September 29, 2024 Newsletter/Bulletin

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

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Sunday Worship

MZUMC YouTube Page

10:00 am

Ester 7:1-6, 9-10 & 9:20-22

Mark 9:38-50

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

Through these decades of ministry I have counseled so many people with the words, “God is with us always.” I believe that is true but the point of this week is to admit that I do not always understand what that means. In my devotional reading this entire week it was suggested that God gives us strength when we need it. I have felt that and I can confess that to be true. As Isaiah directs, but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40: 31.

But I have not always felt the strength. Some days just stink. I do not think that is an unfaithful statement. In my reading I came across a new word coined by a guy named Glennon Doyle. He says life is “brutiful.” Life is brutal AND life is beautiful all at once. I know that God is with us. I think I am probably not alone in this but sometimes God just feels like that silent person walking by our side when what we are praying for is for him to scream out loud. Sometimes God feels distant when what we are looking for is a helping hand to get us up from the ground.

I guess I only write this to you for this reason. If you ever struggle to understand, just know you are not alone or unfaithful. The apostle Paul puts it this way, for now we see in a mirror dimly. But then we shall see face to face. I Corinthians 13: 12. Paul is talking about God’s love. There is so much that I just do not understand about life. I am probably not alone. Do not allow our lack of understanding to equate to a shutting down of faith. Because we struggle to understand God does not mean that we do not love God and that God does not love us. And as Paul suggests, life can feel like we are walking through a minefield with the lights turned off. That is maybe a bit extreme, but I hope you get the point. In this world, we will only ever see dimly. But the day will come when we see and understand Christ face to face. In the meantime, God is with us in the bountiful feasts and in the spiritual deserts. 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.

September Mission Challenge Update

For the month of September, we have collected over 1,700 diapers for OPEN M. Thank you to all who donated!

Office Help Needed

We are looking for volunteers to help in the office while Katie in gone October 8-10. Simple office tasks such as answering the phones, filing, etc are all that we ask. Hours are 9 am - 1 pm these days. If you're available and willing to help, please email Katie.

College Care Packages

It's the time of year to make sure our College and Military young adults know that we continue to support them with our love and prayers from home. To do that we need your help in making sure we have an accurate list.

If you have a college student or military young adult please give the name, photo, college attending or branch of military, and address to Katie in the office so we can send them a Care Package from their church.

Tuesday Morning Study

Come and join us on Tuesday at 9:30 AM! We will be studying Psalm 25 and Hebrews 1:1-4 and 2:5-12. Even if you can't make it, take the time to read and meditate on these Scriptures in the coming 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!

MZ Luncheon Group

The Montrose Zion women's lunch group will meet at noon on Wednesday, October 9, at Macaroni Grill in Montrose. Please give Nancy Peltier or Bev Sutherland your reservation by the end of the day on Monday, October 7. Call or text Nancy at (330)814-4081. Call or text Bev at (330)696-1183.

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: September 20 "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

Both High School and Middle School Youth groups are starting a series on Identity. The middle school series title asks the question "What was I made for?" and the high school series is called A.I.: Artificial Identity. Renowned author and theologian Henri Nouwen defined three lies about identity: I am what I have. I am what I do. And I am what others think of me. This series encourages students to consider that your Creator determines your value, your worth, and what God thinks about you is the most important thing about you.

Please check out the Student Ministry tab on our website (https://www.mzumc.org/ministries/student-ministry/) to see videos about the upcoming series!

Emergency Medical Forms

With the new school year, everyone will need to fill out a new emergency medical form the first time they attend a youth event where we go off site. I will have hard copies available for pick up Sunday morning in each of the Sunday school classes.

Copley/Revere Game

We are in the planning phases of putting together a tailgate for the Copley Revere football game. We will tailgate at the Copley High School parking lot on Friday, Oct 18th. This is a church wide event and if you would like to be involved with this please let me know.

Preschool

Contact: Sharon Paige paigesharon42@gmail.com

This week in Preschool the children will be introduced to the letter “C” making candy corn sun catchers, counting carrots, cats and cars, graphing different kinds of cookies and sorting our favorite Halloween Candy in treat bowls. Our tasty snacks will include corn muffins, cookie cereal, carrots, cucumbers & celery and Ms. Sharon’s famous car jello.

September Mission

Parents in preschool are bringing in bags of Starburst Candy for the College Care Packages the church will be sending out next month. Our children will be decorating very special cards that will be attached to each pack of candy that says “ BLAST OFF to a great school year!!”

Chapel Lesson

What is a silly rule you have at your house? Zaidee says “You can’t leave clothes on the floor” (age 4) and Rosie says “Never go outside when its raining” (age 4). Our Chapel Lesson this Wednesday with Pastor Bill is all about Daniel and those Lions. We will learn that Daniel did not follow the Kings’ Rule and was thrown in the Lion’s Den. Peek in Creation Station after church and see our interactive Bible Story that has come to life!

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.