FIRST WORD NOVEMBER 2012

NOVEMBER

FIRST WORD F IRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, GALION, OHIO

Pastor... 2

Church Activities 3

Our Church Family 4

Light Night Photos 5

Thank You, Anniversaries 6

Council, Finances, Candidates 7

Thanksgiving Eve Worship back

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

God is…..

2012

Calendar/Helping Hands insert

. On All Saints Day we celebrate the victory won for all the

faithful dead, but we grieve for our beloved dead as well,

knowing that God honors our tears. We bring our grief to the table and find there a foretaste of

Isaiah’s feast to come.

FIRST WORD NOVEMBER 2012 2

And as they went, they were made clean. Then one

of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back,

praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself

at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was

a Samaritan. (Luke 17:14b-17)

I'm not sure of all that is needed to unlock the

gra+tude locked up in our hearts somewhere.

But I know that it is needed. A life without

gra+tude is a life that withers away in self-pity,

self-absorp+on. It strangles the spirit, rela+on-

ships, work. No gra+tude always equates to a

hollowed out life, a shell of a life that could have

been. This might be the biggest need in our lives

– giving thanks...give thanks for something.

Three years ago, I was able to travel to Tanza-

nia, a beau+ful country in southeastern Africa.

The country lacked many of the ameni+es that

I was used to back home. But the experience

changed my life. As we drove on dirt paths for

roads to get to the churches, I found myself

giving thanks for the roads back home. I had

never given thanks for the roads. As I washed

with a bucket of water, I found myself giving

thanks for the ability to turn on a faucet back

home and receive. I had never given thanks

for the decades (centuries!) of hard work and

technological advancements needed just for the

ability to turn a knob and watch clean water

come out. As we sat on hard benches with no

backs for several hours worshiping together,

I found myself giving thanks for the pews back

home... I gave thanks for the backs of the pews.

Why is it that it's o5en+mes not un+l we lack

something, we finally realize how blessed we

are? If we started making a list of things to be

grateful for in our lives, would the list suddenly

end? Would there a be a point when we would

have to say, “Well, that about sums it up! That's

all!” I don't think so. I think the list would go

on and on, no ma:er our age, background,

situa+on. The list of reasons to give thanks

cannot be exhausted.

Of the ten who Jesus healed of their disease –

leprosy – one came back to Jesus to give thanks.

That's not to say that the other nine were not

grateful. Maybe they went somewhere to give

thanks to God. (Can't we give thanks to God

wherever we are?) Maybe they had a great

meal with their families that night in celebra-

+on of a wonderful reunion and the most joyful

moment of their lives.

But one, a Samaritan... a foreigner... one who

would not be allowed to give thanks to God in

the temple because he was a foreigner... drops

at Jesus' feet. He praised God with a loud voice

and thanked Jesus. This passage is the

expression of gra+tude at its finest. This one

who returns to give thanks finds the One who

embodies his healing and give thanks to him.

He wanted to find Jesus. (Don't you?) Gra+tude

flows from the heart and out into the world

through our voice, praising God. It flows to our

knees and makes them weak and we fall flat.

We look up to the One who embodies our

wholeness and our prayer... and our prayer

with all of the words that we have in our

vocabulary, is stammered out... Thank You.

The loca+on of gra+tude is at the feet of Jesus.

The expression of gra+tude flows through us

and out into the world in real ways. The need

for gra+tude is already in you. Speak it. Say it

out loud... say it out loud to others. Don't waste

a moment, but turn around and find Jesus.

Start somewhere and give thanks to someone.

Find Christ alive in the life of that someone.

You won't run out of reasons to give thanks.

Let's get crea+ve in our gra+tude in Christ...

His, Pastor Matt Wheeler

The ‘Thank You’

of the Soul

3

FIRSTWORDNOVEMBER 2012

H.O.P.E.

MinistryMinistryMinistryMinistry

Collecting in NOVEMBER ….

Toilet paper….

for Cooperative Christian Services of Galion

MENU

Salad

Pork

Sandwiches

Desser t

Prepa

ring

for 60

Donations

needed

Do

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nta

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for se

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ho

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Friday, Friday, Friday, Friday, 8:30 AM 8:30 AM 8:30 AM 8:30 AM

until goneuntil goneuntil goneuntil gone

November 2November 2November 2November 2

To donate baked

goods, contact

Doll Cass, Pa�y

Rice Groth, or

Rena Lovely

Galion

Build

ing &

Loan, B

ucy

rus R

oad

Sewing Group

Meets

Saturdays

9AM-Noon

Every Sunday until Christmas (except Nov. 25)

Pre-order items also available...

cookies, fudge, cakes, cupcakes

5:30– 8:30 PM Donations Donations Donations Donations needed of....

needed of....

needed of....

needed of.... Cooked, boned turkeys Pies

Cooks....Servers.... Cleaner-Uppers !!

ATTENTION YOUTH! ATTENTION YOUTH! ATTENTION YOUTH! ATTENTION YOUTH! We will be baking on Saturdays from 4-7 PM in the church kitchen….snacks provided

Attention Y

outh: o

n No

v. 3 o

nly, b

aking w

ill be at the W

heeler Ho

me

ThesefolkswereinourprayersduringOctober

The Family of Evelyn Yeichner, Ajay, Isaac Babcock, John Badenhop, Russell Badgley, Percella Brand, Bryce, Mark Delaney, Lonnie Eagle, Ferne Ernst, Geneva, Denise Grandy, Gretta, Shirley Grubaugh, Ryan Harriger, Carol Hinkel, Joan, Joe, John, Tim Keeler, Al Kingseed, Lexie, Liz, Ed McCaffrey, Ray McCaffrey, Rick MeNeal, Sharon McNeal, Tim Metz, Janet Miller, Garrett Niss,

Josh Noblet, Norm Owens, Caroline Palmer, John Poffenbaugh, Becky

Price, Tom Quay, Bob Reindl, Robert Ross, Harry Seamon, Ron Seevers,

Alex Smith, Jennifer Smith, Dorothy Straub, Jean Taylor, Ann Wilson Van Nort, Arlene Varnes, Debbie Vossier, Nancy Weaver, Matthew

Zellen, Our Homebound, Our Military Troops

OUROCTOBER

VISITORS

Colton Bright; Evan Cameron;

Brian Burge; Cori Collins; Richard Straub; Jason Howlett;

Jennifer Christman; Josh Burton; Cheryl Love,

LaRoi Love, Nicole Ruckman, Nick Ruckman;

Carol Porter; Sammy Lewis;

Marian Robinson; Chevelle Jones;

Jean Bodkins; Brenda Treisch; Luke Einaugle??;

Joni O’Leary

We are…..We are…..We are…..We are…..

In Memory…. Evelyn M. Yeichner, 88, passed

away October 21, 2012. A member

of First Lutheran Church, Evelyn

enjoyed cooking, baking and sewing.

She is survived by son Donald &

Sandy Yeichner, daughter Barbara &

Mark Repetsky, five grandchildren,

five great-grandchildren, brother

Edwin & Phyllis McElha/en, and

sister Ruth Hall. She was preceded

in death by husband of 58 years,

John P. and son John A. Yeichner.

Services were held October 24th

by Pastor Ma/ Wheeler at

Mark A. Schneider Funeral Home.

Memorial contribu5ons may be

sent to First Lutheran Church. October Average

Worship A/endance = 96

FIRST WORD NOVEMBER 2012 4

Welcome, Baby Abigail

Abigail Grace Shifley

arrived at 5:10 pm

October 16, 2012

to beaming parents

Brian and Echo Shifley.

Abbie weighed

6 pounds 12 ounces,

18.5 inches long.

Smiling grandparents are

Cathy and Jim Shifley

and big brother is

Bryce Woodling.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fr i Sa t

1

6:30 PM Staff Mtg.

2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 5 PM

Comm Dnr

6:45 PM Cmmtees & Yth Group

14 15 16 17

18 19 20

7 PM Council 21

7 PM

22 23

5:30-

8:30

Office Closed

24

25 26 27

7 PM Prayer Shawl

28 29 30

November 2012

11:45 AM

Light Night & Adult Bible Study will meet Nov. 7, 14, 28,

but NOT Nov 21

9-11 AM

First B

reakfast—9-11 A

M

WORSHIP and COMMUNION

8:00 AM 2nd & 4th Sundays

10:30 AM 1st & 3rd Sundays

5th Sundays Both Services

ATTENTION YOUTH !!

SUNDAYs,

NOV. 11 & 18

6:30-8:00 PM Teens

& Tweens Bible Study

YOUTH GROUP

Tuesday, NOV 13

6:45—8 PM

FIRST LUTHERAN

CHURCH

127 South Columbus St.

Galion, Ohio 44833 419.468.3107 www.galionfirstlutheran.org

secretary@galionfirstlutheran.org

9-1

1 A

M S

ew

ing—

9-1

1 A

M S

ew

ing

YO

UT

H B

AK

E S

ALE

every Sunday m

orning except Nov. 25 [se

e p

age

3]

Sat. Nov 3, 1-6 PM Social Hall—Seighman

ALL SAINTS ALL SAINTS ALL SAINTS ALL SAINTS

DAYDAYDAYDAY

ACOLYTES GREETERS/ ASSISTING LAY COMMUNION CD ORGANIST FLOWERSUSHERS MINISTER READER COURIER Under Cross

NOV 4 Allie Patty Rice & Jo Betty

8:00 AM Awbrey Tim Groth Swain Sargel Jean Thomas Todd & Judy

NOV 4 Mike Adkins Michelle Barry/Michelle Brian Barry Leann Hayes Palmer Cortelletti

10:30 AM Brett Cortelletti Blackford Shifley Blackford Adkins NOV 11 Bri & Patty Rice & Lane Jeanna

8:00 AM Collins Tim Groth Foster McElhatten Janice Thomas Open

NOV 11 Alexandria Barry/Michelle Kevin Barry Leavens Palmer

10:30 AM Johnston Blackford McNeal Blackford Open

NOV 18 Ken Patty Rice & Patty Rice Larry &

8:00 AM Fernandez Tim Groth Groth Kevin Shannon

NOV 18 Weston Rose Barry/Michelle Paul Barry John & Cathy McNeal Hadamuscin

10:30 AM Cassie Cobb G Schnegelsbg Blackford Myers Blackford Badenhop

NOV 21 Tracy Kokiko

NOV 25 Tyler Patty Rice & Dennis Jean

8:00 AM Harris Tim Groth Long Hayes Nancy Thomas John & Cathy

NOV 25 Lexi P Straka Barry/Michelle John Barry Bailey Palmer Badenhop

10:30 AM Hadamuscin G Schnegelsbg Blackford Badenhop Blackford

ALL ADDRESSES ARE GALION 44833 UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISEMagnolia Terrace Olentangy Woods Mill Creek Nursing Home1110 North Market Street 935 Rosewood Dr. 900 Wedgewood CircleRosemary Bartholomew Dick Ness Jean SkinnerEd Naufzinger, Sr.Emily Renock #69 Brenda Haas Brenda James

526 King Ave 7206 Co Rd 20, Mount Gilead 43338

FIRST WORD NOVEMBER 2012

Light Night photos

by Susi McNeal

OnlythreeLight Night sessionsremain!Overforty

children,youth,andadultshavecultivatedfriendshipsandgrownintheirChristianfaith for these past nine Wednesday evenings. As you can see in the faces of the children….GOD IS AWESOME!!

NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES OF…. ….Birthdays (BD), Baptisms (BP), Weddings (W)

Dear First Family,

Thank you so much for your prayers, cards,

and words of encouragement during my

recent surgery and recovery. It was awesome

and strengthening knowing so many cared.

The power of prayer is amazing...thank you!

John Renock

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dear First Lutheran Church,

Thanks to you the lives of others have been

touched in a special life giving support. We

deeply appreciate your recent gi$ of $30

received in September and $30 received in

October for the Southern Region/ Findlay

Lutheran Social Services Ministries.

You have done what Jesus would do by touch-

ing each person served at LSS of Northwestern

Ohio at just the right 2me and in a very special

way.

Serving Christ With You,

Nancy A. Yunker, CEO/President

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1 Joe Kokiko BD; Tyson Kocher BP 3 David Dinkel BD 4 Tim Bartholomew BD; Nickolas Kocher BP 6 Tammy Danner BD, Jarrett Finley BD 8 Craig & Beth Carpenter W 10 Lauri Schifer BP, Nathan Ujvari BP 12 Dennis Long BD; Fred & Betty Sargel W 14 Brad Kocher BD

16 Denise Pritt BP 17 Stan & Susan Harer W 18 Macey Bash BD, Larry Hadamuscin BD 19 Drew Owens BD 20 Jeanna McElhatten BD, Landon Rose BD 21 Jean Taylor BD; Joe & Tracy Kokiko W 22 Peggy Hall BD 23 Cathy Badenhop BD

24 Carson Saurers BD, 25 Nolyn Ujvari BD 26 Judy Owens BD; Roni Halberg BP 27 Dianne Price BD, Becky Renock BD 29 Ken Hayes BD, Rena Lovely BD

6 FIRST WORD NOVEMBER 2012 Passion!

The YOUTH are selling

Gold Canyon candles

…..orders taken un�l

November 18. See any

junior or senior high aged

youth to experience the

scratch & sniff catalog!!!

A Family Prayer

Lord, behold our family here assembled. We thank you for this place in which we dwell for the love that unites us, for the peace accorded us this day, for the hope with which we expect the morrow, for the work, the health, the food, and bright skies that make our lives delightful for our friends in all parts of the earth. Amen

— Robert Louis Stevenson

Go in Peace!Go in Peace!Go in Peace!Go in Peace! FIRST WORD NOVEMBER 2012 7

OCTOBER COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS October 16, 2012

◊ The updated cons�tu�on is ready for the

congrega�onal mee�ng packets

◊ All Gordon Food Service rewards will be

deposited into the First Breakfast fund

◊ Council approved the membership

transfer of Marge Gledhill to Trinity

Lutheran, Crestline

◊ The H.O.P.E. commi,ee decided on the

disbursement of their funds raised from

the Lincoln Highway Buy-Way Sale in

August

◊ An in-house audit commi,ee has been

appointed for the December 31, 2012

conclusion of Jay De Nise’s service as

finance chairperson—Janet Kreis, Jo Swain,

and Dick Grandy

◊ A designated amount will be taken

monthly from the military box fund to pay

for shipping of boxes to military personnel

through “Support Galion Troops”

◊ For the first �me, a simplified treasurer’s

report was shared with council to a

roaringly pleased membership!

COUNCIL CANDIDATES FOR 2013-2015 TERM

Council shall consist of not more than 12 members of the congrega�on…..

there are five posi�ons open and four candidates….nomina�ons will be

taken from the floor during the November 11th congrega�onal mee�ng.

◊ Phyllis Straka

◊ Julie Sargel

◊ John Renock

◊ Kevin McNeal

Cookies are needed for coffee time on Sunday mornings.

Thank you!!Thank you!!Thank you!!Thank you!!

Sunday,

November 11

11:45 AM

The First Word

First Lutheran Church, ELCA 127 South Columbus Street Galion, Ohio 44833

www.galionfirstlutheran.org

secretary@galionfirstlutheran.org

419-468-3107

Return Service Requested

Church Staff

Pastor Matthew S. Wheeler pastor@galionfirstlutheran.org

JoAnne Hamblin . . Admin. Assistant Russell Gelvin . . . . . . . Custodian Thomas Palmer, Ruby Cover . . . . . Accompanists Becky Renock . . . . . . . .Treasurer

Church Office Hours

9:00 AM – 12:15 PM and 1:00 – 3:00 PM Monday-Friday

Worship and Communion 8:00 AM 2nd & 4th Sundays 10:30 AM 1st & 3rd Sundays ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Council Marty Cecil . . . . . . . . . President Brian Shifley . . . . . .Vice President John Badenhop . . . . . . . Secretary Liaisons to Committee Electa Foster . . . Christian Education Dick Grandy, Jo Swain . . . . Finance Phyllis Straka, Gloria Schnegelsberger . . . H.O.P.E. John Badenhop, Larry Hadamuscin . . . . Mutual Ministry Brian Shifley, Larry Hadamuscin . . . . . .Property Brian Shifley . . . . . . . Stewardship John Renock, John Badenhop, Lee Linn. . . .Worship & Music Lee Linn . . . . . . . . . . . . Youth Committee Chairpersons Jay De Nise . . . . . . . . . . Finance Jay De Nise, John Swain . Assist Treas Julie Sargel . . . . Christian Education Brian Shifley . . . . . . . . . Property Patty Rice Groth . . . . . . . H.O.P.E. John Badenhop . . . Worship & Music Open . . . . . . . . . Mutual Ministry John Renock . . Church Photographer Echo Shifley . . . . . Prayer Chain elshifley@gmail.com

(to activate prayer chain )

First on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com /pages/First-Lutheran- Church-Galion-Ohio/ 448678335145349

Twitter Link

https://twitter.com/#!/ FLCGalion

PURPOSE STATEMENT

God is….. We are….. Passion!

Go in Peace! Serve the Lord!

Serve the Lord!

Nonprofit Organization US Postage Paid

Galion, Ohio Permit #52

SUNDAY

WORSHIP

7:00 PM. WED.

NOVEMBER 21

Our Guests

will be Peace,

Trinity,

Saint John,

and United

Church of Christ

featuring a

combined choir

from all the

churches. Please bring

non-perishable items for Cooperative

Christian Services of Galion