Newsletter

November 27, 2025

issue # 48

FROM PASTOR DON.................................


Happy Thanksgiving!  

"I will remember the deeds of the Lord" (Psalm 77:11


How GREAT IS THE LORD and the LORD'S BLESSINGS! We celebrate our Lord and the wonderful blessings we have received and are still receiving, HAPPY THANKSGIVING this week and everyday!


Maybe you are going through trials and challenges. Maybe you are full of joy and delight. But no matter what our daily condition, all of us can take heart realizing, "Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me." ( Psalm 54:4) PLUS, the Lord has given us brothers and sisters in Christ. We are as the chorus reminds us, "I am so glad I am part of the family of God".  We are not alone! Thank You Lord! As we celebrate with our thanks, may we thank the Lord for those who have touched others, and may we reach out to others.

Blessings in Christ,

Don

Don Giesmann


UPCOMING EVENTS:

Several events are and being scheduled

Including a meeting with the Search Committee at Spencerville UCC

February 1  I will be preaching at St. Stephen UCC, Sandusky 8 a.m. And 10:15 a.m.

February 1  NWOA Ordination of Pastor Amy Kinney at St. John's UCC, Fostoria, at 3 p.m


THIS WEEK'S HELPFUL CHURCH IDEA:

Consider developing a wallet sized card (ideally get it laminated) and distribute to your congregation. List the church contact information and perhaps 5 goals. Especially distribute at key church year events once or twice a year. Example list:  Pray Daily, Worship Weekly, Contribute time/talents, Reach out to those in need, Read Scripture.



Prayer Concerns / Request

Continuing prayer for:

Dee Schroer, Rev. Daniel Johnson, Rev. Jim Garner, Rev. Don Corbin, Rev. Randall Forester,

Rev. Gale Gebhart, Rev. Don Giesmann, Rev. David Culp, Rev. Diane Christopherson, Rev. Patrick McKinney, Regena Mummert, Rev. Mike Ebersole, Susan Bishop, Rev. Diane Thomas, David Weininger, Rev. Adrian Sunday, Peggy George, & Rev. Frank Isaacs, Rev. Steve Trimble, & Rev. Wayne Chasney.


*Please keep them in your prayers.


*PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE ADDED TO OUR PRAYER LIST. CONTACT KIM NYE AT NORTHWEST OHIO ASSOCIATION VIA EMAIL: KIM@NWOA.ORG OR CALL (419) 447-8323.



YOUR HELP PLEASE FOR THE PRAYER LIST

HI Everyone,


Your prayers, help, and ideas are needed! What do you recommend to strength the VINE prayer ministry?  


PLUS what do you recommend to strengthen our NWOA prayer life in general and with the various teams, committees, contacts?


Scriptures remind us of so many prayers and praises. Praises to our Lord, joys in the Lord, and listening to the Lord. Thanksgiving for all the blessings.


What do you suggest for strengthening our prayer lives?


There are individual, family, couple concerns, stages of life issues, medical issues, spiritual struggles, church burdens, and much more. 


"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as

You teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do , whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. "  Colossians 3:16-17


Thanks 

Don



EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES

 

As the new Bridge Interim Association Minister thank you for your prayers and suggestions!  Thank you for your welcome!

 

The NWO Association Cabinet continues goals for RENEWAL. Its exciting! Please read and pray over the article by Vice Moderator, Pastor Jay Scott, about upgrades and ideas for technology and for the Association building. This is about better outreach to people.

 

What do you recommend? What resources would you like to help with? Ideas? Better building use? AI or Cloud suggestions? How can each of us donate our time, talent, treasure to help? Want so serve on a Committee?

 

Praying is something we can all do! Lets pray to seek the Lord's will and way! In a changing world we are so blessed with the love of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and all kinds outreach through the UCC, Heartland Conference, NWOA, our local churches, and individual members serving the Lord and needy people. Thank you for being involved in countless ways.

 

Sharing the Gospel of God's grace in a needy world involves all of us, with our 70 churches with over 14,000 members. It involves friends who will join with us ahead that we don't know yet. We celebrate our Lord and His resurrection! We celebrate the Scripture guiding us! We are people in His love, grace, and peace.

 

Warmly,

 

Pastor Don

 



LOCAL CHURCH NEWS

2025 OCWM Giving Goal - $250,000

(Goal approved at the 63rd Annual Meeting)

OCWM giving Through October 2025 -$153,083.70


Supporting OCWM...

Creating A Just World for All!

Thank You!


CHURCH TREASURER

Church Remittance Form - please use this form when sending donations to/through the Association Office.



IRS Standard Mileage Rates for 2025

  • 70 cents per mile for business use
  • 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations


THANK YOU

FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS

VISIT THOSE CHURCHES OFFERING SUNDAY SERVICE ONLINE

MONTHLY ARTICLES

Send your story to Mike Fonner mfonner@bright.net


The Stewardship and Generosity Team share stories of the many ways that churches make real their practices of Stewardship and Generosity. Read below current mission happenings.







If you want to jump start your thinking about Stewardship and Generosity, our 5 videos collection of topics covered with noted consultant Don Hill is available. As you click on the resources page, a short synopsis of each video is available. Can be used effectively in small group settings or you can take a segment for use in worship.


Permission is granted for the churches of Northwest Ohio Association, UCC to use the series as they wish with proper credit given.

W.I.S.E.




Stay informed through Facebook

www.facebook.com/groups/593773784349506

Special Offerings


Our Churches Wider Mission - OCWM


March - One Great Hour of Sharing


June - Strengthen the Church


October - Neighbors in Need


December - Christmas Fund


5 for 5 Offering Flyer

Quick Links


NWOA.org

Heartland Conference UCC

UCC.org

 

NWOA Church Directory

NWOA Teams/Committees

 

Pastoral Supply List

 

2025 Clergy Compensation Guidelines

 

UCC Health & Dental Benefits

 

Remittance Form

 

LAY SCHOOL OF RELIGION


Website


Facebook


UCC History and Polity begins January 7, 2026 and ends March 31, 2026

The purpose of this course is to explore the history, polity, theologies, and practices of the United Church of Christ and its predecessor denominations. The course will include an exploration of denominational identity, hidden histories within the denomination, case studies around current issues of polity and structure, current ecumenical conversations, emerging trends within the United Church of Christ, and more. Successful completion of this course will fulfill the history and polity requirement for authorized ministry in the United Church of Christ in many associations.

 

PATHWAYS Winter 2026 Schedule, Six-week courses beginning on January 7

Introducing the Old Testament (Dickinson/MBS)**       

Environmental Literacy in God's Creation

Environmental Ethics        

Stories of Christian Saints and Sinners

Faith Formation (Children, Youth,Adults)

Art of Preaching

Supervised Ministry IV

Making Sense of Theology

Theology of Gender and Sexuality

**(Introductory Level 1 Bible Course based on The Exploring the Bible Dickinson Series by Rev. Anne Robertson, published by the Massachusetts Bible Society.)

 

The UCC History and Polity 12-week course also begins January 7, 2026.

 

Go to the PATHWAYS website (pathwaystheological.org) to learn more and to apply for this and other courses.

Registration Deadline is December 10, 2025! 


UCC Webinars

Your generous gift makes our ministry possible.

Stay Connected

Rev. Don Giesmann, Bridge Interim Association Minister

cell: 419-447-8323 email: don@nwoa.org


Kim Nye, Office Administrator/Search Coordinator

email: kim@nwoa.org


Deb Long, Bookkeeper

email: deb@nwoa.org


OFFICE PHONE: 419-447-8323

OFFICE EMAIL: office@nwoa.org