TABLE OF CONTENTS (scroll to see it all) (click on to JUMP TO) SPECIAL ITEMS
From Our I-Pastor |
Recent Presbyterian Church services on DVD will be shown at The Knolls on April 12 and 26. We will be in the Assisted Living dining room at 10:00 A.M. and anyone who wishes to join us is welcome.
Becky Quay
All are welcome!
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Deadline for the
May 2016
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April 20
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From Our Interim Pastor
"In Life and in Death We Belong to God"
(The opening line in the Brief Statement of Faith-PCUSA)
Rev. Hart Edmonds
"You go to that church down the street. What do you believe? What does your church teach?"
Sometimes we Presbyterians have a hard time answering questions like that. We quite rightly try to avoid slogans or overly simple formulas to describe our faith, but as a result we sometimes find ourselves almost unable to give any account of it at all. What can be done about that? If we cannot communicate the meaning of our faith with confidence, how can we introduce people to a deeper practice of discipleship in a day and time where many individuals are unsure of what it means to be a practicing Christian?
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE
SERMON SERIES -
BRIEF STATEMENT OF FAITH
Between the 2nd Sunday of Easter and Trinity Sunday, May 22, Pastors Hart and Cheryl Edmonds will be leading a worship series on the Brief Statement of Faith. The Confirmands have been memorizing this statement of faith and along with their mentors have been talking about what it means to them to say that we trust in God in these ways. We hope you will join them and us as together we center our worship in the One to whom we all belong.
April 3 - Second Sunday of Easter - Acts 5:27-42
"The Gift of a Resurrected Life: Part 1"
God raised Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, and delivering us from death to life eternal.
April 10
Call of Paul - Acts 9:1-20
Call of Peter - John 21: 1-19
"The Gift of a Resurrected Life: Part 2 - A Call"
The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles, rules our faith and life in Christ through scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the church.
April 17
Raising of Tabitha - Acts 9:36-43
Protected Sheep - John 10:22-30
Teacher recognition - 50 year recognition
"The Gift of a Resurrected Life: Part 3 - Service"
In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve God in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God's new heaven and new earth, praying, Come, Lord Jesus!
With believers in every time and place,
we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
April 24 Earth Day weekend
Rev. 21:1-6; Acts 11:1-18
"The Gift of a Resurrected Life: Part 4 - Healed Community"
We trust in God the Holy Spirit,
everywhere the giver and renewer of life The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor
and binds us together with all believers
in the one body of Christ, the church.
May 1
Acts 16:9-15 - Paul's Macedonian Dream
"The Gift of a Resurrected Life: Part 5 - Witness"
In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior
May 8 Mother's Day
"The Gift of a Resurrected Life: Part 6 - Covenant"
"Mothering/Fathering God"
Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant, like a mother who will not forget her nursing child,
like a father who welcomes the prodigal home, God is faithful still.
May 15 - Pentecost
Acts 16: 16-34 Conflict over the slave girl's freedom
"The Gift of a Resurrected Life: Part 6: Courage"
In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage ...to unmask idolatries in church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.
May 22 - Trinity Sunday CONFIRMATION SUNDAY
"The Gift of a Resurrected Life: Belonging"
In life and in death we belong to God.
Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit we trust in the one triune God, the holy one of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.
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TAIZE
TAIZE CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER SERVICE
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Dinner and Conversation 5:45 PM
Prayer Service 7:00 PM
Please visit or call the church office for a dinner reservation or visit www.oxford presbychurch.org to register on line.
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
CONFIRMATION SCHEDULE
FOR APRIL - MAY
CONFIRMATION CLASSES: 11:10-12:30
March 20
April 10 - with mentors
April 17
April 24
May 1 - with mentors
May 6 - first draft of faith statement is due
May 22 - CONFIRMATION DAY BREAKFAST at 8:35AM
Statements of faith will be presented in small groups
CONFIRMATION at 10:00 Worship
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EARTH DAY - Saturday, April 23 Fernald Preserve
Registrations due by April 1
ENTIRE CONGREGATION AND FRIENDS ARE INVITED!
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MISSION TRIP to Cincinnati - May 13-15 Registration and $25.00 due by April 1 balance of $25.00 due by May 13.
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MONDAY NIGHT ADULT SPIRITUALITY GROUP RESUMES MONDAY, APRIL 18th 6:30-8 PM Topic to be determined. Watch the bulletin insert or contact Pastor Cheryl for more information.
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CARES, CONCERNS, JOYS AND THANK YOUs
IN OUR PRAYERS:
Keep these friends in your prayers:
Marilyn Young, Genee Hesse, Robbie Wells, John Reller, Stacey Winn, Betty Barnhart, Cathy Fey, Marilyn Rettig, Sarah Soika, Bob Douglass
Lord in Your Mercy, Hear Our Prayers
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JOYS
What a joy filled Easter Sunday! From the beautiful sunshine, open doors and open arms welcoming everyone, to beautiful flowers and breathtaking music!
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THANK YOU
THANK YOU
To everyone who helped clean up the church grounds
This photo Taken during the rainy mulch madness effort by John Curry
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THANK YOU
To our most faithful usher captains, who have given devoted service for many years: Steve Flee, Dutch Derickson, Tom and Janet Holmes. Steve is retiring after 19 years of service. 
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Long before there were automatic door openers, Steve kept an eye out for my mom in her wheelchair and was ALWAYS there to open the side door for us. The seemingly little gifts of love come from the biggest of hearts. -ed.
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DEACONS
Thank you for your generous gifts of food and monetary donations. The Deacon's Food Drive collected 238 pounds of food and $840.00 in monetary donations through March 16th. Monetary contributions are still being accepted for the Food Drive until the end of March.
Please be mindful that there is a box by the Church Offices where you may continue to drop off food for the Oxford Choice Food Pantry anytime. Monetary donations may be placed in the offering plate anytime after the drive as well.
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Do you know someone who needs a Prayer Shawl? Shawls are given for comfort in times of illness or grief, as well as for celebration in times of joy. If you have a friend or relative to whom you would like to give a Prayer Shawl, please call Cornelia Browne.
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OXFORD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WOMEN
THE TUESDAY AFTERNOON CIRCLE
Will meet April 19, at 1:30pm at the Knolls. Lynn Cronk is leading the lesson, Betty Reinhart the Mission Yearbook and Prue Dana the Least Coin. All are welcome!
THE TUESDAY EVENING CIRCLE
Will meet April 5 at 7:30pm at the home of Jean O'Connell, 1277 Elizabeth Drive, Hamilton. Janet Holmes is co-hostess and is presenting the program. Connie Everhart will lead Devotions. We are carpooling. Anyone who needs a ride, call Karen Simpson.
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Jean O'Connell, Karen Shearer and Janet Zeigler are taking the 100 health care kits OPC prepared with them as they travel to Ferncliff Arkansas March 28-April 1st on a Mission Trip. They will learn about Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and will help to assemble Gifts of the Heart. _____________________________
OPW Friendship Brunch
April 16 at 10am
Be prepared for a fun time as Sue Wilson, Mary Jo McFadden and Pam Deahl lead us in music!
This year the brunch is being held in the Molyneaux Lounge, due to rehab work continuing in the Seminary. After a hearty and delicious meal, we'll move to the Sanctuary for a sing along of old familiar hymns and camp songs. This will be a morning of fun and fellowship for all ages. Bring your mother, daughter, granddaughter, niece, neighbor, friend (or even a foe) and join in the fun!
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SPRING RUMMAGE SALE POSTPONED TO FALL
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SESSION
Highlights from the March session meeting:
- motion passed to object to a liquor permit for Kofenya Coffee House and request a hearing to be held in the county seat of the premises. One elder agreed to attend should such a hearing occur.
- committee formed to oversee the finish work at the Seminary (clean up, flooring, countertops, rest room freshening, foyer floor, etc.)
- approval was given to offer Sarah Mapel a contract with CCNS for the 2016-17 school year
- financial concerns were discussed, with a detailed report of where things stand at this point. S/F encourage questions, suggestions, thoughts on this subject
-Pastor Cheryl's contract was extended for 2 months
Judy Fisher
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INTRODUCING
A NEW COLUMN
WANTED: a guest columnist for the MAY newsletter. Help save this column. Donate your words before this column starves.
Child's View of Thunderstorms
Karen Shearer
A little girl walked to and from school each day. Though the weather that morning was questionable and clouds were forming, she still happily made her daily trek to school. As the afternoon progressed, the winds whipped up, along with lightening.
The mother of this little child felt concerned that her daughter would be frightened as she walked home from school. She was also fearful of an electrical storm that might harm her child. So full of concern, the mother got into her car and quickly drove along the route to her child's school. As she did, she saw her little girl walking along.
At each flash of lightening, the child would stop, look up and smile. More lightening followed quickly and every time it happened, the little girl would look at the streak of light and smile.
When the mother's car came up beside the child, she lowered her window and called out, "What are you doing?" The child calmly answered, I'm trying to look my very best because God keeps taking my picture."
Do you know something about the church you want to share? It can be a person, an event, your special memory, a story, whatever. Others would love to know what you know. Please share. Send your write-up to Nancy at moeckenj@miamioh.edu. Or call (523-6003) and we can chat
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COMING UP- RECOGNITION OF GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE CHURCH MEMBERS Sunday, May 8th. If you know of a college student church member who will be graduating this spring please call the church office so we can include their name in the bulletin for that Sunday whether they are able to be present or not.
If you would like the church to know about the graduation of your son/daughter, granddaughter/grandson, niece/nephew or any other loved one who is not a church member please email Nancy Moeckel with a few sentences about them so she can include this joy in the May newsletter
___________ Recent Presbyterian Church services on DVD will be shown at The Knolls on April 12 and 26. We will be in the Assisted Living dining room at 10:00 A.M. and anyone who wishes to join us is welcome. Becky Quay ____________________ Karen Shearer, Carol Klumb, and Gwen Fears, the last of our newest Church Officers were ordained and installed on Mar 6. Karen Carol Gwen
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Oxford Presbyterian Church Staff
Telephone: 513-523-6364
Fax: 513-523-8215
Seminary Building: 513-523-7411
Interim Pastor: Pastor Hart Edmonds
Interim Associate Pastor: Pastor Cheryl Edmonds
Music Director: Kent Peterson
Organist: Lynn Jacobs
Pastor Emeritus: Dr. Joseph R. Hookey
Parish Associates: Dr. Bruce Bueschel, Rev. Diane Ziegler
Administrative Assistant:
Financial Secretary:
Director/Teacher C.C.N.S.:
Sarah Mapel: 207-3630
Newsletter Editor:
Nancy Moeckel, moeckenj@miamioh.edu
OFFICERS OF OPC
SESSION
Class of 2016:
Pam Deahl, Lynn Cronk, Pat Gifford, Tom Poetter, Rich Drewes
Class of 2017:
Mary Jane Roberts, Robert Smith, Janet Zeigler, Gwen Fears, Kim Logsdon
Class of 2018: Carol Klumb, Amy McGoldrick, Katie Payne, Deb Sayers, David Wilson
Deacons
Class of 2016:
Janet Holmes, Deanna Maxwell, Lawretta Clum, Cornelia Browne, Molly Todd
Class of 2017:
Danny Cross, Connie Everhart, Matt Lykins, Jean O'Connell, Breanne Parks
Class of 2018: Karen Shearer, Lee Fisher, Virginia Layton, Ginny Staberg, Joni Marcum
Trustees
Class of 2016:Chris Adryan, Joe Simpson, Keith Payne
Class of 2017: Lisa Brunckhorst, Bill King
Class of 2018: Tom Holmes, Nick Fears
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Deadline for the MAY 2016 Newsletter is April 20, 2016
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APRIL BIRTHDAYS
1 Deanna Maxwell 2 JoAnne Bogard 2 Christine Poetter 3 Nathan Pacey 3 Austin Lake 5 Darrell Richardson 5 Deb Sayers 5 Dave McDaniel 5 John Hesford 6 Emily Bailer 7 Jane Kelly 7 Pat Gifford 7 Stephen James 8 John Woodruff 9 Mary Jane Brower 9 Sam Poetter 9 Emily Platt 11 Marjory Baer 11 Richard Nelson 11 Caroline Shoker 11 Branden Butterfield 12 Tip Ziegler 12 Dick Keebler 12 Boe Stephenson 13 Faye Santavicca 13 Nicholas Payne 15 Don Gerber 15 Elizabeth Johnson 15 Becky McDaniel 16 Alan Smith 17 John Trump 17 Thomas Payne 19 Kay Jellison 21 Mary Hunter 21 Alex Hughes 23 Jean Woodruff 24 Marietta Bowlby 25 Ruth Miller 26 Christopher Bailer 26 Joe Gentry 27 Richard Quay 29 Susan Maxfield 29 Jenny Hunter 30 Herb Wiepking 30 Rodger Cromer
April Absurdities and Fun Facts for our Celebrants
Seven states do not have personal income tax- Alaska, Washington state, Nevada, Wyoming, South Dakota, Texas, Florida. Alaska not only doesn't have an income tax, they pay you to live there!
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em, "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. Theodore Roosevelt
Shhhh. Listen to the sounds that surround you. Pete Seeger
Fernald: The comprehensive environmental remediation and ecological restoration of this site was completed in 2006 at a costof $4.4 billion. This cleanup was one of the largest environmental cleanup operations ever undertaken in the history of the United States. Now don't you want to know more? Join the group visit on April 23!
All 50 states are listed across the top of the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the $5 bill. (and I used to be able to see them.-ed.)
My Career As A Clown: Abe Ozo
The Irish Heart Surgeon: Angie O'Plasty
Not a Guitar!: Amanda Lin
I'm Fine: Howard Yu
Wouldn't You Know It: Murphy Slaw
Falling Trees: Tim Burr
The name for the month of April originally came for Aprilis which means "to open."
April 7 is National No Housework Day. CELEBRATE
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Full Article
"In Life and in Death We Belong to God"
(The opening line in the Brief Statement of Faith-PCUSA)
Rev. Hart Edmonds
"You go to that church down the street. What do you believe? What does your church teach?"
Sometimes we Presbyterians have a hard time answering questions like that. We quite rightly try to avoid slogans or overly simple formulas to describe our faith, but as a result we sometimes find ourselves almost unable to give any account of it at all. What can be done about that? If we cannot communicate the meaning of our faith with confidence, how can we introduce people to a deeper practice of discipleship in a day and time where many individuals are unsure of what it means to be a practicing Christian?
Between April 3 and Trinity Sunday, May 22 your pastors will be leading a worship series on A Brief Statement of Faith (PCUSA), which is the most contemporary effort among Presbyterians to understand and confess their faith in today's world. Elsewhere in this newsletter, you will find the preaching themes and schedule for this sermon series. Why are we offering this series? The members of this year's confirmation class have been memorizing this statement of faith and along with their adult mentors have been learning what this confession of faith means for them as young Christians in today's world. Imagine what it could mean for us as a congregation to gain greater confidence in both understanding as well as communicating our faith.
In life and in death we belong to God.
Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit,
We believe in the one triune God,
In whom alone we trust.
"Brief Statement of Faith" PCUSA
Presbyterians are part of a church tradition that attempts to find ways to express our faith in ways that address the current challenges to faith in the world, while remaining in harmony with the great classical confessions of faith such as the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed, which are part of the ecumenical confessions of faith. The "Brief Statement of Faith" (BSF) shares the central affirmations of those classical statements of faith, by affirming the Triune God and by witnessing to "Jesus Christ as fully human fully God."
One of the characteristics of who we are as Presbyterians is that we are a people who think about our faith. We believe the mind is a terrible thing to waste in the practice of our faith, for Jesus said, "You are to love the Lord your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." (Mark 12: 33) God invites us to love God with our whole selves, including our minds. The "Brief Statement of Faith" is also significant for the ways in which it applies faith to contemporary life. Here are a few examples.
"In life and in death we belong to God" is the opening affirmation of the BSF. Presbyterians strongly affirm that God's redemptive love is not limited to eternal life; our lives matter to God in this life we are living now as well. The BSF is the only Christian statement that speaks of Jesus "blessing the children." In a world, like ours, where the lives of children are often discounted due to war, violence, and poverty this "blessing of the children" calls for a more just and generous advocacy by Christians in the public realm. The BSF also affirms that God "makes everyone equally in God's image, male and female of every race and people." It doesn't take much effort to observe that there are many ways in which contemporary life would deny the equality of God's love and grace. You can name those ways easily. Long before Pope Francis began his clarion call to care for the creation and to address the threat of climate change, the BSF warned that we "threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care" and that we "exploit neighbor and nature."
In the course of this sermon series on the "Brief Statement of Faith" (PCUSA), you will have opportunity to learn about the contemporary expression of faith that distinguishes Presbyterians. You will be introduced to the biblical roots of this contemporary affirmation of faith and to the invitation to put this faith into action. Who knows? You may even be inspired to memorize this confession of faith along with this year's Confirmation Class. (In our current hymnals you will be able to find the Brief Statement of Faith on pp. 37-38.)
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Full Article
CONFIRMATION SCHEDULE
FOR APRIL - MAY
CONFIRMATION CLASSES: 11:10-12:30
March 20
April 10 - with mentors
April 17
April 24
May 1 - with mentors
May 6 - first draft of faith statement is due
May 22 - CONFIRMATION DAY BREAKFAST at 8:35AM
Statements of faith will be presented in small groups
CONFIRMATION at 10:00 Worship
EARTH DAY - Saturday, April 23 Fernald Preserve
Registrations due by April 1
SEE MORE INFORMATION IN THIS NEWSLETTER
ENTIRE CONGREGATION AND FRIENDS ARE INVITED!
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MISSION TRIP to Cincinnati - May 13-15 Registration and $25.00 due by April 1 balance of $25.00 due by May 13.
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MONDAY NIGHT ADULT SPIRITUALITY GROUP RESUMES MONDAY, APRIL 18th 6:30-8 PM Topic to be determined. Watch the bulletin insert or contact Pastor Cheryl for more information. ___________________________ CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS Teachers for April Nursery Debbie DeGennaro Preschool Lynn Cronk K-2 Sarah Miller and Deb Sayers Grades 3-5 Carol Klumb Grades 6-7 Prue Dana and Katie Saylor Grades 8-H.S. Jenn Burns ________________ Teacher Recognition will be April 17th. ________________ Come early and enjoy the Pancake Breakfast, which begins at 8:30 and is hosted by our teens as a fundraiser for the Mission Trip. Our church school teachers and adult education teachers will be recognized during the worship service. Please say thank you to our teachers there are almost 30 that make Christian Education possible. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" Matthew 28:19. ____________ Lessons for April for our Preschool Class April 1 Doubting Thomas John 20:19-31- We can believe in Jesus even though we haven't seen him. April 8 Saul to Paul Acts 9:1-20- God changed Saul to kind Paul, Jesus' friend. April 15 Peter and Tabitha Acts 9:36-43 Jesus works through us. April 22 Peter's Dream Acts 11:1-18 God welcomes everyone. April 29 Lydia Acts 16:9-15 We can learn and teach about love. _____________________ YOUTH Hello Everyone! I just wanted to take a moment to update you on past and upcoming youth events. February and March seemed to fly by, so here is my chance to catch you all up on the events! Winter Jam was at the end of February and was a huge success. Three cars made their way down to Cincinnati for a beautiful and fun filled night of music and worship. It was pretty clear to see that some of the youth have added at least For King and Country and Red to their music play list! Also at the end of February was the Pasta Dinner Fundraiser for the June Youth Mission Trip. I want to take this time to say thank you to all those who came out to the Pasta Dinner, as well as all those who helped by donating your time, your cooking skills, and funds. We were able to raise about $500, which was absolutely amazing! Minute for Youth Mission This mission trip this summer is June 19-26th in Princeton IL. Right now the youth are working hard through the help of grants and fundraising to raise $10,000. We are about half way to reaching our goal with two fundraisers left before we leave. The end of February and the beginning of March set the official number of youth and adults attending the Mission Trip. I am very excited to announce that a total of 9 youth and 3 adults will be attending for a grand total of 12! March 20th was the dessert auction and I will have photos of that fundraising event in next month's newsletter! A big thank you to Carol Klumb who rocked the crowd with her auctioning skills. She made the auction a fun and entertaining event for all those who came. I also want to thank all those who showed up to the event and purchased desserts as well as those who just came for support. All of the love and outreach of the congregation is amazing and we couldn't do this without you! Aside from raising money our youth have also to bring an extensive tool list with them. We are looking into renting some of the bigger items from a local hardware store once we reach Princeton, but there are still items we are looking for to be donated for use during the week. Below you will find a list of the tools we are required to bring. If you see something on that list that you are willing to loan out for the week of the mission trip please contact Jenn Burns at burnsjennf@gmail.com or by phone at 765-580-1604. We would not need to start rounding up these items until June but we are trying to figure out which items we will be able to take with us, or need to rent when we arrive. One Five-Gallon Water Jug (1 Per 6 People) Family Size Cooler On Wheels (1 Per 6) Spade Shovel (2 Per Group) One Box Of Rags Drop Cloths At Least One Wrench/Socket Set Small Old Containers For Paint Paint Bucket Hook (1 Per 6 People) 16ft Or Longer Extension Ladder (1 Per 6 People) Electric Drill And Bits (2 Per Group) Post Hole Digger Jigsaw (1 Per Group) First Aid Kit (1 Per Vehicle) Paint Roller Extension Handle Level Utility Knife Chalk Line And Chalk Chisel Caulking Gun Circular Saw Pry Bar Square Extension Cord Ground Fault Interrupter __________________ Upcoming Youth Event Calendar April 2 God's Not Dead 2 Open to all ages April 3 No Sunday School Jr. And Sr. High April 17 Pancake Breakfast 8:30am before church April 23 Earth Day Outing Fernald Preserve, Ross OH May 1 No Sunday School Jr. And Sr. High May 8 Senior Recognition in Church May 13,14,15 Mission Out Reach in Cincinnati May 21 Car Wash Fundraiser Thank you all for all that you do to support the youth we are truly a blessed church to have such an amazing and generous congregation! God Bless! Jenn Burns 765-580-1604 burnsjennf@gmail.com
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