The Good News SEPTEMBER 2014 A Publication of Northfield Presbyterian Church The Pastor s Pen This month I feel a need to speak from my heart on several things. At times there is something therapeutic and cleansing about it. Scripture says that we shouldn t be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7). When we face unnerving circumstances, rather than get an ulcer over them, turn to God, believing that He is still sovereign and loves us enough to give us what is best for us. Ask Him for His will to be done. Case in point; as most of you might know, our son Josh graduated in May and was offered the job of his dreams in July in Basel, Switzerland which would begin September 1. There were lots of details to be met and questions as to whether there was enough time for these to be accomplished most importantly a work visa and housing. Last Thursday he got word on the visa but still had no housing when he boarded the plane Wednesday night. We received word today (Thursday) of his safe arrival and that he had a place to live within view of where he ll be working. We had been praying with and for Josh for months and God provided his needs. God is never late. I am thankful for many things here at NPC, especially the summer mission trip to Belize that impacted our teens and their leaders in wonderful ways. I am also thankful for the opportunity to watch the mission team members work together to raise funding for the trip, take seriously the training sessions in preparation for the trip hear the reports that the training was valued, and that they saw God at work. As we enter into the fall, I have concerns none of them new or strangers to us here. But certainly not out of reach for our God whose love knows no end for those He has called to love and serve Him. This year we are entering the fall without children s Sunday School per se, but this could change. Most of our instruction and Christian education at this moment appears to be through Kid s Worship, using an excellent curriculum that will go through the New Testament. There are about a dozen VBS kids who have no church home. Pray for me and others as we seek to reach out to these children and families that God may open the door to draw them into the fellowship of this congregation. This year as we enter into the fall we don t have a Director of Music. The young man we hoped would come our way realized the demands of his college work would not allow him to take on a part time position here. This is very disappointing. He is a fine young man. We do have some potential leads that came up as possibilities to pursue. Second, Kim and Clayton Harris from Victory Baptist today offered to continue on through the end of September to assist with music if necessary. This year we find ourselves in a financial place that is a bit uncomfortable with a significant faith gap. God owns it all and has given it to us to be stewards of it, caretakers and dispensers of all that is His. Please take an opportunity to see that you are caught up in what you ve promised to God s work here at and through NPC. God answers prayer. I know it, I ve seen it, and I ve personally experienced his provision and peace when I have surrendered the concerns to Him. I pray because I am dependent and can t handle life without God taking the lead. My friends I challenge and encourage you to join with me in prayer for these three items and more as we enter into the fall season. In His Grip, Art Helin
Sunday School News This program year there will only be Adult Sunday School on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Children 4 years old through 6th grade will attend a pumped up Children s Only Worship experience during the 10:15 a.m. service using Lifeway s Gospel Project materials. This will continue what they were doing in Sunday School last year. Teens are invited to join the Tuesday Evening Bible at 7p.m. at the church. A special teen discussion group will be added if needed (see below). For Adult Sunday School: Clas sic/ˈklasik/ judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind. For the 2014-2015 program year the adult Bible class is going to follow a series of studies based on Christian classics. There is always something new to be found for those visiting old friends in these books and a special insight into the scriptures for those of you new to a particular author. The studies are designed to stand alone from the referenced texts so it is not necessary to read all of the books but you may want to. Each study is designed to be completed in one class so anyone can come to all of the classes or any one of the sessions and be comfortable with the study for that week. What are these titles that have been judged as classics by theologians? Know Why you Believe, and How to Give Your Faith Away by Paul Little Who you are When No One s Looking, Too Busy Not to Pray, and Making Life Work Basic Christianity by John Stott My Heart Christ s Home by Robert Munger Finding God s Will by J. I Packer Run with Horses and A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson Tyranny of the Urgent by Charles Hummel Developing a Heart for God by Rebecca Manely Pippert Never Beyond Hope by Carolyn Nystrom by Bill Hybels Look up some of these texts and authors. You are sure to be inspired to join us in exploring this best of the best collection! If anyone has one of these books in their library and would like to lend it to a class member, bring it to the office with your name in it. Thanks Evening Community Bible Returns Northfield Presbyterian Church is once again hosting a community Bible beginning in September. There will be an informational/registration night on Sept. 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the church. The first class night will be September 9th. We will be studying Daniel and Revelation between September and May. The Bible is open to any denomination or those just seeking to learn more. There will be a minimal cost for materials. Tell your friends and neighbors! For more information contact Keith or Ellen Miller (enkzmiller@roadrunner.com)
Women s Association The first meeting for this program season will be Monday, September 8 at 10:00 a.m. in the living area. Our study this year will be Women of the New Testament. From the Lifeguides Bible series. Cindy Gallagher will facilitate the first lesson. Books will be available at church on Sunday, August 31 and September 7. New officers for the 2014-2015 year. Co-moderators - Cindy Gallagher and Fran Merriam Vice moderator - Cindy Maxhimer Treasurer - Margaret Stitt Secretary - Linda Davies Corresponding Secretary - Maribelle Rudin Ladies Christmas Tea Save the Date! December 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Speaker will be Becky Montgomery of Rahab Ministries, offering help and hope to women caught in the evils of human trafficking. Anyone interested in Hosting a table, contact Margaret Anderson at muggsta@aol.com. Any gentlemen wishing to volunteer to serve that morning can also contact Margaret. Stewardship Report We appreciate your keeping up with your pledges during the summer months. AUGUST YEAR TO DATE INCOME: $ 13,895 $122.791 EXPENSES: $ 13,727 $135.365 Figures do not include August 31st offering The Pastor s Special Fund is available to members and our Nordonia Hills neighbors in need. Current Balance: $ 753.02 Capital Improvement funds were used to complete the parking lot repair and resurfacing this past week. Mid- Ohio Asphalt and Concrete, Inc. threw in the striping for free! We should have nice, straight rows of cars in the parking lot on Sundays now! Thank you for your patience while awaiting this job! Richard Meyer Gil Polcen Tara Russo Logan Schmid Cynthia Kokenos Jaclyn Russo Sue Foote Roger Burt Trudy Polcen Debbie Czech Tyler Fenn Freida Stelmach Barb Harbert Ethan Schmid Sydney Fox Billie Mordas Debbie Brooks Debbie Satola Keith Kremyar Stephanie Schmid Rosemary Flanagan Paul Schmid 1-Sep 4-Sep 8-Sep 10-Sep 11-Sep 11-Sep 11-Sep 12-Sep 12-Sep 13-Sep 14-Sep 15-Sep 17-Sep 17-Sep 18-Sep 19-Sep 20-Sep 22-Sep 24-Sep 28-Sep 29-Sep 30-Sep
Yummy Day Care Fundraiser Our fall fundraiser will begin on September 29 th and continue until October 20 th. We will once again be selling frozen bakery items, Quaker Steak and Lube sauces, Root candles and new this year, fudge! Order forms will be available on the table outside the sanctuary. Orders can be turned into the church office in our mailbox. Orders will be available for pickup November 19 th after 2:00 p.m.in the church kitchen. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be going towards repairs to the toddler playground. Thank you in advance for your support! Sherry An Invitation from First Presby. Church of Willoughby PLANNING AHEAD IS AN ACT OF LOVE: a program at First Presbyterian Church Willoughby, 4785 Shankland Road about dealing with end-of-life issues Age-ing! We're all doing it. Die-ing! We'll all do that too. We've got lots of commitments, lots of stuff, lots of love. Planning ahead for those commitments, that stuff, and those we love ahead of time is about making decisions before we have to or before someone else has to make them for us. And then telling someone your thoughts. And writing them down. The Stewardship/Finance Committee of First Presbyterian Church Willoughby offers a three-part series this fall to help you plan ahead. On Wednesdays, September 17, September 24, and October 1 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., three experts in their fields will be with us in the parlor or the WPG Room to help us discern our thoughts and feelings about the end of life. On September 17, the Rev. Cassie Wolfe will be dialoguing with us about "Writing and Talking about your Wishes." On September 24, elder care attorney Susan Evans (from Lakewood Presbyterian Church) will be discussing "Getting on Top of the Legal Aspects." On October 1, physician Dr. Sheryl Buckley (from Lakewood Presbyterian Church) presents "Mortal Dilemmas: What You Need to Know About Dying, Before You are Dying." Her book by the same name will be available for purchase for $20.00. Presentations will conclude with periods of questions and answers. In order that our presenters will have an opportunity to prepare handouts for us, we ask that you register your wish to attend by contacting the church calling the church office at 440.946.0070 x200 by September 11, 2014.
September 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 Labor Day Day Care and Office closed 7:30 pm Christian Career Group 7 8 10 am Women s Association 9 10 9:45 am DC Chapel 11 12 13 7am Session Prayer 8am Men s Bible at Chick-fil-A 14 11:30 am Deacons 15 7pm Session 16 17 9:45 am DC Chapel 18 7pm Building and Grounds 19 20 21 11:30 pm Antitrafficking meeting 7pm Mission Committee 22 23 24 9:45 am DC Chapel 25 26 5:30 pm Community Meal 27 8am Men s Bible at Chick-fil-A 28 29 30
VBS Thanks! Thank you to the many who made VBS week such a success. They received the Gospel Message and discovered How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1 Director: Debbie Brooks Teaching Teams: Kathy Moore and Ellen Miller, Heather and Michelle Williamson, Margaret and Gary Anderson, Cherie White and Elaine Hall, Keith Miller and Art Helin Greeters and Registrars: Cheryl Emch, Marcia Alcorn, Fran Merriam Escorts: Cindy Maxhimer, Hannah Luketic, Deana Williams, Heather Williamson, Emily Brooks, Bekah Szczepanski, Margaret Stitt, Molly Fenn, Katie Williamson and Zack Brooks Crafts: Stacey Harber, Zach Harber Games: Zack Miller, Connor Louis Snack/Friday Food Coordinators: Chris Louis, Kerri Buddie, Tim and Patti Maholm, Ann Luketic Water Slide: Steve Brooks Slide Donation: Chris and Patty Fenn Audiovisual and Other: Dylan Maholm and Tre Dowdell Northfield Presbyterian Church 7755 S. Boyden Rd. Northfield, OH 44067 npc7755@roadrunner.com www.northfieldpreschurch.com