FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, GALION, OHIO …...FIRST WORD JANUARY 2013 JANUARY FIRST WORD FIRST LUTHERAN...

8
FIRST WORD JANUARY 2013 JANUARY FIRST WORD FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, GALION, OHIO Pastor...thru the New Year 2 Church Activities 3 Our Church Family 4 2012...a Photo Review 5 Thank Yous, Anniversaries 6 Council, Finances 7 Youth Sunday, Advent photos back INSIDE THIS ISSUE: God is….. 2013 Calendar/Helping Hands insert of 2013-2015 Council Members 2012 IN REVIEW See Page 5 Thank you to EVERYONE who helped make 2012 a success through your worshiping, your inviting, your serving, your studying, your giving, your encouraging, your praying! May God continue to bless you and to bless First Lutheran in 2013!

Transcript of FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, GALION, OHIO …...FIRST WORD JANUARY 2013 JANUARY FIRST WORD FIRST LUTHERAN...

FIRST WORD JANUARY 2013

JANUARY

FIRST WORD F IRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, GALION, OHIO

Pastor...thru the New Year 2

Church Activities 3

Our Church Family 4

2012...a Photo Review 5

Thank Yous, Anniversaries 6

Council, Finances 7

Youth Sunday, Advent photos back

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

God is…..

2013

Calendar/Helping Hands insert

of 2013-2015 Council Members

2012 IN REVIEW See Page 5

Thank you to EVERYONE who helped make 2012 a success through your worshiping, your inviting, your serving, your studying, your giving,

your encouraging, your praying!

May God continue to bless you and to bless First Lutheran

in 2013!

FIRST WORD JANUARY 2013 2

“Godislove,andthosewhoabideinlove

abideinGod,andGodabidesinthem.”

(1John4:16b)

A friend of Chrissy and mine has a four-year

old daughter. Our friend tells a story of love

expressing itself through devo�on…

While on vaca�on last summer in Michigan,

our friend and his daughter, feeling a li le

adventurous, took a walk through a field filled

with wild flowers. His daughter ran off a ways,

picked half a dozen flowers, and gave them

to her father. Even while giving her makeshi)

bouquet away, she was already looking for the

next flower patch to pick more flowers and

give them to her daddy.

By the end of their stroll through the field, he

had two picnic baskets full of freshly plucked

flowers. Did he need them? No. Would he

trade them away for anything? Not a chance.

The truth of our rela�onship to Christ? God can

manage a-okay without us. Our ac�on does not

make or break his Kingdom. And we can

journey through the fields of life one step

forward a)er another. But if you have a love

for Christ, it’s worth expressing. The power of

God is felt through the expression of love. And

maybe you can imagine… Christ wouldn’t trade

such expression of love for anything. Joy is built

through giving!

We find ourselves stepping into a new “flower

patch” of sorts. We call it “2013.” It’s worth

reflec�ng how our love and devo�on to Christ

influenced our life in 2012. Much? Some?

Not enough? It’s behind us now. A new field.

A new year. A new chance to give to God.

We have seven guiding principles – key faith

prac�ces – that assist in offering love, and

boost the soul at the same �me.

We worship together.

We encourage one another.

We invite others to join us.

We serve our neighbors with the

love of God.

We study Scripture so as to increase

faith and wisdom.

We give to God our �me, talents,

treasures.

We pray daily so as to be Spirit-led.

Let’s enter more deeply into these faith

prac�ces with one another. A new year goal

of mine for 2013? I hope to be able to meet

with each member of our congrega�on this

upcoming year to pray with you, learn with

you, and deepen our faith with one another.

I am enthused about what Godly good will be

able to unfold! A calendar will soon appear

on my door to my office with open dates to

sign up. Let’s gather.

With a love for God, express it! Find an outlet

for such love! Let such love move you into

ever-enriching devo�on and joy in the life of

God!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Matt

A Jaunt Through

the New Year

3

FIRST WORD JANUARY 2013

H.O.P.E.

MinistryMinistryMinistryMinistry

Collecting in JANUARY …. Paper products, especially toilet paper, and food ….for Cooperative Christian Services of Galion

MENU

Soup

Salad

Desser t

Preparing

for 60

Donations

needed

Do

na

�o

ns o

f pla

s�c co

nta

ine

rs ne

ed

ed

for se

nd

ing

ho

me

le)

-ove

rs.

We have been blessed to have Paul Myers Paul Myers Paul Myers Paul Myers as a part of our church for just over a year. Paul is a very devoted seminary student at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus. He lives in Bucyrus and has a family to support. He has earned some grants and works at a part-time job when he can.

For those of you who would like to support Paul , please put a donation in an envelope, put his name on the front and drop it in the offering plate or put in the secretary’s mailbox anytime between now and the end of January. Make checks payable to First Lutheran Church and they will be transferred to Paul. Paul will make a great minister at some lucky church!

Sewing Group

Meets

Saturdays

9AM-Noon

[D Cass]

ThesefolkswereinourprayersduringDecember

The community of Newtown, CT., Ajay, Isaac Babcock, John Badenhop, Ron Barron, Susan Bell, Percella Brand, Bryce, Shirley Craner, Mark Delaney, Lonnie Eagle, Elsie, Ferne Ernst, Jo Everly, Peggy Farinacci, Neal Fogle, Geneva, Gretta, Marge Gledhill, Shirley Grubaugh, Ryan Harriger, Joan, Joe, John, Tim Keeler, Lexie, Liz, Ed McCaffrey, Ray McCaffrey,

Tim Metz, Janet Miller, Garrett Niss, Josh Noblet, Norm Owens,

Becky Price, Kathy Price, Harry Seamon, Alex Smith,

Jennifer Smith, Dorothy Straub, Jean Taylor, Ann Wilson Van Nort,

Arlene Varnes, Debbie Vossier, Nancy Weaver, Alan Westendorf,

Matthew Zellen, Our Homebound, Our Military Troops

OURDECEMBER

VISITORSLibbyandMaddySilveous;

Jason,Wendi,TravisZwaduk;

DeAnnSpeece;Kevin&Saige

Buchanan;BobJohnston;

Chris&MandyStone,Maranda

&Aiden;BarbBritner;Colin

McCullough;PhilKlusman;

NickRuckman;SusanDodds,

MikeBernier;SherrySimmons;

RebeccaEuses,Scott,Devin,

TristonHoman;EricHoman;

TeresaFlohr;Joe,GaleSmith,Andre

Hill,CarolAnnLinn,WillLance,

NitaLorin;RachealRogersPerez;

Allen,Hunter,KathrynWozniak;

Todd,Jenn,Alec,Tanner,

RyleeParkison

We are…..We are…..We are…..We are…..

December

Average

Morning

Worship

A endance =

90

FIRST WORD JANUARY 2013 4

Abigail

Grace

Shifley

infant daughter of

Brian and Echo Shifley

was bap�zed by

Pastor Ma� Wheeler

during the 8 o’clock

morning worship service

on Sunday, December 2,

2012. Grandparents are

Cathy and Jim Shifley.

5

2012 IN REVIEW

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCFIRST LUTHERAN CHURCFIRST LUTHERAN CHURCFIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH H H H

GALION , OHIO 44833 GALION, OHIO 44833 GALION, OHIO 44833 GALION, OHIO 44833

November, 2011 thru October, 2012

2012 IN REVIEW

FIRST WORD JANUARY 2013

JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES OF…. ….Birthdays (BD), Baptisms (BP), Weddings

1 Cathy Badenhop BP, Marty Cecil BP,

Ferne Ernst BP, Dave Flick BP,

Kay Flick BP, Rena Lovely, BP,

Gloria Schnegelsberger BP

2 Cathy Shifley BD,

Norm & Pat Owens W

6 Be�y Burky BD; Brenda James BP,

Eric Linn BP

7 Kevin Babcock BD, Jerry

McElha�en BD; Jarre Finley BP

8 Electa Foster BD, Brevin Owens BD

9 Ferne Ernst BD, Maxine Karle BD

11 Alyssa Tinch BD

12 Jim Cass BD

13 Betsy Beaudet BP

15 Quinton Leavens BP

16 Kendra Kocher BD

17 Joe Perry BP, Lisa Perry BP,

Hanna Perry BP

18 Don Widman BD;

Mike Flohr BP

20 Paige Longstreth BD;

Brevin Owens BP,

Drew Owens BP

6 FIRST WORD JANUARY 2013 Passion!

Dear (First Lutheran) Members,

The Crawford Office of the

Ohio Heartland Community

Ac�on Commission would

like to thank you for your

dona�ons and support. We feel

fortunate to be able to rely on the generosity

of the people in our community to aid us in

providing assistance to the needy families and

individuals. Be assured that your dona�on is

appreciated by those benefi�ng from it. Fund-

ing received by the Ohio Heartland Community

Ac�on Commission does not always meet the

needs of our clients.

Again, thank you. Sincerely, Crawford Community Action Center Staff

Dear First Lutheran Church,

Today more than ever..., people are seek-

ing help at a �me of crises in their lives, …

You made (our) ministries possible in part

by dona�ons like your recent gi) of $30.00

received on November 20, 2012 for the

Southern Region/Findlay Lutheran Social

Services Ministries….

Because of you, the least of these have

been touched by the love of God….Thank

you and God’s richest blessings to you

throughout the holiday season.

Nancy A. Yunker, President/CEO

21 Weston Rose BD;

Tanya Tupps BP

22 Ben Longstreth BD

23 Julie Standish BD

Donna Collins BP

25 Isaac Babcock BP

26 Bob Grubaugh BD

28 Craig Carpenter BD,

Donna Collins BD,

Charles Griebling BD;

Ken Fernandez BP

30 Chris Cochran BD;

Olivia Fox BP

LIVINGPOINSETTIASweregivenatChristmastimebythesefamilies…..withtheirfundofchoicelisted…..

GEORGE BABCOCK — Maryls Babcock, Seminary Scholarship Fund

OUR PARENTS — Ron & Geneva Buchanan, Good Samaritan Fund

PAUL and DOROTHA MITTON , ARTHUR and LORENA BADENHOP , our Parents — John & Cathy Badenhop, Youth

KEVIN CASS — Jim and Doll Cass, Seminary Scholarship Fund

DON SCHNEGELSBERGER, my Husband, MIKE SCHNEGELSBERGER , my Son — Gloria Schnegelsberger, Youth

BOB STRAKA , my Husband. BILL and NAOMI QUAY , my parents — Phyllis Straka, Youth Fund

Go in Peace!Go in Peace!Go in Peace!Go in Peace! FIRST WORD JANUARY 2013 7

I Saw the Reflection

of Jesus…..

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

I recently traveled with church leaders to areas in

New York and New Jersey that were impacted by

Hurricane Sandy. I assured all those affected by the

storms that they are not alone. We, as the Evangelical

Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), stand with them

and will stay un�l the work is done. Together, we can

achieve things on a scale and scope that we could

never do alone.

Despite the hardship and difficul�es people are s�ll

experiencing, we have witnessed incredible resiliency.

As we stood in a congrega�on, s�ll without power,

we held candles and sang. I saw in those who sang

around me the reflec�on of Jesus, the Light of the

world, the one through whom God is making a way

to us.

As we visited, they shared a recogni�on that the long

road of recovery will depend on our con�nued prayers

and support.

Thanks to your generosity in the weeks following this

disaster, we have already responded in the Caribbean

and in areas of the United States with food, water and

shelter.

But your support is s�ll needed.

Gi;s to Hurricane Sandy will be used en�rely –

100 percent –

to provide relief

to areas most

impacted. Your gi) now will help:

• Address basic needs of families and individuals

• Build and reconstruct homes, communi�es and

congrega�ons

• Coordinate volunteer efforts from people

across the country

• Support case managers working directly with

those who have lost everything

During this season of Advent, may your con�nued

support be a light for all those rebuilding their lives

in Hurricane Sandy's wake.

In God's grace,

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Dec 12, 2012

The First Word

First Lutheran Church, ELCA 127 South Columbus Street Galion, Ohio 44833

www.galionfirstlutheran.org

[email protected]

419-468-3107

Return Service Requested

Church Staff

Pastor Matthew S. Wheeler [email protected]

JoAnne Hamblin . . Admin. Assistant Russell Gelvin . . . . . . . Custodian Thomas Palmer, LaMar Wyse . . . . . . Accompanists Becky Renock . . . . . . . .Treasurer

Church Office Hours

9:00 AM – 12:15 PM and 1:00 – 3:00 PM Monday-Friday

Worship and Communion 8:00 AM 2nd & 4th Sundays 10:30 AM 1st & 3rd Sundays ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Council Marty Cecil . . . . . . . . . President Brian Shifley . . . . . .Vice President John Badenhop . . . . . . . Secretary Liaisons to Committee Electa Foster . . . Christian Education Dick Grandy, Jo Swain . . . . Finance Phyllis Straka . . . . . . . . H.O.P.E. John Badenhop . . . Mutual Ministry Brian Shifley . . . . . . . . .Property Brian Shifley . . . . . . . Stewardship John Renock, John Badenhop, Lee Linn. . . .Worship & Music Lee Linn . . . . . . . . . . . . Youth Leann Adkins, Kevin McNeal, Julie Sargel Committee Chairpersons Janet Kreis . . . . . . . . . . Finance Janet Kreis . John Swain . Assist Treas Julie Sargel . . . . Christian Education Brian Shifley . . . . . . . . . Property Patty Rice Groth . . . . . . . H.O.P.E. John Badenhop . . . Worship & Music

~~~~~~ Denise Grandy . Volunteer Coordinator John Renock . . Church Photographer Echo Shifley . . . . . Prayer Chain [email protected]

(to activate prayer chain )

First on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com /pages/First-Lutheran- Church-Galion-Ohio/

448678335145349

Twitter Link

https://twitter.com/#!/ FLCGalion

PURPOSE STATEMENT

God is….. We are….. Passion!

Go in Peace! Serve the Lord!

Serve the Lord!

Nonprofit Organization US Postage Paid

Galion, Ohio Permit #52

SUNDAY

WORSHIP

Christmas 2012 at First Lutheran Christmas 2012 at First Lutheran Christmas 2012 at First Lutheran Christmas 2012 at First Lutheran Christmas Eve (1 & 3), Caroling (2), Decora�ng for the Season (4 & 5)

1

2

3

4

5