I have begun planning for June's Vacation Bible School.
We are really excited about this year's
program! Group Publishing has done it again. This summer's
program is called “Bug Safari.” If you liked last year's program, you'll
really like
this one!
Mrs. Patty Mendenhall has
volunteered to be chair of VBS this year. She is very excited and is
already way ahead of us in making plans.
So, if you like nature, kids, and
interesting snacks, and are looking for a way to be involved in a ministry for
Christ, we've got it all for you. Please don't miss out on this
tremendous opportunity to make a
difference in a child's life. And who knows, you may even develop
a new appreciation for bugs while you're at it.
You can sign up to help with VBS at any
time in the Sunday School office. There will be a special time to
sign up to help with VBS, Sunday School, and Logos on Sunday, January 27th.
COE is sponsoring a special children's/youth ministry event that morning.
Adult Sunday School -
If you're interested in an adult Sunday School class, it's not too late to be a
part of one of the ongoing classes. We have a class running during both
services. Both classes are studying Traveling Light, by Max
Lucado.
Debbie Burd,
Christian Education Director
Logos is back in session
Logos is
back in full swing with about 70 children enrolled this semester! Thanks
to Jen Weisbrod and Holly Hotz for taking over Playtime activities! We
can always use extra adult volunteers, even if you don't have children in the
program, as substitute Table Parents and Classroom Aides. We welcome your
help each week or on occasion as you're able--it takes many hands and talents
to keep the program going! If anyone is interested in participating on a
Logos prayer team to pray each week for specific needs within the program,
please call me for more information. Thanks to each and every volunteer!
And may God continue to bless you!
Deb Oblisk
846-2648
Stephen Ministry
Someone to listen
Time for you to share
your concerns
Everything is
confidential
People helping people
Hugs!
Everyone needs someone
to care
No concern taken lightly
Make a new friend
Intimate conversation
Never a burden that
can’t be shared
Is a Christ-centered
ministry
Someone to pray for you
Time for you to cry
Real people who care
about you
You are why we are here
If you, or someone you know, could benefit from Stephen Ministry please call
one of our leaders: Jim Boyer (572-4976), Hildi Fitzpatrick (572-5004),
Mark and Karen Milia (572-0602), or Bev. Wells (572-1415), or one of our
pastors. We want to help!
Beth Ferrell starts new assignment
In Sierra Leone, West Africa
Beth Ferrell, one of the missionaries supported by our
church, has begun a new assignment in Sierra Leone, West Africa. She will be
doing community health and development work, focusing on safe water, nutrition,
sanitation, and disease prevention and treatment. She will be based in Bo, which is 100 miles southeast of the
capital Freetown.
Beth’s
services are greatly needed in this country where the average life expectancy
is 37.5 years. The number of people
with safe water is 34%, and those with sanitation, only 11%. The country has been disrupted by civil war
and is now under a mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force.
Beth
writes, “On January 5 I went to the Amputee Camp – the people were orderly and
positive even though living in a refuge environment – rather amazing when they
had amputated hands, arms, legs and ears.
Both sexes and all ages were affected by the atrocities of the civil
war…”
Beth
also writes about attending services at King Memorial United Methodist Church –
the largest UMC in Sierra Leone – with over 600 people in attendance. She enjoyed singing Christmas carols with
the same words that we use but set to an African tune.
Those who would like to give money to Beth’s missionary work
are asked to direct their contributions to any of the following UMC “Advance
Special” Funds:
Community-Based
Health Care Program: #013743-7RA
Medical
Services Vehicle: #013762-1CS
Taiama
Health & Maternity Centre:
#013776-7CN
Manjama
Health & Maternity Centre:
#013760-3CN
Beth Ferrell Salary Support: #10713-4
Joys & Concerns Of The
Congregation
Engagement
Congratulations to our youth
director, Greg Grimwood, on his engagement to Cara Morgan. Greg & Cara have set December 21, 2002
as their wedding date.
Wedding
Best wishes to Randy Hill &
Jill McCarty, who were married on December 22nd at Old South
Church in Kirtland, Ohio. The newlyweds
are residing in Lakewood, Ohio. Randy
is the son of Bob & Eve Hill.
Births
We celebrate four recent births
within our church family:
Jonah
Willard Van Lehn was born to Dale & Jessica Van Lehn on December
21st
Riley
Patrick Counahan was born to Chris & Michelle Counahan on
December 22nd. Proud
grandparents are Jim & Sandy Kepke
Samuel
Cary Moreland was born to Geoff & Lori Moreland on January 7th
Connor Jacob
McDonough was born to Ed & Ashley (Eck) McDonough. Proud grandfather is Jack Eck
Congratulations to all!
Deaths
The prayers and sympathy of the
congregation are extended to the family of Lillian Rieder upon her death
on January 15th. Lillian was a long-time member of our congregation
and was a member of the United Methodist Women. Deepest sympathy is also extended to Bob & Pauline Ralls
and family upon the recent death of their son-in-law, John (Chip) Sutula; to Doug
& Jeanne Kane and family upon the death of Doug’s father, William, on
December 27th; to Tim & Karen Braaten and family upon the
death of Tim’s mother, Laura, on December 29th; to Bruce &
Lynne Wilson and family upon the death of Bruce’s mother, Lorayne, on
January 3rd; and to Bruce & Sherry Glass and family upon
the recent death of Sherry’s father.
From our
church’s mailbox
To My Church Family,
Thanks to everyone for all their thoughtfulness, kindness,
prayers and support at the passing of my mother, Pearl.
Ken Emch
Dear Rev. Mowry and Pastor Paula,
Thank you so much for your visits, well wishes and prayers
as I have been fighting this illness.
We really appreciate all your caring and support.
Rebecca,
Jim, Max and Henry Carroll
P.S. I’m feeling
stronger every day!!! Rebecca
Dear Church Family,
Thank you so much for the prayers, cards, phone calls, and
visits during my recovery. As always,
God was right there. Surgery was a success. I am able to go back to work the
end of January; however, it will still take a couple of months for a complete
healing.
Love in
Christ,
Sharon
Lash
To the United Methodist Churches of the Cleveland District:
Thank you for your overwhelming generosity to our Christmas
gift drive this year! Your many
wonderful gifts brought smiles and joy to hundreds of Seniors, children and
families.
God
bless you!
Rev.
Howard Pippin, Board President
Dawn
Kolograf, Executive Director
West
Side Community House
Dear Church Members,
Thanks you for your recent donation of 100 bags of items,
including detergent, napkins, paper towels and various toiletries. These bags
were distributed to families along with our food baskets for Christmas. We are
very appreciative of your thoughtfulness. Your support helps us to fulfill our
agency’s mission and to give hope to children and families in need.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Balaban, Asst. Director of Development
Berea
Children’s Home & Family Services
Thanks a Bunch!!
I would like to thank the following people for staffing the nursery
at the 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm Christmas Eve services: Dana Wade, Larry Capuder, Erin Wade, Karen
Ransbury, Sally Householder, Jackie Shear, and Carol
Williams. Thank you for giving some of your time to the children during the
busy holiday season.
Joan
Thwaite
Disciple Bible Study
Recognition
Disciple I – Tuesday
Evening Class
Ron Mowry, Teacher
Christina
Fiorille Russ Ruebensaal
Carl
Gelo Emily
Townsend
Diane
Nickle Ron Townsend
Bob
Nickle
Disciple I – Wednesday
Morning Class
Ron Mowry, Teacher
Randy
Border Lisa Nikrant
Elaine
Byrd Neetie Paun
Robert
Erwine Carol Perri
Vicki
Ladesic Shirley
Rutherford
Maria
LaRocco Joan Thwaite
Disciple II – Tuesday
Evening Class
Gail Spence, Teacher
Tom Doak Diana Lindsay
Jody
Domann Cris Shreve
Janel
Gelo Ron Shreve
Susan
Graziano Carol Williams
Mark
Hotz
Disciple III – Wednesday
Morning Class
Eileen
Bambam Joe Gray
Louise
Bedford Greg Grimwood
Janet
Doak Sandy Kepke
Jack Eck Betsy Mowry
Disciple IV – Tuesday Evening
Class
Tammy Domann, Teacher
Jim
Anderson Bonnie Harris
Barbara
Bennett Bob Koszkalda
Ralph
Bennett Karen Ransbury
Hildi
Fitzpatrick
Thy word is a lamp unto my
feet and a light unto my path. Psalm
119:105
Souled Out
Something to Think About
by Greg
He stood awkward and trembling before Jesus. Being
a royal official, he was accustomed to giving commands, not asking for mercy.
But right now he wasn’t a royal official, he was father whose son was dying,
and standing before him was a man whose hands had touched the dust of stars.
With sweaty palms and tear-stained cheeks, he
begged Jesus for his son’s life. His words fell clumsily from his mouth, and he
was sure they didn’t make any sense. Finally after gathering his composure and
his courage, he presented his request to the carpenter, “Sir, come to my house
with me before my child dies.”
Jesus smiled, rested his hands on the man’s
shoulders and said, “You may go, your son will live.”
Twenty miles away a small boy climbs out of
bed...alive...healthy...healed by the words of a Savior.
-John
4:46-54
Sunday,
Feb. 3rd
5:30pm - End of Game
Chris Shearer’s (20812 Parkwood, Strongsville)
Bring games if you don’t like football.
Refreshments provided!
Sunday, Feb. 10th
District
Valentine’s Day Dance
6:30 -
9:00pm
$3.00
Monday, Feb. 11th
Youth Bible Study, 7:00pm
Sunday, Feb. 17th
Souled Out, 6:30 - 8:00pm
Saturday, Feb. 23rd
Service Project Day
Meet at the church at 1:00pm
Will be doing various projects
for people in the congregation
Sunday, Feb. 24th
Youth Ministry Team Meeting, 5:00
-6:15pm
Sunday, Feb. 24th
Souled Out, 6:30 - 8:00pm
Monday, Feb. 25th
Youth Bible Study, 7:00pm
Tuesday, Feb. 26th
Cory Kitchen, 3:30pm
Youth Ministry Mission Statement
Our
mission is to equip youth with a solid foundation in Jesus Christ, with
excitement for spiritual growth, that they may be alive in their faith and make
a difference for Christ in the world.
The Wesley News is published monthly
by the Strongsville United Methodist Church. Deadline for articles is the 15th
of every month for the following month’s newsletter. Articles can be mailed or
dropped off in the church office (Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm) or e-mailed to
either Steller5@Adelphia.net or BevW@StrongsvilleUMC.org
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