FROM THE PASTOR When OUR TEAM Wins!!!

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1 Pastor Matthew S. Lash 6517 Finzel Rd Whitehouse, OH NOVEMBER 2017 FROM THE PASTOR When OUR TEAM Wins!!! Golly gee, we sure do LOVE (and I do mean, LOVE) our T E A M S. Would you agree? We love the Badgers, Buckeyes, Cardinals, Devils, Eagles, Falcons, Giants, Jackets, Wildcats, Indians, Tigers, Yankees, Red Sox, Panthers, Lions, Walleyes, Mud Hens, Packers, Vikings, --and yes, Wolverines! (and sorry if I missed yours!) Golly gee! We LOVE our teams! How did that happen? When did our hearts become so attached to our team? When did it start to matter whether my team WON or LOST? Why are you grieving the Indian s loss? Why am I stricken by the last place finish of the Tigers? Why is it so important that a Buckeye beat a Wolverine? Here s the answer. I have no idea. I really don t. For some reason, we like to identify with groups of people that have a common goal and purpose. We want our TEAM to win competitive games and WIN championships. Parents and families budget so that children and teens can be part of TEAMS that travel and compete at high levels---with the purpose to WIN. Trophies rest on our mantles. Awards are included on a teenagers resume. We open our wallet to buy Jerseys, uniforms, T-shirts, Banners, hats, bumper stickers---all to proclaim the support for our TEAM! On Sunday, November 12 th we pause to take inventory of the support we have for OUR TEAM. We have a name. We are called the Body of Christ. We have a purpose and it might surprise you. Our purpose has nothing to do with a championship or trophies on the mantle. No one can quite identify the purpose of our team quite like Jesus Jesus called his coaches together and He sent in the play, If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all (Mark 9:35) Last place. You may want to read that again. Last. Want to be first? Last. Be servant of all. On Sunday, November 12 th, we will share a reflection of our commitment to OUR TEAM. The Body of Christ at Community of Christ Lutheran Church. We are not looking to put trophies in the Church office and our Pastor is not looking for any accolades from the Bishop----we just want to be sure we have your support to be LAST. We want to be sure that we are a congregation with a servant s heart. We commit to care. We commit to change. We commit to be little Christ here in Whitehouse. Make us all servants, O Lord. Of all the teams I cheer for---this TEAM, OUR TEAM restores the JOY I have in serving Christ Jesus my Lord. Hope you re excited about the TEAM! Peace Pastor Matt

2 WORSHIP I rejoice with those who said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! (Psalm 122: 1) Worship Life in November Give HIM thanks!! We begin this month with a solemn remembrance of those who have gone before us and rest with our Lord Jesus! We will give God THANKS around His Table every Saturday and Sunday! Invite a neighbor or friend to join you for a spirited Thanksgiving Eve worship service TO BE HELD AT ZION UNITED METHODIST, WHITEHOUSE on November 22 ND at 7:00 p.m. A wonderful opportunity to worship with others! We love to see you in worship! Weekend of November 4 th & 5 th For All the Saints! Saturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4:00 p.m. Message Mourning & Comforting Sunday, November 5 th Worship & Holy Communion 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. Weekend of November 11 th & 12 th 23 rd Sunday After Pentecost Saturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4:00 p.m. Message First Place Was Never our Goal! Sunday, November 12 th Worship & Holy Communion 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. Weekend of November 18 th & 19 th 24 th Sunday After Pentecost Saturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4:00 p.m. Message The Small Stuff! Sunday, November 19 th Worship & Holy Communion 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 23 rd Thanksgiving Eve Worship! 7:00 p.m. With Brothers & Sisters at Zion United Methodist, Whitehouse! WORSHIP HELD AT ZION UNITED METHODIST! Special Music provided by Eric & Sarah Worship & Sacrament 7:00 p.m. Weekend of November 25 th & 26 th Christ the King Sunday! Saturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4:00 p.m. Message When? When? When? When? Sunday, November 26 th Worship & Holy Communion 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. Saturday Worship welcomes you! We worship every Saturday at 4:00 p.m. If you are away on Sunday mornings, please plan to come to the Lord s Table on Saturday night. Thanksgiving Eve---Sing Praise to the Lord! HEY! We will worship with friends at Zion United Methodist, Whitehouse on Thanksgiving _ Eve, Wednesday, November 22 nd at 7:00 p.m. Our own Director of Music, Eric and his bride, Sarah, will provide special music during the worship service! Please join us and support this joint worship service! The upcoming holiday season provides you with a wonderful option to Bring a Friend to worship on Saturday! See you in worship! _ First Communion Sunday was celebrated on Reformation Sunday this fall!! We ask God s special blessing to rest on Charis Mehl and her family!! A Second class will be offered in March 2018 for children and families who are interested. Please speak with Pastor Matt if you have any questions.

3 Parish education They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread (Acts 2:42) DATES TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR: November 4 - Christmas Pageant Rehearsals Begin! November 5 - All Saints Remembrance November 12 - Stewardship Sunday /Commitment Sunday November 19 - Global Mission Sunday November 22 - Thanksgiving eve Worship 7:00p.m. December 2 Christmas Concert with CofC musicians and a sing-along! Cookies following the concert! Advent Candlelight Worship Wednesday, December 6 th, 13 th, 20 th Children s Christmas Pageant, Sunday, December 10 th, 10:00 a.m. December 13 - Community of Christ welcomes CURT CLONINGER, nationally known actor and performer, Celebrate the Child, 7:00 p.m. Christmas Carol/Song Hymn Sing Weekend, December 16 th & 17 th Christmas Eve Sunday, 9:00 a.m. ONE MORNING WORSHIP Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion 4:00, 7:00 & 11:00 p.m. SONrise on Sunday mornings!! Have you tried SONrise on Sunday morning? This educational ministry blesses the elementary age children and their families! If your answer to the question is, NO. Here what you missed---pastor Matt playing Megan Trainor?? Songs with Sign Language! Krystal Bell fun with Mrs. Susan Dental! Crafts with Ms. Julie & Ms. Cammie! Games & Activities with Ms. Laurie The story of creation and Abraham with our gifted storyteller, Karole Sigg! AND our memory verse and prayer each week and OH YES, Sunday morning snacks!! ISN T IT TIME YOU TRIED SONrise??? See you at SONrise on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m.!!!!

4 Parish education They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread (Acts 2:42) Pastor s Adult Bible Our fall class has been studying the dramatic encounter between David & Goliath! We have been learning how to battle the Giants we face in daily life. God s Word and the messages of Pastor Louis Giglio are blessing our time together. The class concludes on Thursday, November 16 th at 1:00 p.m. Our winter course will begin on Thursday, January 18 th. Watch for more information. YOU ARE WELCOME! Class begins at 1:00 p.m. The Study of GRACE in Romans! Pastor Matt has been leading us through Paul s letter to the Romans on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. Join us in the library for study and conversation. All adults are welcome! A NEW study will begin on Sunday, Jan 7 th. CONFIRMATION---PERFECT FOR TEENS! Our confirmation students have study the words of the Apostle Creed this fall! Our class meets from 4:45-6:00p.m. every Tuesday. We will begin a studied of the Ten Commandments in the month of December. Our time together includes interactive activity, and group discussion! If you have a teen in 7 th or 8 th grade, and this program interests you, please contact the church office. We would love to add your son or daughter to our confirmation adventure! Young People s Christmas Pageant!!! Pastor Matt has written a NEW play! Come and be part of the premiere of, I want Christmas the story of a young girl who tells Santa she wants CHRISTMAS for Christmas! Come and discover the GIFT given to her! New Music! New parts! Krystal bells! New Fun! We invite all three-year old s high school to join us! Rehearsals begin on Saturday, November 4 th at 9:30 a.m. SEE YOU THERE!!! Confirmation Dates - Parents, our class will not meet on Tuesday, November 7 th OR the 21 st. Classes will meet through Tuesday, December 19 th. Thanks for encouraging faithful attendance on Tuesday afternoons! *PLEASE REMIND YOUR TEENS---10 SERMON NOTES ARE DUE BEFORE CHRISTMAS DAY! Thank you. Teens & Children WE NEED ACOLYTES! Please check out the sign-up chart posted on the kiosk and pick your favorite weekend. We need acolytes and crucifers for Christmas Eve and holiday weeks! Would you serve the Church by carrying the light of Jesus?? Thank you!

5 Youth ministries Teach them to your children, to their children after them (Deuteronomy 4:9) Teens Committed to BIG STUF CAMP! Our youth committee is supporting BIG STUF Camp (multi-denominational camp that focuses on worship and teen discipleship for Junior High & High school students, located in Panama City Beach FL) in The following teens are registered for BIG STUF, June 18 th -25 th. Thomas Abraham Brooke Hamblin Lauren Swartz Lydia Swartz Shelby Myers Riley Myers Eric Rasmusson Ali Fritz Luke Sohnly Jordan Rose Zach Jones Josh Swagler Alex Swagler Drew Fritz Jay Rasmusson Clara Ollerenshaw Kara Keil Erin Esterhauzin Tyler Bocian Blake Miller Emily Essig Luke Essig Jay Rasmusson Amanda Kohntopp Spencer Reid Hailey Reid Zoe Reid Irina Haack If your teen is interested and wants more information, please contact Pastor Matt soon! We depart on Sunday, June 10 th and return Saturday, June 16 th. A Fund raiser Bake Sale will be held on Election Day (NEED YOUR HELP)!! We need our Big Stuf and ALL Community of Christ teens to serve in the TEEN BAKE SHOP! Parents & Teens PLEASE BRING IN TONS OF BAKED GOODS ON MONDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 6 th. Teens & Families Invade BWW!!! We have made dinner reservations for YOU! Grab a COUPON and join us on Monday, November 13 th from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Your purchase provides 15% to our retreat ministries!!! We will be very grateful for your support! BIG STUF TEENS AND FAMILIES Join us at 6:00 p.m. We will grab a bunch of tables and enjoy each other s company! DON T FORGET COMMUNITY OF CHRIST TEEN NIGHT AT BWW, MAUMEE, NOVEMBER 13 th, 5:00-9:00 P.M. Yummy wings! Upcoming Youth Events in November! Parents---I will soon send out an asking you to commit to specific activities in the month of November. Please respond as soon as possible. We were unable to host an event to Scream Acres due to the lack of participants. Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt, Sunday, November 12 th Church Night Christian Concert at Huntington November 17 th Big Stuf Retreat Gathering #1 November 19 th

6 OUTREACH Serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13) 4 th Sunday--- Clean & Feed! We will begin setting aside the fourth Sunday of the month for us to share love offerings with Salem Lutheran, Toledo & Whitehouse Food Pantry! Please bring bars of soap for Salem s neighborhood families and food for those who have needs here in Whitehouse. Baskets will be placed near the doors on Sunday, November 26th. Thank you for your generous offering of support! Community of Christ Welcomes New Members! We joyfully welcomed new members into our church family on the weekend of October 8 th. The following members have been received into congregational membership; Luke D Archangelo & Kirsten Queenan Brea & Zach Weber Fred & Linda Doering Paula Gruhler Chris Korb & Kendra Auger Samaritan s Purse Operation Christmas Child is going great! This year shoe boxes have been provided for you to fill. Details in the Gathering Space. The last weekend to accept donations will be Nov 5th. The cost for postage has increased to $9 and please NO candy or toothpaste. Name Tag Sundays! I love this idea so easy to get to know someone!. Thanks for your support of NAME TAG SUNDAY! Our future NAME TAG events will be held on Reformation Sunday, October 29 th, and the first Sunday of Advent, Sunday, December 3 rd. Give us your autograph and share your NAME!

7 stewardship For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21) Stewardship COMMITMENT CARD, NOVEMBER 11 th & 12 th! The Bible calls us to be faithful and cheerful givers of our time, talent and tithe! Once a year, we take a moment to pray about our financial giving to our congregation and Its mission. You will receive a commitment card in the mail. We are asking you to complete the card and plan to share it as part of our offering on Sunday, November 12 th on Saturday and Sunday. Thank you for being a faithful steward of every blessing! Thanks be to God! TIME FOR US TO GATHER!!! Our church membership gathers to celebrate the ministries and mission of our congregation on Sunday, December 3 rd immediately following the 10:00 a.m. worship service. A continental breakfast will be available. We will receive the proposed budget for mission, benevolence and the various ministries of our congregation. We will receive the names of candidates for an election of 4 members to serve on our Church council. Please plan to attend. Many thanks! Church Council Second Tuesday of the Month Next meeting NOVEMBER 14. Our Church Council will gather on the second Tuesday of the month. You are always welcome to be part of the conversation. If you would like to address the council or share a concern or joy, please call the church office to be put on the agenda. You will be welcomed to share your thoughts at the beginning of our meetings. We meet in the Sunday school classrooms beginning at 7:00 pm. Please pray for our church leaders. Council Minutes are available in the gathering area. We invite you to keep in touch with all the important decisions that are being made at church council each month.

8 Church life They enjoyed the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:47) Wednesday, December 13 Community of Christ welcomes CURT CLONINGER, nationally known actor and performer, Celebrate the Child, 7:00 p.m. Since 1984 Curt Cloninger has performed his unique brand of solo theatre, thousands of times, all around the world, and in every imaginable setting. His performances will move you to laugh and cry and examine what you believe about God and life. It s been said of Curt: He s a hundred people, all rolled into one, but each of them revealing the love of God in a fresh new way. His is more than just great theatre. It s theatre with a lasting impression. Community of Christ Book Club Selections November 21 - When Breathe Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi December 19 - Christmas Get-together _ January 16 - Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barber February 20 - Hallelujah Anyway by Anne Lamott March 20 - Boston Girl by Anita Diamant April 17 - Orphan Mother by Robert Hicks May 15 - Killers of the Flower Moon by David Gran June 19 - Dry by Jane Harper

9 Congregational Hymn Sing Sunday, Nov 11 & 12 FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR Back by popular demand The Congregational Hymn Sing is coming on Saturday/Sunday November 11th & 12th. CHOIRS AND YOU The Adult Choir and Bell Choir at CofC are OPEN to new members so don t be shy! Anyone interested in singing just come to the Sanctuary on a Wednesday night at 7pm. And to ring bells meet us on Thursday night at 7:30pm. So have your favorite hymns close at hand to call out for Eric to play. YOU pick the hymns for this weeks worship. Contact Eric Dickey with any questions Christmas Concert Saturday, Dec 2 Come get in the mood with a concert of Christmas music by your favorite CofC musicians and a sing-a-long! - Cookie reception to follow the concert. - Free will offering collected for future events. COOKIES We are asking for you to bring some cookies to the church kitchen (due by Friday, Dec 1) for the cookie reception following the concert! MUSICIANS Calling all CofC musicians...please contact Eric regarding performing at the Dec 2 Christmas Concert. Eric is glad to help pick music and schedule rehearsals at your convenience.

10 SYMPATHY, PRAYERS & THANKS In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Reminder---Prayers of the Church In order that we keep our prayer concerns current and fresh in worship---we update our prayer concern list every two weeks. The concern you provide will be included in the prayers of the congregation for two weeks. If you would like to renew your prayer request, please use the form available in the gathering area or contact the church office. Thank you. Continue to pray for another! Dear Community of Christ members and friends, A very special thank you for all the cards and wishes in honor of my 100th birthday! The birthday posters from the confirmation class was very special! That, along with the poster from the congregation you all signed and all the cards, help me reconnect with you since I cannot be there with you. Thank you also to Fred Ortner for taking wonderful pictures that I look at everyday and Pastor Matt for all his visits. May God bless each of you. Love, Norma Ruehle Dear Pastor Matt & Confirmation Class, I would like to thank you for the hard work you did to make those GREAT COOKIES. You helped make the Kairos Weekend a success helping the Lord change the hearts and minds of some of the residents at the Toledo Correctional Institute. Some have even started a relationship with Jesus our Lord and Savior. It must have been that secret ingredient which was God s love that you put into the cookies. Your confirmation class is awesome and you have really showed God s Love in your hearts also! On behalf of Kairos, I want to thank you again for your generosity and may God bless everyone of you! Your Brother in Christ, Butch Dhondt

11 11/01 Lisa Boltz 11/01 Jerald Nemire 11/02 Kevin Gebhart 11/02 Jonathan Wesolowski 11/03 Lindsay Eberly 11/04 Lisa Dick 11/04 Stephen Eberly 11/04 Erika Brenneman 11/04 Anna Rasmusson 11/05 Mark Langendorfer 11/05 Vickie Geha 11/05 Justin Miller 11/06 Terrie Knight 11/06 Tammy Myers 11/06 Shelby Phillips 11/06 Chloe Brown 11/06/ Dennis Dohse 11/07 Mark Pitchford 11/07 Brittany Holliker 11/07 Charlie Johnson 11/07 Parker Ray 11/08 Anne Greenhagen 11/08 Matthew Britsch 11/08 Austin Nofzinger 11/09 Debbie Whitcomb 11/10 Erin Esterhuizen 11/10 Dave Rockwell 11/10 Liz Uhlik 11/11 Kenneth Terveen 11/11 Todd Metcalf 11/11 Monica Meier 11/12 Scott Boltz 11/12 Haylee Verhoff 11/13 Kari Hagemeyer 11/14 Rita Wagoner 11/14 Karen Shellhammer 11/14 Zach Weber 11/14 Kyle Bertsch 11/14 Adam Baker 11/14 Brooklynn Stout 11/16 Marie Archer 11/16 Ken Outly 11/16 Michael Karg 11/17 Don Archambeau 11/18 Reemt Baumann 11/19 Jeremy Cash 11/19 Melissa Deacon 11/19 Braiden Meier 11/21 Linda Doering 11/22 Sally McEwen 11/22 Brad Tansel 11/22 Gracee Pitchford 11/23 Al Lipinski 11/23 Michelle Graceffo 11/24 Bob Longnecker 11/24 Sara Grim 11/26 Rebecca Myers 11/26 Josie Heilmann 11/26 Shelley Bertsch 11/26 Luke Essig 11/26 Avery Rozick 11/27 Rick Korb 11/27 Pamela Davis 11/27 Patrick Carman 11/28 Bill Slink 11/29 Brian Mruzek 11/30 Ashley Peters 11/30 Titus Chafin

12 God s Work Our Hands! - The work continues On Friday and Saturday, September 15th and 16th, as a part of the national ELCA day of service, several Community of Christ members went out into the community to help those who are in need of food. We worked with Food For Thought, a local non-profit that makes sandwiches and assembles lunches and then distributes those lunches to people in need in the downtown Toledo area. Due to popular demand, beginning in November, we will continue supporting this ministry. We plan to volunteer, as a group, the 2nd weekend of each month. There is a sheet on the kiosk where you can sign up to indicate your participation. You may participate by making lunches from 6-7 pm on Friday night OR distribute those lunches on Saturday from 9:45-10:45 am. Please check out transportation options on the kiosk. Trinity is located across from the Imagination Station, at 316 Adams Street. Any questions--, please call Sarah Rockwell or Susan Nofzinger Please join us in November! You will be glad you did Finzel Rd., Whitehouse, OH ~