We were excited to receive the following individuals into membership. These individuals met together with Pastor Mike to learn more about our church and then were accepted into membership by the Session. Take a moment to personally greet them when you see them and welcome them into our church family. 

The Theology of Christian Worship

W-1.0201: Creation and Redemption

Time, space, and matter are all created by God, redeemed by Christ, and made holy by the Spirit. Through Christian worship - at certain times, in particular places, and with material gifts - we participate in God's plan for the redemption of time, space, and matter for the glory of God.

Mr. and Mrs. Caleb and Savannah Van Zant were married here at John Knox Church on Saturday, October 1. Many blessings to the new couple!

Adult Sunday School - 10:05 A.M. in Fellowship Hall

We are pleased to welcome Barry Huddleston as our teacher for the first three weeks in November. His topics are:

November 6 - “The Path of Life” - Psalm 16:1

November 13 - “The Law of Faith” - Hebrews 11:6

November 20 - “The Law of Opposites” - Colossians 3:1-3

Sam Martin will lead our Advent series, “Through the Eyes of Joseph” by Adam Hamilton, on November 27 and December 4, 11 and 18.

Wednesday Zoom Bible Study

“Advent of the Savior”, a six session study from Life Guide Bible Studies, will begin November 9 and continue through December 21. There will be no meeting Thanksgiving week, November 23. For additional information, please email Joyce Greek at muske75@sbcglobal.net or Peggy Fix at pfix@neo.rr.com. 

Children and Youth Sunday School - 10:05 A.M.

Junior Warriors - November 13 from 12:30 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Sue Carey will lead.

Confirmation classes - Sundays at 4:00 P.M. in the library.

Youth Group - Sundays from 5-6:30 P.M. See group chat for up to date details.

Young Adults

Young Adults continue to meet Mondays from 6 to 8 P.M. in the church library. Our current study is “The Beatitudes” by Matt Chandler on RightNow Media.

On October 31 the group enjoyed a fellowship event. They visited the Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory in Akron. New people are always welcome. You can just show up or contact Sue Carey at 330-844-1041 or scarey1116@aol.com.

The Discipleship Council continues to need people to serve especially in the Children and Youth program. If you are looking for an opportunity to serve, please contact Sue Carey, Paul Gerber or Pastor Mike.

Thank you to all who are currently serving or have served in the past.

John Knox Church will be celebrating All Saints Day on November 6 and would love the opportunity to honor those loved ones who have gone to be with the Lord over this last year. There will be candles out and anyone is welcome to come up and light one in honor of a loved one. 

Also on November 6, in honor of Veteran’s Day, the John Knox Ringers will be playing “A Patriotic Salute” at the 9am service only. We will be recognizing those who have served during the playing of each military branch’s song. We especially encourage veterans to attend!

What a blessing it is to have our entire church family worship as one body! We had another great combined service on the 30th, and I’m sure our next one will be even better! I’d also like to thank the Session for sending me to the worship Innovators Conference in Chicago earlier in October for continuing education. I had a wonderful time networking with other worship leaders and learning about new technology and software that I can use to make our services even more engaging and glorifying to God. The A/V department is still looking for more volunteers to assist with our services on Sunday and fill out our ranks. Reach out if you have any interest, we will train anyone who is willing to learn and wants to take a more active role in the church’s ministry. 

Yours in Christ,

Rob Clifford

A/V Coordinator & Interim Contemporary Worship Director

On Sunday, November 6th at the 9am service, to honor our veterans, the John Knox Ringers will be presenting a special recognition piece which will include the theme song of each branch of the military. It is entitled, "A Patriotic Salute." Please plan to attend the 9am service and wear any of your military gear! We look forward to honoring your past or current service to our country.

Laurel Walczyk

Director of Handbells

You can honor/remember your friends and family members by signing up to provide flowers for a particular Sunday morning. The sign-up sheet for the 2023 year is now on the bulletin board across from the Church Office. There are two flower arrangements for each Sunday, and you can sign-up for either one or both by simply writing your name and who you are honoring or remembering in one or both of the blocks. The cost of the flowers is $38 for both arrangements or $19 for just one and the payment can be made either by check made payable to JKPC or on our website.

We have only two more sessions of GriefShare left in this cycle, and one concluding Celebration Session all of which will end November 14, 2022. Several of the participants are now ready to move forward and as they do they must consider if they desire further teaching and continued support. GriefShare gives suggestions for growth and development and how they will be able to help other people who have begun the grief process.

Participants have the following options:

• Repeat GriefShare
• Connect with another church fellowship/study group
• Keep up supportive relationships
• Gain deeper insight into some of the topics learned through available GriefShare resources
• Help others grieving the death of a loved one

Participants are to be commended for investing the time and effort to be a part of this GriefShare group. It is my sincere hope that each of the participants found friendship, comfort, and benefited from the experience! You can encourage others who are grieving a loved one’s death to connect with a GriefShare group.

Let us know how we can help you!

Diana Jones

330-754-7476

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Surviving the Holidays

John Knox Presbyterian Church will be offering a special two-hour Surviving the Holidays seminar prior to the holidays SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2022, 1-3 PM in the Fellowship Hall of the church. It is a resource from GriefShare and led by a GriefShare team that will provide you with articles, real-life stories, and video clips to help you reduce stress, minimize loneliness, and discover a healthy approach to the holiday season after the death of your loved one. 

Seminar will be offered in the Church Fellowship Hall. It is an on-site event.

So that we may adequately prepare and make sure everyone receives a copy of the Holiday Survival Guide, you are encouraged to let us know of your intent to attend by contacting Diana Jones 330-754-7476, ldjones@sssnet.com, or calling John Knox Presbyterian Church at 330-494-9479

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Blue Christmas

This Service is scheduled for Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 3PM. It will be held in the Sanctuary of John Knox Presbyterian Church with a time of gathering afterwards in the Fellowship Hall for a “comfort meal” of soup, sandwiches and desserts. 

All are welcome to attend.

It's time to celebrate! Our next monthly celebration for all birthdays and anniversaries will be on Sunday, November 6 immediately following the 9am worship service. Please stop by and grab a cupcake and join us as we celebrate!

Thank you again for everyone's support of this First Sunday celebration!

Everyone is welcome to join us November 28 at 6:30pm in the ehurch parlor to knit and crochet prayer shawls and baby blankets.

Our first 7 week series of Good News Club is nearly half over and will finish this month. Open to all students at Lake Cable Elementary School (K - 5th grade) we had 13 students come the first week and now have 19 different students. Working with them at the school and sharing God's love are 15 JKPC folks. Additionally, others are involved preparing materials and praying for the students' written prayer requests. Each week students are learning a scripture verse. When they return the next week able to recite it, they get a token to redeem a gift from our treasure box. If you would like to help, we are needing more SMALL, inexpensive prizes. Place them in a bag marked Good News Club and put it at the Connection Desk or give it to Martha Gerber.

This month has Election Day so once again we will set up a table with Life Books, evangelistic flyers, JKPC info packets, and small candies. You are welcome to come throughout the day to greet and chat with the individuals; no need to sign up, just show up.

Our Mystery Reader Program with the preschool downstairs has gone very well for many years (minus some covid time), and they have asked us to expand it to include all seven classes, babies through pre-K. If you have interest in loving these children by reading to them, please sign the sheet at the Connection Desk.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them…

John Knox Church  has supported Jennyfer at New Horizons in Paraguay since

she was in Kindergarten.

October's class had 16 clients learning about fixing cars with 'Fix it with Fred'. Thank you to Candy Kovey who provided Jimmy John's subs and made cookies and brownies! The clients also got to enjoy goody bags full of candy, these are always a big hit. The nursery was a very busy place with two babies and six toddlers! Thank you Savannah Van Zant for giving your time to help with childcare! Next class is Tuesday, November 15th from 6-7:30. If you would like to provide food (you'll be reimbursed), the devotional and prayer or childcare, please let us know, we'd love to have your help!

Maria Bertram, riahaha1@gmail.com

Sue Carey, scarey1116@aol.com

The John Knox Session met on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at 6:30pm. Rev. Dr. Michael Smith served as Moderator and opened the meeting with prayer and devotions. All but one Elder were present.

Clerk Report 

Minutes from the last Stated Session Meeting (Sept. 20, 2022) were approved as printed.

Letter of transfer for Duane and Joyce Houser received.

Request from Sue Lewis to transfer membership to Woodlawn Church was approved.

Pastor Report

Pastor Mike will go to Jamaica in Feb 2023 with the J-Team.

New Session Priorities were presented by Pastor Mike. After discussion, the following were approved as our new priorities:

• Priority #1 – Be Followers of Jesus

  Regular Sunday worship attendance (2/3 times a month)

  Bible Study/Small Group (monthly)

  Prayer (growing in our relationship with God)

• Priority #2 – Sharing God’s Love

  Participating in a ministry/mission of the church

  Serving on a Council in the church

• Priority #3 – One Relationship at a Time

  Build relationships with people in/out of church

  Sharing our love of God with someone

  Nurturing someone in or Session Council

Administration Report

The Financial Reports for September were accepted as printed.

Rob Clifford was officially hired as our Praise Team Leader and A/V Coordinator. He had previously been Interim Praise Team Leader.

Motions were made and approved concerning grants and requests for funds. All grant applications and requests for donations from the congregation need to have prior Session approval.

Discipleship Report

A motion was made and approved to accept our class of 10 Confirmands into membership on Sunday, January 29, 2023.

Worship Report

Dates for 2023 Communion were approved.

Each Elder reported on the activities within their specific Council. No action needed to be taken on these reports besides what is stated above.

The next Stated Session Meeting will be Tuesday, November 15th at 6:30pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Greek, Clerk of Session

Receipts in September:  $65,441.03 

Expenses in September: $42,856.08 

Net income                     $22,584.95 

A Word From The Finance Office

September was a good month resulting in a positive net income! With September’s numbers, our net income so far for the fiscal year is also in the positive. Things are looking up! Thank you for generosity. Pray that God continues to bless us, so that we may continue to bless others. 

Sincerely, 

Tina Young, Financial Secretary 

You JKPC saints are so awesome. You continue to give of your prayers, volunteer time, and financial support. October was another wonderful month for our church.

Ten Youth attended Confirmation classes to grow in their relationship with Almighty God

The Grief Support Ministry met and received healing from the Holy Spirit

Pastor Mike attended a Global Awakening Conference in Columbus, Ohio and received powerful times of ministry and spiritual impartation from the Holy Spirit

Thirteen new members joined our church

Our Food Pantry served approximately 160 individuals with prayer, food, and fellowship 

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35