From First Congregational Church

NOVEMBER 2017

The Spire

Office Hours Monday—Friday

9:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m.

We don’t think

for you—

We care for you.

Senior Minister:

Bruce Haapalainen

Church Cabinet Liaison:

Ellen Eckert

Director of Children’s Ministry:

Sarah Ramos

Director of Youth Ministry:

Lindi Meisse

Administrative Assistant:

Dee Vail

Financial Secretary:

Kim Stover

Music Director:

Richard Wink

Maintenance Services:

Jon Hall

Custodial Services:

Larry Scott

Moderator:

Joyce Adair

The Giving Tree Project

Sunday, November 12

thru

Sunday, November 26

As has been our tradition for well over 20 years, FCC is again

teaming up with the Richland County Children Services Auxiliary

to make Christmas a reality to a number of children throughout the

county. Tags will be available beginning Sunday, November 12; all

UNWRAPPED gifts are due by Sunday, November 26.

Tags will be for an individual gift,

an individual child or for money

which will then be put toward a

gift card for the older youth.

(Teenagers enjoy buying for

themselves and most of us have

no clue about their interests/

tastes.)

We appreciate the support you

have always given this outreach

project!

Br uce’s Blog

Thinking Thanks

When I recall childhood Thanksgivings, much was happening as I blissfully enjoyed a long weekend. While I slept late and watched TV, I thought of my parents cooking, baking, and preparing the table. While watching the Lions lose before a national audience, I’m certain I never knew there were Americans without enough to even stay warm, let alone be well fed. Later, that realization led me to abandon Thanksgiving altogether. I didn’t want to even have turkey. I felt I should spend the day with no food at all. After years of that, all I had done was add one more to the world’s hunger. I didn’t really experience much more than discomfort, something which I could have alleviated quite easily at any time. Not a single person on earth was remotely better off for me having skipped Turkey Day.

That began my thinking about how often and easily I settled for quick fixes. What made me so

content with not good enough? “How often,“ I wondered, “do I settle for what might have been?”

Why settle for less than? Why choose personal comfort at the expense of exciting, albeit, disquieting

dreams? Eventually, I began celebrating Thanksgiving as “both/and” instead of settling for “either/

or.” What if it became celebration and an investment in the betterment of those around us? Could it

be the chance to relax and an opportunity to see others having joy that day? And the Lions? Well, as

always, I hope the only turkeys getting carved on Thanksgiving are on the dining room table.

The first official Thanksgiving I know of was instituted by the British on November 5th, 1605. It

celebrated the discovery of a plot to detonate three dozen barrels of gunpowder beneath The House

of Lords when Parliament convened. Our Thanksgiving occurred when the Pilgrims got to this

country and, aided by Native Americans they had met, had a dinner of gratitude. Due to diseases

that arrived with the Pilgrims, they were completely eradicated less than 50 years after they first gave

thanks together. Mother Teresa said, “The wonder is not that we do this work, but that we do it with

love.” It’s about more than simply being glad we didn’t blow ourselves up for another year.

Thanksgiving is a great time to let love surround and enfold our actions. Each day God gives us grace

and a new chance. That’s a long way from the pumpkin pie, football on giant screen TV and parades.

Or is it? Let’s take the day to enjoy, celebrate, reflect, eat, watch, share and relax. Let’s also use it to

pledge to make a world so that we find ourselves in a much more loving, peace-filled and universally

grateful planet when next it is time to celebrate Thanksgiving!

Upcoming Messages Message Series: The “Famous” Nameless

Nov. 5 A Man on a Moving Bed Luke 5:17-39 Nov. 12 A Samaritan Women John 4 Nov. 19 An Irrevocable Living Trust 1 Peter 3:8-12 Nov. 26 The Cradle King - Christ the King Sunday Philippians 2:5-11 Dec. 03 Advent Choir Program

Youth Fund Raiser!!

Plan to join us in Blymyer Hall on Sunday, November 5, following the 10:30 Worship Service for a delicious breakfast!! The breakfast will include gluten free and vegan entrees. Not only will you enjoy a wonderful breakfast, but you will also have the opportunity to shop the Holiday Bazaar! You won’t want to miss this.

Don’t miss a chance to buy wonderful holiday/seasonal

decorations, clothing, and Bazaar items at bargain prices on

Sunday, November 5, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, in Blymyer Hall.

This Bazaar will be open to the public Monday, November 6

and Tuesday, November 7, 9 am - 3 pm. Monday night the

Bazaar will be open 6:30-6:55 before the Fun Center

Chordsmen Veterans Salute and afterward from 8:00-8:45. Tuesday all items will

be half price. Please plan to stop and shop.

Help is needed Friday, November 3, 9 am, until finished to set up the Holiday

Bazaar in Blymyer Hall. Any amount of time and effort you can give moving boxes,

unpacking, displaying, and pricing for the Bazaar will be greatly appreciated.

Volunteers willing to cashier, assist customers during sale hours, straighten displays

and pack items/clean up are needed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. There is a sign

-up sheet in the kitchen on the bulletin board or call Carol Hall, 419.529.3845.

Library Additions The following books have recently been added to our church library:

Villa America by Liza Klaussmann; The Accomplished Guest by Ann Bettie; Map of The Heart by Susan Wiggs; Seeing Red by Sandra Brown; My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent; A Legacy of Spies by John LeCarre; Glass Houses by Louise Penny; The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen by Kendrick Groen; Proof of Life by J.A. Jance; The Cuban Affair by Nelson DeMille; and Love & Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford. Be sure to stop in and “check-out” one of these new books!!

2017 Spire

Publication Deadlines

Issue Deadline

December November 20

January December 11

February January 15

When: Monday, Nov. 13, 1:00 pm, Parlor

Book: Dreamland

by Sam Quinones

Children’s Ministry News

November 19: Church School Children will sing during the 10:30

Worship Service.

November 19: November retreat at Lex Lanes for preschoolers -

5th graders. Pizza, friends and bowling after the 10:30 service. A sign-up sheet is

on the bulletin board in the Sunday School hallway.

The Advent Workshop will be held on Sunday, December 10, in Blymyer Hall at

11:30 am. Registration for the event will be available in the Parlor starting

Sunday, November 19.

FCC Soaring Social Group If you haven’t soared yet please try it. We’d love your company!

Tuesday, November 7 - The Vault. Off to Shelby for a casual meal and a good time in a real bank vault. Come on along. We will leave the Tower Lake’s parking lot at 5:15 pm by carpool. Your transportation reservation is needed by Thursday, November 2.

Friday, November 17 - The Mansfield Playhouse. Second stage production is “Marriage Can Be Hazardous to Your Health”. This comedy explores relationships with plenty of humor. The downstairs seating is limited so your reservation is needed by Wednesday, November 1.

For questions and to make your reservations, please call Lucy Amsbaugh, 419.756.6871.

Trustee October Summary Based on the recommendation of the building committee, the

trustees approved entering into a contract with Peak Electric Company for the new electrical service and upgrades necessary for the improvements underway. Also approved was the installation of the “west elevator” in the restroom tower now under construction. Although the elevator shaft was already planned, the actual elevator was to be installed in the future. Costs and convenience factors guided the decision to proceed with the installation now. Construction of the primary “east elevator” which will service multiple levels, including the sanctuary will begin next spring.

Volunteers continue to enhance the church and stretch our budget. Si Carmean and Ken Carpenter repaired and refurbished various parking lot and direction signs this past summer.

First Congregational Church is a part of the Mansfield/Richland County community in many ways. The trustees learned how recently over 220 Malabar Intermediate School 5th graders visited Hemlock Trails as a part of their outdoor nature observation and journaling program. Katherine Peresie organized this volunteer driven program which proved to be a delightful experience for all involved. By sharing the facility, buying boots for participants and in providing numerous volunteers to work with the children the church continues to demonstrate our mission and engagement in the community.

October Missions Meeting Summary We are currently deciding which project(s) to support beginning early in 2018. More

information will be gathered before making a final decision.

Discussion was had about possible recipient of proceeds from Pancake Supper to be held

February 13, 2018. We will share our ideas with Church Life, whom we partner with on this

project.

We continue to ask for items that are part of our ongoing missions. Box Tops for Education,

non-perishables for the three area food pantries, and items for Dayspring Assisted Living. As

always, thank you for your help with these projects!

October News from the Deacons The Deacons discussed and reviewed planning for various upcoming events. The loose offering from Communion on Sunday, November 19, will be donated towards the

Puerto Rico disaster relief efforts on behalf of the Deacon Fund.

OUR BOARDS AT WORK...

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2018 Flower

Chart You may now sign-up

to give flowers during

the 2018 calendar year. The chart is

located on the bulletin board

outside of Blymyer Hall. A reminder

card will be sent to you in advance

of your scheduled date.

2017 Advent Study For this year’s Advent Study Rev. Bruce has chosen a 4-week program by Adam Hamilton entitled, “Faithful”, Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph. This program will be available on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 10:00 am in Blymyer Hall and Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 am in the Sauter Meeting Room. NOTE: If Blymyer Hall is not available on a Sunday morning the class will be held in the Chapel. Each weekly study will consist of a short video, usually not more than 15 minutes, followed by a discussion about the video topics. A book is available, the cost yet to be determined.

The Sunday classes will be held on: Nov. 26, Dec. 3, 10, and 17. The Wednesday classes will be held on: Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, and 20.

A sign-up sheet will be available on the bulletin board outside Blymyer Hall. Please sign-up as soon as possible so the materials may be ordered and received in time for the first class. Ron Kline will be the facilitator.

Thanksgiving Eve Plan to join us in Blymyer Hall at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, November 22, for our annual Thanksgiving Eve Service. The service will include several people sharing “Why They Are Thankful”:, as well as the choir offering a selection or two. Fellowship with pie will cap off the evening. Pies will be provided by the Church Life committee. Leftover pies will be shared with local shelters. This is a “kid friendly” service. This event kicks off the holiday season; we hope you are with us for the evening.

Blood Pressure Checks!!! November 12 December 11 January 14

Blood Pressure checks are available in the Business Hallway.

Within Our Fellowship Birth: Congratulations to Jordan and Tim Kirk on the birth of their son, William Joseph, on September 30th. William is the great-grandson of Jim and Joni Henson.

FROM FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH The Spire

640 Millsboro Rd.

Mansfield, OH 44903

Phone: 419-756-3046

Fax: 419-756-5834

www.mansfieldfcc.com

¬

COMING IN NOVEMBER Sunday, November 5 Holiday Bazaar/Youth Fundraiser Breakfast, 11:30 am, Blymyer Hall

Monday, November 6 Fun Center Chordsmen Veteran’s Tribute, 7 pm

Sunday, November 12 Veteran’s Day Service, 10:30 am, Sanctuary

Sunday, November 19 Communion - both services Church School Choir Sings, 10:30 am, Sanctuary Advent Workshop Sign-Up Begins

Wednesday, November 22 Thanksgiving Eve Service, 7:00 pm, Blymyer Hall

Sunday, November 26 First Sunday of Advent

THE SPIRE (UPSSS613-080) is

published monthly throughout

the year by the First Congrega-

tional Church, 640 Millsboro

Road, Mansfield, Ohio,

44903. Second class postage

paid at Mansfield, Ohio.

Subscription rate $25 per year.

POSTMASTER: Send address

changes to The Spire, First

Congregational Church, 640

Millsboro Road, Mansfield,

Ohio 44903