The Good News

Dear Friends and Church Family,

God, our Father, is always faithful to guide and lead His people. Sometimes it is through deep valleys, and some-times to the mountain tops. Sometimes He carries us through the overwhelming flood of problems and pain and at other times He smiles as He provides grace upon grace to reveal His love.

To Moses God said, I have heard the cries of my people…(Gen. 3:7 paraphrased), and then used Moses to rescue the Israelites from Egypt. I have been here fourteen years now and have been through five searches for musicians. God blessed us with two who were with us ten years. Scott Turner and Stephen Kinsack both served us for five years and brought a unique set of skills and gifts to NPC for which I am very thankful.

When Stephen left, John Jackson (Personnel Com-mittee Chair) called me and began moving on the search im-mediately. Ellen Miller took charge of advertising including a place I wouldn‟t have considered, and within days we began receiving resumes and e-mail inquiries. Thirteen applicants completed forms and sent their resumes. Ellen set up the interviews and auditions for us. Over a two week period, we interviewed eight applicants. From that group four were vi-able prospects for us.

The person the Lord led to us was the last applicant interviewed on the last night of our interviews and he learned about the position from the advertising source I never would have considered. Lesson One: That‟s why we are the Body of Christ and He is the Head. Lesson two: “The game ain‟t over „til it‟s over.” Thank you Yogi Berra! Lesson Three: God provides for us out of His love and grace. Lesson Four: Never, ever doubt the power of the two-way street called prayer!

The decision of the Search Committee was unani-mous. And once again I have seen God‟s hand at work here at NPC. Our new Director of Music is Zeger Verhage. The Session voted on Sunday, September 26th to confirm the call

and he began working with the choir on the 29th. Zeger‟s biography and a picture of his family are found on page 2 of the Good News. I invite you to welcome Zeger, Elayna, David (age 7) and Lukas (age 3) to the NPC family. Since they live far from their biological families, the churches they have belonged to have been their family, a home away from home!

So, with thankful hearts for God‟s grace and pro-vision, as we welcome Zeger, Elayna, David and Lukas into our family let us give heed to the words of the psalm-ist,

Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;

it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

Praise the LORD with the harp;

make music to him o the ten-stringed lyre.

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully,

and shout for joy.

Psalm 33:1-3

In His Grip,

Art Helin

The Pastor’s Pen

Northfield Presbyterian Church October 2010

For the next week or so, please

make a nametag in the Narthex for

the church service so Zeger can

get to know us!

Page 2 The Good News

Golf Outing Results are In

On probably one of the nicest Saturdays of the summer, 15 golfers teed off at Astor-

hurst Golf Course in the 2nd (not so annual) golf outing between NPC and Victory Baptist

Church. Foursomes included:

1. Roger Burt, James Dowdell and Ron Emch (+ fourth ball rotated by all)

2. Steve Brooks, Phil Helin, Ellen Miller and Brenda Whatley

3. Art Helin, Mike Satola, James Whatley and Bob Scott,

4. John Jackson, Jeff Van Der Meulen, Keith Miller and Clayton Harris

All teams scored at par or below, but the winner was Team 1 with 3 under par. Much teasing

was done about the fact that Roger plays this course weekly, but everyone was pleased with their score.

Some great shots included Phil‟s through the trees to the green on a par 4, Art‟s teeing the green on a par 3 (he

thought he lost the ball), Brenda‟s long putt and probably more, but the author didn‟t see them. We

golfed 18 holes (with sustenance of a hot dog and drink at the turn) and finished with a marvelous

steak and chicken dinner. A couple wives joined for the feast and tall tales that followed. Roger and

John distributed the prizes for longest shot and putt. The management at Astorhurst, in apology for a

couple of badly maintained greens, gave us a break on the price, which we then put into a financial gift

to the Cleveland City Mission. Thanks to Roger and John for organizing a great day. We voted unani-

mously that this event needs to become a real annual outing. Look for it next summer!

Enjoy the pictures…

The Winners Brenda‟s putt Art‟s Foursome The 19th Tee

Dear Congregation of Northfield Presbyterian Church, Let me take this opportunity to introduce myself and my family: my name is Zeger Verhage, my wife's name is Elayna Duitman, our oldest son is David (age 7) and our youngest son is Lukas (age 3). In early August we moved from Troy, Michigan to Shaker Heights. My wife has started em-ployment with the Cleveland Orchestra as a violinist. We are delighted to have found such a warm and sincere congrega-tion so quickly after our move. I look forward to enhancing our worship services with beautiful music in my role as Minister of Music at NPC. I hope you will join me in making a "joyful noise" to our God and look for-ward to your participation in the music ministry.

In His service, Zeger Verhage Minister of Music NPC

Introducing our new Music Director

Page 3 The Good News

Pantry Items Needed

The Women‟s Association will continue to collect food items for the Macedonia Emergency Center.

They need dry, boxed nonperishable food items such as:

Spaghetti noodles and all other types of pasta either in a box or bags as well as rice, instant potatoes,

cereal, hamburger or tuna helper, crackers jellies and Jams.

There is a container in the narthex where church families can drop off their donations on Sundays or any other day they are

in the building. We will continue to collect them as long as they are being donated.

THANK YOU!

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION CLASS

If you are interested in joining the church please plan to attend this orientation session.

Wednesdays October 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2010

7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

NPC Reference Library (2nd Floor)

Please call the office (330-467-4137) if you would like to be part of this class and if child care will be needed during class time.

Women’s Association

The next meeting of the Women‟s Associa-tion will be on Monday, October 11th at 10:00 a.m. in the family area. We will be continuing our study of “Proverbs, Learning to Live Wisely”. We are excited by how the group has grown this year, and we can always welcome more! The study is fol-lowed by a brief meeting then lunch at a local res-taurant.

Contact Debbie Brooks or Kathy Moore if you have any questions. See you at the next gathering!

Our friend and long time member

Emily Kerr went home to the Lord

on September 6, 2010. Her funeral

service was held here at NPC on Sep-

tember 10th. Emily and Dave have

been members since 1959. She was active in the Women‟s Asso-

ciation and various church committees.

Emily‟s family sent the following note:

Our family would like to take this opportunity to ex-

press our gratitude to the “Sonshine Ladies” (and a few gentele-

men) for the lovely luncheon that was prepared in memory of

Emily Kerr, our wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. Not

only was the food delicious, but it also provided us time to con-

tinue sharing stories and memories of her loving and beautiful

life. God‟s love shone through the kindness of the Northfield

Presbyterian Church and its members.

Most Sincerely,

The Kerr Family.

Page 4 The Good News

Day Care Fundraiser

We are beginning our fundraiser this week. Brochures are available on the table in the Narthex if you would be inter-ested in supporting the daycare. Orders need to be turned in no later than October 18th and the products will be delivered frozen on Wednesday, November 17. They will be ready for pickup after 2:30 p.m. The cookies that will be out on Sunday, October 3 are samples of the Main Street Cookies made in nearby Cuyahoga Falls. Also, if you ever want to see pictures of the children or find out more about what is going on at the daycare, you can check out our website, www.npcdc.com. You can also link to it from the church website, www.northfieldpreschurch.com. We are very proud of our website and have gotten sev-eral new families from it. As always thank you in advance for your support and prayers. Sincerely,

Sherry

Cub Scout Popcorn Sale Begins

This coming month we will be concentrating on

parking lot issues. Please be patient with parking

changes as the repairs are done.

September INCOME: $ 15,216

EXPENSES: $ 12,524

Stewardship Report

The next time you see geese heading south for the winter flying in V formation, you might be interested in knowing what science has discovered about why they fly that way. It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately follow-ing, By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. Christians who share a common direction and sense of community can also get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust and uplift of one another.

It is this notion of stewardship that helps us understand that whatever we think we own is only ours for a time. Whatever we have in our grasp – our time, our talent, our treasure – all be-long now and forever to God, who put them into our hands in trust. If we are faithful, we are stewards. If we are faithful, we know that we manage what is someone else‟s.

You will be receiving your pledge cards for the 2011 fis-cal year in November. Please pray about how God is calling you to provide for your church‟s needs this coming year.

Thoughts on Stewardship

Cub Scout Pack 172 which meets here at NPC on Wednesday

nights has begun their annual Trails End Popcorn Sales. Many of

you are familiar with the quality and deliciousness of their pop-

corn products.

Their products include:

The Chocolate Lover‟s Collection

Sweet and Savory Collection

Cheese Lover‟s Collection

Microwaveable Popcorn packets

And more….

Order Forms are available on the table in the Narthex. You may

add your name and order to a line and place payment for it on the

desk in the church office. Deadline for ordering, Sunday, Octo-

ber 10th. Thank you for your support.

Page 5 The Good News

October Birthdays Baby Congratulations

Stephanie and Paul Schmid wel-

comed their son Logan Benjamin

on Friday, September 10th. He

weighed in at 7 lb. 13 oz. The

excited Grandma is Debbie Czech.

Congratulations to all.

Rebekah Bowers 4-Oct

Jo Martin 5-Oct

Rachel Boyle 14-Oct

Christopher Fenn 15-Oct

Troy Fox 15-Oct

Earl Kane 24-Oct

Kevin Holmes 24-Oct

Ron Emch 25-Oct

Andy Anderson 27-Oct

Ed Mordas 27-Oct

Donna Marion 29-Oct

Todd and Dina Dusek welcomed baby

son, Charles Russell on August 30,

2010. He joins his big sister, Lauren.

They are planning a baptism for early

November.

October is Mission Emphasis Month

We will be welcoming several local missionaries to our pulpit this month.

On October 10th, Bob Trube from Intervarsity at OSU and Capital University in Columbus,

will join us to update on all that is going on with him on campus. He will also join the Adult

Sunday School class that morning at 9:00 a.m. Come and join in the discussion.

On October 17th, David Williams from Campus Crusade for Christ at University of Akron

and Kent State University will be preaching at the 10:15 a.m. service.

Northfield Presbyterian Church

7755 S. Boyden Rd.

Northfield, Ohio 44067

Phone: 330-467-4137

www.northfieldpreschurch.com

Northfield Presbyterian Church