February 1, 2026 Newsletter/Bulletin

Our Vision: "To Humbly Serve God through Loving and Caring for Others"

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Sunday Worship

MZUMC YouTube Page

10:00 am

Matthew 15:18-19

Matthew 5:1-9

Children's Worship Bulletin 3+

Children's Worship Bulletin 7+

Prayer Concerns

Bensen Family

Brummett Family

College Students

Collins Family

Kaye Davis

Richard Grant

Margie Godfrey-Sawyer

Liming Family

Nancy Peltier

*Please call the church with any prayer requests or pastoral care needs

Faithful Giving

The Akron Community Foundation, who manages our permanent endowment account, recently issued a guide to year end giving that can be both beneficial to our faithful givers and to our church family as you review your giving for the year 2025. Chuck and I have identified some pertinent information from the guide that we would like to pass along which include:

1. The 9 strategies to achieve your 2025 goals

2. The new charitable tax law

3. The 5 reasons to use your IRA for charity

Please find these documents here. We thank you always for your generosity that helps the ministry we share together at Montrose Zion to flourish both today and in the years to come.

Chuck Noetzel and Bill Liming

Spending Time in Devotion

When I was a young man I remember cutting my grandfather’s grass. Stephen Hering lived in Lyndhurst, OH and there were so many beautiful memories I have of playing with cousins and gathering with family at my grandparents’ home. Often my grandfather would set up a badminton net in their backyard and challenge his grandchildren to a game. We would help him pick vegetables in the garden and raspberries off their bushes. My grandmother Virginia made the best raspberry pies. Those were some of the fun memories. But grandfather also believed that if you were asked to do something, and you agreed, then you did it right.

As he got older, I would be asked as a teenager to help him cut his grass. Anyone who knows me probably knows how obsessive I am about cutting the lawn today. Having a finely trimmed lawn is kind of essential to a serious game of jarts and I am serious about jarts. I can thank my grandfather for my obsession with cutting the grass just right. I have not always been so meticulous. Back as a teenager, I would cut the grass to get the job done as quickly as I could. I probably didn’t want to help because I was not the greatest grandson. I loved my grandfather, but I did not show it in a desire to help him. Perhaps I only loved when it was convenient. But one day as I was cutting, I could feel my grandfather watching me from his front window. And then I saw him coming out of his front door. I kept cutting, not with care but simply to get it done. And it showed. I watched him hobbling towards me assisted by his walker. I kept cutting. I could outpace him. But he kept coming. He was relentless. He caught me in the corner of his yard, and I was trapped. If I mowed forward, I was going over him and so I begrudgingly stopped. I had always heard stories about my dad helping to paint at his house. My dad wasn’t painting correctly, and my grandfather ripped the paint brush from dad’s hands and smacked my dad in the face with it leaving his face covered with paint. I thought, perhaps now was my turn.

My grandfather was old and unsteady but when he ripped the lawnmower from my grip, I realized his strength wasn’t gone. I knew what was coming. “If you say you are going to do something, then do it right!” he yelled in my face. He wasn’t wrong. I was wrong and that lesson always stuck with me. Maybe I thought he wasn’t going to watch, and I could get away with not giving my best. But grandfather, he was always watching.

If we say we are going to do something, then we should do it right. After Jesus was crucified and resurrected, he asked one of his disciples named Peter three times if Peter loved him. You see, Peter had claimed he loved Jesus before and then went and denied even knowing Jesus three times when Jesus was on trial. “Do you love me, Peter?” Christ asked. That is a good question because when Peter thought Jesus wasn’t looking, his love looked more like betrayal and lies. “Do you love me?” Oh man, that question haunts me.

Maybe we think that God isn’t watching some of our days until we get asked the same question that Jesus asked Peter, “Bill do you love me?” If I say yes, then as my grandfather taught, I better do it right. To love God is not just to love with our words but rather with the lives we choose. We all have probably experienced someone telling us that we are loved but the words do not match their choices. When Peter denied Jesus, Peter wasn’t thinking about Jesus in that moment. Peter was thinking about himself. To love in Christ’s name can never be selfish. Sometimes people use the word love to get what they want. Christian love is not about manipulation. Love does not celebrate the wrongs that people do. Love demands the very best of us and others and does not settle for less. So many relationships are conditional. For instance, “I will love you so long as the relationship is fun.” Well, that isn’t love. And true love is alive in the words we speak and the actions we choose. I learned from my grandfather that if I say I am going to do something, to follow through to the best of my ability. “If you aren’t going to cut the grass right, then don’t say you will do it.” It is a very simple principal. And if we are to use the word love in our vocabulary, let us live up to what that word really means. Thanks for reading!!!

Bill

News and Opportunities to Serve

January Mission Challenge

For the month of January, we will be collecting laundry detergent for OPEN M. Donations can be left in the bin outside of the main doors or at the table near the Welcome Center.

February Mission Challenge

For the month of February, we will be collecting Jelly for the OPEN M food pantry. Donations can be left in the bin outside of the main doors or at the table near the Welcome Center.

Communion Prep Team

We are excited to work toward returning to monthly communion and would love your help! We are looking for volunteers to assist with preparing the bread and juice ahead of time. If you are interested in serving in this meaningful way, contact the church office.

Women's Luncheon

Our next luncheon will be at noon on Wednesday, February 11, at Red Lobster in Montrose. Bev and Nancy will need your reservation by the end of the day on Monday, February 9. You can call or text Nancy at (330)814-4081 or Bev at (330)696-1183.

Acme Community CashBack

The Acme Community CashBack program is happening now! Please save any receipts dated after August 1, 2025 and put them in the collection bin by the welcome center. Last year we earned $297.42 for the church!

Greeters

Anyone who would enjoy saying hello and helping direct visitors with basic questions about our church like, “Where are the restrooms?” and “Where is the sanctuary?” are welcome to sign up to greet at the side or main entrance doors. We ask greeters to be at church 15 minutes before the service starts and remain there 5 minutes after the service begins so all who are attending worship are welcomed. You can serve monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly and at your convenience! For those who are interested, sign up here. If you prefer to sign up with Katie, you can do so in the church office during the week!

District Newsletter: January 23, 2026 "Northern Waters News"

OPEN M Newsletter: Summer 2025

Adult Class Opportunities

Weekly Groups:

Java & Jesus—Sundays at 11 am

Using the scriptures from Sunday's worship service, we dive deeper into them and discuss applications to our Christian lives. No preparation is needed. So come meet fellow parishioners and take part in the discussion. We meet in Room 8 in the basement at 11 am after worship.

Contact: Jo Quandt jmquandt@yahoo.com

Wired Word—Sundays at 11 am

The Wired Word discusses big questions and scripture loosely related to a current event each week while we enjoy a time of fellowship. No preparation needed and it is a new topic each week, so it's ok if you can't come every week. We meet downstairs in room 3/5/7 after the worship service.

Contact: Samantha Gunkelman samevin@yahoo.com

Pickleball Group—Tuesdays, 6:30-9 p.m. (Adults only)

Players of all levels are welcome. Consider joining this fun group. We have a weekly text to confirm players so please send your contact info to Beth or Marjorie.

Contact: Beth Gerberich bgerberich825@gmail.com or Marjorie Dye marjorietdye@gmail.com

Tuesday Morning Bible Study—Tuesdays at 9:30 am

A little history, a little theology, a whole lot of life application! Every Tuesday morning except the last of each month.

Contact: Bill Liming bliming75@gmail.com

Women’s Bible and Book Study—Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

A combination of book and Bible Study as guided by the participant’s interests. A time for prayer and fellowship, as well.

Contact Marjorie Cossin marjorie.cossin@gmail.com

Monthly Groups:

Bible and Beer Men’s Fellowship—Last Monday of the month at 7 pm

We gather the last Monday night of each month beginning in September from 7-8:30 PM at a rotation of houses. We wrestle with issues of life and faith. Bring your favorite beverage. Snacks provided (usually pizza!).

Contact: Bill Liming bliming75@gmail.com

Eat, Pray, Play - Next meeting TBD

This month the Eat Pray Play group will join with the Children and Youth ministries for a caroling event on Dec 21st. We will have lunch after the Sunday School hour, head out to caroling from 1-3pm and then come back for some hot chocolate. Click on the here to sign up for food.

Contact: Jennifer Dyer mzumcstudent@gmail.com

Food Bank Service Team—Last Tuesday of the month at 9 am

"You found me hungry and you gave me something to eat..." Live out the words of our Savior and make a huge difference in the lives of countless people across the greater Akron area.

Contact: Bill Liming bliming75@gmail.com

Other Groups (meeting frequency varies):

Golf Club—Next meeting TBD

This will be a social golf group, providing an outlet to those interested no matter ability.

Contact: Lee Christman (leechristman1@gmail.com), Brad Beltz (bbeltz11@msn.com), and Mark Gerberich (mwgerberich@aol.com)

Children's Ministry

Contact: Bethany Saris mzumcchildren@gmail.com

Children's Bulletins are available on the tables in the back of the sanctuary for kids ages 3+ and 7+.

Children’s Church

If you have a child who is at least 3 years old up through those who are in or have just completed 3rd grade, please feel free to have them join us during the worship service for Children’s Church.

Sunday School

Sunday School classes are available for all our school-aged children. These classes are offered at 11am after the worship service and are split into 3 different grade levels. See the breakdown below for more information.

Nursery Care: under age 3 - during Worship services in Nursery (Rm 103)

Children’s Church: ages 3 through 3rd Grade - during Worship in Rainbow Room (Rm 106)

Sunday School for Grades PreK-Kindergarten: 11am-noon in Harmony Harbor (Rm 104)

Sunday School for Grades 1st-3rd: 11am-noon in Rainbow Room A (Rm 106)

Sunday School for Grades 4th-5th: 11am-noon in Rainbow Room B (Rm 107)

Interested in volunteering for our Children’s Church or Sunday School programs?

We would love to have you! Adult and Youth volunteers are crucial to our programs and we will assist you with anything you need to know prior to volunteering. Please reach out to Bethany to volunteer.

Student Ministry

Contact: Jennifer Dyer mzumcstudent@gmail.com

Upcoming Dates:

2/1- This Sunday- Youth Family Meal at 6pm - The theme this month is "soup and sandwiches" I have the sign up genius linked here. I will supply the items for grilled cheese sandwiches, each family is asked to bring a soup or chili of their choice and any needed "supplies" with that soup (besides bowls and spoons).

2/8 - No Youth Group

2/15 - Day of service - We will meet at the church and car pool over to Westminster Presbyterian to make blankets for Akron Children's Hospital. The event will be at 4pm and I believe dinner will be provided.

2/27-3/1 - Youth Retreat at Camp Asbury - All youth grades 6-12 (including any friends) are invited to attend the Winter Youth Retreat. This is a new opportunity for our group. It will be held at Camp Asbury Feb 27th-Mar 1st. Cost is $100 but the church will cover half the cost and each youth will be asked to pay $50. I will need to know if your student wants to attend by February 4th so I can register our group before the deadline and the cost then goes up. I knew with new events there is some nervousness from students about attending, please try to encourage your students to attend if possible. I personally know those who are coordinating this event and they are fantastic. One of the opportunities I am hoping our youth will have from this retreat is to hear the faith journey's of other students as many youth are given opportunities to share and lead during the weekend (this is pre planned so don't worry about your student being put on the spot). If you have any questions, concerns or hesitations please let me know.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please reach out to Jen.

Preschool

Contact: Nicole Korach nicolekorach@gmail.com

Counting popcorn, flipping pancakes, matching upper and lower case popsicles, and a PAJAMA day are just a few of our special activities we have planned for the children during letter "P" week!

Our mission for the month of February is making valentine placemats and tasty treat bags for our pen pals at Copley Place.

We are hosting an OPEN HOUSE on February 11th from 6:00-7:00pm for any families interested in enrolling in our preschool program for the 2026-2027 school year! We are implementing some fun and exciting changes for the upcoming school year and hope you will help us spread the word about our fabulous school!

February Snack & Activity Calendar (click here)

February Preschool Newsletter (click here)

Music Ministry

Contact: Joe Leaman joeleaman@me.com

Check back for future rehearsal dates.

Anyone who is interested in providing Special Music during the special music time on Sunday mornings, please contact Music Director, Joe Leaman via email: joeleaman@me.com.