Minerva United Methodist Church 204 N. Main St., Minerva, OH 44657

Church 330-868-4940, Fax 330-868-4825 e-mail: minervaunc@frontier.com, website: minervaumc.org

Pastor Harley Wheeler

Minerva Messenger From the Pastor’s

Pen

Deadline for June News-letter is May, 17th.

Please have your news-letter information turned

in to the office before that date.

No Rest for God Isaiah 62:6-7

“I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusa-lem and makes her the praise of the earth.” I remember once a speaker, who in describing a time when he had been very ill, said that all his friends wouldn’t allow God to have a moment’s peace until he was safely brought back to health. I smiled at hearing this. I would like to think that I had such friends, who would positively swamp the post-office of heaven with prayers if I were in some sort of trouble.

And I imagine that I do have those sorts of friends, many of whom are reading these words right now. I thank you for your Christian love, and I am doubly thankful that I am not in any sort of difficulty. On my account, anyway, heaven can have some peace and quiet.

But have we learned to pray this way? We need, sometimes to stir our spirits up with a verse like this. The proper response of God’s people is to cry out to Him day and night when we are hurting, or wor-ried over another. Too often our response is to let despair have a turn, to think the hopeless thoughts. How foolish! When we get to glory, I’m sure we will not be saying “Thank goodness I worried and thank goodness I gave up hoping.” Quite the opposite, I’m sure.

And we need to extend our prayers to more than illness. We sometimes slow the pace of our peti-tions because the trouble in someone we care about is, ahem, moral, and not physical. We entertain the idea that the sinner is less likely to know grace of deliverance than the hospital patient. This is truly getting it backwards. The miracles of Christ, “who laid His hands upon the sick and healed them all,” were to be a sign of His very real power to heal the soul and spirit. He will work all His wonders among us, and He will never stop. Call on Him in prayer, give God no rest! Praying for you, Pastor Harley

Worship in May May 1 John Harple, Youth Director Speaking May 8 “A Tight Hold on Your Hand” Isaiah 42:5-9 Holy Communion, Mother’s Day May 15 “The Necessary Spirit” Acts 19:1-7 Pentecost May 22 “Hand-held Divinity, Now With Apps!” Colossians 1:15-20 Graduate Recognition May 29 Lay Speaker – Chuck Pearson

Nursing Home Worship We will be in three facilities for worship In May, where we will sing hymns, pray and Pastor Harley will offer a short message. These half-hour services are greatly appreciated by the residents. You are invited to take part by coming to the service to sing along and may-be help some of these, out ‘indoor friends’ find the page numbers.

Wednesday May 25 St. Luke’s Assisted Living 10:30am Thursday May 26 Eldercare – 9:30, Arbors – 10:30am

Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday Morning Bible Study in May will

be held May 3rd, 10th and 17th. There will be NO Bible Study May 24,

since Pastor Harley will be on vacation. We are studying in the book of Jeremiah,

Please join us on Tuesdays, 10:30am in the Crosstrainers Room.

Thank you to Cyndy Lawson and little Tatem, for taking care of the College Care Packages. And thank you to all who donated items for them. You all are a blessing to these students.

Vernon and I would like to thank you for all the thoughtful cards and kind words in celebration of our 60th wed-ding anniversary. God has been with us in the beginning and continues to be with us now. To Him we are so very grateful. We also want to thank you for all the get well cards. Vernon is having therapy and is slowly getting better use of his arm. I am much im-proved. God bless all of you. Vernon & Lois Deininger

We would like to thank everyone for the prayers and cards while my sis-ter, June was sick and her passing. God bless you. The David Miller Family

Dear Pastor Harley and the Method-ist Church Family, thank you so much for your prayers and cards dur-ing Pat’s illness and passing. Spe-cial thanks to Pastor Harley for the many visits and prayers. All are truly appreciated. And thank you for the wonderful dinner after the funeral. The Pat Sheely Family

Thank you for the lovely prayer shawl and all the prayers for our dad, Sheldon Stockum. He is doing very well so far. We appreciate your thoughtfulness. Sincerely, Sheldon Stockum Family

Thank you for your pray-ers, phone calls, get well cards and the visit by Pastor Harley after my recent foot surgery. Paul Kail

PRAYER CHAIN If you wish to have someone put on the prayer chain, please contact the church office and/or Jennie McClellan (330-868-6834) or Barb Brown (330-868-7691) with your request. Your re-quest will be handled with great care and will be passed along the chains and referred to the church office

for email purposes. Blessings to you all.

PRAYER CONCERNS: Jeff Adams, Jim Albaugh, John Alexander, Carl Anthony & Family, Kelly Ber-ta, James Bond, Andy & Barb Bratu, Michelle Briceland, Annette Campbell, Ava, Gayle Carl, Eva Mae Carter, Warren Catlett, Chad/Jen & Family, Robert Cinson, Evelyn Clark, Family of Craig Con-

nelly, Joyce Cooke, Louise Criss, Paul Davis, Family of Megan Dicko, Jeff Dine, Marissa Essick, Chuck Fankhauser, Rebecca Fausnight, Carl Felger, Ruth Felger, Rose Ann Fusco, Hazel Gardner, Carol Garrett, JoAnn Geiser, George, Pastor Tim Gropp, Sandy Hardgrove, Ray & Barb Haun, Mary Ann Hawk, Lloyd Hays, Floyd Hays, Jordan Heckert, Vicki Herbert, Joe Herstine, Jacob Hoagland, Patricia Hoagland, Family of Georgia Hoobler, Hugh, Ayme Hying, Jobs, Paul Kail, Michelle Kerr, Scott Kerr, Ken & Kay Lewis, Family of Arthur Locke, Jess Lowry, Bob Mace, Glenn Marshall, Lois Marshall, Michelle Mazzola, Roger McDaniel, Family of Robert McKernan, Dorothy Middleton, John Milliken, Minerva UMC’s Food Program, Louise Moore, Brooke Morgan, Sandy Morgan, Family of Daniel Nerstrom, Tiffany Nixon & Children, Matt & Kim Oberholtzer, Daniel & Tiffany Palmer & Family, Linda Pearson, Family of Brandi (Weber) Pitts, CJ Plavka, Mary Ann Plavka, Family of Kathy Price, Marsha Prumm, Olivia Rickels, Family of Delaney Riley, Tyler Roach, Becky Roden, Joyce Rogers,

Sheryl S, Corey Sells, Family of Pat Sheely, Nancy Simon, Jennifer Smith, Family of Justin Smith, Bill Staib, Kenzie Staib, Mary Staib, Sheldon Stockum, Carolyn Taylor, Family of Fred Unkefer, Family of Norma Vestrand, Family of June Wagner, Sandi Wagner, Diana Walborn, Marcia Warren, Steve Warth, Pastor Dave West, Mark Whitacre, Kenneth White, Velma Mills’ son Willie, Norma Zwahlen

Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Marines–AC3 Nicholas G. Albery (Naval Air Station Oceana, VA), AM3 Zachary D. Albery (Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA), Jesse Clark (Ft. Bliss, Texas), Lewis Gibson (Korea), Aaron King, Dan Lutz, Eli Maurer (Coast Guard Academy, Connecticut), Josh Miller(Texas), Sgt. Michael Murphy (Hawaii; USMC), Russell Nero (Air force Reserves), SA Devin Pennock (Great Lakes, IL; Navy), Kevin Price (California), Mitch Soles (Fort Sam Houston, TX; Navy), John Stehulak (Afghanistan),

Prayer is the burden of a sigh, The falling of a tear, a The upward glancing of an eye When none but God is near. James Montgomery

Condolences to Dave Miller & Family

on the death of Dave’s sister, June Wagner on April 3, 2016

May Altar Flowers May 1 May 8 May 15 Scharr/MacIntosh Wedding May 22 May 29

May Greeters May 1Reusser Family May 8 Mary Jo Wyatt May 15 Richard & Barbara Brown May 22Lynne Unkefer May 29 Carol Powell

May Anniversaries May 4 Greg & Laurie Peach May 10 Richard & Barb Brown Mat 14 Mike & Molly Murphy May 18 Chris & Jayme Debo May 20 Tom & Cheryl Hart May 23 Dirk & Carrie Hollar May 27 Kade & Denae Kotheimer May 27 Jim & Gretchen Brothers May 28 Jared & Tiffany Fonner

May Ushers Dale Cogan, Jim Cogan,

Richard Cogan, Marty Mong

May Birthdays 1 Susie Hawk, Bryan Sanor 2 Ashley Davis, Robert Kellogg 3 Quade Zeedrich 4 Patti Gotschall, Tana Hall, Dakota Ellis 5 Tom Hart, Pat Malone, Sharlynn Milliken, Nathan Vaughan 6 Paul Binnig 7 Ben Albaugh, Ken Rogers, Lindsey Brust, Zoe Brust 8 LeNay Malaska 9 Rich Ridzon 12 Breyanne Hillyer, Merle Vandegrift, Victoria White 13 Addie Butream 15 Tim Brust, Mary Jo Wyatt, David Albery 16 Gregg Hellyer 17 Conor Freeland, Rick Stauffer 18 Michaela Bryan 18 Shanna Clemens, Nadia Wheeler 20 Ron Nightingale, Darren Milliken, Benjamin Whitmer 21 Mallory Decker, Lisa Conaway 22 John Conaway 23 Scott Miller, Donna Rickels 26 John Phillips, Laura Wichersham, Ronnie Miller 27 Ron Miller Jr., Teri Hollar, Emily Swope 29 Shannon Davis 31 Holly Binnig

May Nursery Attendants May 1 Joe & Carolynn Herstine May 8 Tom & Denise Freeland May 15 Sarah Russo May 22 Mary O’Brien May 29 Renee Smith, Shelly Ridzon

National Day of Prayer True North Church 501 W. Line St., will host a community National Day of Prayer service, Thursday, May 5th, at 10am. Come and join the community in a time of prayer for Ameri-ca. Cafe will be open! Contact Pastor Harley for more information.

At Church Council in March, it was decided on the recommendation of the Finance Committee, that church bank accounts that were inactive, or were for groups that no longer were active will be closed, and the funds transferred to the Gen-eral Fund. The Church Council will do its best to apply the money to the ministries or projects most closely associated with the accounts origi-nal intent. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Harley.

Habitat for Humanity Break out those work gloves!

We have 2 more Habitat Work Days for the Minerva Build! Saturday, May 7th and Saturday, June 11.

If you have not signed up or have signed up and have not registered, go to MillerMinerva@HabitatECO.org.

Get yourself registered as soon as possible, before all the available spots fill up.

Camp Wanake’s One-day Adventure June 8th, 9am-5pm

Anyone entering grades 1-9 in the fall is welcome to

come to Camp Wanake, in Beach City, Ohio for a day on Wednesday, June 8th.

Come to the One-Day Adventure and find out what camp is all about! We will swim, hike, cook out our

lunch, ride a horse, and have fun times together. This event is free, and transportation to Wanake will be provided. We must register your child ahead of time,

so call the church 330-868-4940 and leave your contact information if you are interested in sending your child.

First let me say thank you to all our Food Program Volunteers, for all of their good works!

We had our first nice day in a few months for distribution day.

There was no wading in the puddles No sliding on the ice…..nice!

At our April 14th Distribution we served 218 families with a total of 623 family members. Thank you again, volunteers, for a job well done!

Our next produce Distribution is Thursday, May 12th, 8am. Hope to see you there!

A big thank you goes to Rick Stauffer for his guidance and all his work getting the internet issue solved in the red building. I am happy to say that we finally have made the transi-tion with our Food Program sign-ins to the computer and the Pantry Trak programming. It was a long time coming, but now accomplished. Thank you again, Rick! Emergency Pantry In March we served a total of 11 families with a total of 38 family members. So far in April we have served 5 families with 16 family members. Thank you to all who have been donating items to our Emergency Pantry. This has been a wonderful help to the program. Blessings, Cheryl

Get ready! …..

Get set! …..

Go! …..

God's Olympics! …..

VBS

Through worship, games, snacks, crafts, etc, the children will learn about how commitment, focus, balance, strength, & endurance are part of living their lives for Christ.

We will run the race every Sunday in June plus July 3rd. Our Olympic closing program will be July 10th.

Please call Tiffany Whitmer: 330-904-1173 or Carolynn Herstine 330-868-7554 if you can help.

Emergency Clothing Fund at Minerva

Elementary School Every month there is a clothing give-away at the school as well as the back-pack program. Sometimes gently used clothing is donated to the program coordi-nator, Monica Ide. These donations are not quite sufficient for the needs of some of the recipients of the program. Monica makes sure that the children who are in need of clothing items, can receive them. Recently a member of our congregation be-came aware of this program and just how huge the need is. This was brought to the attention of our Outreach Committee. $200 has been donated by the committee to start a fund to help meet these needs. The school district treasurer established a bank account for this purpose. Donations are al-ways welcome for this program. These funds will make it possible for Monica to purchase the essen-tials a child may need: clothes, shoes, underwear, socks, etc….nothing extravagant just some basics. Imagine how a child feels knowing they have clothes to wear to school. This is just another one of the many needs in our community…...small town…...huge needs…..people who care….. making a difference…..seeing a smile. Thank you Sally McDaniel, for this information.

Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our busi-ness and, in fact, it is no-body's business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will ren-der both ourselves and our neighbors worthy. Thomas Merton

Monthly Food Help is available at these locations:

Mon-Wed-Fri each week 12-3pm at Salvation Army

(old train depot on Valley St.)

1st Tuesday Monthly Community Dinner at Community Building

2nd Thursday

Free Produce Distribution at Minerva UMC

3rd Wednesday 10a-12p Emergency Pantry at Minerva UMC …

also available by phone call or stop by, any day

4th Friday 8am registration begins Food Distribution at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Summer Camp Have you checked out the camp brochure for 2016?

It is amazing! It is time to start making your plans for Summer Church Camp!

Camperships available—If your child would like to go to camp and funds are an issue, please contact Pastor Harley about a campership. Do this right away as the deadline is very early. Church Assistance—If your child is going to go to one of the East Ohio Conference Camps remember the church will pay half of your camper’s total cost, up to $100. If you want the church to help in this way, your child’s paperwork needs to be brought to the office so we can get a copy and submit a request for the funds. Do you have an interest in being a staff member or a volunteer at one of the camps? If so go to www.EOCSummercamps.org and click on Staff & Volunteer. There are positions open for counselors, lifeguards, program staff, adventure staff, food service, administration, special needs staff and mainte-nance. 2016 Camp Open House Dates Camp Aldersgate May 21 Open House and Summer 2016 Preview 2-6pm Camp Asbury April 17 Open House and Summer 2016 Preview 2-6pm Camp Wanake April 2 Resurrection Egg Hunt & Wanake Preview 2-6pm May 14 Open House 2-6pm

Men’s Rally in the Valley Saturday, April 30th, at the Covelli Center, Youngstown, Ohio. Men of Faith in Youngstown, are bringing as speakers this year: former Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel, Devon McDonald, Roy Hall and more to speak to thousands of men about Christ and faithful living. The event is free. We are planning on taking a group in the church van. Mark your calendars for this event and let Pastor Harley know if you are interested in attending.

Ladies Mark Your Calendars Mother Daughter Banquet

“All the King’s Daughters” is our theme for this year’s Mother-daughter Banquet.

The date will be Thursday, May 5th, 6:30pm. Price is $7 for adults, $3.50 for ages 6-12,

5 and under are free. Our men will once again be serving the meal,

to all our honored daughters of the King. We will take special note of our mother and Daughter guests, but we want to stress that we want to make a special night for

ALL of our church women. So ladies, come one, come all!

More Information to Come! If you still need a ticket call the church office

before Tuesday, May 3rd.

May is our collection month for the

Alliance Pregnancy Center There will be a basket in the narthex to put your donations in. Diapers Wipes Receiving blankets Fleece blankets Crib sheets Newborn onsies Newborn sleepers Bibs Baby wash Baby lotion Baby shampoo Pacifiers Diaper rash ointment Baby bottles For Mommies: Shampoo Conditioner Body wash Toothpaste/toothbrushes Deodorant Laundry detergent Toilet paper

Choir Auction On June 25 2016, the choir will host an Auction Fundraiser. Items are currently being sought/accepted for this event….

items must be clean and in good condition. Items we have at this time are musical instruments, a microwave, several bicycles, treadmills, dinner dish set.

We have a home cooked dinner for 8, exercise equipment, a ping pong table. Please no clothing or cloth/material furniture.

Please contact Jeff or a choir member regarding items for this event. The funds raised will go toward the cost

of the choir Lincoln Center performance trip in November.

The choir is selling Pizza Hut Coupon Cards. They are $10.00 each.

Usable at most locations, but you should check your location ahead of time.

Most coupons are for a free medium, one topping pizza

with a purchase of a large. Other coupons are for free wings, apple pies, buy one

get on free buffet and free cookie. See a choir member for details.

The choir will receive $8.00 for every card sold.

Spring Hand Bell Concert

Sunday, May 15, at 2pm, in the

Church Sanctuary

We Extend our Congratulations to our Graduates on a Job Well Done ! Per the information we currently have in the church office,

here is the list of Our 2016 Graduates Lindsey Brust Minerva High School Zoe Brust Minerva High School Alexa Daulbaugh Minerva High School Macy Hawk Minerva High School Trisha O’Brien Minerva High School Hannah Reusser Minerva High School Nathan Vaughan Minerva High School Rachel Burr University of Mount Union Maggie Fahey Ohio University Eli Maurer U.S. Coast Guard Academy Clay Staib Heidelberg University Elizabeth Wheeler University of Mount Union Kelly Decker Kent State University (Dec. 2015) Molly Murphy Malone University Cindy Wheeler Stark State College

If we have missed anyone, please accept our apologies and fill us in on your information.

May 2016

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 915a Sunday Schl 1030a Worship

2 3 1030a Bible Study

4 615p Joyful Noise 7p Harmony HB

5 630p Mother / Daughter Banquet

6 7 Habitat Work Day

8 Mother’s Day 915a Sunday Schl 1030a Worship

9 10 1030a Bible Study 12p Senior Group Lunch 6p Worship Com. meeting

11 615p Joyful Noise 7p Harmony HB

12 8a Produce Del. 9a Produce Distr. 7p Choir

13 6p Wedding re-hearsal

14 430 Wedding

15 915a Sunday Schl 1030a Worship 2p Bell Concert

16 17 1030a Bible Study 630p Trustees 7p Admin. Councl

18 19 7p Choir

20 21 Sec/Custodian Vacation

22 915a Sunday Schl 1030a Worship 9a Grad Breakfast

23 24 1030a Bible Study

25 1030a Worship at St. Lukes

26 930a Worship at Eldercare 1030a Worship at the Arbors 7p Choir

27 28

29 915a Sunday Schl 1030a Worship

30 Memorial Day Office Closed

31 1030a Bible Study

————————————————————————Secretary / Custodian Vacation——————————————————————