October 13, 2024 Newsletter/Bulletin

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

Sunday, October 13, 2024

Sunday Worship

MZUMC YouTube Page

10:00 am

Psalm 22:1-15

Hebrews 4:12-16

Children's Bulletin Ages 3+

Children's Bulletin Ages 7+

Prayer Concerns

Dorris Benson

Brummett Family

Collins Family

Kaye Davis

Liming Family

Nancy Peltier

Jackson Wagner

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

Weekly Word of Wisdom

I am hoping that none of us have ever been in jail. Being locked away, I am sure is not a pleasant experience. But in my devotional reading this week, the author states that this is basically our experience from the time that we are born. In essence, our humanity places us in prison from the time we draw our first breaths. I am not a bible thumper on original sin. My favorite part of Sunday worship is the Children’s Moment. I tell Jen and Joe that just seeing their little ones brightens my days. It is hard to see our little ones as sinful. On the other hand, humanity has a way of being self-absorbed and awfully manipulative and that starts right away. No one had to teach us this (our sinfulness came on its own) but someone had to save us from it. But hear these words of Paul from Galatians 3: 21-22 “If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.”

To think of myself trapped in a prison cell is not something I enjoy meditating on. But what I do embrace is the love that stands patiently at the cell door opening it and beckoning me to be free. That is who our Savior is. Jesus opens the doors where we have been imprisoned. I think of all the things that hold us captive: selfishness, addiction, fear, anger, and death and on and on. It is Christ who has the keys to the cell doors for each of these. Friends it is Christ who has the power to set us free from prison and from the grave. And so thank you Lord, for the freedom we receive in Jesus Christ.

Bill

News and Opportunities to Serve

October Mission Challenge

This month, we will be focusing on College Care Packages. Check out the table (coming October 6) to see what items are being collected. We will also be collecting money to help cover shipping costs for the packages.

Pastor Appreciation

October is Pastor Appreciation Month and we will be celebrating Pastor Bill and Jennifer on October 20th with cake after the service. The SPRC will have notecards available for you to fill out or we encourage you to bring a card or gift card letting them know how you much you appreciate all the big and small things they both do for us. Thanks for helping us show them how much we care!

Staff Parish Relations Committee

Children's Christmas Musical

For this year's musical, we have decided on "The Christmas County Spelling Bee" - it will be so much fun for our kids to perform! We will have an interest meeting on Sunday, Oct. 6 immediately following the Sunday School hour at noon. This should only take around 10 minutes. Our first listen-through/practice will be the following Sunday, October 13 from 11am-noon in the FFC/gym (or possibly in the Youth Room).

We are asking that all participants be in at least Kindergarten for this school year. If your child(ren) are interested in a speaking part and/or solo this year, we will have forms to fill out. We will do our best to accommodate all requests. Please let me know if you prefer a flash drive or a CD for your family to listen to and learn the songs. If you are planning to participate and CANNOT make it this Sunday, PLEASE let Bethany know of your interest so we can confirm numbers and start to assign parts.

College Care Packages

Calling all college students and parents of college students! We would love to show our college students that their church family is still here for them even if they are away at college or in the military. Young adulthood can often be a time of great change and transition and so it is important for those in that stage of life to know that their church family is supporting and uplifting them. If you have a student that is either in college or the military, please email the office or Jen with their name, mailing address, and a picture of them by October 20th.

Greeters

We are looking for those who enjoy saying hello and helping direct visitors with basic questions about our church like, “Where are the restrooms?” and “Where is the sanctuary?”. We will need people at both the main door and the side entrance who are willing to be at church 15 minutes before the service starts and remain there 5 minutes after the service begins so all 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, our Office Administrator, you can do so in the church office during the week!

Acme Community CashBack

The Acme Community CashBack program has begun! Please save any receipts dated after August 1, 2024 and put them in the collection bin by the welcome center. Last year we earned $297.42 for the church!

Copley/Revere Game

This coming Friday is the Revere/Copley Game. To show our support for both our Copley and Revere students the church is planning to tailgate in the Copley High School Parking lot starting at 4pm. We are hoping to be set up in the back of the parking lot near the grassy area just in front of the baseball field and next to the football stadium. Everyone is encouraged to come join us. If you would like to bring a lawn game, appetizer, or dessert to share that would be great. We will have deli sandwiches available. We will set up till just before the game starts at 7pm.

Book Club

Come together for fellowship and to discuss a good book. Our next book is "James" by Percival Everett. We will meet on Monday, October 28th at 7 pm at MZUMC. Contact Liana Lake for more information.

District Newsletter: October 4 "Northern Waters News"

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 330-714-6303

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, 7-9 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 10/19 - Kingsway Farm

Families, couples, kids, and kids at heart are invited to gather for fun and fellowship together. We will meet next on October 19th at Kingsway Farm (details to come), November 17th at noon in FFC, December 15th at noon in FFC.

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):

Book Club—Monday, October 28th at 7 pm

Come together for fellowship and to discuss a good book. Our next book is "James" by Percival Everett. We will meet on Monday, October 28th at 7 pm at MZUMC.

Contact: Liana Lake leach.liana@gmail.com

Golf Club—Next meeting TBD

This will be a social golf group, providing an outlet to those interested no matter ability. We will meet the last Sunday of the month to learn and enjoy golf, and social time before or after events.

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

Children's Ministry

Contact: Cyndi Liming limingcmboa@icloud.com

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

Sunday School Classrooms:

Sunday school is starting back up September 10th at 11 am. We are excited to learn and grow in our faith.

Nursery (Rm 112): under age 3

Rainbow Room (Rm 106): Preschool & Kindergarten

Fishes & Loaves (Rm 131): Grades 1-3

Harmony Harbor (Rm 104): Grades 4-5

Check out the Children's Ministry Website for updates here

Student Ministry

Contact: Jennifer Dyer mzumcstudent@gmail.com

This week

This week both middle and high school groups continue on their series about identity and belonging. Students often link their identity to their skills, gains, or their achievements (as adults often do too). If we’re gifted at something, that becomes part of how others see who we are. Over time, it can even become part of how we see who we are. It’s important to remind students that the very things they may be finding a sense of identity in—their skills, gifts, and talents—were given to them by the God who made them. That in and of itself makes them good things! However, rooting our sense of self in those things alone is a fruitless pursuit. When they come and go (and they will!), we’ll be left lost as to who we are without them. That’s why finding our sense of identity in God who created us is a better foundation to build our lives on. It will never change, never fade, and never leave us lacking. We will dig deeper into our true identity this Sunday.

Copley/Revere Game

Kingsway Farm

The Eat, Pray, Play connect group would like to invite all youth group families to Kingsway Farm on October 19th. We have a party room reserved at 4pm but admission is good for all day. Kingsway has a corn maze, pumpkin patch, corn box and many other activities for families to enjoy. It's a great way to spend a fall day! In addition to the party room we have also booked a private wagon ride. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Families are asked to bring either a side or dessert to share. Admission is paid at the gate, $12 for regular admission, seniors are $10, and 3 and under are free.

Project Feed

Once again we are going to participate in Project Feed. This is an event for youth around East Ohio to come together to pack meals for people with food insecurities. It will be on November 10th starting at 4pm. We will pack food from 4-6pm and then enjoy pizza together at 6pm. I need to register our group so I need to know if your student is coming by Oct 27th. Cost is covered by the conference unless you would like a t-shirt, which is $10. T-shirt orders are due by Oct 20th.

Preschool

Contact: Sharon Paige paigesharon42@gmail.com

We will Double Down with the letter D once again in preschool this week completing our Centers with Dinosaurs, Ducks, Dice and Dolphins! Our snacks will include Dirt Cups, Dinosaur Jello, Dip and Vegetables, and Dog Bone Graham Crackers.

Wednesday morning, we will be celebrating our Preschool Dads with a special “If You Give A DAD A Donut” themed breakfast. Each dad will be getting a very special gift made by their child.

On Friday in Preschool, the children will get a morning visit from Ms. Heather and her dog Ginny. We will learn about proper safety around dogs and she will share with us a few tips on how to make our furry friends happy! We are incorporating our love for dogs into our October Mission project by collecting gently used towels, blankets and flat sheets to be given to One Of A Kind Pets rescue facility. We would love for the congregation to add to our donations!

October Mission

We have started a Pen Pal relationship with some residents and staff living or working at Copley Place Senior Living Facility in the Montrose area. We started off the project with sending them individualized posters of each child to be matched with a Pen Pal. This week each child will get a special surprise from their Pen Pal they were matched with!

October we will also be collecting gently used towels, blankets and flat sheets to be given to One Of A Kind Pets rescue facility. We would love for the congregation to add to our donations!

Chapel Lesson

In Chapel this week, the children will participate in all the hands-on activities in Creation Station that centered around our Daniel and the Lions lessons before it stored away for another time!

October Snack and Activity Calendar (click here)

Preschool October 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.

MZUMC Financial Update

August Balance Sheet (click here)

August Income and Expense Statement (click here)

Investing Ourselves in Christ 2024 Stewardship

Chuck Noetzel, our Finance Chair, and I have often scratched our heads about how the church will make it financially. Like other businesses, we pay for overhead costs like heating and electricity, water and sewer. We have employee costs and benefit plans. Things break and need to be repaired and we must strategically plan to foresee future need. But unlike businesses, we don’t sell a product. We do not sell tickets to the heavenly half time show. Our survival is in God’s hands. We all depend entirely on God’s judgment and mercy and grace. We exist because Christ has been calling faithful Christians like us together since he walked the shores of the Sea of Galilee. And people like us have heard that call and determined that what God has brought together (the Church), no one has the right nor ability to take apart. We are in God’s loving hands, and no one is strong enough to wrestle us from God’s embrace. God does not fumble the Church.

This does not mean we are free of challenges. In this new world in which we are living, finances can be tight for us all. Over the past few months, we have been running a monthly deficit of $5800/month. This is not because we are taking staff retreats to Tahiti though some days that sounds tempting! The realities are that over the past few years we have lost people for a variety of reasons. As many of us are aware, our denomination split over issues of homosexual marriage and ordination. Faithful people on both sides of the issue had to make hard, discerning decisions about where God was leading them. Also, during the pandemic, the shut down of our churches disrupted many people’s weekly schedules of getting up for church on Sundays. One of the ways in which we have addressed these changes is to invest more into our online ability to reach out and minister through online church. Audio and Visual equipment was purchased and we have dedicated, faithful people serving each week to make sure our online stream is working as we reach out further than we have ever been able to do in the past.

Our Finance team worked hard analyzing online giving apps. We have modernized our ability to give, utilizing QR codes through Vanco that makes it easier for people to contribute. I have not moved beyond using checks to give to the church, but many people have and I am thankful for the future vision of our finance team.

My last note was that our church is coming within a realistic range of finally being paid off! What was a mortgage of millions of dollars decades ago has been reduced to $218,000 of remaining debt. This debt also includes the church parsonage purchased back in 2016. The vision for this church building was introduced back in the 1990’s. That dream became an executable plan in the late 1990’s and it was built in 2001. And now a quarter of the way into this new century, we are on the verge of being debt free! That is quite an accomplishment. Some of the people who first heard the dream are no longer alive worshipping with us. But their dream and their sacrifice is alive in the work that we carry forward together.

Thank you for your faithfulness and your sacrificial giving. In the steady hands of God, our future together will face challenges, but nothing we cannot overcome together in the name of Jesus Christ.

Bill Liming and the Finance Team

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