September 21, 2025 Newsletter/Bulletin

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

Sunday, September 21, 2025

Sunday Worship

MZUMC YouTube Page

10:00 am

Psalm 14

Luke 15:1-10

Children's Worship Bulletin 3+

Children's Worship Bulletin 7+

Spending Time in Devotion

Isaiah 19: 22-25

22 The Lord will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the Lord, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them.

23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. 24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing [a] on the earth. 25 The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.”

In the face of the tragedies and evils we have to endure, I have often found myself

wondering, Lord, where are you in all of this? I was reading this passage from Isaiah in the Bible this morning and scratching my head. Really God, you are going to bless Egypt and Assyria? I think most of us can identify where Egypt is located on a map but if you are not familiar with where the Assyrian empire was originated, it contained parts modern day Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey and Kuwait. Now historically speaking, Egypt at one point of Israel’s history welcomed in God’s people and saved them from a fate of starvation when famine overtook the land. That is not such a bad thing. However that good relationship eventually soured with Egypt enslaving the people of God from biblical estimates between 430 and 215 years. Not so cool. And the Assyrians? Well, they pretty much wiped out Northern Israel in the year 722 BC. They had been enslaving and relocating the people who lived in Israel for ten years already and when the final invasion happened, countless people were killed, women taken as slaves and abused,

and babies murdered. It makes me gag.

Humanity has inflicted terrible wounds on one another throughout our history. I don’t really know anyone in my life who has not experienced some sort of tragedy that leaves behind a scar. I, for one have found myself frustrated and furious in those terrible periods trying to figure where God is in all of this. And then I read this passage in Isaiah. Assyria and Egypt will both be blessed? Seriously? For the people who have caused the scars in our lives, blessing them probably is not the first action that would come to mind for how we would like God to respond. That is until we realize that God’s blessing comes with healing not just for ourselves but also for those who have harmed us. God would not want Assyria and Egypt to continue on their paths of destruction. God gives us opportunities to heal and to turn to more loving ways. We don’t always receive God’s grace or forgiveness the way that Christ would hope we would receive it. That is to turn away or repent from the terrible things we have chosen that bring harm to others. And sadly, sometimes we reject the forgiveness and blessing God wants to give by still choosing harm over healing. Poor choice.

And what about those who are wounded? Do they not matter to God? In my lowest

days I have wondered. But passages like this remind me that God brings good out of evil. I had learned in graduate school that MLK Jr. believed that God can wring an ounce of good out of every evil. I must believe that to keep my sanity! But that idea, while not explicitly stated, is a theme that resonates throughout the Bible. Martin Luther King Jr. did say this, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” And so, what does God provide in our places in which we have been mortally wounded?

The passage in Isaiah was described this way to me. The wounds Assyria and Egypt cut into God’s people were like the work of a plow that cuts into the land. And with that open furrow within us, the question is, what will we plant? God plants love and light and forgiveness into our wounds such that we do not scar over and become hateful and jaded ourselves but rather heal. It is then that our wounds become the source of our strength. That is something I can believe in. That is something I can strive for.

Thanks for reading. See ya soon!

Bill

Prayer Concerns

Bensen Family

Brummett Family

Collins Family

Kaye Davis

Marilyn Gerberich

Richard Grant

Liming Family

Nancy Peltier

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

News and Opportunities to Serve

September Mission Challenge

For the month of September we will be collecting peanut butter for the OPEN M food pantry. Donations can be placed in the bin outside the main doors or at the table in the Gathering Area.

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 12th.

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!

Women's Luncheon

Our next women's luncheon will be at noon on Wednesday, October 8, at P.F. Chang's. As always, everyone is welcome. Let Nancy know if there is someone who would like to be added to the email list or Bev's phone list. We need your reservations by the end of the day on Monday, October 6. You can email Nancy or call/text her at (330)814-4081. You can also call or text Bev at (330)696-1183.

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: September 12, 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

We will meet after Sunday School on September 14th at noon for lunch in the 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):

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

We will be continuing in our journey through the Bible at 10am Sunday morning. We will be focusing on Genesis 1-2:3. We will encounter God as the Creator of all things, discover Jesus' role in creation, and grasp that God values them deeply.

Youth Group

This Sunday (9/21) we will be joining youth from around the Akron area to participate in an "Act of Kindness Day." We will meet at Westminster Presbyterian at 4pm and do a "scavenger hunt" with acts of kindness. Then we will gather back together to eat and have fun with time for games and sharing.

9/28- We will meet at our regular time, 6-7:30 in the youth room

Youth Family Meal

Our next family meal will be October 5th from 6-7:30. All youth and their families are invited for a meal and conversation. Our theme will be "favorite appetizers" Each family is invited to bring their favorite appetizers to share with the group. Please click here to RSVP so we know how many people to set up for.

Preschool

Contact: Nicole Korach nicolekorach@gmail.com

This week in preschool we will be having a BLAST with letter "B"! We will be very BUSY counting beans, creating bubble prints and learning all about the life cycle of BUTTERFLIES! Come check out our preschool hallway to see all of the things we have been doing! Our snacks for the week will include bird nests, banana muffins, mini bagels, Boo Berry cereal, and a TEDDY BEAR picnic.

Our chapel lessons with Pastor Bill have started and we are super excited to be learning about our Creation Station theme....Jonah and the Whale!

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.

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.