Minerva United Methodist Church 204 N. Main St., Minerva, OH 44657

Church 330-868-4940, Fax 330-868-4825 e-mail: minervaunc@frontier.com, website: minervaumc.org

Pastor Harley Wheeler

Minerva Messenger From the Pastor’s

Pen

The Rejoicing Earth Isaiah 55:12 “You will go out with joy, and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will

burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” By now we should have been treated to a full display of autumn colors. I remember being told again and again by teachers, my parents, and Sunday School teachers to look for the colors of the trees and to admire the leaves. This was good advice. More often in our adult lives, we should be urged to see, to admire, and to rejoice in the beauty of the world God has made. We would be a richer people if we enjoyed better His rich gifts. The Bible, like in the verse above, says that creation praises God. I am sure that in some way, His mighty acts of deliverance and help to us have their echo in thanks given by the hills, the mountains the fields and the trees. It may not seem obvious, but perhaps we just need to listen more closely. Rejoice in Him in this Season of the Harvest, Pastor Harley

Worship in November November 6 All Saints “The Bright Dangers of Birth” Ephesians 5:8-9 November 13 Prayer for Persecuted Christians “Living Proof” Ephesians 5:10 November 20 Harvest Home Sunday “Pointless Partners” Ephesians 5:11-13 November 27 Gospel Friends Quartet First Sunday in Advent

Upcoming Sermon Series Sermon Series: Being, Living, & Lasting,

a three week study in Ephesians 5:8-13. This will be a special time of reflection on these verses

in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We will discover about being children once again; Children of the Light, What it means to be Living Proof, and then take a time to consider what is worthwhile, and what is pointless.

Don’t miss these messages on November 6th, 13th, and 20

th.

Deadline for December Newsletter is November 17th.

Please have your newsletter information turned in to the office before that date.

Please Remember to Pray for the Persecut-ed Church. We will observe the Internation-al Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

on Sunday, November 13th. More Christians died for their faith in the last

100 years than in all other centuries combined since the beginning of the church.

There are many countries in the world today where Christians are martyred for their faith.

Believers in Afghanistan are facing death threats; Christians in Uzbekistan, Nigeria and many other countries all around the world face violence, imprisonment and even death. There are other places in the world such as North Ko-rea where acts of persecution take place, but

we don’t see or hear of it. So as you have dedi-cated more time for prayer, pray for these

brothers and sisters, and for those who mis-treat them.

Find out more at these websites: Voice of the Martyrs - www.persecution.com Christian Freedom International -

www.christianfreedom.org International Day of Prayer for the Per-

secuted Church Official Website - www.idop.org

PRAYER CONCERNS Jeff Adams, Jim Albaugh, Pat Alexander, Esther Beight, Family of Gary Bell, Kelly Berta, Bonnie Booth, Barb Bratu, Brian & Lisa, Annette Campbell, Ava, Family of Eva Mae Carter, Nancy Caster, Rob-

ert Cinson, Evelyn Clark, Joyce Cooke, John Cox, Melia Danner, Jeff Dine, David Dotson, Marissa Essick, Joey Evans, Helen Fankhauser, Carl & Ruth Felger, Family of Craig Fry, Rose Ann Fusco, Pat Garland, George, Cheryl Gotschall, Margaret Gotschall, Allen Green, Mary Ann Grimes, Ray & Barb Haun, Vicki Herbert, Carl Hertel, Norman Hig-gins, Vivian Hines, Jacob Hoagland, Patricia Hoagland, Jeff Houston & Family, Ayme Hying, Darla Jar-vis, Jennifer, Jobs, Kara/Micah & baby Hanna, Kade Kotheimer & Family, Lauren, Dr. Ed. Libbey, How-ard Littrell, Jess Lowry, Glenn Marshall, Lois Marshall, Michelle Mazzola, Family of Robert McKernan, Michael McLowry, Dorothy Middleton, Casey Mikes & Family, Michelle, Linda Miller, Mary Miller, Rich-ard Miller, Velma Mills’ great-granddaughter, Minerva UMC’s Food Program, Jeff Mitzel, Louise Moore, Betty Montgomery, Michael Moran (Massillon), Sandy Morgan, Mike Murphy, Sierra Newman & baby Austin, Kaye Nightingale, Ron Nightingale, Matt & Kim Oberholtzer, O’Brien Family, Ola, Sharon Park, Vernice Pearson, Cathy & Eileen Pietrowsky, CJ Plavka, Mary Ann Plavka, Marsha Prumm, Gloria Richeson’s mother, Tyler Roach, Becky Roden, Cathy Rodgers, Kristin Rumancik, Corey Sells, Don Shilling, Jennifer Smith, Clyde Snider, Staib Family friends, Donna Swiger, Stan Tinlin, Baby Vivian, Sandi Wagner, Jason Waid, Diana Walborn, Marcia Warren, Steve Warth, Cindy Wheeler, Mark Whita-cre, Kenneth White, Norma Zwahlen Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Marines–AC3 Nicholas G. Albery (Naval Air Station Oceana, VA), AM3 Zachary D. Albery (Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA), Jesse Clark (Ft. Bliss, Texas), Lewis Gibson (Korea), Aaron King, Dan Lutz, Eli Maurer (Coast Guard), Josh Miller(USS Mercy, Pacific Ocean), Sgt. Michael Murphy (Hawaii; USMC), Russell Nero (Air Force Reserves), SA Devin Pennock (Great Lakes, IL; Navy), Kevin Price (California), Mitch Soles (Fort Sam Houston, TX; Navy), John Stehulak (Afghanistan), Justin C. Zeedrich

PRAYER CHAIN If you wish to have someone put on the prayer chain, please contact the church office and/or Jennie McClellan (330-868-6834) or Barb Brown (330-868-7691) with your request.

Your request will be handled with great care and will be passed along the chains and referred to the church office for email purposes. Blessings to you all.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh, The falling of a tear, an The upward glancing of an eye When none but God is near. James Montgomery

New Birthday Austin James Criner

Born October 4, 2016 Austin is the son of Sierra Newman

and brother of Bethany. Proud Grandma is Karla Newman.

Great-Grandparents are Harry & Donna Neidig

Welcome Austin & Happy Birthday!

All Saints Sunday All Saints Day will be observed

Sunday, November 6th.

We will recognize those who have passed away in the last year,

and offer prayer for families and friends. Plan to come and offer thanks to God for

all of life, and to be in support of those who have lost loved ones this year.

Veterans Day Observance We will recognize our veterans on

Sunday, November 13th

during the morning worship service. Come and say thanks to those who served.

Charge Conference Charge Conference will be held Tuesday, November 8

th, at 7pm at Beechwood UMC, 3450 Beechwood

Ave, Alliance. This will be a clustered Charge Confer-ence involving six congregations. Plan to come and hear from our District Superintendent, Rev. Benita Rollins, vote on annual matters and the list of Church Officers and fellowship with our other church friends. The Church van will leave for Charge Conference at 6:30pm

A great big thank you to all my church friends for the shower of cards and flowers for me after my head inju-ry. I lost quite a bit of blood and my mind. The ambu-lance crew were all females, the driver and all helpers down to the 2 gals that sewed me together. And they didn’t cut my hair. I did not expect to recover, but the good Lord has been with me all the way and maybe I will get to line dance again. Margaret Gotschall

Gospel Friends Quartet While the pastor and the choir are being led to New York City by our

director, Jeff Beshore, the service on Novem-ber 27

th will be special indeed.

The Gospel Friends Quartet will perform in our Sunday Morning Service.

Pastor Harley’s friend from his former church in Thompson is part of this Quartet, and it will be wonderful!

Plan to give them a warm welcome. A love offering will be taken.

Carl & I would like to thank you for the cards, gifts and well wishes we received for our 70th anniversary. We are so blessed to belong to such a caring church and we pray God’s bless-ings on all of you. God Bless! Carl & Ruth Felger

Dear Church Family, I want to thank all of you for your pray-ers and support during the time of my recent surgery. I escpecially want to thank Pastor Harley and the Searchers Sunday School class. It is so wonderful to be a part of such a warm loving family. God Bless all of you. Lois Deinnger

There are many good works being done around the church. Maybe you see them, maybe you don’t...I see some of them due to sitting in the office and I would like to thank those I have seen recently. Thank you to Scott Miller for building the new wagon ramp in the red building...very cool and very helpful. Thank you to Jim & Deb Albaugh for the refinishing of one of the antique tables in the narthex...it looks beautiful. Thank you to Rick Stauffer for all the ballast/bulb changes, video wiring issues, internet to the red build-ing…not sure how you have time to do these things. Thank you to Dave Miller for all the little odd jobs that get quietly done, spraying for weeds around the red building and behind the church, fixing the parsonage lawn mower, putting the trash can away for me on Fri-day mornings...thank you. And thank you to all who just come in and quietly take care of things. I know there are many that I have not named, but know that you each are a blessing to this church. Cheryl

Thank you for the beautiful flowers, your thoughts, prayers and Rev. Wheeler’s visits while Dad was in the hospital & home. Much love and blessings. The Family of Gary Bell

To MUMC Family, We are doing well in our new home. Thanks to Pastor Harley and Cheryl. They keep me informed on the work of the church. God Bless, Lois & Glenn Marshall

Dear church family, Just wanted to say thank you for all the cards, thoughts & prayers as I have been going through all of this with my knee. Still keep me in your thoughts and pray-ers please, as now I’m going through physical therapy. Thanks again & God Bless. Mary Miller

MUMC, thank you all so much for choosing me as the recipient of the Jay Reed Memorial Schol-arship. I am so thankful that you guys are think-ing of me, even when I’m not around. Blessings, Macy Hawk

Dear MUMC Family, Thank you for all your prayes and encouraging cards. You have been such a blessing to me (us) and I thank our heavenly Father for you. May the Lord bless you for the blessing you have been to me. Love In Christ, Cindy Wheeler

Monthly Food Help is available at these locations:

Mon-Wed-Fri each week 12-3pm

at Salvation Army (old train depot on Valley St.)

1st Tuesday

Monthly Community Dinner at Community Building

2nd Thursday Free Produce Distribution at Minerva UMC

3rd Wednesday 10a-12p

Emergency Pantry at Minerva UMC … also available by phone call or stop by, any day

4th Friday 8am registration begins

Food Distribution at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

At our October 13th distribution, we served 223 families with 638 family members. Thank you to all of our produce volunteers who work so hard to get the product sorted, bagged and ready to pass out to our clients. A specials thank you goes to the vol-

unteers who stayed to help clean up, haul cardboard to recycle, haul excess produce to the Salvation Army and get things in order in the building. This is a huge part of this program.

Mark you calendar for Thursday, November 10, 8am for our next Produce Distribution.

Our Emergency Food Pantry is running well. So far in October we have served 8 families with 26 fam-ily members. Our numbers will go up a bit more by the end of the month. In September we served 12 families with 42 family members. We are blessed to be able to serve in this way. Blessings, Cheryl

Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our busi-ness and, in fact, it is no-body's business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will ren-der both ourselves and our neighbors worthy. Thomas Merton

Annual Christmas Shop

It’s time for our Annual Christmas Shop. This is a way to meet a need in our area...Help those in our community, with limited means, find some

nice low cost gifts for Christmas for their loved ones. Donations of TOYS, CHILDREN’S PUZZLES & BOOKS, household items, Christmas decorations, gently used cloth-ing…...things you would feel comfortable buying as a gift for someone. Please be sure your donations are new or gently used, in working order, good condition and CLEAN. Help make this a Wonderful Christmas Shop experience for all. Everything is sold at a minimal cost.

Event Dates are Friday, Dec. 2nd & Saturday, Dec. 3rd

9am—5pm The Cross Trainers Class is sponsoring this event!

Your donated items can be left by the Cross Trainers door

Start Stocking up on canned/boxed food for the Christmas Food Baskets!

canned fruits, canned veggies (corn, beans & peas), baked beans, soup, pasta, pasta sauce, pancake mix, syrup, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, soaps (face, hand, dish, laundry), Kleenex, toilet paper, toothpaste, packaged potatoes, flour, etc.

As always filled grocery bags will be brought in

on Thanksgiving Sunday, Nov 20th

.

Please give as you are able. Each item brought in is making a

difference in someone’s life.

This program is done in partnership with the Minerva area churches and the Salvation Army.

Friendship Hour Schedule January None February Advent / Cross trainers classes March Education Committee April Youth Group May Worship Committee June Choir July VBS August None September Men’s Class October Searchers Class November Open December Kid’s Christmas Program November Altar Flowers

Nov 6 Nov 13 Nov 20 Nov 27

November Ushers Dale Cogan, Jim Cogan, Richard Cogan, Tom Hart

November Greeters Nov 6 Mary Staib Nov 13 Carol Powell, Geraldine Clark Nov 20 Rich & Barb Brown Nov 27 Dennis & Linda Miller

November Nursery Attendants Nov 6 Laurie McClellan, Cristin Rettig Nov 13 Joe & Carolynn Herstine Nov 20 Tom & Denise Freeland Nov 27 Mary O’Brien

Meal and a Message (the Community Meal at the Community Building)

Many willing hands came together on October 4

th to

once again serve the Salvation Army dinner at the Minerva Community Building. We are so fortunate to have so many folks in our church step up any time there is a need. We want to thank all of these kind-hearted people who helped in any way. We thank Joe and Kristen Herstine and Rick and Laura Stauffer and Alexa Daulbaugh for helping to clean and set up tables on Monday evening; Carol Allmon, Chloe Bryant, Chris Collins, Alexa Daulbaugh, Carolynn and Joe Herstine, Karen Jackson, Nancy LeMoine, Greg Peach, Melody Romano, Karen Wilson and Pastor Harley for preparing, serving and cleaning up after the dinner; to Chris Collins, Janet Colloredo, Charlotte Davies, Mary Ann Hawk, Ellen Mary Kump, Laurie McClellan, Sandy Morgan, Renee Smith, Laura Stauffer, Cindy Wheeler and Karen Wilson for the delicious desserts they prepared. A special thank you to Nancy LeMoine for all her help, to Tom Free-land for sharing his talents, to Pastor Harley for his message and for helping to transport the food to the Community Building and to Joe Herstine for securing the warmers for us. Please forgive me if I have for-gotten anyone and know that I appreciate each and everyone in our wonderful church family. I pray that each one involved felt blessed to be a part of this out-reach that allows us the opportunity to be the heart, hands and feet of our Savior. Pat Miller Note from office: We will be hosting this dinner again in the month of December (Dec. 6th). So please consider help-ing out again. This is another important outreach program in our community.

Mitten tree The Christmas season is fast approaching and again this year we will be collecting items for the Minerva Police Dept. for distributuion to those children in need. In the past you, the congrega-tion, has been most gracious in sharing new gloves, mittens, hats, and scarves to this local community outreach project. So, again this year the tree will be set up and you can start placing your items on the tree November 20th and the final date will be December 4th. Thank you in advance for your generosity and love to those children in need.

Decorating the Church for Christmas

It will not be possible to do a hanging of the Greens service this year, so we need lots of help getting the Christmas Decorations up! On Wednesday, November 30

th, beginning

at 10:30am we will work to get the garlands, wreaths, trees, lights, candles, manger scenes and everything up for all to enjoy. Circle your calendar, tie a ribbon around your finger, and set your alarm clock to be there to be part of the crew.

There will be donuts and cider!

Question: How much have we raised for the capital improvement fund since we purchased the Harvest Hope Building? Answer: Since January 2013 we have collected $27,867.91. The Harvest Hope Building cost $46,010.25. We have made additional improvements to the building of $12,622.64.

Kid’s/Youth Christmas Program

The children and youth are working hard on this year’s Christmas Program, “The Power of the King”. This musical takes place in a radio station during a winter storm. The employees develop a more personal understanding of Christmas while working with a back-up generator, a stranded choir and the Bible.

Parents, please make sure your kids are here on Sunday mornings to rehearse

during Jr. church time.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, Decem-ber 18, 1030am, when the kids present:

“THE POWER OF THE KING”

What better way to head into the week preparing for Christmas!

November Anniversaries Nov 1 Jamie & Marlene Fankhauser Nov 5 Ronald III & Laurie Miller Nov 6 Cody & Amie Fankhauser Nov 8 Larry III & Christy Hawk Nov 12 Rudy & Judie Evanich Nov 24 Paul & Diane Binnig Nov 26 Harry & Donna Neidig

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 Jim Felger, Caleb Cummings 2 Ruth Felger, Liam Ramsell 3 Zachary Whitmer 4 Penny Zeedrich 5 Mary Ann Hawk, Elaine Clark, Amanda Bates 7 Emma Debo, Justin Muchoney, Travis Staib 8 Dolly Lowry, Mike Marteney 10 Kurt Nightingale, Leighton Dieter 11 Ruby Gilliam, David Hale 12 Edith Evans, Larry Dietrich, Jeff Wiley 13 Kristen Herstine, Alice Rocco, Noelle Wheeler 14 Jerry Hawk, Carter Kellogg, Steven Felger 15 Blair Briceland 17 Dirk Hollar, Jennifer Timmerman, Chase Sanor 19 Kevin Hying 22 Barb Bratu 24 Marlene Linhart, Lurene Matthews,

Danielle Borsh-Vaughan 25 Gary Stoffer 26 Pam Pearson, Linda Miller 27 Bill Staib, Glenn Marshall, Geraldine Clark,

Kasey Soles 28 Brock Jackson, Linde Klein 29 Vicki Clifford

Youth Notes

The youth will stay after church on No-vember 13

th. After a great lunch, we will shop for

our adopted Christmas children and families. There is nothing more fun than to buy for others and plan to bless others with our love.

Notice: John Harple has resigned from his position as youth director to pursue some other ministry op-portunities. We are actively seeking to find someone to fill that position. Pastor Harley will be leading the Junior High Sunday School class, Beth will be leading the senior high class, and with Danielle Vaughan’s help we will continue to keep things interesting for the youth here at Mi-nerva UMC. We also plan to continue to work alongside the Malvern UMC on youth projects and outings.

Bible Superhero Training Academy

During the month of November, we will be espe-cially hearing about the Bible Superheroes, Paul and Silas. They showed Courage, Faith, Stead-fastness and Hope as they told their world about Jesus.

ANNUAL TURKEY DINNER

Sunday, November 6,

right after church

Everyone is Welcome.

Donations accepted.

How to Plant a Good Garden Plant 3 rows of peas: Peace of Mind Peace of Heart Peace of Soul Plant 4 rows of squash: Squash Gossip Squash Indifference Squash Grumbling Squash Selfishness Plant 4 rows of lettuce: Lettuce be Faithful Lettuce be Kind Lettuce be Happy Lettuce Really Love One Another. No Garden should be without turnips: Turnip for Service when Needed Turnip to Help one Another Turnip the Music and Dance. Water freely with Patience and Cultivate with Love To conclude our Garden, We must include thyme: Thyme for Fun Thyme for Rest Thyme for Ourselves Thyme for Others.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS 2016

$10 Each

Please turn in this form with your payment to the church office no later than Sunday, Nov. 20. Thank you

RED 5-7 blooms ________ WHITE 5-7 blooms ________ Total Number ordered ________ Total Price ________

Please make checks payable to: Minerva United Methodist Church

To be listed in the bulletin:

IN MEMORY OF _______________________________________

IN HONOR OF ________________________________________

If neither of the above is filled in, they will be listed: TO THE GLORY OF GOD

Your name as you wish it to be printed in the bulletin:

_______________________________________________________________

Phone_______________________should we need to contact you.

The flowers may be taken home after the service on Christmas Eve.,

or if you could leave them for the Christmas Day Service that would be appreciated.

Thank you

November 2016

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 1030a Bible Stdy

2 615p Joyful Noise 7p Harmony HB

3 7p Choir

4 5

Set Your Clocks

Back 1 Hour 6 915a Sunday Schl 1030a Worship / All Saints 1145a Turkey Dinner

7 8 1030a Bible Stdy 12p Sr Grp Lunch 7p Charge Con-ference-Beechwood UMC

9 615p Joyful Noise 7p Harmony HB

10 7p Choir

11 12 Wesley Hall

Reserved

13 915a Sunday Schl 1030a Worship/ Baptism 1145a YG lunch and shopping

14 15 1030a Bible Stdy 6p Trustees 7p Admin Coun-cil

16 615p Joyful Noise 7p Harmony HB

17 7p Choir

18 19

20 915a Sunday Schl 1030a Worship / Baptism

21 22 1030a Bible Stdy

23

24 Thanksgiving

Day Building Closed

Wesley Hall

Reserved

25 Choir Leaving for

New York City

26

27 915a Sunday Schl 1030a Worship

28 29 1030a Bible Stdy

30 615p Joyful Noise 7p Harmony HB