Norwalkian

The
Norwalkian
April 2015 / A publication of Norwalk First United Methodist Church
Sermon Schedule
April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
Easter Sunday
Second Sunday of Easter
Third Sunday of Easter
Fourth Sunday of Easter
“Symbols”
“What Is the Meaning of All This?”
“A Stern-Faced Man of Intrigue”
“O Lord, Listen, Forgive, and Act”
Joshua 4:1-9
Daniel 7:1-28
Daniel 8:1-27
Daniel 9:1-27
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Easter Season, also known as the Great Fifty Days, begins at sunset Easter Eve (April 4) and continues
through the Day of Pentecost (May 24). It is the most joyous and celebrative season of the Christian year. It
focuses on Christ’s resurrection and ascension and on the givings of the Holy Spirit on the first Easter
(John 20:22-23) and the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The ancient Christian name for this festival is Pasch,
derived from the Hebrew pesah, which means “deliverance” or “passover.” Therefore, Pasch closely
connects the Resurrection to the Exodus. The Angel of Death passed over the Hebrew households in Egypt
because the blood of the lamb was on their doorposts. In the same manner, because of the Blood of the
Lamb shed on the Cross, Jesus passes over from death to life and insures that we will, too, if we believe in
His life, death, and resurrection.
Spring is here! All things are being made new. New life comes to us not only in the natural life forms that
God has created here on earth, but in our spiritual lives as well when we celebrate the Paschal Mystery of
the Resurrection. Please pray with me:
Lord of Life, submitting to death, you conquered the grave. By being lifted on a cross you draw all
peoples to you. By being raised from the dead you restored to humanity all that we had lost through
sin. Throughout these fifty days of Easter we proclaim the marvelous mystery of death and
resurrection. For all praise is yours, now and throughout eternity. Amen.
~Pastor Brian
(419) 668-1938
norwalkfirstumchurch@gmail.com
www.norwalkfirstumc.com
April Birthdays
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
Audrey Rose
Jordan Bodde
Zoey Corfman
Catherine Hazelwood
Angie Kirk
Addie Mannino
Mike Meinke
Roxanne Walker
Laura Hahn
Triton Arnett
Jillian Ballard
Rebecca Roth
Geri Steltzer
Debe Gelvin
Bob Gentzel
Chris Jackson
JoAnne Waugh
Ashley Turnley
Beverly Pickworth
Abby Brutsche
Courtney Hinckley
Charlotte Young
Tyler Jackson
Mary Jo Hazelwood
Alexis Van Giesen
Alicia Casselberry
Ric Thorpe
15 Henry Lasch
Raygan Moffit
Kayla Pelham
Sharon Ward
Phyllis Zieber
16 Riley Helton
Pat Wetzel
17 Richard Blackburn
Anah Freeman
18 Kayla Johnson
19 Don Everman
Louise Haydn
Linda Williams
20 Caitlyn Alley
Ethan Caldwell
Evan Caldwell
21 Aaron Christophel
Jim Rolsten
22 Elle Ballard
Vicki Knight
Paul Phillips
Jeffrey Sutton
Zach Usselman
23 Deanna Cole
Orion DeYoe
Rosalie Rakosky
24 Jeff Laycock
Addison Moffit
25 Pamela Van Giesen
26 Lisa Hull
Bruce Kurtz
Betty Pothorski
27 Linda Johns
28 Chris Berry
29 Kelly Caldwell
30 Lynn Horning
7
10
11
12
13
16
19
22
23
24
26
Jon & Judy Nutter
Tom & Suzi Skoglund
Dave & Bette Livingston
Dick & Gloria Vogt
Bruce & Patricia Kurtz
Ray & Lillie Cook
Scott & Sarah Christophel
Ric & Paula Thorpe
Dale & Alta Ehresman
Joshua & Rachel Schlotterer
Bob & Karen Berry
Jeffrey & Deborah Sutton
Gail & Beverly Pickworth
Mark & Shirlene Zorn
Tom & Barb Silcox
Holy Week
Worship Schedule
Holy Thursday, April 2, 2015
8:00 p.m. Holy Thursday Worship Service
Our evening worship remembers the gathering of
Jesus and his disciples in the upper room as we share
in an Upper Room Holy Communion. The Chancel
Choir will provide special music.
Good Friday, April 3, 2015
12:15 p.m. Community Good Friday Service
The Norwalk Ministerial Association invites the
people of Norwalk to observe this holy day with a
noontime worship service at First Baptist Church,
67 E. Main Street, Norwalk, Ohio.
8:00 p.m. Good Friday—The Passion of Jesus Christ
This is a service of worship that moves us from light
to darkness, from loyalty to betrayal, from life to
death. You will hear the Passion story of Christ and
Christ’s lament against his faithless church.
May 2015 newsletter deadline:
April 22nd
Office Hours:
8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
(Lunch noon-1:00 p.m.)
Sunday, April 5, 2015 - Easter Morning
6:45 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service
All are welcome to attend our Easter Sunrise Service
at the Norwalk Reservoir as we remember that first
Easter morning and celebrate the resurrection of
Jesus Christ. We will be led in this time by our youth.
8:30 a.m. / 10:30 a.m. - Easter Worship Services
Join us for a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection as
together we sing and worship and rejoice!
United Methodist Women’s
Thursday, April 16th
Friday, April 17th
Saturday, April 18th
9-7 pm
9-7 pm
9-2 pm
Donations welcome…
The Stitches of Love craft group would like to
thank everyone who has purchased the greeting
cards and soaps for sale in the Rotunda. The
greeting cards started in September 2011, with
the soap being added in 2014. As of November,
2014, $1,010 has been raised for the Endowment
Fund. Those 50 cents and $3 add up! We are
continuing to donate all monies to the Sanctuary
Building Fund.
We are running low on material, both heavy and
light, and Velcro to make walker bags and pillows
for the nursing homes, hospital, Veterans Home,
Norwalk residents and our church members. If
you can donate any of these items, please contact
me at 419-483-5009. Thank you and God bless.
~ Linda Newsom
between 8:30-4:00 p.m. during the week
(closed for lunch noon—1:00 p.m.)
Place your items in the hallway
by the kitchen coat racks.
OUR VISION STATEMENT
We open our doors to all to join us
as we attempt to address our
weaknesses and enhance our
The church offices will be
closed
strengths while using our unique
Monday, April 6 .
our Lord, Jesus Christ.
th
Sandusky Choral Society
presents their Annual
Spring Concert
Friday, April 10 / 7:30 p.m.
Norwalk First United Methodist Sanctuary
Donation $6.00
spiritual gifts in service to
Label & Box Top Collection
The Mission Committee reminds you to save
those Box Tops for Education and Campbell’s
Soup labels. The collection “drum” is still located
in the Rotunda. So far we have collected and
sent in 5,019 labels to the Red Bird Mission in
Kentucky. Anyone wanting a list of what to
collect can contact Linda Johns at 419-668-4552
or call the office. Thank you for your support!
Linda Johns
Mission Committee Chair
Healthy Habits
April 2015
April is Stress Awareness month, so we have some
stress solutions for you:
 Laugh - laughing helps the soul
 Take a drive on a scenic road
 Smell hot towels fresh from the dryer or fresh
off the clothes line
 Make a new friend or spend time with an old
friend
 Make your favorite cookies and eat one warm
 Get out of bed and be grateful for another
beautiful day
 Hug and be hugged
 Come up with your own ideas that will help to
produce a natural high
“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
my flesh also will rest in hope.” Psalm16:9
We are accepting
scholarship applications
from students needing
financial assistance. The
Scholarship Committee
believes in nurturing
and supporting
graduates who are
members of our
congregation. It is our
hope that through the contribution to their higher
education, they will continue to grow in their Christian
faith. We believe that any graduate who is an active
member of our church should be eligible for a
scholarship if he or she applies. A full-time or part-time
student attending a two or four-year or trade school will
be acceptable. The student must be working toward a
degree.
Applications are available outside the church office door
in the folder marked “Scholarship.” You can request an
application by emailing the church office:
norwalkfirstumchurch@gmail.com
Deadline: June 21st at Noon
* Late applications will not be accepted. *
An update to the Congregation from the
Sanctuary Building Committee
You may have been wondering what, if any,
progress has been made on the project to renovate
the sanctuary. We have hired an architectural firm
that specializes in the restoration of historic
buildings to investigate the leaks which still exist in
the dome. Obviously, the winter weather forces a
delay in this effort, and as soon as weather permits,
this aspect of our project will be underway.
Obviously, we can’t move forward with ”Phase 2” of
our project until “Phase 1” - correcting the issues
with the dome - has been completed.
We will keep you informed as we proceed with this
important project. If you have any questions or
concerns about this, please contact any member of
the Building Committee.
Connie Penwell, Sally King, Roger Wilkinson,
David Livingston, Bob Gentzel, Clay Benner,
Mike Meinke, Scott Tester, Glenn Ward, and Debe Gelvin
Scholarship Donations
We thank you, church family, for your faithful support
in the past and encourage you to continue supporting our
students in their financial need. If you are interested in
donating to the Scholarship Fund, please mark your
envelope “Scholarship” and place it in the offering plate
or mail your donation to the church office.
Christian Education
by DeAnn McKillips, Christian Ed. Director
Swingin’ into Spring
A Gala Event Featuring the World Famous
Let’s Go to
Summer Camp!
Want a chance to tour the sites, talk to the
staff, and see what is being offered for
2015 Summer Camp?
Check out East Ohio Conference Camps at:
www.eocsummercamps.org.
See DeAnn McKillips, Christian Ed. Director,
for Summer Camp details.
Glenn Miller Orchestra
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
8:00 p.m.
Elyria High School Performing Arts Center
Order tickets online at
www.elyriaschools.org/performingartscenter
or call 440-284-9728
General Admission: $25
This one-night-only benefit
performance benefits the
charitable care ministry of
Wesleyan Senior Living, one of
our five EOC health and
welfare ministries.
“Up With the
Chickens”
Women’s Prayer Breakfast
Saturday, May 2nd
Saturday, April 25th, is the “Race at the Rock” in
support of Flat Rock Homes. For the past two
years we have had a WONDERFUL Team consisting
of the Confirmation Class and the congregation. This
year, we need ALL of your help!
Check out the table in the Rotunda for information.
Be involved by registering as a walker or runner, or
simply support our fabulous team with your
donation. It’s coming fast so REGISTER EARLY,
before April 2nd, for a $5 early bird discount!
Special perk for participants: You get a t-shirt
to wear at the race!
Mark your calendar and call or text DeAnn McKillips,
419.681.0704, to REGISTER TODAY!!!!
9-11:00 a.m.
“Seeking the Lord early to start the day.”
Guest speaker:
Rev. Margaret D’Anieri
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Come, spend some time with God by communing with
Him in prayer at the start of your day. Then you will
ever be conscious of Him when the afternoon hits or
when evening rolls around. We need all of God's “good
stuff” to make it through the whole day.
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD;
in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee,
and will look up." Psalm 5:3
In Christian Sympathy
Prayers for the family and friends of
Clinton Campbell, Jr., who entered
God’s rest March 1, 2015; for the
Strimpfel family in the loss of their
mother, Beatrice Strimpfel, who
entered God’s rest March 12, 2015;
and for the Kenne Family in the loss
of Gloria Kenne’s grandson, Michael
Edington, who entered God’s rest
March 11, 2015.
Dear Church Family,
Dear Pastor Brian and Church,
Thank you so much for the care
package that I received this past
week. I really appreciate it, and
I love knowing that my church
family is thinking of me and that
I am in your thoughts and
prayers while I’m away at
school. Thanks again!
Thank you so much for your
kind letter and the lovely care
package. It means so much to
me to receive such a lovely gift
while in college. Hope all is
well.
God bless,
Ashley Moyer
Go Zips!
~~~
Births
Dustin and Emily Prater welcomed
twin girls into their family on
Monday, February 23, 2015.
Aubrey Gail and Brynn Avonelle and
each weigh over five pounds. Proud
grandparents are Ben Kenny and
Linda Williams. Thank you,
congregation, for your prayers for
Emily, Dustin, and the babies.
~ Linda Williams
New Address
Lucille Turnley
Gaymont Nursing Home, Rm. 62
Norwalk, OH 44857
(same phone)
Tony & Mandi Solary
13741 Monica Dr.
North Royalton, OH 44133-4156
Dorothy Krogh
c/o Carriage House
175 Shady Lane, Apt. 219
Norwalk, OH 44857
(same phone)
Larry & Glenda Showalter (4/1/15)
The Sanctuary at Plum Brook
3914 Coventry Lane
Huron, OH 44839
(same phone)
Dear Church Family,
Thank you to all for sending me
cards, prayers and get-well
wishes and visits from Pastor
Brian after my knee surgery. I
am anxious to get back to
church and my regular routine.
Thanks so very much,
Corrine Opper
~~~
Dear Church Family,
Thank you so much for the
wonderful care package. It was
a great surprise that lifted my
spirits around exams. It is great
to know that I have your love
and support while I am away at
school . God is good!
Thanks again!
Jake Gilson
~~~
Thank you to my church family
for your loving support,
beautiful music and awesome
food during the loss of my
husband and best friend.
Special thanks to Pastor Brian
for his strong and caring
support to me and my family
through this difficult time.
God bless,
Leslie Campbell
Brady Gelvin
~~~
Dear Church Family,
I would like to thank you for
the care package you sent me.
I would also like to thank you
for all of the support you have
given me over the years. My
first year of college is going
great and has been an
amazing experience. I have
decided to change my major
to early childhood to teach
fourth or fifth grade. Thank
you again.
God bless,
Mason Berry
~~~
Pat Taylor is feeling very
blessed for all the calls, food,
and cards she has received
while she is recovering from
her recent accident. She
especially feels blessed for
feeling God’s presence
surrounding the accident and
her recovery. She would like
to thank you all for your
outreach to her in your
prayers, well wishes, and acts
of kindness.
~~~
God bless all of you, especially
the ones who prayed for
Michael Edington, my grandson. Also, thank you to the
United Methodist Women
who helped with Michael’s
expenses.
Sincerely,
Gloria Kenne & Family
First United Methodist Church
60 West Main St.
Norwalk, OH 44857
www.norwalkfirstumc.com
April is National Donate Life
Month. Register to donate and
provide hope to those in need.
Visit Lifeline of Ohio at
lfitting@lifelineofohio.org
Norwalk First Receives Recognition
At the Firelands District Spring Conference held at Norwalk First on March
21, 2015, we were awarded a Certificate of Accomplishment “in recognition
of making and maturing disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the
world through 14 Professions of Faith for the year 2014.” Norwalk First was
also recognized for paying 100% of our Shared Ministry Giving (District
Apportionments) for the year 2014.
NON-PROFIT
ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 15
NORWALK, OH