First Christian Church  of Stow  (Disciples Of Christ)
Mid Week Reminder 

CORNER OF CONCERN:

Mid-Week Reminder –May 7, 2008

Worship Service - 8:30 & 10:45 A.M.

Sunday School - 9:30 A.M.

 

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(Mark left this thank you for the MidWeek after visiting with his family last week.  After Sunday he felt that he needed to add to his expression of gratitude and sent in the message included as P.P.S.)

 

 

To the Members of First Christian Church of Stow:

 

            Jane and I want to “thank” you for all your kindness over the ten years we had the opportunity to serve with you.  It has been an honor and I thank you for it.  I certainly was shocked and surprised when my family arrived to share in my retirement.  I was completely fooled.  We had such a terrific time together and did lots of neat and wonderful things.  It included rodeo golf (ask Bill Dowey if this is unknown to you), fires in our fire-pit (thanks, Ed), eating out together, silly string fights, toys all over the house, running and playing in the yard, reading books to grandchildren at bedtime, retelling family stories about people, places and events in the past and laughing a lot, playing games and in general having a blast.  We thank the Elders for making this thoughtful gift possible.  I will always remember you and this congregation and hold it up in my prayers.  May God’s blessings be upon you!

 

Mark               

 

P.S. I may slip in the back some service.

 

P.P.S.

Wow- What a nice send-off on my birthday, May 4th! Jane and I "THANK" everyone involved in the wonderful service and reception! We enjoyed all of it and will remember your kindness and expressions of Love given to us. Words are inadequate to say how we feel. You will remain in our hearts, prayers, and thoughts!

 

Mark & Jane   

 

 

FACTS & FIGURES

 

April 27, 2008

8:30 A.M. – CHAPEL                                                 33

10:45 A.M. – SANCTUARY                                     147

Nursery Care                                                                 6

TOTAL ATTENDANCE                                                        186

 

Regular                       171

Visitors                           15

 

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May 4, 2008

10:45 A.M. – SANCTUARY                                     218

Nursery Care                                                                  8

TOTAL ATTENDANCE                                                        226

 

Regular                       counts not

Visitors                           available

 

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6th Annual Perennial Flower Sale

 

Orders for available perennial flowers will be taken by Ann Halpin at the Mother/Daughter celebration and during coffee hour for the next 2 Sundays.  Don't miss your chance to reserve the flowers you wish to purchase.  Cost of plants is $1.50 each.  Benefit for Mary Martha Circle.

 

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Attention:  Graduating Seniors

 

            Graduation Sunday will be June 1 at the 10:45 worship service.  We will be honoring our High School and our College Graduates.  If you haven’t already let the office know you are graduating please let us know so that we don’t miss any one.

 

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Visit Our Prayer Board

 

It feels so good when I give to God what is on my heart, and when I share with someone what my own struggles are.  And when someone prays with me, I know that I am dong what God has called me to do.

The prayer board works in the same way.  I have seen what God has done already, and I am so excited to see God’s hand keep on working in all of our lives.  Come join me in this ministry.  Our prayer board is located at the east end of the lower hallway, outside of Disciples Hall.

                                                Dorothy Robinson

 

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   Did you know . . . ?

Our Chapel has had a varied and interesting history!

 

On June 12th, the Munroe Falls Historical Society will feature Willard Thomas who will tell “The Story of the Children’s Chapel.”  This event is free and open to the public and will take place at the Munroe Falls City Hall at 7 p.m. 

 

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Worship Schedule

 

            The elders have announced the guest ministers and speakers for the next few weeks while they are looking for our Interim Minister.  We are looking forward to hearing from each as they bring their special message to us.

            May 11, 2008                        Rev. Dr. William Edwards

            May 18, 2008                        Rev. Kim Barnett

            May 25, 2008                        Erin McCreight, (our to-be Timothy)

            June 1, 2008                          Rev. Kim Barnett

            We hope you will make a special effort to worship with us as each of these speakers share their unique messages.

 

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Rev. Dr. William Edwards became the Regional Pastor and President of the Christian Church in Ohio (Disciples of Christ) on September 1, 2004. Bill has served churches in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee, and served as Associate General Minister and Vice President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.

Bill's responsibilities include (not limited to) :

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Congratulations to Rev. Kim Barnett

 

            Rev. Kim Barnett, pastor at Stow-Glen Retirement Village was recently named recipient of the Personal Excellence Award from the Ohio Health Care Association and the Ohio Centers for Assisted Living.  Pastor Kim will be our guest speaker on May 18 and on June 1.  We look forward to hearing her messages and worshipping with her.

 

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from the Directors of Music:

Seeing Music Work in Ministry

 

We give Thee but Thine own, whate’er the gift may be;

All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.

William W. How, c. 1858

 

      In all the thanks that we want to express for the Music in Ministry concert on April 27, we first must thank God, our Father and Creator, for the magnificent gift of music.  It is a blessing

we sometimes take for granted—but what an amazing thing music is!

      We are so grateful for each and every person in our music groups.  Each one brings a special talent and spirit to share.  What’s unique about ensemble music is the combination of individual talent and group effort—the working of all those separate and different personalities for a common goal.  Thanks to each one who commits to attending rehearsals and being here on Sunday mornings.

      Our performing groups at the concert were:

Joyful Noise ~ intergenerational handbell ensemble

Celebration Ringers ~ teen advanced handbell ensemble

Joy Bells ~ adult advanced handbell ensemble

Grace Notes and Bass Notes ~ 7th-12th grade youth choirs

Acorn Choir and Crusader Choir ~ children’s choirs

The Way ~ worship band

Silent Praise ~ signing choir

Spiritus ~ select chamber choir

Chancel Choir ~ adult choir

      We also thank our directors—Cheryl Delaney (Crusader Choir), Cora Dowey (Acorn Choir), and Andrea Drews (Joyful Noise).  You do wonderful work with your groups!

      Thanks to Ron Neaffer for playing percussion—and for being there for those extra rehearsal times.  Thank you to Cindy Hagat, with your beautiful flute.

      The audience was terrific!  We thank you for your enthusiastic applause and smiling faces.  The offering given was $465, which will go toward improving our sanctuary sound system.  Thank you so much for your generosity!

      Many thanks to Sue Naylor and her crew, for coordinating the kitchen work, and to all who brought the delicious food.

       

      In closing, we’d like to repeat the dedication from the program:

We lovingly dedicate this concert to the memory of

Walter Howard and Betty Fletcher,

dedicated and gifted saints who have blessed us all with their talents, and who have now gone Home to live forever with their Lord.

We thank God for their lives and pray that we honor their memory!

 

      Walt was a faithful member of choir and a regular contributor of vocal and guitar solos.  In fact, if we were ever in a bind to find special music for worship, we knew that Walt would jump right in.  Walt brought that ex-football coach mentality to rehearsals—always early to practice, and always ready to give 100%.  We miss that smile after an anthem well done.

      Betty was a longtime member of Joy Bells who also gave generously of her time showing the ropes to less experienced ringers in Joyful Noise and Celebration Ringers. 

      Between her children and grandchildren (and eventually great-grandchildren), she probably produced more excellent handbell ringers than anyone else in the world!  There aren’t many other handbell groups that could claim three generations from the same family.  We will miss her wise and loving counsel.

 

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Send-a-Kid-to-Camp 

 

 

 


            Thank you to the congregation for their generous gifts to the send –a-kid-to-camp this year.  We are sending 22 young people to Camp Christian this year.  With all the donations, fundraised money and money that is our budget we are making it very affordable for our youth and their families.  Thank you; thank you for your contributions and your support of our fundraising.  We are truly blessed to have a wonderful church family who care about our youth.

 

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Workday

            The Trustees are sponsoring a All Church Workday on May 17th from 8 am – noon.  Please plan to attend!  Many hands truly do make light work.

 

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YOUTH NEWS

 

            C.Y.F. and Chi Rho youth who are going to camp please write a check to the church for $60.00 to pay for camp.  $200.00 is being paid by fundraised money, donations, and the church.  Please give a check to your youth leader or Cheryl Delaney asap.

 

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            The C.Y.F. and Chi Rho youth family picnic is on June 1, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 at Silver Springs Oak Tree Shelter.  All of our youth and their families are invited to come.

Chi Rho’ers are to bring a dessert to share and C.Y.F.’ers are to bring a side dish to share.  Bring your own table service.  Drinks and Hot Dogs will be provided.  Looking forward to seeing you there.

 

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Attention: Bible Review Class

 

            Starting on Sunday, May 11 this class will start meeting in the Galilee Room # 205 (the old music director’s office), that is next to the Chapel.  We will have someone on in the hall on the 2nd floor to direct you in the right direction.  If you are interested in joining the class you can come any time.  All are welcome.

 

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NOOMA

 

            Our last NOOMA video until September will be on Sunday, May 18 from 6:30-8:30 in the Church Library.  If you haven’t attended come check it out.  We have some wonderful discussions and we learn more about each other.

 

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Thank you

 

Dear Friends,

 

            Thank you so much for he gift card.  It was so thoughtful.  We really appreciate your thoughtfulness.  It will be used wisely.

 

                                                            In Christian love,

                                                            An Ingathering recipient

 

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Rev. Richardson, Members and friends,

 

            I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated you!  Throughout the year many of you have telephoned, sent notes and dropped in to see me at Briarwood.  Your thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated.  There is no end to how grateful I am.  Pastor, you and the congregation have made a difference in my life.

 

            Keep me in your prayers, as I will be praying for you.

                                                            Ms. Birdie Hunter & family

 

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MidWeek Schedule Changes

 

            Due to the Memorial Day weekend and scheduling conflicts in the church office, the MidWeek Reminder will be published on the first and third Wednesdays of May (instead of the second and fourth Wednesdays).  There will not be a MidWeek published after the Memorial Day weekend and the normal schedule will resume in June.

 

Deadline for articles

To be published on

 

 

May 19

May 21

June 9

June 11

June 23

June 25

 

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All Daughters

 

Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Aunts, Cousins

Grandmothers, Daughters-in-law,

Sisters-in-law, Beloved female friends….

One and All, you are invited to

 

Picnic in the Park<