A Word from Pastor Jimmy

Dear Friends, It is already beginning to feel like summer outside, as the sun

is shining and temperatures are rising. This summer we are going to go through a series entitled Origami, which makes us all think of paper cranes. Origami is actually a Greek word which means, “to stretch one’s self out in order to touch or grasp something, to reach after or desire something.” This series was developed out of a desire to do a study with the Elders on what it means to be a maturing leader. We will be going through two major texts, one from 1 Timothy Chapter 3 and the second from Titus Chapter 1. Both these texts are written by Paul and include a list of what he believes make good leaders for the church. The Elders and I will be going through this list for the next several months but then I also thought, why not invite you to join us? Each week we will study a new word, digging into what its roots and meanings are, what Paul’s desire is for us. We will be getting our “Origami on,” as we stretch ourselves and reach and desire something greater. We will be covering topics such as: what does it mean to be blameless, sensible, and hospitable, to have a firm grasp of the love of God, to love goodness, be devout, to have self-control.

We’ll talk about alcohol, money and violence all wrapped up into this one series. I’m looking forward to it. I invite you to join us, and if you’re not able to join us on Sunday mornings I encourage you to go to www.washingtonchurch.org and keep up with the Sunday messages by listening to them online. May you utilize this summer to grow in your faith and may you desire to “origami” and stretch out, grasp something new and desire to grow deeper in your relationship with God. Pastor Jimmy

An Inside Look at the Community Life of Washington Church June 2016

THE CONNECTOR

Our Council of Elders

Ann Bernius Barry Burnham Jimmy Crowell Linda Gottfried Deane Horne Judy Horne

Carol Kimball Eric Polz

Todd Taylor Ben Tousley

The Church Staff

Head of the Church ............................. Jesus Christ

Ministers ................................... All of God’s People

Pastor ................................................ Jimmy Crowell

Church Administrator .......................... Judy Horne

Worship Director ............................. Bridgett Drake

Secretary .............................................. Jenny Shepler

Chief Custodian .................................. Josh Cowden

Toledo Together .............................. Don Fothergill

The Church Office

Office Hours 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Monday — Friday

Phone .............................................. 419-536-3789 Email ................... office@washingtonchurch.org

www.washingtonchurch.org

Worship Service — Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Connecting Together with God

Special note: Please remember, our June 5th Outdoor Worship Service will start at 10:30 a.m.

(This is for June 5th only.)

UPDATE FROM THE ELDERS

The Elders would like to keep you updated on our finances for the 2016 year-to-date.

Income $147,012.00 Expenses $159,491.00 Short-fall ($ 12,429.00)

Page 2

Meet the Just family !

On July 17th, Adam Just will join Washington Church as one of our pastors. Adam comes to us from St. John's Christian Church in Archbold, OH where he has served since 2006. Adam’s invitation to join Washington is the result of months of work by a search team with the ultimate decision of the team to unanimously recommend him. Adam’s journey to this point partially started during a summer project with a college campus ministry at Ohio State, followed by a continuing desire and heart for full-time vocational ministry. The Lord’s call led Adam to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary near Boston.

Adam’s overall desire and vision as a pastor is to see the people of God empowered to be fully alive in Christ. For Adam, Roots and Wings means that people grow deeper in a living relationship with Jesus, and in response to these growing “roots” come “wings,” in the form of serving others in the ways each are gifted. As a pastor, Adam finds it a great joy and privilege to help and witness this process in His people. It is exciting to see the Lord at work to bring Adam to our congregation, but the blessings do not stop there. Besides Adam joining our pastoral staff, the entire Just family: Sara, Sam, Joanna, Nathan and Ruhama are joining our church family. Adam has a love of nature and being outdoors in God’s creation. “I especially love those hikes that lead me to explore new territory, new paths, new hills, new rocks, new trees, new sights, new sounds and new experiences. It always seems that on these adventures God speaks or reminds me of His truth – His ways, mission and plans.” Sara and Adam have been married for 15 years, first meeting at Ohio State. Adam describes Sara as someone who finds great pleasure in art, gardening, meaningful conversation and being a mom. Sara talks about the joy of seeing people become who God made them to be. She talks of her family loving to be outside and playing in the yard, often with many friends. She enjoys family dinners around the table and laughing together in a house that is “crazy, loud and full of love”. That description is likely in part due to the four younger members of the family. Sam is 10 and is kind-hearted and a helper. He loves playing any game - soccer, baseball, basketball are his current favorites. Joanna is 7 and is adventurous and a leader. She loves playing Legos, dressing up and dancing to Disney music. Nathan is 3 and is passionate and imaginative. He loves animals, building with Legos and looking for bugs under rocks. Ruhama is 2 and is compassionate and brave. She loves "pretty dresses", making people laugh and being together as a family. The Justs look forward to seeing what God has ahead for them all as they move to Toledo and Washington Church. They are excited to meet new friends and see what ways God will work through this adventure. Exploring the zoo, Mud Hens games and Toledo's many parks are in their family plans for their new home town. Adam and Sara ask us all to join them in prayer as they begin this transition and the huge change in store for all six of them. They can't wait to get to know you too! Barry Burnham Chairman of Pastoral Search Team

Join us for food, fellowship and games at the

Washington Church Picnic !

Sunday, June 5th (immediately following the 10:30 a.m. Worship Service)

Washington Church and Joshua Generation Church will

provide the hamburgers, hotdogs, BBQ chicken and dessert.

If your last name begins with: A-L bring a salad M-Z bring a side dish (example: mac & cheese, baked beans, fruit, etc.) **All dishes must come ready to serve**

If you are interested in volunteering or have questions please contact Shannon Polz at 419-306-4759.

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Congratulations 2016 High School Graduates !

Elizabeth Killion Elizabeth graduated from Eagle Academy on May 27, 2016. While in high school she was the class Valedictorian and homecoming queen. Elizabeth enjoys walking dogs, babysitting, playing games and being active. Her future plans include attending Owens Community College to pursue welding. One adult who made a difference in her life is Darcy Henton. “Through her, I met everyone at Washington Church.” Michael Wiemer Michael will graduate from Ottawa Hills High School on June 2, 2016. While in high school he was active in soccer, track, theatre, Mesasa (yearbook) and the marching band. He received the Physical Science Award as well as the Green Bear Award for Track. He enjoys playing video games, eating out with friends and being outside. His future plans include attending Bowling Green State University this fall majoring in Business. His goal is to graduate from college, get a job and be successful.

Online Giving

We are excited to provide the opportunity for online giving. Online Giving is a fast, safe, and secure way to support the ministry of Washington Church.

This QR code can be scanned by your mobile phone with a QR reader. It will take you to the Washington Church online giving site.

“Fifth Sunday” and “Summer” Nursery Volunteers Needed

“Fifth Sunday” volunteers are needed in the Nursery. This would mean you would only need to help out when there is a “Fifth Sunday” in a month, which happens about 4 times per year. Our next “Fifth Sunday” is in July. “Summer” volunteers are also needed from June- August as many of our college nursery volunteers will be going home for the summer. If you are willing to serve in either of these areas please call the church office (419-536-3789) or email us at office@washingtonchurch.org - Thank you!

May’s financial support went to the following missionaries:

Water for Ishmael (American School for Women and Children)

A family serving UT students with CRU A family serving with CRU in the Near East A family serving foreign students at UT

From the Mission Team

Page 4

Washington Church

Co-Ed Softball

Come out and cheer on our Washington Church co-ed softball team. Every Thursday evening in June they have a double-header at 6:15 and 7:30 p.m. at Rolf Field, 2115 Cass Road in Maumee. See you at the game!

The Elders would like to keep you updated on our finances for the 2016 year-to-date.

Income $177,735.00 Expenses $197,045.00 Short-fall ($ 19,310.00)

Vacation Bible

School

Once again we are joining with Hope Lutheran Church (2201 Secor Road) located at the corner of Secor, Bancroft and Indian Road, June 20th – 24th from 9:00 a.m. to noon. This is for children ages 3 to those who have just completed 4th grade. There is no cost! Invite friends to this fun-filled week as we zoom through God’s work and back in time to discover God’s everlasting love. Find out how God’s love makes a difference in every step of the way. Washington Church will joyfully be responsible for the lunch on Friday, the final day. We will ask for donations for the Hot Dog Lunch. The registration form is included with this edition, or you may find additional copies at the Welcome Center.

Small Group Updates Our Small Groups at Washington, in addition to weekly bible study, prayer and fellowship, serve our community and our church through service projects. This year we had 14 small groups for women, men and couples. We thank them for their commitment and service. Women's Small Groups: Bethany Rodriguez: Last fall our small group hosted a women's tea that was held in the Fellowship Hall. In the winter we made PB&J sandwiches at Food for Thought, and this spring we sponsored a room at the family shelter LaPosada where Jenny Voigt worked. We painted & decorated the room & supplied bedding & curtains to get it ready for the families that will stay there. Susan Gruwell/Carol Kimball: In late November our group decorated the sanctuary, back hallway and Lounge A for the Advent Season and enjoyed pizza together afterwards. In January, we made dinners for one of our members that was ill. Jane Messmer/Grace Epperson: Our Friday morning small group is utilizing Toledo Together to locate service projects. The Foundation for Life is going to contact us to help with mailings this summer, and we are already signed up to help with their annual benefit this fall. Sunbridge Schools has sent notice to all their staff that we are ready, willing, and able to cut laminated material for bulletin boards, make copies, stuff and label envelopes, etc. Both organizations were delighted that we contacted them and to learn we heard of their need through Toledo Together. Ann Crowell: Our small group has given a new look to what was the old "cry room" (Lounge C), located directly behind the Welcome Center off the Sanctuary. This room has been nicknamed "Moms and Meditation" room. The heart behind the update of this room was two-fold. First, to provide a serene and welcoming space where moms and dads of babies can go during our worship service to care for their little ones. Secondly, our desire is that this space is available for anyone who wishes to have a semi-private room for prayer and worship during our Sunday morning service and any other time during the week. If you haven't noticed it by now, please stop in, take a look, and feel free to use the room. We think it turned out great! Men's Small Groups: Eric Polz: Our small group mulched the play ground and removed cabinets in Pastor Don's old office in preparation for Pastor Jimmy to move in. Dave Gruwell/Gregg Peppel: It's actually been a fairly eventful 'service year' for our group, nothing huge, but all great opportunities for service and fellowship. We helped sort coats for the 'Spread The Warmth' project. We helped with the Mini Little Library project for Grove Patterson Academy and their families. We folded many plastic bags to provide material for the finished items (crocheted tote bags) for Deane Horne to take with

him to Haiti on a mission trip with his daughter. We worked with Eric Polz' men's group to spread a new layer (10 cu. yds.!!) of mulch on the church's Children's

Playground. Jason Koval: Our group installed Mini Little Libraries. Pastor Jimmy has pictures from our experience. Couples Groups: Nancy & Dave Meabon: Our first project was actually within the group. Mike and Lauren Catoe, from our group, moved this past month. We all met (almost all) and helped them pack and load their moving truck and provided food for all. Before we all left, we gathered together for prayer and sent them off with the promise to continue to pray and keep in touch. Our second project has been researched, planned and purchased. A digital doorbell for the office is being installed so that when the south door is locked and someone rings the bell, our secretary, or whoever is manning the office, will be able to see the person at the door on the computer.

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K-5 Grade The theme for the K-5th graders in June is “Obey.” The children will be learning about what it means to obey God and build a character of integ-rity. They will be looking at the stories of Daniel, Noah, Jonah, and Joshua this month as they learn to have integ-rity, trust God, obey right away, and obey every time. Here are some of the kids listening to their leader (playing Simon Says)

“Train up children in the way they should go, and when they are

old they will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6)

Red Room The theme for June is Get Ready. The memory verse for the month is “I am coming to meet you again. Be ready for Me to come, whenever it may be!” From the Spark! Bible, pg 315, covering Matthew 24:44. The Bible stories for the month of June are the following:

Walking on Water pages 294-297 (Matthew 14:22-33) Be Humble pages 312-313(Matthew 23:1-12) Ten Bridesmaids pages 314-315 (Matthew 25: 1-13) Parable of the Talents pages 304-305 (Matthew 22:15-22)

Thank You!

Red Room Volunteers for your commitment and help in the

Red Room!

Thank you to Patrick Shaw, Mark Ohashi, and Dan and Sara Turner for leading the K-5th grade group in May! We really appreciate all

of our volunteers!

Growing Towards God June 2016– Children’s Ministry Tri-Directors:

Daniel Kageorge, Brittany Kageorge and Jessica Runk

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Washington & Hope Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School at Hope Lutheran, 2201 Secor Road in Toledo June 20-24, 2016 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 3 years old through 4th grade

REGISTRATION FORM

Parent Name(s): E-mail address:

Home Address: City:

State: _______________ Zip: Home phone: _______ ____________

Emergency contact: Phone number:

List all children attending VBS Age Grade

at time completed at Name M or F of VBS time of VBS

List any allergies or other medical conditions: _________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

The success of our VBS depends on our great volunteers! Parents and guardians, check here to be a part (big or small) of Hope’s Vacation Bible School: YES! I would like to help!!

There is NO CHARGE for VBS! Please return this completed form to the Washington Church office.

Photo consent: Photos and video of children participating in VBS may be used in brochures, flyers, newsletters, Hope’s website, or other media. If you do not wish your child’s photos/video to be included, please notify the church office in writing.

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