Circuit RIDER T.G.I.F. For most folks, Friday is their favorite day of the week. The shout of the day is Thank God it s Friday. As we enter the last few days of the Lenten season, one particular Friday also marks a great day in the lives of Christians. Good Friday is the day the Church of Jesus Christ intentionally remembers His sacrificial death on the cross for the sins of the world. Several years ago I came across a story that I think helps to illustrate the meaning of Good Friday. Every Friday, until his death in 1973, an old man named Eddie used to visit an old broken pier on the eastern seacoast of Florida. Walking slowly and slightly, he carried a large bucket of shrimp. The sea gulls would flock to this old man, and he would feed them from his bucket. Many years before, in October, 1942, the old man, who was much younger, was on a mission in a B-17 Flying Fortress to deliver an important message to General Douglas MacArthur in New Guinea. Somewhere over the South Pacific the Flying Fortress became lost beyond the reach of radio. Fuel ran dangerously low, so the men ditched their plane in the ocean. For nearly a month Captain Eddie and his companions fought the water, the elements, and the scorching sun. They spent many sleepless nights recoiling as giant sharks rammed their rafts. The raft was nine by five. The biggest shark was ten feet long. But of all their enemies at sea, one proved most formidable: starvation. Eight days out, their rations were long gone or destroyed by the salt water. It would take a miracle to sustain them. And a miracle occurred. Captain Eddie recalled, Captain Cherry, the plane commander, read the service that afternoon, and we finished with a prayer for deliverance and a hymn of praise. There was some talk, but it tapered off in the oppressive heat. With my hat pulled down over my eyes to keep out some of the glare, I dozed off. Something landed on my head. I knew that it was a sea gull. I don t know how I knew, I just knew. Everyone else knew too. No one said a word, but peering out from under my hat brim without moving my head, I could see the expression on their faces. They were staring at that gull. The gull meant food, if I could catch it. And the rest, as they say, is history. Captain Eddie Rickenbacker caught the gull. Its flesh was eaten. Its intestines were used for bait to catch fish. The survivors were sustained and their hopes renewed because a lone sea gull, uncharacteristically hundreds April 2014 of miles from land, offered itself as a sacrifice. And now you also know that he never forgot. Because every Friday evening, about sunset, on a lonely stretch along the eastern Florida seacoast, you could see an old man walking, white-haired, bushy-eyebrowed, and slightly bent. His bucket filled with shrimp was to feed the gulls, to remember that one, which on a day long past, gave itself without a struggle. (The Old Man and the Gulls from Paul Harvey s The Rest of the Story) On Good Friday we remember that on a day long past One gave Himself sacrificially without a struggle so that ALL who place their faith and trust in Him might have forgiveness for their sins. That One, of course, was Jesus Christ the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Through Christ s sacrificial death, all who are lost in the ocean of sin and rebellion against God are rescued and saved. For those who have experienced this forgiveness of God, the shout of Good Friday is Thank God I m Forgiven. As we approach the last few days of Lent, may God bless you as we journey from Golgotha s Cross to the Empty Tomb. 195 Broad Street, Wadsworth, OH 44281 330.336.6689 Email: wadsumc@wadsumc.org Web: wadsumc.org Worship Services: 8:15am, 9:30am and 11:00am Sunday School: 9:30am and 11:00am
with God and others Get to Know Our New Members Jessica Frient Jessica Frient grew up in Rootstown, Ohio attending the Ravenna UMC and now works in Marketing at Smuckers, living in Wadsworth. She enjoys running, crafts, cooking and spending time outside. Ron & Donna Holmes have been attending here a while and Ron sings in the chancel choir. Both are retired but work with daughter, Ron & Donna Holmes Dana Freund, at Pinnacle Gymnastics where Donna provides office support & Ron does maintenance. Ron & Donna reside in Burbank. Michael & Michelle Homyk describe their family as a modern day Brady Bunch-his children, her child and their children adding up to 6 all together. Michael & Michelle Homyk Michelle is currently a homemaker caring for the twins, Ava & Aiden and sister Sophia while siblings Cody, Nic & Bella attend school. Michael is in district management for Firestone Complete Auto Care. The whole family enjoys soccer. Tanya Zeitler Tanya Zeitler chose to join Wadsworth UMC because the family was warmly welcomed & they felt at home here. She & her husband Ken, both work for auto dealerships. They have 2 children Faith, who is 10 in 4th grade & Jonathan who is 9 in 3rd grade. Paul & Janis Mack live in Copley. Janis is an office administrator with Rea & Associates, Inc. Paul, retired after 32 years with Roadway Paul & Janis Mack Express, is now a coowner and travel agent with Janis for their company, PJM Travel. Joe & Anna Marshall are transplants to Wadsworth from Warren. You may recognize them as our newest members of the Praise team at 9:30 Joe & Anna Marshall Worship. Joe is a Team Leader at Giant Eagle and Anna is the Director of Business Operations with the Wayne County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Craig & Jill Munyon who live in Rittman, recently presented their son Carson for baptism. Craig is a Product Manager for Software Answers, Inc and Jill Craig & Jill Munyon is a teacher with the Green Local Schools. Welcome
Saturday, April 5 9:00am - 2:00pm The Rummage Sale is coming on Saturday, April 5. Save your stuff to donate. Donations may be dropped off at the church from April 1-4 and left on the stage in fellowship hall. Money raised supports summer mission trips. Easter Egg Hunt Saturday April 12, 9:00am-11:00am Continental breakfast, crafts, games, face/hand painting, baby animals to pet, sing/dance with the Easter Bunny, candy guesses, the story of the Resurrection Butterfly and of course, the egg hunt! Palm Parade The children will lead us in the palm parade on Sunday, April 13 to celebrate Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Come join the celebration during worship. Work Day The Mission Committee is planning church wide work days at Marian s Closet on April 19 and April 26. The shifts will be from 9:30 to noon and noon to 2:30pm. There will be various jobs available to suit your skills and abilities. Get your entire family or small group involved. Please sign up in Narthex or online at wadsumc.org/ signup/marian s closet. Tween Time This special youth group is for all 5th-6th graders and their friends! Note our upcoming events: Day Retreat at Camp Asbury Saturday, May 3 9:00am-7:30pm $25/person We will hike, do a service project for the camp, learn archery, play games and have Bible study. Tween Time Family Day at Baylor Beach Sunday, August 17 1:30pm-however long your family wants to stay
in grace and love Get connected for dinner, fellowship and learning on Wednesday evenings during Lent. Pizza, chips and drink (PB&J for the kids) will be ready at 5:30pm. (We will set out an offering basket to offset costs.) Break-out sessions for learning and activities at 6:15pm for adults, kids and youth. Adults will dig deeper into the spiritual discipline discussed in the previous Sunday morning message. Kids will have lessons and activities. We plan to finish by 7:00pm. (Youth will meet for jroc and ROC and be done at 8:00pm.) Please plan to join us and get connected. Wednesday Night Connection continues through April 9. Reception to Recognize Valerie s Leadership To recognize Valerie Stultz s leadership of the Canal District, a reception is being planned for her on April 27, 4:30pm-6:00pm at Medina UMC (4747 Foot Rd, Medina) as she and Buck plan for Valerie s retirement in July. The reception will immediately follow the Spring District Conference. A Love Offering will be presented at that time. Churches and individuals are invited to contribute to this offering, sending gifts to the Stow UMC (4880 Fishcreek Rd., Stow 44224) before April 15th. Please make the check out to Stow UMC. Members of churches in the Canal District are invited to this reception. Pastor Stultz will be with us on Sunday, May 18, to preach. Holy Week Services Palm Sunday, April 13 Services at 8:15, 9:30, 11:00 Holy Thursday, April 17 Service at 7:00pm with communion Childcare for ages 4 and under in nursery Good Friday, April 18 Service at 7:00pm Childcare for ages 4 and under in nursery Easter, April 20 Services at 8:15, 9:30, 11:00 Creation Clay Project Our 5th-6th graders have been hard at work preparing a special clay display of the 7 days of creation. Check it out in the upper lobby during the month of April.
like Jesus Easter Egg Hunt Breakfast Donations Fruit, yogurt, bagels/cream cheese, breakfast breads/pastries, donuts are needed for our Easter Egg Hunt breakfast. If you can provide one of these items, please drop them off during the week of April 6. The latest to bring in items will be Friday, April 11, from 7:00pm-8:30pm or Saturday, April 12, between 8:00-8:30am. Thanks for your help! Easter Egg Hunt Helpers Needed! Please contact Mary Jo at maryjo@wadsumc.org or 330.336.6689 if you can help on Saturday April 12! Face/hand painters (9-10 am) Clean up crew (11-12 pm) Family News Our sympathy to the following families who have recently lost a loved one: family and friends of Gerry Harris; Pat Mack (father, Earl Morrow); Cheryl Masters (father, Ralph Williams) Kids Camp is June 22-27 Our Theme is Weird Animals Where Jesus love is one-of-a-kind! Adult and teen assistants are needed in all areas including: Zookeepers: taking a group of children from station to station Drama: put on a daily skit Decorations Station leaders Teen Assistants Tech Support: those who can run media shout and sound for our opening/closing programs Picnic helpers (Sunday, June 22 only) Prep work at home (nametags, etc) Contact Marilyn DiBernardo at 330.671.7844 or mar.mar.rox3@gmail. com or Misty Barone at 330.322.4118 or mistybarone@yahoo.com Spring Service Project begins April 27 The Children s Advisory Team is helping children and families serve others by sponsoring a spring service project that has 2 parts. 1. We will have children/families collect new/like new stuffed animals that will be donated to Sufficient Grace Ministries which serves families in the loss of a child. 2. We will once again put together mission trip care packages for our three mission teams for this summer. Children will write letters to those going on the trip and will put together special care packages filled with goodies. Can you help provide the goodies? Candy (non melting), decks of cards, bubbles, bouncy balls, writing paper/pens, devotional booklets, small toys, individually wrapped snacks/chips, or whatever you think would be fun to receive in a care package! Items can be placed in the marked bins in the upper lobby by the elevator or in the children s classrooms by May 18. Thanks for your help!
Operation Christmas Child Shoebox update! In 2013, a total of 9,985,210 shoeboxes were filled and sent to children around the world in need of God s love! Thanks to all at Wadsworth United Methodist Church who filled a box this year as part of the winter service project! You have made a difference in the lives of children and families around the world. Childcare Helpers The church would like to provide childcare for special times like New Members Classes or special studies throughout the year. If you d be willing to be put on a childcare helper list and contacted as the need arises, please let Mary Jo know at maryjo@wadsumc.org or 330.336.6689 Summer Children s Sunday School Teachers Can you help teach children in the summer Sunday morning classes so that our school year teachers can have a much deserved rest? We will have classes at both the 9:30am and 11:00am hours for 2-5 year olds and a shortened class for K-4th graders. Training and teaching materials will be provided. Contact Mary Jo at maryjo@ wadsumc.org or 330.336.6689 if you d be willing to help. Boot Camp for New Dads A FREE program is being offered at the Wadsworth Family Enrichment Center on Saturday, April 12, from 9:30am to noon at the Salvation Army (527 College St.). This nationally recognized program for dads to be is taught by trained coaches who bring their own infants to help new dads understand how to care for their newborns. Dads attending will each receive their own manual, Crash Course for New Dads, experience holding and diapering a real baby, learn how to bond with their child, ask questions of experienced dads, know what to do when their baby cries, how to support the new mother, and more, all in a focused, fun and informational event. This men-only training is a one time experience. For more information or to register, please call the Salvation Army at 330.335.2327. Financial Report Information through March 30, 2014 Current YTD Prior YTD Income $165,424 $147,724 Expense $152,946 $151,442 Difference $12,478 ($3,718) Pledged to date: $93,015 Pledged received $60,353 Difference $32,662 Summer Church Camp Registration Going on Now! Did you know that the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church (which our church is a part of) has highly rated, accredited summer camps for kids and families? Our church provides financial help as well: $75/per child for full week camps, $40/half week camps, $25/overnight camps (thanks to our paper bins!). Most camps run for a week (Sunday-Friday) but there are also overnight and weekend camps for kids only, youth, dads & kids, moms & kids, grandparents & kids, families and for the Memorial Day and Labor Day holiday weekends! Check out more at www. eastohiocamps.org or pick up a camp booklet at the information centers at the church. There are all kinds of camps! From horse camps to coaster camps, princess and mud, drama, music, swimming, hiking, adventure and more! For more information, contact Ronetta Rafeld, church camp coordinator at 330.239.4110.