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Minerva Messenger 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

The Bad with the Good Mark 1:12-13

At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness for forty days, be-ing tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

When we say “You have to take the good with the bad,” we usually are saying that little can be done about the series of pleasant and unpleasant news and experiences that our journey through time brings to us. Luck, it seems, brings us a good day, and then our same luck sends the hardships. Jesus lives a human life like ours, except that his is lived in complete dependence on the Father. Is it the same for Him? Does luck happen to Jesus? In the passage, several bad things are listed. Being in the wilderness, being there forty days, being tempted by the devil, and probably being with the wild animals is also a piece of bad news. But the news that is bad is bracketed by something that is good; “led by the Spirit,” and “angels attended Him.” “Lucky the Spirit led Him.” “Good thing the angels attended Him, lucky break.” Is that how we would respond to the story? Hardly. Jesus takes these very difficult first steps into His ministry in a relationship with the Father. Life for Christ is not a series of better and worse random events. It is saturated with the presence of His Father. So what about us? Friends, it is not easy to see God working sometimes. It can be hard to know His presence. It can be too glib and easy to say to the sorrowing that there is a purpose to it all. We sometimes say that ‘God will bring you through,’ and step back into more pleasant tasks, rather than helping the suffer-er. But our lives are meant to be lived in relationship with the Father, as Jesus’ was. He helps us to live this as a reality. We will not find all of it to be easy, but we will find it all to have been lived in His loving, capable hands. Live in Faith and assurance today, God loves you! Blessings, Pastor Harley

Pastor’s Bible Study We will be continuing with our Study in the Book of

Mark in September. Bible Study is held every Tues-

day morning, 10:30am in the Crosstrainer’s Room.

We had been doing a chapter from the Gospel eve-

ry week, but we have now discovered, “who knew?”

longer chapters! Chapters 11-16 cover the events of

Jesus’ last week of ministry in Jerusalem, His death,

and His Resurrection. There is no need to rush this

wonderful story! So we will be covering what we can

each lesson, and do our best to take those lessons

to heart. Come and share in the journey!

September Worship Schedule September 7

“Making the News” Mark 1:1-3, Holy Communion 7pm Taize Service at 4894 Robertsville SE

September 14 “Fighting a Thousand” Mark 5:1-13

September 21 “In the Town of the Blind” Mark 6:1-6

September 24 Worship at St. Luke’s Community 1030am

September 25 Worship at Minerva Eldercare 930am

Worship at Great Trail Care Center 1030am September 28

“Contending with Terror” Mark 6:45-52

Thank you very much for the scholarship, it will help out with expenses. My church family has always been there for me and I truly appreciate it. Michaela Bryan

Condolences to Bob & Carol Allmon & Family,

Karen Jackson-Tucci & Family, Randy, Rachel (Hodges), Rebecca Soliday

on the death of, Robin Soliday.

Robin passed away on August 2, 2014.

I would like to thank everyone for their pray-ers and cards & prayer shawl during my mother’s illness and her passing. I would also like to thank Pastor Harley for all his visits to the hospital and to our home during this diffi-cult time. We are so fortunate to have such a caring Pastor & church family. Thank you again! In Christian Love, Linda & Dennis Miller

Condolences to Linda & Dennis Miller & Family on the

death of Linda’s mother, June Waseman.

June passed away on June 26, 2014.

I would like to thank the Minerva United Methodist Church for the beautiful flower ar-rangement for my mother’s, June Waseman, memorial service. Also thank you to Pastor Harley, Jeff Beshore and Amie Fankhauser for their part in making my mother’s memorial service so beautiful. In Christian Love, Linda & Dennis Miller

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

PRAYER CHAIN

If you wish to have someone put on the prayer chain, please contact the church of-

fice and/or Jennie McClellan (330-868-6834) or Kay Hilverding (330-868-4728)

with your request. Your request will be han-dled 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: Dave Albery, Pat Alexander, Marilyn Arnold, Barb, Bev, Blake, Andy Bratu, Eva Mae Carter, Bryley Casper, Marty Cephas, Bobbie Cinson, Geraldine Clark & Family, Homer Collins, Family of Angie Conley, Family of Clark Criss, Marcia Kay Criss, Lily Croston, Alexa Daulbaugh, John Davis, Family of Marilyn Davis, Bill Dragomir, Eltringham Family, Gerald Fallot, Families in Crisis, Jim Felger, Gary Fry, Gary & Janese (Gotschall) Ramsey & Family, Barb Griffith, Sandi Griffith, Kymberlie & Emelyn Guthrie & Family, Donna Hafer, Kim Hale, Helen Hart, Ray & Barb Haun, Norma Hill, Hope, Carli Irons, Barb Jamison, Jeff, Jobs, Stephanie Keen, Kelly, Helen Kin-tigh, Dan Lutz (Minerval City UMC)Terry McDevitt, Buddy McNutt, Bill Mentz, Michelle, Dorothy Middleton, Dave Miller (R.C.’s brother), Linda Miller, Minerva UMC’s Food Program, Mission Team in Hungary, Harold Moore, Linda Moore, Michael Moran, Blanche Morrison, Mike Newton, Kelly Oberlin, Greg Peach, Faye Pearson, Diane Phillips, Tyler Roach, Roger, Paula Rogers, Jim Sabo, Dorothy Smith, Sue, Carol Tice, Josh Townsend, Jake Walter, Steve Warth, Family of Emily Waseman, Family of June Waseman, Jean Wheeler, Scott Wood, Mose Yoder, Bev-erly Zindarsic, Bob & Carol Allmon & Family- Karen Jack-son & Family (death of Robin Soliday), Prayers for our children and teachers as school begins

Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Marines–AC Nicholas G. Albery (Naval Air Station Oceana, VA), AM Zachary D. Albery (Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA), Jesse Clark (Germany), Lewis Gibson (Korea), Brandon Jenkins (Texas) , Aaron King, Kevin Kowars (Texas), Dan Lutz, Eli Maurer (Coast Guard Academy, Connecticut), Josh Miller(Texas), Sgt. Michael Murphy (Hawaii; USMC), Rus-sell Nero (Air force Reserves-Leaving for Afghanistan), SA Devin Pennock (Great Lakes, IL; Navy), Kevin Price (Japan), Mitch Soles (Fort Sam Houston, TX; Navy), John Stehulak (Afghanistan), Justin C. Zeedrich

Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for sending your thoughts and prayers within the prayer shawl. I appre-ciate the time Pastor Harley spent with me and my family before, during and after my surgery. Once again, I appreciate the cards, thought and prayers. Love Alexa

New Birthday Henry Alan Basford Born July 28, 2014 Henry is the son of

Amelia (Eberts) & Alan Basford. Proud grandparents are Susan & Peter Fahey and

great grandma is Carol Powell.

Welcome and Happy Birthday, Henry!

Jay Reed Memorial Scholarship This year’s recipient of the Jay Reed memorial Scholarship was Michaela Bryan. Michaela will be attending Cleveland State University.

September Anniversaries Sept 1 Marty & Sandy Mong Sept 7 Andy & Beth Heckathorne Sept 14 Alan & Amelia Basford Sept 17 Rick & Laura Stauffer Sept 17 Lee & Mary Jo Wyatt Sept 23 Michael & Dawn Alexander Sept 24 Dan & Jennifer Jones Sept 26 Machia & Liz Wheeler

September Birthdays 1 Heather Shirley, Emily Mapes 2 Holly Fankhauser, Ryan Miller 3 Mary Miller, Cheryl Gotschall 5 Logan Russo 6 Jenna Daulbaugh, Melinda Reed 7 Kay Hilverding 8 Steve Wickersham 9 Josie Pitts, Jamie Hilverding 10 Laura Stauffer, Eli Maurer, William McCullough, Marty Mong 11 Vernon Deininger, Rev. Susan Lausch, Dean Holland 12 Paula Rogers, Shaun Green 13 Vicki Reed, Zerick Banner, Holly Brust 15 Ray Davis, Ron Phillips, Brandon Pearson, Brian Dieringer 16 Greg Peach, Linda Hetrick, Vyctoria Nightingale 17 Tyson Mock 18 Kyle Waseman 19 Justin Stalder, Darlie Katz, David E. Miller 20 Jim Brawley, Blanche Morrison 21 Dale Cogan 22 Tricia Wurzbach, Brian Kienzle, Debbie Keister, Melah Essick 24 Madison Long 25 Barb Meadows, Jim Hetrick, Kim Thomas, Amanda Butream 26 Ellen Mary Kump, Alex Gotschall, Timmy Kirkpatrick 27 Virginia Pearson 28 Rick Miller, Earline Bates, Denise Shepard 29 John Alexander, Cindy Wheeler

September Ushers Virgil Feiock, Brandon Kail,

Paul Kail, Ken Lewis

September Altar Flowers Sept 7 Mong Sept 14 Searchers Sept 21 Sept 28

September Nursery Attendants Sept 7 Laurie McClellan, Cristin Rettig Sept 14 Joe & Carolynn Herstine Sept 21 Tom & Denise Freeland Sept 28 Renee Smith, Shelly Ridzon

September Greeters Sept 7 Sept 14 Sept 21 Sept 28

Attention Parents of College Students

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Produce News August 14th was a very busy produce distribution day. We served 204 families with 615 family members. Thank you volunteers for making this possible. A huge thanks to the potato scrubbers….you are priceless. I would like to recognize our No.1 Volunteer with the food program, Carl Felger. When we started this food program Carl was 91 yrs old and he jumped right in there volunteering to do deliveries. In the 29 months that we have been serving our community with this ministry, Carl has never missed a single one. He has always been the first to stop by my office door or catch me on a Sunday morning to let me know he will be there for the next distribution day. Now Carl is 94 yrs old and still smiling as he continues to be involved. Thank you, Carl! A Volunteer Appreciation Picnic was held in the Red Building on Saturday, August 23rd, to thank our wonderful volunteers. It was nice to see everyone who was able to be with us. For the 35 people who at-tended there was not one single carrot to bag or one bag of potatoes to wash or put into a wagon. So the workload was light for the event, just some food and some fellowship.

Thank you once again. Cheryl

Meal and A Message As part of our community outreach, our church will once again serve the Salvation Army dinner on October 7th. This is a monthly dinner open to the public and spe-cifically for those in need. If you are inter-ested in helping with this, whether by setting up, serving, providing desserts or cleaning up, please contact the church office or call Pat Miller at (330) 868-3400. Thank you.

Salvation Army, Back-to-School Program Dear Friends, Thank you for donating 203 items of school supplies to our Back-to-School Program for needy children in the Minerva/Malvern area. We provide hundreds of children with backpacks and school supplies. In a sig-nificant way, children’s lives were touched by your gift. Your help is greatly appreciated to help further the ministry of the Minerva Salvation Army service unit. Because of your generosity, we are able to help meet the needs of people in our community who need emergency assistance and brighten their days. Thank you for working together with us to help people in our community. Jennifer Chadwell, Unit Coordinator; Cindy Beight & Donna Pinchek, Back-to-School Program Coordinators

Attention All Singers: Choir practice will resume on

Thursday, Sept. 4th @ 7pm in the choir room. New members are always welcome but this is

a great time of year to join as we begin to prepare for the Christmas Cantata.

COME ONE, COME ALL!

KIDS This December, the kids will present the musical

“The Great Christmas Giveaway”. We will begin practicing in September during

Junior Church. Auditions for speaking rolls will also be in September.

More information to follow.

Our job is to love others without stopping to in-quire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody's business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy. Thomas Merton

Calvary Mission Item-of-the-Month for September is PASTA!

When you go out to buy groceries in the next month, throw an extra box of pasta in your cart for this outreach. You can get a box for around $1. Make that $1 effort and help feed the less fortunate, that Calvary Mission serves.

Thank you

Family Fun Day 2014 On August 10th, the churches of Minerva, in partnership with the Boy Scouts, Kishman’s IGA, and the Salvation Army presented a day of free food, games, inflatable slides, obsta-cle course, and bouncy houses. Thanks to God and good weather, we had more this year than last year, with 491 registered guest, and of these, 330 were children hav-ing fun! Thanks to all our brave volunteers, and blessings on all who were there!

We would like to thank everyone for their kind-ness, prayers, thoughtfulness, flowers, food, cards and a shoulder to cry on during this most difficult time of loss. We would also like to thank all who helped with the wonderful dinner after the service for Robin. Everything was great and we so appre-ciate it. To Pastor Harley, thank you so much for your kindness and your time spent with us during all of this. We feel very blessed to be part of such a large caring family here at our church. Thank you from the bottom of hearts. May God bless each and everyone of you. Bob & Carol Allmon, Debbie, Karen & Michelle, Rachel, Rebecca and Randy, and the rest of the family.

Taizé Services

Chances are you haven’t been to a Community Service yet. These are services of prayer, simple singing, quiet, and candlelight. They are hosted monthly in the Minerva community by several churches. Taizé services will be held in the community the first Sunday of the month this fall. All services are at 7pm. This is a chance to be in worship with your Christian brothers and sisters who are your close neighbors. This fall the Taizé schedule is: First Presbyterian September 7

Minerva UMC October 12

St. Gabriel’s Catholic November 9

St. Paul’s Lutheran November 30

The first Taizé Service of the fall will be held at the home of Virginia Burks, 4894 Robertsville SE, hosted by the First Presbyterian Church on Sun., Sept. 7, 7pm. Join us for this beautiful service of prayer and song. If you would like to attend and need a ride, call Pastor Harley.

Hello, My name is Kelly Oberlin. I would like to thank all of you for the many prayers and beautiful prayer blanket. I slept with that blanket the day it was delivered by my friend, Louise. With God all things are possible. I pray for healing. I also know it’s God’s plan and timing. Thank you and God Bless. Kelly Oberlin

Dear Church Family, As I head back to Heidelberg for my junior year, I want to thank all of you for your continued support not only in my football career, but in my academics too. Thank you for your prayers; they are much needed and appreciated. Thanks too for all the food that you send to us college students. It al-ways comes at a much needed time-trying to study for exams! Thank you again for all your support. Sincerely, Clay Staib

Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Cloyd O. Dick, Jr., the former Olive M. Min-ich, of 527 Burn Hill Rd, Shermans Dale, PA 17090 will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on Sept. 6, 2014. They were married at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr & Mrs Hollie C. Minich, in Sher-mans Dale, PA, by the Rev. Harold V. March. They have been blessed with a wonderful family, 2 daughters and a son, and their loving spouses, Mr & Mrs Nathan & Marguerite Ware of Calhoun, Georgia; Mr & Mrs Rodney & Barbara Peters of Shemans Dale; and Mr & Mrs Cloyd O. & Bobbe Dick of Hazelton, PA. They have 7 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Cloyd is a veteran of WWII, having served with the US Army in Europe. He is a former school teacher, ac-countant, and for 30 yrs before retiring in 1985, worked in the field of industrial engineering for TRW in Harrisburg, PA and Minerva and for Babcock & Wilcox in Alliance. He retired from Babcok & Wilcox as Plant Time Study & Cost Estimating Engineer. Olive was a devoted mother and homemaker until their children were grown, after which she became manager of several farm supply stores for the Stark County Farm Bureau (later Landmark) in the Minerva area, retiring in 1982. For many years after retiring they spent the winter months in Florida, forming many lasting friendships throughout the United States and Canada. They es-pecially enjoyed camping and traveling, and have traveled extensively both here in the US and abroad. Cloyd is an ardent hunter and fisherman and enjoys gardening. They are devoted to each other, their fami-ly, their church and their country. Cloyd & Olive spent many years attending Minerva UMC. If you would like to send a card to help them celebrate this huge occasion, mail them to: Mr & Mrs Cloyd O. Dick Jr., 527 Burn Hill Rd, Shermans Dale, PA 17090

Tea or Coffee? Come Join the Women of MUMC at 9am on Sept. 13 at Classic 57.

Start the new school year, church year or

change of seasons! Fun, Fellowship, Prayer.

Bring your ideas of what you would like to see the Minerva church ladies doing in our community.

Questions? Call Mary Staib 330-868-1191 or

Laurie Peach 330-868-2616

Our Rally Day is September 7th, and a BIG time is planned.

There will be games, treats, and fun stuff for all the children.

Rally Day is for our Sunday School kids (and all the new kids we can invite or bring)

to discover our theme:

“Every Day is Sweeter with Jesus!”

We will begin also this fall in Sunday school with Character lessons for the kids from Scripture.

Learning and Growing

was never so much fun!

Adventures with Jesus Preaching in the Gospel of Mark

in Fall 2104. When you read the Gospel of Mark, some-

thing always seems to be happening, it definitely not seems like a series of slow Thursday afternoons! There are storms, hungry crowds, intimidating de-

mons, visits to the hometown, widows making offer-ings, rich men grasping their wealth, children getting

hugs, and often, the Son of God walks through a world without love.

We can share the adventure with Jesus, by reading, preaching, hearing,

and praying through the Gospel together this fall.

Read the Gospel of Mark

with us this Fall! We will have preaching from this, the shortest of the Gospels this fall. So let’s read it together! Try to cover these passages anytime during the week. Allow the Holy Spirit to move us, individually and as a whole body of believers, to questions, learn-ing, and a new sense of call. Week of September 7 Mark 1:1- 2:12

Week of September 14 Mark 2:13- 3:35

Week of September 21 Mark 4:1- 5:20

Week of September 28 Mark 5:21- 6:29

Week of October 5 Mark 6:30- 7:37

Week of October 12 Mark 8:1-9:13

Week of October 19 Mark 9:14- 10:31

Week of October 26 Mark 10:32-11:33

Week of November 2 Mark 12:1- 12:44

Week of November 9 Mark 13:1- 14:26

Week of November 16 Mark 14:27- 14:72

Week of November 23 Mark 15:1- 15:47

Week of November 30 Mark 16:1- 20

September 2014

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Labor Day

Building Closed

2

1030a Bible Study

3 4

7p Choir

5

545p Wedding

rehearsal

6

10a Wedding

7 Rally Day

915a Sunday Schl

1030a Worship

1130a-230p

Aultman Blood

Mobile

8 9

1030a Bible Study

12p Senior Group

Lunch

10

615p Joyful Noise

730p HarmonyHB

11

8a Produce Del.

9a Produce Dist.

7p Choir

12 13

9a Women at

Classic

14 Social Hour

915a Sunday Schl

1030a Worship

15 16

1030a Bible Study

11a Pathways

630p Trustees

7p Admin.Council

17

615p Joyful Noise

730p HarmonyHB

18

7p Choir

19 20

21

915a Sunday Schl

1030a Worship

22 23

1030a Bible Study

24

615p Joyful Noise

730p HarmonyHB

25

7p Choir

26 27

28

915a Sunday Schl

1030a Worship

29 30

1030a Bible Study