The Navigator

January 4, 2020

The 12 Days of Christmas

Christmas is not just one day, but a season of twelve days from sunset Christmas Eve (December 24) through Epiphany (January 6). The twelfth day of Christmas, Epiphany, commemorates the visiting of the Christ Child by the Magi (Wise Men) with their gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh.

Make this year matter.

Make intentional faith development a priority. Make 2020 a year to grow closer to God. Dig into the Bible, explore a new spiritual practice, and develop spiritual friendships. Make this the year spiritual formation goals become effective habits that change your life in positive ways.

Invest in your spiritual journey! Get connected in an adult group!

Look for resources for Spiritual Practices and Bible study tips in the church kiosks.

January is also a great time to take the Discipleship Survey and take a new step in your faith journey. Find the survey and resources at http://www.faithumchurch.org/discipleship-matrix.html

The church staff would like to thank everyone who dropped off goodies to share with the staff during the holidays. We appreciate you remembering us during this special time of year!

The Youth will be collecting donations for a Basket Auction that will take place in February to help support the 2020 Youth Mission Trip. If you would like to donate a basket, please contact either Amy Ferguson or Linda Reynolds. Thank you!

The Sanctuary Renovations Committee has been working closely with Caplea studios as we continue to make detailed plans for the chancel area improvements. Plans include a platform in the chancel area with an access ramp to the right front side of the platform and an egress door to the west transcript. Final detailed plans are expected to be completed and put out for bids early January. We then hope to begin construction in February with completion by mid-April.

Once again Faith Church was generous in providing coats for Community Christmas. Not only were 155 coats collected, but numerous scarves, hats and mittens were provided. These items are distributed to the needy of Stark County as well as other churches shelters and and missions.

Thanks for your support.

A Celebration from United Methodist Women!

Over $420 was raised during our ThankOffering Sunday in November. Many people around the world will benefit from your giving. Also, through your generosity, we were able to raise $826 from the pumpkin pie/rice pudding sale and $1142 from the Cookie Walk. Thank you to everyone who donated to our fundraisers during the recent holidays. We also want to thank all of you who baked cookies for the Cookie Walk. Because of you, we will be able to support several mission projects both here and abroad.

Pennies for Paraguay

We did it! We have raised the money we need to pay for the education of our seven students in the new school year, which starts soon. Thank you so much for your coins, currency and checks. I will send the check ($3,360) this month for the students’ annual tuition. Once I have confirmed which students we will be supporting I will let you know. What a wonderful way to start the New Year! Thank you so much!

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Wednesday Night Faith Connections

Wednesday Dinner & Worship resumes on January 8, 2020 at 6 pm.

Leave the cooking to us and join us for an evening of food, fun, faith, and fellowship!

Contact Kathy Schmucker, Bethany Sedziol or John Hartzell to learn more!

Wonder Kids Grades K-5

Following 6:00 pm dinner and worship, kids learn about faith through Bible stories, games, activities, service and mission projects and worship experiences!

Little Wonders childcare and activities for young children in the nursery!

Adult Group Opportunities:

Ask: Faith Questions in a Skeptical Age. Faith Meets Life Sunday School Class, Sundays at 9:45 am in room 16 beginning January 5. Facilitators: Janice Golden and Kim Reynolds. *^
Making Sense of the Bible, Monday Night Bible study begins January 6. Facilitator: Ron Luikart.
Discerning the Voice of God, Tuesday Women’s Study, Tuesdays at 6:30pm beginning January 7. Facilitators: Sue Bell and Laura Luikart.
Jeremiah: Daring to Hope in an Unstable World, Women’s Bible Study begins January 8 at 9:00 am. Facilitator: Linda Reynolds.
Is It Possible…? Wednesday evenings following Wednesday Dinner and Worship. We are calling anyone who wants to join us as we engage in this question, “Is it possible…?” Facilitators: Pastor Cara, Tom Strauch, and Cindy Wilcox. *^

Note: Wednesday groups begin with dinner and worship at 6:00 pm in Robinson Hall. Leave the cooking to us!

Theology for our Times, Friday, January 17 at 12:00 pm at Beyesly’s Restaurant.

Book Club Discussion January 30 at 7pm, Coordinator: Jan Baker.

Channel of Peace (Stranded in Gander on 9/11) by Kevin Tuerff

The Day the World Came to Town (9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland) by Jim Defede

Anyone interested is invited to gather to discuss one or both of these books. Both books deal with the extraordinary generosity of all in a small town in Eastern Canada that provided significant help to those airline passengers diverted to Newfoundland as a result of the tragedy of 9/11. Key takeaways are love, kindness and generosity.

*Denotes groups when nursery/childcare and activities for children are available.

^Denotes groups when youth activities are available.

Winter groups are now forming. To learn more about these and other opportunities for adults happening at Faith United, visit our website or contact Kathy Schmucker, Spiritual Formation Director, at kschmucker@faithumchurch.org or call 330-499-6040, ext 107 or 330-224-6138.

Membership Care Ministry

We express our deepest sympathies to:

Roger and Charlane Ellis on the death of Charlane’s mother on December 24.

Jake and Lyn Lebold on the death of Jake’s brother, Dick, on December 28.

Faith United Children’s Sunday School

9:45 & 11:00 on Sunday Mornings

Deep Blue Loving God, Loving Neighbor

Weekly Family Devotions available at the Children’s Welcome Station

Try this Family Devotion with your family.

Read: Jesus Brings Good News (Luke 4:14-30)

Bible Story Focus: Jesus’ ministry, his job, was to love all people. We can do that, too.

Wonder Together: When have you shared good news?

Memory Verse: “So they went out and proclaimed that people should change their hearts and lives.” (Mark 6:12)

Pray Together: Share joys and concerns, and then pray, Dear God, thank you for the example of Jesus. Help us follow him in all we do. Amen.

Faith United Library Book Give Away

January 14 - 28

Donations now being accepted. Proceeds from this year’s Book Give Away donations will help purchase new adult books for Faith United’s Church Library. Contact Betsy Gorrell, Nancy Share, Donna McDaniel or Kathy Schmucker for more information.

Any questions, contact Sue Bell 330-806-2797

or email msuebell@gmail.com

SECOND WIND - a ministry for retirees

We're getting a head start on our New Year's resolutions for 2020! We all know that exercise is good for the body, brain and spirits. Join us in January as Michael Curtis, owner of The Yoga Place, demonstrates a simple and sustainable program of stretching and gentle movement.

Program: Michael Curtis, Chair Yoga

When: Tuesday, January 14th. Desserts & coffee at 1:00 in Robinson Hall

Cost: $2/person for refreshments

Church bus pickups: Danbury at 12:35, Waterford 12:45

Please contact Betsy Douce by Sunday, January 12th, with your reservation (330.494.3337 or BetsyDouce@yahoo.com).

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: February 11th, Al Albacete joins us with a program of education and beautiful music.

On Sunday, January 19, 2020 Celebrate Arts presents “The Life and Music of Fanny Crosby” offered by Erin Byrne and Friends at 4 pm in the Family Life Center. Fanny Crosby was one of the most prolific sacred song writers of the 19th Century, writing close to 9,000 hymns. Probably one of the best known of her hymns is “Blessed Assurance.” Celebrate Arts is committed to showcasing all kinds of art forms. This presentation will be accompanied by a display of wonderful quilts. If you have a quilt (or quilts) to share, we’d love to include them in our afternoon of music, fiber arts, and fellowship. Quilts can be brought to worship that Sunday (please label with your name); we will display them, and they can be picked up after the performance. Contact Jan Baker for further information: 330-499-7321 or rbaker1@neo.rr.com.

Please join us for this will be a free, casual, interactive performance. Refreshments will be provided.

Stephen Ministry

Are you struggling through a difficult time in life? Experiencing grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or some other life crisis? We are a Stephen Ministry congregation with lay caregivers, Stephen Ministers, who have been trained to offer high-quality, one-to-one, confidential Christ-centered care to people who are going through tough times. If you or someone you know would benefit from this care, please reach out to Pastor Cara or Pastor Steve and ask to be placed in the care of a Stephen Minister.

Shopping?

A reminder that if you order from Amazon or Cokesbury, please order through the link on Faith’s website so that the church receives credit and a rebate from your purchase.

Calendar Snapshot - View more at faithumchurch.org/calendar

Sunday, January 5

8:30 am, 9:45 am, 11:00 am - Worship Services

9:45 am & 11:00 am - Sunday School Room 6, 8, 18, Youth

9:45 am - 11:00 am The New Reformation Study - Room 16

11:00 am - 12:00 am Confirmation Class - Robinson Hall

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Youth Group - Youth Room, FLC

Monday, January 6

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm "Walk as Jesus Walked" Bible Study - Parlor

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Meditation Group - Conference room

Tuesday, January 7

6:00 am - 7:00 am Men's Prayer Group - Balcony

9:00 am - 11:00 am Library Time with FFLC - Library

9:00 am - 11:00 am Quilts to Share Room 5, 8

9:30 am - 11:00 am Celebration Bell Choir Rehearsal - Sanctuary

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm UMW Board Meeting - Room 5

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm PLC Meeting - Robinson Hall

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm "Wondrous Mystery" Bible Study - Parlor

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Church Board/Ministry Council - Wesley Hall

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Boy Scouts - Robinson Hall

8:30 pm - 9:30 pm Troop Meeting

Wednesday, January 8

9:00 am - 11:00 am "12 Women of the Bible" Study - Parlor

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Lydia Circle - Robinson Hall

5:15 pm - 6:00 pm Joyful Noise Children's Choir - Room 8

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesday Night Dinner/Programs - Robinson Hall, Parlor, 16

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm WonderKids )K-5th) - Rooms 5, 6, FLC, Chapel, (Little Wonders - Nursery)

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm "Is it Possible" Study - Parlor

6:45 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesday Night Youth

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, January 9

7:30 am - 8:30 am Women's Prayer Breakfast@Samantha's on Market

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Prayer Shawl Ministry - Parlor

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Stephen Ministry Supervising Session - E/W Parlor

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Computer Server sub group - Conference Room

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Cub Scout Committee - Room 5

Friday, January 10

4:30 pm - 8:30 pm Scout Spaghetti Dinner Funfraiser - FLC

Saturday, January 11

9:30 am - 11:30 am Faith & the Environment - West Parlor

Sunday, January 12

8:30 am, 9:45 am, 11:00 am - Worship Services

9:45 am & 11:00 am - Sunday School Room 6, 8, 18, Youth

9:45 am - 11:00 am The New Reformation Study - Room 16

11:00 am - 12:00 am Confirmation Class - Robinson Hall

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Messy Church - Gathering Area, Chapel, Robinson Hall

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Youth Group - Youth Room, FLC

Monday, January 13

9:00 am - 11:00 am Circle of Faith at members home

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm "Walk as Jesus Walked" Bible Study - Parlor

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Meditation Group - Conference room

Tuesday, January 14

6:00 am - 7:00 am Men's Prayer Group - Balcony

9:00 am - 11:00 am Library Time with FFLC - Library

9:00 am - 11:00 am Quilts to Share Room 5, 8

9:30 am - 11:00 am Celebration Bell Choir Rehearsal - Sanctuary

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Second Wind - Robinson Hall (4 tables) Chapel

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm "Wondrous Mystery" Bible Study - Parlor

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Boy Scouts - Robinson Hall

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Endowment Team - Conference Room

Wednesday, January 15

9:00 am - 11:00 am "12 Women of the Bible" Study - Parlor

5:15 pm - 6:00 pm Joyful Noise Children's Choir - Room 8

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesday Night Dinner/Programs - Robinson Hall, Parlor, 16

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Sewing for Missions - Robinson Hall

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm WonderKids )K-5th) - Rooms 5, 6, FLC, Chapel, (Little Wonders - Nursery)

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm "Is it Possible" Study - Parlor

6:45 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesday Night Youth

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, January 16

7:30 am - 8:30 am Women's Prayer Breakfast@Samantha's on Market

1:00 pm -2:30 pm Alzheimer's Support Group - Room 8

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Prayer Shawl Ministry - Parlor

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Community Assistance - Conference Room

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Cub Scout Committee - Room 5

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Trustees - Conference Room

Friday, January 17

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Theology of the Times - Besesly's Restraurant

6:00 pm Confirmation Retreat - Need bus