02 Nov Pastor Appreciation, and Softball Success

The Well's co-ed softball team.

Submitted by Cathy Reich, Assistant to Bishop Whipple and attender at The Well

At The Well, we waited until the final Sunday in October to make a presentation to Pastor Josh Kesler (right). According to the presenting elder, Larry Lawrence, it was to make sure he was doing a good job all month! Of course that brought a few laughs. Pastor Josh said, “And they gave it to me anyways!”

There was no announcement made as to what was in the card, but I heard Josh say, “I was pleasantly surprised and looking forward to taking my family for a little get-away sometime soon.”

Later in the day, the church’s co-ed softball team from the city league ended in third place in an injury-free tournament game. Not a bad ending to the month.

01 Nov Halloween at Findlay First UB

Findlay First UB (Findlay, Ohio) served 400-500 individuals during the annual harvest party on Halloween night in Findlay. Donuts were handed out to the parents, a puppet show was being shown, tracts were handed out, and coffee and hot chocolate were served. Church members brought their cars and opened their trunks for “Trick or Trunk.”

Community members were heard saying, “This is really nice of you all to do this.” We had even been asked by community members if the church was going to host it again this year, because the sign was not put out–because it was stolen last year.

This tradition started when Pastor Darwin Dunten noticed that community members were using the parking lot to park their cars during Halloween. So the church started providing coffee and donuts for them. It has grown every year since.

Halloween is the biggest event in Findlay, Ohio. The annual parade attracts tens of thousands of visitors.

01 Nov Pastor Appreciation at Morocco UB

Sunday October 24, Morocco Church (Temperance, Mich.) surprised Pastor Todd Greenman (right) and his wife Eva with appreciation for being their pastor and wife.

Eva received a beautiful vase of flowers, and Pastor Todd was surprised throughout the service with some skits bringing many smiles and laughs–especially the ”Top Ten Reasons you know the Pastor is not prepared to bring his sermon.”

After the service, cake and ice cream were served to the congregation. Pastor Greenman started at Morocco Church August 1.

25 Oct Lansing UB Ends with Celebration Sevice

L. Scott Hergert (right), senior pastor, First UB Church (Lansing, Mich.)

First UB Church of Lansing held the closing service on October 24. I have been praying that it would be a time of celebration, remembrance and most importantly of God’s faithfulness.

Beginning with the first Sunday of October, Theron Smith gave us a brief lesson on the History of the United Brethren denomination. The next Sunday he gave us a lesson on the history of First United Brethren Church of Lansing.

It was incredible to hear how the city of Lansing contributed to clearing the lot that the building is built on. R. E. Olds donated funds toward the building, and a local bank donated the original chandeliers. You could clearly see how God’s hand had been in the starting of First UB Church.

On the third Sunday of the month we were introduced to Pastor Tim Flickinger, former pastor of Fowlerville UB (Fowlerville, Mich.), who will serve as church planter/restart pastor to begin a new UB church in Lansing.

In preparation for the closing service, several invitations were sent to people who have moved on and to those who have not been in church for a long time. As a result, over 100 people attended the last service.

Each of the living pastors were contacted, and most of them sent letters highlighting their time at First UB. Rev. Harold Cherry, Rev. Kevin Cherry, and Rev. Connie Cherry were also in attendance. Harold and his family served the church 1959-1969. They all shared some of their memories.

Much of the service was opened up for people to share their memories and to express their thanks to individuals. Many people shared special music. The service was closed with Pastor Kevin Cherry praying for the Hergert family and their future, then Pastor Theron Smith prayed for the children in the church and for their future as well.

It seems clear to me that God has been working through the closing of First UB to benefit the kingdom through the new work in the Lansing area. The people of the church have been very open to this, plan and the issues of timing make It evident that God has been and continues to be in charge.