Side-by-Side Ministry

December 2014

sidebysideministry.com & friend us on facebook at John-Paul Lutheran

St. Paul Lutheran and St. John Lutheran, Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio
Our Vision: To be a vibrant, Spirit-filled people, participating in Gods work in the world.
Our Mission: Loving God and loving neighbor, we witness to Christs saving grace,
that others may believe and find life.

From Pastor Chris

Its easy to feel stuck in the darkness...but there is a time, right before the sun is visible, when its light is seeping out onto the
horizon and colors begin to glow, when beauty and hope of a new day is just moments away. It is Gods daily reminder that
night is always followed by day, darkness is followed by light, and death is followed by life. That is also what Advent does.
When darkness seems eternal, we enter a season of reminders, a time before the Son is visible, a time when we are
blessed to see and to be Christs light glowing on the horizon. Just as the morning sun calls us to the miracle of a new day
and a new beginning, so does the Son of God.
We wait in this in-between time, anticipating Christs coming into our darkness, ushering in the promise of a new
day... a new heaven and a new earth are only moments away. Come, Lord Jesus, Come.
It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the
bright morning star." Revelation 22:16

Sunday Advent Worship Coming!

November 30
December 7
December 14
December 21

Coming in the Clouds

Coming on the Highway
Coming in the Water
Coming in Flesh and Blood

Midweek Advent Worship Blessed and Called Out of Poverty

Reflections on Jesus teachings in Matthew 5, the Beatitudes
As Jesus meets us in our poverty, we are called to meet others in their poverty.
Each week we will have opportunities to help local families.
Meal and Table Talk @ 6:00 p.m.Family-Friendly Hands-On Serving @ 6:30 p.m.Worship @ 7:00 p.m.
December 3 @ St. John

Hands-on Service Make invitations for Christmas Eve Worship to give out
*Sharing as you can Bring for Holiday Bureau Mitten Tree (+hats, scarves, socks)
December 10 @ St. Paul Hands-on Service Make Noisy Offering jars to save at home
*Sharing as you can Bring for Toys for Tots
December 17 @ St. John Hands-on Service Tie blankets for Ruth Anns House (domestic abuse shelter)
*Sharing as you can Bring donations of cleaning supplies for Ruth Anns House

Christmas Eve Worship

5:00 p.m. at St. Paul For families and kids of all ages; puppets, carols, communion
7:00 p.m. at St. John Candlelight, Carols, Communion
10:30 p.m. at St. Paul Music starts at 10:00, Candlelight, Carols, Communion

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Special Events, cont.

Eagle Scout Project Invitation
Sunday, Dec. 14th, after worship at St. Paul
Hello, I am building a shed for the parsonage at St. Paul for
my Eagle Scout project. I am looking for donations to help
offset the cost of building materials. Please join me for refreshments after worship, where a free-will offering will be
received. All money collected will go towards this project,
and any extra will be donated to the Pastors Discretionary
Fund. My goal is to have the entire project finished by January 16th. Thank you for your help. Seth French

Traveling
Christmas Party
December 1st - 4th

If you want to experience the

true meaning of Christmas,
consider helping us take Christmas joy into homes and nursing
care centers, as part of our
Blessing Cup Team Ministry.
A schedule is posted at each
church to help with your planning. Please join us for one
visit, for all visits, or for anything in between.

Christmas Luncheon
Sunday, December 7, 12:00 p.m.
at the Victorian Inn
St. John women (WELCA) invite both congregations to their
annual Christmas Luncheon. Enjoy a jump-start to the
Christmas season with this festive
meal, joyous conversation, and fun
time. Tickets are $12.00 each. Reservations may be made by calling the
church offices or through Myra Prokop
or Linda Merckens at St. John and
Louise Rogers at St. Paul by Dec. 1st

The Kings Birthday

Directed by Vicky Doski

Sunday, December 14th

6:30 pm at St. Paul
Followed by our

Toys for Tots

St. Paul has a drop-box for Salvation Armys annual collection
of toys. There is need in Ottawa County for all ages, but the
need for gifts for teens is estimated at 400. You are encouraged to bring any unwrapped toys or gifts to St. Paul on or
before our December 10th Joint Midweek Advent Worship at
St. Paul.

Wreaths Across America

Thanks to those who have donated, and to Charlie Scott for
being our local contact. We are happy to be part of a national movement to put a wreath on each Veterans grave
in America in December, including those in St. Pauls
Cemetery.

!
Everyone is invited!

Ruth Anns House

Cleaning supplies is the most current need to help those
moving into transitional housing. Buckets will be provided at St. John and both congregations are invited to
help fill them with cleaning supplies on or before our
December 17th Joint Midweek Advent Worship at St.
John.

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Administrative Assistant/Communications Tech

Our councils and congregations have voted to create a new position to help Pastor Chris. This position requires someone with a strong knowledge and skill in computer, graphic arts, and communication/outreach. It will include oversight of PowerPoint and volunteers, improving webpage, Facebook, and e-mail communications, creating newsletters and brochures using Microsoft Publisher.
A full job description is available through the church offices. This position is proposed for 10 hours
per week, with the cost being shared by St. John 1/3 and St. Paul 2/3. Applicants are encouraged
to turn in a resume and cover letter to the church office c/o Ruth Scott by December 15th. Please
pass the word. Together we pray for Gods guidance and provision.

Bible & Discipleship Studies

Sunday Morning, 9:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study, Have fun with us as we explor e the theme, If
You Want to Walk on Water, Youve Got to Get Out of the Boat, by John Ortberg
Womens Bible Studies (WELCA All women ar e invited to par ticipate! )
St. John Women meet on second Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., no meeting in December .
St. Paul Women will meet 3rd Thursdays at 1:00.
Weekly Wednesday Bible Study Meets every Wednesday at 11:00 am at St. Paul. All Ladies are welcome. We
are studying the Women of the Bible. A different woman every week - so you are never behind in the series. Please
join us as we dig deeper into the Lords would. Good discussion and laughter. Sandra Reep 239-273-5244 or sandra@sandrreep.com

Building Friendships
Not Older, Just Better - Not Older, Just Better is meeting at Marge Bridgetts home for what has
become an annual Christmas tradition. Come on Monday, December 8th at 11:30 a.m.. Call Marge at
419.798.8816 if you have questions/need a ride.
Youre Not Alone Young Adult singles are encouraged to participate in the Sunday morning, 9:00
a.m., adult group study .at 9:00. Our Youre Not Alone group will meet the first Tuesday of each
month (December 2nd) at 6:30 p.m. at Pastor Chriss.
Dartballplease see the attached church calendar for dates and locations.
Tuesdays at the Danbury Senior Center
Come Tuesdays at 5:00. Call in your reservation in to Paula by the Friday at 419.798.4101.
Picture Directory Updates - One of our goals is to keep updating this directory with contact information on new members and changes or corrections on existing members. It is so important that you
report any change in the present information to Margaret Stellhorn at St. John or Louise Rogers at St.
Paul.
Baptism

On November 2nd David Stetler Mackey, son of Timothy Mackey and Stacey Stetler, was Baptized into the Christian faith. His sponsors are Joe Fetzer and Mindy Bishoff.
Baptism Promises fulfilled
On November 11th Paul Flickinger passed away. His funeral was held at the church on Saturday, November 15th. May God comfort all
who mourn his passing, with the joy of his new birth into everlasting life.

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SIDE BY SIDE YOUTH & Families

Side by Side Youth Group Activities
Youth who are attending the National Youth Gathering will make buckeyes Saturday, December 6th, beginning at 10 a.m.,
and Friday, December 12th at 4 p.m., for their first trip fundraiser. A baker's dozen buckeyes is $8.00, a 6 piece package is
$5.00. See Mason or Seth French, Heather Lambert, or Erik Wadsworth to place your orders. Buckeyes will be delivered by
Christmas. Even if you are not going to the gathering, please know you are invited to be part of the fund-raising activities!
St Paul Lutheran is partnering with St John Lutheran-Port Clinton, and their seminary intern, Jeremy Hollingshead, to attend
the National Youth Gathering in Detroit. Registration is still open for the trip. See Helmi or Chris Freeh for details. Look for
future fundraisers in 2015 to assist youth in meeting trip costs.

National Youth Gathering, Grades 9-12

Senior High
Side-by-Side Youth
Youth Sunday1st
Sun. of each Month
Sign up on the easel on the ramp at church to
help with greeting, ushering, lecturing
(reading). Watch for texts and calls from Chris
and Helmi. See Pastor Chris is you can help
with Special Music.

July 15-19, 2015 in Detroit

Pastor Chris is encouraging parents and youth to seriously consider attending this youth gathering next summer. So many young believers together in one space is
a life-changing experience. Please consider, and we will make sure
money is not a problem. If you are considering this at all, please
contact Helmi Freeh or Pastor Chris. So far we have 4 youth going.
Lets do this:)

7th and 8th graders

Confirmation Classes
Classes meet Sundays at 9:00 a.m.,
Wednesdays in December

Dec. 3 @ St. John, 6 meal, 7 help with worship

Dec. 10 @ St. Paul, 6 meal, 7 help with worship
Dec. 17 @ St. John, 6 meal, 7 help with worship
Dec. 24 Christmas Eve!

Sunday School Teachers Needed!

***We are in great need of a couple
more teachers/helpers to help share
the joy:) Please contact Chrissy French (419) 3414653 with any questions and/or to offer your help.

Sunday School Christmas Program

Sunday School Christmas Play, The King's Birthday,
will be December 14th, directed by Vicky Doski. Play
practice will be every day during Sunday school. Additional play practice information will be sent home with
all participants. The last day of Sunday school play
practice will December 14th.
***There will be no Sunday school December 21 - January 4. We will resume Sunday school on January 11,
2015.

Church Nursery
We have a gift in Cindy Coles, our Nursery Supervisor!! Thank you, Cindy, for your faithful and trusted
caring for our kids during worship!
**Anyone who can be on-call to give Cindy a break
when she needs to be elsewhere, please let her or
Pastor Chris know.

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Thank You
Thank you for your gift to our ministr y in Camer oon. It always war ms our hear ts when you
remember us. Everyone is well and has been able to avoid ebola which is rampant in West Africa. One of Pastor Claudes daughters watched as a truck killed six of her closest friends. The brakes failed and ran
into a small shop where Anna and her friends were spending time after school. Someone pulled her out of the way as
the truck killed both her friends on each side of her. She is unable to sleep. Please pray for her. Thanks, again, Sara
Tanner
Our Sincere Thanks for your kind gener osity and suppor t of our wildlife r ehab effor ts. Help like your s allows
us to keep our doors open to injured wildlife and public education. Thanks so much for believing in our word and
helping to make a difference! Sincerely, Mona Rutger, Back to the Wild Wildlife Rehabilitation &Nature Education
Thank you for your gift of $145.80, which we r eceived. Your gener ous contr ibution helps Br ead for the Wor ld
strengthen our voice in the halls of Congress, and you are making it possible for us to involve more individuals and
churches in our work together to end hunger. Sincerely, James R. Lund, Vice President for Dev. and Membership
To Pastor and Church Council, My wife and I wish to say how thankful we ar e for your gener ous help with
our utility bills. You will always be in our prayers. Your gift is greatly appreciated. Jon and Kitty Jones
St. Paul Annual Chicken Dinner was held on November 19th. A special thank you to Ruth Scott for chairing the
dinner. Thank you to everyone who donated time and talents- setting up, preparing, serving and cleaning up. A special thank you to everyone who brought in delicious pies.

Serving Others
NON-Noisy Offering on November 30th for the Holiday Bureau (put quiet money in the can:)
Blessing Cup TeamsWine and bread will be consecrated Nov. 30th for the Traveling Christmas Party. To be part
of this fellowship of Christs love, please contact Marge Bridgett or Myra Prokop or sign up on the Events Board
Celebration Chorus - Practice on Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., after Advent Worship at the church where we worship.
Community Garden - Direct questions for 2015 to Emily Glynn 314-517-2402 or Betsy Deer 419-310-4406.
Council Nights Thursday, Dec.11th at St. Paul, 6:30 p.m.; Thurs. Dec. 18th for St. John at Diannas Rest., 5:00
Danbury Food Pantry - No distribution in Dec. Holiday Bureaus greatest needs are canned goods, paper products,
cleaning supplies, disposable diapers
Prayer Chain St. Paul contact Joan Harris at 419.734.3971 or 419.341.6373 or harris2110@roadrunner.com.
St. John contact Myra Prokop at 419.798.5101 or taylors@cros.net. God promises that our prayers are heard!
Prayer Shawl Plus Ministry - Prayer shawl meeting will be on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at 10:00. Our
group is making Christmas ornament gifts for children for Christmas Eve and Hats, scarves and mittens for the Holiday Bureau Mitten Tree. Contact Sandra Reep at 239-273-5244 or sandra@sandrareep.com.
SNAP Ministries (Suppor ting Native Afr ican Pastor s) For cur r ent ministr y infor mation go to snapministries.org (Welcome. to Home). Orders for holiday baking will be delivered December 10th.
Toys for TotsCollection box at St. Paul; toys for infants and school age; especially for teens (400 this year); see
Linda Smith if you have any questions.
Keep Christ in Christmas magnets; $5.00 each; benefitting the Danbur y food Pantr y; contact Linda Mer ckens at 419-732-9977 or 419-707-2212 or stop in St. Paul office.
Bibles were given...on November 16th, to Ezekiel Fr ench, Kennedy Goff, and Abigail Walker , fr om St. Paul, in
honor of the promises made in their baptisms to place Gods Word in their hands. All made a commitment to make
Bible reading a regular part of their week.

See www.sidebysideministry.com for more opportunities for serving.

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S T . J OHN B E AC ON

LI GH T

F OR D E CE M BE R , 2 0 14
St. John Council Highlights
Highlights of the November council meeting.
St. John council met at Pizza Hut with 5 members in attendance and 1 guest. The secretarys report was accepted with correction. Treasurers report was presented, accepted and filed for audit. A
financial secretarys report was presented. Pastor Chris gave a verbal report highlighting some of
her activities.
St. John WELCA will once again be hosting the Christmas Brunch on Sunday December 7th.
The worship committee met and decided on preparations for midweek Advent services. St. John
will be hosting 2 of the 3 services this year. The dates are December 3rd and 17th.
St. John will be meeting Saturday November 29th at 9am to decorate the church for the Christmas
season. We need as many helpers as possible.
Old Business: The congregation will hold its annual meeting to discuss and vote for the annual
budget November 23rd.
New Business: Linda Otermat has graciously accepted the appointment to president of St. John Lutheran Church Marblehead. We will be attempting some technology in order to include council
members that may be out of town for a lengthy period of time.
The cost of the insurance for the church has risen along with an increase of our deductible.
A 2015 budget was presented along with last years for comparison. Council will be presenting the
budget on the 23rd to the congregation.

Poinsetta Orders

SPECIAL DATES:
Birthdays:
Anniversaries:

Linda Otermat December 12

Curt & Maryanne Laubner- December 19
Jim & Karen Ruth- December 21

Please contact Linda Merckens

for information. Order forms
will be available soon.

St. John History Happenings

Martin Luther Brotherhood hosts:
Oct. 14, 1931- Ed Miller & Herbert Miller
Nov. 12, 1931- Ed J. Eberly & Edwin Eberly
Dec. 9, 1931- Franklin Ohlemacher & Elmer Eberly
October 1, 1953 from the vestry meeting minutes. The subject of an outdoor announcement board was discussed and is to be investigated as to cost of same.

Ham Loaves

Volunteers needed:
Financial Secretary (for winter months)

St. John W.E.L.C.A. wishes to thank everyone who helped make our
ham loaves. And a big thank you to everyone who purchased and enjoyed them. We still have some available. Please call Linda Merckens
(419-798-5101) or Myra Prokop (419-798-5101) for additional
loaves.

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St. Paul Lutheran Church Messenger

December 2014
St. Paul Lutheran Church Messenger
October 2014 budget highlights:

Special Notes from Louise:

Please sign on the easel for January to help with our
mutual ministries.

-Please pick up your offering envelopes as soon as

General Fund- Est. Budget needs per month- $8,400.00
possible for yourself and your family. They must all
Income10,013.18
be picked up before the first of the year.
Expense11,697.46
Portals of Prayer- We have both regular and large print, beRestricted FundsIncome1,237.33
ginning with January
Expense953.00
St. Paul November13, 2014 Council Highlights.
-New revised constitution to be presented to congregation for review and will be voted on at the annual meeting in January.
-Discussed and reviewed the 1015 budget to be presented to the congregation for approval on November 16th.
-General Fund balance was reported as $25,887.83
-Upon approval of the budget by the congregation, an Administrative Assistant position will be filled to assist Pastor with duties requiring
digital technology.
-Effective the fall of 2015 a $500 Scholarship for a married woman seeking a degree in nursing will be presented to an applicant meeting set
criteria. A second $500 Scholarship will be given in the Spring of 2016.
-The next big church project will be the renovation of the Sanctuary.
Congregational Meeting Highlights November 16th
-The proposed 2015 budget was presented and approved.
-The newly revised Constitution was distributed for review and to be voted on in January.
-Internship feedback was positive. The Internship Committee is meeting in December to discuss the possibility of a future intern, providing
the necessary funds are available.
-Seeking applicants for the Administrative Assistant position.
-A total of $253,633.44 was spent for projects from 2011 through 2014.
-Seeking ideas for a fund raiser to replace the Peach Social in 2016.
-Council members for 2015 were elected as follows: President- Tim Mackey; Vice-President-Matt Seamon; Secretary-Tammy Davis; Financial Secretary- Beth Lambert; Council-at-large- Fran Chapman, Kirk Gangl, Charles Scott. Remaining Council members are Jim Deer, Seth
French, Shirley LaCumsky, Crystal Chapman, and Sunday School Superintendent Chrissy French. Terry Davis and Dee Warren were
thanked for their dedicated years of service on Council.
Our Annual Meeting with reports will be in January. The reports are due before then.

St. Paul Women of the Church:

-The regular December meeting will be Dec. 18th at 1:00 pm with a pot luck. All women of the congregation are
members and encouraged to attend.
-St. John WELCAs Chr istmas par ty is December 7th at the Victorian Inn.
-The Monthly Project Contributions for December are: canned goods and paper pr oducts for the Holiday
Bureau. Also, disposable diapers for Holiday Bureau or Food Pantry
-The Traveling Christmas Party and Blessing Cup visits ar e December 1st through the 4th.
-Thankoffering Sunday was November 23rd . The Women of the Church brought their Thankofferings and food
offerings to church. The Thankoffering was sent in to the Women of the Church offices to be used for the world
wide missions and programs they support. Our guest speaker was the WELCA Synod Vice President, Chris
Budke, and Sharon Moenter, Conference President..
Altar Guild - St. Paul Altar Guild will be taking orders for Christmas poinsettias at a cost of $8.50 for red or white.
Please have your Poinsettia orders in by December 14th. Our Advent schedule. We meet for work sessions on Dec. 6th at 8:00
am. Dec. 13th at 9:00 am to decorate. Dec. 20th 8:30-10:00 am assemble cookie plates and flowers delivered. - January 10 at 9:00 am we
will clean up Christmas decorations, and have the annual meeting.

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St. Paul December Special Dates

Birthdays

Wedding Anniversary

2 Evan Sandvick, Robert Biers,Sr.

3 Mike & Vicky Doski

3 Susan Koch, Tammy Davis

9 Kevin & Kim Oxendale

5 Deborah French, Marla Hirt, Guy Tibbels

11 Guy & Rose Tibbels

8 Dillon Ringeisen, Roberta Gangl

14 Bill & Bonnie Biers

9 Douglas Waugh

23 Jenna & Mark Sandvick

10 Matt Batcha, Christina Grimm

11 Zachery Tokar

Baptismal Anniversary

12 William Covey

1 Bryan Ahrens

13 Lauren Indorf, Chris Freeh

2 Bradley Zura

14 Julie McDonald, Janis Zura, Jonathan Smucker

3 Elaine Mackey

15 Brooke Butler, Loree Ronk

4 Olivia Goff

18 Jim Boss

5 Scott Mackey

19 Mike Doski

6 Marcy Bergman, Kimberly Oxendale

20 Pat Puntel

10 Matthew Sandvick, Derek Mackey

21 Aubrey Harris, Meadow Rohrbaugh, Penelope Sandvick

15 Scott Bradbee

22 Gary Cover, Jean Rhodes

16 Paul Hallier

23 Jackie Grosswiler

17 Jack Peters

25 JESUS

21 Jim Lenner

26 Steve Schenko, Brynn Schenko

22 Dave Hirt

28 Bonnie Dubbert, Linda Tvorik, Brandon Mooney, Emmett

Mackey

23 Vincent Manuella, Dominic Manuella, Luco Manuella

29 Adam Steinbrick, Kaydon Glovinsky, Nancy Nielsen

31 Ted Dayton, Haley Strimpfel

25 Dawn Mullins, Sandra Lambert, Ashley Henninger

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Mutual Ministries
Greeters
Lectors
Ushers

Acolytes

Dec. 7

Dec. 14

Dec. 21

Dec. 24
5:00

Dec. 24
10:30
Meyers

Heather
Lambert
Ryan
Chapman
Lexi
Mitchell
Matt Seamon
Nancy
Kihlken
Larisa
Kerik
Natalie
Lambert

Norma
Kihlken
Chrissy
French
Jim Warren
Dee Warren
Coni Ann
Limpert
Abby Cameron
Maddie
Harris

Coni Ann
LImpert
Tammy
Davis
Tammy
Davis
Seth
French
Chrissy
French
Brendon
Mullins
Heather
Lambert

Shirley
Tammy
LaCumsky
Davis
Shirley
LaCumsky
Hayley
Doski
Vicky
Doski
Erik
Ryan
Wadsworth Chapman
Matt
Nate
Seamon
Ahrens

Meyers

Norma
Kihlken

Berhents

Meyers

Hospitality
Bulletins
Steeple Lighting

Dec. 28
Eastons
Tammy
Davis
Tammy Davis
Nancy
Kihlken
Shirley
LaCumsky
Justin
Tibbels
Nolan
Chapman
Betty, E. Shirley L.
Coni Ann LImpert
Celeb. Jeffrey A
Limpert

Eastons

Perpetual Light

Berhents

Assisting Minster

Charles Scott

Altar Guild

Shelley Seamon, Nancy Kihlken

Counters

Shirley LaCumsky, Deb White

Eastons

Coni Ann
LImpert

Flowers

St. Paul New Constitution Draft Proposal is available in the office or from an usher on Sunday mornings.
Members are encouraged to read it and direct any thoughts or questions to Tim Mackey. The constitution will
be up for congregational vote in January.
Our Intensive Prayer List
Our intensive prayer list: Let us hold up in prayer Vince and Nancy Adams, Barb Agne, Barb Batcha, Mary
Butchko, Ben Chapman, Delta Cooley, Gary Cover, Terry Davis, Bernard Dubbert, Erin Henry, Steve Hosko,
Terri Jaek, Ruth Keller, Delores Mahler, Kathy Stine, Tina Wadsworth, Jerry Weichman. We pray for family
and friends who are serving in the military.
The Messiah Community Choir
You are invited to join in singing Handels Messiah. They are practicing on Thursday evenings at 8:00 pm at St.
John Lutheran Church, Port Clinton. The Messiah concert will be presented Sunday, December 14 at 3:00 pm
at St. John Lutheran Church, Port Clinton.
St. Paul Altar Guild Will have a cookie sale after Worship on December 21st.