1 The Pilgrim Spire September 2016 Pilgrim United Church of Christ 130 Broad Boulevard Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 Pastor’s Parable CONTACT INFORMATION Office: Phone: 330.928.4847 Fax: 330.928.1017 Staff & E-Mail: Pastor: Reverend Kirk Bruce [email protected]Secretary: Kelly Gerstenberger [email protected]Faith Formation Director: Marilyn Freeman [email protected]Music Director: Amy Sauriol [email protected]Cleaning Services: Peter Paugh Website: www.pilgrimcf.org You’ll find electronic versions of The Pilgrim Spires; Calendar; Facility Use & Facility Use Policies; Wedding & Funeral Information; Act-It UP! Community Theatre; History and more! The Pilgrim Spire is published once a month. If you have something to share with your fellow Pilgrims, please contact the church office to have it included in the next edition of . . . The Pilgrim Spire. Would you prefer to receive this via email? Please contact the church office. Address changes? Contact the office. Thank you! A little girl asked her mother, "Where did people come from?" Her mother answered, "God made Adam and Eve and they had children and that's how all mankind was made." A couple of days later she asked her father the same question. The father answered, "Many years ago there were monkeys, which the human race evolved from." The confused little girl returned to her mother and said, "Mommy how is it possible that you told me that we were created by God, and Daddy said we came from monkeys?" The mother answered, "Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family and your father told you about his." Someone told me once, “There are two approaches to almost anything in life, mine and the wrong one.” There is some truth in that. But, it isn’t our approach that is the correct one; it is God’s approach to life that is the correct one. In Jesus’ story of the prodigal son, the father plays the role of God. Isn’t it amazing to see the breathe and depth of His love and to discover how God will let nothing stand between us and the One who made us. The story of the prodigal son continues on with a brother who is less concerned with relationship than with property. This son had all the blessings of the world his entire life and never knew them. The story is not about becoming good enough. It is not about loving God enough. It is however, about discovering how much God loves us and subsequently doing something about that. That is our challenge as well. What are you going to do about the fact that you are loved, the beloved child of the God of creation? What are you going to do with that fact? See you Sunday. Shalom, Pastor Kirk
You’ll find electronic versions of The Pilgrim Spires; Calendar; Facility Use & Facility Use Policies; Wedding & Funeral Information; Act-It UP! Community Theatre; History and more!
The Pilgrim Spire is published once a month. If you have something to share with your fellow Pilgrims, please contact
the church office to have it included in the next edition of . . . The Pilgrim Spire.
Would you prefer to receive this via email? Please contact the church office.
Address changes? Contact the office.
Thank you!
A little girl asked her mother, "Where did people come
from?" Her mother answered, "God made Adam and
Eve and they had children and that's how all mankind
was made." A couple of days later she asked her father
the same question. The father answered, "Many years
ago there were monkeys, which the human race evolved
from." The confused little girl returned to her mother
and said, "Mommy how is it possible that you told me
that we were created by God, and Daddy said we came
from monkeys?" The mother answered, "Well, dear, it is
very simple. I told you about my side of the family and
your father told you about his."
Someone told me once, “There are two approaches to
almost anything in life, mine and the wrong one.” There
is some truth in that. But, it isn’t our approach that is the
correct one; it is God’s approach to life that is the correct
one.
In Jesus’ story of the prodigal son, the father plays the
role of God. Isn’t it amazing to see the breathe and
depth of His love and to discover how God will let
nothing stand between us and the One who made us.
The story of the prodigal son continues on with a brother
who is less concerned with relationship than with
property. This son had all the blessings of the world his
entire life and never knew them. The story is not about
becoming good enough. It is not about loving God
enough. It is however, about discovering how much
God loves us and subsequently doing something about
that. That is our challenge as well. What are you going
to do about the fact that you are loved, the beloved child
of the God of creation? What are you going to do with
Dear Friends at Pilgrim Church, Thank you for your dedication to S.A.R.A. Your work to sort and store medical supplies is much appreciated. I have been serving on the S.A.R.A. board since 1998, and I see first-hand how much this support is needed. Thank you so very much. Blessings of Joy, Martha (Marty) Siegel OTR/L (Marty, an Occupational Therapist, is a bundle of energy who goes over to the Ukraine several times a year to work with the children. New pamphlets about S.A.R.A’s work there are in the Social Hall on the table under the SARA Display).
I also want to add my thanks to those wonderful people who came last April on short notice to help sort and box up
supplies. It was a hard work but it was finished in one day! Jo Kindel
Dear Pastor Bruce, Your kindness is appreciated very much. Thank you so much for everything you have done for mom over the
years. Sincerely, Wendy & Becky Migdal
Thank You to Everyone who helped with Adventures With God Camp Program - August 1 - 3, 2016.
A comment by a first time camper, “I loved it. And I can come back for 7 more years!
Meetings are open to all people attending Pilgrim!
Music Committee: Sunday, September 11 @ 11:30 a.m. (after worship)
Stewardship: Sunday, September 11 @ 11:45 am (after worship)
Trustees: Monday, September 12 @ 6:30 p.m.
Faith Formation: Tuesday, September 13 @ 7pm
Evangelism: Monday, September 19 @ 5:30 p.m.
Community Connections Committee (CCC): Monday, September 19 @ 6:30 p.m.
Council: Monday, September 19 @ 7:00 p.m.
Act-It UP! Community Theater: Saturday, September 3rd @ 11:00 a.m.
Volunteers are needed to help with Fellowship hour in the Social Hall for the upcoming months. Do you want to help and have a few questions?
Just call the church office at 330-928-4847 or
Shari Schneider 330-785-8791 or Janna Redd 330-352-3831!
Looking for various photographs to use in our bulletins, Power Points, and newsletters! If you have that gift, please speak with Kelly in the office. Office phone 330-928-4847 or email: [email protected]. Thank You!
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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO...
9/19 ~ Adam & Janna Redd ~ 16 years
United Church Homes is celebrating 100 years of service by hosting its Centennial Golf Outing on Friday, September 23rd at Beaver Creek Golf Club in Beaver Creek Ohio. See the bulletin board near the office for more information.
Happy Birthday Date—Name
9/3 ~ Cindy Smith 9/6 ~ Thelma Viola
9/7 ~ Janis Morgan
9/10 ~ Gordon Van Waes 9/10 ~ Tom Woodburn
Date—Name
9/15 ~ Peg Ewart 9/22 ~ Adam Kump
9/24 ~ Polly McCallum
9/27 ~ Jacki Wanclovic
9/30 ~ Michael Subichen
SAVE THE DATE:
Ice Cream Social - September 17, 2016 11:00 - 4:00 pm. Please join us for this Family Friendly event! Entertainment: 11 am to 1 pm Starr Illumination Group AND 2 pm - 4 pm Effangee Band Raffle Baskets, Food, Ice Cream, Drinks & Games on the Lawn Suggested Donation: $5 Adults/$3 Children Raffle Basket Drawing at 3:45 pm
More Thank You’s received in August. . .
Thank you from The Cuyahoga Falls Good Neighbors Unit for supporting the Annual School Drive to benefit the chil-dren in need within our area. that serves Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, Munroe Falls, Silver Lake, Hudson, and Peninsula. Sincerely, Jackie Wanclovic, Chairperson Annual School Drive Cuyahoga Falls Good Neighbors
Dear Pilgrim Family, Many thanks for the beautiful altar flowers brought to me by Kathie Richards at NCR where I am still recovering. A special thank you to all for the get well cards & prayers & visits. It really means a lot to me. Thankfully, Jackie Wanclovic
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From the Blessing Jar
A good friend is a connection to life—a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world. Lois Wyse
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Sons of God. Matthew 5:7– 9
A friend is a gift whose worth cannot be measured except by the heart. Charles H. Towne
God, who is love, simply cannot help but shed blessing upon blessing upon us. We do not need to beg. For He simply cannot help it! Hannah Whitall Smith
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else. I Thessalonians 3:12
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His son purifies us from all sin. I John 1:7
The true joy of life is being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. George Bernard Shaw
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
Donations in memory of... Waymon Carter to Pilgrim’s Free Community Lunch Program! From Georgiana Flood of Stow Memorial: Waymon L. Carter Free Community Lunch Program! From Timothy & Lori Price
Do You. . . love music, love to sing? Consider being part of the Choir!!! Lift your voice in union with others to praise God through wonderful music.
Rehearsals To Start at 9:00am on Sunday mornings in September!
Acme Register Tapes:
It’s time to start saving those Acme register tapes again! The program began August 11 and runs through December 31. The collection box is in the Social Hall. All proceeds benefit the Mission Trip Fund.
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Seeds of Literacy provides free basic education & GED preparation to adults in the Cleveland area. This organization is looking for Volunteer tutors to help students at a variety of skill levels & subjects. Tutor training will be offered: Friday, September 9, 2016 - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.(Seeds East) Saturday, October 1, 2016 - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.(Seeds West)
For more information or to register, contact: Alexandria Marshall, Volunteer Coordinator, at 216-661-7950 ext. 15 or [email protected]
Save Our Steeple Campaign Update Donations received as of 8/22/2016 totals $96,812.09 of our $250,000 goal. Pilgrim United Church of Christ has received and signed the contractual agreement with Frost Architectural Preservation, Inc. Look for the scaffolding going up shortly. We are STILL in need of people willing to go to local businesses to solicit for donations. Please call the office to get the list of businesses to be approached. The Save Our Steeple Committee is planning an Ice Cream Social 11 am - 4 pm. with entertainment on a Saturday, September 17th, 2016 If you would like to have the Steeple Light Up the Night Skies, Contact the church office at 330-928-4847
Do You. . . love music, love to sing? Consider being part of the Choir!!! Lift your voice in union with others to praise God through wonderful music. Sunday Mornings at 9 am are rehearsals!
Gardening anyone? If you just love playing in the dirt (like me!), OR would like to learn something about gardening, OR want to help grow food to feed people and raise money for our Free Community Lunch Program, please let me (Marilyn Freeman) know. There is always a list of garden chores! Garden pictures and updates are posted on our Face Book pages, check us out!
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For Fellowship and Good Food September 22nd 5 - 8pm
The Pulse of Pilgrim (Thank You Audrey Crain for this suggestion!)
Births: Current Addresses:: None at this time Sam & Cady Dannemiller 8021 145th Avenue, NE, #C16 Redmond, WA 90852
NOTES WITH OUR STEEPLE DONATIONS:
I wish you success with your fundraising. It’s a lovely church! Shelby Jean Lawrence
Save The Steeple! Sincerely, Lila Danner
Hope this helps a little. Ed & Joanne Moody
Library Corner ~Book of the Month ~ Books That Nurture Spirituality ~
Devotions from the Front Porch by Stacy Edwards These 90 devotions “centered on the front porch and home will soothe your soul, refresh your spirit, and remind you that He is with you throughout each day. The Photography is beautiful too! Thank You Kathie Richards!!
September’s Book of the Month – The Flower Man by Mark Ludy This book is a wonderfully illustrated wordless picture book, and yet each page comes alive with several stories to be told. In every window of the village homes, there are stories, and each of them is transformed into a new story when the Flower Man arrives. It’s teachable lessons of just being present and listening, of discovering each other’s story and learning to laugh, love and live together to make the world a better place wherever we go. Check it out in the Children’s Library!
Attitude of Gratitude http://gratefulness.org/resource/practice-ideas/ Maintaining an attitude of gratitude can be a challenge! I discovered this website that offers several possibilities for developing a habit of living each moment of every day in gratitude. There are medi-tation exercises, suggestions for random acts of kindness, and short mission/service activities that will encourage gratitude. There are links to quiet musical interludes, sounds of nature, as well as other articles and activities to assist in developing an attitude of gratitude! Check it out!
Is anyone interested in forming a Book Club? Ideas for meeting times/places and books to read is wide open. See Marilyn “I’m creating a list of interesting book titles.”
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The 4 Stain-Glassed Windows in the Sanctuary were removed on Friday, August 5th!
Chuck Stanley will continue the coordinating the putty-ing of the remaining windows on Wednesdays 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm! Ladder holders are needed for the ladders used to reach the higher windows.
“We are gaining on the windows. Thank You!” Chuck Stanley
Prayers for Pilgrims
Pray for a person with emotional issues who is going through a divorce.
Please pray for all those in our church who are ill, have a sick family
member or medical issues with decisions to make.
Please pray for Kristen Howe whose 16.5 year old cat, Marshall, crossed
the pet rainbow bridge August 9th. Also pray for Wylie, her other cat,
during this transition time.
David Allen, grandson of Mary Ann Jopperi, having treatments for eye cancer.
Praises for healing for Kathy for glaucoma.
Please pray for the Cuyahoga Falls Police Officer seriously injured and recovering at home. Pray for healing for Charles Adams, Lillian Parr, Alice Woodburn, Jackie Wanclovic & Heidi Lagasse. Please pray for Lois Shook at Concordia at Sumner in Copley. Please pray for Lena Macale in Bath Creek Health & Rehabilitation Center Rm #228. Please pray for the Hyden family for God’s love and peace. Please pray for blessings & (the) gift of the Love of Family. Please pray for Hank Rippey at National Church Residences (Traditions)! Please pray for comfort & support of a good friend who is struggling. Praises to all our police & fire personnel! Please pray for the areas in our country and others dealing with droughts, lack of food, uprooted homes caused by floods, civil unrest and wars. Pray that children everywhere will learn about PEACE & LOVE!
Join US! Kelly G., Janna R. & Shari S. for a book study on
