January 1 -
January 8, 2022
Worship Sunday, January 2

Sermon: "Led by Joy"
Preacher: Pastor Steve Stultz Costello
ScriptureMatthew 2:1-12

In-Person and Live-streamed: 8:30 Traditional,11:00 Modern
Face masks are required, regardless of vaccination status.
Worship Series Resources:
Sunday School Opportunities for All Ages!
Weekly in the Gathering Area 9:30-11am

  • Sunday Sunday Activities for Epiphany and Celebrate Wonder
  • Featuring Epiphany Star and Wise Men
Worship at Crystal Park UMC:
Traditional Style Worship at 11 a.m. | 2219 Mahoning Rd NE, Canton, 44705
Tomorrow's Preacher:
Paul White

Sermon:
"Led by Joy"


Scripture
Thank you for all the Christmas cards and expressions of love throughout the Advent and Christmas season. We are so grateful to serve among you! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

-Pastors Steve and Jake
Dear Faith United Family and Friends,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful donations to support families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanks to your generosity, we provided 60+ coats to children and over 70 turkeys to families at Thanksgiving. We distributed 200+ personal care kits to families at Faith Kitchen and 100+ toys and pajamas for children in need in our community at Christmas. With our collective efforts, we were able to impact families in North Canton and Canton. Thank you so much for your kindness and support of these projects. 

With deep appreciation and gratitude,
Teresa Purses and the Faith Kitchen team  
The Bible Year - Church-Wide Reading and Study
Let’s journey through the Bible together this year!

By studying the Bible daily, you’re enriching your spiritual life and developing a deeper faith. Imagine how reading the Bible together as a congregation will make a difference in our church and community!

  • Grab a devotional from the Book Resource Table for summaries and key themes to help better digest and understand the verses
  • Watch the weekly video on Amplify Media to enhance your Bible reading experience. Click here to access our church subscription and resources, including an audio version of the complete Common English Bible
  • Participate in monthly reflection and discussion by Zoom with Pastor Steve, Pastor Jake and Spiritual Formation Director, Kathy Schmucker on the last Sunday-6:30pm
  • Contact Kathy Schmucker, Pastor Steve, or Pastor Jake, with questions.

Readings for this week:
  • Day 1 - Genesis 1:1-3:24
  • Day 2 - Genesis 4:1-5:32
  • Day 3 - Genesis 6:1-9:17
  • Day 4 - Genesis 9:18-11:32
  • Day 5 - Genesis 12:1-14:24
  • Day 6 - Genesis 15:1-17:27
  • Day 7 - Genesis 18:1-20:18
What’s Your Word January Prayer Experience

What’s your word for 2022? A star word, or word for the year, is a word of intention, rooted in the spiritual practices of the desert mothers and fathers who would seek a word to reflect on for the coming year.

Self-guided prayer stations will be available in the Chapel January 9–16 during church hours to guide you in discerning your word for 2022
Get To Know You Lunch - Sunday, January 9 - Cancelled

The January 9, Get to Know You Lunch has been cancelled. Stay tuned for the rescheduled date.
Safe Sanctuary Orientation & Renewal
The next opportunity for Safe Sanctuary Orientation will be Wednesday, January 5 at 7pm via Zoom. If you cannot attend and need training or renewal, contact Kathy to schedule an alternative date.
Adult Connect Groups

Check out some new Adult Groups beginning in January. You can visit our Programs and Group Page or Find Groups in Realm to see more group opportunities. Winter groups are now forming. Contact Kathy Schmucker for information on starting, or participating in, an adult group.

  • Elijah: Faith and Fire, Wednesday Women’s Group, 9am, starting January 5, Linda Reynolds, Zoom
  • Men's Life Study, 8:00am, January 8 & 22, Kim Reynolds, Beyesly's Restaurant
  • Becoming Heart Sisters, Tuesday Evening Women’s Group, 6:30pm, starting January 11, Sue Bell & Sue Schillings, Parlor/Zoom
  • Book of Luke, Monday Night Bible Study, starting January 17, Ron Luikart, Parlor
  • Faith 101, Wednesdays, 6:30pm, starting January 19. Parlor/Zoom.
  • Book Discussion Group, The Splendid and the Vile, Thursday, Jan 27, Parlor
  • Bible in a Year Monthly Discussion and Reflection, January 30, 6:30pm, Zoom.
  • Theology for Our Times, Fridays, 1:00pm, Zoom
  • Into the Deep, Diving into a Life of Courageous Faith, Spiritual Seekers, Sunday School, Sundays, 9:45am, Bob Snyder, Conference Room/Zoom

Pick up study books in the Gathering Area weekdays 8am-4pm. Contact your group facilitator or Kathy Schmucker for other arrangements. Suggested donations can be made by cash/check, or online. Do not let book cost prohibit you from participating. Kindle/eBook versions can be ordered through the Cokesbury link below.
Wednesday Night Faith Connections Dinner and Worship
Wednesdays at 5:45pm

Join us January 12 for an evening of fun, food, faith, and fellowship! Enjoy a great meal and mid-week worship socially distanced in Robinson Hall. Groups for adults and kids follow worship. Childcare available during adult group times for little ones to learn about God in a loving, caring environment. Contact Kathy Schmucker or John Hartzell for more information!
Spiritual Practices 101 is a video resource you can explore to help you live more deeply into essential practices we have discussed at Faith United. Trying new ways of praying, studying scripture, and other practices that help you stay close to God is vital to our growth as disciples of Christ. Check out all the Spiritual Practice 101 videos here. Contact Kathy Schmucker if you have a spiritual practice you would like to learn more about or one you would like to share that helps you connect with God.
January/February issue of the Upper Room Devotional and the Daily Bread are available for pick up on the Book Resource Table in the Gathering Area

Epiphany Sunday School activities are in the Gathering Area each week between worship services.

Celebrate Wonder activities are available in the weekly worship emails to guide children Nursery-5th Grade, and families, through Bible stories, creative experiences, and spiritual practices. Read more.
Amplify Media Cokesbury Kids has special videos for Advent! Follow these steps to register for your free subscription, or contact Kathy Schmucker.

Parents, please fill out the Children Registration/Permission form for 2022. This covers all events and Sunday School programs.
Faith United welcomes children of all ages in worship. Our worship experience is enriched as we gather together to experience and praise God.
  • Worship Kits and worship manipulatives available to guide children as they pray & learn about God. 
  • Family Prayer Ground with rocking chairs at the front of the sanctuary for families to have a comfortable, close-up view of worship. (One family at a time for COVID safety)
  • Rocking chairs in the Narthex.
  • Nursery care is in room 18 for children up to age 5 during both services, pending volunteer availability.
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! Little Wonders, up to age 5, learn about God in a loving, caring environment. Contacts: Kathy Schmucker, Kristin Krach, Bethany Sedziol, Rebekah Heskett.
Students grades 6-12 are invited to come on Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm. Get to know our new Youth Director Matt and have fun being back together!

Come early at 5:45pm for dinner and worship in Robinson Hall and then come down to the Youth Room. We can't wait to see you!

Matt will begin transitioning into his new role over the coming weeks. Be on the lookout for more information on Youth Activities!

Parents, please fill out the Youth Registration/ Permission Form for all 2021-2022 events and programs for your student.
Crystal Park Cooperative Parish News
January 9
Carla Miner
January 16
Steve Stultz Costello
January 23
John Ferris
Faith United has an exciting way to support you living out your faith. Amplify Media is a video library with thousands of videos for adults, youth and kids that you can view from your phone, tablet, computer, or tv.

These resources can be used for individual or group studies, and has a special section just for kids! Follow these instructions to access your free account. Questions? Contact Kathy Schmucker, Spiritual Formation Director.
Opportunities to Serve this Winter

We long to be able to offer our many programs, but are in need of volunteers. We also respect and understand people's health concerns. There are many opportunities to serve:
  • Sunday School teachers and helpers at 9:45am
  • Wednesday Wonder Kids
  • Wednesday Night Faith Connections meal team
  • Nursery and Childcare on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings
  • Youth Sunday School, Wednesday nights, and Sunday evenings
  • Adult Group Facilitators and Coordinators

Our children need our church. They need Jesus! And they need YOU!
Faith United’s Spiritual Formation and Youth Ministry Teams need your support to guide our children and youth as they grow in faith. Contact Kathy Schmucker or Pastor Jake, if interested.
Faith United Open Positions

Faith United is hiring for the following position(s):
Cokesbury is a great resource to purchase Bibles, devotionals, gifts & more! Please use this link when ordering. The church receives credit & a rebate from your purchases.
Order gift cards year round from The Youth Mission Team. Part of each order benefits the Youth Mission Fund. Check out this listing of available gift cards and contact the church office to order.
Resources to help
enhance your viewing
and using of Faith
United's digital offerings:

Sunday, January 2
8:30am-9:30am Traditional Worship - Live Stream (Sanctuary)
8:30am-12pm Nursery Care & Preschool Sunday School (Room 18)
9:30am-11am Sunday School Activities all ages (Gathering Area)
9:45am-10:45am Into the Deep Sunday School (Conference Room)
11am-12pm Modern Worship - Live Stream (Sanctuary)

Monday, January 3 - Church Office Closed

Tuesday, January 4
9am-12pm Library Story Time (Robinson Hall)
9:30am-11am Celebration Bell Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
2:30pm-3:30pm Women's Emmaus Accountability (Zoom)
6pm-9pm Boy Scouts (Robinson Hall)
6:30pm-8pm Ministry Council/Church Board (Zoom)

Wednesday, January 5
9am-10:30am "Elijah" Study (Zoom)
7pm-7:30pm Praise Singers (Sanctuary)
7:30pm-8:30pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)

Thursday, January 6
1pm-2:30pm Prayer Shawl Ministry (Parlor)
5pm-6pm Love Your Neighbor Team (Conference Room/Zoom)
5:15pm-6:45pm Pinewood Derby Workshop (Robinson Hall)
6:30pm-8pm Cub Scouts (FLC, Room 6, 16, LL, LL2)

Friday, January 7
1pm-2pm Theology for Our Times (Zoom)

Saturday, January 8
8am-9am Men's Life Study (Beyesly's Restaurant)

Calendar Snapshot - View more at myfaithunited.org/calendar