This newsletter provides information about the Epworth United Methodist Church located in Massillon, Ohio. It includes the sermon topics and scripture readings for November and December, contact information for the pastor, announcements about upcoming events like Thanksgiving and Christmas services, and schedules for choir practices and youth activities. It also thanks volunteers and provides contact information for church committees.

1. EpworthUnitedMethodistChurch
3061LincolnWayW.
MassillonOH44647
CHANGESERVICEREQUESTED
DATEDMATERIAL
November/December 2018
The Echo
November/December 2018
Newsletter of Epworth United Methodist Church
Worship Time: Sunday 9:30am
Sermons for November and December
November 4: All Saint’s Day, “GIFTS: Extravagant Generosity” II Corinthians 9:1-15, Communion
November 11: “SERVICE: Spiritual Gifts and Gifts-Based Service” I Corinthians 12:1-11; Romans 12:4-8
November 18: “WITNESS: Invitational Evangelism” Romans 5:1-11; John 1:35-39
November 25: “God is Better than His Plan” Ruth 1:1-15; 4:13-17; CHIRST THE KING SUNDAY
December 2: Holy Communion: “The Scandal of Christmas” Genesis 3:1-10; FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 9: “Three Votes for an Early Christmas” Isaiah 9:2-7; Micah 5:2-5a; Job 9:25-33; SECOND SUN-
DAY OF ADVENT
December 16: “Christmas Comes to a Back Fence” Luke 1:39-45; THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 23: “Celebrating Christmas in a Hotel” Luke 2:1-7; FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 24: Christmas Eve, “How the First Christmas Happened” Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 2:1-8 CANDE-
LIGHT LESSONS AND CAROLS SERVICE
December 30: Pastor on Vacation

2. Pastor’s Pen
Pastor Les’ Home #330.938 7704 Cell#330.284.6531
Prayer Line—Barb Dillen: 330.705.9049 or 330.832.7253
THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS AND CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS!
Thanksgiving has provided us an opportunity to express our gratitude and thankfulness for food, fami-
ly, friends, freedom, and, more recently, football. (But then no one in Massillon likes football, do
they?) If you ask anyone, even any Christian what they are thankful for this time of year; they are
likely to respond with things like: good health, steady income, a loving family and friends, etc. And
such things are blessings, but is this what biblical thanksgiving is all about?
The biblical perspective in relation to the traditional American view of “thanksgiving” according to pas-
tor/author Michael Youssef is this: “Biblical thanksgiving does not focus on our circumstances, but on
the character of God. Circumstances change; God does not.”
The Bible does not discourage us from being thankful for material things. The psalms often praise
God for deliverance, shelter, children, and life itself. The Psalms offer praise and thanksgiving for
earthly things, but often end with “magnify the Lord with me” (Psalm 34:3).
If we only thanked God for good things and good times, what happens when things and times aren’t
so good? Can we have thankful hearts when the previous year saw the loss of a job, the death of a
spouse, a serious sickness, brokenness, and deep sorrow? This question is much more pressing, as
many more people in our fallen world are suffering than are not.
Job states, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
So in loss of everything or gain, Job blesses God. How can Job have this attitude? Because He trusts
in God’s unchanging character in his changing circumstances.
Paul, while in prison, tells his fellow Christians to “rejoice always” (Philippians 4:4) and to fill their
prayers with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6) even though he himself had few earthly things for which to
be thankful, except things like imprisonment, beatings, and persecution.
This Thanksgiving Day, and as we then quickly begin to prepare for the celebration of Christmas,
which is God’s Greatest Gift—Jesus Christ; may we thank God for all the good things God provides,
but no matter what, may we praise God for being—the unchanging “God and Father of our Lord Je-
sus Christ, who has blessed us will all the spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians
1:3).
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas!
Rev Les Peine
Thank You’s
Thank you to Larry Hinson for overseeing the Building Fund Account and taking the deposits to the bank.
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– Thursday to get a rental form & will be put on
the schedule when the deposit is made.
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.
Church Office Hours 9 am—Noon, Monday-Thursday contact Frances.

3. Musical Notes
If you like music and like to
sing, come join us! Adult Choir
rehearses at 8:40 in the Choir Room on the Sun-
days they sing. Spirit Praise, for folks in 6th
grade - adult, rehearses at 8:30 in the Sanctuary
when they sing. The music schedule for Novem-
ber through January is:
Nov. 4,11,18 - Adult Choir
Nov. 25 - Spirit Praise
Dec. 2, 9 16 23 - Adult Choir
Dec. 23 program - Adult, Spirit Praise, children
Dec. 24 - Adult Choir, Spirit Praise, Handbells
Dec. 30 - Spirit Praise
Jan. 6, 13, 20 - Adult Choir
Jan. 27 - Spirit Praise
Make a joyful noise!
Marie
“Twas the Night Before Christmas”
Sunday, December 23
The choirs, youth, kids and others will
present the program during worship.
Rehearsal will be on Sunday, December 16 - time
to be announced. Marie will have parts for every-
one soon! We will need a mouse, angels, shep-
herds and others!
Jesus Loves the Little Children…..
And the Big Kids, Too!
Children age 3—5th grade are invited to
Sunday School Class each week after worship at
10:40 a.m. Linda Lockwood and Debbie Scheetz
are there to tell you Bible stories, sing songs and
teach you about God and Jesus.
BIBLE BUDDIES, for ages 4 through our
youth helpers, will be “Traveling through the Para-
bles” this year. It begins each time at 5:30 and
ends at 7:30. Each gathering includes songs, Bible
Story, craft, snack and games! Come, bring some
friends and have a great time “traveling” with Lin-
da and Marie and whoever else is with us! Bible
Buddies will meet on these dates:
November 18 December 16 January 20
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
YOUTH in grades 6-12 are invited to Sun-
day School Class each week after worship in the
Youth Room. Marie Senften- Deitz will guide you
in discussion as you learn and grow in your faith.
YOUTH GROUP will be held from 4:00-
5:30 p.m. on November 21, December 16 and Jan-
uary 20 in the Youth Room. We’ll have a meal
and activity.
At our October meeting we’ll talk about
mission projects and other activities.
Bring a friend and come for a great time
of fellowship!
Questions about children or youth pro-
grams? Contact Marie or Linda.
Adult Sunday School
Sunday School classes for adults of all
ages are held each week after worship.
The Friendship Class meets in the Fel-
lowship Hall under the leadership of Alice Fazzone.
The Young & Not-So-Young Adults, led by Rod Deitz,
meet in the parlor.
See you in Sunday School!
We will be ringing bells for the The
Salvation Army on Saturday, De-
cember 1, and Monday, December
10, from 10 a.m.— 6 p.m. at Bueh-
lers. Please see Cleo Kelley to sign-
up for a time.
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
preparation, run errands, make phone calls, etc.
Visit http://www.hospicewr.org for more infor-
mation of call us at 216.255.9090
Join us to “Ring In the Season” on Sunday,
November 25. Worship at 9:30. All are invit-
ed to stay and Hang the Greens in the Sanc-
tuary and fellowship hall following worship.
Your help is needed. We will have a cov-
ered dish luncheon at 11:30 a.m.
An Angel tree will be ready on December
2. 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 “How
the First Christmas Hap-
pened.” Hear and see the
Christmas story unfold in
music, pictures, and words as
shared by our children,
youth, and choirs. The ser-
vice beings at 6:00 p.m. on
December 24. Communion
will be served.
Operation Christmas Child. We will be
packing shoeboxes for Samaritan's
Purse. Shoeboxes are due November
11. See Alyce Ripple for details.
Quarter Auction
To Benefit Epworth
U.M.C.
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Starts at 2:00 pm
Doors open at 1:00 pm
Only $5.00;Extra paddles $ 2
Food & beverages available for pur-
chase
Place:
Epworth U. M. C.
3061 Lincoln Way N. W.

4. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Santa’s Secret Shop is coming to Epworth on December 3, 4, 5 and 6. 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 2. Please contact the Director for information.
THEMES INFANT/TODDLERS
Nov 5—Apple Week 10, Pink, Crescent
Nov 12—Community Helpers 1, Brown, Square
Nov 19—Fun w/Cooking 2, Red, Diamond
Nov 26—Thanksgiving 3, White, Crescent
Dec 3—Warm Clothes 4, Pink, Oval
Dec 10—Domestic Animals 5, Purple, Triangle
Dec 17—Christmas Around Christmas Around
The World the World
Dec 24—Spatial Concepts 6, Blue, Heart
Dec 31 — Nursery Rhymes/ 7, Yellow, Star
Rhyming sounds
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov 20—Thanksgiving Feast
Nov 22-23—Day Care Closed
Dec 3-6—Santa’s Secret Shop
Dec 21—Christmas Party—Friday
Dec 24-31—Day Care Only
Dec 25-—Day Care Closed
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!
Christmas Poinsettia Order Form
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
11/19 Tisha King
11/19 Trent Cakanic
11/21 Jim Brunckhart
11/22 Sandy Hunter
11/22 Gabe Cakanicl
11/29 Devin Ramsey
November Anniversaries
11/27 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
To order your Christmas poinsettia, send this completed
form and your check to the church office. Make your
check out for $8 to Epworth United Methodist. Please mark
memo line “poinsettia”.
_____Red _____White ____Pink
The deadline for
ordering is
November11th!
Your Name __________________________________
(as you want printed in acknowledgment insert)
Phone # ___________________________________
Please specify for bulletin:
In Memory Of _________________________________________
In Honor Of ___________________________________________
(Other) _______________________________________________
FINANCIAL REPORT
CHURCH
9/1/2018Balance Fwd. $13,773.09
Receipts $8,046.65
Total Income $21,819.74
Expenses $8,208.95
09/31/2018Balance $13,610.79
SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
9/31/2018EOC Credit Union $2,224.79
EOC Credit Union $11,945.31
FARMERS Savings $28,472.90
Total $42,644.11
BUILDING EXPANSION
09/01/18Balance Fwd. $ 133.28
Pledges $ 1,089.00
St. Pauly's $ 115.17
Church $ 1,300.00
Hall Rent $ 50.00
Total Income $ 2,687.45
Payment on Principle $ 2,453.35
Extra Payment on Prin. $ 115.17
09/31/2018Balance $ 118.93
9/1/2018Loan Balance $ 160,828.16
Payment on Principle $ 1,865.27
Extra Payment on Prin. $ 115.17
09/31/2018Loan Balance $ 158,847.72