A Message from the Minister – The season of Lent is upon us.  It is a season of spiritual preparation, much like the season of Advent.  In the latter case we prepare the way for the Lord’s coming—at least we are supposed to.  According to St. John some of us do not prepare very well, for: He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him (John 1:11).  But fortunately for us, our God is "The God of the Second Chance."  Lent represents a second chance to prepare for our risen Lord to return to us from the grave.  Jesus is always coming, and we are always to be a people prepared (Luke 1:17).

How does spiritual preparation express itself during the season of Lent?  In a word - repentance.  The biblical word usually translated as "repentance" literally means "to turn around," or "to turn back."  The idea is to turn from our sins and turn back to God.  How do we do that?  First we recognize our sins, then we confess our sorrow for them and finally we seek to make an amendment of our lives with the strength that God provides.

Since we are at the beginning of Lent, let us take the first step by recognizing our sins.  Most of us spend enormous amounts of energy denying certain things about ourselves.  For example, we deny growing older with a booming cosmetic industry that includes surgery.  Just as we try to hide our gray hair and wrinkles, so we try to hide our sins and shortcomings.  Therefore we need God’s help to recognize our secret sins and hidden faults.  So our first assignment for Lent is this: to say a prayer each night before we retire.  "Lord, help me recognize my secret sins and hidden shortcomings."

We will consider the remaining steps in repentance as the season of Lent unfolds, so let us add to our Lenten discipline regular attendance at worship.  See you at church "Respecting the Past, Envisioning the Future." -Bill

March 4 – Rev. Horak (Communion)

March 11 – Choralier Cantata     Time Change

March 18 – Rev. Schnell

March 25 – Youth Sunday

Palm Sunday, April 1, Chancel Choir Cantata

Maundy Thursday, April 5, 7:30pm Communion Service

Easter Sunday, April 8, Worship: 8:00 (Communion), 9:30 & 11:00am

January 28 (9:30) – 194 January 28 (Annual Meeting) – 110

February 4 – 9:30 – 149; 11:00 – 131; Total – 280

February11 – 9:30 - 148; 11:00 - 117; Total – 265

February 18 – 9:30 - 125; 11:00 - 141; Total – 266

Lillian Papp collects Snoopy memorabilia.

Carey Brookhart and Christopher Gross were named to the Dean’s List at Bowling Green State University.

Rob Albrecht and Ed Nabring are appearing in Pump Boys and Dinettes in Stow.

Leslee Dean was named to the Dean’s List at Furman University.

VOA – Top priority food needs this month for VOA Food Pantry are canned fruit, canned fruit juices and canned spaghetti. As always, thanks for your continued generosity!

Daylight Savings Time Reminder - Please note that we will be "springing forward" earlier in the year from now on and "falling backward" later.  The Spring date for Daylight Savings Time will be March 11, and the Fall date will be November 4.  Don’t forget to adjust your clocks before retiring the night before.

LOOKING AHEAD TO LENT – Take a virtual tour of Israel and Turkey this Lenten Season. Rev. Horak will be leading a video series entitled, "The Dust of the Rabbi."

"Follow a rabbi, drink in his words, and be covered with the dust of his feet," says the ancient Jewish proverb. Disciples followed so closely that they would be covered with the dust kicked up by the rabbi’s feet. Come, discover how to follow Jesus as we start in Galilee where Jesus called His first disciples and then on to Priene and Didyma in Turkey where the disciples learned to follow the Rabbi.

This 4-week study will be offered starting this Sunday, February 25t, on both Sunday evenings (7-8:30) and Monday mornings (10-11:30). Watch for more information and mark your calendars now to join us for this journey back into time.

Date Change for the Choralier Cantata – The Choralier Cantata date has been changed to March 11^th at both services.  Rehearsal will be on Saturday, March 10^th, at 10:00 a.m. There will be no Church School or Godly Play on that date, but there will be nursery and toddler care.  Our regular Church School schedule will resume on March 18^th and the Littlest Choir will now sing at 11:00 that day.

The CARE TEAM roster is in the revision process. If you'd like to be added, or removed, from this worthwhile organization, please contact Flip Eavenson at 330-995-6268 with your request. Thank you!

A Bit of Nostalgia – After the furnace problems in the Sanctuary on February 11^th, we found this bit of history and thought it was worth noting.

Subject: Sanctuary Furnace Failure – Sunday 3/3/85

These words were taken from a report written by then Trustee Harold Guthrie back in 1985.

New Christian Education & Youth Intern – We’re pleased to welcome Charity Jean to our church staff.  Charity is serving on a volunteer basis as an Intern in the fields of CE & Youth. She expects to be with us for nearly one year.  Charity is a graduate of Hiram College and has a degree in vocal music with a minor in Spanish.  Her internship will be done through North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago.  Charity will be taking her classes through the UCC branch of that divinity school in order to become a UCC pastor.  She is very excited to meet you, so please find the time to introduce yourselves.  She will have regular office hours and will share the CE/Youth office.  You can reach her by phone (330 562-8266 x229) or e-mail (cjean07@windstream.net).    There are plans to welcome Charity officially on Sunday, February 25^th at both services.  Her parents will be in town from New Hampshire for this service and her fiancée, Jim Omartian, will also be here.  Welcome Charity!!

DO YOU LIKE TO EAT OUT?! Many of you are familiar with a local restaurant, Station 43, located at 39910 Aurora Road, across from Geauga Lake. Station 43 is supporting local charities by donating 5% of food purchases to pre-approved charities. Why not make the Workcamp Fund at The Church in Aurora the charity of your choice? The Fellowship Dinner Committee has reserved 7 days, March 16–22, as The Church in Aurora Week at Station 43. During that week, if you dine at Station 43 and take a flyer (coupon) with you, 5% of your bill (excluding alcohol) will be donated to The Church in Aurora in support of Workcamp.

To promote The Church in Aurora , the Workcampers, and church-wide fun & fellowship, the Fellowship Committee has scheduled 3 dining events at Station 43 during that week: Sunday, March 18 at 1:00 PM (hosted by Laura Monroe: 440-543-6408); Sunday, March 18 at 6:00 PM (hosted by Kay Oxford: 440-543-1756); and Wednesday, March 21 at 6:30 PM (hosted by Flip Eavenson: 330-995-6268).  If you'd like to join us for one of these meals, please contact the appropriate hostess at least 3 days prior to the scheduled event. Of course, you may choose to dine any other time that week, whenever it's convenient for you and your friends. Flyers (coupon size) are included in this Spire, and extras will be in bulletin inserts closer to the date and on the desk near the ink cartridge/cell phone basket in the Great Hall. Remember to take one with you! Bon appetite!

Need Refreshments for Coffee Hours – The Receptions Committee is in dire need of individuals to sign up to bring refreshments for coffee hours following the 9:30 and/or 11:00 services. The sign up sheet is located on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall and you can sign up for one or both services. While the committee is pleased to serve coffee, tea and lemonade for the kids, we rely on those attending church to provide the "goodies." The sign up sheet provides direction on what to bring, etc., but here are a few tips:

Thank you for your support in this opportunity to engage in fellowship during coffee hour!

"THANK YOU" HABITAT HELPERS – A big THANK YOU goes to all those from our church who helped with the Habitat for Humanity of Portage County work day at the house on Oak Street in Kent on Saturday, February 3, 2007.  Those who prepared food were Elaine Duncan, Joy Evans, Lynn Limbach, Margi McDonald, Virginia Miller, Lillian Papp, Pat Scott, Cora Stackelberg, Betsy Tomasko, Martha Wagner and Kim Williamson.  Those who delivered and served the meal were Elaine Duncan, Dick Rowley and Margi McDonald.  Our two volunteer workers were Tom Dean and Bob Harris.  Stay tuned for the next opportunity!

  Mission Sub-Committee for Christian Action

Calling all golfers, tennis players, runners, canoers, bicyclers……..Beginning this spring and running through the summer, we need some sports fanatics to help organize a mixed event in each of these sports for our youth.  If you golf, for instance, we need to set up one outing for adults and youth of The Church in Aurora.  We want to come together and experience your favorite sports, blending all of our ages.  Maybe we’ll learn a thing or two from each other.  One thing I can guarantee, we’ll get to know each other better.  I have already spoken to a couple of you, but we need more interested people to help plan.  Please call Toni Harris at the church (330 562-8266) or e-mail her at cedirector@alltel.net.  Don’t wait for someone else to come forward.  Volunteer now!!

Special Mission Request – In March, the Missions Committee is requesting support for the Haven of Rest Ministries’ special Easter outreach program, the annual Hope Tote Campaign. This outreach ministry provides items to needy and homeless men, women and children in our local communities. The following new, regular or large size, items can be donated for later distribution in Hope Totes:

toothbrushes & toothpaste, soap, shaving cream & disposable razors, shampoo & conditioner, deodorant, lip balm, socks, brush & comb, shoelaces, hand or body lotion, facial tissue

The collection bin will be located underneath the Missions Committee bulletin board from February 25^th until March 18^th. All items will be sent to the Haven of Rest to be placed in their Hope Totes prior to Easter.

Fellowship Dinner Club – Dining Events for this year's Fellowship Dinner Club are being planned for March.  Please consider adding your name to our list of over 40 participants.  You'll be invited to join a small group of other adults for an afternoon or evening of food and fellowship at either a nearby restaurant or in someone's home.  If you would like to participate, please call Kay Oxford (440-543-1756) or Laura Monroe (440-543-6408) for more details.

3-H Circle – Attention, all those interested in providing a little warmth for a child. Please turn in all your handmade blankets by April 1^st. There is a collection container in the hallway entrance of the stage, appropriately marked. This will enable us to label them for giving distribution at the April Women’s Guild Meeting. Everyone is invited to participate as there is always a need. Any questions, please contact Diane Brubaker 562-6935; Bonnie Charvat 562-6909 or Mary Beth Alexander 330-543-3989.

3H PM.  Please join us Thursday, March 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. as we work together on our service projects of blankets and prayer shawls/stoles. Please be prepared to share Part 7, "The Infinite Treasure". Any questions, please call Kathleen Horak, 330-562-1930. Hope to see you then.

REACHING OUT TO SERVICE MEN & WOMEN – Do you see or feel a need to remember those serving our nation in the armed forces, especially those from our congregation? Do we need to be doing something beyond the holiday flurry of activities? It may be as simple as sending a devotional booklet, card or brief note during the year, reminding them of our prayers and God’s love. If you would like to help us reach out to this very special group of folks, let us hear from you. Call Rev. Horak at 330.562.8266 ext.222 and let’s see what we can do together!

Women’s Guild March Meeting – The Women's Guild was sorry to have to cancel their Valentine's Day luncheon due to the weather. Not to worry! We will still celebrate Valentine's Day but on March 14th instead. A delicious lunch will still be prepared by Carolyn Ritchie, owner of "Dinners by the Dozen". If you made a reservation for February we will keep it for March. If you'd like to make a reservation for March, send $8.00 to Anne Ramsay at 561 Willard Road or leave a note in Anne's Organist mailbox at the church. Be sure to indicate whether you would like chicken, fish, or London broil.

This is a very important Women's Guild meeting as we will decide the 2006 Nutcracker Sweets' allocations and will also announce the 2007-2008 Board nominations.

Please plan to join us in Fellowship Hall at 11:30 a.m. on March 14th for a "love"ly day. Feel free to bring your "sweetheart" or another friend.

3-H Circle News – Friday, March 2^nd, we will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall for a brief business meeting, then drive to Aurora Mennonite Church to join area church women for the World Day of Prayer. The theme this year is "Women of Paraguay United Under God’s Tent". A light luncheon and babysitting will be available. We hope others of our congregation will help The Church in Aurora have a good representation. Bring a friend and be inspired. Any questions? Call Lillian Papp at 330-562-7104.

Thank you for your continued support of the Workcampers! Our Sub-sandwich/Bake sale added $950.25 to the Workcamp Fund. Add that to the $323.73 made from the sale of Valentine candy that Circle 3-H lovingly prepared for us and the $228.40 from the used ink cartridge/cell phone project (keep saving them!). Thank you for helping us on our journey to Racine, WI, June 17-23, 2007.

SAVE THE DATE! The annual C.I.A. WORKCAMP SPAGHETTI DINNER/SILENT AUCTION will take place Sunday, April 22, 2007, at the Aurora High School Commons. Tickets will be available in late-March. Even if you can't go to Workcamp, you can help us by donating crafts, jewelry, art or other creative items you make.  Please contact Alyssa Hilliard at 440-232-1964 or Marilyn DeVaul at 330-626-5293 ASAP. THANK YOU!

The next Workcamp participant/parent meeting is Sunday, March 4, 2007, at 7:15 PM in Fellowship Hall. This is another planning meeting for our April 22 Spaghetti Dinner/Silent Auction fundraiser. PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND!  Contact the Eavensons at 330-995-6268 for further information.

Need boxes or furniture moved about?  Have closets to rearrange?  Have odd jobs youths can help you with?  Need extra childcare helpers?  Due to popular demand, the Workcampers will continue assisting church attendees on an as-needed basis during the winter months.  Please contact Jenni at 330-562-9964 or Patty at 330-562-6088 to set up appointments.  Thank you!

A Reminder to Circle 3-H Women – Don’t forget to bring your donations for the Portage County’s first 24-hour veterans’ facility in Kent. Following items are needed: cleaning products, paper towels & toilet paper, men’s toiletry items, light bulbs, garbage bags, powdered laundry detergent, coffee and sugar. This is a relatively new organization helping veterans seeking freedom from homelessness, freedom from joblessness, freedom from addiction. Here is an opportunity to provide help to those in our own backyard. Call Lillian Papp for more information 330-562-7104.

Board Meeting – The Church in Aurora Board met on Monday February 12^th. Peter French, Moderator, welcomed all new Board members to their first Board meeting of the 2007 church year. Data re worship service attendance was distributed and all Board members were encouraged to think of ways to increase attendance, especially at the 11:00 service.

Jim Maulis, Assoc. Moderator reported that the Long Range Planning Committee was continuing to analyze our ministries for the 20-40 yr old segment, and that some of their findings and recommendations would likely help overall membership and attendance as well.

Jim Niebuhr reported that due to prepaid income, and traditionally low January expenses, the church was entering 2007 in good financial shape.

Mark Yonkers, Trustees, confirmed that the broken furnace had been repaired, and outlined the maintenance projects, such as painting, exterior wall and wood repair that will be undertaken when weather permits. He noted that the two new Trustees, Jeff Fritinger and Joe Pallotto, are welcome additions to the Trustees. He reported that the office has a new copy machine that will save the church $9,000 dollars over the course of the five-year lease.

Dotti Channel, Christian Education, confirmed that C.E. is off to a great start with Toni Harris as our new Christian Education and Youth Director.  In addition, there will be some remodeling done in the Escape which will add an additional classroom. 

Jimmy Eavenson, Missions, reported their upcoming distributions and advised that Workcamp fund raising is going well.

Gordon Ober, Deacons, reported on their efforts to coordinate monthly worship service assignments, and the selection of Yolanda Moore to manage worship service floral arrangements.  He also advised that the Deacons will be working with Membership to better organize "door keepers and greeters".

The I.T. committee, Russ Post, reminded the Board to take advantage of the Church Website www.thechurchinaurora.org,  READERS: HAVE YOU VISITED OUR WEBSITE?  THE SPIRE AND CALENDAR ARE AVAILABLE 24/7.

Receptions, Peter noted that Bonnie Niebuhr had made Coffee Hour "recognition" signs for the kitchen reception personnel and for the members responsible for providing the refreshments (Thanks Bonnie!).

Muriel French, Women’s Guild, reported that the upcoming Nutcracker Sweets show will be two days, Friday and Saturday, rather than the historical three day, Thurs – Saturday, show. This format is more in line with changing norms in the craft show industry, and will require less volunteer effort from church members. This format will still provide a great fellowship opportunity for church members, and although the show net profit may be reduced, it will still be significant.

Toni Harris, CEYD, confirmed, with excitement, all of the great things that have happened and that are planned for C.E. and the Youth of The Church in Aurora.  She also was pleased to advise that Charity Jean has joined the staff as a volunteer intern.  Toni and the youth will continue to publish and plan upcoming events, and she is always looking for volunteers to help in this ministry.  The Board noted the rapid successes and accomplishments in Toni’s new role and thanked her for her dedication and service to C.E. and our Youth. 

Under new business, the Board approved the appointment of Elaine Ober as Asst. Nominating Chairman for 2007, and Nominating Chairman for 2008. 

Unscheduled new business included Muriel French surprising Peter and Bill with a birthday cake (Muriel,…. Bill and I, plus the hungry Board, thank you!). Please contact Peter French, Moderator, 330-562-3352, pefrenchsr@aol.com, if you have any questions regarding the Board meeting.

Care Team Parking Services – Don't allow inclement weather to keep you away from Sunday services! CARE TEAM PARKING is available to anyone who is in need! Call Flip Eavenson at 330-995-6268 the day before, and we'll have someone meet you at the door, park your car and return it to you after the service. We aim to please!

Portage County Events on the Web – www.portagecountyevents.com is designed to help residents find out what is going on in their communities. 71 non-profit agencies in Portage County post their events on the calendar. Currently there are 254 events posted and 3,098 people are receiving a weekly e-newsletter (designed to highlight events that are posted on the web site over the next 10 days). Soon, a volunteer opportunity section will be added to list local volunteer opportunities on the site for free. Keep this web site in mind not only for keeping track of upcoming events, but for posting The Church in Aurora events that reach out to the larger community.

Respite Volunteers Needed – Robinson Memorial Hospital Visiting Nurse & Hospice is looking for volunteers to provide support to caregivers of loved ones with terminal illnesses. Spring training sessions will be held on the following Wednesdays: March 7, 14 & 21, from 6:30-9:30pm, and the following Saturdays: March 10 & 24 from 9:00am-3:00pm. For more information contact Bernadette Thomas (330/297-8899) bthomas@rmh2.org.

Behind the Scenes – Tanya Shively has been a member of the church for many years. Her smiling face has been in the choir loft every Sunday morning for more than 25 years. You have also seen her in her white gloves playing with the handbell choir (she is one of the original ringers!). When she isn’t busy making music, Tanya has made her presence known by serving as the Associate Treasurer, a member of the Deacons and a volunteer at Vacation Bible School. She has also been very active in the Women’s Guild, serving as Vice President and Recording Secretary, and has even been a part of the entertainment at Women’s Guild meetings. Over the years, Tanya has volunteered at various stations for Nutcracker Sweets, including TV-Radio Publicity Chair. And recently she has taken on responsibility for the upkeep of the glass display case outside Fellowship Hall. We thank you, Tanya, for all that you do to keep The Church in Aurora a wonderful place to worship.

Thank you to our January Teachers

The Baptism of Jesus

The baptism of Jesus is found in all four Gospels, a rarity that few Gospel stories share. It is a significant event when a voice in the wilderness is calling for repentance and a sinless man enters the waters. It is even more extraordinary when we discover that the man is the Messiah, the Son of God, with whom God is well pleased.

Since birth, both John the Baptist and Jesus have been placed in time to play a certain role. John is to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. John follows the pattern of the prophets of the Old Testament. He dresses in the same manner as Elijah. He doesn’t eat meat or drink wine. He is calling the people of Israel to repent, to change their ways, to have their lives reflect God’s grace.

Jesus enters into the picture. He was about 30 years old. The last time anything was recorded about his life was when he was twelve years old. His parents lose track of him and finally find him in the temple. Jesus’ response is: "Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?" (Luke 2:49) At his baptism, he enters into this scene of sinners who are repenting. He enters as a human being and yet sinless. Even as John protests that he is not worthy to baptize Jesus, Jesus understands that this is the will of God. After his baptism, a dove descends on Jesus and a voice says "You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased."

We have been pleased to welcome back three very familiar teachers in Promiseland for this session of workshops, Ruth Wise, Rebecca Guthlein and Mary Thomas. They taught story telling and movement classes in January. Our art workshop, Created by the Spirit, was taught by Mindy Rogge. Mindy did a wonderful job "connecting" with our students. She assisted them in creating Baptism Banners, using a stencil technique.

February Rotation…

"Jesus Washes the Feet of the Disciples"

Found only in the Gospel of John, the experience of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples was an event that became the final opportunity for Jesus to share the love within this small community and to teach them one last time.

It takes place during Passover. The setting is the last meal that Jesus shares with his disciples before his arrest. The Gospel of John is different in its chronology of the events of Holy Week from the other Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke). For the purposes of this lesson, we are basing the development of the story on John.

Jesus knows even as he enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday that his hour is drawing near, thast his death is imminent. Imagine the tension in the air on the night of his Last Supper. He knows that this is their last time together. Even as he glows in the warmth of his community, he knows that Judas will betray him, initiating the events leading to his crucifixion. He knows Peter, The Rock, the one on whom he will build his church, will deny he even knows Jesus that

Jesus takes this opportunity to show his disciples about his love and how they can reflect that love to the world. The Gospel of John does not present the part of the story that describes the Eucharist. John’s Gospel tells us that Jesus took on the role of both servant and host. As host, he would have ordered the foot washing. As servant, he would have washed the feet himself.

Jesus washes the feet of his disciples, saying in John 13:13: You call me Teacher and Lord – and you are right, for that is what I am. So, if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them.

Jesus washed the feet of his disciples to show them who he was in relation to God and them, that just as God and He are one, they both embrace the community, and that the role of the community is to then serve others in the name of Jesus Christ. This is a transforming event, one that leads someone into relationship with God and Jesus Christ and tells them how to reflect that relationship to the world.

Following this scene is a long discourse when Jesus explains to the disciples about the Kingdom of God and their role in it. This is a rich parting scene for the community with Jesus. Upon going to the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas leads the authorities to Jesus where he is arrested. The disciples scatter. Peter finds himself in the courtyard of the chief priest, Caiaphus, denying that he even knows Jesus. The trial before Pontius Pilate leaves Pilate feeling so unclean about all of the politics that he must wash his hands. Some gather at the foot of the cross: the three Marys (his mother, her sister and Mary Magdalene) and John. Joseph of Arimetha is there to lend his tomb to the dead body of his Lord and Savior.

Images in John also include those of the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God. John 1:29 says "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!" This scripture is profoundly portrayed in Handel’s Messiah. It refers to the paschal lamb that is slaughtered for the Passover Meal. This meal remembers the Exodus story of how the blood of the unblemished lamb guaranteed that the Angel of Death would pass over a house. Jesus is the Lamb of God, shedding innocent blood so that not even death will separate us from our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Martha Wagner is once again donning a costume and portraying a biblical character, in this case she is Martha,

who is hypothetically present in the upper room at The Last Supper. It is Passover. The table is prepared for guests who will attend the Passover meal. She welcomes the children to this setting and shares with them her remembrances of Jesus at his last meal. She will explain the Seder meal and the children will eat Haroset, a mixture of fruit and nuts which is typically eaten at a Seder meal. The children will then use clay to create a symbol of the last meal of Jesus.

Kay Oxford and Mary Wallace are jointly leading our "Where in the World Is…" workshop. They will go over the physical geography of Jerusalem during Holy Week. The children will build a model city out of wooden building blocks to replicate the layout of the city during Holy Week. They will use props and symbols as they work through the story.

Karen and Kyle Hogan are joining forces to teach a Puppet workshop where the children will learn about Holy Week. They will learn how Jesus sacrificed his life so that we could have an eternal relationship with him and God. The children’s book, Little Rose of Sharon, by Nan Gurley will be the source of a reenactment. The children will be wearing our newly acquired Body Sox and will actually become the characters in the book as they work through the story.