First United Methodist Church
July 1, 2010
First Church Welcomes The Rev. Dr. David Baker, Senior Minister and The Rev. Derek Kubilus, Associate Minister
Saying Hello!
Saturday, July 3 - No 5 pm Worship Service
Sunday, July 4 - One worship service at 10:30 am
Rev. Valerie Stultz preaching. Rev. Stultz is our District Superintendent. Dr. David Baker and Rev. Derek Kubilus will be present at the service that day.
Saturday, July 10, 5 pm - Dr. Baker preaching
Sunday, July 11 - Two Services Resume at 8:30 and 10:30 am
Dr. Baker preaching. An Ice Cream Social/Reception will follow both services to welcome the Bakers and Rev. Kubilus.
From the Pastor ...
As I write this I and hundreds of other United Methodists have recently returned from the East-Ohio Annual Conference. It was a privilege for me this year to participate in the service of retirement for Marvin Brown, the ordination of Katie Osier, and the ministry licensing for Derek Kubilus. Bishop Hopkins and Bishop Ward laid hands on Katie and prayed the prayer of the church asking the Holy Spirit to come upon her in a unique way as she was ordained for ministry in the United Methodist Church. Bishop Hopkins prayed, “Almighty God, pour upon Katherine Osier the Holy Spirit for the office and work of an elder in Christ’s holy Church. Katie, take authority as an Elder to proclaim the Word of God, and to lead God’s people to serve the world in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
I have been a part of that service many times at Lakeside since 1981 when I was ordained elder. But 1981 was a unique year, not so much because I was ordained but the uniqueness came by where I was ordained. It was the only year it has happened in East Ohio. No one was ordained at Lakeside in 1981. We could choose one of three areas to be ordained and I remember that I chose to be ordained at Cuyahoga Falls First United Methodist Church. Who could have imagined then that I would be appointed to be a pastor at Falls First almost 30 years later.
I am honored to be your pastor and to be in ministry with Katie, Derek, the staff, and with each of you. May God be with us as we listen to each other’s stories, intermingled and guided by God’s story…..
A story to tell to the nations.
A story of truth and mercy,
A story of peace and light.
While I will be in worship on July 4th, I look forward to my first weekend of leading worship with you on July 10 and 11. See you then. – David
Preschool Has New Director
Mrs. Sharon Watson has been named the Director of Weekday Christian Preschool here at First Church. Sharon and husband E.J. Watson live in Cuyahoga Falls and have two children, Maggie, age 10 and Joshua, age 9. Sharon is a graduate of the University of Akron and comes to us with a strong background in early childhood development and many years of managing early childhood learning centers. Welcome to First Church, Sharon.
The Gospel According to Starbucks
A Group of Guys would like to invite the other men of the church to join us for our Summer Sunday School each week at 9:30 am in Room 324, which is air conditioned. (The group however is not meeting on July 4.) We are using the book, “The Gospel According to Starbucks” by Len Sweet to help us find how to live an EPIC faith (fueled, of course, by Starbucks). The book is available on-line and at many bookstores. Follow along if you can’t make it (and invite your friends!) with our Virtual Sunday School at the church website under Ministries: Virtual Sunday School (or at http://fumcvirtualsundayschool.blogspot.com/).
Due to the 4th of July holiday, the church building will be closed on Monday, July 5. There is no Men’s Time Out on Saturday, July 3. Have a safe holiday weekend and we’ll see you in church on the 4th!
Please Note ... In August we will publish the names of those who have graduated from college and technical school this past year. Please notify Christy Meyers at x214 or cmeyers@firstchurchcf.com with the name of the graduate, school and degree received.
Gift & Memorial Contributions
Donors since March, 2010 have contributed to the Gift & Memorial Fund of our church in memory of Ray Garrett, Mary Alice Park, Thelma Weimer, James Ball, Rae Srail, Meriel Bump, Paul Weimer, Pat Hollingshead, Donna Faix, Ruth Oviatt, Clara Benson, Miles and Lenore Zitek, Paul and Evelyn Shultz; Robert Heath Sr., Wayne Derek Sr., William Bohn. Unless otherwise designated, gifts given in memory of loved ones and friends are added to the endowment portion of our Gift & Memorial Fund. The interest from the fund is used only for special projects in our church as determined by the Trustees. All gifts are acknowledged to the donors; families of those for whom the donations are received are notified of donor names and addresses.
Education News
Chess Camp will be July 12-16 from 9 am - 4 pm and is $100 which includes trips to the Great Lakes Science Center NASA exhibit, a Cuyahoga Valley train ride, a t-shirt, life lessons from the Old Testament, crafts, snacks, lots and lots of chess with a concluding tournament. Before and after care available for an additional fee. Registration forms for both camps are available on line at our website/at Welcome Center/Education office.
Wesley Camp for those entering 4th-6th grade is from 10:30 am on August 6 to 7:30 pm on the 8th at Camp Aldersgate and will be led by Brian Clayton. There will be swimming, singing, playing, archery, a trip to a nature center, walking the labyrinth, camp fires and lots of goodies.
A Galactic Blast Was Had By All!
Thank you all SOOO much for all your help and support with our Vacation Bible School this past week. It is one of our most important and effective outreach and evangelism tools! This year we had 149 participants, many of whom have had no other connection to the church (yet!). That number was up from 130 last year and 100 the year before! A great thanks that words can’t express to all the 70 plus adult and youth volunteers who worked to make VBS an astounding success. A great thanks to the many who donated hundreds of dollars worth of supplies that we used throughout the week. We raised more than $250 for mission projects, primarily for houses for Haiti’s earthquake survivors. It was indeed a Galactic Blast – and ask around about the blast we had afterwards with our paper rockets at the closing cookout. Once again, thank you all! Karol Lewis
July 25 Sale Benefits Our Library
We are having a book sale on Sunday, July 25, between services and after the 10:30 service in the hallway outside of the church library.
A Final Note ...
I couldn’t close the door on my office without writing one more quick note to just say “THANKS.” Worship on Sunday could not have been more meaningful – great music, meaningful fellowship, prayer together, WOW! May God bless each of you and this blessed “house of worship.” God has much work yet for you to do. Persevere and remain steadfast.
Sandy and I thank you beyond words for the many cards we have received and of course your generous financial love gift. God speed and blessings to all.
Marv and Sandy
Ohio State Alumni Band Concert
Going Strong is sponsoring a bus trip to Lakeside, Ohio on Saturday, July 24, for a fun day that features a relaxing day at beautiful Lakeside, Ohio, a dinner and a concert by The Ohio State Alumni Band, The church bus leaves the church promptly at noon. Dinner is at Diana Deli Restaurant in Port Clinton. The concert is at 8 pm at the Hoover Auditorium. The cost is $33 per person covering the bus fare, Lakeside entrance and the concert. Make checks payable to Ed Welch and mail to him at 2783 Fairview Place, Cuy. Falls 44221. For questions, call Ed at 330-923-0504 or Robbie Robinson at 330-688-5982. Reservations must be made by July 18.
Red Cross Blood Donor Hall of Fame and Blood Drive Sunday, July 18
On Sunday, July 18, First Church will be the location of a Blood Drive for the Red Cross from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm in Asbury Hall. On that day the Red Cross will also honor First Church member, Bill Dreyer, at a ceremony at 9:45 am between the services. Bill has given over 225 pints of blood. The Red Cross would like to have an idea of how many donors to expect so, although walk-ins are always welcome, they would like those who are able to let them know. There will be a raffle for two $25 gas cards for those who have signed up ahead of time. Please sign up at the Welcome Center on Sundays or call the church office (Ext. 210) during the week.
Mark your calendar ... August 30
First Church Mission Ministry will be having a fund raiser at the Hudson Drive Bob Evans on Monday, August 30. If you eat there that day and have a coupon (which will be available in mid-August) 15% of your bill will be donated to First Church. Mark your calendars today to have breakfast, lunch or dinner at Bob Evans on Monday, August 30.
The “FCN” schedule for the summer is: July 29 (deadline for articles is July 23); August 26 (deadline for articles is August 20).
Focus on Folks
The Gift/Memorial Book is located in the parlor and is open to Virginia Peelman.
Our Sympathies to members Dean Sterling, Lyn and Bob Capes and Daun Sigler and families on the death of Dean’s wife, member, Nancy Sterling, on 6/19/10; to members Ann and John Kaser and family on the death of her mother, Berniece Puente, on 6/20/10; to member Mary Ann Burger and family on the death of her grandmother, Mary Worcester, on 6/21/10; to members Kim and Keith Smith and family on the death of Kim’s mother, Jeanette Stevens, on 6/22/10.
Wedding at First Church: Our best wishes to Karri Wilson and Jeremy Hazelett, married here on 6/26/10.
Births: Congratulations to member Suellen (McCaulley) Byrne and husband Kevin on the birth of their daughter, Caitlyn Karen Byrne, on 6/13/10; and to member Jennifer (Rouse) Neunz and husband Aaron on the birth of their son, Oliver Steven Neunz, on 6/24/10.
Baptisms at First Church: Lincoln Michael Thoenen, son of Jason and Stephanie (Davis) Thoenen on 6/20/10; Evyn Kristine Wallace, daughter of Bryan and Anne (Dardas) Wallace on 6/23/10.
Please Remember to call in and let us know about special birthdays and anniversaries, the birth of your child and other special events in your family you would like to share with our First Church family!
Next Opportunity for Baptism at First Church is Sunday, July 25, at the 10:30 am service. To sign up, call 330-923-5241, x212, by Friday, July 16. Other Baptism dates coming up this year: September 5, October 17, November 28.
