From Pastor Peg...

Dear, dear family of God,

I can’t begin to tell you how important your prayers and support are at this time of our lives.

First, we enjoyed your prayers and messages of congratulations on the birth of our granddaughter, Corrie. She worried us a bit with newborn jaundice, but now, at one month, she is perfectly healthy.

Next, your prayers and support during our son Jay’s health crisis have been a source of strength and courage. The week he spent at Cleveland Clinic was the most frightening week of our lives. Even so, we were upheld by God’s mercy so we were never tempted to despair.

Jay has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, fast-growing B cell. By the time you read this, he and wife Katy will have been spoiled at our house over Easter weekend, and he will have had his second chemo treatment. Currently, he is out of danger, and responding well.

God, who knows our pain and suffering, has strengthened us through the love of this amazing community. We are in just the right place to get the nurture we need as we seek to serve our several faith communities.

We shall not lose sight of our mission together to seek and save the lost as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

In the months of chemotherapy to come, I know that I will be upheld by God’s love—through you. That will enable me to love and serve our Lord in this wonderful community (and to care for Jay and Katy as well).

Easter joy abounds!

The Window The Ontario United Methodist Church

We Care as Christ Cares

MAY 2014

New Bible Study Begins

Throughout May, our Tuesday Bible studies will be learning from Adam Hamilton’s book: Why? Making Sense of God’s Will

Where is God when tragedy and suffering strike?

When the ground shakes, and a poor nation’s economy is destroyed; when the waters rise, washing away a community’s hopes and dreams; when a child suffers neglect and abuse; when violence tears apart nations; where is God? If God is all powerful, and if each one of us is a beloved child of God, then how can God allow tragedy and suffering to infest his creation? Come Tuesdays at 3:30 or 6:45 to explore these questions. In Concert at OUMC The University of Charleston, WV Concert Choir will make OUMC the first stop on its spring tour on Monday, May 5 at 7:00 pm. They will feature both secular and sacred works in a free concert lasting approximately one and a half hours.

You may recall we hosted this choir three years ago. We will again provide housing for them Monday as well as dinner that night and breakfast on Tuesday morning. Please sign up in the church centrum to contribute to the meals or provide overnight lodging.

This small group of singers is amazingly talented and presents an outstanding program. Please invite your friends and family to this special event. Honor Mom with a Net Each year we honor mothers by supporting the national NOTHING BUT NETS campaign’s goal to eradicate malaria in third world countries by providing mosquito nets treated to kill insects that land on them.

On Sunday, May 4, you can purchase a mosquito net for $10 in honor or memory of your mother or another special woman in your life, and those gifts will be recognized in the Mother’s Day bulletin. Thank you for your support.

Sympathy to~~~

Al Mosher and family in the death of his wife, Ruth Mosher. The family and friends of Cleo Taylor, our oldest OUMC member. Erma Oswalt and Ruth Ann Staats and family in the death of their brother, Forest Cotter. Kathy and Tim Strunk and family in the death of her aunt, Ruth Griffith. Congratulations to~~~

Nikki and Josh Davis in the birth of twin sons, Isaac Benjamin and Nathan Joel Davis, born on March 20. Joni and Jeff Davis and Connie and Joe Stuckert are proud grandparents/great-grandparents.

Jessica and David Ralph in the birth of their son, Carter Jesse Ralph, born March 23. Connie Smith and Wilma Palmer are proud grandmother/great-grandmother. Celebration Days~~~ Blessings on your special day!

Birthdays: 1 Myra Myers 17 Wilma Elliott 2 Jackie Duncan 17 Danielle Seveigny 2 Jessica Semon 17 William Miller 3 Sharon Urschel 19 Dave Fisher 6 Marvel Auck 21 Becky Beeman 6 Steve Toth 23 Dick Kaber 8 Cindy Ronk 26 Herb Krichbaum 9 Debby Grove 27 Nancy Shaw 12 Phil Giffin 27 Ash Welch 28 Bob Wolfe Anniversaries: 4 Joni and Jeff Davis 10 Miriam and Buzz Rupe 13 Marcy and Rob Roth 14 Claudette and Bruce Smith 19 Val and Steve Toth 30 Jill and Dick Kaber

Leave your birthday and anniversary dates at the Welcome Center to be included in the Celebration Days.

Thank you~~~

Dear Church Family, I would like to express my appreciation for all the prayers, cards, phone calls and visits at Ruth’s passing. Many thanks also to Pastor Peg. It is nice to have such a loving church family. —Alfred Mosher Thank you to everyone who sent birthday cards and get well cards. It’s been refreshing and encour-aging to know people are praying for me. —Nancy Roberts Thank you for the cards and prayers due to my recent injury. My arm is healing fine. —Janet Bixler Thanks for your prayers and concern during my recent hospital stay. I am so fortunate to have had such good medical care and to be a part of this great church. —Frank Dewitt To all the amazing people involved with “Eggstravaganza,” you did an exceptional job! The shepherds, the cute egg signs to help guide the kids, the crafts, WOW! I am not sure who had more fun-- the kids or the parents!! The egg hunt was so well coordinated, and the snack--who is the creative soul who made “art” with a banana and a grape!! I was there to take pictures but was able to do some greeting when a sea of kids arrived! Thank you, thank you to each and every one of you! The organization is what made this such a success. I am already looking forward to next year’s “Eggstravaganza”!! —Melinda Shaum Dear OUMC members, We had an amazing series of events during Holy Week. Thank you to those who hammered, hauled, painted, baked, crafted, stood vigil, boiled eggs, supervised kids, taught, shepherded, chaperoned, sang, acted, rehearsed, led and helped in a myriad of other ways. Your good deeds and good cheer were a wonder-ful witness to God’s glory. —Pastor Peg

Our OUMC Family

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ONTARIO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 419-529-4345 OntarioUMC@neo.rr.com ontarioumc.org

Office hours: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 11:00am Bulletin items due 6:00pm Tiger Cubs

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4 9:20am Godward 9:45am Choir reh

5 9:00am Quilters 7:00pm University of Charleston here in concert

6 11am Staff Mtg 3:30pm Bible Stdy 5:30pm Fell Meal 6:15pm Prayer Cir 6:30pm VBS Mtg 6:45pm Bible Stdy

7 12:0pm Silvers Meal 6:00pm Faithringers 7:00pm Choir rehearsal

8 11:00am Bulletin items due 6:00pm Wolf Den

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10 9:00am - 4:00 pm Work Day at Light & Life Camp 12:00 - 6:00 pm Private event, Giffin Hall

11 9:20am Godward 9:45am Choir reh Mother’s Day

12 7:00pm Trustees 7:00pm Missions

13 5:30pm Fell Meal 6:15pm Prayer Cir

No study group

14 6:00pm Faithringers 7:00pm Choir rehearsal

15 11:00am Bulletin items due 6:00pm Tiger Cubs

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18 9:20am Godward 9:45am Choir reh

Fellowship Meal after worship

June newsletter deadline

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9:00am Quilters 6:00pm Finance 7:00pm Ad Council

20 3:30pm Bible Stdy 5:30pm Fell Meal 6:15pm Prayer Cir 6:30pm Kingdom Kids Training 6:45pm Bible Stdy

21 12:00pm Silvers Meal 6:00pm Faithringers 7:00pm Choir rehearsal

22 11:00am Bulletin items due 6:00pm Wolf Den 7:00pm OUMC Book Club

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24 Private event in

Giffin Hall

Recycling Trailer here thru Sunday

25 9:20am Godward 9:45am Choir reh

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Office closed

27 3:30pm Bible Stdy 5:30pm Fell Meal 6:15pm Prayer Cir 6:45pm Bible Stdy

28 6:00pm Faithringers 7:00pm Choir rehearsal

29 11:00am Bulletin items due

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MAY 2014 Regardless of whether you are famous or not, you will never have a bigger fan than your mother.

EVERY SUNDAY ~~ Grace & Eggs @ 8:30…Kingdom Kids @ 9:00…Adult Sunday School @ 9:15…Worship @ 10:15, followed by Fellowship Time

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OUMC to Participate in Work Day On Saturday, May 10 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, we will participate in a work day at Light and Life Camp on St. Rt. 39. Come help cut already-downed trees, clean-up branches, paint, assemble beds, remove dry wall, clean and open up cottages. Bring a snack lunch and chain saws; beverages, paint, brushes and cleaning supplies provided. This is a Compass Group CHANGE THE WORLD activity. Contact Pastor Peg or Pat Bell for more info, or just show up to help. Prayerfully consider this opportunity. Help Welcome Visitors Volunteers to staff the Welcome Center are needed on Sunday mornings from 9:45 to 10:15 to welcome guests, answer questions, give directions, etc. You can also be a presence there after worship if you’d like. Please see Janet Bixler or sign-up at the Welcome Center to serve.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Ministry During the month of May, we are asking for your donations of breakfast cereals, crackers and snacks. As usual, you may continue to bring items that were collected in previous months.

School ends June 6, so our lunch program begins the next week. Volunteers are needed to help pack boxes, sort food, get milk and bread, and deliver boxes. Watch for sign-up sheets with opportunities for you to help throughout the summer. Donations of food during the summer will be needed also. Tech Training for computers/I-phones/I-pads, etc., will be scheduled when the school year ends. If you have problems now, please call, text or see Melinda Shaum at church. (419-564-2810)

OHS Graduation

7:30 pm

May book is We Die Alone (David Howarth)

The Window Ontario United Methodist Church 3540 Park Avenue West Ontario, OH 44906-1055 Address Correction Requested Dated Material—Please deliver promptly

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Mansfield, OH Permit No. 2

The Challenge Each year we collect items to complete aid kits for Church World Service. This year, the folks at Hayesville United Methodist Church have challenged us to match their commitment of filling 8 Flood Buckets, 10 Health Kits and 6 School Kits. Please consider what you can contribute to help us meet — or beat! — this challenge. You may bring in one or more items for a kit, or complete an entire kit on your own. Thank you for your generosity.

Flood Buckets help with the over-whelming job of cleaning up after a flood, hurricane or tornado. 5-gallon bucket with lid 50 oz. liquid laundry detergent 12-16 oz. liquid cleaner 16-28 oz. dish soap aerosol or pump air freshener aerosol or spray insect repellent scrub brush 18 cleaning wipes 7 non-cellulose sponges 5 soap-free scouring pads 50 clothespins 100 foot clothesline 24 heavy duty trash bags

5 dust masks 2 pair kitchen gloves 1 pair work gloves School Kits give some basic tools for learning to students in impoverished schools, refugee camps, etc. pair of blunt scissors 3 pads paper (spiral or top-bound) 1 hand held pencil sharpener 1 30 cm. Ruler 6 unsharpened pencils 1 large eraser 1 24-count box of crayons a 14 x 16 cloth bag

Health Kits can mean the difference between sickness and health in times of natural disaster or human strife. Hand towel Wash cloth Comb Metal nail file or clippers Bath-size bar of soap Toothbrush 6 adhesive bandages Sealable plastic gallon-size bag $1.00 to purchase toothpaste