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Volume XLXIIII August 2010 Number 8
A Message from the Minister – I think my desktop computer at home is possessed. It’s whirring away madly without any input from me. Indeed any input from me is not registering because the central processing unit is running at 100%. I think my desktop may be one of millions of “zombie” computers in a “botnet” being used to send spam, spread malware or launch distributed denial-of-service attacks. You think I am paranoid and delusional? I have just read in a news magazine that the number of infected machines is estimated at 100 million. I guess it is time to take matters into my own hands and push the reset button once again. That is when I back up important files on a portable storage drive before reformatting my computer’s hard drive. Translation: I completely erase my computer’s hard drive and start from scratch. Reloading all of my software is a time-consuming pain, but I sure do like the restored performance of my computer when all is back in order. Not long ago I discovered a suspect charge on a debit card statement. After a little internet searching and contact with a bank, it was determined to be fraudulent. I was not held responsible for this charge, but I was informed that my debit card was compromised and that somebody else could use it to access my bank balances and credit limit. The bank immediately cancelled my old debit card and issued me a new one. A bank representative informed me that, personally, she arranges to get a new card number every 6 months or so as a preventative measure against this kind of fraud. That, too, is a bit of a hassle since automatic withdrawals for such things as Netflix require a working card number. However a bit of a hassle is better than an emptied bank account any day. The Bible speaks of demonic possessions that take over our lives like a botnet takes over our computers. Addictions to myriad substances, sexual perversions, gambling, or the hoarding of money begin to control us in self-destructive ways. They empty our “life account” of all its resources leaving us morally and spiritually bankrupt. They cause us to hurt the very ones we are supposed to love the most. They cause us to hurt ourselves. How can we push the reset button? How can we be saved from these destructive influences before it is too late? The Bible also speaks of washing away our sins so that we may be born anew. Some of us may think all that took place once and for all when we were baptized into the faith and came to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and there is certainly no dearth of testimonies to that effect. But I wonder if our need is not more like my computer or debit card—something which needs to be addressed more regularly than once and for all. Because sin continues to “infect” our lives in a self-destructive way, we continually need to avail ourselves of the saving power of God in Jesus Christ—we continually need the fresh new start he holds out for us. Coming to the Lord’s House on the Lord’s Day is one way to spiritually reset our lives. Coming to his table regularly is one way to find forgiveness for our sins and a brand new start. Yes it can be a bit of a hassle getting ourselves (and our kids?) ready and going on Sunday morning but the value of discovering the refreshing, renewing and saving power of keeping the Sabbath Day holy is beyond compare. I will hope to see you among the faithful soon, ready for a reset. -Bill |
In the Pulpit during August
August 1 – Rev. Schnell (Communion).
August 8 – Jim Maulis (Laity Sunday)
August 15 – Rev. Horak
August 22 – Rev. Schnell
August 29 – Rev. Schnell (Communion)
Worship Attendance
June 20 – 215
June 27 – 208
July 4 – 189
July 11 – 216
News of Members and Friends
First Time Visitors – (6/27) John Donato from Ravenna (7/4) Mark Bowers of Newton Falls, OH; Larry & Linda Kippes of Streetsboro; Brianna Tracey of Streetsboro
Deaths – Jack Schmollinger, father of Kathy Simon
Baptisms – Eric Raymond Reed; Ethan Roger Reed; Olivia Langley Reed;
Arthur Peregrine James White, son of Jonathan White & Tamsyn Knight, grandson of Betsy White;
Douglas Scott Hale; Katelyn Jane Hale;
Weddings – Jennifer Marie Pikturna & Christopher William Cooley;
Miranda Kay O’Bryan & Ryan Michael Shary
VOA Food Pantry Needs – This month the food pantry needs TUNA, canned meats and stews, canned fruit and applesauce, canned potatoes, canned tomatoes, and pork ‘n beans.
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.
LAY LEADERSHIP SUMMIT – Don’t forget the Lay Leadership meeting here at the church on Sunday, August 22, at 11:15 in Fellowship Hall.† Any church member is welcomed to attend, but at least one member from each committee and ministry will be required to complete the integrated calendar for the program year beginning with Rally Day.† A light lunch will be provided.† Please email your committee/group representative to Moderator Ann Womer Benjamin (th1ann@aol.com).
3H PM - Twelve Extraordinary Men:† How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You!† will be next year's study during our sessions of making baby afghans, prayer shawls and prayer squares.† We will be meeting 6:30-8:30 p.m. the following dates:† 9/9, 10/14, 11/11, 12/9, 1/13, 2/10, 3/10, 4/14, and 5/12.† Books are available now for $10 and 3H dues for next year are $20.†~ Kathleen Horak, 330-562-1930
Circle 3H is the newest Circle under the umbrella of the Women’s Guild. It is a “hands on” group and meetings may include speakers, work projects, or field trips. If you wish to extend your hands to others, please join us at 9:30 a.m. on August 6 in Fellowship Hall when we will be assembling backpacks for 1st and 2nd graders in Portage County. A welcome awaits you at any time. Questions, call Barb Bigler at 330-995-0193.
Confidential! That’s what Stephen Ministry is. Everything a person tells his or her Stephen Minister is kept in strict confidence. People are often afraid that if they tell someone what is troubling them, word will get around and others will look down on them. But a Stephen Minister keeps everything a care receiver shares confidential, and through the sharing God works miracles of healing and peace. For more information contact Susan Kray (330/562-1344) or Russ Post (330/562-9789).
The Missions Committee would like to thank all who attended our last trip to the Cleveland Food Bank. Save the dates. Our next trips to the Cleveland Food Bank will be August 9th and November 29th. Details to follow in future Bulletins.
Church Board Update - July 2010 – The Church Board is keeping busy on your behalf! At our June meeting Trustees announced their plans to replace older air conditioning units on the roof; Reverend Horak reported on a great Vacation Bible School thanks to Christene and Sue Buonpane; Reverend Schnell announced the wonderful outreach ideas received by the Outreach Committee thanks to your many responses; and Stewardship requested draft committee budgets for 2011 by August 2, 2010. We also discussed the Food Float for the Fourth of July, which you may already know was a wonderful success, collecting more than one ton of food and over $2000 for Volunteers of America. This was a multi-church effort led by the Aurora Community Chapel and at our church headed by Missions. We are always in need of friendly faces to be greeters on Sunday mornings; if you are interested see Bill Davidson or anyone from Membership. The Board approved former Moderator Jim Maulis to serve as chair of the Nominating Committee and Associate Moderator Gordon Ober to serve as chair of Bicentennial. Yes, indeed, our Bicentennial is past, but several projects remain to be completed. Among them is the installation of a State of Ohio historical marker which will be dedicated on Sunday, September 12, 2010, after the second service. I hope you can attend! Please do not hesitate to contact me by telephone or a message in my box if you have any questions or concerns.
Ann Womer Benjamin, Moderator
Friends help God care for us and I have been so very well cared for.† Thank you for all the cards, cookies, meals from the Care Team, and phone calls after my fall and surgery.† Ingrid Cuppage
CHURCH PICNIC – Our annual Church Picnic will be held on Sunday, September 5, here at the church after our outdoor service at 10:00. Please bring a chair or blanket to sit on and a side dish/dessert to share. Hot dogs, hamburgers, place settings and beverages will be provided.
Save the date
Saturday, September 18, 2010 we will host another Eldercare Event.† It will be a day of workshops covering several eldercare topics like legal issues, insurance and financial issues, in-home care issues, defining dementia and how to cope with it, dealing with caregiver stress, what Medicare does and doesn't pay for, choosing a nursing home and how an ombudsman can help you, and that hospice isn't just for cancer patients.† HomeInstead has been helping us with our Care For The Caregiver support group and they will help to sponsor this event.† We appreciate our Women's Guild helping with financial support as well.† Planning is still underway, so if you would like to help with this event, please contact Dorothy Bell at 330-541-4106 or eldercare@neo.rr.com .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!
Mission of the Month – This month the Missions Committee is focusing on the local Haven of Rest Ministries and Miller House.
Haven of Rest Ministries is the largest private social service organization in the Summit/Portage county areas. Its purpose is to serve God through Christ-centered outreach of love and compassion that responds to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of disadvantaged men, women and children.
Miller Community House has been opened since 1985 and exists to provide emergency shelter to those adults and children in a housing crisis, while also providing support, advocacy, and referrals to encourage self-sufficiency and movement to permanent housing.
Ink Cartridges and Cell Phones – On-going WORKCAMP projects include collecting used cell phones and computer ink cartridges. The basket is always on the desk near the Nursery in the Great Hall. We have received hundreds of dollars over the past few years from this project. Thank you!
Behind the Scenes – Two weeks in a row we missed having our normal coffee hour in Fellowship Hall. That’s probably a first! But it was well worth it. Stop by and see the remodeling that was done in the kitchen. All the countertops have been replaced. The island has been moved and enlarged, so that we can even have stools there to sit on and work. And outlets have been added at each end of the island. The sink has been replaced and a garbage disposal added. Electrical work has been done and more outlets added. None of this would have been possible without an organizing committee. Ingrid Cuppage, Sara Akins and Sandi Post have put in many hours and made many phone calls. They worked hard emptying all the drawers, cupboards and miscellaneous items sitting on the shelves. Their work isn’t done yet, as the remodeling is being done in stages. But thank you so much, ladies, for all that you have done and will do to keep The Church in Aurora….
