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Because of Easter Sunday, the Church of Jesus Christ exists throughout the world today. Yes, we celebrate Jesus’ birth, but his birth would never have had the significance we give it had not Easter Sunday happened. Without Easter Sunday, Jesus might have gone down in history as a good teacher, even prophet. What happened was that after Jesus’ dead body laid in the borrowed tomb, from Friday evening until Sunday morning (at least 36 hours, spanning 3 days), Jesus arose from death. His resurrection was not a new thing. Jesus himself had called people back from death to life, as in the case of his good friend Lazarus. The difference around Jesus’ death was in the way he died. He was tortured; they spit on Him; they whipped Him; they drove nails in his wrists and feet; they pushed a spear into his side. He died a criminal’s death on a criminal’s cross. He was an enemy of the state; a blasphemer of the accepted faith; a threat to all in power. Most of all, He was to his tormenters an inconvenience. But, as God has always done, our Creator took a horrible situation and managed to wring something good from it. So, “Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes. He arose a victor...”.

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It happened on Sunday - now Easter Sunday. That is why we worship God on Sundays. That is why the Church of Jesus Christ exists today. That is why when you face death, O Christian, (and you will) you can be sure that God will greet you on the other side. Because Jesus lives, you will live also. All of it because of Easter Sunday. With Love,

SERMON SCHEDULE FOR APRIL

April 6th Who’s in Control? - Romans 8:6-11 April 13th A Christlike Attitude - Philippians 2:5-11 April 20th We are Witnesses - Acts 10:34-43 April 27th A Living Hope - I Peter 1:3-9

Beginning Wednesday, May 7, at 10:30 a.m. Bible Study returns. Mark your calendar for each Wednesday through June 11th. We’ll meet in the upper room at the top of the elevette. Watch the Sunday bulletins for more details.

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Palm Sunday, April 13th - 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Maundy Thursday, April 17th- 7:00 p.m. Worship and

communion around the tables in Heritage Hall

Good Friday, April 18th - 7:00 p.m. Worship Easter Sunday, April 20th - 6:45 a.m. Sunrise Service

7:45 a.m. Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship

ASSOCIATION MEETING HERE On Saturday, April 26, 2014, we will host the Northwest Ohio Association Annual Meeting here at St. Paul’s. The event will last

TAKE NOTE

The church will be closed on

Easter Monday, April 21st

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all day. We will be needing people to help in areas such as food preparation (breakfast and lunch) and dining room set-up, hospitality (greeters, hosts, special signs, directions), parking lot attendants, elevette attendants, worship needs, equipment set ups, childcare and more. Please call or stop by the office to sign up to help out that day. Please mark Saturday, April 26th on your calendar to help. Also, mark Friday, April 25th on your calendar to do set-up. The more help we have, the easier the job and a more positive feeling our 200 plus visitors from all over Northwest Ohio will have about St. Paul’s.

BREAKING BREAD’ COMMUNITY MEAL

St. Paul's offers a weekly free community meal, "Breaking Bread." We serve meals from 4:30 to 6:00 pm on Thursdays. The schedule for April will be: April 3 April 10 April 17 (No desserts needed this week) April 24

New Church Directory! It’s time to update our church family album, and we want you to be a part of it. It’s another way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our current church home! Photo sessions will be scheduled

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beginning June 3rd through June 7th. Please see the flyer included with this Communicator and watch for more information to come.

Easter Flower Fundraiser: The 100 year sanctuary anniversary committee will be selling Easter flowers again this year as a fundraiser for our celebration. The flowers will decorate the sanctuary for Easter morning services, and then can be taken home. There is an order form included in this newsletter and you will also find one in the Sunday bulletins. If you have any questions, please contact Lynda Hadley.

The Lenten luncheons, sponsored by the St. Marys Ministerial Association (SMMA), are once again being held at Wayne Street UMC at 11:30 a.m. each Thursday. Each luncheon is followed by a brief worship service and meditation offered by a SMMA pastor. St. Paul's women will be preparing the luncheon, mainly soup and cookies, on April 10th.

EASTER BAKE SALE: Calling all bakers!!! Yes, it's time once again for the Ultimate Easter Bake Sale. This year, we have expanded the event to include Thursday afternoon, as well as our usual Friday and Saturday morning. The fun happens at Minster Bank here in St. Marys on April 17-18-19. We're counting on all our talented members to donate their best recipes for the sale. Cookies, brownies, cakes, pies, and candy have become very popular items. We will also have homemade noodles available for sale. Please tell all your friends and neighbors to stop in. Proceeds

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will benefit Susan G. Komen events and our local Relay For Life. Donations can be dropped off at the bank starting on Thursday afternoon. "Please don't make me bake" donations will also be accepted. If you have any questions, please contact Sara Seewer or Lynda Hadley.

MAKING NOODLES - The Samaritan Sisters will be making

noodles on Monday, April 7th in preparation for the Easter Bake Sale. All women are invited to both of these activities.

As you are doing your “spring cleaning”, please consider donating to the St. Paul’s rummage sale! All proceeds will benefit the Sunday school program and the Youth Event Fund. The Rummage Sale will be held the weekend of the St. Marys Garage Sales, May 2 and 3, 2014 with a special shopping night on Thursday, May 1st for those attending the Breaking Bread meal and for church members. We will be accepting items from Sunday, April 27 until Wednesday, April 30. Items may be placed in the Fellowship Hall or if you need assistance with large items please call the church office. Due to the Association Meeting here on April 26th, NO items can be accepted and/or dropped off until April 27th. Thank you for your understanding. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up and pricing and also to assist on sale days. A sign –up sheet will be placed in the hallway by the nursery. If you have any questions, please contact Kris Vanderhorst or Jane Laird.

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BE A FAN of our Sunday School Facebook page! The Sunday

School Department is now on Facebook! Search for: St. Paul's United Church of Christ Sunday School, St. Marys, Ohio. Like us and be our fan to keep up with department events, reminders, and announcements! Be the 100th person to like our page. We are stuck on 99! Thanks to Sharon Sullivan for setting this up for us.

Sunday School Birthdays!

April 2 - Sierra Braun 22 - Dylan Felts 12 - Nathan Knatz 24 - Emma Wibbeler 17 - John W. Holtzapple 26 - Kalie Gayer 18 - Emma Birt

PERFECT ATTENDANCE FOR

FEBRUARY 2ND THROUGH FEBRUARY 23RD

NURSERY: AUBREY BIRT BECKETT CLARK EMILY TURNER

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PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN: AUDRA CLARK 1ST/2ND GRADE: CALEB TURNER CODY BIRT BRYNN CLARK ANDREW LEFFEL BRIAN SPECKMAN RAY WALTER ISACC WIBBLER 3RD/4TH GRADE: TYLER BIRT KALIE LUCAS BROOKE TURNER CALVIN CAYWOOD CHARLEY SPENCER CAROLINE LEFFEL REBECCA LEFFEL BRETT SPECKMAN 5TH/6TH GRADE: EMMA BIRT KATIE LUCAS BRAD SPECKMAN LUCY SPENCER LEAH WALTER CARLY CAYWOOD KYLE LUCAS MEG MOELLER

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7TH GRADE: CLARE CAYWOOD COURTNEY NUSS HOWIE SPENCER CHARLEY WALTER 8TH GRADE: COURTNEY LEFFEL LEAH STRAND 9TH/10TH/11TH/12TH GRADE: RACHEL MOELLER MADISON GINTER MAX MOELLER ALEX NOW JENNY BRIGGS TEACHERS/SHEPHERDS: ANDREA CLARK ALISON CRAFT LORI NOW JAMI LEFFEL LAURA YELTON SARAH WALTER AMY KELLER

PERFECT ATTENDANCE FOR FEBRUARY: 45 AVERAGE ATTENDANCE FOR FEBRUARY: 69%

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Sunday School/Christian Ed Dates to Remember March 30 - Card Shoppe sale April 13 - Palm Sunday-kids march in with palms to opening hymn April 20 - Easter Breakfast following Sunrise Service and Easter Party in Sunday School May 1-3- Rummage Sale May 4 – Confirmation Sunday May 4-We’re Still Listening group carry in dinner at 6:30-Heritage Hall May 18-Kids sing in church and final day of regular Sunday School May 18-lunch and ice cream following church service hosted by Christian Ed June 1-church service, lunch and activities at K.C. Geiger June 15-Sunday Funday begins following Children’s Chat July 14-17 - Vacation Bible School at St. Paul’s Recycling Thank you for the wonderful response to our recycling project on Saturday, March 15. Showing up with their usual enthusiasm and energy were 16 kids and 13 adults! Also, thanks to our church members who saved their recycling materials until March 15 to help us out. We are looking into adding another date (requested by the kids) sometime late spring and we are on the calendar for Saturday, November 1.

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Youth Event Fund Thank you to the congregation for your loose offering contributions to this newly established fund. It was created to help fund things such as the National Youth Event, which will take place in 2016 where we will have many kids eligible to attend. Monies from recycling, rummage sale (a portion anyway), the Card Shoppe and other fundraisers will be contributed to this fund as well. Sunday School Mission Our current mission is Waynestock. This is now a community event and it is our goal to have the Sunday School be a part of the sponsorship for the Christian Concert held right here in St. Marys on August 16. We are combining with the Youth in hopes of raising $500. Sunday School Units Holy Week and Easter, The Sower and Fruits of the Spirit are the units that will finish out our Sunday School year. Sunday Funday will begin on Sunday, June 15 following the Children’s Chat portion of the service and will end on Sunday, August 3. Please see Laura Yelton to sign up to lead by sharing your talent, interest, hobby, etc. with the kids. You will have about 25 minutes to spend with the kids. Card Shoppe Once again, thank you for your continued support of the Card Shoppe and a big thanks to Kara Birt and Julie Speckman for their work and creativity regarding this project. Please stop by to purchase your cards on Sunday, March 30.

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Fishing Fun and Fellowship This will be returning for the 3rd straight year again this summer. Details to follow. Church Camp See the enclosed insert with information regarding church camp. Each camper will receive $125 from the church toward their camp fees. Deadlines are approaching fast for the lower fees so act quickly if you know your child(ren) will be going to camp. Let Kara Birt or the office know if you have signed up online. “We’re Still Listening” Sunday School Group Our organizational gathering was held on Sunday evening March 16 with 15 people in attendance. There was representation from people in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 70’s and 80’s! All who are college age and up are welcome. Synopsis of the meeting is as follows:

Gatherings will be the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month.

Members of the group will take turns facilitating the lesson and be responsible for lining up guest speakers if they so choose.

May 4 will be a carry in dinner at 6:30 in Heritage Hall-study materials will be distributed and additional planning will take place.

Beginning Sunday, June 15 we will begin meeting at 8:50 am in Heritage Hall to continue every 1st and 3rd Sunday throughout the summer.

Curriculum will be “The Story” and how God’s word relates to our everyday lives along with other relevant topics of discussion as determined by the facilitator.

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Please contact Laura Yelton at 419-905-9759 for additional information and please check the website and church bulletins for breaking news regarding this exciting endeavor.

Aluminum Can Recycling for the Youth Group

Thank you to everyone who is saving aluminum cans for the YOUTH GROUP. We will continue to save, collect, and recycle cans. Cans may be brought to St. Paul’s, just leave them behind the curtain under the stairs of the Creation Station door. If you have a lot of cans and would like to just take them on to recycling and donate the money, it may be just as easy once they are in your vehicle. Thank you for your support.

WOMEN'S NEWS Women’s Guild Cabinet met on March 4. $3068.35 is the checkbook balance. $206.00 was received from the February 16th Soup & Sandwich. Motions were made & approved to donate $1000.00 to the pew cushion fund & $100.00 to the St Marys Middle School’s I-Read Program. The artificial alter flowers will be refreshed or replaced. The restroom off the elevette room & the restroom off Heritage Hall will be undergoing redecorating. Bob Roth will be painting the elevette room & the restroom. There is a need for help with DVD distribution. Noodle making for the Easter Bake Sale will be March 31 & April 7. Come between 5 & 5:30 and all are welcome to help. If you have never made noodles, this is a great time to learn!

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April Mission & Outreach Project We will continue to collect items for the clean up buckets and the personal hygiene kits throughout the month. Monetary donations are always welcome. Cleaning kit items are: Clorox Cleanup disinfectant cleaner, 1 scrub brush, 1 pair of rubber gloves, 1 large heavy duty sponge, plastic trash bags, & 1 wire metal cleaning brush (found in the paint department). Personal hygiene kit items are: wash cloth & hand towel, bar of soap in wrapper, disposable razor, small container of shaving cream, tooth brush, small tube of tooth paste, 6 band-aids, comb, small container of deodorant, & nail file or clippers. Monetary donations are always welcome!

Notice: Kroger Update: If you are signed up for the Kroger

Community Rewards program, you will once again need to re-enroll in April: Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com and click to update your account. We have 36 households participating in this fund raiser for current & new projects for the church. If you are not signed up, please go to the website & register your Kroger PLUS Card. Our NPO# is 82083. If you do not use the internet & would like to sign up, contact Kris Vanderhorst or Jane Nuss. For the period of November 2013-January 2014, the guild received $322.70. QUILTERS - meets on Wednesdays from 9am to ??? in the sewing room. Questions? Call Margaret Hunter at 419-305-1321. BUSY NEEDLES - Busy Needles meet in the old kitchen on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 9am to ?? We knot lap robes and comforters for local nursing homes, VA hospitals, Shriners hospitals in Cincinnati and Lexington, Ky., and anyone in need to keep warm.

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We are looking for anyone wanting to help with this Mission. We are nearing a goal of 8000 lap robes and afghans. If you can thread a needle we need you. Thanks for everyone who has donated fabric and yarn to this Mission. It is through the donations of many this program has continued for over 35 years. It only costs the church for the electricity we use in 3 to 4 hours. For more information call Margaret 419- 305-1321.

Our sympathy to the family and friends of the following member(s) who have passed away since the last newsletter: Marilynne Schroer, February 22nd Toni Fischbach, February 22nd Sam Sanford, March 14th

To the Carpet-Pew Cushion Fund in memory of Ruth Raymond: St. Paul’s Women’s Guild

To the Carpet-Pew Cushion Fund in memory of Judy Bray: Mr. and Mrs. John Heil, Kevin and Carol Gehres.

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To the Memorial Fund in memory of Judy Bray: Ed Bray, Jr.

To the Carpet-Pew Cushion Fund in memory of Marilynne Schroer: John and Ruth E. Cisco, Rick and Tori Imwalle, Jean Warner and Mary Bell, Dorothy Quellhorst, Naomi Rison, Women’s Guild, Jim and Kris Vanderhorst, Verneda Fark, Emogene Hecht and Family, Rod and Dawn Brodbeck, Mike and Jane Laird, Steve and Joy Sibold and family, Kermit and Alana Hecht, Jim and Ruth Merriman, Dick Armstrong, Dorothy McMullen, Don and Doris Cook, Jeanette Speckman, Pattie Myers, Phyllis Myers, Jo and Janet Myers, Jim and Sharon Myers, Robert and Karen Adams, Mary Alice Stoner, Mike and Judy Frank, Billie Kay Marsee, Janet Swartz and Bill and Amy Lauth, Mr. and Mrs. Willis Henschen.

To the Scholarship Fund in memory of Marilynne Schroer: Calvin and Dianne Caywood

To the Endowment Fund in memory of Marilynne Schroer: Tom Hevlin

To the Carpet-Pew Cushion Fund in memory of Toni Fischbach: St. Paul’s Women’s Guild

To the St. Paul’s Choir in memory of Marilynne Schroer: Ron and Margaret Hunter

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Dear Church Family: Thanks to my church family for the Valentine bag with all of the Valentines and goodies. I have the Valentines on my door for everyone to enjoy. There were more Valentines than I received when I was in grade school (we only had approximately 20-25 children in the entire school!). Thank you!! Naomi Rison

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Dear Scholarship Committee and Church Family, Thank you for the Scholarship money. I greatly appreciated it! I used it to helped to pay for my tuition and books. Thank you so much again! Sincerely, Rachael Now

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ St. Paul’s is a very thoughtful church! Mom (Pauline Donovan) always appreciates your kindness at Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Thank you for thinking of her. Jonny and Wanda Dicke

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Dear St. Paul’s: Thank you for the bag of Valentines and goodies. I was really happy to read the Valentines and eat the chocolate! Mary Kathryn Maze

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To St. Paul’s UCC, The family of Marilynne J. Schroer would like to offer our heartfelt gratefulness to the St. Paul’s UCC Church/Family. To Rev. Bray we would like to thank you for the beautiful service you gave in Mom’s honor. To the women who organized, prepared and served a lovely lunch after the funeral service, it was very much appreciated. To the countless ways that Mom received visits, cards and prayers and well wishes while she was ill, you have our deep gratitude. Mom loved the church and all the friends that she made while being here. Please realize that each special thing you have done is valued. Chris & Georgiana Schroer and family Cindy and Jack Miley and family

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT: Toby Turner was born to Amy

and Kevin Turner on Friday, February 28th. Toby is the grandson of Lynn and Carol Schmidt and Great Grandson of Ray Schmidt.

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CALL-EM-ALL - Please let the church office know if you are experiencing any problems with the Call-Em-All phone messages. Also, please contact the office if you would like to be

removed from the calling list or listen to the broadcast and at the end follow their directions to ‘opt out’ of any future

broadcasts - this will remove your number from the calling list. Thank you! ‘BREAKING BREAD’ COMMUNITY DINNER - If you would like

to make a financial contribution to help with costs for the weekly community dinner, these will be gratefully accepted. Donations

can be placed in the Sunday offering plate or mailed to the church office. Please be sure to indicate your name on the envelope if you would like to receive credit on your giving statement.

Contributions of #10 canned food are also accepted.

FOR THE RECORDS - INFORM US PLEASE!! If you will be going to the hospital or if someone you know is hospitalized, please call the church office and let us know.

Please call the church office with address corrections or if you do not see your Birthday or Anniversary listed during the

correct month. Call 419-394-3811. Thank you!! Home phone # for Pastor Ed is 419-300-9771 smucc@bright.net - church e-mail address. Use this to e-

mail articles for the newsletter/messages for the Sunday bulletin. ebray@bright.net is Rev. Bray’s personal email address if you would like to contact him.

christianed@bright.net - Christian Education and Youth Director email address.

kstrand@stpaulsuccsm.com to contact Kendra Strand for the Email Prayer Chain Requests. www.stpaulsuccsm.com - church web site address

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Televised worship service- our worship service here at St. Paul’s is shown on TSC cable - Digital channel 1 OR non-digital channel 2, every Sunday at 10:30 am and also on Monday

evenings at 7:00 pm. There is a one week delay of the service shown.

STAFF OF ST. PAUL’S UCC: Rev. Dr. Eddie A. Bray Jr., Pastor

Al Baker, Minister of Visitation Carolyn Garrison, Administrative Assistant

Amy & Mark Dieringer, Youth Directors

Laura Yelton, Director of Children’s Choirs, C.E. Coordinator

Becky Anderson, Director of Music Andrea Spencer, Organist

Ann Vogel, Organist Tom Hevlin, Organist Emeritus

Bob Schumacher, Custodian

Rich Spencer, Audio and Video Kendra Strand, Email Prayer Chain Contact

Jennifer Ginter, Church School Superintendent Amy Keller, Confirmation Teacher

Kathy McGee, Sunday Nursery Supervisor

LOCATION FOR LABELS/BOXES DROP OFF - There is a box

inside the church parking lot door for labels, boxes and

receipts for the MR/DD Program. Please be sure they are in a

bag when you place them in the box. Thanks so much for saving

these items!!

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KROGER FUND RAISER FOR THE WOMEN’S GUILD -

If you would like to support Women’s Guild with the

Kroger fund raiser, log on to:

www.Krogercommunityrewards.com to sign up and register

your Kroger Plus card. Our NPO# is 82083 If you do not

use the internet, but would like to sign up, please contact

Jane Nuss or Kris Vanderhorst.

EYEGLASSES FOR THE NEEDY - collected by the church

school classes. Donated glasses should be placed in the basket

at the North entrance to the sanctuary.

LIFT CHAIR is available for 'loan' to anyone in the church who

might have a need for it. Please call the church office for more

information.

ATLAS 600 VISION MACHINE - to assist those who have

vision problems with reading books, newspapers, prescription

labels, writing personal checks or viewing family photographs -

making this possible with video magnifiers. This item is

currently out on loan to one of our church members.

WALKERS - If you need of a walker for assistance in getting

around, please call the church office. One of our church

members has several different type walkers, which are

available for loan.

LAMINATOR - available in the church office. This is used by

the Sunday School teachers for classroom projects and

activities and by the office staff. We will also laminate items

for church members for a fee of $1.00 per item (NOTE:

maximum size we can laminate is 8 ½ x 11 inches).

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OFFERING ENVELOPES - are distributed by quarterly mailing.

Please notify the church office if you are not receiving

envelopes and would like to be added to this mailing list.

Also......PLEASE NOTIFY THE CHURCH OFFICE IF YOU

HAVE A CHANGE OF ADDRESS.

COPIES - if you need copies made of any personal items, you

may stop by the church office and we will be glad to make them

for you. If it is a large project, it is best to call ahead. Cost

for making copies for church members is 15 cents per copy

if you use the office paper or 10 cents per copy if you

bring your own paper.

THE DVD/CD DUPLICATOR in the church office enables us to

make multiple copies of the morning worship service. Please call

the church office to request a copy. The charge for

duplicating a DVD will be $2.00 each. Monthly sets of

worship DVD’s can also be mailed at a cost of $10.00 per month.

Call the church office for more information.

2014 CHURCH OFFICIALS

President of Congregation Fred Scheer Vice-president of Congregation Ron Ketchum President of Consistory Carol Gehres

Vice-president of Consistory Lori Scheer

2014 Members of Consistory Elders: Pam Scheer Jill Dickman Jane Nuss Bob Klein Lori Now Ken Strickland Trustees: Robert Roth Tim Hirschfeld Fred Scheer

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Deacons: Virginia Burroughs Jane Laird Carol Gehres Julie Speckman Lori Scheer Jen Lucas

Irene Lininger Lynda Hadley Marsha Landers Joan Smith Lynn Schmidt Cindy Huckemeyer

FINANCIAL REPORT

February 2014: Current Fund:

Budgeted through February 28, 2014 = $40,664.00 Received through February 28, 2014 = $34,824.02 Expenses through February 28, 2014 = $40,955.01

Received through February 28, 2013 = $35,573.39

Mission Fund: Budgeted through February 28, 2014 = $5,000.00

Received through February 28, 2014 = $2,899.00 Received through February 28, 2013 = $3,442.00

Status of 2014 Budget:

Current Fund: Budgeted through March 31, 2014 = $60,996.00 Budgeted through March 16, 2014 = $52,862.00

Received through March 16, 2014 = $47,915.21 Mission Fund:

Budgeted through March 31, 2014 = $7,500.00 Budgeted through March 16, 2014 = $6,500.00

Received through March 16, 2014 = $4,762.00 $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MARCH 2014 CONSISTORY MEETING

MINUTES:

Minutes of the February 11, 2014 meeting were reviewed, requested minor changes to be made and approved with a motion by Tim Hirschfeld; seconded by Lori Scheer. Motion carried.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND NURTURE: Laura Yelton

Sunday school will be working the Recycling Center on March 15th. Please arrive by 7:45 a.m.

Rummage Sale will be May 2nd and 3rd. We will offer presales to those attending Breaking Bread and church members on May 1st.

End of unit is March 30th. The kids will be performing in church.

Palm Sunday the kids will be “marching” in.

Easter Breakfast is planned again this year.

Confirmation Retreat is scheduled for the end of March.

We have scheduled several families to read a passage each Sunday.

Waynestock has grown to a community wide event with some of the Consistory members on the Waynestock Committee representing St. Paul’s. This year there will be a “Kid’s Zone” between performances and St. Paul’s will be in charge of that.

Sunday school has decorated one of the display cases in Heritage Hall.

This Sunday, March 16th at 6p.m. in Heritage Hall there will be an organizational meeting for “We’re Still Listening”, a new group for ages college and up. The goals of this group are to have some fun, learn a little about the Bible, share ideas and good conversation. Child care and snacks will be provided. FINANCIAL REPORT: David Dickman

Dave reviewed the February 2014 Financial Report. The Financial Report was approved with a motion by Cindy Huckemeyer; seconded by Jane Nuss. Motion carried.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Carol Gehres

No report.

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PASTOR'S REPORT: Rev. Ed Bray

Rev. Bray outlined his activities for the month of February.

Rev. Bray announced that the UCC church in New Bremen would be hosting the “Shrimp Boil” in the fall.

MINISTER OF VISITATION REPORT: No report COMMITTEE REPORTS: Budget and Finance Committee:

No report. Trustees: Bob Roth

Carpet has all been removed and most of the church has been thoroughly cleaned. Carpet is scheduled to be installed beginning March 24th.

Pew cushions are ordered and should be here the first week of April.

Women’s Guild purchased paint for the elevette room and adjoining restroom. Bob Roth has been busy painting and will have the painting project done soon.

The linoleum in the bathroom off of the elevette has worn out. Bob Roth is looking into replacing it in the near future as well.

A sump pump in the boiler room has been replaced.

Bob Roth has been re-painting the radiator covers.

Kay Muehler will begin re-upholstering the choir chairs the first week of April. Trustees have left a message for our pew cushion sales person regarding the need for the material.

Fred Scheer is currently working on signs and floor plans to be completed for the NWOA April meeting. Fred passed around samples of the signs that Bill Zink designed.

Fred is also working on new directories to be placed at a few of the entrances within the church and education building.

With the carpet currently being removed, Rich Spencer and helpers are working on expanding the sound system before new carpet is installed.

Trustees along with Lynda Hadley are currently working on landscaping ideas and quotes. The Sunday school will be donating a bush for in front of the Education Building in memory of Judy Bray.

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Elders: Lori Now

6 took altar communion on March 2nd.

84 took communion on Ash Wednesday.

181 took pew communion on March 9th. Deacons: Lynda Hadley

No Report Christian Mission & Outreach: Jill Dickman

No report. Evangelism Committee: Tim Hirschfeld

An Evangelism Committee has met with Universal Directories and dates for individual/family photos are scheduled for the first week of June. A flyer with the information will be going out in the April Communicator as well as an announcement with details will be made on Easter Sunday at both services. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS:

Pres. Carol passed along a request from Becky Anderson regarding loose offering for summer music. There will be two loose offerings designated: March 23rd and April 27th.

A request from Dave Wright was read to the Consistory. Through much discussion, questions arose that need to be looked into first. Tim Hirschfeld made a motion to table the request until more information can be provided. Virginia Burroughs seconded said motion.

Church staff members were excused so Consistory could go into a brief Executive Session.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm with a motion by Cindy Huckemeyer; seconded by Jill Dickman. Respectfully submitted, Carol Gehres, 2014 Consistory President Carolyn Garrison, Administrative Assistant ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Deadline for articles, announcements, etc. for the May 2014 issue of The Communicator will be April 18th.

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