sidebysideministry.com & friend us on facebook at John-Paul Lutheran St. Paul Lutheran and St. John Lutheran, Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio

Our Vision: “To be a vibrant, Spirit-filled people, participating in God’s work in the world.” Our Mission: “Loving God and loving neighbor, we witness to Christ’s saving grace,

that others may believe and find life.”

Side-by-Side Ministry January 2015

All Council Night

Thursday, January 8, at St. Paul

5:45 pm Joint Parish Board

6:45 pm All Council Worship

7:00 pm St. John Council

7:00 pm St. Paul Council

Welcome to all new council members!

“The Season of Light Bulbs”

I was watching one of my grandchildren working on a puzzle, when all of the sudden the piece with which he had been struggling went into place. His face changed instantly from a concentrated frown to an open-eyed, big-smiled celebration as he let out a loud “Aha!” We all have those ‘Aha” moments when something suddenly becomes clear – the puzzle piece

fits, a new insight surprises us. In a cartoon there would be a picture of a lightbulb switched on in our head. We see something we weren’t able to see before. January 6

th – February 17 (Ash Wednes-

day) is the Season of Epiphany, the season of “aha” moments, the season of lightbulbs going off.

The church is the result of the greatest “Aha!” moment in history, when God’s Spirit comes and turns on the lightbulb in the hearts and minds of people. Suddenly, the truth about God and God’s plan for salvation in Jesus is revealed. Christmas revealed the coming of Jesus as an infant, one of us. Epiphany starts by marking the coming of the Wisemen to worship the child.

Aha! This child is the fulfillment of prophesy, foretold in the stars and by the prophets.

Aha! This child is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

Aha! This child is the newborn King, unlike any other, whose Kingdom will be forever.

In this season, as you follow the star of this story, may your faith be full of new insights, may your puzzle pieces fit, and may your “Aha’s!” be many. May this be a season of “Light Bulbs”!

Epiphany Party

College Students &

Young Adults

Tuesday, January 6

6:30 pm, at Pastor Chris’s

What is it? Come and See!

A chance to see old friends

and new;

Come on your own

or bring a friend

Visioning Team

“Listening to God”

Thursday, January 15

6-8 pm at St. Paul

*****

We begin the process of developing a new 5 year ministry plan for our con-

gregations in a time of prayer and conversation. All are welcome. Any questions, please see Pastor Chris.

Youth Road Trip!

Friday, Jan. 2

Skyzone Trampoline Park

See Youth Page for details!

The Internship Committee met on December 10, 2014 to discuss having another intern from Trinity Seminary.

Committee Members discussed the following:

1. Apply for 2015 Intern (1 year program).

2. Apply for 2016 Intern which will be a new 2 year program for Trinity.

3. Do not apply for an intern.

The committee recommends to St. John and St. Paul Councils and congregations to consider the 2015 internship. The final decision needs to be made by March 2015. *

The committee recognized the need to raise the proper funds for this program. Our Seminary Fund is still active and will accept donations at any time. At present there is $8,000 in the fund. We will need to have about $30,000 for an intern.

Committee members present at this meeting included:

Pastor Chris Young

Alan and Beth Lambert

Maryanne Laubner

Linda Otermat

Marv and Brenda Rettig

Debra White

*St. John and St. Paul Councils voted at their December meetings to move forward with the first step of the application process, with the understanding from St. Paul, that the money would need to be in place before a final commitment would be made. This means that donations and pledges would need to be in by mid-March. Your prayers for God’s will in this are valued!

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Information Lunch

Sunday, February 8, 11:45 at St. Paul

Find out more about our sidebyside ministry. For persons wanting to con-

nect, and/or who are interested in membership at either church

News from Pastor Aaron

Each church received a homemade ornament and a special note. Please check the Events Board or Table to see this special gift.

Pastor Aaron and Patty Longnecker will hold their wedding cere-mony at St. Paul, Danbury, on Saturday, March 28th, and you are all invited. The reception is being planned as a Contra-Dance in the fellowship hall. More information will be coming.

Ukranian Egg Decorating—Pastor Aaron’s mother wonders if anyone is interested in having another workshop—on Sunday, March 29th? Please sign up on the Events’ Board or Table, so we can let her know soon.

Additional members who were unable to attend include:

Anna Jean Povlick

Heather Lambert

Sandra Reep

Seminary Internship Update

Red Cross Blood Drive

St. Paul, Danbury on January 12th

Sign up online for an appointment.

www.redcross.org/blood

Building Friendships

Bible & Discipleship Studies

Page 3

“Not Older, Just Better” - Not Older, Just Better is meeting at “The Clinton House”on Monday, January 12th at 11:30 a.m.. Call Marge at 419.798.8816 if you have questions/need a ride. You’re Not Alone – 1) Ruth Scott is starting a new class on Sunday, January 11th, and promises it will be “good”! Also our “You’re Not Alone” group will meet the first Tuesday of each month 6:30 p.m. at Pastor Chris’s. January 6th will be an “Epiphany Party” with an invitation to college students to join us! Dartball—please see the attached church calendar for dates and locations. Tuesdays at the Danbury Senior Center Come Tuesdays at 5:00. Call in your reservation in to Paula by the Friday at 419.798.4101. Picture Directory Updates - One of our goals is to keep updating this directory with contact information on new members and changes or corrections on existing members. It is so important that you report any change in the present information to Margaret Stellhorn at St. John or Louise Rogers at St. Paul.

Sunday Morning, 9:00 a.m.:

1)Adult Bible Study, Have fun with us as we explore the theme, If You Want to Walk on Water , You’ve Got to

Get Out of the Boat, by John Ortberg

2) Parents and Young Adults—Ruth Scott will be starting a new study on Sunday, January 11th. She hasn't told us

what it will be about, yet, but promises it will be “Good”! So, come and find out:)

Women’s Bible Studies (WELCA – All women are invited to par ticipate! )

St. John Women meet on second Wednesday at 2:00 pm

St. Paul Women will meet 3rd Thursdays at 1:00 pm

Weekly Wednesday Bible Study – Meets every Wednesday at 11:00 am at St. Paul. All Ladies are welcome. We

are studying the Women of the Bible. A different woman every week - so you are never behind in the series. Please

join us as we dig deeper into the Lord’s would. Good discussion and laughter. Sandra Reep 239-273-5244 or san-

dra@sandrreep.com

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Side by Side Youth Group

January 2…...SkyZone!

Junior and Senior youth are going to Skyzone in Westlake on Friday, January 2, 2015. A minimum of 10 is needed for the group rate of $16/ 120 minutes (includes special socks). Skyzone offers Open Jump, Foam Zone, Sky Slam, and Ultimate Dodgeball. Our time will be reserved for 3 - 5 pm. We will eat dinner at Five Guys in Crocker Park, please bring spending money. We are advised to go to www.skyzone. com/westlake to complete an online waiver for each jumper the week of our visit. Any questions, contact Helmi Freeh @ 314-255-8987. We will start off with a Hoppy New Year!

7th and 8th graders

Confirmation Classes

Classes meet Sundays at 9:00 a.m.,

Wednesdays in January, 6:00 –7:30 pm

January 7…..Chpt. 7, The Prophets

January 14…..Chpt. 8, Wisdom & Poetry

January 21….. Chpt. 9, People of Promise

January 28…..Chpt. 10, The Word Became Flesh

SIDE BY SIDE YOUTH & Families

Sunday School for Preschool –8th

Sunday School Teachers Needed!

***We are in great need of a couple more teachers/helpers to help share the joy:) Please contact Chrissy French (419) 341-

4653 with any questions and/or to offer your help.

Senior High

Side-by-Side Youth

Youth Sunday—1st Sun. of each Month

Sign up on the easel on the ramp at church to help with greeting, ushering, lecturing

(reading). Watch for texts and calls from Chris and Helmi. See Pastor Chris if you can help

with Special Music.

National Youth Gathering, Grades 9-12

July 15-19, 2015 in Detroit

Pastor Chris is encouraging parents and youth to seri-ously consider attending this youth gathering next sum-mer. So many young believers together in one space is a life-changing experience. Please consider, and we will make sure money is not a problem. If you are considering this at all, please

contact Helmi Freeh or Pastor Chris. So far we have 4 youth going. Let’s do this:)

Church Nursery

We have a gift in Cindy Coles, our Nursery Supervi-sor!! Thank you, Cindy, for your faithful and trusted

caring for our kids during worship!

**Anyone who can be on-call to give Cindy a break when she needs to be elsewhere, please let her or

Pastor Chris know.

Thank You for buying buckeyes!

The 4 youth who will be going to the National Youth Gathering sold over 70 Baker's dozen buckeyes in their first fund raiser! Our deposit will be made by mid-January. Look for more fund raisers to come and there's still time to include more youth. See Helmi or Chris Freeh for details. Thank you for supporting us in our ef-forts- we are blessed with such a caring congregation!

Serving Others

Noisy Offering on January 11th—SNAP Ministries in Cameroon for the purchase of Bibles

Blessing Cup Teams—We were blessed to host our Traveling Christmas Party. To be part of this fellowship of

Christ’s love, please contact Marge Bridgett or Myra Prokop or sign up on the Event’s Board. The first week of Feb-

ruary will begin our next round of visits.

Celebration Chorus - Practice on Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., at St. Paul. All are welcome!

Community Garden - Direct questions for 2015 to Emily Glynn 314-517-2402 or Betsy Deer 419-310-4406.

Council Nights– All council night is January 8th. 5:45 for Joint Parish Board, 6:45 for All Council Worship, 7 pm

for meetings.

Danbury Food Pantry - For January 17th, St. John is to bring Tuna, St. Paul is to bring peanut butter and jelly.

Prayer Chain – St. Paul contact Joan Harris at 419.734.3971 or 419.341.6373 or harris2110@roadrunner.com.

St. John contact Myra Prokop at 419.798.5101 or taylors@cros.net. God promises that our prayers are heard!

Prayer Shawl Plus Ministry - Prayer shawl meeting will be on Wednesday, January 7th at 10:00 at St.

Paul. Contact Sandra Reep at 239-273-5244 or sandra@sandrareep.com.

SNAP Ministries (Suppor ting Native Afr ican Pastors) Our Noisy Offer ing will help buy Bibles for Pastor

Claude’s Bible Class (22 persons share 3 Bibles currently). For info. go to snapministries.org (Welcome. to Home).

See www.sidebysideministry.com for more opportunities for serving.

PAGE 5

Thank You

To the Ladies and Men of St. Paul and St. John—Thanks so much for your visit. It perked me

up, immensely. Love, “Delta”

Thank You for the Joy Shared in the Traveling Christmas Party Visits—Thank you to Marge Bridgett, Myra

Prokop, Kathy Otermat, Linda Dubbert, Linda Smith, Janet Strauss, Kay Tibbles, Bernell Lowein, Coni Limpert, Jo

Meyer, Charlie Scott, Brenda Rettig, and Rose Marie Arn for taking time to make a difference in the lives of 48+

people this Christmas Season. You make Christ’s love visible here and now. Blessings, Pastor Chris

Thank You for the Cards and Gifts—Steve and I are once, again, humbled by your generosity and care this Christ-

mas Season. You touch our hearts, and bring us joy. Thank you for all you do and for all you are in this family of

St. John and St. Paul!

Thank You from Lutheran Indian Ministries—Your gift blesses us! God is working among the nature people.

May your Christmas season be joy-filled. Sue Gebul

Thank You for our Sunday School Christmas Program!

On December 14th our Sunday School students held their Christmas Program “A King’s Birthday” in the evening.

The children were great! The staff and children are to be commended. Vicky Doski directed the program. It was

well attended by families and friends and church members.

ST. JOHN BEACON LIGHT

FOR JANUARY, 2014

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St. John Council Highlights

The council met at Diana’s Restaurant with 7 members present.

The secretary, treasurer and financial secretary’s reports were presented and accept-

ed.

Pastor Chris presented her report highlighting several of her activities for the past

month.

Council passed a motion to begin the first phase of the application for having an in-

tern for the year 2015-16.

We are getting quotes for a new roof on the parish hall.

Council is exploring the possibility of using automatic deposits of weekly giving.

St. John still needs one more member to serve on the Parish Board.*

*Since this writing, our new Joint Parish Board positions have been filled. We celebrate the addi-tion of Patty Isaman and Doug Tussing for this new year. We thank Curt Laubner and Jim Benya for their past service.

SPECIAL DATES:

Birthdays 17 Carol Yoakum 12 Sue DeWalt 29 Russ Merckens

St. John History Happenings 1932 Martin Luther Brotherhood Officers were:

Edwin Webber- President

Raymond Merckens- Vice President

Edwin Miller- Treasurer

Harry Bookman- Secretary

Volunteers needed:

Counters for Sundays

Financial Secretary (for winter months)

Ham Loaves

St. John W.E.L.C.A. wishes to thank everyone who helped make our ham loaves. And a big thank you to everyone who purchased and en-joyed them. We still have some available. Please call Linda Merckens (419-798-5101) or Myra Prokop (419-798-5101) for additional loaves.

General Operating Fund: November

Receipts

$5,632.00

Expenses

$3,842.31

$1,789.69

Page 7

January 2014

St. Paul Lutheran Church “Messenger”

November 2014 budget highlights:

General fund- General Funds received- 11,595.11

General Funds spent- 9,291.06

Restricted Funds- Restricted Funds received- 2,221.25

Restricted Funds spent- 1,652.08

St. Paul December 11, 2014 Council Highlights.

-Treasurer’s Report shows a balance of $28,193.05 in the General Fund.

-Council moved to approve Internship Committee’s proposal to begin step one of application for an intern for 2015-2016, which would respond to Seminary that St. Paul is interested, with the stipulation that monies be in place before a final commitment for internship be made.

-Congregation will vote on the new constitution at the annual meeting scheduled for January 18, 2015, with reports due in office by January 4, 2015.

-Approved Seth French’s Eagle Scout project to build a shed at a cost of $1,499.00 for materials to be taken from Insurance claim for past storm damage.

-Transfer money from Heritage Fund to General Fund for Danbury Food Pantry.

-Need to schedule periodic carpet cleaning.

-WELCA reported receiving $1,318.00 from Thrivent Choice monies.

Annual Congregational Meeting- January 18. All reports due – January 4 .

***********************************

Let us remember in our prayers: Vince and Nancy Adams, Barb Agne, Barb Batcha, Mary Butchko, Ben Chapman, Delta Cooley, Gary Cover, Terry Davis, Rebecca Dress, Jean Fatiga, David Heinzl, Bill Hirt, Steve Hosko, Terry Jaek, Ruth Keller, Delores Mahler, Kathy Stine, Sarah Tanner, Tina Wadsworth, Gordon Wahlers, Jerry Weichman. We pray for family and friends in the armed forces

Bernard W. Dubbert passed away on December 14th. His funeral was held on December 20th at the Groff Funeral Home in Sandusky. May God comfort all who mourn his passing.

St. Paul Lutheran Church Messenger

St. Paul Women of the Church:

Our regular meeting and Bible Study will be January 15th at 1:00 pm.

We will use the Bible study in the December “Gather” magazine.

The January Project contributions are: peanut butter and jelly, and cloth diapers and pins, bath size towels

Altar Guild:

Our Annual meeting will be January 10th at 8:30 am. We will clean up Christmas decorations also.

Offering Envelopes for 2015

Your new offering envelopes for 2015 are available. We ask that you pick up for all your family members and any one you can deliver them to. If you didn’t get Offering Envelopes or there was a mistake, please contact Beth Lambert.

Also, please watch for your giving statements later in January.

St. Paul New Constitution Draft Proposal is available in the office or from an usher on Sun-day mornings. Members are encouraged to read it and direct any thoughts or questions to Tim Mackey. The constitution will be up for congre-gational vote on January 18th at the annual con-gregational meeting following worship.

Wedding Anniversary

7 Dave and Jan Hirt

12 Edward and Lori Urban

27 Harold and Ruthe Flewelling

Baptismal Anniversary

2 Cleo Bodi

6 Matt Batcha

9 Lisa Monak, Sophia Glovinsky

10 Abram Sandvick

11 Rob Wadsworth

13 Matthew Mangan, Dakota Goon

16 Alexandria Pahl, Tracie Pahl

18 Jean Rhodes

19 Adam Steinbrick

21 Charleigh Steinbrick, Trudi Steinbrick

22 Celena Coles, Marian Hirt, Julie McDonald

26 Dillon Ringeisen

28 Tammie Boss

30 James Warren, Seth French

31 Tim Mackey

St. Paul January Special Dates

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1 Jim Kovach, Sandra Lambert, Valo Lewis

2 Jo Anne Meyer

4 Mary Arquette

6 Garie Richards, Gary Mackey

7 Donna Bergman, Janet Kimerline

8 Nicole Meier, Portland Scott

9 Robert Glovinsky

10 Lee French

12 Allen Lambert

13 Christine Priddy

14 Sharon Salyers, Julie McDonald

15 James Pahl, Terry Davis, Natalie Lambert

16 Seth French

19 Tony Wadsworth

20 Kaydence Bowman

21 Andrea Tibbels, Samuel Kuenzer

22 Ginny Kihlken

23 Thomas Steinbrick, Austin Walker

25 Joanne Stobie

26 Leighanna Bartzen

27 Steve Young, Izabella Hall

29 Harold Flewelling

30 Rebecca Meier

Following is a report on the November Chicken Dinner:

Income 347 tickets @ $9 – 3123.00 Expenses Bar-B-Que Traveler 1239.00

6 tickets @9- 54.00 Bassetts 5.88

Donations- 260.25 GFS rolls 72.32

Total 3437.25 GFS groceries 122.11

GFS groceries 308.60

3437.25 GFS paper products 123.22

-1871.13 Total 1871.13

1566.12 Profit

The officers and council members for 2015 are: Tim Mackey president, Matt Seamon vice-president, Tammy Davis secretary, Callie Kihlken treasurer, Beth Lambert financial secretary, Chrissy French Sunday School Superintendent, Crystal Chapman, Fran Chapman, Jim Deer, Seth French, Kirk Gangl, Shirley LaCumsky, Allen Lambert, Charles Scott. For Joint Parish Board, we welcome Betsy Deer.

We wish to thank out-going members for their service – Terry Davis and Dee Warren.

From Joint Parish Board , we thank outgoing members—Crystal Chapman and Nancy Kihlken

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Mutual Ministries

Mission Statement

Using the energy of the Super Bowl to mobilize youth in a united national effort to care for people in their local communities who are hungry and those in need.

Vision Statement

Transform the time around the Super Bowl into the nation's largest celebration of giving and serving. We believe: The idea for Souper Bowl of Caring is a gift from God

Young people have the ability to serve and should be given opportunities to lead their communities in helping others

Every dollar collected through Souper Bowl of Caring should be donated directly to a charity selected by each participating group

People of all backgrounds and beliefs can work together

Hunger and poverty have a negative impact on individuals and the communities in which they live, yet there is joy in serving and giving to those in need

The excitement and energy surrounding the Super Bowl can be used to engage young people in service while producing lasting hope for all people

Jan. 4 Jan. 11 Jan. 18 Jan. 25

Greeters Mason French Linda Dubbert Norma Kihlken Shirley LaCumsky

Lectors Seth French Jim Deer Helen Stines Vicky Doski

Ushers Hayley Doski Shirley LaCumsky Helen Stines Shirley LaCumsky

Vicky Doski Jack Easton Janet Strauss Janet Strauss

Brendon Mullins Betty Kovach Bob Strauss Bob Strauss

Acolytes Natalie Lambert Daniel Lambert Mason French Larisa Kerik

Kenneth Kerik Maddie Harris Erik Wadsworth Nick Bossetti

Hospitality lunch

Bulletins Sandy Reep

Steeple Lighting Sandy Reep

Perpetual Light Sandy Reep

Assisting Minster Tammy Davis

Altar Guild Trish Ahrens, Betsy Deer

Counters Tammy Davis, Fran Chapman

Super Bowl Sunday is February 1st.

Watch for the soup pots for the collection for the Dan-bury Food Pantry after worship at both services!