November 2, 2025 Newsletter/Bulletin

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

Sunday, November 2, 2025

Sunday Worship

MZUMC YouTube Page

10:00 am

Ephesians 1:11-23

Luke 6:20-31

Children's Worship Bulletin 3+

Children's Worship Bulletin 7+

Spending Time in Devotion

I grew up watching the Price is Right as a little boy. I wanted Bob Barker to call my name from the audience. I wanted to “come on down” to the Price is Right. This week at church I was talking to some of the children here about value. I placed several items in front of them and had them guess how much they were worth. We played a game of the Price is Right. I put in front of them an old college textbook still with pricing sticker on it. How much would you guess a used History of Western Art book went for back in 1996? It was $41.75. I don’t know if I would have paid that if it wasn’t required. I have a favorite Grateful Dead CD- From the Mars Hotel. Now some people love the Dead but most people I have met can’t quite see the same value I do. Old CD’s aren’t worth much, but for me I would sure hate to lose it! I showed them an old piece of a fence post from Missouri. The world can look at some things and only see garbage. Someone may look at us and fail to see our value. Thank goodness God can see the value in us when the eyes of the world have broken down and have gone blind. The metal fence post was from a property destroyed by the tornado in Joplin, Missouri years ago. It was about to be tossed in a dumpster when I saved it. And for me, it is invaluable as a reminder of those I shared that time with and to remember all of the families who lost so much and to keep my heart from hardening to the true needs of the world. Lastly, I crushed up some rocks for the kids. It was Jennifer Dyer’s idea. The rocks just look a little like dirty salt. Not much value there. But when they are crushed, a fragrance emerges. The rocks are frankincense, a very valuable gift given to Jesus by one of the three wise men.

Luke 6: 20-31 teaches us about the Sermon on the Mount. In his sermon Jesus taught about the peacemakers and the meek and on and on and on. Sometimes the world vastly undervalues the peacemakers. God does not. Some people only value might and the ability to destroy. For some, violence and power are the only things they respect. I have to tell you; it is easy to destroy. It is hard to heal. The peacemakers are the ones who stick around to help us sort through the ashes of life. If you have ever been there, you know how infinitely valuable they are. Blessed are the meek- you know the soft spoken and the humble. In a world that gives in to the screamers and the ones who insist on their own way, the meek sometimes just get stepped on and passed by. The saying goes that the squeaky wheel get’s the oil. Sadly, some wheels will never stop squeaking no matter how much oil is applied. But Jesus knew it was through the meek that kingdom of God would be built- a kingdom that lasts and will never be overthrown. The Price is Right. And for Jesus- when he looks upon us, his creation, the price he was willing to pay was everything. Everything. See with kingdom eyes, and may we never go blind to what God values. Hope you all have a great week!!!

Bill

Prayer Concerns

Bensen Family

Brummett Family

Collins Family

Kaye Davis

Richard Grant

Liming Family

Nancy Peltier

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

News and Opportunities to Serve

November Mission Challenge

For the month of November, we will be collecting Hamburger Helper for OPEN M. We need to collect 200 boxes total. Donations can be left in the bin outside of the main doors or on the table in the Gathering Area.

Note from the Trustees

If you were assigned a church key while serving on a church committee and are no longer serving, we are asking for you to return your church key. Please return these to Katie in the office ASAP. Thank you!

Acme Community CashBack Has Begun

The Acme Community CashBack program has begun! 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 - New Dates Added!

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!

Trustees Need Your Help!

Lawn Maintenance - The trustees are hoping to put together a law cutting crew. We would like to get 4 groups together to share the lawn cutting responsibilities.

Painting - The trustees are also looking for people to help paint various areas around the church.

If you are available and willing to help with either of these, please contact Brian Beal, Trustee Chair.

District Newsletter: October 24, 2025 "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 - November 16

Our next Eat, Play, Pray will be on November 16th at noon in the FFC after Sunday School. Sign up here to sign up to bring 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. Our next outing will be July 13th at 3 pm at Firestone Public for 9 holes of golfing.

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

Sunday School

This Sunday we will be discussing the story in Genesis called, "The Offering of Isaac," found in Genesis 22:1-19. We will talk about Abraham's faithfulness and God's desire to provide in the midst of calling us to sacrifice. We will also see that God did not withhold His own Son as a sacrifice for our sins and be challenged to respond to the Grace and love shown through in this sacrifice.

Youth Group

This Sunday night we are having our "Youth Family Meal." Youth and their families are invited to share a meal together for a time of fun and conversation. The youth will then head to the youth room where we will continue our journey through the Bible. This week's book is the book of Numbers.

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

Preschool

Contact: Nicole Korach nicolekorach@gmail.com

On Monday, the children will be introduced to the letter "G". We will be exploring our new letter through golf ball painting, grasshopper catching, gingerbread decorating, and attempting to play miniature golf in our classrooms! Our Pre-K class will treat us to a reenactment of "Three Billy Goats Gruff". Hopefully the weather will be nice and and we can act out our story on our playground bridge! Susan Cooper Photography will be taking our preschool pictures on Wednesday, November 5th, and we are practicing our best smiles! Snacks for the week will include gingerbread cookies, grapes, ghost puffs, graham crackers, and guacamole with chips!

Our chapel lessons with Pastor Bill have been GREAT and we especially enjoyed this past Wednesday's topic....What is our worth? Our students had great answers and insights on this subject, and we know that in God's eyes we are all priceless!

MISSION UPDATE FOR OCTOBER: Miss Nicole delivered over 50 blankets, towels, and sheets to "One of a Kind Pet Rescue" this past Wednesday! They were grateful for our donations and to know how much we love our pets!

We still have openings in our classes if you know of any family that is interested in a morning preschool, with the option of lunch bunch until 1:00pm.

November Snack & Activity Calendar (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.