The newsletter from Epworth United Methodist Church provides information about upcoming worship services, church activities, and volunteer opportunities for November and December. The sermon series will focus on "In the Darkness, There is Light" with themes around Advent. Activities include Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection, Hanging of the Greens, children's and youth programs, and Christmas Eve services. Volunteers are needed to assist with communion delivery and Salvation Army bell ringing.

1. EpworthUnitedMethodistChurch
3061LincolnWayW.
MassillonOH44647
CHANGESERVICEREQUESTED
DATEDMATERIAL
November/December 2015
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 2015
Newsletter of Epworth United Methodist Church
Worship Time: Sunday 9:30am
Sermons for November and December
November 1: All Saint’s Day, “For All the Saints” Luke 19:1-10
November 8: “Joy in the Journey” Psalm 129-136
November 15: “Streams of Living Water” Psalm 16:1-11
November 22: “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
November 29: United Methodist Student Day, Hanging of the Greens “In the
Darkness of Despair, There is the Light of Hope” Isaiah 9:207
December 6: Holy Communion: “In the Darkness of Suffering, There is the Light of Life” John 1:1-13
December 13: “In the Darkness of Oppression, There is the Light of Salvation” Luke 2:1-5
December 20: “In the Darkness of Fear, There is the Light of Joy” Luke 2:6-11
December 24: Christmas Eve, “In the Light of Anxiety, There is the Light of Peace” Luke 2:12-17
December 27: “In the Darkness of Uncertainty, There is the Light of Wonder” Luke 2:17-20

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 Carolyn’s Home #330.494.5653 Cell#330.904.3075
Prayer Line—Barb Dillen: 330.705.9049 or 330.832.7253
Greetings Epworth Family,
The holiday season is once again bearing down upon us. For some of us it is a time of rejoicings, others,
a time of stress, and still others a time of confusion and pain. But for all of us it is a time of “Good News.”
“Good News is the message the angles sang about at the birth of Christ and it is still the message we
need to hear today. The Savior has come. We read in John 1:14; “So the Word became human and lived here on
earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only
Son of the Father.” (NLT). Why Jesus choose to leave Heaven and dwell with us on earth is a mystery that can
only be explained by love.
I love to get mail, however most of the mail we receive at our house is either junk mail or bills (bad
news). But this time of the year we receive many cards and letters from family and friends catching us up on the
events in their lives from the past year. It is always so good to hear from them even though we kind of loose
touch over the year we are reunited at Christmas time.
Sometimes that’s the way it is with Jesus. We don’t always keep in touch with Him the way we should,
but the glaring lights, decorations, cards in the mail and the blaring music serve as a constant reminder that
something special is happening…Jesus has come to dwell among us. That’s the good news!
This year let every eaten cookie, every blinking light, every ringing bell, every holiday smile be a re-
minder to you of God’s promise of a Messiah. Jesus has come and will come again. God’s faithfulness will
strengthen us and guide us in all of our days. His love endures forever.
Holiday blessings to you and yours, Pastor Carolyn
Thank You’s
Thank you to Larry Hinson for overseeing the Building Fund Account and taking the deposits to the bank.
Thank you to Sean Remley for the new programmable thermostat in the fellowship hall..
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 Sean Remley 330.837.8547
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 Sheetz 330.477.3895
Stewardship Ray Kennedy 330.837.9522
Day Care Board Darrel Brinker 330.833.6486
Operation Christmas Child. We will be
packing shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse.
Shoeboxes are due November 15. See
Alyce Ripple for details.
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.
The Trustees are holding a Light-Bulb
Drive. In case you haven’t noticed,
several of the light bulbs in the Fel-
lowship Hall need to be replaced.
The Trustees would like to replace all of the
light bulbs and pay to have them done since
none of them are tall enough to reach the
ceiling. Suggested donation is $20; but any
and all donations are welcome Please just
mark it Light Bulbs.
The Salvation Army thanks you for
your generous donation of three bags
of school supplies.

3. Sunday School: Classes for ages 3-grade 6 following
worship! Come to learn about God and Jesus and the
Bible! Come to learn how to live as Christ wants you to!
Bible Buddies: We are traveling “On the Roman Road”
this year! Each gathering is held from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
and includes songs, a Bible story, a craft, snack and
games.
The schedule for this year is:
November 22 Romans 5:8
December 20 “Side-trip: Christmas!!”
Kids Camp-In: March 12-13—Mark your calendars now!
Christmas Program: December 20 –10:40 a.m.
(Rehearsal December 13 during SS)
Jesus welcomed the children! They are precious to Him!
Children are an important part of our church family.
Take the step to bring the children in your life to Bible
Buddies! Share your faith with a child by bringing them
to worship! Debbie has wonderful Children’s Chats
each Sunday! Don’t wait to do something!
Questions about children’s programs? See Linda or
Marie.
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to
such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Blessings,
Marie
The invitation is still open: If you like to
sing, you are welcome to sing with one or
both of our groups! Join us as we spread
the Word through music.
Spirit Praise is for youth grades 7-12 and
adults of all ages. We rehearse on Sunday
morning at 8:30 a.m.! If you play the guitar
or another instrument, we welcome you also!
Special rehearsals may be called as needed.
Adult Choir is for adults of all ages,. We re-
hearse on Sunday morning at 8:40 a.m.. Spe-
cial rehearsals may be called as needed.
Handbells will be playing in November & De-
cember. Please let me know if you would
like to play. We will set up rehearsals soon.
Rehearsal for Christmas Eve service will be
Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
The music schedule coming up is:
November 1—Adult Choir
November 8—Adult Choir
November 15-Adult Choir
November 22– Adult Choir
November 29—Spirit Praise and
Handbells
December 6—Adult Choir
December 13– Adult Choir
December 20– Adult Choir
December 24—Adult Choir, Spirit
Praise, Handbells
December 27—Spirit Praise
Make a joyful noise!
Marie “The Light Before Christmas”, our intergenera-
tional Christmas Program will be shared on
Sunday, Dec. 20 following worship. I will be
asking folks to take parts over the next few
weeks. Plan to says yes! We will need Census
Takers, Innkeepers, Star Trackers and Angels, as well as
Mary & Joseph and a couple of sunglass salesmen !
Thanks! Marie
Hardtack & Peanut
Brittle
The Youth will have candy for sale
beginning December 6. Orders will not be
taken. Don’t wait to get yours!
The cost will be $4.00/bag. Pastor Carolyn is looking for a few people to
take communion and small gifts to our shut-
ins. Please contact her if you can help with
this mission.
We will be ringing bells for the The
Salvation Army on Monday, Decem-
ber 14, and Saturday, December 19,
from 10 a.m.— 7 p.m. at Fisher
Foods. Please see Cleo Kelley to sign-up for a
time.
Youth group is open to all youth in grades 7-12. We of-
fer times of Bible study, worship, service projects, mis-
sion, fun and fellowship. We welcome youth from
many schools and many parts of the county! We
welcome youth as they are and where they are on their
faith journey. No requirements…..no conditions.
FISHTANK is held on Wednesdays during the school year
from 7-9:00 p.m. All Youth grades 7-12 are welcome to
come! The FishTank schedule for November –December
is: Nov. 4, Nov. 18, Dec. 2, Dec. 16.
Sunday School for Youth follows worship in the Youth
Room. Our lessons this fall are “Things Your Sunday
School Teacher Never Told You!”
We are working on a video production for Christmas
Eve, the Christmas Program for Dec. 20 and Shoeboxes.
Youth Schedule for November & December:
November 4— FishTank 7:00-9:00 p.m.
November 18—FishTank 7:00-9:00 p.m.
November 22—Bible Buddies 5:30-7:30 p.m.
December 2—FishTank 7:00-9:00 p.m.
December 4—Candymaking 6:30-11:30 p.m.
December 13– Christmas program rehearsal
during SS
December 20—Bible Buddies 5:30-7:30 p.m.
December 20—Christmas Eve rehearsal 7:30 p.m.
December 30– Christmas Party—International
Dinner 7:00 p.m.
Growing together on our faith journeys….
Rod & Marie
Come to the Parlor following worship for
coffee and conversation (& maybe donuts!) during
the Sunday School hour If you have
children, take them to Sunday School class and
join us in the parlor. If you don’t have children,
just come to the parlor! We are looking forward
to growing this group! Krissy Lockwood will meet
you there.
Thanksgiving Service will be held on
Sunday, November 22, at First UMC be-
ginning at 6 p.m. Please come and join us
as we offer thanks for the many
blessings we have received.
Hanging of the Greens will be on Sunday,
November 29. We will have a covered dish
following decorating of the rooms at 11:30
a.m. Chicken and pizza will be provided.
Bring a dessert or a salad.
An Angel tree will be ready on
November 29. We will provide
Christmas for a family from
The Salvation Army.
The Youth will hold a Pancake
Breakfast beginning at 8 a.m.
on Sunday, December 6. Do-
nations will be accepted. Hard tack and
peanut brittle will be available at this time.
Join us in candlelight on
Christmas Eve as we cele-
brate Christ’s birth and
“Peace on Earth.” Hear
and see the Christmas sto-
ry unfold in music, pic-
tures, and words as shared
by our children, youth,
and choirs. The service
beings at 6:30 p.m. on December 24.
Communion will be served.

4. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Santa’s Secret Shop is coming to Epworth on December 7, 8, 9 and 10. 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
Kidstuff Coupon Books:
The Center has the privilege of distributing Kidstuff coupon books again. The cost is $25.
They will be available until November 6. Please contact the Director for information. The
proceeds will go towards playground equipment in the spring of 2016.
THEMES INFANT/TODDLERS
Nov 2—Apple Week 9, Brown, Octagon
Nov 9—Community Helpers 10, Pink, Crescent
Nov 16—Fun w/Cooking 1, Brown, Square
Nov 23—Thanksgiving 2, Red, Diamond
Nov 28—Family Unit 3, White Crescent
Dec 7—Warm Clothes 4, Pink, Oval
Dec 14—Domestic Animals 5, Purple, Triangle
Dec 21—Christmas Around Christmas Around
The World the World
Dec 28—Spatial Concepts 6, Blue, Heart
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov 24—Thanksgiving Feast
Nov 26-27—Day Care Closed
Dec 7-10—Santa ‘s Secret Shop
Dec 18—Christmas Party 9-11 Friday
Dec 21-31—Day Care Only (No Preschool)
Dec 24—Day Care Closes early at 3:00 pm.
Dec 25—Day Care Closed
Jan 1—New Years Day Closed
Jan 4—Preschool re-opens
Jan 18—Martin Luther King Day—No Preschool
Open House
I want to thank all of the parents for coming to Open House. It was a special time to
come together as a family. The staff mentioned that they know the parents a little
better, and I hope the parents feel the same. Please remember Open House is not the
only time to speak with a teacher. The DayCare is very concerned with Staff-Parent
relations. Your communication about your child helps us to meet your child's needs
to the best of our ability.
Thank You for Serving
November
Invocation Greeters Head Usher Mission Prj Calvary Mission
11-1 Youth Dolly Henry Allen Hendricks Shoe boxes spaghetti sauce
11-8 Frances Stuck Lavonne Cindric
11-15 Linda Lockwood Scott DeLuca & Kim Woods
11-22 Tiffany Remley Tiffany Remley
11-29 Bonnie Kerr Alyce Ripple
December
Invocation Greeters Head Usher Mission Prj Calvary Mission
12-6 Larry Hinson Norma & Ralph Cox Allen Hendricks canned vegetables
12-13 Bryan Stuck Iva Rees
12-20 Tiffany Remley Alice Brunckhart
12-27 Bonnie Kerr Scott DeLuca & Kim Woods
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 REPORT
CHURCH
09/01/2015Balance Fwd. $14,570.30
Receipts $7,011.82
Total Income $21,582.12
09/30/2015Expenses $8,658.68
Balance ($12,923.44)
BUILDING EXPANSION
09/01/2015Balance Fwd. $ 218.03
Pledges $ 675.00
Hall Rent $ 50.00
Church $ 1,600.00
Total Income $ 2,543.03
Expenses $ 2,453.35
09/30/2015Balance $ 89.68
09/01/2015Loan Balance $ 234,053.53
Payment on Principal $ 1,596.60
09/30/2015Loan Balance $ 232,456.93
Hall payment has been reduced from
$2,640.33 to $2,453.35 per month