WOODLAWN TODAY
January / February 2012 Newsletter
Woodlawn UMC
1675 Hopley Avenue, Bucyrus, OH 44820
Office phone:419/562-1776, Office fax: 419/562-8629
Parsonage phone: 419/562-1326
Email: woodlawnoffice1675@yahoo.com
Website: www.bucyruswumc.com
From the desk of Pastor Jim Ellis…
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world…And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. Luke 2:1, 3-4
I am descended from William the Conqueror, who defeated the Saxons at Hastings in 1066, and became King of England. Not directly descended, but many of my Puritan and French ancestral lines can be traced back to William. Is that of any importance to you? Probably not. In practical terms, it is not of much value to me, and is mostly in the line of “food for thought.”
What would you think if I started to claim royal privileges because I am William’s descendant? Suppose I wrote to the Queen and complained about not receiving an invitation to THE WEDDING ? After all, family is family. Would you not find me just a little bit ODD?
Joseph was a descendant of King David. He was a direct descendant, but not a close one. Joseph lived about a thousand years after King David. Which is to say, he was about as closely related to David as I am to William the Conqueror. This man dragged his highly-pregnant wife over rough roads in the rain and snow whereupon she gave birth to her firstborn in a barn because there was no room in the inn. Why? Because Joseph was of the house and lineage of David, and the Romans were taking a census, and David was originally from Bethlehem, so there you go. The Romans did not care whether Joseph registered in Bethlehem or Nazareth, that was Joseph’s choice.
Do you think the people of Nazareth might have found Joseph Son of David a trifle odd? But sometimes, what people find odd in others is a treasure to God. Joseph treasured his Davidic heritage. He knew that the Messiah would come from the line of David. He believed the scripture which said the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. He knew Mary carried the Messiah in her womb. I am certain he also knew he looked like an oddball to the general public. It didn’t matter. Joseph was determined to do the will of the Lord.
Joseph was an oddball for Jesus’ sake. Are you willing to be odd for God? The Lord might call you to do things which do not fit into society’s norms, things which look odd to your neighbors, things which are not commonsense. Maybe he will call you to leave your career and go into ministry. Possibly he might ask you to sacrifice something precious for his glory. He might tell you to wait and pray instead of trusting your mind and hands to get things done. God’s servants are frequently called to do the illogical. If he does, remember, Joseph Son of David, oddball for God, father to the King.
Have a Merry Christmas,
Pastor Jim
Music Department News…
“Sounds of Praise”
2011 is coming to a close, and 2012 is just around the corner. Where does the time go? The older I get the quicker time seems to fly by. The children that were just babies are now in the sixth and seventh grades. When and how does this happen? One of my Daddy’s Girls is in her second year of college. It was just a little while ago she was in the third grade! Wow! Strange but true.
God has been so good to the fellowship at Woodlawn UMC. We have so many wonderful singers and musicians of all ages. Thank you, God, for your blessings you have given us. I’m so thankful for our adult ministers of music to the youngest musician who is just starting out as the littlest angel. Thank you, God, for all the children who have participated in many of our musicals to the newest children who just participated in their first Christmas musical at Woodlawn. You are all so beautiful to me. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is almost here, and I’m so excited to share the evening celebration and the next day with you. By the time you read this, all our services for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be in the past, and January starts the New Year!
Soon you will be hearing the beating of drums by Cole Heinlen. He along with his brother, Carson, is really doing a fine job on the drums. Thanks to a great instructor, Trent Cornell. Piano lessons are still going strong, and we are looking good for a near future with these young musicians. Thank you to the Woodlawn Congregation for the investment you have taken in their development of music.
On Sunday, January 22, at 3pm, we will be having Chuck Crane again blessing us with his wonderful voice in song. Thank you to Dorothy Haas for her connections in getting Chuck to come again to Woodlawn. This is something great to look forward to in the cold month of January.
Thank you all (children, hand bell choir, adult choir, our organists, our soloists, praise team, and praise band) for a wonderful and beautiful year and looking forward to an even better 2012. Keep doing your best for the Lord, our heavenly father, and the blessings will flow.
May all of you have a safe and blessed New Year.
Always With A Song,
Samantha
News from United Methodist Women…
Did everyone have a Merry Christmas? Hope you are ready for the New Year. Years ago at the old church on the corner of Woodlawn and East streets, every first Sunday of the New Year we sang “Another Year is Dawning.” This is not one of my favorite hymns, and I am not sure exactly why. It is a little sad to think how fast time passes by. I do remember one line that is something like this “on earth or else in heaven another year with Thee.” That is a good thought.
The UMW ladies have a calendar full of projects and programs for 2012. An on-going project is the DUDS – Donate Underwear, Diapers, and Socks. There is a box in the entryway for donations. If you do not wish to shop, you can place money in an envelope, mark it DUDS, and drop it in the offering. Nancy Gillenwater does a great job of finding bargains. When I take the items to “Help Me Grow,” they are very happy to receive them. Thanks for all your support in the past.
Our schedule for January is: Executive Committee meeting Wednesday, January 4, 9am, at the church. Tuesday, January 10, Esther Circle meeting at Gus’s at 5pm for dinner then back to the church for the meeting. Wednesday, January 18, Rebekah Circle meeting at Gus’s at 9am. We will serve a Lion Zone dinner on Monday, January 16. If you are able to help call Ellie or Joan.
Wednesday, February 15, 9am at the church for Prayer and Self Denial. This is a joint meeting. Rebekah Circle is in charge of the program, and Esther Circle will serve as the hostess. February is also blanket month so bring your pennies. Anyone is welcome at the meetings. Have a blessed New Year, and thanks again for all your help with our mission work.
Joan Dilley, Unit Pres.
Membership News…
The Woodlawn Congregation extends their sympathy to Ralph Tomlin and Family
on the passing of Sue. Sue passed away November 25, 2011.
Congratulations to Tyler and Kerri Pope on the birth of their son, Kellen Tyler,
who was born on December 6, 2011.
There are several openings for altar flowers during the 2012 year.
Please see the 2012 Altar Flower list in the entranceway and contact either Sandy Young
or the church office if you are interested in giving altar flowers during 2012.
Women’s Bible Study will resume on Tuesday, January 10, 2012,
at 7pm, at Carol Van Meter’s home.
Our Prayers:
Home: The Auchard Family, Bud Miller, Paul Miller,
and Thelma Mutchler
Altercare: Norm Kisor, Nina Luzader, Stacy Shoemaker,
and Geraldine Smithpeters
Carlisle House: Evelyn Kieffer and Lucille Stetzer
Magnolia Terrace,
Galion: Esther Holtshouse
Maplecrest: Miriam Fauser
Orchard Park: Fae Outhwaite
News from Missions…
The November mission offering for the Bucyrus Red Cross raised $339.00.
The December mission offering for Flat Rock Children’s Home totaled $350.00.
The 2012 Mission Offerings will be distributed as follows:
January Lighthouse Homeless Shelter
February Girl Scouts
March Together We Hurt, Together We Heal,
Rehab/Heroin Project
April Bucyrus Trouble Clinic / Salvation Army
May Bucyrus School Back Pack Program
June Camp Michael
July Lifeline Missions
August Flat Rock Children’s Home
September Open
October Open
November Bucyrus Salvation Army
December Bucyrus Red Cross
During the spring of 2012, we will try to have a church-wide mission project to Henderson Settlement.
During the months of October/November we will collect food for the Salvation Army. Also during October and November, we will collect items for the shoebox project.
The Mission Committee would like to have popcorn and drinks available to those who come to the lawn at Woodlawn UMC to watch the fireworks for the Fourth of July.
We will also participate in the Candlelight Christmas event in downtown Bucyrus in December by passing out cookies and hot chocolate.
Nancy Maples, Missions Chairperson
News from SPR Committee…
Greetings to the Woodlawn congregation! I hope everyone had a great Christmas season and are staying healthy and enjoying the winter season the best as possible.
Again on behalf of the SPR committee, I would like to thank everyone who shared their gifts with our staff at Woodlawn. All staff members have given so much back to Woodlawn, and it is really good that we, as a church, can give back to them.
For those who don't care for the cold and snow, spring is just around the corner, regardless of what the groundhog says! God's work is ongoing year round but seems to be at its best with the blooming of the flowers in the spring.
Until then, enjoy God's work every day.
Roger Weisenauer, SPR chairperson
Finance News…
Loan Balance from First Federal:
$67,500.00 as of 12/14/2011
Woodlawn Savings Account, First Federal:
Memorial/Undesignated: $49,845.33
Roof Fund: $ 976.09
Parsonage: $ 9,428.07
Hawkins’ Scholarship: $ 3,680.23
Music/Instrument/
Sound System Fund: $ 994.05
Total: $64,923.77
as of 12/8/11
The average attendance for October 2011 was 129.
The average general offering for October 2011 was $3,681.37.
The average attendance for November 2011 was 138.
The average general offering for November 2011 was $3,780.96.
Trustee News…
It’s been a busy year for the trustees with finishing the roof project in late October. There is a balance of $21,000 which was financed through Sherriff-Goslin Roofing at an interest rate of 3% for 24 months. This is currently 2-3% percent less interest than charged through a banking institution. If you can see fit to donate to reducing this debt in whatever amount you can afford, it would be greatly appreciated. Our monthly payment to Sherriff Goslin Roofing is $887.35.
We also had a new boiler installed the third week of October by Kinn Brothers. This was a done at a cost of $33,500. We have also checked prices to replace our old, drafty windows. The cost for new windows is $19,154. To finance the new boiler and new windows, we have taken out a loan at 5.25% interest for 15 years with First Federal and added these costs to the existing loan we had at First Federal for our Sanctuary Renovation Fund. The Sanctuary Loan had a balance of $13,210.53. When this amount was added to the new loan amount, the current balance of our new loan totals $67,500. The monthly payment for this loan will be $542.69. (Our existing Sanctuary Renovation Fund loan monthly payment was $546.00).
By replacing the boiler system and windows, we should see a considerable savings on our gas bills in the future. With the new boiler system, we have to learn how and when to adjust the thermostat.
The sound system needs attention such as a new main speaker, choir monitors, tuning of the general system, and some training to update our sound system personnel.
The back door out of the garage was replaced at the parsonage. This was donated by an individual and we say “thank you” to the donor.
We also thank Barbara Leuthold for the manger scene in the front outside of Woodlawn. Barbara donated this in memory of her husband, Chuck.
As this is my last year as a trustee, I can tell you that I think we have a nice church building and grounds. Everything is in good condition with all the updates that have been or will be done. We have been at this location going on 45 years. Our church parsonage is in relatively good condition as it is between 50-60 years old.
Being a trustee is a big responsibility and should not be taken lightly. The other 2 individuals going off trustees are Larry Young and Nancy Stover. New trustee members are Don Heinlen, Roger Haas, and Tyler Pope.
God Bless,
Don Striker, Trustee Chair
January Birthdays
4 Ray Heinlen
4 Pam Holtshouse
7 Mary Russell
8 Peg Lyon
8 Natalie Rossman
8 Brett Tieben
10 Heather Garrepy
11 Gary Hess
12 Dave Saxer
15 Tyler Pope
16 Martin Nolen
17 Don Heinlen
18 Mark Gerger
18 Linda Hess
18 Sandy Young
18 Ray Trash
19 Dorothy Blair
19 Alexandrea Tieben
20 Sandy Michener
20 Beth Smith
21 Laurie Reynolds
21 Bryant Sparks
23 Dorothy Haas
26 Ralph Lyon
27 Ethan Strouse
27 Lydia Strouse
27 Jacob Meeks
28 Karen Scott
28 Kit Rowlinson
No January Anniversaries
February Birthdays
6 Joe Kovach III
6 Joan Dilley
6 Teddie Skidmore
7 Ken Scott
10 Barbara Burkhardt
10 Thelma Hawkins
14 Kate Hardesty
14 Donna Kalb
15 Ben Ellis
16 Keith Blair
16 Nancy Motter
18 Chardonay Moser
19 Dan Snyder
22 Derek Weisenauer
28 Ed Kurek
February Anniversaries
8 Larry and Margie Guttenberg
14 Ray and Shelley Darnell
18 John and Dorothy Miller