Newsletter "First Things": November 2007

Dear Members and Friends of First Church:

I pray that you enjoyed the unbelievably warm weather we experienced during the month of October.  As I write this letter to you it is Sunday, October 21 and the temperature today was listed in the paper as mostly sunny with record warmth - the high was to be 81 degrees.  What a fall season.

During the month of September I preached a series of sermons that focused on the founder of the Methodist Church, John Wesley.  We centered on his theology of community, discipleship and small groups.  I also discovered that this great man of the church spoke to other topics such as Christian Stewardship.  The month of November is when many churches conduct their fall stewardship campaign and ours is no exception.  The theme this year is Grace and Gratitude.

John Wesley had a "formula" for Christian stewardship that was "Earn all you can... Save all you can... Give all you can."  The cornerstone of this formula is how to delight in God's abundant, freely-given grace.

For John Wesley, stewardship is the way in which Christians lovingly respond to God for the gifts of grace - gifts that God generously entrusts to us "for a season."

I pray you will join me in worship this month as we consider the grace of God, what He has done for us, what He has given to us, and what we can return to Him by way of our stewardship.  Please pray about what you will be able to return to God and His church.  You will be receiving information in the mail and a 2008 Financial Stewardship Commitment Card that you are asked to fill out and bring with you to worship on Sunday, November 18 - Stewardship Dedication Sunday.  During the service, those who are able will be invited to bring their Commitment Card forward and place it in a basket on the Communion Table.  Then we will gather in Fellowship Hall for our traditional Thanksgiving Dinner sponsored by the Board of Deacons.

May the Lord bless you during this season of Thanksgiving and I do hope to see U in CH_RCH.

Yours in Christ,

There is an old adage that will date me, but it goes like this, "children grow up too fast."  The implication of that statement is not that time passes too quickly and children are adults before  you know it, rather it suggests something far deeper.  It suggests that children are introduced to adult subjects and adult behavior before they are ready to handle the information and responsibilities that accompany that world.  The world of violence, promiscuous sex, vulgar language and illegal drug use is introduced to many children before they enter school.  The sad end for some is school shootings and for others we see children bearing children.

The discussion is endless as it relates to "who is responsible for this" and what can be don to "turn the tide" of a culture that has lost its soul?  Time or space will not permit me to address that question, but I can say that the faith community must be at the table of marketplace discussions when these probing questions are addressed.  I found it interesting that the day the students returned to school after the Success Tech tragedy in Cleveland, that Pastors were present to welcome the students back.  Perhaps the day will come when we see the various institutions and agencies welcome people of faith to assist them in helping to shape the life of a child.

Allow me to use this as an opportunity to challenge everyone to serve in some capacity at a public school.  School administrators tell us that there is always a need for parent and grandparent figures to serve as tutors, monitors, aides and in other places of service.  Why not be a big brother or big sister?  The Church of the Holy Spirit provides a very special and exciting outreach for children in our neighborhood each Saturday morning.  They would welcome and have invited us to join them in this specialized outreach.  Call me at the church office at 330-434-5183, if you want further information about how to become involved.  You and I can make a difference to at least one child or young person.  Will you join me in this exciting opportunity?

Memorial Gifts to Help Renovate the Nursery

Thanks to the generosity of people who gave memorials to the church in memory of Dorothy Jameson.  Those gifts are going to be put toward the cost of the nursery renovation, which has already begun.  These memorials will only cover a portion of the renovation costs.  We are pleased to report that the Hope Day Care (YMCA) is also contributing to the project.  It has been some ten years since the last renovation and the nursery is used every day except Saturday.  The work will include stripping wall paper, painting, new flooring and carpet.  Thanks to the Christian Growth and Development Team who is leading this project.

The Kirkin O' The Tartans

On Sunday, November 25th, we will celebrate our Scottish Heritage with the annual blessing of the tartans.  This has been a tradition at First Church over the years.  You can't help but feel the pride in those of Scottish descent.

All attending that day are encouraged to wear Scottish plaid.  You are also asked to bring your family tartan and during the service you will be invited to place it on the communion  table in honor or memory of a loved one(s).  Invite your family and friends as we celebrate our Presbyterian Scottish Heritage.

Food Pantry

The Deacons’ Food Pantry served 469 families in the month of September. A total of 1561 people were served. We also served 230 people total at the both of our Walk-In Meals.

FPC Listed in an Anonymous Endowed Grant Plan - The Faith, Hope and Love Fund established by Session

At the October Session meeting, the Stewardship and Finance Team presented to the Elders that our church had been listed in an Endowed Grant Plan (through the Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program) by an anonymous family.  First Church will not be the recipient of any funds until the demise of the couple.  The fund is specific in its mission: "Provide food and financial aid to needy people.  This includes educational aid."  Now that the Faith, Hope and Love Fund has been established, anyone is welcome to begin contributing to this fund for the purpose of helping those in need.  we give thanks to God for the vision and estate planning for those who believe in our mission.

Packages of Love

The Deacons’ Team First Caring Friends would like to mail care packages to each of our 20+ students here at First Church. For us to do this we need the help of our entire church family. These are very small items. If you are able to donate one small item or a monetary gift it would be appreciated by our team. Some suggestions are:

Gum, Pens, Snack Foods, Mints, Quarters ($2.00) for Laundry, Home-made Cookies, some kind of small devotional cards or Bible Verses, or even some kind of Stress Ball.

Thank you in advance! See me to make donations or with questions.

- Donna Snyder

The next meeting of the Loss Support Group will be on November 6th at 7:00 in the parlor.  This group is for those who have experienced a type of loss - the death of a loved one or a friend or animal, a change in a relationship, the loss of a job, etc.  All are welcome to join our group that meets once a month.