February - North Eaton Christian Church

THOUGHTS FOR THE JOURNEY — Feb. 2016
North Eaton Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
35895 Royalton Rd. Grafton, Ohio 44044
Address Service Requested
A Secret No One Could Keep
The author, Dick Marcear, writes about the beginning of what came to be
known as the Anaconda Mining Company. It all started long ago, when a group of
prospectors set out from Bancock, which was then the capital of Montana, searching
for gold. After many hardships, they were overtaken by a war party of Native
American Indians, who took their good horses and left them with only a few limping
ponies. The Indians told them to return to Bancock. They threatened to overtake
and kill them if they saw them in their region again.
Discouraged and heartbroken, these men started back home. Along the way,
they stopped to rest by a creek. One of the men picked up a stone from the creek
bed, he examined it, and said, “It looks like there may be gold here.” The others
heard him, and together they panned about $50 worth of gold, a great sum in those
days. As they returned to Bancock, they vowed not to tell anyone about their
discovery. No one else was to know. Quietly they re-equipped themselves with tools
and supplies for a return trip to retrieve more gold.
However, to their surprise, when they left to go back to that same creek, 300
hundred men followed them. They questioned each other. They wondered which of
them had broken the vow. Each insisted he had told no one. When they asked the
men who followed, the only explanation they could find, was their beaming faces had
betrayed their secret. As Christians we do not have a secret to hide, but a treasure to
share. We have found the true gold, the “pearl of great price,” and there is plenty for
everyone. Let those around us know it, not only by our words, but by our beaming
faces and our lives transformed by knowing Jesus. “Now when the Jewish leaders
saw the boldness of Peter and John, and realized they were uneducated, common
men, they were astonished and recognized that these men had been with Jesus
(Acts 4:13).” Let us be reminded by Jesus’ words, “You are the light-of-the-world.
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light so shine before others, that they
may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14, 16).”
Permit No. 8
DATE— FEBRUARY 2016
Minister: Rev. Charles Butcher
Christian Ed. & Youth Director: Polly Tallos
Secretary: Londa Blaine
Music Director: Miki Saito
Pathways Counseling and Growth Center: Dr. Ralph Thompson
The VOICE
“Working together to make the difference that matters.”
TO WIN
Blessings for Journey,
Rev. Chuck
NON PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
ELYRIA, OH 44035
TO COMMIT
TO GROW
TO UNITE
(440)748-2230
Visit us at: www.neccdisciples.com
Feb. BIRTHDAYS & ANNIV.
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Loretta St.Andre
Joyce Johnson
Fran Walker
Linda Ickes
Marie Ternes
Linda Johnson
Susie Naylor
Bonnie Hicks
Tim Tyler
Mary Bengough
James Hensley
Kristen Hicks
Jacob Zawoyski
Glenn Swartz
Amanda Klein
Gene Yost
Stu Hicks Sr.
Chris Chapman
Madeline Blaine
Breanna Bokar
Dale & Sally Botson
John & Karen Vilevac
Jim Bokar
Laura Carpenter
Brian Insley
Barb Camareno
Jeff & Chris Hensley
Edna Carpenter
Chuck Butcher
EDNA CARPENTER will be
celebrating her “19th” birthday on
Feb. 29th! Her family is asking that
you help FILL HER ROOM with birthday
cards. Kemper House
25880 Elm St. Rm. 120
Olmsted Falls, OH 44138
Serving At the Lord’s Table
February 2016
8:00 Angie Carter, Scott White
ELDERS: Melissa Folk, Glenn Swartz
2016 IMAGE OF GOD
WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
This year’s Image of God
Women’s Conference will be
held on April 23rd at Grace
Church in Brunswick, Ohio
from 9:00am until 4:00pm. This
conference is for women of all
ages, backgrounds, and walks
of life. The theme this year is
“Who I Am”. Featured speakers
are Sheila Walsh, Jaci Valasquez,
Harris III, Melissa Green, and
Linda Isaiah. Ticket prices are
$59 per person if purchased
before January 23rd and $59 per
person. The cost includes a
boxed lunch and beverage.
Check out the website for more
information at:
www.imageofgod.org/
events.htm. Several of us
attended last year and were
pleasantly inspired and
refreshed. Please let Carol
Bokman (bokmans@att.net or
440-891-1819) if you have any
other questions. You can also
buy a ticket at the door the day
of the conference.
Combined Ash Wednesday Service
LORAIN CHRISTIAN TEMPLE is the host church for our ASH WEDNESDAY
SERVICE on February 10th @ 7:30 p.m. Because the sanctuary roof at
Christian Temple is being remodeled, we will be worshipping at First
Congregational Church, UCC in Lorain. They have been so gracious in
letting us use their church. Their pastor, Rev. Karen Farthing will also be
participating in the service.
First Congregational is located at 423 WASHINGTON AVE. LORAIN, OHIO. It is located
right around the corner from Lorain Christian Temple, 940 West Fifth Street.
Rev. Chris Stark, Pastor at Lakewood Christian Church, will give the message. There will
be a time of fellowship after the service. MARK this special service on your calendar and
let us come and encourage our other brothers and sisters together in worship.
NECC CHILI COOK-OFF 2016
NECC WILL AGAIN HOST OUR ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH
AT 5:00 UNTIL ABOUT 8:00. THE WANEW CHURCHES (WASHINGTON AVE, WESTLAKE,
FRANKLIN CIRCLE, ETC.) AS WELL AS OTHER AREA CHURCHES HAVE BEEN INVITED TO
PARTICIPATE. THIS IS A FAMILY EVENT WITH NO ADMISSION PRICE. ALL THE
MONEY COLLECTED FROM THE CHILI CONTEST AND ANY DONATIONS WILL GO TO
THE CLEVELAND CHRISTIAN HOME .
WE HAVE ASKED EACH CHURCH TO TRY AND PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE POT OF CHILI PER
8 PEOPLE ATTENDING. IT’S TIME TO DIG OUT YOUR FAVORITE CHILI RECIPE OR FIND
A NEW ONE AND ENTER IT CHILI IN THE COMPETITION.
A SIGN-UP SHEET FOR
CHILI, DESSERTS, AND OTHER ITEMS WILL BE IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL IN
JANUARY AND FEBRUARY. IF YOU DON’T WANT TO ENTER THE COMPETITION YOU
CAN STILL COME FOR THE FOOD, FUN, AND MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT.
ONCE AGAIN, JOSH BRUNGER HAS AGREED TO BRING HIS
AWESOME MIDVIEW HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND TO
ENTERTAIN US. WE HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE THERE!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE
CONTACT CAROL BOKMAN AT BOKMANS@ATT.NET OR CALL
440-891-1819.
Needed: Candy for Easter Eggs
The NECC Christian Education Dept will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Palm Sunday,
March 20, 2016. We are asking our church family to donate individually
wrapped candy to stuff in the plastic eggs. Watch for the reduced
VALENTINE’S DAY CANDY. The kids won’t care if the candy is wrapped in red
foil or covered in hearts. (Candy does not need to be chocolate, just needs
to fit into our eggs and be individually wrapped.)
We also need prizes to hand out, for example: stuffed animals, small games,
kites, coloring books, $5 gift certificates to Dairy Queen, McDonald’s, Burger
King, etc. Please bring all donations to church, place them in the box in the Fellowship
Hall. If you have any question please see Polly Tallos or Melissa Folk.
WORSHIP COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Worship Committee would like to welcome Bonnie Hicks as our new Chair Person. We
have been praying that one of our members would be willing to accept this position . We
are grateful for the commitment that she is giving us. Welcome Bonnie!
The Worship Committee would also like to thank everyone involved in the Advent/
Christmas activities and worship services in December and January. So many people
participated in the Community Service on Monday evening, the Christmas Eve services,
Advent readings and candle lighting, ordering poinsettias, bringing in stars to decorate
the narthex, and all of those individuals who participated in decorating the sanctuary. It
is such a blessing to be a part of this wonderful church family.
CHAIR PERSON of Worship Team—-Bonnie Hicks
After much thought and prayer, I accepted the position as Chair of the Worship Team. I stepped
in at a busy time of planning for the season of Lent and Easter, just as the Christmas season
ended. This is an enthusiastic group with many ideas for enhancing our worship services and I
look forward to working with them. I am always open to hear any ideas or answer any questions
you may have.
We hope you will join us for the Combined Ash Wednesday Service on February 10th at First
Congregational Church in Lorain and hosted by Lorain Christian Temple.
Adult Sunday School – Lenten Study: John, The Gospel of Light and Life
The Gospel of John is considered to be the most deeply spiritual book of the four gospels. The
writings in the Gospel of John, are filled with rich images and profound truths, but John notes that
his aim in writing the gospel is that readers will not only believe in Jesus Christ, but that they
“may have life in his name.” We will be invited to experience a season of spiritual growth and a
life-changing renewal through this six week DVD based study written by, Rev. Dr. Adam Hamilton.
We will follow the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus through the Gospel of John and
come to understand the context of some of the best-known verses in the New Testament. Come
and join us for this study starting February 14, 2016 at 11:00 am.
Blessings, Rev. Chuck
Wednesday Night Bible Class – Lenten Study – The God We Can Know
In this seven week DVD based study, we will explore the “I Am” sayings of Jesus, found in the Gospel of
John. No, this is not a duplicating of the Sunday School study on the Gospel of John. In this study we will
take one by one, Jesus’ statements that grab our imagination, revealing more about his identity and purpose.
These significant, yet ordinary images (bread, light, shepherd, vine and more) give us insightful ways to
experience Jesus and point us to a God who wants to be known. The DVD is filmed on location in the Holy
Land, to enrich our understanding about these images. We travel with the author Rob Fuquay and see the
places where Jesus stood and in what context he spoke each “I Am” statement. Come and join us on this
exciting journey to the Holy Land. This study will start on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. We meet from
6:30 to 8:00 pm. We also enjoy a scrumptious dessert break each session.
Blessings, Rev. Chuck
2016 Walk Worthy Men’s Conference
In Ephesians 4:1 St. Paul writes, “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been
called.” Come take a break from your everyday responsibilities to focus on your highest calling, walking
as a man of God. He has made you worthy to walk with Him, and He gives you
strength and perseverance for the journey. At the Walk Worthy Men’s
Conference we will be encouraged and motivated by pastors and leaders who
are walking the walk, lift our hearts and voices together with hundreds of other
men and be renewed in the worship of the Lord. Join us for this powerful oneday event and renew our dedication to the disciplines of a Godly man. This conference is organized and
hosted by Moody Radio. This conference will be on March 5, 2016 and will run from 8:30 am to 3:15
pm. It will be held at the Chapel Akron Campus, 135 Fir Hill Akron, OH. The cost for this event is
$50.
Please let Rev. Chuck know if you are interested in attending this event. Please place an “M” beside your
name in the Friendship Registry or call the church office, 748-2230.
NECC FAMILY GAME NIGHT
On Sunday, February 14th, 5:00-8:00 family and friends of the North
Eaton Christian Church are invited to participate in a GAME NIGHT.
BRING one of your family’s games and teach us or learn a new game from
someone else. Tables will be setup and ready for action! This will be a
Valentine’s Day themed event.
There is no cost to attend, but we ask that each family bring an appetizer, snack OR dessert to share.
Beverages will be provided. We would like to know if you are coming and if you are willing to be a
game host or coming to be a part of the action and fellowship.
CONTACT: Carol Bokman, bokmans@att.net, texting 440-225-4088
Polly Tallos, polly.tallos@yahoo.com, 223-1582
Church-440-748-2230 OR let us know on the friendship register at worship
Dear NECC — Once again, let me say THANK YOU for your generous gifts to the ministry of
CORNERSTON PREGNANCY SERVICES. The Lord allows us to intersect with clients’ lives at their most
vulnerable times and addresses difficult issues with them. May our Lord bless you and your ministry
in the years to come.
Sue Marie Wilhelm, Director of Client Services
Our thanks to all who continue to brings “Cans For Cody”. We made $75.00 last month. Special
thanks to Marilyn Berg for her mission to collect all the drink cans at work!
Thank you to Eve Circle for the surprise “fellowship hour” in honor of my 94th birthday. The hugs
and “happy birthday” greetings from all of you made the day very special. Birthday presents found
in the SS class was another surprise.
Helen Literati
I want to thank my church family for your prayers, calls, and cards that were sent to us on the
passing of my mother.
God Bless You All, Chris Smith
Our thanks to all the ladies who made food for the funeral lunch for Alberta Amos’s family and to
all the ladies (and Randy) for your help in the kitchen, serving and cleaning up after.
Laura Kuhn & Londa Blaine
Dancing Angels — Dancing in the arms of God is a relationship between you and God based on a
deep love and reverence. The “Journey of Angels” performing arts team led 53 of us into a calming,
spiritual waltz to reflect on His goodness. Scarves and hand-held instruments drew some of our own
angels into the dance. Good fellowship was shared afterwards with breakfast casseroles and Danish. The
director of the “Angels” related that ours was the best venue at which they had performed. They were
impressed with the warm welcome and fellowship. The freewill offering was very generous and covered the
expenses. Trusting God is a good thing. Anything is possible with the Lord’s help.
Pat Ables
Global Mission Event — On Sunday, February 21st at 4:00 p.m. join us for an all
church family potluck and power-point presentation on Haiti. Molly Clark (Schroth),
Pat Ables daughter, just returned from a one week mission trip to Haiti and has been
invited to share her experiences with us.
Any questions please contact Pat Ables
SUNDAY BREAKFAST BUNCH— 21 of us met at Blue Sky Restaurant in Elyria after the
8:00 worship service. We all enjoy enjoying be with each other and of course, David and
Julia Insley keep us entertained while waiting for our breakfast. Their smiles and laughter
keep us feeling young.
Laura Kuhn
Week of Compassion
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
North Eaton Christian Church will be collecting the Week of Compassion offering on February 21st
and 28th. Week of Compassion is a special offering fund that offers assistance to people during times of
great need. While this offering is always highlighted during the last week of February, we can donate to Week
of Compassion during the rest of the year by writing “Week of Compassion” on the offering envelopes you’ll
find in the backs of the pews.
Currently Week of Compassion is donating funds directly to the Flint Michigan water crisis. For those
who are unfamiliar with this situation, the water in Flint Michigan has been discovered to contain extremely high
amounts of lead. Some of the funds donated to Week of Compassion will go to Michigan, where they will fund
the Gospel in Action-Flint initiative. This will allow the Vermont Christian Church to continue to provide water,
filters, and other needed items. While there was some government assistance to Flint, it only covered about
75% of the costs, which is why Week of Compassion has stepped in to provide additional compassionate relief.
The Flint water crisis is only one of the many places your Week of Compassion offering will help. For
every $1 donated to Week of Compassion, 50 cents goes to emergency response. 25 cents goes to
sustainable development, eight cents goes to refugee and immigrant ministries, eight to ten cents goes to
volunteer work grants, ecumenical partners, and mission statements, and six to eight cents goes to
administrative costs.
For a list of charities and emergency response projects, you can find more information at
weekofcompassion.org. In addition to making a donation between February 21 and 28, you can donate
directly from the website.
Stephanie Tyler Garvin, Outreach Chair Person