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March 2015
Spring Missions Weekend
March 21st-22nd
March 21st-22nd is our Spring Missions Weekend. On Saturday, March 21st, we will host the
Central District’s Living the Call Together Day and encourage you to sign up and join in the
learning and the motivating time together. On Sunday, March 22nd we will welcome Dr. John
Corby (C&MA Director of Global Link) as he shares God’s Word in our services. Combined adult
and youth Sunday School classes will hear a report from Kim Williams about her recent trip to SE
Asia with Remember Nhu in the upstairs Chapel both services.
Living the Call Together Day
Mexico Missions Trip
Saturday, March 21st
July 25th - August 1st
You are invited to join us for the Central
District’s Living the Call Together Day on
Saturday, March 21st from 9:00am-2:00pm,
here at SAF. Come and join us for a day of
identifying the roadblocks to Gospel access,
discussing fresh approaches to hurdling
them, and putting prayer into action to
remove them. Dr. John Corby, C&MA
Director of Global Link, will be our guest
speaker.
A team of young men and women from our
church will be taking a missions trip to
Mexico this summer, July 25—August 1st, with
Envision, C&MA. Our mission is God’s
mission which is to reach the lost. Some of the
things we’ll do in Mexico are as follows:
teaching English through small groups,
construction, children and youth ministry,
minister in local churches and orphanages.
The team would greatly appreciate your
prayerful and financial support in reaching
the lost with the life-changing message of
Christ. If you would like to give financially,
please write “Youth Mexico Missions Trip” in
the memo line of your check or giving
envelope.
Cost: $5 per person and free for all pastors,
mission team leaders and their spouses.
Register online at: www.cdcma.org or pick
up a registration form on the lobby table and
mail into Dian Harner before Saturday,
March 14th.
John Kitchen, Senior Pastor
When Winter Drags
Along about this time it seems interminable. Winter drags on. If late July to August constitutes the
dog-days of summer, then March is the I-wish-I-was-a-bear-in-hibernation-days of winter. According
to Wikipedia the southern hemisphere also has a dog-days-of-summer … in fact, it’s going on right
now.
But that doesn’t help, does it?
Everybody knows winter is prime time for hypothermia. But this isn’t a warning about outdoor
winter activities. I’m thinking more of spiritual hypothermia—the chill that sweeps over the heart when
left unattended.
I read recently some of the action steps to take if you have hypothermia of the physical variety
(http://treelinebackpacker.com/2014/11/06/battling-hypothermia/). Here’s a few:
Stay calm, and think about the situation.
Keep moving to produce body heat.
Call for help.
Find shelter.
Take in lots of water and high calorie foods.
Find sources of warmth.
Stay awake.
Don’t give up.
Then it dawned on me that these are pretty good counsel for dealing with symptoms of spiritual
hypothermia as well.
Stay calm, and think about the situation – “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a). “If
any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God …” (James 1:5a).
Keep moving – Don’t just hibernate; do something! Something different than you have been
doing; something new. Change up your devotional routine. Get involved in a ministry you
haven’t tried before. Spend time with someone you wouldn’t normally.
Call for help – Have you seriously petitioned God for His intervention? Have you confided in a
friend about your condition and asked for their help? “You do not have, because you do not
ask.” (James 4:2b)
Find shelter – In fresh new ways run to God through His Word and in prayer. “He who dwells in
the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). Memorize
a psalm this month and keep paper/notebook handy to jot down observations and insights
that occur to you along the way. At the end of the month consider what God’s shown you.
Take in lots of water and high calorie foods – Again, feed on God’s Word in fresh ways: “Solid
food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant
practice to distinguish good from evil” (Heb. 5:14). Did you notice? It takes “practice”! Seek a
fresh filling of the Holy Spirit: “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his
heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who
believed in him were to receive ...” (John 7:38-39)
(Continued on next page)
John Kitchen, Senior Pastor
When Winter Drags Cont.
Find sources of warmth – If you aren’t already part of a LIFE Group, join one. It’s not too late! If
you are a part of one, don’t let the winter doldrums make you miss a meeting. Go where the
fire is as the Holy Spirit works through the Body of Christ to minister to itself. Or here’s an
idea for personal fire-making. Pick one hymn and commit to singing it every day for the next
month. Commit its words to memory and sing it as you drive, hum it in your mind when you
are waiting in line. Sing it until the fire of the Holy Spirit ignites it in your heart with fresh
meaning and faith.
Stay awake – In the darkness of the soul’s winter it is easy to doze off. Resolve to not let it
happen to you! “For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night
or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be
sober.” (1 Thess. 5:5-6)
Don’t give up – “… we will reap, if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9). To quote Churchill, “Never
give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—
never give in …”
So winter drags on. But instead of wishing it away, take it on. Don’t just hang on for April, flourish
in March!
For Adults
Deaconess Meeting— Deaconesses, there will be a meeting this month on Thursday, March 5th at
7:00 pm.
Daylight Saving Time—Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday, March 7th as
Daylight Saving time returns.
The Marks of a Cult—Pastor Cervone will be offering an eight week course starting Sunday, March
15th at 9:00am in room 216 studying the essential biblical truths of the Christian faith so as to become
better equipped to recognize the false teachings of cults. This is not a study of cults per se, but will
emphasize how deviation from biblical truths results in becoming a cult. Our textbook The Marks of a
Cult by David Breese will be used to guide our study. There will also be homework. Class size is
limited. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Cervone at 330-688-7433 or
jcervone@stowalliance.org to register.
Worship Night—Everyone is invited to join us for a time of passionate prayer and worship on
Sunday, March 15th at 3:00pm here at SAF.
Prime Timers—All senior adults are invited to join us on Thursday, March 26th at 12:30 pm in the
Seasons Room for a time of food, fellowship, and faith-building. Pastor Cervone will be our guest
speaker this month. Bring a sandwich; dessert and beverages will be provided. Please note that due
to the Deeper Life retreat, our monthly gathering has been pushed back a week.
Bottles for Babies Project- Grab a baby bottle from the table in the lobby and fill it with coins, cash,
or checks to help support Pregnancy Solutions & Services ministry and mission to rescue the unborn
from abortion and lead men and women to Christ. Please return your filled bottle to the office by
Sunday, March 29th.
For Adults Cont.
Alliance Life Magazine—Want to find out more about what God is doing around the world through
the greater Alliance family? Alliance Life, our denominational magazine, has been informing,
inspiring, and challenging generations of Alliance believers since 1882. If you’re a regular attender of
our church, this award willing magazine can be delivered to your home free of charge. Simply call
the Alliance Service Center toll free at 1-877-284-3262 (select “option 1”), e-mail your request to
alifesubs@cmalliance.org, or visit cmalliance.org/connect and click “Request Subscription.”
Especially for Men
Men’s Gathering - Men of all ages are invited to come fellowship over breakfast as we receive
encouragement from God’s Word the 1st Saturday of each month. Join us on Saturday, March 7th at
7:30 am in the Seasons Room.
Men’s Basketball - Plays on Saturdays from 9:00—11:00am. Come and join us! Please note that there
will be no basketball on Saturday, March 21st.
Especially for Women
Women’s Retreat - Don’t forget! If you signed up to join us for a weekend full of fun, fellowship,
relaxation, and encouragement at the Bertram Inn in Aurora on March 13th & 14th, you must be paid
in full by Friday, March 8th.
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)—MOPS is a group offering hope, encouragement,
community, and mothering support to mothers of children from birth through 5 years old.
Come join local moms on Tuesday, March 10th from 9:30 - 11:30 am. Childcare will be provided.
Alliance Women’s Girls Night—Come develop and deepen relationships with other women in our
church! All women are invited to join us for a night of fun games, devotions, and relaxing fellowship
together in the youth room from 7:00-8:30pm on Tuesday, March 24th.
Youth Ministry
Honey Baked Ham—Help our Missions team raise funds for their Missions trip in July 2015
by ordering your Honey Baked Ham or Turkey for Easter! Orders can be place in the lobby
or church office through March 22nd and turned in to Pastor Delroy. Orders can be picked up on
Saturday, March 28th.
Stewardship Update Through February 18, 2015:
TITHES & OFFERINGS
Actual
Budget
Amount Over/(Under) Budget
Month
Year-to-Date
$ 40,339
38,007
2,332
$ 96,167
88,683
7,484
$ 11,376
6,504
4,872
$ 26,226
15,176
11,050
GREAT COMMISSION FUND
Actual
Promises
Amount Over/(Under) Promises
PRAISE Plan - Parking Lot Project
Please prayerfully consider your participation in the
PRAISE Plan. Information about the “PRAISE Plan” and
how you can be involved is available in the lobby. All
2015 donations to “Building Fund” will be applied to the
parking lot portion of the PRAISE Plan.
Goal
Received to Date
400,000
327,578
Stow Alliance Preschool
Stow Alliance Preschool registration is going on now for the 2015-2016 school year! Our
preschool offers fun and learning in a Christian environment including Bible time, snack time,
story hour, craft time, and field trips! Registration forms can be picked up on the table in the lobby.
Please contact Jeanne Crowe for more information.
SAP Open House - Stow Alliance Preschool will hold an Open House on Tuesday, March
17th from 10:30 am- noon and 6 - 8 pm. If you or someone you know has a preschooler, this
is the perfect opportunity to visit our preschool! SAP offers a fun learning environment that
includes: Bible time, free play, snack time, readiness time, craft time, circle time, field trips and much
more. We offer classes for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and there are a variety of days and times available.
Children must be 3 years old and potty trained to register. The Preschool classrooms are located on
the main level of Stow Alliance Fellowship Church. Staff members will be available in the classrooms
to meet with you and answer any questions at Open House. Registration booklets will also be
available at this time. If attending you will be entered into a drawing for $25 off your registration.
For more information, contact Jeanne Crowe, Preschool Administrator, at 330-688-7433.
Sports Ministry
Co-Ed Volleyball - will play on Saturday, March 7th from 7:00-9:00pm. Come and join us! Due to
hosting Living the Call Together Day, we will not play on Saturday, March 21st.
Co-Ed Indoor Soccer - will play on Saturday, March 14th & 28th from 5:00-7:00pm. Come and join
us!
International Friendship Connections
IFC is sponsoring a seminar for those who would like to have a little more information about Islam
and how to be culturally sensitive to students from the Middle East. Tim and Judi Walton from
Bridges International will be sharing insights they have learned from their ministry to this wonderful
group of students. As part of the seminar, we will be praying for the Middle East and our KSU
students. You are also invited to stay for the 5:30pm worship service at CCC to hear Nabeel Qureshi
speak. Nabeel, a Christian from a Muslim background, wrote the book Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus
and serves with the Ravi Zacharias International Ministry (RZIM).
IFC Prayer and Training Seminar
Focus: Befriending Students from the Middle East
Presenters: Tim and Judi Walton, Bridges International
Date: Saturday, March 21
Time: 3:00-5:00 pm
3:00-4:15 - Introduction to Islam and how to be culturally sensitive
4:15-4:30 - Q and A
4:30-5:00 - Prayer time
Place: Christ Community Chapel, Hudson Campus, 750 W. Streetsboro St., Hudson, Ohio, Room 11,
on the lower floor.
Cost: Free (light refreshments provided)
If you can attend, please RSVP to Rob & Marlene Osborn: robert5osborn@yahoo.com
Our SAF Family
March Birthdays…
David Radebaugh
3/1
Alex Horsfall
Ryan McInturff
3/3
Marilyn Radebaugh
3/5
Gabriella Carroll
Andrea Sparrow
Ethan Sparrow
3/6
Tanner Henderson
3/8
Gail Linger
Mark Sumner
3/9
Kay McAmis
Doreen Sias
3/10
Morgan Cowley
3/20
Mary Ann Bircher
3/21
Elizabeth Eaken
3/24
Zach Alvarez
Margaret Heath
Amy Masl
Mary Ann Sawders
3/25
3/17
Lee Caprez
Jennifer Warner
3/26
3/18
Bill Masl
3/30
Evelyn Mohr
Lisa Sprague
3/11
Marge Henry
Don Remus
3/13
Amy Miletti
3/14
Stephanie Collins
Ryan Steedly
3/16
Julie Hetherington
Pat Wilson
David Hall
March Anniversaries…
Ken & Penny Erwin
3/11
Bill & Amy Masl
3/23
George & Donna Utterback
3/16
Dick & Gwen Bauer
3/24
Dwight & Jennifer Husk
3/17
Andy & Robin Angell
Larry & Barb Ruppel
3/26
If you are not currently on our birthday and/or anniversary list and would like to be,
please call the church office and let us know!