Minerva Messenger 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

His Time Acts 1:7-8 He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own

authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my wit-nesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ Verse 8 could be thought of as the theme verse for the Book of Acts, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.” The book goes on to show these very things happening in the lives of the first disciples. But verse seven; “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set” tells us something important about the context in which we will enact the life of the church. This context is one in which the times are in God’s hands. It is a very Christian sentiment, and it is one often used in New Year’s Eve services, to say: “I am yours, God, exalt your servant, or abase me. Use me, or set me aside.” What purposes, and what times we have are going to be under the authority of the father. We will see His plan unfold. Indeed, time is the con-text in which we will experience grace, and what a great grace it will be. Yours in Christ, Pastor Harley

Worship Schedule

January 4 A Hopeful Future “Tearless Eyes” Jeremiah 31:10-17

Holy Communion

January 11 The Future Begins Now “False and True Friends” II Samuel 19: 24-30

January 18 A Future at Home

“The Singing of God” Zephaniah 3:16-20

January 22 Worship at Eldercare 9:30, Great Trail 10:30am

January 25 A Future Beyond Death “The King’s Kiss” II Samuel 19:31-39

January 28 Worship at

St Luke’s Extended Care 10:30am

See the Future! What does the future hold? Will it just be one thing after another, or does it all lead

somewhere? If so, where? In January 2015, the future is our subject. January 4 A Hopeful Future “Tearless Eyes” Jeremiah 31:10-17 Holy Communion January 11 The Future Begins Now “False and True Friends” II Samuel 19: 24-30 January 18 A Future at Home “The Singing of God” Zephaniah 3:16-20 January 25 A Future Beyond Death “The King’s Kiss” II Samuel 19:31-39

Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday Morning Bible Study will begin in the Book of Romans, where life in the Spirit, confident faith, and the joy of deliverance are all to be found. We will study straight through the book, but you are welcome to begin at any time in the coming weeks, and each lesson will be a help to the hearer. Come and Study with us! In the Crosstrainers Room, Tuesdays at 10:30am, .

Tuesday Evening Bible Study - NEW! Pastor Harley will begin on January 27th,

with a nine-week study in the Book, I Corinthians. Learn about the church that could do nothing right.

Hear the words of the Love chapter in a fresh new way, study about unity and building up your neighbor.

It’s all in I Corinthians. This new Bible study time runs up to Holy Week in late March.

The time is 7-8pm, meeting in the Crosstrainers Room. Let Pastor Harley know that you are planning to come,

and it will greatly encourage him! See you there!

To begin I would like to thank both Pastor Har-ley and Laurie Peach for praying with me before I went in to surgery. The prayer shawl is beauti-ful it has been used everyday. The nurses really liked the shawl as well they kept complimenting how nice it was. Thank you all who sent me get well cards. Each day and every week I am get-ting better. So again thank you all very much for your well wishes and prayers they have really helped very much. Sincerely, Deborah Albery

New Members Mallory Decker and Payton Decker,

Daughters of Kelly Decker & Dustin Decker,

became members of the Minerva United

Methodist Church Family on

December 21, 2014

Thank you for all the birthday cards sent to mom in November. Such an outpouring of love and greatly appreciated. She held each one special to show and share with us. You truly made her day special. With warm thanks, Kay & Ken

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Thank you for the help you gave to us this year. Margaret Meyers & Dan

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

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 Kay Hilverding (330-868-4728) with your request. Your request will be han-

dled with great care and will be passed along the chains and referred to the church office for email purposes.

PRAYER CONCERNS: Logan Adelman, Marilyn Arnold, Alex Bartley, Diana Bolce, Andy Bratu, Lauri Sabo-Burns, Randy Bush, Ron Caley, Eva Mae Carter, Marcia Kay Criss, Lily Croston, Dan, John Davis, Caden Day, Families in Crisis, Marissa (Hawk) Essick, Friend, Gary Fry, Family of Buddy Gabriel, Michael Geibel, Barb Griffith, Family of Trevor Grindstaff, Eugene Grubb, Helen Hart, Ray & Barb Haun, Everett Hayes, Vicki Herbert, Family of Nor-ma Hill, Barb Jamison, Janice, Jeff, Jobs, Family of Fran Johnson, Helen Kintigh, Linda Klein & Family, Ellen Mary Kump, Peggy Lemert, Rick Lauener, Dorothy Middleton, Mary Miller’s Family in Buffalo, Family of Greg Mills, Minerva UMC’s Food Program, Harold Moore, Linda Moore, Michael Moran, Har-vey Morgan, Family of Wilbur Moser, James Myers, Mike Newton, Kelly Oberlin, Jeanette Pahls, Tyler Pandrea, Greg Peach, Brandi Pitts, Tyler Roach, Amy Roberts, Cathy Rodgers, Roger, Paula Rogers, Arianna Rudd, Annie Russell, Jim Sabo, Corey Sells, Bill Staib, Martha Steinmetz, Georgette Stone, Bernie Tennant, Carla (Felger) Unkefer, Sandi Wagner, Steve Warth, Family of Emily Waseman, Jean Wheeler, Family of Charles Williams, Family of Ella Wilson, Darla Young, Bob & Carol Allmon & Family/Karen Jackson & Family, The Families & Friends of Storm Angione, Savannah Russell & A’liyiah Han-cock, College Students for Final Exams 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 (Germany), Lewis Gibson (Korea), Brandon Jenkins (Texas) , Aaron King, Kevin Kowars (Texas), Dan Lutz, Eli Maurer (Coast Guard Academy, Connecticut), Josh Miller(Texas), Sgt. Michael Murphy (Hawaii; USMC), Russell Nero (Air force Reserves-Leaving for Afghanistan), SA Devin Pennock (Great Lakes, IL; Navy), Kevin Price (Japan), Mitch Soles (Fort Sam Houston, TX; Navy), John Stehulak (Afghanistan), Justin C. Zeedrich

Condolences to The family of Charles Williams,

who passed away November 26, 2014.

Charles was the widower of Lillian Williams.

Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for the pray-er shawl we received on our wedding day. It was the perfect surprise that we were not expecting. We also liked the water bottle with our names on them. We are blessed to have such a wonderful church family. Love, Mikka & Justin Davis

Thank you to all who helped bake, sort, price, worked the Christmas Shoppe and packed up after it was over! We were able to donate $345 to the Minerva Police Department Toys for Tots program. This would not have been

possible without all of the help from various people. Also, thanks to those who bought both from the Shoppe and the baked goods. Laura Stauffer

January Anniversaries Jan 1 Bob & Carol Allmon Jan 26 Mike & Amanda Butream

January Altar Flowers All Sundays are Open

January Ushers

Brandon Kail, Paul Kail,

Rich McClellan, Walt McClellan

January Nursery Attendants Jan 4 Sarah Russo Jan 11 Laurie McClellan, Cristin Rettig Jan 18 Joe & Carolynn Herstine Jan 25 Tom & Denise Freeland

January Greeters Jan 4 Russo Family Jan 11 Sally McDaniel Jan 18 Tom & Cheryl Hart Jan 25 Rich & Barb Brown

January Birthdays 1 Bob Colloredo, Todd Dieringer 3 Josh Davis, Olivia Wurzbach 4 Harriet Jones, Jessie Kirkpatrick, Brandi Pitts 5 Matt Granger 6 Taylor Hying, Craig Cunningham 7 Judie Evanich, Carol Powell 9 Kyle Felger 11 Jeff Morton, Kim Waseman 12 Andrew Bell, Charlotte Davies, Machia Wheeler 14 Sonora Wheeler 15 Elaine Eddy, Rudy Evanich, Tom Rickels 17 Walt McClellan 19 Alexa Daulbaugh, Virgil Feiock, Logan Hawk, Kody Hying 20 Carol Marteney 21 Anne Lane 23 Elizabeth Hilverding, Elizabeth Wheeler 25 Marisa Yitsis 26 Alyssa Smith 27 Joshua Newman 30 Alexander Cox, Brianna Phillips, Donald Shirley 31 Scott Hall, Jan Maurer, Mary Staib

Thank you to everyone who contributed hats, gloves & scarves to the Mitten Tree this year. There were 158 items on the tree. Outstanding Job!! Thank you for sharing, God Bless. Ken & Kay delivered everything to the Police Dept. Thank you to Ken & Kay for heading up this project again this year….so many warm ears and fingers!

Thank you to everyone who donated blankets to the Blankets for Kids collection we had. Our generous church family brought in 45 blankets / throws that were dropped off at the Salvation Ar-my office, at the old depot. Thank you for a job

A big thank you to Jim Albaugh, Carol Allmon, Janet & Bob Collerdo, Louise Criss, Alexa & Jenna Daulb-augh, Charlotte Davies, Tom & Denise Freeland, Carlee George, Lea Hough, Nancy LeMoine, Ken & Kay Lewis, Dave Miller, Pat Miller, James O'Brien, Chuck & Vernice Pearson,Troy & Kasey Soles, Cindy Sperry, Melody Romano, Laura Stauffer, Karen Wilson, Kendra Wriston & Pastor Harley for helping pack and distribute the food baskets. A big thank you to all those who donated food and Nancy Lemoine for fixing a delicious lunch. Thanks to Cheryl Hart for sending post cards, etc. The Herstine & Whitmer families

I would like to thank the congregation for the generous Love Offering given for the church employees this Christmas. Your kindness and gift is so greatly appreciated. Blessings Cheryl Hart

I wish to thank everyone for the love gift. Your Christmas gift is very much appreciat-ed. Jeff

Pastor Harley and Cindy want to thank the congregation for the generous Christmas gift. We are very thankful and blessed to be doing ministry among such loving hearts. God bless you all!

To Minerva UMC Staff, Thank you for allow-

ing Pathways to use space in your church

for adoptive & kinship support group.

God Bless, Pathway Staff & Families

Our December 11th Produce Distribution was another amazing day! We served 216 families with 645 family members. That day our delivery from the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank was over 16,000 pounds of fresh produce and other food products. It’s amazing when you

think about the 25 or so volunteers who move that amount of food in just a few short hours. Awesome group of people! I can’t thank them enough for all the hard work they put into this ministry. Here are a few food program statistics that are kind of interesting. In 2014 we served a total of 402 different families with a total of 1222 family members. We distributed approximately 171,879 pounds (close to 86 tons) of fresh produce and other food products, provided and delivered to us by the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. All of this is accomplished by a group 25-30 volunteers. I would like to thank Rick Miller for supplying us with 20 pallets. Our food comes on pallets, but we need to be able to keep all the products off of the floor during the process, so the extra pallets are used for this pur-pose. Thank you, Rick.

Blessings, Cheryl Our next Produce Day is Thursday, January 8th.

Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody's business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy. Thomas Merton

Hearing and Helping On January 10th, we want you all to attend a

Hearing and Helping Lunch Meeting, in Wesley Hall, from 12noon-2pm.

This will be a time to begin the New Year with news about how we plan to serve in our community, what ways we will help the poor, and tell the Good News of Christ. We will hear from the Food Program, the Outreach Committee, and Rethink Church. This will be a casual and easy way to make sure that you have the whole picture on what our church is doing in the community and in the world. Hear about it, so you can help! Lunch things will be provided.

Pastor Harley leads worship monthly at the three nursing facilities. On January 22nd, we worship at Mi-nerva Eldercare at 9:30 and at Great Trail Care Center at 10:30am. On, January 28 we hold a worship service at St

Luke’s Assisted Living at 10:30am. These are fun little services, but they are a lot better if some of our church people are there too. You don't have to lead anything, (but we can give you that chance) just coming along is a great encouragement! Talk to Pastor Harley to find out more!

Ladies of Minerva UMC

Tea or Coffee?

Dec 13, 9 am

Classic 57

Devotions,

Fellowship,

Service to Others

Jan. 10 9 A.M. in Wesley Hall

Breakfast served by the men. Our speaker will be

Rev. Bobby Williams of Alliance.

Babysitting will be provided by our youth group.

The Methodist Men will meet for breakfast

at Hollands on January 17th, at 8am. Come for a time of fellowship and devotions,

Calvary Mission Item-of-the-Month for January is Mac & Cheese. Someone will appreciate your kindness.

Please donate as you are able.

Nursery and Junior Church Helpers Needed We are setting our schedule for the coming months and

we can always use extra helpers in our Nursery and Junior Church. The vision is that if many take a turn, then no one will be left out of the oppor-

tunity to worship more than a week or two in a quarter. Let Pastor Harley know if you are interested.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 New Year’s Day

Building Closed

2 3

4

915a Sunday Schl

1030a Worship

5 6

1030a Bible Study

7

615p Joyful Noise

730p HarmonyHB

8

8a Produce Del.

9a Produce Distr

7p Choir

9 10

9a Women’s

Breakfast-WH

12p Hearing/

Helping mtg-WH

11

915a Sunday Schl

1030a Worship

12 13

1030a Bible Study

12p Sr. Grp Lunch

14

615p Joyful Noise

730p HarmonyHB

15

7p Choir

16 17

Wesley Hall Re-

served

8a Men at Hol-

land’s

18

915a Sunday Schl

1030a Worship

19 20

1030a Bible Study

11a Pathways

630p Trustees

7p Admin. Counc

21

615p Joyful Noise

730p HarmonyHB

22

930a Worship at

MEC

1030a Worship at

GTCC

7p Choir

23 24

25

915a Sunday Schl

1030a Worship

1145a Lunch-WH

26 27

1030a Bible Study

7p Bible Study

28

1030a Worship at

St. Lukes

615p Joyful Noise

730p HarmonyHB

29

7p Choir

30 31

Deadline for the February Newsletter is January 17. Please be sure your information is

submitted by the deadline. Thank you

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