Jefferson United Methodist Church
125 East Jefferson Street
Jefferson, OH 44047
440-576-4561
[email protected]
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Non Profit Org
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Jefferson, OH
44047
Permit #7
LOVE GOD
LOVE OTHERS
SERVE THE WORLD
February 20, 2015
ISSUE 2
V OLUME 41
COVENANT DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS
Following Jesus is a “group thing”
How can I grow closer to Jesus?
How can I position my life for greater transformation?
How can we help one another?
Join us for a “Come and See” dinner
Good food
Hear stories from current
Covenant Discipleship Group participants
Ask questions
Consider an invitation to grow in Christian Discipleship
Monday, March 9th 6 – 7:15 p.m.
Angel’s Wing
To Register See: Church Life Servant Sheet
Dear Church family,
March, 2015
The frigid temperatures and icy conditions take their toll on equipment and people. They
also take their toll on worship attendance and church finances. We understand that
wisdom dictates a safe approach to winter weather conditions and that will, at times,
mean people and families do not attend worship. That said, the mission, ministry, and
support requirements of JUMC continue. Our fiscal operating carryover from 2014 has
been significantly depleted. Bills for snow removal, building insurance, quarterly taxes,
salaries, and higher utilities are part of our normal January/February costs. In addition, an
essential repair to our Wesley Hall furnace cost of $1,768. Jerry March, our business and
building manager, has requested that all non-essential spending cease for the next 30 to
60 days. Our staff will comply with this. We will stay on top of this concern but we also
want you to be aware as well.
While you may have missed some Sunday mornings and the opportunity to financially
support your Church, we hope and encourage you to stay current with your pledge. If you
do not pledge, it can be easier to simply skip your support when not in worship. We hope
you will not do this. Mission, ministry, and operational costs continue whether one is
present or not. It takes all of us working and giving together to fiscally empower JUMC.
Financial generosity is one part of our vows of professing membership. Thank you for
taking this seriously.
Financial support can be given on Sunday but also mailed in or dropped off during the
week. Electronic giving is always beneficial in that it arrives regardless of weather, illness,
vacation, etc.
JUMC is a generous family. We thank you for your ongoing support and shared concern.
In Jesus, for Jesus, and through Jesus,
Pastor Dan
Pastor Dan
February 28th Training Event: Bridges Out of Poverty…and More
You can still register!
Helplessness & hopelessness break people, birth and propagate
poverty, and diminish communities. The 2014 United States
Census dates reports that 18.7% of Ashtabula County residents
live below the poverty level. Jefferson Township has a poverty
rate of 7.9%.
The church of Jesus Christ is in the help-giving and hope-building
“business.” We believe that Jesus Christ came to redeem human
lives, to set people free, and empower them to become fully
human and alive people. But the church needs help in
understanding the hidden values of middleclass life and the
hidden values that shape a life in chronic, generational poverty. The church needs be equipped so it
can become a redeeming community of hope and empowerment for the poor.
Please join us on February 28th, 9a.m. – 2p.m. for Bridges Out of Poverty…and More: An Equipping
Event. Our presenter and trainer is Rev. Dr. Ken Price. Ken is a certified Bridges Out of Poverty
presenter, but even more, he lives out the redeeming and empowering love of Jesus through his home
church, Park UMC in Kenmore, Ohio. He not only knows about poverty, he comes alongside it, and
along with his Church family, leads people to economic liberation, hope, and dignity…all rooted in Jesus
Christ. In addition to Bridges Out of Poverty, you’ll hear about Gett’n Ahead in a Just Gett’n by World,
and Jobs for Life.
Who should attend? Anyone working with our food ministries, children and youth ministries, mission
teams, and any who simply wants to better understand the local church as a missional community that
offers help and hope for liberation rooted in Jesus Christ. Make a reservation to attend this event on
Sunday’s Church Life Servant Sheet or by calling the church office. A simple luncheon will be served,
so we need to have an idea of how many will be attending.
PLEASE COME TO MATTHEW CRAMER’S ANNUAL INFORMATIONAL DINNER
Thursday, February 26 at 6 p.m. In The Angel’s Wing
Matthew returned to Liberia January 1 and will be back here for one week at the end of February
to take his family to Liberia, probably for a year. Now that the Ebola crisis has passed, it is safe
for them to all return. While there, Matthew has been busy checking on all of the orphanages
they work with, meeting with government officials about starting another transition home for
children who have now been orphaned by Ebola and trying to get the children prepared for
school, which is due to start in March.
Please come enjoy a simple meal of soup, salad, bread and dessert and hear stories from
Matthew. This surely has been an extraordinarily difficult year for all the people of Liberia. What
a rare opportunity to talk to someone who has been there recently. Also, you’ll have a chance to
say goodbye to them all. They are planning to return to Ohio in early 2016.
LOVE GOD
LOVE OTHERS
SERVE THE WORLD
.
One Great Hour of Sharing
Sunday, March 15
Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing
underwrite our United Methodist Committee on
Relief’s (UMCOR) “costs of doing business.” That
means that 100 percent of every dollar you give
to UMCOR programs helps some of the world’s
most vulnerable people. UMCOR does not take
anything from designated gifts to cover home
office administrative costs because of the broad
support that United Methodists provide through
this annual offering. UMCOR is a good steward
of God’s gifts. Offering gifts over and above
those used to cover administrative costs are
channeled where they are most needed – to
assist the most vulnerable people.
Once a year, during One Great Hour of Sharing,
you and your congregation join other United
Methodists by participating in this special
offering to support humanitarian aid through
UMCOR. When catastrophes cause suffering,
your church – impelled by Jesus’ love and
compassion – will bring healing, hope and a
place of refuge!
Help Us Remember our Young People
In College and the Military
March 4 at 6:30 pm.
Our teens will be preparing goodie boxes for
people in our church family who are in college or
the military. You can help by making a batch of
cookies or donating any other kind of snack-type
item. Just drop off your donation at the church
office.
Mark Your Calendar For Our Next
Second Sunday Fellowship Luncheon
March 8 at 12:15 p.m.
Come to lunch the second Sunday of every month
to 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 – table service and
drinks will be provided. We’ll be enjoying Martha
Lamson’s homemade meatloaf and baked
potatoes.
LOVE GOD
R&R’S HAVE GREAT PLANS
Thursday, February 26 at noon
At Chili Piaz right here in town!!
The Retirement and Recreation Fellowship group
will get together for lunch at Chili Piaz. With the
weather being so unpredictable, I thought it best
that we stay close to home!
Please make your reservations on Sunday’s Church
Life Servant Sheet or by calling me at 576-5716 or
the church office at 576-4561.
Barb Heath, Sr. Coordinator
Come Get Away From It All!
If you’re looking for a wonderful experience,
we’ve got just the retreat weekend for you. It’s
called a Koinonia weekend, and is sponsored by a
non-denominational group of Christians, Koinonia of
Lake County. Many in our church have attended and
ALL count it as a fantastic experience.
On the weekend you’ll hear talks given by lay
people and pastors, grow and share with others in
your Christian walk. “These weekends are another
way for Christ to bind us closer to him – they’re a
wonderful mountaintop experience,” shares Ron
Cramer, who has been on a Koinonia weekend.
The men’s weekend will be Friday evening,
April 10-12 and the women’s weekend will be
Friday evening, May 15-17. If you’d like to learn
more, just call Ron or Pat Cramer at 858-2256.
THANK YOU!
Dear Pastor Dan,
Thank you for the beautiful service for my husband,
Donald. To the congregation, thank you for your
prayers, support and phone calls. Thank you to the
lovely ladies who provided the delicious luncheon.
God sent you on of his richest blessings when he
sent you Pastor Dan. May God continue to bless
JUMC. Patricia Laird and Family
Dear JUMC,
My name is Jacqueline and I currently take part in a
once-per-week bible study conducted by Kelly
Cooke. It is due to your continued support of Kelly
and her family that our special meetings can
continue. Thanks again,
Jacqueline
LOVE OTHERS
SERVE THE WORLD
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, March 29th. Here are the opportunities of the week:
 Palm Sunday, 8:30 worship: Children’s Parade of Palms
 Palm Sunday, 10 a.m. Children/Family Activity in Wesley Hall – Easter egg decorating, cross
weaving, caterpillar & butterfly craft, story-time (Look for more details in next month’s newsletter
and future bulletins about this event.)
 Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday, April 2, 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Drama entitled “An Easter
Reflection”
 Good Friday, April 3: Community Ecumenical Walk of the Cross, (time), begins at 1st Baptist Church
at 6 p.m.
 Easter Morning, April 5th: Youth Sunrise Worship, 7am; Easter Breakfast, 7:45 a.m.; Easter
Worship, 8:30 a.m.; 9:50 a.m. Sunday School; Easter Worship, 11 a.m.
To Our Friends at Jefferson United Methodist Church,
It’s been a busy winter for the H2O Missions team as we continue to deal
with concerns like broken furnaces, electrical issues, window/door repair,
and lack of hot water. Helping residents of Ashtabula County stay warmer,
safer, and drier is the goal of this organization and the harsh months of
January and February have been challenging. Our efforts are possible
because of the generosity and hard work of many people including the
members of this congregation and the Change the World ministry.
Your donation of $1574.22 has been hard at work in this county, and we thank you for every penny of it.
With God’s guidance, we look ahead to a spring and summer filled with more opportunities to serve Him
by serving others.
We invite everyone to get involved with H2O Missions in Ashtabula County. Time commitments can vary
from once a month to once a year, or anywhere in between, depending on your schedule. We’d be
blessed to add you or your group to our volunteer list. You can help whenever you feel you have some
time to offer. Please consider joining our team. We can really use your help!
May God lead your path,
H2O Missions, Inc.
EAST OHIO SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES
Parents, our primary job in parenting our children is to help them discover Jesus and grow in a committed
relationship with him. Our East Ohio Conference Summer Camps can help! From First Grade through
high school seniors, our camps offer a wide variety of day to weeklong camp experiences all geared to
empower your child to have a deep and deepening relationship with Christ.
Here’s a quote from Kathy Housel about their experience with United Methodist Summer Camps: “As a
parent, the best part of our kids attending Camp Asbury was knowing they were learning about God while
in a fun and caring environment. The counselors were all college students and were very outgoing. It also
was a break from all of the electronics our kids think are a necessary part of life. Sam said his favorite
memory from camp was going on the mudslide and Kiden's favorites were the night walk, sleeping under
the stars and making pottery.”
Brochures and registration materials are available in the Church Office. Get your information and plan
now for your child’s/youth’s incredible encounter with nature, Scripture, friends, and Jesus. Registration
LOVE GOD
LOVE OTHERS SERVE THE WORLD
deadline is May 1st.
Events, Groups & Classes in March
Sundays
8:30 a.m.
Worship Service
Sanctuary
Sundays
9:30 a.m.
Café Hospitality
Wesley Hall (gym)
Sundays
9:50 a.m.
Sunday School for all
Throughout the church
Sundays
11:00 a.m. ENCOUNTER Worship
Sanctuary
Sundays
11:20 a.m. SPARK! Worship for children
Youth Room
Mon. & Thurs.
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. March 2, 5, 9, 12, 16 & 19 Easter Candymaking workshop Kitchen
Tues. & Thurs.
5:00 p.m.
Strong Women Weights Class
Angel’s Wing
Wednesdays
9:00 a.m.
Prayer Time
Prayer Room
Wednesdays
10:00 a.m. Counterfeit gods study
Angel’s Wing
Wednesdays
1-3 p.m.
Mary-Martha Circle
Disciples Room
Wednesdays
3:40-5:15 p.m.
Adventure Club
Education Wing
Wednesdays
6:30 – 8 p.m. INFUSE Teens meet
Youth Room
Wednesdays
7:00 p.m.
Chancel Choir
Sanctuary
Thursdays
6:30 p.m.
Counterfeit gods
Angel’s Wing
Saturdays
7:15 a.m.
Men’s Breakfast Group
Mugs Restaurant
Tues., March 3 & 17 4-6:00
Christian Café
Wesley Hall
Sun., March 8
12:15 p.m. Second Sunday Luncheon
Angels’ Wing
Mon., March 9
6 – 7:15
Covenant Discipleship Group Come & See Dinner Angel’s Wing
Tues., March 10
noon
Table Talk
Wesley Hall
Wed., March 11
6:30 p.m.
Evening Book Circle
Norma Barton’s home 201 Woodside
Thurs, March 12
12:30 p.m. Lydia Daytime Book Circle Madge Lehnert’s home 114 E. Erie, #14
Thurs., March 19 7:00 p.m.
Memory Loss Support Group
Parlor
Sun., March 22 & 29
EASTER CANDY FOR SALE
Wesley Hall
Wed., March 25
3:35 p.m.
OUR LAST ADVENTURE CLUB!!
Education Wing
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPARE 5 QT. ICE CREAM PAILS??
OUR KITCHEN IS ALWAYS IN NEED OF THEM!
JUST DROP THEM OFF ANYTIME. THANK YOU!!!
Christian Café – a Vital,
Year-Round Ministry Here
It is truly our privilege to prepare and serve meals to
an average of 150 people through our Christian
Café Meals Ministry, which is held on the first & third
Tuesday of each month from 4-6 p.m.. As well as
the meal that’s served here, approximately 40 meals
are taken to shut ins in our community; it’s a chance
for them to connect with someone and enjoy a tasty,
home cooked meal.
Donations of fresh & canned fruit (commercial sized cans are great!), and desserts are always
welcome. Just bring your donation to the kitchen. Help is always appreciated in the
preparation, serving and cleanup for our meals. Call the church office if you’d like to be a
helper.
LOVE GOD
LOVE OTHERS
SERVE THE WORLD
WOMEN’S NEWS
Women’s Book Circles Meet
THANK YOUS
The Evening Book Circle will meet at the home of
Norma Barton (201 Woodside Dr.) March 11 at 6:30
p.m. They’ll be discussing “Call the Midwife” by
Jennifer Worth.
The Lydia Daytime Book Circle will meet at the
home of Madge Lehnert (114 E. Erie St., #14) at
noon on Thursday, March 13 at 12:30 p.m. to
discuss “The Lost Wife” by Alyson Richman. Bring
your own lunch.
Both book circles welcome new members. Just
come!!
Come To Our Easter Candymaking
Workshops
Mondays, March 2, 9 & 16 &
Thursdays, March 5, 12 & 19
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Once again UMW will be making delectable sweet
treats for Easter. Come join in the fun of making all
kinds of chocolates – fancy and simple – under the
direction of Judi Huggins, master chocolatier! No
matter what your skill level is, Judi can put you to
work!! This is a great way to learn a new skill, and
share in a time of friendship with others.
Come to some or all of the workshops – you’ll be
welcomed.
Please Take An Easter Basket
And fill it with anything you like, then bring it back
to be part of our United Methodist Women’s Easter
Basket Silent Auction. Baskets will be out in Wesley
Hall (or you can use your own) on Sunday, March 8.
They should be returned and ready to auction by
Friday, March 20. Bids will be taken Sunday, March
22 through March 29, just in time for Easter!!
Remember Our Vow of Witness, Invite a F.R.A.N.
to Worship
FRAN = Friends,
Neighbors.
Relatives,
Acquaintances,
LOVE GOD
and
LOVE OTHERS
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your
100% payment of Shared Ministry Funds.
Your
commitment has allowed the East Ohio Conference to
receive its highest pay-in amount in 20 years! The church’s
continued efforts are blessing lives near and far.
Thank you again,
Jessica Vargo, Conference Treasurer
Dear Ladies,
I wanted to thank you for the wonderful lunch you provided
after my mother’s service. I appreciate all you have done
for our family.
God bless you all,
Tammy Wludyga McTrusty
Dear Ladies,
Thank you so very much for the lovely luncheon you
provided for our family. Your kindness is very much
appreciated. We were so thankful to be able to gather
together to share a meal and wonderful memories of my
mom. We all grew up in Jefferson – thank you for allowing
us to come “home” again.
With blessings and thankfulness,
The family of Beverly Wludyga
Jefferson United Methodist Church family,
Thank you so much for your prayers, cards, phone calls and
visits. Thank you, Pastor Dan, for your visits, calls, prayers
and being there for me. I believe in prayer and that your
prayers healed me, as there petitioned to God, He healed
me. I’m recovering and doing well. I’m really blessed to
have you as my church family and friends. I give all the
praise and glory to god and His son whom he sent down to
die on the cross for my sins and yours.
Always, a Friend in Jesus,
Rosalie Shadle
Dear church family,
Thank you for the many lovely birthday and get well cards,
texts, emails, calls and visits from Pastor Dan and Gigi in the
hospital. I am overwhelmed by your caring kindness, and
prayers. You are awesome!
Love in Christ,
Heather Whetsell.
Thank you all again for all the prayers, cards, visits, gifts
during my course of chemo treatments. I’ve had a couple
of “blips” this month, but still on schedule to be done with
the chemo phase by mid-March, then on to surgery &
eventually radiation treatments—all to be completed in
June, I think. Mary Howe
SERVE THE WORLD
March 1
8
15
22
29
March 1
8
15
22
29
SHARING THE MINISTRY IN MARCH, 2015
8:30 Service
11:00 Service
Acolyte
Dylan Sheldon
Matthew Miller
Suzie Hall
Ava Leininger
Bodey Beckwith
Thomas Miller
Cameron Hall
Christian Graham
Kiden Housel
Collin Rodgers
Techs
Cody & Will Ulrich
Every week:
Cody Ulrich & Dan Claypool
Rob Ebersole &
Will Ulrich & Tom Avsec
Neil Coleman
Cody Ulrich & Dan Claypool
Cody Ulrich & Tom Avsec
Hospitality (8:30) Bruce & LouAnn Chapman, Lee & Cheryl
DeyErmand, Dave & Chris Lehnert
Hospitality (11:00) The Johnathan & Pamela Hodgkinson Family
March 1
8
15
22
29
March 1
8
15
22
29
Liturgists (8:30)
Marty Cephas
Miki Gage
John King
Greg Housel
Ron Ensell
Nursery (11:00)
Phil Spencer
Courtney Leininger
Nita Mountjoy
Pam Gran
Café Hospitality (8:30)
Café Hospitality (11:00)
Joyce Zigmont
The Steve Miller Family
Pam Zack
Regina Burk
Ron Ensell
Marty Cephas
Barry Humes & Annette Paul
Debbie Bumgarner
Nancy Hamper
Pat Cramer
Communion Stewards
(8:30) Linda Springer
(11:00) Bonnie Kennedy
Ushers
Friday Afternoon Helpers
(8:30) Linc Jerome, Mark Hoffman March
13
Regina Burk
(11:00) Jim Watson, Marty Cephas
20
Sue Mizer
Spark
March 1 Vicki Wright
8 Leeanne Fasuk
15 Kathy Housel
22 Greg Housel
29 Gigi Bilkert
The following folks have
birthdays in March:
(If you'd like your birthday
listed, just call the
church office.)
1
2
4
5
Ron Watson
Don Sotka
Dave Flaum
Mike Czayka
Savannah Johnson
6 Christian Ward
Glenn Jackson, Jr.
7 Claire Loveland
9 Melissa Sowry
Joy Sirrine
10Aubrey Waldo
Mark Sowry
11Steve Miller
12Vicki Wright
13Marion Peck
Rick Zack
Alexis Northrop
Linda Springer
14Rebecca Smith
15 Heather Sowry
16E. Lloyd Behr
Carol Bragga
17 Josh Arrington
18 Brittney Roden
19Cliff Currier
Jo Buell
21Gary Phillips
22Virginia Searcy
Michael Phillips
Thomas Gage
25Alex Czayka
26Tyler Locy
27Ben Allen
28 Lauri Allen
29Paul Bishop
30KayAnn Brabender
FROM OUR PEACE WITH JUSTICE PERSON, Mary Howe.
The following is from a daily devotional I receive from
Sojourner –Verse of the Day -- God shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall
beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against
nation, neither shall they learn war any more. - Isaiah 2:4
Voice of the Day -- War is what happens when language fails. -Margaret Atwood
Prayer of the Day -- While we sat in darkness, Lord Jesus Christ, you interrupted us with your life. Make us, your
people, a holy interruption so that by your Spirit's power we may live as a light to the nations, even as we stumble
through this world's dark night. Amen. - Common Prayer
The Prayer Closet
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for
this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” From Paul, 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Those in our church family:
Virginia Searcy
Rosalie Shadle
Mary Spencer
Mary Howe
Crystal Johnson
Jan Searcy
Larry Vlock
Johnathan Hodgkinson
Heather Whetsell
Will Huggins
Gerald Berrier
Barbara Geiswite
Scott Allen
Vera Brenneman
Friends and Family:
Roy Brown, Betty Parker’s brother
Michael, Darlene Ford’s nephew
Barb Elliott (lifted by Tom & Carole Wright)
Marilyn Mick (lifted by Carole
Wright)
Tom Henson (lifted by John & Judy Kampf and Deann
Wendell)
John Laurila, Bruce chapman’s brother-in-law
Nancy Wilson, Ruth Rea’s sister-in-law
Keith Gorby (lifted by Mary Spencer)
Chereyle Williams (Cheryl Perez’s ex-mother-in-law)
Jacob, Laurie Burke’s nephew
REMEMBER OUR SHUTINS
Please remember our nursing home residents 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, Virginia Searcy and Ruby HruskaWilliams, reside at Jefferson Healthcare Center, 222 E.
Beech St., Jefferson, OH 44047 Ph: 576-0060.
Robert Janson resides at the Ashtabula County
Nursing Home. Kingsville, OH 44048. Ph: 1-224-2161.
Eleanor Ferguson and Barb Hillyer reside at
Country Club Estates, 925 E. 26th Street, Ashtabula, OH
44004
Thelma Hoffman and Mary Russell (536-3018)
reside at Saybrook Landing, 2300 Center Rd., Ashtabula,
OH 44004
LOVE GOD
LOVE OTHERS
Those in mourning:
The family of JoAnn Cochran following her death
(lifted by Deanna Blough)
The family of Doc Waters following his death
The family of Vine Lipps following her death
The family of Gordon Emerson following his death
The family of Roger Mericka following his death
(Laurie Burke’s cousin)
The family of Bob Lux following his death (lifted
by the Leininger Family and Elizabeth & Cooper
McMannes)
The family of Hannah Sundberg following her
death (lifted by Virginia March
The family of Buddy Bennett following his death
(Pauline Pishner’s brother)
Those celebrating special times in their lives
Kaydence Lynn Crawford, newborn daughter of Ben
and Stacey (McConnell) Crawford
Ruby Ebersole, newborn daughter of Fred & Julie
Ebersole and granddaughter of Fred and Joy Ebersole
HELPER NEEDED FOR OUR CHILDREN’S
ACTIVITY BAG MINISTRY
Each Sunday children from toddlers through sixth
grade can pick up an age-appropriate color-coded
activity bag either in the front entry (Friendship Hall)
or the Parlor Lobby. Inside each bag are books, small
toys, an activity paper based on the scripture reading
for the day, etc. Children can enjoy quiet time in the
pew during worship, and parents can relax a bit and
focus on the service.
The bags are checked regularly to be sure they’re
stocked and ready for the children. Currently Danielle
Jackson does this, but she’d appreciate some help. if
you think you’d like to plug in with Danielle, please
check out Sunday’s Church Life Servant sheet or call
her at 563-3338.
COPIES OF THE NEWLY PRINTED 2015
TELEPHONE & ADDRESS DIRECTORY
ARE NOW AVAILABLE. PICK UP YOUR
COPY THIS SUNDAY!!!
SERVE THE WORLD