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Volume XLXIII November 2009 Number 11
A Message from the Minister – In God’s Holy Word St. Paul has written, …Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (I Thessalonians 5:18). Count your Blessings is a cherished hymn of the faith. Our nation has set aside the 4th Thursday of each November as a day of Thanksgiving. As we look over the church’s calendar for the month of November 2009, there is much for which to be thankful, beginning with Nov 1. That is the Sunday when we will remember the saints we have known and loved who have preceded us to a fairer land in the Kingdom of Heaven. Until that day we are gathered with them, never to part again, we recall them with thanksgiving in a moving service of worship. The following Sunday we welcome new members into our family of faith with gratitude to God for the spiritual gifts, vitality and freshness they bring. With so many guests and visitors to our worship services of late, we anticipate a wonderful group of new members. Wednesday, November 11, is Veterans Day and a reminder to be thankful for those men and women in uniform who answer the call to protect and defend our nation and way of life in the Land of Freedom. The following Sunday, November 15, we will once again "Honor-A-Friend" during both worship services and the special receptions following both. Our dear friends are among God’s most precious gifts to us for which we are grateful. Remember to invite a friend to worship that day. On Sunday evening, November 22, our local Clergy Association will call the larger community to a 7:00 PM service of Thanksgiving at one of Aurora’s houses of worship (as yet to be determined) which will anticipate Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 27. Two days later, on November 28, our congregation will gather at the Bertram Inn for a Bicentennial Banquet commemorating 200 years of Christian faith and service at The Church in Aurora. You can be sure that a spirit of thanksgiving will pervade that event! The next day, November 29, will be the first Sunday in the Season of Advent, which is always an occasion of thanksgiving for me because it was on that liturgical date that I began my ministry among you, making this our 15th Advent together. An "Attitude of Gratitude" will certainly be evident at The Church in Aurora throughout the months and years beyond each time we gather in God’s House. As the choir often encourages us during the Introit: Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise (Psalm 100:4). Thanks be to God for you, who make The Church in Aurora "More Than A Landmark." -Bill In The Pulpit during November In The Pulpit During November – Worship Attendance November 1 – Rev. Horak (Communion, All-Saints Day) September 20 – 9:30 – 150; 11:00 – 136; Total – 286 November 8 – Rev. Schnell September 27 – 9:30 – 161; 11:00 – 126; Total – 287 November 15 – Rev. Schnell (Honor-A-Friend) October 4 – 9:30 – 139; 11:00 – 121; Total – 260 November 22 – Rev. Schnell October 11 – 9:30 – 136; 11:00 – 120; Total – 256 November 29 – Rev. Schnell (Advent 1) October 18 – 9:30 – ; 11:00 – ; Total – News of Members and Friends First Time Visitors – (9/27) Ed & Angela Lowry from Beaver Falls, PA Baptisms – James Gary Miller; Weddings – Teena Leann Shank & Ronald Deangelo Burns; Christina Anne Altman & Kevin Thomas Curley; Ashley Rodhe & Mike Yanovich Memorials – David Gasad, son-in-law of Eva & Chandler Holmes; Jane Moulton; Ken Conti; Gene Christian, brother of Margot Davidson; Tom Walker, uncle of Kyle Hanson; John Byrum
Time
Change Reminder – Don’t forget
to "Fall Backwards"
before retiring on Saturday, October 31. Set your clocks back
one hour as we say goodbye to Daylight Savings Time and return
to Eastern Standard Time.
PRAYER CHAIN – If you have something you would like added to the Prayer Chain, call Martha Wagner at 330-562-3546 or twagner@windstream.net.
VOA Food Pantry Needs –
This month the Food Pantry needs canned pastas
(ravioli, Spaghettios, etc.), canned chili, pork & beans and
soup. Pick up date is November 1. Thank you in advance for
your generosity.
NEW TREES –
You may have noticed the four new
trees along the sidewalk under the Fellowship Hall windows. They
are Kousa dogwoods, planted in memory of Joan McVay. Many thanks
to the McVay Memorial Fund for the beautiful additions.
Reserve your spot now
for the gala Bicentennial dinner
on Saturday, November 28. Enjoy apple-brie stuffed breast
of chicken, rice, vegetable, salad, dessert and coffee or tea
for only $20 per person.
The Bertram Inn is the site for the birthday celebration and includes a reception beginning at 6 pm (cash bar available). Take time to browse committee displays and enjoy musical selections by a variety of artists. Then, after supper at 7 pm, we’ll be treated to a special presentation commemorating our church’s rich history. The Art Company Band will entertain for the balance of the evening for your listening and dancing pleasure. And don’t be surprised to see a few surprises along the way! Don’t miss out on what promises to be a festive evening with family and friends. Seating reservations can be made for any number (up to ten per table) and accommodations can be made for families or friends to be seated together. Deadline is Saturday, November 14, so don’t wait! Simply complete and return the response card included in the invitation sent to you either by mail or by dropping it off at the church office. Reservation forms are also available at Bicentennial Central in Fellowship Hall between services. Questions? Contact Dottie Channel at 330-562-5482. RUMMAGE SALE UPDATE: A special thank you to all who made donations or donated your time to make this another successful Rummage Sale. We made a profit of $2,057.00. Our next sale will be April 21st and 22nd of next year. WOMAN’S RING FOUND – We have a ring in the church office that was found here at the church some time ago. It is very lovely and looks expensive. If you have lost a ring, please give us a call. Faith Promise Campaign – Our 2010 Faith Promise campaign is off to an AMAZING start. During the first week of our campaign we’ve received 48 responses and 15 of those INCREASED their promise from last year! We look for this momentum to continue to build over the coming weeks. Please remember that we would like your response by October 25, Loyalty Sunday. On behalf of your stewardship committee and all of your fellow members, we thank you for your continued support. Brady Krebs, Stewardship Chairman Bicentennial Merchandise – We’ve all had a chance to view all the bicentennial merchandise available at Bicentennial Central on the stage in Fellowship Hall. Enclosed in this issue of the Spire is an order form with all the information you need to order any of those items. Women’s Guild – Get out your favorite casserole recipe and plan to share it at the November 11th meeting of The Church in Aurora Women's Guild. Or if you prefer. bring a salad or dessert to share instead. One thing about the Guild, we have wonderful cooks and bakers and all food is eaten. We are pleased to have Richard Botamer as our speaker that day. He will tell us about his business, "Richard's Bee Products", which will of course "bee" about raising honey bees. This will be one Rev. Schnell will not want to miss! Be sure to bring your checkbook that day as the particulars of the Christmas luncheon at Walden will be shared and you will surely want to make a reservation. The lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. It will be followed by the speaker and a brief general meeting. Please be sure to come and feel free to bring a friend! ATTENTION ALL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN – Your committee’s Annual Report will be due in the office no later than Monday, December 14. If at all possible, please submit your report by e-mail (pjaeger@thechurchinaurora.org) or on a disk. Thank you. THANK YOU! KUDOS! The Eldercare Expo was a success because of the folks who helped in these areas: administrative support (Pastor Bill, Pastor Kevin, Patti Jaeger, Carol Keister, Bob Messner, Don Motulewicz); publicity (Alice Ann Wolf, Jim Maulis and Graphics by Design, Peter French, Elaine Ober, Mary Wallace, Pastor Bill, Joni Hanson, Sara Akins, Sharon Jenkins, Laura Nelsen, Nancy Schnell, Mike Trudick, Kay Oxford, Russ Post); event hosting (Toni Harris, Flip Eavenson, Lance Bell, Becky Gang, Sharon Jenkins, Mary Wallace, Heidi and Jay Rudolph); refreshments (Nancy Schnell and Jennifer Teller); resources (Tom Leslie, Lynn McGill, the Aurora Mayor's office and Aurora Chamber of Commerce). Special appreciation goes to our church members who staffed the Expo with their own professional expertise: Betsy Tomasko, Attorney at Law; Brady Krebs, Financial Advisor of Edward Jones; and Karen Hogan, Nurse Manager of the Neurogeriatric Psychiatry Unit at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. Without your help, this ministry would not have been possible. "Many hands make light work." Thank you for helping to meet the need for information. God bless each of you! As a result of feedback received during the last two Eldercare events, we are currently exploring community resources to provide a referral for a local caregiver support group or to start one in our church. We are also in discussions about how and when to do another Eldercare Event. If you would like to help with organizing another event or you have some suggestions/resources/ideas, you can contact me at 330-541-4106. Dorothy Bell Candidates Sought – Have you filled out the Time and Talent Survey? Is there a committee for which you have a heart to serve? If so, the Nominating Committee wants YOU!! We are looking for candidates for church committees with terms starting January 2010. If you or someone you know should be considered for a position please fill in a Nominating Form in the Church office or Great Hall. Self-nomination is allowed and encouraged! Please drop off completed forms at the Church office no later than November 1st, 2009. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Dana Shively at (330) 405-5603 or email at midnte@msn.com.
AUDIO CD’S of the
Sunday services are available in the library in the top drawer
of the cherry chest to the right of the door. If you would like
to purchase a CD, contact Phil Ticer at 330-995-9318.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LUNCH -
On Saturday, October 10, 2009, TCIA served lunch to the
volunteers that were working on warranty repairs to a completed
HFH house in Atwater. Food served was macaroni & cheese, hot
dogs, vegetable & cheese trays, whole fruits, and cookies. I
would like to thank all the following people for their donation
of both time and food that was much appreciated and enjoyed by
all the volunteers: Diane Brubaker, Terry Smith, Theresa
Roberts, Joy Evans, Lin Reichelt, Deborah Davis, Laurena
Entsminger, Ginny Miller, Sally McGill, Lillian Papp, and my
family. I would, also, like to thank Ken & Joseph Liang for
taking the food down to Atwater, serving, and bring everything
back to clean up. Again, I was blessed with such amazing
volunteers and had sign-ups for everything within the first
couple of weekends! With heartfelt gratitude, Rebecca Bliss
Who Benefits from Stephen Ministry?
Everybody benefits! Those receiving care from
Stephen Ministers benefit because they receive prayer and
support throughout the crisis they face. Stephen Ministers
benefit through the spiritual growth they experience from being
involved in meaningful ministry. Our Pastors benefit because
caring ministry at The Church in Aurora is expanded and fewer
people will slip through the cracks. Most of all you benefit
from the knowledge that special care is available to you should
you need it. In addition, you now have a place where you can
refer a friend, neighbor, coworker, relative or anyone else you
know who is going through a difficult time so that they can
receive special care when they need it most. Stephen Ministry
makes The Church in Aurora a much more caring place! For more
information contact Russ Post (330/562-9789) or Susan Kray
(330/562-1344).
The CARE TEAM
is available for those who need meals during a time of recovery
or a ride to an appointment or someone to pick up prescriptions
or just a friendly visit. If they could help you, call Pat Way
at 330-673-7917 or Rita Suchanek at 330-562-3273 or
216-570-9808!
3H PM –
Our next meeting will be
Thursday, November 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m. As we work on baby
blankets and prayer shawls, we will learn together about Ruth. ~
Kathleen Horak, 330-562-1930
Circle 3-H –
Join us in Fellowship Hall at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, November 6.
Bring two bags of individually wrapped candy and help us fill
the Christmas mugs for the VOA Men’s Shelters.
A Good Friend is a Blessing From God: Why not thank God for the gift of friendship and bring a friend to church on Sunday, November 15th. Our third annual "Honor a Friend Day" will be this day at the 9:30 and 11:00 services. There also will be a special sermon, music, a gift for your friend and a yummy coffee hour. Please call and invite your special friend! A postcard with details will be available on Sunday, October 25th, for you to send to your friend. Don't miss this special day. If you have any questions, please call Mary Wallace at 330-562-2198. Used Ink Cartridges and Cell Phones – Don’t throw away your old cell phones! Please save them for the Workcamp Fund. And we are still collecting used ink cartridges, too! A drop-off basket is in the Great Hall on the desk outside the Toddler Room door. Large quantity pick-ups of laser print cartridges are available. Contact Kim Williamson at 330-562-4930 for more information on that. HELP SAVE OUR LANDFILLS while providing financial support for Workcamp.
Mission of the Month –
This month the Missions Committee is focusing on Berea
College and New Directions.
In 1855, Berea’s founders established a college where all students could learn and work together regardless of race, gender, place of birth or economic circumstances. Berea’s College motto, "God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth," is taken from the Book of Acts. Berea College continues to foster a culture of equality, inclusive Christian values, and lifelong devotion to learning and service. Established in 1979, New Directions is an adolescent drug and alcohol treatment center in Pepper Pike and is the only intermediate care program of its kind in Northeast Ohio. New Directions provides quality life-changing treatment to chemically dependent adolescents and their families dealing with emotional, behavioral, or psychiatric needs.
Behind the Scenes –
Twice a year we have a rummage
sale here at The Church in Aurora. The proceeds from the
rummage sale support the Women’s Guild. Rummage sales
don’t just happen. They take a lot of hard work and
planning. Joy Evans has been the driving force behind the
rummage sales for the past couple of years. She places ads
in the local papers, makes the arrangements to get the stage
emptied off and the tables all set up. Then she and MANY
volunteers organize all those piles of donations you see up on
the stage in the days preceding the sale. There are two
days of set-up and two days when the sale is actually going on.
Many of the volunteers are here the entire time. Melva
Wendell and her son, Fred Inman, have been consistent helpers
for many years, along with Winnie Tucker and Rita Suchanek.
Carol Keister has been the cashier for many years. But
there are many other volunteers who have made this sale possible
– too many to mention by name. So we’ll say to all those
who have volunteered at the rummage sales, thank you for all you
have done to keep The Church in Aurora…
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