March Newsletter Info

Ash Wednesday: March 5

12-1PM: Drive-thru ashes

6PM: Service in the sanctuary with Burning Bowl ceremony. 

Prepare for Lent:

Grab a gently used copy of Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time located on the narthex table and get a head start on our new Lenten six week Zoom Thursday night book study led by Pastor Gaye starting March 6th at 7:30PM. Please also sign up if you have your own book.

The e-reader version of the devotional can be accessed on your computer, tablet, and phone. Paper devotional booklets are in the narthex. Daily Facebook posts following our Lent program will also be available.

Palm Sunday – April 13. Easter Egg hunt following service.

Maundy Thursday service – April 17 7PM

Easter – April 20

9AM – sunrise service in cemetery led by Ernie Lyons; Breakfast to follow

10:30AM – traditional service in sanctuary

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for the Blessing Box: Saturday, March 1 ~ 9-11AM in the Fellowship Hall.

Freewill offering and/or pantry donations will be accepted. Spread the word! Volunteers - Please arrive by 8AM start. Takeout will be available. Menu: pancakes, sausage, oj, coffee. 

Barberton Soup Kitchen: Tuesday, March 4.

Please sign up in the narthex to volunteer. We will be serving inside. If you are able to donate a cake, please contact Ernie or Helen for more info.

Second Sunday Social: We need a host for our March 9 Second Sunday Social. If you are interested in hosting, please sign up in the narthex or contact Alexandra 330.212.9493 or Andrea 330.658.3302. 

Greeters wanted: If you’d like to be a greeter before worship, please sign up for a Sunday in the narthex. Tasks include welcoming visitors and handing out bulletins. 

Lunch & Learn: All are welcome to join in viewing Understanding the New Testament video series on Thursdays at noon. Our next video will be The Apostles and Church in Luke and Acts on February 27.

Pastoral Relations committee will be Zoom meeting March 4 at 7PM. Please reach out to a committee member if you have something to share. (Art Holden, Carol Blanar, Brian Poetter, Amanda Cotton, Janel Baughman, Nick Kindel, Pastor Gaye)

Milestones Celebration is rescheduled for March 9. Please submit any additional milestones to the office or Helen by March 2.

Vacation notice: Sandy will be on vacation March 7-22. Please email the office if you are in need of assistance or call Pastor Gaye during office hours (T-Th 10-1). 

“Fill the church with love”: March 9. Invite family or friends to feel the love of our church family. Art Holden will be preaching. We will be celebrating Milestones and having our Elder/Consistory Installation. A social will follow worship. Join us this extra special Sunday!

Daylight Saving Time begins – March 9. Remember to Spring Forward!

Directory Updates: Please email the office any changes to your address, phone number (including cell), and/or email address by March 17. We also appreciate birthdays and anniversaries (with year) for our Card Ministry.

UCC summer camp registration is now available. Church assistance is available. Please contact Andrea before you register because there is a new payment method for the church to assist campers.

Art Contest: Children & youth are invited to participate in the 2025 Climate Hope Art Contest. The theme this year is “Planting Seeds of Hope.” UCC children and youth are invited to draw, paint, or color works of art that bring this theme to life. Please complete art on the template available through the weekly email or see Pastor Gaye. Submissions are due to Pastor Gaye by March 9.

Easter Flower Orders will be taking place March 23 – April 6. Order forms will be available in the bulletin and linked to our weekly email. Please write checks to Emanuel UCC or have exact cash with your form to Val by April 6. Easter flowers are available to take home after the 10:30AM Easter service.

GriefShare: Our last meeting is February 27 at 10:30AM.

Quilting: All are welcome to join the Missions quilting group on March 6 & 20 10-12PM. Please consider donating a piece of fabric to our group. See Debbie for more info.

Missions coats: We were able to purchase discounted coats to use for future Missions projects. If you would like to donate to offset the cost to the Missions Fund, please make a note with your donation during Sunday offering or give it to Andrea or Jean. 

Friends in Tents is asking for any candles that you no longer need or cans of Crisco. Any size, shape, scent, used or new. There is a box in the narthex.

The Crayon Initiative: Missions will be collecting unwanted crayons to donate to The Crayon Initiative. There is a box in the narthex. The old crayons will be recycled for art programs for children in hospitals.