St. Paul's

Evangelical Lutheran Church

127 Cherry Rd. NE, Massillon, OH 44646

330 832-7409

January 2025 Newsletter

Contact Us: Click to send an email

On the Web

The church calendar is always available on every page of the church website on the right side, along with the church address, phone number, email address, and Youtube link for the online services. The online calendar contains the most up-to-date listing of events. 

Save the dates to give the gift of life.

2025 Blood Drives @ St. Paul's:

Noon until 6:00 pm

Monday January 6, 2025

Monday March 3, 2025

Monday May 5, 2025

Monday, August 25, 2025

Click on or copy and paste the link below to schedule an appointment for our next blood drive.

https://www.redcrossblood.org/

Beginning January 9th, 2025

Jesus was fond of asking questions, many of which cut right to the heart of what it means to be human. Why are you terrified? What do you live for? Who do you say that I am?

Magrey deVega explores six of the most provocative questions Jesus posed to others and guides us in answering them for ourselves. Asking these questions takes courage. Not only do they reveal what Jesus really cares about, they open a window into our hearts. When we dare to raise them, these questions bring us a fuller appreciation for the wisdom, power, and presence of God in our lives.

Are you ready to answer the Questions Jesus Asked? 

Save the date for this upcoming event:

Women’s Lenten Retreat: “Prayer: Let’s Talk to God”

March 8, 9 am-3 pm

 Leaders: LaShell Williamson and Patty Long

 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Wrapping up a busy and fruitful fall season of pumpkin rolls, chili, Christmas cookies, and numerous meals for the church, the Kitchen Angels take time to relax and enjoy each other's company.

Debbie Hannum, Carol Stoner, and Deb Schmolt put in many hours in the kitchen and deserve this time off.

The smiles say it all: Carole Fisher, Julia Englehart, Judy Hall, and Janet Kuller share the Christmas cheer.

Entertainment was provided by a talented young guitarist.

Members of the Friendship Circle enjoyed some lovely hospitality at the annual Christmas dinner and gift exchange. Sydney Johnson serenaded the 20 attendees with her flute.

Judy Fichter, Janet Kuller, and Sue Ambrosic relaxed at Jim and Becky Johnson's home. The dinner was hosted by Sue Ambrosic.

Judee Reed, Kim Oberlin, and Carol Marlow shared a few laughs.

Dave and Tim provided the clean-up duties so that the ladies could focus on the fellowship.

Church Council met on December 10th. In his report to Council, Pastor Mark let us know that the individual who spray painted some symbols on the church building, which were quickly painted over, has been identified. Pastor has been asked for and will provide a “victim impact statement” for the court. Pastor Mark also passed out pamphlets for Lifecare Family Health & Dental Services which has opened a location near the former Affinity Hospital on Amherst Rd. The pamphlets will be distributed to those attending our Community Meal to make them aware of this local source of affordable and accessible healthcare. Pastor also reported that the Community Candlelight Walk was a beautiful evening of music and opportunity for nearly 500 people to come into the church on Dec. 1. Special thanks are extended to Abby Haake, soloists, and choir members for the approximately 28 different and wonderful musical offerings presented that evening. Moving ahead with future planning, Pastor Mark is meeting with other Massillon clergy to plan for midweek services during Lent.

Our treasurer, Dan Farrar, noted in his report the wonderful generosity and financial support of St. Paul’s members as the calendar year is drawing to a close. One of the major expenses since the last report was our insurance payment. We have been forewarned that the coverage may not be extended to St. Paul’s in the future since many insurance companies are moving away from insuring churches. The value of our properties was another consideration. Dan and the Finance Committee will explore options for a possible change in insurance providers.

In other reporting, replacing the flat roofing of the church and repairing stonework has been delayed until there is a break in the weather. We have been assured that it will commence when the opportunity presents.

Pastor Mark reported on the Capital Campaign. We have received more detailed plans from John Picard, architect, on the new entry way and enclosure as well as the new accessible bathrooms to be installed across from the Gleitzman Lounge. These plans will be used to elicit bids from contractors in mid-January. Pastor Mark, Jim Johnson, Greg Klein, and Patty Long will meet with John Picard for a final review of the plans before they are distributed for bid. Not until a final bid is settled on will we know the exact cost of the project, but it is estimated that approximately $65,000 in additional funds need to be raised to cover expenses.

Cindy Lash reported for the Welfare and Social Action Committee. The gifts purchased by St. Paul’s parishioners to be distributed by the Salvation Army on December 18 and 19 were delivered. Special thanks to all who contributed to the gift donations as well as the food collection for distribution at our Community Meal. It was also reported that after many years of planning and preparing meals for the Community Meal, Marsha and Jack Fortune would like to step away from that ministry responsibility. They still hope to be involved in serving at the meal but leave the planning and preparation to others. Thankfully, Kim Oberlin and David Stoner have agreed to step into this opportunity! We are very grateful for the years of dedication from Marsha and Jack as well as the willingness of Kim and David to carry on the important work of planning and preparing the meals. They will be joined by a team of volunteers who continue to serve those who attend each month and then help with clean up.

Respectfully shared,

Patty Long

President, Church Council

Financial notes:  Our expenses were up due to a pump replacement in the clothes closet building and an increase in our property insurance retroactive to September 1. Our November donations were also up and not only covered our increased expenses but also gave us a monthly surplus.  Thank you for your generous donations.       

--Dan Farrar, Treasurer

Click on the image above or the button below to see the images and sounds of St. Paul's at Christmastime. The movie features numerous photographs from Peggy Gibbs, supplemented by photos from Patty Long, Becky Johnson, Carol Butler, and images from Jackie Pritchett and the LiveStream crew. Our beautiful organist, Dr. Abigail Haake, plays a meditative version of "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly," a traditional Polish Christmas Carol arranged by Emma Lou Diemer (1927-2024). 

The video was posted on Facebook so that people could share it with their friends.

Our two Christmas Eve services proclaimed the good news of the Christ child. 

The 7:00 pm service featured younger musicians, Thomas Haake on violin and vocalists Anderson Rambler and Sydney Johnson.

Anchored by the Camarada Brass, the 10:30 service was graced with "O, Holy Night" by soprano Megan Myers, "Some Children See Him" by Veronica Kreemer, and two pieces by the Chancel Choir, "Night of Silence" and "Before the Marvel of this Night." The congregation enjoyed singing the favorite carols, including the candle-lit "Silent Night."

Note from our Director of Music, Dr. Abigail Haake:

Part of our mission is to make our concerts accessible to all. All concerts are offered at no cost to those attending, and while we do collect a free will offering at every concert, the monies collected cover only a portion of our expenses.

Would you consider helping us with this outreach ministry by becoming a patron? Any donation is gratefully and joyfully received!

DONOR LEVELS to be recognized in programs at the concert:

Patron: $50+
Beethoven Circle: $150+
Bach Circle: $250+
Conductor's Circle: $500 and over

You can give electronically on your smart phone by texting STPAUL MASSILLON to 833-245-7486 and select one-time donation to Cathedral Concert Series.

Enjoy the photography by Peggy Gibbs in the Gleitsman Lounge. If you would like to own a print, sign up for the photos you'd like to purchase. (More than one person can select the same photo.) Pick up and pay dates on December 15th and January 12th. Prints are $25 each. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the church.

Peggy captures the beauty of our church in 22 portraits.

The congregation was pleased to enjoy the beautiful music of our Handbell Choir on December 15.

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" was the prelude,
and "Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming" was the offertory anthem.

Greetings from St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church!

We would like to invite you to attend our annual Indoor Winter Market on Saturday, January 11, 2025. On January 11, from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, we should have over 20 vendors selling various homemade food products. We have vendors that sell candy, apples, baked goods, produce, soup, and meat, We have found that this market is a wonderful way to support local vendors during the winter months. If there a someone you know that would like to sell their products at this market, (keeping in mind it is NOT a craft show), please contact us for an application.

We look forward to seeing you at the Market!

Sincerely,

St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church

Even our littlest congregation member was held spellbound by the madrigal singers. Matthew Klein Karch sits on his grandmother Lynda's lap at the service.

The choir, which included several members of our collaborating Lutheran neighbors, sang "Night of Silence," "In the Stillness," "The Virgin’s Slumber Song," and "The King Shall Come."

Sydney Johnson presented "Coventry Carol," "What Child Is This," "Good King Wenceslas," and "O Come, All Ye Faithful" on the flute as well as vocals on "The Little Drummer Boy" and "The First Noel."

Dwight Butler played "Joy to the World" and "O, Little Town of Bethlehem" on the trumpet. Other soloists were vocalists Veronica Kreemer, Sammy Kay Smith, and Andy Rambler and instrumentalists Carol Butler on cello and Ellie Manes on steel drum. Abby played two organ solos and accompanied 25 different pieces of music!

Bags line the hallway in preparation for the Community Meal event.

Favorite Bible or hymn verses: Every month we invite those celebrating birthdays to share their favorite verses. Be ready to send in yours!

Karen Daily, January 20:
"For l am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear for l will help you." (Isaiah 41:13)

Dwight Butler, January 22:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, The Great Commission)

Kathryn Myers, January 24: 
"For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law."(Romans 3:28) 

Has your birthday or anniversary been missing from the published lists? If so, please contact the office so we can add it to our database. Thank you!

Jan. 12--Philip & Gwen Halco

If you are interested in serving for a future month, click on the contact person's email link.

Find the "My Church" by Pushpay app in the App store on your phone or computer. It is a free download.

Open the app and search for St. Paul's by typing STPLC APP.  Then click on the St. Paul's logo.

To take advantage of all the app’s features, you must create an account. Get notifications and reminders of upcoming events, access our live stream worship and worship bulletins, send prayer requests, see the church calendar, and give electronically. 

Cathedral Concerts Facebook Page

St. Paul's Facebook Page

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church

127 Cherry Rd. NE, Massillon, OH 44646

330 832-7409

Office Hours: T, W, F 9am-1pm

ELCA Vision: A world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation..