First Presbyterian Church news
First Presbyterian Church in Van Wert.
The Chancel Choir of First Presbyterian Church is pleased to present, “The Best Of…“ this Sunday, May 19, at the 10:30 a.m. service, which will wrap up the regular choral season.
Selections included will be: “Praise The Lord”, “Death Shall Not Destroy My Comfort” “Hark, I Hear The Harps Eternal”, “Song Of Humility” and the beautiful benediction, “God Be With You”. The chancel choir is under the direction of David Van Tilburg. Accompanists are Harriet Schaadt, organ and Karen Koch, piano.
The First Presbyterian Church Bell Choir, under the direction of Anna Battle-Baker, and flautist Sheila Chilcote-Collins will also perform Pietro Mascagni‘s “Intermezzo“ from the opera Cavaleria Rusticana.
To learn more about First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert, its music and choir programs and how to participate for the upcoming 2013-2014 season, contact Van Tilburg at 419.363.2235, the church office at 419.238.3670 or Chilcote-Collins at keithandsheila@roadrunner.com.
POSTED: 05/18/13 at 5:57 am. FILED UNDER: Church
A new church bus was recently put into service by the congregation of First United Methodist Church. The bus was purchased from Eric McCracken of Lee Kinstle GM Sales & Service in Van Wert, while Greg Boley of “Signs in Time” in Fort Wayne, Ind., designed and applied the signage on the bus. Thank you to Eric and Greg, both members of First UM Church, for their help in preparing the bus for service. First UM Church is located at the corner of Jefferson Street and Central Avenue. Log in to the church website at www.vanwertfirst for information about the church. (First UM Church photo)
POSTED: 03/20/13 at 5:37 am. FILED UNDER: Church
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Local Southern Gospel singing group Trinity recently announced a concert to celebrate the release of its new CD, Milestones. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert.
The new CD, recorded under the Willowood label, features some Southern Gospel hits and classics, as well as some wonderful new songs and will be released on March 10, 2013. This is a milestone year for Trinity, as it marks the 30th year for Gary Adams, the 20th year for Kim Mason and the 15th year for Cheryl Burk singing together to make up Trinity.
Southern Gospel singing group Trinity releases a new CD. (photo submitted)
“We feel the songs on this project have been songs that truly are ‘milestones’ for each of us in our Christian walk,” said Mason. “We want to help others on their journey to be encouraged and challenged to live their lives victoriously for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“We are each so thankful for our Christian heritage and the privilege we had growing up in small churches with a heart for gospel music,” Adams added.
Years ago, Adams’ dad, Wendell, was part of a gospel singing quartet called the Ambassadors Quartet. In addition to his dad, quartet members included his uncle Carl Miller, Howard Dunlap, and Paul Swartz. Adams’ mother, Nellie, accompanied the group on the piano.
“One of their favorite songs that they recorded was ‘I am on the battlefield for my Lord’,” Adams said. “We decided to pay tribute to this musical legacy by featuring an excerpt from one of the Ambassadors Quartet 78 rpm records that was recorded over 60 years ago on our newest recording…”
Trinity’s last three projects (Milestones, Welcome Home and Heaven is Real) have been produced by Dove Award-winning songwriter John Darin Rowsey. Trinity has also had the privilege of working with Roger Talley on their first four recordings. (“He’s the Reason we Sing”, “Embraced by the Father”, “Let his Light Shine” and “Staying on the Right Track”)
Trinity began its ministry in the early 1980s singing a wide variety of Christian music, but has turned its focus towards Southern Gospel over the last 20 years.
POSTED: 03/04/13 at 6:11 am. FILED UNDER: Church
Calvary Preschool news
The Calvary Preschool will be seeking a new administrator with the announcement that Judy Fox will retire at the end of May.
Calvary Preschool Administrator Judy Fox
Fox was the first preschool director in 1966, with Janet McCracken teaching and Fox also acting as a teacher’s aide. In the fall of 1969, Fox taught kindergarten at Jefferson Elementary School in Van Wert, but returned to Calvary as full-time preschool director in 1991.
When not directing, Fox served on the board or filled in as a teacher under the directorship of Ernestine Springer.
Actively involved in the preschool, Fox has ministered to lots of boys and girls, and now their grandchildren. Fox said she cherished fond memories from her time at Calvary Preschool and would like to thank all the parents for their support and encouragement through the years. She also noted she was grateful to the preschool board, Calvary Elder Team and Pastor Clark Williman for their support and guidance.
Fox said she will also miss all the hugs that have been given to her over the past 25 years.
Anyone interested in applying for the position of administrator may obtain an application and job description in the Calvary Evangelical Church office, 10686 Van Wert-Decatur Road in Van Wert. Completed applications are to be returned to the church office by Friday, March 8.
Zion Lutheran Schumm Church, led by Pastor Jeff Patterson, recently presented the Pregnancy Life Center with a gift of $965.35. The children of the church voted for the offering from their Christmas Eve program to go to the PLC. Shown is Shirley Etzler (right) a representative of Zion’s Christmas Committee, and Pregnancy Life Center Director Trina Langdon. (PLC photo)
POSTED: 02/15/13 at 7:23 am. FILED UNDER: Church
Shown are Tina Braun (left) from LifeHouse Church and Kim Clayton from the Pregnancy Life Center standing with all of the gifts purchased for the center’s clients. PLC staff members thanked LifeHouse for brightening Christmas for many families in Van Wert. (PLC photo)
POSTED: 12/22/12 at 7:10 am. FILED UNDER: Church, Lifestyles
Grand Knight Jeff McIntosh of the Knights of Columbus Council 6034 presented a $500 donation to Trina Langdon, director of the Pregnancy Life Center. This represents additional proceeds from the CD, A Child of God, composed by Cathy Steffan and sung by Mary Fallis and Mai Keirns. McIntosh stated that over $1,000 has been raised through donations for the CD, with all proceeds to the Pregnancy Life Center. Steffan and the mother-daughter duo will perform the song at the Sanctity of Life Program at Trinity Friends Church on Sunday January 27. The guest speaker is Rebecca Kiesling, who was conceived in rape and nearly aborted at two back-alley abortions. She speaks not only as a pro-life litigator and activist, but as one with a personal stake in the outcome. (photo submitted)
POSTED: 11/08/12 at 6:46 am. FILED UNDER: Church, Lifestyles
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Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Toledo is collecting financial donations on behalf of Catholic Charities agencies that are assisting victims of Hurricane Sandy, which caused a number of deaths and extensive damage earlier this week.
Catholic Charities agencies on the East Coast are helping individuals and families by providing:
Case Management and Emergency Assistance: includes immediate health/medical needs, food and water, shelter, clothing, critical child care (formula, diapers, medicine), and transportation.
Cleaning and House Repair Assistance: includes house “muck-outs,” debris removal, utility assistance, furniture and appliance replacement, home repairs, and complete home rebuilding.
Emergency Evacuation Assistance: includes relocation, safe housing, transportation, and temporary sheltering needs.
Long Term Recovery Needs: includes assistance with “big ticket” items that are often needed when reestablishing a home, such as roof replacements, hot water heater/air conditioner/furnace replacements, etc., and complete home rebuilds (framing, sheet rock, painting, cabinets, windows, doors, etc.).
“Support for our brothers and sisters on the East Coast will provide them with hope as they face devastating circumstances,” said the Most Reverend Leonard Blair, bishop of the Toledo Diocese. “Support will not only help agencies doing critical work on the ground, but will also help those affected by the hurricane know there are many people praying for them and supporting them.”
“Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo has a disaster response team and provided recovery assistance when tornadoes struck northwest Ohio in 2010 and when flooding affected Richland County in 2011,” said Rodney Schuster, executive director of or the organization. “We’ve seen firsthand how the support of the community helps make a difference in times of great need.”
Checks may be made payable to Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo with “Hurricane Relief” in the memo line and sent to or dropped off at 1933 Spielbusch Ave., Toledo, OH 43406. Donations may also be made online at Catholic Charities USA’s website: www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.
All donations will be used to directly support relief efforts.
POSTED: 11/05/12 at 2:25 am. FILED UNDER: Church, Lifestyles
St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church held its annual “Blessings of the Animals” event Thursday to honor the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. Local parishioners brought in a variety of pets for Father Stanley Szybka to bless with holy water during the event. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)
Cross Over The Hill begins the first week of Release Time Bible Classes for Van Wert Elementary School children this morning, starting at 8:30 a.m. Teachers Caralee Campbell and Sarah Hostetler and a host of volunteer escorts will be welcoming children into the Bible Building for the first day of classes. Friday afternoon, September 21, the teachers and many of the Steering Committee, and a host of children met to officially “cut the ribbon” for the opening of the new ministry, which has grown from the germ of the idea planted in the hearts of Van Wert residents Gary and Jill Putman in 2009, and now fleshed out into reality by the prayers, finances, and volunteer labor of scores of area residents and craftsmen. Initial student count places weekly attendance at more than 62 percent of elementary students. The ministry has depended, and will continue to depend on private financial donations from churches and committed and motivated individuals who have had the burden for years to see Van Wert City’s children given this unique opportunity. Those interested in learning more of Cross Over The Hill may view the ministry’s website at www.crossoverthehill.org or call 419.238.5963. (photo submitted)
