Jefferson United Methodist Church
125 East Jefferson Street
Jefferson, OH 44047
440-576-4561
[email protected]
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DECEMBER 18, 2014
Issue 12
Volume 40
CELEBRATE JESUS' BIRTH!
Please join us in a joyous time of celebration and worship. We will sing all the
beautiful carols, laugh together, pray together, and listen to the Bible story retold as we
open our hearts to allow Jesus to be born into our lives.
Christmas Eve
6:30 p.m.
Joyous carols, scripture, the Lighting of the Christ Candle – We’ll
celebrate the birth of our Lord! This is a great family celebration!
Kinderchoir and the Children’s Choir will sing, and the Children’s
Bells will play.
9:00 p.m.
Carols, Candlelight and Communion Come with quiet joy to hear
scripture, sing carols and usher in Christmas Day with Candlelight
and Holy Communion. The Chancel Choir and Harmony Ringers will
share music.
Late December, 2014
PLEASE NOTE THE TIME CHANGE OF OUR Carols, Candlelight & Communion service 9 p.m.
instead of 11 p.m.!!
FROM PASTOR DAN
Christmas Day will soon be upon us and the New Year will come rushing in. The 12
days of Christmas are a time to savor the meaning of Jesus’ birth. God made
flesh…God dwelling in life with us…God coming into our space to redeem, to win
back what was lost and in darkness. Because of Jesus we can have new life,
abundant life, eternal life, and the creation will be made new! Wow!
As we move into the New Year, how will you respond to this good news of Jesus?
Benignly ignore him or actively pursue him? Here’s a potential tool that can help
you pursue Jesus in 2015:
A Disciple’s Journal: A guide for daily prayer, bible reading, and discipleship by Steve
Manskar. Steve is the director of Wesleyan Leadership for the General Board of
Discipleship of the United Methodist Church. Check the tool out on Amazon or
Cokesbury. See if it might the right tool for your 2015 journey in discipleship. I
already have my copy!
Peace and Joy,
Pastor Dan
GROW YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD: A Small Group Experience
The Bible is the bestselling book in history and yet it often remains confusing, misunderstood, and misapplied.
The Bible is a beautiful book and is beloved by millions yet it is also filled with violence and uncomfortable
texts and stories that become a barrier to the Christian faith.
Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today by Adam Hamilton seeks to help
us…make sense of the Bible. This DVD-based book study will meet for 6-weeks on Wednesday mornings and
Thursday evenings beginning January 14th and 15th concluding on February 18th and 19th. The Wednesday
group will meet from 10 – 11:30 a.m. The Thursday group will meet from 6:30 to 8pm.
Cost: $18.00 book (a kindle version is available for 11.99 on Amazon)
Registration: email Pat Crammer at [email protected] or use the Church Life Servant Sheet
Registration deadline is December 31st
For more information go to www.Youtube.com Making Sense of the Bible by Adam Hamilton
THANK YOU
Our Friends at Jefferson United Methodist Church,
We would like to thank you for all of your
thoughts and prayers during this difficult time for
our family. Thank you, too, for allowing us to use
the church as a place of gathering. We are blessed
to be a part of such a great church.
Sincerely,
Becky & TJ Furman
Dear Church Family,
Mary and I want to thank you for the prayers and
cards.
God bless,
Lee & Mary Daubenspeck
Thank you to all who have expressed your care &
concern for me in my recent diagnosis & I
appreciate the cards & prayers I’ve received. God
and the medical team are in control—how can that
go wrong? God bless all of you. Mary Howe
THANK YOU, TOO!
Dear Church Family,
David and I want to thank you for the prayers,
good wishes, phone calls and cards during David's
illness the past couple of weeks. It meant a lot to
know you all were there, and with us in prayer.
He is doing well now, according to his doctor. We
are hoping it is the last time he has to go through
having a DVT, or blood clot! Now, to get his
weight back up and his energy normal!
God bless you,
Deanna and David Blough
Dear Methodist Prayer Warriors,
Thank you for all your prayers and the cards sent
with such wonderful words of encouragement.
When I get a little down I reread the cards and my
heart is happy.
My brother Jim and I are both in treatment and
trusting in your prayers and the Lord.
Larry and I send you all our Very Best Wishes for a
Blessed Christmas.
Jean Carlson
FINISHING FINANCIALLY STRONG
Our 2014 General Operating Budget is $345,030.56. As
of December 15th, YTD revenues received are,
$316,749.81. This represents 92% of our general
operating budget needs. The balance needed to meet
100% of our budget is $28,280.75. Part of this figure
can be met through our Christmas Eve challenge
offering for the World Service Fund. If we raise
$3,000.00 an anonymous donor will provide a
matching $3,000.00! This will leave a balance of
$22,280.75 needed before December 31st to fully fund
our budget.
All this may seem a daunting task but we have seen
God’s people generously meet such goals before.
Please review your year-to-date giving. If you are upto-date, thank you. If you can go beyond your 2014
planned giving estimate, thank you! If you are behind,
we hope you can catch up. Thank you! Together we
can finish strong.
IMPACT 2015
If you have submitted your Impact 2015 Pledge, thank
you. If you have not had a chance to complete or
submit your Impact 2015 pledge card, it is not too late.
We need to hear from you as we begin the New Year.
Can you prayerfully consider stepping up your giving by
10%? If you need an Impact 2015 pledge card, please
contact Administrative Assistant Pat Cramer to request
one. Thank you.
BOOK CIRCLE NEWS
The evening book circle will meet Wednesday, January
14 at 6:30 at Norma Barton’s home (201 Woodside
Dr.). We’ll be discussing “Still Life” by Joy Fielding.
The daytime book circle will meet Thursday, Jan. 8 at
noon at Lorna Westlake’s home (1960 Dadeyville
Rd.) The book to be read is Hamburgers & Hot Dogs
about adult illiteracy, author Rob Schindler. Kathy
Housel can connect you with a copy of the book (5769425).
Both circles welcome you to join them!!
OUR BEAUTIFUL ORGAN IS READY!!
Chesapeake Organ Company has just been completed
work on our completely refurbished organ. All
components are in excellent working order (including
the chimes), and there are even three more ranks
added, providing a beautiful enhancement to our
organ. (A rank is a complete set of pipes, with each
pipe providing the pitches for each key on the
keyboard.) We’re certainly blessed to have this
project fully funded.
As the organ “settles in” to its new surroundings, our
organist, Sherry Martin, will be getting to know its
capabilities. Very preliminary plans are being
discussed to have a special organ concert sometime
in the new year to celebrate this tremendous
accomplishment. Thank you, God!!
CHRISTMAS GREETING!
Rev. Pat Christ and her husband, Roger, were
members here at JUMC when she received her call to
the ministry. A note of gratitude from them follows:
Hello Friends! As these holidays have approached,
we have been thinking of all the people who have
journeyed with us over the years. You all hold a
special place in these memories. You, though some
of you cannot place us and we won't know your faces,
still are our home church. You loved us, grew us,
cared for us and let us care for you. You prayed us
out into God's calling and supported us through
seminary. You are always a part of the "team" and
we offer God thanks for your presence in our lives.
May Christmas renew the Light in your hearts!
In Christian love, Roger and Pat Christ
177 N Firestone Blvd., Akron OH 44301
FROM THE MANNA FOOD PANTRY
Greetings to all the churches!
We had a successful Thanksgiving giveaway and now
our needs are going away from holiday food (stuffing,
turkeys, sweet potatoes, etc.) and back to the usual
items. We need spaghetti, boxed dinners, dried
beans, and bars of soap. These items would be
greatly appreciated. Hope everybody has a very
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Lorna Westlake
Manna Food Pantry
SCHEDULE FOR PREPARING FOR
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP
From Mary Howe,
Our Peace With Justice Rep
Please help us prepare for this wonderful
celebration. The Children’s Choir should be in the
Angel’s Wing at the church at 6:00 p.m. Christmas
Eve to practice. They’ll be able to sit with their
parents for the service.
Kinderchoir should be at the church at 6
p.m. They’ll also meet in the Angel’s Wing. (During
the worship service they will sit together as a
choir.)
In all the frenzy of this Christmas season, I hope you
each will be able to take time to sit and contemplate
Jesus and what He means to each of us— how He
spoke of and showed us the way to peace—only
through justice for all of us, regardless of our place
of birth, situation in life, position in the community,
etc. Mary Howe
POINSETTIAS
Thanks to those who ordered poinsettias. Please be
sure to pick them up following the 9:00 p.m.
Candlelight Christmas Eve service or as soon as
possible after that.
2015 FLOWER CALENDAR IS NOW POSTED
In the hallway outside the offices. Just write your
name down for the Sunday you’d like to provide
flowers. It’s your responsibility to order/provide the
flowers. The church office will call you that week to
ask how you’d like it noted in the bulletin.
UMW & SPIDERWEB JOIN TO CATER
DINNER FOR ASHTABULA COUNTY
RUNNERS’ CLUB
Saturday, January 10 at 6 p.m.
We’ve done this for several years,
with great success, and we’re ready to step
up again this year! If you can help set up
Friday night, January 9, help with the
cooking, serving & cleanup Saturday and/or
bake a pie or two, please sign up on today’s
Church Life Servant Sheet
THANKS FOR HELPING CHANGE THE WORLD!!
Once again, God has blessed our efforts to lift others in our community, our nation and the world IN
HIS NAME! Through our Craft Sale/Soup Luncheon, Silent Auction, store, and just the generosity of people,
we’ll be blessing the mission efforts of Orphan Relief and Rescue/Matthew Cramer in Liberia, CCO/Kelly
Cooke at the University of Pittsburgh, Spiderweb and the H2O Mission Team. Look for updates in future
newsletters about how this offering is changing lives!
Events, Groups & Classes in January
Sundays
8:30 a.m.
Traditional Worship Service
Sanctuary
Sundays
9:30 a.m.
Sunday Hospitality
Wesley Hall (gym)
Sundays
9:50 a.m.
Sunday School for all
Throughout the church
Sundays
11:00 a.m.
ENCOUNTER Contemporary Worship Sanctuary
Sundays
11:20 a.m.
SPARK! Worship for children
Angel’s Wing
Sundays (beginning January 18) 2-4:30 p.m. Confirmation classs
Youth Room
Tues. & Thurs. 5:00 p.m.
Strong Women Weights Class Angel’s Wing
Wednesdays
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Prayer Time
Prayer Room
Wednesdays
1-3 p.m.
Mary-Martha Circle
Disciples Room
Wednesdays
3:30-5:15 p.m. Adventure Club
Education Wing
Wednesdays
6:30 – 8 p.m. Infuse – Teen Youth Group
Youth Room
Wednesdays
7:00 p.m.
Chancel Choir
Sanctuary
Saturdays
7:15 a.m.
Men’s Breakfast Group
Mugs Restaurant
Sunday, Jan. 4
12:15 p.m.
Infuse Leadership Team meets
Youth room
Tues., Jan. 6 & 20
4-6:00
Christian Café
Wesley Hall
Thurs, Jan 8
12:30 p.m.
Lydia Daytime Book Circle
Lorna Westlake’s home (1960
Dadeyville Rd.)
Sat., Jan. 10
3:30-6:30
REAL8 Movie Day
meet at the church
Sun., Jan. 11
10:00 a.m.
Confirmation Information meting Sanctuary
Tues., Jan 13
noon
Table Talk
Angel’s Wing
Wed., Jan 14
noon
Women’s Evening Book Circle
Norma Barton’s home
Thurs., Jan. 15
7:00 p.m.
Memory Loss Support Group
Parlor
Sun., Jan. 20
2-11 p.m.
Teens go to Peek ‘n Peak
meet at church at 2 p.m.
Thurs.,Jan. 22
noon
R&R Luncheon
Angels’ Wing
Tues., Jan. 6
Mon, Jan. 12
Tues, Jan. 20
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Boards & Committees
Missions Committee
Administrative Board
Trustees
CONFIRMATION BEGINS JANUARY 18TH:
Angel’s Wing
Angel’s Wing
Parlor
Confirmation is a journey through which youth are invited to examine the Christian faith into which they
were baptized and, if they choose, to confirm, to claim, to own the Christian faith for themselves and
become Professing Members in the local church and the United Methodist Church worldwide.
The confirmation journey will begin on Sunday January 18th and continue to meet through May 6th. Sunday
gatherings will be from 2 to 4:30p.m. In addition to Sunday gatherings, Confirmands will attend a
Confirmation Weekend at Camp Asbury on February 6th – 8th. This weekend experience will host
Confirmands from around our East Ohio Conference.
Each Confirmand will choose an adult mentor with whom they we will meet each week. Mentors will walk
alongside youth as an example of Christian discipleship, offering emotional support and opportunities to
discuss the Christian faith.
Youth completing the confirmation journey and desiring to become Professing Members will be confirmed
and welcomed as Professing Members on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2015.
A confirmation informational meeting will be held in the Sanctuary on January 11 th, @ 10am. Additional
information will be provided as well as an opportunity for questions and answers.
The Prayer Closet
“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up,
Just as in fact you are doing.” From Paul I Thessalonians 5:11
Those in our church family:
Johnathan Hodgkinson
Mary Howe
Bill Greenlee
Julie Smith
Lisa Brail
Carole Wright
Delores Moore
Cody Ulrich
Friends & Family:
Julie Doll, Judi Huggins’ sister
Virginia Gamble and Debbie (lifted by Heather
Whetsell)
Mark Reagan (lifted by Loretta Colby)
Doug Stiles (lifted by Barbara Gildersleeve & Mike
Fenton)
George Piper (lifted by Deanna Blough)
Jean Hubard (lifted by Joe & Dee Miller)
John & Esther Miller, (Joe & Dee Miller’s brother
and sister-in-law
Dale Weir, Marilyn Weir’s son
John & Esther Miller – Joe Miller’s brother
Jean Hubard –(lifted by Dee Miller)
Ealline Blair (lifted by Pat Cramer)
Ella Lester (lifted by Jan Burgoon)
Jennell & Glenn III Jackson and their unborn child,
(lifted by Glenn & Danielle Jackson)
Susan Hewitt (lifted by Heather Whetsell)
Michael Parish (lifted by Marty Cephas)
PICK UP YOUR NEXT ISSUE
OF THE UPPER ROOM THIS SUNDAY!!
Copies of the January & February Upper
Room are available at both ends of the sanctuary, as
well as the lobby area off Wesley Hall (the gym).
(We will continue to mail out issues to those in
college, the military and shutins. If you know
someone who would appreciate receiving it, just
call the church office.)
Those who are mourning:
The family of Ardith DeBow following her death
The family of Della Smith following her death
The family of John Z following his death (lifted by
Lisa Ebersole)
The family of Brenda K. Mizer Mahoney following
her death (Tim & Sue Mizer’s niece)
The family of Edward Amato following his death
(Fred & Joy Ebersole’s brother-in-law)
Those who are experiencing special times in their
lives:
Adrienne Bowers, granddaughter of Neil and
Meredith Coleman, who recently graduated from
basic training in the Navy and is not going to school
for Nuclear Engineering at Goose Creek, SC
Pastor Quincy Wheeler, who recently shared he is in
a dating relationship with a young Christian woman,
Audrey
Pastor Dan and Gigi, as their daughter, Liz, will
marry Nathan Hadley on January 1
REMEMBER OUR SHUTINS
Please remember our nursing home residents and
shutins by visiting, phoning or sending a card. If you
know of anyone who is not on this list, please
contact Barb Heath, our Senior Coordinator.
Vera Brenneman and Ruby Hruska-Williams,
reside at Jefferson Healthcare Center, 222 E. Beech
St., Jefferson, OH 44047 Ph: 576-0060.
Robert Janson and Ardith DeBow reside at the
Ashtabula County Nursing Home. Kingsville, OH
44048. Ph: 1-224-2161.
Eleanor Ferguson resides at Country Club
Estates, 925 E. 26th Street, Ashtabula, OH 44004
Mary Russell resides at Silver Sands Shared
Residence 3418 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, OH 44004
Ph 992-9773
Thelma Hoffman (536-3018) resides at
Saybrook Landing, 2300 Center Rd., Ashtabula, OH
44004
SHARING THE MINISTRY IN January 2015
8:30 Service
11:00 Service
Acolyte
Jan.
4
11
18
25
Samuel Housel
Dylan Sheldon
Suzie Hall
Bodey Beckwith
Jan.
4
Greeters (8:30)
Encounter Hospitality (11:00)
Sheldon Family, Doreen
Paul & Bonnie Kennedy
Cole, Dave Flaum
Café Hospitality (8:30)
Barb Johns
Tyler Buemi
Lizzie Daly
Josh Furman
Steven Graham
Café Hospitality (11:00)
Jan.
4 The Steve Miller Family
11 Regina Burk
18 Marty Cephas
25 Debbie Bumgarner
Ushers
(8:30) Bill Painter, Bruce Chapman
(11:00) Judi Huggins, Jim Watson
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
4
11
18
25
Liturgist (8:30)
Ron Ensell
Tom Avsec
Hannah Gage
Nancy Williams
Nursery (11:00)
Phil Spencer
Courtney Leininger
Nita Mountjoy
Pam Gran
4
11
18
25
Techs
Will & Cody Ulrich
Neil Coleman & Rob Ebersole
Cody Ulrich & Dan Claypool
Kevin Burke
Will Ulrich & Tom Avsec
Rob Ebersole & Neil Coleman
Cody Ulrich, Dan Claypool
Neil Coleman, Buzz Sly
Friday Afternoon office helpers
SPARK! Helpers (11:00)
2
Sue Mizer
Jan.
4
Gigi Bilkert
9
Leeanne Fasuk
11
Michael Brail
16
Madge Lehnert
18
Katy Profeta
23
Norma Barton
25
Nita Mountjoy
COME TO OUR SECOND SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON
JANUARY 12!!
Right after the 11:00 worship service.
Come share a meal and conversation! Get to know new people, share old
friendships. Open to everyone in our church family, this is just a chance to
relax a bit and have a good time. Bring a side dish or dessert – Martha
Lamson and her team will be providing chili and cornbread! Beverages and
place settings will be provided.
Here’s a list of folks who have
birthdays in January:
(If you'd like your birthday
listed, just call the church
office.)
Jan. 1 Kendra Rodgers
1 Michael Nelson
2 Jim Nizen
3 Dexter Norris
4 James Cramer
JoAnn Jackson
5 Amanda Amsdell
8 Sue Murphy
Daniel Miller
Joel Nelson
9 Terra Writz
10Ruby Hruska-Williams
Robert Munz
11Matthew Wagner
13Sheri Busch
14Rainey Fleming
15Ann Marrison
17Jeremy Stiles
18Betty Martin
20 Linc Jerome
Mary Spencer
Amelia Hodgkinson
21Nicholas Bishop
23George Smith
24Lynn Hawkins
26Dave Litwiler
27Anne Hobson
28Dan Loomis
Laurie Locy
Betty Johns
Scott Bumgarner
31Caitlynn Leary
Marty Cephas
FROM
FROM KELLY COOKE, in mission to students at the University of Pittsburgh
Thanks so much for your support of this ministry to college athletes at the University of Pittsburgh. We
deeply appreciate your partnership in this work.
Students are growing as followers of Christ. They are taking up Jesus’ call to “Come, follow me, and I will
send you out to fish for people. This past month in Panther Fellowship we’ve been exploring what it
means to follow Christ. It has been exciting to see students grow in their faith as they learn how to follow.
Recently, I asked some students about their experience this semester.
“What have you been learning this semester about following Jesus?
T (Gymnastics):
“I’ve been learning how to glorify God through ALL aspects of my life.”
H (Track):
“I’ve been learning more in depth what it means to be God’s child. I’ve always
known this, but now I am actually exploring what that means.”
A (Volleyball):
“I’ve learned that my relationship with Christ should be at the center of my life and
everything I do.”
A (Tennis):
“I’ve been learning that I don’t follow Christ alone. There are others supporting me
and reminding me to put my faith in Christ.”
Please continue to pray for T, H, A and A (and other student athletes) as they grow in the knowledge and
love of Christ.
Dear Friends of Jefferson UMC
Thank you all so much for you continued love and support for my family and our work in Liberia. The Ebola
crisis forced our evacuation from Liberia in August. Through the last few months our Liberian staff have
managed to keep our projects running and have kept all of the children we work with healthy and safe.
As we turn our eyes to the future I will be returning to Liberia early in January to continue my work with
Orphan Relief and Rescue. It is estimated that 4,000 children have been orphaned by the Ebola outbreak
and Orphan Relief and Rescue is putting together another safe home where these children can come and
be cared for until long term arrangements can be made. Our organization is needed now more than ever
as we tend to the most vulnerable children in orphanages and support the government of Liberia in their
efforts to protect children.
I will be returning in late February to bring the rest of my family to Liberia. While I am home we will host a
dinner at the church so that you can all be updated on Orphan Relief and Rescue’s work.
Peace and joy to you this Christmas,
Matthew Cramer