Pastor’s Pen 2

Change of Address 3-

Session Highlights 4

Worship Opportunities 4

Bible Studies/Prayer Concerns 5

Hub Happenings 6-7

AMPLife Fundraiser Baskets

Beth Moore Simulcast

8-10

11

Inside this issue:

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Issue 5, Volume 16

May 2015

Page 1

On Sunday, June 7th from 5-7 p.m. we are hosting the AMPLife Sports Camp Spaghetti Fundraiser Dinner at the HUB. Admission price is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children 12 and under or $30.00 for a family .

To serve this meal, we are asking for your help.

1. Bring your family and friends to the fundraiser.

2. DONATE Spaghetti AND/OR Spaghetti Sauce to help defer the cost of the meal. We will take any brand of spaghetti and sauce. The only thing we ask you to do is to put it in the box at the entrance of the HUB by Sunday, May 31st.

If you and your friends are planning to attend, PLEASE call the HUB/Vine Fellowship Church number or fill out the beige card on Sunday at worship.

Also, the night of the fundraiser, we will be raffling off a variety of baskets. Later on in this edition of First Things will be a list of baskets and what you could donate toward the making of the baskets.

Let’s get behind this great camp that seeks to make a difference in the lives of youth.

AMPLife Sports Camp Fundraiser

Important Dates

May 5th - Prayer Meeting - 7:30 pm

May 23rd - Victorias Bakery Taste Testing

Event at the Hub. 10:30 - 1:30 pm.

May 26th - Red Cross Blood Drive. 2:00

pm - 7:00 pm.

May 31st - All Basket Donations Need To

Be In!

Blood Drive/ Prayer Meeting 12-13

ISS U E 5, V OLU ME 1 6 Page 2

Pastor’s Pen

Dear Members and Friends of the Vine Fellowship Church: I was just thinking, can

you believe that winter is almost over? Really! Sorry, just kidding. I write this after getting up Thursday morning, April 23rd, to watch the TV news at 5:50 a.m. showing snow on the ground and on cars in Cleveland. Mother Nature keeps playing with us, doesn’t she? We continue this month with a sermon series on “Critical Choices” after a devotional that I use had the topic “Crucial Choices” for the week of March 15th. Do you have any crucial or critical choices that you are considering; that you are wrestling with; that you are facing or know that you will face in the near future? As you think about issues that you have or will face, how do you come to your conclusion(s) or outcome(s)? What is the process you have or will go through? Do you talk to people you trust? Do you consult the expert(s), and, if you do, do you look to

the secular expert(s) or experts that approach the issue from a Biblical, Christian worldview? Do you read what others say, believe, or teach? Where does prayer and scripture come into play? A lot, a little, at all?

Do you have a spiritually seasoned, godly, wise, trusted friend that you can go to? The other day I found the issue of Week, The Best of the U. S. and In-ternational Media, October 24, 2014. Maybe you remember the cover story that caught the national attention when it hit the news: “A Right to Die? A terminally ill woman’s campaign to advance death-with-dignity laws.” It was the story of Brittany Maynard who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in January of 2014 and was told in April that she only had six months to live. Brittany, by way of assisted suicide, died on Novem-ber 1, 2014. Brittany said, prior to her death, “Who has the right to tell me that I don’t deserve this choice?” So is Brittany right or wrong? Or is there no right or wrong, it just comes down to pref-erence, to a choice only you should be able to make? There’s that word again- CHOICE. Choices abound for each of us, most of the time. When it comes

time for you to make a hard choice; when it comes time for you to make even an easy choice, how do you go about making your choice? What process do you go through? Do you make your choice through

Page 3 F IRS T THI NGS

the lenses of the Bible and prayer and the discussions you have with trusted followers of Jesus? Just won-dering how you go about making choices especially since Paul says in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be trans-formed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and ap-prove what God’s will is—his good,

pleasing and perfect will.” So how will you go about making your next, difficult, hard choice? I’ve just been thinking…. Yours in Christ and on the Journey to-gether,

Mark

Paster’s Pen Cont. New Street Sign Installed

Per Capita Per Capita for each member is $32 this year.

$7.07 - goes to General Assembly

$21.68 - goes to Presbytery

$3.25 - goes to Synod

Looking for The HUB Community Center? You can now locate us by turning down Community Lane (off S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd.) This street sign is located in the

center island. Our building is in the same location

but our address has changed.

The new address is: 3676 Community Lane

Suite 100

Copley, OH 44321

Please note: We are in the process of contacting MapQuest, Bing, and Google to change our location on the search engines. This will take time. We have never showed up correctly because we were not a designated street. This will no

longer be a problem.

Congratulations go out to Nina Wilson on her High School graduation on May 2, 2015. Nina is the daughter of Bobby

and Wendy Wilson, and sister to Anna May, Ella and Mia Wilson. Nina’s post graduation plans are to return as a one year intern to Children’s Lifeline International in Arcahaie, Haiti.

Congratulations

Worship in May

Sunday, May 3rd Communion 11:00 a.m. Worship Service

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-18 Sermon: “Are We Willing to be Like Him?”

(A sermon series about “Critical Choices”)

Sunday, May 10th

11:00 a.m. Worship Service Scripture: Matthew 18:12-20

Sermon: “Forgiveness?”

Rev. Becki Verbridge, preaching

Sunday, May 17th 11:00 a.m. Worship Service

Scripture: Philemon 8-21

Sermon: “Problem Solving” (A sermon series about “Critical Choices”)

Sunday, May 24th Pentecost

11:00 a.m. Worship Service Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17

Sermon: “Lord, I Want to be a Christian. Help Me!” (A sermon series about “Critical Choices”)

Sunday, May 31st Music Sunday

11:00 a.m. Worship Service

Session approved (Personnel Team) that Denise Negowski, HUB Coordinator, as of May 1, 2015, will be promoted from part time to full-time salary.

It was reported that we received a $3,500 grant from the Kenneth L.

Calhoun Charitable Trust for this summer’s AMPLife Sports Camp. Property and Maintenance reported that all the repair work to our 647

E. Market St. building has been completed by the contractors. (This was the result of the radiator leak damage on the first (Fellowship Hall) and second (Library, hallways, Parlor) floors, as well as the elevator.

Page 4

Worship Opportunities

NE WS LE TT ER TI T LE

April Session Notes

Evening Circle

Evening Circle will resume in September.

Tuesday Club

Tuesday Club will meet at New Era

Restaurant,10 Massillon Rd (just off E Market

St) on May 12th at 12:30 pm. Please call Rita

(330-633-5242) for reservations

Page 5

Bible Studies and Fellowship Opportunities

NE WS LE TT ER TI T LE

WNGs “They that have hope in the Lord shall renew their

strength… They shall mount up with wings of ea-

gles.” Isaiah 40:31

Women of the church are invited to participate in the

Wednesday Night Intergenerational Caring group at

7:00 pm. Contact Pat Franklin if you have questions.

Men’s Thursday Morning

Bible Study

Every Thursday morning a group of men of all

ages meet together either at Panera Bread in

Montrose or at the HUB at 6:30 am for Bible

study and fellowship. If you would like to join

this study, please contact Tony Miller @

330-825-9254.

Women’s Bible Review Fellowship

The Women's Bible Review Fellowship will next gather May 19 @ The Hub @ 1pm. We will

view the movie based on the book DINNER WITH A PERFECT STRANGER. "The man

told the lawyer he was Jesus Christ. The lawyer decided to call his bluff." Come and learn

and be inspired. RSVP Suzanne @ 330.322.7966 or gibsongirlmanor@yahoo.com by Mon-

day, May 18th.

Prayer Concerns Remember to pray for our government leaders.

Pray for our military: Paul Jones - Air Force

Please continue to pray for: Arnold Ruppert, Rev. Nancy Kahaian (Interim General Presbyter,

Eastminster Presbytery), Bradon Lewis, Evelyn Bell, Frank & Shirley Jenkins, Linda

Flanagan, Phyllis Spindler, Peg Danko, George Chima, Paul Marcinkoski, David Cook, Mia

and the Wilson/Weaver families, Love Akron, The Middle East, The Persecuted Church, The

people who lost loved ones in the earthquake in Nepal, The people caught in the conflict

between Israel and Palestine, Our friends at the Copley United Methodist Church, The

PCUSA, President Obama and elected officials.

Page 6

Hub Happenings - www.thehubcopley.com

NE WS LE TT ER TI T LE

Marketing Mastermind Class at The HUB Community Center

Because the Most Successful Entrepreneurs, Business Execs, and Salespeople Belong to At Least One Master-

mind Group!

Mastermind Circle held at The HUB Community Center, 3676 Community Lane,

Suite 100, Copley OH 44321, 7:30 – 8:30 A.M. Starting Thursday, April 23, 2015.

For More Information: Call Rubin at 917-334-8356 or

send an email to rubinwald@anewwayofthinking.com

Learn proven marketing ideas to use in your business or practice

and get feedback on how others have used these ideas.

Easy to implement ideas for every kind of business and practice

Most are free or very inexpensive to implement

Accountability-based to ensure you fail forward by fine-tuning what you’re already doing

Learn unique applications from other businesses that you can incorporate into your business and practice!

The goal is to have you develop new business from each Marketing idea!

Your group leader is Rubin Wald – Rubin has been an independent sales and marketing consultant for 3+ dec-

ades. He has been mentored by some of the top marketing minds in the world, including Dan Kennedy, Ken

Kerr, Gary Halbert, John Carlton (The Marketing Rebel), Joe Polish and Robert Allen. Rubin has run master-

mind groups in New York and California.

Saturday, May 23, 2015

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

The HUB Community Center - Studio

Bakery by Victoria offers bakery for any type of event - weddings, baby/bridal show-ers, graduations, holidays, anniversaries, birthdays or just because you want some-thing DELECTABLE & DELICIOUS to eat! You can contact Victoria at her Facebook page, email, or phone. She is offering a giveaway at her Facebook site once she hits 250 and also 500 likes.

Online: www.facebook.com/bakerybyvictoria

Email: victoria@bakerybyvictoria.com

Phone: 330-414-0681

Bakery By Victoria Taste Testing Event

ISS U E 5, V OLU ME 1 6

Rodan + Fields Big Business Launch Brunch Hosted by Stacey Thacker

Saturday, June 6th, 2015; 10:30 am -12:30 pm

Please join me in celebrating my new business venture. I have partnered with the two doctors who created Proactive. Their new skin care regimens are effective in reversing

and fighting the signs of aging. Come learn about and sample their products. You will also have the opportunity to learn how to join my team to help people change their skin

and change their lives!

Brunch will be provided--come HUNGRY!!

Family friendly event with a play room and babysitters! Raffles--a chance to win FREE products!

Learn how you can save 10% and get free shipping on your purchases!

Everyone is invited to the event and it is completely FREE. Please RSVP at slthack-

er327@gmail.com or 330-819-3492.

MEDICAL INFORMATION DISCLAIMER

The health-related information is meant for basic informational purposes only. It is not intended to

serve as medical advice, substitute for a doctor’s appointment or to be used for diagnosing or treating a

disease. Users of this page are advised to consult with their physician before making any decisions con-

cerning their health.

Page 7

Hub Happenings

Joe Gibson invites you to Westminister Presbyterian Church, who will be selling flowers,

while the West Akron Kiwanis serves pancake breakfasts. Tickets for the

pancake breakfast are $6.00 presale (from Joe) or $7.00 at the door.

Smucker's is providing the breakfast items, and The Akron Youth Sym-

phony will receive all pancake breakfast proceeds. You can have break-

fast between 8am and 2pm on May 2, 2015. Joe will be flipping those

flapjacks between 8am and 10am!

You’re Invited...

Page 8

AMPLife Fundraiser Basket Raffle Needs

NE WS LE TT ER TI T LE

The Community and Missions Team has decided to support AMPLife Sports camp. One way

that we can support them is to have the spaghetti dinner fundraiser. In addition to the dinner,

we are going to be raffling off baskets. We are asking local businesses if they would be willing

to donate items. However, we still need to fill in the gaps. Below is a list of items that would

be nice to put in each basket. If you would like to donate an item or two for a basket, please

drop it off in the bin marked “Basket Raffle” as you walk into the Hub. To make a

substantial amount of money, we have to have a lot of baskets. The baskets that we would

like to create are in red. The items listed below them are suggestions of what would go into

that basket. They are just suggestions. If you can think of something else, donate that. All

items need to be new. Please keep in mind expiration dates on food item. They should have a

long shelf life and the date should go beyond June. No refrigerated items please.

Camping Basket Movie Night Basket Spa Day Basket

Blanket Movie Gift Card Bath Soap

Compass Popcorn Eye Mask

Bug Spray Microwave Popcorn Neck Pillow

Sun Screen Popcorn Bowl Loofa Sponge

Flashlight Movie Poster Potpourri

Cooking Utensils Snack Food Chocolate

Mini Grill Fleece blanket Nail Polish

Canteen Candy of any kind Nail File

First Aide Kit DVD Relaxation CD

Table cloth Movie Action Figures Candles

Tent Lotion

Folding Chairs Bath & Body Gift Card

Picnic Basket Back Scrubber

Utensils Massage Envy Gift Card

Disney/Nickelodeon Basket Wine and Cheese Sports Basket

Books Bottle of Wine Any type of ball

Book Bags Wine Bottle Opener Badminton Items

Board Games Wolf Creek Winery Gift Card Frisbee

Clocks Wine glasses Gift Card to Dick’s Sports

Clothing Rubber Duck Tickets

Coloring Books Trading Cards

Stuffed Characters Sports Movies

Fruit Snacks Duffle Bag

Jewelry Tennis Balls & Racket

Puzzles First Aide Kit

T-shirt Baseball Bat

ISS U E 5, V OLU ME 1 6 Page 9

AMPLife Fundraiser Basket Needs Continued

Copley Basket (Colors Blue & Gold) Golf Basket Arts & Crafts

Copley T-shirt Golf Balls Paint Brushes

Copley Sweatshirt Golf Tees Paints (water based)

Water Bottle Water Bottle Coloring Books

Baseball Hat Golf Shirt Crayons

Mug Golf Glove Beads

Pom Poms Sunscreen Scissors

Blanket Modeling Clay

Copley Seat Cushion Drawing paper

Anything Blue & Gold Glue Sticks

Play Dough

Stickers

Stamps & Ink

Day at the Beach Children’s Book Basket Green Thumb Basket

Sand Pail & Shovel Activity Books Bird Bath

Beach Towel Story Books Bird Feeder

Sun Block Chapter Books Bulbs

Beach Ball Picture Books Gardening tools

Aloe Book Marks Flower Seeds

Beach Bag Tote Bag Clay Pots

Sun Glasses Coloring Book& Crayons Vegetable Seeds

Solarcaine Book Ends Gardening Gloves

Thermos Reading Light Kneeling Pad

Diving Toys Journal & Pen Watering Can

Sand Toys Gift Card to Barnes & Nobel Gardening Books

Baking Basket Arts & Crafts (8 yrs. old and up). Game & Puzzle Basket

Cookie Cutters Beads Board Games

Cookie Sheet Paints Deck of Cards

Cookbook Canvas Word Search Books

Mixing Bowl Acrylic Paints Crossword Puzzle Books

Cake Pan Sewing Kit Jigsaw Puzzles

Spatula Yarn Gift Card to Best Buy

Cake Mix Knitting Needles Dot to Dot Books

Brownie Mix Scrapbook Supplies Apples to Apples

Recipe Cards Wood Models Ticket to Ride Board Game

Recipe Box Glue Gun

Muffin Pan Stickers

Measuring Cups Sun Catchers

Page 10

AMPLife Fundraiser Gift Baskets & Items Cont.

NE WS LE TT ER TI T LE

Girly Girl Basket Baby Item Basket Chocoholic Basket

Nail Polish Onesies Any Chocolate Candy

Nail Polish Remover Diapers Chocolate Cake Mix

Jewelry Formula Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Barbie/Brats Doll Pacifiers Chocolate Covered Anything

Hair Accessories Baby Outfits Gift Card to Malley’s

Gift Card to Claire’s Baby Shoes Gift Card to Harry London’s

Lullaby CD Hot Chocolate

Lotion Mug

Chocolate Syrup

Car Care Basket Fishing Basket Scrapbook Basket

Emergency Kit Tackle Box Scissors

Wind Shield Fluid Fishing Pole Scrapbook Paper

Jumper Cables Fishing Hooks Scrapbook

Gift Card to a Car Wash Fishing Hat Scrapbook Tape

Gift Card to Oil Change Fishing Books Picture Organizer

Gift Card to AutoZone Stickers

Tire Gauge Gift Card to Michael’s

Gift Card to Hobby Lobby

Tour of Italy Basket Rainy Day Basket It’s A Guy Thing Basket

Pasta Umbrella Grilling Tools

Pasta Bowl Rain Coat Hammer

Olive Oil Craft Books Tape Measure

Spaghetti Baking Mixes Level

Garlic Craft Kits Hot Sauce/BBQ Sauce

Spaghetti Sauce Scrapbook Supplies First Aide Kit

Italian Seasoning Board Games Car Wash Supplies

Bottle of Wine Latch Hook Rug Screwdriver

Gift Card to Olive Garden Play dough Any Type of Sports Ball

Gift Card to (Lowes or

Home Depot)

Batteries (for the tv remote)

Page 11

Beth Moore Living Proof Live Simulcast

NE WS LE TT ER TI T LE

On May 26th from 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm there will be an American Red

Cross blood drive at the HUB (3676 Community Lane). Every pint of

blood that is given is very important to those

who need it. Please consider being a donor,

save a life.

Page 12 NE WS LE TT ER TI T LE

May Birthdays

May 5th - George Chima

May 8th - Carolyn Cooke

May 10th - Pat Olson

May 15th - Hannah Wright

May 17th - Edie English

May 22nd - Frank Weaver

May 26th - Myssi Myers

May 31st - Donna Porter

Blood Drive

AMPLife Sports Camp

AMPlife Sports Camp is a Christian day camp hosted the first two weeks of July (June 29 –July 10th, Monday through Friday) Running between the hours of 9:00am to 4:00pm. The mission of AMPlife is to amplify lives through the love of Jesus Christ. This is accomplished through personal growth, sports skill development, and competition in the context of Christ.

As a caring Christian community, The Vine Fellowship Church welcomes all people as we proclaim, witness and teach

the good news of Jesus Christ through worship, prayer and service

FI RST PRESBYTERIAN C HURCH/

T HE VINE FELLOWSHI P CHURCH

The Vine Fellowship Church

Sunday School begins at 9:30 am

Traditions Worship begins at 11:00 am

Mark T. Ruppert - Pastor

Charles Kobb II - Director of

Music Ministry

Denise Negowski - HUB Coordinator

Elaine Stone - Pianist

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

www.thehubcopley.com

Plain English

Don’t regret getting old. It’s a privilege many do not get.

This month’s

prayer meeting

will be on May

5th from 6:30

pm - 7:30 pm at

the HUB (3676

Community Lane).

The Vine Fellowship Church

3676 Community Lane

Copley, OH 44321

Phone: 330-576-6608

www.thehubcopley.com

www.thevinefellowshipcopley.org

Prayer Meeting