The Pilgrim Spire. Pastor s Parable. March 2016

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1 The Pilgrim Spire March 2016 P i l g ri m U n ited Ch u r ch o f C h ris t B r o ad Bo u l e v a rd C u y a h oga Fa l l s, O H Pastor s Parable STAFF Pastor: Reverend Kirk Bruce Secretary: Kelly Gerstenberger Faith Formation Director: Marilyn Freeman Music Director: Amy Sauriol Custodian: Peter Paugh CONTACT INFORMATION Office phone: Office Fax: Reverend Kirk Bruce pilgrimpastor@ameritech.net Marilyn Freeman pilgrimce@ameritech.net Kelly Gerstenberger pilgrimoffice@ameritech.net Visit our website at: for electronic versions of current and previous Spires, calendars, the Pilgrim Constitution, wedding, funeral and facility use policies, history and much more! The Pilgrim Spire is published one time each month. If you have something you d like to share with your fellow Pilgrims, please contact the church office to include your announcement in the next edition of The Pilgrim Spire.. If you would prefer to receive this via , please contact the church office. Please contact the office with any address changes. Thank you!. Although I never heard him say it, I believe it was the ancient Roman Philosopher Seneca who said, It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. Another way of saying this is that in our doing of the hard things, all things get easier, and the less we do, the harder everything else becomes. Amy Rees Anderson, author, entrepreneur, public speaker, mentor, CEO and philanthropist commented, I still remember the first time my grandfather gave me this advice: Get Up, Do Something, Do Anything...Just Make a Start! Amy was only 23 years old, with two small children and no idea how she was going to support her family and still have time to care for her kids. What a hole to start off in. Get up get out and get started. Don t wait. Get out of bed and get going. It s amazing how often our lives get delayed from doing any of the very things we talk about doing, simply because we never get started! We are masters of making excuses to justify our own procrastination. And, if you are like me, you can convince even yourself that the delays are perfectly reasonable and even smart choices on our part. Self deception prevents life. I knew someone who recently passed away. For sixteen years he kept telling me how he was going to do this and do that and someday write a book. At his funeral his family told me how he recently had begun writing down some of his stories. The only sadness was the years he spent talking about it instead of doing it. Do you remember the movie Bucket List with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, two gentleman make the discover you do not get out of life alive, and so what we are all called to do is to live it, rather than sit down and watch it go by. What have you talked about doing but, never gotten around to? It is time to get up and start doing it. Let s all, get up, and get out of bed and enjoy this gift called life. See You Sunday, Shalom, Pastor Kirk 1

2 BIBLE STUDY Tuesday s 10:30 a.m. ~ In the Adult Library Wednesday s 7:00 p.m. ~ In the Heritage Room Everyone is welcome so be sure to bring a friend! 2 EASTER AT PILGRIM... Palm/Passion Sunday Come Join us as we worship with music! The Choir & Musicians will share The Lenten Sketches, a Cantata by Joseph M. Martin on Sunday March 20th during 10:30 am Worship Maundy Thursday Our traditional Palestinian Dinner will be held on Thursday, March 24th at 6:30 pm. We will gather in the Heritage Room for prayer, and then proceed to our tables in the Social Hall. The meal will consist of beef stew, cottage cheese, fruit, and unleavened bread. During the dinner, Pastor Kirk will lead us in reflective conversation centered on the elements of a Seder meal. We will move to the Sanctuary for a Tenebrae service with Holy Communion beginning at 7:30 pm. Invite neighbors and friends to come with you for this special evening. No reservations are needed, there s always enough for all! Easter Sunday Plan to celebrate the joy of Easter with family and friends on Sunday, March 27th at 10:30 am. The service will feature special music, scripture, and an uplifting message from Pastor Kirk. Communion will be served, and there will also be the Blessing of the Children. Come early, and plan to stay for the fellowship of Social Hour Congratulations to Mark & Christy Opritza! They are the proud grandparents of twins, born on February 9th to daughter Lisa & Judson York. at 10:50 am ~ Hadley Clair at 5# 3 1/2 oz., 18.5 AND at 10:52 am ~ Shelby Paige at 6# 11 1/2 oz, 19.5 Act-It UP! Community Theater Committee: Auditions have been held for the 2016 Mystery Dinner Theater ~ Mark your calendars now for one of the 3 performances: Friday, May 6th at 7 pm ~ Saturday, May 7th at 2:30 pm (Tea Time Mystery Theater) ~ Sunday, May 8th at 5:00 pm Tickets go on sale in Mid-April! Seeds of Literacy are looking for adult literacy tutors! Tutor training happens once a month March through June. See the bulletin board across from the office for more information

3 FYI: Sign-up sheets for Easter Lilies & Dedications are posted on the bulletin board across from the office and on a clipboard in the Social Hall. Questions? See Kathie Richards Approx. $12 Meetings are open to all people attending Pilgrim! Stewardship: Sunday, March 11:45 a.m. Diaconate: Monday, March 6:30 p.m. Vacation Bible School (VBS)/Faith Formation: Tuesday, March 7:00 p.m./8:00 p.m. Trustees: Monday, March 6:30 p.m. Music Committee: Sunday, March 11:30 a.m. Evangelism: Monday, March 5:30 p.m. Community Connections Committee (CCC): Monday, March 6:30 p.m. Council: Monday, March 7:00 p.m. Act-It UP! Community Theater: To Be Announced Thank you to: Brian Ewart and The Moonlight Serenaders For the Wonderful Music provided for the Valentine s Day Luncheon/Dance on Sunday, February 14th. This was a wonderful event for the congregation and a Summer Camp Fundraiser Thank You s Received Crop Walk $6, total raised by 11 churches with 105 walkers. Next Crop Walk takes place Sunday, October 9th, Barbara Mattern, Treasurer Cuyahoga Falls Good Neighbors, Inc. Gratefully acknowledges our contributions and continued support, JoAnn Troyers Thanks for letting me use this wonderful place (Pilgrim) for my students recital, Lois Damron St. Paul United Church of Christ in Wapakoneta, Ohio has acknowledged the receipt of Pilgrim s gift to S.A.R.A. - Sharing America s Resources Abroad for the Ukraine Bus/Van Project 3

4 Thank You s Received Dear Pastor Kirk - The enclosed is sent in memory of our friend, JoAnn Neill. She loved her church family, and was blessed by the support of many of you in good times and challenging times. We enjoyed your dinner theatre productions and always loved to share in JoAnn s enthusiasm for them. We d appreciate hearing about any new productions as they come up. Please us. Thank you and God bless you and the others at Pilgrim. Sincerely, Roger & Judy Martin Our Seventh Tradition states that we should be self-supporting through our own contributions. Since steady income from contributions cannot be relied upon, our payments may fluctuate from time to time. However, we hope to be more fair in our responsibilities to the church. Thank you for your continued support. If we can be of service to you, please let us know. Thursday Night - Emotions Anonymous Happy Anniversary Gordon & Nancy VanWaes 3/5 & Vic & Evelyn Ing 3/21 Looking Ahead In Our Community: In April there will be a month-long celebration of children & families. Summit County Children Services mark their 29th annual celebration with the theme: A Family is an Apple That s Great to the Core by Anyshia, a student at Schumaker CLC. Information about the events and activities have been ordered and will be displayed in Pilgrim s Welcome Center Pilgrim Needs: The Office is looking for copies of the Pilgrim United Church of Christ s Annual Reports for the following years: 2000, 2004, & If you have a spare copy, please bring it by the office. Thank you! 4

5 Due to March 24th being Maundy Thursday, We will not gather at Donatos for Fellowship and Good Food! The next date will be April 28th... Are you looking for a way to help Pilgrim? Angel Wings are located on the bulletin board outside of the kitchen with different items ranging from $5.00 on up, that the various Boards and Committees are requesting. Just pick one or more, include the amount of money, and submit to the office or place in an envelope in the offering plate.? s Kelly Gerstenberger 5 Library Corner March Books of the Month Miriam s Cup by Fran Manushkin This story about the Passover celebrates the prophet Miriam. She was the sister of Moses, and played a significant role assisting the Jewish people to survive. The artwork created by Bob Dacey is simply stunning. Miriam s Song is on the back cover of the book, so if you are musically inclined you can dance and sing! I recently discovered an interesting book for parents. It is not a how to manual. It offers insights, faith connections and God s grace into the everyday challenges of parents, written by parents, as they struggle to raise children with faith and values. Hopes and Fears: Everyday Theology for New Parents and Other Tired, Anxious People by Bromleigh McCleneghan and Lee Hull Moses, offer stories and reflections on motherhood and ministry (both are pastors). One review states, This is a book you can pick up when you are sleep-deprived and emerge laughing with recognition and buoyed by grace. These books (and many others) are available to check out of our library anytime. See Marilyn Freeman. Is anyone interested in forming a Book Club? Ideas for meeting times/places and books to read is wide open. See Marilyn I m creating a list of interesting book titles.

6 Pilgrim Youth Group 411 Friday, March 25th 10 am to 12 Noon Set-Up for Breakfast with the Easter Bunny & more! Saturday, March 26th 8:30 am 11:30 am Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Crafts, Games, Photo Booth with the Easter Bunny J.O.Y. Kid s Club Wednesday, March 2 March 30th ~ 6:00-7:30 pm Kindergarten Grade 5 ~ Food ~ Games ~ Stories ~ Crafts ~ Music ~ God s Ten Best Ways For Loving and Living FILL THE EGGS! There is a box in the Social Hall for wrapped candy donations to help us fill eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt. We will be filling the plastic eggs 10 am to 12 noon Friday, March 25th Come join the fun! PANCAKE BREAKFAST Saturday, March 26. 8:30 am 10:30 am. Come and enjoy pancakes plain, blueberry or chocolate chip, and sausage. Be careful---the Easter Bunny might join you! Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Saturday, March 26 ~ 9:00 10:30 Pancakes served 8:30 10:30 Everyone Come join us for breakfast! Games ~ Crafts ~ Cake Walk Pictures w/ Easter Bunny Activities 9:30 10:30 ~ Cake Walk 10:30 Egg Hunt 10:50 Age divided ~ Toddlers Grade 5 Join Us for Easter Worship Sunday, March 27th ~ 10:30 Jesus Lives! 6 Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 130 Broad Blvd, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

7 United Church Homes Has acknowledged Pilgrim United Church of Christ as a Chalice Partner for giving $1,488.50/2015. A certificate is located on the bulletin board across from the office. Pilgrim has been invited to several educational opportunities provided by their health care communities designed for clergy, lay leaders, family members and seniors. Fairhaven Community April 11 Got Plans? Elder Law and Decoding the Codes. Upper Sandusky, Ohio 11 am - 2 pm Parkvue Community April 12 Communicating Effectively w/your Health Care Professionals Sandusky, Ohio 11 am - 2 pm Chapel Hill Community April 19 What s Up Doc? and Elder Law 101 Canal Fulton, Ohio 11 am - 2 pm Patriot Ridge Community May 4 Knowing your Limits : Care Giver Support Fairborn, Ohio 12:30 pm - 2 pm Wishing these Pilgrims a Wonderful March Birthday! Date Name 3/1 Tyra Kremling 3/3 Jo Kindel 3/4 Brian Ewart 3/4 Kylie Allen 3/5 Luke Bruce 3/8 Dave Kump 3/8 Lois Rake 3/12 Vic Ing, Sr. 3/14 Lois Shook Date Name 3/16 Lois Bruce 3/20 Kaitlyn Pickering 3/20 Savannah Sandlin 3/23 Audrey Crain 3/23 Henry Nagel 3/23 Austin Pickering 3/25 Joe Beck 3/25 Wendy Ing 3/26 Nancy Van Waes Prayers for Pilgrims Please pray for all Furry Family Members crossing the Rainbow Bridge. Please pray for all the two-legged family members left behind with holes in their heart. Please pray for Danielle S. to find employment with more hours and financial stability. Please pray for Waymon concerning health issues. Please pray for Blake and his family and the trials they are going through. Please pray for Dawn and her family in the loss of her son. Please pray for the Joy of seeing the congregation on Sunday s. Please pray for Burl concerning health issues. Please pray for God, so he has a good day! Please pray for all those in mourning and those who need prayers for recovery from illness. Please pray for Kelly G s recovery from surgery. Please praise God for handrails and the people who have put them up so we older people are safer on the steps. 7

8 Akron Area Interfaith Council (AAIC) Your are invited to the AAIC Spring Dinner and Awards Ceremony Tuesday, April 12th 6:30 8:30 pm The Bath Church, UCC Fellowship Hall 3980 West Bath Road Akron, OH Getting to Know You Presentations include: Annual AAIC Interfaith Award Jewish Family Service of Akron AAIC Harmony Chorus Nepali-Bhutanese Dancers Featured Speaker: Ming-Hao Shiao, Director of Education & Employment Services of the International Institute of Akron See the bulletin board across from the office for a registration form! Events to look forward to: Mad Hatter Tea, April 2nd Pet Blessing, April 24th Mother s Day Tea, May 8th, 11:30 am Mission Trip Spaghetti Dinner, May 22nd, 11:30 am Fundraiser Recital for Steeple, May 22nd, 2 pm Graduate & Scholarship Recognition, June 12th Daddy s Day Dedications, June 19th Sidewalk Chalk Drawing Contest, July 9th J.O.Y. Kids Camp, VBS, July 12th - 14th Picnic at Our Tree, August 21st (Rain date, July 28th) Notes from Save Our Steeple Fund Donors: Please accept this donation in loving memory of David L. Ewart, and apply it to the Steeple Fund - Pete and Barbara Oldham Dear Pastor Bruce & church members, I read your need for assistance and wanted to help. I am sorry I cannot give you more financial help, but here is a little something. I will keep your project in my daily prayers. God Bless, James Caruso To Whom I apologize for only sending $ s. I am a senior citizen with a limited income. If this fund is open on or around March 3rd I can donate additional monies. Let me know. Thanks and God Speed Harry We are members of First United Methodist Church in Cuyahoga Falls. We are sending you this $ s for your steeple. Jerry & Daisy Killian Years ago I attended an exercise class at the church. Keep up the good work in the Community. Jane Tapp Kirk, We saw the SOS recently. Pilgrim has always been a home to us. With love and thanks to you and our home, Please accept this check in answer to your call! Marc & Judith Ullom Pilgrim United Church of Christ - For Steeple Repair Our prayers are with you God Bless! Jack & Lois Stokes Dear Pastor Bruce, In response to the article I saw about the Pilgrim Church steeple and roof, I am sending this contribution to support your repair fund. I attended the church as a child, and was probably baptized there, though I have no record of it. I went to your website, but saw nothing there about the problems with the roof. I hope your fund raising effort is a success! Best regards, Christine Mills Carlson 8

9 March 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 9:30 am Faith Formation 10:30 am Worship - Sanctuary 11:30 am Social Hour 11:45 am Stewardship Mtg, GR 11:45 am Cantata Rehearsal, HR 9:30 am Faith Formation 10:30 am Worship - Sanctuary 11:30 am Social Hour 11:45 am Cantata Rehearsal, HR 12:30-4 pm WRSS Recital, Sanctuary & HR 3-5 pm Girl Scouts, AL 9:30 am Faith Formation 10:30 am Worship - Sanctuary The Lenten Sketches Cantata 11:30 am Social Hour 11:30 am Music Committee, GR 9:30 am Faith Formation 10:30 am Worship - Sanctuary 11:30 am Social Hour KEY: AL = Adult Library AT = Attic CL = Children s Library GR = Rev. Greene Room HR = Heritage Room K = Kitchen N = Nursery SH = Social Hall OS = Off Site pm AMMS - TKD, SH 6-8 pm Girl Scouts, AT 6:30 pm Diaconate mtg., AL pm AMMS - TKD, SH 6-8 pm Girl Scouts, AT 6:30 pm Trustees mtg., AL 21 AMMS, CFS & WS - Spring Break 6-8 pm Girl Scouts, AT 5:30 pm Evangelism mtg., AL 6:30 pm CCC mtg., AL 7:30 pm Council mtg., AL 28 AMMS & WS - Spring Break 1-2 pm AMMS - TKD, SH 6-8 pm Girl Scouts, AT 6:30 pm Diaconate, AL 1 AMMS - Conferences 10:30 am Bible Study, AL 3-8 pm WRSS, CL 6-8 pm Girl Scouts, AL 8 pm FOTS AA, HR 8 10:30 am Bible Study, AL 2 pm Sutliff Service, OS 3-8 pm WRSS, CL 7 pm/8pm F.F. mtg., AL 8 pm FOTS AA, HR 15 10:30 am Bible Study, AL 2:30-5 pm COP, HR 3-8 pm WRSS, AL 6-8 pm Girl Scouts, AL 8 pm FOTS AA, HR 22 CFS & WS - Spring Break 10:30 am Bible Study, AL 3-8 pm WRSS, CL 8 pm FOTS AA, HR 29 AMMS- Spring Break 10:30 am Bible Study 3-8 pm WRSS 6-8 pm Girl Scouts 8 pm FOTS AA 2 AMMS - Conferences 1-2:30 AMMS - Dance, SH 2-8 pm WRSS - AL, CL 6-7:30 pm J.O.Y. Kids Club 7pm Bible Study, HR 8 pm Hand Bells 9 1-2:30 AMMS - Dance, SH 2-8 pm WRSS - AL, CL 6-7:30 pm J.O.Y. Kids Club 7pm Bible Study, HR 8 pm Hand Bells :30 AMMS - Dance, SH 2-8 pm WRSS - AL, CL 6-7:30 pm J.O.Y. Kids Club 7pm Bible Study, HR 8 pm Hand Bells 23 CFS & WS- Spring Break 1-2:30 AMMS - Dance, SH 2-8 pm WRSS - AL, CL 6-7:30 pm J.O.Y. Kids Club 7pm Bible Study, HR 8 pm Hand Bells 30 AMMS - Spring Break 1-2:30 AMMS - Dance, SH 2-8 pm WRSS - AL, CL 6-7:30 pm J.O.Y. Kids Club 7pm Bible Study, HR 8 pm Hand Bells 3 AMMS - Conferences 4:30-8 pm WRSS, CL 6-9 pm Cub Scouts, AL & N 8 pm EA, HR pm EOA/WRA, HR 4:30-8 pm WRSS, CL 6-9 pm Cub Scouts, AL & N 8 pm EA, HR 17 St. Patrick s Day 4:30-8 pm WRSS, CL 6-9 pm Cub Scouts, AL & N 8 pm EA, HR 24 Maundy Thursday CFS & WS - Spring Break 4:30-8 pm WRSS, CL 6: 30 pm Palestinian/Seder Meal 7:30 pm Tenebrae Service 8 pm EA, HR 31 AMMS - Spring Break 4:30-8 pm WRSS, CL 6-9 pm Cub Scouts, AL & N 8 pm EA, HR 4 AMMS - Art Show, SH :30 pm Time Banking, SH 25 Good Friday CFS & WS - Spring Break noon Set up by: Youth Group & F.F. for Saturday 5 8:30 pm AA, SH 10-1:30 pm FCL, SH & K 2-6 pm Cub Scouts, SH (Pinewood Derby) 8:30 pm AA, SH 19 8:30 pm AA, SH 26 Holy Saturday 8:30 am Pancake Brkfast, SH 11:30 am Easter Egg Hunt 8:30 pm AA, SH 6 One Great Hour of Sharing 13 Daylight Savings Time 20 Palm/Passion Sunday 27 Easter Sunday Time Change Forward 9

10 Pilgrim United Church of Christ 130 Broad Blvd. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Address Correction Requested March 2016 Pilgrim Spire Sunday Schedule: Faith Formation 9:30am Worship 10:30am Nursery Care available Social Hour 11:30am Pilgrim United Church of Christ Staff: Pastor Rev. Kirk Bruce, Faith Formation Director Marilyn Freeman, Music Director Amy Sauriol, Contact us at: Secretary Kelly Gerstenberger, Custodian Peter Paugh 10