Norwich-Salem-Sonora

United Methodist Churches

Norwich Charge Newsletter
P. O. Box 92
Norwich, Ohio 43767
www.norwich-salem-sonora-umc.com
(Ninety-Seventh Edition)

Message from Pastor Roger

Here it is November again and we are rapidly preparing for Thanksgiving, Advent, and the
Christmas seasons. How can it be? Where has the time gone? What have we been doing with the
time we have been allotted? I do not know about the rest of you, but sometimes I struggle to
answer those questions. It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating a new year, living
through Lent and going to Annual Conference. In the times in between, we have been called to
make and mature disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We have been
called to Love God with all our hearts, minds, and strength and to Love our neighbors as
ourselves.
As we approach this Thanksgiving season, I am thankful for the joy of serving God in my
appointment to the Norwich Charge. Over this past year, I have been blessed to visit the homes
of parishioners, the sick and those in the midst of life struggles. I am thankful for those who have
heard Gods call to join the church, to be baptized, and accept new positions of leadership. I am
also thankful for those who give of themselves to help with various programs in the churches,
special dinners, socials, auctions and meetings. I thank God for those who mow the grass, shovel
snow, clean the buildings, pay the bills and host meetings and groups. While each of these areas
do not dominate our minds, can you imagine how difficult it would be to try to do the other parts
of ministry without this support.
One of the areas that continues to be a struggle is the idea of making disciples for Jesus
Christ. Jesus commanded we go to Jerusalem (home), Judea (places close to home), Samaria
(places we do not like to be), and into all the world (maybe on foreign soil) for this very purpose.
How can we be thankful for the opportunities we are given, but yet fail to recognize and fail to
take advantage of them? I would like for you to share with me how you see us being effective in
this command so we not only thank God for the opportunity but for the fruit which is produced.
Considering the second part of our mission statement, maturing disciples for Jesus Christ, I
believe we often take it for granted that just like aging we will mature with time. That really is not
the case. The Apostle Paul complained about having to keep feeding milk when he should have
been able to feed meat. Two different opportunities of Bible Study are offered across the charge
and it would be great for at least one more to be offered. Two of our churches offer a Sunday
School and we offer a childrens program. My concern is, are we maturing in our faith, growing to
be more like Jesus. My prayer is that we will be able to mature beyond just a conversion
experience to a faith so deeply ingrained that regardless of the obstacles of the world Jesus will
be seen in each of us.
As we approach the Advent season, let us covenant together to concentrate on Loving God
with all our minds, souls, and strength and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Additionally, there
will be a couple of Advent Bible Studies, please try to participate. By conversation, study,
discussion and encouragement we will become better at making disciples and will do more than
just aging, maybe we will mature. I would truly like to know how you see yourself? Do you love
God with all your heart mind and strength? Do you see yourself loving your neighbor as
yourself? How do you see yourself making and maturing disciples for Jesus Christ for the

transformation of the world? Please consider sharing your thoughts with me in a note. Let us be
truly prepared for the coming of the Lord, not just this Christmas season, but when Jesus really
does return. Remember we do not know the day nor the hour when Christ will appear.
God Bless Each of You during this Thanksgiving season and in
our journey of Advent.

Pastor Roger

THIS MONTHS PRAYER

Dear Lord, If tomorrow never comes on this earth, I pray that I
will leave behind a testimony that points to you. Help me to live as
if today were my last before entering eternity, for I know not what
the day may bring. I pray that I will love others with a godly love, that I will be kind and
considerate, that I will share who you are and what you have done, that I will smile at those I see
throughout the day, that I will remember and pray for others, that I will appreciate every little
thing and have an attitude of gratitude, that I will be honest and responsible in all things. Thank
you for blessing me and loving me and filling me with your spirit. Please feed my soul and give
me strength this day. May you be glorified and my family be blessed. May I touch lives and sow
seeds throughout the day. In the name of my Savior I pray, Amen.

PSALM OF THE MONTH - # 95

1

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the
Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song. 3 For the LORD is the great
God, the great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of
the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5 The sea is his,
for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us
kneel before the LORD our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the
flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts as you
did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness, 9 where your ancestors tested
me; they tried me, though they had seen what I did. 10 For forty
years I was angry with that generation; I said, They are a people
whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways.
11
So I declared on oath in my anger, They shall never enter my
rest.

NORWICH UMW
The November meeting will be held November 3, at 7:30 PM at the home of Jane Lowry.
Sondra Little will be the co-hostess with Jane. Sondra will have
the Bible lesson and Jane Lowry will be in charge of the nights
program.
On December 3 they will be meeting for their annual
Christmas Party at the Community Building in Norwich. The party
will begin at 6:30 PM. They will be wrapping the gifts which will
purchased for the LOVE FUND families they support.

THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP

On November 23 at 7:00 p.m. we will gather at the Norwich church for Thanksgiving Eve
worship. We have invited the Pleasant Grove church to join us for worship. During worship we will
celebrate Holy Communion. Please consider inviting your family and
friends to join us for this special worship service. Hymns for the
evening will be Come, Ye Thankful People, Come, # 694; Now Thank
We All Our God, # 102; and Amazing Grace, # 378.

ANNUAL STEAK SUPPER

When will Sonoras Steak Supper be? That is the question that
begins beginning in the early fall and continues thru the first part of
November. THERE IS A CHANGE OF DATE FOR THIS YEAR. The
Annual Steak Supper is one of the premier events of the year at Sonora.
The steak supper is a fund raiser, but an event that draws many members and the community
together for great fellowship and renewing old acquaintances, and an opportunity for the church
to feature radical hospitality. This years steak supper will be November 19, 2016 from 4:00 PM to
7:00 PM at the Sonora Church. Please invite your neighbor and come for a great meal and
fellowship. The menu in addition to steak, includes salads, real mashed
potatoes, corn, lima beans, desserts and rolls. Please share this date with
your friends and invite them out to dinner with you. Steak dinners are
also available for carry out. Cost is a donation of $10.00 per meal

COUNTRY CHOIR
For a number of years during the month of December, a very special choir has been giving
concerts. This year will be no different as they are currently practicing
to bring a great concert to a church near you. The choir is under the
direction of Betty Ward, long-time director and music leader and they
practice weekly. Scheduled concerts and locations will follow later in the
bulletins.

BETHLEHEM WALK
The Chandlersville United Methodist Church and a host of other local churches invite you the
annual Bethlehem Walk. It will be for three nights November 25, 26, and 27 from 6:00 to 9:00
PM. Walkers gather at the Chandlersville church and join one of the several guides for the walk.
At the end of the walk there is opportunity to have an audience with a pastor. They are also in
need of cookies for each night.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritans Purse with the goal of sharing the gospel
world- wide through the distribution of shoe boxes filled with gifts and hearing the word. Many

times after a child receives a shoe box gift they are discipled through Bible
study courses and become faithful followers of Christ. November is
Operation Christmas Child and boxes will be delivered for distribution
November 21. CDs that give testimony to the work being done are available
through Pastor Roger.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Birthdays:

1 Tammie Wilson; 4 Martha Johnson; 13 Hobart Huff;

19 Bonnie Bowden, Shawn Lasko;
26 Verna Shirer, Herb Dailey; 27 Fern Wisecarver;
28 Paiton Shirer
Anniversary: 19 Dave and Becky Law

SALEM SINGSPIRATION
November 29, 2016 is the first Sunday of Advent. This year as a way to
begin the Advent Season we will be having a
Singspiration at the Salem Church. We will begin at 6:30 pm. Beverly Bowden
and Hilda West are the persons in charge of the singspiration. If you have songs
or other music you would like included, please contact them.

PERRY TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT

and
This
event
They
They

Annually Perry Township Fire

Department hosts a pancakes
sausage day at the fire house.
year they will be hosting their
on Saturday, November 12.
begin serving at 7:00 am and
continue all day until 7:00pm.
invite and encourage your
support for their fund raising
efforts.

Can you get the turkey by following the trail?

DAILY BIBLE READINGS

DATE

OLD TESTAMENT

PSALM
Psalm 121

NEW TESTAMENT
Mark 9, 10

Job 23, 24

Mark 11, 12

Job 25

Mark 13, 14

Job 26, 27

Mark 15, 16

Job 28, 29

Galatians 1, 2

Job 30

Job 31, 32

Galatians 5, 6

Job 33

1 Corinthians 1, 2, 3

Job 34

1 Corinthians 4, 5, 6

Job 35, 36

1 Corinthians 7, 8

10
11

Psalm 120

Psalm 122

Galatians 3, 4

1 Corinthians 9, 10,
11

12

Job 37, 38

1 Corinthians 12

13

Job 39, 40

1 Corinthians 13, 14

14
15

Psalm 149
Job 41, 42

1 Corinthians 15, 16
2 Corinthians 1, 2

16

2 Corinthians 3, 4, 5,
6

17

2 Corinthians 7, 8, 9,
10

18

Psalm 124

2 Corinthians 11, 12,

13

19

Matthew 1, 2, 3, 4

20

Matthew 5, 6, 7

21

Matthew 8, 9, 10

22

Matthew 11, 12, 13

23

Matthew 14, 15, 16

24

Matthew 17, 18, 19

25

Matthew 20, 21, 22

26

Matthew 23, 24, 25

27

Psalm 125

Matthew 26, 27

28
Matthew 28
1 Thessalonians 1, 2,
3
29

1 Thessalonians 4, 5
2 Thessalonians 1, 2,
3

30

Romans 1, 2, 3, 4

Couple of the Month: Hobie & Carol Huff

Hobert [or as he prefers to be called, Hobie] was born in Grayson, Kentucky as the youngest
son of Halbert and Ada Huff. The rest of the family included 3 brothers: Jim, Hager, and Carlos, and 2
sisters: Helen Huff and Rita Zeigler. Hobie attended Millersport High School through the 10 th grade,
and then went to work in the construction business as a heavy equipment operator the type of work
he did until his retirement in 2005. The last 15 years of his work was for the Kokosing Construction.
He retired as part of the Operating Engineers Union.
Carol was born in Washington, West Virginia to James & Margaret (Geyer) Sams. She had 4
sisters: Betty Glass, Peggy Kinsey, and Patricia Grant [all 3 deceased] and only 1 surviving sister,
Ada Beach. The family moved to Ohio when Carol was 3 years old. She started her education at
Perry School and graduated in 1950 from New Concord High School. Her first job was working as a
clerk at Newberrys 5 and 10 in downtown Zanesville. For our younger readers, the 5 & 10 meant that
many of the items were sold for 5 cents and 10 cents. Until her retirement, she worked as a cashier at
various grocery stores. She was also a clerk for Buchanans Auction for 40 years in her spare time.
She retired in 2009.
Although they were both born in West Virginia, they did not meet until they were both camping
at Spring Valley Campgrounds in Cambridge, Ohio.
Carol was camping with her grandson and was trying
unsuccessfully to get a fire started. Being Sir Galahad,
he offered to help the poor damsel in distress as got the
fire going.
She had a warm spot in her heart for him that day and
he has kept the fire going since.
Carol was in Eastern Star for 65 years. She is the
mother of 5 children: Debbie (and Terry) Tysinger,
Beverly (and Don) Hittle, Eric Thompson, and Todd (and
Pam Thompson. One son, Michael is deceased.
Hobie has 4 daughters: Rhonda (and Danny) Nazger,
Kim Weible, Tammy (and Matt) Devries, and Kristen
Huff.
They both love Pastor Roger. Carol grew up in the Sonora Church, but moved to Adamsville
and joined the church there. Hobie became a Christian in 1998 and has served God faithfully since
then.
They joined the Sonora Church on October 23, 2015. Hobie is now a Trustee and Carol serves
on the Pastor Parish Relations Committee and the Stewardship Committee.
Their favorite recreational activity is going camping. They have camped in Chicago, North and
South Carolina, Georgia, and usually spend their winters in Florida in their 42 foot RV.
Welcome to the Sonora Church, Hobie and Carol. God bless you both.

WORSHIP WITH US IN NOVEMBER

Hymns

November 6 Color Green

All Saints Sunday Communion (small
cups and pieces)
Scripture Text
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Message Title
A Contagious Church
Praise Hymn
Fill My Cup
# 641
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
# 110
It Is Well with My Soul
#

377
November 13 Color
Day of Prayer
Scripture Text
Message Title
Praise Hymn
Hymns

Green

Organ and Tissue Donor Day

International

1 Thessalonians 2:1-6
The Gospel Not A To Be Hidden
This Is The Day
# 657
We Gather Together
# 131
Weve a Story to Tell to the Nations # 569

November 20 Color
Scripture Text
Message Title
Praise Hymn
Hymns

White
Christ the King Sunday
1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
How Can We Thank God Enough?
Majesty, Worship His Majesty
# 176
Crown Him With Many Crowns
# 327
Victory in Jesus
# 370

November 27 Color
Scripture Text
Message Title
Praise Hymns
Hymns

Purple
First Sunday of Advent
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The Return of Jesus Watch
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
# 349
Jesus Loves Me
# 191
Jesus Is All the World to Me
# 469

SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICES

Thanksgiving Eve Worship
November 23 Norwich
Church
7:00 PM
Hymns
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come,
# 694
Now Thank We All Our God, # 102
Amazing Grace, # 378
Singspiration at Salem
6:30 PM

November 27

Salem Church

KIDS PAGE

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