A publication of First United Methodist Church / April 2017
Faith Matters
Dear Friend in Christ,
I am always amazed at how the Christian
people of Norwalk First are touching the lives of so
many people in our community. Many times, we are
helping people we do not know. Sometimes, we
don’t even know that we have touched a life, but
through a series of events we have. Just recently, I
received an email from a person I don’t even know,
Erika Phillips. She wrote the following: “I just
wanted to drop you a note to say thank you. You
don’t know me personally, but I wanted to thank you
and your staff for your service, commitment and
love for this community. It is making an impact. Your
work is bearing fruit. So thank you! Be encouraged.
You are making a difference. Keep it up. With
Gratitude, Erika.” What an amazing note to get! It
certainly brought joy to my day.
In the Book of James (2:14-18), James writes:
Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this
if you learn all the right words but never do anything?
Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person
really has it? For instance, you come upon an old
friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good
morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the
Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much
as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you?
419•668•1938
Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is
outrageous nonsense?
I can already hear one of you agreeing by
saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith
department, I’ll handle the works department.”
Not so fast. You can no more show me your
works apart from your faith than I can show you my
faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works
and faith, fit together hand in glove (from The
Message).
Folks, our faith needs to be translated into
actions, into God-acts. When people like Erika see
our faith in action, seeing us be the hands and feet of
Christ, they take notice. It is then that they say, “You
are making a difference.” No matter how young or
old you are, no matter how rich or poor, you can
make a difference when your faith leads you into
social action, serving and loving others. It is what
Jesus taught his Disciples, so that we can all pray,
“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it
is in heaven.” That is our call, to establish God’s
kingdom right where we are. How are you putting
your faith into action?
Blessings ~ Pastor
[email protected]
Brian
www.norwalkfirstumc.com
April Birthdays
1 Audrey Rose
2 Zoey Corfman
Catherine Hazelwood
Angie Kirk
Addie Mannino
Mike Meinke
3 Roxanne Walker
4 Laura Hahn
5 Triton Arnett
Jillian Ballard
Rebecca Roth
Geri Stelzer
6 Debe Gelvin
Bob Gentzel
Chris Jackson
Joanne Waugh
8 Beverly Pickworth
9 Abby Brutsche
10 Courtney Hinckley
Charlotte Young
11 Tyler Jackson
12 Mary Jo Hazelwood
Alexis Van Giesen
14 Alicia Casselberry
Ric Thorpe
15 Henry Lasch
Raygan Moffit
Kayla Pelham
Sharon Ward
Phyllis Zieber
16 Riley Helton
Max Nickoli
Pat Wetzel
17 Richard Blackburn
Anah Freeman
Parker Nickoli
Wyatt Nickoli
19 Don Everman
Louise Haydn
Ella McKillips
Linda Williams
20 Caitlyn Alley
21 Aaron Christophel
Jim Rolsten
22 Elle Ballard
Vicki Knight
Paul Phillips
Jeffrey Sutton
Zach Usselman
23 Orion DeYoe
Lucas Dotson
Rosalie Rakosky
24 Jeff Laycock
Addison Moffit
25 Pamela Van Giesen
Bruce Kurtz
26 Betty Pothorski
27 Linda Johns
28 Chris Berry
29 Kelly Caldwell
30 Lynn Horning
Sermon Schedule
April 2
“Mary Anoints Jesus” / John 12:1-11
April 9 / Palm Sunday
“Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet” / John 13:1-17, 34-35
April 16 / Easter Sunday
“I Have Seen the Lord” / John 20:1-18
April 23
“Methodist Mission: Make Disciples”
Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Matthew 28:16-20
April 30
UMW Sunday / Karen Kilgo—Speaker
Capital & Endowment Campaign
As of March 27th, we have reached $483,765 in
pledges, with the vast majority going to
Urgent Needs.
We are truly blessed!
Free Community
Dinner
April 17th / 5:00-6:30 p.m.
All are welcome!
April Anniversaries
7 Jon & Judy Nutter
10 Dave & Bette Livingston
11 Dick & Gloria Vogt
Bruce & Patricia Kurtz
12 Ray & Lillie Cook
13 Scott & Sarah Christophel
16 Ric & Paula Thorpe
19 Dale & Alta Ehresman
22 Joshua & Rachel Schlotterer
23 Bob & Karen Berry
24 Jeffrey & Deborah Sutton
26 Gail & Beverly Pickworth
Mark & Shirlene Zorn
Tom & Barb Silcox
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
(Lunch noon-1:00 p.m.)
*
The church office will be closed
Monday, April 17th
*
May newsletter deadline
April 23rd
We are accepting scholarship
applications from students
needing financial assistance.
The Scholarship Committee
believes in nurturing and
supporting graduates who are
members of our congregation.
It is our hope that through the
contribution to their higher
education, they will continue to
grow in their Christian faith. We believe that any
graduate who is an active member of our church
should be eligible for a scholarship if he or she applies.
A full-time or part-time student attending a two or
four-year college or trade school will be acceptable.
The student must be working toward a degree.
Applications are available in the hallway outside the
church office in a folder marked “Scholarship.” You can
request an application by emailing the church office:
[email protected].
Deadline: June 18th at Noon
* Late applications will not be accepted. *
Scholarship Donations
We thank you, church family, for your faithful support
in the past and encourage you to continue supporting
our students in their financial need. If you are
interested in donating to the Scholarship Fund, please
mark your envelope “Scholarship” and place it in the
offering plate or mail your donation to the church
office.
Methodist Marchers will participate in
the Roll It Forward sale at the Avery
Outlet Mall on 250 N in Milan. Come and
get some great deals! The Methodist
Marchers team will earn credit based on
donations and number of volunteers
who work at the sale. All proceeds still
go to American Cancer Society and we
get credit toward our goal. Donations are
accepted, and we welcome anyone who
can volunteer at the sale. Call Linda
Williams at 419-668-7294 or Ashley Thompson at 419‐706‐0824 if
you have questions.
ROLL IT FORWARD RUMMAGE SALE
All proceeds benefit
Relay for Life of Norwalk
Friday 4/21/2017 & Saturday 4/22/2017
9AM – 3PM
Avery Outlet Mall, 1001 US‐250, Milan
Please drop any donated items off at the Avery Outlet Mall on
Thursday, 4/20/2017, from 5-7:00pm.
Thank you in advance ~ Linda Williams
Holy Week
Worship Schedule
Holy Thursday, April 13
8:00 p.m. Holy Thursday Worship Service
Our evening worship remembers the gathering of
Jesus and his disciples in the upper room as we
share in an Upper Room Holy Communion. The
Chancel Choir will provide special music.
Good Friday, April 14
Noon-1:00 p.m. Community Good Friday
Service
The Norwalk Ministerial Association invites the
people of Norwalk to observe this holy day with a
noontime worship service in the Sanctuary.
8:00 p.m. Good Friday Worship Service
The Passion of Jesus Christ
This is a service of worship that moves us from light
to darkness, from loyalty to betrayal, from life to
death. You will hear the Passion story of Christ and
Christ’s lament against his faithless church. Service
held in the Sanctuary.
Sunday, April 16 - Easter Morning
7:00 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service
All are welcome to attend our Easter Sunrise Service
at the Norwalk Reservoir as we remember that first
Easter morning and celebrate the resurrection of
Jesus Christ. We will be led in this time by our
youth.
8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Easter Worship Services—Sanctuary
Join us for a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection as
together we sing and worship and rejoice!
We would like to thank the congregation for
helping us to donate $1,000 to the Endowment Fund
and $1,000 to the Sanctuary Building Fund through
the sale of our handmade soaps and greeting cards in
the rotunda. We started in September of 2011 with
just the sale of handmade greeting cards at 50¢ each,
and handmade soaps were added later for $3 each.
This is a win-win situation...the purchasers get
beautiful soaps and greeting cards, at a reasonable
price, while First UMC receives help with finances.
With God all things are possible,
Ann Baxter & Linda Newsom
Greetings Pathfinders & church family,
inner sanctuary behind the curtain. – Hebrews 6:19
I continue to be amazed by all the crazy ways
teens communicate with each other. Social media
has swept through our society and taken over the
phone call or letter writing. Take for instance
Snapchat…You probably wake up, swipe through
your chats, and respond to friends almost
immediately. Snapchat is a fun way to engage
with friends. One of the interesting features of
Snapchat is the filters. Snapchat filters can take
the most boring selfie and make it engaging.
Whether its face swap or the dog filter, Snapchat
filters change the way an image is seen. That’s a
lot like what God’s Word can do in our lives if we
are open to it. God’s Word can be a filter for our
lives, helping us, guiding us, and showing us truth.
Jesus is the hope for our soul. Don’t let your day get so
busy that you forget to spend some time in God’s Word.
God’s Word is powerful and, if you’re open to it, God’s
Word can help you with the things you face each day.
He’s ready to show you what you need. And remember,
His Word is a filter for our lives.
During the time my mom was fighting cancer,
there were times when I honestly wanted to give
up on my relationship with God because things
were just so hard. Armed with scripture, I was
able to stay encouraged and even encouraged my
mom and others that we would get through this
difficult situation. God’s Word will do the same
for you if you’ll be open to it. God’s Word will help
bring your situation into perspective in tough
times.
In today’s world, there are a lot of voices to listen
to. You have friends that might be pulling you in
one direction, parents that are pulling you in
another, and maybe a teacher that’s pulling you in
a third direction. With all these different pulls, it
can be hard to know what direction is right. As we
continue studying He Chose the Nails, we will gain
a better understanding of just how powerful
loving our God really is. We’ll discover there is no
need for any filters to make images or things
seem better.
That’s where God’s Word comes in. God’s Word
will be a filter for your life to show you truth,
regardless of what you hear or see going on
around you. For the word of God is living and
effective and sharper than any double-edged
sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul
and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the
ideas and thoughts of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12
One of the best things about God’s Word is the
hope it brings. Reading God’s Word brings hope
to your life. When all seems lost, open up God’s
Word and read what God says about you. Read
about His great love and it will give you the hope
and the courage to go on. God’s Word brought
hope to my situation and it will do the same in
your life if you’ll let it. We have this hope as an
anchor for our lives, safe and secure. It enters the
Over the next couple of months, we will continue with
our community missions and outreach and begin our
series of fundraising activities to help offset some of the
cost for Youth Annual Conference in June and our
mission trip in July to Nehemiah in Cleveland.
I pray you open your hearts to God and that He continues
to work in you and through you. May God bless you, and
always remember to remain true to yourself and your
convictions!
Serving HIM,
Debbie Zeiter, Director of Youth Ministries
Calendar of Events
4/2
4/9
4/16
4/23
4/30
5:30–8:00pm Pathfinders Fellowship
He Chose the Nails - Bible study
5:30–8:00pm Pathfinders Fellowship
He Chose the Nails - Bible study
Palm Sunday - Pinning of the Cross
6:45am Easter Sunday
Sunrise Service - South Reservoir Pavilion
No Pathfinders Fellowship
Enjoy your family time!
5:30–8:00pm Pathfinders Fellowship
We’re going bowling!! $5 per person,
includes 2 games, shoe rental & dinner!
BRING YOUR FRIENDS!
Church family,
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for my care
package. I have been studying abroad in the Bahamas for
the last six weeks learning all about marine biology,
botany, ornithology, dendrology, and so much more! We
talked with the locals and even shared in the Gospel on a
few Sundays. I’ve truly had the time of my life. It was such
a nice surprise to come home to a package full of all my
favorite goodies I have been missing!
I’m still active in CRU on campus and attend Bible
study when I’m not traveling. God is providing so many
amazing opportunities in my life and your support means
mountains.
Thank you again! Sending love and happiness from
whatever part of the world I’m in! ~ Jessica Talbott
Membership Inquiry
The below inactive church members have received a
membership inquiry letter if an address was known. To
date, we have not received a response. A second
membership inquiry letter will be mailed in April. If we
are unable to learn their membership desire by our 2017
Church Conference in the fall, they will be listed on the
first reading to be removed from the membership rolls.
Name
Dana Binting
Gail Cummings
Amanda Moltz
Torri Reineck
Jenna Rejmon
Jason Shoemaker
Erica Shoemaker
Michael Skoglund
Christopher Skoglund
Donna Slack
Mandi Solary
Robert Sommers
Carolyn Sommers
Mark Stanford
Ellen Stanford
Kathryn Stewart
Pamela Stewart-White
Whitney Stoldt
Amy Stowers
Vanessa Tharp
Wayne Toczek
Jacqualyn Toczek
Malcom Van Giesen
Rebecca Warner
James Warner
Wendy Wilging
Steve Ziemke
Jayne Ziemke
Date of Inquiry
9/12/16
9/8/16
9/12/16
8/15/16
9/12/16
8/20/16
8/20/16
9/12/16
9/12/16
8/20/16
8/20/16
No Address
No Address
2/19/16
No Address
No Address
8/20/16
8/20/16
No Address
8/20/16
8/20/16
8/20/16
8/20/16
8/20/16
8/20/16
10/10/16
No Address
No Address
New Contact Info.
Mary Meisler—419-668-5128
Mark Strimpfel
8 Old Orchard Loop
Norwalk, OH 44857
Bernie Bogan
912 Sycamore Line Apt 2A
Sandusky, OH 44870
Rosalie Rakosky
272 Benedict Ave.
Norwalk, OH 44857
Dropped Landline
Georgia Bobryk can be reached on
her cell, 419-681-1974
In Christian Sympathy
Prayers for the family and friends of
Carolyn Rion, who entered God’s rest
March 17th.
Christian Women’s
Prayer Coffee
Christian Women’s Prayer Coffee meets at First
United Methodist Church in the Common
Grounds Café the third Thursday of each month
from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
All ladies are welcome!
Palm Cross Making Party!
Thursday, April 6th
6:00 p.m.
in Fellowship Hall / Pizza provided!
Sandusky Choral Society
presents their
Stitches of Love craft group will meet on Thursday, April
13th and 27th at 9:30 a.m. in the kitchen nook. Everyone is
invited to join us in the creating of items for the nursing
homes and Veterans’ home residents. We cut, glue, paste,
relax and socialize while completing our mission work.
~ Linda Newsom
Spring Concert
Friday, April 21st / 7:30 p.m.
Norwalk First United Methodist
Sanctuary
Tickets are $6.00
(available at the door)
Let’s Go to
Palm
Sunday
Palm Sunday (April 9th)
Following the 10:30 a.m. Service
in Fellowship Hall
Join the 1st Kids family as they once again host the Egg
Stravaganza, which includes light lunch. Invite a friend
and no basket needed! Bring your camera! Children must
be accompanied by an adult.
You MUST register for this event by either calling the
church office or texting DeAnn McKillips
at 419-681-0704.
Candy needed for the Palm Sunday egg hunt. INDIVIDUALLY
wrapped candy ONLY (please) by April 2nd. A container for
donated candy is in the rotunda.
With Gratitude...
1st
With the end of the 2017 Kids’ spring semester, I
look back on the year filled with great fun, awesome food, music
and wonderful times sharing God’s love with the children and
volunteers.
With the close of the year, we say “goodbye” to a pillar
in this midweek miracle. Paula Thorpe has chosen this to be her
last year as leader of the 1st Kids ministry.
Paula began as a volunteer in the LOGOS ministry in
the late 1990s. I hear they started her in the kitchen! In 2002,
she became the director of the LOGOS ministry, now called
1st Kids.
Through the ups and downs of the years, Paula has
stayed positive in sharing God’s love for the children and youth
of our church. She has always jumped in and volunteered in all of
the children’s ministries. She truly has a heart like Jesus as she
shares that love with us all.
From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear friend,
truly a friend in Christ. I know you have many more hearts to
warm for Jesus, and I am happy to share that adventure with
you!
DeAnn McKillips, Director of Christian Ed.
Summer Camp!
Want a chance to tour the sites, talk to the
staff, and see what is being offered for
2017 Summer Camp?
Check out East Ohio Conference Camps at:
www.eocsummercamps.org.
See DeAnn McKillips, Christian Ed. Director,
for Summer Camp details.
Can You Help Us?
During the years 2004-2007, this congregation
raised funds for the restoration of the stained
glass windows in the dome of the sanctuary.
There should have been a plaque made to
recognize all the donors for this restoration. We
need your help. We need to know who all the
donors were so that we might complete the
promise of a plaque in their honor. Here are the
donors we know at this point:
Jim & Connie Penwell, in memory of
Dr. Dwight Edmond and Gale and
Jancie Penwell
Steve & Kathy Wolfe, in memory of
family members
Donald & Cloteen Knight, in memory of
Katherine Ann Knight
Dave & Karen Berry, in memory of
Gregg and Duane Berry
Mike & Joyce Meinke
Ed & Lois Myers
Jerry Emmons
Clay & Glenda Benner
Dorothy Amato
The Estate of George W. & Florence M. Skinn
If you were a donor or know of any donors for
this project that are not listed here, please
notify the church office. Please remember, this
is for the dome stained glass, not the new dome
covering. Thank you for your help.
First United Methodist Church
60 W. Main St.
Norwalk, OH 44857
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 15
NORWALK, OH
United Methodist Women’s
Our Vision:
Knowing God.
Showing Love to Others.
Growing in Discipleship.
Giving to God’s Kingdom.
Going Out in Mission.
Thursday, May 4th
Friday, May 5th
Saturday, May 6th
9-7 pm
9-7 pm
9-2 pm
Donations welcome!