Fundraiser Dinner for Mia Wilson
Issue 2, Vol. 17
February 2016
Page 1
First Things
THE VINE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH’S
.
Important Dates
Inside this issue:
Pastor’s Pen
2
Session Highlights
3
February 10th - Ash Wednesday - 6:30 pm
Basket Raffle/ Ash Wednesday
3
Congregational Meeting
4
February 28th - Congregational Meeting/
Lunch - following worship service.
Per Capita
4
Worship Opportunities
5
Bible Studies/ Prayer Concerns
6
February 8th - Raffle Baskets due
Pastor’s Pen
Dear Members and Friends of the Vine Fellowship Church:
On Monday, January 18th, I met with the five other people
from Eastminster Presbytery whom I will be joining as we had
our final meeting before our mission trip on January 31st to
Lebanon. These people are Dr. Nancy Kahain, Interim General Presbyter;
Rev. Francie Fisher, Lake Milton Presbyterian Church; Commissioned Ruling
Elder Judie Bender, Vienna Presbyterian Church and her husband, Lee; and
Rev. Kristin Stroble, Heritage Presbyterian Church, Poland. Dr. David
Dawson, honorably retired General Presbyter from Shenango Presbytery in
PA was also present as he has been consulting with us as
This trip provides our group the wonderful opportunity to come
alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in a very difficult part
of the world where war, terrorism, and ISIS are a part of life. It is a way
for us to stand in solidarity with them. While praying for them and their
witness in a Muslim country is important, the notion of actually being with
them, we pray, will speak volumes.
As our group will already be on our way by the time you get this
newsletter, I would ask that you would keep us in your daily prays and
specifically pray that we might have ears to hear and hearts that are open.
It will be especially meaningful for us to be
present with our Lebanese brothers and
sisters on Ash Wednesday February 10th) as
we mark the beginning of the Season of
Lent in the life of the Christian Church. I
look forward to my return and sharing with
you my experience during worship on
Sunday, February 21st. Have a great
February and know that I am praying for
you.
On this journey together,
Mark
I S S U E 2, V OL . 1 7
Page 2
Raffle Baskets
In addition to the fundraiser dinner for Mia, we will be having a basket raffle. This time, instead of giving individual items, we are asking that you
put together an entire basket. If you don’t know what to buy, talk to Ann
McCord or Elaine Miller. All we ask is that the total price of the items in
the basket be above $10.00. If you have items but don’t know how to put
them together in a basket don’t worry. Just give your items to either Ann
or Elaine and they will do it for you. All Completed baskets also need
to go to Ann McCord by February 8th. All proceeds of this raffle will go
to the Wilsons.
Session Highlights
January Session Highlights
The Session met with and welcomed into membership Jon Caito
(Reaffirmation of Faith) and Andrew Schrum (Letter of Transfer from
First Presbyterian Church, Canfield). They will join the church during
the Sunday, February 28th worship service.
 The Personnel and Leadership Team is in the process of conducting annual staff reviews.

Ash Wednesday
As we begin the church season of Lent, you are
invited to come to our monthly prayer gathering that will be held on Ash Wednesday, February 10th at 6:30 pm. Please note that the
regularly scheduled Prayer Gathering for
February has been changed to this date. If
you are so inclined, ashes will be distributed
that night on the foreheads of any who desire.
Please come for an evening of prayer, quite reflection and listen to and for God.
Annual Congregational Meeting/ Lunch
Please plan on staying after worship on Sunday, February 28TH for a lunch
that will include: pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, pasta salad, potato
chips, drinks and dessert and our annual congregational meeting. Annual
reports will be available on February 14th. Please sign up on the fellowship cards at worship or call the church office at 330-576-6608 if you will
be there. A free-will offering will be taken to cover the expense of the
meal.
Per Capita
Per Capita- The per capita for 2016 is $32.15 per member. Why do we ask
you to contribute this amount in addition to your pledge? It is because
none of this money goes to our church- it goes to Eastminister Presbytery
($21.78), the Synod of the Covenant ($3.25), and to the denomination
($7.12) to help cover their costs of operating the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.). The money given toward the per capita decreases the amount
we need to take from our budget to cover these costs. If you would like
more information, please speak with Dick Hillebrand, Chair of Stewardship
and Finance or one of the Elders.
Mia Wilson Blood Drive
On January 18th, there was be a special Red Cross
Blood Drive at The Hub Community Center in
Honor of Mia Wilson. All total the amount of units
of blood that were donated in her honor was 42
units (32 from the Hub and 10 donated elsewhere
in her honor. Mia will be having another heart surgery on May 9, 2016, so, along with honoring her
at the blood drive, The Vine Fellowship will be
having a Fundraising Dinner on Friday, February
12, 2016.
Page 4
FIRST THINGS
Sunday Morning Worship Opportunities
Sunday, February 7th
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
Elder Terry Comer preaching
Sunday, February 14th - First Sunday of Lent
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
Scripture: Luke 4:1-13
Sermon: “Lent, a Desert Experience”
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Sunday, February 21st - Second Sunday in Lent
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
Sermon: “A Mission Trip to Lebanon- A Time to Listen and Learn”
Sunday, February 28th - Third Sunday of Lent/ Lunch & Congregational Meeting after Worship
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
Scripture: John 14: 1-14
Sermon: Praying Us Forward in 2016 as the Body of Christ.
HUB Happenings
Tai Chi Classes at The HUB Community Center
Date: Wednesday, January 27th, 2016
Time: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Where: The Hub Community Center, 3676 Community Lane, Copley
Join Jim Babka and Elena Hissett as they teach YangT Style Tai-Chi on Wednesday
and Friday evenings in the Main Hall of The HUB Community Center (3676 Community Lane, Copley 44321) from 6-7 PM. Tai-Chi is great for developing balance, coordination, focus, and confidence. It is also a great activity for managing stress and learning self-defense.
The fee is only $5 per class. Classes are open to beginners and more experienced
practitioners and students can join the class at any time. No uniform is required.
Classes are open to anyone age 13 and up.
More information can be found the Facebook page, which is White Birch Tai Chi at the
Hub Community Center or call330.576.6608.
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FIRST THINGS
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Hub Happenings
An Ideal Introduction To Essential Oils
Date: February 4, 2016
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Where: The Hub Community Center
An Ideal Introduction To Essential Oils
Thursday, February 4, 2016
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
The HUB Community Center
3676 Community Lane (off S. Cleve-Mass Rd)
Copley 44321
Come learn about doTERRA Essential Oils! This class will teach you the healing
benefits of Essential Oils which have long been used for physical ailments, injuries,
stress management, cooking, cleaning, and many other applications.
Allison will teach you how you can use essential oils to care for your family in a safe
and effective way and why it is important to know the source and quality of the essential oils you use. She is a mom of 2 who has been sharing the benefits you can receive from using Essential Oils for over three years.
Don't miss out! A text/call RSVP earns you a chance to win a bottle of Wild Orange
Essential Oil. Call 330.321.3755 to RSVP.
Community Chorus
Like to sing? Join us as we kick off our new season of music.
Selections include: Rhythm of Life from the Broadway Musical, “Sweet
Charity”, Over the Rainbow from the musical , “The Wizard of Oz”, Happy
Together, recorded by the Turtles, Singing in the Rain from the musical ,
“Singing in the Rain”, and sacred music - Great and Glorious, Give Me Jesus, Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit and All Things Bright and Beautiful.
Rehearsals are on Thursday nights from 7:30 –8:15 p.m. on February 4th
& 18th, March 3rd and 17th, April 7th & 21st and May 5th. Concerts will
be scheduled for May.
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NEWSLETTER TITLE
Bible Studies and Fellowship Opportunities
Tuesday Club
Tuesday Club will not meet until March..
WNGs
“They that have hope in the Lord shall renew their
strength… They shall mount up with wings of eagles.” Isaiah 40:31
Women of the church are invited to participate in the
Wednesday Night Intergenerational Caring group at
7:00 pm. Contact Pat Franklin if you have questions.
Evening Circle
Evening Circle will meet on February 19th at
7:30 at the home of Edie English. Edie’s
address is 2586 Sylvan Rd., Cuyahoga Falls.
Call Edie if you have any questions 330-9294520.
Men’s Thursday Morning
Bible Study
Every Thursday morning a group of men of all
ages meet together either at Panera Bread in
Montrose or at the HUB at 6:30 am for Bible
study and fellowship. If you would like to join
this study, please contact Tony Miller @
330-825-9254
Women’s Bible Review Fellowship
Please see Suzanne Gibson for more information for the date and time of the Women’s Bible
Review Fellowship.
Prayer Concerns
Pray for our military: Paul Jones - Air Force
Please continue to pray for: Pastor Mark Ruppert, Nina Wilson, Hope Everhardt, Frank
Weaver, Helen Harrod, Arnold Ruppert, Rev. Dr. Nancy Kahaian (Interim General Presbyter,
Eastminster Presbytery), Rev. Dick Ferris, Jimmy Bach, Tim Rothwell, Colina Wells, Bradon
Lewis, Shirley Jenkins, Linda & Tom Flanagan, Phyllis Spindler, Mia and the Wilson/Weaver
families, The Middle East, The Persecuted Church, The recent senseless shootings in this
country. Our friends at the Copley United Methodist Church, The PCUSA, President Obama
and elected officials.
Page 7
NEWSLETTER TITLE
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH/
T H E V I N E F E L L O WS H I P C H U R C H
The Vine Fellowship Church
1234 Cleveland-Massillion Rd.
Akron, OH 44321
Phone: 330-576-6608
www.thehubcopley.com
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
www.thehubcopley.com
As a caring Christian community, The Vine Fellowship Church welcomes all people as we proclaim, witness and teach
the good news of Jesus Christ through worship, prayer and service
Prayer Meeting
This month’s
prayer meeting
will
be
February 10th
from 6:30 7:30 pm at the
HUB.
The Vine Fellowship Church
Sunday School begins at 9:30 am
Traditions Worship begins at 11:00 am
Mark T. Ruppert - Pastor
Charles Kobb II - Director of Music Ministry
Denise Negowski - HUB Coordinator
Elaine Stone - Pianist
Plain English
You can fool yourself. You can never fool God