CALVARY United Church of Christ DID YOU KNOW? Calvary United Church of Christ: has a staffed nursery has devices for the hearing impaired has large print hymnals is handicapped accessible presents a blended worship experience The COMPASS is a monthly publication of Calvary United Church of Christ 511 Heiser Ct, Crestline, OH 44827 Editor: Cheryl Stover Editor in Chief: Gary Proietti Phone: 419-683-2745 Fax: 419-683-1819 Email:crestlineucc@frontier.com 1
The Reverend s Ramblings THE MUSIC OF REDEMPTION Giacomo Puccini, who composed the operas La Boheme and Madame Butterfly, was battling with cancer in 1922 when he began to write Turandot, which many now consider his best work. He worked on the score day and night, despite his friends' advice to rest. When his sickness worsened, Puccini said to his students, "If I don't finish Turandot, I want you to finish it." He died in 1924, leaving the work unfinished. His students gathered all that was written of Turandot, studied it in great detail, and then proceeded to write the remainder of the opera. The world premier was performed in the La Scala Opera House in Milan in 1926, conducted by Toscanini, Puccini's favorite student. The opera went beautifully until Toscanini came to the end of the part written by Puccini. He stopped the music, put down the baton, turned to the audience, and announced, "Thus far the master wrote, until he died." There was a long pause; no one moved. Then Toscanini picked up the baton and, with tears in his eyes, announced, "But his disciples finished his work." The opera closed to thunderous applause, and to a permanent place in the annals of great works. I often like to think of Christ as the great composer of a human symphony. Every Christian is a member of the orchestra and the pastor is like the conductor. The audience is the world waiting to hear the harmonious sounds of the Gospel message. Christ s work was limited to three years on this earth, but left his disciples with the task of carrying on the symphony in his absence. The Gospels reflect the saying of Toscanini who said, Thus far the master wrote, until he died. The Resurrection of Christ precipitates the next line, But his disciples finished his work. The rest of the New Testament highlights the work of the disciples, but that work still continues in the life of the New Testament church that is alive and well to this very day. As we study the work of the Master Composer, and diligently work to finish the opera of Christian ministry, we will bring the message of hope to a dying world. And, you know, Calvary UCC Christians are in the orchestra, tuning up for another completed performance. Can you hear the music? God is still speaking Your pastor and fellow musician, Gary Proietti 2
DON T FORGET MEALS ON WHEELS January 5 thru 9 DON T FORGET MEALS ON WHEELS Feb 2 to 6 PHAT SATURDAY GAME NIGHT Saturday night February 14 th beginning at 6:00 pm there will be a family game night with lots of food. There will be bingo, (no cash prizes) dominoes, euchre, corn hole, board games, and etc. Please plan on attending this very stomach filled and fun filled evening and tell your friends and neighbors! Everyone is asked to bring a favorite games to play! An offering will be collected for the youth mission trip this coming July. Our confirmation candidates are Keegan Sqrow, Jamie Miller, Harley Barker and Emma Lybarger. A young lad was visiting a church for the first time, checking all the announcements and posters along the walls. When he came to a group of pictures of men in uniform, he asked a nearby usher, "Who are all those men in the pictures?" The usher replied, "Why, those are our boys who died in the service". Dumbfounded, the youngster asked, "Was that the morning service or the evening service?" DARTBALL is meeting on Monday evenings. If you might be interested or you know of someone that is, please contact Don Graf! See Calendar locations. 3
CARING FOR OUR SHUT-INS Dorothy Frederick 415 East Main St. Crestline 44827 Ronald Kerst 4217 Beam Rd. Crestline 44827 Joyce Olds 5174 Carbondale Dr. Columbus 43232 Shirley Oliphant 712 North Seltzer Crestline 44827 Larry Mitchell 501 West Main St. Crestline 44827 BIRTHDAYS 2/5 Terry Moyer, 2/6 Karen Reimsnyder Annette Smith Don Graf 2/7 Gwen Albright 2/8 Lester Hipsher, Jr. 2/12 John Hoffman Julie Lynn Sloan 2/15 Anis Leiss 2/16 Sandra King 2/17 Janette Damron 2/23 Marvin Heydinger 2/24 Janice Link 2/27 Susan Spencer 2/28 Robert Parr, Jr. ANNIVERSARIES 2/22 Dick and Carol Kanable OUR MEMEBRS IN RETIREMENT HOMES Norma Evelyn-Room 217 Phyllis Morton- Room 217 Signature Health Care 935 Rosewood Dr. Galion Karen Reimsnyder Emeritus Assisted Living 1615 Yauger Rd. Mt. Vernon Ohio 43050 Jeanette Frost - Room 312 Mill Creek Nursing & Rehab Center- 900 Wedgewood Circle Galion Mabel Wilson- Room 70 Magnolia Terrace 110 North Market St. Galion, Ohio 44833 "Today is the oldest you have been, and the youngest you will ever be. Make the most of it!" 4
A preacher, who shall we say was "humor impaired," attended a conference to help encourage and better equip pastors for their ministry. Among the speakers were many well known and dynamic speakers. One such boldly approached the pulpit and, gathering the entire crowd's attention, said, "The best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman that wasn't my wife!" The crowd was shocked! He followed up by saying, "And that woman was my mother!" - The crowd burst into laughter and delivered the rest of his talk, which went over quite well. The next week, the pastor decided he'd give this humor thing a try, and use that joke in his sermon. As he surely approached the pulpit that sunny Sunday, he tried to rehearse the joke in his head. It suddenly seemed a bit foggy to him. Getting to the microphone he said loudly, "The greatest years of my life were spent in the arms of another woman that was not my wife!" The congregation inhaled half the air in the room. After standing there for almost 10 seconds in the stunned silence, trying to recall the second half of the joke, the pastor finally blurted out, "...and I can't remember who she was!" It wasn t raining when Noah built the ark. - Howard Ruff Planning is underway for a youth mission trip to Washington UCC church in Cincinnati. The Rev. Pam de Fusco is the pastor there who coordinates mission groups from other churches to help with inner city children. Our group will help with feeding the poor, teaching songs, helping with lessons and games. Dormitories are air conditioned and clean. Groups that I (Pastor Gary) have led came away with a life changing experience. Adult sponsors will be needed. Pray to see if God would use you to participate in this worthy endeavor. One Great Hour of Sharing Churches from all over the world will be contributing to OGHS. American Baptists, Disciples of Christ, United Methodists, Presbyterians and the United Church of Christ are all partners in this global outreach. This year churches are asked to put together learning kits of notebooks and school supplies. Your offering will provide food and shelter for children in Indonesia and the Philippines. Watch for more news about ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING. 5
Consistory highlights from January 22 Pastor s Report: Pastor Gary plans to visit every person on the church mailing list in 2015. The Confirmands are getting ready to be confirmed on May 24 Pentecost Sunday. Funerals for the month of January were for Gerald Fetter and Faye Beach. Also the pastor is still the facilitator for the Excellence in Ministry program which meets each month at Calvary UCC. Finance: The finance committee with be headed by Dick Ruhl and Gary Blum. Stewardship: This committee will be headed by Don Graf Building and Grounds: The property will be headed up by Levi Sloan and Bob Leiss. Evangelism: Janice Link will continue with this team. Christian Education: This team will be headed by Jayne Barker. Lay Life: Bob Parr will continue to lead this team. Pastoral Relations: The elders and minister are a part of this group. Julie Sloan, Don Graf, Jayne Barker, and Gary Blum as the senior elder. Music and Worship: Caren Feick is head of this team. Missions: Julie Sloan is the Missions chairperson. Calvary Caregiviers: Annette Smith is head of this team. Foltz Foundation: Annette Smith is in charge of this committee. Officers for 2015: Gary Blum, President; Bob Leiss, Vice President; Janice Link, Secretary CALVARY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 511 Heiser Ct. Crestline, OH 44827 Place stamp here 6
~ February 2015 ~ Calvary Compass February 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ground Hog Day 1 10 am Holy Communion 8 Bake Sale Home 9 10 11 5 pm Confirmation 7 pm Choir 8 pm Bells 12 13 14 Valentine s Day 10 am Worship 11 am Christian Education 15 10 am Worship 8:00 am WIC St. Paul Lutheran, Sulpher Springs 16 President s Day St. John s Bucyrus 17 18 5 pm Confirmation 7 pm Choir 8 pm Bells 7 pm Ash Wednesday 19 12:00 Lenten Lunch 6 pm Elders 7 pm Consistory 20 21 6:00 pm game night 22 10 am Worship 23 24 25 12:00 pm Tabitha 5 pm Confirmation 7 pm Choir 8 pm Bells 26 12 pm Lenten Lunch at Jane s 27 28 Nov 2014Off 7 7