From First Congregational Church

SEPTEMBER 2019

The Spire

Office Hours Monday—Friday

9:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m.

We don’t think

for you—

We care for you.

Senior Minister: Bruce Haapalainen

Director of Children & Youth Ministries: Sarah Ramos

Administrative Assistant: Dee Vail

Financial Secretary: Kim Stover

Music Director: Dirk Eachus

Maintenance Services: Jon Hall

Custodial Services: Larry Scott

Moderator: Joyce Adair

To FCC

Wednesday, September 4

5:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal Resumes

6:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, September 8

9:15 am Adult Study Resumes (details inside)

10:30 am Youth Programming Resumes

11:30 am Kick-Off Luncheon

Monday, September 9

10:00 am Monday AM Bible Study Resumes

Tuesday, September 10

3:00 pm Balance Class Resumes

7:00 pm Ladies’ G.I.G. Resumes

7:00 pm Men’s G.I.G. Resumes

Sunday, September 15

11:30 am Congregational Meeting

Sunday, September 22

10:30 am Hemlock Trails Worship Service/Lunch

Bruce’s Blog Running TO God

I’m writing this just a few days short of one month since Ian’s death. Wow! In some ways it’s still way too fresh

while in others, we feel like we’ve been carrying this burden around for at least a decade. My Grandma Jackson

always said, “If it doesn’t make you bitter, it will make you better.” At this moment every second is a wrestling

match to put bitter down. So far, even marginally, better is not in the picture. But bitter’s not winning either. As

with all life moments, I’ve learned a few things. Here are some of them:

1. You Probably Don’t Know How to Treat Me Right Now. Dee says people don’t want to pretend things are all ok,

but they don’t want to force me to re-live things over and over either. The simple fact is you don’t know how to

treat me because I have no idea as to how I want/need to be treated. Days with cards in the mail are hard. A day

without cards is hard too. Let’s just work on this together.

2. Sometimes Memories of Ian Come “Sneaking Out of My Eyes and Roll Down My Cheeks.” When he was little

Ian never wanted his tears to be wiped off. He’d say, “They’re mine, I want to keep them.” I don’t want to wipe

them off either. If I tear up at a weird time, let’s just keep moving on. I don’t want to ignore them or make you

focus on them either.

3. It’s Not Just Kids That Say the Darndest Things! For many years now I have counselled families in grief that at

times like this people can say the dumbest and darndest things. We do that because we have the right to remain

silent, but don’t take it. I tell families to try and remember people show up because they care and because they

want to do/say something when there is nothing to be done or said. Your contact with us has resulted in some of

the kindest and goofiest things anyone has ever said. But your love and caring have always been front and center.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4. Running TO God is Better Than Running FROM God. So much of life, especially the Christian life is paradoxical

and counterintuitive. While assuming the fetal position on the bed is often my first choice it is rarely the best

choice and NEVER a good long-term choice. Praying is harder but more beneficial when it is wrenching and honest

and inarticulate. Someone asked me if I thought I would have trouble ministering while angry with God. I’m not

angry with God. I have plenty of anger at lots of things, but not with God. A consequence of existence is the

presence of suffering. I have always taught that. Now I am going to figure out what being profoundly faced with it

means.

5. We Are Committed to Moving Forward Not Moving On! Whether we want to or not, it doesn’t seem humanly

possible to move on from grief and loss. Even if we could, that would also mean moving away from memories and

the gift of shared life. To me, moving forward is about going into the future and taking the grief with you. It is now

a part of who we are. And yes, Grandma J, I will not let it make me bitter. Better seems a long way off. Getting

there will require help and support.

Thanks for reading.

Upcoming Messages Sept. 08 Be Your Attitude Matt. 5:1-10

Sept. 15 Poor in Spirit Matt. 5:3

Sept. 22 Those Who Mourn Matt. 5:4

Sept. 29 Meek Matt. 5:5

Official Notice

Congregational Meeting

Sunday, September 15, 2019 Immediately following the 10:30 Worship Service, the First Congregational

Church will hold a Congregational Meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to approve the

2020 Proposed Church Operating Budget. The meeting will take place in the Sanctuary. For

those with small children, babysitting will be provided.

GIG’s Resume Ladies’ GIG resumes at 7 pm on Tuesday, September 10, in the Parlor with Lysa Terkeurst’s It’s Not Supposed to be This Way. The focus of this 6 week study is finding unexpected strength as we wrestle between our faith and our feelings when disappointments leave us shattered. Non-members are warmly welcome. Workbook required. Contact Melissa Barkett, 614.309.2736, if you have any questions. Men’s GIG: The GIG (Guys Investigating God) group will resume meeting on September 10 @ 7 pm in the church library. We will be studying The Power of Myth by Bill Moyers. One definition of myth is, “a widely held but false belief or idea.” Instead, we will be using the definition, “a traditional story, explaining natural or social phenomenon involving the super-natural.” Expect lively discussion of a fascinating topic. We hope to see you on the 10th. If you have questions, please contact Rev. Bruce.

Be In-SPIRED! You will Be In-SPIRED! Join us for social time (noon) and lunch (12:15 pm). Please make your reservation at the church office or on Sunday morning. Guests are welcome! Cost: $8.

Thursday, September 26: Jon Bentley, ceramic engineer and retired plant manager of Homer Laughlin China Co., Newell, WV, best known for creating Fiesta Ware.

Thursday, October 24: Fred Hendricks will be sharing information on the emergence of Anabaptists (includes but not limited to Amish and Mennonite) and their establishment in America, as well as, an overview of the Amish and some of their customs.

Thursday, December 5: Something festive: Musical ensemble, Mansfield Senior High, coordinated by Dirk Eachus, Career Tech Performing Arts at Mansfield Senior and choir director here at First Congregational.

Thursday, March 26, 2020: Dr. Dawn Kitchen, Anthropology professor, M-OSU will share her expertise and experiences with primates in Africa.

Thursday, April 23, 2020: Memories and anecdotes as told to Tom Goldsmith by his grandfather, Frank Goldsmith, a Titanic survivor.

Five opportunities to meet new friends, socialize with long-time friends and enjoy an interesting afternoon. Mark your calendar and join us to Be In-SPIRED!

2019 Spire

Publication Deadlines

Issue Deadline

October September 16

November October 21

December November 18

When: Monday, Sept. 9, 1:00 pm

Book: Educated by Westover

When: Monday, Oct. 14, 1:00 pm

Book: Little Fires Everywhere by Ng

Mums’ the Word! The Youth will be selling mums beginning Sunday, September 8. The cost is $8 each or 2/$15. All orders must be placed by September 29. Flowers will be available for pick-up on Sunday, October 6. Proceeds from the sale will benefit NAPF 2020.

FCC Soaring Social Group Friday, September 6: Lunch at the Victorian Miss Molly’s Tea Room and gift shop in Medina. This is a charming spot to visit and caters to men and women. We will leave Tower Lakes parking lot at 11:00 am. Your reservation is needed by Tuesday, September 3. Monday, September 23: Let’s go wild, yes, to The Wilds Exotic Animal Preserve in Cumberland, Ohio. The safari tour among the animals is a wonderful experience. We will have lunch at the visitors center and return to Mansfield by late afternoon. (Weather permitting.) We’ll be departing Tower Lakes parking lot promptly at 8:30 am. Please make your reservation by September 16.

We look forward to you joining us on these fun trips. Do remember that singles and couples are welcome as are your friends. For any questions, transportation and reservations, call Lucy Amsbaugh, 419.756.6871.

Sunday Christian Study Group

Meets 9:15 am to 10:15 am in the conference room located in the business hallway. It begins September 8 and goes until June 2020. All sessions are stand alone so you can pop in or out as your schedule dictates.

We’re excited to be able to learn more about The Dead Sea Scrolls. If you have been intrigued by the snippets of information regarding the finding and content of these scrolls, now is your opportunity to learn more. We hope you can join us as we enhance our understanding of the early beginnings of our Christian faith. After viewing a DVD we will have time for discussion. Bring coffee if you like. We’re looking forward to seeing you!

Balance Training Class WHEN: Tuesdays, September 10 - October 29

TIME: 3:00 - 3:45 pm

WHERE: Blymyer Hall

Please call or email Dee in the church office by Wednesday, September 4, to indicate your plan to attend. We need 10 or more participants in order to proceed. Bring a friend!

Who benefits from balance training? Anyone and everyone. Come join us!

Email Prayer Chain Prayer is a powerful source of communication with God, and it is available to each of us at any time. The email Prayer Chain is one opportunity for us to pray for our church members, friends and families.

If you are not a member of this prayer chain already, and would like to be, please simply send your email address (this information will be kept confidential) to Dee in the office at dee@mansfieldfcc.com, or to Bruce at bruce@mansfieldfcc.com, or to Sally Henderson at congregationprayerchain@gmail.com and you will be notified via email of a need that someone has for prayers. All we ask is that you pray for that person/family. If you would like to request prayers for yourself, a friend, or a family member, you may use those same three addresses. Thank you for your involvement in this ministry.

Book Club with Kathleen Peterson This fall, I will be offering a book discussion , through FCC, on my first book, One Woman’s Journey: From Abuse to Empowerment. The book may be ordered from Amazon for $9.99 or through me for a discount off the retail. The class will meet on Tuesdays beginning October 1, at my home from 7-8:30 pm through the month of October. Please call me at 567.307.5248 to make a reservation. Seating is limited. Dress comfortably (because I will be!) You may park your cars in our driveway on the east side of the house. The lights will be on!

Thank you for helping with VBS - Our FCC family & friends had a wonderful time!

Decorations: Marlene Bisel & Carol Hall Dinner & Snacks: Marlene Bisel, Carol O’Mara, Paul & Lana Robinson Teachers: Christina Bruun-Horrigan, Jennifer Volz, Wendy Mullins, Emily Smith, Todd & Barb Wise, and Kristen Rickel Crew Leaders: Kevin Horrigan, Kate Peresie, Beth Hutchison, and Ruthie Good Teen Helpers: Ashtyn Rickel, Sarah Nelson, Rachel Nelson, Audrey Nelson, Laila Ramos and Mackenzie Mullins

Thank you to Church Life for putting together the VBS Sunday Ice Cream Social!

Celebrate Our FCC Third Graders! Sunday, October 22, we will present Bibles to our 3rd Graders during the 10:30 Worship Service. If you know of any third graders within our FCC family, who have not been contacted by Sarah, please call the church office so we can include them on the 22nd.

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A Special Thank You Thank you so much to all of you who

helped us by donating food, food related

items and money for our VBS CAVE QUEST

CAFÉ. We fed lots of families for dinner

each night and also hungry VBS kids for the

Bible related snacks. I appreciate your kind

generosity. You helped make this VBS a

success. ~Marlene Bisel

Hemlock Trails Worship/Lunch As we look forward to fall, one of our big events is the annual service/lunch at Hemlock Trails.

It is scheduled for Sunday, September 22, at 10:30 am with lunch to follow. The setting and

time of year makes this outdoor service very special. Church Life will provide: meat, table

service (plates, napkins, silverware, cups, etc.) and beverages. Those of you with last names

beginning with A-F are asked to bring a dessert; G-Z are asked to provide a salad or side dish.

Be sure you allow for 10-12 servings of whatever you are asked to provide. You may also want

to bring a lawn chair. The chapel service will be held as usual at 8:30 here at the church.

IN CASE OF RAIN, THE SERVICE/LUNCH WILL BE HELD AT THE CHURCH

Blood Pressure Checks!!! September 08 October 13 November 10

Blood Pressure checks are available in the Business Hallway.

“The Hookers” Our needlework Small Group (aka “The

Hookers”) will resume meeting on

Thursdays at the church at 3:00 pm

beginning September 5. I will teach basic

crochet and hand embroidery, or bring a

project you’re currently working on and

join us. Or, feel free to just drop by for a

fun visit or chat! If you would like to start

an evening class or group please text Peggy

Harrison at 419.961.4651.

A Note from the Library Our Church Library would like to remind

you that when you return a completed

book, please do so at our church. We have

had calls to pick-up books from Lexington,

Ontario, Mansfield and Ashland Public

Libraries, which entails a visit to do so. All

of our books are stamped in four places

with AUNTY BRADFORD LIBRARY, FIRST

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, MANSFIELD,

OHIO. Thank you in advance for your help!

~Your Library Committee

Ask Tara About free

piano lessons!

FROM FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

The Spire

¬

HEMLOCK TRAILS

WORSHIP SERVICE/LUNCH

Sunday, September 22, 10:30 AM

In case of rain, the service/lunch

will be held at the church.

(see inside for complete details)

8:30 am Chapel Service will

be held as usual at the church.

THE SPIRE (UPSSS613-080) is

published monthly throughout

the year by the First Congrega-

tional Church, 640 Millsboro

Road, Mansfield, Ohio,

44903. Second class postage

paid at Mansfield, Ohio.

Subscription rate $25 per year.

POSTMASTER: Send address

changes to The Spire, First

Congregational Church, 640

Millsboro Road, Mansfield,

Ohio 44903

640 Millsboro Road, Mansfield, OH 44903 Phone 419.756.3046 Fax: 419.756.5834

www.mansfieldfcc.com