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JANAUARY 2017
Issue: 663
“Making God the Foundation of every Day Living”
The Herald First Congregational Church of Tallmadge United Church of Christ A Stephen Ministry Congregation
WORSHIP SERVICE
Worship:
8:30 am & 10:00 am
www.fcctallmadge.org
Phone: 330.633.4931 Fax: 330.633.7010 Address: 85 Heritage Drive Tallmadge, OH 44278
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Prayer List & Condolences 2
Thank Yous, Executive Council 3
Search Committee, Social Action Corner 4
Board of Stewardship & Budget Committee 5
Youth Fellowship and Christian Education 6
Announcements and Events 7
General Operating Fund, Upcoming Sundays 8
January Calendar 9
To the First Congregational Church of Tallmadge, UCC Family,
As we begin this New Year, I find myself very thankful for First Congregational Church this past half-year. I am thankful because I see many faithful people serving week in and week out to make a difference. I see many people teaching, caring, sing-ing, playing, planning, organizing, cleaning, cooking, building, giving, welcoming, listen-ing, helping and serving in so many ways. They do it never expecting their service to be acknowledged. They never expect to be publicly thanked. They are simply there, called by God to give of their time and talents for the building of the church.
Thank you for all you do. Thanks especially to all who made this Christmas sea-son such a wonderful time of the year. Our worship, education, fellowship and mission have touched many with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Love has been pre-sent here at First Congregational.
May the New Year bring to the world and to each of us the peace for which we long. May each of us experience the grace and love of our Savior. And may this world become the welcoming, giving and serving place God created it to be.
Peace, Pastor Neal Interim Transitional [email protected]
330-633-4931 – church 630-408-4457 – cell 330-952-0912 – home
Offering Envelopes:
Please pick up your 2018 offer-ing envelopes in the Atri-
um. They are on a table in al-phabetical order.
Thank you!
Important Year-End Reminder:
To be included on your 2017 Giving Statement,
donations for the 2017 tax year must be given to
the Church no later than 12/31/2017, or mailed to
the Church in an envelope postmarked no later
than 12/30/2017.
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Noreen Ashley Tim Ashley Janette Beckwith Jackie Beedee Nancy Beken Ed Belisle Shirley Braidich (Ann Carter’s Mother) Nancy Burgess Chris Caldwell (friend of Christie Speicher) Diana Caldwell Carol Carter Jean DeWitt Nancy Dove Sue Gasaway Deanna Getowski
Betty Gulledge Judy Hamrick Jan Hetzel Karen Holland (Helen McKee’s sister in
law) Zell Lambert Carolyn Lent Hannah McConihe Alexa Meighen Ron Mitchell David & Jackie Parker Wilma Pohly Dee Powell (Sharon Letzler’s Mother)
Doug Roliff
Tom Saal Lyn Sax Barbara Sherrick (Jim Harris’ sister) John Strott Janet Terrell Betty Vestal Steve Wood Olive Yohey Marcia Zuravel 1st Battalion 145th Armored Regi-ment (Ohio Nat’l Guard) Alzheimer's Care Giver Support Group Senior Pastor Search Committee
Please Remember in Prayer :
The Prayer Chain Connection
There are ten church members dedicated to service through praying for individuals’ concerns and celebrations. Prayer requests may be known by filling out a yellow colored prayer card and placing it in the offering plate on Sunday morning, or in the prayer box in the narthex. You may wish to call Dorothy Taylor at 330.633.3008 or Karen Sauerbrey at 330.920.1285. Thank you.
Condolences
Sincere sympathy to Ed Belisle and family on the loss of Marian. Marian Belisle passed away on November 17,
2017.
Sincere sympathy to Fred & Gayle Kerscher and family on the loss of Fred’s brother Robert. Robert Kerscher passed
away on November 23, 2017.
Deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Pat Zimmerman. Pat passed away
on November 29, 2017
Sincere sympathy to the family and friends of George P. Sperry, M.D. George passed away
on December 3, 2017. A funeral service was held in Kettering, Ohio.
Our sympathy to Irene Metz and family on the loss of her husband Edwin. Edwin P. Metz
passed away on December 9, 2017.
Deepest sympathy to Bill, Jennifer, and Steven (Kim) Hostutler, along with family and friends
of Jo Hostutler. Jo passed away on December 16, 2017.
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WHAT’S NEW FROM EXECUTIVE COUNCIL?
• Deacons reported that people are signing up for permanent, magnetic nametags. The sign-up is in
the Atrium.
• The Faith and Family Ministry will be caroling at the homes of members.
• While the faith offerings for November fell short of the budgeted amount, the expenses were also
below budget. We now have a surplus of $58,000 for 2017.
• The Atrium mortgage balance is $177,920.
• A letter was sent out to members who have not returned a pledge yet, requesting that they send
one in so the 2018 budget can be finalized.
• Progress on ideas that came from the Leadership Conference were discussed.
• It is expected that the final budget for 2018 will be presented to the congregation on Sunday, Janu-
ary 14, at a congregational meeting.
• As the Espositos transition from leading our Spaghetti Dinners, the Boards have been asked to take
turns doing the 2 hour day-prior prep. Stewardship will do the first time and report back about the
experience. If any individuals in the church wish to help with this task, please see Tim Burns or
Anne Pertick.
• The new General Minister for the EOA/WRA Associations is Rev. Nayiri Karjian, replacing Rev. Rita
Root.
• Initial steps are being taken regarding our financial review. This had been delayed due to our CPA
being in a car accident.
If you have any questions about any of the above, please see Ginny Collins or Tim Burns.
Thank you!
Thanks to all for helping to make a Merry Christmas for our families at Tallmadge Good Neighbors. Bless
you! Jo Berry
Christmas Pageant Thank you!
Thank you to so many that came to the children’s Christmas Pageant; it is so much easier to perform to a
packed house. The performance was pretty well done and I am super proud of the hard work that everyone did. Way to go ac-
tors and choir members! Thank you parents and grandparents for getting the children to the practices, we couldn’t have done
it without you. A special thank you to Elaine Engle and Allison Byron for coming to every practice to help with the rehearsals;
your dedication was appreciated. Wendy Brown
Men's Ministry will discuss the life of David and how his life lessons might
impact our lives. The meeting will take place Saturday
January 20th in the David Bacon Room at 9:00 am.
Yarning for Peace will meet
on Monday, January 8th
@ 1:00 pm in the
David Bacon Room
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Please join us in
congratulating
Alex Joyner
on accepting a
job in the Market-
ing Department
for the Cleveland
Cavaliers!
We would also like to thank Alex for all her hard
work on Sunday mornings as a Sunday receptionist.
Congratulations to
Pastors Sarah and
Andrew Courtney on
the birth of their son,
Asher Abram Courtney!
Asher was born
November 9th and his
name means “happy”
and “blessed.” WELCOME BABY!
and
SENIOR PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE
UPDATE
DECEMBER/JANUARY
The Search Committee is in the process of interviewing
candidates for the position of Senior Pastor and listen-
ing to our “Still Speaking God” in the discernment pro-
cess. We ask your continued prayers as we seek the
guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Rev. Neal gave the committee the following posting,
hope it will make you smile:
WANTED: SENIOR PASTOR --- Handsome pastor need-
ed to preach 10 minutes each Sunday. He will be work-
ing daily from 8am to midnight. He will make $40 a
week, wear good clothes, drive a good car and donate
$30 a week to the church. The perfect candidate will
have a burning desire to work with teenagers and he
will spend most of his time with the senior citizens. He
will smile all the time with a straight face because he
has a sense of humor that keeps him seriously dedicat-
ed to the church. Attendance at all church meetings
and events is required. The perfect candidate will
make at least fifteen home visits per day and will al-
ways be in his office to be available should an emergen-
cy arise. Preference will be given to a young pastor
with 15-20 years of experience. Some light janitorial
duties required.
Merry Christmas, Sandy Farabee, Chair Senior Pastor
Search Committee
SOCIAL ACTION CORNER
“Love Your Neighbor as Yourself” Mark 12:31
◊ Thank you to all the volunteers who rang the bells for the Salvation Army. We couldn't make this happen with-out you.
◊ Thank you to all the people who purchased Christmas gifts for the Tallmadge Good Neighbors to support our community members in need
Blood Mobile
will be
January 15th
from
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
at our church.
5
In 2015, the Board of Stewardship and our Budget
Committee were given the task to manage our
budget throughout the year and end each year with
a positive result. In 2017, with your faithful support,
along with managing church staff changes, through
November we stand with a positive $58,011 balance
and will end 2017 with a positive balance.
We have included where we currently stand with
our proposed, but not final 2018 budget, as well as
where we stand with your pledges of financial sup-
port for 2018. We are still approaching the congre-
gation for pledges of support as our members are
able, to insure that in 2018, we will also be able to
support a balanced budget.
We look forward to 2018 as we continue to search
for the call of a new Senior Pastor and envision new
ministries of grace. As of December 14th, we fall
below of our goals and have not received enough
faith-offering pledges to support the continuation of
God’s work for our congregation, ministries and mis-
sions. Your generous gifts to this church, ensure
that we can successfully fulfill God’s calling of us. As
we grow in Christ, we discover more and more that
the deepest delights of life come not in receiving,
but giving. Our joy is multiplied knowing our giving
makes a difference in the lives of others.
For those who have pledged your continued sup-
port, we appreciate greatly that commitment to our
church. For those who have not been able to pledge
or have not yet pledged, the leadership of the
church uses those pledges to insure that we can
project a fiscally responsible budget plan in 2018.
We ask if you are able to prayerfully support our
church that you assist us in our efforts with your
faith-offering pledge.
Sunday, January 14th we will present our final budg-
et during a Congregational Meeting at the church,
following the 10:00 AM service.
Thank you all again in support of First Congregation-
al Church of Tallmadge
Board of Stewardship & Budget Committee
The current balance on the Atrium Loan is $177,920. We are
paying $1,410/month (principal & interest), which is $400
more than the required payment. Contributions for the Atri-
um are deposited in a special fund from which payments are
made.
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Middle School Fellowship
No fellowship until January Jan. 7 @ 11:30 Epiphany Party in Youth Room Jan. 14 @ 11:30 Movie Theatre Jan. 21 @ 11:30 Movie Theatre
High School Fellowship
No fellowship until January
Jan. 7 @ 11:30 Epiphany Party
in Youth Room
Jan. 14 @ 11:30 Youth Room
Jan. 21 @ 11:30 Youth Room
Youth and College Epiphany Party
We invite college, high school and middle school students to come
together to celebrate Epiphany. We will play some games and enjoy
food at 11:30 am on January 7 in Fellowship Hall. We would love
to have a packed house! We will provide pizza and wings, please
bring a snack or drink to share (chips, 2 liter drink or cookies) and a
$10 gift card that is wrapped.
There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board.
Acolytes
We have shared with our students that being an acolyte is important for the worship experience and they have embraced the idea of bringing Christ’s light into worship and then taking that light out into the world each week. Students in 4th- 8th grade are our aco-lytes. If you would like to participate, please see Wendy Brown. Our sign up is online; please sign up for January through May (maximum of 4 weeks at this time).
Breakfast with Santa Thank You
The Board of Christian Education is so
appreciative of the 88 pairs of hands
that came out to help with Breakfast
with Santa in one way or another.
You are all such a blessing,
Thank you!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
4th and 5th Grade Sunday School Class is sponsoring "Sunday Undie"
from now until the end of February
New items only will be collected: underclothes
& socks. We will take them to the Haven of Rest to donate and tour the facility in March. All sizes are needed adult and children. There will be a box in
the atrium.
We will also continue to save sample toiletries for the Safelanding shelters which we will deliver with dinner and cookies at Easter time.
Thank you for your continued support!
All of November Treehouse Preschool collected blankets and homemade Christmas cards to deliver to the Tallmadge Danbury Senior Center. This past weekend they had 4 families and 10 children deliver 49 blankets and cards to all the resi-dents. The residents were beyond thrilled to have these special little visitors and such a heartfelt gift. A big thanks to those who donated and delivered these wonderful presents!
Thank you,
Sarah Ickes
Treehouse Preschool Board Chair
Faith and Family Broom Ball January 5 at 7:00-8:00 PM,
We will meet at Kent State Ice Arena for Broom Ball at 6:45pm.
Broom ball is like ice hockey but played in tennis shoes and with little
rubber brooms. Everyone is invited to join in the fun. The cost will
be $5.00 per person. Helmets must be worn. You may bring your
own or wear one they provide. If you plan on wearing a provided
helmet, bring a bandana or hat to wear with it. Also, remember to
bring a bottle of water.
Please sign up with Jen Ross, [email protected], or on the bul-
letin board by the drinking fountain. The more people the better!
Treehouse Preschool Registration
Treehouse Preschool will be registering for the 2018-19 school year on February 1: Church members and sib-
lings of Treehouse graduates are able to register beginning at 9:30- 2:00 and then opens to the public from
6:00- 7:00 PM. The cost for registration is $50 per person and you will need a copy of the child’s birth certifi-
cate.
If you have any questions, please see Wendy Brown.
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General Operating Fund Note:
Greeters: December 24 Walt and Margie Nicholson Christmas Eve Board of Deacons December 31 Stephen Ministers January 7 John and Donna Phillips January 14 Frank and Rebecca Moore January 21 Terri Poff and Shelly Williams January 28 Richard and Karen Thomason
December 24 Terri Poff, Ann Emmitt, Bill Emmitt, Gary Marlow 5:00 pm 10:00 pm
December 31 Larry Bagnoli, Ken Caldwell, Mike & Ginny Collins
January 7 Dave Marconi, Jon Sauerbrey, Larry Robinson, Chris Bauch January 14 Dee West, Jim West, Al Lytle, Mark Bowers January 21 Gary Myers, Larry Robinson, Sandy Haydu, Bonnie Fordham January 28 Terri Poff, Ann Emmitt, Bill Emmitt, Gary Marlow
December 24 Christmas Poinsettias December 31 January 7 January 14 January 21 January 28
Worship: November 26 8:30 Worship 20 10:00 Worship 167 December 3 8:30 Worship 36 10:00 Worship 182
December 10 8:30 Worship 20 10:00 Worship 229 December 17 8:30 Worship 16 10:00 Worship 181
Ushers
UPCOMING SUNDAYS :
Preaching Schedule: December 24 Rev. Dr. Neal Sadler December 31 Rev. Dr. Neal Sadler January 7 Rev. Dr. Neal Sadler January 14 Rev. Dr. Neal Sadler January 21 Rev. Dr. Neal Sadler January 28 Rev. Dr. Neal Sadler
Acolytes
December 24
Christmas Eve 5pm Matthew Foster, Ryan Peters
10pm Sarah Foster, Taylor Cervellino
December 31 10am
January 7 Molly McGee, Cadence Ickes
January 14
January 21 Joey Kanatzar
January 28
November 2017 operating income
of $33,679 was $9,020 below the
income budget. YTD operating in-
come of $392,116 is now $44,650
below the income budget. Expens-
es for the month were $27,644 and
for YTD were $334,074, resulting in
a surplus of $3,035 for the month
and a year-to-date surplus of
$58,042.
Pastoral Search Fund:
Nov. 2017 Beginning Bal-ance: 13,880.70
Additions: 0.00
Expenditures: 0.00
Ending Balance: 13,880.70
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January 2018
Sun. Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.
1
Office Closed
2
7: 00 am Bible Study Bagnoli’s
2:00 PM Elder’s Fellowship
3
9:00 am Quilt-ers
4
7:00 pm Chancel Choir
5
7:00 - 8:00pm
Faith and
Family Broom
Ball
6
7
8:10 am Prayer Chain
8:30 am Worship
9:00 am Sunday School 10:00am Worship 11:30am Epiphany Party - Youth and Col-lege
8
1:00 pm
Yarning for Peace
9
7: 00 am Bible Study Bagnoli’s
6:30 pm Commit-tee Meetings
7:45 pm Executive Council Meeting
10
9:00 am Quilters
6:30 pm Stephen Ministers
11
HERALD
DEADLINE
7:00 pm Chancel Choir
12
13
14 8:30 am Worship
9:00 am Sunday School 10:00 am Worship followed by Congrega-tional Meeting
11:30 am Middle School and High School Fellowship
15
2:00 - 6:00 pm Blood Drive
16
7: 00 am Bible Study Bagnoli’s
6:00 pm
Cardmaking
17
9:00 am Quilters
18
7:00 pm Chancel Choir
19
20
9:00am
Men’s
Ministry
21
8:30 am Worship 9:00 am Sunday School
10:00 am Worship
11:30 am Middle School and High School Fellowship
22
23
7: 00 am Bible Study Bagnoli’s
24 9:00 am Quilters 6:30 Stephen Ministers
25 7:00 pm Chancel Choir
26
7:00 pm
3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Lock-In
27
9:00am Pick
Up for Lock-
In
28
8:30am Worship 9:00 am Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 11:15 am SPCM 6:00 pm WJHM
29 30
7: 00 am Bible Study Bagnoli’s
11:00 am Alzhei-mer’s
31
9:00 am Quilters
10
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
PO BOX 420
TALLMADGE OH 44278
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
TALLMADGE OH
PERMIT NO. 30
Spiritual/ Pastoral Care Ministry Contacts Pastoral staff Rev. Dr. Neal Sadler Transitional Interim Pastor 330.633.4931 [email protected]
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group & Elders Ministry Roberta Nehrenz 330.634.0713 [email protected] Heart’s in Service Janet McCaulley 330.633.3775 Barbara Rowles [email protected] Life’s Journey Ministry Leslie Taylor 330.687.0881 [email protected] Prayer Chain Dorothy Taylor 330.633.3008 [email protected] Stephen Ministry Ron Mitchell 330.633.4055 [email protected] Tom Letzler 330.699.9794 [email protected] Sharon Letzler 330.699.9794 Yarning for Peace Dee West 330.633.4421 [email protected]
Staff E-Mail Addresses
Beth Loresch Administrative Coordinator [email protected]
Cathie Lojkovic Communications Coordinator [email protected]
Wendy Brown Director of Family Ministries [email protected]
Nancy Lynn Robinson Choir Director / Organist [email protected]
Bill Hoover Finance Administrator [email protected]
Teresa Snyder Head Custodian (Mon-Fri, Day Shift)
Steve Ristich Assistant Custodian (Mon,Tues,Wed., Thurs. and Sunday)
DATE: December 20, 2017
___________________________________________________________________
