THE CROSS FIRE. Saturday, February 23, :30 am 3:00 pm Sharing our God Stories! February 2019

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1 Church of the cross Issue 259 THE CROSS FIRE February 2019 Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World ON THE INSIDE 2. Pastor s message 3. A Way Forward 3. Loss in our church 3. Birthdays 4. Creation Mtg. 4. Chili Cook-off 5. Crossover Youth 6. CrossKidz 7. Finances 9. Congregational Notes Special Dates in January Communion Sunday, Feb & Feb. 20 at 11:30 am at Chili s Restaurant Women s Retreat, Feb. 23 Cardio Worship, Pantry Day, Feb.12 & 26 Saturday, February 23, :30 am 3:00 pm Sharing our God Stories! Join us for a Women s Retreat here at Church of the Cross Sharing Our God Stories. I believe each of us has a story we need to share and a story we need to hear. Escape the cold by joining us for a day long experience of sharing and caring from 9:00 am 3:00 pm.

2 Page 2 Issue 259 PASTOR S MESSAGE Dear Friends, Church Staff In Ministry with you Joel Schutte, Interim Pastor jschutte@cotcumc.com Lisa Gleason, Administrative Assistant office@cotcumc.com Kristin Miklovic, Director of Children s Discipleship kristinm@cotcumc.com Barb Maniak, Creative & Technical Coordinator bamaniak@cotcumc.com Lisa Wagoner, Connections Coordinator lisaw@cotcumc.com Debbie Corpe Director of Adult Discipleship corson.dj@gmail.com Scott Zaborowski Director of Student Ministries (scottz@cotcumc.com Rich Dubler Traditional/Blended Worship Director office@cotcumc.com Aaron Keaster Bell Choir Director office@cotcumc.com Joanne Born & Tita Wood Custodians I hope you are all staying warm in this cold weather! Over the past week we have been grieving the loss of Donna Myers, our beloved church organist and pianist. Many of you also know that our dear friend Howard Leffel also passed away in the last week. My thoughts go to Hebrews 12:1c-2a which says, And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (NIV) It is in times of grieving like this that looking to Jesus helps us to understand that life is truly a race to be run. In order to run well, we must throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. (Hebrews 12:1b, NIV) When we imagine that our loved ones have arrived at the end of their race, we see more clearly that life is simply an introduction to an eternity with no end. We race hard for an eternal prize that simply lasts forever. We all suffer with grief and loss in this life. With Holy Spirit present, and our friends and family near us, we can run with determination and dedication to Jesus who, For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2b, NIV) Thank you for running so hard your effort and commitment will be rewarded when your race is complete. I wanted to bring a few things to your attention as we begin this new year. First off, my time at COTC as the interim pastor has been extended several months. We are going to take advantage of this time to work through the following objectives at Church of the Cross: Restoring the Priesthood of the Believers through teaching and training on Sundays Create a Family Discipleship Team, focusing on whole-church discipleship in 2019 Re-establish Confirmation and Membership classes at Church of the Cross in 2019 Over the next few weeks on Sunday mornings, I will be preaching through the book of John, looking at how Jesus loved the lost, the least, and the lonely. We will be looking for the Biblical principles, gleaned from Jesus, that we can put into practice in our lives. Please see the below chart for your review. If you choose you can add a little extra study before the services too. Date Theme Sermon Title Scripture Sunday, February 3 Sunday, February 10 Sunday, February 17 Sunday, February 24 Who You Love, I Love Who You Love, I Love Who You Love, I Love Who You Love, I Love Jesus Loves...Those Who are Disabled John 5:1-10 Jesus Loves...Those Who are Hungry John 6:1-12 Jesus Loves...Those Who are Homeless John 7:14-24 Jesus Loves...Those Who are Condemned John 8:1-11 For those of you interested in taking a deeper dive into the Sunday morning sermon scriptures, I am teaching a Sunday School class, covering the material each week from 9-10 am. We will meet in the choir room and, with your participation, will have a great time. Many blessings and we hope you will join with us soon, Pastor Joel Schutte Interim Pastor, Church of the Cross

3 Page 3 Issue 259 A WAY FORWARD THE FUTURE OF THE UMC CHURCH OF THE CROSS, UNITED METHODIST A WAY FORWARD THE FUTURE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH You are invited to attend an educational meeting at COTC on Monday, February 4 at 7:00 pm. This session will provide an updated report of the Commission on A Way Forward. As most of you know the Commission s report consisting of information on three main plans has been submitted to the Council of Bishops. The COB has recommended one of the plans to be adopted by the Special Session of the General Conference which will be convened in St. Louis from February 23 to February 26, We will review all three plans as well as look at some of the petitions that have been submitted to the General Conference. A scriptural analysis will be included in the presentation. This event will be led by Chris Steiner, a lay delegate to the General Conference from the Maumee Watershed District and Pastor Joel Schutte. David Zimmerman 2/1 A LOSS IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY Our hearts are saddened at the sudden and unexpected loss of church member, friend and church Keyboard Musician, Donna Myers. Donna passed away on Monday, January 21st. at St. Luke s Hospital. Donna has been a member since 1988 and on staff as the Keyboard musician/organist since Donna served the church in many other ways also. She served as food pantry volunteer, Lead Team member, Coordinator of prayer chain for many years among many other ways. Donna is survived by a brother, Curt, daughters Jennifer and Stephanie and two grandsons. Please remember Donna s family in your prayers as they grieve the loss of their loved one. We offer our sincere sympathy, love and prayers to the family and grieve as a church family with them. Gratta Lohr 2/2 Julie Zaborowski 2/3 Barbara Duraine 2/4 Sandra Suter 2/5 Jenna Solether 2/6 Rebecca 2/9 McDonagh Alexis Schieman 2/11 Elizabeth Maniak 2/12 Carl Warner 2/12 Jan Albright 2/14 Patty Crots 2/21 Ann Steiner 2/24 Joshua Maniak 2/26 Rebecca Maniak 2/26 Chuck Corpe 2/27

4 Page 4 Issue 259 CREATION - Digging up the Sin Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah Creation Meeting: Monday evening February 25 at 7 PM in the Gathering Area. Sodom and Gomorrah are two of five Cities of the Plain described in the Bible (Genesis 18-19). Their fame as places of wickedness is legendary. Scholars, however, have dismissed the Biblical accounts that describe their evil ways and the destruction of these cities as mythological. That is, until their ruins were discovered and excavated by archaeologists. Dr. Bryant Wood will present evidence from the excavations at Sodom and Gomorrah and compare the archaeological findings with the Biblical descriptions. You will be amazed by the evidence that has been uncovered. S AVE THE DATE! SUNDAY, MARCH 10 Who has the best chili at COTC? Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 10th for a Chili Cook-Off! Proceeds to benefit the COTC Community Food Pantry. If you would like to participate by bringing chili, see Christy Zaborowski. More details to come. Watch the bulletin for sign ups!

5 Issue 259 Page 5 C R O S S OV E R Y O U T H February Events 9:00 am Youth Sunday School Class pm Youth Group Meeting pm No Youth Group Faith & Family Night at the Walleye Game. Meet at the event. If you need a ride call Julie Zab pm Youth Group Meeting pm Youth Group Meeting Youth Winter Lock In January 2019

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7 Communion Servers Feb. 3 Jeff & Susan Breymaier Peggy Bushea & Richard Corron Altar Prayer Schedule Feb. 3 Don & Betsy Whiter Warren Leow & Jim Norris Feb. 10 Joe & Vicki Scribner Chis & Ann Steiner Feb. 17 Jean Guernsey & Beve Schaefer Ed & Betsy Lybarger Feb. 24 Sara Heckler & Sara Norris Dick & Christy Zaborowski Coffee Hour Feb. 3 Gratta Lohr Feb. 10 Lynn Siler Feb. 17 Cindy Seiple Feb. 24 Vicki Warner Welcome Center/Greeter Front Door Side Door Feb. 3 Scott & Julie Zaborowski Dolly Ryan Feb. 10 Vely Hetman Scott Hahlen Feb. 17 Dolly Ryan Leonard Lamb Feb. 24 Jen Strole Scott & Julie Zaborowski Rich & Sharon Dubler Toby & Vely Hetman

8 G OD S ANWSERS TO OUR PRAYERS From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Psalm 113:3 NIV Many thanks for husband s recovery/healing from heart issues. Praises to God for so many family blessings. Praises for all the many praying people in our church. Praises our Interim Pastor has been extended through March 31, 2019 Appointment for biopsy has been scheduled. Praise God. Humbled and thankful for sender of Christmas card. Praise there is not a need for chemo. Very thankful for recuperation. Glory to God in the highest. Thankful for God s care of mother in recent illness and passing. Thankful for God s showering us with the blessings of Pastor Joel during the season of transition. Praises for daughter s successful in-vitro process. The Lord answers prayers. I do not need to move. Praises for 67 years of marriage. Praise the Lord for 55 years of marriage. Praises for the love and leadership of our Children s Ministry Director. Praises that member s biopsy was negative. Thanking God for healing. He is good all of the time. Thanking God for our daughter and for our veterans. Member s eye is better and mother s doing ok after a fall. Thanking God for twenty years of marriage.! Praises that brother s cancer was removed. Praise for God s love and goodness. Praises and thanks for our COTC s bountiful harvest from our garden! Thanking God for the power of prayer. Praise for a great week of prayer and for the prayer retreat. Praise God for all the blessings He provided this past week when caring for my four lively grandchildren. The above praises were taken from requests, from s or Sunday connect cards. We are also sad to announce the passing of Howard Leffel on Friday, January 25. Howard was 89 and a member here since He is survived by his wife of 67 years Pat, son Kevin, daughter Tracey, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren We offer our sincere sympathy and prayers to the entire family. The funeral service was held on Thursday, January 31 at Church of the Cross with Pastor Joe Schutte officiating.

9 Page 9 Issue 259 F INANCES AT A GLANCE D ECEMBER 2018 & YEAR TO DATE Consider Online Giving Life is busy! That means you may not be at church every Sunday. We hope you won t forget Church of the Cross even if you are not here every Sunday. Online giving is a great way to continue your financial support of the mission and ministry programs at COTC, even though you may not be able to be here every week for worship. To donate electronically using your debit or credit card or checking account transfer, please visit our website at and click on the link that says give. C ONGREGATIONAL NOTES 55 & Over Luncheon The February 55 & Over Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, February 20 at 11:30 a.m. Chili s Restaurant (6505 Centers Dr. Holland). Sign up at the adult ministry corner or on the connect card. Crossfire Deadline The deadline for the March Crossfire is February 15. Please submit articles via to office@cotcumc.com or drop off at the church office. Ugly Quilts Ugly Quilts will meet on Saturday, February16 from 10:00-2:00. A light lunch will be provided. Please contact Dolly Ryan at if you are able to attend and for any questions. Our sincere sympathy is extended to Tita Wood, (one of our custodians) who s father passed away in the Dominican Republic. Remember Tita in your prayers as she and her family grieve the loss of their loved one. Church Library Please note the Library is no longer accepting donations of books. Lost Dishes? Are you missing some kitchen items? Bowls, trays, casserole dishes? We have several items left in the kitchen. Check them out and see if any belong to you! Also, we have a missing Tupperware pie taker (large round). Check to see if you have an extra one.

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11 Church of the Cross Lead Team 2019 Class of 2019 *Ray Sudheimer..Trustees Rep Heather Norris..SPRC Rep Brad Cox...At Large Member *Keith Lewis..Finance Rep Class of Secretary, Lead Team Jerry Metz.... At Large Member Jon Klohn.. At Large Member *Jeff Breymaier. At Large Member Class of 2021 *Jim Norris...At Large Member *Sandy Suter.....At Large Member *Warren Leow...At Large Member *Chris Steiner..Chair, Lead Team (*New) Other Non-Lead Team key lay positions Lay Member to A/C Keith Lewis Membership Secretary Lisa Gleason Lay Leader Ray Sudheimer 2019 Teams FINANCE: Lead Team Liaisons (2): TBD and Keith Lewis Financial Sec.: Dick Coulter & Jon Strole At Large Members: Keith Lewis (Chair) Treasurers: Lynn Siler & Lisa Gleason TRUSTEES: Lead Team Liaisons (2): Ray Sudheimer and TBD Marty Fritts Larry Moore Corky Suter Terry Michel Ray Sudheimer STAFF/PARISH RELATIONS: Lead Team Liaisons (2): Heather Norris and TBD Heather Norris Bill Huber Betsy White CHILDREN S MINISTRY: Team Leader, Kristen Miklovic Susan Breymaier, Brad Cox, Dorianne Cox, Joe Scribner, Vicki Scribner, Jay Miklovic and Jenna Solether CONGREGATIONAL CARE: Team Leader: Sandy Suter Dinah Henderson Doris Metz Lynn Siler Dorianne Cox Judy Strole Sandy Suter HOSPITALITY: Co-Team Leaders, Cindy Seiple / Vicki Warner Cindy Seiple Doris Coutcher Dolly Ryan Gratta Lohr Dorothy Fritts Vicki Warner Patty Crots Diane Gianino Earlene Joseph Lisa Wagoner Kitchen Coordinator Joanne Born MISSIONS: Team Leaders: Warren Leow and Deb Corpe Warren Leow Jodi McClain Jeff Breymaier Odella Leow Jon Stole PRAYER: Team Leader Beve Schaefer Warren Leow Betsy White Sara Norris Jean Guernsey YOUTH MINISTRY: Team Leader: Scott Zaborowski Julie Zaborowski Jennifer Strole Brad & Dorianne Cox Jay Miklovic

12 Church of the Cross, UM 1750 East gate Rd. Toledo, OH Address Service Requested Prepared Especially For: Phone: Fax: Eastgate Rd. Toledo, OH Church of the Cross Phone: Fax: We re on the Web: Church of the Cross We re on the Web! Sunday Schedule: 9:00 AM Sunday School 10:00 AM Coffee Time 10:30AM Worship Community Food Pantry Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday 4:00-6:00 p.m. Community Meal - 4th Tuesday Prayer Line Number# M-TH 8:30am-4:30pm Deadline for copy: 15th of each month. Editor reserves the right to edit for content and space.