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“NO ONE, BUT JESUS
ONLY”
Series for
the Season of Epiphany
Drawing on the Weekly Lectionary
readings for Year B the season
of Epiphany is shaping up as
follows:
-
Baptism of the Lord
: : “Baptism in the Holy
Spirit” – Mark 1.4-13 : :
Jan 8
-
Epiphany 2 : :
“Listening to God” – 1
Samuel 3.1-10 : : Jan 15
-
Epiphany 3 : :
“Leaving Our Nets” – Mark
1.14-20 : : Jan 22
-
Epiphany 4 : :
“Authority Over Demons” –
Mark 1.21-28 : : Jan 29
-
Epiphany 5 : :
“Healing Ministry” – Mark
1.29-39 : : Feb 5
-
Epiphany 6 : :
“Reaching Out to a Hurting
World” – Mark 1.40-45 : :
Feb 12
-
Transfiguration of
the Lord : : “No One, But
Jesus Only” : : Feb 19
Epiphany is a season of the
church year which, following
Advent-Christmastide, centers on
the impact of Jesus Christ for
the life of the world. It
officially starts on January 6,
which is the date of the
Epiphany, the day that
commemorates the Visit of the
Magi from the East (see Matthew
2). This season spans the
time between January 6 to the
Sunday prior to Ash Wednesday,
which is the first day of the
Lenten Season. As you can
see, the gospel readings come
out of the first chapter of
Mark’s Gospel. Mark
presents Jesus Christ in awesome
and supernatural power … And we
are to grow up in Christ!
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING
2012
Now
through February 5
This year our Souper Bowl
competition has changed.
Last year our 2nd
service took the 5 year
championship 3-2. This
year we will have a competition
between the men and women.
Women put your food donations in
front of the lectern and men put
yours in front of the pulpit.
All food goes to our pantry,
which depends heavily on our
generosity. Remember that
healthy competition is good, but
the ultimate winners are the
pantry and the people they
serve.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT ALIVE!
January 11
through March 14
The Winter 2011/2012 WNA
Brochure and Registration forms
are available throughout the
church. Be sure to pick
one up and register early!
There are lots of good sessions
to choose from!
PROJECT RISE
Saturday,
January 14 at 9:00 a.m.
Project RISE works in with Akron
Public Schools providing
children of homeless families
with a doll, blanket and bag to
comfort and aid in their
learning. Please join us
for some sewing fun on the
SECOND Saturday of
each month, 9:00 a.m. - noon.
For more info please call
Michelle Walters, 330-945-6838
or Laura Evans, 330-928-7921.
FREE SOUP LUNCH
Saturday,
January 14 at 11:30 a.m.
Everyone is invited to come at
11:30 a.m. up in the Fellowship
Hall for our monthly free soup
lunch. This month the
Senior High Youth is hosting and
serving Broccoli Cheese Soup.
Hope to see you there!!
GRIEF SUPPORT AT
U.P.C.
Sunday,
January 15 at 3:00 p.m.
All are welcome to come … a time
of listening to one another,
caring for each other and
sharing the journey as we heal
in times of loss. Led
jointly by Amy Snyder and Pastor
Ross Slaughter, this open
group will meet on Sunday,
January 15 in the Church Parlor,
beginning at 3:00 p.m.
No RSVP necessary, come as you
would like. Bring a friend
if you wish. If you have
any other questions, ask Amy
Snyder or Pastor Ross.
“May the God who gives endurance
and encouragement, give you a
spirit of unity among yourselves
as you follow Christ Jesus, so
that with one heart and mouth
you may glorify the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ.” Romans 15.5,6
SPIRITUAL
STRATEGIC JOURNEY MEETING
Sunday, January 15 at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting is for those who
have expressed interest in being
involved with the Spiritual
Strategic Journey for 2012
either as People of Passion or
People of Position. George
Bullard’s book will be
distributed at that time free of
charge. Anyone who would
like to know more about this
congregational renewal and
visioning program, please talk
with Pastor Ross Slaughter.
We are still building the team
and we welcome your involvement.
OFFICE
CLOSED
Monday,
January 16 :: Honoring Martin
Luther King Jr. Day
F.O.T.C.
2!
Tuesday,
January 17 at 8:30 a.m.
A group has begun gathering to
assist Amy with the deep
cleaning of our church building.
We work on a “come as you can,
leave when you must” basis and
generally meet from 8:30 a.m.
until about 12:30 p.m., with
those who are able going out to
lunch afterward. All
supplies are provided except
rubber gloves. This is in
addition to the regular F.O.T.C.
group that meets on Monday’s at
9:00 a.m.
Beginning in February, we will
meet on the first Monday and
third Tuesday of each month.
If you are interested in joining
us on a regular basis or for one
of the dates, we would love to
have you attend. If
possible please let Sue know you
will attend so that we can plan
tasks based on our numbers.
If you have any questions,
please contact either Jill
France at 330-686-1564 or Sue
Steidl at 330-657-2152.
DMA… aka
DON’T MENTION AGE
Thursdays, January 19 & February 16 at 1:00 p.m.
These months we will NOT have
our normal pot-luck luncheon.
Instead at 1:00 pm we will have
game days! Come for the
fun… bring a friend or two!
MEN’S BREAKFAST AT THE
SILVER SWAN
Saturday,
January 21 at 7:30 a.m.
Due to the Slaughter/Cox
wedding, in January the Men’s
breakfast will meet only on
Saturday, January 21st
at the Silver Swan beginning
at 7:30 a.m. We are
reading through Coach Tony
Dungy’s book “The Mentor Leader”
as our focus for discussion this
year. See Pastor Slaughter
if you would like to order a
book. The cost:
$12.00. For more insights
into Coach Dungy’s approach to
leadership, put ‘Tony Dungy’ in
the search box of your Facebook
page.
-- Ross Slaughter
PANTRY
SET-UP & DISTRIBUTION
Friday & Saturday, January 27 &
28
If you are able to come on Friday to help set-up the food at 6:00
p.m., that would be GREAT!
Saturday morning hands are also
welcome at 9:00 a.m. Thank
you!!!!! Items of
the month are…
Canned Vegetables, Laundry
detergent & Toilet Paper.
THANKS!!!
ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday,
January 29 at 9:45 a.m.
This year we will conduct our
annual meeting in the Fellowship
Hall during the Education Hour.
Plan to meet at 9:45 am.
WOMEN’S RETREAT
Friday -
Saturday, February 4 - 5
:: 9:00 am - 9:00 a.m.
Inexpressible & Glorious Joy
I Peter 1:3-9
Cost is just $50 and includes
room and meals. Sign up in
church office today, don’t be
shut out!
HEART TO HANDS MISSION
FAIR!
Sunday,
February 19 :: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
It’s a new year! Time to
renew commitments and find new
ways to serve! UPC started
2012 with a Covenant Renewal
worship service…together we
renewed our commitment to serve
God with our hearts and hands.
Now we are planning the
Hearts to Hands Mission Fair…so
that each of us can take the
next step…to follow the leading
of our hearts to find how we can
serve. On Sunday,
February 19, 2012 from
4:00 – 7:00 representatives from
UPC mission programs and groups
will be on hand in Fellowship
Hall to share their stories and
answer your questions.
Bring the family…children’s
activities are planned…and
dinner can be purchased at the
“UPC Café”! All proceeds
from dinner will go to support
UPC mission programming.
Hope to see you there!
“…open your heart…and give it to
God’s pleasure and purpose…”
HELP NEEDED
Christian Ed is looking for
someone to design and make a
jeopardy game for the Amazement
Park. Contact Marilyn
Stroble if you are interested.
ACME RECEIPTS
It is time to start collecting
Acme receipts again! They
must be dated between September
24, 2011 & February 11, 2012.
We will receive 5% back from
qualifying purchases. Last
year we received $576.01, which
was banked and will be added to
this year’s money, then used to
support the Senior High Youth
Mission trip scheduled for next
Summer. THANKS!
SESSION
SUMMARY FOR DECEMBER 2011
The session met on November 21,
2011, in the Church Library,
Room 202, at 7:00 p.m.
Clerk’s Report:
·
Active membership: 318.
Inactive: 19
·
Average worship attendance for
November 2011: 169
(Year to date: 175)
·
Average attendance during
Education Hour for November
2011: 108 (year to
date:106)
·
Communion was celebrated on
November 6, 2011, with 194
participating.
Pastor’s Report
for November 21 – December 11,
2011:
·
Worship Services (3)
·
Pastoral Care Contacts (11)
·
Education Ministry (5)
·
Church Meetings (3)
·
Community (1)
Treasurer’s Report
for November 2011
·
Beginning Balance:
$299,842.49
·
Receipts:
28,087.43
·
Disbursements:
37.095.04
·
Ending Balance:
$290,834.88
“Will Your Congregation Still
Exist Ten Years From Now?”:
The Session concluded George
Bullard’s study guide on
congregational vitality at this
meeting after 4 months of
exploring each of the 25 factors
used to gauge congregational
health.
Congregational Meeting:
Session reviewed a proposed
agenda for this meeting, which
will take place, January 29,
during the Educational Hour.
The Session will consult with
the Board of Deacons at their
January meeting concerning the
number of deacons needed at this
point, since any change in the
number of elected elders and
deacons is decided by the
congregation. Currently,
the number of Deacons is set at
21 (determined by the
congregation at its annual
meeting in January 2007)
Food Pantry:
Changes in the way food will be
distributed was discussed.
Instead of pre-packing the food
in advance, food recipients will
be able to choose what food they
want. This will require
less help on Friday for set up,
but more help on Saturday as
people come for food.
Souper Bowl of Caring:
Ideas for competition were
discussed as an alternative to
the current competition between
the two services.
Church Budget 2012:
The budget of $373,435.99 for
2012 was approved as presented
by the Finance Committee.
Adjournment:
The session concluded its
ministry at 9:25 p.m. The
next scheduled session meeting
is set for Monday, January 16,
2012, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
--
Ross Slaughter
OPERATION
CHRISTMAS CHILD - SHOEBOXES
Thank you for all our support with our shoeboxes for Operation
Christmas Child. We
collect items for the shoeboxes
all year round. Please
pick up an item or two each
month. In January our
items of the month are: soap,
plastic travel soap dishes and
socks.
PRAYERLAB
Experience
real prayer connection with
others … with God
Tuesdays in the Sanctuary at
7:00 p.m.
SUNDAY PAPER COUPONS
If you don’t use your coupons
from the Sunday paper, please
bring them in and put them in
the coupon collection bench
located in the Chapel hallway…
lift the seat! The Coupon
collectors would love to have
them! Thanks so much for
your coupons!
UPC REUSABLE SHOPPING
BAGS!
We still have our own shopping
bags available for purchase in
the church office, after both
services, for $2.00. They
are a beautiful color blue with
the new UPC logo (designed by
our own Pastor Ross) printed on
them. A big thank you to
Paul Young and to Young’s
Printing for the creation of
these great bags!!
Help eliminate plastic bag waste
and buy your bag/s today!!
TONER CARTRIDGES
What to do with all those old
empty printer cartridges?
Bring them in and put them in
the collection bench located in
the Chapel hallway… lift the
seat! We send them in for
two reasons, one, they are
recycled and two, we make a
little money that is used to
help fund the youth mission
trips. It’s really a win,
win situation. Thanks!
STAMPS FOR MISSION
Wanted: All commemorative
(large) stamps and foreign
stamps. Small US
flags, love or flower stamps are
of NO value. When
possible, cut ¼” of envelope
around the stamp. These
are some of the new stamps now
out that are collectable; “Go
Green” (Forever), Mark Twain,
Helen Hayes, Gregory Peck,
Indianapolis 500, American
Scientist, Black Heritage, Latin
Music, Civil War, and Ships.
Over $8,000 was sent to the
Congo Missions last year from
our mission project. If
you have any questions, please
call Margie Laria, at
330-923-9795.
SPRINGTIME
OF HOPE
Springtime of Hope is a ministry to the homeless in the Akron and
Barberton areas. We are so
thankful for all of the items
donated and countless volunteer
hours given to support this
mission work. We can’t
take clothing donations, but we
can accept the following:
trial size soap, shampoo,
shaving cream, toothpaste,
toothbrushes, underwear, socks,
toilet paper, feminine products,
batteries (AA, C or D), wash
clothes, towels.
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
& CAMPBELL’S LABELS
We continue throughout the year
to collect Box Tops for
Education and Campbell’s labels.
We donate them to our local
schools to support their
fundraising efforts. The
collection box is on the counter
in the office behind the door.
Thank you again for all your
support.
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