KIDS
HELPING KIDS has
done a fantastic job coming to the aid of children in Iraq. With help from Sue Joliat who has a
family member (Herbert A. Joliat MAJ, EN, 1BCT Civil Affairs Officer)
stationed in Iraq, Kids Helping Kids was able to send 28 boxes of children's
items overseas for the soldiers to distribute to local Iraqi children. Items were collected and sent between April
and October 2006. The items included
small toys, games and candy that American soldiers distribute while on patrol
to help build trust and confidence with the local citizens in the
neighborhoods. See Herb’s note to Sue
below:
Sue: THANKS!!!! I will be on the lookout for the boxes. Yes, I have received everything you have
sent so far. The stuff has been great
and a huge help. Thanks again for your
support!!. Respectfully, Herb.
COOKBOOK
SALES HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL. The
Sunday School recently allocated approximately $100 from the cookbook fund to
purchase small portable CD players for each Sunday School classroom. The CD players are available each Sunday to
Sunday School teachers to check out of the office and use in their classrooms
to play music as part of the Christian Education curriculum. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the
cookbook and to everyone who bought a cookbook!
TRUNK-OR-TREAT, held on Saturday,
Oct. 28, was a big success. Despite our unfortunate weather, we had fun
indoors with more than 100 people and collected $101.00 to use for gifts for
our annual Christmas family. Thanks to
the volunteers, parents and kids who attended.
And, a big thank you to Pastor and Mike Lester who really
"took one for the team" by taking shaving cream pies in the face for
over an hour. Their efforts alone
raised $31 of the total.
TOYS
FOR TOTS -- Bring
your new or gently used toys to the church for the annual Toys for Tots
campaign. The collection box is located
in the back hallway. Share what you
have been blessed with to help a child have a great Christmas! December 10th is the
deadline for donations.
THE
CHILDREN OF MESSIAH WILL PRESENT THEIR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM on Sunday, December 10th
at 10 a.m. (no Sunday School that day) in the
Sanctuary. Our program will feature
letters written from the kids to Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and angels. And, the kids will sing, including our
beginner department's favorite carol, "Away in the
Manger." The program will last about 25 minutes and
will be followed by punch and cookies in the library prior to the 11 a.m.
service. Practice for the program is on
Saturday,
December 9 at 10 a.m., followed by a pizza lunch in the fellowship
hall. Call Amy Kovach (440-605-1959)
if you have any questions.
HAVE YOU BEEN LOOKING FOR A NEW
WAY TO BRING THE NATIVITY ALIVE FOR YOUR FAMILY?
Don't miss a new congregational Christmas program on Sunday,
December 17th at
4:30 p.m.
The Christian Education Committee is pleased to offer a unique
dinner/theater experience for the whole family. Please bring one potluck item to share and one flashlight per
family. If you can sit and eat, then
this is a great program for you. Meet
the innkeeper and his family, see a strange star, visit with shepherds fresh
out of the fields, and learn about the most precious gift of all -- a new baby. The
program will last 2 hours and will
include the potluck dinner and "show", as well as a few carols to
make for a lively Christmas celebration.
Call Amy Kovach (440-605-1959) if you have any questions.
THE
NEXT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITEE MEETING will be held on Tuesday, December 12th, 6 p.m., in the
Conference Room. We welcome anyone
interested in joining us! Topics will
include, but are not limited to, the Congregational Christmas Program and the
January transition of Sunday School teachers.
LOOKING FOR A GREAT CHRISTMAS
GIFT? Through
Dec. 17th, a table will be set up after each Sunday worship
service with our remaining Messiah Cookbooks. Prices
remain the same at one cookbook for $15.00 or two for $25.00. Remember
each cookbook is complete with a full history of the church as well as over 200
favorite family recipes.
If you are unable to come to church and would still like to buy a few cookbooks
for gifts, we can deliver the books to you. For more information, contact
Joanie
McTernan, 440 449-4019.
THE
CHOIR WOULD WELCOME
any singers who would like to join them for the Cantata - “Bethlehem
Morning.” Regular
choir rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Cantata rehearsals are at 7:50 p.m. The performance
of the cantata is December 17th
at the 11:00 a.m. service. Final rehearsal is at 10:00 a.m. on
December 17th.
HELP
TO “HANG THE GREENS” and
decorate the sanctuary for Christmas on Saturday, December 9th at 1:00
p.m. Your help is needed so please
come and give as much time as you are able!
ORDER POINSETTIAS....Our sanctuary will be filled
with poinsettias and Christmas greens during the Advent and Christmas
season. Special “Flower Offering Envelopes” are now in the pew
racks. If you would like to give a poinsettia(s) in honor of or in memory
of someone, please list the name(s) on the envelope. The cost of
each plant is $6.00 and they may be taken home after the 11:00 p.m. service on
Christmas Eve. If you are unable to worship with us but would like to
donate a poinsettia, please call the church office (440 442-6941).
THE
MEN’S LUNCHEON IN DECEMBER will be held
on DECEMBER
8th
(two weeks earlier than usual because of Christmas) at Milano’s
Restaurant, located at Cuyahoga County Airport on Richmond Road. Please
notify Tom Short, 216 291-0769, or the church office if you plan to
attend.
CALLING ALL MESSIAH WOMEN: The new Thursday evening Women’s group is
moving their monthly gathering to Messiah’s library. We meet the first Thursday each month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm for
conversation, laughter, study and prayer.
And we want to invite you to join us on Thursday, December7th at 7:00
p.m.! At the suggestion of Lisa
Halberg, we are reading Secrets
of the Vine for Women by Darlene Wilkinson. On December 7th we will talk about the first two
chapters. The book is available at bookstores
and from Lisa, who has a few copies that you may purchase for $3.50. Just give her a call at 440 460-0326 if you
would like one. For the first time, child
care will be available during our time together at the church -- but
only if arranged in advance! The cost for the evening is $7.50 and you must call Diana
Fox, 216 291-5186, by December 5th to make those
arrangements. Whether or not you have
time to get a copy of Secrets of the Vine
for Women, we hope you’ll join us December 7th at 7:00 as we
come together to build our faith and our fellowship! Questions? Call Toni at
216 381-3199.
CHURCH WOMEN UNITED’S ANNUAL CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING,
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE ZELMA GEORGE CENTER has
begun so please bring the following basic necessity items to church labeled
C.W.U.: light bulbs, single
bedding, paper
products, cleaning supplies, towels and washcloths, tooth-brushes, soap, hair
products and white socks. I
will deliver the items on December 8th and hope my
car will again be filled with your donations. Thank
you for your generosity.
Bette
Schmidt, C.W.U. Representative.
FAITH CIRCLE
CHRISTMAS PIZZA PARTY
Thursday, December 14
12:00 Noon
at Messiah
(note meeting is one week early)
COUNTING
TEAM MEMBERS! We
are in urgent need of people to
replace seven members of our current counting teams as well as to create two additional
teams of four counters. The job requires 30 - 60 minutes of time after
the 11 o’clock service, six to nine times during the year. Any
individual or couple willing to join a counting team should sign up in the
church lobby, contact the church office (440 442-6941), or see Bill
Beucler.
BOOK
CLUB - The December selection is The Shipping News by Annie Proulx. In
January, the Book Club will view the film followed by continued discussion and
comparison with the literary work. “In this touching atmospheric novel set
among the fishermen of Newfoundland, Proulx tells the story of Quoyle.
From all outward appearances, Quoyle has gone through 36 years on earth as a
big schlump of a loser. He’s not attractive, not witty or brilliant or
talented, and he’s not the kind of person who typically assumes the central
positions in a novel. But Proulx creates a simple and compelling tale of
Quoyle’s psychological and spiritual growth. Along the way we get to look in on the maritime
beauty of what is probably a disappearing way of life.” –Amazon.com. The
Book Club will meet December 12th
at 7:00 p.m. in the library.
PLEASE KEEP
IN YOUR PRAYERS: Ruth Pittard, Lawson and Phyllis
Anderson, Ken Wilt, Barbara Budzinski, Adam, Marya Cline, Alma Fanto, Avis
Slaven, Gabriella Argie, Arlene Cohen, Laurene Pride, Julia Kebblish and
family, Heather Wood, Ellen Ransome, Mike and Robert Bruch, David Phoenix,
Justin Slater, Jane Bendy, Baby Cheyanne, Sean Sutton, Esther Golden, and all
struggling to overcome drug and alcohol addiction.
2007
FLOWER CHART - Sign up for Sunday flowers next year on the chart posted on
the bulletin board in the hallway. Please note your telephone number so
that our flower chairperson, Dorothy Schneider, can contact you
for your bulletin message and to check to see whether you want a plant ($15) or
cut flowers ($25). This is an excellent way to recognize an anniversary,
birthday, remember someone who has died, or to celebrate a special event.
See or call Dorothy Schneider (216 382-8657) if you have questions.
COOKIES
ARE NEEDED for the reception following the Sunday School program on Sunday,
December 10th. If you can help, please drop off your cookies
in the kitchen before the program.
Thanks!
REV. DR. ROBERT L. CLINE, former Pastor of Messiah
for 20 years, died on November 2nd. A funeral service for him
was held on Wednesday, November 8th at Messiah. Pastor Fox conducted the
service, assisted
by Deaconess
Judy Hoshek, Assistant
to the Bishop of the Northeastern Ohio
Synod. Please pray for Pastor Cline’s family and friends and all those
affected by this loss.
ALL OF YOUR FINANCIAL GIFTS for the year 2006 must be
in by December 31st according to IRS regulations. We urge all
members to complete their contributions for the year so we can end with a
balanced budget.
MEN
AND WOMEN ARE NEEDED for our Messiah Prayer Partners. All that is
required is a willingness to pray. If you have questions about this Ministry
of Prayer or want to join with those people already a part of Prayer Partners,
please call Carol Pearson, chairperson, at 440 449-3161 or Pastor
Fox at his office.
WOULD YOU
LIKE TO RECEIVE A COPY OF THE GRACE NOTE BY EMAIL EACH MONTH? To be put on the distribution list, email tonilaurenson@adelphia.net. You
will still get a hard copy in the mail but you’ll have other information in a
more timely way!
AN INTRODUCTION TO LUTHERAN
METROPOLITAN
MINISTRY -
Mission: To promote shalom (peace, well-being) and
justice (right relationships) through a Christian ministry of service and
advocacy with those who are oppressed, forgotten and hurting. LMM was founded 36 years ago under the
dedicated leadership of Rev. Richard Sering. He served as its executive
director for 34 years until his death in 2003. Rev. George Hrbek became
interim director for 2 years and in July, 2005, Carol Fredrich was hired as
executive director. During these 36
years, LMM has enhanced the lives of more than 15,288 people. The six
programs of LMM are: Youth at Risk, Community Re-entry, Long Term
Care, People with Disabilities, Shelter and Housing, Advocacy. Your Social Ministry committee plans
to feature each of these programs in upcoming issues of the Grace Note.
Volunteer opportunities exist in all of them. If you are interested, call
LMM (216 696-1724.)
MESSIAH
WILL SOON HAVE A WEBSITE! Philip Skaggs is hard at work designing and building it now. One of the many features of the website will be access to current
and past editions of Grace Note. Many
articles in the newsletter contain phone numbers and, while you may be
comfortable having your phone number sent to members and visitors, you may not
have the same comfort level having it posted on our website. We respect your right to choose whether or
not your phone number is included with your article. If you never want your number posted, please email tonilaurenson@adelphia.net.
Toni will track those names and be
certain to remove those phone numbers from issues before they are sent to
Philip to post. Thanks.
HAVE
YOU SHARED YOUR FAVORITE GRACES AND
BEDTIME PRAYERS YET? It’s not too
late! Joanie McTernan, 440
449-4019, is still gathering them so please call her with questions or
contributions.
LUTHERAN CHILDREN’S
AID AND FAMILY SERVICES will receive all contributions placed in the
Christmas offering envelopes.
DECEMBER
FIBROCISE SCHEDULE:
·
Mondays
12/4, 12/11 and 12/18: 8a.m.-9a.m. and
6:30p.m.-7:30p.m.
·
Tuesdays
12/5, 12/12/ and 12/19: 11a.m.-NOON
·
Wednesdays
12/6, 12/13, 12/20: 8a.m.-9a.m.
·
Thursdays
12/7, 12/14 and 12/21: 11a.m.-NOON
·
Fridays
12/8, 12/15 and 12/22: 8a.m.-9a.m.
No classes will be held from December 25th
through January 5th.
WELLNESS NOTE
Health Questions
s What is meant by low-impact exercise? In
general, low-impact exercise is described as any aerobic activity that’s easy
on your joints. High-impact exercise
refers to any activity where part of your body “hits” the ground or another
object. Examples of high-impact
exercises include running, tennis and basketball. Low-impact exercises are often recommended for those with joint
problems, such as knee pain. (continued on next page) Examples include riding
a stationary bike, using a ski machine or using an elliptical trainer. Swimming and water aerobics are other
examples.
s Can
cholesterol-lowering statin drugs reduce the risk of cancer? It’s too soon
to know for sure. But the early
research is encouraging. One large case
control study was recently reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. It found that people who had taken statins
for at least five years had a 47 percent reduction in their risk of colon
cancer when compared with people who did not take statins. In addition, research presented at the
American Society of Clinical Oncology suggested that statin drugs may also help
prevent cancers of the breast, prostate and lung. Don’t ask your doctor to prescribe a statin to reduce cancer
risk. But if you are taking it for your
cholesterol, it may be a nice side benefit.
Further research will provide clearer answers about the potential of
statin drugs.
s Are there simple remedies for carsickness? Yes,
if you become carsick, try eating some dry crackers and sipping a clear,
carbonated beverage to help settle your stomach. Getting some fresh air also may be helpful. To help prevent carsickness in the future,
you may want to try a medication.
Over-the-counter antihistamines, such as meclizine (Bonine) and
dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) taken at least one hour before you travel, can be
effective. For longer trips, a
prescription adhesive patch containing scopolamine (Transderm Scop), applied
several hours before you plan to travel, may be helpful. Keep in mind, however that these medications
may make you drowsy. Other side
effects, such as blurry vision and urinary retention, can also occur, especially
in older adults. You can also try
ginger capsules, taking 1 to 4 grams starting a day or two before your trip. You can also help prevent carsickness with
some common sense, self-care strategies.
When traveling by car, drive or sit in the front passenger’s seat and
focus on the horizon or on a distant, stationary object. Keep your head still, resting against a seat
back. And don’t try to read.
Source: May Clinic Health Quest
Submitted by: Peg Wilt and Kathy Strom, Wellness
Co-chairpersons,
Nancy Coleman, Secy.
Grace Note
