Aprll, May, & June 20L4
St. John/St. Paul Lutheran Church
Messenger
Rev. Rlchard R. Gordon, Pastor Ann Streharcky, Office Secretary
FROM THE PASIOR My Dear
friends in Christ,
time ago my daughter, Aly, sent me the following by way of the internet. I really enjoyed it and and found it really thought provoking on several levels. At the time I made a mental note to share this with all my SISP friends. I hope you enjoy it too and g'ive
Mission Statement
Some
it
some thought.
Thanki ng Cod
for
you, . .
WHAT HAPPENS
Pr.
IN
Ri ck
.
I
dreamt that I went to Heaven and an ange'l was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a l arge workroom f i I I ed wi th angel s . My ange-l gui de stopped in front of the first section and said, "This is the Receiv'ing Section. Here, all petitions to God
said in prayer are received."
I
looked around in this area, and it was terrib'ly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.
a -long corridor until we reached
The angel then said to me, "This is the Packaging and De-l i ve ry Secti on . He re , the g races and b1 essi ngs the people asked for are processed and delivered to the 'living persons who asked for them." I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many ange'ls working
hard
at that station, since so many blessings
been requested and were bei ng packaged delivery to Earth.
God's saving grace in Jesus Christ. Our mission is to grolv in faith, Iove, and obedience to God as we are empowered through the Word and Sacraments by the HoIy Spirit. To carry out this mission, we:
HEAVEN WHEN WE PRAY?
This is one of the nicest e-mails I have seen and is so true:
Then we moved on down the second section.
St. John/St. PauI Lutheran Church is a community of Christians bound together in joy and thanksgiving by
had
for
Nurture one another in
the
Faith,
.
Evangelize all people,
.
Worship God, and
.
Serve those in need.
lnside this issue:
Report
1-3
Pastor G.P.S.
4
EASTER SCHEDULE
5
News to the Pews
6-7
Thank You
7
Easter Flower
8
100th Year
9-10
An niversa ries
tt tI
Calendars
L2-1.4
Schedules
15
Birthdays
Page2
Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, on-ly one ange'l was seated there, idly doing nothing.. "This is the Acknowledgment Sectiofl," my angel f riend quietly adm'itted to me. He seemed embarrassed. "How
is it that there is
no work going on here?
"I
asked.
"So sad," the angel sighed. "After peop-le receive the blessings asked for, very few send back acknowledgments." "How does one acknowledge God's blessings?
"I
that
they
asked.
"Simp1e," the angel answered. Just s?Y, "Thank You, Lord." "tdhat blessings should they acknowledge?"
I
asked.
"If
you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a p-lace to s-leep, you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, 'in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy"' you get this on your own computer, you are part world who has that opportunity." "And
if
of the t% tn the
you woke up this morning with more health than illness, You are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day."
"If
you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... You are ahead of 700 mi I I i on peop-le i n the worl d. "
"If
you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, drrest, torture or death, you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion
"If
peop-le i
n the worl
d. "
"If your parents are still alive and still married....you are very rare." "If you can hold your head up and smi1e, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair...'..." 0k, what now? How can I start? If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all. Have a good day, count your blessiflgs, and if you care tOn pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.
Page 3
ATTN: Acknowledge Dept.
for g'iving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people with whom to share it." If you have read thi s far, and are thankful for al I that you have been blessed with, how can you not send it on??? I thank God for everyth'ing, "Thank you, Lord,
especi a'l1y a1-l my fami 1y and f
To the Members
of
of St. lohn,/St.
ri
ends
Paul
.
,
Christ had her rnost remarkable growth and spiritual the first 50 years of her existence. My favorite description "early of this Church" is written in Acts 2: 44-47 which reads:
The Church success in
Jesus
"All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.Day by day, ds they spent much tinre together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the peop1e." This still holds true for the modern church and for our St. JohnlSt. Paul congregation. 0ur life and mission together depends on our willingness (each of us) to be together as often as we can for worship, fellowship and mutual support. h/e need to see each other in worship, study, fellowsh'ip and ministry opportunities. If we want our church to live we need to provide the life. We also need to be generous and steadfast in providing the resources we need to not only pay the bills, but to reach out beyond ourselves. Faithful and committed Stewardship of our talents and treasure is an ever increasing need as we have shared at the annual nreeting on March 2 when passed
a
20L4 Budget
with a potential $50,000 deficit.
we
have said so many times and in so many ways, the people of SISP are some of the finest people and Christians I have had the blessing of knowing in life. This alone is reason to do all we can to keep our wonderful congregation vital and moving forward. We cannot control the future but we can all do what we can to embrace the reality of the present "with glad and generous hearts meeting together."
As
I
So, see you each and every Sunday morning and make it a point "find favor" with others by inviting them to come as well. Tell people about our Traditional and GPS /JAZZ worship services, our extraordinary choirs, our beautiful worship area and introduce them to our wonder people. tr/e are
"in
God's hands" and we are God's hands.
See You
In
Church.
Pr.
Rick
Page 4
OUR SISP LENTEN SERIES
will be offered
at our GPS Sunday Service in the season of Lent (M ar. 9 , 1,6, 23,3 0, Apr. 6 and 13). We will follow the GPS format featuring the wonderful talents of The Acid Cats but will offer interactive discussions on Lenten Themes. So, we encourage YOU to plan to focus on Lent at our GPS service at L l, AM during the 201.4 Season of Lent. G,P.S.
Lenten Topics
March 23 - What is right about RIGHTEOUSNESS? March 3 0 - If |esus saves, what is salvation? April 6 - How tempting is Temptation? April 13 - Can we talk about the "Theology of the Cross?"
The Church grows and the gospel is spread primarily by word of mouth. As Christians we all share the responsibility to invite and encourage others to join us in worship, service, learning and faith formation. GPS is a unique and presently evolving experience of Christian worship and fellowship. PLEASE help SISP reach out to those who need to receive the Gospel and a sense of God's guidance in their lives.
Page 5
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SCHEDULE
Thursday. 7:30 17 ffi April s servi ce I featu re a Tri ty " y
PM @ Holy
Maundy
,ffi
ni
lnlashi ng
wi I Thi ceremony and Hol
"
.
Foot
Pastor preacher.
Communi on
of Bethany wi I I be the Apri I 18 - Good Fri day. 7 : 30 PM @ Hol y Tri ni ty. Thi s i s planned as a very simple Cood Friday with Pastor Gordon of St. John/St. Paul Good Friday _ _ r,_ Wi
ssner
=r-ulrorsnrp as the _
preacher.
April 19 - Saturday Easter Vigil. 7:30 PM Holy Trinity. This is planned as a traditional n'Easter Vi g-i I " worshi p Servi ce that begi ns outside at a bonfi re and then proceeds through Mu^A,ilthe prepari ng of the worshi p area and al tar for the Easte r cel eb rati on . Pasto r Neve rgal I of Tri n'i ty wi I I be the preacher. Thi s servi ce wi I I be Ho-ly -J app roxi matel y two hou rs i n I ength @
.
Easter Sunday
EA;TEP at 9t, Johh/1t. Paul 9 AM - EaS{er Break{aqt 10 AM - Traal;{iona[ Eas{er NorShip and Holl Cov.vnunion wi{h |JCP Choir
Let us al I prepare to procl ai m ou r
Lord ' s resu rrecti on ! i nvi te fami'l y, f ri ends , j oi n wi th us i n the cel e-
to encou rage al I to col I eagues and nei ghbors to brati on of Easter. [n/e are not to be chu rch members ; we are cal I ed by Chri st to be di sci p1 es ! So, p'l ease i nvi te and encourage folks to join us on Easter for breakfast
[n/e
want
and worshi p.
NEWS TO THE PEWS
for lunch and program on Friday, March 28 at L2 noon. The program will be offered by Sue Harman and i s enti tl ed, "Do you bel i eve that angel s exi st?" Pl ease join in for this special
THE RETIREE'S GROUP
presentati
on
will
meet
.
BIBLE BRUNCH HAS EVOLVED INTO BIBLE BREAKFAST. At thc SAMC tiMC thc women's Circle Bible study is evolving into the Men's and Women's Bible study. Tuesday mornings will be SISP BIBLE STUDY for ALL at 9:30 AM at
Pillitiere's
on Waterloo
The group has decided that the monthly fun AND AMEN!! So all are invited to jo-in in for
Rd.
S0 BE IT breakfast and bi bl e on Tuesdays.
should be
weekly.
at our Continental Breakfast each Sunday Morning at 10:30am in the Firestone Park Lounge. Thanks to all who he-lp serve and cleanup. If you wou'ld like to volunteer to host a Sunday, the signup sheet is in the kitchen off the Lounge. This event is funded by donations of generous volunteers and the Endowment Fund. We look forward to seeing Enjoy coffee and pastries
you next
SundaY!
be a qreat evanqe'list? Before you start getting sweaty pa'lms and rubber knees, consider this: when you "like" sjspakron on Facebook you witness to your Facebook friends that St. lohn St. Paul is an important part of your life. And when you click the "share" button at the bottom of an SISP post, whether it is for the coming Sunday's GPS theme, a song by the Acid Cats, or the coming Sunday's scripture lessons, You share a message of faith and invitation to all who see it on your timeline. Becoming a great, faithful evangelist just got a l'ittle easier.
Want
to
(Pastoral Counseling Services) the SISP Church Council resolved at its March 11 meeting to conduct an ongoing collection of peanut butter and je1'ly and school supplies for the needy children of Akron. A spec'ial collection area well marked by signs will receive these offerings and also show our commun'ity and PCS our shared concerns for the children of Akron.
AS
OF
OUR
WITH
Altar Flower Coordinator WANTED: The church office is looking for a person or group of peop'le willing to coordinate flowers ordered for Sunday service. Duties included but are not limited to, making sure flower chart is up to date, making sure
a call at
servi ce.
If
330-253-6835
you are i nterested p'lease g-ive the church
offi
ce
?age 7
Easter Offerinqs: During the Easter season, it is encouraging to see both new and familiar faces at our worship services. Throughout the year, many of you already support the congregation with your time, talent and financial contributions but greater participation is always welcome. We encourage you to look into our electronic giving program. It takes just a few minutes to set up a recurring giving pIan. Contact Carol Whidden for more details or p-ick up an authorization form in the upper narthex.
,tffipbK3* all for your emotional support during this difficult tinre with the passing of our mother .She often told us she loved gett'ing visits from Pastor and the congregation as well as your cards! The Norma Nagy
THANK YOU
fami 1 y.
Thanks
to all
who purchased fudge from church to he'lp with the heating
the kids'class. $126. was given
bill. THANK YOU: many thanks to rxy church family for your telephone ca11s, get well cards, visits and food items.One of the campers loaned us a deluxe air mattress so our daughter could stay over a few days. Special thanks to Pastor Rick for his visits and prayers at the hospita-l and at home. Everything was great'ly appreciated by me & Darrell. Eli Cooper Sincerest Thanks from The family of Dorothv Kopnickv We so appreciate your kind words and support for our family during this time of loss. We treasure the memories that you shared with us and know that Dorothy's rxemory will live on in all of our hearts. As we remember her, we thanl< the Lord for the blessing that she was in all of our lives. I^/ith Love & Thanks Annn Terri, Vinnie & Vincent to the
Page 8
to help decorate the sanctuary and alter this Easter. Fill out this form and place it in the offering p1ate, bring it to the church office, or mail it to the church office. Checks should be made out to St. lohnlSt. Paul Lutheran Church and mark "EASTER" on the memo line. All orders must be placed by Monday. April 14th. You will be able to pick up your flowers after 10:00am service on April 20, 20L4. Lilies @ 8.00 each. woul d like to order Tul-ips @ $7.00 each ' woul d like to order
0rder a 1i1y, tu1ip, hyacinth or daffodils
woul d
like to order
Hyacinths
@
$7.00 each.
woul d
like to order
Daffodils
@.
$7.00 each
Please check one of the follow-ing and print c1ear1y. (Please keep text to a- minimum as space is limited thank you) i
n memory of
i
n honor of the Glory of
-to Given b Telephone #
God
Env
Amount encl osed
Page 9
HELP MAKE THE IOOTH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR BUILDING A BANNER CELEBRATION . The anni ve rsary commi ttee i s i nte rested i n
creati ng a commi ttee of those i nterested i n creati ng some new banners to hang in our worship area for the celebration on June L, 20L4. A committee is also hard at work pl ann-i ng and prepari ng. f n Apri'l we wi I I send RSVP i nvi tati ons to p resent , past and hopeful I y futu re members of SISP. There i s amp-l e opportuni ty for you to he1p. We have p1 ans for Church build'i ng clean up and repa'i rs, landscaping work, building set uP, and all sorts of tasl<s and preparati ons. If you are i nterested p1 ease contact Sue Harman at 330-882-9352,
Page 10
1OO Year
Gelebration
VOLUNTEER CHECKLIST
WE NEED YOU to help make our building celebration successful! lf you have some time, and want to share your talent, please check one or more boxes below to volunteer. You may place this form in the collection plate or give it to a committee member listed below. THANK YOU.
I CAN HELP WITH:
Food: Set-up Food: Serving Food: Glean-up Building (lnterior): Gleaning Building(lnterior): Minor repairs Building (Exterior): Lawn & Garden Decorations: Sanctuary Decorations: Gymnasium Thank you very much for your interest and your support for the 100 Year Gelebration of our building.
Please Print:
Name Address Phone E-mail ff you would like to make a donation to this event, please mark your check/cash donation as "1O0 Years" and place it in the collection plate.
Committee Members: Art Kaufman Sue Harman, Chair Martha Keeler Beth Haas Frank & Margaret Gruccio Pastor Rick
Page 11
Bi rthdays
& An n iversaries MAY
APRIL
Melkey, Dan Cook, Wilbur
Gubeno, Eileen Fanz, Josef
Trunko, Courtney Woods, Frederick Fitt, Bobbie
Wright, Kelsey Trunko, Aimee Gordon, Richard
4/2 4/s 4/s 4/6 4/6 4/7 4/s 4/e
JUNE
s/4 s/4 s/s s/6 s/6 s/6 s/7 s/7 s/8
Caslow, Phillip
Woods, Christopher Hoover, Brenda Nagy, Patricia Szentes, Linusz
Whitacre, Hazel Kreitler, Lori Reyes, John
4/1.1,
Manning, Donna
4/12 4/13
Gordon, Andrea
s/1.1.
Six, David
s/1.1.
Brett, Brandon
4/1_4
Dwenger, Jennie
sl12
Bell, Robert
Fitt, Traci
s/3.3
Gordon, Joshua
4/ts 4/rs
s/14
Mowen, Phyllis
4/1.6
Trunko, Rachel Hutchison, Riley
Fanz, David
4/18 4/20 4/20 4/2L 4/23 4/24 4/24 4/2s 4/27
Morton, Edna Hilbert, Kelsey
s/ts sh8
Streharsky, Charmaine
Clark, Jill
s/20 s/23 5/2s s/2s s/27 s/27 s/2s s/2e
Mullen, William
s/31.
Lehman, Catherine
Mowen, Emily Streharsky, Robert Streharsky, Robert Boyer, Denise Demuth, Jenny Magnus, Dustin
Demuth, Curtis Ambrose, Dorothy Schoolcraft, Michael 4127 4128 Gorman, Tommie
s/fi
Caslow, Patricia
Arledge,
Lisa
Reyes, Linda
Eiler, Cheryl
Popowitch, Pauline Allen, Gerald
Robert Bracey, Lori
6/2 6/3 Herchenroeder, Kenneth 6/3 Keeler, Amanda 6/3 Rinehart, Melinda 6/3 Bracey,
.*
IEAFF$ ,r
6i&T[IeA$r
6/9 Lydia Dwenger, Kevin 6/9 Dwenger, Jacob 6/9 Phelps, Stewart 6/9 Cooper, Elinor 6/1'0 Demuth, Thomas 6/tO Szentes, Melissa 6/LO Batis, Michael 6/L2 6/1,2 Dietz, Muriel 6/1,2 Orban, Anna Sams, Cynthia 6/12 Barzal, Richard 6/14 6/1,4 Gardner, Joe 6/1,4 Russo, Kerry 6/1.4 Williams, Mark Sommer, Donna 6h5 Trunko, Ethan 6/15 6/15 Wake, Jeffrey 6/16 Guy, Amy 6/19 Gardner, Verle Beth 6/23 Haas, Bennett, Matthew 6/25 Coch, Jeanette 6/25 Bell,
Czerwony,Jonathan 6/26 Milenkovich, Margaret 6/29
Hoover Edna & Thomas Wake William & Kelley Mullen Al & Audie Dascoli Brenda & Dale
4/7/t989
Kevin & Jennie Dwenger
s/20/2006
Coch 6/LL/I949 6/t2/I96O Rev David & Beverly Craig Mike & Sherri Herchenroeder 6/L4/L99I Donald & Pam Coy 6/15/7980
ceoffrey & Susan Whidden
5/2u200s
Dafe&JenniferRedington 6/t9/I999
Robert M & Ann Streharsky
s/24/2003
Sue & Dave Harman
q
la l1gaa
4122/r96L
Scott & Darla Herchenroeder
s/L4/1994
4/25/L998
Patrick & Heidie Czerwony
s/L6/t998
4/30/1955
Jeff & Debra Reed
s/26/t99O
Verle & Jeanne Gardner
s/27/t961
Alfred & Lillian Hunsicker
s/27/r9s6
John & Jeanette
Kenneth & Susan
Herchenroeder 6/23/L998
David & Adrienne
Six
6/24/t978
H,uppy
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Page 15
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
9:30 AM .....Traditional Worship 10:0O AM .....Bible Study 10:30 AM ....Continental Breakfast 11:O0 AM ....G.P.S. Wotship
FrhrcLEr
I oRrr
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Art Kaufman Beth Haas
Sonia Teets Chris Allen Sue Harman Martha Keeler Catie Lehman Carole Lintner Tim Lewis David Lehman Heather Parr -,,rda Reyes Jennifer Lehman David Six Charmaine Streharskv
04113114 04120114
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05104114
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04106114
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DATE
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READER SCHEDULE
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Beth Jeanne
Flaas
Gardner
OPEN
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05125114
06t01t14 06/08/14 06t15t14 06t22t14 06t29t14
SACRAM ENTAL SERVER SCH EDU LE DATE
Communion Server
Gommunion Server
04t06t14
Beth Haas Tim Lewis Art Kaufman Pete Peterson JudV Harrison Beth Haas Art Kaufman Linda Reves
Geoff Whidden Judv Harrison Jennv Demuth Beth Haas Art Kaufman Tim Lewis Jenny Demuth Tim Lewis
04t13114 04120114 05t04t14 05t18t14
06t01t14 06t08114 06115114
HAUGEN SCHEDULE DATE 04t06t14 05t04t14 06101114
l-
I
HA!rygn Amanda Keeler David Lehman Pete Peterson
Communion Set-Up Beth Haas Tim Lewis Jennv Demuth Pete Peterson Judv Harrison Beth Haas Art Kaufman Linda Reves