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Volume XLXX December 2011 Number 12
A Message from the Minister – Here we are in that happy, hectic interlude between Thanksgiving and Christmas. How to make it a little more happy and a little less hectic?—that is the question. I stumbled across a way to strike a blow for happier holidays a few years ago while traveling with the immediate family to visit the extended family in Columbus. We stopped at a Bob Evans Restaurant on the way and had one of our typical animated meals—laughing, poking fun and getting to know the waitperson. The latter was a nice young lady who, once she realized we were harmless, took delight in hanging around to chit-chat as she was able. On one fly-by she said, "There’s a nice surprise in store for you." When asked for a little clarification she said, "You’ll find out." None of us was celebrating a birthday, so it wasn’t going to be a complimentary cake and song. What could it be? We soon forgot all about it until it was time to square up and pay the bill. "Somebody already paid it for you," she said with a big grin on her face. "Who?" we asked. "The folks who were sitting over there," she pointed. They were gone, of course, and none of us could recollect having paid the first bit of attention to them. But they paid our bill. That was a surprise—one of those "random acts of kindness." We decided then and there to "pay it forward." Settling on a young couple with children and a grandparent who had just ordered their meal we told the waitress, "We’ll pay their bill." The waitress was getting the point that this was not going to be your average shift. As we were sneaking out our waitress said, "I think I had my first Christmas moment early this year." May you experience many Christmas moments through "random acts of kindness" and "paying it forward" every chance you get. May your holidays be happy and your Christmas merry and your New Year a blessing. -Bill |
In the Pulpit during December
December 4 –Rev. Schnell (Communion)
December 11 –Rev. Horak (Vespers at 5:00PM)
December 18 – Christmas Pageant
December 24 – Rev. Schnell (Christmas Eve, 11:00PM)
December 25 – Rev. Schnell (Christmas Day, 10:00AM)
SINGLE SERVICE – There will be only one service on Sunday, December 25, at 10:00 a.m.
There will be no church school and no coffee hour that day.
Worship Attendance
October 23 – 9:30 – 143; 11:00 – 101; Total – 244
October 30 – 9:30 – 166; 11:00 – 137; Total – 303
November 6 (Necrology Sunday) – 9:30 – 167; 11:00 – 111; Total – 278
November 13 – 9:30 – 174; 11:00 – 121; Total – 295
News of Members and Friends
First Time Visitors – (10/23) Warren and Donna Grudge of Aurora, David and Mary Hatzung of Edina, MN
Deaths – Eloise Johnson, mother of Beth Morrison; Janet Gage, mother of Cindy Watson;
Arno Karl Lepke, father of Kristen Mayer
Baptisms – Madison Kaye Hale; Emmaline Paige Betzhold; Payton Jade Korenke; Lyla Grace Sawchik
Births – Hadlee Claire Hedges, daughter of Ryan and Jen Hedges, granddaughter of Sue Cohen, niece of Jessica Cohen
Weddings – Christine Marie De Capite and Matthew Alan Brinson
VOA Food Pantry Needs – Thanks to all the generous donations, the Food Pantry is ready for the holidays. This month they are asking for toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, napkins and hand soap.
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – The church office will be closed November 24 and 25 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will be closed on Monday, December 26 for our Christmas holiday and Monday, January 2, to celebrate New Year’s.
CHRISTMAS VESPERS, A TRADITION – One of our best loved traditions here at The Church in Aurora is our annual Christmas Vespers. 2011 marks the forty-eighth year that the choirs have led this special program of Christmas music. Join us on December 11 at 5:00 p.m. when our six choirs will again be singing and ringing the beautiful music of the season, thus offering an hour of joyful and inspiring sounds. There will be a special celebration in Fellowship Hall right after the service. Come and be filled with the spirit of the season!
3H PM – Please join us Thursday, December 15, 6-8 p.m., at The Escape. We will be sharing Chapter 4, He Demands True Worship. Also prayer squares, prayer shawls, baby blankets and giftwrapping for our special Christmas surprise will enhance our time together. ~ Kathleen Horak, 330-562-1930
BLOODMOBILE THANK YOU – A hearty thanks to the Bloodmobile volunteers who served on November 14 in Fellowship Hall. Joy Evans, Sue Sutton, Barb Bigler,
Flip Eavenson, Winnie Tucker and Tim Wagner. Bloodmobile Coordinator, Martha WagnerWe want to thank all those who sent cards, made phone calls and offered their services while Elmer was in the hospital and Anna Maria. Elmer and Lillian Papp
TREASURER NEEDED – The church is seeking a new Treasurer to begin in January 2012. Jim Niebuhr has agreed to continue as Associate Treasurer to train and guide activity. Please prayerfully consider this important position in the church. If you can help, contact Mary Wallace at 330-562-2198 or mary.wallace@windstream.net. We need you. Thank you.
STAY UP TO DATE – For the most up-to-date church-related information and audio recordings of our services, check out our web-site at www.thechurchinaurora.org. We are also on Facebook at The Church in Aurora. Please "like" us!
Congratulations Habitat – The United Nations has declared October 3 as "World Habitat Day" in recognition of the work of Habitat for Humanity throughout the world. On the day of declaration Habitat dedicated its 500,000th house while celebrating the groundbreaking of the 500,001st home. Through the support of "Covenant Churches," like The Church in Aurora, 119 of Habitat's 500,000 homes have been built, rehabilitated or financed by Habitat for Humanity of Portage County. Well done good and faithful servants!
C.R.O.P Hunger Walk Results – Thanks to long-time C.R.O.P. Walkers Darla, Martin, Hannah and Phoebe (the dog) Braun, joined by Linda, Nathan and Lauren Pallotto, who represented our congregation in this year’s walk sponsored by the Aurora Clergy Association. In all 35 walkers from Aurora raised $1644. Added to C.R.O.P. Hunger Walks across the land, an estimated 16 million dollars will be raised-- 4 million of which will fight hunger right here in America through contributions to local food pantries. As more and more struggle through these economically uncertain times, programs like C.R.O.P. quickly add up to a welcomed relief for those in need.
Appreciation Appreciated! – Between the two of us, we are aiming for a half century of combined service to The Church in Aurora. The goal is a few years off, but that is our intention if the Lord is willing. How does one account for such long pastoral tenures? Feeling appreciated is a big part of it, and that is how you make us feel day in and day out. Thank you for the cards, kindnesses, cake and reception which added an exclamation mark to a delightful Pastor Appreciation observance. God bless you, Bill & Kevin.
Balance: "Stability produced by even distribution of weight or forces." Our lives are delicately balanced. A small shift in one area of life can set us off balance. A major change can send us spinning out of control. Stephen Ministers can help when life gets out of balance. They listen and care, and most importantly, bring the stability of Jesus’ love and grace into people’s lives. If your life or that of someone you know has shifted out of balance, consider Stephen Ministry. Call Diane Bush (330/562-4699), Sue Kray (330/562-1344), Russ Post (330/562-9789) or Susan Smith (330/562-8827).
TODDY'S CHRISTMAS SHOPPE IS COMING! TODDY'S CHRISTMAS SHOPPE will open SUNDAY, November 27! If you have gently used Christmas items you'd like to donate, please place them "backstage" through the walk-in door. The Workcampers appreciate your items and your $$ donations when making purchases throughout the month!
WOMEN’S GUILD – The Women's Guild will celebrate Christmas at Walden on Wednesday, December 14th at 11:30 a.m. There will be valet parking provided, a time of meeting and greeting, and a delicious lunch created by Chef Pete. Add to that some musical entertainment provided by "Downtown" and a lovely Christmas story narrated by Sally McGill and you will have a wonderful afternoon along with a huge share of the "Christmas spirit". You must have a reservation for this event, $25 per person, which you can make between services from November 13th to December 11th. You may also send a check to Anne Ramsay at 483-15 Concord Downs Lane, or put it in her "organist" mailbox at the church. Be sure to bring a friend to this Christmas celebration!
ATTENTION ALL COMMITTEE CHAIARMEN – Your committee report for inclusion in the Annual Report is due in the church office by Monday, December 12. Please send it by email, if possible, to pjaeger@thechurchinaurora.org or on a disc. Thank you.
PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK your serving spoons. A heavy-weight, 9 inch long Dansk serving spoon (part of a set) went missing at our church picnic in September. Its return to the church office will be most appreciated. With gratitude, Laura J. Nosek
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 Rita Suchanek at 330-562-3273 or 216-570-9808!
THANK YOU – Red Rock Farmers Market and Owner Matt Johnson wish to thank The Church in Aurora for its support during the recent Aurora Farmers Market held on church grounds.
The volunteer help of the church members, especially the persons from the Outreach Committee, was in large part the reason that the market was so successful.
We look forward to providing a bigger and better market next year.
Ink Cartridges and Cell Phones – If you replace your cellphones this Christmas, please place your old ones (and ink cartridges) in the basket near the Chrismon Tree. This is a year-round WORKCAMP project. Thanks!
CIRCLE 3H – At their November 5 meeting, 165 mugs were filled with candy to be included with gift bags at Christmas. These bags will contain hats, gloves and socks to be given to various men’s shelters. Circle 3H will meet on December 2 to wrap all these items.
ALTAR FLOWERS – The sign-up sheet for Altar Flowers for 2012 is now posted on the bulletin board next to the kitchen window in Fellowship Hall.
2011 FAITH PROMISES – Please remember that any monies you want credited to your statement in 2011 MUST be dropped off at the church or postmarked no later than December 31, 2011.
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 want to purchase a CD, contact Phil Ticer at 995-9318.
Mission of the Month – This month, the Missions Committee is focusing on the Robinson Visiting Nurse & Hospice. Located in Ravenna, Ohio, it is an in-home care and hospice care provider. In Home care supports services delivered at the home of the senior and provides services for daily living such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation but may also extend to assistance with transportation, paying bills, making appointments, and simply being there to provide companionship and emotional support. Home Care services are generally available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hospice care is an infusion of home care and facility care provided to benefit terminally ill patients and support their families through their tough times.
This year’s Vespers service offering will be donated to the Haven of Rest Ministries and the Christmas Eve offering will be forwarded to the local Volunteers of America (VOA).
BEHIND THE SCENES – Linda Pallotto joined The Church in Aurora in February of 2006, and she didn’t wait long to get involved. She was a volunteer at Vacation Bible School that very summer. The last two years she has been the Craft Leader for VBS. When it comes to Christian Education, Linda has pretty much done it all. She has volunteered to buy supplies for Promiseland. She serves as a Shepherd and has taught Promiseland classes. During the summer she has been involved in Promiseland Drive-In. Linda has been on the Fellowship Committee since 2008, serving as the Chairman this year. That has kept her very active at Potluck Dinners and Church Picnics. And she has even found time to volunteer during Nutcracker. Last month she and her children, Nathan and Lauren, represented our church by walking in the annual C.R.O.P. walk. So thank you, Linda, for all you do to be a part of……..
