Did you invite someone to church today? God bless the mail carrier who delivers this newsletter. Cross Talk

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1 Address Service Requested PO Box 40 Sandyville, Ohio To Our Beloved Friend and/or Member: Did you invite someone to church today? God bless the mail carrier who delivers this newsletter. Cross Talk Address: 4796 Crossroads Road NE PO Box 40 Sandyville, Ohio Office Phone: Monthly Longform Newsletter for [October2018] Find back-issues online at Please join us on Sundays for Worship! Worship Service at 9:30 AM with Pastor Scott Anderson Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Scott Anderson, Pastor Mary Drotleff, Secretary Susan Kaschak, Musician Joe and Melinda Farber, Custodians Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 9 AM-1 PM Closed Thursday and Friday

2 Cross Talk Longform Newsletter for October 2018 Back-Issues Available at A Special Message from the Pastor s Desk Jesus said to the Judeans who had believed in him, If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free. (John 8:31-32) October is my favorite month. I love the fall foliage, not only here in Ohio, but also in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains. To me, there is nothing better than fresh apple cider from the orchards on an October day. I like the weather that typically is not too hot and not too cold. As a sports fan, I enjoy the variety: baseball playoffs (especially when both the Indians and Astros are playing in the post season) and the World Series, football games (especially The Ohio State University and, yes, the Cleveland Browns), and the start of hockey season (hoping the Blue Jackets will make the playoffs once more and go deeper into the playoffs this year). Most of all, as a Lutheran pastor, I love October for reminders of my theological roots in the life of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. As we recall the life and struggles of Martin Luther, we remember someone who stood firm and continued in God s Word (borrowing the words from the gospel text for Reformation Sunday, see above). By the grace of God, Luther began to understand Scripture through inspiration from the Holy Spirit that we live by the grace of God. We are justified in the eyes of God, not by our own actions, but by God s grace as a gift, which is given through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Martin Luther was changed through this gift of grace and risked everything on it. Angered by the selling of indulgences (papers that claimed to reduce a person s or a loved one s penalty of sin) by John Tetzel, Luther protested against such actions (hence the later name Protestant). On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther made known his 95 theses (or arguments), traditionally seen as being nailed to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, and thus began the reform of the church. The first of these arguments boldly proclaimed, When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ said, repent, He willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance. Luther spoke out sharply against the practice of indulgences: Those who believe that they can be certain of their salvation because of their indulgence letters will be eternally damned, together with their teachers. Christians are taught that he who gives to the poor or lends to the needy does a better deed than he who buys an indulgence. Through a series of debates, Martin Luther continued to develop his theology of the cross, which sees salvation as a gift from God through Jesus suffering and death on a cross. At the Diet of Worms in 1521, Emperor Charles V gave Luther a final opportunity to recant his words. After prayerful consideration, on the next day, Luther responded by saying, Here I stand, I can do no other. Luther would not recant his words unless he was proven wrong by Scripture or reason. And Luther stood firm in faith the rest of his life and continued in God s Word. Standing firm by the grace of God and continuing in God s Word was the way in which Martin Luther lived his life. But what of us today as we remember our Lutheran heritage? What does it take to be a Lutheran in the 21st century? How do we answer the question, Who is a Lutheran? in the midst of a variety of denominations. Here are some possible answers to the questions: A Lutheran is someone who is a Christian, who lives by the grace of God through the cross of Christ. someone who shares that grace of God in thought, word, and deed every day. someone who understands that through God s loving actions, not our own, are we saved. someone willing to take risks for the gospel of Jesus Christ. someone who continues in God s Word every moment of their life. Yours in Christ, Pastor Scott

3 Announcements for the Start of the Month News breaks all the time during a month from our church! Find it anytime at PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS: Nancy Tolfo is at Aultman Woodlawn for rehabilitation. SOUTHERN CLUSTER FALL MEETING: Bless the Children. Meeting will be held Wednesday October 10, 2018, from 9:00 am 1:00 pm. at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia. 9:00 to 9:30 am registration and coffee hour. Cost is $8.00 per person and registration is due by October 3, HELPING HANDS: ACME COMMUNITY CASHBACK IS BACK!!!!! Once again Helping Hands will be participating in the Acme Fresh Market Stores Community Cash back program. We need your help in collecting Acme Fresh Market receipts dated between August 9, 2018 and December 29, When you purchase Acme Store brand items we receive 5% back through this program. Receipts may be dropped off at Helping Hands any Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 9 AM and 2:30 PM, or mailed to Helping Hands, PO Box 595, Waynesburg, Oh Thank you in advance for your support of HHN through this program! Becky Larson UPDATE ON PASTOR ROGER THOMPSON: I would like to thank all of my SOTV family for the cards and prayers before and after my successful hip replacement surgery. It warms my heart to be remembered and both Liz and I still think of you as family even though we are no longer living in the area. We think of you often and keep you in our prayers. Pastor Thompson Cards can be sent to: Pastor Roger Thompson 26 Wedgewood Dr. Willard, Oh PASTOR SCOTT S UPDATE: Office hours will be Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 10 AM to 5 PM. This will be a temporary until he gets a set schedule. You may reach him at during his office hours, or on his cell Yes, his area code is 830. He can also be reached at pastorscott@sotvchurch.com. CONGRATULATIONS: On October 6 at 5:00 PM, Brock Bowman will receive his Eagle Scout Badge at a Court of Honor Ceremony being held at the East Sparta Methodist Church. Please congratulate this young man on his hard work to achieve this goal. AmazonSmile: Over the past few years, the Media and Technology Committee has been pursuing new methods of fundraising via the internet. Through this search, we have found a number of interesting tools, the first of which we will be using is AmazonSmile. If you use Amazon for shopping, we hope you will check it out! Without costing users any extra, it takes 0.5% of your purchase on eligible items (marked on their product page with the AmazonSmile logo, as seen above) back to our church. Try it out today by going to smile.amazon.com and searching for Shepherd of the Valley Evangelical Lutheran Church.

4 Announcements for the Start of the Month, cont d News breaks all the time during a month from our church! Find it anytime at THANK YOU CARDS RECEIVED: Bill & Kathy Liebler sent a nice thank you for the Barney Prayer Bear that Bill received. He was so pleased that he wants to pass it on to his first great grandchild, Carson. They also sent a donation to the ministry. Thank you to all who love their neighbor by being a part of the Shepherd s Kitchen on the second Friday and by volunteering at the Refuge of Hope every third Monday. Thank you to everyone who was involved in my Instatement Worship Service on Sunday, September 30 th! I greatly appreciate all who made that Sunday special. The love and support that I have received from the people of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, not only on that Sunday, but since I begun serving here, are truly blessings. Thank you again for all that you have done for me. Pastor Scott Thank you to all who put together our special displays for God s Work; Our Hands Sunday! These displays of our various ministries here at Shepherd of the Valley are wonderful reminders of the positive ways in which we love our neighbor. Thank you, especially, to all who participate in any of our ministries! UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, October 7: Blessing of Quilts. First of all, thank you to all of our quilters for all of the talent, time, and care that you give for our neighbors around the world. We will have a special blessing of quilts during our worship service on October 7. These quilts, which will be distributed by Lutheran World Relief, are used not only as warm bedding or floor coverings, but are also used to shield people against the cold and rain, are used by mothers to hold their babies, and even are used as simple tents. Again, thank you to all who make this ministry possible. October 7 and 21: Confirmation Classes. Our Confirmation Class schedule will change in October to the first and third Sundays of October to accommodate pastor s and the church s schedules. During the month of October, we will begin our study of The Apostles Creed. Sunday, October 28: Reformationfest (a.k.a. What Would Luther Eat?) Please join us for a special celebration of our Lutheran heritage. On October 28, we will celebrate Reformation Sunday with a special potluck, focusing on German food. Sausage will be provided. Everyone in the congregation is asked to bring a German side dish (sauerkraut, red cabbage, German potato salad, German cole slaw, green beans and potatoes, etc.) or dessert (German Chocolate Cake, Strudel, Cream Puffs, etc.) for a fellowship meal immediately following our worship. As you consider your contribution to our Reformation Sunday pot luck, just ask yourself, What Would Luther Eat? Or, if you have been to the Autobahn at Schmidt s in German Village in Columbus, what would you eat from their buffet? Sunday, November 4: All Saints Sunday. At the beginning of our worship service on All Saints Sunday (November 4), there will be a special remembrance of the saints who have gone before us and a celebration of the saints made new in baptism. Please contact the church office by Monday, October 29 of the names of any family members who joined the church triumphant since the last All Saints Sunday or the names of those who were baptized in the past 12 months. This will allow us to print their names in the order of worship for that Sunday. Thank you in advance. Hurricane Disaster Response. Hurricanes Gordon and Florence have created havoc here in the United States. The images from these horrendous storms are heart breaking. Thank you for your prayers. If you wish to donate to help the victims of these hurricanes, you may write a check to Lutheran Disaster Response (P.O. Box 1809; Merrifield, Virginia ) marked with Hurricane Response United States on the memo. If you wish to make a contribution via electronic media, please go to Disaster-Response.

5 The Month at Shepherd of the Valley Our calendar of events is online at Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Quilt Blessing Confirmation Class 10:30 AM-Noon Council Meeting 6:30 PM Shepherd s Kitchen Bingo 3:30pm Meal 4:30pm 14 Pastor Off 15 Refuge Of Hope Confirmation Class 10:30am-Noon Newsletter Deadline Reformation Sunday Meal after Service Assembly Angels Halloween About Due Dates If you have an announcement to go into the Sunday bulletin, please have it to the church office by 10 AM on the Tuesday before. Unless it is a change of address announcement, it will be automatically posted to the website on the Latest News blog and go out with Cross Talk Online on Sunday morning. (Need to send something sooner digitally? Jacob Schandel at media@sotvchurch.com for help.) Newsletter items for the upcoming month are due to the church office by the third Monday of the month prior.

6 Other Dates and Information If it s a note from a friend or member, a birthday, or anything else, we have it here. Birthdays this Month Sunday Readings for This Month Council Members 1 Susan Lux 10 Cindy Mutigli 14 Jennifer Reynolds 15 Rose Orlando 19 Rick Garber 20 Liz Thompson 31 Jeremy Broadwater Anniversaries This Month Glen & Evelyn Johnstone (10/1) Fred & Mary Drotleff (10/5) Jeff & Michelle Ward (10/26) Did we miss your birthday or anniversary? Did we have the wrong date? We apologize! Please let the church office know, and we will fix it on our end! Special Messages for the Congregation Sunday October 7 Genesis 2: Psalm 8 Hebrews 1: 1-4; 2: 5-12 Mark 10: 2-16 Sunday October 14 Amos 5: 6-7, Psalm 90: Hebrews 4: Mark 10: Sunday October 21 Isaiah 53: 4-12 Psalm 91: 9-16 Hebrews 5: 1-10 Mark 10: Sunday October 28 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 46 Romans 3: John 8: Blessing of the Quilts for LWR, Sunday October 7, 2018 Reformationfest (a.k.a. What Would Luther Eat?) Sunday October 28, 2018 after service. Susan Lux, President Jeff Ward, Vice President Karen Broadwater, Secretary Bill Bowman, Officer Fred Drotleff, Officer Max Lebold, Officer Marilyn Mason, Officer Chris Pontones, Officer Terri Wanner, Officer Please Remember the Shut-Ins We have members of our flock who are not able to attend our Worship Services on a regular basis. Please remember these members in your prayers and with your cards. Addresses can be obtained from the church office upon request. Church members living in assisted facilities: Canton Christian Home Carl Wanner Country Club Residential Campus Alexa Dazey Inn at Northwood Village Rose Orlando St. Lukes Lutheran Community Roberto Techi Church members living independently and/or with family: Guy & Joyce Aultman Debra Campbell

7 Worship Leaders for the Month If you are unable to come the day you are scheduled for, please notify the church office as soon as you can! October 7 Music Susan Kaschak Greeters/Ushers Iva Campana & Dottie Scott/Tim F & Jim H Lay Reader Jennifer Crone Communion Assistant Karen Broadwater Acolytes Zoe Ward Junior Communion Assistant Counters Michelle & Linda Altar Care Thelma Nixon October 14 Music Susan Kaschak Greeters/Ushers The Bowman Family Lay Reader Bill Bowman Communion Assistant Acolytes Jack Bowman Junior Communion Assistant Counters Janine & Terri Altar Care Thelma Nixon October 21 Music Susan Kaschak Greeters/Ushers Thelma Nixon& Cindy Sundheimer/Tim F Lay Reader Fred Drotleff Communion Assistant Acolytes Jack Bowman Junior Communion Assistant Counters Brian & Mary Altar Care Thelma Nixon October 28 Music Susan Kaschak Greeters/Ushers The Dan Wanner Family Lay Reader Michelle Ward Communion Assistant Acolytes Zoe Ward Junior Communion Assistant Counters Dan & Jeff Altar Care Thelma Nixon

8 Food For Thought News breaks all the time during a month from our church! Find it anytime at ANGEL IN THE SKY A True Story Written by Mary Drotleff, 2018 In July of 2017, my husband Fred and myself traveled to Wisconsin, Richland Center in fact, to spend a week with Richard and Vicki Stevenson. They are Fred's cousins. Now Richland Center proper is a small to medium size city. The out lying areas, also part of Richland Center, is vast. The city is surrounded by God's country. They have, what they call, rolling hills that also has outcropping s (bluffs) of shale on them. They are everywhere you drive, and it's a beautiful sight! Richard and Vicki own 150 plus acres and live part way up one of these hills. Their driveway is approximately 2000 ft long, and their house is hidden from the road. Their driveway tends to wash out during heavy rains and this keeps Richard busy. The forest that surrounds their home is beautiful and nature abounds with many animals. You travel miles to get to your destination, like a restaurant! The night before we were to return to Ohio, we went out to eat. It was maybe a hour drive through the hills, and winding around the flat areas where farmers grew their crops. We had the best fish dinner and enjoyed the evening, spending it with family. It was getting dusk when we left the restaurant, but atop the hills, the last of the sun shone before setting. The sky was clear except for one cloud. I looked up at the cloud, which was formed like an angel holding a trumpet. The sun illuminated a halo and the trumpet's bell. I had Fred look out the window at it, just to make sure I was seeing it correctly. He saw the same angel. We returned home the next day, but we never told anyone what we saw in the sky. In October, just a few months after our visit to Wisconsin, Richard passed away peacefully in his sleep. I believe we were meant to see that cloud, and it was letting us know that preparations were being made for Richard's homecoming. We both take consolation in believing that little cloud was God's way of preparing us for Richard's death. We thank God for giving us the time we had with him. So look to the heavens and be open to what you see.

9 Council Minutes for August 2018 By council mandate, a backlog of minutes are available on the website. You can find them at SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES August 13, 2018 Members Present: Pastor Scott, Bill Bowman, Karen Broadwater, Fred Drotleff, Max Lebold, Susan Lux, Marilyn Mason Chris Pontones, Jeff Ward, Michele Ward. Absent (excused) Terri Wanner. Meeting opened with prayer. Reading of Minutes from the June meeting were read and approved. Treasurer s Report: Jeff Ward motioned to accept report. Max Lebold seconded. Motion carried. Report placed on file for audit. Thrivent Accounts have the following balances. As of August 13, 2018 the account #36 has a balance of $73, Account # 35 has a balance of $ The accounts balances on 03/31/2018 were as follows: Account #36 $72,164.60; #35 $59, Memorial Funds. There is a need for a improved Memorial Fund recording so there can be better tracking of the fund balances. This was tabled and will be discussed at next council meeting. It was noted that there should be the option of letting the family know of who gave a memorial. Bills. Memorial gifts for Wayne Kaschak totaled $ Due to Wayne s desire to have the youth go to Cedar point, it was moved by Fred Drotleff to take the money from the memorial fund to pay for the $450 transportation expense. Marilyn Mason seconded; motion carried. Changes to membership. Several people are not listed in the permanent record book who may be members. They will be contacted to verify their membership, contact information and be sure their baptism and marriage information is correct. OLD BUSINESS Term call. Copy of the term call covenant was reviewed. Our original draft called for a six- month covenant. The Syndod changed the covenant to a one- year term. Custodian duties. Fred Drotleff met with custodians and reviewed their job description. Copier contract. The technician will be scheduling an appointment to be sure the pastor s computer and copier are connected to each other. Hazards/Vandalism/Security/Liability. We have insurance that covers these things. There have been persons who have used the church parking lot for skateboarding and the air conditioning unit that was vandalized. Members felt that we should ask Tuscarawas Sheriff if they would increase patrolling as a way to promote security. We as a church need to get an updated inventory of the building and contents which may include pictures. The doors to the church are locked when Mary D is working to promote safety. NEW BUSINESS Blessing of Term Call. On September 30, 2018, Synod to conduct special service with communion. Members discussed the serving of a special meal after the service. Fred Drotleff motioned to proceed with plan of the special meal. Marilyn Mason seconded. Motion cablerried. Constitution. The last time the church constitution was updated was in Jeff Ward, Fred Drotleff, and Susan Lux to work on review.

10 Council Minutes for August 2018, cont d. By council mandate, a backlog of minutes are available on the website. You can find them at Reports Evangelism and Outreach. Currently collecting school supplies for students. Quilt-a-thon was a success and at this time there are 44 quilts that will be ready for Lutheran World Relief. Property. Report reviewed by members. We will need to take care of weeds in the gravel area of the parking lot. Matter tabled until spring. The parking lot asphalt needs resealed; need to get estimates. It was noted that the main entrance needs attention. Worship and Music. Report reviewed. There is a need for more altar care helpers. We are going to be using setting eight in the LBW toward the Easter season. Susan K has requested memorial fund money that was donated in memory of Scarlet Hunter be used to purchase needed music. This was what family wanted funds used for. Jeff Ward motioned to designate $ from the general funds for music. Chris Pontones seconded; motion carried. Members discussed that there should be a line item for the budget at the beginning of the year. Discussed the need for possible having three members form a specific committee to address this. Financial Stewardship. No report. Fellowship and Family Life. Father s Day breakfast after service. Youth. Members were introduced to a possible way to encourage help for the new church project of making mats from plastic bags for the homeless. At this point details are being worked on. Technology No report. Pastor s Report. Report reviewed. There needs to be addressed of the frequency of communion. Marilyn Mason motioned to have communion at the special service on September 30. Fred Drotleff seconded; motion carried. Ken Reinoehl s mileage report reviewed. Chris Pontones motioned to pay mileage request. Jeff Ward seconded. Motion carried Upcoming events: September 9, Rally Day. September 16, God s Work Sunday. September 10, Council Meeting. September 30, Blessing of Term call with lunch following. Jeff Ward motioned to adjourn meeting. Max Lebold seconded. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Karen Broadwater, Secretary.