The Assistant Pastor. October 2016 Volume 58 Number 9. Gomer Congregational Church

Transcription

1 The Assistant Pastor Gomer Congregational Church October 2016 Volume 58 Number Gomer Rd. Gomer, OH gomercc.org pastor@gomercc.org secretary@gomercc.org Recently I attended the Global Leadership Summit. The GLS originates from Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago and provides leadership training live-via-satellite to several hundred sites across North America and an additional 675 sites across the world reaching 300,000+ individuals. We began hosting the Summit at Winebrenner Theological Seminary several years ago when I served as a staff member and I always walk away with something meaningful. This year, I was particularly struck by a church planter from India, Jossy Chacko. Chacko is the founder and president of Empart (empartusa.org), which is global ministry that exists to ignite holistic community transformation among the unreached and needy people of Asia. With a goal to see 100,000 communities transformed by 2030 through the planting of churches, they are on track, averaging 11 church plants per day during While discussing the need for leaders to go all in for the mission, Chacko said Don t take your gifts and abilities to heaven. Heaven doesn t need it. They were meant to be transforming this world. I found this to be a helpful challenge. Some of us like to play it safe. We mean well, and want to make a difference, but, for various reasons, hold back from giving it our all. The Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-29) reminds us we are to utilize what our Master has given us to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. We pray each week that God s kingdom would be made known on earth as it is in heaven. He intends to use us as instruments of that transformation. God has blessed each of us with gifts, skills, resources, and abilities in order to be a blessing to this world. Let s make sure we give this life everything we ve got in service to our King and his people. Grace and peace, Jim

2 MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 6, 2016 In attendance: Jim Metzger, Bill Askins, Joyce Larimore, Kathleen Carpenter, Brooks Flinn, Dan Brown, Sandy Schwartzengraber, Deb Ritchey, Donna Martin, George Diller, and Pastor Jim. Pastor Jim led us in prayer to open the meeting. Motion to approve the August minutes was made by Deb Ritchey with a second from Donna Martin. Motion was approved. Old Business Kathleen Carpenter updated us on our devotional material. It was suggested that subscriptions to Alive Now and Pockets will probably be cancelled. Daily Bread, Hometouch, and the Upper Room will still be ordered since these are being used regularly. Kathleen reported that stamps for the Card Ministry have been budgeted for the remainder of Joyce Larimore reported that no reservations have been received as yet for the Women s Fellowship event which is scheduled for September 24 th. She feels it is still early yet. Pastor Jim reported that he has not received any requests as yet for anyone who is interested in joining church. He will make sure the announcement appears in the bulletin again this week. Pastor Jim reported that some gift cards are now available for emergency use. New Business A discussion was held about whether to begin a new confirmation class at this time or encourage the two students who would be involved to begin with attending the new Sunday School class for the high school students. It was felt that attending the new Sunday School class would be a good foundation prior to beginning Confirmation. Confirmation will be readdressed at the beginning of the year. An Installation Service for Pastor Jim was discussed. It was decided to hold this service on October 16, followed by the luncheon that the Pastoral Relations Committee is sponsoring for Pastor Jim. In October, Pastor Jim will begin using members of the D&D s and possibly other members of the congregation in leading parts of the Sunday worship service; i.e., Call to Worship, Prayer of Confession, and Blessing of the Offering. George Diller discussed the possibility of putting together some packets about our church to give to visitors. Pastor Jim and Sandy will work on this project. Dan Brown reported that he will not be able to attend the November meeting due to his work schedule. George Diller volunteered to run the meeting for Dan. Minister s Report Pastor Jim reported that he has begun working with other churches to see if we could partner with one of them on a mission project. Pastor Jim gave each of the D&D s emergency phone numbers for himself and his family. Communion Next Communion is scheduled for Sunday, September 11, Pam Smith (Joyce Larimore will fill for Pam in her absence), Jeff Thomas, and Bill Askins are preparers. World Wide Communion will be held on Sunday, October 2, Donna Martin, Kathleen Carpenter, and Sandy Schwartzengraber are preparers. Cards: Betty Rager reported that she sent 58 cards during the month of August. Closing greeters for September are as follows: September 11 Kathleen Carpenter, September 18 Bill Askins, Sep-

3 tember 25 Sandy Schwartzengraber, and October 2 Deb Ritchey. Next D&D s meeting is scheduled for October 4, Jim Metzger made a motion to adjourn with a second from Deb Ritchey. Motion passed. Respectfully submitted, Sandy Schwartzengraber, Secretary kxy pxrson in thx congrxgation, and I m nxxdxd vxry much. Please join us for a carry-in lunch following worship on Sunday, October 16th. This lunch is to show Pastor Jim our appreciation for him during Pastor Appreciation Month. Shredded chicken and pulled pork sandwiches will be provided as well as the drinks. We would like those that can, to join us in fellowship and bring a dish to share. We hope all can attend to help our church celebrate our pastor. You rx nxxdxd! Evxn though my typxwritxr is an old modxl, it works quitx wxll xxcxpt for onx kxy. I havx many timxs wishxd it workxd pxrfxctly. It s trux that thx othxr kxys work grxat, but just onx kxy not working makxs a hugx diffxrxncx. Somxtimxs our church sxxms likx my typxwritxr not all thx kxy pxoplx work. You may say to yoursxlf, Wxll, I m just onx pxrson. I don t makx or brxak thx church. But it doxs makx a big diffxrxncx bxcausx a church, to bx xffxctivx, nxxds thx activx participation of xvxry pxrson. So, thx nxxt timx you think your xfforts arxn t nxcxssary, rxmxmbxr my typxwritxr and say to yoursxlf, I m a Sunday, October 2, 2016 In communion In 1936, a group of pastors launched World-Wide Communion Day. Amid the Great Depression, they were looking for a way to meet people s spiritual needs and unite Christians in their dedication to Christ. The observance, now known as World Communion Sunday, is held on the first Sunday of October. For eight decades, it has served as a reminder that Christians around the globe share the same meal in remembrance of Jesus. Virginia Evans, Bob Alger, - Vancrest, 1425 E. Fifth St. Delphos, OH Carlyle Arthur- VanCrest Assisted Living, 310 Elida Rd. Apt 217, Delphos, OH Betty Arthur, Elmcroft, 2075 N. Eastown Rd., Lima, OH Brad Martz The Meadows of Kalida, 755 Ottawa St., Kalida, OH Bill & Joanne Reese 4599 Bussert Rd., Elida, OH Autumn... the year s last, loveliest smile. William Cullen Bryant

4 Oct. 2 Bill & Pam Askins Lexi Crider Oct. 9 Jim Metzger and Dan Brown Amelia Price Oct. 16 Nathan and Fara Ewing Cody Ewing Oct. 23 Cheyenne and Dian Ridley Leanndra Price Oct. 30 Marjean Long & Betty Rager Chris Long Nov. 6 Rod & Nancy Watkins Will Nusbaum Nov. 13 Alivia Page & Linda Whittington Kaden Smith Nov. 20 Steve & Dina Tadena Seth Tadena Nov. 27 Jenni Martin & Carol Sunderland Kyle Smith Dec. 4 Dan & Keisha Larimore Bryce Ballard Dec. 11 Lynne & Suzanne Metzger Gage Meyers Dec. 18 Janice Branham & Bill Williams Amelia Price Dec. 24 Kathleen Carpenter & Janet Alger T J Martin Dec. 25 Aaron & Lori Crider Lexi Crider If you are unable to be here on your assigned Sunday, we would ask that you find a replacement or trade Sundays with someone else on the list. Make sure to contact the office with the change. Our weekly Bible Study continues at Martha Britt s. We meet on Thursdays at 7:00. Please come and join us at 6:30 for coffee and Bible study will follow at 7. We hope to see you there. The Welsh Society would like to invite everyone to the Annual Welsh Breakfast and Bake Sale on Saturday October 22, 2016 at the Gomer Congregational Church from8:30 to 10:30am. We will be serving our traditional breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, hash brown potato cakes, biscuits with homemade jelly, baked beans, mushrooms, and fruit with Welsh Cream. Coffee and juice will also be served. Tickets are $8. For adults, children 6-12 will be $4. And children under 5 are free. You can contact Marty Thomas or Mary Alger for tickets or buy them at the door. We will also be having a bake sale and any donated bake goods will be appreciated. They can be dropped off at the church on Friday, October 21 or Saturday morning. All proceeds go for the Welsh Scholarships. Volunteers are needed to help, please contacted Mary Alger is you would like to help. We will be frying bacon on Friday, October 21 at 9am at the church or help is needed on Saturday serving or preparing food.

5 Dear Family, This month Maxine Evans will be celebrating her 98th birthday! Happy Birthday! Wilma & Tom Evans will be celebrating their 52nd anniversary. Congratulations to our young family members on their awards at the Allen County Fair. Our Gomer Go-Getters won many championships and reserve championships. Shelby Crider placed 5th in Jr. Beef showmanship, and Codey Ewing won 3rd for his Standard Pullets. Almost every member received an "A" on their project. Did You Know: In October, 1976, the Steinway grand piano, given to the church by Gwendolyn (Dolly) Williams Morgan was dedicated. A piano recital was given by John Evans. John, then a New York city musician, was the son of Jay and Sara Evans, sister of Janet Evans Wallace, and nephew of Lillian Rupel. Members of our family have always been generous with their time. It's time for an update on some of our many volunteers. Betty Rager has been volunteering at the St. Rita's Cancer Center for 14 years. She is there every Tuesday & Thursday making the time more pleasant for those receiving treatment, and also helping the staff in many ways. She brings smiles to all. Pat Thomas will again be helping Mrs. Gomez with her second grade class. She also will be helping with dance classes. Fara Ewing continues to be very active. She is head of the local 4-H, and is a Boy Scout leader. She & Jordan Martin are head of the older scouts. She heads the book sales at Elida Elementary, and substitutes in the nurses' office, the main office, and the library. Betty Metzger still volunteers at Lima Memorial when home from Florida. In addition to their volunteering, they are all active in many capacities in the church. Please continue to keep us informed about your activities, and any news that should be shared with the rest of the family. An old Swedish Proverb said, "Shared joy is double joy, and shared sorrow is half-sorrow." Great--Aunt Grace Visiting nurses will be here at Gomer Congregational Church on Saturday, October 22 from 8 to 10am giving flu shots. The cost is $30. Medicare members please bring you Medicare card. Twenty-three bags of groceries and toiletries were delivered to the Veterans Food Bank in Lima in September! Thanks for your donations! The next food pantry collection will be on Sunday, October 9. Bring your donated items to the sanctuary during the worship service. Items will be blessed and donated to an area food bank. If you forget that day just bring them any time and deposit them in the basket at the south door.

6 Add your family memories or events to the Gomer Congregational Church Brick Garden. You can make a permanent record for only $50 per brick. Bricks can be made in memory of a person or event in your family history. Please join us in adding memories to our garden. You can call the church office for order forms or more information. October 30, 2016 I m clean! Church reformer Martin Luther once had a nightmare about being judged by the devil. From a scroll, Satan was reading all the sins Luther had ever committed. What hope of heaven do you have as a miserable sinner? the devil accused. Feeling despondent, Luther remembered the cross. There s one entry which thou hast not made, Satan, he said. When the devil inquired about it, Luther responded confidently: The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7, KJV). Praise God that he sent Jesus to be our Deliverer (Psalm 18:2) so we are no longer held hostage by Satan s accusations! Bill and I appreciated Pastor Jim s recent visit. It was great having a chance to get acquainted. Also, the cards and notes that were sent for our anniversary and my birthday meant so much to us. Thank you. Joanne Reese Saturday, October 1, to 6:30PM At Gomer Congregational Church 7350 Gomer Road Tickets $8 For tickets call Dinner includes half a barbecued chicken by Chuffers, green beans, applesauce, roll and butter and homemade cookies

7 99 th ANNUAL GYMANFA GANU SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, :00PM GOMER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 7350 Gomer Rd. Gomer, Ohio Jay Gomer Williams, Director Amy Larimore Garman, Soloist Nancy Glick, Harpist Martha Britt, Organist Joyce Larimore, Pianist The Welsh Museum will be open from 5-6:30pm For more information Our Fall Festival this year will be on October 22nd from 3:00-6:30. We will start with snacks and games at 3:00. Trunk-or-Treat will be at 4:00 and supper will follow. Dinner will be ham and beans, chili, cornbread and hot dogs. This year we will be having a dessert contest with an apple theme. Bring your yummy apple desserts for all to share. Jenni Martin says she has plenty of apples at her house for you to use. We also could use some help with serving, setup, and clean-up. Please look for a signup sheet. Your help and participation will help to make our Fall Festival even more successful than last year. Churches in North America have chosen to set aside October as a special time to show honor, thanks and appreciation to their pastors. We know firsthand that your loving actions or words of encouragement can go a long way in maintaining the spirits of your pastor. Show him that his service does matter to you! Some ideas will not cost a penny but will have priceless, long-term effects. In all of your activities, remember that Clergy Appreciation Month is not about glorifying a man or a woman. It is a Biblically consistent opportunity to recognize and encourage those whom God has called to proclaim His message and lead His people (1 Thess. 5:12-13). It is a time when the entire congregation can become unified in celebrating what God is doing in its midst. Ideas: 1. Pray for our Pastor 2. A Gift Card Goes A Long Way. Most people who work for churches live on tight budgets. A gift card to a local restaurant or their favorite store can be a huge encouragement. 3. Cook a meal or dessert for him 4. Send cards of encouragement 5. Tell him Thanks And remember to keep appreciating them throughout the year. While Pastor Appreciation Month concludes at the end of October, your pastor continues to work hard every month of the year. Surprise them with gift cards to their favorite restaurants, coffee shops, or bookstores throughout the year.

8 Current Exp Building September 4 61 $1305 $25. September $1020. $0. September $1382. $50. September $1256. $0. Amount need weekly to meet out Budget $2058. If you would like to formally join The Gomer Congregational Church membership, please fill out the form below and return to the church office or call the church office or see Pastor Jim. Name Phone TRICK OR TREAT T is the season of Goblins Witches, Ghosts and such Scarey little people That dear night so much. Pumpkins decorate the doorsteps Shocks stand straight and tall Black cats may be lurking Down that long dark hall. Yes, it s Halloween time Candy treats are in the store Little goblins are begging For treats as your door. Enjoy these little munchkins It comes but once a year T is the season for goblins A time they hold most dear Written by Monetta Lloyd (Oct. 1997) Kairos Prison Ministry has often been referred to as the cookie ministry. Homemade cookies are a small thing to us on the outside, but to someone who has been incarcerated for a long time, they are priceless. The fact that someone cared enough to actually bake a cookie for them is very profound. The Kairos team uses these cookies to help show the love of Christ and of their outside brothers and sisters in Christ to the residents. Several thousand dozen cookies are required for each Kairos weekend and we want to help the team serving at Allen- Oakwood Nov. 3-6! There are specific requirements for cookies to be cleared into the prison, so if you re willing to bake cookies, please pick up an instruction sheet on the information table. If you would like to help, but are unable to bake homemade cookies, contributions will be accepted until Oct. 17. We will purchase frozen dough and bake the cookies for you! Simply put your contribution in an envelope marked cookies or turn it in to the church office. Daily tasks When I awoke this morning, I asked, How shall I live this day? The answers were all around me: The fan said, Keep your cool. The ceiling said, Aim high. The window said, Look outside yourself. The clock said, Every minute is precious. The calendar said, Stay up to date. The door said, Take advantage of opportunity. The floor said, Kneel down and pray. Unknown (adapted)

9 LLOYD WILLIAM REESE February 4, 1921 September 26, 2016 GOMER Lloyd William "Bill" Reese, 95, of Gomer, Ohio, passed away at his family farm on September 26, Bill was born in Milton Center, Ohio on February 4, 1921, to Lloyd W. and Marie (Bussert) Reese. He is survived by his wife Joanne (Bohn) Reese, five daughters, nine grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and two stepgrandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his grandparents Frank and Dora (Neff) Bussert and David and Belle (Ambler) Reese; his parents Lloyd and Marie (Bussert) Reese; and his brother, Robert Reese. During World War ll, Bill served in the Army Air Corps as a bombardier on a B-24 in the 44th bomb group. On a raid of the Ploesti oil fields in Romania on August 1, 1943, his plane crash-landed and burned. With the assistance of another airman, he saved the lives of crew members trapped in the cockpit. He was a prisoner of war in Romania from August 1943 to September 1944 and was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Airmanʼs Medal,Purple Heart, Air Medal Cluster, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Prisoner of War Medal. He retired from the Air Force Reserve as a Major. On August 24, 1946, Bill and Joanne married in Lenoir, North Carolina, and they recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary surrounded by family. Bill received a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from The Ohio State University. He worked as a farmer and he taught science in the Lima City Schools. He enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life, particularly carpentry and photography. In addition to his devotion to his wife and family, he was passionate about no-till farming and his love of and service to the United States of America. Bill served many years as an active member, Sunday school teacher, and church moderator at the Gomer United Church of Christ/Gomer Congregational Church. He was also a trustee of Pike Run Cemetery, member of the Gomer Welsh Society of Northwest Ohio and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Most of all, Bill was proud of his family which includes daughters, Sandra Reese (Mark) Roberts, Carol (Charles) Fitzgerald, Jan (Randy) Montgomery, Jacqueline (Randy) Degen, and Jeannine (Tom) Weger; grandchildren, Theodor (Kathryn) Scheid, Jethro Montgomery, Jessica (Eric)Yoder, Joni (Nate) Bowman, Joseph Solomon, Joshua Solomon, William (Caitlin) Weger, Robert Weger, and Katelynn Weger; step-grandchildren, Nancy Fitzgerald, Ceri Fitzgerald, Beth (Andy) Williams, and Mary (Robert) Serna; and greatgrandchildren, Reese Scheid, Molly Montgomery, Morgan (Jacob) Rigali, Cole Montgomery, Jack Yoder, Will Yoder, Clark Yoder, Meg Yoder, Drew Bowman, and Finn Bowman; step-grandchildren, Izzabella Williams and Kathryn Williams. Graveside services will be held at Pike Run Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 2. Memorial gifts may be given to St. Ritaʼs Hospice or the Gomer Congregational Church. Beckett Wayne Sunderland was born September 17, 2016 to Jacob and Chelsea Sunderland. He weighed 7lbs. 8 ounces and was 19 1/4 inches long. He has a big brother Carson. Proud grandmother is Carol Sunderland and greatgrandfather Bob Alger. Congratulations to Ashli Diller and Jon Richeson on the birth of their son Remington George. He was born October 24, He weighed 7 bls. and 11oz. and was 20.5 inches long. Congratulation also to grandparents Hope and George Diller.

10 BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES 1 Barbara Frysinger 2 Kara Siefker Grace Martz 3 Jean Shank Gabrielle Martz 4 David Nusbaum 5 Nathan & Fara Ewing 9 Bob Grandbois Wayne Micha Deb Thomas Tyler Shrider Ryan Price 11 Lynn Metzger 13 Peg Grandbois Dennis Jay Janelle & Brandon Scurlock 16 David & Pam Smith 18 Darlene Montooth Jacob Evans Cheryl & David Craig 19 Madison Jackson Rob & Kristina Barnes 21 Todd Kohrn Tammy (Kohrn) Nicely 22 Doug Born Jeff & Stephanie Evans 25 Tom & Wilma Evans 27 Maxine Evans 29 Cindy Clevenger Louie Siefker Richard & Diana Bok 31 Logan Fisher Penblwydd Hapus i chwi! (Happy Birthday to you in Welsh) SPECIAL DATES World Communion Sunday, October 2, 2016 Reformation Sunday, October 30, 2016 Reformation Day, October 31, 2016 General Sayings for October As the weather in October, so will be next March. If October brings heavy frosts and cold winds, January and February will be mild. If on the trees the leaves still hold, the winter coming will be cold. If the acorn's wet, expect a wet winter to follow. I SHALL NOT NEED Despite the traditional wording ( The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want ), Psalm 23 declares that God provides everything we need not everything we desire. He makes me lie down... Sometimes our busyness is useful; other times it s how we feel in control or superior to others. God knows we need to rest and sometimes must make us do so! He leads me beside still waters... Although we often prefer noisy distractions, God knows we need quiet to hear him and have our souls restored. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Rather than a boast ( Ha! See how God spreads a banquet in my honor while others look on! ), this is a reminder that God wants us to dine with our enemies. We might not be able to stand those people, but God pursues reconciliation. In the process, goodness and mercy... follow me all... my life. That s what we need the most.

11 October 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 5-6:30pm- Chicken BBQ 9am- Sunday School 10:15am-Worship 7pm- Gamanfa Ganu 9am- Sunday School 10:15am-Worship 9am- Sunday School 10:15am-Worship 11:30am- Carry-in 9am- Sunday School 10:15am-Worship 9am- Sunday School 10:15am-Worship :30pm- Christian Education Committee meeting 7:30pm- Deacon & Deaconness 6:30pm- Bells 7pm- Boy Scouts 7:30pm- Choir 6:30pm- Bible Study at Britt s 7pm- Cub Scouts pm- Church Council Columbus Day 7pm- Trustee meeting 6:30pm- Bells 7pm- Boy Scouts 7:30pm- Choir 6:30pm- Bible Study at Britt s 7pm- Cub Scouts 7:30pm- Shalom 9 to Noon Recycling at Uncle Al s :30pm- Bells 7pm- Boy Scouts 7:30pm- Choir 6:30pm- Bible Study at Britt s 7pm- Cub Scouts 8-10am-FluShots 8:30-10:30am- Breakfast 3-7pm- Fall Festival pm- Book Club Halloween 6:30pm- Bells 7pm- Boy Scouts 7:30pm- Choir 6:30pm- Bible Study at Britt s 7pm- Cub Scouts

12 PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION GOMER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH U S POSTAGE PAID 7350 GOMER ROAD VAUGHNSVILLE OH GOMER OHIO PERMIT #5 Return service requested

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