Monthly E-News from Hope United Methodist Church

Hope United Methodist Church E-News

November 2009

Dear Friends,

In a few days we will once more go to the polls and decide whether casino gambling will be unleashed in Ohio by way of an amendment to the very Constitution of our state. To those of us who have helped defeat the introduction of Casino gambling into Ohio in the past, this proposal seems like a cancer that keeps returning to try to find a place to latch on. Four times since 1990, we have been successful in defeating it. This time, however, the situation is far more challenging.

The gambling industry is attempting to exploit the current economic pain and fear experienced by so many Ohioans by portraying the casino proposal as a jobs issue and a quick fix for Ohio's economic problems caused by the recent recession. It is their hope that the short-term employment gains in construction jobs to build these casinos and the low level service jobs that will begin after construction will help us overlook the disturbing long-term economic and social costs that accompany casinos everywhere they are built. Somehow we're supposed to ignore the fact that there is no model anywhere for casinos being an effective economic development tool. In fact, local businesses lose jobs whenever casinos are built.

Professor John Kindt of the University of Illinois cites that each slot machine takes in approximately $100,000 per year. Each slot machine equals the loss of one job because of the way gambling cannibalizes the economy. The money that goes into slots will not be around to buy other goods and services. Research shows that people who live near casinos on average spend 10% less on food, 25% less on clothing, and 37% have raided their bank accounts in order to gamble. Casino owners get quite wealthy; but local economies and the people in them suffer. Also, some people have said that too many Ohio gambling dollars have been going out of state, but that is the same place those dollars will be going when the out-of-state owners of Ohio casinos get their hands on them.

Not only do casinos not make sense in the long run economically, they also come with a terrible price in human misery. If you have a computer, I encourage you to go to our West Ohio Conference website (www.westohioumc.org ), click on the "casinos" link and play the video of Art Schlichter, former OSU quarterback, and his mother. Addiction to gambling cost Schlichter a promising NFL career, a sure fortune, years of his life spent in prison, and the life of his father to suicide because of his own gambling addiction. You can see the human cost of gambling written on his mother's face.

Much more can be said about how the social costs of casino gambling far outweigh the projected revenues, but you have probably made up your mind by now on this issue. United Methodists have opposed gambling on moral grounds since the very beginning of our denomination. It's one of our Social Principles. The pollsters say we are way behind this time, but they've been wrong before. Even if we lose, this is a time to stand up and be counted! In these last days before the election, talk to your family and friends. Ask them to join you Tue., Nov. 3 and VOTE NO ON ISSUE 3.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Tom

Save The Dates!
(Meetings & Things)

Click here for the November calendar for all activities at Hope.

(activities may change without notice)

November 1

22nd Sunday after Pentecost

9:00am Traditional Service

11:00am Contemporary Service w/Sunday School

6:00pm Leadership Dessert

November 2

12:30pm Brown Bag Bible Study

1:00pm Clothing Closet

7:00pm UMW Budget Meeting

November 3

4:30pm Guitar Lessons

7:00pm Board of Trustees

7:00pm Music Ministry Team Practice

7:00pm Youth Board

November 4

10:00am Day Care Bible Story with Sandy Rinnert

11:30am Community Luncheon

1:00pm Clothing Closet

4:00pm Senior Adult Bible Study

7:00pm Adult Bible Study

7:00pm Unchained Practice

November 5

10:30am Day Care Chapel

1:00pm Quilts of love

7:30pm Senior Choir

November 6

6:00pm Floor Waxing

November 7

9:00am Clothing Closet

9:00am Floor Waxing

9:00am New Member Class

November 8

23rd Sunday after Pentecost

9:00am Traditional Service

11:00am Contemporary Service w/Sunday School

12:00pm Family Fall Fest and Luncheon

November 9

12:30pm Brown Bag Bible Study

1:00pm Clothing Closet

7:30pm Family Ministry Team

November 10

10:00am Day Care Bible Story with Laurie Schofield

4:30pm Guitar Lessons

7:00pm MMT Practice

7:30pm Administrative Council Meeting

November 11

11:30am Community Luncheon

1:00pm Clothing Closet

4:00pm Senior Adult Bible Study

6:00pm Small Group Leaders Training

7:00pm Adult Bible Study

7:00pm Unchained Practice

November 12

10:30am Day Care Chapel

1:00pm Quilts of Love

2:00pm Congregational Care Team

7:00pm Confirmation Class

7:30pm Senior Choir

November 14

8:30am Great Food for All pickup

9:00am Clothing Closet

November 15

24th Sunday after Pentecost

9:00am Traditional Service

10:10am Small Group Leaders Meeting

11:00am Contemporary Service w/Sunday School

5:00pm Youth Fellowship

November 16
12:30pm Brown Bag Bible Study

1:00pm Clothing Closet

7:00pm UMW Meeting

November 17

4:30pm Guitar Lessons

7:00pm MMT Practice

7:00pm Children's Ministry Meeting

7:30pm Staff-Parish Meeting

8:00pm Unchained Practice

November 18

10:00am Day Care Bible Story with Alyce Richardson

11:30am Community Luncheon

1:00pm Clothing Closet

4:00pm Senior Adult Bible Study

6:00pm Potluck

7:00pm Wednesday Evening Worship

November 19

10:30am Day Care Chapel

1:00pm Quilts of Love

7:30pm Senior Choir

November 21

9:00am Clothing Closet

November 22

Last Sunday after Pentecost

9:00am Traditional Service

11:00am Contemporary Service w/Sunday School

6:00pm Thanksgiving Service & Potluck

November 23

1:00pm Clothing Closet

7:30pm Cantata Rehearsal

November 24

10:00am Day Care Bible Story with Grandpa Joe

4:30pm Guitar Lessons

6:30pm Adult Discipleship Meeting

7:00pm MMT Practice

7:30pm Day Care Board

November 25

11:30am Community Luncheon

1:00pm Clothing Closet

4:00pm Senior Adult Bible Study

November 26

Thanksgiving Day

November 28

9:00am Clothing Closet

November 29

1st Sunday of Advent

9:00am Traditional Service

11:00am Contemporary Service

November 30

12:30pm Brown Bag Bible Study

1:00pm Clothing Closet

7:30pm Cantata Rehearsal

Sun., Nov. 1

9:00 a.m.

Bob & Pat Sands; Jake Haynes; Bob Streight

11:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

Dona Scott, Carolyn Patchin, Bruce & Judy Miller

11:00 am.

9:00 a.m.

Ushers: Tim & Carol Stansfield; Ted Rondeau; Rick Raabe

Coffee Host:

Melinda Grant & Diane McCreery

11:00 a.m.

Sun., Nov. 22

9:00 a.m.

Ushers: Rick & Pam Lukachek; Randy & Pam Croson

Coffee Hosts: Melinda Grant/Diane McCreery

11:00 a.m.

Coffee Host:

Nicole McLeary

Sun., Nov. 29

Key Person: Bruce & Judy Miller

9:00am

Liturgist: Joe Stader

Ushers: Brian & Lana Scott; Ron Burke; Joe Stader

Coffee Hosts:

Pam Croson

11:00am

Bill Hann

November

Birthdays

1 -Don Allamong
1 -Elizabeth Elton
1 -Megan Kane
3 -Al Conner
4 -Michael Wise
4 -Olivia Hann
5 -Mike Haidet
5 -Janine Lindhurst
6 -Orville Bucher
6 -Michael Toska
8 -Robert Grant
8 -Caleb McCluer
8 -Lucas Warner
9 -Pam Croson
9 -Don Poitinger
10-Chuck Witte
10-MaKayla Clement
11-Andy McVicker
12-Roger Hooks
14-Tyler Yoder
16-Carrie Krohn
16-Carol Streight
17-Jean Vaughan
17-Karen Leow
17-Cole Higgins
19-Ted Payne
19-Carole Dickey
19-Evan Helton
20-Jerry Schutt
20-Gage Shockley
21-Gabrielle Gay
22-Carol Simpson
22-Bobbi Vaughan
23-Megan Burnham
25-Michelle Tilton
26-Connie Tremsky
26-Austin Babcock
27-Deb Higgins
28-Patty Bringolf
29-Logan Ferguson
30-Sandy Rinnert
30-Gerald Carpenter
30-Steve Warner
30-Kelly Elton

November

Anniversaries

1/04/1989

Clif/Bobbi Vaughan 11/10/1976
Arthur/Marcia Huff

11/11/1995
Mark/Michelle Frankforther

11/13/1993
Brian/Jennifer Lutton          11/13/1999
Don/Carol Horen                11/19/1983
Tim/Carol Stansfield          11/21/1951
Bob/Carol Streight             11/27/1999
Al/Lillian Baker                  11/28/2003
James/Carole Conner        11/28/2003

Please Pray for:

Members of Hope who are ill or recuperating:
Tyler Yoder

Friends and loved ones who are ill or recuperating:

Friends and loved ones in the military:
Ryan Porter

Matt Werley
Phillip Householder

Thank You!

Lonnie Pierce (Janet Eades brother) has been on our prayer list and would like to thank everyone for all the prayers. He is home and doing much better.

click here to see who all works at Hope!

There is a new member class being held this coming Saturday (November 7th) starting at 9:00am. If you are interested in becoming a member of Hope Church or if you would just like more information on the church and our beliefs, please come to this class. We'd love to have you! Lunch will be provided so please contact Pastor Tom if you will be coming. He can be contacted at 419-877-5232 pastorhoover@roadrunner.com.

Please join us for lunch and family activities on November 8 from 12-1:30. Activities include a puppet show, coloring center, a craft center, (one to be taken home, one to be given to the shut ins), caramel apples, and guess the number of candies in the jar. The person who comes the closest gets to take the jar home. If you would be able to help with the activities please see Pam Croson.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

Our next meeting will be on
Monday, November 16, at 7:00 P.M.
in the Fellowship Hall.

Our program will focus on some of the work being done by women in the mission field around the globe. We will also be presenting our World Thank Offerings, which we have been collecting all year, and which will be used in support of that work.

Please feel free to join us at this or any of our meetings!

Wednesday Evening Worship (WEW!)

  November 18!
    Potluck @ 6 pm
     Worship led by Unchained @ 7 pm
      Build community ties with those in your church family!

Calling all knitters!

If you would like to assist in the knitting of prayer shawls for those who need comfort during illness or trying times, please see or call Janis Witte (419 877 5442) for information.

Casino Gambling Hurts Families - No on 3

1. Addiction-Within 50 miles of a casino, the prevalence of problem and pathological gambling roughly doubles. Studies show that between 30-50% of casino revenues come from addicts.

2. Suicide-About 50% of all pathological gamblers consider suicide. One in four will attempt suicide. One in 10 spouses of addicts will attempt suicide.

3. Bankruptcy-SMR Research Corporation found gambling to be "the single fastest -growing driver of bankruptcy." Numerous studies conclude that more than 20% of pathological gamblers file for bankruptcy.

4. Crime-A high percentage of problem gamblers resort to crime to support their addiction or to escape financial ruin. One National Institute of Justice study found that more than 30% of pathological gamblers who had been arrested reported having committed a robbery within the past year, about 13% said that they had assaulted someone, and 20% admitted to selling drugs.

5. Domestic Violence-A University of Nebraska Medical Center study concluded that problem gambling is as much a risk factor for domestic violence as alcohol abuse. National Research Council studies indicate that between one quarter and one half of spouses of compulsive gamblers have been abused. In Dead-wood, South Dakota, after two years of casino gambling, child abuse cases increased 42%, while domestic violence and assaults increased 80%.

Destruction of Families-A Gamblers Anonymous survey revealed that 28% had been separated or divorced as a direct result of their gambling problems. A nationwide survey representing 2 million adults identified gambling as a significant factor in a previous divorce.

Paid for by The United Methodist Anti-Gambling Taskforce, Paul White Treasurer, PO Box 2800, North Canton, OH 44720

Consecration Sunday Is Coming!

Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church's mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.

Our congregation's finance committee has selected the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this year.

New Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. New Consecration Sunday encourages people toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, "What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?"

During morning worship on Consecration Sunday, we are asking our attendees and members to make their financial commitments to our church's mission - "leading people to the transforming love of Jesus Christ".

Every attendee and member who completes an Estimate of Giving Card does so voluntarily by attending morning worship on Consecration Sunday. We urge people to attend who feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card.

We will do no personal home solicitation to ask people to complete cards. During morning worship our guest leader will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members making their commitments as a confidential act of worship.

We will encourage participation in Consecration Sunday events through the Consecration Sunday team and governing board members. Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship.

Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in Consecration Sunday events.

From our Financial Secretary, Joyce Aldred

Giving Goes Green!

Churches, with their heavy check volumes, were among the earliest organizations to embrace electronic giving as a way to automate contributions. Today, electronic giving in all its forms provides convenience for frequent check writers and donation consistency for churches.

A less frequently discussed benefit of electronic giving is its positive impact on the environment. An enormous amount of natural resources are consumed in the production, transportation, processing and disposal of paper checks. That's why paying bills electronically always ranks high on any list of actions an individual can take to improve the environment. Since the year 2000, the powerful trend toward electronic payments has already produced more than a 50 percent decline in check use.

As you consider the payment method you use to make your regular offering, we hope that you will think about the unique connection between financial stewardship and environmental stewardship.

Sign up to help...

... Rotation Leader needed
We are searching for one person or one team of people who would be willing to share three Sundays with the Children's Church program on Sundays December 20, December 27 and January 3. The topic for those three weeks is the story of Jesus' baptism. If you are interested, you can sign up in the yellow shaded square on the bulletin board by the drinking fountain or you can call Ann Ebbert here at the church.

...in the Clothing Closet!
We are looking for volunteers to work in the Clothing Closet on Saturdays from 8:30am-12:30pm. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside of the kitchen. If you have never done this before, it's very easy!! We can run you through training before you volunteer if you'd like.

...Usher!
The 11:00 am service is looking for volunteers to Usher. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside of the kitchen. It's very easy to do and a great way to serve your church! We can even train you if necessary. Sign up today!!

Mission of the Month

for November

Anthony Wayne Food Pantry

The Anthony Wayne Food Pantry is located at Zion UMC in
Whitehouse. You can help by bringing in food donations or a monetary gift. Needed food items are:

Macaroni & Cheese, Canned fruit, Soups (all kinds), Jell-O, Jelly, Pudding mixes, Canned juice, Pancake mixes, Peanut butter, Spaghetti, Spaghetti sauce, Canned tuna, Canned dinners (like Chef Boyardee), Boxed meals (like Hamburger Helper), Baby Foods, Toiletries, Laundry Detergents

There will be special boxes set aside in the fellowship hall to place your products. Currently the AW Food Bank is assisting 60 to 70 families every other week. This is also an ongoing mission service to our area which continues all year long.

Christmas is coming faster than we think, and the cantata is promising to be a fun, educational, worship-filled experience. If you would like to participate in this worldwide tour of Christmas celebrations from a singer's standpoint, the choir would love to welcome you. No training or ability to read music required. Helpers would be all around you; just come with the instrument God gave you. Thursday night rehearsals, and if that doesn't work for you, we have learning CDs and some practices on Mondays and Saturdays. See any choir member for information and a friendly smile :)

From the Congregational Care Team:

There is a rack on the wall by the Cry Room in Fellowship Hall which contains brochures and information about care centers, nursing homes, in-home aides and many programs for help in making choices when the need arises.

Mission Team

The mission committee would like to thank Laurie Schofield and the UMW for their assistance with the United Methodist Children's Home event which was held on Sept. 20th. Rev. Steve Putka also seemed very pleased with the reception he received while at our church. Thank you all again.

Our mission for the month of November will be the Anthony Wayne Food Pantry. There will be special boxes set aside in the fellowship hall to place your can goods, cereals, baby foods, toiletries, laundry detergents, bath soap, shampoo, dry beans, rice, etc. Currently the AW Food Bank is assisting 60 to 70 families every other week. This is also an ongoing mission service to our area which continues all year long.

Our mission in December is Friendly Center. We will be collecting hats, gloves, mittens, and socks for infants - adults. There will be a special area or tree to place these items.

The mission team has decided in 2010 to change our focus. More information will be coming.

Health Care Equipment:The upholstered lift chair has been donated to Whitehouse Country Manor. Available for lending is one wheelchair, a three wheeled walker and an adjustable cane. These are available for lending or giving. If you can use any of this equipment call Carol Streight at 419 877 5850, Carol Roach at 419 878 7395, or the Church office.