This newsletter from Epworth United Methodist Church provides information about upcoming church events and services for November and December 2016. The pastor's letter discusses the church's mission to reach others for Christ and make disciples. Information is provided about choir rehearsals, Sunday school, Bible study for kids, volunteering opportunities, and holiday worship services including Christmas Eve. The financial report outlines the status of the church and building expansion fund checking accounts.

1. EpworthUnitedMethodistChurch
3061LincolnWayW.
MassillonOH44647
CHANGESERVICEREQUESTED
DATEDMATERIAL
November/December 2016
Email Addresses Needed:
We are trying to conserve mailing costs. If you are
willing to have the newsletter emailed to you, please
contact Frances at epworthum@sssnet.com
The Echo
November/December 2016
Newsletter of Epworth United Methodist Church
Worship Time: Sunday 9:30am
Sermons for November and December
November 6: All Saint’s Day, “For All the Saints” 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 Luke 20:27-38, Communion
November 13: “Is the End Near?” Luke 21:5-19
November 20: “The Beginning and the End!” Col 1:11-20, Lune 23:33-43
November 27: “Watch!” Psalms 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 Hanging of the Greens
December 4: Holy Communion: “Turn” Isaiah 11:1-10, Matthew 3:1-12
December 11: “See!” Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 11:2-11
December 18: “Dream!” Isaiah 7:10-16, Matthew :18-25
December 24: Christmas Eve, “Peace!” Luke 2:4-7, 2:8-14, 2:15-20
December 25: “Word” John 1:1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14

2. Pastor’s Pen
Church Office Hours 9 am—Noon, Monday-Friday contact Frances.
Please call the office if you or a family member are to be hospitalized, are
under a doctor’s care, need a pastoral visit. When admitted, please inform
the hospital of your church affiliation.
Pastor Les’ Home #330.478.5118 Cell#330.284.6531
Prayer Line—Barb Dillen: 330.705.9049 or 330.832.7253
“WHAT ARE WE?”
Acts 2:27-2:32
The Church, more than any other institution in the world, does not exist solely for the sake of its membership.
Do we want to be a “Comfortable Church” or a “Great Commission Church?” The church exists to be the
salt of the earth, the light of the world, the redeeming factor in a dying society. Everything we do must be for
the purpose of reaching others for Jesus Christ.
George Barna wrote about growing churches:
“These were people who were passionate about outreach...They saw every event in their lives as having a hand
in better enabling them to reach others for Christ. They looked upon life as an opportunity to serve God.”
God has brought those of us who love Him together and who love the lost souls, in order to reach our world for
Christ. To reach our world for Jesus, we must have a passion, an overwhelming desire to see persons come to a
saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The gospel must be the first priority in all we do to reach people for Jesus Christ. The gospel is to be studied in
Bible study, proclaimed in regular worship services, and shared outside the church.
We now have a generation of Americans referred to as the “new pagans” and a larger portion of our nation who
list themselves as “None(s)” (when asked about their religious preference.) These are people who are biblically
illiterate. One poll showed that 93 percent of Americans have a Bible in their home, but only 12 percent read it
daily. Less than one third knew that the expression “God helps those who help themselves” is not in the Bible.
Less than half knew Jonah is a book in the Bible.
The early church did its outreach within the framework of meaningful ministry and missions (Acts 2:45; 4:32).
One reason the apostles were so flexible in their ministry is because they knew that their overall mission was to
preach Jesus Christ and make disciples.
Our primary concern should be missions and ministry for Christ. When we take care of ministering God’s
Word, He takes care of our growth. The growth of a plant depends on three things—the seed, the soil, and the
seasons. Missions and ministry create a climate in the church that makes growth possible. If we are to be pas-
sionate in our outreach, we must be involved in life-changing ministries that will touch lives and make a differ-
ence.
May God give us a passion that will not die, a desire that will be fueled by our zeal for serving the Lord.
Thank You’s
Thank you to Larry Hinson for overseeing the Building Fund Account and taking the deposits to the bank.
Thank you to Epworth for your donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation in memory of my mom.—Frances
Stuck
If you have questions about the following areas, contact
the people listed below:
Admin Board Nathan Lockwood 330.685.4199
Council on Min Alyce Ripple 330.832.5216
Trustees Marcia Paul 330.837.5424
Usher Allen Hendricks 330.832.4850
Director of Music Marie Deitz 330.837.1651
Spirit Marie Deitz 330.837.1651
Joyful Noise Debbie Scheetz 330.477.3985
Youth Marie & Rod Deitz 330.837.1651
Prayer Line Barb Dillen 330.705.9049
SPR Chair Debbie Scheetz 330.477.3895
Finance Alice Fazzone 330.833.5521
Lay Leader Debbie Scheetz 330.477.3895
Stewardship
Day Care Board Bryan Stuck 330.309.1900
Fellowship Hall Rental—Cost is only $50.00 for members and
$250.00 for non-members. You will need to contact Frances from
9am to noon Mon– Friday to get a rental form & will be put on the
schedule when the deposit is made.

3. We had a great beginning to Bible Buddies this year! We
welcomed some new friends, as well as some of our old
friends! The next Bible Buddies gathering is November
20, 5:30-7:30 pm. Our theme in November is “Jesus
Goes Up a Mountain.” We will gather on December 11
for “Side-trip: Christmas!” Each gathering is for chil-
dren ages 4-grade 6, and has music, Bible story, craft,
games, a snack and great fellowship time. The schedule
for the remainder of the year is January 22, February 29
and April 30. Our Kids’ Camp-in will be March 18-19.
We were excited to welcome some friends that we met
during Vacation Bible School to our Sunday School class
this fall! Sunday School for ages 3-6th grade follows
worship each week, 10:40-11:30. Please be a part of this
ministry by bringing your children, grandchildren, niec-
es, nephews and friends to worship and the special ac-
tivities that we have planned just for them.
If you have questions about Sunday School, Bible Bud-
dies or anything about children’s programs, please ask!
Calendars for the year are available.
Blessings,
Marie
Anyone who likes to “Make a joyful noise
before the Lord” is invited to sing with the
Adult Choir or Spirit Praise!
Adult Choir rehearses at 8:40 am in the
choir room before worship when they sing.
Spirit rehearses on the Sundays they sing at
8:30 in the sanctuary.
Our music schedule for November and De-
cember:
November 6 - Adult Choir
November 13– Adult Choir
November 20 – Spirit Praise
November 27 - Adult Choir
December 4 - Adult Choir
December 11– Adult Choir
December 18 Adult Choir
December 24 - Spirit Praise, Adult
Choir, Handbells
December 25 - Spirit Praise
Rehearsal for the Christmas Eve service will
be Sunday, December 18 at 7:00 pm.
If you play guitar, drums or another instru-
ment, we would love to have you play with
us!
Make a joyful noise!
Our intergenerational Christmas program will be
Sunday, Dec. 18, following worship. We will rehearse
on Dec. 11 following worship. There are parts for eve-
ryone! Check out the list and let me know what you
are interested in: narrator, innkeeper, shepherd,
Angel Herald, The Star, Mary, Joseph, Animals, Angels
and 3 wise men. We need kids, teens, and adults of all
ages! Get in touch with Marie to take part!
We are looking forward to gathering with
our young adults (18—28) during the holi-
days. If you live out of town, we need to
know when you will be in town. If you are in
town, we need to know when you are not
working or have breaks in your classes!
Talk to us at worship, text Marie at 330-754-
9443 or message us on Facebook—Rod Deitz
or Marie Senften-Deitz.
Continuing together on our faith jour-
neys…….
Jesus said, “Let
the little children
come to me, for to
these belongs the
kingdom of heaven.”
We will be ringing bells for the The
Salvation Army on Saturday, De-
cember 10, and Monday, December
12, from 10 a.m.— 6 p.m. at Bueh-
lers. Please see Cleo Kelley to sign-
Touch a Life….Become a Hospice Volunteer.
Hospice is a philosophy of care, not a place. We
care for our patients wherever they call home. As
a vital part of our team volunteers come from all
walks of life, and have a variety of skills, talents,
and abilities. Opportunities to server are diverse:
visit patients and families to provide companion-
ship, socialization, and comfort, help with legacy
work, transportation, light housework, meal prep-
aration, run errands, make phone calls, etc.
Visit http://www.hospicewr.org for more infor-
mation of call us at 216.255.9090
A Community Thanksgiving Service will be
held on Sunday, November 20, at First
Christian Church, corner of Wales and
Hankins, beginning at 6 p.m. Please come
and join us as we offer thanks for the many
blessings we have received.
Join us to “Ring In the Season” the first
Sunday of Advent, November 27. Worship
at 9:30. All are invited to stay and Hang the
Greens in the Sanctuary and fellowship hall
following worship. Your help is needed.
Don’t like to decorate, join us in the fel-
lowship hall for coffee and fellowship.
Bring a dish to share (covered dish) for a
time of food and fellowship at 11:30.
An Angel tree will be ready on November
27. We will provide Christmas for a family
from The Salvation Army.
Join us in candlelight on
Christmas Eve as we cele-
brate Christ’s birth and
“Peace on Earth.” Hear and
see the Christmas story un-
fold in music, pictures, and
words as shared by our chil-
dren, youth, and choirs. The
service beings at 6:30 p.m.
on December 24. Commun-
ion will be served.
Operation Christmas Child. We will be
packing shoeboxes for Samaritan's
Purse. Shoeboxes are due November 13.
See Alyce Ripple for details.
175th Year Celebration
Talk has begun to make plans for cele-
brating 175 years of serving God in the
Brookfield community. If you would be
willing to help with these plans, talk to
Nate Lockwood. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!!

4. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Santa’s Secret Shop is coming to Epworth on December 5, 6, 7 and 8. I am looking
for helpers from 9 to 11:30 a.m. to assist the children in shopping. If you can come for a morning or
just an hour, I would really appreciate the help. Please let me know so that I can schedule help for each
day.
Kidstuff Coupon Books:
The Center has the privilege of distributing Kidstuff coupon books again. The cost is $25.
They will be available until November 4. Please contact the Director for information.
THEMES INFANT/TODDLERS
Nov 7—Apple Week 10, Pink, Crescent
Nov 14—Community Helpers 1, Brown, Square
Nov 21—Fun w/Cooking 2, Red, Diamond
Nov 28—Thanksgiving 3, White, Crescent
Dec 5—Warm Clothes 4, Pink, Oval
Dec 12—Domestic Animals 5, Purple, Triangle
Dec 18—Christmas Around Christmas Around
The World the World
Dec 26—Spatial Concepts 6, Blue, Heart
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov 22—Thanksgiving Feast
Nov 24-25—Day Care Closed
Dec 5-8—Santa’s Secret Shop
Dec 16—Christmas Party—Friday
Dec 19-30—Day Care Only
Dec 26—Day Care Closed
Jan 2— Day Care Closed
Jan 3—Preschool re-opens
Open House
What a WONDERFUL evening. It is always a special time when we get together as
a family. It is especially nice to finally meet grandparents and siblings. Even though
some of you have been coming to Open House for 20 plus years, you are still al-
ways welcome.
A Great Big THANK YOU goes out to all the Teachers for their extra work prepar-
ing the classroom and materials. YOU ARE THE BEST!
Thank You for Serving
November
Invocation Greeters Head Usher Mission Prj Calvary Mission
11-6 Youth Dolly Henry Allen Hendricks Shoe boxes spaghetti sauce
11-13 Alice Fazzone
11-20
11-27 LaVonne Cindric
December
Invocation Greeters Head Usher Mission Prj Calvary Mission
12-4 Youth Larry Hinson Allen Hendricks canned vegetables
12-11
12-18 Alice Fazzone
12-25
November Birthdays
11/3 Cleo Kelley
11/4 Dolly Henry
11/5 Marcia Paul
11/6 Cheryl Carter
11/12 Pam Staley
11/13 Frances Stuck
11/15 Keith Paulus
11/18 Walter Friend, Jr.
11/19 Tisha King
11/19 Trent Cakanic
11/21 Jim Brunckhart
11/22 Sandy Hunter
11/22 Gabe Cakanicl
11/29 Devin Ramsey
November Anniversaries
11/24 Deb & Tom Scheetz
11/27 Charlene & John Worrall
December Birthdays
12/1 Kathy Mortland
12/4 Iva Rees
12/5 Nick Staley
12/5 Lucas Kelley
12/7 Kameron Kincaid
12/9 Ralph Cox, Sr.
12/11 Sarah Paul
12/12 Laura Otte
12/12 Art Woods
12/14 Jeremiah Drobney
12/15 Nathan Schaffter
12/16 Bonnie Stipe
12/16 Mitch Derheimer
12/19 Nicole Weltich
12/23 Scott Bowe
12/27 Tim Remley
12/28 Theresa Lemon
12/28 Zoey Paulus
12/29 Vicki Henderson
12/31 David Stanford
December Anniversaries
12/2 Larry & Evelyn Hinson
12/21 Laura & Bob Otte
12/26 Deb & Sylvester Drobney
FINANCIAL RE-
PORT
CHURCH CHECKBOOK
09/01/2016 Bal. fwd. 21,181.00
Receipts 7,004.33
Total Income 28,185.33
09/30/2016Expenses 8,266.69
Balance 19,918.64
BUILDING EXPANSION CHECKBOOK
09/01/2016Bal. Fwd. 87.13
Pledges $ 1,791.83
Church $ 1,000.00
Total Income 2,791.83
Expenses $ 2,453.35
Extra Pay Principal $ 106.83
Total Expenses 2,560.18
09/30/2016Checkbook Balance 318.78
LOAN BALANCE
9/1/2016 Loan Bal. 210,346.96
Payment on Principal $ 1,683.54
Extra Pd. On
Principal
St. Pauly's Clothing Bin
Donations
9/30/2016 Loan Balance
$ 86.83
$ 20.00
$ 208,556.59