Looking ahead, September has many celebrations for us.

September 8th:

Womens’ Bible Study resumes at 10:00 a.m. and Crossways returns at 7:00 p.m.

September 11th is Holy

Cross Sunday. Please bring your personal crosses, i.e. jewelry or home décor, to be blessed.

September 16th.

A Tailgate Party is planned at SMFHS before the high school football game.

September 18th begins

the New Member Classes (Sept. 18, 25 & Oct. 2) held during the Sunday School hour.

September 18th is Bridge Sunday.

September 18th begins

the first of four Stewardship Sundays.

September 25th: A First Communion class will be held at 12 noon.

September 28: Ladies’

Night Out at 6:30 p.m. at Dontino’s Restaurant.

We have begun the Year of Jubilee for the

Lutheran Church. 2017 will mark the 500th anniversary

of the Reformation. In preparation , this year will

include multiple opportunities to celebrate!

The Fall schedule at St. Stephen has begun. Children were welcomed back to Sunday School on RALLY DAY on August 28th . Worship hours have changed back to the regular schedule of 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School will also be held in the Lounge at 9:45 a.m. during the Sunday School hour.

Choir practice started on August 28th at 9:45 a.m. Bell Choir practice resumed on Monday, August 29th at 7:00 p.m. If you are interested in joining either of these musical groups or have a talent to share, please contact Connie Wilson or Pam Hickey.

The 3rd Sunday of each month has been designated Bridge Sunday.

Plan to meet and pack Bridge Bags after the 11:00 a.m. service on September 18th.

A group will then carpool to Grace Park in Akron (across from Holy Trinity) to distrib-ute the bags to the homeless.

Bags contain a toothbrush and toothpaste, a washcloth and soap in a waterproof baggie, deodorant, shampoo, lotion, and a pair of socks. As well as information about how each item is a blessing from God.

Please plan to share some time in this important outreach ministry.

Year of Jubilee

September

Bridge Sunday

S T . S T E P H E N

L U T H E R A N C H U R C H Steeple views S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6 I S S U E 9

To live in Grace,

share the Good

News of Jesus and reach out to others in love.

In Memory New Members JOY Breakfast

2

Tailgate Party Acme Cash Back

3

Susan Bentz 4

Council Minutes 6

Olympics 8

Car Show 10

Crossways Healthy Strides Veteran’s Stand

12

JOY Amish Trip Ladies’ Night Out Red Cross

13

Rally Day 14

Silent Food Pantry Bulldog Bags

15

JOY MAPS Trip 16

Birthdays & Anniversaries

18

Volunteers 19

P A G E 2

Invitation to Membership

Ivan Vern Fraser Ivan Vern Fraser passed away on August 1, 2016. at the age of 86. He was married to Dee in 1953 and they have three sons and one

daughter, many grand-children and great-grandchildren. They joined St. Stephen in 1969. Vern retired from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.

He was instrumental in the growth of St. Stephen and devoted many hours to volunteering.

Vern will be missed.

already a member or are just plain curious what our ―household of God‖ is all about. Classes will be held September 11, 16 and 24 during the Sunday School hour, with a reception of new members scheduled on October 16th.

Our discussion topics include:

What does it mean to be a Lutheran

How can we become acquainted

Ephesians 2:19

―So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.‖

You are invited to participate in St. Stephen’s new member classes if you are considering membership, are

with you and encourage you on your spiritual journey

How does the household of St. Stephen function.

We are a worshiping and serving community and are always eager to welcome new members to our mission and ministry.

If you have any questions, please contact the church office or Fran Dieter at 330-688-4019.

S T E E P L E V I E W S

The J.O.Y. Group .(Just Older Youth) meets for break-fast on the second Monday of each month at 9:00 a.m. at the Stow Café. Come and enjoy fellowship with friends and family of St. Stephen.

J.O.Y Group

Welcome to those considering

membership, already a member

or just curious about our

“household of God.”

Please place them in the collection box at the narthex entrance doors.

All money will go toward the Bridge Ministry. Bridge received $225 for the 2015-1016 season.

This year’s collection is from August 11

through December 31, 2016

Acme Community Cash Back program has already started, so please start collecting your Acme receipts. Once again, it has started earlier and it will end earlier, as well.

Please remember to turn in the ENTIRE receipt. Do not cut anything off or it will be invalid.

Acme Community Cash Back Program

I S S U E 9 P A G E 3

St. Stephen/SMFHS Football Tailgate Party Join us for a Tailgate Party in the Stow-Munroe Falls High School parking lot prior to the Bulldog’s game against Wadsworth on Friday, September 16th at 5:00 p.m. This is also Youth Recognition night so cheer for students who participate in football/cheer at every age level. And, our St. Stephen youth (and parents!) involved in the band!

Friday, September 16th 5:00 p.m. SMFHS Parking lot

A fun night for ALL ages! See you there! Go Stow!

P A G E 4

S T E E P L E V I E W S

Thank you, Susan Bentz!

Celebrating 20 years of service to St. Stephen P A G E 5 I S S U E 9

P A G E 6

S T E E P L E V I E W S

St. Stephen Lutheran Church Council Meeting

Tuesday, August 9, 2016 PRESENT: Brad Bass - Chairman Michelle Amato – Worship & Music, Witness Pastor Corsi Tim Taylor – Properties/Facilities, Fellowship Kim Clark – Secretary Susan Bentz – Special Guest Sandee Davis – Service, Stewardship OPENING: Michelle Amato read a devotion from John 3:16-17 on love. Pastor welcomed our special guest, Susan Bentz, and thanked her for joining council to talk about our youth ministry renewal. Pastor and Susan met several months ago to discuss ways to get our kids more involved in the life of the church. They will begin making some changes this school year. Pastor also recognized Susan for her 20 years with St. Stephen and mentioned we will celebrate her on Rally Day, Sunday, August 28. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: The minutes from the July 12 council meeting were accepted as received. Tim Taylor motioned to approve the min-utes and Michelle Amato seconded. The motion passed. PASTOR’S REPORT: Pastor Corsi gave his report in writing for our review, which was broken out by Pastoral Acts, Teaching, Worship, Visitations, Consultations, Meetings/Activities, Trips for Church and Other. He presented the fall church calendar, which includes Rally Day and Susan Bentz’s recognition day on August 28. Church moves to 11:00 second service that day as well. Pastor will be away Labor Day weekend and he contacted Pastor McGee to serve as supply pastor that Sunday. Our stewardship campaign will include a ―Festival of Booths‖ and a ministry fair. We will have one ser-vice at 10:00 on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Pastor will be away New Year’s Day. The church calendar is being handled by Jane Hecht and all church activities will take precedence over outside activities. MINISTRY REPORTS: Financial Report – Scott Schlea was absent. There were no financial reports available. Fellowship – Jane Koch and Abbey Staats presented a calendar of possible fellowship activities to Pastor. He will get a copy to Tim Taylor. Facilities – Tim met with Brian Clark and reviewed his list of projects. It was noted that there is rotting wood and mold that needs to be cleaned at the main entryway. He would like to work to make the entrance more present-able. Tim has cleaner to get rid of the mold and will get pricing to replace the piece of trim with vinyl. He would like to get more people involved to help. Busy Bees is in the church cleaning.

I S S U E 9 P A G E 7

Service – Sandee Davis spoke with Audrey Tucker and discussed ideas such as adopt-a-family (church or outside fam-ily). She also talked to Jill Kolczynski and she is interested in co-chairing with Audrey. Stewardship – Sandee Davis mentioned the ―Festival of Booths‖ will be a part of the stewardship campaign, which will run the last two weeks of September and first two weeks of October. The theme will be ―Simple as 123.‖ Youth & Family/Learning – Don Brooker was absent. No information was available. Worship & Music – Michelle Amato is working with the Alter Guild on filling a couple of open spots. Pastor men-tioned he has three new Deacons he will be training on August 28: Peter Sabin, Jane Koch and Abbey Staats. Witness – Michelle Amato said this is a small committee with no chairperson right now. She would like to work with the ministry to initiate new visitor follow ups and redevelop this ministry. OLD BUSINESS: Meeting with Scouts – Brad Bass has not had chance to schedule this meeting. Wi-Fi – Brad Bass has not had chance to investigate the wi-fi boost to fellowship hall. Sound system – Pastor has a new belt pack and hasn’t had any problems with using it for one service. Western Whirlers – The audio loop is in. Building Task Force – Current interested members: Emily Hoff, Jon Paul, Tim Taylor, Brian Clark, Pastor, Jim Erikson and Brad Bass. Brad would like to find one or two more women to join this group. Facility Locks – No update from Don Brooker. Narthex Update – No update from Don Brooker. Custodian – We will begin to advertise for this position. Looking to have someone in the building four hours a day, three to four days per week. Anticipated cost would be about $3,000 over current. St. Stephen Vintner’s –Jon Paul will head this committee. NEW BUSINESS: 2017 Budget – Annual congregational meeting to approve the new budget will be held on Sunday, November 13. Council will discuss financial numbers in September. The next council meeting with be Tuesday, September 13. Brad Bass accepted a motion from Sandee Davis to adjourn and Kim Clark seconded. The motion passed. We closed with prayer. Respectfully Submitted, Kim Clark

P A G E 8

S T E E P L E V I E W S

St. Stephen Olympics

Water Relay Race

Registration began in the Olympic Village with a global-themed lunch. Games followed and winners were announced at an awards ceremony where they received medals. Ice cream was served to celebrate!

Water Balloon Volleyball

Ring Toss and Bucket Toss

Long Jump

I S S U E 9 P A G E 9

P A G E 1 0

Car Show—August 27

S T E E P L E V I E W S

P A G E 1 1 I S S U E 9

P A G E 1 2

Get out your

walking shoes!

Summit Metro

Parks joins

Akron General

to present

Healthy Strides

Healthy Strides: Come Walk with Us

Veteran’s Stand Down Community Event

Crossways Bible Study Course Pr. Landis Coffmann will again be offering the Cross-ways Bible Study course this fall. Crossways is a special weekly Bible Study Experience; this session will be studying the Old Testament in depth.

Crossways is held on Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:00 p.m. beginning September 8th and running through May 2017 here at St. Stephen in the Fellowship Hall.

The participants of the Crossways Old Testament course are asked to stop at the information table in the narthex. Pastor Coffman has supplied information for you.

monetary donations through Sunday, Sept. 11 to contribute to this important cause. Please make checks payable to St. Stephen and place checks or cash in the Pew Envelopes

The Summit County Veterans Council hosts an annual Stand Down event taking place on Sept. 13 which provides necessary items to veterans. This year St. Stephen will be collecting

provided with VETERANS written on the outside of the envelope or on the check memo line. Total donations given up to $1,000 will be matched by the church.

General joins Summit Metro Parks to present Healthy Strides.

During the Metro Parks annual Fall Hiking Spree, the community is welcome to participate in a casual 1-3 mile walk, preceded by a brief

informative talk by Akron General physicians and caregivers.

Saturday, September 10

10:00 a.m.

Munroe Falls Metro Park/Lake Area, Indian Spring Trail.

Looking for a fun and informative time? Akron

S T E E P L E V I E W S

J.O.Y. Group Amish Country Trip P A G E 1 3 I S S U E 9

The St. Stephen J.O.Y. Group (Just Older Youth) is planning a fun fall trip to

Ohio Amish Country on Monday, September 25th. Plan to meet at the church at 10:00 a.m. to carpool to the planned destinations. MAPS WILL PROVIDED.

A Sign-up sheet is in the narthex.

Any questions? Please contact Gary Parker.

Destinations include:

Lehman’s

Ashery Country Store

Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen

Just Ice Cream

Please bring your Red Cross donor Card or some form of picture ID (ex. Ohio Driver’s license).

Call 1-800-733-2767 for an appointment.

Joining forces with The American Red Cross, The Stow-Munroe Falls Lions are sponsoring the blood drive at The Holy Family Parish Church Hall on Tuesday, September 6 from 1:00—7:00 p.m.

September 6

1—7 p.m.

Holy Family Parish Church

Guests are welcome. If you need a ride or have any questions, please call Pam Colllins at 330-673-3697. We hope to see you in September for fellowship and good food.

Please sign the sheet in the narthex by Sunday, September 25th, if you plan to attend.

Wednesday, September 28th 6:30 p.m.

Ladies, please join us at Dontino’s Italian Restau-rant, 555 East Cuyahoga Falls Avenue, Akron, on

Wednesday, September 28th at 6:30 p.m.

Amish buggies are a common site.

Ladies’ Night Out

Red Cross Blood Drive

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.

“There are

some people in

life that make

you laugh a

little louder,

smile a little

bigger and live

just a little bit

better”

P A G E 1 4

Rally Day 2016

S T E E P L E V I E W S

Silent Food Pantry P A G E 1 5 I S S U E 9

Bulldog Bags Once again, the St. Stephen Service Ministry will be assisting Bulldog Bags, Inc. to deliver the food to the schools one Friday each month. A volunteer sign-up sheet for each month of delivery will be in the Narthex. We would like to have one driver and one or two assistants for each delivery date.

We currently need:

Canned tuna

Boxed macaroni and cheese

Monetary donations are always welcome.

Bulldogs Bags, Inc., now in its second year, is a community, non-profit volunteer organization in Stow-Munroe Falls that will provide elementary and intermediate school children in the Stow-Munroe Falls School district who are in need with a ―bridge of nutrition‖ on the last Friday of the month.

The Silent Food Pantry is open during office hours for any congregational member of any member of our community who is in need. The pantry is located in the narthex to the left of the kitchen.

The delivery dates for the current school year will be:

September 30

Oct. 28

November 18

December 16

January 27

February 24

March 24

April 28

May 19

For more information about Bulldog Bags, please contact Audrey Tucker .

audreytucker@att.net

P A G E 1 6

S T E E P L E V I E W S

J.O.Y. Group Trip to MAPS Air Museum P A G E 1 7 I S S U E 9

P A G E 1 8 September

Happy Anniversary

9/3 David & Nancy Brown

9/4 Greg & Sue Byerly

9/4 Pat & Pam Hickey

9/10 Jim & Tracie McNutt

9/11 Ron Lombardo & Beth Reynolds

9/11 William & Barbara Schloman

9/13 Tim & Dawn Zinsmeister

9/16 Wayne & Janet Koch

9/19 Dave & Diane Daugherty

9/19 Greg & Beth Mueller

9/20 David & Kelly Swindler

9/26 Matt & Nicole O’Donnell

S T E E P L E V I E W S

Photos used in St. Stephen’s pub-lications, i.e. Steeple Views, Facebook and its website, are the property of St. Stephen. If you do not want a photo included, please inform the church office.

9/2 Nancy Brown

9/2 Alexander Gress

9/2 Allison Mueller

9/3 Peter Sabin

9/4 Alice Jackson

9/4 Christy Taylor

9/5 Jack Palm

9/6 Lisa Morris

9/7 Lydia Heiser

9/9 Rhonda Holland

9/10 Piper Goosby

9/10 Darlene Teeters

9/13 Greg Byerly

9/13 Barbara Miller

9/14 Jacob Harrington

9/15 Kim Marschik

9/15 Kelly Swindler

9/16 Victoria Emery

9/16 Isabelle Welsh

9/17 Ron Lombardo

9/18 Michael Dyer

9/19 Sydney DePompei

9/19 Ed Holland

9/20 Ryan Eiloo

9/21 Shirley Confer

9/23 Edward Crabtree

9/23 Jane Koch

9/25 Brian Friedt

9/25 Kristen Leffler

9/26 Stephanie Gress

9/26 Emma Karlson

9/26 George O’Connell IV

9/28 Wayne Koch

9/29 Roberta DePompei

9/30 Zavier Kuzemchak

P A G E 1 9 I S S U E 9

September Volunteers 8:30 Worship

Date Asst. Minister Acolyte Lector Greeter Mingler Usher

4 Fran Dieter Grace Dressman

Bob Dieter Kendall Biermann

Olivia Amato

Ed & Nana Eiloo Brian Clark, Doug Henderson, Fred Ohnmeiss

11 Bob Dieter Abbey Staats Renna Knotek Bob & Elaine Hedrick

Chuck & Joan Conaway

James Karlson, Andrew Karlson, Emma Karlson

18 Beth Reynolds Tommy Aly Fran Dieter Sherry Petrosky & Doug Henderson

Renna Knotek Pat Murphy, Gary Reynolds, Justin Murphy, Jeremy Murphy

25 Barb Reid Chase Brooker Dawn Zinsmeister

Jack & Betty Palm Renna Knotek Jeff Reid, Barb Reid, Dave Daugherty, Ron Lombardo

11:00 Worship

4 Dan Camburn Abbey Staats Christy Taylor Kerry & Todd Yaquinto Nancy Brown Ed Crabtree, Ben Trettel, Lowell Zurbuch, Dave Renninger

11 Jon Paul Tommy Aly Nancy Ewing Gary Parker & Virginia Dorsey

John & Chris Lawrence

Anjalee Wagers, Stephanie Gress, Michele Amato, Olivia Amato, Janet Koch

18 Nancy Brown Chase Brooker Val Huddleston Rick & Rhonda Vaudt Jim & Alice Jackson

Eric Friedt, Ben Trettel, Zach Finley, Samantha Huddleston

25 Val Huddleston Brian Friedt Dave Renninger Jon & Janet Paul Gary Parker & Virginia Dorsey

Rick Vaudt, John Huddleston, Chris Collins, Don Brooker

Altar Guild Dawn Zinsmeister

St. Stephen

Family

Service

Anjalee Wagers

Date Council Person of the Day

Counters

4 Kim Clark Jane Koch & Chris Collins

11 Sandee Davis Pam Collins & Lenore Ferg

18 Scott Schlea Pam Collins & Lenore Ferg

25 Brad Bass Jim & Janet Erickson

September 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

7 pm Western Whirlers

3

8-9:30 am 2-8 Woodbury Condo RAIN

4

Sunday School Begins

5

6 7

7 pm Finance Mtg

8

10 am Women’s Bible Study

5:30 Boy Scouts

7 pm Crossways

9 10

8-9:30 am

11

Holy CrossSunday

1 pm Scouts PLC

12

9 am. J.O.Y. Breakfast

7 pm Bells 7 pm Scouts

13

Portico Seminar

7 pm Council

14 15

10 am Women’s Bible Study

7 pm Crossways 7 pm Scouts

16

5 pm SMFHS Tailgate 7 pm Western Whirlers

17

8-9:30 am 10-6 Zinsmeister Anniversary

18 Stewardship 9:45 New Member Class

12 noon Bridge Sunday

19

7 pm Bells 7 pm Scouts

20 21

7pm Facility Task Force

22 10 am Women’s Bible Study

7 pm Crossways

23 24

8 -9:30 am

26

10 am JOY Amish Country

7 pm Bells 7 pm Scouts

27 28

6:30 pm Dontino’s

29

10 am Women’s Bible Study

7 pm Crossways

30 1

Set up for Festival of Booths

www.ststephen-stow.com