April-May 2008 Newsletter

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From the Desk of Pastor Dave

Greetings!  The following was taken from the Northwest Plains District Newsletter.  It spoke to my heart so I asked permission to share this with you. 

Be Blessed,  Pastor Dave - PASTOR@EASTMTZIONCHURCH.COM

Bearings: Unfinished Dreams

“What yet might be accomplished?  “ always shows up as one of the liabilities of moving.  Superintendents know their time is limited.  Unlike most pastors, we can predict the usual six year term (though we negotiated the possibility of leaving a year early when we came back to Ohio since our eldest graduates in 2008)  We engage at every level possible to build on our predecessors’ faithful ministry.  We encourage, resource, confront and anything else appropriate to move congregations ahead in mission.  Our job continues to be helping churches to grow.  So, acknowledging the good fruit we have seen together, what feels unfinished as we prepare to transition?  I still dream of additional regional partnerships, based primarily on school districts for our more rural churches, where congregations share ministry to reach the families who do not currently attend United Methodist churches.  I imagine new worship experiences, sports ministries like Upwards Basketball, free clothing stores, after school mentoring, and student Bible studies.  Some of our churches do annual appreciation events for the teachers. Others create new school year packets for every student.  With seventy percent of our churches attending under one hundred people, we need to pool resources and energy for greater impact.  I dream of a renewal in disciple making.  We continue to think Sunday morning worship and Sunday school classes are enough to produce mature disciples of Jesus Christ. The data does not support that assumption.  We know from our research that people need multiple intensive experiences to deepen their spiritual walk.  Inspiring worship and excellent Sunday school classes are a start.  Deep transformation requires personal formation opportunities like Bible studies that move from information (what we typically see in most churches) to intentional application with accountable feedback.  For example what if we began our Bible studies with a non-negotiable , no dodging this question : how did you try to live out what we learned last week?  Along with the personal focus, we need better social outreach options.  What would happen if every member of your church were expected to be part of at least one mission or outreach every quarter? What if part of that ministry included journaling or a spiritual conversation about what God was teaching them through their service?  Each of us need the Wesleyan rhythm of growing in personal and social holiness that matures us away from selfishness and towards generosity.  I continue to pray for more church takeovers where lay people are released to use their spiritual gifts in dynamic, creative ministries.  A few of our pastors hoard ministry and a few of our laity are spiritually lazy, expecting the pastor to do everything.  I dream of congregations where pastors and laity, overwhelmed by the Holy Sprit, each exercise their God-given abilities in beautiful, contagious ways.  The pastor acts like an orchestra director, coordinating an equipping exceptionally talented saints in God’s symphony,  No one has time for distraction.  Every soul leans the same direction-towards seeing God’s Kingdom alive in every corner, every life.  These are a few of my unfinished dreams, I am grateful for the progress we have made thus far.  We can trust that God will complete what God has begun.  Know of our prayers as we anticipate the next chapter in the Northwest Plains ministry. 

Because of Christ,

Thomas F. Tumblin

Please note the following from Randy Gardner and if you feel led send a note of appreciation to Tom! 

 ATTENTION - Northwest Plains District and former Findlay District members:

 As you probably already know by now, our District superintendent Tom Tumblin will be leaving us to accept a position at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore Kentucky. Tom has faithfully served the United Methodist Church in a variety of capacities and his new full time position at Asbury will enable him to influence our denomination at its very root – the seminary. Halleluiah!!

I am writing this letter to invite you to the upcoming Spring Conference where you can be a part of thanking Tom for this faithful service as District Superintendent - particularly through this time of transition. We are asking anyone who would like to share a note of thanks / appreciation to send it to the Northwest Plains District Office, 910 E. Third St., Ottawa, Ohio 45875 – Attention Sandy. We will present these to Tom at the District Conference after which there will be a reception. No disrespect to Tom but Rev. David Howell – pastor at Delphos Trinity and  host for the District Conference – has insured a good turnout based on the fact that there is going to be CREAMERY ICE CREAM served during the fellowship time. See you there!!

Randy Gardner

Chair – Superintendency Team

Tonya’s Tidbits

God has been speaking to me about “seed” and “seasons” a lot lately so I thought I might try to put my thoughts together and share with you.  It seems appropriate since we are coming into a new season…Yes! Spring is coming!  Just as a farmer closely follows the seasons we all have seasons in our lives that are very important. 

 We all know the four seasons….and sometimes in Ohio we go through times of having harsh winters, short springs, hot dry summers and we never know what fall may bring.  Seasons in our lives may be just as unpredictable.  We go through dark, cold times.  We go through rainy, gloomy times.  We go through sunny, happy times and “summer times when the living is easy”.   I am being reminded that each season is special and important.  Each season brings lessons and power if we keep our eyes focused on God our Father. 

 In the dark times of our lives we need to keep moving, keep plugging away and know that this is an important time!  No, God has not left us.  He is teaching us something!   If we curl up and hibernate…hang our heads or throw up our hands we may very well miss the lesson. What does a good farmer do in the dark winter months?  He prepares.  Every season of our lives is temporary but important.  Look back at some of the difficult times you have been through in your life.  Didn’t God have something important for you to learn during this time?  When a better time came along for you… were you not able to use what you had learned to help someone else in their dark season? 

“Some minds are like concrete…thoroughly mixed up and permanently set”

 We must learn to be flexible, especially in the trying times.  If we are not flexible we will become rigid, hard, set like stone.  Our faces show it and our lives show it. If we stay focused on Jesus and remain flexible it is amazing what He can do in the darkest season of our lives.  Ask a farmer about being flexible. Do they plant during a thunderstorm?  No, they thank God for the rain and wait for Him to make the time right to get back in the field.  Responding to God’s call in the seasons of our lives requires constant adjustments. 

 Farmers sow the seed and wait for the harvest.  We are often too impatient.   The harvest will come but it doesn’t always come quickly!  We must sow the seed, nourish and nurture it, cultivate and wait until harvest time.  How do we do these things in our every day lives?  We pray, we read the Word, we worship, we fellowship, and we pray some more.  Sometimes we need to pull the “weeds” that are in our lives that are keeping the seed of God from growing.  We need to change ourselves to align ourselves with Him.    When the answer or “harvest” doesn’t seem to come quickly enough we must keep our focus on God, remain flexible and know that He is a faithful God.  Harvest time will come.   

As we enter the beautiful time of spring let us remember our farmers as they enter their fields.  Let us also remember each other.  Some of us are in sunny time in our lives and some are not.   Let us hold each other up in prayer and use what we have learned in our own darker seasons to help each other along.  Let us be flexible.  Let us be faithful.  Let us keep our focus on God knowing that all of the times in our lives are important and the harvest time will certainly come in due time.  In God’s time…..and we all know that His timing is perfect. 

Tonya - NEWSLETTER@EASTMTZIONCHURCH.COM

Holy Week

We were very blessed this year to have had such moving services during Holy week.  The Maundy Thursday service held at Vanlue was so touching with our men portraying the Last Supper.  The Good Friday Service was held at West Independence and Pastor Dave did a moving portrayal of Peter.  It was a joy to gather for sunrise service and have breakfast and fellowship together.  Once again, Jane brought the choir together to sing.  We thank Jane and all who participated to make these services so very special while giving all Glory to God!   

Something to ponder:  We just celebrated that Jesus arose!  We serve a living savior!  He certainly lives at Mt. Zion as many of us witness each Sunday morning!  Does He live in your home?  At your workplace?  In your car?  At your friend’s house?  Is He a part of your conversations?  Your thoughts?  If the answer to any of these questions is “no” guess who can do something to change the answer to “yes”?   You!  He is waiting for an invitation!  Invite Him in and watch things begin to change!!

Birthday Open House

The family of Ray Lewis would like to invite you to an open house for Ray’s 90^th Birthday!  The celebration will be held in the church fellowship hall on Saturday, April 12^th from 2-4PM.  Your presence at this celebration is gift enough! 

Concert/Fundraiser - April 11th @ Stonebridge Church

The Hancock Christian Clearing House will be holding its second Southern Gospel concert with the Talley Trio and Sojourner.   Please help get the word out! This fundraiser is different from the other fundraisers held by HCCH throughout the year.  It is one which brings praise and honor to the Lord and encourages Christians and non-Christians alike. 

 Roger, Debra and daughter Lauren Talley are a musical family devoted to God and each other.  While their roots are in southern gospel music, the east Tennessee family has developed a unique, progressive sound that combines southern gospel with praise and worship, hymns and many other styles.  The Talley’s’ top priority in concert is to lift up Christ in their music while presenting the gospel to the listener through song and testimony.  Their professionalism and pursuit of excellence is only superseded by their ability to connect with an audience through the message of love, grace and forgiveness.

 The Talley Trio has enjoyed a total of seven number one singles.  One of these hits, The Healer, received a 2003 BMI Award for radio airplay.  They have received many awards, including the 2000 Southern Gospel Music Association Album of the Year for the recording Testament.  Debra and Roger have each received many awards.  At 24, Lauren has already won three Singing News Fan Awards for Favorite Young Artist.  She has also appeared on the long-running CBS show Touched by an Angel.

 The Talley’s travel in excess of 100 dates per year and are regularly a part of the Gaither Homecoming Concert Tour.

 Sojourner is a Christian music ministry based in Findlay.  The four members all carry strong Biblical beliefs and worship the only living God.  The group has traveled extensively throughout the United States and has shared the stage with The Hoppers, Ivan Parker, New Journey, Lighthouse, The Crabb Family, The Booth Brothers, The Isaacs and many others.  Sojourner members are men completed devoted to Jesus Christ not only through their music ministry but through their personal lives as well.

 This concert will be held on Friday, April 11, at Stonebridge Church of God.  Doors will open at 6 pm for the 7 pm concert.  Tickets are $15 and can purchased at Main Street News, Springs of Life Bookstore, Christian Bookstore, Hancock Christian Clearing House office, or by calling the Arts Partnership at 419-422-4624

The Wannabee's Buzz

Our March gathering was held at the home of Mark and Tonya Marvin.  We had sausage sandwiches and everyone brought a dish to share.  We certainly eat well at our gatherings!  Our mission project was to help out Chopin Hall and we gathered a nice supply of items to be donated.  The devotions were “Speaking the Word of God out Loud” led by Mark and Tonya with everyone participating by memorizing and reading several Bible verses.  Our April gathering will be held on April 6th at 4:30PM.  We will meet for dinner at the Cracker Barrel in Findlay.  Following dinner everyone is invited to a “Spring Training Event” entitled “Going Missional”.  This is to be held at the First UMC in Ada, Ohio.  We will plan to carpool.   Anyone interested in attending the training please let Tonya or Pastor Dave know. 

Donations for Chopin Hall

18 bags of clothing, 7 jars of peanut butter, 10 cans of soup, 2 bags of hand lotions and shampoos, a stack of Reader’s Digests, 2 pair of shoes, toilet paper, Kleenex, 12 toothbrushes, toothpaste, club crackers, potatoes, macaroni, salad dressing, spaghetti sauce, paper towels, pizza sauce, 2 cans of fruit, cake frosting, pudding, tomatoes, pickles, noodles, 6 packages of ramen noodles, and 2 purses.    Thank you to the Wannabe group for the extra donations!

Submitted by Carol Ziessler

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To God Be The Glory!

To contact the Pastor

pastor@eastmtzionchurch.com

Dave Noel 419 - 894 - 6887

To place information in the newsletter

newsletter@eastmtzionchurch.com

Tonya Marvin - 419 - 894 - 6958

To start the prayer chain

prayer@eastmtzionchurch.com

Pam Scott 419-396-6042

To place information in bulletin

bulletin@eastmtzionchurch.com

Peter Zaras - 419 - 387 - 7934

ATTENDANCE

DATE /  SS  /  WORSHIP

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CONGRATULATIONS!

A big congrats goes out to our local high school winter sports teams and our youth that participated on those teams! 

Congrats to the Riverdale Lady Falcons & the New Riegel ladies basketball teams for making it all the way to the state semi-final game in Columbus, Ohio.  For those that followed the teams along the tournament route, you could not help but notice one positive characteristic that came to the forefront. The manner in which these girls presented themselves, treated people, & performed throughout the tournament was "First Class!"  Actions speak so much louder than words, and their actions were superb! Being that these are local schools and surrounding communities, we should be proud to know that there are a "few good kids" out there.   Winning or handling defeat gracefully does not just happen.  It takes total preparation and leadership.  Physical, Emotional, Mental, and most important Spiritual preparation.  Hats off to the student athletes and coaches involved!  Thank you to the people, teachers, coaches, and parents that spend endless hours preparing and influencing our children for the future, so that they may perform both on and off the court to the best of their God given ability.  You can never pay back, but you can always pay forward, and working with kids is a great way to pay forward!......a quote from the doorman at the hotel as the Riverdale girls left for the drive to the Schottenstein Center, "God Love Ya!"

Heather Wolfe for her great success in the cheerleading competition! 

Karen Wise for being selected as Top Offensive Player on the Riverdale 8th Grade Girls Basketball Team.

All of our youth that make the Honor, or Merit roll each semester. (and an honor that often goes unnoticed)

GOOD LUCK!

To our youth that are going to participate in the Annual Solo & Ensemble Contest on April 12th in Elida, Ohio. 

To the youth in our church participating in spring sports! 

To the youth entering the new 4-H year!  Good luck on those projects! 

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"I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will."

Recited by the Ohio State Football team

 before each game.

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There is a time for everything,

Sausage Day 2008

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