Elder’s Spotlight

Prayer is an important part of an elder's spiritual life. It is an important part of anyone's life.

Sometimes I get into a rut. My prayer list resembles a grocery list. I run down the names asking for

healing, comfort, wisdom..., and then I'm done and off to my next activity.

Prayer is much more than simply asking God. There are prayers of adoration, praising and

glorifying God. Prayers of thanksgiving, expressing gratitude for the love of God given in so many ways.

Prayers of contemplation, quiet moments to rest and reflect in time of meditation. Prayers of confes-

sion, time to acknowledge all our strengths and weaknesses. Prayers of intercession, given for the sake

of others. Prayers of petition, containing our personal requests for God's blessings. Prayers of

submission, bringing our will into harmony with God's will. Through all these variations of prayer, we are

able to know God.

Does your prayer life need a tune-up? Mine can always use some help. Sometimes we lack

consistency in our prayer time. We can go for long times of being too busy. Or our prayers are almost

memorized, we need sincerity. Our prayers may be awkward and dull. We may ask if God would even

want to hear from me. It seems like I'm always asking for something, even if it is a good thing.

From this morning's (January 15) Upper Room I found some helpful prayer tips: a man and his

buddy spent time talking about prayer. The friend admitted he found it hard to find time for consistent

prayer because of his busy schedule (sound familiar?). He asked how his friend found the time. His

friend explained that a long time ago he discovered an easy method after reading Jesus' instruction to

the disciples to watch and pray. He decided that every time he looked at his watch to see what time it

was, the time was right for a prayer. He made a habit to pray for whatever was on his mind of what was

going on at that time. Soon he was praying at least 10 times a day. The other tried it and found that he

had more time to pray than he had realized. Other ideas would be to pray during commercials while

watching TV or on the morning commute to work. With a little creativity we can always find time to

pray.

Prayers may not be answered as we expect or in the time we hope. This is not the time to

wonder if prayers make a difference. This is not the time to wonder if God even listens. And if God

already knows everything, why am I praying. The Power of the prayer is not in us. The power is in God

who listens, understands, and answers prayers, all prayers. Our prayers do make a difference.

Donna Van Boxel

Perry Christian Church

Newsletter

The Crier—February 2020

Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 2nd for the next CWM meeting. Please plan to at-

tend (after worship) as we finalize some of our plans for 2020.

SECRET SISTERS — If you signed up for a Secret Sister, your “sister” has been assigned to you.

Information was distributed on Sunday, January 19th to those in attendance. If you were not

there, Carole will have yours for you on the 26th. If you want the information before then, please call Carole at

440-259-2257.

To finish off the “old year” on December 29th the youth went to Scores Fun center for an afternoon of laser tag, bowling and of course food.

Now, let’s start a new...

The Super Bowl Sub Sale is back. It is a slightly different format than years past. Here are the details...This is a fundraiser so that the youth would be able to attend the Western Reserve Youth Retreat in March 2020 in a camp setting and the Youth Annual Conference in June 2020 at Lakeside, OH. Subs will be available with sev-eral choices. A 1 meat & 1 cheese sub is $5. A 2 meat & 2 cheese sub is $6. Choices include roast beef, turkey, ham, provolone cheese, Swiss cheese, lettuce & tomato. Order forms will be in the bulletin on January 26th and are due on that day! We are looking for volunteers to help pack subs Saturday February 1st from 9:00-11:00 at Perry United Meth-odist. Distribution will be Sunday morning February 2nd.

During our January 26th meeting we will be viewing a movie at Perry United Methodist from 12:30-2:00. On February 9th we will have a discussion of the movie from 12:30-2:00 at Perry United Methodist Church.

We are always looking to involve more youth in our group, If you know of someone who would benefit from our program...grandchildren, neighbors, etc., please send them our way.

New Fish Youth Advisors

Taunya Brewer, Sue Lefler and Tim Johnson

Page 2

Christian Women’s Ministry (CWM)

Perry Christian Church Newsletter

New Fish Youth Group

Week of Compassion February 16-23, 2020

As the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples

of Christ), Week of

Compassion works with partners to alleviate suffering throughout the world. Their

vision is a world where God’s people transform suffering into hope. For 75 years

they’ve been about creating a better future for those displaced by war, famine or

economic realities. We will have offering envelopes available throughout the month or

you can make an online gift at: weekofcompassion.org

Project Hope

On February 13th at 6 p.m., we will prepare a side dish and sack lunches for Project Hope. Here’s what is needed to make our work successful! For the lunches we’ll need: 55 slices of Turkey, and 2 Bags of 18 Individual chips.

Needed for the side dish are 3 Loaves of unsliced French bread, 1 lb. of sliced ham, 1 lb. of sliced salami, 1 lb. of sliced turkey, 1 lb. of sliced Swiss cheese, a bottle of ranch dressing, and 2 small bags of shredded lettuce.

Thanks for all your donations to this ministry, and thanks, also, to those who help prepare and deliver the food.

As always there are sign-up sheets on the church bulletin board for the supplies and delivery.

God’s blessings on you. Frankie Blanchard & Brenda Carr

Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 3

Mission Matters

“Every act of kindness done, makes life better for someone.”

IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY!

We are beginning our second year for It’s Your Birthday! Although we haven’t had as much response as we had hoped, those that have participated have had a great time.

This February 15th, we will be hosting our first party of 2020. The theme for this party will be Star Wars. We will be doing something a little different this time and are crafting a death star piñata. If you would be interested in helping us fill the piñata, please bring bags of candy and/or small non-breakable toys – like small plastic figurines or hot wheels (suitable for boys) to the church. The death star will be quite big and it has to be full to break.

Anyone who is interested in helping supervise youngsters, please come and help us. There will be games to su-pervise, balloons and inflatable wrestling suits to blow up, and food to set out.

Additionally, if you know of a Perry child who is need or our services, please let a team member know and we will reach out to the family.

Frankie Blanchard, Pat Boehnke, Laura and Shelley Braden, Kim Davis, Laurie Martin, Connie Smith, Vicki

Elder Report Elders meet every two months just before the General Board meeting. Health of the congregation, members in

hospital, and shut-in members are all discussed. Every month a different elder is on call to take communion to the

shut-ins and visit members in the hospital. If you are in the hospital please be sure to let one of the elders know.

We want to make certain that everyone knows how important they are to this congregational family.

Through the end of February one of the elders will be introducing hymns, offering the invitation to join the church

and closing our service with a benediction.

Elders for 2020 are, Don Bartlett, Penny Harrison, Earl Johnson, Laurie Martin, Joann Rombough, Gayle Salsberry,

Linda Warfield, and Donna Van Boxel, chair of elders.

February 2020

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Ash Wednesday is on February

26th. Be watching for the Lenten

Devotional to be available on

Sunday, Feb 23rd.

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9:30a Worship

followed by

Fellowship

CWM Board

Meeting after

worship

7p Trustee Mtg 9a Community

Outreach Team

9:30a Prayer

Team

6:30p Women’s

Bible Study

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

9:30a Worship

followed by

Fellowship

12:30-2p New

Fish Youth at

PUMC

9:30a Prayer

Team

6p Project Hope

Food Prep

6:30p Women’s

Bible Study

“It’s Your

Birthday” Party

6:45p Project

Hope Food

Delivery

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

9:30a Worship

followed by

Fellowship

Presidents’ Day 6:30p Women’s

Bible Study

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

9:30a Worship

followed by

Fellowship

Ash Wednesday 6:30p Women’s

Bible Study

February Service Schedules

Worship Leaders Elders All Month

2 Vicki Wakelee

Donna Van Boxel

Earl Johnson

Deacons Judy Bartlett

Jeff Bartlett

9 Carole Martin

Gayle Salsberry

Joann Rombough

Song Leader Don Bartlett

Sacristan Taunya Brewer

16 Laura Braden

Laurie Martin

Linda Warfield

Counters Connie Smith

Vicki Wakelee

23 Laurie Martin Don Bartlett

Donna Van Boxel

Hostess Linda Warfield

The Herb & Spice Trail contributed by: Linda Warfield

We all remember the story of the three kings bringing gifts for the baby Jesus which included Frankincense, Gold & Myrrh. Spices and foods were how people of that time stayed healthy. Have you considered that the Gold may have been turmeric? Let's travel along and see what we discover. Maybe we can learn again how the people used what was available to them for health, including a good meal. Rosemary: It is a member of the mint family and recognized for phyto-nutrients, anti-oxidants, and essential acids. The rosemary plant was regarded as sacred by many civilizations. It was used to help drive away evil spirits and to protect against plague and infectious illness. Other uses include strengthening the nerv-ous system and memory. This is just a short list. Rosemary can be used fresh or dried to flavor salads, soups, baked vegetables, and meat dishes. With its spike-adorned stems, rosemary also finds its place in Christmas decorations as it is easily added to wreaths and sprays. It has been used as a tea for headaches and memory issues. Even though rosemary is not only an herb to make food taste better, I have included a recipe for you to try. Rosemary-Honey Butter Cream ½ cup (1 stick) softened salted butter in a small bowl until smooth. Stir in 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 ½ teaspoon dried). Add 1 Tablespoon honey and stir until partially mixed. Spoon the butter onto waxed paper and roll into a log, twisting the ends of the paper. Chill until firm. Delicious on toast or rolls, or use on vegetables. Enjoy!

February Birthdays

Wednesday, Feb 5—Tom Harrison

Thursday, Feb 6 —Ben Pierce

Friday, Feb 7—Quinn Johnson

Tuesday, Feb 25—Brenda Carr

Friday, Feb 28—Roger Lett

Interim Team Report

Interim Search Team: Virginia Brennan, Jeray Bunnell, Carole Martin, Laurie Martin, Sherry Smith (chair)

Eric Van Boxel

The team met on 10/7/19. Thad Allen, our Regional Minister, had sent us a list of people to consider for

pulpit supply, only one of whom could be considered as an Interim minister. Since the church would be

paying Pastor Paul through November, as per contract, we decided that filling the pulpit through November

would be the best option. Many thanks to Elders Vicki Wakelee and Carole Martin who took charge of find-

ing ministers and lay people to give the message. We are very blessed to have so many people in our con-

gregation who offered to serve as well.

The team met on 11/10/19 and decided that the Advent Season wouldn’t be a good time to bring in an In-

terim and we wanted to find more than one person who might be interested in the position. We liked Rev.

Ed Allen who had filled the pulpit a few times as well as providing pastoral care. Although he couldn’t com-

mit to being Interim, he did agree to preach through Christmas.

The team met on 1/2/20. Rev. Ralph Wearstler, our Regional Elder, sent us a list of three other people we

could consider as Interim. We have contacted each of them and they have been scheduled to preach

throughout January and February. We decided that we will be looking for a part-time Interim (20-25

hours). We will provide mileage but not housing. In addition to preaching on Sundays, he/she would have

office hours one or two days during the week. Pastoral care, officiating at special events and guiding us in

our search for a settled pastor will be expected. The team has also received two resumes from people in-

terested in being considered for the settled pastor position. We have met with one but he will not be avail-

able in the immediate future. We will be contacting the other person and hope to have her come to preach

sometime in the next month.

We know this has been a difficult time but we are so proud of all of you who have continued to have faith that God has special plans for Perry Christian Church. All your prayers are needed to help the church dis-cern who God has chosen to lead us forward. Respectfully Submitted, Laurie Martin

From the Financial Secretary

Just a little reminder. When you are making out your check for your offering, please be sure to make it out to Perry Christian Church, not PCC. The bank teller looks at each check to make sure the full name of the church is on the check. They are not very happy to see an abbreviation for the church name. And also re-member, it's now 2020. Thank you! Donna Van Boxel, Financial Secretary

We extend our sympathy to the Family of Russell Sines for his passing on January 6, 2019.

Thank You!

From: The Perry Center The Perry Center is most grateful for the generosity of Perry Christian Church. You keep the center’s clients supplied with laundry detergent, dish soap, hand soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Your monetary donations to the church (earmarked for The Perry Center) allow these items to be purchased on a regular basis for the clients. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

From: The Disciple Mission Fund

Dear Disciple Women of Perry Christian Church,

Thank you for your generous gift to the Disciples Mission Fund in December! As an employee of a DMF-

supported ministry, I’m so grateful for your commitment to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the

U.S. and Canada.

Because of your gift, Disciples are starting new churches, combating racism, and advocating for the least of

these—from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.

Thanks so much for your gift, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like more information about

Disciple Mission Fund!

In Christian love, Emily Mentii, Office of the General Minister & President

From: Project Hope Dear Church Family, Thank you for your donation through our Christmas Ornament program! Your gift of $462.33 donated on Dec. 26, 2019 is critical for the nearly 500 men, women, and children we see here ever year at 25 Freedom Rd. Your donation allows us to provide necessary care such as food and shelter to our friends who are homeless. It also allows us to provide simple things like hygiene items, clothing, and linens. One of the most important things it helps us to provide for our guests is one-on-one goal-planning meetings each week with an experienced staff member. God bless you and thank you for your generous response to help those in need. Happy 2020!

Judy Burr, Executive Director

From: Salvation Army/Perry Center Dear Friends, Thank you again for helping The Perry Center this Christmas. This year 92 of our families requested special assistance and of those, 58 were families had a total of 133 children. Thank you for your kindness and gen-erosity in supplying Christmas candy for the food boxes. We know you made a difference for these families this Christmas.

Also, many thanks to all who rang bells for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. Proceeds from this ac-count are a major portion of our funds for the year. Your donations of gifts were also greatly appreciated. m Sometimes we are so focused on the children we forget that the adults also need joy at Christmas. This year, we made sure every adult also received a gift. May God’s rich blessings be your today and every day throughout the year. Best wishes from everyone at The Perry Center

From: The Russell Sines Family The Sines family would like to thank everyone at the Perry Christian Church who helped make Dad’s funeral such a wonderful success!! Pastor Ralph [Wearstler] did an amazing eulogy and the women who had the food for the lunch went beyond our expectations! God Bless you all. Special thanks to Don Bartlett and Earl Johnson! JoAnne Lefelhoc

Worship 9:30 a.m.

Fellowship 10:45 a.m.

Church Office E-Mail: sec@perrychristianchurch.org

Phone (440) 259-4821

Website www.perrychristianchurch.org

PERRY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

3270 CALL ROAD

P.O. BOX 177

PERRY, OH 44081

THE CRIER

February 2020 News

Love you every

day. Jesus