The CHIMES Newsletter
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Page 1 DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019 December 2018 THE January 2019 CHIMES GLORIUS IMPOSSIBLE See the Virgin is delivered, In a cold and crowded stall Mirror of the Father's glory, Lies beside her in the straw He is Mercy's incarnation, WHERE PATHS ARE Marvel at this miracle! BLAZED, EXAMPLES ARE SET AND ANSWERS ARE For the Virgin gently holds, FOUND The Glorious Impossible Vision Statement: "We are called This is one of my favorite songs that the Gaither Band sings. In looking at just TO BE and TO MAKE disciples of the first two verses of this song, the Christmas story is summed up. This little Jesus Christ." baby in the manger was the Glory of God (the glorious part) born to a Virgin to Mission Statement: "God calls this save us from our lives of sin and it was done through immaculate conception church to minister in the power of (the impossible part of the song). As we reflect on all that Thanksgiving and the Holy Spirit to all His people Christmas are about, may we truly, in the depths of our hearts, give God all the through the Gospel, various praise and glory for all he has done. worship experiences, prayer, and growth in relationship and service My family and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year. to Him and to one another." Pastor Linda Values We Hold and Aspire To: **************************************************************************************** Passion for Jesus Christ, Prayer, You will be reading/receiving this after Thanksgiving but I have to share with you Biblical Teaching/Preaching, something I am thankful for, and that is I got the chance to go to the Fall for All Cler- Meaningful Worship, Spiritual gy Retreat Nov 12-14. Thanks to Rich Norris for covering emergency calls for Growth, Enrichment Through me. The retreat was held at the Carlisle Inn in Sugar Creek OH and being in that area Small Groups, Love for All and filled my soul with peace. Everyone in Ministry Ministers—All of Us The speaker was Dr. Rev. John Ed Mathison retired pastor of Frazer UMC in Alabama (frazer.church ). His church had grown by the time he retired from a few hundred to 8,000 plus. Eight services-two of which are in a different language. John Ed now runs a non -profit organization (http://www.johnedmathison.org) where he is a motivational speaker. It would have been great if all of you could have heard him speak, but I am going to share some of the things with you that he talked about. Our churches must change to stay in business. However, he shared three things that are changeless. The Master, the Message and the Mission. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The message of what God did for us (sending His only son) is forever and we are taught to go and make disciples for the transformation of the world. The Master, the Message, the Mission. So, what does John Ed tell us needs to change? Our mindset. We need to have a mindset of Jesus Christ. We need to take risks and not do it as we always have. From 65-05 the UMC attendance dropped by 2.6%. From 05-15 it dropped by 18.8%. If football coaches don’t change with the times, they don’t have their jobs very long and the team starts to die. The same is true in the church, pastors 301 Lincoln Way East are moved and churches die. We need to be risk takers for Massillon, OH 44646-8401 God. One of the reasons that John Ed’s church grew so 8:15am Worship in Chapel much in the time he was there was the programs were lay 10:00am Worship in Sanctuary led. They would have thoughts and ideas and get his permis- 9:00am Sunday School sion and he would guide them if needed, but the laity saw the Office Hours: Mon—Thurs 9am-3pm vision through. Phone: 330-833-8529 (cont’d on page 3, Retreat) Web Site: www.fumcmassillon.org E-Mail: [email protected] www.facebook.com/FirstUMCMassillon Pastor Linda Bradley 330-224-8448 [email protected] Community Candlelight Walk Sunday December 2 5-7:30pm A Massillon Tradition Since 2001 First United Methodist Church 301 Lincoln Way, East Candlelight Walk—music and tours in historic churches Massillon, Ohio 44646 WHS choir concert and Candlelighting Ceremony at St. Mary Church Office 330- 833-8529 Web Site: www.fumcmassillon.org Treasure Massillon’s beauty and tradition as you stroll amidst luminarias and lovely E-Mail: [email protected] architecture to enjoy musical entertainment at eight historic downtown churches and Office 330- 833-8529 four local community partners. Enjoy the candlelighting ceremony and choral music at St. Mary Church at the end of the event! All FREE for you to enjoy! December 01, 2018 Dear Fellow Member of First United Methodist Church: Walk to all or some of the churches and attractions in any order. Set your own At this joyous time of year, we as members of the First United Methodist pace. Maps and schedules of music and tours will be available at every stop and from “elves” along the way. A printable map is available at communitycandlelight- Church in Massillon, Ohio have a unique opportunity to express our love and ad- walk.com. miration for Pastor Linda Bradley. It has been a tradition within our church to give our members an opportunity to make a voluntary monetary donation which is Luminarias will surround participating churches, and the CHARM neighborhood as- sociation will line historic Fourth Street with luminarias. DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019 then presented by the lay leader during the Christmas season. We are blessed as a church by the pastoral gifts, service and dedication that Churches will offer musical performances and church tours; many will be deco- Pastor Linda brings to our congregation. Let us show our collective appreciation rated for Christmas; many serve cookies and warm beverages. for her willingness to answer God’s call and serve the needs of our congregation. St. Joseph's Catholic St. Timothy's Episcopal We invite you to join us in this effort by placing your gift in an envelope and St. George Greek Orthodox St. John's U.C.C. 2 marking it “pastoral gift.” No gift is too small and all gifts are voluntary. Your First United Methodist St. Paul's Lutheran Central Presbyterian Mt. Calvary Baptist Church gift will be added to those of other members. The gift will be presented to her Page simply as a gift from “The Congregation.” Additional Attractions Envelopes may be placed in the lockbox (on wall just inside office door) or in Massillon Museum—VOCI singers and the official warming station (free cookies, the offering plate, or they may be mailed to the church office. Please try to have coffee, and cocoa) your gift in to the church office by Thursday, December 13th. The gift will be Massillon Railroad Club (lower level of First United Methodist)—operating model railroad layout presented during the following week. Massillon Pubic Library—staff carolers on the steps Five Oaks—see the mansion decorated for Christmas as live music fills the great hall In Christian love and fellowship, Downtown Massillon Association Santaland (lighting display) Additional Churches, though not among the official historic churches, will com- plement the event: Grace United Church of Christ (live music by Tuslaw High School) Herb Huff The Music Box Church (music) Co-Lay Leader First Church-Christ Scientist (music) Sponsors The Independent Aqua Ohio Downtown Massillon Association Main Street Deli Deborah Royse Chapel Hill Community Farmers National Bank SPPRC Chairperson Koby Electric Paquelet Funeral Home St. John’s United Church of Christ PPI Graphics Page 3 DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019 Outreach News for Chimes A hearty thanks to Rich Norris and all who donated undies for the needy, who baked, cooked and served at Canton Calvary Mission, who rang the bell for the Salvation Army, who filled, collected and packed shoe- boxes for Operation Christmas Child. A special thanks to Angie Demmer who heads up that international Mis- sion every year! December brings new opportunities to serve our living King. Outreach will again adopt a family through the Salvation Army for Christmas. Anyone may sign up on the gift list on the bulletin board near door C. Gifts should be wrapped, tagged with the recipient’s name, and in the office by December 9th. Extra coats and other warm winter wear can be placed in the Coats for Christmas box in the narthex. Our friends who frequent Heaven’s Kitchen will appreciate them. We have been blessed to be a blessing to others! Massillon's Community Candlelight Walk “HELP THE Sunday, December 2 SALVATION ARMY 5:00pm to 7:30pm FEED THE HUNGRY” St. Joseph's Catholic Church St. Timothy's Episcopal Church St. George Greek Orthodox Church St. John's United Church of Christ First United Methodist Church Central Presbyterian Church St. Paul's Lutheran Church Mount Calvary Baptist Church Ceremony with Music and Candlelight- ing at St. Mary's 7:45pm Other sites: Five Oaks, Massillon Museum, (Retreat cont’d) We also need to relate to people in their envi- Massillon Railroad Club located at First United ronment. If it means going to the bar on Friday night and get- Methodist Church, and Massillon Public Li- ting to know folks, then sharing Jesus, that is what we do. If it means talking with the cashier in the checkout line, then that is brary.