Church of the cross Issue 230

September 2016

Special Dates in September:

• Communion Sunday, Sept. 4 • Labor Day, Office

Closed, Sept. 5 • Bell Choir Begins, Sept. 6 • Pantry Days, Sept. 13 &

27 • 55 & Over Luncheon,

Sept. 21 • Fun Fest, Sept. 25 • Men’s Retreat, Sept 30-Oct.

2

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Pastor’s Message 2

Stuff the Truck for Mission 3

New Small Group 3

Men’s Retreat 3

Creation Mtg. 4

Discipleship Corner 4

Operation Christmas Child 4

Crossover Youth 5

Children’s Ministry 5

Praises 6

Ministry Opportunities 7

Finances 7

Congregational Notes

THE CROSSFIRE “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World”

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Church Staff

In Ministry with you… Lead Pastor Keith Luke keith@cotcumc.com Director of Assimilation, Discipleship & Mission Jane Raab jane@cotcumc.com Family Life Pastor Joe Pittenger pastorjoe@cotcumc.com Administrative Assistant Lisa Gleason office@cotcumc.com Visitation Pastor Chuck Albright chuckalbright@ymail.com Traditional/Blended Worship Director Rich Dubler office@cotcumc.com Keyboard Musician Donna Myers office@cotcumc.com Contemporary Worship Leader Andrew Brammer office@cotcumc.com Bell Choir Director Aaron Keaster office@cotcumc.com Custodians Joanne Born Tita Wood

Dear COTC Friends,

As summer is winding down and the new program year beginning, I am excited to see the Church of the Cross running at ‘full speed’ with opportunities to gather together in worship, grow in our faith and go serve those outside the walls of the church. I hope that you look through this issue of The Crossfire and note our many opportunities and activities on your calendar. Early in the month of September I will be wrapping up the sermon series “Encounters in the Heart of Mark”, a look at some of the brief encounters that Jesus had with people along his journey through the Gospel of Mark. In Mid-September I will be beginning a new series called: “Foundations” when we will be looking at some of the foundations of our faith and in our journey together. At the very heart of COTC are our small group opportunities and it would be great if every member of this wonderful church was connected to a small group experience. These groups provide a place to connect with others in the church, support one another and grow in our faith. If you are not a part of a small group here at COTC please sign up with Jane Raab, Director of Assimilation, Discipleship and Mission, through the church office or at jane@cotcumc.com. As we begin this new fall season and vacation season is winding down, please, plan to make worship at Church of the Cross each Sunday a renewed priority and look for ways to continue to connect with God and others through the many opportunities that are offered.

In Christ, Pastor Keith

Pastor Keith

A M E S S A G E F R O M P A S T O R K E I T H

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STUFF THE TRUCK FOR GERMANY!

Clean out your closets and make an offering for missions. We will be collecting: clothes, towels, bedding , drapes, shoes and purses, IN ANY CONDITION! Anything made out of cloth or leather will be an acceptable offering. Our own Jake Coon is in need of $5000 in one time gifts and he also needs to replace some monthly

support that has decreased over his time in Germany. Jake will be back in the states to work on raising these funds in November this year. Church of the Cross is partnering with Easter Seals to help raise funds for Jake. We will be collecting these offerings in October, the exact details will be coming later. Please start sorting through your excess now

COTC at 7:00 pm. Be sure to sign up or talk to Larry Moore.

It's time to get registered for the 2016 Men's Retreat! A sign-up sheet is at the Adult Ministry Corner in the Gathering Area of the church. We will be returning to YMCA Camp Storer on Sept. 30 – Oct. 2. Our guest speaker will be Pastor Joe Pittenger. He will be speaking on experiencing the fullness of Christ.

N E W S M A L L G R O U P

The cost is still $81.00 for two nights lodging and four meals. Take time now to get your name on the sign-up sheet and invite a relative, a neighbor or a friend. Call anyone on the Retreat Committee (see below) if you have any questions. More detailed information to follow to those on the

Are you a backyard flower or veggie gardener, or even just interested to see what it's all about? You are invited to a small group called "Tending Your Spiritual Garden". See how God loves and tends to us as we tend to our plants and our own growth. We will be meeting on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at

and be prepared to present your offerings to the Lord, to be used for Jake’s mission work in Germany! Thank you, Cindy Stein

5 5 T H A N N U A L M E N ’ S R E T R E A T S E P T . 3 0 - O C T . 2

sign-up sheet! Looking forward to seeing you at our 55th annual retreat!! Blessings! Ray Sudheimer (419-365-2040), Keith Lewis (419-872-7541) & Warren Leow (419-389-6842)

Sara Norris 9/2

Doris Mason 9/8

Brittney Davis 9/10

Sharon Dubler 9/12

Rich Arnold 9/14

Geraldine Grames 9/14

Laurie Hahnlen 9/14

Margaret Sudheimer 9/15

Candace Rietzke 9/18

Carolyn Stole 9/19

Janet Arnold 9/20

Cynthia Rulason 9/20

Thomas Suter 9/21

Elaine Fuller 9/23

Jerry Metz 9/23

Sylvia Arnold 9/25

Genevieve Guernsey 9/26

Dorothy Fritts 9/27

Linda Bancroft 9/28

Martin Fritts 9/28

Diana McConaghy 9/28

Ginny Hasselschwert 9/29

Cindy Stein 9/30

C R E A T I O N M E E T I N G T H E G R E A T D E L U S I O N . . . A M E R I C A U N D E R J U D G E M E N T

judging America for its rebellion and wickedness. But the good news is that we can do something!

D I S C I P L E S H I P C O R N E R

Connect Class Circle Maker by Mark Batterson

Led by Ray Sudheimer

For questions or more information, see Jane Raab at the Adult Ministry Corner.

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Adult Sunday School Classes

to resume in September!

9:30 a.m.

Connect Class Come for fellowship and

study. Led by Holly Brammer.

11:00 a.m.

Monday evening September 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gathering Area. What will happen to a nation at war with God? This DVD is filled with alarming video segments that illustrate clear Biblical warnings. Viewers will see why Ken Ham believes that America is now under judgement - the wrath of God described in Romans 1. Why have so many Americans turned their

backs on God? What are the ramifications of not believing the Bible and not submitting to the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ? How should we view our leaders (including the U.S. President) who govern this nation? It is vital for everyone to understand the delusion—the great lie against God and His Word that has swept the nation and is sweeping the world. Yes, the news is depressing. Ken concludes that God is

OPERATION CHIRSTMAS CHILD - SHOEBOX COUNTDOWN EVENT

Small Groups Have you joined a small group yet? Many small groups will resume in September. See the board in the Gathering Area to get signed up.

You are invited to join us! Come hear Kojo’s shoebox story! Kojo was born and raised in a very poor town in Ghana. Kojo is grateful for the challenges and the financial difficulties he faced as a child, as that was what make him rely on God. Come hear how receiving a Operation Christmas Child shoebox changed his life. Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Bible Temple Family Worship Center (3327 Airport Hwy.)

Remember to start shopping for those school supplies for the shoebox collection. There will be an information table out on Sunday, September 11 and shoeboxes will be available.

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C R O S S O V E R Y O U T H / C H I L D R E N ’ S M I N I S T R Y

Text Updates Text updates is a great way to stay connected with what’s happening with CrossKidz! Text the word “crosskidz” to 84576 and you will be signed up to receive text updates on CrossKidz happenings. At the most, one text per week will usually be sent:)

Sunday School 4th-7th Grade Sunday School class will start meeting again in September. If you are in 7th grade, you have the option to be in the 4th-7th grade class or to go with the 8th-12 grades. Both classes meet in the Zone (4th-7th upstairs, 8th-12th downstairs).

September Schedule

9/4 Back to School Bowling @ Southwyck Lanes @6pm 9/11 Youth Group @ Church @6pm 9/18 Youth Group @ Church @6pm

9/25 -Funfest

If you would like to receive weekly updates about Crossover Youth Ministry please text “updates” to 84576

Children’s Sunday School *9:30 am: All ages

Children’s Worship

*11:11 am: Grades k-5th

* Children are dismissed from the service to head to class

after the opening music. Watch for more information to become available about

this year’s Children’s Christmas Musical!

The Crossf i re Page 6

G O D ’ S A N W S E R S T O O U R P R A Y E R S

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 NLV PTL for God’s speedy answer for the father of a friend! Thanks to God for the birth of a new grandchild—a girl. Giving thanks for a new granddaughter. Praises for niece whose staff infection is minimal—Praise God! Member is thanking God for her standing at the altar praising Jesus. Thank you God for successful thumb surgery! Member is giving praises and thanks for daughter’s negative biopsy. Praise that friends’ sisters are both home and recovering. Praise that daughter’s wisdom teeth extraction went very well! Praise for all those who helped with planning and execution of the lighting and audio

project! Praise God for the blessing of our children and grandchildren. Thank you, Lord, for the time spent with those from Toledo Area who are part of

Samaritan Purses’ Shoebox Ministry at the North Carolina distribution center in late fall. Praise for safe travel. Praising God for baby who is going home after serious issues in the hospital. Thanking and praising God for a wonderful doctor, for a successful surgery and for His

healing touch. The above praises were taken from requests at the altar from emails or from Sunday Connect Cards.

M I N I S T R Y O P P O R T U N I T I E S

Choir rehearsals will resume Wednesday, August 31 at 7 PM. Our first Sunday to sing will be September 11. If you know someone who might be interested in singing with us, please feel free to invite them to join us. See you soon!

Office Volunteers

We are looking for people who would be interested in the ministry of office volunteer. This would be part time work for a few hours in the morning or afternoon greeting people who come to the church, answering phones, helping with mailings and other misc. jobs. If you are interested, please contact Lisa in the church office.

Funeral Team Leader

We are in need of a couple of people who would like to lead a team of volunteers for funeral meals. This would involve calling the team when there is a funeral meal and purchasing the meat and setting up. If you are interested, please contact the church office.

Bell Choir Openings

The Bell Choir now has openings for ringers. If you are interested in the ministry of bells please contact Aaron Keaster at 419-872-8387 or amkeaster@sbcglobal.net or call the church office. The Bell Choir practices on Tuesday evenings and will start up Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 6:00 p.m.

55 & Over Luncheon

The September 55 & Over Luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, September 21 at 11:30 a.m. at Longhorn Restaurant (459 W. Dussel Dr.) Sign up at the Adult Ministry Corner.

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F I N A N C E S A T A G L A N C E J U L Y 2 0 1 6 & Y E A R T O D A T E

C O N G R E G A T I O N A L N O T E S

Issue 230

Crossfire Deadline

The deadline for the October edition of the Crossfire is September 15 Please submit articles via email at office@cotcumc.com or drop them off at the church office. Thank you for meeting this deadline.

Ugly Quits

Ugly Quilts will not meet in September. The first meeting will be on Saturday, October 15 at 10:00 a.m.

Our Sympathy

Our sincere sympathy and prayers are extended to Candace & Brian Rietzke on the death of their daughter, Erica Reid on August 8. The funeral service was held at COTC On August 10 with Pastor Keith officiating. Please

remember Candace, Brian and all their family as they grieve the loss of their loved one.

Consider Online Giving Life is busy! And that means you may not be at church every Sunday. We hope you won’t forget Church of the Cross even if you are not here every Sunday.

Online giving is a great way to continue your financial support of the mission and ministry programs at COTC, even though you may not be able to be here every week for worship.

To donate electronically using your debit or credit card or checking account transfer, please visit our website at www.cotcumc.com and click on the link that says “give.”

C O N G R E G A T I O N A L N O T E S

Free Ride!

No Raffle! No Prizes! Just a Fun Ride!

September 10 Elmore Grubs & Suds

Bike Show Meet at the church at

10:00 a.m.

Phone: 555-555-5555 Fax: 555-555-5555 Email: someone@example.com

Church of the Cross

We’re on the Web: Www.cotcumc.com

Church of the Cross, UM

1750 Eastgate Rd.

Toledo, OH 43614

Address Service Requested Prepared Especially For:

Sunday Worship 8:00 AM The Chapel

9:30 AM The Gathering 11:11 AM 11:11@the Cross

Community Food Pantry

Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Community Meal - 4th Tuesday

Prayer Line Number#

419.382.6722 M-TH 8:30am-4:30pm

Editor: Lisa Gleason

Deadline for copy: 15th of each month. Editor reserves the right to edit for content and space.

1750 Eastgate Rd. Toledo, OH 43614

Church of the cross

Phone: 419-382-6722 Fax: 419-382-8712

Email: office@cotcumc.com

We’re on the Web! www.cotcumc.com