SEPTEMBER. Parish Paragraphs. Bring a chair and a dish to share

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1 Parish Paragraphs SEPTEMBER 2018 Bring a chair and a dish to share I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you. ~ Psalm 32:8 Vision Sunday What s coming up in Worship Sunday School Choir News Feed My Sheep What s Inside Confirmation and Baptism Feed your Neighbor Growth Groups Calendar Polish Dinner and Silent Auction P O I N T P L A C E U N I T E D C H U R C H O F C H R I S T Leadership Team Updates Financial News A Glimpse of Central America Just for Laughs

2 Is the glass half empty? or half full? Many of us begin our days thinking about our lack of sleep and end our days worrying about the problems we didn t solve. We are trapped in a scarcity mindset plagued by the conviction that we don t have enough, we haven t done enough, we aren t enough. The Bible, however, shows us a God of abundance who can do far more than we can ask or imagine, who feeds 5000 people with a few loaves of bread and a couple fish. So what s the secret? Where better to start than the first Christians women, men, and children who had few material resources, no political power, and a message about a crucified King. And yet, their community of faith, hope, and love changed the world. This fall, we re going to look at the Christian conviction that if we are looking for abundant life, we must look at (and be immersed in) the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. And hopefully, we will look at our lives differently not through the lens of not enough (scarcity) or even the lens of barely enough (survival), but the lens of abundance. Because it s not about whether the glass is half empty or half full. It s about Who s pouring. ~Pastor Jon And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 Page 2

3 What s Coming Up in Worship September 2nd: Worship in the Park 10:30am: Worship with Communion at Friendship Park Finding God in the Ordinary September 9 th : Vision Sunday 10:30am: Worship Mark 6:30-44: What DO You Have? September 16 th : Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30am: Celebrate Worship Acts 1-2: Adapting September 23 rd : Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30am: Worship Acts 3: But What I DO Have... September 30 th : Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30am: Worship Acts 4: When You ve Been with Jesus ** Worship at Genesis HC Thursday 9/13 & 10:00am** Annual Polish Dinner and Silent Action Friday, October 5, 5:00pm-7:00pm. We need donations for the silent auction, desserts for dinner, and lots of hands to help. Please see the Flyer and more info on page 15. Page 3

4 From the Leadership Team The Leadership Team has been looking closely at the future of our church. What we are facing as a congregation is not unique, though the specifics of where God is calling to us must always be an authentic expression of who we are as a community. One direction some churches are going is branching out into new forms of church that connect more with an increasingly un-churched and de-churched population. We are hoping to be open to these possibilities in the future. Right now, our focus is on continuing to empower leaders and develop ministry teams (3G Teams) so that our community is strong enough to branch out when the opportunity arises. We have developed some specific aims for these teams, and hope you will consider how God might be calling you to serve with one of them: Glorify Team: the Glorify Workshops over the past month have led to working out an approach to worship that integrates the various styles and influences that we have come to use. You will notice that during the fall, our services will be more led by a worship leader rather than our traditional liturgist. There are two reasons for this: 1) to smooth out the different styles of music and prayer that we use in our services (make it less choppy), 2) be more responsive to how the Spirit might move during a service. The Glorify Team is focused on this endeavor as we look ahead to fall, Advent, and beyond. Please talk to Jonee Meiser or Alicia Winne if this hits on a passion of yours. Grow Team: The Grow Team is focusing on creating a couple adult faith formation opportunities in the fall and winter possibly retreats. If you are interested in helping with content, direction, or logistics, please talk to Dave Meiser or Lori Winne. Glow Team: The Glow Team is going to be exploring the spiritual possibilities of Feed My Sheep. How might God be calling us to go beyond meeting the physical needs of people 2/month and offer the Bread of Life? If you are interested in this exploration, talk to Donna and Terry Serviss. Together Team: This team is about building a sense of connection in the church. We already do cards and prayer shawls, but if you are interested in making check-in phone calls or coordinating crisis meals, please talk to Pastor Jon. These teams are about making the church a place where the light of your passions and gifts can shine even more brightly! Page 4

5 Confirmation and Baptism This fall, we will have an opportunity for students grades 7-12 to grow in their faith and consider the invitation to be baptized or confirm their baptism. This fall, we will focus on the Story of our faith that we find in the Scriptures. The schedule below is tentative and subject to change. Talk to Pastor Jon if you or a young person in your life are interested. Date Time Event Location Sept. 9 Noon Kick-off Meeting PPUCC Lounge Session 1- Sept. 16 9am Creation Point Place Lighthouse Sept. 23 9am Session 2-Sin Pastor Jon's office Sept pm Feed My Sheep Paterson Hall Sept. 30 9am Session 3-Call Pastor Jon's office Oct. 12 6pm Session 4-Israel Temple Shomer Emunim Oct. 21 5:30pm Session 5- Incarnation PPUCC Lounge Oct. 28 9am Session 6-Jesus' Life Pastor Jon's office Nov. 4 12pm Session 7-Jesus' Death Historic Woodlawn Cemetary Nov minutes before sunrise Session 8-Jesus' Resurrection Point Place Lighthouse Nov. 18 9am Session 9-Church Pastor Jon's office Dec. 2 12pm Session 10-New Creation Toledo Museum of Art Jan pm Ministry Project Meeting PPUCC Lounge Page 5

6 Monday Growth Group September 10th at 7:00pm (No mtg 9/3) On the 1st and 2nd Monday of each month this group gathers for fellowship, Scripture, prayer, bible studies, missions, and social time. We gather at various members homes. All are welcome. If you have any questions about the group, please contact Susan at or at Elizabethans Women's Group Monday, Sept. 10th at 6:30pm (No mtg 9/3) The Elizabethans meet on the first Monday of the month at 6:30pm in the conference room. All women are welcome to this small but mighty fellowship group. Retired Men s Group Thursday, Sept. 6th, at 9:30am The Retired Men s Group meets the first Thursday of the month at 9:30am. Please join us for coffee and donuts in the youth room at the church. All men are welcome Page 6 Something Brewing September 7th at 7:00pm This men s group meets at Black Cloister Brewing (Monroe & Erie St. downtown). You don t have to have a beer to enjoy conversation about what God has brewing in our lives and the world around us.

7 A note from Lynette Thayer about the Women s Retreat last month. To the women who attended the Women's Weekend - I think we would all say what a great group of women! We shared our thoughts and prayers and even exercised together. We focused on the Inner Child, interactions with men, our voice and how to find our own path. Thanks ladies for joining with women around the world - and let's check in with each other to see how we are doing with our inner walks. ~ Lynette Sunday School Sunday School for our K-5 students begins again on Vision Sunday, September 9th at 9:30am. This fall, we will be learning the story of David and Goliath. We also have an expanded classroom so that we can engage with God and our stories in lots of different ways. Amanda Hartley and Lori Winne are our Sunday School teachers. If you d like to be involved, please talk to one of them! Page 7

8 Electronic Giving FEED YOUR NEIGHBOR We will pass out bags on Sunday, August 5th and collect them the following week on the 12th. August Focus: In preparation for the beginning of the school year, bring in items that might be packed in a school lunch: peanut butter and jelly, snack bars, apple sauce, fruit snacks, etc MUSTARD SEED NEWS Mustard Seed collected, sorted and distributed school supplies donated by the community. Five local elementary schools received donations for needy students. The Clothing Closet is transitioning from summer clothes to winter wear in preparation for colder weather. They will happily accept all coats and jackets now and throughout the winter months. They are also preparing for their Thanksgiving and Christmas programs. Donations are still needed for dish soap, laundry soap, body wash, shampoo, disposable razors, and shaving cream. Mustard Seed could use some extra hands to help with their physical needs. They would welcome anybody willing and able to do some minor repairs and painting. They need work on a gate around the garden, the basement is a little damp and needs to be repainted with the moisture barrier paint, and a new door that is not a standard size needs to be replaced. Mustard Seed would like to send a huge THANK YOU to the community for all of the donations and helping hands that aid in furthering their mission. Options for electronic giving should be available soon. Stay tuned! Page 8

9 Anniversaries 13 Alan & Jenny Montague 18 Kevin & Susan Korecki 21 Jason & Erin Thompson 29 Tony & Tricia Crane If your birthday or anniversary is not listed, please contact the office. Birthdays 2 Jamie Mockbee 3 Jonee Meiser 6 Breiann Bellair 8 Kari Montague 14 Steve Ambrose 14 Matt Armstrong 18 Emma Bisbee-Agosti 23 Terry Serviss 24 Ray Curtis 29 Tammy Cosgrove The Birthday Club will celebrate our September Birthdays on Thursday, September 20th at KT s Diner. Please RSVP to Ruby if you can attend Choir News Sunday, September 9th, will be our first rehearsal and planning meeting for the year. Please meet in Paterson Hall at 9:15am. Looking forward to seeing everyone! Are you ready to lift your voice to the Lord? On the 2nd Sunday of the month, our joyful choir joins the Worship Service. We practice at 9:15am on the 1st and 2nd Sunday of the month. All are welcome and encouraged to join us. Please contact Kevin Korecki with any questions and let s have a great season! Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. ~ Psalm 100:2 Page 9

10 THE GIVING TREE The Monday night Growth Group is still sponsoring the Giving Tree but we re trying something new. Instead of asking for different items each month we ll be emphasizing our Manna Bag Mission project all year. We need travel size personal items such as shampoo, soap, lotion, toothpaste and also, tooth brushes, combs, socks, water bottles, gloves, small bags of snack food or granola bars. When the bags are complete they will be on the Giving Tree table in Paterson Hall. We re asking everyone to take one or two at a time and give them away to someone in need. Monday, Sept. 10 Dinner at RiverPoint Ministries st Street Tuesday, Sept. 18 Chicken Casserole Vegetables Dessert Coffee, Juice, Water Tuesday, Sept 25 Turkey & Dressing Rollups Mashed Potatoes Dessert and Drinks Page 10 Just for Laughs At Sunday School they were learning how God created everything, including human beings. Johnny was especially intent when the teacher told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs. Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and said, "Johnny, what is the matter?" Johnny responded, "I have pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife."

11 FINANCIAL INFORMATION Correction to Last Months Report A portion of the financial information reported in last month s Parish Paragraphs was incorrect. Please see the correct information for June 2018 below. We apologize for the error. Financial Information for June 30, 2018 (Updated) 6/30/18 Year to Date (6/30/18) Total Income $ 12,029 $ 54,792 Total Expenses $ 16,573 $ 75,937 Net Income $ 4,544 $ 21,145 Balance in General Checking Acct 6/30/18 $12, ** Money designated to Funds (FMS, Celebrate) ($10,339.53) Amount available in General Funds 6/30/18 $2, ** incl. $10,000 Supplement Grant from Endowment Fund (5/13) Financial Information for July 31, /31/18 Year to Date (7/31/18) Total Income $ 8,901 $ 63,693 Total Expenses $ 11,563 $ 87,501 Net Income $ 2,662 $ 23,808 Balance in General Checking Acct 6/30/18 $ ** Money designated to Funds (FMS, Celebrate) ($10,174.67) Amount available in General Funds 6/30/18 $ ** incl. $10,000 Supplement Grant from Endowment Fund (5/13) Page 11

12 Save the Date! A GLIMPSE OF CENTRAL AMERICA Welcome to a 15-day, 7-country voyage touching coastal cities and cherished islands of the Caribbean Sea and Central America Mark your calendar today to travel with Gene Finnegan and John Rainey, when they present an hour of photos and commentary, featuring their recent relaxing experience of countries and villages of the Caribbean. Come and Explore The southern most legendary Key West The mysterious Mayan Indian Ruins of Belize Honduras featuring Gaubalimba National Park Rainforests of Tortuguero Nat l Park, Costa Rica The engineering ingenuity of the Panama Canal UNESCO s antiquities of Cartagena, Colombia Touristy Nassau The ELIZABETHANS sponsored evening for all who love to travel Monday, October 1 st Paterson Hall 7:00 p.m. Page 12

13 ANNUAL POLISH DINNER AND SILENT AUCTION Point Place United Church of Christ th St., Toledo, OH (across from the Point Place Library) Elevator located at corner of building 116th/297th Friday, October 5, pm Homemade Kielbasa Wedding Chicken Pierogi Kapusta (Cabbage), Mashed Potatoes, Vegetables Homemade Polish Coffee Cake, Dessert, Beverages Take Out Available & Taking orders for Kielbasa $6.00/lb TICKETS Adults $12.00 Child 6-12 $8.00 Child Meal** ( 5 & under ) **Macaroni & Cheese, Hot Dog, Vegetable, Dessert, and Beverage for $3.00** Tickets available at the church office (419) and through Kathy Placzkiewicz (419) Calling all Helpers! We need all hands on deck days before and during Polish Dinner to prepare for our feast and auction! Wed 5:30pm Stuffing Kielbasa the more the merrier Thursday 9:00am chicken cutters, coffee cake bakers, set up tables, chairs, dishes, etc. Need 8-10 volunteers Friday 9:00am potato peelers, vegetable cutters, meal preppers, buffet set ups. Need :30pm ticket sellers, food servers, table bussers, and raffle ticket sellers. Need pm Clean up. Need 8-10 volunteers. Page 13

14 To care for one another as God cares for us. POI NT PLACE UNIT ED CHURCH OF CHR IST th Street Toledo, Ohio Address service requested