MARCH 2015 NEWSLETTER

Editor: Chris Grmovsek

Website: http://clevelandtrinityumc.com

TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

9900 Madison Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102 Minister: Rev. David J. Bardou

Church: (216) 961 - 4445 Home: (440) 331 - 0409 Church Fax Line: (216) 281 – 7017 Email: trinityumc44102@yahoo.com

“Coke Bottle Christianity”

Last spring my granddaughter, Mia, suggested that her grandmother and I take her to the local historical society’s museum in Terre Haute, Indiana. The museum is housed in a beautiful old 19th. Century mansion near the center of town. Entering the front foyer was like turning pages to another time and place. Once through the foyer we entered a wonderful parlor which was flanked by a huge grandfather clock at one end and a palatial staircase at the other. Something bright red in color and illuminated with white letters, however, directed my attention to the center of the room. There in all of its former glory stood an old fashioned Coca-Cola machine. The machine called attention to the fact that Terre Haute, Indiana was the place where, in 1915, the iconic Coca-Cola bottle was invented in the factory of the Root Glass Company there in the valley of the Wabash River. In the summer of 1915 while the factory closed due to the summer heat, four men, Chapman J. Root, Alexander Samuelson, Clyde Edwards, and Earl R. Jones designed a bottle that would win a national contest to provide Coca-Cola with a fitting bottle in which to sell its product. This year marks the 100th. Anniversary of the creation of that bottle. The design chosen by the four men has become recognizable throughout the world. The Root Company’s quartet, in designing the bottle, was guided by two basic principles. Principle number one was that the proposed Coca-Cola bottle must be recognized merely by touch. Therefore it could not have to be seen only felt to know that that this was a Coca-Cola bottle. The second principle was that if the bottle was to be broken into pieces one would be able to know from any one piece that the piece was from a Coke bottle. The bottle’s shape was patterned after a coca bean and its

green color was the product of the glass being made from sand that contained copper and minerals mined near Greencastle, Indiana. In the cult movie, “The God’s Must be Crazy” a coke bottle is thrown of out an airplane and lands at the feet of a pygmy in Africa’s Kalahari Desert. The aborigine who has never seen a Coca-Cola bottle or any other bottle for that matter assumes that it must be a gift from the gods. Because of the uniqueness of the bottle, its presence causes trouble between persons who wish to possess it in a culture where the concept of ownership is unknown. The little person who found the bottle decides that the thing is evil and sets out on a journey to through it off the edge of the earth. In other words, the icon was misunderstood by a group of persons who had never felt or broken a coke bottle before. The icon of our faith is the cross. We as Christians ought to be able to know it as the cross simply by the way it feels. We ought to remember during this time of Lent that Jesus’ body was broken on that cross and that those broken pieces have been shared throughout the ages by Christians through the breaking of bread and the sharing of the wine. This Lenten Season, like the celebration of the Coca-Cola Bottle’s 100th. Anniversary, let us become able to recognize Christ’s Cross in our daily lives even in the dark places where sight is sometimes not possible, and let us not forget that in the brokenness of our lives, we can still recognize the fact that God offers through His grace the vision and the possibility of wholeness. In the place of a cocoa bean we as Christians hold the promise of the mustard seed of faith and the green grass of the father’s house with the prodigal son comes home.

Quotations: “I never met a ragged boy in the street without feeling that I may owe him a salute for I know not what possibility may be buttoned up under his coat.” James A. Garfield

“There is nothing in all the earth that you and I can do for the Dead. They are past our help and past our praise. We can add to them no glory. We can give to them no immortality. They do not need us, but forever and forever more we need them.” James A. Garfield

Rev. Dave PRAYER LIST: Melynda Wolscheger Our thoughts and prayers are with you Paul Sayler Best wishes and positive thoughts Judy Keller Our prayers are with you Betty Braschwitz’s sister Sarah Praying for her Tom Farrer Thinking of you Laurine Mason Praying for your sadness to turn to joy Henrietta Kelley Praying for your sadness to turn to joy Lillie Bigman Hope you are doing well Jackie Jadick Best wishes Jean Davies Wishing you the best Delores Mohn Our prayers go with you Gloria Martin Wishing you the best

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY

We rang in 2015 at the home of Paul & Pat Sayler. Thank you for opening up your home! We started out with a potluck dinner at 7 pm with a nice variety of food, followed by dessert of scoops of strawberry, vanilla and chocolate ice cream with toppings. Over the course of the night, people came and went, not everyone stayed for the dropping of the ball. Attendees included Paul & Pat Sayler, Chris Grmovsek, Mike Chesney, Pat Tomlinson, Joe & Kathy Walton, Bill, Joanne & Teresa Benedict, Kanonie Hall, Lenore Sword, Betty Ingram, Betty & Linda Braschwitz, Robb Kapp, Cliff Thomson, Delores Mohn, Mackerson & Henrietta Kelley and Peggy, the Sayler’s dog. JANUARY MONTHLY MEAL Thank you to all who volunteered to help at the January Lasagna Monthly Meal. Rev Dave Bardou, Bill, Joanne & Teresa Benedict, Mike Chesney, Sandy Farrer, Kanonie Hall, Chris Grmovsek, Henrietta Kelley, Mark Penttila, Linda Rerko & Paul & Pat Sayler were our helpers this month.

FEBRUARY MONTHLY MEAL Thank you to all the volunteers who worked at the Soup/Sandwich night: Bill Ackerman, Rev.

Dave Bardou, Bill, Joanne & Teresa Benedict, Mike Chesney, Sandy Farrer, Chris Grmovsek, Henrietta Kelley, Mark Penttila, Linda Rerko & Pat Sayler. Our soup cooks were: Chicken Noodle – Lenore Sword Lentil & Spinach – Mike Chesney Clam Chowder – Janet Mehnert Ham & Bean – Paul Sayler Liberian – Laurine Mason Sausage/Tortellini – Candy Guthrie Toasted Cheese Sandwiches were custom made by Linda Rerko

Although there was low attendance on Saturday night, the food was great, great help, great fellowship and on Sunday all that was left was purchased after worship. Thank you to all who brought their own take home containers. February has traditionally been a low attendance month, especially if the weather doesn’t cooperate, but we always make money thanks to the donations of our cooks and there haven’t been any leftovers yet, thanks to our loyal hungry worshippers.

As you can see we offer a wide variety of soups, start trying some of your recipes now, so you can present your favorite soup next year. This is not a competition and no wagering is allowed, but every one was a winner when we had only empty pots at the end of the weekend.

FACEBOOK

Thanks to putting up pictures on the Trinity Facebook page- we now have succeeded in having 198 views of our page. Quite a presence for a church with just 100 members. We have truly been a home to many over our church history and now they can keep in touch even easier.

MARCH BIRTHDAYS 1 - Ruth Beall 3 - Cheryl Ackerman 14 - Judy Keller 16 - Tracy Mattern 20 - Mangold Meinecke 27 - Denise Bardou 28 - Frank Prochaska Crystal Yancy

APRIL BIRTHDAYS 2 – Olivia Burress Beth Sayler 3 - David Paul Cashier III 7 - Cody Frank Edward Cashier Samantha Guthridge 11 - Diane Crawford 17 – Michael Crawford Lachan Sanders

FIRST, FOREMOST, AND FOREVER

First, foremost, and forever That is the way it should be, When thinking of our God

Our Holy Deity.

For He is the one we turn to When trouble is as near,

And He’s the one we ask for help His help is all so dear.

Even those who “don’t believe” Call on Him when pained, And He is there forever Over and over again.

And we neglect to thank Him Except one day a year,

Yet He should be foremost Through happiness or fear.

Remember Him in all your prayers And all other times too,

He is first, foremost and forever In all of me and you

Our gifts to Him are through church In money and in deeds,

For He is first, foremost, and forever In every way we plead.

Amen

Stella Standiford’s last poem WINTER BIBLE STUDY

A VERY SINCERE Thank You to Paul & Pat Sayler for opening up their home every year for the Winter Bible Study. The first 3 sessions averaged 15 people! A card table needed to be set-up with a record of 17 people on the first night. After the light supper, we joined in the living room, around the fireplace. This year’s study focused on the history of Methodism. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist faith. He was actually struggling with his faith, he was changed on Aldersgate Street in London, England. He heard what he needed to make his “heart strangely war”, and said the goal of Christians is inner peace and to know they have salvation. His brother, Charles, was a great hymn writer, writing over 6000 hymns. One of the highlights of the study was when we sang Charles Wesley hymns accompanied by Norma Wonder on the piano. Our first song was “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing.” Charles Wesley

FUNDRAISER

We have found a simple but hopefully helpful to all, Fundraiser for Trinity. For those of you who buy on the internet, check this out for your future purchases: Use your Amazon purchases to help Trinity United Methodist!

Trinity is now on Amazon Smile, a program through which Amazon donates 0.5% of your purchases to charitable organizations. Anything which you would purchase on Amazon.com is available through Amazon Smile at the same price, but with a portion of the profit being donated to Trinity. To Support Trinity with your Amazon Purchases: - Use https://smile.amazon.com/ - Log in using your Amazon.com credentials - Search for Trinity United Methodist Cleveland - Select Trinity United Methodist, Located in Cleveland, OH - Shop as you would normally - Amazon Smile will save your selected charity and you may change it at the top of the smile.amazon.com screen at any time - To donate you must use smile.amazon.com NOT amazon.com

Good Enough

God wants me to be myself, For He created me this way,

And since God made me who I am, Myself, I’m quite content to stay.

In His eyes I’m good enough,

It matters not what others say. I need not act as if I’m tough Or copy other children’s ways.

God doesn’t care if I’m not cool –

If I’m not stronger; thinner; In His hands I am a tool

To reach out to another sinner.

Though I am still younger and small In Jesus Christ I’m strong and tall

So when people look at me May it be God’s own Son they will see There is no difference in you nor me.

Melynda Wolschleger

. Sunday, February 8th. was Scout Sunday at Trinity. At the end of the service we gathered all the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Camp Fire Girls together for this group picture. We honored all in the different youth programs as well as all veterans present. Trinity has been well represented in these service organizations. If you have a particular memory of an experience, please share it with us.

Calling all hats: If you have been honored to receive a United Methodist hat

from Rev. Dave and Trinity – please wear it proudly on Palm Sunday when we will be holding a celebration of hats. If you aren’t sure what that is, come on Palm Sunday and find out. Maundy Thursday Trinity’s tradition is to meet at 6:00 pm on Maundy Thursday, April 2nd. this year, for a light meal and an intimate communion service. Those who have attended in the past find it very meaningful and a quiet time for reflection during the busy Holy Week. Between the celebrations of Palm Sunday – HATS HATS HATS and the joyous Easter Service, this hour and a half reminds us that Jesus died, for us, and what a sacrifice and blessing it was.

BAPTISM Last Sunday we were delighted to share in the baptism of Elliott Henry

Church History continued:

Watch for another installment.

TRINITY CALENDAR

Worship Service at 11:00 AM Sunday School for ALL ages meets at 9:45 am

Communion: 1ST. Sunday of every month MARCH, 2015

SATURDAY, MAR. 7: Monthly Meal serving Chicken 5:00 -6:30 pm SUNDAY, MAR. 8: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIMES BEGINS Free Community Meal at Simpson UMC at 4:30 pm TUESDAY, MAR. 10: Administrative Board meets at 7:30 pm TUESDAY, MAR. 17: Prayer Group at 7:30 pm TUESDAY, MAR. 24: Hymn singing at Algart Health Care at 8902 Detroit, 2pm SATURDAY, MAR. 28: Free Community Meal at Christ UMC at 5:00 pm SUNDAY, MAR. 29: PALM SUNDAY & HAT CELEBRATION APRIL, 2015

THURSDAY, APR. 2: MAUNDY THURSDAY meal & communion at 6 pm SUNDAY, APR. 5: EASTER SUNDAY SATURDAY, APR. 11: Monthly Meal serving from 5:00 – 6:30 pm SUNDAY, APR. 12: Free Community Meal at Simpson UMC at 4:30 pm TUESDAY, APR. 14: Administrative Board meets at 7:30 pm SUNDAY, APR. 21: Hymn singing at Algart Health Care at 8902 Detroit, 2pm SATURDAY, APR. 25: Free Community Meal at Christ UMC at 5:00 pm MAY, 2015

SATURDAY, MAY 2: Monthly Meal serving ham from 5:00 – 6:30 pm SUNDAY, MAY 3: Free Community Meal at Simpson UMC at 4:30 pm SUNDAY, MAY 10: MOTHER’S DAY TUESDAY, MAY 12: Administrative Board meets at 7:30 pm SUNDAY, MAY 19: Hymn singing at Algart Health Care at 8902 Detroit, 2pm MONDAY, MAY 25: MEMORIAL DAY SATURDAY, MAY 30: Free Community Meal at Christ UMC at 5:00 pm

http://clevelandtrinityumc.com (Check out our webpage)

Pictures and inspirational messages are sent out via Facebook

Don’t forget our recycling projects: Empty Ink Cartridges

Old Cell Phones Drink Pouches

Aluminum Cans & Metal TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 9900 MADISON AVENUE CLEVELAND, OHIO 44102

John Wesley’s Motto:

“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can,

To all the people you can, As long as ever you can”