October 26, 2025 Newsletter/Bulletin

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

Sunday, October 26, 2025

Sunday Worship

MZUMC YouTube Page

10:00 am

1 Corinthian 13:8-13

Luke 2:1-7

Children's Worship Bulletin 3+

Children's Worship Bulletin 7+

Spending Time in Devotion

What does forever mean to you? The seasons are quickly changing. I was reminded of that this morning as I saw my breath in the cold morning air. Leaves are changing color and are finally beginning their fall. Nothing seems to last forever and I guess that is okay. The author of the book of Ecclesiastes says this, “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 1: 14. Try catching the wind and holding it for yourself. That is about as possible as us stopping the natural process of change.

I have visited beautiful national parks in which natural elements like mountains and rocks get worn down by the wind and rain. One of the greatest examples is how the Grand Canyon was carved out by the Colorado River. Our weather patterns bring a natural cycle of change. The dirt on my car gets washed away (thank goodness) by the rains that fall. We live in a world of perpetual change. And so in the immortal words of the prophets Milli and Vanilli, “Blame it on the Rain.” Man, don’t judge me- a little Milli Vanilli music is one of my guilty pleasures and I feel no shame.

I was having dinner with a friend and she was making comments on my “Holey” jeans. They were not dipped in the church baptismal font. They are not that kind of holy! My jeans were lovingly carved out at the knee from years of wrestling with my sons Ethan and Noah. I did not buy them this way. They were shaped by the natural progression of change. And to my great distress as I write this, I am realizing the only pair of jeans I own that are without any holes and have begun to fail as well. Nothing lasts forever, right? Well, (shoulder shrug) blame it on the rain!

But in this world of change, there is one constant in which I have come to depend

completely. That is the love of God. It was in love that creation birthed into existence. God did not create out of lack of anything. God created out of an abundance of love this spilled over from God’s loving cup and thus we came to be. It is this very same love that restrains itself to allow us to make decisions for ourselves- sometimes good decisions, sometimes bad ones. God’s love gives free will and does not force compliance. And at long last, the very same love that brought us first into existence will be the very same love that welcomes us home when everything else around us has changed and even when this life fails just like my jeans! What is forever? The rocks and mountains are not forever and neither are my pitiful clothes. But the love that Christ has for us all, it is forever and it will never fail. Thanks for reading!

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

October Mission Challenge

For the month of October, we will be collecting items to fill our College Care Packages. Please see the display in the Gathering Area for items needed and return no later than November 2.

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.

Pastor Appreciation Month

October is Pastor Appreciation Month so please pray for Pastor Bill and Jen throughout the month. We will be recognizing Pastor Bill and Jen on Sunday, October 19th if you would like to show appreciation of them through handwritten letters, emails, gift cards, or other practical gifts. We will also have frames for you to sign before/after the service this week and next week. We are blessed to have their leadership for our church!

- Staff Parish Relations Committee

All Saints Day

On Sunday, November 2nd we will celebrate All Saints Sunday. It is a time to remember and give thanks for our family who have passed away in this last year.

We are asking that you share photographs so that we can use their pictures in our worship service as we call their name and ring a bell in their honor and memory.

Please get pictures and information in to Katie in our church office no later than Monday, October 27th.

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 17, 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 - Next meeting TBD

Our next event will be October 4th at Kingsway Farm. We have a party room reserved at 4 pm and you are welcome to come at any time during the day. Admission is $12/person with kids 3 and under free.

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 digging into the story of Abraham and how this foundational story laid the groundwork for bringing us all into a relationship with God through Christ. Our scripture focus will be Genesis 12:1-5, Genesis 15, Genesis 21:1-7 and Galatians 3:25-29.

Youth Group

There will be no evening youth group this Sunday night. We will have our monthly Youth Group Family meal 11/2 at 6pm. It is a pasta bar so please sign up to contribute to our meal here. This has been a fun night for all of us and I can't wait to eat pasta with everyone!

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

Preschool

Contact: Nicole Korach nicolekorach@gmail.com

This week the children will focus on the letter "F" with some FUN and FABULOUS learning and exploring! We will be counting fish, frogs and flies as well as snacking on fruit, Farfalle and Fig Newtons, and learning all about fire safety.

Harvest FUN is the focus for Friday! Games, food and a special Halloween craft will keep our morning very exciting! Our pen pals from Copley Place will join us in the fun festivities, and no doubt there will be some candy involved! The children are so excited to meet their new pen pals.

In chapel this week, we will be finishing up with Jonah and the Whale and the children will participate in all of the fun activities we have in Creation Station that centered around our story.

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.

October 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.