Our Mission “Centered in Christ” “Strength for Today” “Hope for Tomorrow”

April 2014

Rev. John A. Guliano Pastor

1-419-651-9171 513-443-4866

pastor@rossumc.org

United  Methodist  

www.rossumc.org

Dear Friends: As Easter Sunday approaches, I am struck by the blessings that we encounter in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What a blessing it must have been for Jesus to have the gentle walk to Emmaus! (Luke 24: 13-35) After years of ministry, with confrontations, misunderstandings, a cruel trial and crucifixion, finally resurrection came. Jesus had fulfilled His mission. Now, He wanted to help people understand what it all meant. What a blessing it must have been for Jesus’ companions to have the gentle walk to Emmaus. Two believers walked out from Jerusalem about seven miles. They did not recognize the person they encountered, but they listened with deep attention to His words. Gradually they realized that what they had learned from Jesus over recent years all fit together in God’s plan. The difficulties and the final tragic loss had been the birth pangs of a new and promising kingdom, not an earthly power, but a spiritual power, that could transform their life. Their inner eyes were opened and gradually their outer eyes enabled them to know that it was Jesus. Jesus was still with them. Can we today hear the message, now fully unfolded before our eyes? Can we have a gentle walk with Jesus to whatever our destination may be? We may say, “Happy Easter.” It might be better to say, “Blessed Easter!” Feel the blessing of knowing that all of our life is in God’s hands and we are on the road to fulfillment. It is Jesus who is our constant companion. Jesus helps us see that the struggle of life is worthwhile. We are part of a universal struggle toward the reign of love and peace. Each of us has a role to play in that struggle, but we are not alone. God is with us. Other believers agree with us, even though their particular understanding of God may vary from ours. We are all part of God’s household. Experience God’s blessing, Christ’s blessing, and walk on, as a living disciple, to share what we have learned. Be a blessing to others. Blessed Happy Easter Rev. John

SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE Sunday School

9:15 – 10:00 for all ages Fellowship

10:00 – 10:30 Church Service

10:30 Children’s Sunday School

during Church Service Is available

Monthly Meetings

U.M. Women Second Tuesday of the

month @ 10:00 am Trustees, Nurture & Missions Committees

First Tuesday of the month @ 6:30 pm

Administrative Council Second Thursday of the

month @ 7:00 pm U.M. Men

Last Saturday of the month @ 8:00 am

CONTACTS Pastor: Rev. John A. Guliano 1-419-651-9171 513-443-4866 Lay Leader: Jim Rechel Assistant Lay Leader: Leroy Singleton Music Director: Sally Rechel Pianist: Lori Campbell / Craig Eppich Cornett: Karen Auffinger Drums: Chip Schoepf Nursery Attendant: Robin Montgomery (Ages birth through four years) Prayer Chain: Vicky Foster 513-738-3748 Newsletter: Phil Brown 513-868-2338 rcumcnewsletter@gmail.com

Submitted  by  Sandy  Hogeback  

COME  ONE…COME  ALL………  

Come  join  us  for  Sunday  School  Class  at  9:15  AM  on  Sunday  mornings.  We  have   teachers   that  are  waiting   for   you   to   be   a   part   of   the   class.   The  teachers   are   excited   about   sharing   the   stories  from   the   bible   with   all   of   you.   Let’s   bring  someone  to  Sunday  School  and  to  Church.  

“Prayer Shawl Ministry”

Please spread the word: ------If anyone has a family member, friend, etc. that is gravely ill, please let me know in the Sunday service, or email me at www.carolfarmer90@yahoo.com. Also contact me for more information. This program is 100% voluntary, and the Church has not spent a penny. We can also use more volunteers. Have a great day in the Lord.

Submitted by Carol Farmer

COMMUNION If you are home bound and would like to receive communion please contact the church office at (513) 868-2923. Rev John Guliano or Lay Leader Jim Rechel will return your call.

Please send your e-mail address to rcumcnewsletter@gmail.com if you would prefer to receive your issue of The Ross Community United Methodist Church Newsletter by e-mail. Please put RCUMC Newsletter in the subject line.

NEWSLETTER: RCUMCNEWSLETTER@GMAIL.COM – PHIL BROWN (INTERIM) ALTAR FLOWERS: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLACE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR IN MEMORY OR IN HONOR OF SOMEONE, PLEASE CONTACT LYNN SCHERNBECK (738-4959) FOR THE DATE OF YOUR CHOICE AND IT WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE CHURCH BULLETIN. HEIFER PROJECT: ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF YOUR BIRTHDAY MONTH, PLEASE PLACE A DONATION IN THE MILK BOTTLE ON THE ALTAR. FOOD PANTRY: FOOD AND PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED.

If we are not careful, the world in which all of us live and work will erode into a world Paul Harvey warned about in 1965: His words are prophetic. Paul  Harvey  on  “If  I  Were  the  Devil” “If I were the devil, I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree—Thee. So I’d set about however necessary to take over the United States. I’d subvert the churches first—I would begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: “Do as you please.” “Do as you please.” To the young, I would whisper, “The Bible is a myth.” I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what is bad is good, and what is good is “square”. And the old, I would teach to pray. I would teach them to pray after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington…’ And then I’d get organized. I’d educate authors on how to lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I’d pedal narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills. If I were the devil I’d soon have families that war with themselves, churches that war that themselves, and nations that war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flame. If I were the devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, and neglect to discipline emotions—just let those run wild, until before you knew it, you’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door. Within a decade I’d have prisons overflowing, I’d have judges promoting pornography—soon I could evict God from the courthouse, and then the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls, and church money. If I were the devil I’d make the symbols of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle. If I were the devil I’d take from those, and who have, and give to those wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. What do you bet I could get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich? I would question against extremes and hard work, and Patriotism, and moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging more fun, that what you see on the TV is the way to be. And thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure. In other words, if I were to devil I’d keep on doing on what he’s doing. Paul Harvey, good day.” May God Bless each of You

Submitted by Jim Rechel

Are you still holding the Christmas Spirit in your heart?

On Saturday, April 12, 2014, there will be a Memorial Service for David Brownfield at Ross Community United Methodist Church. Please come and join David's family along with our church family as we celebrate the life of David. The service will be begin at 1:00 PM at our church.

BROWNFIELD, David Age 90, died at Hospice of Hamilton on March 13, 2014. He served in the Navy during World War II, and graduated from Ohio State University. David married Novella Shepperd in 1946, and started work at Ohio Casualty Insurance Company in 1948, retiring in 1985. He enjoyed singing and reciting the poems he had written. Survivors include his wife, Novella; children, Beverly (Dan) Holmes of Niceville, FL, Richard (Margo) of Columbus, OH, and Jeffrey (Cindy) of Greensboro, NC; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 1pm at Ross Community United Methodist Church, 2943 Hamilton-Cleves Road (Rt. 128) with Pastors John Guliano and Grant Montgomery officiating. Following the service, family and friends will gather at 2pm at the Manor House at Berkeley Square for food and fellowship. Memorials may be directed to the Ross Community United Methodist Church.

United Methodist Women

Submitted by: Judy Creasy

Attention Working Women: the UMW will be serving dinner the evening of Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at 6:30PM in the church. All women are invited to come and enjoy an evening fellowship together. We will start selling the Mother’s and Special Others dinner tickets on Palm Sunday, April 13th. The dinner will be on Tuesday, May 6th at 6:30PM. We are going to have the “Foxy Steppers” to entertain us with 50 & 60 Oldies music. Our dinner theme will be “Happy Days” with dinner: Big Boy Platter & Sundaes. Dinner tickets will cost $10.00, children $5.00. Four 2014 scholarship applications have been received from our college students. We will be awarding the scholarships on Sunday, the 1st of June. Remember to bring your old eyeglasses to church for a donation to a third world country missions group. This coming summer, the women will be having Latin Dance workout classes at the church. The classes will be held on Wednesday evenings; June 4th, 11th, 18th, and July 2nd & 9th. More information will be coming Our May 5th UMW women’s meeting will be a morning meeting at the church. Please mark your calendars.

April 6 Wes Flannery 13 Roger Creasy 20 Jim Rechel 27 Leroy Singleton

May

4 Debbie Gilman 11 Nancy Beckman 18 Phil Brown 25 Greg Conrad

4 Craig Eppich 4 Zach Foxx 4 Taylor Rechel 5 Helen Burch 10 Lori Campbell 15 Samantha Lightfield

April Birthdays

16 Krista Long 20 Rev. John Guliano 21 Ken Pierson 22 Karen Auffinger 23 Danielle Ratliff

NURTURE

MISSIONS

Easter Sunday Flower Garden We invite everyone to present a beautiful blooming spring flower for the Easter Sunday Flower Garden. This year

we’re offering a variety from which to choose. Just place your order in the offering plate with payment and you may pick up your plant following the 10:30 Easter Sunday Worship. They are: Easter Lily (white) $11.00, Daffodils (8” pot) $13.00, Azalea (6” pot, coral, pink or purple) $14.00, Hydrangea (blue or pink) $13.00, Pansy (6” pot) $7.00, Hyacinth (6” pot white, blue/purple or pink) $9.00. We thank Lynn Schernbeck for her dedication to the Altar Flower Program and thank everyone who makes this program possible throughout the year. You will not want to miss the beauty to be

displayed this Easter Sunday enhancing the True Meaning of Easter Celebration. Easter Sunday Easter Egg Hunt The Annual Easter Egg hunt will follow Children’s Sunday School which beings at 9:15 a.m. Easter Sunday. We’re inviting children around us to attend Sunday School and enjoy the hunt. We will gladly accept candy and plastic egg donations thru Palm Sunday as we anticipate a larger turn out. Holy Week Schedule Palm Sunday – April 13 – Worship – 10:30 a.m. Celebrate with Palm Maundy Thursday – April 17 Worship – 7:00 p.m. Easter Sunday -- April 20

• Children’s Sunday School – 9:15 a.m. (Children’s Easter Egg Hunt) • Adult Sunday School – 9:15 a.m. • Easter Sunday Worship Service – 10:30 a.m.

Vacation Bible School

SonTreasure Island has been chosen as our VBS Program. As previously announced, we plan a three evening event with a Sunday morning closing event. So far the dates will be the week of July 14 in the evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday July 20 will be the conclusion incorporated into the Worship Service with lunch following. We welcome anyone interested to become a part of the planning stages and look forward to working with you as volunteers during VBS. Our thoughts are to have three sub-teams volunteering one night

during the week to assist with the evening activities. We will pass on more information as it becomes available. Should you have any questions or concern please contact Nancy Beckman. Books for VBS A bookcase will soon appear in the corridor with books, magazines and items of interest that you may wish to take for your enjoyment. A “Treasure Chest” is ready to receive any donation you may wish to make towards VBS. Donations of $1.00 or less for each item will be greatly appreciated and will go towards purchasing items needed to make this a fun-filled, Christian learning experience for area children.

Pot Luck and Cake Auction – March 30 The First ‘Fifth Sunday Pot Luck and Cake Auction’ proved to be enjoyed by all. A huge “Thank You” to everyone who participated; bringing food, donating cakes for auction and the auctioneer, Joe Oliver (Bill and Brenda’s son) who donated his time and talent. We had a total of fourteen cakes including those made by Lauryn and Katie and many potluck dishes, too many to mention. The auction was entertaining for everyone and as the final bid was received Vacation Bible School came out the overall winner receiving $895.00. Thanks to everyone for all you did to make this a real success.

CONTINUING PRAYERS

Continuing prayers for the vision of Ross Community United Methodist Church, our President, our Nation and our military personnel, Pastor John & Lisa, Pastor Kyle and Karen, Pastor Grant and Ann, Bev Papet, Gary Brown (ongoing heart problems), Vicki Hilton, Dorothy Gard, Steve and Linda Jacobs, Jake Phelps and family, Jo and Randy Anderson’s great grandson Tyson and family, Jo & Randy Anderson, Bill & Linda Wright’s sister-in-law, Don & Annette Hegner (ongoing health issues), Lois Gleason, Novella Brownfield & family and LP, PD, PH, JS & MD Family. If you know of additions or deletions, please see or call Vicky Foster – 738-3748. Please give your e-mail address to Vicky for the Prayer Chain.

April 15 Rev. Grant & Ann Montgomery

April 23 Jim & Donna Houck

There are 30 books of the bible in this paragraph, can you find them? This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu. Keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his Johnboat. Another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving; she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That’s a fact. Some people however will soon find themselves in a jam; especially since the books names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the book in this paragraph. During a recent fund raising event, which featured this puzzle. The Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a sales record. The local paper, the Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Humana humbly puts it, the books are all right here in plain view hidden from sight. Those able to find all of them will hear lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is the books like also, Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also, keep in mind that the punctuation and spacers in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember there is no need for a mad exodus, there really are 30 books of the bible lurking somewhere waiting to be found.