“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” - Psalm 136:1
Dear Church Family -
Sometimes I just have to remind myself of who God is. He is good. He is loving. He is creator. He is sustainer. He is all-knowing, ever -present, and limitless in power. He is in control and I am not. Yet, He calls me friend. I am in awestruck wonder.
It works every time I am overwhelmed, pressed for time, emotionally a wreck, conflicted in thought, stretched to my limit, or simply caught up in the grind of life. I lift my eyes to Him. My perspective changes. I recall truths about who He is—straight from the words He uses to reveal Him-self, the Bible. My heartrate slows. My mind and muscles release ten-sion. His Spirit surfaces—always present, but often ignored. I feel His love in and through me. He has brought comfort and peace (again) just as He promised.
Brothers and sisters, the season of Lent upon us is just such a time to practice these skills. Through these forty days (not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter, the church has historically fasted, prayed, baptized new converts, and recommitted themselves to follow Christ. Early believ-ers were aware that living here—on earth, in the material realm—can be a distraction from the spiritual reality all around us.
We will continue to focus intently over these next few weeks on grow-ing into mature disciples of Jesus Christ by engaggrow-ing in Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. Indeed, our theme for 2021 is “Restore my soul, O Lord.” Rather than pushing to serve, train, recruit, and deploy—we are focusing on rest, renewal, and allowing God to restore each and every one of us. Even the best warrior, athlete, or worker needs to take a knee from time to time. As a church, I believe this is the time for us to put our roots down deeper for the growth God wants to bring in our personal and collective lives.
As the saying goes, I have no idea what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. As long as we are growing closer to Him, it’ll be al-right. He’s proven Himself over and over again. You can trust Him. I do. Sincerely yours
-Pa
stor Rich
December 2020
TRINITY UMC STAFF
Pastor Rich Rakay richrakay@gmail.com Cell: (419)236-4692 Worship/Youth Leader Wayne Wells gwayne.wells@gmail.com Cell: 937-684-6684 Church Secretary Carol Higbea delphostumc@bright.net Office: (419)692-0651 Fax: (419)692-0009
Tender Times Director
Melissa Creps tendertimescdc@gmail.com Office: (567)765-0502 Custodian Kory Angel kangel9812@gmail.com Worship Musician Kathy Stewart kadostewart63@yahoo.com Choir Director Erin Stokes erinstewart@hotmail.com
Office and Mailing Address
Trinity United Methodist Church
211 E. Third Street Delphos, OH 45833
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 8AM-Noon & 1-5PM
Website:
delphostrinity.org Like us on Facebook!
Page 2 Delphos Trinity Newsletter February 2021
Updates from Wayne
We made it to 2021. I have hope for the future, and I am looking forward to going to Lakeside this summer with our youth and planning for this ex-citing opportunity is underway. I am also hopeful that we will be able to resume our Ignite program in 2021. I am very thankful to our parent vol-unteers that make having our Sunday Night youth group possible, and I am grateful to all those that helped with Ignite last year! If you are inter-ested in helping plan and volunteering for Ignite or Sunday night youth group, please let me know. I would love to chat with you. The youth group is currently doing a series called “It’s Personal” Last week, we talked about how God knows your name, and we looked at how Jesus approached Nicodemus. Jesus called Nicodemus by his name and engaged him despite his role as a tax collector. This series aims to help students understand that Jesus knows them person-ally, and because of Him, they should get to know others personally. This is a first step in sharing the Love of Jesus with those that are around us.
Youth Families
If you have a student that is in grades 7-12 and is interested in attending the Sunday Night Youth group, your student is welcome to join us at any time. The youth group is at 6:30 on Sundays at the church. I typically send out a text reminder to parents and students. If you would like to be added to the text list, please reach out to me or contact Carol in the office, and I will get you added. If you or your student is not comfortable due to COVID-19 and wants to join us for the lesson and discussion portion of the youth group, we can have your student connect with us through Zoom.
Streaming Equipment Update
Thank you for your patience as we upgrade our camera system. My goal is to have song lyrics included on the Sunday morning stream by mid-February. I am continuing to work out the details, and we now have 90% of the equipment opera-tional. If you are interested in being a part of our streaming ministry, please let me know. Training will be provided. Last week we began using a service called Box Cast. We streamed simultaneously last Sunday to YouTube and Facebook, and in the coming weeks, you will see a stream available on our website. You soon will be able to access our live church service on your Roku, Apple Tv, or Firestick device by downloading the Box Cast App.
Wells Family Updates
Thank you to those that have been praying for my mother. Her surgery on her wrist went well, and she is getting around great post-surgery. Katie is now completely healed up from her mouth injury and has had the stitches removed from her lip. I am continuing my classes at Winebrenner Seminary and have been enjoying serving just one church. My role as the worship leader at Van Wert First UM came to a close as of 2021 after serving there for 6 ½ years. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to do ministry there. I am very thankful for the opportunity and the support that Delphos Trinity UM continues to give me. Thank You for all that you do to support me, my family, and the ministry I do in Delphos. I could not do it without the support of parents and the church as a whole. I appreciate all of the kind words and encouragement you give so often.
May God bless you all in 2021.
February 2021 Delphos Trinity Newsletter Page 3
January is the month that feels like it goes on and on. We have had a busy month of learning at Tender Times. Many in the pre-k class have started to read simple sentences. They are working on their sign language in class as well by doing a phonics chant. Pre-k has also started to work on some addition/subtraction while doing math. Our preschool class has been working on their letters each week and learning in each of their new centers getting ready for when they go to pre-k next year.
February will be another quiet month here at Tender Times. We will be having our Valentine’s Day party and 100th day of school. February is usually when we get restless from having played inside for months. The children get a lot of energy and are ready to get back outside. Playing inside just isn't the same as being outside on the playset or in the grass. We are looking for donations of some tricycles for our preschool/pre-k children to be able to ride on in the gym and hopefully outside when it warms up.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support! -Melissa & Tender Times Staff
Page 4 Delphos Trinity Times February 2021
The mission committee will be introducing a new monthly feature for February, Andrew’s House. Andrew's House of Hope is a nonprofit program offered to women who are working to holistically recover from a substance use disorder or women in transition. The house is located just outside of Elida and is open to women that are struggling with addic-tion and seeking recovery. The process is faith-based and run by Recovery Coach Kelly Teman-Baeza, who is helping women through her own experiences and encouraging them
to get back into a normal routine. “Andrew’s House is faith-based with a priority of recovery realiz-ing that recovery encompasses far more than just addiction,” Baeza, a recovered addict herself, said. “The house is named in memory of my son, Andrew, who succumbed to his disease of addic-tion on Jan. 13, 2012; however, it is operated in honor of my son, Cody, and all those that over-come.”
"One of the main things that is missing for someone early in recovery is schedule and stability, and we have that here," said Baeza. "Sometimes it’s just those little things that maybe you and I take for granted, and getting back in the routine of getting up every morning." Many of the activities going on within the house are done as a group, and the time spent together makes every day a learning experience.
Baeza runs the home on very simple principals: “It’s not our job to judge or fix. It’s our job to love,” she said. The home can accommodate six women at a time, 8-10 in a pinch, Baeze added.
If you would like to join the Mission Committee in supporting Kelly and her mission in February, be sure to make a note on your envelope and memo line of your check for “Andrew’s House”.
Parts of this article were printed in the Delphos Herald, Wednesday, January 10, 2018.
February Mission Feature
Many of you have met Simon Tamang when he was visiting America from his home land of Nepal. Simon is a minister in the Christian faith and is affiliated with Teens for Christ. Because Simon is a Christian living in a predominately Hindu nation, Simon and his family are being evicted from their home. They would like to build their own home so there would be no landlord to tell them, “Leave, you’re not welcome here.”
The Delphos Trinity Mission Committee will be sending funds to Simon to help him and his family become housing independent. If anyone would like to add an individual do-nation to Simon and his family, they may make a dodo-nation through the church. Please put Simon’s housing on the memo line of your check or envelope to ensure that your gift is credited to the proper account.
Please have these donations to the church by Monday, February 22 so we may send the funds to his family.
February 2021 Delphos Trinity Times Page 5
Based on giving through special offerings and the monthly mission feature, Delphos Trinity UMC helped support our mission partners with the above amounts for a total of $16,892! This included no fundrais-ers as the June Jubilee, Canal Days, and the Christmas Bazaar were all cancelled due to COVID-19. Thank you so much for your generosity. Together, we are making a difference in Jesus’ name.
Campus Crusade $250.00
CASA $350.00
Compassion International Offering $2,708.50
Discretionary $500.00
Family Promise $645.00
Franklin Principal Fund Offering $2,708.50 Habitat for Humanity $250.00
Heifer Project $750.00
Hungry for Him $1,500.00
Interlink Ministry - Joy Family $100.00 Jackson Area Ministry $200.00
Other $410.00
Rise Against Hunger $670.00 Samaritan House $1,500.00
Simon Tamang $2,500.00
Stand for Truth $350.00
Tornado relief $1,000.00
UMCOR National $400.00
Wings of the Morning $100.00
Mission Offering Distribution for 2020
THE LENTEN SEASON BEGINS
ASH WEDNESDAY
-
FEBRUARY 17, 2021
There will be a service at the downtown location (211
E. Third Street, Delphos) with the imposition of ashes
being offered.
Page 6 Delphos Trinity Times February 2021
We wish to express our prayers and sympathy to the families of. . . .
Harold “Rodger” Wreede, 80, of Delphos, passed away on Friday, January 15, 2021, at Vancrest Healthcare Center. He was born in Delphos on September 15, 1940, to
Harold and Mary Ellen (Rupert) Wreede. They preceded him in death. On September
1, 1962, he was united in marriage to Nancy Harpster. He was preceded in death by
his parents, wife, and his son, Brent Wreede.
Rodger is also survived by a daughter, Rhonda (Carl) Grothaus of Findlay; a daughter-in-law, Michelle Wreede of Delphos; brothers Richard (Sharon) Wreede and Paul G. (Cathy) Wreede; six grandchildren, Kyle, Keith, Craig, Corey (Sadie), Carrie, and Ryan; and seven great-grandchildren, Cameron, Lillian, Alexander, Vienna, Bennett, Addison, and Keegan.
Rodger graduated from Delphos Jefferson in 1958, and served in the United States Army from July 21,
1958-June 20, 1961. He was a member of Eagles Aerie #471, American Legion Post #268, and Mason
Lodge #214. Rodger loved sports especially the Jefferson Wildcats, and was an avid OSU Buckeye
fan. He will always be remembered for the love of his family, his overwhelming sense of humor and
generosity to others.
Funeral services will be on Thursday, January 21, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Harter and Schier Funeral
Home. Burial will follow at Walnut Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 20, 2021,
from 2:00-7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to services on Thursday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church.
UMW Recognize Individuals
Each year the United Methodist Women recognize individuals who have served the church in extraordinary ways by going above and beyond. The UMW sends a monetary gift to Missions in honor of these individuals. Monetary gifts are also given in memory of United Methodist Women who have joined the roll of the victorious during the past year.
On Sunday, January 24, 2021, the following were recognized for their service in 2019 or 2020. The honorees received a card telling them that a memorial gift was given in
their honor, or in honor of their deceased family member. Monetary Gift was given to Missions for the following people: Mallory Rakay for heading up Café Hosts
Perry Wiltsie for Youth Discipleship/SCUBA
For helping during the beginning of COVID service as ushers for the parking lot services: Clay Erman, Jerry Gilden, Len Schleeter, Matt Suever
Cleaning chairs, etc. after church services before a custodian was hired: Becky & John Jones
Special Recognition to Missions with monetary gift & pin was given to: Pastor Rich & Wayne Wells
Monetary Gifts to Missions were sent in loving memory of past members: 2019-Betty Cochensparger, Donna Erman, Carla Harter & Nancy Wreede 2020-Meredith Bradshaw, Sheryl Fetzer, Helen Kitson, Jennie Miller & Florence Ness
February 2021 Delphos Trinity Times Page 7
We are ordering Easter Plants this year from a different supplier. The choices are: lily (2 stem
-$12.00), hydrangeas ($9.50) and mums ($6.00) These lovely plants can be purchased through the Church . If you would like to order a plant, please fill out this order form along with a "SEPARATE" check made out to Trinity United Methodist Church.
The plants may be picked up following the Easter Sunday 10 AM service. Any plants remaining at the Church after Saturday, will be given away. These flowers make beautiful plants for your flower
garden. --- Ordered by ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________
Name/Event in honor of or in memory of (circle one)
____________________________________________________________________________________ Name/Event in honor of or in memory of (circle one)
No. Lilies _____($12.00) No. Hydrangeas _____ ($9.50) No. Mums _____($6.00) Total Amount Enclosed $______________
Easter Plant Sale
Deadline to order Monday, March 22, 2021
The Delphos Community Christmas Project Committee would like to thank eve-ryone who offered any kind of support for our project this past holiday season— Christmas 2020. This year we received a little more than $51,000.00 in mone-tary donations, along with gifts from the angel trees and various toy drives held throughout our city! With these donations we were able to provide 291 children (115) families with new toys, clothing, shoes, coats, hats and gloves. This year were even able to provide beds for a few children and cribs for a few babies!
Each family also received a Chief gift card so they could purchase a Christmas dinner. Fruit plates were delivered to 167 elderly and shut-ins in our community. A special thank you to all the students who helped us deliver the fruit plates and Christmas gifts for these families. You helped us get all of Santa’s gifts to everyone and a whole lot of elderly shut-ins were happy to just see a friendly face! So –thank you everyone, whether you donated cash, took an angel from the angel trees, donated a toy to any of the various toy drives, took time out of your busy day to help us in any way-we are very grateful and couldn’t have completed our project without you.
Sincerely,
Page 8 Delphos Trinity Times February 2021
Check the Service/Volunteer Opportunities Charts for 2021 which can be found on the table in the back as you enter the Family Life Center - Altar Flower Sponsors, Radio Ministry Sponsors, Card Ministry Volunteers, and Usher/Greeters. If you have any questions, call the church office at 419 -692-0651.
2021 Service/Volunteer Opportunities
As we ease back into a normal routine for our worship schedule, we need everyone to take stock of ways they are willing to serve. Many have increased contributions to sustain church operations and helped behind the scenes with set-up at the Family Life Center or assisting with online communication. Now we need to focus on the ways we serve one another when we gather together. Our younger families have been without Jr. Church and the Nursery since March. While they might have been able to connect online, it is not the same as connecting in community—as you all know. In addition, the children have not had the church experience that is
critical to their overall faith development. Some who have served in the past are no longer able to serve because of recommendations from their doctor, so we need others who may not have helped before to consider stepping up.
Please consider helping with Jr. Church (ages K-4th Grade), Nursery (8wks to pre-K), Liturgist (read scripture in worship), Usher/Greeter, Audio Visual Operators or Card Ministry.
Sign up sheets are located on the table in the back as you come in or you can call the church office.
Worship Service Helpers Needed
More about our Audio Visual Opportunities
With our new camera equipment and software installed, we are looking for volun-teers to help us with our Sunday morning services. You would play a big part in helping us get the gospel outside our church walls on Sunday mornings. Our streaming broadcast will reach people on Facebook, YouTube, our website, and other social media platforms. If you are willing to serve in this capacity, please callor text Wayne or give Carol a call in the office. We will provide all the training needed, and you would be filling a crucial need.
February 2021 Delphos Trinity Times Page 9
With the Covid-19 pandemic, our church quickly adapted by providing access to our services on Facebook. As we begin 2021, we are in the process of upgrading our camera equipment and the way we provide our services online. We have been able to provide access to our current church members and reach new people in our com-munity and beyond.
In 2021 we will continue to provide access to our services on Facebook, and we will expand our online reach to our website, YouTube, Roku, and other online platforms. This ministry has blessed many people in 2020 and will continue to be a great tool to reach people for Jesus Christ in 2021 and beyond. Your sponsorship gift of $35 per week covers our streaming service costs as well as all of our song and streaming licenses.
If you would like to sponsor a week, we will record a special recognition of your choosing for the week that you support. A sign-up sheet will be available at the Family Life Center on Sundays or call Carol during the week to sign up (419)692-0651.
2021 Streaming Sponsorships
2021 Altar Flower Sponsorships
Sign up for the date(s) you would like to grace the altar with flowers. The Flower Chart for available dates is found on the table in the back as you enter the Family Life Center or you can call the church office 419/692-0651.. You are responsible for ordering and paying for your own arrangement.
Please write your name and phone number and designate what occasion you would like put in the bulletin for that Sunday.
The following dates are available for gracing the altar with flowers: Feb. 21; Mar. 14, 21, 28; Apr. 4, 11, 18; May 2, 9, 16, 23; June 6, 13; July 18; Aug. 8, 15, 22; Oct. 3, 17, 24, 31; Nov 21; Dec. 5, 24 (Christmas Eve), 26.
Please take a moment to send an expression of Joy, Concern or just to say “Hi” through our card ministry by adding your name. These cards lift the spirits of the recipient(s) and let them know that our Church Family is thinking of them. This is part of the Missions Committee Out Reach Project.
Sign-up Chart for Card Ministry is on the table in the back as you enter the Family Center or you can call the church office 419/692-0651.Sign up for the month if you would be willing to prepare the cards to be signed by the church members.
Good Samaritan Card Ministry 2021
We appreciate all of the interest in the ARISE! performance of the life of Christ, but due to the
COVID-19 guidelines and protocols the event will be held in 2021. We fully anticipate to be back up and running in 2022 with no excuses—you’ll have had two years to rest!
February 2021 Delphos Trinity Times Page 10
February Radio Broadcasts Sponsors
Feb 7—Dave & Carol Higbea in celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary Feb. 3rd Feb 14—In recognition of Carol Higbea for her diligence and service to the church and
fellow staff. (By Pastor Rich & Mallory Rakay)
Feb 21—In recognition of Kathy Stewart & Erin Stokes for their superb musical talent and faithful service to the church. (By Pastor Rich & Mallory Rakay)
Feb 28—In recognition of Melissa Creps & the entire Tender Times staff for the loving care they give on a daily basis to the children of this community. (By Pastor Rich & Mallory Rakay)
February Altar Flower Sponsors
Feb 7—Dave & Carol Higbea in celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary on Feb 3rd
Feb 14—Rob & Deb Talboom in celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary Feb 21— (available)
Feb 28—Mike & Angie Johnson in remembrance of Angie’s mom on what would have been her 73rd birthday Feb. 24th
Delphos Trinity UMC has partnered with WDOH 107.1 FM radio to broadcast our worship service on Sunday mornings at 11:30 am for many years. Many people in the community listen to the program - shut-ins, people traveling, or those home sick and are grateful that this ministry exists. It is a way for them to feel connected to the church when they can't be physically present. Our radio spot costs $45 per week.
If you would like to sponsor a week, we will record a special recognition of your choosing for the week you sponsor. There is a sign-up chart with availa-ble dates on the taavaila-ble in the back as you enter the Family Life Center or you The following dates are available for sponsoring the Radio Ministry: Mar. 21, 28; Apr. 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; June 6, 13, 27; July 4, 11, 18; Aug. 22; Sept. 12, 19, 26; Oct. 3, 10, 17, 31; Nov 7, 14, 21, 28; Dec. 5, 12, 24 (Christmas Eve $150), 26.
2021 Radio Sponsorships Available
Deadline for the March Newsletter is Tues, Feb. 16th! All articles must be in writing and submitted to the office by this date in order to be included.
Thank you.
Newsletter Deadline
Tuesday Feb. 16
Office Closed We ek ly Su n da y Serv ices 1 0: 00 A M a t Th e F am ily Life C ent er ( WD O H R adio 1 1: 30 A M @ F M 1 07 .1 )
Febru
ary 2021
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PA ID mit N Per o. 3 4 H s, O pho Del 458 33 2 - Doug Harter Matthew Kill Jean Sullivan 3 - Ben Babcock Dan Miller Jim Morris Raelyn Nyler 4 - Stephanie Teman 5 - Kim Shivley 8 - Jane Brown Rachel Wannemacher 9 - Joan Linder Matthew McNamee Marilyn Montgomery Dave Rhoads Dane Stose 11 - Cory Noftz 12 - Justice Place Virginia Thatcher 14 - Elyse North 15 - Dan Mullen Jeannine Nolan 16 - Rylynn Garberson Nathan Johnson 18 - Jill Mohler 20 - Mary Jo Behrns Ryan Frey 22 - Angela Eickholt 23 - Mason Wiltsie 24—Evan Koester 27 - Charles Ford Kristi Hageman 29 - Buzz Ditto Jared Wiltsie
