The Heartbeat of Highwater

Transcription

1 The Heartbeat of Highwater You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 A Note From Pastor Ed Dear Friends in Christ, InMatthew 28:20, the resurrected Christ says to His disciples, just before He ascended into heaven...i am with you always, even to the end of age. I am not Jesus, but I love and serve Him and the people He has sent me to pastor,.you. These past two years with you have been a blessing to both Cheryl and me. We thank you for all the love and support you have showered upon us. At the end of this, our last Advent and Christmas with you, we thank you for your gifts of food and keepsakes, which we will devour thankfully and cherish as long as we exist. As Christ left His Holy Spirit, a part of Him, with the disciples, so Cheryl and I leave a part of ourselves. We shall never forget any of you and we shall carry you in our prayers. May the love of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the peace of God bring to you all a wonderful New Year. Love, Ed and Cheryl P.S. How blest Highwater is to have Pastor Scott and his family. The Highwater Christmas Pageant! The Christmas Story Was once again brought to life through the eyes and mouths and hands of our children. What a joy it is to feel the warmth and meaning of Christmas with them. Highwater Church Serving God since 1842 January 2012

2 Highwater Church Gymnasium Sunday, January 22 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM To schedule an appointment call Melanie Shipley at (740) Enter to win free Kroger groceries for a year! Follow us on If you last donated on or before November 27, you may be eligible to donate. Thank You Rev. Ed I ve known Rev. Ed Lopeman for quite some time now. We met when I was a student pastor at St. John s in Newark while I was a seminary student, before he became the Interim Pastor here at Highwater. In December, 2010, Rev. Ed called me and asked me to fill in for him on Jan. 2, so he and Cheryl could head down to North Carolina. After I accepted and we began to discuss how to put the worship service together, Rev. Ed told me that I might want to pay attention to what I saw at the church that day. He told me to note the enthusiasm for worship and the many young families who would be there. We had that discussion right before Christmas, and I have come to see that opportunity and that conversation as an unexpected gift. Could he have known how correct he really was? Could he have known what that gift would come to mean to me and my family? I ll bet that many of you have similar stories about how Rev. Ed has touched your lives and given you unexpected gifts. On January 8, please plan to attend our worship service as we extend a farewell to this wonderful man and pastor, and to his lovely and supportive wife Cheryl. Rev. Ed will deliver the sermon that morning; the choir will perform a hymn requested by Rev. Ed called Here I Am, Lord, and we will share Holy Communion, served by Rev. Ed. Following the service, we will have a Pasta Potluck in the Legg Center. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us to honor Rev. Ed s ministry and extend your best wishes for the Lopeman s. Pastor Scott New Year s Resolutions Like many of you, I look at my calendar on December 29 and start to think about my New Year s Resolutions. I had assumed that resolutions were a relatively recent phenomena, but I was mistaken they actually began just before Jesus day in 153 BC. Emperor Janus started them and they were a time where Romans asked forgiveness from enemies and moved forward in grace. It is interesting that the entire resolution phenomena began as a way of improving relationships and has moved to a time of personal improvement. The calendar does allow us the time to turn over a new leaf, a time to improve ourselves and to make improvements as a church. The church council will use its retreat in mid-january as a time to resolve new priorities and new directions. Kevin Campbell, our outgoing moderator, set the tone at his final meeting in December when he stated that time, care, and attention has to be given to the children and youth of the church. My personal, professional resolution, is to make that happen. You will hear about it from the pulpit, and you will hear about it when I call you to ask you to help. Most significantly, I hope you ll see this resolution in my actions in the coming year. I ve always been told that you should tell people you love about your resolutions and plans for self-betterment. These people love you enough to hold you accountable to your vision. I pray you will experience success in whatever you aspire to in the New Year. I pray that you will hold me accountable in my resolution to make the children and youth of the church my priority in 2012, and I hope a few of you make the same resolution. Peace, Pastor Scott With God Highwater Church 2 January 2012

3 Happy Birthday to: 1/01 David Freas 1/01 Will Holt 1/04 Janet Goodman 1/04 Nathan Wyscarver 1/06 Marcia Hoskinson 1/07 Riley Kegler 1/08 Peggy Green 1/09 Steve Ratai 1/09 Goldie Campbell 1/10 Edsel Blackburn 1/10 Abbey Pound 1/11 Sara Vaughan 1/12 Beth Swick 1/12 Larry James 1/14 Mary Field 1/15 Janna Yost 1/16 Tom Lake 1/16 Gary Perkins 1/22 Carol Hoar 1/23 Penny James 1/25 Bob Rowe 1/27 Steve Torrens 1/27 Melanie Shipley 1/28 Rita Kerr 1/29 Stacey Atherton 1/30 Jim Yost 1/31 Eddie Payne 1/31 Alex Lake Happy Anniversary 1/04 Rev. Ed & Cheryl Lopeman 1/10 Steve & Cathy Ratai 1/12 Jack & Peggy Green Celebrations & Concerns Prayers for those in need of healing: Betty Nash, Gayle Gibson, Carolyn Blackburn, Royal Bruce, Bruce Claggett, JoAnn Gault, Bob Tucker, Neil Buxton, Mary Field, Sherri Webb, Goldie Campbell, John Stout, Jim McGee, Mark Frick, Mark Bentz, Debbie and Perry, Kinley Stohl, Larry Humphrey, Maggie McCullough, L Loyd O Keefe, Camryn, Carl Richards, Anita Reedy, Devon, Belinda Steele and Family, Phyllis Miller, Jeannie Clark, Paula Grant, Camryn, Ken Boydell, Fred Myers, Mary Fowler, Bill, JoAnn, Alisha Hall, Marsha King, Family of Harry Davis, Mae Pound, Connie Radabaugh, Hilda and Mike Risko, Susan Phillips, Family of Robin Riehl, Tim and Cassie Darling, Rose Mary Hill, Dusty Hutchison, Laura and Canon Krebehenne, Roger Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Don Williams, Brad Petersen, Ernie Mankins, Becky Thompson, Erin Kennedy, Mike Walton, Andy Grace, Steve Atwood, Nikki Hoder, Tiffany and Pat Kanard, Dave Oakleaf, Mike Wilson Continued prayers: for those who serve in our armed forces and all of their families, as well as those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. 1/22 Ed & Marcia Hoskinson WISH to Quilt Guild Wednesday January 11, 7:00p.m. Please Keep Krogering in 2012! Thank you to everyone who has used the Kroger Rewards plan to benefit Highwater Church! Questions? Call Nancy Schmidt Our Total for 2011 was $ 1, Church Council Retreat This year s council retreat will occur on Friday evening, January 20 and Saturday, January 21. Friday s portion will occur at The Buxton Inn in Granville at 6:30p.m. This will be a big picture visioning exercise to discuss the future of our church. We won t dwell in details or ministry-specific discussions at this time, only general direction and priorities for 2012 and longer-term. Saturday s portion will be at the church, beginning at 8:30a.m. with breakfast and coffee. Saturday will be ministry-specific and calendar-specific. We ll hash out details for the coming year When will we begin to rehearse for the Christmas pageant? Where will we worship on Good Friday? When will we begin to plan VBS? that kind of planning, incorporating the direction we adopt on Friday evening. WISH Dinner Meeting Monday, January 9th Stone Brothers Pizza 237 North Central Ave, Utica 6:30p.m. Please sign up on the bulletin board outside the Library if you plan to attend. In December, Lois gave us instructions as to what we would need to make her purse and at the January meeting, Lois will show us how to make the purse. Questions call Elaine Tulloss at , or Janine Shipley at Highwater Church 5 January 2012

4 Who to call with ideas and questions Moderator Steve Barna Council Retreat Care Ministry Friday & Saturday, January 20 & 21 Nancy Schmidt Dinner at The Marcia Hoskinson Buxton Inn on Christian Education 6:30p Mary Jane Burgess The Church Fellowship Ministry 8:30a Daniela Rowe Jennifer Piper Membership & Outreach Ministry Janet Goodman Missions Ministry Nancy Siegel Music and Worship Ministry Janine Shipley Kathy Preston Trustees Bob Rowe Peggy Green WISH II Quilt Janine Shipley Bible Studies Monday Noon in the church library WISH II Quilt Wed, January 11 7:00p.m. The Prayer Path is available for your use daily! Monday Evening at 6:45p.m. 1/02 No Bible Study 1/09 No Bible Study 1/16 No Bible Study 1/23 Debbie Smetts 8994 Northridge Rd 1/30 open (Please see bulletin for any changes and open dates) Our first study of 2012 will focus on the Book of Romans Please join us as a united study group (noon and 6:45p together) at Debbie Smetts home on the 23rd, beginning at 6:00p, for a light dinner of soup and biscuits and an introduction to the Book of Romans; by Pastor Scott. Food pantry items are always welcomed and a collection container is located in the Narthex. However, it would be great if everyone could remember to bring an item to be collected on the last Sunday of each month. The Utica Food Pantry is currently experiencing a shortage of toilet paper.... Anything and everything from Highwater is always greatly appreciated!! Also, we continue to collect 'change for change'. A jar is located in the Narthex. Please consider dropping some pocket change into the jar. Missions will allocate the collection to coordinate with the church's current missions project. Thank you for your ongoing support as we help our neighbors in need. Men s Prayer Breakfast Saturday, January 7th See you at the Lighthouse on the Hill on Rte 62 across from Branstool s Orchard at 8:00a.m. We Welcome New Council Members : Nancy Schmidt and Marcia Hoskinson-Care Ministry Jennifer Piper - Fellowship Ministry Nancy Siegel - Missions Ministry Steve Barna - Moderator We thank all those who have served on Council these past couple of years, as well as those who volunteered to help the ministry chairs. Please take a moment this Sunday to look over the signup sheet for 2012 volunteers, and put your name where you are being called to help. Thank You! Nursery Schedule 1/01 Fred and Judy Grace 1/08 Rachel Vaughan 1/15 Storts Family 1/22 Bowman Family 1/29 Kathy Preston Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early, and if possible, grab a friend or another family member to help you - it s easier with 2 people! Please see the bulletin for an updated list. Highwater Church 4 January 2012

5 24 Let us consider how we can stir up one another to love. Let us help one another to do good works. 25 Let us not give up meeting together. Some are in the habit of doing this. Instead, let us cheer each other up with words of hope. Let us do it all the more as you see the day coming when Christ will return. Hebrews 10:24-25a J E S U S The FROGs are now serving Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate and assorted goodies on Sunday mornings from 9:00a.m. - 11:45a.m. Stop in and get connected with our youth. Donations are accepted and will be used to fund Youth Activities throughout the year! The Highwater Connection WinterJam 2012 Saturday, January 28th Plan to meet at the church at 2:00p.m. for the Pre-Jam Party This year the Youth from Trinity U.C.C. in Baltimore will join us. Beginning at 2:00p.m. there will be Food, Fellowship and Fun. We will depart for the Schott at 4:00p.m. Please sign up if you plan to attend and if you can be an adult driver note that as well. Highwater Church 3 January 2012

6 Highwater Congregational U.C.C Dutch Lane Rd. Newark, OH Phone Sunday Schedule Worship - 8:30 & 10:30a.m. Faith Formation - 9:30a.m. (For all ages) Children s Church - 10:30a.m. Blood Drive Please sign up to give the gift of life this month. Sunday, January 22nd WISH Dinners Licking County Trustees Saturday, January 7th 12:00p.m. Please sign up to help Pastor Scott Schieber, Minister schieber@columbus.rr.com Phone : (h) (c) Debra Smetts, Secretary & Newsletter Editor highchurch@windstream.net Phone : Steve Barna, Moderator WE RE ON THE WEB! Check us out! Did You Know? Greeting us with the love of Christ in the month of January are Bill and Janet Goodman. Acolytes for January: Sara Vaughan & Shelby Kerr, Will & Cate Schieber, Allie Burgess & Emma Swick, Tralie & Owen Storts, and Megan Payne & Sara Vaughan Thank You Highwater! Our Little Red Wagon collection supplied much needed food to the Utica Food Pantry and more than $5, in monetary donations was collected in The wagon will come your way again on Sunday, January 29th. Office Hours : Mondays and Thursdays: 8:00a - 11:00a Wednesdays: 8:00a - 12:00p Planning an Event? Use the LEGG Center Call Peggy Green at for rates, information and to reserve your date. And, if you want to use Highwater s tables, chairs, or other assets, please be sure to check first, and sign them out with both a departure date and a due-back date. Peace, Hope, Faith, Love, Joy Through Giving & Attendance 12/04 $2, /11 4, /18 2, /25 1, Need Weekly for Budget $2, YTD $ 12,038.50