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Rhonda’s Reflections

I am always grateful that we begin the month of November with All Saints Sunday, as we pause to remember those who have gone before us. The saints put us in our place. When they are living, they teach us how to live. The Bible’s definition of sainthood includes the living, and for my

part, I can name off a long and ever-lengthening list of those who have called me out when I lost sight of who I am, and comforted me when I lost sight of Whose I am.

And when we lose them to death, they remind us that our time to walk this earth is fleeting. Each ordinary moment is holy beyond measure, and the way we use the time we’ve been given is therefore an act of worship. Our mortality, and the eternity for which we long, remind us that we should never take ourselves more seriously than we take each other. Our opinions, no matter how fiercely we fight for them, will fade with us. The petty things that rob our attention and our resources will turn to dust. Witnessing the death of God’s own reminds us of what outlasts us – the love we have shown for one another and for God. In the final analysis, that is our legacy. Love is the thing that lasts.

On November 3, during our 10:30 a.m. worship service, we will name those members we have lost. But we will do so in the sure and certain hope that they aren’t really lost – instead, they are the ones who have been found. And we remember them so that, amidst the many forces that conspire to steal our hope, to distract us from what matters, we will remember who we finally are: the sons and daughters of the Living God.

Thanks be to God for all the saints, who from their labors rest. And may those of us who still have labors yet to fulfill meet every moment we’re given with humility, gratitude, and awe. Let

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us live in anticipation of the feast that awaits us and the great reunion that lies ahead.

See you Sunday. Rev. Rhonda Hainer rhainer@bright.net 563-210-3508

TIME CHANGE!! Don't forget to set your clock BACK one hour on November 3rd so you will get to church on time!!

Welcome to our newest members, Chad and Leslie Laman. Chad and Leslie joined the congregation on Reaffirmation of Faith on Sunday, October 27th. NOTE: If you are a guest, a new member, or you are interested in becoming a member, and have questions about membership at St. Paul’s UCC, email Rev. Rhonda at rhainer@bright.net.

ELEVATOR UPDATE: We continue to make progress with our new elevator construction. The City has approved our request to vacate the alley behind the building. In the next several weeks,

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Garmann/Miller will be sending out a request for quote to various contractors in the area, with an invitation to them to visit the church and ask any questions they might have. They plan to ask those interested in bidding to plan on starting construction next spring. Our pledge campaign to date has had responses from 37 of you and pledges and donations total approximately $26,000.00. We are hoping to have an exact idea of the costs after the contractors have looked at the project and submitted their bids. We will keep you informed when that happens. Thanks to all of you who are supporting this project.

Don’t forget to buy your quilt raffle tickets soon. $2.00 per ticket or 6 for $10.00. The drawing will be held on November 10 prior to the service. The quilt can be seen in the sanctuary.

Annually on the first Sunday in November we remember loved ones who have left us in the past year with our All Saints Celebration. On Sunday, November 6th, we will remember the saints of this church and the lives that have gone before us and cheer us on today with the reading of each name proceeded by the ringing of the church bell after each name is read.

Opportunities Available

Have you ever considered serving on the church Consistory or has it been a while since you served on Consistory? We are currently looking for new deacons and elders to serve three (3) year terms beginning in January 2020. It is a great way to get to know other members in the church. If you are interested, contact any current Consistory member. You can also contact the church office or Doug Spencer, Consistory President, if you are interested in serving your church on its governing board.

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BREAKING BREAD COMMUNITY MEAL

St. Paul’s offers a weekly free community meal, “Breaking Bread.” We serve meals from 4:30 to 6:00 pm on Thursdays (except the first Thursday of each month). The schedule for October will be:

November 14 November 21

NOTICE of Meal Schedule Change:

There will be NO MEAL Thursday, November 28 (Thanksgiving)

There will be NO MEALS in the month of December Breaking Bread Staff are taking a Holiday Break!

Please join us back here on January 9th! Thank you.

Do you shop at Gordon Foods? If so, much like the Kroger Rewards Program that the Women’s Guild has, Gordon Foods has a points system. This point system greatly helps with purchasing food for our Breaking Bread meals. The next time you shop at Gordon Foods, ask them to credit your points to St. Paul’s Account #002159887! A little bit goes a long way! Thank you!

SAVE THE DATES: December 13th and 14th will be the

Church Christmas play “Christmas Cards and Carols” an evening of revisiting the Christmas story with drama, music and much more music!

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Where am I? This mystery photographer has been on a walk thru the church and has captured many photos of things within the church. Round one of these photos is on display in the Elevette Room display case. Some things, if you’re never in that part of the church building, you’d never see them. Some things you see every day, but forget they are there. Over the next several months, the display case photos will change with new “where am I” photos. About a week before the pictures are changed to new pictures, the answers will be posted for the pictures that are in the display case. So, get your thinking cap on and see if you know where the pictures are located. Some pictures are full pictures and some are just a snippet of the picture. Enjoy!

WE NEED

TO PICK UP

OUR GAME!

Our goal is 2500 and our current TP count is ONLY 1820! Let’s get rolling and put the rolls in the Elevette Room. If you would like for me to purchase rolls for you, I can do this. Just give your donation to me or the office. I will be glad to help out. So, let’s just keep the paper rolling. Thank you for your past and present support of Agape projects. Jane Nuss.

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From Your Stewardship Committee:

“It’ A Wonderful Life”

Spiritual practice feeds that part of ourselves that is oriented toward serenity, harmony, truth, compassion, gratitude, love and joy. But these are not always words we use to describe the role of money in our lives. In the classic film, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a crisis of money creates vastly diverse reactions from several characters that can hold up a mirror to our own relationships with money. In this four-week series, we will “look” squarely in the face of our money issues in compassionate ways that can offer more depth of meaning, healing, and wholeness and a whole new “outlook” on what constitutes a wonderful life. Beginning on Sunday, Nov. 3rd at 10:30 join us for the four-week series “It’s A Wonder-Full Life.”

GIVING THANKS COMMUNITY MEAL

For the 20th consecutive year a group of Auglaize/Mercer County citizens will be providing food, fun and fellowship for members of our community on Thanksgiving Day. We call ourselves Giving Thanks.

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Our mission is to provide a dinner to any individual or family that would like to join us at no cost. The dinner is served family style with cloth table cloths by a group of volunteers. Carry-outs are also available to shut-ins from noon to 2p. We will again hold this event at St. Marys Memorial High School in the dining commons area from 11a to 2p.

In the past, the local churches have graciously helped us by providing desserts. We tend to run very low on desserts. We humbly ask for you to help again this year. Desserts can be dropped off on Wednesday, November 27th from 5p to-7p at St. Marys Memorial High School. If you have any questions, please call 419-305-2779.

HELP AGAPE STOCK THEIR PANTRY

FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON!

Turkeys, Turkey Breasts, Turkey Rolls or Smoked Turkeys

Hams

Broth

Butter

Cake Mixes or Brownie Mixes

Canned Potatoes or Canned Sweet Potatoes

Cranberries

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Dinner Rolls

Dressing or Stuffing

Egg Noodles

Gravy

Instant Potatoes

Jell O or Pudding Mixes

Pie Filling (Pumpkin, Apple, Cherry)

Salad Dressings & Salads

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Aluminum Can Recycling for the Youth Group

Thank you to everyone who is saving aluminum cans for the YOUTH GROUP. We will continue to save, collect, and recycle cans.

Cans need to be rinsed out and brought to St. Paul’s - just

leave them behind the curtain under the stairs of the Creation Station door. If you have a lot of cans and would like to just take them on to recycling and donate the money, it may be just as easy once they are in your vehicle. Thank you for your support.

November Birthdays!

3 – Isaac Wibbeler 10 – Braelyn Howell 13 – Aubrey Birt 13 – Alex Mauter 17 – Toby Yahl 20 – Ryen Chisholm

21 – Sophie Burden 21 – Presley Anderson 24 – Rhett Chisholm 25 – Oliver Daggerhart 27 – Zoey Briggs 28 – Karlie Lucas

PERFECT ATTENDANCE FOR SEPTEMBER 2019

NURSERY Rylee Dieringer Graham James Ellie Burden Lucy Klosterman Pre-School Zane Solomon Maya McDonald Kindergarten

5th Grade 6th Grade Riley Anderson Audra Clark 7th Grade Caleb Turner 8th Grade Cody Birt Rhett Chisholm

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Kali Rae Dieringer Presley Anderson Amelia Klosterman Toby Turner Arianna Ickes 1st Grade Sophie Burden Adelyn Clark Asher Craft 2nd Grade Henry Klosterman 3rd Grade Aubrey Birt Beckett Clark Nickales Dieringer Emily Turner 4th Grade Haley Anderson Lincoln James Vince Walter

Brynn Clark Kaylee Clausing Bradyn Dicke Sophie James Andrew Leffel Madison Milner Ashlie Nuss Brian Speckman Ray Walter Senior High Tyler Birt Brett Speckman Emma Birt Lindsey Clausing Lucy Spencer Leah Walter Tricia Yahl Kalie Gayer Meg Moeller

CHRISTIAN ED NEWS

The Sunday school is collecting Ball jar rings and lids and wooden clothespins with the spring for a future craft! If you have any laying around or if you are willing to buy new and donate, we would greatly appreciate it!! If you have any questions you can call Julie Speckman at (567) 303-8157!! Thanks in advance!! Missions – we will be collecting donations for the Splash

Pad that will be installed by the City of St. Marys until

October 27.

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Missions – November & December – we will be collecting

food items and or donations to be used the annual Break

Bags. More details will come out in the near future.

November Lessons:

o November 3 – David & Goliath

o November 10 – Daniel & the Lion’s Den

o November 17 – Jonah and the Whale

o November 24 – Thanksgiving

On November 20 there will be the Community Church

Service titled “Offer Gratitude” that will be held from 6:30-

7:30pm at the Union Hall in St. Marys. For this service they

are looking to put together a Community Children’s Choir –

looking for children from the Sunday school department,

ages Kindergarten to 6th grade, to participate in a combined

children’s choir from community churches. They will

perform the following songs, “Do Lord,” “This Little Light of

Mine,” “All Night, All Day,” and “We Thank Thee.” If you

are interested in participating in the community choir,

please let Kara or Julie know as we can practice on Sunday

mornings to prepare for this event.

December 15 – please mark your calendar for December 15

as this will be the Annual Christmas Program during church.

We are very excited about this program and look forward

to all the kids participating! We are always looking for the

kids to participate by playing instruments, piano, etc. – if

they have a hidden talent that they would like to share

please let us know!

Parents of Sunday School Aged Children – please note there

is a newly Sunday morning class that has been formed –

Adult Forum. During this forum they discuss different

topics every week. This is held in Heritage Hall from

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9:00am-10:15am – during this time you can enjoy adult

discussion and free coffee! Please make plans on joining!

Looking for the following items: if you are able to donate,

please drop off in the gathering room - they will be used

for a craft coming up in the near future!

o Canning Jar Rings

o Canning Jar Lids

o Small jingle bells

We are still in need of some teachers!! If you are interested in assisting with Sunday school for one Sunday a month - we would love to have you join us!!! Many hands make light

work!!

WOMEN’S NEWS

QUILTERS - meets on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to ??? in the sewing room. Questions? Call Margaret Hunter at 419-733-4332.

The St. Paul’s UCC Women’s Guild will be holding BINGO on the following date:

November 11, 2019 Otterbein 6:00-7:00 pm

December 9, 2019 Grand Lake Health 6:30-7:30 pm

January 13, 2020 Otterbein 6:00-7:00 pm

We are in need of BINGO helpers. Please call Janice Katterheinrich at (419) 394-3264 to let one of them know if you can help work the Bingo or if you can bring cookies.

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Dear Church family, I would like to send out a huge Thank You to everyone who helped make the Fall Harvest Meal – Craft/Bake Sale as big success. The Craft/Bake sale made a profit of $687.75. The meal made $2040.75. In which we have some bills to come out of this. Thank you all again for your love and support to our church. Jane Nuss, Karen James, Joyce Greenawalt, Neva Rowen and Pam Scheer

*~*~*~*~*~ Thank you to the ladies of Hannah Circle for their donations to the New Elevator Fund. Your circle may only have four members, but your hearts are big. New Elevator Committee

YARN is available again

this year for hats, scarves, and mittens for the "Giving Tree" this coming Christmas season. Yarn can be picked up in the old kitchen off of Heritage Hall. In addition, there is a need for afghans to keep someone warm.

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Dear church family, Thank you so much for all of your prayers for my brother, Ned, while he battled cancer. Also, thank you for the numerous condolences I received after he passed. Your thoughts and prayers meant so much to me. Blessings, Dorothy McMullen

*~*~*~*~*~ I would like to thank my church family and friends for all of the Get Well cards and prayers while I was in the hospital and recovering from my kidney cancer surgery. God bless you, Bob Schumacher

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CALL-EM-ALL - Please let the church office know if you are experiencing any problems with the Call-Em-All phone messages. Also, please contact the office if you would like to be removed from the calling list, or listen to the broadcast and at the end follow their directions to ‘opt out’ of any future broadcasts - this will remove your number from the calling list. Thank you! ‘BREAKING BREAD’ COMMUNITY DINNER - If you would like to make a financial contribution to help with costs for the weekly community dinner, these will be gratefully accepted. Donations can be placed in the Sunday offering plate or mailed to the church office. Please be sure to indicate your name on the envelope if you would like to receive credit on your giving statement. Contributions of #10 canned food are also accepted. FOR THE RECORD - INFORM US PLEASE!!

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If you will be going to the hospital or if someone you know is hospitalized, please call the church office and let us know. Please call the church office with address corrections or if you do not see your Birthday or Anniversary listed during the correct month. Call 419-394-3811. Thank you!! Cell phone # for Pastor Rhonda (563) 210-3508 rhainer@bright.net – Rev. Hainer’s e-mail address. smucc@bright.net - church e-mail address. Use this to e-mail articles for the newsletter/messages for the Sunday bulletin. christianed@bright.net - Christian Education and Youth Director email address. cschmidt@stpaulsuccsm.com to contact Carol Schmidt for the Email Prayer Team Requests. www.stpaulsuccsm.com - church web site address Televised worship service- our worship service here at St. Paul’s is shown on TSC cable - Digital channel 1 OR non-digital channel 2, every Sunday at 10:30 am and also on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm. There is a one week delay of the service shown.

STAFF OF ST. PAUL’S UCC: Rev. Rhonda Hainer, Supply Pastor

Carolyn Garrison, Administrative Assistant

Amy & Mark Dieringer, Youth Directors

Jim Huckemeyer, Interim Director of Music

Andrea Spencer, Organist

Ann Vogel, Organist

Cynthia Hanover, Pianist

Tom Hevlin, Organist Emeritus

Bob Schumacher, Custodian

Rich Spencer, Audio and Video

Carol Schmidt, Email Prayer Team Contact

Kara Birt/Julie Speckman, Interim Christian Ed

Coordinators

Julie Speckman, Church School Superintendent

Amy Keller, Confirmation Teacher

Kim Opperman, Nursery Supervisor

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Kroger Fund Raiser for the Women’s Guild – If you would like to support Women’s Guild with the Kroger fundraiser, log on to: www.krogercommunityrewards.com to sign up & register your

Kroger Plus card. TAKE NOTE: Our NEW NPO# is SK572. If

you do not use the internet, but would like to sign up, please contact Jane Nuss or Kris Vanderhorst. EYEGLASSES FOR THE NEEDY - collected by the church school classes. Donated glasses should be placed in the basket at the North entrance to the sanctuary. LIFT CHAIR is available for 'loan' to anyone in the church who might have a need for it. Please call the church office for more information. ATLAS 600 VISION MACHINE - to assist those who have vision problems with reading books, newspapers, prescription labels, writing personal checks or viewing family photographs - making this possible with video magnifiers. This item is currently unavailable. ANOTHER VISION MACHINE - to assist those who have vision problems with reading books, newspapers, prescription labels, writing personal checks or viewing family photographs - making this possible with video magnifiers. This item is currently available to church members on a “temporary” basis. If you are interested in checking out this machine, please contact the church office.

WALKERS - If you have need of a walker for assistance in getting around, please call the church office. One of our church members has several different type walkers, which are available for loan.

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RESTROOM ITEMS: If you have a need for shower chairs, toilet seat elevators and hand-held shower adapters, please call the church office. One of our church members has graciously donated a few of these items.

LAMINATOR - available in the church office. This is used by the Sunday School teachers for classroom projects and activities and by the office staff. We will also laminate items for church members for a fee of $1.00 per item (NOTE: maximum size we can laminate is 8 ½ x 11 inches). OFFERING ENVELOPES - are distributed by quarterly mailing. Please notify the church office if you are not receiving envelopes and would like to be added to this mailing list. Also......PLEASE NOTIFY THE CHURCH OFFICE IF YOU HAVE A CHANGE OF ADDRESS. COPIES - if you need copies made of any personal items, you may stop by the church office and we will be glad to make them for you. If it is a large project, it is best to call ahead. Cost for making copies for church members is 15 cents per copy if you use the office paper or 10 cents per copy if you bring your own paper. THE DVD/CD DUPLICATOR in the church office enables us to make multiple copies of the morning worship service. Please call the church office to request a copy. The charge for duplicating a DVD will be $2.00 each. Monthly sets of worship DVD’s can also be mailed at a cost of $10.00 per month. Call the church office for more information.

2019 CHURCH OFFICIALS

President of Congregation Mike Laird

Vice-president of Congregation Luke Leffel

President of Consistory Doug Spencer

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Vice-president of Consistory Ralph Heckler

2019 Members of Consistory Elders: Joyce Roth Jane Laird

Ralph Heckler Virginia Burroughs

Jane Nuss Marsha Landers

Deacons: Doug Spencer Jerry Lucas Karen James Jim Huckemeyer

Joel Tangeman Victor Long Carolyn Waesch Luke Leffel

Lynn Schmidt Melinda Silber

Lynda Hadley Kellie Kill Trustees: Bill Nuss, Greg Walter and Kyle Opperman

FINANCIAL REPORT September 2019: Current Fund: Budgeted through September 30, 2019 = $204,823.53 Received through September 30, 2019 = $159,554.03 Expenses through September 30, 2019 = $165,355.91 Received through September 30, 2018 = $169,006.77

Mission Fund: Budgeted through September 30, 2019 = $ 15,750.00 Received through September 30, 2019 = $ 9,106.00 Received through September 30, 2018 = $ 11,306.00

Status of 2019 Budget: Current Fund: Budgeted through October 31, 2019 = $227,581.70 Budgeted through October 13, 2019 = $216,203.53 Received through October 13, 2019 = $171,073.42

Mission Fund: Budgeted through October 31, 2019 = $ 17,500.00 Budgeted through October 13, 2019 = $ 16,625.00 Received through October 13, 2019 = $ 9,586.00

MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 9, 2019 CONSISTORY MEETING

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The regular meeting of St. Paul’s UCC Consistory was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by President Doug Spencer. Supply Pastor, Rhonda Hainer opened the meeting with inspirational words regarding All Saints Day and invited us to reflect on the people who have influenced our lives. She concluded in prayer. Present: Elders: Joyce Roth, Jane Laird, Marsha Landers, Jane Nuss, and Virginia Burroughs; Trustees: Kyle Opperman; Deacons: Doug Spencer, Jim Huckemeyer, Lynda Hadley, Jerry Lucas, Carol Waesch, Luke Leffel, Kelly Kill and Melinda Silber. Also present were, Treasurer, David Dickman, President of Personnel, Diane Gayer, Admin. Assistant Carolyn Garrison and Bob Schumacher. Christian Education and Nurture: Jane Laird

Sunday School kids will be singing on October 27th.

The kid’s mission through this month is still for the City Splash Pad.

Sunday School is still in need of teachers and subs. Minutes:

• Minutes of the September 11, 2019 meeting were reviewed. Lynda Hadley made a motion to approve the minutes. Kyle Opperman seconded. Motion carried.

Financial Report: David Dickman • David reviewed the Financial Report for the month

of September 2019. There were no questions. Financial report is to be filed for review by the church Administrative Assistant.

President's Report: No Report Pastor's Report: Rev. Rhonda Hainer

Community Thanksgiving Service to be held on 6:30 pm Wednesday, November20th at the Union Hall. They are seeking children and adults to sing.

All Saints Day, the first Sunday in November 3rd. A letter was sent out to the families of members who have died in this past year inviting them to worship on that day.

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The past few weeks there has been a bulletin insert inviting people to consider Legacy giving (In memory/honor of someone), listing the various funds thereby giving people a choice of designation for their contributions. More clarification is needed defining what each fund is used for and a new insert will be prepared specifying the purpose of each fund.

While on the subject of the various funds, Jim Huckemeyer had a question posed to him from Mark Dieringer regarding the Youth Event Fund. The Youth Group is requesting permission to use said funds for a Mission Trip next summer (Appalachian Service Project) rather than attend the National Youth Event. Jane Nuss made a motion to use the Youth Event Funds for the mission trip. Marsha Landers seconded. Motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Budget and Finance: David Dickman

Will review the 2020 Budget in Executive Session. Trustees: Kyle Opperman

We had our State inspection for the elevette and two chair lifts. All but the lift in the library passed. The Mellinger Company was called to fix the library lift and paperwork proving the lift has been repaired was submitted to the State.

The paperwork for the alley right-of-way has been signed.

Elders: Jane Laird

Jane noted that the decorated altar for World Communion Sunday was beautiful and thanked Pastor Rhonda for decorating it.

Pew Communion last Sunday went very well. Next communion is altar communion on November 3rd.

Deacons: Carol Waesch

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Carol requested that there be a slight change on the Attendance Cards. Instead of “Both Balconies” on the North entrance card, could we change the North entrance card to reflect “South Balcony” and the South entrance card add “North Balcony”. Carolyn spoke up and said that she was due to print more of those cards and will make the necessary changes.

Christian Mission and Outreach: No Report Personnel: Diane Gayer

Diane reported that Kim Opperman is the Nursery Supervisor and that Amy Dieringer and Kaylee Long will remain as subs. Lynda Hadley made a motion to accept these personnel changes. Jim Huckemeyer seconded. Motion carried.

Elevator Committee: Lynda Hadley

Lynda reviewed the dollar amount of the pledges/donations promised and/or paid thus far.

Garmann/Miller will be sending out quote packages to contractors soon.

The alley right-of-way paperwork with the City has been approved and we are good to go.

Stewardship: Doug Spencer

We are awaiting word on the grant/pilot project that Kevin Gehres submitted for consideration.

There will be a Stewardship meeting this next week.

Doug has been reading some Stewardship books suggested in the NWOA “The Vine”. Through his readings, it was suggested that we not have the financial figures/information printed on the back of our bulletin weekly. Marsha Landers made a motion to remove that information and go back to the information that we listed prior to the change. Virginia Burroughs seconded the motion. Motion carried.

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Also in Doug’s readings, was the suggestion that we continue with various missions through our Loose Offering. With this coming Sunday being the second Sunday of the month, Carolyn asked if we could designate The Matthew 25 fund (Ministerial Assn.) for the loose offering. Carol Waesch made a motion to accept The Matthew 25 Fund loose offering for this upcoming Sunday. Jane Laird seconded. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Ralph Heckler is out on vacation, and is to give us the update on the water bottles for visitors at the November meeting.

NEW BUSINESS: Marsha Landers

Marsha reported that the Search Committee has made an offer to Pastor Rhonda Hainer to be our settled pastor and Rhonda has accepted the offer. There will be a congregational meeting following worship on October 27th with an effective start date of November 1st. Kelly Kill made a motion to accept the Search Committee recommendation of Pastor Rhonda becoming our settled pastor. Kyle Opperman seconded the motion. Motion carried. Following a spirited and enthusiastic round of applause, Rhonda thanked everyone.

There being no further regular business, the meeting adjourned at 7:10 pm with a motion by Jane Nuss and seconded by Luke Leffel. Motion carried. Staff was dismissed and Consistory went into Executive Session. **Per President Doug, during the Executive Session, Jane Laird,

Jerry Lucas and Joyce Roth were three of five people nominated to the 2020 New Consistory Member

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Search Committee. Executive session adjourned at 7:49 pm.

Respectfully submitted, Doug Spencer, 2019 Consistory President Carolyn Garrison, Administrative Assistant

Deadline for articles, announcements, etc. for the December issue of The Communicator will be November 18th at 9 a.m.

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