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February 11 - February 18, 2023 | |
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Sunday School Opportunities
- Sunday School activities for all ages 9:30am-10:30am, Gathering Area and Chapel. Stay as long as you like. Bible story at 10:00 am.
- Nursery Care & Preschool Sunday School (up to age 5), during worship in Room 18.
- Youth Sunday School for grades 6-12, 9:45am in the Youth Room
- Adult Sunday School opportunities are listed on the church calendar/website.
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Worship at Crystal Park UMC:
Traditional Worship at 11 a.m.
2219 Mahoning Rd NE, Canton, 44705
Preacher: Rev. Paul White
Sermon: "Choose Life"
Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37
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Next Sunday February 19
One Service 10:00 am
Celebrate Youth Sunday!
We will be celebrating Youth Sunday on February 19 with one combined service at 10:00 am. Please come out and be ministered to by our awesome youth as they serve in every area of worship. It has been a long time since the youth have led worship, so don't miss out!
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Wednesday Night Dinner Worship
February 15: On the Mountain, Transfiguration Sunday Reflection
An evening of fun, food, faith and fellowship 5:45-6:30pm!
Leave the cooking to us and enjoy a great meal and mid-week worship! We strive to serve healthy adult and kid friendly, gluten-free, low carb, and peanut/tree nut free options each week. A great time to connect with others. Groups and activities for adults, youth and kids follow worship. Childcare where little ones learn about God is available during adult groups.
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Pastor Steve to be Appointed to Mentor UMC
It was announced in worship last Sunday that Bishop Tracy S. Malone intends to appoint me to serve as the senior pastor at Mentor United Methodist Church in Mentor Ohio, in the Western Reserve District effective July 1, 2023. I am grateful for this new opportunity to serve in a new setting while at the same time sad to be leaving the amazing people of Faith United where I have been incredibly blessed to serve for 14 years (11 years as co-pastor with my wife Cara and 3 years as Senior Pastor with Rev. Jake Heskett as the Associate Pastor).
One of the strengths of Faith United is that it truly is a lay led, mission-centered, church. It has a long history of supporting and loving its pastors without becoming a pastor-centered church. Many members of this church, probably over 80% of the congregation, have experienced pastoral transitions and understand the missional purpose of the itinerant system of moving pastors in the United Methodist Church.
From UMC.org, “The goal of the appointment process is to match as much as possible the gifts and graces of the particular pastor or deacon with the ministry needs of a particular congregation or ministry setting. In this “serial leadership” of consecutive pastors and deacons — no two are alike — over time, the combination of skills blends to form a broad base of developed ministries.” Click here to read more.
I am confident that through the prayerful work of our bishop and her cabinet, the next Sr. Pastor to serve at Faith United will be the right servant leader with the right gifts for this season of mission and ministry at Faith. I am certain that he or she will be blessed as I have been to serve such a healthy and missional congregation. You will be blessed too.
At the same time, grief is real! Every day now I find myself basking in memories I will always treasure. You have taught me so much! Thank you for seeing past my faults and always giving me grace and more chances to grow. Thank you for loving me and my family. What a gift, as a United Methodist pastor, to get to raise my children in one home, at one church.
Between now and my last Sunday (sometime in June), I will cherish our time together while doing all I can to help us (the church and me) have a smooth and healthy transition. You are in my prayers, and I am grateful for your prayers.
Sincerely,
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Lent Begins Wednesday, February 22
Mark your calendars for Ash Wednesday Services at 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Labyrinth and Prayer Stations will be available in the Chapel February 22 – March 1
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Feasibility Study Begins!
Thursday, February 23, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Sunday, February 26, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
The First step of our feasibility study with Horizon’s Consultant Craig Miller will be two “First Impressions” gatherings. These gatherings are designed to share the vision that would be supported by a campaign to raise approximately $1,000,000 over three years, and more importantly, to receive your feedback. As the name of the gatherings implies, these meetings will give Craig and all of us a sense of our first impressions as we consider this next step toward living into the vision we believe God has called us to. All are encouraged to attend one of the two gatherings. Both gatherings are intended to be identical in format. Two dates are provided to accommodate more people and varied schedules.
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New Member Sunday will be February 26
If you are interested in becoming a member or learning more about church membership, contact Pastor Steve, Pastor Jake, or Kathy Schmucker.
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Leadership Training Follow Up
Last Tuesday, we had over 40 people attend our annual leadership training. It was a fun night that included veggies and dip and homemade treats from Cheryl Straka, candy at each table, and an award-winning dramatization of hospitality on a Sunday morning by our director of Youth and Young Adults, Matt Kluchar with our choir director Taylor Mills co-starring! We covered all the main topics and a bit more, setting us up for another amazing year with dedicated, trained leaders. And we finished 15 minutes early!
Key to the training was the “2023 Leadership Resource Book”. Please click on the title to download the book as a pdf or stop by the office and ask for a hardcopy booklet. All are encouraged to get familiar with this book as it is designed to be a resource throughout the year.
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Adult Connect Groups
Get connected at Faith United, Lent and Spring groups are now forming! Contact Kathy Schmucker for information on starting, or participating in an adult group.
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The Book of Acts, Monday Night Bible Study, 6:30pm, Ron Luikart, Parlor/Zoom
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Jesus Revealed, Tuesday Women's Group, 6:30pm Zoom, Sue Bell and Sue Schillings
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Second Wind, "Everybody's Got a Story", 1:00pm, Tuesday, February 14, Joanne Fox, Tom and Betsy Douce, RSVP to Betsy Douce by February 12.
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The Lord's Prayer, Wednesday Women's Group, 9:00am, Linda Reynolds
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Sewing for Missions, Wednesday, February 15, 6:30pm Coordinator: Sue Bell
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After Dinner Table Talk, Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Room 5
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Faith 101, Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Parlor
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The Gospel of Matthew, Wednesdays, 6:30pm, West Parlor, Pastor Jake
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Prayer Shawl Ministry, Thursdays, 1:00pm, Coordinator: Mike Flechtner, Parlor
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Theology for Our Times, Fridays, 1:00pm, Coordinator: Tom Strauch, Zoom
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Resilient, Men's Life Study, February 18, 8:00am Beyesly's Restaurant, Jim Skinner
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Common Ground - Mom's Group, 9:45-10:25am, Sundays, Coordinators: Rebekah Heskett and Bethany Sedziol, Nursery
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The End of Me: Where Real-Life in the Upside-Down Ways of Jesus Begins, Sundays, 9:45-10:45am Coordinator: Bob Snyder, Conference Room/Zoom
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Through the Year with John Wesley - Text group with Pastor Steve & Pastor Jake
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Click here or scan for more details about all the group opportunities and programs happening at Faith United.
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Opportunity for spiritual growth and renewal
Emmaus weekend retreats are an experience of Christian spiritual renewal and growth and are offered twice a year in the spring and fall.
This Sunday, February 12, after each worship service, some of Faith United’s Emmaus team members will be in the Gathering Area to answer questions about Emmaus retreat opportunities.
Dates of Next Emmaus Retreat:
Men's: April 13-16, 2023, Women's: April 20-23, 2023
Click here to learn more about Emmaus. Emmaus retreat weekends fill up quickly. Contact Kathy Schmucker or anyone from Faith United's Emmaus team for more information as soon as possible to register for the Spring Emmaus weekends.
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Casting Call for "Pieces"
A Maundy Thursday Drama
Hello all!
My name is Tyler Kirker and I am Faith United's Creative Writing Intern.
I am looking for 7 actors of any age or gender to perform in a one-act play that will be written and directed by me for the church’s Maundy Thursday service on April 6.
Rehearsals will take place during the last week of February, all of March, and the first week of April, prior to our performance on Maundy Thursday.
We will likely rehearse 2 to 3 times each week. No previous acting experience is required!
If you are interested in being involved, please text me at 330.904.2889 or email me at tgkirker1@malone.edu by February 19.
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Faith and Environment Weekly
Washing Machines and Smart Thermostats:
Two Easy Ways to Help Slow Climate Change
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Cold Water Laundry:
Modern washing machines and detergents are well designed for most clothes. Using the cold setting will eliminate about 1,600 pounds of carbon dioxide a year, reducing fossil fuel emissions, because 80 to 90% of the energy the washing machine uses goes towards heating the water. Delicate fabrics and dark, colorful fabrics do best in cold water, reducing wrinkles, shrinking, and fading. And despite popular belief, washing your towels with cold water is the best way to keep them clean, soft, and fluffy!
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Smart Thermostats:
Improving the energy efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling system not only saves you money, it also helps protect the environment by reducing harmful fossil fuel emissions. Smart thermostats can save 8 to 10% on heating and cooling bills by turning off the heat and AC when nobody is home, and some models offer heating and cooling schedules.
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The Takeaway – Reducing our carbon footprint need not be onerous, but merely one little change at a time.
Click on the following links for more information:
Cold Water Laundry; Smart Thermostats; Appendix - More Detail
The views of this, and other F&E articles, do not necessarily reflect the views of the congregation, nor every member of the F&E group. Intent & Responsibility Statement. Article Edited by Tom Strauch on behalf of the Faith & Environment Ministry Group. Text your comments to Tom Strauch at 330.283.9883
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Faith United welcomes children of all ages in worship. Our worship experience is enriched as we gather together to experience and praise God.
Celebrate Wonder home activities are available in the weekly worship emails for Nursery-5th Grade. Pick 1-2 activities to do and learn and wonder about God together. View each week's Bible story and music videos on Amplify Media which has special videos for kids! Follow these steps to register or contact Kathy Schmucker.
Kids, remember to bring your Liturgical Prayer beads to worship this Sunday and Wednesday to add the next beads. It is time to add a bead for Transfiguration Sunday and soon Lent! If you haven’t received your starter beads yet, join us on Sunday or Wednesday to learn more!
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Wednesday Wonder Kids
Grades K-5 gather from 6:30-7:30pm following dinner and worship to learn about faith through games, Bible stories, activities, service and mission projects and worship experiences!
They will have the opportunity to learn about Ash Wednesday and Lent as they assist with this year’s Ash Wednesday Service which will be held on February 22.
- To be involved in this year’s Ash Wednesday service, contact Kathy Schmucker.
- Kids will learn about Ash Wednesday, practice and prepare for the service on Wednesday February 8 and 15 from 6:30 – 7:30pm, following Wednesday Dinner Worship.
Elementary age kids will continue exploring the meaning and significance of The Lord’s Prayer through story and art.
Little Wonders, up to age 5, learn about God in a loving, caring environment.
Contacts: Kathy Schmucker, Kristin Krach, Bethany Sedziol, Rebekah Heskett.
Sing-along choir for preschool and elementary students occurs Wednesdays at 5:00pm.Toddlers can join in for the last 15 minutes. Come sing, play instruments, make a joyful noise for the Lord! Contact Sandy Wallace for details.
Any children, preschool – 5th grade who would like to sing during the 7:00 pm Ash Wednesday service, please contact Sandy Wallace or Kathy Schmucker for more details! Come sing and help our congregation enter into the season of Lent! A rehearsal will be held Sunday, February 19 at 11:00 am (following worship that begins at 10:00 am), and on Wednesday, February 22 at 5:00 pm. A recording and lyrics will also be available so you can practice at home.
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Mark your calendars now and don’t miss out on the fun this summer!
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VBS (Vacation Bible School) – June 12-16, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm for ages 4 through 6th grade!
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Camp Read-A-Lot for students entering grades K-3 – Wednesday evenings in July.
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East Ohio Summer Camp - Early bird registration ends March 15. Camperships offered.
There are opportunities to participate and serve in each of these ministries!
For more information contact Kathy Schmucker or Sandy Vaughn.
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2022-2023 Children/Youth Emergency and Permission Form.
For the safety of our children and youth, our Safe Sanctuary Policy asks that parents/guardians complete an emergency form for children (birth through high school graduation) participating in church activities each year. Designate the activities your child has permission to participate in so you only need to complete one form for the year.
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Join us Sundays at 9:45am for Sunday School!
Youth Newsletter January 2023
Copies of the January Youth Newsletter are available for pickup on the Information Board in the Gathering Area.
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Youth Mission Fund
Order gift cards year round! Part of each order benefits the Youth Mission Fund. Check out available cards and contact Matt Kluchar to order.
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Faith United is searching for Part-Time Child Care Providers - flexible hours on an as needed basis. For more information and an application email
kschmucker@faithumchurch.org
or visit our website.
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The Upper Room Devotional and the Daily Bread are available for pick up in the church Gathering Area on the Information Display Board. | | | | |
