from the pastor · pastor’s adult bible our fall class has been studying the dramatic encounter...

NOVEMBER 2017

Pastor Matthew S. Lash

6517 Finzel Rd

Whitehouse, OH 43571

419-877-0607

www.commofchrist.org

[email protected]

When OUR TEAM Wins!!!

Golly gee, we sure do LOVE (and I do mean, LOVE) our T E A M S. Would you agree? We love the Badgers, Buckeyes, Cardinals, Devils, Eagles, Falcons, Giants, Jackets, Wildcats, Indians, Tigers,Yankees, Red Sox, Panthers, Lions, Walleyes, Mud Hens, Packers, Vikings, --and yes, Wolverines! (and sorry if I missed yours!) Golly gee! We LOVE our teams!

How did that happen? When did our hearts become so attached to our team?When did it start to matter whether my team WON or LOST?Why are you grieving the Indian’s loss?Why am I stricken by the last place finish of the Tigers?Why is it so important that a Buckeye beat a Wolverine?

Here’s the answer. I have no idea. I really don’t. For some reason, we like to identify with groups of people that have a common goal and purpose. We want our TEAM to win competitive games and WIN championships. Parents and families ‘budget’ so that children and teens can be part of TEAMS that travel and compete at high levels---with the purpose to WIN. Trophies rest on our mantles. Awards are included on a teenagers resume. We open our wallet to buy Jerseys, uniforms, T-shirts, Banners, hats, bumper stickers---ALL to proclaim the support for our TEAM!

On Sunday, November 12th we pause to take inventory of the support we have for OUR TEAM. We have a name. We are called the Body of Christ. We have a purpose—and it might surprise you. Our purpose has nothing to do with a championship or trophies on the mantle. No one can quite identify the purpose of our team quite like Jesus…Jesus called his coaches together and He sent in the play,

“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35)

Last place. You may want to read that again. Last. Want to be first? Last. Be servant of all. On Sunday, November 12th, we will share a reflection of our commitment to OUR TEAM. The Body of Christ at Community of Christ Lutheran Church. We are not looking to put trophies in the Church office and our Pastor is not looking for any accolades from the Bishop----we just want to be sure we have your support to be LAST. We want to be sure that we are a congregation with a servant’s heart. We commit to care. We commit to change. We commit to be little Christ’ here in Whitehouse.

Make us all servants, O Lord.

Of all the teams I cheer for---THIS TEAM, OUR TEAM restores the JOY I have in serving Christ Jesus my Lord.

Hope you’re excited about the TEAM!

Peace

Pastor Matt

FROM THE PASTOR

mailto:[email protected]

_ _

WORSHIP“I rejoice with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” (Psalm 122: 1)

Worship Life in NovemberGive HIM thanks!! We begin this month with a solemn remembrance of those who have gone before

us and rest with our Lord Jesus! We will give God THANKS around His Table every Saturday and

Sunday! Invite a neighbor or friend to join you for a spirited Thanksgiving Eve worship service

TO BE HELD AT ZION UNITED METHODIST, WHITEHOUSE on November 22ND at 7:00 p.m. A

wonderful opportunity to worship with others! We love to see you in worship!

Weekend of November 4th & 5th

For All the Saints!

Saturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4:00 p.m.

Message “Mourning & Comforting…”

Sunday, November 5th

Worship & Holy Communion 8:00 & 10:00 a.m.


23rd Sunday After Pentecost


Message “First Place Was Never our Goal!”




24th Sunday After Pentecost


Message “The Small Stuff!”



Thanksgiving Eve---Sing Praise to

the Lord! HEY! We will worship with

friends at Zion United Methodist,

Whitehouse on Thanksgiving Eve,

Wednesday, November 22nd at 7:00

p.m.

Our own Director of Music, Eric and

his bride, Sarah, will provide special

music during the worship service!

Please join us and support this joint

worship service!

Saturday Worship welcomes you!

We worship every Saturday at 4:00 p.m. If you are

away on Sunday mornings, please plan to come to

the Lord’s Table on Saturday night.

The upcoming holiday season provides you with a

wonderful option to ‘Bring a Friend’ to worship on

Saturday! See you in worship!

First Communion Sunday was celebrated on

Reformation Sunday this fall!! We ask God’s special

blessing to rest on Charis Mehl and her family!! A

Second class will be offered in March 2018 for

children and families who are interested. Please

speak with Pastor Matt if you have any questions.

Wednesday, November 23rd

Thanksgiving Eve Worship! 7:00 p.m.

With Brothers & Sisters at Zion United Methodist,

Whitehouse!

WORSHIP HELD AT ZION UNITED METHODIST!

Special Music provided by Eric & Sarah

Worship & Sacrament 7:00 p.m.


Christ the King Sunday!


Message “When? When? When? When?”



Parish education“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread”

(Acts 2:42)

SONrise on Sunday mornings!! Have you tried SONrise on Sunday morning? This educational ministry blesses the elementary age children and their families!

If your answer to the question is, “NO”. Here what you missed---Pastor Matt playing Megan Trainor?? Songs with Sign Language! Krystal Bell fun with Mrs. Susan Dental! Crafts with Ms. Julie & Ms. Cammie! Games & Activities with Ms. Laurie

The story of creation and Abraham with our gifted storyteller, Karole Sigg! AND our memory verse and prayer each week—and OH YES, Sunday morning snacks!!

ISN’T IT TIME YOU TRIED SONrise??? See you at SONrise on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m.!!!!

DATES TO MARK ON YOUR

CALENDAR:

November 4 - Christmas Pageant

Rehearsals Begin!

November 5 - All Saints

Remembrance

November 12 - Stewardship Sunday

/Commitment Sunday

November 19 - Global Mission

Sunday

November 22 - Thanksgiving eve

Worship 7:00p.m.

December 2 – Christmas Concert

with CofC musicians and a sing-a-

long! Cookies following the concert!

Advent Candlelight Worship

Wednesday, December 6th, 13th, 20th

Children’s Christmas Pageant,

Sunday, December 10th, 10:00 a.m.

December 13 - Community of

Christ welcomes CURT

CLONINGER, nationally known

actor and performer, “Celebrate the

Child”, 7:00 p.m.

Christmas Carol/Song Hymn Sing

Weekend, December 16th & 17th

Christmas Eve Sunday, 9:00 a.m.

ONE MORNING WORSHIP

Christmas Eve Candlelight &

Communion

4:00, 7:00 & 11:00 p.m.

Parish education“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread”

(Acts 2:42)

Pastor’s Adult Bible Our fall class has been studying the

dramatic encounter between David & Goliath! We have been

learning how to battle the ‘Giants’ we face in daily life. God’s

Word and the messages of Pastor Louis Giglio are blessing our

time together. The class concludes on Thursday, November 16th

at 1:00 p.m. Our winter course will begin on Thursday, January

18th. Watch for more information. YOU ARE WELCOME! Class

begins at 1:00 p.m.

CONFIRMATION---PERFECT FOR

TEENS! Our confirmation students have

study the words of the Apostle’ Creed

this fall! Our class meets from 4:45-

6:00p.m. every Tuesday. We will begin a

studied of the Ten Commandments in the

month of December. Our time together

includes interactive activity, and group

discussion! If you have a teen in 7th or 8th

grade, and this program interests you,

please contact the church office. We

would love to add your son or daughter

to our confirmation adventure!

The Study of GRACE in Romans! Pastor Matt has been leading us through Paul’s

letter to the Romans on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. Join us in the library for study

and conversation. All adults are welcome! A NEW study will begin on Sunday, Jan 7th.

Young People’s Christmas Pageant!!!

Pastor Matt has written a NEW play!

Come and be part of the premiere of, “I

want Christmas…”—the story of a

young girl who tells Santa she wants

CHRISTMAS for Christmas! Come and

discover the GIFT given to her! New

Music! New parts! Krystal bells! New

Fun! We invite all three-year old’s—high

school to join us! Rehearsals begin on

Saturday, November 4th at 9:30 a.m.

SEE YOU THERE!!!

Teens & Children—WE NEED ACOLYTES! Please check out the sign-up chart

posted on the kiosk and pick your favorite weekend. We need acolytes and crucifers for

Christmas Eve and holiday weeks! Would you serve the Church by carrying the light of

Jesus?? Thank you!

Confirmation Dates - Parents, our class will not meet on Tuesday, November 7th OR

the 21st. Classes will meet through Tuesday, December 19th. Thanks for encouraging

faithful attendance on Tuesday afternoons! *PLEASE REMIND YOUR TEENS---10

SERMON NOTES ARE DUE BEFORE CHRISTMAS DAY! Thank you.

Youth ministries“Teach them to your children, to their children after them” (Deuteronomy 4:9)

Teens Committed to BIG STUF CAMP! Our youth committee is supporting BIG STUF

Camp (multi-denominational camp that focuses on worship and teen discipleship for Junior

High & High school students, located in Panama City Beach FL) in 2018. The following

teens are registered for BIG STUF, June 18th-25th.

Thomas Abraham Brooke Hamblin Lauren Swartz Lydia Swartz

Shelby Myers Riley Myers Eric Rasmusson Ali Fritz

Luke Sohnly Jordan Rose Zach Jones Josh Swagler

Alex Swagler Drew Fritz Jay Rasmusson Clara Ollerenshaw

Kara Keil Erin Esterhauzin Tyler Bocian Blake Miller

Emily Essig Luke Essig Jay Rasmusson Amanda Kohntopp

Spencer Reid Hailey Reid Zoe Reid Irina Haack

If your teen is interested and wants more information, please contact Pastor Matt soon! We depart on

Sunday, June 10th and return Saturday, June 16th. A Fund raiser Bake Sale will be held on Election

Day (NEED YOUR HELP)!!

We need our Big Stuf and ALL Community of Christ teens to serve in the TEEN BAKE SHOP! ☺ Parents

& Teens—PLEASE BRING IN TONS OF BAKED GOODS ON MONDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 6th.

Teens & Families Invade BWW!!! We have made dinner

reservations for YOU! Grab a COUPON and join us on Monday,

November 13th from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Your purchase provides 15% to

our retreat ministries!!! We will be very grateful for your support! BIG

STUF TEENS AND FAMILIES—Join us at 6:00 p.m. We will grab a

bunch of tables and enjoy each other’s company! DON’T FORGET—

COMMUNITY OF CHRIST TEEN NIGHT AT BWW, MAUMEE,

NOVEMBER 13th, 5:00-9:00 P.M. Yummy wings!

Upcoming Youth Events in November! Parents---I will soon send out an e-mail asking

you to commit to specific activities in the month of November. Please respond as soon as

possible. We were unable to host an event to ‘Scream Acres’ due to the lack of

participants.

• Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt, Sunday, November 12th

• Church Night Christian Concert at Huntington November 17th

• Big Stuf Retreat Gathering #1 November 19th

OUTREACH“Serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13)

4th Sunday---

“Clean & Feed!”We will begin setting

aside the fourth

Sunday of the month

for us to share love

offerings with Salem

Lutheran, Toledo &

Whitehouse Food

Pantry!

Please bring bars of

soap for Salem’s

neighborhood

families and food for

those who have

needs here in

Whitehouse.

Baskets will be

placed near the doors

on Sunday,

November 26th.

Thank you for your

generous offering of

support!

Samaritan’s Purse – Operation

Christmas Childis going great! This year “shoe boxes”

have been provided for you to

fill. Details in the Gathering Space. The

last weekend to accept donations will be

Nov 5th. The cost for postage has

increased to $9 and please NO candy or

toothpaste.

Community of Christ Welcomes New Members! We joyfully welcomed new members into our church family on the weekend of October 8th. The following members have been received into congregational membership;

Luke D’Archangelo & Kirsten QueenanBrea & Zach WeberFred & Linda DoeringPaula GruhlerChris Korb & Kendra Auger

Name Tag Sundays! “I love this

idea—so easy to get to know

someone!”. Thanks for your support

of NAME TAG SUNDAY! Our

future NAME TAG events will be

held on Reformation Sunday,

October 29th, and the first Sunday

of Advent, Sunday, December 3rd.

Give us your autograph and share

your NAME! 😊

Stewardship—COMMITMENT CARD, NOVEMBER 11th & 12th!

The Bible calls us to be faithful and cheerful givers of our time, talent and tithe! Once a

year, we take a moment to pray about our financial giving to our congregation and Its

mission. You will receive a ‘commitment card’ in the mail. We are asking you to

complete the card and plan to share it as part of our offering on Sunday, November 12th

on Saturday and Sunday. Thank you for being a faithful steward of every blessing!

Thanks be to God!

stewardship“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

TIME FOR US TO GATHER!!! Our church membership

gathers to celebrate the ministries and mission of our

congregation on Sunday, December 3rd immediately

following the 10:00 a.m. worship service.

A continental breakfast will be available. We will receive

the proposed budget for mission, benevolence and the

various ministries of our congregation.

We will receive the names of candidates for an election of 4

members to serve on our Church council. Please plan to

attend. Many thanks!

Our Church Council will gather on the second Tuesday of the month. You are always welcome to be part of the conversation. If you would like to address the council or share a concern or joy, please call the church office to be put on the agenda.

You will be welcomed to share your thoughts at the beginning of our meetings. We meet in the Sunday school classrooms beginning at 7:00 pm. Please pray for our church leaders.

Council Minutes are available in the gathering area. We invite you to keep in touch with all the important decisions that are being made at church council each month.

Church CouncilSecond Tuesday of the Month

Next meeting NOVEMBER 14.

Wednesday,

December 13

Church lifeThey enjoyed the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were

being saved” (Acts 2:47)

_

Community of Christ Book Club

2017-18 Selections

November 21 - When Breathe Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

December 19 - Christmas Get-together

January 16 - Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barber

February 20 - Hallelujah Anyway by Anne Lamott

March 20 - Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

April 17 - Orphan Mother by Robert Hicks

May 15 - Killers of the Flower Moon by David Gran

June 19 - Dry by Jane Harper

Community of Christ welcomes

CURT CLONINGER, nationally

known actor and performer,

“Celebrate the Child”, 7:00 p.m.

Since 1984 Curt Cloninger has performed his

unique brand of solo theatre, thousands of

times, all around the world, and in every

imaginable setting. His performances will

move you to laugh and cry and examine

what you believe about God and life. It’s

been said of Curt: “He’s a hundred people,

all rolled into one, but each of them revealing

the love of God in a fresh new way.” His is

more than just great theatre. It’s theatre with

a lasting impression.

FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR

Back by popular demand…The

Congregational Hymn Sing is

coming on Saturday/Sunday

November 11th & 12th.

So have your favorite hymns close at

hand to call out for Eric to play. YOU

pick the hymns for this weeks worship.

Congregational Hymn SingSunday, Nov 11 & 12

Come get in the mood with a concert of

Christmas music by your favorite CofC musicians

and a sing-a-long!

- Cookie reception to follow the concert.

- Free will offering collected for future events.

Christmas Concert – Saturday, Dec 2

COOKIES

We are asking for you to bring some cookies to the

church kitchen (due by Friday, Dec 1) for the cookie

reception following the concert!

MUSICIANS

Calling all CofC musicians...please contact Eric

regarding performing at the Dec 2 Christmas Concert.

Eric is glad to help pick music and schedule rehearsals

at your convenience.

The Adult Choir and Bell

Choir at CofC are OPEN to

new members…so don’t be

shy!

Anyone interested in singing

just come to the Sanctuary

on a Wednesday night at

7pm. And to ring bells meet

us on Thursday night at

7:30pm.

Contact Eric Dickey with any

questions. 419-877-0607

CHOIRS AND YOU

SYMPATHY, PRAYERS & THANKS

Reminder---Prayers

of the Church – In

order that we keep our

prayer concerns

current and fresh in

worship---we update

our prayer concern list

every two weeks. The

concern you provide

will be included in the

prayers of the

congregation for two

weeks.

If you would like to

renew your prayer

request, please use

the form available in

the gathering area or

contact the church

office.

Thank you. Continue

to pray for another!

Dear Community of Christ members and friends,

A very special thank you for all the cards and wishes

in honor of my 100th birthday! The birthday posters

from the confirmation class was very special! That,

along with the poster from the congregation you all

signed and all the cards, help me reconnect with you

since I cannot be there with you. Thank you also to

Fred Ortner for taking wonderful pictures that I look at

everyday and Pastor Matt for all his visits.

May God bless each of you.

Love, Norma Ruehle

Dear Pastor Matt & Confirmation Class,

I would like to thank you for the hard work you did

to make those GREAT COOKIES. You helped

make the Kairos Weekend a success helping the

Lord change the hearts and minds of some of the

residents at the Toledo Correctional Institute. Some

have even started a relationship with Jesus our

Lord and Savior. It must have been that secret

ingredient which was God’s love that you put into

the cookies. Your confirmation class is awesome

and you have really showed God’s Love in your

hearts also! On behalf of Kairos, I want to thank

you again for your generosity and may God bless

everyone of you!

Your Brother in Christ,

Butch Dhondt

In everything give thanks:for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus

concerning you.1 Thessalonians 5:18

11/09 Debbie Whitcomb

11/10 Erin Esterhuizen

11/10 Dave Rockwell

11/10 Liz Uhlik

11/11 Kenneth Terveen

11/11 Todd Metcalf

11/11 Monica Meier

11/12 Scott Boltz

11/12 Haylee Verhoff

11/13 Kari Hagemeyer

11/14 Rita Wagoner

11/14 Karen Shellhammer

11/14 Zach Weber

11/14 Kyle Bertsch

11/14 Adam Baker

11/14 Brooklynn Stout

11/16 Marie Archer

11/16 Ken Outly

11/16 Michael Karg

11/17 Don Archambeau

11/18 Reemt Baumann

11/19 Jeremy Cash

11/19 Melissa Deacon

11/19 Braiden Meier

11/21 Linda Doering

11/22 Sally McEwen

11/22 Brad Tansel

11/22 Gracee Pitchford

11/23 Al Lipinski

11/23 Michelle Graceffo

11/24 Bob Longnecker

11/24 Sara Grim

11/26 Rebecca Myers

11/26 Josie Heilmann

11/26 Shelley Bertsch

11/26 Luke Essig

11/26 Avery Rozick

11/27 Rick Korb

11/27 Pamela Davis

11/27 Patrick Carman

11/28 Bill Slink

11/29 Brian Mruzek

11/30 Ashley Peters

11/30 Titus Chafin

11/01 Lisa Boltz

11/01 Jerald Nemire

11/02 Kevin Gebhart

11/02 Jonathan Wesolowski

11/03 Lindsay Eberly

11/04 Lisa Dick

11/04 Stephen Eberly

11/04 Erika Brenneman

11/04 Anna Rasmusson

11/05 Mark Langendorfer

11/05 Vickie Geha

11/05 Justin Miller

11/06 Terrie Knight

11/06 Tammy Myers

11/06 Shelby Phillips

11/06 Chloe Brown

11/06/ Dennis Dohse

11/07 Mark Pitchford

11/07 Brittany Holliker

11/07 Charlie Johnson

11/07 Parker Ray

11/08 Anne Greenhagen

11/08 Matthew Britsch

11/08 Austin Nofzinger

God’s Work Our Hands! - The work continues

On Friday and Saturday, September 15th and 16th, as a part of the national ELCA day of service, several Community of Christ members went out into the community to help those who are in need of food. We worked with Food For Thought, a local non-profit that makes sandwiches and assembles lunches and then distributes those lunches to people in need in the downtown Toledo area.

Due to popular demand, beginning in November, we will continue supporting this ministry. We plan to volunteer, as a group, the 2nd weekend of each month. There is a sheet on the kiosk where you can sign up to indicate your participation. You may participate by making lunches from 6-7 pm on Friday night OR distribute those lunches on Saturday from 9:45-10:45 am. Please check out transportation options on the kiosk. Trinity is located across from the Imagination Station, at 316 Adams Street. Any questions--, please call Sarah Rockwell 419.261.2843 or Susan Nofzinger 419.878.0938.

Please join us in November! You will be glad you did.

6517 Finzel Rd., Whitehouse, OH 43571 ~ 419-877-0607

from the pastor · pastor’s adult bible our fall class has been studying the dramatic encounter...

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