Snow Kidding: Planning for the Months Ahead
Snow on Halloween? You must be kidding! Five months of winter weather ahead, and we’re just getting started!
Oh well, if you need a small dose of good news, consider this: We return to Eastern Standard Time this weekend, which means you will get an extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour before you head to bed on Saturday evening. (We won’t mention the long winter nights that follow)!
This week’s Nutshell is less about inspiration and more about information, so as we prepare for the next two months, here are some items and events about which you may want to be aware…
Celebration-of-Life: A Celebration-of-Life Service for our beloved brother, Pete Bunt, will be held tomorrow (Nov. 2) at 12 noon at Oak Chapel. Calling hours will begin at 11 a.m. We invite all of you to pay your respects while providing support for Natalie and her family.
All-Saints Sunday: We will celebrate the lives of those we lost in the past year this Sunday (Nov. 5). If you would like us to lift up a lost loved one, please let Pastor John know (330-988-2577) by this Friday. So far, we have the following names: Ewing Giffin, Roger Martin, John Hower, Helen Henshaw, Marilyn Meigs, Robert Beckler, Bill Feldman, and Pete Bunt.
Welcome Home: Evelyn Silver will be coming home sometime this week so that she can rest in Hospice and Palliative care with her family by her side. If you would like to visit her, you can coordinate that by texting her daughter, Penny, at 419-651-9559.
Bible Studies: Our Monday morning Bible study continues at 9:30 a.m. in the Gathering Grounds. All our welcome as we study the origin of life in the Book of Genesis. There is also a Bible Study at The College of Wooster on Thursday evenings at about 7 p.m. All are welcome to join us for that study as well.
Membership Care: Our Membership Care Team will meet on Monday (Nov. 6) to make plans for reaching out to those in our congregation who may be homebound and could benefit from a visit as we approach the Christmas season. If you would like to be part of this endeavor, please contact Rosie Troutman.
Candy Making: Our Monday night candy-making sessions continue this month. Join us for the fun and frivolity each Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Prayer Service: Join us on Monday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m. at Oak Chapel as we gather to pray for peace in Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, and elsewhere around the world, including our own country. All are welcome as we yield to God’s divine power to bring calm to all areas of our world where violence and bloodshed persist.
Tis the Season: Circle Sunday, Nov. 26, on your calendar and plan to join us after our worship service as we decorate the church for the Christmas season.
Advent Bible Study: Oak Chapel will host a Wednesday evening Bible Study during Advent (Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20) at 6 p.m. Join us for all four sessions, or whenever you can make it. There is a theme to the series, but each session is self-contained. In other words, you don’t have to commit to all four sessions. We’re also hoping to offer a light supper of soup and bread each evening. If anyone is moved to help with that preparation, please let us know.
New Members: We are planning to welcome new members on Sunday, Dec. 9. If you have been attending and would like to join our church, or if you simply would like to affirm your affiliation, just let Pastor John know, and we will welcome you on that day.
Blue Christmas: If you have lost a loved one during the past year (or many years ago), you are welcome to participate in a Blue Christmas service at Wooster United Methodist Church on Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m.
A Savior is Born: We will hold a worship service at the regular time on Sunday, Dec. 24 at 10:30 a.m. and then return to celebrate Christmas at 7:30 p.m. that evening. Please plan to join us.
Music Fills the Air: We are also planning a Christmas music event sometime in December. Stay tuned for further details.
Whew! That was a lot to digest. Even as your pastor, I did not realize how busy we are, but we know that we are an active, vibrant church, and we could not carry out our mission without each of you. May God continue to bless you as you have blessed us.