The Church In Aurora - Newsletters - General

Volume XLXIIII February 2010 Number 2

A Message from the Minister –

I wonder if Edison imagined the myriad applications for electricity when he invented the first commercially practical incandescent light bulb. Did he envision batteries and the cell phones that would be powered by them? Could the Wright brothers have envisioned the Airbus 380 with its 455 passenger capacity? Did Alan Turing, the father of modern computer science, foresee in 1936 today’s processing chips imbedded in everything from iPods to industrial robots?

A much more compelling question is what do we envision about the future today? Being in the midst of an uncommon economic downturn, it is probably understandable that some have a rather pessimistic view of the future while they wait for the other shoe to drop. Others tend to be more optimistic, seeing in present challenges future opportunities. For example, according to some petroleum analysts, peak oil has either been reached or will be shortly. That is when the world’s oil production capacity peaks and eventually begins to decline. This is not-so-great timing just as the consumption of oil in China, India, Brazil and elsewhere is exploding. You know what they say about supply and demand. In short, we should expect the price of gas and oil to climb as demand outpaces supply.

But maybe that is just the kind of economic pressure needed to encourage some needful changes. Imagine putting our best and brightest minds to work on creating an intelligent high-speed rail infrastructure linking Cleveland with Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Indianapolis—you get the idea—with feeder systems to towns like Aurora. Imagine it all being operated on electricity produced by wind, solar, hydroelectric and nuclear sources. Imagine the jobs that would be created. Imagine the effect upon our nation’s foreign oil dependence. Imagine the stride forward in terms of carbon emissions. Imagine a period of economic expansion that could rival the one driven by information technology at the turn of the millennium.

As John Lennon put it, "You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one." Some of us think that America’s best days are ahead—indeed, the world’s best days are ahead as developing nations, well, develop—develop new industries, develop world markets and develop higher standards of living. We may differ on the details, and we may even differ on how bright a future lies ahead, but we would all agree that we hope for such a bright future even if the details are not so clear to us in this present season of uncertainty. St. Paul has written, Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for (Hebrews 11:1-2). It would be nice if our children and their children after them could one day look back and commend this generation for keeping the faith through a dark night until a new day dawned. I pray you will continue to gather in God’s House where believers keep the faith and never lose hope. Still More Than a Landmark --Bill

In the Pulpit during February

February 7 – Rev. Schnell (Communion) February 21 – Rev. Schnell

February 14 – Youth Sunday February 28 – Rev. Horak

February 17 – Rev. Schnell (Ash Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.)

Worship Attendance

December 20 – 9:30 – 156; 11:00 – 179; Total – 335 December 31 (Vespers Service) – Total - 83

December 24 – 5:00 – 221; 9:00 -- 150; 11:00 – 161; Total – 532 January 3 – 9:30 -- 113; 11:00 -- 91; Total – 204

December 27 – Total – 259 January 10 – 9:30 -- 146; 11:00 -- 145; Total – 291

News of Members and Friends

First Time Visitors – (12/27) Mike & Betty Anne Winkler of Bluffton, SC; Rebecca Nazaretz of Arlington, VA; David & Jennifer Kaczmarek from Clarsville, TN; Gregory & Marne Miller from Jessup, MD (1/3) Kyle Hennis & Ashley Williams of Streetsboro (1/10) Daryl & Alice Mast of Aurora

Weddings – Allison Shuck & Jarrod McCleary

Memorials – Fred Lohr; Robert Thomas, father of Gary Thomas;

2010 OFFERING ENVELOPES are available; if you would like a box, call Carol Keister at 562-8266 X225 and leave a message.

VOA Food Pantry Needs – This month, the VOA is asking for toilet paper, fruit juices, small bottles of dish washing detergent, crackers and canned pastas (Spaghettios, ravioli, etc.). Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Annual Meeting – The Annual Meeting of The Church in Aurora will be conducted on Sunday, January 24^th, following the 9:30 service at 11:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary. Reports from 2009 will be presented, the 2010 church budget will be proposed, incoming elected and appointed officials will be voted on and installed, and any other business of the church will be discussed. The meeting agenda, copy of reports, and the proposed budget are available on the Hunt Table in the Great Hall. Since the ultimate authority of this church rests with its members, I am hopeful that you will attend. Child care will be available. Jim Maulis, Moderator

If you picked up your Annual Report before January 11, please pick up the amendment that is available on the Hunt Table in the Great Hall.

SWEETS FOR THE SWEET! The ladies of Circle 3-H are once again making delicious varieties of chocolate Valentine's Day candy to benefit the Workcamp Fund, which will be sold on Sunday, February 14 after both services in Fellowship Hall! Love is evident at The Church in Aurora!

2009 FAITH PROMISES – Oops! Did you forget to send in the balance of your 2009 Faith Promise? It’s not too late. Just clearly indicate "2009 FP" on the memo line of your check. Questions? Call Carol Keister at 330-562-8266 X225.

Bicentennial Thank You – The Church in Aurora certainly celebrated its 200th birthday with zest at our gala over Thanksgiving weekend, and I just want to thank everyone whose enthusiasm, commitment and love for our church made the evening so very special. The event would not have been nearly so much fun without the help and involvement of many wonderful people, and the Bicentennial Committee and I are exceedingly grateful for your contributions of time, energy and spirit. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, and here is to the next 200 years!

In His Service,

Ann Womer Benjamin, Chairman, Bicentennial Committee

Sub-Sandwich Sunday is approaching! Orders will be taken by the Workcamp crew on January 17th, 24th, and 31st for this popular SUPER BOWL event. A concurrent BAKE SALE will be held during sub pickup on Sunday, February 7, 2010. Contact Jenni Ticer at 330-995-9318 for more information.

THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED WITH THE 2009 BICENTENNIAL EDITION OF THE CHURCH DIRECTORY It has been a privilege to coordinate the Church Directory project and it truly "takes a village" to create this lasting memory! I would like to thank the following people for their time and talents: Jim Maulis, for his vision, creativity, and expertise for making the Bicentennial Edition truly a piece of art, capturing the essence of our church!; Russ Post, a talented photographer who took most of the colorful images found in the Directory!; Patti Jaeger, Dana Shively, Cindy Hollo and Dotty Channel, who all served as advisors as well as worker bees in a wide array of activities.; Mary Wallace who provided pictures for Then and Now; and to those who greeted members and families arriving to have their pictures taken - Sara Akins, Jamie Calder, Muriel French, Becky Gang, Cathy Masch, Lin Reichelt, and Cindy Watson. Sincerely, Bonnie Niebuhr

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.

Knitters, Crocheters, and Quilters: Circles 3-H AM and PM present baby and children’s blankets to Safer Futures every spring. This winter would be a great time to sit by the fire or sewing machine and make a blanket for a child. It doesn’t have to be perfect but it would be a lasting remembrance. If you are new to one of these arts and would like to learn please call Joy Evans at 330-562-5663 and she can put you in touch with someone who can help you.

Love One Another As I Have Loved You – Loving and caring for one another is not just the pastor’s job—it’s something Jesus calls us to do! Stephen Ministry is a ministry in which people with special gifts for caring can put those gifts to use in an organized way, bringing Jesus’ love and care to those who most need it. If you would like more information on our Stephen Ministry, please call Russ Post (330/562-9789) or Susan Kray (330/562-1344).

Workcamp Openings – There are two openings for WORKCAMP in June and July. If you are interested in attending, please call the Eavensons at 330-995-6268 for information as soon as possible! Participants who do not attend our church are welcome! The next WORKCAMP Participant and Parent meeting is Sunday, February 28, at 5 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. We will be planning the SPAGHETTI DINNER/SILENT AUCTION. Please plan to attend!

CHURCH LIBRARY: If you've read Three Cups of Tea (and I hope you have), you'll be delighted to know about Stones Into Schools, a continuation of Greg Mortenson's story of determination to build schools in the most remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. This was a very dangerous mission, and I think that he must have a guardian angel on each shoulder. This is an inspiring book about one man who has and is making a huge difference.

Rodney Stark has a different view of the Crusaders in his book God's Battalions. He says that the Christians were conquered by the Muslims in the 7th century, and that years of their brutal rule led to an inevitable Christian retaliation. He argues that in the end the Crusaders were neither greedy nor barbaric, but rather men of faith who sincerely believed that they served in God's battalion.

The Friday Night Knitting Club meets again in a heartwarming story, Knit the Season by Kate Jacobs. Neda Jackson's who do i talk to? is the second in her House of Hope series. This is a new series that still has most of the characters from the Yada Yada Prayer Group helping others. We were "left behind" for so long in Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins' earlier series, I'm relieved to see that their new series, The Jesus Chronicles, is supposed to be only four books. They are the stories of the Gospel writers, John, Mark, Luke and Matthew, and their stories of the Lord Jesus. Luke's Story is the first, and although he never met Jesus, he talked to other believers and listened to those who knew Him best, the disciples who spent three years with Him and His mother, Mary. This looks like it will be good, and will probably inspire us to read the book of Luke for ourselves.

For those of you who like to listen to your stories, we now have Mitch Albom's, The Five People You Meet in Heaven on CD. We also have his new book, Have a Little Faith, which is still on the N.Y. Times Best Seller List, as is Stones into Schools.

HOW DO I READ MY CONTRIBUTION STATEMENT? The bottom portion of your 2009 Contribution Statement (Fund Summary) summarizes your contributions for 2009. The Total YTD column, on the left, indicates your total 2009 Tax Deductible Contributions to the church. The column on the right – Pledge Balance – indicates the status of your Faith Promise. If an amount appears in this balance column, you have contributed less than your 2009 Faith Promise. Questions? Call Carol Keister at 330-562-8266 X225

UNWRAPPING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS – God has given us many gifts. Some we know, some we need to discover, and some may be beyond our imagination. Over the course of three Sundays, Feb 21, 28, and March 7, we will try to discover those gifts and how God wants us to use them. Please join me from 6-9 on those evenings. For more information and to confirm a spot in the class contact Rev. Horak or myself (330-562-3388). Reed Fuller

CLEVELAND FOODBANK: If you would like to be "hands on" involved in one of our missions, volunteer with us on March 29 as we go to the Cleveland Foodbank. We will be leaving church at 5 p.m. for a 6-8 p.m. scheduled work time (or meet us there). This involves light physical labor, is a rewarding experience and will give you the opportunity to get to know other church members. Please call Bob Morgan at 330-562-2928 or email him at rmorganoh@gmail.com if you are interested in going.

Women’s Guild – Can you imagine the sorrow and sadness a family would feel at the birth of a blind child? Brenda Lahmers, from the "Brighter Futures" program, will visit Women's Guild in February to tell us how her program offers hope and help to blind infants and toddlers and their families. This should be a most informative and interesting program. We hope that you will plan to attend on February 10th, at 11:30 a.m., in Fellowship Hall. We will be treated to a lunch prepared by "Twiinz Catering" for an affordable $5.00 and dessert by 3H Circle. 3H will also share devotions that day. Please plan to come and bring a friend.

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, February 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m. With our making of baby blankets and prayer shawls, we will be discussing Anna and The Samaritan Woman. ~ Kathleen Horak, 330-562-1930

WANTED — USED INK CARTRIDGES AND CELL PHONES! Did you upgrade your cell phone this holiday season? Don't throw away your old one! A drop-off basket is on the desk in the Great Hall near the nursery. Used printer ink cartridges are also recycled. HELP SAVE OUR LANDFILLS while providing financial support for Workcamp! This is a year-round program. Thank you!

Mission of the Month – The Missions Committee has chosen to focus this month on Mercy Ships.

Mercy Ships is a global charity that operates a fleet of hospital ships that provide medical care, relief aid and training for long-term sustainable change in developing nations. Mercy Ships models its operations after the example of Jesus Christ, by bringing healing and hope to the poor no matter what their race, gender or religion. The Missions Committee’s 2006 donation helped launch their newest ship, the Africa Mercy, to be deployed in war-devastated Liberia.

Behind the Scenes – Pat Scott has been a member of The Church in Aurora for more than 25 years. From 1996-97, she served as a Deacon. Then in 1998, Pat became a member of the Fellowship Committee, where she served for three years. She also served one term on the Missions Committee. Pat has been a very active member of Circle 3H, serving as that group’s Secretary in 2002. She became a Stephen Minister in 1998. Pat is also a charter member of the Care Team. Over the past seven years, she has served as a driver, meal provider and weekly coordinator. The last few years she has helped to sort and process the Caring Tree gifts, and she volunteers at Nutcracker every year. Thank you, Pat, for all you do to keep The Church in Aurora….