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“O Lord, you are so good to the soul Who seeks you, what must you be

To the one who finds you?” ~Bernard of Clairvaux

Of course, February, the coldest month of the year, would

be the month in which we would celebrate the warmest emotion any of us could feel, Love. The big question for many is “What is love?” In the past I’ve heard it said that “Love is something you do…”. Said another way by author David Rensberger, “Love is a personal activity, not an abstract quality.”* Jesus thought that if we just did two things, “love God” and “love our neighbor”, we could never break God’s law. First and foremost of all, however, is that “…God is love”; the Bible’s “…greatest declaration about God.”* In 1John 4:8 the Apostle states, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is Love.” That statement is the Bible’s summation about God. It means that love is truly placed at the center of our faith and to be loving and caring people is truly God’s call to all of us who say we are Christian. So, how we live, what we say, and what we do in our lives must become, essentially, the imitation of God.

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May our lives be reflections of the love God has shown toward us. May that love one day conquer the world! With Love,

(*)Rensberger, David. “God is Love”. Weavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life. January/February, 1998. Volume XIII, Number 1. Pages 17-19

SERMON SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY

Feb. 5 “Making a Difference” – Matthew 5:13-20 (Altar Communion)

Feb. 12 “It’s Your Choice” – Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Feb. 19 “TBA” – Kevin Gehres, Guest Speaker Feb. 26 “Expanding Boundaries” – Matthew 5:38-48

ANNUAL MEETING IN FEBRUARY The annual meeting of the congregation is scheduled for Sunday, February 12. There will first be a luncheon following worship. That will be followed by the meeting in which the efforts of 2016 will be reviewed, annual reports received, and the election of President and Vice President of the congregation will be conducted.

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LENTEN SEASON BEGINS: Ash Wednesday this year is on

March 1. There will be worship that evening with communion and the Imposition of Ashes. The 7p.m. service will be the first in a series of six Wednesday evening services leading up to Holy Week and Easter. Come and worship with us Wednesdays at 7p.m. throughout Lent.

Pastor on Vacation

The Brays will be away February 13-19th. Leading worship on the 19th will be Kevin Gehres. If you need pastoral care, please call Carolyn for a referral.

THANK YOU! Thank you to all who sent us well wishes, gifts and season’s greetings throughout this last Christmas. A special thank you to the Women’s Guild and to the Consistory for their gifts as well. It has been a privilege and a blessing to be working with the people of St. Paul’s in this, our common ministry. Thank you! The Brays

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OUR AGAPE MISSION HAS CHANGED! Another local church has started a toilet paper mission for Agape. Upon discussion with the Board, there is a need for bar soap. Our

NEW MISSION with Agape is now BAR SOAP. Please start

collecting bar soap now instead of toilet paper. Thank you everyone for your support! - Jane Nuss

BREAKING BREAD COMMUNITY MEAL

St. Paul’s offers a weekly free community meal, “Breaking Bread.” We serve meals from 4:30 to 6:00 pm on Thursdays. The schedule for February will be:

February 2 February 6

February 16 February 23

Do you shop at Gordon Foods? If so, much like the Kroger Rewards Program that the Women’s Guild has, Gordon Foods has a points system. This point system greatly helps with purchasing food for our Breaking Bread meals. The next time you shop at Gordon Foods, ask them to credit your points to St. Paul’s Account #002159887! A little bit goes a long way! Thank you!

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The JTDMH Hospital Auziliary dues are now being collected. All are welcomed to belong and support our local hospital. Dues are $15 and checks should be made out to “JTDMH Auxiliary”. Money or checks should be given or mailed to Ann Vogel or Inez Weisenbarger by February 19, 2017.

SUPER BOWL CONCERT

The Lima Area Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will present their Super Bowl Concert on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at Trinity Methodist Church, 301 W. Market Street, Lima, Ohio.

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SIGNKEEPER. Must know the alphabet, how to count and how to lay down on the job. The work schedule is ½ hour now and then. The pay is the satisfaction of seeing your work up in lights and the eternal gratitude of the pastor. Apply as soon as possible before he gets too old to get back up off the ground!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ WEDNESDAY LENT NURSERY STAFF: We are in need of volunteers to staff the nursery on Wednesay evenings during Lent. We would need for you to be in the nursery from 6:45 pm until 8 p.m. Please call the office at (419) 394-3811 if you are willing to help and are available.

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Aluminum Can Recycling for the Youth Group

Thank you to everyone who is saving aluminum cans for the YOUTH GROUP. We will continue to save, collect, and recycle cans.

Cans need to be rinsed out and brought to St. Paul’s, just leave

them behind the curtain under the stairs of the Creation Station door. If you have a lot of cans and would like to just take them on to recycling and donate the money, it may be just as easy once they are in your vehicle. Thank you for your support.

FEBRUARY

Birthdays!

2 - Madi Mauter 4 - Morgan Brown 4 - Brett Speckman 5 - Katie Lucas 9 - Alli Long 10 - Adam Dieringer

10 - Courtney Leffel 10 - Alaina Devor 15 - Peyton Wilson 21 - Mia Hirschfeld 28 - Toby Turner

DECEMBER 2016 PERFECT ATTENDANCE

Nursery

Carson Long

Amelia Klosterman

Harrison Silber

6th Grade

Tyler Birt

AJ Dieringer

Brooke Turner

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Alivia Schaaf

Toby Turner

Pre-School

Henry Klosterman

Kindergarten

Aubrey Birt

Emily Turner

1st Grade

Ryen Chisholm

Lincoln James

Vince Walter

2nd Grade

Avery Dieringer

3rd Grade

Ollie Chisholm

Reece Long

4th Grade

Caleb Turner

5th Grade

Cody Birt

Rhett Chisholm

Brian Speckman

Sophie James

7th Grade

Calvin Caywood

Kendall Dieringer

Brett Speckman

Confirmation

Emma Birt

Austin Gottschalk

Katie Lucas

Lucy Spencer

Leah Walter

Senior High

Carly Caywood

Kalie Gayer

Kyle Lucas

Clare Caywood

Courtney Nuss

Howie Spencer

Charley Walter

Leah Strand

Christian Ed/Sunday School Dates to Remember:

February 19-Kids sing in church

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WOMEN’S NEWS Women’s Guild Cabinet met on November 30. The Fall Cafeteria made $991.40 and the Bake Sale made $743.20. Thanks for all your help in making this a yearly successful fund raiser. Donations to the following organizations were approved:

Veterans of the Cross & toilet paper for church each- $100.00

I-Read Program - $500.00 CWS, Helping Hands, Cancer Assn. of Auglaize Co, Women’s Crisis Center each - $300.00 MANY THANKS for all the hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves that were displayed on the tree in the sanctuary. Many of these were homemade & all of these items will be much appreciated this winter. Over 150 items were collected & donated to the Goodfellows. Your help in supporting this mission is appreciated! Soup and Sandwich –Please join us in Fellowship Hall following worship on Sunday, February 12th for soup and sandwiches and of course, desserts! The annual meeting will follow. February Mission Project is to aid Crossroad of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Crossroad was founded in 1883 as the Reformed Orphan’s Home of Ft. Wayne, IN. As the need for orphanages began to diminish, two new services were provided: a home for unwed mothers known as Woodhaven & services for emotionally troubled children. Crossroad became their name in 1975 & now they are officially known as Crossroad Child & Family Service, Inc. For many years, it has been our tradition to gather cookies for

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Valentine’s Day. Last year almost 60 dozen cookies were delivered. Please bake your favorite cookies & bring them to the church kitchen or the elevette room by Sunday morning, February 5th. They can be decorated, plain or bar cookies. Please pack them in a gallon or quart zip lock bag to keep them fresh. Any questions, call Karen Adams. VALENTINE BAGS: For over 5 years, Samaritan Sisters have organized sending Valentine bags to our homebound and college/military members. This year, Samaritan Sisters is sending cards only (no Valentine bags) to our homebound and college/military members. We encourage all members to also send Valentine cards or make visits to these members. Addresses for the homebound can be found in the Women’s Guild booklets. If interested, contact the church office for names and addresses. QUILTERS - meets on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to ??? in the sewing room. Questions? Call Margaret Hunter at 419-733-4332. BUSY NEEDLES - Busy Needles meet in the old kitchen on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 9 a.m. to ?? We knot lap robes and comforters for local nursing homes, VA hospitals, Shriners hospitals in Cincinnati and Lexington, Ky., and anyone in need to keep warm. We are looking for anyone wanting to help with this Mission. We are nearing a goal of 8000 lap robes and afghans. If you can thread a needle, we need you. Thanks for everyone who has donated fabric and yarn to this Mission. It is through the donations of many this program has continued for over 35 years. It only costs the church for the electricity we use in 3 to 4 hours. For more information, call Margaret 419-733-4332.

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The St. Paul’s UCC Women’s Guild will be holding BINGO on the following date:

February 13, 2017 Vancrest 6:30-7:30p

May 8, 2017 Vancrest 6:30-7:30p

August 14, 2017 Vancrest 6:30-7:30p

November 27, 2017 Vancrest 6:30-7:30p

We are in need of BINGO helpers. Please call Rose Leffel at

(419) 394-4470 or Janice Katterheinrich at (419) 394-3264 to let one of them know if you can help work the Bingo or if you can bring cookies.

To the Scholarship Fund in memory of Carolyn House (Mrs. Bray’s mother): Raymond and Joann Cousino.

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Thank you to the Consistory for the Christmas gift. It is greatly appreciated. Blessings to all, Al Baker

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Thank you to the Consistory and Women’s Guild for their generous Christmas gifts! I greatly appreciate the gifts. It is a pleasure to work with all of you! Many blessings, Carolyn Garrison

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ St. Paul’s Sunday School Group: The Auglaize County Fraternal Order of Police just wanted to say a BIG “THANK YOU!!!” for your very generous donation to the Shop With A Cop program. Your kindness is VERY MUCH APPRECIATED! Sincerely, Josh Boos, Treasurer Auglaize County F.O.P. Lodge #76

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Last year we collected a total of 4219 rolls of toilet paper. Thank you for all your support to Agape for this drive. This year our goal is still the same. 5000 rolls. Jane Nuss

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Thank you to the Samaritan Sisters for the beautiful Christmas bouquet of flowers. It was greatly appreciated. Thanks to those who have come by with cookies and candy. Thank you Rev. Bray for your many visits during the holiday season. Sincerely, Jim and Judy Waesch

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ To Consistory and Women’s Guild, Thank you all very much for the monetary Christmas gifts. It was very much appreciated and came in quite handy. Bob Schumacher

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Dear Members of Consistory, I just want to say thank you for the Christmas gift. It is much appreciated and I chose to use it as a “pay it forward” kind of thing. Blessings, Laura Yelton

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Dear Consistory, Thank you so much for the Christmas gift. I appreciate the thoughtfulness. I thank you for allowing me to do what I love – make music! I have great people to help me. Thanks again, Becky Anderson

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Dear Consistory, Thank you so much for the gift of money for Christmas! Very much appreciated, but not necessary! Thank you again and I continue to serve with joy by playing the organ here at St. Paul’s. Andrea Spencer

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Dear Women’s Guild, Thank you very much for the gift of money for Christmas! It was very much appreciated – but not necessary girls!! You all are very sweet! Thanks again! Such a wonderful church to belong to! Andrea Spencer

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Dear St. Paul’s Consistory, I want to thank you for the monetary gift you gave me for Christmas. It was very generous and thoughtful of you to remember me. Ann Vogel

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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Many thanks to my church family for all of the cards and good wishes for my 90th birthday. A special thank you to all who braved the cold weather and came to my party. Dorothy McMullen

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Dear St. Paul’s: It is my sincere pleasure to thank you for the recent gift to Heidelberg University. It is so heartening when we receive a gift from a donor that allows us to say “yes” to one or more of our students. The university is indeed grateful. Thank you again, Katie McCrystal, Director of The Heidelberg Fund

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ St. Paul's Church, Thank you so much for the generous Christmas gift! We have put it aside for our family vacation in the summer! We plan to use it to do something fun as a family! Thank you for always supporting us and for your generosity! In Him, Mark and Amy Dieringer

CALL-EM-ALL - Please let the church office know if you are experiencing any problems with the Call-Em-All phone messages. Also, please contact the office if you would like to be removed from the calling list or listen to the broadcast and at the end

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follow their directions to ‘opt out’ of any future broadcasts - this will remove your number from the calling list. Thank you! ‘BREAKING BREAD’ COMMUNITY DINNER - If you would like to make a financial contribution to help with costs for the weekly community dinner, these will be gratefully accepted. Donations can be placed in the Sunday offering plate or mailed to the church office. Please be sure to indicate your name on the envelope if you would like to receive credit on your giving statement. Contributions of #10 canned food are also accepted. FOR THE RECORD - INFORM US PLEASE!! If you will be going to the hospital or if someone you know is hospitalized, please call the church office and let us know. Please call the church office with address corrections or if you do not see your Birthday or Anniversary listed during the correct month. Call 419-394-3811. Thank you!! Home phone # for Pastor Ed is 567-279-9116 smucc@bright.net - church e-mail address. Use this to e-mail articles for the newsletter/messages for the Sunday bulletin. ebray@bright.net is Rev. Bray’s personal email address if you would like to contact him. christianed@bright.net - Christian Education and Youth Director email address. ssullivan@stpaulsuccsm.comto contact Sharon Sullivan for the Email Prayer Chain Requests. www.stpaulsuccsm.com - church web site address Televised worship service- our worship service here at St.

Paul’s is shown on TSC cable - Digital channel 1 OR non-digital channel 2, every Sunday at 10:30 am and also on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm. There is a one week delay of the service

shown.

STAFF OF ST. PAUL’S UCC:

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Rev. Dr. Eddie A. Bray Jr., Pastor Al Baker, Minister of Visitation

Carolyn Garrison, Administrative Assistant Amy Dieringer, Youth Director

Laura Yelton, Director of Children’s Choirs, C.E. Coordinator

Becky Anderson, Director of Music Andrea Spencer, Organist

Ann Vogel, Organist

Tom Hevlin, Organist Emeritus Bob Schumacher, Custodian

Rich Spencer, Audio and Video Sharon Sullivan, Email Prayer Chain Contact

Julie Speckman, Church School Superintendent

Amy Keller, Confirmation Teacher Amy Dieringer and Kayla Tangeman, Sunday Nursery

Supervisors

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

EYEGLASSES FOR THE NEEDY - collected by the church school classes. Donated glasses should be placed in the basket at the North entrance to the sanctuary. LIFT CHAIR is available for 'loan' to anyone in the church who might have a need for it. Please call the church office for more information. ATLAS 600 VISION MACHINE - to assist those who have vision problems with reading books, newspapers, prescription labels, writing personal checks or viewing family photographs - making this possible with video magnifiers. This item is currently available. ANOTHER VISION MACHINE - to assist those who have vision problems with reading books, newspapers, prescription labels, writing personal checks or viewing family photographs - making

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this possible with video magnifiers. This item is currently available to church members on a “temporary” basis. If you are interested in checking out this machine, please contact the church office.

WALKERS - If you have need of a walker for assistance in getting around, please call the church office. One of our church members has several different type walkers, which are available for loan.

RESTROOM ITEMS: If you have a need for shower chairs, toilet set elevators and hand held shower adapters, please call the church office. One of our church members has graciously donated a few of these items.

LAMINATOR - available in the church office. This is used by the Sunday School teachers for classroom projects and activities and by the office staff. We will also laminate items for church members for a fee of $1.00 per item (NOTE: maximum size we can laminate is 8 ½ x 11 inches). OFFERING ENVELOPES - are distributed by quarterly mailing. Please notify the church office if you are not receiving envelopes and would like to be added to this mailing list. Also......PLEASE NOTIFY THE CHURCH OFFICE IF YOU HAVE A CHANGE OF ADDRESS. COPIES - if you need copies made of any personal items, you may stop by the church office and we will be glad to make them for you. If it is a large project, it is best to call ahead. Cost for making copies for church members is 15 cents per copy if you use the office paper or 10 cents per copy if you bring your own paper. THE DVD/CD DUPLICATOR in the church office enables us to make multiple copies of the morning worship service. Please call the church office to request a copy. The charge for duplicating a DVD

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will be $2.00 each. Monthly sets of worship DVD’s can also be mailed at a cost of $10.00 per month. Call the church office for more information.

2017 CHURCH OFFICIALS President of Congregation Greg Leffel Vice-president of Congregation Jim Huckemeyer President of Consistory Sharon Sullivan

Vice-president of Consistory Diane Gayer

2017 Members of Consistory Elders: Sharon Sullivan John Holtzapple Bernie Schroer

Diane Gayer Jane Laird Joyce Roth

Deacons: Mary Holtzapple Ron Kline Michael Briggs Adele Fast

Billie Marsee Jami Leffel Becky Rasawehr Tom Dickman Doug Spencer Jerry Lucas

Karen James Jim Huckemeyer Trustees: Chuck Greenawalt, Glenn Hadley and Bill Nuss

FINANCIAL REPORT December 2016: Current Fund: Budgeted through December 31, 2016 = $261,790.00 Received through December 31, 2016 = $243,828.11 Other income through December 31, 2016 = $ 2,903.33 Expenses through December 31, 2016 = $247,529.00 Received through December 31, 2015 = $232,283.00 Mission Fund: Budgeted through December 31, 2016 = $25,000.00

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Received through December 31, 2016 = $23,555.00 Received through December 31, 2015 = $21,838.78 Status of 2017 Budget: Current Fund: Budgeted through January 31, 2017 = $22,074.83 Budgeted through January 15, 2017 = $13,244.91 Received through January 15, 2017 = $12,176.00 Mission Fund: Budgeted through January 31, 2017 = $ 1,750.00 Budgeted through January 15, 2017 = $13,244.91 Received through January 15, 2017 = $ 744.00

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JANUARY 2017 CONSISTORY MEETING

MINUTES:

Addendum for a separate meeting held November 27, 2016: The Personnel Committee voted unanimously not to increase the Administrative Assistant’s medical insurance. There was a majority vote. A thank you was made to Marsha Landers for her help in talking with Carolyn about the matter. Adele Fast made a motion to accept this addendum and Pam Scheer seconded. Motion carried.

Minutes of the December 13, 2016 meeting were reviewed. Fred Scheer made a motion to approve, Tom Dickman seconded. Motion carried.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND NURTURE: No report FINANCIAL REPORT: Dave Dickman

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Dave reviewed the Financial Report for the month of December, 2016. Some of the reduction in bills could have been due to no Breaking Bread during the month of December. Cindy Huckemeyer stated that it was a nice break for the volunteers of Breaking Bread and that some nice gifts were sent in by several people. It was noted that on the back of page 9 that the total amount under Current Fund did not match those bills from above. It was crossed out. A motion to accept the Financial Report was made by Bernie Schroer, Lynn Schmidt seconded. Motion carried.

President’s Report: Cindy Huckemeyer

Cindy gave a big thank you to all of those who helped her during the past year and that she learned a lot.

Pastor’s Report: Rev. Bray

Rev. Bray gave his report for the month of December. The Wednesday night “Carols and Communion” was well attended.

Minister of Visitation Report: No report COMMITTEE REPORTS: Budget and Finance Committee: Dave Dickman

Dave mentioned that the new copier in the office is working very well.

Trustees: Fred Scheer

Fred gave a report of finished projects. Work was done for snow and ice removal. All of the New Century old hymnals are now gone. Jim Huckemeyer delivered approximately 100 hymnals to one church recipient and a gentleman from Michigan took the remaining (approx. 200 hymnals) and was very appreciative.

Elders: Bernie Schroer

No report; however, Bernie did discuss the new schedule with the Elders.

Deacons: Lynn Schmidt

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Lynn gave out a big thank you to the Deacons in the past for all of their help.

Christian Mission and Outreach Committee: No report OLD BUSINESS:

Bernie Schroer gave a thank you to Cindy Huckemeyer for her service this past year as the President of Consistory.

Cindy mentioned that she would like to see more fellowship with more carry-in type meals.

NEW BUSINESS:

Consistory President thanked those Consistory members whose term ended and they were released from the meeting. New Consistory members were welcomed.

New Consistory President, Sharon Sullivan, took over the meeting.

Sharon passed out packets for the new Consistory members. Discussion about the duties and responsibilities of each. The 2017 Communion Schedule was passed out as well as a new list of members with addresses and telephone numbers. It was suggested that email addresses be listed as well.

Sharon read a letter from the St. Marys Prom Committee requesting a monetary donation. January 29th was suggested for a loose offering collection with an announcement in the bulletin this weekend about the upcoming special loose offering. John Holtzapple made a motion to accept and Diane Gayer seconded. Motion carried.

Sharon suggested that Consistory members read over the church constitution and bring any concerns, issues to the next meeting. Sharon stated that this is a good idea since this Consistory will be the one to initiate the search for a new pastor. To her knowledge no changes have been made to the constitution since 2006. Congregation President,

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Greg Leffel, is in contact with Rev. Busch and they will be giving us an update on what steps and how we should proceed to start with the search for a new pastor.

Sharon will look at the list of committees and those who are on them. Would like to see the committees a bit more active.

There will be a practice “run through” of communion before the start of February meeting. Please arrive by 6:15 pm to go over this.

There being no further regular business, the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. with a motion by Mary Holtzaplle and a second by Becky Rasawehr. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Huckemeyer, 2016 Consistory President Sharon Sullivan, 2017 Consistory President Diane Gayer, 2017 Consistory VP, filling in for Carolyn, Administrative Assistant.

Deadline for articles, announcements, etc. for the

March issue of The Communicator will be February 16th at 9 a.m.

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“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without

words than words without a heart.”

― Mahatma Gandhi