march 2020 first christian church medina (disciples of ...5 march 2020 first christian...

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December 2019—January 2020 First Christian Church—Medina (Disciples of Christ) The Disciple Visitor

The Disciple Visitor

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All Children and Youth are invited to participate in the is year’s youth led Christmas Program!

Rehearsals begin Sunday, December 1st during worship! Youth will share ’Heaven’s Got Talent’

on Sunday December 22nd during worship!

Blessing to Summon Rejoicing by Jan Richardson When your weeping has watered the earth.

When the storm has been long.

When you have seemed an exile from your life, a long way from where your comfort lies.

When despair attends you.

When lack, when trouble, when fear, when pain, when empty, when lonely,

when too much of what depletes you

and not enough of what restores and rests you…

… then let there be rejoicing!

Then let there be dreaming.

Let the seeds soaked by tears turn to grain, to bread, to feasting.

Let there be laughter in your mouth and on your tongue shouts of joy.

Mark your calendars!

Sunday, December 15th

More details to come!

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This morning I received my kids’ school newsletter. In it was a note from the School Director. She wrote, “Given the

season, it seems fitting to address all those things that fill us with gratitude and thanks. This year, rather than only being

thankful for the blessings and the good things in life, I’m going to try to be thankful for my struggles and challenges.”

Wow! I love that! It’s easy to be thankful for our friends and family and the things that bring joy and love to our lives, but

the areas where we often find we grow the most are those places where it isn’t always easy, where we need to dig deep

and expect more from ourselves and extend compassion to others.

As we reflect on our past year together as Church, we can certainly think of moments when we struggled. And we can

think of other moments where we’ve been challenged, disheartened, discouraged, or distracted.

We can also easily recall times when we’ve laughed and celebrated. Moments when we’ve seen God in our midst as we’ve

‘Loved One Another.’ Times when we’ve been inspired and challenged by the ‘Questions Jesus Asked.’

And there have been times we’ve experienced or witnessed moments when our struggles and our joys intersected -

making us all the more stronger and wiser, more patient and more caring.

2019 began with an emergency meeting. The fear was that financially we weren't going to make it. The numbers just

weren’t adding up. That meeting generated a worried passion and hope-filled, love-filled energy which led to 20 church

members meeting weekly to pray and problem solve the immediate crises. Though we still have much work to do, though

we are still struggling, we are also filled with gratitude and thankfulness for the ways in which we came together and

discerned the problem. From Columbia Gas to the Preschool to our Rummage Sale and Auction … so much love, time,

work and devotion - from so many of you - has lessened the financial burden.

2019 also brought us church members who struggled with health concerns and congregants who have lovingly walked

with them through their recovery. We’ve mourned the loss of beloved church members and have celebrated the legacy of

faithfulness they left us. We’ve celebrated new friends in worship. We’ve had amazing youth and children lead worship.

We’ve had baptisms and incredible adult mentors who have embraced our young people with so much love. We’ve had

church leaders finally able to take a break after years of generous and faithful service. And we’ve had some new people

step into leadership positions. We said good-bye to Nathan, our amazing pianist, and we’ve enjoyed the inspiring gifts of

music that continues to fill our sanctuary week after week with the amazing presence of God. We’ve had some ministries

take a break, others continue strong, still others that are currently being prayed into reality, and others that have yet to be

dreamt.

We’ve supported the Battered Women’s Shelter, and Cups Café, and Camp Christian, and the Sanyuka Choir of Uganda,

and the Clothing Shed, and Week of Compassion, and Disaster Survivors, and Crop Walk, and Lenten Community Services,

and Road-side clean-up and The Avenue worship services. And we’ve touched lives through the making and giving of

prayer shawls, and Sunday School classes, and Women’s and Men’s Groups … and soon through our annual Thanksgiving

Baskets, Angel Tree, and Blue Christmas Service.

I am so very thankful for a church filled with committed and caring, faithful and generous people who are doing their best

to ‘love one another.’ I am thankful for the times we have struggled together and for the times we have held one another

up (and put each other back together again with Jesus glue!). I am thankful for the

noodle-y, nonsense filled moments of celebration. And I am thankful for every moment

in between.

I pray you will join us as we faithfully stumble and rise together through another year,

a year that will inevitably be filled with blessed struggles, blessed joys, and blessed

relationships.

Shalom,

Rev. Laura

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WOMEN’S GROUP, January 2020

Deb Reid is hosting our annual January movie night!

The movie selected is Wine Country—January 13th @6:30pm.

This is an RSVP event due to space limitations.

The “Reid Theater” can hold 12 people comfortably.

Please RSVP to Deb Reid (330-242-1289; [email protected])

OR Karen Harrington (330-416-1585; [email protected] )

December 5: Becoming by Michelle Obama

Meet at the home of Brigitte Dade : 984 Lancaster Drive, Medina, at 3pm

On this date, we will also select a title for our February 6 meeting. Marcia Paladino has invited

everyone to come to her house January 2 to discuss and select books for the next several

months beyond February.

FCC BOOK CLUB ~ All Are Welcome! The FCC Book Club is an interdenominational group meeting monthly

on the first Thursday of the month, 4:15pm at the church

(unless otherwise noted).

Thank You!

Noodles and Nonsense ~ An evening of fun, great food and fund raising!

Our Congregation built community spirit with the combined efforts of many willing hands,

hearts and spirits. This event raised a total of $3852. We are supporting The Week of

Compassion with a 10% tithe of $385 and the remaining funds will become part of FCC’s

General Fund. The generosity of so many made this success possible. May our efforts further

God’s work in our community and in the world.

THANK YOU, everyone for all your prayers, calls, and cards. I'm very grateful to be a part of

such a loving congregation. ~Carol Miller

Dear First Christian Family

Everyone gave Rob so much. Helping him and greeting him, always there when he needed you.

He loved this church and everyone here. All of your love blessed him and me. May God always

bless each of you.

With our Family’s love, ~Donna Norton

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Laurie Kotalac 12/02

Jonas Baird 12/02

Lilah Baird 12/02

Jill Hurst 12/03

Susan Rooy Harr 12/03

Rick Fitt 12/04

Barbara Pavlick 12/07

Linda Pavlick 12/07

Benjamin Grega 12/08

Marcia Jordan 12/09

Katie Prandi 12/14

Connie Campbell 12/20

Dianne Kaminsky 12/20

Emily Beal 12/21

John Stachler 12/22

Tim Mosley 12/25

Carol Miller 12/25

Doug Whittington 12/27

Tom Dade 12/28

Betty Sandrock 12/30

December Birthdays & Anniversaries

Kirk and Cindy Van Auken

January 23rd

Curt and Robin Kennedy

December 12th

Roger and Linda Smalley

December 17th

Robert and Dana Graham

December 19th

January Birthdays & Anniversaries Daniel Wilson 01/22

Jim Kramer 01/23

Mackenzie Guest 01/23

David Jordan 01/26

Jackson Peacock 01/27

Barb Gilbert 01/28

Cindy Van Auken 01/28

Barrie Whittington 01/31

Bill Grega 01/01

Shelley Bonner 01/03

Leslie Miguel 01/06

Kelly Bonner 01/09

Patrick Hiner 01/12

Scott Reid 01/12

Tanya Mosley 01/14

Neal Beck 01/17

Ron Foster 01/18

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WORSHIP PARTICIPANT SCHEDULES for December 2019

GREETERS

Dec 1 Rich and Jennifer Kotalac

Dec 8 Rick and Nancy Madzia

Dec 15 Sheila Peo, Shirley Scott

Dec 22 Nicole Steigerwald, Judy Swaddell

Dec 29 Norma Watterman, Ron Foster

TRUSTEE—December: Dave Baker

DEACONS

Dec 1 Reid Miller, Pat Neal, Linda Dempsey, Debbie Reid

Dec 8 Kirk and Cindy Van Auken, Ken Guest, David Jordan

Dec 15 Rich and Jennifer Kotalac, Doug and Barrie Whittington

Dec 22 Reed Hollopeter, Jen O’Mara, Neal Beck, Rick Madzia

Dec 29 Linda Dempsey, Debbie Reid, Reid Miller, Pat Neal

ELDERS

Dec 1 Karen Harrington, Tim Mosley

Dec 8 Debbie Krause, Kristi Yoss

Dec 15 Karen Harrington, Ron Foster

Dec 22 Ray and Kristi Yoss

Dec 29 Ray Yoss, Nicole Steigerwald

AUDIO/VISUAL

Dec 1 Rick Madzia

Dec 8 Rick Madzia

Dec 15 Dave Watterman

Dec 22 Dave Watterman

Dec 29 Rick Madzia

HOSPITAL VISITORS

Dec 1 Harold Kaufman

Dec 8 Bobbi Way

Dec 15 Susan Chaplin

Dec 22 Jan Decker

Dec 29 Ron Foster

SONG LEADERS

Dec 1 Pat Neal

Dec 8 Mark Dolan

Dec 15 Karen Harrington

Dec 22 Bryan Heinig

Dec 29 Debbi e Krause

ACOLYTES

Dec 1 Jonas Baird

Dec 8 Sophia Walters

Dec 15 Ali Meisterics Hiner

Dec 22 Brenna Sanchez

Dec 29 Mackenzie Guest

LITURGISTS

Dec 1 Mark Way

Dec 8 Ray Yoss

Dec 15 Neal Beck

Dec 22 Ron Foster

Dec 29 Ken Guest

GREETERS

Jan 5 Doug and Barrie Whittington

Jan 12 Kirk and Cindy Van Auken

Jan 19 Ray and Kristi Yoss

Jan 26 Rich and Kay Demchak

LITURGISTS

Jan 5 Karen Harrington

Jan 12 Bev Kreiner

Jan 19 Carl Miller

Jan 26 Carol Miller

SONG LEADERS

Jan 5 Deborah Miller

Jan 12 Pat Neal

Jan 19 Mark Dolan

Jan 26 Karen Harrington

HOSPITAL VISITORS

Jan 5 Bryan & Christine Heinig

Jan 12 Harold Kaufman

Jan 19 Bobbi Way

Jan 26 Susan Chaplin

January ELDERS are TBA ACOLYTES

Jan 5 Evelyn Semancik

Jan 12 Lilah Baird

Jan 19 Katherine Hiner

Jan 26 Jonas Baird

January DEACONS are TBA

January A/V is Rick Madzia

TRUSTEE—January: TBA

WORSHIP PARTICIPANT SCHEDULES for January 2020

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December/January CALENDAR SUNDAYS

➢ Every Sunday—Early Birds Adult Sunday School 8:30am

➢ Every Sunday—Coffee Café 9:15am

➢ Every Sunday—Worship Service 9:45am

➢ December 1st—Hanging of the Greens, following Worship

➢ December 8th—Elder’s Meeting, following Worship

➢ December 15th—The Avenue, 3pm

➢ December 15th—Piano Recital (Sanctuary/Library)

➢ December 15th—Christmas Caroling

➢ December 22nd—Children’s Christmas Program during Worship

MONDAYS

➢ January 13th—Piano Lessons 3pm-9pm (Sanctuary)

TUESDAYS

➢ Every Tuesday—Boy Scouts 6:30pm (Upper Level)

➢ December 24th—Christmas Eve Service 8pm


WEDNESDAYS

➢ December 4th—Bell Choir Practice 6pm (Sanctuary)

➢ Every Wednesday—Choir Practice 7pm (Library)

➢ Dec 11th and Jan 8th—Battered Women’s Shelter donations to the Salvation Army by 4pm


THURSDAYS

➢ Every Thursday—Women’s AA 6pm (Library)

➢ Every Thursday—Scouts 7pm (Upper Level)

➢ December 5—Book Club 3pm (at the home of Brigitte Dade : 984 Lancaster Drive, Medina)

➢ December 5—Blue Christmas 7pm (Sanctuary)

➢ December 12—Board Meeting 7pm (at the home of the Guests: 4206 Maidstone Lane, Medina)

FRIDAYS

➢ CLEAR

SATURDAYS

➢ Every Saturday—AA 8:30am (Library)

Church Office Closed

December 24, 25, 26, 31 and January 1 & 20

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• Andy Rockwell, Karen Harrington’s brother • Betty Raspotynski, Linda Dempsey’s mom • Bryan Miller, Deborah Miller’s brother-in-law • Cari Hiner (recovery) • Carol Hall, friend of the Swaddell’s (recovery) • Carol Miller • Del Rambo, Nicole Steigerwald’s dad • Elizabeth Hatley, mother of Kenny Hatley • Hunter Armstrong, nephew of Karen Harring-

ton • Ida, Bev Kreiner’s mother • Jeanne Ziegler, Cindy Van Auken’s mother • Jeff Dunn (recovery), Cory Dunn’s father • Jim and Doris, Kevin Hutchinson’s parents • Judith Rainery, Debbie Krause’s mom • Kelly Jo Love, VanDycks’ friend

• Linda Nice (recovery), sister-in-law of the Madzias

• Lynn Sandrock • Michelle Heilman, friend of Tamera and Ed

Semancik • Nancy Rockwell, Karen Harrington’s step-

mom • Norman Rockwell, Karen Harrington’s dad • Pam Barr, Debbie Krause’s sister • Rick and Sue Dye, friends of Romy Groves • Steve Houser, nephew of Gretchen (Leslie

Baird's friend) • Steve Kerns, Bobbi Way’s son • Steve Neal • Sue Franz, Rev. Laura’s mother • Tim Mosley’s mom (recovery)

HEALTH CONCERNS

• Amaia Manzi, born November 7th, grand-daughter of Dianne Kaminsky

• Brent Ungar, Kerry Gregoire’s close friend • Wally Haase, Jen O’Mara’s father

• Nikkie and family (recent loss of parents), friend of the Bakers’ daughter

GENERAL:

• Alberta Rogers, Ken Guest’s grandmother • Deloris Payne, friend of the Bakers • Gene Nickley, father of the Dolans’ good

friend • Grace Fox, Naomi Grega’s grandmother • Ken Chaloupek, husband of Marcia Paladino's

friend, Pat

• Mel Vidika • Robert Norton • The husband of David Groves’ cousin

(Colahan Family) • The husband of Lisa Brown, Sheila Peo’s

niece

DEATHS:

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• Aaron Mishler • Bill Stewart • Corey Jansen • Daniel Rambo (Pat Rambo’s grandson) • Emerson (Carl & Debbie Miller’s son) • Jacob Warren (Karen Harrington’s nephew)

• John Hinkel • Marie Barr-Quackenbush (Van Auken’s friend) • Preston Walker (Sharole Vacha’s grandson) • Sean Jaycox • Stephen Douglas (Ashley Searcy’s friend)

MILITARY:

• Ann, Judy Swaddell’s friend • Bobby Jagielski, co-worker of the Van

Aukens’ daughter • Brother-in-law of Jack Swaddell • Camryn Colahan, Romy Groves’ family • Dawn Odeli, Nancy Cerny’s niece • Deb Thomas, the Kaufmans’ friend • Don, Harold Kaufman’s neighbor • Ed Raspotynski, Linda Dempsey’s dad • Gene Clark, Debbie Reid’s brother • Howard, friend of Barb Pavlick • Jane Parsons, mother-in-law of the Dades’

son • Joel James, friend of Josh and Laura Baird • John, Barbara Woodman’s brother • John Kelly, the Dades’ friend • Judy Dawson, Sheila Peo’s friend • Karen Rule, Katie Baird’s mother • Linda, Polly Robinson’s friend • Lisa Neal, Steve Neal’s, sister-in-law • Lois, the Bakers’ friend

• Lucy Parschauer, Chris Mansor’s friend • Marie Barr-Quackenbush, the Van Aukens’

neighbor • Mike Minarczyk, Brigitte Dade’s daughter-in-

law’s relative • Rhonda Russell, Chris Mansor’s daughter-in-

law’s mother • Rob Walter, Betty Sandrock’s cousin’s son • Ron, Tom Dade's friend • Sherry Steingass, Van Auken’s daughter’s

former co-worker • Steve Kerns, Bobbi Way’s son • Susan, Debbie Krause’s sister • The father of Rick Fitt’s co-worker Rany Hai-

dar • Todd Bauer, Cari Hiner’s friend • Tony Norton, the Mosley’s friend • Travis Rian, Sheila Davis’ brother-in-law • Valerie, friend of Christine Walters & Marcia

Paladino

FIGHTING CANCER

• Dottie Randall (Southwest Commons) • Eileen Manthei (The Avenue) • Jack Swaddell (The Avenue) • Jimmy and Patty, Toni Hollopeter's parents

(The Avenue-Wooster) • John Stachler (home) • Julie Bevacqua (Brookdale S)

• Lyla Calhoun (Concordia at Sumner) • Nancy Cerny (home) • Nancy Cressman (Brookdale S.) • Pearl Schwandt (Brookdale N) • Shirley Scott (WRMC) • Tom George (home)

SHUT-INS / REHAB / HOSPICE

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Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 15

Medina, Ohio 44256

First Christian Church—Medina

(Disciples of Christ)

Return Service Requested 4797 Sharon-Copley Road Medina, Ohio 44256 Phone: 330-723-7021 E-mail: [email protected] We’re on the Web! www.fccmedina.org www.facebook.com/MedinaFCC

Weekly Bulletin Deadline: TUESDAYS—FEBRUARY Newsletter Deadline: January 20, 2020

Weekly scripture readings

December 1— Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4; Psalm 119:137-144; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12; Luke 19:1-10

December 8—Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7,18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

December 15—Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:46b-55; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11

December 22—Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80;1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25

December 29—Scripture: Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23

January 5— Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 147;12-20; Ephesians 1:3-14; John 1:(1-9), 10-18

January12—Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17

January 19—Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

January 26—Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1,4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23

February 2—Scripture: Miah 6:108; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12

march 2020 first christian church medina (disciples of ...5 march 2020 first christian...

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