Chapel Newsletter, February 2005 - The Chapel in North Canton

We praise Jesus for His love and faithfulness! We were blessed by God’s comfort and provision while Darrin was working in Florida, and by the friends and family who helped out at the farm and with the ministry of PineCross Acres in Darrin’s absence. We are thankful for a wonderful church family who demonstrated love in such visible ways during a challenging time for our family. Praise God!

A few years ago my husband, Gary, broke his leg while we were on vacation. We had driven to Miami, Florida for a cruise, and Gary does all the driving on our vacations. (I get tired driving from Akron to Canton.) I asked the Lord for help and He delivered us safe and sound back to Canton. I know without a doubt that I could not have driven home without His help. I thank Him everyday for His blessings.

Ron & Peg Foltz:
We thank and praise God for giving us our very first grandchild this year. We are so blessed and thankful for such a healthy, beautiful child – our little grandson Connor James McCaw.

I thank God for the provision of 30 years in my travel ministry. God has blessed by enriching our family through devoted and loving children, married spouses, and grandchildren. I also praise the Lord for kindness received at The Chapel and for willingness to involve all of our family in ministry!

Daniel L. Datkuliak:
In mid 2004, my father became ill and was in the hospital for almost seven weeks with congestive heart failure and other associated problems. I praise God for his healing power and the faithful prayers of all involved. As I write this, Dad is sitting in church.

Dee Rueschman:
I want to praise God for bringing me through a difficult November 2004 when I was diagnosed with cancer. I thank God for bringing me through a safe surgery even though radiation and chemo are still necessary. This Ray Boltz song, “The Anchor Holds” so impresses me when I hear it.

“The anchor holds though the ship’s been battered.
The anchor holds though the sails are torn.
I have fallen on my knees as I face the raging sea.
The anchor holds in spite of the storm.”
- Ray Boltz

Praise God for His healing touch and working in my life to accomplish His purpose.

Lu Baker Deitz:
What a glorious privilege to have another opportunity to praise Him again this year. I can’t imagine not doing it as I am lost in wonder, love and grace of having life extended to me. How precious is His thoughts unto me, I have been fearfully and wonderfully made.

As usual, I arose early last week. It was grey and dismal, but as I watched, the clouds parted and I saw one of God’s loveliest sunrises I have ever seen. It was deep rose and so brilliant, then in a matter of minutes it was gone. God had pleasured me with a sunrise that I won’t soon forget.

What will you remember about each new day that you are given? Find joy in each day! I pray you will awaken with God’s blessings and sleep knowing you are in His keeping. Thanksgiving comes but once a year, but Thanksliving can be every day. In the book of Psalms we are told, “Everything that hath breath, praise the Lord.” Isaiah 43:21 states, “This people I have formed for Myself, they shall declare My praise.”

So let’s make His praise glorious, because His love has no limit, His grace has no measure, His power has no boundary known unto men, for out of His infinite riches in Jesus, he giveth, and giveth and giveth again! (Hebrews 2:12-13, Isaiah 38:19)

I’m thankful to the Lord for the ingenious member of our church family who decided to put the “Are you sure of your relationship with God?” in our bulletins. They should be in the pockets of every member of the congregation for use during the week as a witness resource. If you’re in a hurry or afraid of being arrested, you may simply plant these tracks in a phone booth, restroom, or many other places as a witness tool.

Anthony Pirovano:
Reaching out to the Chief Priest, Jehovah: through the loss of my job, the groaning of my heart, through loss of love and loneliness. Even standing in line at Dairy Mart, Your goodness surrounds me and Your Spirit intercedes. Will this elation pursue or be restrained by a downbeat? I thank the congregation, those that go unnamed, who have helped me and prayed me through my pain. We stood strong together in the election. And Lord, for my blessing of jobs gained and promotions, I’ll bless Your name, and in my darkest hour I’ll do the same.

I feel so blessed to give praise and serve my bigger-than-life God. He was so gracious to me once again for health, jobs and family love. Our family grew by one. Our son married a sweet gal this year. I am so thankful for Pastor Bennett and his challenging messages that help me grow spiritually. Brian and our choir open my heart and prepare it for Pastor’s lesson. I thank our Lord for my Sis’s in Christ on Friday mornings. They are dear friends who are like angels who warm me by their dedicated presence and remember me in prayer and encourage me to grow. I so look forward to my answered prayer, treats and new beginning in 2005. I anticipate many opportunities to serve my Abba Father.

Nancy Stump:
“Great is the Lord and worthy to be praised.”

As we are going through the routine of our everyday lives most of us have no idea what is really going on in our own bodies. How thankful I am that God who created us knows and cares, and, unlike us and the doctors, He has it under control; for His purpose and His glory.

As I listened to the doctor tell my friend of over 30 years that she had cancer and would have to go to Cleveland Clinic as the procedure that she needed was too delicate to be done here, I was stunned. I had heard the cancer diagnosis before with both of my parents, but this was different. How could it be? She wasn’t even sick. Actually feeling better than she had in the last two years, after two unexpected surgeries. Shock filled the room. The doctor left and we were left to try and understand what he had said. I have seen a wave of emotion sweep over her much like the waves of the tsunami– swift and unexpected– destroying all things that were normal. At a time like this, one’s mind and body goes into a state of shock much like being told that there has been a death.

But in death there is a reality that you have to accept. This kind of news seems so unreal. As Christians we know God is in control and that He loves us and we love Him. We know that others that love us and love and trust in Him will be praying for us. And we are thankful for these prayers. Although these prayers are not silent to God’s ears, they usually are not heard by us. Our support from each other comes in the form of cards, calls and other actions. I am so very thankful for all that have reached out, but mystified by the silence of others.

God calls us to love Him and our neighbors as ourselves. Mark 12:30-31. This brings Him glory. 1Peter 4:7-11 tells us how. Lord, may we learn from your lessons of life and may we bring to you, praise and honor and glory through our lives in Jesus Christ.

The Chapel in North Canton is fortunate to have among its members Ed and Linda Cox, veteran missionaries who have faithfully and wholeheartedly served in the mission fields of Europe for the past twenty-some years.

In Ed’s own words, “The focus of our ministry has always been Ephesians 4:12, ‘to prepare God’s people for works of service.’ This involves evangelism among the lost, and discipling and equipping believers. Our goal is to help build up godly leadership who will, in turn, reach the lost and build up believers in the church.”

Ed and Linda have faithfully ministered in Bulgaria through home Bible studies, counseling, leadership training, hospitality outreach and organizing discipleship conferences.

They are now looking forward to a time of transition in their ministry and are leaving Bulgaria on February 5 and working their way home after visiting with their son in Atlanta. It is their plan to continue overseeing the ministry in Bulgaria with The Navigators, and traveling there regularly, while developing a discipleship ministry with The Navigators’ staff in Ohio.

When you see Ed and Linda, be sure to give them a warm welcome home, with love and encouragement in the Lord for their faithful years of ministry.

February:	Sunday, 13th	Class 101 & 201
	Sunday, 20th	Class 301
April:	Sunday, 10th	Class 101, 201 & 301
June:	Sunday, 12th	Class 101, 201, 301 & 401
September:	Sunday, 11th	Class 101, 201, 301 & 401
November:	Sunday, 13th	Class 101, 201, 301 & 401

Membership - Class 101: Membership - “Knowing Christ” (this class is a prerequisite for membership at The Chapel) Class Facilitator: Larry Bennett - Senior Pastor
Maturity - Class 201: Maturity - “Growing in Christ” (current membership or completion of Class 101 is a prerequisite) Class Facilitator: Dan Hanny - Discipleship Pastor
Ministry - Class 301: Ministry - “Serving Christ” (class 201 is a prerequisite) Class Facilitator: Mike McCartney - Adult Ministries Pastor
Missions - Class 401: Mission - “Sharing Christ” (class 301 is a prerequisite)

Sign up at the Purpose Driven Display Table in the Lobby. Refreshments will be provided during a break in the class meeting. Babysitting provided upon request.