A Message from Rev. Dr. Michael Smith | | |
Dear Saints,
As we enter the month of November and prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, it is a wonderful time to pause and reflect on just how much we have to be thankful for. The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” As followers of Jesus, our greatest reason for thanksgiving is the gift of our salvation. We are thankful that God loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins and rise again, giving us the promise of eternal life. We are thankful that the Holy Spirit lives within us, guiding us, strengthening us, and reminding us that we are never alone. We are thankful that God created us, knows us, loves us, and continues to work in our lives each and every day. Even when life brings challenges and uncertainty, we can give thanks because God’s love and faithfulness never change.
I am also thankful for our church family here at John Knox Presbyterian Church. What a blessing it is to worship together, grow in our faith, encourage one another, and share God’s love with those around us. We are more than a congregation that gathers on Sunday mornings; we are brothers and sisters in Christ, called to walk alongside one another and serve as His hands and feet in the world. Psalm 107:1 reminds us, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” This Thanksgiving, may we look beyond the food, fellowship, and traditions of the holiday and remember the One who makes every blessing possible. May our hearts overflow with gratitude, and may we continue to be followers of Jesus, sharing God’s love one relationship at a time. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!
Jesus is Enough, Pastor Mike
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Fulfilling Our Vision Statement | |
Fulfilling Our Vision Statement: Followers of Jesus – Sharing God’s Love: A Natural Response to Following Jesus
Over the past several months, we have been exploring the first part of our vision statement at John Knox Presbyterian Church: “Followers of Jesus.” We have considered what it means to follow Jesus, how we grow through prayer, how we strengthen our faith through community, and how worship involves more than what happens on Sunday morning. As we continue to grow as followers of Jesus, we begin to understand that our faith is not just about what God is doing in us, but also about what God wants to do through us. The apostle John reminds us in 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us.” Before we can share God’s love with others, we must recognize how deeply God has loved us. He created us, knows us, and desires a relationship with us. Most importantly, He demonstrated His love through Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins and rose again so that we might receive forgiveness and the promise of eternal life. We are also blessed with the presence of the Holy Spirit, who works in our hearts and helps us grow in faith and love.
As we enter this next part of our vision statement, “Sharing God’s Love,” we are reminded of the words Jesus spoke to His disciples in John 13:34–35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus makes it clear that love is not simply something we talk about; it is something we are called to live out. As followers of Jesus, we have the privilege and responsibility of reflecting His love in the way we treat others, the compassion we show, the encouragement we offer, and the kindness we extend. Sharing God’s love begins with understanding the love we have received through Christ and allowing that love to shape our lives. As a church family, may we continue to grow in our faith and become a congregation whose words and actions reflect the heart of Jesus. May others see God’s love at work in us and be drawn to the One who first loved us.
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PCUSA Polity
The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church - Book of Order
Identifies the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity
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The Service for The Lord's Day
W-3.0415: If the Lord's Supper Is Omitted
The Lord’s Supper is integral to the Service for the Lord’s Day, a service of Word and
Sacrament. If, in local circumstances and by the decision of the session, the Lord’s Supper is to be omitted from Sunday worship, the service continues after the prayers of the people with the offering and a prayer of thanksgiving and dedication, followed by the Lord’s Prayer.
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This Month in the Liturgical Calendar | | |
The Time After Pentecost
5/25/26 - 11/28/26
Starts the Monday after Pentecost and continues until the Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent. The Sundays after Pentecost (like the Sundays after Epiphany) are sometimes called Ordinary Time - not because they are routine or mundane, but because their primary rhythm has to do with following the Sundays “in order”. Indeed, each Sunday is a celebration of Christ's resurrection from the dead on the first day of the week, and it is this holy mystery that animates, renews, and transforms our life of faith.
There are certain notable features of this period of time in the Christian year. First, these Sundays are bracketed by festivals that concern key theological affirmations of the church: Trinity Sunday and Christ the King/Reign of Christ; the former celebrates the mystery of God's triune being, while the latter extols the sovereignty of God in Jesus Christ. Second, the Revised Common Lectionary readings for the time after Pentecost cover large sections of the biblical story - major narratives of the Hebrew scriptures; the writings of the apostles to the earliest Christian communities; and the gospel accounts of Jesus' ministry of teaching, healing, feeding, and welcoming. Third, this is a flexible period of time: it may include from twenty-three to twenty-eight Sundays, due to the variable date of Easter.
Parament color: green
Reprinted by permission from the Book of Common Worship, copyright 2018 Westminster John Knox press. All rights reserved.
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
- November 1 and November 8 Kelly Smith and Lynn Whitlatch will continue their study, "Empowered to Love, with the Help of God’s Gifts” in Room 139.
- November 15 Pastor Mike Smith will lead a class entitled, “Understanding Human Free Will” in Fellowship Hall.
- THERE WILL BE NO SUNDAY SCHOOL NOVEMBER 22, ONE WORSHIP SERVICE AT 10 AM.
- November 29 Carol Jones will begin an Advent study in Room 139.
Greet fellow worshippers. Enjoy a snack and beverage and join the Bible study at 10:15 AM.
SUNDAY MORNING CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
- Child care for infants through age three is available from 8:30AM through 12:30PM in the small nursery.
- Junior Church for ages four through those in fourth grade will be held in the large nursery during the 9:00AM service. Parents are to sit with their children for the beginning portion of the worship service. The children will go to Junior Church following the Children’s Message.
- 10:15AM Children’s Sunday School
- Room 111 children four years through fourth grade with Ashley Parker and Tammy Morris
- Room 105 grades 5-8 led by Nathan Long
- Youth Room, downstairs, led by Joyce Greek
THERE WILL BE NO SUNDAY SCHOOL NOVEMBER 22
WEDNESDAY ZOOM BIBLE STUDY
The next study for Wednesday zoom Bible study has not yet been determined since the group is having trouble finding an Advent study. The group will be making a decision soon. For up to date information, e-mail Peggy Fix at pfix@neo.rr.com.
YOUNG ADULTS will continue their study of “The Book of Daniel “ by Jarrett Stephens on RightNow Media during the month of November. Meetings are Monday evenings from 6-8:00 PM in Room 105, the church library. The group gathers for food, fellowship, and Bible study. Anyone ages eighteen through thirty is invited to join us any Monday evening.
A REMINDER: Every member or friend of the John Knox congregation is able to get a free subscription to RightNow Media. All you have to do is send an email request to Stacey at stacey@jkpc.org, and she will email you the link to join.
| | Have any gently used Devotionals or Bible Study books collecting dust on your bookshelves? Let’s have a Book Swap! Bring your Devotionals and Bible Studies that you are finished with and put them on the table in the foyer. Bring as many as you like, take as many as you like! Check out the table in the foyer. | | Faith Essentials Sunday School Class Starting in January | | |
When you accepted Jesus as your savior, did you have anyone who offered to mentor you, by teaching you the essentials of faith? I suspect that may have happened for some of you. The videos we use in our Sunday School classes come to us from Right Now Media and cover many different topics. They have produced a new series of videos covering basic faith issues to help individuals to understand many of the essential understandings of the Christian faith. By the beginning of 2027 there will be 12 series available. Each series will have five or six videos. Some of the major topics are: What is a Christian? Why Does Jesus Matter? Why Do We Need the Bible? What is the Church? How Are We Changed? What Does the Bible Say? Why Do We Go to Church? How Do We Live as Christians? How Do We Read the Bible? What is the Hope of the Church? and How do We Accomplish Jesus’ Mission?
Note that this is not to replace the existing adult class, but is an alternative for those who want to deepen their faith.
If you are interested in some or all of these topics come join us starting in January. You can be flexible in what sessions you want to attend. We will keep you informed when each topic will begin. If you have questions, talk to Paul Gerber, or send an email to gerberp@aol.com.
| | Men's and Women's Bible Studies | | The Sam Martin Tuesday Men’s Bible Study meets every Tuesday at 9am in the Fellowship Hall. The group is currently studying the Book of James. All are welcome! | | The Tuesday Women’s Bible Study invites you to join them on Tuesday mornings from 9:45am until 11:30am in room 139 for fellowship, snack, study and prayer. They are studying the book "Ten Women of the Bible" by Max Lucado. All are welcome! | |
Remaining Communion Dates of 2026 | November 29 – First Sunday in Advent | | Fall Back Time Change THIS WEEKEND | Pastor Appreciation Sunday | | |
OCTOBER WAS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH
Pastor Appreciation Month—also called Clergy Appreciation Month—is a dedicated time each October to recognize the spiritual leadership, care, and labor of pastors, ministers, and clergy. The tradition began in 1992 as an initiative to encourage congregations to honor their leaders. Pastor Appreciation Month is observed every October in the United States, with Pastor Appreciation Day falling on the second Sunday of October. This observance began in 1992 and is widely recognized as a time to honor pastors and clergy for their service. John Knox Presbyterian Church chose to celebrate and appreciate our own pastors for their service to our church. Pastor Mike Smith and Reverend Nathan Long were each presented with small tokens of appreciation from the congregation and officers of the church. A reception was held in the parlor with cake and coffee.
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BAPTISM OF
DIANA JOIE LONG
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BAPTISM OF
TAYLOR NICOLE LONG
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BAPTISM OF
AMORELLE LEIGH LYONS
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What a beautiful and joyful celebration we had at our church on October 25! We were blessed to witness three baptisms—two adults and one precious infant!
We rejoice in seeing lives dedicated to the Lord and families celebrating this special step of faith. Each baptism is a wonderful reminder of God’s love, His faithfulness, and the beauty of His work in our lives.
Let’s continue to pray for these individuals and their families as they grow in faith and walk in God’s grace. May the Lord bless them abundantly and guide them every step of the way!
And a very special and heartfelt thank you to Pam McElroy for creating a beautiful baptismal skirt for our church. Her time, talent, and generosity are truly appreciated. This special gift was and will be a meaningful part of our baptism celebrations for years to come. We are truly grateful for her generosity and the love she has sewn into every stitch!
| | Because of your generous gifts toward our Fall Grow Offering, we have raised a total of $15,425. We are so thankful for a congregation that believes in the vision God has placed before us and is willing to give faithfully toward His work. Your generosity is more than a financial gift—it is an investment in ministry, growth, and the lives that will be impacted for years to come. | | Sunday, November 1 we celebrate All Saints Day, a time to remember those who have gone home to the Lord and the people who shaped our faith. Either before service begins or during Pastor Mike’s message, you’ll have the opportunity to light a candle in memory of someone whose life made an impact on yours. Come as we give thanks for the faithful who have gone before us and celebrate the hope we have in Christ. | |
Thank you for all the supportive comments you gave us in October after the first 'Ring' of our season! We Ring to the Lord, but it always feels good to know we are touching the listeners in our congregation.
On November 8th at the 9am service, we will present a piece called "Thanksgiving Praise" which combines 3 traditional, familiar Thanksgiving hymns:
~ We Gather Together
~ Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
~ Now Thank We All Our God
Hope to see you then to join in Thankful Praise to our Lord!
Laurel Walczyk
| | The New 2027 Flower Chart is Now Available | | |
The flower sign-up sheet for the 2027 year is now at the Welcome Center. There are two flower arrangements for each Sunday, and you can sign-up for either one or both by simply writing your name and who you are honoring or remembering in one or both of the blocks. The cost of the flowers is $44 for both arrangements or $22 for just one, and the payment can be made either by check or online on our website.
**** There are still THREE Sundays available in 2026. If you would like to order flowers for November 22, November 29, or December 13, please call the church office and let Stacey know right away.
| | Have something you need to know? Have an idea you would like to share? Have something you would like to see done? Need to know the correct person or people to talk to? We have an organizational chart with everyone listed that is responsible and their contact info. Please contact Stacey if you would like a printed version. | Intercessory Prayer Team (IPT) | | |
If you are interested in joining The Intercessory Prayer Team (IPT) or have a prayer request, please contact Steve Bertram (330-605-3072) or Kathy Beels (330-685-1320).
All requests are considered confidential by the team unless seen in other church communications.
Be a Blessing,
Kathy and Steve
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people" ~ Ephesians 6:18
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Our GriefShare Session for this Fall is coming to a close on Monday, November 16, 2026. Our participants are doing well and we are bringing it to a close for the holidays. A new session will begin in January 2027. Look for announcements and let a friend know about our program.
Speaking of holidays, there will be a 2 hour seminar offered on Saturday, November 21, 2026 called Surviving the Holidays. This is the only time it will be offered this year and you must register online or call Diana Jones @ 330-754-7476. The seminar will run from 1:00–3:00 in the Comfort Care Room. Each participant will receive a workbook/guide to keep with practical tips and ideas on handling your grief during the holidays. This seminar is open to anyone.
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A Blue Christmas Service is planned for Monday, December 21, 2026, at 4:00 pm. The service will be about an hour, and a light meal is being prepped for you to take with you when it concludes. There will be more details in the next newsletter so look for the information.
| | All are invited to join us on Monday, November 30 at 6:30pm in the parlor. We fellowship while we work on prayer shawls and baby blankets. | | | |
Our next Food Pantry Distribution will be
Saturday, NOVEMBER 21 from 9am - 12pm.
| | Good News Club at Lake Cable Elementary School is under way!!! We are in our fourth week of club and we have 10 loyal children from Lake Cable Elementary School attending. For seven weeks the kiddoes are completing lessons on Jesus' first miracle of changing the water to wine at the Cana wedding, meeting Nicodemus, the Samaritan Woman at the Well, healing the Nobleman’s son, and helping Bartimaeus to see. The seventh week will conclude the Session with a “Guess Who?” Review Party, games, songs and snacks. We will be finishing this session right before Thanksgiving and pick up again in February. As always, we are continuing to look for new leaders to assist with lessons and planning. Please pray for our children and our team. | | Operation Christmas Child | We continue to collect shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse. The boxes are at the Welcome Center. Fill them and return them by November 15. Be part of a blessing for children around the world. | |
Teams for Medical Missions | A huge thank you to Ben Fix for using his God given gifts and talents to hand craft these beautiful items. They will be delivered along with all the donated items we collected for the children in Jamaica. Joyce Greek and Lata and Larry Wiggins will be taking all the gifts with them when they leave for Jamaica on November 6-14. Please keep them in your prayers for the week. The Prayer and Praise Guide is below. | | Total Living Center Opportunity | | TLC will be collecting money to buy turkeys for the November Monthly Giveaway on November 21. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 11am. You can make checks payable to Total Living Center and mail them directly to them or give your check to Vicki Vinci and she will deliver the checks. Any questions, contact Vicki Vinci at 330-268-2210. | | Administration & Personnel | | |
General Fund
September Income: $31,158.47
September Expenses: $33,256.15
Net September Income: -$2,097.68 (deficit)
2026 Net Income: $30,585.20
Thank you for your faithful support as we strive to be good stewards of God’s money. God is good, and we pray His continued blessings upon this church and His people!
Respectfully,
Tina Young, Finance Manager
Cheryl Hawkins, Treasurer
| | November Monthly Calendar | |
Click the link below to view or print the JKPC November calendar or see it below. Please note that events and activities may be added or changed at any time throughout the month.
https://canva.link/byb77q5i2am5d23
| | Smith Fall Fellowship Event | | |
What a wonderful and blessed time of food, fun, and fellowship! We had such an amazing time gathering together at Pastor Mike and Kelly’s home, sharing delicious food, laughter, love, and beautiful moments of fellowship. It was truly a blessing to connect, enjoy one another’s company, and strengthen the bonds of our church family.
A heartfelt thank-you to Pastor Mike and Kelly for opening their home and showing such warm hospitality. Their kindness and generosity made the gathering extra special.
Moments like these remind us that church is more than a place we attend; it’s a family we belong to. We are grateful for the memories made, the laughter shared, and the love that brought us together.
| | Dinner Diners will meet on Monday, November 9 at Loby's on Cleveland Ave at 5:30pm. All are welcome! Plan to come and fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ! | | |
Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunch will meet on Thursday, November 19 at Samantha's on Portage at 11:30am. Please RSVP to Sue Wallace at 330-309-5654. Plan to come and fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ!
| | | Upcoming ADULT Outreach Camps | | |
JKPC has been offering Kid’s Skills Camps as an outreach opportunity for over 3 years now, teaching various skills, as well as expressing how much God loves them. Many of the children attend their own churches, but some are hearing about God for the first time. Since this outreach seems to be received well, we have plans to expand our Skills Camp outreach idea to ADULTS. We need your help. Our desire is for our people to come and be intentional in bringing a friend or neighbor. Each gathering will include a short devotional. Upcoming Adult Skills Camps are:
ADULT CORN HOLE CAMP
Ready to toss some bags, have some fun, and enjoy some good fellowship? Whether you’re a seasoned corn hole pro or have never played before, everyone is welcome. Come sharpen your skills, enjoy some friendly competition, and spend time with our church family! Sign-up at the Welcome Center or just come and enjoy. Contact David Meadows at 330-354-7944 for more information or with any questions.
Join us: November 5, 12, and 19 from 6:45pm - 7:45pm
AND
ADULT CARD PLAYING CAMP
Deal us in!
Looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends and fellow church members? Come join us for fun, fellowship, and friendly competition as we play dominoes, cards, or Bunco. Snacks and beverages will be provided for everyone to enjoy. And don’t miss our Big Prize Drawing! Each person who attends will have their name entered once, and you can double your chances of winning by bringing a guest! We’d love to see you there, so invite a friend and join us for an afternoon of fun, fellowship, and games! Sign-up at the Welcome Center. Contact Tammy Morris at 330-936-9421 for more information or with any questions.
Join us: November 11 and 18 & December 2 and 9 from 1pm - 3pm
Invite a friend and get ready for some unforgettable fun.
| | Sanctuary Flowers for November | | |
November 1 ~ Both given by Ralph Schreiber
November 8 ~ Both given by Cheryl Hawkins
November 15 ~ One given by Fred and Nancy Tobin and one given by Augie and Linda Schmitthenner
November 22 ~ BOTH STILL AVAILABLE
November 29 ~ BOTH STILL AVAILABLE
The cost is $22 for one vase and $44 for both vases. Payment can be made online or by check. Please reach out to Tina if you are unsure if you've paid for your previous, current, or upcoming flower order.
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December Newsletter articles are due to Stacey no later than
Friday, November 20
| | | Birthdays and Anniversaries | | | |
2............Janine Santora
4............Carl Collins, Jarry Persinger
5............Ryan Shockling
7............Peggy Fix
10..........Robert Warren
13..........Steve Clifford
15..........Dale Parson, Matthew Hughes
16..........Sue Carey
17..........Peggy Hamilton
18..........Sally George
20..........Debbie Wensel
21..........Gary Moncrief
23..........Janda Lemmon, Deb Hughes
24..........Lynn Whitlatch
25..........Bob DeMass, Ashley Winter
26..........Shirley Saffle
28..........Sandy Merriman
29..........Susan Verble
30..........Evan Skalsky, LeRoy White
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10.......Matt and Linda Sloan
12.......Vernon Beddell and Angela Rose
16.......John and Laurel Walczyk
20.......Dean and Cindy Mohler
25.......Brian and Jennifer Morrison
26.......Howard and Joyce Kirk
27.......John and Loretta Perko
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JOHN KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
5155 Eastlake St NW, Canton OH 44720
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