the
FALLSGR
K
Dr. Mike Thomas
Senior Pastor
by Pastor Mike
www.fallscreekcc.org
Volume 15
July - September
2014
Over 2,000 years ago, the greatest war this
world has ever known took place; the battle
for the souls of men. It took place on the out"For ye are bought with a price" 1 Corinthians 6:20
skirts of Jerusalem on a hill called, Golgotha.
Someone has said, "America is still the land of opportunity." An Jesus Christ gave his life, paid the ultimate
immigrant came here broke eleven years ago and today he owes price and won the war against the Satan and
$181,000.
his soldiers of darkness. Jesus Christ's victory
set us free from the condemnation of our sin.
On July 4, 2014 we will once again celebrate our independence
The Apostle Paul said that we are bought
from England. All through the years thousands upon thousands
of men, women and children paid a tremendous price to maintain with a price. That price was none other than
our freedom. The United States is rightly called the home of the the life and blood of Jesus Christ.
free and the land of the brave. This is not a trite statement. From Let's not take lightly the price that was paid
the very beginning our brave young soldiers paid a price for our and is being paid for our physical freedom
freedom and continue to do so.
and the price that Jesus paid for our spiritual
freedom. Let freedom ring!
The Declaration of Independence is the usual name of a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776,
Austin Underwood,
which announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at
my grandson will be
war with Great Britain, regarded themselves as 13 newly indeserving at FallsCreek
pendent sovereign states, and no longer a part of the British
this
Summer as an
Empire. Instead they formed a new nation—the United States of
intern.
America.
Austin just concluded
The first and most famous signature of the Declaration was that
his freshman year at
of John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress. Two
future presidents, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, were
Colorado Christian
among the signatories. Edward Rutledge (age 26), was the
University located in
youngest signer, and Benjamin Franklin (age 70) was the oldest Denver, Colorado. God has called Austin into
signer.
full time Christian ministry.
In all, 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence. Of these During his internship at FallsCreek he will be
men 5 were captured by the British and tortured to death. Twelve ministering to the Jr. High teens, singing,
had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons durpreaching and anything else that will give
ing the war. Two had their sons captured. Nine fought and died
him experience in church ministry. He will
in the Revolutionary War. Many lost every worldly possession
also spend time with me as I mentor him
they had and died penniless.
with regard to pastoral ministry and church
All of the signers were men of means knowing they were signing policy.
their death warrant if captured by the British. Unwavering they
pledged, "For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance It is a real blessing to see the desire that
Austin has to serve God and the people of
on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge
FallsCreek.
to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
These men gave us America at a tremendous cost.
Pastor Thomas, a very proud grandfather!
The Price They Paid


FallsCreek Community Church 
149 Northmoreland Ave.  Munroe Falls, OH 44262 
(330) 686-1400 
His footsteps are your guidance, call Him The Way.
TEACHER
TALK
His majesty is your worship, call Him Mighty God.
by Gary Varner
His truth is your foundation, call Him Rock.
35
His presence is your delight, call Him Wonderful.
His will is your purpose, call Him Lord.
His kindness is your comfort, call Him Shepherd.
His promises are your hope, call Him Faithful.
As of June 7th, Diane and I have been married 35 years.
Numbers have meaning. I once associated the number 35
with Calvin Hill and Bo Scott, NFL running backs of my
youth. Today, religion and history have more meaning to
me than sports. Numbers are associated with things of
importance. Jesus's ministry was 3.5 years. I have been
married 10 times longer than that. Perspective.
His riches are your supply, call Him Provider.
In the Bible Discovery Class, we have been studying the
book of Luke. Luke and Matthew are the most complete
gospel narratives of Jesus's life. There are reoccurring
themes in both of these gospels. One of these themes, is
that the disciples, for the most part, do not really "get Jesus".
It is with a heavy heart
that I write about the
death of Bian Rae Bolls.
On Saturday, June 7th,
she met her Saviour face
to face and I’m sure she
heard the words, “Well
done thy good and faithful servant.” Although
only attending FallsCreek since April, she had
served at the Egg Hunt, the Easter Breakfast,
become involved with Heart 2 Heart and
Front-Runners and was scheduled to be in the
Father’s Day Lip-Sync contest. She was as
unique as her name; an amazing, caring, funny,
compassionate, generous, and loving person. She
will be greatly missed. Please pray for the God
of all comfort to bring peace to her son Mark,
the extended family, and her many friends.
While we were still newlyweds, Diane told me, " You know,
your family just doesn't get you." I replied, "I know, they love
me, but they don't get me". I think this is not unusual, in
reality, only a handful of people really get us. Jesus had his
12 disciples, of these he had an inner circle of 3. Of these,
Peter and John "got" Jesus. Of these two, I believe Peter got
Jesus the most. He recognizes Jesus as the Christ, before
anyone else does. Plus, he is so dedicated to Jesus. As I have
shared with the class, I believe Catholics get Peter more than
us Protestants do. We can't get past his shortcomings, Jesus
does. There is a deep relationship between Peter and Jesus.
They get each other.
Before I got married, I met with Lee Belleman, Diane's pastor,
for pre-marital counseling. One of the things I shared with
him, was that Diane was a good choice for a wife, because
religiously, she got me. This was necessary, because my
faith is integral to who I am.
On our first date, Diane and I had viewed the movie "Heaven
Can Wait". I find this very ironic. If you don't get that --it's
OK. Diane does.
See you in Class,
Gary
His fellowship is your reward, call Him Life.
His authority is your confidence, call Him King.
His return is your hope, call Him Omega.
His heart is your home, call Him Love.
His steadfast love is forever, call Him Eternal.
10th
Cailey Lear
Giavonna Patti
Vincent Patti
15th
Mary Bernstein
19th
Jared Stanley
July
2nd
Mike Lutey
28th Suzanne Gay
Shary White
Nancy Hughes
Randal Leiby
5th
Erik Lowe
13th
Ava Turner
15th
Jeniece Schering
18th
Billy Burch
Betty Criss
20th
Kelly Leiby
21st
Justin Raper
25th
Angelina Burks
Michelle Carroll
20th Donna Peters
24th Judy Collins
28th Diana Anderson
29th Flo Haas
Raina Leiby
Tessa Stein
Makhayla White
27th
Geraldine Carder
28th
Allison Scott
29th
Braden Stanley
30th
Jason Naylor
August
31st
Lee Ann Burks
September
1st
Ken Schering
4th
Charlotte Burns
Bonnie Saylor
7th
Nathan Stanley
9th
Tamara Strebler
10th
Jacob Gilbert
11th
Jeffrey Israel
12th
Debara Collins
14th
Travis Campbell
18th
Stephen Pemberton
22nd Rachel Gay
1st
Sadie Lenc
3rd
Madisyn Broyles
9th
Nancy Scott
10th
Andrea Bigger
Coming this Fall
John Miller
Aiden O’Brien
26th
27th Karen Chaney
Lindsay Raper
25th Sharon Redd
26th Erin Sadler
Diane Varner
Dave Ramsey’s FINANCIAL
PEACE UNIVERSITY is a
biblically based curriculum that
teaches God’s people how to
handle money God’s ways.
Learn how to get out of debt
and build wealth!
Ken Marana will be leading the
class. Dates and more information
will be announced shortly.
Madison Elizabeth Raper
“Trust in the LORD with all
your heart and lean not on
your own understanding; in
all your ways acknowledge
him, and he will make your
paths straight.” Prov. 3:5-6
Congratulations
to our wonderful
graduates!
Erin Lee Sadler
Erin graduated from Stow–Munroe Falls High
School, where she was a star member of the
Stow Lady Bulldogs Softball team. She will be
attending Kent State University majoring in nursing. After
graduating she plans to work as an RN in a hospital.
Maegan Lynne Terry
Maegan graduated from Rootstown,
High School. She will be continuing
her education at Kent State University where she
plans to get her Bachelor's degree in Business
Management with a minor in Human Resources.
This will allow her to enter law school. Her desire
is to be a corporate attorney.
...that Betty Likovetz is being released only 35 days after her
transplant- two months early! The doctor said she is too healthy
to be at Hope Lodge...that Psalm 68:35 says “You, God,
are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives
power and strength to his people. Praise be to God! ...
that vacation time is here! Karen Mason was able to spend
a week with Steven, Mary and beautiful Kylee.; and Mickey Knight enjoyed Afton and adorable
Avery for a week ...that Wayne and Rita Anderson are in Germany for six weeks of spoiling
the family...that Starbucks will lose one of its best customers during this time. haha ...that
Linda Reynolds traveled to Tennessee ...that Becky Barncord visited Elvis Presley’s home–
Graceland ...that Randy, Cindy and Maegan Terry relaxed in the sun in St. Thomas ...that
Candy Grubb is an expert on Mt. Rushmore. After spending a week there with her sister-in-law
Candy, Chuck, Steve and Ytha Chaney are taking a two week motorcycle adventure traveling
there ...that out of the mouths of babes interesting things are often said ...that Gracie,
seeing Dan Campbell in a white coat said, “Are you a doctor?” and when talking with her
neighbor said, “You should come to our church. Our pastor is ADORABLE!”...that Barb Brunk’s
grandson, Caden said after the Egg Hunt that he wanted to make a donation to the pastor and
he gave me 17cents (so sweet and kind) ...that Mike Gay earned his orange headband in his
first TOUGH MUDDER in May ...that FallsCreek has a group of faithful runners. Mike Gay,
Karen Needham and Steven Sisco can be found either running a race or training for one at any
given time …that a cheerful heart is good medicine...that on Palm Sunday Mike Lutey could
be seen slapping people’s hands and saying “Palm Sunday!” ...that if you missed the lip-sync,
Steve, Chuck and Mike brought people to tears with their version of It’s Raining Men ...that
Heart 2 Heart is an AMAZING, hard-working group of women with servant hearts ... Did you
know these things? I thought you should!
Donna A. Peters, Editor