The Messenger March 2018 First United Methodist Church in Niles...growing together in our knowledge, love, and service of God 608 North Crandon Avenue, Niles, Ohio 44446 + nilesfirstumc.org + 330.652.1439 From the Pastor AWAKEN 2018 Dearest Church Family~ Over the past several weeks we explored what it means to give ourselves to God through our individual and communal BHAG {Big Hairy Audacious God-Purpose}. We have acknowledged that dreams and visions are still how God works in our world. As we continue throughout the season of Lent, we reflect on the challenge of letting God be God and placing Christ first. The world is fast to say we must be productive, busy as it were, to be successful. However, we become so engaged with the world s ideas of church and success that we forget to put God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit first! As the church universal we often get involved in good works but those works may not be what God is craving from us. God s deepest desire is for us to spend time with him, allowing God to speak to us. So then, listening becomes vital in our relationship. We cannot embrace our BHAG if we don t hear what God is trying to tell us. We cannot follow Christ if we do not search out the guidance being offered. We cannot harness the power of the Holy Spirit if we do not recognize the nudging of our spirits in response. As we come together throughout this blessed season, let us as the sacred body of Christ, experience the blessing of putting Christ first and praying to be receptive to God s purpose in our lives. Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer~ help us to yearn for an encounter with you..... an encounter that will transform and sustain us throughout our days. Amen In Christ Service~ Pastor Paula Marbury *********************************************************************************************************** Worship with us. Sundays @ 9 am and 11 am In Ministry Together. Pastor Paula Marbury Director of Music. Bill Elliott Groundskeeper/Custodian.John Hoso Office Secretary,,,.Leona Krepps
In Memory of Judith Mandras a long time standing member of Niles First United Methodist Church (by Phyllis Gudaitis)
Niles First UMC Meeting Minutes 02/06/2018, Opening The regular meeting of the Trustees of Niles First UMC was called to order at 6:00 on 02/06/2018, in the Good News Room by Richard.. Sam said the opening prayer. Present Elaine, Sam, Chuck, Merrily, and Joyce Approval of Minutes The minutes from the January meeting were approved. Open Issues Lou Carbone came out and opened the heating valve in the choir room which has allowed more heat into Pastor s office. Prout Boiler came out but we have not heard anything as of yet to what they suggested. New Business The urinals in the men s room upstairs and downstairs need repaired the estimated cost is around $400. Ron Freel came to the meeting with a request. A boy scout would like to do an eagle scout project at the church. His project would be to re-do the white sign and landscape around the sign on Hartzell. He also talked about us taking on the Charter of the scouts which means the church would have ownership of the groups meeting in the church. Currently Patrice Kish is the liaison between the church and the scouts. It was decided that the charter should be discussed at Leadership. Terry Hamilton has asked for some hooks to be placed in the men s restroom. Joyce and Joe will get the hooks and install. Hall rental approval for 04/14/2018. Agenda for Next Meeting Continue to look at projects for our 1 yr. plan Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 6:45 by Richard.. The next meeting will be at 6:00 on March 6, 2018, in Good News Room. Minutes submitted by: Sam
Niles First UMC Meeting Minutes February 13, 2018 Opening The regular meeting of the Finance Committee, Niles First UMC was called to order at 6:00 on 02/06/2018, in the Good News Room by Richard. Patrice said the opening prayer. Present Richard, Patrice, Kathie, Elaine, Leroy, Sam, and Pastor Paula Approval of Minutes The minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved as distributed. New Business Investments: Last year (2017) we used $26,000.00 in EIC. So far this year we have had 2 $6,600s in EIC to help with the Sunday offering shortfall. It is projected, we should receive $22,000 in EIC. We will receive our payout from the annuity of $8344.12 on 04/02/2018. This money will go directly into the general fund. Our investors recommended that we take $15,000 and invest it in the Parnassus Endeavor Fund. This would give us a little more exposure in the market. Patrice motioned and Kathie seconded to use minimum of $15,000 not to exceed $30,000. Motioned carried. Total invoices and payroll totaled $14,309.46. Tithes and Offerings totaled $8,352.81. We were short - $5,956.65. Richard had to get the additional $4,647.00 last month in EIC just to pay the bills of the church. We are using our investments as a crutch. We currently have $19,000 in cash in investments. If we need more money, they are able to transfer that money the same day. Currently, Richard has $6,747 in invoices waiting to be paid. General Fund balance $5,129.00. We are estimating the last 2 Sundays of the month offerings will total around $2,200.00 Our heating bill is down from $1,400.00 to $1,100.00 Men s club profited $934.00 on the sub sale. Possibility of going back to having monthly roast beef dinners. Volunteerism seems to be an issue. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 6:45 pm by Richard. The next meeting will be at 6:00 pm on March 13, 2018, in the Good News Room. Minutes submitted by: Sam
Think Spring!! (Ann Wright) As I write this article, we are under a snow alert. Drivers are advised to be extra cautious and schools are delayed because of weather conditions. Yet as Christians we know that warm weather is on the way and God will once again send Spring. With Spring comes gardens. Once again, the Jackson Area Ministries is working on their Green Thumb Projects. The Project collects seeds and money and distributes them to needy people who plant gardens and have fresh vegetables for their families. Our Church has participated in this project for many years and we are doing so again. In the month of March, we will be collecting seeds and money to be sent to the Jackson Area. The money will be used to buy seed potatoes and tomato plants. Although our emphasis is on vegetable seeds if you would care to send some flower seeds, they will help these people beautify their homes. The boxes for these seeds and money are on the table outside of the Chapel and on a table in the rear of the Sanctuary. The following facts from last year will help you know of the good work you are doing when you contribute to this mission. Last year this project enabled 4,523 individual gardens to provide families with vegetables. Last year we distributed 43,500 pounds of seed potatoes. Last year we purchased or received in donations 27,138 tomato plants Persons and congregations from 28 states across the US participated in the Garden Ministry. Amazing ideas: If each of our gardens were to produce $2000 worth of food then this mission potentially created a net worth of $850,000. It is you that makes this possible. Look for seeds as you shop. CLIP BOX TOPS ~~~ EARN CASH FOR OUR SCHOOL! Earn cash for our school every time you shop for groceries. Clip Box Tops coupons from hundreds of your favorite products found at your local grocery store. Each coupon is worth 10 cent when our school redeems them. Campbell is no longer giving gifts with their labels but you can help with box tops for education. Just clip them, put them in an envelope and bring them in to Church. We will trim them and send them on their way. Just put them on the table outside the Chapel or in the Sanctuary. What an easy way to help the schools of the Red Bird Mission.
FINANCES FOR January 2018 Invoices $ 10,043 Payroll $ 4,628 Total $ 14,671 Income (Tithes and offerings) $ 10,050 Balance - $ 4,621 {If there are any questions or concerns re financial statement above, please contact Richard Hanks, Finance Director, at 330-652-1439} March is our month for community meals. March has 5 weeks so we need extra help this month. There are several ways that you can be involved with this ministry. 1. Volunteer: Volunteer to come in and help set up the dining room. Volunteer to work in the dining room, or in the kitchen to serve the meal. Volunteer to come in and help clean up. Key word is Volunteer!! 2. Bake a desert: A simple way of showing love to our neighbors by providing a dessert. 3. Give a monetary donation: With the help of your monetary donations we are able to feed the hungry of our community. In September of 2017, we served over 500 meals to the community. Consider making a monetary donation. Mark on your check or envelope Community Meals. Pray: Pray for the volunteers and pray for our guest that come to eat. In honor of St. Patrick, missionary for God, to those who once were his captives, we celebrate thru this beautiful table design. Thank you, Elaine Walker, for helping to remember this remarkable man of God!!!
It s that time of the year again!! We will be collecting wrapped candy and small toys or stickers to fit into Easter Eggs. Our annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held March 31 st from 12-1! If you would like to volunteer please let Patrice know, or if you just want to come out and see the kids enjoy all the fun you are more than welcomed!! *********************************************************************************************************** Easter Breakfast: The Men s Club will be cooking another great Easter breakfast for us starting around 9:30am on Easter Sunday. Everyone is welcome to join us in fellowship. They will provide the sausage, bacon, pancakes and eggs and they are asking for pastries and any other food that you would like to bring. Hope to see you there! Join us Saturday, 31 March 2018, for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Niles First United Methodist Church, 608 North Crandon Avenue. We will be teaming up with Playing It Forward of Niles for an Easter EGGStravaganza! Bring your camera, the Easter Bunny will be there! Starting at 10:00 am, all you can eat waffles with topping bar, fruit, bacon, sausage, eggs, coffee and juice. $10.00 reservations are required! Please contact playingitforwardofniles@gmail.com or look them up on Facebook and leave a message. 10:30 am Cupcake decorating 11:00 am Easter Egg Hunt by Niles First UMC (no reservations required) Any questions about the Easter egg hunt, please contact Patrice Kish at 330-718-7134. ******************************************************************************************************************************** ~~ PRAYER BEAD STUDY GROUP ~~
PLEASE HELP DECORATE OUR WORSHIP SERVICES FOR EASTER WITH BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS Place orders in the offering plate or mail them to the church. Make checks payable to Niles First UMC putting Easter Flowers in Memo. Order Deadline is 21 March 2018 NAME: PHONE: Cost No. of Plants Hydrangeas $8.50 Easter Lilies $7.00 Red Tulips $5.50 Yellow Daffodils $5.50 Purple Hyacinths $5.50 TOTAL COST $ NO. OF PLANTS: NOTE: Plants may be taken home after 11:00 am Easter Sunday Service, 01 April 2017 PLEASE PRINT: Given In Memory of. or In Honor of.. (please specify) ************************************************************************************************************** 02 Terri Johnson 12 Gaye Blair 22 Tom Gudaitis 04 Christina Faith 13 Don Maxwell 23 Tony Kelly 07 Diane Symcheck 14 Carol Glunt 24 Marilyn DeCesare Bran Hafely 15 Joyce Shively 25 Carol Roberts 09 Bob Matheny 16 Amy Anos 26 Debra Fink Sarah Mohn Maliya Ott
Activities SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 Bell 6:00 pm Choir 7:00 pm Community Meals 2 3 4 9:00 am Adult Sunday School 5 9:30 am Lenten Study 6 6:00 pm Trustee 7 No Rachel s Circle 6:00 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Study 8 6:00 pm Bell 7:00 pm Choir Community Meals 9 10 11 9:00 am Adult Sunday School 12 9:30 am Lenten Study 13 6:00 pm Finance 14 6:00 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Study 15 6:00 pm Bell 7:00 pm Choir Community Meals 16 17 18 9:00 am Adult Sunday School 10:00 SPRC 19 9:30 am Lenten Study 20 21 6:00 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Study 22 6:00 pm Bell 7:00 pm Choir Community Meals 23 24 25 9:00 am Adult Sunday School 26 9:30 am Lenten Study 27 6:00 pm Leadership 28 6:00 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Study 29 6:00 pm Bell 7:00 pm Choir Community Meals 30 31 10:00 11:00 Waffles, etc. 10:30 am Cup Cake Decorating 11:00 am Easter Egg Hunt