Rittman United Methodist Church Points to Ponder - April 2017 Volume 48 - Issue No. 4 Ruthie Trigg, Pastor Sheila Stoll, Editor But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 He arose! He arose! Hallelujah Christ arose! Fought the fight, the battle s won, Alleluia For God so loved the word that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 Lord, thank You for removing my sin and shame. Amen Raise your joys and triumphs high Alleluia! We ll call Him Jesus, He ll save us from our sin. When our hearts are full of joy, we ll call Him Wonderful!
Spring is the time of year when we rejoice in so many things. It is the time when new life is bursting forth all around us with leaves budding out, flower greenery emerging from the earth and some flowers already blooming. It is the season for new birth of animals. It is the time for our celebration of Easter, which varies for each person and family. This year we have had nature getting a really early start, so the anticipation started a while ago. Some thought Spring had arrived weeks before its time. Thankfully not many of the early blooms were damaged by the return of some colder weather. We will be enjoying the beauty yet to come as the flowers continue to bloom. Praise God! Also, this year many have been anticipating the arrival of April the giraffe s baby in New York. Isn t it interesting how something as simple as the birth of a zoo animal can bring people together from all over the world in discussion about when it will arrive, and then bring people to watch online for months for the blessed arrival? As of the writing of this article, the baby still had not arrived, but the countdown was down to any moment now! Hopefully for April it will have arrived by the time you are reading this article. The BEST part of this season is the celebration of Easter! We all have our traditions. These traditions range from going to church to celebrate Christ s resurrection to celebrating the Easter bunny bringing eggs and other goodies to find on Easter morning. It is quite a variety of beliefs and activities that have developed over the years. As we celebrate, let s remember that without the death and resurrection of Christ we would not have Easter! His resurrection gives us life! In Romans 6:8-11 (CEB) we find these words; 8 But if we died with Christ, we have faith that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ has been raised from the dead and he will never die again. Death no longer has power over him. 10 He died to sin once and for all with his death, but he lives for God with his life. 11 In the same way, you also should consider yourselves dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus. He is Risen! Easter Joy Blessings, Pastor Ruthie
Grades 6 through 12 Come and help with the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 15 th. The hunt is from 10:00-11:30am. Come early and help set up. Then help in the various activities. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Confirmation classes are still ongoing during the Sunday School hour. Please make it a priority to attend. FIRST RESPONDER APPRECIATION SUNDAY Sunday, April 30, 2017 Special Service @ 10:30 am Luncheon @ Noon The First Responders of Rittman and their families have been invited to join us at our April Combined Service and luncheon following, so that we can show them our appreciation for their service to our community. Please make a special effort to be present as a part of the Rittman United Methodist Church family to worship together and to help honor and bless the First Responders of our community and beyond!
Food Pantry We helped 32 families which was 85 people, 2 new families and six doubles. Casseroles were served with lots of helpers Thanks! Tuesday night still needs helpers. Tuesday morning workers are doing great. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 Preschool The school year is going by so quickly. April will be busy celebrating Easter and learning about Jesus resurrection. We re excited for a special event on April 6th - the C.L.A.S.S. council from the elementary school will be visiting us and providing an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt, as well as some other activities. After Spring Break, the week of the 10th, we will be raising butterflies. On April 27th Kelly Riley from Wayne County Water & Soil Conservation will be here to present a program. First Responders Sunday On Sunday, April 30th RUMC will have only one worship service at 10:30am honoring the First Responders of our community. Following the worship service there will be a dinner in the Social Hall. Real courage is moving forward when the outcome is uncertain.
April Birthdays 3rd 5th 6th 11th 12th 17th 19th 20th 23rd 24th 27th 28th 29th Heather Richards Andrew Baillis Brooke Britton Joanna Shankland Twila Fox Debbie Thompson Rachel Steiner Marvin Frase Don Trigg Ruthanne Lindenmuth Zachary Richards Emily Cook Chad Gasser Sheila Stoll Mickey Shankland Lucinda Yoss Harold Salyer Ted Schumacher Carlton Schwab Bryan Yoss There is a need for nursery attendants for the small children during the 11:00am service. Please let Robin Ryland or Karen (in the church office during the week) if you are able to help. Recipe - How to Prepare Tofu: A. Throw it in the trash B. Grill some meat A purported reading from Genesis: And God promised men that good and obedient wives would be found in all the corners of the earth. Then He made the earth round - and He laughed and laughed and laughed. 5th Dale & Nancy Booth Chad & Sandy Gasser
Rittman UMC Community Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 15th 10:00-11:30am Crafts Egg Hunt Games Story Time For children ages 11 and under Pick up a registration form at the church, get a form on-line @ www.rittmanumc.org, or register 15 minutes prior to the event at the church. On Wednesday, April 11th at 7pm lots of help will be needed to fill the plastic eggs. There is a box in the narthex for donations of Easter candy for the hunt. Thanks!!
Community Happenings Benefit for Trevor Rastorfer April 8, 2017, 1:00-5:00pm at The Grand Barn, 23164 Vess Rd., Glenmont, Ohio. Dinner $15. Call Brittanie for more information at 234-595-0220. Trevor is Pauline Rastorfer s grandson & Mark Rastorfer s son. Trevor has been in the hospital a very long time. Out help is needed. Bank account at: CES Credit Union, 3030 St. Rt. 3, Loudenville, Ohio. Make checks payable to: Trina Smith memo: Trevor Rastorfer benefit fund. April 22nd at 7pm the Historical Society is having a Hymn Sing at the Knupp Church. Monday, April 24th at the Milton Presbyterian Church on North Street will be a Community Dinner at 6:30pm followed with a program of mission trip of the church. Tuesday, May 9th at 7pm Reach Out and C.O.M. Plan to attend - everyone is WELCOME! Geezer Questions Q: Where can single men over the age of 60 find younger women who are interested in them? A: Try a bookstore, under fiction. Q: Why should 70 plus-year-old people use valet parking? A: Valets don t forget where they park a car Q: As people age, do they sleep more soundly? A: Yes, but usually in the afternoon. Q: What is the most common remark made by 60 year olds when they enter antique stores? A: Gosh, I remember these.
JOYS OF GOD S FAMILY AND THEIR FRIENDS Brenda C. - family visiting Shirley - in church Ruth Lance - birthday Cody S. - training Steve T. - coach award Brian B. - coach award Grandson of Anne & Harold - safely moved Gillman s - safe return Ben & Charlie - traveling Melissa - cancer free Scott - training Ward & Susie - 25th anniversary Pastors Ruthie & Don s daughter s teacher award Irene & Bob H. - new great-grandson PRAYERS NEEDED Robin K. s brother - knee Audrey W. - sick Martha B. - traveling Herman W. - hospice Nancy B. s sister - in pain Unspoken Jim & Sue B. s granddaughter - ill Ruthanne - shoulder surgery Mary W. s father, Adam - hospice David H. - back Pastor Ruthie - back Pat S. - doctor John - job Mike T. - health Whitney U. - travel & training David S. - accident Lee W. - eye surgery Brett R. - family traveling Dick & Dorothy - traveling home Jim & Sue B. s granddaughter - ill Reed & Lovell - Bruce s brother-in-law and sister-in law DEATHS Carl Maslak - pray for his wife, Celia Bob Rosenberg - father of Scott Rev. Jim & Beth McComas son, Matt - pray for their family JoCilla Frankenfield - pray for her family Fred & Mary Gasser s daughter died Loretta Langlith - Harold Salyer s sister Wayne Wilcox - pray for his family, Nancy & Butch McMillan & sister, Tina NURSING HOME RESIDENTS Marvin Frase - Smithville Western Care Stanley Moran - Apostolic Christian Home Ruth Parker - Altercare of Wadsworth Marcy Taylor - Autumnwood Care Center