Julie & Mark Lightfoot have been selected by the East Chippewa Church of the Brethren Church Board as the ‘Spotlight’ Volunteers of the Month for February 2012. You can read more about Mark & Julie (& Hannah) on the Volunteer of the Month page (see menu) or by clicking HERE.

A brand new installment of PASTOR BRAD’S MONTHLY MESSAGE has been posted. You can find it on the menu on the left side of this page or by clicking HERE.

The Friendship Class will be going out to eat lunch at the Smithville Inn on Sunday, February 19th after church.  Everyone is invited to join the class. 
 ~Marlene Widmer

For everyone who hasn’t been to the parsonage for a while or if you have never been to the parsonage,you are invited to an “Open House” on Saturday February 11th from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Refreshments will be served.  Please Come!!!
~ Bonnie DeLauder

The Recreation Commission is inviting you to the
2012 Sweetheart Dinner
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Right after church~ Fellowship Hall
Come to enjoy a great spaghetti dinner!
Great food, fellowship and games for Everyone to enjoy!

Have you broken your New Year resolution yet?  I personally did not even make a formal resolution this year because I know myself too well.  My past resolutions were impossible to keep for the entire year.  You may fairly ask “why couldn’t you”? 

Now I have a confession that you can’t share with anyone.  It will be our secret.  It was because I was relying on my own strength to accomplish my goal.  I left God out of the equation.  After all God had enough to do without bothering him with my challenges.

Have you ever tried to force your will on a situation?  Maybe not intentionally but I suspect that you know that feeling you get when you feel someone has done or said something that was just too wrong to overlook.  How do you approach these experiences? 

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Do you bite your tongue or break out in a hot sweat or tremble with uncontrollable muscle twitches?  These responses might be preferable to what I sometimes try to do.  I try to “fix” the situation right then and there.  Where is God in this response?   If you have ever experience the tongue bite response it may indeed be the Holy Spirit tugging on your spirit as if to say “before you respond listen to me”. 

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I suggest we move the due date on the New Year Resolution to February 1st so I can practice the tongue bite technique. 
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John 16:8 states that when the Holy Spirit comes, He will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. In the same fashion, let’s say you were about to say something really nasty to someone. You suddenly either feel a “pulling back” by the Holy Spirit to not say that nasty thing, or you sense the Lord tap you on the skull and say,

“Son, that’s not nice. Don’t say that.” The word “to convict” is also translated as “to reprove.” We must be humble and accept God’s reproof of our actions!”
Author Unknown
 
Rick Horst, Deacon Board Chairperson

The Annual Conference is the foundation of the Church of the Brethren. Every congregation has the opportunity to send at least one delegate, (East Chippewa sends two) and any person–whether a delegate or not–is free to speak and offer motions.
 
Delegates from the 23 districts make up Standing Committee, which recommends action on new business and presents a ballot for delegate vote. Annual Conference establishes major policies and elects the Mission and Ministry Board, which is responsible for hiring staff, carrying out Conference decisions, and developing programs based on the guidelines Conference provides. The Mission and Ministry Board for the whole Church of the Brethren would act similarly to what our local Church Board does for East Chippewa.

Andy Hamilton, pastor of the Akron Ohio Springfield Church of the Brethren is one of the 17 elected members of the Board.  There are 8 ex-officio members.

Here are some of what the Mission and Ministry Board does:  Evangelism, Global mission Partnerships, Disaster Response, Brethren Volunteer Service, National Youth Conference, National Older Adult Conference, Ministry, Church planting, Messenger, Sunday School Curriculum, Peace and Justice, Global Food Crisis Fund, Congregational Ethics, Deacons, Work Camps, Outdoor Ministries (Church Camp), Spiritual Life.

For more information, see www.brethren.org

Submitted by Mavern King, Chair, Witness Commission

·          The Sr. Choir will practice on Monday, January 23nd at 7 pm and the Brass Ensemble will practice on Tuesday, January 24th at 7:30 pm.
·          Women’s Fellowship will meet at 9 am on Wednesday, January 25th.
·          Dinner will be at 6 pm on Wednesday, January 25thfollowed by On Our Way at 6:30 pm and Bible Study with Pastor Brad at 7 pm.
·          The deadline for items in the February newsletter will be Monday, January 23rd.
·          The Church Board Retreat will be held on Thursday, January 26th at 6:30 pm. All Commission members are invited with a strong request for at least one person from each commission to be in attendance. Please contact Jennifer Allison if you can attend.
·          For cancellations of Sunday Services and Wednesday night activities due to bad weather, please listen to WQKT 104.5. All Wednesday night church activities will be cancelled if the Smithville Schools are closed on that day.
·          People to People Ministries current food needs are: peanut butter, canned fruit, canned tuna fish, and spaghetti sauce. Personal items are: dish and laundry soap, toilet paper, and paper towels. Donated items can be placed in the People to People box in the narthex or in the coat room.
           The annual COB’s Service Sunday Challenge is planned for February 5th during the Morning Service. This year’s theme is “Using Our Lives for Faith-filled Service.” (1 John 3:18) Pastor Brad will take time to recognize those who have served in the past and challenge us to serve our Lord by serving others in the future.

NEXT SUNDAY January 29, 2012:
Greeters: Linda Worthen & Amanda Hollinger
Nursery: Julie Lightfoot
Worship Leader: Jim King
9:00 AM: Men’s Prayer Group
9:30 AM: Sunday School
10:25 AM: Worship – Sr. High Rally ~ Dupont CoB
2:30 PM: West View Manor~ Spirit Seekers

           
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“We extend our sympathy to the families of Norman, John & Homer Hostetler in the loss of their sister, Isa Gochnauer.”

“I would like to extend my sincerest Thank You to the congregation of East Chippewa for the prayers, cards, calls & visits during my recent illness and subsequent hospitalization. I’d also like to thank Rev. Brad,  Lowell, John & Linda, Delbert & Betty for the visits and Cleo & Donna for the calls. And ‘God’s Mightiest Prayer Warriors’, the Women’s Fellowship. Thank each & every one of you for the prayers. They were uplifting and, as usual, they worked! I am truly blessed to have my East Chippewa family in my life.”   

-Doc Lehman

In the event of severe and inclement weather on Sunday mornings this winter, please listen to the local radio station, WQKT 104.5 for cancellation of Sunday services.

The cancellation policy for Wednesday night services:  If Smithville Schools are closed due to weather conditions, then all church activities will be cancelled.  If Smithville Schools are in session and the weather turns bad during the day, please listen to WQKT 104.5 for cancellation of all church programs.

“We extend our sympathy to the family of Bev McKee who passed away on January 8th.”

- East Chippewa Congregation

·          The Sr. Choir will practice Tuesday, January 10th at 7 pm.
·          The Springs of Living Water Disciplines Folder (The Invitation To Discipleship:  “Follow Me And I Will Make You Fish for People”) is in your mailbox for the readings dated January 9th through February 12th.
·          If you have been attending Wednesday night Bible Study, the Bible Study Questions based on the Daily Readings will be found either in your mailbox or on the table in the narthex.
·          Our Winter Midweek Services will start on Wednesday, January 11th with dinner at 6 pm, On Our Way at 6:30 pm and Bible Study with Pastor Brad at 7 pm. 
·          The Trustees are looking for a person or a group of people who would be interested in maintaining the flower beds and trimming the shrubs.  Please contact Mort Curie if you would like to volunteer.
·          From the Deacons:  As of January 1, 2012, the designated 3rd Sunday anointing after church will be discontinued.  In an effort to better serve the members of the congregation in a timely way, anointing will be available to you anytime or any place.  Please feel free to contact Pastor Brad or any deacon of your choice if you would like to be anointed.
·          If you will be attending the Church Board Retreat on Thursday, January 26th at 6:30 pm, please let Jennifer Allison know so she will have a headcount for the amount of food to be provided.
·          People to People needs include peanut butter, canned fruit and spaghetti sauce. There is a collection box in the narthex. The current newsletter is posted on the narthex bulletin board.

NEXT SUNDAY January 15, 2012
Greeters: Cliff & Marie Anderson
Nursery: Heather Keener
Worship Leader: Pastor Brad Kelley
9:00 AM: Men’s Prayer Group
9:30 AM: Sunday School
9:30 AM: Brenn Field ~ Sociables
10:25 AM: Worship
Disaster Team to Ashland City, TN

·          There will be no Sr. Choir practice on Monday, January 2nd.
·          All Board members please return your church leadership surveys to Pastor Brad or leave in the church office by January 3rd.
·          The Layman’s Group will meet on Tuesday, January 3rd at 7 pm in Room 5.  For more information contact Lowell Stauffer.
·          The East Chippewa single adults, widows and widowers are invited to the “Extra Plate” at noon on Friday, January 6th (weather permitting).
·          The Advent Committee will be taking down the Christmas decorations on Saturday, January 7th at 9 am.  Everyone is invited to help!
·          The Deacons will have a carry in lunch on Sunday, January 8th after the morning worship service.
·          The Trustees are looking for a person or a group of people to take care of trimming the shrubs and maintaining the flower beds here at the church.  If you are interested, contact Mort Curie.
·          Our winter midweek services will begin on Wednesday, January 11th.
·          Feel free to take the calendars on the table in the narthex.
·          Copies of the current issue of the Herald are on the narthex table.

NEXT SUNDAY January 8, 2012:
Greeters: George & Gloria Mishler
Nursery: Emily Horst
Worship Leader: Wendell McFadden
9:00 AM: Men’s Prayer Group
9:30 AM: Sunday School
10:25 AM: Worship – Deacons Carry In Lunch

Pastor Brad and his family would like to thank the congregation for the generous Christmas gift.  It was very much appreciated. – The Kelley’s

The Trustees are looking for a person or Group of people who would like to take care of:
Trimming the shrubs and maintaining the flower beds around the church property.
If you would be interested, please contact Mort Curie.

“I would like to thank everyone for their cards and prayers during my recent battle with kidney stones.  Your support is very much appreciated.”  ~ Barb Reese

Our Disaster Team will be traveling to Ashland City, Tennessee from January 15th to January 20th. Please keep all those volunteers in your prayers as they make a difference by taking the time to help.

Each month the Church Board has been honoring an individual/individuals as the Spotlight Volunteer of the Month.  They are honored for their contributions to our church and to the community.  You are always welcome to submit a name for a volunteer of the month that could then be considered by the Church Board at their regular monthly meetings.  Contact this year’s at large members and they will gladly share your submission.

In the Church of the Brethren, we have members who represent our congregation at our monthly board meeting who are called At Large Members.  You may go to the At Large Members to ask them to get answers about ideas or concerns that are for the good of the whole church and they will report back what they find out from the board.  Please feel free to speak with them as your representatives.  Also check your directory for new chair persons of each commission who also can be contacted by anyone from the congregation.  Direct ideas or get clarification about what is being sponsored by the commissions by contacting them.  Pastor Brad is also ready to take questions, provide answers, and hear concerns that will help us grow closer as a family of God.
At Large Members
2012 Representatives:
Jim Fike & Darrell Myers

The Deacons have decided that beginning January 1, 2012, the designated third Sunday anointing service will be discontinued. In an effort to better serve the members of the congregation in a timely way, anointing will be available to you at any time or any place.  Please feel free to contact Pastor Brad of any deacon of your choice if you would like to be anointed.  For questions or further information, contact Rick & Karen Horst, Deacon Chairs.
 
NOTE:
 
Sunday, January 8, 2012 – Deacons Carry In Lunch
 
After the morning service in the Fellowship Hall