Venice View. A monthly newsletter of Venice Presbyterian Church September Reaching God through: Enrichment, Education and Extending Our Hands

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1 Venice View A monthly newsletter of Venice Presbyterian Church September 2015 Reaching God through: Enrichment, Education and Extending Our Hands Venice Presbyterian Church 4244 Layhigh Road PO Box 41 Ross, Ohio Phone: (513) churchoffice@thevenicechurch.com Pastor Janet Dillaman Adult Sunday School 9:15a Worship Service - 10:30a Junior Church - during worship service Youth Group Sundays: 12-TBD

2 The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated on Sunday, September 6, 2015 Inside this issue... Important Info. 2 Dear Friends 3 Boards/Events Calendar June Attendance July Venice Presbyterian Church 4244 Layhigh Road P.O. Box 41 Ross, OH Office Hours Monday - Friday 9:00a-1:00p Phone (513) Fax (513) churchoffice@thevenicechurch.com Web STAFF Pastor Janet Dillaman Cell ( ) Administrative Assistant Debbie Schwab Music Director Kwi-im Kim Nursery Attendants Nancy Renner Julia Dillaman Youth & Young Adult Director James Dillaman Custodian Patty Jackson Venice View is published monthly. Information for the next publication is due on or before the third Monday of every month. The newsletter staff reserves the right to edit articles for space and content. 2

3 Dear Friends, The Story begins on Sunday, September 13. We will begin a 31 week journey that will occur off and on throughout our program year. Here is what the authors Randy Frazee and Kevin/Sherry Harney want you to know: As WE JOURNEY THROUGH THE STORY IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS AHEAD, we will learn that heaven and earth are woven more closely together than we ever dreamed. All through the story of the Bible we see two parallel and beautiful dramas unfold. There is the Upper Story. God is real, he is present, and he is working on our behalf. Heaven is breaking into the world more than we recognize, and the story of God s seeking love, perpetual grace, and longing for relationship with ordinary people is breathtaking. There is also the Lower Story. We live on earth. We make mistakes, run from God, and resist his overtures of love. Sometimes we get so mired in the Lower Story that we fail to recognize God s presence breaking into our world. We forget that the God of heaven longs to have a growing relationship, a friendship, with us. In the beginning of The Story, God walked with his first children in a beautiful garden.in harmonious relationship. At the end of The Story, he will walk with us again, on streets of gold. The question is: what will happen in the pages in between? As we walk through The Story together, we will see how the Upper Story and Lower Story are intertwined. All through history God has encountered, loved, sought, disciplined, and redeemed his children. God is closer than we think. Best of all, we can walk closely with him in every situation of life. He is near. He loves us. As we recognize how close the Upper Story and the Lower Story fit together, we will learn to experience God s love and grace as we walk through our days. We will never walk alone. God wants to be with us; with you, with me. This is the refrain that rings true through The Story On this journey, we will grow together and discover that the world is a smaller place than we knew. God s story and our story are really one and the same. The Story begins this September 13. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jan 3

4 COFFEE CONVERSATION RETURNS! THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 9:30AM CONFERENCE ROOM Join in a four week study: Jesus Apprentice: Doing What Jesus Did Resource book cost: $11.00 Kroger Community Rewards: The Kroger Community Rewards contribution for May through the end of July for VPC was $ Kroger donates to VPC every time you shop at a Kroger store if you have signed up to participate in the program. We have 41 participating families. Thanks for your support. If you are not in the program, but would like to, please contact Melanie Hanson and she can provide more details. 4

5 COFFEE HOUR DONATIONS NEEDED Would you be able to help the Deacons, by donating a treat for Coffee Hour? You don t even need to cook or bake anything, if that isn t something that you are comfortable with. Feel free to pick up cookies, donuts, breads, cakes, fruit or cheese and crackers at the store. These are appreciated just as much as anything else. Check the sign-up sheets on the table upstairs. Pick a Sunday that you can help and sign your name in that spot. A new sheet is placed there every month. The more people willing to sign up, the better.. Many hands make light work! Please let us know if you can help us with our Coffee Hour Time. Thank you in advance! The Board of Deacons Community Meal Center We need volunteers to help serve at the Community Meal Center on October 23rd. This will be our last time serving for 2015! Don t miss out on the opportunity to help serve! See the yellow sign up sheet on the downstairs bulletin board, or contact me with questions. Sharon Thompson,

6 Church Directories The new church directories have arrived. Please check the table outside the Sanctuary for your copy. We have the directories labeled on the front with names. If you can not find a directory with your name on it, and would like to have one, please notify the office. Thank you! Mission Study Survey Please be sure to fill out the Mission Study survey that has been distributed in the August newsletter and the bulletin. It is important we receive 100% participation. There are copies of the survey on the signup table at the top of the stairs, or you may contact the office for a copy. Any questions, please see a member of our Mission Study team. Donna Marsh, Kathy Mienheartt, Sue Toler, and Dan Young. Preschool Opening Administrator Jennifer Strube (our current administrator) has informed the Preschool Board of her plans to retire at the end of the school year. That gives us just two years to find someone to replace her. Jennifer has done an excellent job and we will miss her greatly. College courses in early childhood development with either a certificate or a degree are required. If you are interested, or know of someone who might be interested, please contact the Preschool Board through the Church office or any of the following members: Donna Marsh, Sue Toler, Eunice Maynard, Martha Young, or Bob Young 6

7 Curt and Carole Reppart have a new address: 6513 Palmera Drive, Mason, OH Their address in Texas: Turning Lizard Court, Austin, TX Please update your directories. Thank you. Back to School Picnic Thank you for all the generous donations of backpacks, school supplies and money. With help from other area churches The Back to School Event on August 15th, gave out over 250 fully stocked backpacks to children in our community! The children also received haircuts, clothing, shoes, and extra supplies. There was music, games, food, a balloon artist, and even a bounce house! Thank you to all the volunteers that make this possible! We are blessed to have a community of churches and people that care about one another. If you know of anyone that still needs a backpack or supplies, we have a few extra stored away. Please contact Michelle Schwab, at , or you may contact the church office. 7

8 Kim Young will begin Adult Sunday School once again on Sunday, September 13th at 9:15am sharp in the manse. Christian Education The first series is a new Ray Vander Laan video, Israel s Mission: Becoming a Kingdom of Priests in a Prodigal World. The lessons will last 5 weeks, skipping the week of October 4th, due to the teacher being out of town. T H E S T O R Y GETTING TO THE HEART OF GOD S STORY GOING DEEPER IN THE STORY WEDNESDAYS 6:00pm - Beginning Sept. 23 Youth Room in Annex Materials needed: NIV The Story Bible and Participants Guide (available online, or at Lifeway Christian Bookstore on Winton Road) 8

9 Junior Church Junior church will be focusing on Old Testament Bible stories about Moses and Joshua this quarter. The lessons combine the Old Testament stories with scripture from the New Testament teachings of Jesus. The lessons teach students that God is with us, that we should honor Him and that His power works for good. They also teach the children that we can have faith that God can use each of us to big things for Him. During the month of September, the music for the Christmas program will be given out to the kids to begin learning the songs. We will plan to start practicing at the end of October and beginning of November. 9

10 The Deacons appreciate all the generous donations to our food pantry. Any nonperishable food or personal care items you can donate will help your neighbors in need as we are fast approaching the holiday season. You may also donate money to the pantry, and Dave Wheat, will use those dollars wisely to purchase needed items! Thank you in advance for your support! Our annual Church Picnic will be on Sunday, September 13th, from 3:00pm to 6:00pm, at Heritage Park. Please see sheet on sign up table to bring your favorite covered dish to share. The church will provide the main dish, bottled water, lemonade, games, and picnic tables. You can bring your own lawn chair, and favorite beverage. We will need (4) cornhole sets for our tournament. Please sign up if you can bring your set the day of the picnic. Please contact Monica Schwab at , with any questions. 10

11 Venice Preschool News The 37th year at Venice Presbyterian Preschool has begun! This first month is always an exciting one but is also difficult for some children afraid to leave their parents for the first time. The teaching staff is ready to help them feel welcomed and comforted in this new transition in their lives. We have some fun and exciting things planned to keep the children happy while beginning to learn the early concepts. This month we will focus on the numbers 1, 2, and 3 and the letters A, B, and C, the color blue and circle. The bible time this month will be an introduction to church. Please keep us in your prayers this month as we begin another exciting school year. We can be reached in the following ways: , vpcpreschool@thevenicechurch.com, 11

12 NEW DIRECTOR OF MUSIC It s an exciting time for our music program as Kwi-im Kim joins our staff as the new Director of Music. Introduce yourself and help Ms. Kim feel welcome. A native of South Korea, Kwi-im Kim started learning piano at the age of three, and developed her professional piano studies at Yewon School and Seoul Art High School with pianist Kyungmi Lee. After graduating her Bachelor of Music from Ewha Womens University, she moved to the United States, and had been a student of Mr. Edward Auer in Jacobs School of Music of Indiana University in Bloomington in pursuing Masters in Music. From 2010, Kwi-im Kim has studied with Mr.James Tocco, and she is doing a Doctorate Music of Art degree and Artist Diploma at University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Kwi-im Kim received many awards in piano competitions such as 2014 Los Angeles international Liszt competition, Alexander & Buono international piano competition, Seoul Music Journal Young Artist competition, and Grand Prize from Seoul Union Symphony Orchestra Competition. Ms. Kim has also performed actively as a chamber musician and collaborative pianist. She was awarded the Graduate Scholarship and Assistantship from University of Cincinnati, and served as a collaborative pianist for CCM Student Artist Series Presents Recitals in , and now serves as a pianist for CCM starling project under Professor Sassmannshaus. 12

13 5- Diana Vereker 13 Michelle Schwab 13 Nancy Bohne 13 Garrett Boyle 17 Evie Schaber 18 - Monica Schwab 19 - Karlena Boyle 19 - Grayson Ozias 20 - Kevin Unwin 21 - Dane Wilkinson 25 - Sharon Thompson 26 - Tom Licata 28 - Marcia Collinsworth 29 - Mari Courtney 4 - Steve & Eunice Maynard 8 - Gary & Diane McBreen 13 - Mike & Missy Jo Peacock 19 - Steve & Gina Stitsinger If we have missed your birthday or anniversary, please notify the office. 13

14 VPC has been blessed with an unexpected gift from former members to VPC. At the beginning of August, a letter was received from Barbara Pottenger Gessner. The letter stated the following: This gift is in memory of my parents Tom and Mildred Pottenger, members of VPC in the 1940 s, 50 s, and 60 s. Although they later attended church elsewhere, Venice Presbyterian was always close to their hearts. Barbara Pottenger Gessner Enclosed in the letter was a check for $25,000. The VPC Session has decided to move this gift at this time to the Investment Committee of VPC as a designated fund to be used for a future building project to defined in the next few months. If anyone has any questions or comments, please contact me or one of the other Investment Committee members. The Investment Committee members are Bob Young, Steve Maynard, Bill Steenken, and myself. Dale Hanson Treasurer Venice Presbyterian Church

15 WOMEN OF THE CHURCH! Upcoming Women s Meetings: Dorcas Circle Women s Fall Meeting Country Christmas Booster Mtg Togetherness Circle September 17, Thursday, 7:00 at the home of Martha Young September 26, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. (Bring paper goods for Haven House Mission.) September 26, Saturday, 10:00 a.m. September 29, Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. at Church Annex New members are always invited to attend Women s events! With fall comes the startup of women s activities at the church. Church women of Venice Presbyterian Church are invited to any of our circle meetings or women s events. Throughout the year, we strive to reach our goal of reaching out to the needy with the help of our fundraisers and volunteer events. We hope you will join us for Christian fellowship and devotions. 15

16 Please keep the following people in your prayers. Let them know we are thinking of them by sending a card, making a phone call, or a visit. Please keep Ray and Mildred Miller in your thoughts and prayers. Millie is continuing to improve. Send a note to: PO Box 172, Ross, OH or give Ray a call at Russell Gene Oder has been at Doverwood for some time now, let him know we are thinking of him. Doverwood Village, Russell Oder, Room Hamilton Mason Rd, Fairfield Township OH Keep Linda Engel in your thoughts and prayers as she continues to recover. You can send a note to: 4154 Dry Run Rd, Hamilton, OH Keep Harlan O Connor in your prayers. He has returned to his home, and has been diagnosed with Lymphoma. Send cards to: 2440 Ross Hanover, Hamilton, OH Please keep Ray and Audrey Boehringer in your thoughts and prayers. Audrey is caring for Ray at home now with assistance from hospice. Send a note or make a call: - Ph Hamilton New London Rd, Hamilton, OH Clydene Spangler is scheduled for heart valve surgery on September 1st, let s keep praying for her and send a note or make a call to: 2256 Bella Vista Dr, Fairfield, OH Ph Please keep Jean Wagonfield in your prayers. She has had multiple health concerns since March. Please send a card to: PO Box 703, Ross OH Please keep Greg and Kim Young in your thoughts and prayers. Send a note or card to: 3908 Ficus Ct, Hamilton OH Gary Butterfield, nephew of Wilma Butterfield, and a Ross Schools alumni, could use some prayers and words of cheer as he battles multiple health issues. Send a note to: 7452 New York Way, Dayton, OH

17 Please keep Jean Metzger Berard, daughter of Carroll and Lois Metzger, in your prayers as she recovers from surgery. Please send a card to: 5826 Dickinson Trail, Liberty Township, OH Please keep Viola Powell in your prayers. Her health has declined, and now requires full time care. Please send a note or card to: 2135 Noble Ave, Hamilton, OH Dear Pastor Jan and Congregation of Venice Presbyterian Church: Sincere thanks to all for many cards, flowers, prayers, and words of encouragement during my illness and surgery. Appreciate church literature sent by Debbie Schwab. As time draws near for my heart surgery on September 1st, I realize how grateful I am to have such wonderful friends in the church. Thanks to all again. Love, Clydene Spangler Our deepest sympathy to Patty Jackson and family on the loss of her husband, Marvin Jackson, who passed away Sunday, August 2nd. Patty and Marvin have been our custodians at Venice Church for the last 20 years. Send a card or note to: 2189 Robin Ave, Fairfield OH Memorials may be made to Charles C Young Funeral Home, PO Box 128, Ross OH 45061, to assist with expenses, or you may donate through the regular offering. Patty will be returning to work for the start of preschool. Thank you to all the volunteers that have been keeping our church clean. (Dan & Gayla Young, Clarence & Nancy Bohne, Denny & Sharon Thompson, Bob & Martha Young, Carroll & Lois Metzger, Jane Wilkinson, Patty Wurzelbacher, Mike & Debbie Schwab) 17