News for March 17, 2017

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,
 
Please continue to pray for the following folks:
              Bob and Millie Hires – Bob is now home from the hospital and Millie had taken a bad fall, but is at home also
              John Mason – took a bad fall and is at home
              Pam Denman’s Father – Lowell Crabtree – in hospital with an infection following heart surgery in January
              Jim Simpson is now back at Kingston Rehabilitation Center
The Family and Friends of Rev. Karen Shepler – A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at the Monroe Street UMC located at 3613 Monroe Street, Toledo, Ohio 43206.  Friends and guests will be received beginning at 1:30 pm and the service will begin at 3:00 pm.  A reception will follow the service.  Those attending can enter Monroe Street UMC either at the door with the green awning or by the front steps.  An elevator is next to the green awning door.  Memorial donations can be made to: MWD Monroe Street Freedom School and can be sent to Monroe Street UMC at the above address.
 
Our March Mission Focus are our local food pantries. The Anthony Wayne Food Pantry in Whitehouse serves families in the Anthony Wayne School District on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Zion United Methodist Church.  The Anthony Wayne Community Food Ministry Pantry, located at the Waterville Community Church, serves families from the local area as well as Toledo, East Toledo, Holland, Swanton, Perrysburg and other areas of Lucas, Fulton, and Wood Counties.  They are open on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.  Each pantry is always in need of non-expired, non-perishable food as well as monetary donations to buy additional items such as meat, eggs and cheese.  Your support is greatly appreciated.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 
 
This week is a Welcome a Neighbor Sunday.  We have 8 gift bags that will need to be delivered to new neighbors in our community.  Be sure and check to see if any of these new residents live close to you.
  
The Prayer Group will meet at 9:00 a.m. this Sunday.  
 
The Max Lucado Lenten small group study, He Chose the Nails, will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room this Sunday morning and then at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Tom and Karen Wiggins.
 
Worship Service for Sunday, March 19:  
              Prelude:  The Handbell Choir will be playing The Old Rugged Cross
              Call to Worship
              Song of Worship - You Are My King
              Children’s Moment  -  
              Sharing God’s tithes and offerings -
              Offertory – Medley of To God Be the Glory, O, That Will Be Glory and Amazing Grace
              Hymn - Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
              Sanctuary Choir Anthem -  And Then He Died
              Scripture  -  John 4:5-14
              Sermon - Recognizing God’s Gifts
              Prayers of God’s People -
              Closing Hymn - O How He Loves You and Me
              Choral Benediction -  Make Me a Servant
              Postlude - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
              Liturgist - Tom Quinn
              Prayer Partner for Pastor Mike this week -  Sara Kirby
 
No one has signed up to be Fellowship Hosts for the month of March.   All of the months are still available except for May.
 
The kids will be painting in Sunday School on March 19th.  There will be paint shirts available at church, but parents may want to dress their kiddos accordingly.
 
As part of the Sunday School children’s  “Project with a Purpose,” they will be taking a tour of the Ronald McDonald House in Toledo this Sunday, March 19 at 2:00 pm.  There is still space available on the tour so even if you don’t have children in the Sunday School program, but would like to attend, please contact Stephanie at sshelton171@gmail.com.  
 
A new Lenten study series began last Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room at the church and then at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Karen & Tom Wiggins and Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room  We will be using Max Lucado’s He Chose the Nails.  This is a five-session video Bible study.  Max continues by examining the gifts that Christ gave at his crucifixion.  These include not only the gift of the cross, but also the gift of the thorns, the nails, and the empty tomb.  The cross is rich with God’s gifts of grace, and as we unwrap them, we will hear him whisper, “I did it just for you.”  All are welcome to attend.
 
Easter is about a month away.  In your bulletin this Sunday, you will find an Easter Lily order form.  The cost will remain $8.00 this year.  All orders need to be turned in by Palm Sunday - April 9th.  
 
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes -  Our collection items for the month of March will be craft supplies, books, stickers, cars, puzzles, plastic animals, balls, jacks, yoyos, jump ropes, harmonicas, Slinkys, musical instruments, paddles with the ball attached, playing cards, puzzles, stickers sheets, coloring books, puppets, Legos, tennis balls and duct tape.  Let’s always remember that the most needed boxes are those for age 10-14 boys – please keep that in mind as you shop.  Each month:  Pray for shopping wisdom as you purchase these monthly items and the items for your own boxes for the collection in November.  The Lord knows the children who will receive your gifts and He can guide your shopping adventures to exactly what will meet needs and give joy.
 
Project With a Purpose - During March through May 2017, the children in our Sunday School will be collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of NW Ohio.  Beginning Sunday, March 19, you will have the opportunity to pull the tabs off aluminum cans, and save them in a provided Ronald McDonald cardboard house.  Return your houses to Waterville UMC by no later than Sunday, May 28.  Our Sunday School kids will drop off the pull-tabs to our Waterville McDonald’s on Sunday, June 4.  The tabs will be sold to a recycling station for the market price of recycled aluminum.  They send a check to the Ronald McDonald House, and the funds are used for the guest food budget.  Thank you for starting to collect the tabs today!
 
Dave and Paulette Hogg, a former pastor and his wife at Waterville United Methodist Church,  will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary with a Renewal of their Vows on Saturday, June 10, 2017 from 1-4 p.m.  The renewal of vows will take place at 1:30 p.m.  The event will take place at the Church of the Master United Methodist Church in Westerville, Ohio which is located at 24 N. Grove Street (Corner of Grove and Main Streets.)  Dr. Carl L. Wiley officiated at their wedding 50 years ago and will be doing the renewal ceremony.  A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.  In lieu of gifts, please bring a canned food item to be divided between the two local food pantries.  If you plan to attend, please R.S.V. P. by June 1 to Dave’s cell phone: 614-208-4105.  Their actual 50th Wedding Anniversary is April 29.  Cards may be sent to them at the following address:  Dave and Paulette Hogg, 6202 Willowcrest Dr., Columbus, OH   43229.  We have placed a signup sheet on our bulletin board in the main hallway for those who plan on attending this event.  This will help them know how much food is needed.
 
The Lucas County Humane Society wants empty peanut butter jars with some peanut butter residue remaining for their dogs.  If people could bring in the jars, Karen Longnecker will be glad to drop them off.  She knows we have some animal lovers who might want to help out the pooches.  (And remember, she is a cat person, but Hobo gave his approval for her to do this.)
 
Janet and I will be switching work days next week as I am headed back to Nebraska on Wednesday for a few days.  Items for the bulletin will need to be in the office by Monday afternoon at the latest.  Bulletins will be printed on Tuesday morning.  Thank you for your cooperation.
                                                                                                                     
Be a Blessing,
Church Cathy

News for March 10, 2017

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,
 
Please continue to pray for Jim Simpson, who is still in the hospital and is improving, and for Peg Walker who is at Kingston Rehabilitation in #228.
 
Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night before you go to bed!  
 
Our March Mission Focus are our local food pantries. The Anthony Wayne Food Pantry in Whitehouse serves families in the Anthony Wayne School District on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Zion United Methodist Church.  The Anthony Wayne Community Food Ministry Pantry, located at the Waterville Community Church, serves families from the local area as well as Toledo, East Toledo, Holland, Swanton, Perrysburg and other areas of Lucas, Fulton, and Wood Counties.  They are open on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.  Each pantry is always in need of non-expired, non-perishable food as well as monetary donations to buy additional items such as meat, eggs and cheese.  Your support is greatly appreciated.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 
  
The Prayer Group will meet at 9:00 a.m. this Sunday.  
 
The Max Lucado Lenten small group study, He Chose the Nails, will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room this Sunday morning and then at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Tom and Karen Wiggins.
 
Worship Service for Sunday, March 12:  
              Opening Prayer
              Call to Worship
              Song of Worship - The Heart of Worship
              Children’s Moment  -  
              Sanctuary Choir Anthem -  Above All
              Scripture  -  John 3: 1-17
              Sermon - What Does It Mean to be Born Again?
              Hymn -  Freely, Freely
              Closing Hymn - To God Be the Glory
              Choral Benediction -  Make Me a Servant
              Liturgist - Dave Landis
              Prayer Partner for Pastor Mike this week -  Lisa & Kyle Galton
 
Olga will be traveling with the Bowling Green State University’s Men’s Choir on Sunday, March 12th.   Rev. Joel and Anna Banachowski will be filling in for Olga this week.
 
No one has signed up to be Fellowship Hosts for the month of March.   All of the months are still available except for May.
 
A new Lenten study series will begin on Sunday, March 12 at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room at the church and then at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Karen & Tom Wiggins and Tuesday evening, March 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room  We will be using Max Lucado’s He Chose the Nails.  This is a five-session video Bible study.  Max continues by examining the gifts that Christ gave at his crucifixion.  These include not only the gift of the cross, but also the gift of the thorns, the nails, and the empty tomb.  The cross is rich with God’s gifts of grace, and as we unwrap them, we will hear him whisper, “I did it just for you.”  Signup sheets are on the bulletin board in the hallway if you would like to attend.
 
Easter is about a month away.  In your bulletin this Sunday, you will find an Easter Lily order form.  The cost will remain $8.00 this year.  All orders need to be turned in by Palm Sunday - April 9th.  
 
Sweet Endings, a fundraiser for the Pregnancy Center of Greater Toledo, will be held on Thursday, March 23 at Westgate Chapel, 2500 Wilford Drive, Toledo, OH.  Guest Speaker will be Abby Johnson, a former Director of a Planned Parenthood Center.  Tickets are $20 and include heavy hor d’oeuvres and & dessert reception at 5:30 p.m. with a program at 7:00 p.m.  Registration is required.  RSVP deadline is March 13, 2017.  For more information or to register online, please visit www.friendsofpregnancycenter.org. 
 
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes -  Our collection items for the month of March will be craft supplies, books, stickers, cars, puzzles, plastic animals, balls, jacks, yoyos, jump ropes, harmonicas, Slinkys, musical instruments, paddles with the ball attached, playing cards, puzzles, stickers sheets, coloring books, puppets, Legos, tennis balls and duct tape.  Let’s always remember that the most needed boxes are those for age 10-14 boys – please keep that in mind as you shop.  Each month:  Pray for shopping wisdom as you purchase these monthly items and the items for your own boxes for the collection in November.  The Lord knows the children who will receive your gifts and He can guide your shopping adventures to exactly what will meet needs and give joy.
 
Project With a Purpose - During March through May 2017, the children in our Sunday School will be collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of NW Ohio.  Beginning Sunday, March 19, you will have the opportunity to pull the tabs off aluminum cans, and save them in a provided Ronald McDonald cardboard house.  Return your houses to Waterville UMC by no later than Sunday, May 28.  Our Sunday School kids will drop off the pull-tabs to our Waterville McDonald’s on Sunday, June 4.  The tabs will be sold to a recycling station for the market price of recycled aluminum.  They send a check to the Ronald McDonald House, and the funds are used for the guest food budget.  Thank you for starting to collect the tabs today!
 
The Church Mouse would like to thank Jean and Dick Warner for doing some clean-up on the sidewalk and curbs in front of the church on Thursday afternoon this week. Dick is a real professional with the leaf blower!!
 
One final reminder…. turn your clocks forward one hour on Saturday night before you go to bed….you don’t want to be late for church!!!
                                                                                                                     
Be a Blessing,
Church Cathy

News for February 24, 2017

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

Please pray for Peg Walker who has been in St. Luke’s hospital after taking a fall.

Jim Simpson is now at Kingston Rehabilitation Center, 345 E. Boundary Street in Perrysburg, OH.  Jim is in Room #217 in the Rehab facility.  He would really like to have visitors.

Our February Mission Focus is Freedom School.  A Freedom School is a six-week Monday through Friday reading and enrichment program developed by the Children’s Defense Fund in 1995 which has a proven track record for increasing reading levels from 1.4 to 2.2 grade levels over two to three summers that children participate in the Freedom School. Freedom Schools were birthed as a vision to end what is known as the “cradle to prison pipeline.”  We know there is a direct correlation between third grade reading test scores and incarceration in adulthood for at-risk, poverty and lower income children in our urban areas. The Maumee Watershed District of the United Methodist Church is hosting a Freedom School at the Monroe Street UMC beginning this summer.   Our gifts will become a gift of life, a positive enrichment experience and a blessing to 50 children in the urban poverty around Monroe Street UMC this summer as we offer them a life-changing Freedom School! There is also a need for volunteers to help during the 30 days of summer when the children are participating in the Freedom School:  Classroom volunteers who will aid the trained teachers; servers and assistants to feed breakfast and lunch each day, story readers for their opening circle time each day; enrichment teachers and leaders; Field Trip chaperones for enrichment activities; tutors to give extra help to students; hostesses for the weekly parent’s meeting when they gather for their educational time and also babysitters to provide the parents child care; people to assist in creating a reading space in the Monroe Street United Methodist Church; and because the church is not air conditioned, fans, fans and more fans.  You may email either Rev. Rae Lynn Schleif (rschleif@wocumc.org) or Elizabeth Rand (erand@monroestumc.com) and let them know how you will serve.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 

The Prayer Group will meet at 9:00 a.m. this Sunday.  

The Unstuck small group study will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room this Sunday.

Worship Service for Sunday, February 26: 

                Call to Worship

              Song of Worship – Majesty, Worship His Majesty

              Children’s Moment-  Mission Jar

              Sanctuary Choir Anthem -  Shine, Jesus, Shine

              Olga’s selections:

                              Prelude:  Come Into His Presence

                              Offertory:  Holy Ground

                              Postlude:   Mighty Is Our God

              Scripture-  Matthew 17:1-9

              Sermon -  Building Shrines or Experiencing the Presence of God

              Hymn -  I Stand Amazed in the Presence

              Choral Benediction -  The Lord Bless and Keep You

              Liturgist - Dave Landis

              Prayer Partner for Pastor Mike this week:  Bobbie Westfall

Marc & Anna Banachowski and Alaina Hem have signed up to be your Fellowship Hosts for the month of February.   All of the months are still available except for May.

The Upper Room, a daily devotional for March and April, will be available at the entrances to the sanctuary this Sunday.  The cost is $1.00 each. 

Project PJ is currently underway at the SeaGate Foodbank.  The women of the M&Ms Bible study volunteer there monthly and we are asking the congregation to join us for Project PJ.  Through the month of February we are collecting new and gently used pajamas for ages 12 and older. They have a real need for those sizes, but any size will be okay.  We are also asking for stuffed animals; these can be new or used (but clean). Please place your donations on the table in the Fireside room.  Thank You!! 

Ash Wednesday is on March first this year.  As we begin the season of Lent, the church will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. that morning.  Pastor Mike will provide Holy Communion and the imposition of ashes for those desiring to begin this season in a time of personal reflection.  This is a great way to begin a season of introspection and preparation for Holy Week and Easter.

A new Lenten study series will begin on Sunday, March 12 at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room at the church and then at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Karen & Tom Wiggins and Tuesday evening, March 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside RoomWe will be using Max Lucado’s He Chose the Nails.  This is a five-session video Bible study.  Max continues by examining the gifts that Christ gave at his crucifixion.  These include not only the gift of the cross, but also the gift of the thorns, the nails, and the empty tomb.  The cross is rich with God’s gifts of grace, and as we unwrap them, we will hear him whisper, “I did it just for you.”  Signup sheets are on the bulletin board in the hallway if you would like to attend.

Sweet Endings, a fundraiser for the Pregnancy Center of Greater Toledo, will be held on Thursday, March 23 at Westgate Chapel, 2500 Wilford Drive, Toledo, OH.  Guest Speaker will be Abby Johnson, a former Director of a Planned Parenthood Center.  Tickets are $20 and include heavy hor d’oeuvres and & dessert reception at 5:30 p.m. with a program at 7:00 p.m.  Registration is required.  RSVP deadline is March 13, 2017.  For more information or to register online, please visit www.friendsofpregnancycenter.org.

Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes -  Our collection items for the month of March will be craft supplies, books, stickers, cars, puzzles, plastic animals, balls, jacks, yoyos, jump ropes, harmonicas, Slinkys, musical instruments, paddles with the ball attached, playing cards, puzzles, stickers sheets, coloring books, puppets, Legos, tennis balls and duct tape.  Let’s always remember that the most needed boxes are those for age 10-14 boys – please keep that in mind as you shop.  Each month:  Pray for shopping wisdom as you purchase these monthly items and the items for your own boxes for the collection in November.  The Lord knows the children who will receive your gifts and He can guide your shopping adventures to exactly what will meet needs and give joy.

 Be a Blessing,

Church Cathy

News For February 17, 2017

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

 

Please keep Barb Page in your prayers as she had heart catheterization this morning at St. Luke’s at 10:00 a.m.

Robby Spanbauer is doing better today after having medical treatment yesterday.  Thank you for your prayers.

Also, Charlene May had heart catheterization on Thursday afternoon at St. Anne’s and is now at home.

 

ANTHONY WAYNE SPIRIT OF GIVING is tonight and we have a very unique opportunity to help the family of Robby Spanbauer. Robby is a 5th grade student at Fallen Timbers. Last spring, he was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. Since then Robby, his family, the community, and his new school family (the class of 2024) have been fighting hard together.  This year the Anthony Wayne Spirit of Giving, a community organization having the mission to help medically fragile families in the Anthony Wayne district, has adopted Robby and his family. The Spirit of Giving was established in 2006. Thirty families have received significant financial support which has greatly reduced family stress and helped these families to focus their efforts on healing.   Please consider attending the Spaghetti Dinner tonight, February 17 from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the High School cafeteria.  The cost is $5.00.  Don’t want to eat at the high school?   There will be a drive-through option again this year….just follow the signs.   Proceeds from Dinner Tickets and the Raffle tickets benefit the Spanbauer Family.

 

Our February Mission Focus is Freedom School.  A Freedom School is a six-week Monday through Friday reading and enrichment program developed by the Children’s Defense Fund in 1995 which has a proven track record for increasing reading levels from 1.4 to 2.2 grade levels over two to three summers that children participate in the Freedom School. Freedom Schools were birthed as a vision to end what is known as the “cradle to prison pipeline.”  We know there is a direct correlation between third grade reading test scores and incarceration in adulthood for at-risk, poverty and lower income children in our urban areas. The Maumee Watershed District of the United Methodist Church is hosting a Freedom School at the Monroe Street UMC beginning this summer.   Our gifts will become a gift of life, a positive enrichment experience and a blessing to 50 children in the urban poverty around Monroe Street UMC this summer as we offer them a life-changing Freedom School! There is also a need for volunteers to help during the 30 days of summer when the children are participating in the Freedom School:  Classroom volunteers who will aid the trained teachers; servers and assistants to feed breakfast and lunch each day, story readers for their opening circle time each day; enrichment teachers and leaders; Field Trip chaperones for enrichment activities; tutors to give extra help to students; hostesses for the weekly parent’s meeting when they gather for their educational time and also babysitters to provide the parents child care; people to assist in creating a reading space in the Monroe Street United Methodist Church; and because the church is not air conditioned, fans, fans and more fans.  You may email either Rev. Rae Lynn Schleif (rschleif@wocumc.org) or Elizabeth Rand (erand@monroestumc.com) and let them know how you will serve.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 

  

The Prayer Group will meet at 9:00 a.m. this Sunday.  

 

The Unstuck small group study will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room this Sunday.

 

This Sunday, February 19, we will be celebrating Boy Scout Sunday at Waterville United Methodist Church.  Scouts from Troop #101 will be taking part in the service as liturgists, greeters and ushers.  We will also be recognizing Troop #101’s Eagle Scouts.   There will be a special insert in your bulletin with the names of all 131 Eagle Scouts that Troop #101 has produced…dating back to September 14, 1929.  You’ll recognize several of the names on this list of distinction!

 

Worship Service for Sunday, February 19:  

              

              Call to Worship

Processional Hymn - America the Beautiful

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flags 

The Scout Law

Recognition of Boy Scout Troop #101 Eagle Scouts

              Song of Worship - More Love, More Power

              Kinder Choir - Love Your Neighbor and Each New Day

              Children’s Moment  -  

              Sanctuary Choir Anthem -  Standing on the Promises / Higher Ground

              Olga’s selections:

                              Prelude:  Exalted Medley – He Is Exalted with We Will Glorify

                              Offertory:  I Will Enter His Gates with This Is the Day

                              Postlude:   Holy, Holy, Holy

              Scripture  -  Matthew 5:38-48

              Sermon -  Why Go the Second Mile?

              Hymn -  Lord, I Want to Be a Christian

              Choral Benediction -  The Lord Bless and Keep You

              Prayer Partner for Pastor Mike this week:  Delores Young

 

This Sunday is a Welcome a Neighbor Sunday.  We have 9 gift bags that will need to be distributed to new neighbors in our area.  Please check the map by the front door to see if any of these residents live close to you.  

 

There is a special insert in your bulletin this Sunday concerning an upcoming movie.  Is Genesis History? will be shown for one night only.  In our area, it will be shown at Fallen Timbers Cinema at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 23.  Hike through canyons, climb up mountains, and dive below the sea to discover well-researched insights from more than a dozen experts in this new documentary.  The film is hosted by Del Tackett, the creator of “The Truth Project” that several of us participated in several years ago.  You may purchase tickets by going to IsGenesisHistory.com.  

 

Marc & Anna Banachowski and Alaina Hem have signed up to be your Fellowship Hosts for the month of February.   All of the months are still available except for May.

 

Project PJ is currently underway at the SeaGate Foodbank.  The women of the M&Ms Bible study volunteer there monthly and we are asking the congregation to join us for Project PJ.  Through the month of February we are collecting new and gently used pajamas for ages 12 and older. They have a real need for those sizes, but any size will be okay.  We are also asking for stuffed animals; these can be new or used (but clean). Please place your donations on the table in the Fireside room.  Thank You!!  

 

Four women showed up on Thursday morning to finish the 40 fleece blankets that The Women’s Ministry will be contributing  to Project PJ.  Thanks to Cindy Box, Terry Myers, Cindy Nowak and Karen Wiggins for your knot tying expertise.  

 

Ash Wednesday is on March first this year.  As we begin the season of Lent, the church will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. that morning.  Pastor Mike will provide Holy Communion and the imposition of ashes for those desiring to begin this season in a time of personal reflection.  This is a great way to begin a season of introspection and preparation for Holy Week and Easter.

 

A new Lenten study series will begin on Sunday, March 5 at 9:00 a.m. and Tuesday evening, March 7 at 7:00 p.m.  We will be using Max Lucado’s He Chose the Nails.  This is a five-session video Bible study.  Max continues by examining the gifts that Christ gave at his crucifixion.  These include not only the gift of the cross, but also the gift of the thorns, the nails, and the empty tomb.  The cross is rich with God’s gifts of grace, and as we unwrap them, we will hear him whisper, “I did it just for you.”  Both classes will be held in the church Fireside Room.  Signup sheets are on the bulletin board in the hallway if you would like to attend.

 

Save the date! - Plans for Vacation Bible School 2017 are underway and we wanted to let you know the dates so you could mark your calendars.  VBS will be July 9 or 10th through July 13th.  The VBS planning team is still deciding whether to have VBS be 4 or 5 days this year.  In the past, it has always been 5 days, but we struggled to get volunteers last year and may shorten it a day in hopes to get more volunteers.  We will keep you posted on the official start date soon, but it will either be July 9th or 10th.  If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Shelton 567-202-5035 or sshelton171@gmail.com.  The theme for VBS this year is “Maker Fun Factory - Created by God.  Built for a Purpose.”

 

                                                                                                                        

Be a Blessing,

Church Cathy
 

News For February 10. 2017

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

 

Jim Simpson has been moved to St. Clare Commons which is located by the Catholic church on Route 25.  Cards would be welcome and may be sent to him at the following address:  12469 Five Point Road, Perrysburg, OH  43551.  Please continue to lift up Jim, Marilyn, Mike and Mary in your prayers as they all deal with this transition.  

 

Our February Mission Focus is Freedom School.  A Freedom School is a six-week Monday through Friday reading and enrichment program developed by the Children’s Defense Fund in 1995 which has a proven track record for increasing reading levels from 1.4 to 2.2 grade levels over two to three summers that children participate in the Freedom School. Freedom Schools were birthed as a vision to end what is known as the “cradle to prison pipeline.”  We know there is a direct correlation between third grade reading test scores and incarceration in adulthood for at-risk, poverty and lower income children in our urban areas. The Maumee Watershed District of the United Methodist Church is hosting a Freedom School at the Monroe Street UMC beginning this summer.   Our gifts will become a gift of life, a positive enrichment experience and a blessing to 50 children in the urban poverty around Monroe Street UMC this summer as we offer them a life-changing Freedom School! There is also a need for volunteers to help during the 30 days of summer when the children are participating in the Freedom School:  Classroom volunteers who will aid the trained teachers; servers and assistants to feed breakfast and lunch each day, story readers for their opening circle time each day; enrichment teachers and leaders; Field Trip chaperones for enrichment activities; tutors to give extra help to students; hostesses for the weekly parent’s meeting when they gather for their educational time and also babysitters to provide the parents child care; people to assist in creating a reading space in the Monroe Street United Methodist Church; and because the church is not air conditioned, fans, fans and more fans.  You may email either Rev. Rae Lynn Schleif (rschleif@wocumc.org) or Elizabeth Rand (erand@monroestumc.com) and let them know how you will serve.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 

  

The Prayer Group will meet at 9:00 a.m. this Sunday.  Since the hand bells will be practicing in the sanctuary, look for signs as to your meeting location.

 

The Unstuck small group study will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room this Sunday.

 

Worship Service for Sunday, February 12:  

              Prelude by the Handbell Choir - You Raise Me Up

              Opening Prayer

              Song of Worship - Create In Me a Clean Heart

              Children’s Moment  -  

              Sanctuary Choir Anthem -  I Love You, Lord

              Olga’s selections:

                              Offertory:  The Church’s One Foundation

                              Postlude:   Lord, Be Glorified

              Scripture  -  Matthew 5:21-26

              Sermon -  It Is All About Relationships

              Hymn -  Breathe on Me, Breath of God

              Choral Benediction -  The Lord Bless and Keep You

              Liturgist:  Dave Landis

              Prayer Partners for Pastor Mike this week:  Karen & Tom Wiggins

 

There is a special insert in your bulletin this Sunday concerning an upcoming movie.  Is Genesis History? will be shown for one night only.  In our area, it will be shown at Fallen Timbers Cinema at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 23.  Hike through canyons, climb up mountains, and dive below the sea to discover well-researched insights from more than a dozen experts in this new documentary.  The film is hosted by Del Tackett, the creator of “The Truth Project” that several of us participated in several years ago.  You may purchase tickets by going to IsGenesisHistory.com.  

 

Marc & Anna Banachowski and Alaina Hem have signed up to be your Fellowship Hosts for the month of February.   All of the months are still available except for May.

 

New activity at future WUMC site - Mother Nature has finally given us a break in the weather this week such that Total Ground Solutions (TGS) could begin to haul dirt onto our future WUMC site.  WUMC’s free dirt is no longer coming from Browning Masonic Community, as their upcoming phase 2 project now requires their dirt and additional fill.  With the help of TGS, the site development team has secured free dirt donations in the amount of our need from other projects that are in close proximity to our site.  We thank God for always providing!

This Monday, trucks began hauling in dirt and more will continue as weather cooperates in the upcoming weeks.  A bulldozer has also been on site shaping the new dirt into a working platform bed.  This raised platform of dirt is located behind the future building pad.  Once complete, it will allow TGS to continue to haul dirt and work with their excavators on the raised platform, because it will dry faster than surrounding ground.

 

Project PJ is currently underway at the SeaGate Foodbank.  The women of the M&Ms Bible study volunteer there monthly and we are asking the congregation to join us for Project PJ.  Through the month of February we are collecting new and gently used pajamas for ages 12 and older. They have a real need for those sizes, but any size will be okay.  We are also asking for stuffed animals; these can be new or used (but clean). Please place your donations on the table in the Fireside room.  Thank You!!  But wait!!  There’s more…..

 

If you know how to use scissors and tie a knot, please join us on Thursday morning, February 16th from 10:00 to 12:00.  We have 40 fleece blankets already cut but in need of finishing.  All you will need is a pair of scissors, and if you can bring your own that would be a great help.  NO sewing whatsoever necessary.  We will show you all you need to do.  Everyone is welcome! These blankets will also be for Project PJ at the SeaGate Foodbank.  If you would like more information you may go to www.seagatefoodbank.org.  

 

Save the date! - Plans for Vacation Bible School 2017 are underway and we wanted to let you know the dates so you could mark your calendars.  VBS will be July 9 or 10th through July 13th.  The VBS planning team is still deciding whether to have VBS be 4 or 5 days this year.  In the past, it has always been 5 days, but we struggled to get volunteers last year and may shorten it a day in hopes to get more volunteers.  We will keep you posted on the official start date soon, but it will either be July 9th or 10th.  If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Shelton 567-202-5035 or sshelton171@gmail.com.  The theme for VBS this year is “Maker Fun Factory - Created by God.  Built for a Purpose.”

 

ANTHONY WAYNE SPIRIT OF GIVING is right around the corner and we have a very unique opportunity to help the family of Robby Spanbauer. Robby is a 5th grade student at Fallen Timbers. Last spring, he was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. Since then Robby, his family, the community, and his new school family (the class of 2024) have been fighting hard together.  This year the Anthony Wayne Spirit of Giving, a community organization having the mission to help medically fragile families in the Anthony Wayne district, has adopted Robby and his family. The Spirit of Giving was area established in 2006. Thirty families have received significant financial support which has greatly reduced family stress and helped these families to focus their efforts on healing.   With that said, there are several ways the Anthony Wayne family can support this family.  The first is to attend the Spaghetti Dinner on Friday, February 17 from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the High School cafeteria. Anne Stevens will have spaghetti dinner tickets and raffle tickets for sale on Sunday morning following worship. Proceeds from Dinner Tickets and Raffle Tickets benefit the Spanbauer Family.

 

Bill Plassmann has placed DVD copies of the Children’s Christmas Program on the shelf outside the church office.  He asks that those taking a DVD make a donation to the Youth Group Mission Trip fund.  

 

The 2017 edition of the Church Directory is now available.  The purple booklets are located in a basket on the shelf outside of the church office.  Please take one copy per family.

 

Next Sunday, February 19, we will be celebrating Boy Scout Sunday at Waterville United Methodist Church.  Scouts from Troop #101 will be taking part in the service.  We will also be recognizing Troop #101’s Eagle Scouts.  Please plan on joining us for this special day.

                                                                                                                        

Be a Blessing,

Church Cathy
 

News For February 3, 2017

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

 

Our February Mission Focus is Freedom School.  A Freedom School is a six-week Monday through Friday reading and enrichment program developed by the Children’s Defense Fund in 1995 which has a proven track record for increasing reading levels from 1.4 to 2.2 grade levels over two to three summers that children participate in the Freedom School. Freedom Schools were birthed as a vision to end what is known as the “cradle to prison pipeline.”  We know there is a direct correlation between third grade reading test scores and incarceration in adulthood for at-risk, poverty and lower income children in our urban areas. The Maumee Watershed District of the United Methodist Church is hosting a Freedom School at the Monroe Street UMC beginning this summer.   Our gifts will become a gift of life, a positive enrichment experience and a blessing to 50 children in the urban poverty around Monroe Street UMC this summer as we offer them a life-changing Freedom School! There is also a need for volunteers to help during the 30 days of summer when the children are participating in the Freedom School:  Classroom volunteers who will aid the trained teachers; servers and assistants to feed breakfast and lunch each day, story readers for their opening circle time each day; enrichment teachers and leaders; Field Trip chaperones for enrichment activities; tutors to give extra help to students; hostesses for the weekly parent’s meeting when they gather for their educational time and also babysitters to provide the parents child care; people to assist in creating a reading space in the Monroe Street United Methodist Church; and because the church is not air conditioned, fans, fans and more fans.  You may email either Rev. Rae Lynn Schleif (rschleif@wocumc.org) or Elizabeth Rand (erand@monroestumc.com) and let them know how you will serve.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 

  

The Prayer Group will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the sanctuary this Sunday. 

 

Worship Service for Sunday, February 5:  

              Call to Worship

              Opening Prayer

              Song of Worship - Here I Am to Worship

              Children’s Moment  -  

              Sanctuary Choir Anthem -  Bread & Wine, Wine & Bread

              Olga’s selections:

                             Prelude:  O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

                              Offertory:  Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

                              Postlude:  For the Beauty of the Earth

              Scripture  -  Matthew 5:13-20

              Sermon -  Changing Our World

Celebration of Holy Communion by Intinction with Anne Stevens and Tehya Collinsworth serving as Communion servers

              Hymn -  Here I Am, Lord

              Choral Benediction - 

              Liturgist:  Tom Quinn

              Prayer Partners for Pastor Mike this week:  Dave & Cathy Landis

 

Marc & Anna Banachowski and Alaina Hem have signed up to be your Fellowship Hosts for the month of February.   All of the months are still available except for May.

 

It takes many hands to provide a meaningful worship experience each week.  Today, I would like to acknowledge those individuals who have agreed to prepare communion, be communion servers and then clean up following the worship service for 2017.  A “big shout out” to Ann Nightingale, Mary Williams, Tehya Collinsworth, Sue Gregory, Terry Myers, Anne Stevens and Ron and Lou Peyton.  Thank you for your dedication to this position and your willingness to serve, not only our congregation, but our Lord each month.

 

New activity at future WUMC site - Mother Nature has finally given us a break in the weather this week such that Total Ground Solutions (TGS) could begin to haul dirt onto our future WUMC site.  WUMC’s free dirt is no longer coming from Browning Masonic Community, as their upcoming phase 2 project now requires their dirt and additional fill.  With the help of TGS, the site development team has secured free dirt donations in the amount of our need from other projects that are in close proximity to our site.  We thank God for always providing!

This Monday, trucks began hauling in dirt and more will continue as weather cooperates in the upcoming weeks.  A bulldozer has also been on site shaping the new dirt into a working platform bed.  This raised platform of dirt is located behind the future building pad.  Once complete, it will allow TGS to continue to haul dirt and work with their excavators on the raised platform, because it will dry faster than surrounding ground

 

Project PJ is currently underway at the SeaGate Foodbank.  The women of the M&Ms Bible study volunteer there monthly and we are asking the congregation to join us for Project PJ.  Through the month of February we are collecting new and gently used pajamas for ages 12 and older. They have a real need for those sizes, but any size will be okay.  We are also asking for stuffed animals; these can be new or used (but clean). Please place your donations on the table in the Fireside room.  Thank You!!  But wait!!  There’s more…..

 

If you know how to use scissors and tie a knot, please join us on Thursday morning, February 16th from 10:00 to 12:00.  We have 40 fleece blankets already cut but in need of finishing.  All you will need is a pair of scissors, and if you can bring your own that would be a great help.  NO sewing whatsoever necessary.  We will show you all you need to do.  Everyone is welcome! These blankets will also be for Project PJ at the SeaGate Foodbank.  If you would like more information you may go to www.seagatefoodbank.org.  

 

Save the date! - Plans for Vacation Bible School 2017 are underway and we wanted to let you know the dates so you could mark your calendars.  VBS will be July 9 or 10th through July 13th.  The VBS planning team is still deciding whether to have VBS be 4 or 5 days this year.  In the past, it has always been 5 days, but we struggled to get volunteers last year and may shorten it a day in hopes to get more volunteers.  We will keep you posted on the official start date soon, but it will either be July 9th or 10th.  If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Shelton 567-202-5035 or sshelton171@gmail.com.  The theme for VBS this year is “Maker Fun Factory - Created by God.  Built for a Purpose.”

 

ANTHONY WAYNE SPIRIT OF GIVING is right around the corner and we have a very unique opportunity to help the family of Robby Spanbauer. Robby is a 5th grade student at Fallen Timbers. Last spring, he was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. Since then Robby, his family, the community, and his new school family (the class of 2024) have been fighting hard together.  This year the Anthony Wayne Spirit of Giving, a community organization having the mission to help medically fragile families in the Anthony Wayne district, has adopted Robby and his family. The Spirit of Giving was area established in 2006. Thirty families have received significant financial support which has greatly reduced family stress and helped these families to focus their efforts on healing.   With that said, there are several ways the Anthony Wayne family can support this family.  The first is to attend the Spaghetti Dinner on Friday, February 17 from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the High School cafeteria.  Tickets for the dinner at $5.00 each and may be purchased at the door.  There is also a “Quilt Viewing” during the dates of January 30 - Feb 6.  Please stop in the Fallen Timbers Office and purchase quilt raffle tickets from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Quilt raffle tickets are $5.00 each.  Raffle tickets will also be on sale at the dinner on Feb. 17 along with silent auction items. Proceeds from Dinner Tickets and Raffle Tickets benefit the Spanbauer Family.

  

As you shop for Valentine's Day gifts, remember to shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/34-4437474  to support WUMC. Just click the link and you will be taken directly to amazon smile’s website and automatically any purchase will result in a donation to WUMC.  Amazon has a large variety of gifts that are perfect for Valentine's Day including electronics, jewelry, clothing, and more. Get a head start on Easter, Mother's Day, Graduation, Father's Day, Bridal and or Baby Shower gifts as well.                                 

 

Bill Plassmann has placed DVD copies of the Children’s Christmas Program on the shelf outside the church office.  He asks that those taking a DVD make a donation to the Youth Group Mission Trip fund.  

 

The 2017 edition of the Church Directory is now available.  The purple booklets are located in a basket on the shelf outside of the church office.  Please take only one copy per family.

                                                                                                                        

Be a Blessing,

Church Cathy
 

News For January 27, 2017

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

 

Please remember in your prayers, our former Pastor, Dave Hogg who had eye surgery this morning.  Cards may be sent to him at 6202 Willowcrest Dr., Columbus, OH   43229

 

There are seven Welcome a Neighbor Bags that were not delivered following our worship service this past Sunday.  Would you please take a moment this Sunday to see if any of these new residents live near you and then deliver a bag on your way home?

 

Our January Mission Focus is The Pregnancy Center of Greater Toledo.  Their goal is to lovingly share the truth about life, relationships and faith.  They help men and women make life-saving, life-changing decisions by sharing information about options, consequences and available services.  With the exception of a small amount of grant funding for abstinence education, all funds come from donations.  Over 32,000 women have already received help.  The Pregnancy Center continues to be a community outreach committed to expressing the compassion of Christ through support and education in pregnancy related issues. We can help keep the doors open!  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 

 

And speaking of Mission projects….Operation Christmas Child announced yesterday that 11,485, 662 shoeboxes were packed in 2016.  Since the project began, over 146 million shoebox gifts have been collected and delivered to children in more than 150 countries around the world.  Shoebox gifts collected in 2016 by country:  United States – 9,121,799; United Kingdom – 872,104; Canada – 664,525; Germany – 388,673; Australia & New Zealand – 346,592; Spain – 41,107; Finland – 37,144 and Japan – 13,718.

 

Let's start 2017 getting "Unstuck: Moving From the Mundane to the Meaningful" on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m.  We will watch the short film clips from "Journey to Jamaa" which uncovers the four themes we will be discussing:  Unimaginable, Unsafe, Unwanted and Unstuck.  Consider:  How can the unimaginable keep us stuck?  How can temptation be unsafe where we remain stuck?  When we feel unwanted, how does that keep us stuck? Where is Jesus in all of these situations?  After seeing the film, what can you being to do to become "unstuck"?  Everyone wants to make a difference in someone's lives.  We've talked about living and loving generously.  Now it's time to get Unstuck and Move from Mundane to Meaningful. 

See you on Sunday mornings or Tuesday evenings!

Char and Pastor Mike

  

The Prayer Group will resume meeting at 9:00 a.m. in the sanctuary this Sunday. 

 

Worship Service for Sunday, January 29:  

              Call to Worship

              Songs of Worship - Amazing Grace / My Chains are Gone

              Kinder Choir - Faith, Sing a Song of Praise and D-I-S-C-I-P-L-E-S

              Children’s Moment  -  Mission Jar collection for the Pregnancy Center of Greater Toledo

              Sanctuary Choir Anthem -  Thou Art Worthy

              Olga’s selections:

                             Prelude:  Praise Him!  Praise Him!  Medley

                              Offertory:  He Keeps Me Singing

                              Postlude:  All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

              Scripture  -  Matthew 5:1-12

              Sermon -  Finding True Happiness

              Hymn -  Come, Christians, Join to Sing

              Choral Benediction - Our New Year’s Prayer for You

              Liturgist:  Dave Landis

              Prayer Partners for Pastor Mike this week:  Melva and Jerry Robinson

 

No one has signed up to be Fellowship Hosts for the month of January.  Thank you to Melva and Jerry Robinson who have stepped up and have been your hosts this month.  All of the months are still available except for May.

 

Just a reminder to please pick up your 2017 offering envelopes when you are at church this Sunday.  Please pick your set of offering envelopes up to help us save on postage…they will cost close to $5.00 each to mail.   

 

If you receive your statement of giving at the end of the year by email, they were sent out on Saturday, January 7.  If you receive a hard copy, they are available for you to pick up on the shelf outside the church office.

 

For the past few years, the M&M Bible Study has been volunteering at the SeaGate Food Bank the first Wednesday of the month packing food boxes for senior citizens.  They start at 10:00 a.m. and work until 11:30/Noon.  They would like to open this mission project up to the entire congregation, women, men and children.  Lunch afterwards at a local restaurant is included but is optional.  The work is not hard and they all have a good time, lots of laughter and fellowship.  Throughout the year there are other short projects they help with also.  You can carpool from the church or meet them there.  If you would like to join them, please contact Penny Greenlese at pgreenlese@yahoo.com or 419-206-1602.  They would love to have your help and you will be rewarded with a feeling of helping those less fortunate.  The next visit to the Foodbank will be on Wednesday, February 1.  This is the month that they are collecting pajamas, stuffed animals, children’s books and blankets for those who need them.

 

Bill Plassmann has placed DVD copies of the Children’s Christmas Program on the shelf outside the church office.  He asks that those taking a DVD make a donation to the Youth Group Mission Trip fund.  

                                                                                                                        

Be a Blessing,

Church Cathy
 

News for January 20, 2017

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

Please lift up in your prayers, Lowell Crabtree, the father of Pam Denman, who will be having double by-pass heart surgery this afternoon.

Also, prayers are requested for:

Bonne Spychalski who underwent back surgery yesterday.  Bonne is in St. Luke’s – Room #384.

Char Hansen will be traveling to Florida to be with her mother who continues to have health issues

Barb Page is in St. Luke’s hospital with a heart issue

Ted Myers is also in St. Luke’s hospital with pneumonia 

Today is the deadline for any items that you want included in the February issue of The Ambassador.  Please send them to Janet at wumcjanet@watervilleumc.org 

Our January Mission Focus is The Pregnancy Center of Greater Toledo.  Their goal is to lovingly share the truth about life, relationships and faith.  They help men and women make life-saving, life-changing decisions by sharing information about options, consequences and available services.  With the exception of a small amount of grant funding for abstinence education, all funds come from donations.  Over 32,000 women have already received help.  The Pregnancy Center continues to be a community outreach committed to expressing the compassion of Christ through support and education in pregnancy related issues. We can help keep the doors open!  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 

Let's start 2017 getting "Unstuck: Moving From the Mundane to the Meaningful" on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m.  We will watch the short film clips from "Journey to Jamaa" which uncovers the four themes we will be discussing:  Unimaginable, Unsafe, Unwanted and Unstuck.  Consider:  How can the unimaginable keep us stuck?  How can temptation be unsafe where we remain stuck?  When we feel unwanted, how does that keep us stuck? Where is Jesus in all of these situations?  After seeing the film, what can you being to do to become "unstuck"?  Everyone wants to make a difference in someone's lives.  We've talked about living and loving generously.  Now it's time to get Unstuck and Move from Mundane to Meaningful. 

See you on Sunday mornings or Tuesday evenings!

Char and Pastor Mike

 The Prayer Group will resume meeting at 9:00 a.m. in the sanctuary this Sunday.

Worship Service for Sunday, January 22: 

               Prelude by the Handbell Choir - With Praises Ring

              Call to Worship

              Songs of Worship - Open the Eyes of My Heart and The Heart of Worship

              Children’s Moment-

              Sanctuary Choir Anthem -  Jehovah Shalom (He is Our Peace)

              Olga’s selections:

                              Offertory:  Higher Ground

                              Postlude:  Shine, Jesus, Shine

              Scripture-  Matthew 4:12-23

              Sermon -  Will We Follow When Jesus Calls?

              Hymn - I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

              Choral Benediction - Our New Year’s Prayer for You

              Liturgist:  Tom Quinn

              Prayer Partners for Pastor Mike this week:  Penn & Char Pritchett

This Sunday is a Welcome A Neighbor Sunday.  We will have 12 gift bags that will need to be delivered to new residents in the Waterville area.  Please check the map by the main entrance to see if any of these new neighbors live near you.

No one has signed up to be Fellowship Hosts for the month of January.

Just a reminder to please pick up your 2017 offering envelopes when you are at church this Sunday.  Please pick your set of offering envelopes up to help us save on postage…they will cost close to $5.00 each to mail.  

If you receive your statement of giving at the end of the year by email, they were sent out on Saturday, January 7.  If you receive a hard copy, they will be available for you to pick up on the shelf outside the church office.

Mission Update – Karen Wiggins, our Mission Chairwoman, just heard from the Salvation Army that our day of ringing the bell at their Red Kettle collection point resulted in $754.93!!  That is over $100 more than we collected in 2015!   Thank you to all the members who staffed the kettle that day, kept that bell ringing, and smiled at everyone who donated.  Hopefully everyone noticed our sign for WUMC and now has a sense of our presence in the community. 

For the past few years, the M&M Bible Study has been volunteering at the SeaGate Food Bank the first Wednesday of the month packing food boxes for senior citizens.  We start at 10:00 a.m. and work until 11:30/Noon.  We would like to open this mission project up to the entire congregation, women, men and children.  Lunch afterwards at a local restaurant is included but is optional.  The work is not hard and we all have a good time, lots of laughter and fellowship.  Throughout the year there are other short projects we help with also.  You can carpool from the church or meet us there.  If you would like to join us, please contact Penny Greenlese at pgreenlese@yahoo.com or 419-206-1602.  We would love to have your help and you will be rewarded with a feeling of helping those less fortunate.  The next visit to the Foodbank will be on Wednesday, February 1.

Bill Plassmann has placed DVD copies of the Children’s Christmas Program on the shelf outside the church office.  He asks that those taking a DVD make a donation to the Youth Group Mission Trip fund. 

The counter by the dishwasher in the kitchen is full of serving trays and Tupperware containers from all the goodies that were brought to the church during the month of December (Theatre for the World and the Children’s Christmas Program).  Please take a few minutes to see if any of these dishes belong to you so we can get them back home where they belong.

The make-over on the bathroom near Fellowship Hall is almost complete!  A big thank you to Art Meade and the Board of Trustees for making this much needed improvement

Be a Blessing,

Church Cathy

News for January 13, 2017

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

The Fellowship Hall has been reserved on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Our January Mission Focus is The Pregnancy Center of Greater Toledo.  Their goal is to lovingly share the truth about life, relationships and faith.  They help men and women make life-saving, life-changing decisions by sharing information about options, consequences and available services.  With the exception of a small amount of grant funding for abstinence education, all funds come from donations.  Over 32,000 women have already received help.  The Pregnancy Center continues to be a community outreach committed to expressing the compassion of Christ through support and education in pregnancy related issues. We can help keep the doors open!  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 

Let's start 2017 getting "Unstuck: Moving From the Mundane to the Meaningful" on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m.  We will watch the short film clips from "Journey to Jamaa" which uncovers the four themes we will be discussing:  Unimaginable, Unsafe, Unwanted and Unstuck.  Consider:  How can the unimaginable keep us stuck?  How can temptation be unsafe where we remain stuck?  When we feel unwanted, how does that keep us stuck? Where is Jesus in all of these situations?  After seeing the film, what can you being to do to become "unstuck"?  Everyone wants to make a difference in someone's lives.  We've talked about living and loving generously.  Now it's time to get Unstuck and Move from Mundane to Meaningful. 

See you on Sunday mornings or Tuesday evenings!

Char and Pastor Mike

The Prayer Group will resume meeting at 9:00 a.m. in the sanctuary this Sunday.

Worship Service for Sunday, January 15: 

              Call to Worship

              Songs of Worship - I Love You, Lord and I Exalt Thee

              Children’s Moment-

              Sanctuary Choir Anthem -  Breath of Life

              Olga’s selections:

                             Prelude:  Praise the Name of Jesus with All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

                             Offertory:  When Morning Gilds the Sky

                             Postlude:  I Sing the Mighty Power of God

              A Mission Moment about The Pregnancy Center of Greater Toledo

              Scripture-  John 1: 29-42

              Sermon -  Discovering Jesus, the Teacher

              Hymn - Great is Thy Faithfulness

              Choral Benediction - Our New Year’s Prayer for You

              Liturgist:  Dave Landis

              Prayer Partner for Pastor Mike this week:  Delores Young

No one has signed up to be Fellowship Hosts for the month of January.

If you ordered a poinsettia for Christmas, please remember to take it home with you.  There are clear, plastic sleeves beside the piano to help protect it from the cold weather.

Just a reminder to please pick up your 2017 offering envelopes when you are at church this Sunday.  Please pick your set of offering envelopes up to help us save on postage…they will cost close to $5.00 each to mail.  

If you receive your statement of giving at the end of the year by email, they were sent out on Saturday, January 7.  If you receive a hard copy, they will be available for you to pick up on the shelf outside the church office.

Mission Update – Karen Wiggins, our Mission Chairwoman, just heard from the Salvation Army that our day of ringing the bell at their Red Kettle collection point resulted in $754.93!!  That is over $100 more than we collected in 2015!   Thank you to all the members who staffed the kettle that day, kept that bell ringing, and smiled at everyone who donated.  Hopefully everyone noticed our sign for WUMC and now has a sense of our presence in the community. 

The Friendly Center serves Toledo’s inner city children and is a ministry of The United Methodist Church.  During the cold winter months, they have extra need for NEW hats, gloves/mittens and socks.  If you would like to support this ministry, there will be a basket in the Fireside room for collecting these items.  The final day to donate will be this Sunday.  Our Women’s Ministry will deliver them to the Friendly Center.

For the past few years, the M&M Bible Study has been volunteering at the SeaGate Food Bank the first Wednesday of the month packing food boxes for senior citizens.  We start at 10:00 a.m. and work until 11:30/Noon.  We would like to open this mission project up to the entire congregation, women, men and children.  Lunch afterwards at a local restaurant is included but is optional.  The work is not hard and we all have a good time, lots of laughter and fellowship.  Throughout the year there are other short projects we help with also.  You can carpool from the church or meet us there.  If you would like to join us, please contact Penny Greenlese at pgreenlese@yahoo.com or 419-206-1602.  We would love to have your help and you will be rewarded with a feeling of helping those less fortunate.

All of our small groups are meeting again following the Christmas holiday.  Please take a few minutes this Sunday to look over the ivory insert in your bulletin that lists them and their meeting times.  We currently have two groups meeting on Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings for Youth, two on Tuesday evenings, one on Wednesday mornings and one on Thursday mornings.  You would be welcome to join any of these groups.

Bill Plassmann has placed DVD copies of the Children’s Christmas Program on the shelf outside the church office.  He asks that those taking a DVD make a donation to the Youth Group Mission Trip fund. 

The counter by the dishwasher in the kitchen is full of serving trays and Tupperware containers from all the goodies that were brought to the church during the month of December (Theatre for the World and the Children’s Christmas Program).  Please take a few minutes to see if any of these dishes belong to you so we can get them back home where they belong.

Art Meade is almost done with the construction/renovation in the restroom just off Fellowship Hall.  One of the toilets will be removed and a pedestal sink will be installed along with new floor tiles that will extend partially up the walls.  A changing station for babies will be installed and the lighting will also be updated.  Please be patient while this project moves forward.

Be a Blessing,

Church Cathy

News for January 3, 2017

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

Here is your Friday e-blast and few days early this week.  Janet will be in the office for the remainder of the week.  The bulletins have been printed for Sunday and the PowerPoint slides are finished and loaded on the balcony computer.  We will resume our regular office days and hours next week.

Our January Mission Focus is The Pregnancy Center of Greater Toledo.  Their goal is to lovingly share the truth about life, relationships and faith.  They help men and women make life-saving, life-changing decisions by sharing information about options, consequences and available services.  With the exception of a small amount of grant funding for abstinence education, all funds come from donations.  Over 32,000 women have already received help.  The Pregnancy Center continues to be a community outreach committed to expressing the compassion of Christ through support and education in pregnancy related issues. We can help keep the doors open!  The Mission Moment that was to take place this Sunday will be pushed back to next Sunday, as the video from The Pregnancy Center was delayed in being delivered to the church office.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 

Let's start 2017 getting "Unstuck: Moving From the Mundane to the Meaningful" on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m.  We will watch the short film clips from "Journey to Jamaa" which uncovers the four themes we will be discussing:  Unimaginable, Unsafe, Unwanted and Unstuck.  Consider:  How can the unimaginable keep us stuck?  How can temptation be unsafe where we remain stuck?  When we feel unwanted, how does that keep us stuck? Where is Jesus in all of these situations?  After seeing the film, what can you being to do to become "unstuck"?  Everyone wants to make a difference in someone's lives.  We've talked about living and loving generously.  Now it's time to get Unstuck and Move from Mundane to Meaningful. 

See you on Sunday mornings or Tuesday evenings!

Char and Pastor Mike

The Prayer Group will resume meeting at 9:00 a.m. in the sanctuary this Sunday.

Worship Service for Sunday, January 8: 

              Call to Worship

              Song of Worship - How Great Thou Art

              Children’s Moment- Sunday School and Nursery both return this Sunday

              Sanctuary Choir Anthem -

              Olga’s selections:

                             Prelude:  Christmas Majesty

                             Offertory:  Every time I Feel the Spirit

                             Postlude:  Spirit Song

              Financial Update - Tom Wiggins

              The Mission Moment will take place next Sunday, as the video from The Pregnancy Center has been delayed.

              Scripture-  Matthew 3:13-17

              Sermon -  Receiving the Holy Spirit

              Hymn - He Touched Me

              Communion will be served at the altar

              Choral Benediction -

              Liturgist:  Tom Quinn

No one has signed up to be Fellowship Hosts for the month of January.

If you ordered a poinsettia for Christmas, please remember to take it home with you.  There are clear, plastic sleeves beside the piano to help protect it from the cold weather.

Just a reminder to please pick up your 2017 offering envelopes when you are at church this Sunday.  Please pick your set of offering envelopes up to help us save on postage…they will cost close to $5.00 each to mail.  

If you receive your statement of giving at the end of the year by email, they will be sent out on Saturday, January 7.  If you receive a hard copy, they will be available for you to pick up on the shelf outside the church office on Sunday, January 8.

The Upper Room, a daily devotional book for January and February 2017, is available at both entrances to the sanctuary this Sunday.  The cost of each book is $1.00 and may be placed in the offering plate.

The Friendly Center serves Toledo’s inner city children and is a ministry of The United Methodist Church.  During the cold winter months, they have extra need for NEW hats, gloves/mittens and socks.  If you would like to support this ministry, there will be a basket in the Fireside room for collecting these items.  The final day to donate will be January 15.  Our Women’s Ministry will deliver them to the Friendly Center.

For the past few years, the M&M Bible Study has been volunteering at the SeaGate Food Bank the first Wednesday of the month packing food boxes for senior citizens.  We start at 10:00 a.m. and work until 11:30/Noon.  We would like to open this mission project up to the entire congregation, women, men and children.  Lunch afterwards at a local restaurant is included but is optional.  The work is not hard and we all have a good time, lots of laughter and fellowship.  Throughout the year there are other short projects we help with also.  You can carpool from the church or meet us there.  If you would like to join us, please contact Penny Greenlese at pgreenlese@yahoo.com or 419-206-1602.  We would love to have your help and you will be rewarded with a feeling of helping those less fortunate.

Bill Plassmann has placed DVD copies of the Children’s Christmas Program on the shelf outside the church office.  He asks that those taking a DVD make a donation to the Youth Group Mission Trip fund. 

The counter by the dishwasher in the kitchen is full of serving trays and Tupperware containers from all the goodies that were brought to the church during the month of December (Theatre for the World and the Children’s Christmas Program).  Please take a few minutes to see if any of these dishes belong to you so we can get them back home where they belong.

Art Meade has begun construction/renovation in the restroom just off Fellowship Hall.  One of the toilets will be removed and a pedestal sink will be installed along will new floor tiles that will extend partially up the walls.  A changing station for babies will be installed and the lighting will also be updated.  Please be patient while this project moves forward.

As the year draws to a close, new opportunities for 2017 are just around the corner.  New sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board in the hallway for Greeters and Fellowship Hosts.  Janet is finished with the 2017 Altar Flower calendar.  There is also a new Prayer Partner list on the Prayer Table in the sanctuary.  Where is God calling you to serve?

 Be a Blessing,

Church Cathy

News for December 30, 2016

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

Our former member and TFTW Director, Brian Schultz’s father passed away yesterday.   Brian’s brother, Jeff, found him at home after being unable to contact him by phone.   Brian and his family were able to have a nice visit with him on Dec. 24 and they are grateful for that.  Please lift the whole family in your prayers.  The loss of a second parent is so heartbreaking.  Brian’s address is 5430 Alston Grove Dr., Westerville, OH43082.

Today, Friday, is the final day to turn in any financial giving to be credited to this year’s financial statement.  Tom will be stopping by the church to pick up contributions after the mail has been delivered today, but will wait and make a final deposit at the bank on Saturday at Noon.  Please call him or email him:  financialsec@watervilleumc.org or 419-878-5503 if you need to drop items off at his house either this evening or in the morning.

Our January Mission Focus is The Pregnancy Center of Greater Toledo.  Their goal is to lovingly share the truth about life, relationships and faith.  They help men and women make life-saving, life-changing decisions by sharing information about options, consequences and available services.  With the exception of a small amount of grant funding for abstinence education, all funds come from donations.  Over 32,000 women have already received help.  The Pregnancy Center continues to be a community outreach committed to expressing the compassion of Christ through support and education in pregnancy related issues. We can help keep the doors open!  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 

There will not be any small group Bible Study at 9:00 a.m. this Sunday.

The Prayer Group will not be meeting on New Year’s Day at 9:00 a.m.  They will resume on Sunday, January 8, 2017.

Worship Service for Sunday, January 1: 

              Call to Worship

              Song of Worship - Good Christian Friends, Rejoice

              Children’s Moment- There will not be any Sunday School or Nursery this Sunday

              Sanctuary Choir Anthem - Now the Holly Bears a Berry

              Olga’s selections:

                             Prelude:  Christmas Rejoicing

                             Offertory:  We Three Kings

                             Postlude:  Kling, Glöckchen

              Scripture-  Matthew 2:13-23

              Sermon -  God Will Provide the Way

              Hymn - Go, Tell It on the Mountain

              Choral Benediction -

              LiturgistDave Landis

No one has signed up to be Fellowship Hosts for the month of January.

Just a reminder to please pick up your 2017 offering envelopes when you are at church on New Year’s Day.  We have moved them onto a kitchen cart and will have them in the sanctuary before and after the service this Sunday.  Please pick your set of offering envelopes up to help us save on postage…they will cost close to $5.00 each to mail.  

If you receive your statement of giving at the end of the year by email, they will be sent out on Saturday, January 7.  If you receive a hard copy, they will be available for you to pick up on the shelf outside the church office on Sunday, January 8.

The Upper Room, a daily devotional book for January and February 2017, is available at both entrances to the sanctuary this Sunday.  The cost of each book is $1.00 and may be placed in the offering plate.

The Friendly Center serves Toledo’s inner city children and is a ministry of The United Methodist Church.  During the cold winter months, they have extra need for NEW hats, gloves/mittens and socks.  If you would like to support this ministry, there will be a basket in the Fireside room for collecting these items.  The final day to donate will be January 15.  Our Women’s Ministry will deliver them to the Friendly Center.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY – For the past few years, the M&M Bible Study has been volunteering at the SeaGate Food Bank the first Wednesday of the month packing food boxes for senior citizens.  We start at 10:00 a.m. and work until 11:30/Noon.  We would like to open this mission project up to the entire congregation, women, men and children.  Lunch afterwards at a local restaurant is included but is optional.  The work is not hard and we all have a good time, lots of laughter and fellowship.  Throughout the year there are other short projects we help with also.  You can carpool from the church or meet us there.  If you would like to join us, please contact Penny Greenlese at pgreenlese@yahoo.com or 419-206-1602.  We would love to have your help and you will be rewarded with a feeling of helping those less fortunate.

A new eight-week small group study will begin on January 8.  It is called Unstuck – Moving from the Mundane to the Meaningful.  Are you stuck in a rut?  It’s easy for Christians to find themselves caught up in the life of cluttered schedules, rhythms, and routines dictated by our culture. Many feel stuck in the routine of life—their jobs, relationships, and daily circumstances. They know it’s not the life they dreamed of. And they feel stuck in a life yearning for deeper meaning.  The Unstuck Bible study has been designed to help guide you out of the ruts and pitfalls that so often ensnare us all. You will be inspired and equipped through the powerful biblical teaching of Mark Batterson, Francis Chan, Lisa Harper and Rich Stearns.  Each of these teachers will draw from the lessons of the award-winning short film Journey to Jamaa—a true story about two kids who are forced to search for hope in a broken world.  The dynamic combination of the film, profound biblical teaching and powerful real-life stories from everyday people will help you and your group get unstuck and back on the path to a life of purpose that God intends for you!  Classes will meet on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room and then again on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the same location.  Charlene Hansen will be leading the Sunday morning class and Pastor Mike will be leading the Tuesday evening class.

As the year draws to a close, new opportunities for 2017 are just around the corner.  New sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board in the hallway for Greeters and Fellowship Hosts.  Janet is finished with the 2017 Altar Flower calendar.  There is also a new Prayer Partner list on the Prayer Table in the sanctuary.  Where is God calling you to serve?

 Happy New Year,

Church Cathy

News for December 23, 2016

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

Jerry and Melva picked up the 38 poinsettia plants Thursday morning and have placed them around the base of the altar.  (If you ordered a white plant, we were able to secure the additional few plants.)  Thank you to all who have purchased plants and to Tom Stain & Sons for the lovely flowers.  The sanctuary is stunning!   I have placed a photo of the flowers on our Facebook page.

There is still time to invite a neighbor, friend or family member who might want to experience worship with us on Saturday, December 24 at either 7:00 p.m. or the later service which will begin with a Christmas Concert by Olga and 11:15 p.m. and worship at 11:35 p.m.  There will not be any nursery available at either service, but remember that we do have the Cry Room in the back of the balcony and a television that shows the service in the downstairs Fireside Room.    Janet and Stephanie have also been busy working on activity sheets to be passed out for the children at the early service.  Emma Grace Box, granddaughter of Cindy and Doug Box will be baptized at the 7:00 p.m. service.  There will not be any communion at the late service this year.

Our December Mission Focus will be IMPACT WITH HOPE (formerly ISOH/IMPACT) is a community based organization with a clear picture of God’s desire for us to help children, their families & communities in desperate need wherever we find them (1 Peter 4:10).  They mend broken bodies, bones and spirits by serving the needs of others.

              For over 50 years, IMPACT WITH HOPE has reached out across the globe and touched the lives of the poor, sick, and suffering.  They are an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the world with food, medicine, and other assistance.  Their medical teams bring hope by providing medical care to children and their families locally, nationally and internationally.  They also supply mission hospitals with supplies and equipment that are desperately needed.

              Their disaster and relief aid programs provide desperately needed assistance to victims of natural disaster, war, disease, and famine.  They offer food, water, and a network to provide temporary shelter for children and their families in need.  Their Bucket Brigade, Kids Against Hunger and Keeping Kids Warm & Kozy ministries reach out to provide the basic essentials for children and their families in crisis. By meeting the critical needs of families in crisis they create hope, and give children and their families a chance to rebuild their lives.

              Through Seeds of Hope, IMPACT WITH HOPE and their international partners work with children, families and entire communities to provide micro-enterprises, job training skills, community feeding programs, and educational opportunities for children. These programs reach out and touch the lives in impoverished villages and neighborhoods help individuals break the cycle of poverty and give them hope for a better tomorrow.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 

  The Prayer Group will not be meeting on Christmas Morning or on New Year’s Day at 9:00 a.m.  They will resume on Sunday, January 8, 2017.

Worship Service for Sunday, December 25: 

              Call to Worship

              Songs of Worship -  Angels From the Realms of Glory, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, and O Come, All Ye Faithful

              Children’s Moment- the children will return to their seats as there is no Sunday School today

              Sanctuary Choir Anthem - Good Christian Men Rejoice

              Olga’s selections:

                             Prelude:  Angels We Have Heard on High

                             Offertory:  What Child Is This?

                             Postlude:  He Is Born

              Scripture-  John 1: 1-5

              Sermon - In the Beginning Was the Word

              Hymn - Joy to the World

              Choral Benediction - Our Christmas Prayer for You

              Liturgist - Tom Quinn

Tehya Collinsworth has requested a Prayer Quilt for Nancy A. Stafford this Sunday.  Nancy was recently moved to a Memory Unit in Bowling Green.  Please take a few minutes on Sunday morning to tie a knot and say a prayer.

Terry Myers and Penny Greenlese have been your Fellowship Hosts for December.  There will not be any Fellowship Time on Christmas Morning.

Just a reminder to please pick up your 2017 offering envelopes when you are at church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.  They are located on the shelf outside of the church office. 

If you receive your statement of giving at the end of the year by email, they will be sent out on Saturday, January 7.  If you receive a hard copy, they will be available for you to pick up on the shelf outside the church office on Sunday, January 8.

The Upper Room, a daily devotional book for January and February 2017, is available at both entrances to the sanctuary this Sunday.  The cost of each book is $1.00 and may be placed in the offering plate.

The Friendly Center serves Toledo’s inner city children and is a ministry of The United Methodist Church.  During the cold winter months, they have extra need for NEW hats, gloves/mittens and socks.  If you would like to support this ministry, there will be a basket in the Fireside room for collecting these items.  The final day to donate will be January 15.  Our Women’s Ministry will deliver them to the Friendly Center.

A new eight-week small group study will begin on January 8.  It is called Unstuck – Moving from the Mundane to the Meaningful.  Are you stuck in a rut?  It’s easy for Christians to find themselves caught up in the life of cluttered schedules, rhythms, and routines dictated by our culture. Many feel stuck in the routine of life—their jobs, relationships, and daily circumstances. They know it’s not the life they dreamed of. And they feel stuck in a life yearning for deeper meaning.  The Unstuck Bible study has been designed to help guide you out of the ruts and pitfalls that so often ensnare us all. You will be inspired and equipped through the powerful biblical teaching of Mark Batterson, Francis Chan, Lisa Harper and Rich Stearns.  Each of these teachers will draw from the lessons of the award-winning short film Journey to Jamaa—a true story about two kids who are forced to search for hope in a broken world.  The dynamic combination of the film, profound biblical teaching and powerful real-life stories from everyday people will help you and your group get unstuck and back on the path to a life of purpose that God intends for you!  Classes will meet on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room and then again on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the same location.  Charlene Hansen will be leading the Sunday morning class and Pastor Mike will be leading the Tuesday evening class.

As the year draws to a close, new opportunities for 2017 are just around the corner.  New sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board in the hallway for Greeters and Fellowship Hosts.  Janet is finished with the 2017 Altar Flower calendar.  There is also a new Prayer Partner list on the Prayer Table in the sanctuary.  Where is God calling you to serve?

The church office will be closed on Monday, December 26. 

Randall Reihing visited the WUMC new church building site on Waterville-Monclova on Wednesday afternoon while work was in progress on the 200 foot driveway extension to allow secure passage for the dump trucks that will bring the needed fill dirt.  The picture he took from his vehicle is below:

View fullsize

Starting the 200 ft driveway extension

Merry Christmas,

Church Cathy

News for December 16, 2016

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

With the reports of wintery weather again this weekend, now is a good time to review our strategy for inclement weather on Sunday mornings:

Level 1 Snow Emergency – the church service will be held

Level 2 Snow Emergency – Pastor will be at the church, but we urge you to use common sense about whether or not you feel comfortable driving in bad conditions

Level 3 Snow Emergency – Church will be cancelled

Thank you to those who have signed up to be bell ringers on Saturday at the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle.  Here is the schedule and those working at the Waterville Kroger location:

              9:00 a.m. – Pam Cook

              10:00 a.m. – Wayne & Barb Strayer

              11:00 a.m. – John & Ana Nicholson

              Noon – Paul & Lily Croy

              1:00 p.m. – Char Pritchett

              2:00 p.m. – Zach & Jenni Bollinger

3:00 p.m. – Delores Young

4:00 p.m. – Ted & Terry Myers

5:00 p.m. – Barb Crandall & Gage McMillan

Our December Mission Focus will be IMPACT WITH HOPE (formerly ISOH/IMPACT) is a community based organization with a clear picture of God’s desire for us to help children, their families & communities in desperate need wherever we find them (1 Peter 4:10).  They mend broken bodies, bones and spirits by serving the needs of others.

              For over 50 years, IMPACT WITH HOPE has reached out across the globe and touched the lives of the poor, sick, and suffering.  They are an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the world with food, medicine, and other assistance.  Their medical teams bring hope by providing medical care to children and their families locally, nationally and internationally.  They also supply mission hospitals with supplies and equipment that are desperately needed.

              Their disaster and relief aid programs provide desperately needed assistance to victims of natural disaster, war, disease, and famine.  They offer food, water, and a network to provide temporary shelter for children and their families in need.  Their Bucket Brigade, Kids Against Hunger and Keeping Kids Warm & Kozy ministries reach out to provide the basic essentials for children and their families in crisis. By meeting the critical needs of families in crisis they create hope, and give children and their families a chance to rebuild their lives.

              Through Seeds of Hope, IMPACT WITH HOPE and their international partners work with children, families and entire communities to provide micro-enterprises, job training skills, community feeding programs, and educational opportunities for children. These programs reach out and touch the lives in impoverished villages and neighborhoods help individuals break the cycle of poverty and give them hope for a better tomorrow.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 

 The Because of Bethlehem small group study begins on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room.   Pastor Mike is teaching this class.

The Prayer Group will meet in the sanctuary at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning. 

Worship Service for Sunday, December 18:  Fourth Sunday of Advent

              Call to Worship

              Lighting the fourth Advent Candle - the Candle of Love

              Call to Worship

              Song of Worship -  Away in a Manger

              Children’s Moment – Mission Jar Collection for IMPACT WITH HOPE (see article above about the December Mission emphasis)

              Sanctuary Choir Anthem - Come, Follow That Star

              Olga’s selections:

                             Prelude:  God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

                             Offertory:  A Medley of Bells with Carol of the Bells, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day and Jingle Bells

                             Postlude:  Deck the Halls

              Scripture-  John 3: 16-17

              Sermon - Every Heart a Manger

              Hymn - O Little Town of Bethlehem

              Choral Benediction - Our Christmas Prayer for You

              Liturgist - Dave Landis

Terry Myers and Penny Greenlese are your Fellowship Hosts for December.

This will be our Welcome A Neighbor Sunday.  We have 11 gift bags that will need to be delivered to new residents in our area.  Each bag contains microwave popcorn, a pen and a pad of paper, and information about our church.  Please be sure and check to see if any of these folks live near you!

The Christmas poinsettia plants have been ordered for December.  Order envelopes are located in the pew racks ,in the attendance pads and in your bulletins this week.  The price will remain $7.00 this year.  You may order a plantand have it be in honor of or in memory of someone or make a donation to our Building Fund.  All plants will be displayed during our Christmas Eve Worship Service and you will be able to take the plants home following the service.  Your name and your flower’s dedication will be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletin. .  Ten red plants are still available; all the white ones have been spoken for.  This Sunday will be the final day to order your poinsettia.

The deadline for articles for the January issue of The Ambassador will be on Wednesday, December 21.  Please send any items to Janet at wumcjanet@watervilleumc.org

You will find the Christmas Eve Worship Services invitation card in your church bulletin this Sunday.  Be sure to pass it along to a neighbor, friend or family member who might want to experience worship with us on Saturday, December 24 at either 7:00 p.m. or the later service which will begin with a Christmas Concert by Olga and 11:15 p.m. and worship at 11:35 p.m.  There will not be any nursery available at either service, but remember that we do have the Cry Room in the back of the balcony.  Janet and Stephanie have also been busy working on activity sheets to be passed out for the children at the early service.  Emma Grace Box, granddaughter of Cindy and Doug Box will be baptized at the 7:00 p.m. service.  There will not be any communion at the late service this year.

We will be having our regular Sunday morning worship on Christmas morning, December 25 at 10:30 a.m.  There will NOT be any Sunday School for the children that day.

The Friendly Center serves Toledo’s inner city children and is a ministry of The United Methodist Church.  During the cold winter months, they have extra need for NEW hats, gloves/mittens and socks.  If you would like to support this ministry, there will be a basket in the Fireside room for collecting these items.  The final day to donate will be January 15.  Our Women’s Ministry will deliver them to the Friendly Center.

A new eight-week small group study will begin on January 8.  It is called Unstuck – Moving from the Mundane to the Meaningful.  Classes will meet on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room and then again on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the same location. 

The Church Mouse was SO impressed with the Children’s Christmas Program last Sunday.  Everyone did such a wonderful job and your singing was just awesome!!!  One of the photos that was taken from the balcony of the entire cast and then posted on the Facebook page of the church has reached 776 people.  THAT is a new record for WUMC!!!!   Thank you to all who “shared” the photo onto your pages also.  Have you “liked” the Waterville United Methodist Church’s Facebook page?  We are getting really close to crossing the 100 mark.

As the year draws to a close, new opportunities for 2017 are just around the corner.  New sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board in the hallway for Greeters and Fellowship Hosts.  Janet is finished with the 2017 Altar Flower calendar.  There is also a new Prayer Partner list on the Prayer Table in the sanctuary.  Where is God calling you to serve?

Be a Blessing,

Church Cathy

News for December 9, 2016

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

Millie Hires has been returned to St. Luke’s Hospital.   Please keep her in your prayers.

Tom Wiggins came through his heart procedure on Thursday with flying colors.  He is to lay low through the weekend and will return to “normal” on Monday. 

Please keep Dave Landis and Family in your prayers as his father, Frank Landis, passed away on Monday afternoon in Omaha, Nebraska. 

With the reports of snow this weekend, now is a good time to review our strategy for inclement weather on Sunday mornings:

              Level 1 Snow Emergency – the church service will be held

Level 2 Snow Emergency – Pastor will be at the church, but we urge you to use common sense about whether or not you feel comfortable driving in bad conditions

Level 3 Snow Emergency – Church will be cancelled

Our December Mission Focus will be IMPACT WITH HOPE (formerly ISOH/IMPACT) is a community based organization with a clear picture of God’s desire for us to help children, their families & communities in desperate need wherever we find them (1 Peter 4:10).  They mend broken bodies, bones and spirits by serving the needs of others.

              For over 50 years, IMPACT WITH HOPE has reached out across the globe and touched the lives of the poor, sick, and suffering.  They are an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the world with food, medicine, and other assistance.  Their medical teams bring hope by providing medical care to children and their families locally, nationally and internationally.  They also supply mission hospitals with supplies and equipment that are desperately needed.

              Their disaster and relief aid programs provide desperately needed assistance to victims of natural disaster, war, disease, and famine.  They offer food, water, and a network to provide temporary shelter for children and their families in need.  Their Bucket Brigade, Kids Against Hunger and Keeping Kids Warm & Kozy ministries reach out to provide the basic essentials for children and their families in crisis. By meeting the critical needs of families in crisis they create hope, and give children and their families a chance to rebuild their lives.

              Through Seeds of Hope, IMPACT WITH HOPE and their international partners work with children, families and entire communities to provide micro-enterprises, job training skills, community feeding programs, and educational opportunities for children. These programs reach out and touch the lives in impoverished villages and neighborhoods help individuals break the cycle of poverty and give them hope for a better tomorrow.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 

The children will be holding their Christmas Program Practice in the sanctuary on Saturday morning.

The Because of Bethlehem small group study begins on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room.   Pastor Mike is teaching this class.

The Children’s Christmas Program will hold their final practice in the sanctuary at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Worship Service for Sunday, December 11:  Third Sunday of Advent

              Call to Worship

              Handbell Choir Prelude:  Sleigh Ride

              Lighting the third Advent Candle

              Song of Worship -  We Three Kings

              Sanctuary Choir Anthem sung for the Offertory – We Want to Be Ready

              Scripture-  John 8:12

              Homily - God Guides the Wise

              Children’s Christmas Program - Journey to the Light

              Liturgist - Pastor Mike

 Terry Myers and Penny Greenlese are your Fellowship Hosts for December.

The Christmas poinsettia plants have been ordered for December.  Order envelopes are located in the pew racks and in the attendance pads this week.  The price will remain $7.00 this year.  You may order a plantand have it be in honor of or in memory of someone or make a donation to our Building Fund.  All plants will be displayed during our Christmas Eve Worship Service and you will be able to take the plants home following the service.  Your name and your flower’s dedication will be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletin.  We have ordered 30 red plants and 5 white plants this year.  Fifteen red plants are still available; all the white ones have been spoken for.  The final day to order you plant will be Sunday, December 18.

A date has been set for ringing the bell for the Salvation Army kettle at the Waterville Kroger Store.  We will be volunteering on Saturday, December 17 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  Karen Wiggins has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board AND ALL OF THE SLOTS HAVE BEEN FILLED!!!  Thank you!!!!!

You will find the Christmas Eve Worship Services invitation card in your church bulletin this Sunday.  Be sure to pass it along to a neighbor, friend or family member who might want to experience worship with us on Saturday, December 24 at either 7:00 p.m. or the later service which will begin with a Christmas Concert by Olga and 11:15 p.m. and worship at 11:35 p.m.  As of right now, there will not be any nursery available at either service,  but that might change.  Will let you know for sure next week.

We will be having our regular Sunday morning worship on Christmas morning at 10:30 a.m.  There will NOT be any Sunday School for the children that day.

The Friendly Center serves Toledo’s inner city children and is a ministry of The United Methodist Church.  During the cold winter months, they have extra need for NEW hats, gloves/mittens and socks.  If you would like to support this ministry, there will be a basket in the Fireside room for collecting these items.  The final day to donate will be January 15.  Our Women’s Ministry will deliver them to the Friendly Center.

As the year draws to a close, new opportunities for 2017 are just around the corner.  New sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board in the hallway for Greeters and Fellowship Hosts.  Janet is finished with the 2017 Altar Flower calendar.  There is also a new Prayer Partner list on the Prayer Table in the sanctuary.  Where is God calling you to serve?

                                                                                                                    Be a Blessing,

Church Cathy

News for December 2, 2016

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

Just heard from Bob Hires.  He reports that Millie has been released from St. Luke’s Hospital and has been moved to Otterbein on Black Road in Monclova and is in room #10.   

Our December Mission Focus will be IMPACT WITH HOPE (formerly ISOH/IMPACT) is a community based organization with a clear picture of God’s desire for us to help children, their families & communities in desperate need wherever we find them (1 Peter 4:10).  They mend broken bodies, bones and spirits by serving the needs of others.

For over 50 years, IMPACT WITH HOPE has reached out across the globe and touched the lives of the poor, sick, and suffering.  They are an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the world with food, medicine, and other assistance.  Their medical teams bring hope by providing medical care to children and their families locally, nationally and internationally.  They also supply mission hospitals with supplies and equipment that are desperately needed.

Their disaster and relief aid programs provide desperately needed assistance to victims of natural disaster, war, disease, and famine.  They offer food, water, and a network to provide temporary shelter for children and their families in need.  Their Bucket Brigade, Kids Against Hunger and Keeping Kids Warm & Kozy ministries reach out to provide the basic essentials for children and their families in crisis. By meeting the critical needs of families in crisis they create hope, and give children and their families a chance to rebuild their lives.

 Through Seeds of Hope, IMPACT WITH HOPE and their international partners work with children, families and entire communities to provide micro-enterprises, job training skills, community feeding programs, and educational opportunities for children. These programs reach out and touch the lives in impoverished villages and neighborhoods help individuals break the cycle of poverty and give them hope for a better tomorrow.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 

The Because of Bethlehem small group study begins on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room.   Pastor Mike is teaching this class.

The Prayer Time in the sanctuary will begin at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning. 

 Worship Service for Sunday, December 4:  Second Sunday of Advent

              Call to Worship

              Lighting the second Advent Candle

              Song of Worship -  O Come, All Ye Faithful

**There will not be a Children’s Moment this Sunday.  All the children should report to their Sunday School classrooms at 10:20 a.m. and then will proceed to the Community Room at     10:30 to practice for the Children’s Christmas Program.

              Olga’s Selections:

                             Prelude:  Go, Tell It on the Mountain

                             Offertory:  Sing We Now of Christmas

                             Postlude:  Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

              Stewardship Campaign Report - Tom Wiggins

Sanctuary Choir Anthem - Who Would Send a Baby?

              Scripture-  Luke 1: 46-47, 49

              Sermon - Worship Works Wonders

              Celebration of Holy Communion - Passed in the pews

              Closing Hymn - To God Be the Glory

              Choral Benediction - Our Christmas Prayer for You

              Liturgist - Tom Quinn

Parents of Sunday School children - please have your child bring their Greatest Journey folder with them to church.  Stephanie Shelton will be keeping the folders at church until January and updating them for 2017. 

 Terry Myers is your Fellowship Host for December.

Theatre for the World is HERE!!  The show will be presented tonight at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.  There is still time to invite your family, friends and neighbors to this family-friendly show that is filled with music of the season. 

This Sunday is the second Sunday in Advent.  We began a new Advent study last week.  Because of Bethlehem, written by New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado, will be offered on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall and again on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the same location.  Sign-up sheets for the studies are located on the bulletin board in the main hallway and you are welcome to jump into the study at any time.  The cost of the study book is $10.00.

 WUMC SITE DEVELOPMENT UPDATE:

WUMC has contracted with Total Ground Solutions (TGS) to move the donation of dirt by the Browning Masonic Community to our property on Waterville Monclova Road.  While TGS was the lowest bidder, they were selected due to their existing reputation with Browning as they are the contractor for their villas phase 1 and 2.  Other factors in the selection were their ability to meet our timeline and they offered a do not exceed cost in their quotation.  TGS also offered an opportunity to further reduce costs by donating equipment for our congregation to lay the EPA regulated erosion control.  A group of 29 people joined together on Nov. 19th to perform this work- which only took 1 hour thanks to the blessing of many hands!  This saved us $2,800!  Thank you to everyone who served at this event!  We thank the Waterville Fire Department for the use of their warm space for our fellowship!  We thank the Mirror for coming- check this past week's Mirror for our photo & article!  We also thank TGS & the contractor Matt Gruber for bringing the skid loader and staying the entire time to operate it to help us lay the erosion control.  This made the job go quickly!

The excavation was tentatively set to begin 11/28, but rain this week has delayed the crew.  Currently they have staked the property and are waiting for utilities to be marked.  Then they will move dirt.  You can also see the new erosion control, a black "tube", all around the property.  We will update next week on the work happening.

 Any further updates will be found weekly on the back of your church bulletin and in the Friday E-Blast.

PNO follow up from Cara McMillan:  WUMC hosted another Parent's Night Out on Saturday Nov 19^th.  The evening was a great success filled with lots of smiles and laughter!  39 kids attended & enjoyed crafts, science experiments, & fun activities!  We also welcomed a special guest, Eli Martin, for a magic show that delighted all ages!  It was a wonderful night serving God and extending WUMC into the community.  We want to give a HUGE thank you to the 11 amazing WUMC volunteers who made the evening fun & safe for all!  And thank you to Thrivent Financial for sponsoring a portion of the cost & giving us awesome "LIVE GENEROUSLY" shirts!

Christmas cookies are needed for the Fellowship Time following the Children’s Christmas Program on December 11.  If you would like to provide a plate of cookies please sign-up on the sheet on the bulletin board in the main hallway or contact Stephanie Shelton at 567-202-5035.  She asks that you have your cookies to church by 10:00 a.m. on that morning.  If you are dropping them off earlier, please label “For Children’s Christmas Program.” 

 The Christmas poinsettia plants have been ordered for December.  Order envelopes are located in the pew racks, in the attendance pads and in your bulletins this week.  The price will remain $7.00 this year.  You may order either a red or white plantand have it be in honor of or in memory of someone or make a donation to our Building Fund.  All plants will be displayed during our Christmas Eve Worship Service and you will be able to take the plants home following the service.  Your name and your flower’s dedication will be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletin.  We have ordered 30 red plants and 5 white plants this year.  (Five red plants and three white plants have already been spoken for.)

A date has been set for ringing the bell for the Salvation Army kettle at the Waterville Kroger Store.  We will be volunteering on Saturday, December 17 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  Karen Wiggins has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.  We are looking for folks to volunteer for one hour slots during the day.

Toledo’s inner city children and is a ministry of The United Methodist Church.  During the cold winter months, they have extra need for NEW hats, gloves/mittens and socks.  If you would like to support this ministry, there will be a basket in the Fireside room for collecting these items.  The final day to donate will be January 15.  Our Women’s Ministry will deliver them to the Friendly Center.

As the year draws to a close, new opportunities for 2017 are just around the corner.  New sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board in the hallway for Greeters and Fellowship Hosts.  Janet is almost finished with the 2017 Altar Flower calendar.  There is also a new Prayer Partner list on the Prayer Table in the sanctuary.  Where is God calling you to serve?

Be a Blessing and “Break a Leg” TFTW Gang,

Church Cathy

News for November 27, 2016

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

Happy to report that Millie Hires is now out of the hospital and is regaining her strength at Otterbein on Black Road in Room 204. 

November’s Mission Focus will continue to be Operation Christmas Child.  OCC delivers great joy to millions of children around the world through shoeboxes lovingly and prayerfully packed with gifts that will bring delight to a child. In the hands of local churches, every gift-filled shoebox is a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship—transforming the lives of children and their families around the world through the Good News of Jesus Christ!   We dedicated 276 shoeboxes at WUMC last Sunday.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 

The Because of Bethlehem small group study begins on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room.   Pastor Mike is teaching this class.

The Prayer Time in the sanctuary will begin at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning.  

Worship Service for Sunday, November 27:  First Sunday of Advent

              Call to Worship

              Lighting the first Advent Candle

              Song of Worship -  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Children’s Moment - Mission Jar for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

Olga’s Selections:

              Prelude:  Joy To The World

              Offertory:  Medley – Angels, from the Realms of Glory and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

              Postlude:  O Come, All Ye Faithful

Sanctuary Choir Anthem - Is Your Heart Prepared for a King?

              Scripture  -  John 1: 10-14

              Sermon - God Has a Face

              Closing Hymn - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

              Liturgist - Tom Quinn

 

Parents of Sunday School children - please have your child bring their Greatest Journey folder with them to church.  Stephanie Shelton will be keeping the folders at church until January and updating them for 2017.  

Dawn Buskey and Barb & Steve Crandall are your Fellowship Hosts for November.

Our Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Collection has wrapped up as of Monday afternoon.  Thank you to all of the volunteers who staffed the room and loaded the shoeboxes into the shipping boxes, baked the cookies, unloaded boxes out of cars and trucks, loaded the shipping boxes into the trailer and delivered the boxes to the church in Bowling Green.  A big Thank You to Anne Stevens for heading up this project each year.  Keep praying for the shoeboxes and the children who will be receiving them.  If you are tracking your boxes, please let the church office know when you find out their destination.  

Theatre for the World is almost here!  Brian has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the main hallway for ushers and folks to host the Intermission Cookies/Coffee time.  We will also be in need of cookies, brownies, etc. for those times of fellowship. 

You will find invitations to No Ordinary Christmas Miracle in your bulletins again this week.  Please share them with your friends, family or neighbors.

This Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent.  We will be offering a new Advent small group study beginning that day.  Because of Bethlehem, written by New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado, will be offered on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall and again on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the same location.  Sign-up sheets for the studies are located on the bulletin board in the main hallway.

Here is an update on the Site Development for the property on Waterville-Monclova Road:

WUMC SITE DEVELOPMENT UPDATE - WUMC has contracted with Total Ground Solutions (TGS) to move the donation of dirt by the Browning Masonic Community to our property on Waterville Monclova Road.  While TGS was the lowest bidder, they were selected due to their existing reputation with Browning as they are the contractor for their villas phase 1 and 2.  Other factors in the selection were their ability to meet our timeline and they offered a do not exceed cost in their quotation.  TGS also offered an opportunity to further reduce costs by donating equipment for our congregation to lay the EPA regulated erosion control.  We are particularly excited about this as it not only saves us $2,800, but also gives us all an opportunity to participate in the project, enjoy each other’s fellowship, and God’s grace.  Twenty-eight brave people showed up last Saturday to lay down the erosion control and we finished the job in a little over an hour.  A time of food and fellowship followed in the room in the Fire Station.  Thank you to the Fire Chief for the use of the room and for allowing us to park in their lot.

Any further updates will be found weekly on the back of your church bulletin and in the Friday E-Blast.

Christmas cookies are needed for the Fellowship Time following the Children’s Christmas Program on December 11.  If you would like to provide a plate of cookies please sign-up on the sheet on the bulletin board in the main hallway or contact Stephanie Shelton at 567-202-5035.  She asks that you have your cookies to church by 10:00 a.m. on that morning.  If you are dropping them off earlier, please label “For Children’s Christmas Program.”  

Thank you to all who have donated paperback books for the military in the box in the main hallway.  Your response has been overwhelming!  That being said, the woman that was collecting the books now has an apartment full of books and she needs to stop the collection of the donated books for now.  She may want us to resume at some point in time, and when that happens, we will let you know.

The Christmas poinsettia plants have been ordered for December.  Order envelopes are located in the pew racks and in the attendance pads.  The price will remain $7.00 this year.  You may order either a red or white plant  and have it be in honor of or in memory of someone or make a donation to our Building Fund.  All plants will be displayed during our Christmas Eve Worship Service and you will be able to take the plants home following the service.  Your name and your flower’s dedication will be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletin.  We have ordered 30 red plants and 5 white plants this year.  

Parents of children in Sunday School – Next Sunday, December 4, we would like to have the children come straight to the Community Room at 10:30 a.m.  There will not be any Children’s Moment during the worship service.  This will allow for an extended time of Christmas Program practice.

A date has been set for ringing the bell for the Salvation Army kettle at the Waterville Kroger Store.  We will be volunteering on Saturday, December 17 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  Karen Wiggins has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.  We are looking for folks to volunteer for one hour slots during the day.

The Friendly Center serves Toledo’s inner city children and is a ministry of The United Methodist Church.  During the cold winter months, they have extra need for NEW hats, gloves/mittens and socks.  If you would like to support this ministry, there will be a basket in the Fireside room for collecting these items.  The final day to donate will be January 15.  Our Women’s Ministry will deliver them to the Friendly Center.

And finally, the Church Mouse would like to thank the following folks who stayed after church last Sunday to “hang the greens” in and around the sanctuary and downstairs in the Fireside Room and Fellowship Hall :  Kyle and Lisa Galton, Frank and Robin Lipinski, Penny Greenlese, Barb Page, Jason and Sandi Hood, Charlotte Pritchett, Karl and Connie Kirkman, Christie Wielgopolski, Terry Myers, Ann McVicker, Jerry and Melva Robinson and Doug and Cindy Box.  The church is all decorated for Christmas and it looks fantastic!!!!

Be a Blessing and Happy Thanksgiving,

Church Cathy

News for November 20, 2016

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

November’s Mission Focus will continue to be Operation Christmas Child.  OCC delivers great joy to millions of children around the world through shoeboxes lovingly and prayerfully packed with gifts that will bring delight to a child. In the hands of local churches, every gift-filled shoebox is a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship—transforming the lives of children and their families around the world through the Good News of Jesus Christ!   We will dedicate our shoeboxes at WUMC on Sunday, November 20.  Please place your completed boxes on the storage cabinets in the Fireside Room in the church basement.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks. 

The Living Generously small group study begins on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room.   Pastor Mike is teaching this class.

The Prayer Time in the sanctuary will begin at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning.  

Worship Service for Sunday, November 20:  Consecration Sunday and OCC Shoebox dedication

              Call to Worship

              Song of Worship -  Above All

              Kinder Choir - Thanksgiving Day and Every Day

              Dedication of Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

Children’s Moment -  

Olga’s Selections:

              Prelude:  Thanksgiving and Praise

              Offertory:  We Gather Together

              Postlude:  For the Beauty of the Earth

Sanctuary Choir Anthem - Consecration

              Scripture  -  Galatians 6:7-10

              Sermon - Gathering the Harvest - Final sermon in the Living Generously series

              Living Generously - Planting Our Seeds (Bringing forward our Estimate of Giving Cards)

              Closing Hymn - How Great Thou Art

              Liturgist - Dave Landis

 

Parents of Sunday School children - please have your child bring their Greatest Journey folder with them to church.  Stephanie Shelton will be keeping the folders at church until January and updating them for 2017.  

Dawn Buskey and Barb & Steve Crandall are your Fellowship Hosts for November.

This Sunday is Welcome a Neighbor Sunday.  We will have 11 gift bags that will need to be delivered to new residents in our community.  Please check to see if any of these new neighbors live close to you!

Theatre for the World will be here before we know it.  Brian has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the main hallway for ushers and folks to host the Intermission Cookies/Coffee time.  We will also be in need of cookies, brownies, etc. for those times of fellowship.  You will find invitations to No Ordinary Christmas Miracle on the shelf in the main hallway.  Please share them with your friends, family or neighbors.

This week is the last week of the Living Generously, a 5-week video series.  There will also be small group meetings during the series:

Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room in the church basement

Monday evenings at 7:15 p.m. at the home of Stephanie & Adam Shelton (171 Freedom Lane, Waterville) 

Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Tom and Karen Wiggins (1040Farmview Drive, Waterville)

Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room in the church basement

Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room in the church basement 

Next Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent.  We will be offering a new Advent small group study beginning that day.  Because of Bethlehem, written by New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado will be offered on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall and again on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the same location.  Sign-up sheets for the studies are located on the bulletin board in the main hallway.

Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection began on Monday. Following worship on Sunday, you will only have two additional opportunities to drop off your boxes at the church:

              Sunday, November 20 from 5-8:00 p.m.  

              Monday, November 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Thank you to all who have volunteered their time to be in the Community Room this week to accept Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.

              

Please remember Waterville United Methodist’s OCC shoebox collection and dedication will be this Sunday, November 20, during the worship service.  If you will be out of town for Thanksgiving week, please be sure to get your boxes to the church before you leave!  If you bring your box prior to the November 20, please take your shoeboxes downstairs to the shelves in the Fireside Room and we will make sure that they are brought forward on Sunday, November 20 for the dedication.

Here is an update on the Site Development for the property on Waterville-Monclova Road:

WUMC SITE DEVELOPMENT UPDATE - WUMC has contracted with Total Ground Solutions (TGS) to move the donation of dirt by the Browning Masonic Community to our property on Waterville Monclova Road.  While TGS was the lowest bidder, they were selected due to their existing reputation with Browning as they are the contractor for their villas phase 1 and 2.  Other factors in the selection were their ability to meet our timeline and they offered a do not exceed cost in their quotation.  TGS also offered an opportunity to further reduce costs by donating equipment for our congregation to lay the EPA regulated erosion control.  We are particularly excited about this as it not only saves us $2,800, but also gives us all an opportunity to participate in the project, enjoy each other’s fellowship, and God’s grace.  

              The excavation is tentatively set to begin the week of 11/14 and TGS has set the date to lay the erosion control for Saturday, November 19th.  (Yes, we’ve seen the weather forecast and we are still going to proceed with this project tomorrow.)  We are excited to invite you to participate and celebrate this progress for the future building of WUMC.  The event will begin at noon with prayer on the new church property on Waterville-Monclova Road (next to the Fire Station) before beginning work (which should take 2-3 hours).  The Fire Chief has given us permission to park in the back and on the north side of the Fire Station and the use of a room in the Fire Station to eat and have a time of fellowship.  The Mirror newspaper will be there to report on our progress and to take photos.  If you can help lay the erosion control, have a mean recipe for chili or a snack, or want to join the prayer at the property as a group, please reach out to Brian McMillan.  Call, text or email: btmcmillan@msn.com, 419-490-0779 for more information and to RSVP.  All are welcome!

              Any further updates will be found weekly on the back of your church bulletin and in the Friday E-Blast.

 

WUMC is planning a Parents' Night Out for Saturday, November 19th from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.  We are in need of volunteers (ages 14+).  Volunteers will be given areas to lead such as games, crafts, dinner, the nursery, etc.  There will be a magician performance by Eli Martin.  Your time commitment will be from 4:15 to 7:30 pm.  Volunteers will receive a "LIVE GENEROUSLY" super-soft t-shirt from Thrivent Financial.  Everyone loved their shirts last time!  If you want to join the fun, but can only attend for a portion of the evening,  please reach out to us & we'll fit you in!  Background checks are required for all volunteers.  Please contact Cara or Brian McMillan at 419-344-2171 (text or call) or cara.m.mcmillan@gmail.com.

 

WUMC is planning a Parents' Night Out for Saturday, November 19th from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.  Treat yourself to a night out, or get an early start on Christmas shopping, while your children are cared for in a fun, safe environment!  This is a free child care evening for children ages 6 months to 6th grade.  Your children will have a blast with crafts, games, a magician performance by Eli Martin &  dinner (pizza, fruit/veggies, & dessert).  We would love for you to invite friends and neighbors to experience WUMC via PNO too!  Please register by contacting Cara or Brian McMillan at 419-344-2171 (text or call) or cara.m.mcmillan@gmail.com.  Registration required, space is limited to 35 children.

 

Christmas cookies are needed for the Fellowship Time following the Children’s Christmas Program on December 11.  If you would like to provide a plate of cookies please sign-up on the sheet on the bulletin board in the main hallway or contact Stephanie Shelton at 567-202-5035.  She asks that you have your cookies to church by 10:00 a.m. on that morning.  If you are dropping them off earlier, please label “For Children’s Christmas Program.”  

Thank you to all who have donated paperback books for the military in the box in the main hallway.  There are some new items that have been requested by Operation Paperbook.  Those include puzzle books, large print mysteries, books for toddlers, inspirational stories, recent magazines, textbooks of all subjects, DVDs and CDs.  The collection box for these items in on the shelf outside the church office.

The Christmas poinsettia plants have been ordered for December.  Beginning on Sunday, November 13, you will find order envelopes in the racks in the pews and in the attendance pads.  The price will remain $7.00 this year.  You may order either a red or white plant  and have it be in honor of or in memory of someone or make a donation to our Building Fund.  All plants will be displayed during our Christmas Eve Worship Service and you will be able to take the plants home following the service.  Your name and your flower’s dedication will be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletin.  We have ordered 30 red plants and 5 white plants this year.  

A date has been set for ringing the bell for the Salvation Army kettle at the Waterville Kroger Store.  We will be volunteering on Saturday, December 17 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  Karen Wiggins has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.  We are looking for folks to volunteer for one hour slots during the day.

Be a Blessing,

Church Cathy

News for November 13, 2016

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

November’s Mission Focus will continue to be Operation Christmas Child.  OCC delivers great joy to millions of children around the world through shoeboxes lovingly and prayerfully packed with gifts that will bring delight to a child. In the hands of local churches, every gift-filled shoebox is a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship—transforming the lives of children and their families around the world through the Good News of Jesus Christ!   We will dedicate our shoeboxes at WUMC on Sunday, November 20.  Please place your completed boxes on the storage cabinets in the Fireside Room in the church basement.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks.  Have you noticed the bars of soap by the empty OCC boxes in the entryway and on the table in Fellowship Hall? We received them from an organization called “Clean the World.”  They are a non-profit organization that collects and recycles soap from the hotel industry and sends the bars of soap that they manufacture all over the world to combat hygiene-related deaths in impoverished countries.  You are welcome to help yourself to some of these bars of soap.  Please place these bars of soap in a baggie and perhaps include a washcloth in the bag before you add them to your OCC shoeboxes.

 The Living Generously small group study begins on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room.   Pastor Mike is teaching this class.

The Prayer Time in the sanctuary will begin at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning. 

Worship Service for Sunday, November 13:  Veterans Day observance

              Recognition of our Veterans

Pledge of Allegiance

Veterans Day Litany

Prayer for our Veterans

              Song of Worship -  America the Beautiful

              Reflections of a Veteran - by Lt. Colonel, Retired, Steve Letzring, U.S. Army

Children’s Moment -  OCC short video about shoeboxes

Olga’s Selections:

              Prelude:  America the Beautiful with God Bless the USA and Battle Hymn of the Republic

              Offertory:  Patriotic Medley (in the style of Bach)

              Postlude:  To God Be the Glory

Sanctuary Choir Anthem - Onward Christian Soldiers

              Scripture-  John 14:27-29

              Sermon - Living More Stress-free Lives - Fourth sermon in the Living Generously series

              Closing Hymn - America

              Liturgist - Tom Quinn

Parents of Sunday School children - please have your child bring their Greatest Journey folder with them to church.  Stephanie Shelton will be keeping the folders at church until January and updating them for 2017. 

Dawn Buskey and Barb & Steve Crandall are your Fellowship Hosts for November.

The Operation Christmas Child Packing Party will be held during Fellowship Time this Sunday, November 13 in the Fireside Room.   Everyone is invited to help (especially children and their parents)  We will be packing shoeboxes with all the items that have been donated throughout the year.  Some supervision will be required to assist the kids so items from all categories get into the boxes and that the items are appropriate to one age group. 

The Visitation Team will be meeting on Tuesday, November 15 at 10:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.

Theatre for the World will be here before we know it.  Brian has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the main hallway for ushers and folks to host the Intermission Cookies/Coffee time.  We will also be in need of cookies, brownies, etc. for those times of fellowship.  You will find invitations to No Ordinary Christmas Miracle on the shelf in the main hallway.  Please share them with your friends, family or neighbors.

Theatre-for-the-World is looking to borrow four 50 to 75-foot grounded extension cords for some of the lighting for the play.  It doesn’t matter what color they are.  If you have some that the crew could borrow for a couple of weeks, please talk to Tom Wiggins.  (Be sure to put your name on your cords.)

Living Generously, a 5-week video series, began on Sunday, October 23 and will be the launch of our Stewardship campaign.  It will feature the same cast of characters from our last video series.  There will also be small group meetings during the series:

Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room in the church basement

Monday evenings at 7:15 p.m. at the home of Stephanie & Adam Shelton (171 Freedom Lane, Waterville)

Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Tom and Karen Wiggins (1040Farmview Drive, Waterville)

Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room in the church basement

Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room in the church basement

When you decide which one works best for your schedule, please be sure and add your name to the sign-up sheets that are located on the bulletin boards in the main hallway.

Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection begins on Monday.  We still need volunteers to staff the collection room during the following times:

              Tuesday, November 15 from 5-8:00 p.m. – still need two volunteers

              Wednesday, November 16 from 4-7:00 p.m.  – still need one volunteer to work with Char Pritchett

              Friday, November 18 from 1-4:00 p.m.  – still need two volunteers

              Sunday, November 20 from 5-8:00 p.m.  – still need one volunteer to work with Pam Denman

              Monday, November 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – still need two volunteers

              Monday, November 21 – need two volunteers to load boxes and deliver them

We would like to serve Christmas cookies to all who bring Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes to our collection site.  If you would be willing to do some baking, please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the main hallway.

Please remember Waterville United Methodist’s OCC shoebox collection and dedication will be Sunday, November 20 during the worship service.  If you will be out of town for Thanksgiving week, please be sure to get your boxes to the church before you leave!  If you bring your box prior to the November 20, please take your shoeboxes downstairs to the shelves in the Fireside Room and we will make sure that they are brought forward on Sunday, November 20 for the dedication.

Here is an update on the Site Development for the property on Waterville-Monclova Road:

WUMC SITE DEVELOPMENT UPDATE - WUMC has contracted with Total Ground Solutions (TGS) to move the donation of dirt by the Browning Masonic Community to our property on Waterville Monclova Road.  While TGS was the lowest bidder, they were selected due to their existing reputation with Browning as they are the contractor for their villas phase 1 and 2.  Other factors in the selection were their ability to meet our timeline and they offered a do not exceed cost in their quotation.  TGS also offered an opportunity to further reduce costs by donating equipment for our congregation to lay the EPA regulated erosion control.  We are particularly excited about this as it not only saves us $2,800, but also gives us all an opportunity to participate in the project, enjoy each other’s fellowship, and God’s grace. 

 The excavation is tentatively set to begin the week of 11/14 and TGS has set the date to lay the erosion control for Saturday, November 19th.  We are excited to invite you to participate and celebrate this progress for the future building of WUMC.  The event will begin at noon with prayer before beginning work (which should take 2-3 hours). If you can help lay the erosion control, have a mean recipe for chili or a snack, or want to join the prayer at the property as a group, please reach out to Brian McMillan.  Call, text or email: btmcmillan@msn.com, 419-490-0779 for more information and to RSVP.  All are welcome!  Any further updates will be found weekly on the back of your church bulletin and in the Friday E-Blast.

Volunteers needed: WUMC is planning a Parents' Night Out for Saturday, November 19th from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.  We are in need of volunteers (ages 14+).  Volunteers will be given areas to lead such as games, crafts, dinner, the nursery, etc.  There will be a magician performance by Eli Martin.  Your time commitment will be from 4:15 to 7:30 pm.  Volunteers will receive a "LIVE GENEROUSLY" super-soft t-shirt from Thrivent Financial.  Everyone loved their shirts last time!  If you want to join the fun, but can only attend for a portion of the evening,  please reach out to us & we'll fit you in!  Background checks are required for all volunteers.  Please contact Cara or Brian McMillan at 419-344-2171 (text or call) or cara.m.mcmillan@gmail.com.

Families: WUMC is planning a Parents' Night Out for Saturday, November 19th from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.  Treat yourself to a night out, or get an early start on Christmas shopping, while your children are cared for in a fun, safe environment!  This is a free child care evening for children ages 6 months to 6th grade.  Your children will have a blast with crafts, games, a magician performance by Eli Martin &  dinner (pizza, fruit/veggies, & dessert).  We would love for you to invite friends and neighbors to experience WUMC via PNO too!  Please register by contacting Cara or Brian McMillan at 419-344-2171 (text or call) or cara.m.mcmillan@gmail.com.  Registration required, space is limited to 35 children.

Thank you to all who have donated paperback books for the military in the box in the main hallway.  There are some new items that have been requested by Operation Paperbook.  Those include puzzle books, large print mysteries, books for toddlers, inspirational stories, recent magazines, textbooks of all subjects, DVDs and CDs.  The collection box for these items in on the shelf outside the church office.

Volunteers are needed to help with projects for the children’s Christmas Program.  Stephanie Shelton is looking for individuals who would like to help with art/craft projects and costumes that will be used in this year’s program.  You do not need to be a regular part of the Children’s Ministry team to help with this.  If interested, please contact Stephanie at 567-202-5035 or sshelton171@gmail.com

The Christmas poinsettia plants have been ordered for December.  Beginning on Sunday, November 13, you will find order envelopes in the racks in the pews and in the attendance pads.  The price will remain $7.00 this year.  You may order either a red or white plantand have it be in honor of or in memory of someone or make a donation to our Building Fund.  All plants will be displayed during our Christmas Eve Worship Service and you will be able to take the plants home following the service.  Your name and your flower’s dedication will be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletin.  We have ordered 30 red plants and 5 white plants this year. 

A date has been set for ringing the bell for the Salvation Army kettle at the Waterville Kroger Store.  We will be volunteering on Saturday, December 17 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  Karen Wiggins has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.  We are looking for folks to volunteer for one hour slots during the day.

And finally, here’s a great way to celebrate making it through the recent election!  The Haskins Community Church, located at 209 West Main Street in Haskins, will be holding their Annual Ham Loaf Dinner on Saturday, November 12th from 4-7 p.m.   Delicious homemade ham loaf or turkey, salad, mashed potatoes, green beans or corn, rolls, drink and dessert are on the menu for the evening.  Carry-outs are available, the church is handicapped accessible and they will have a Country Store where you may purchase baked goods and crafts.  The cost is $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children ages 4-10.

Be a Blessing,

Church Cathy

News for November 4, 2016

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

Please lift upJim Simpson and his son, Jim, in your prayers with health concerns.  (The prayer request that was sent out earlier this week asked for prayers for his other son, Mike, by mistake.)

IMPORTANT – Remember to turn your clocks BACK one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night, as Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 a.m.

November’s Mission Focus will continue to be Operation Christmas Child.  OCC delivers great joy to millions of children around the world through shoeboxes lovingly and prayerfully packed with gifts that will bring delight to a child. In the hands of local churches, every gift-filled shoebox is a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship—transforming the lives of children and their families around the world through the Good News of Jesus Christ!   We will dedicate our shoeboxes at WUMC on Sunday, November 20.  Please place your completed boxes on the storage cabinets in the Fireside Room in the church basement.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks.  Have you noticed the bars of soap by the empty OCC boxes in the entryway and on the table in Fellowship Hall? We received them from an organization called “Clean the World.”  They are a non-profit organization that collects and recycles soap from the hotel industry and sends the bars of soap that they manufacture all over the world to combat hygiene-related deaths in impoverished countries.  You are welcome to help yourself to some of these bars of soap.  Please place these bars of soap in a baggie and perhaps include a washcloth in the bag before you add them to your OCC shoeboxes.

The Living Generously small group study begins on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room.   Pastor Mike is teaching this class.

The Prayer Time in the sanctuary will begin at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning. 

Worship Service for Sunday, November 6: 

              Prelude - O Be Joyful In the Lord by the Hand bell Choir

              Song of Worship -  He Is Exalted

Children’s Moment - 

Olga’s Selections:

              Offertory: I Worship You, Almighty God with I Sing Praises

              Postlude:  Great Is the Lord

Sanctuary Choir Anthem - It Is Well with My Soul

              Scripture-  2 Corinthians 8:15

              Sermon - Giving Our Hearts to God - Third sermon in the Living Generously series

              Communion - by intinction

              Closing Hymn - My Hope Is Built

              Liturgist - Dave Landis

There will be a Prayer Quilt this Sunday for Richard Dehm. Richard is the brother of new member, Bobbie Long.

Parents of Sunday School children - please have your child bring their Greatest Journey folder with them to church.  Stephanie Shelton will be keeping the folders at church until January and updating them for 2017. 

 Dawn Buskey and Barb & Steve Crandall are your Fellowship Hosts for November.

The Upper Room, a daily devotional booklet for November and December, will be available at both entrances of the sanctuary this Sunday.  The cost is $1.00 and may be placed in the offering plate.

For the past two weeks, a blue sheet of paper entitled General Information & Service Opportunities has been placed in your bulletin.  To date, we have only received 11 completed forms in the church office.  Please, take a few minutes and fill out your form this week and either put it in the offering plate or return it to the church office.  Thank you!

Theatre for the World will be here before we know it.  Brian has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the main hallway for ushers and folks to host the Intermission Cookies/Coffee time.  We will also be in need of cookies, brownies, etc. for those times of fellowship.  You will find an invitation to No Ordinary Christmas Miracle in you bulletin this Sunday.  Please share it with your friends, family or neighbors.

Living Generously, a 5-week video series, began on Sunday, October 23 and will be the launch of our Stewardship campaign.  It will feature the same cast of characters from our last video series.  There will also be small group meetings during the series:

Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room in the church basement

Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Stephanie & Adam Shelton (171 Freedom Lane, Waterville)

Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Tom and Karen Wiggins (1040Farmview Drive, Waterville)

Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room in the church basement

Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room in the church basement

When you decide which one works best for your schedule, please be sure and add your name to the sign-up sheets that are located on the bulletin boards in the main hallway.

The youth will be raking leaves on Sunday, November 6 following worship.  If you or someone you know needs help with this fall project, please contact Adam Shelton at 419-205-2516 or ashelton@bex.net.  There is also a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the hallway.  The youth would appreciate any donations to help support their summer mission trip. Thank you! 

Once again our church will offer a Free Election Day Lunch to our church and our community on Tuesday, November 8 from 11:00 till 1:00.  Dust off your favorite soup, sloppy joe or dessert recipe and go directly to the bulletin board and sign up.  If cooking is not your gift, we need people to set-up, serve and clean up afterwards.  We also need to spread the word, invite your neighbors and your friends to meet you for lunch at WUMC.  We on the Sharing Team thank you for all your help in making this outreach ministry a success. If you have any questions, please contact Charlotte Pritchett.

Waterville UMC will once again be a collection station for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes in Waterville.  There is now a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board asking for volunteers to assist with collection and delivery of these shoeboxes.  All collection centers have been asked to have additional hours this year, so we really need your help.  Collection week this year will take place November 14 - November 21.  We will be delivering the boxes to Bowling Green on Monday, November 21.  Click here to go to the website and get some suggestions about what to include in your shoebox -  https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/what-goes-in-my-shoebox-suggestions/?utm_source=OCCFacebook&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=m_YOCC-15SM&utm_content=Boy-Girl-Gift-Ideas-10-28-16

We would like to serve Christmas cookies to all who bring Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes to our collection site.  If you would be willing to do some baking, please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the main hallway.

Our Packing Party for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes was such a success last year that we would like to continue it this year.  Anne Stevens has placed a box by the main entrance for your donations.  This year’s packing party will take place during Fellowship Time on Sunday, November 13. 

Volunteers needed: WUMC is planning a Parents' Night Out for Saturday, November 19th from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.  We are in need of volunteers (ages 14+).  Volunteers will be given areas to lead such as games, crafts, dinner, the nursery, etc.  The Toledo Zoo is also coming with a live animal presentation.  Your time commitment will be from 4:15 to 7:30 pm.  Volunteers will receive a "LIVE GENEROUSLY" super-soft t-shirt from Thrivent Financial.  Everyone loved their shirts last time!  If you want to join the fun, but can only attend for a portion of the evening,  please reach out to us & we'll fit you in!  Background checks are required for all volunteers.  Please contact Cara or Brian McMillan at 419-344-2171 (text or call) or cara.m.mcmillan@gmail.com.

Families: WUMC is planning a Parents' Night Out for Saturday, November 19th from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.  Treat yourself to a night out, or get an early start on Christmas shopping, while your children are cared for in a fun, safe environment!  This is a free child care evening for children ages 6 months to 6th grade.  Your children will have a blast with crafts, games, a Toledo Zoo live animal presentation, &  dinner (pizza, fruit/veggies, & dessert).  We would love for you to invite friends and neighbors to experience WUMC via PNO too!  Please register by contacting Cara or Brian McMillan at 419-344-2171 (text or call) or cara.m.mcmillan@gmail.com.  Registration required, space is limited to 35 children.

Thank you to all who have donated paperback books for the military in the box in the main hallway.  There are some new items that have been requested by Operation Paperbook.  Those include puzzle books, large print mysteries, books for toddlers, inspirational stories, recent magazines, textbooks of all subjects, DVDs and CDs.  The collection box for these items in on the shelf outside the church office.

Volunteers are needed to help with projects for the children’s Christmas Program.  Stephanie Shelton is looking for individuals who would like to help with art/craft projects and costumes that will be used in this year’s program.  You do not need to be a regular part of the Children’s Ministry team to help with this.  If interested, please contact Stephanie at 567-202-5035 or sshelton171@gmail.com

The Christmas poinsettia plants have been ordered for December.  Beginning on Sunday, November 13, you will find order envelopes in the racks in the pews.  The price will remain $7.00 this year.  You may order either a red or white plantand have it be in honor of or in memory of someone or make a donation to our Building Fund.  All plants will be displayed during our Christmas Eve Worship Service and you will be able to take the plants home following the service.  Your name and your flower’s dedication will be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletin.  We have ordered 30 red plants and 5 white plants this year. 

A date has been set for ringing the bell for the Salvation Army kettle.  We will be volunteering on Saturday, December 17 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  Karen Wiggins has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.  We are looking for folks to volunteer for one hour slots during the day.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, November 13, when we will be celebrating Veterans Day at Waterville United Methodist Church.  All Veterans will be invited to come to the front of the sanctuary to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.  Steve Letzring, retired U.S. Army, will be our special guest speaker that Sunday and we will be singing patriotic music.

Be a Blessing,

Church Cathy

News for October 28, 2016

Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,

Please lift up Bill Gregory, Sr. today, as he is having knee surgery at St. Luke’s Surgicare.

OCTOBER IS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH !!!  While we appreciate Pastor Mike every day, the month of October has been designated as the month to celebrate his ministry here at Waterville United Methodist Church.   Please let him know, sometime during the month, how much you appreciate his service to this congregation and his love for Christ.  Join us this Sunday, October 30, as the Staff / Parish Relations Committee will be hosting Fellowship Time to honor Pastor Mike.

October’s Mission Focus will be Operation Christmas Child.  OCC delivers great joy to millions of children around the world through shoeboxes lovingly and prayerfully packed with gifts that will bring delight to a child. In the hands of local churches, every gift-filled shoebox is a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship—transforming the lives of children and their families around the world through the Good News of Jesus Christ!   We will dedicate our shoeboxes at WUMC on Sunday, November 20.  Please place your completed boxes on the storage cabinets in the Fireside Room in the church basement.  Mission envelopes are available in the pew racks.  Have you noticed the bars of soap by the empty OCC boxes in the entryway and on the table in Fellowship Hall? We received them from an organization called “Clean the World.”  They are a non-profit organization that collects and recycles soap from the hotel industry and sends the bars of soap that they manufacture all over the world to combat hygiene-related deaths in impoverished countries.  You are welcome to help yourself to some of these bars of soap.  Please place these bars of soap in a baggie and perhaps include a washcloth in the bag before you add them to your OCC shoeboxes.

The Living Generously small group study begins on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room.   Pastor Mike is teaching this class.

The Prayer Time in the sanctuary will begin at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning.

Worship Service for Sunday, October 30:  All Saints’ Day

            Song of Worship -  Open the Eyes of My Heart

Children’s Moment -  Mission Jar for Operation Christmas Child

Honoring the Saints - A time of remembering those members of our congregation who have entered their Eternal Home in the past year.

Olga will be leaving to go on tour with the Bowling Green State University Men’s Choir on Sunday morning.  Joel will be playing the piano in her           absence. 

Sanctuary Choir Anthem - More Than Amazing

            Scripture  -  James 5:1-6

            Sermon - Money Talks - Second sermon in the Living Generously series

            Closing Hymn - For All the Saints

            Liturgist - Tom Quinn

The children in Sunday School will be busy preparing for their Christmas Program this week.  This will involve doing some more painting.  Please dress the kiddos accordingly!!!

The Staff / Parish Relations Committee are your Fellowship Hosts for the last Sunday in October.  We will be celebrating Pastor Appreciation Month and honoring Pastor Mike following worship

Your 3rd quarter giving statements were e-mailed to you on Saturday, October 1.  If you receive a hard copy, they are available this Sunday on the shelf outside the church office.  

Theatre for the World will be here before we know it.  Brian has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the main hallway for ushers and folks to host the Intermission Cookies/Coffee time.  We will also be in need of cookies, brownies, etc. for those times of fellowship.  

Living Generously, a 5-week video series, began on Sunday, October 23 and will be the launch of our Stewardship campaign.  It will feature the same cast of characters from our last video series.  There will also be small group meetings during the series:

Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room in the church basement

Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Stephanie & Adam Shelton (171 Freedom Lane, Waterville) – not meeting this week because of Halloween.

Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Tom and Karen Wiggins (1040Farmview Drive, Waterville)

Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room in the church basement

Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room in the church basement –not meeting this week because of Seagate Food Bank

When you decide which one works best for your schedule, please be sure and add your name to the sign-up sheets that are located on the bulletin boards in the main hallway.

The youth will be raking leaves on Sunday, November 6 following worship.  If you or someone you know needs help with this fall project, please contact Adam Shelton at 419-205-2516 or ashelton@bex.net.  There is also a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the hallway.  The youth would appreciate any donations to help support their summer mission trip. Thank you!

Once again our church will offer a Free Election Day Lunch to our church and our community on Tuesday, November 8 from 11:00 till 1:00.  Dust off your favorite soup, sloppy joe or dessert recipe and go directly to the bulletin board and sign up.  If cooking is not your gift, we need people to set-up, serve and clean up afterwards.  We also need to spread the word, invite your neighbors and your friends to meet you for lunch at WUMC.  We on the Sharing Team thank you for all your help in making this outreach ministry a success. If you have any questions, please contact Charlotte Pritchett.

Waterville UMC will once again be a collection station for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes in Waterville.  There is now a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board asking for volunteers to assist with collection and delivery of these shoeboxes.  All collection centers have been asked to have additional hours this year, so we really need your help.  Collection week this year will take place November 14 - November 21.  We will be delivering the boxes to Bowling Green on Monday, November 21.

Did you know that there are three OCC box sizes this year?  You have most likely seen the red and green boxes that we have been supplied for several years; we also have quite a few of the larger white boxes we have had in previous years; and now there is a new box size – 9” x 12” that coloring books and binder notebooks will fit in with space on both sides for additional items.  You are always welcome to use your own shoebox and wrap, or leave unwrapped, or use plastic shoeboxes from discount store for later use by their recipients.

Our Packing Party for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes was such a success last year that we would like to continue it this year.  So, for the month of October, we are asking you to donate hats, gloves and scarves.  Anne Stevens has placed a box by the main entrance for your donations.  This year’s packing party will take place during Fellowship Time on Sunday, November 13.  

Volunteers needed: WUMC is planning a Parents' Night Out for Saturday, November 19th from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.  We are in need of volunteers (ages 14+).  Volunteers will be given areas to lead such as games, crafts, dinner, the nursery, etc.  The Toledo Zoo is also coming with a live animal presentation.  Your time commitment will be from 4:15 to 7:30 pm.  Volunteers will receive a "LIVE GENEROUSLY" super-soft t-shirt from Thrivent Financial.  Everyone loved their shirts last time!  If you want to join the fun, but can only attend for a portion of the evening,  please reach out to us & we'll fit you in!  Background checks are required for all volunteers.  Please contact Cara or Brian McMillan at 419-344-2171 (text or call) or cara.m.mcmillan@gmail.com.

Families: WUMC is planning a Parents' Night Out for Saturday, November 19th from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.  Treat yourself to a night out, or get an early start on Christmas shopping, while your children are cared for in a fun, safe environment!  This is a free child care evening for children ages 6 months to 6th grade.  Your children will have a blast with crafts, games, a Toledo Zoo live animal presentation, &  dinner (pizza, fruit/veggies, & dessert).  We would love for you to invite friends and neighbors to experience WUMC via PNO too!  Please register by contacting Cara or Brian McMillan at 419-344-2171 (text or call) or cara.m.mcmillan@gmail.com.  Registration required, space is limited to 35 children.

Thank you to all who have donated paperback books for the military in the box in the main hallway.  There are some new items that have been requested by Operation Paperbook.  Those include puzzle books, large print mysteries, books for toddlers, inspirational stories, recent magazines, textbooks of all subjects, DVDs and CDs.  The collection box for these items in on the shelf outside the church office.

Volunteers are needed to help with projects for the children’s Christmas Program.  Stephanie Shelton is looking for individuals who would like to help with art/craft projects and costumes that will be used in this year’s program.  You do not need to be a regular part of the Children’s Ministry team to help with this.  If interested, please contact Stephanie at 567-202-5035 or sshelton171@gmail.com

The “new” copier arrived in the church office today.  Please be patient as we still need to connect all of the computers to the Canon.  The technician will be coming back to the office sometime next week to fully complete the installation.

Be a Blessing,

Church Cathy