Newsletter of the Richfield United Church of Christ
THE COLUMNS
November 2016
November, A Month For Giving Thanks
November Collection of Toothpaste and Paper Towels
Let us give thanks this month by sharing with those in need.
OPEN M has asked us to help fill baskets with
toothpaste and single rolls of wrapped paper towels.
Our goal will be to collect 100 of each. Once again we will be having a
friendly competition (we do best when there is a challenge) piano-side vs. organ-side.
The collection starts the first Sunday in November and
will end the Sunday following Thanksgiving.
The piano side won last month by a landside, so let’s go teams and help those in need.
OPEN M
For The Love of Children
The WPM Board, with your help, will be supporting OPEN M’s
project For The Love of Children again this year. We have asked to
sponsor 20 children. Their names will be available by mid-November.
We need 2 gifts for each child, with a $20 limit per gift. These gifts may be the only ones the
children receive this Christmas, so let’s show our support and love for the children and their
families. OPEN M also needs gift cards for grocery stores. Let’s put a smile on someone’s
face this Christmas and show our RUCC love.
Richfield Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 25
RUCC singing voices are needed on Friday, November 25, at the
Richfield Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:00 pm. All ages are
welcome. Meet at RUCC at 5:00 pm for a short practice.
A great way to let the Richfield community know about RUCC.
Electronic Giving
I rarely write checks anymore.
All of my bills are set up for
automatic online payments.
It saves me time and keeps me
current. There was just one
recurring bill that still required me
to write a check – or so I thought.
So, what happens then?
Well, your bank prints up a paper check with your name on it
and sends it by mail to the church. Then the church deposits
the check. We register your donation to your name, just like
we would if you put your check in the collection plate.
I want to encourage you to do what I did. Donating to the
church this way helps you, and the church. It helps you,
because you don’t even have to think about it, don’t have to
worry about falling behind in your support for the church, and
don’t spend time writing paper checks every week.
That “bill” was my donation to the church. Sure, I wanted to
donate every week. But life got in the way. Sometimes I forgot
to write the check. When the collection was passed, I realized It helps the church by allowing us to budget steady
that I didn’t have the check ready.
contributions. Even on weeks that you are unable to be here in
person, the donations that you choose to send automatically
If only there was a way to pay the church electronically and
will still help your church.
automatically, just like all my other payments…
Of course, you are always in control. You choose what to give,
Then I discovered that – actually, I can make automatic online when to give and you can stop one or all payments whenever
you like. All it does is make things simpler, faster, and, like
contributions to the church! At first, it seemed complicated,
and I gave up. But then I tried it again I got it to work. It really prune juice, more regular.
wasn’t hard at all. Now I don’t write checks to the church
anymore. My donation automatically goes to the church every Ah, but then comes that awkward moment when the collection
plate is passed. You know you already gave electronically, but
week. This is so much easier!
nobody else does. If you feel weird about this, I suggest you
Now that I am automatically donating online, I am saving time, still bring your empty envelope and write “EFT” for “Electronic
plus I never miss a week. I feel better about this, because
Funds Transfer.” This will serve as a prayerful, tangible symbol
sometimes I fall behind in my donations. (Yes, it’s true,
of the real contribution you have already made to support your
sometimes even the
church.
Please see the box
pastor falls behind in
tithing.) Electronic
below for a step-by-step Thanks to you and people like you, this church has grown and
giving helps me stay
served the community for nearly 200 years. With your
guide to set up your
on track and honor
sustained support, we’ll continue to grow and serve for many
electronic giving.
what I pledged to give.
years to come. Thank you.
-Rev. John King
How to Set Up Electronic Giving
Every bank has things set up a little differently, but they all work essentially the same way. My bank is PNC; your bank may look a little
different, but here’s how I set it up. Maybe this will help you too…
1. From my home computer, I logged-in to my online banking account as usual with my username and password.
2. I clicked on a tab that says “Pay Bills.”
3. Then, there was a button that says “Add a Company or Person.” A search for our church turned up no results. Drat.
I almost gave up. But here’s how to set up an RUCC Bill Pay account:
A. I clicked the button that said “Other Company.”
B. I entered the church’s information (name, address, phone etc.) Woohoo! Making progress!
C. But then it asked for my “account number.” Again, I almost gave up. I don’t have an “account number” at church!
But don’t worry - for this, you can put your envelope number or, just type your name.
D. Done! Now you have a “Bill Pay” account set up between you and the church! I tried it and it actually worked!
You only have to do that part once.
4. Now that you have set up your “Bill Pay” account, it is very easy and fast to make a weekly payment. I simply entered the
amount I want to donate, and the date to send it. Click. Done!
5. But to make things really easy, I clicked on “AutoPay.” This sends the same amount every week, (or as often as you want)
and it all happens automatically. No action required.
If you want a hand figuring things out, give me a call for “technical support.” Heck, it helps you feel better, I will even speak with a
foreign accent and make you wait on hold, just like real tech support!
-Rev. John King
November Sermons and Scriptures
November 6: Sermon: “A Bigger Pan”
Scriptures: Acts 16:16-34 Luke 20: 27-40
November 13: Sermon: “That They May All (finally!) Be One”
Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 John 17:20-23
November 20: Sermon: “Let Us Build the City of God”
Scriptures: Colossians 1:11-20 Luke 23:33-43
November 27: Sermon: “Are You Ready”
Scriptures: Isaiah 2:1-4 Matthew 24:36-44
Moderator's Moment
In adult Sunday school we have been studying the Book of Acts. Recently we studied
Acts 4. Here the early Christian community is described as being “united in their hearts and
spirit.” The verse goes on to say that in this community, no one had need -- that all were
fulfilled. When we discussed this chapter (like many other chapters in the Bible), it was so
hard to not be in disbelief. I find that I often have more questions than answers. But truly that
is the beauty of being in a small group setting, like adult Sunday school, where you can
express these questions and not be concerned about being right or wrong. [Just a plug here
for adult Sunday school -- in my 40 years of attending RUCC, I am not sure that I have ever
had such an in-depth appreciation for studying the Bible. All are welcome. We love new faces
and thoughts for our discussion. Please come and join us!!]
Just like these early Christians, we also have our own community at RUCC. Of course, we are
part of a larger community, but the safety and security we feel in our small intimate community
is very important. To be “united in heart and spirit” should be our true desire. I don’t think this
statement means that every person in the early community had the same understanding of
each lesson that the Apostles taught. I don’t think it means that every early Christian got the
same ration of food or had the same access to the best clothing. I think it meant that they all
understood the same main message, that Jesus is Love and that everyone in the community
had the same opportunity to be loved, to share love and to give love. We need to remind
ourselves of this message in our RUCC community. We may not agree on politics, or tax
codes or even what the lessons of the Bible are trying to tell us, but to be “united in heart and
spirit” may just mean that we have the same understanding that being a Christian is love, that
each one of us shows love, gives love and shares love to each other and to the greater
community we serve.
Praying to be united with each and
everyone of you in heart and spirit.
Maryke
Adult Sunday School
9:10 am in the Gathering Room
Join your fellow congregation members for
the study of the Book of Acts. The group
discussion is facilitated by Jim Schilling and
is based on a book from a UCC series entitled, “Listen Up.”
Richfield
United Church of Christ
Youth Group
November 6: Youth Sunday
Please come prepared to usher, greet, and
bring a dessert to share for Social Hour.
We need readers for any first Sunday!
Friday, November 25: Feed My
Sheep Soup Kitchen Volunteer Day
We will be serving lunch at the Feed My
Sheep Soup kitchen.
Adult Mission Group
Election Day Bake Sale
The Adult Mission Group is requesting
donations of baked goods from the church
family for the election day bake sale taking
place on Tuesday, November 8. There will be a
sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall. If your
baked goods have nuts, please mark that on
the label. Gluten-friendly items are also
welcomed. Thanks for your help as we use
these funds to help those in need.
Our adult mission group has
just returned from Webster
Springs, West Virginia. Their
work for the week included
winterizing, insulating under
mobile homes, some drywall,
vinyl flooring and sorting the disaster-relief
donations at the food pantry and donation
center. Welcome back to Betty & Pieter van
der Meer, Newt Heston, Gary Obenauer,
Dorothy Hooper, Terry Bard, Karen Kiska,
Jim Schilling, Tim Summer, Lew Monegan and
John Sahakian, who resides in Michigan.
Our Church Garden
Christmas is coming and our church will
be preparing by decorating on Sunday,
November 20, following the 10:15 service.
This is a huge project but, with lots of help,
it only takes a little time . We need strong
men, women who love Christmas and children
who can carry boxes. Come join the fun and
give a hand, enjoy some fellowship and set
the mood for a great Christmas season.
Our thanks to all for your cash
donations on Sunday morning,
those who helped maintain our
church garden this summer and
especially to our garden manager,
Karen Butera, who put in many hours planning,
planting, weeding and harvesting the crops of
vegetables and herbs. Harvesting ran from
the first of June to the last of October.
Over $600 was raised for the Children’s
International sponsorship of Leydi, a 13-yearold child living in Cartagena, Colombia.
November Birthdays
Ushers for November
November 6: Youth Group
Chuck Ellis
Paul and Michal Swan
Larry & Amy Harsey
November Lay Readers
November 6: Youth representative
Paul Swan
Boards and Council
Monday, November 14
7:00 pm Church Boards meet
8:15 pm Church Council meets
Men’s Health Group
You are invited!
Thursday, November 10
10-11:00 in the Gathering Room
A Brother and His Hobby
Join the Men’s Health Group for
an interesting presentation by
Bob Ehlers’ brother on his hobby of raising
homing pigeons.
Book Club
Book Club will meet on Monday,
November 28 at 7pm. The
reading selection for November is
The Residence: Life Inside the
Private World of the White House
by Kate Andersen Brower.
Caring Companions
The Caring Companions will meet in the
Gathering Room on November 30 at 7:15 pm.
Bicentennial Committee
The next meeting of the Bicentennial
Committee will be Wednesday, November 16,
at 7 pm in the Gathering Room.
Senior Citizens Breakfast
You are Invited!
November 10 at Revere High School
9:00: Free breakfast for senior citizens in
the Revere High School cafeteria.
10:00: in the auditorium, Our Town,
performed by the Revere Players.
11/3 Barbara Hayes
11/5 Rosemarie Sprague
11/6 Allison Ellis
11/7 Robyn Patrick
11/19
11/9 Jeff Duricko
11/19
11/12 Kate Holan
11/21
11/13 Anne Gill
11/24
11/13 Tim Hnath
11/28
11/14 Kathy Brown
11/29
11/14 Staci Lindsey
Newt Heston
Lois Eckart
Gerold Dabernig
Marian Stertzbach
Patricia Worton
Elaina Weber
November Anniversaries
11/29 Ronald & Gretchen Gehring
11/29 Richard & Kevan Hudak
In Loving Memory
Dorothy Buettner passed
away on October 23.
A memorial service was held
at RUCC on October 26.
We send our prayers to Jean
Schmidt and her family.
Looking Ahead
Sunday, December 4: Advent Workshop
Lunch for the congregation, movie for the kids
and crafts following our 10:15 service, is the
agenda for our annual Advent Workshop. Mark
your calendars for this favorite RUCC event.
Christmas Cantata
What Sweeter Music is a festive work of fifteen
Christmas carols arranged by Mark Hayes. The
joyous Opening Medley sets the stage for the
many exceptional moments to come, from a
powerful setting of the Magnificat to the
charming Cradle Medley, which will feature
several of our children's voices. Please join the
RUCC Adult Choir, instrumentalists, soloists,
and narrators for an Advent and Christmas
Celebration of What Sweeter Music: A Service
of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December
11, at the 10:15 service.
Richfield United Church of Christ
4340 W. Streetsboro Rd.
Richfield, Ohio 44286
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 4
GATHERING OF THE CHURCH FAMILY
EVERY SUNDAY
EVERY WEEK
WEDNESDAY
8:00 AM
9:15 AM
10:15 AM
11:15 AM
MON
7:30 PM AA
6:30 AM
WED
8:00 PM AA
SAT
8:30 PM
Early Worship Service
Sunday school
Worship Service
Coffee Hour
AA
MEN’S GROUP
THURSDAY
7:15 PM BELL CHOIR PRACTICE
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November Activities
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1: Hobbitts Board meeting at 7 in the Gathering Room
5: Outside Clean-up Day with the S&A Board 10:00 to noon.
6: Communion / Youth Group greets, ushers and hosts coffee hour at the 10:15 service
7: Election Board meeting at 7 pm
8: Election Day Bake Sale at RUCC entranceway
10: Men’s Health Group at 10:00 am in the Gathering Room
14: Church Boards meet at 7 pm and Council meets at 8:15 pm
16: Bicentennial Meeting at 7 pm in the Gathering Room
20: Hanging of the Greens after the 10:15 service
24: Happy Thanksgiving / Office Closed
25: Youth group at the Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen
Richfield Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:00 pm. Meet at RUCC at 5 pm
November 28: Book Club meets at 7 pm
Richfield United Church
November 30: Caring Companions Meeting at 7:15 pm
of Christ
Scouts at RUCC in November
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm: Boy Scout Troop 387
Wolf Cubs / Bear Cubs / Tiger Cubs / Webelos
Phone: 330-659-3532
Fax: 330-659-2506
[email protected]
Web page: richfielducc.com