The Good News. The Pastors Pen. Northfield Presbyterian Church February Pastor Wally

Transcription

1 Northfield Presbyterian Church February 2018 The Good News The Pastors Pen I ve now been on board for three weeks and I ve enjoyed the time immensely. I ve tried to get to know people, put names with faces and carry out the duties of the pastor. As I mentioned in my last article, each church is different and does things in their own special way. Northfield Presbyterian Church is no different in this manner. So I m always learning, always asking questions, always doing things in a new way. All of this is not a problem, in fact it is kind of fun. Sometimes I turn to the left because that is what I d done in the past, but someone gently turns me around and heads me in the right direction. The people who help direct me are great. Staff leads me during the week and I m very grateful for that. Lay leaders help me on Sunday and at regular scheduled meetings and I appreciate that too. I m getting up to speed, can find my office and know what keys open what doors. I watch your interactions with one another and how caring you all seem to be for one another. That aspect of being a church is very validating and I applaud you for that. I m always watching, not because I m nosy, but because I need to have you teach me about this wonderful church. Some of you have shared some of your faith story with me and I appreciate it. I ll try to chat with more of you in the days ahead so I know you better. The Christian faith is about stories, both biblical stories as well as church member stories. My background in faith came in New England which has great stories about our earliest churches and their ministers. The Western Reserve has a history rooted in that New England tradition. Again, we have great stories. And your stories are also the foundation of this church s larger story. So I will keep trying to get you to tell me what you know and I promise to listen. One of my earliest stories has a Presbyterian base to it. It happened one Sunday morning when I was six or seven. The night before had been a little scary at my house, noise and yelling and more was my recollection. But early on that Sunday, the house was silent, everyone was asleep except me. I got up, got dressed, had a piece of toast and juice and left the house. I walked about three city blocks until I reached a church that was closest to our home. I walked in. The service had begun, so I walked down front to an empty pew. I sat down, some music played and in no time the ushers came down the aisle with brass plates. People put money in the plates. When they came to me I did have a dime. All I had was ten cents but I put it in the plate. The next time the ushers came forward everyone stood and a song played. I then followed the users out and left the church. I don t remember anyone speaking to me. I think the ushers and greeters were shocked to see a little kid, by himself, come into the church and go sit down by himself and all alone. As I reflect on that story, I knew even then that church was a safe space for me and it has always been a sanctuary, a safe place for me. Years later I returned to that street and checked out that church. It was a Presbyterian Church and now I m back. And it is good. Pastor Wally

2 COLLEGE/MILITARY GIFT CARDS Do you have a college student away from home or a young person in the military? NPC would like to let them know we re thinking about them. In late February, the Board of Deacons will send gift cards to all NPC young people in these two categories. If you would like to help defray the cost of the cards, please place a contribution in the offering plate marking it for the Deacon s Gift Card Project. Please have all donations in by Sunday, February 18th. The amount of the collection will determine the value of the gift cards. Also, please supply us with names and addresses of your college student/armed forces personnel. (IMMEDIATE FAMILY ONLY PLEASE -- military may be grandchild.) Please or call the office with those before February 18th. Thank you, The Deacons Young Adult/Teen Bible to Begin Feb. 25th Anti-Trafficking Team Update We are looking for young adults, between the ages of 13-30, who are interested in joining a Bible. We will be studying from a book called Discover Your Destiny by Cary Schmidt. This book focuses on how to make the right choices in a world full of wrong, and helps you discover God s plan for you. We will meet Sunday mornings at Northfield Presbyterian Church at approximately 9:15-10:15 a.m. starting February 25, Books will be provided. Please respond by February 11, 2018 to Deana Williams at Deana_williams@hotmail.com or call/text or the church office SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE STUDY will begin studying Easter Earthquake on February 11th. Join them weekly at 9:00 a.m. in room 201. Led by Keith Miller. Well, It s time for dinner in our make-believe day. The food you prepare and eat may have been brought to you by men and children subjected to forced labor on cattle ranches and farms in the United States, Latin America and Africa. These victims work long hours, receive little or no pay, and suffer physical and emotional abuse in herding the cattle. Do you want to know more about Human Trafficking? The Nordonia Hills City District and the Nordonia Hills Rotary, are presenting a seminar on the subject on February 15 th at Nordonia High. The presentation is being held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. NPC s Anti-Trafficking Team will be attending.

3 Women s Association The next Women s Association meeting will be held on Monday, February 13 at 10 a.m. in the Family Living Area. Since January meeting was cancelled due to snow the topic will remain. Cindy Maxhimer will lead the discussion from lesson 4, Run to Win based on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 from our study booklet HEAVEN. All NPC women are welcome to join us for discussion and fellowship. Welcome New Officers The following members were elected to Boards in the church on January 21st Elders: Scott Williamson, Chris Fenn, Keith Miller Deacons: Michelle & Heather Williamson, Pauline Enczur, Patty Fenn Day Care Board: Kathy Moore, Sharon Hofmeister, Linda Goldenbogen At-Large Nominating Committee: Dave Cavanaugh, Marianne Fiala, Kirk Louis and Ellen Miller. Stewardship Report January 2018 Income: $ 12,7099 Expenses: $ Mission Spending 1st Quarter: The Seed Company: Galen Johnson - Africa $ Globe Ministries: Bob & Melissa Hill- Scotland $ Intervarsity Christian Fellowship: B. Trube $ Interlink Ministries: Mary Williams Cleveland $ RAHAB House Akron area $ Reliant: Kent/Akron - Chad and Eva Frank $ SAMair - Mike and Nancy Mahon, Peru $ Offering Statements are available in the Narthex for you to take home with you. We will mail out those that are not picked up in person. Katie Williamson Pauline Enczur Donna Hamed Kathy Moore Robin Su John Rudin Marie Fiala Jean Swanson Abby Williamson Zack Miller Ann Luketic Emily Rose Zwegat 1-Feb 2-Feb 4-Feb 4-Feb 4-Feb 5-Feb 10-Feb 13-Feb 15-Feb 18-Feb 22-Feb 27-Feb PANTRY ITEMS CONTINUE TO BE COLLECTED The Women s Association will continue to collect food items for the Macedonia Emergency Center. They need dry, boxed nonperishable food items such as: Spaghetti noodles and all other types of pasta either in a box or bags as well as rice, instant potatoes, cereal, hamburger or tuna helper, crackers jellies and Jams. There is a container in the narthex where church families can drop off their donations on Sundays or any other day they are in the building. We will continue to collect them as long as they are being donated. Thank you! Thank you!

4 CONFIRMATION CLASS 2018 On January 21st, we received 5 young adults into the membership of the church: Deana Williams, Dylan Maholm, Katherine, Heather and Abigail Williamson. Chris and Patty Fenn had lead them through an Alpha Youth Class during the fall. They also participated in a retreat at Beulah Beach (pictured right). The service featured Deana and Dylan being baptized and all the confirmants Statements of Faith. It was a very moving morning and we are thrilled to formally welcome them into the church family. All have been active in the church for many years with their families. Congratulations to all! Katie Williamson Deana Williams Heather Williamson Dylan Maholm Abby Williamson

5 February 2018 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT :30 VBC Choir :30 pm Cub Scouts 8 9 6:30 VBC Choir am Day Care Open House 11 11:30am Deacons 12 10am Women s Association 13 6pm Day Care Class 14 Ash Wednesday 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 7pm VBC Bible :30 VBC Choir pm Session 20 6pm Day Care Class 21 6pm VBC Prayer time :30pm Community Meal :15 Young Adult Sun pm VBC Bible

6 Tell your friends with children about: Day Care and Preschool OPEN HOUSE Saturday, February a.m p.m. Tour the school! Meet the teachers! Register for enrollment! Open house for prospective families only please. Northfield Presbyterian Church 7755 S. Boyden Rd. Northfield, OH npc7755@roadrunner.com