PassWord
March 28, 2025
Dear PassWord People,
A beautiful, cool, spring morning here in Middletown. No breeze to speak of and the sun is bright. Could this be spring? 😊 My Lenten Rose is blooming😊. Currently, 44 degrees in our backyard.
So, we’ve been having issues with the furnace at church for the last month or so. Actually, issues with the circulating pump that goes to the boiler. If it sounds like I know what I am talking about here, you are sorely mistaken. But the issue has been identified, quotes received, and parts are now ordered…in other words, Stewardship and Property Management are on it.
But it makes one very loud noise. Like so loud, sometimes it sounds like someone is mowing grass inside the building. I don’t totally understand why this seems to bother me more than anyone else – probably has to do with my hearing aids - but it truly drives me crazy. During the Ash Wednesday service Jay found a way to turn the furnace off, offering the reverent quiet that we needed that evening and also helping my nerves. And for good or for bad, he also showed me how to do it. And since then, every Sunday morning I have turned the thing off. I usually start the morning, determined to just put up with it, but eventually it is just too much.
This past Sunday we were already into the first service; the first hymn sung, the opening prayer, prayed, when I found myself so distracted by the noise that I knew it had to go. I slipped out during the second song and turned it off and made it back before the song ended. And then I forgot about it. I mean, like totally forgot that I had turned the heat off. Now we have auxiliary heat in the sanctuary, so you aren’t going to get cold or anything and the new addition (which is 20 plus years old and not so new) has a different heating system. But the classrooms of the kids’ wing and daycare are heated through the boiler, though there are mini- splits in those rooms, also. Still, you might wonder why is it so cold in there, if you didn’t have the mini splits going in those classrooms, during these late winter, early spring days.
It was around 3:30 am Monday morning that I first remembered that I had turned off the boiler. I lay in my warm bed and knew there was no way I was going up there at 3:30 am to turn the thing back on. It is scary up there at 3:30 am. And it has nothing to do with people. But I have encountered people sleeping up at church. Some years ago I came across a man sleeping on the sidewalk in front of the church. He was tucked in close to the bell tower in kind of an out of the way nook. He had what looked to be his belongings with him and he was curled up, covered with some sort of blanket. There was no point in waking him and it was already daylight so I just let him sleep. But the other time I found someone sleeping in church, not counting the rest of you who occasionally snooze during my sermons😎, was during Covid. A lady showed up at both of our services that morning that we held in fellowship hall and then she attended the Latino service in the afternoon/evening. Pastor Jeanette called me after their service was ended and told me this lady had stuck around for awhile but now, instead of leaving she had made her bed under the tables in the sweet room. I took Jeff and Bailey with me that time and woke up the poor woman who was already out for the night, complete in her nightgown and robe. Thinking on this, I remember how bad I felt as we woke her and had to tell her in no uncertain terms that she could not spend the night in the sweet room. I ended up taking her to an area hotel and she seemed fine with that.
I digress. The daycare opens at 6:00 and I could imagine that I was going to get a text about the heat. Unfortunately, due to solving the worlds’ problems in the middle of the night, I slept later than I intended but by 6:45, I had started the coffee here, put on my own robe and ran up to church. It was still somewhat dark at that time of the morning, and I was a little scared. The Sunday before last I had found a dead mouse in front of the kitchen door at church. I don’t know if that mouse was coming or going when he died and frankly, I didn’t care. If I found someone sleeping in the boiler room, I could handle that. But if I found a mouse, then life as we know it would come to an end. But I was fast, and I found that if you don’t want to see things you can refuse to look. So, I ran to the utility room, grabbed the lever and switched it to on. It started with a roar, and I ran back out, before I had a chance to see anything either scurrying or dead. And I made it home in time to do the morning reading.
I am thinking this morning about fear. Fear is not always rational. Jeff and I have had this discussion numerous times. “Kim, a mouse is not going to hurt you. You are a thousand times bigger than a mouse and they are more scared of you than you are of them.” This is a bold face lie. I might be bigger, but I am definitely more scared of them, than they are of me. He has no idea.
But the answer to fear is always the same. Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” Irrational or sane, God tells us over and over to not be afraid. Sometimes we make choices, not only about what we do, but how we feel. And so I keep reminding myself when I am scared, that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. He does. And He will do this for you, also.
Worship Song: King of Love (I Am They)
The Gospel Alphabet (Take off on a Bible Adventure):
In 2025 we are memorizing scripture together as a congregation. These scriptures are alphabetical meaning the first letter of each one corresponds to the alphabet. You can pick up the new verse to add to your ring from the basket in the narthex. \
G God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16
Our condolences to the family of our former Pastor, William "Bill" Reist, who went home to be with the Lord on March 20. The funeral service will be on Saturday, April 5, at College First Church of God, Findlay, OH at 1:00 pm and will be live-streamed via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@collegefirstchurchofgod4754
Cards can be sent to Judy Reist at 1923 Nicklaus Dr, Findlay OH 45840.
Join What God Is Doing in Malawi, Mozambique & Zambia
Pastor Jack Selcher wrote a devotional, evangelistic, discipleship resource, “His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength” a few years ago and classes using it have been taught in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. As of February 10, 2025, 9,019 people have attended a class. Classes average about 80–90 people. About 80 percent of students do not own a Bible due to the cost of Bibles when compared to their income. The limiting factor in this outreach is the number of Bibles we can send. Pastor Jack's ministry sends at least 500 Bibles monthly and as of February 2025 has provided 6,626 Bibles. The price per Bible is $10.00 each when ordering 500 or more through the American Bible Society.
If you would like to join in this outreach and get this special price (24% discount), write a check to “American Bible Society” for the number of Bibles you want to buy at $10.00 each and include your name, address, telephone number, and email address. These can be placed in the offering plate or given directly to Pastor Jack Selcher.
Pray Luke 10:2 Everyday at 10:02 : He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." The Churches of God General Conference has asked us to pray together each day at 10:02, asking God to raise up more workers and more churches for the Kingdom of God.
Easter Eggstravaganza: Our annual Easter egg hunt and outreach event is planned for Saturday, April 19 from 11:00-1:00. Various hands on stations will tell the story of Jesus and his resurrection. Volunteers are needed to help with this event. If you can help, please see Patty Kuharic or Pastor Kim.
Candy and egg fillers are also needed. Donations of small, wrapped candy can be put in the wooden box in the narthex. If you are able to help fill plastic eggs please see Patty Kuharic or Pam Minckler.
This event is a great outreach opportunity so be sure to invite your friends, grandkids, and neighbors to join us!
Order Easter Flowers! Flowers are available for you to purchase in honor or memory of someone to help decorate the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Choices are lilies, daffodils, hyacinths & tulips - all at a cost of $11.00 each. Order forms are available in the church narthex or you may email your order to mdtcog@comcast.net. Checks should be made payable to "First Church of God, Middletown". Order deadline is Sunday, April 13.
JourneyMEN: Please join us for a COG men's fellowship which will include breakfast, teaching from local pastors, and a time for discussion and prayer. Focusing on topics pertinent to Christian men in contemporary society, we will strive to build each other up and provide support in living out our faith. Our next breakfast will be on April 12th from 8:00-9:30 AM. Featured speaker will be Pastor Logan Ames from Frienship Community.
Camp Yolijwa: It's time to register for camp! Our church offers scholarships for 50% of the registration fee. Just pick up a scholarship form in the narthex, complete it, and return to the church office. Some camps fill up quickly so be sure to get your registration in early. Camp registration forms are also available in the narthex or you can sign up online at https://campyolijwa.org/online-registration.
CALENDAR
Sunday, March 30. Worship services at 8:00 and 10:30 am. We will be studying Luke 15.
Sunday, March 30. 9:30. Lenten study -Max Lucado's "He Chose the Nails". All are welcome to join us in the chapel.
Wednesday, April 2 (Note day change for this week only) 9:00 Exercise Class with Peg Bryant. Triple Room. All welcome.
Wednesday, April 2. Wednesday Night Live. Supper at 5:45, classes at 6:30.
Thursday, April 3. Stitches of Love. 1:00
Saturday, April 12. JourneyMEN. 8:00 All men welcome.
Thursday, April 17. 11:30 Senior's Alive
Thursday, April 17. Maundy Thursday.
Saturday, April 19. 11:00-1:00 Easter Eggstravaganza.
Sunday, April 20 6:00 am. Easter Sunrise Service in the narthex, followed by Easter Breakfast.
Sunday, April 20. Easter Sunday! Worship at 8:00 and 10:30. Bring your flowers to put on the cross or use ours.
Sunday, June 1. Mortgage Burning Celebration! One service, 10:00 am, in Fellowship Hall.
Sunday, June 8. Graduation Sunday.
Monday - Friday, July 7-11 VBS Day Camp.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Jimmy and Cece Abromitis
Sherry Belton
Michael Clave
Jenny Dimeler
Lillian Dehart
Shirley Deitz
Robert Dinteman
John Frisch
Karl Krodel, Jr.
Connie Lacquement
Steven Messick
Rich Sauerwine
If you have a prayer need or would like to be added to the Prayer Chain, please call Ruth Yanek at (717) 944-7585.
Enough. “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13. Thank you, Jesus for your strength. Ours is not enough.
Blessings,
Pastor Kim
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middletowncog/
Our Website: www.middletowncog.org
Dear PassWord People,
A beautiful, cool, spring morning here in Middletown. No breeze to speak of and the sun is bright. Could this be spring? 😊 My Lenten Rose is blooming😊. Currently, 44 degrees in our backyard.
So, we’ve been having issues with the furnace at church for the last month or so. Actually, issues with the circulating pump that goes to the boiler. If it sounds like I know what I am talking about here, you are sorely mistaken. But the issue has been identified, quotes received, and parts are now ordered…in other words, Stewardship and Property Management are on it.
But it makes one very loud noise. Like so loud, sometimes it sounds like someone is mowing grass inside the building. I don’t totally understand why this seems to bother me more than anyone else – probably has to do with my hearing aids - but it truly drives me crazy. During the Ash Wednesday service Jay found a way to turn the furnace off, offering the reverent quiet that we needed that evening and also helping my nerves. And for good or for bad, he also showed me how to do it. And since then, every Sunday morning I have turned the thing off. I usually start the morning, determined to just put up with it, but eventually it is just too much.
This past Sunday we were already into the first service; the first hymn sung, the opening prayer, prayed, when I found myself so distracted by the noise that I knew it had to go. I slipped out during the second song and turned it off and made it back before the song ended. And then I forgot about it. I mean, like totally forgot that I had turned the heat off. Now we have auxiliary heat in the sanctuary, so you aren’t going to get cold or anything and the new addition (which is 20 plus years old and not so new) has a different heating system. But the classrooms of the kids’ wing and daycare are heated through the boiler, though there are mini- splits in those rooms, also. Still, you might wonder why is it so cold in there, if you didn’t have the mini splits going in those classrooms, during these late winter, early spring days.
It was around 3:30 am Monday morning that I first remembered that I had turned off the boiler. I lay in my warm bed and knew there was no way I was going up there at 3:30 am to turn the thing back on. It is scary up there at 3:30 am. And it has nothing to do with people. But I have encountered people sleeping up at church. Some years ago I came across a man sleeping on the sidewalk in front of the church. He was tucked in close to the bell tower in kind of an out of the way nook. He had what looked to be his belongings with him and he was curled up, covered with some sort of blanket. There was no point in waking him and it was already daylight so I just let him sleep. But the other time I found someone sleeping in church, not counting the rest of you who occasionally snooze during my sermons😎, was during Covid. A lady showed up at both of our services that morning that we held in fellowship hall and then she attended the Latino service in the afternoon/evening. Pastor Jeanette called me after their service was ended and told me this lady had stuck around for awhile but now, instead of leaving she had made her bed under the tables in the sweet room. I took Jeff and Bailey with me that time and woke up the poor woman who was already out for the night, complete in her nightgown and robe. Thinking on this, I remember how bad I felt as we woke her and had to tell her in no uncertain terms that she could not spend the night in the sweet room. I ended up taking her to an area hotel and she seemed fine with that.
I digress. The daycare opens at 6:00 and I could imagine that I was going to get a text about the heat. Unfortunately, due to solving the worlds’ problems in the middle of the night, I slept later than I intended but by 6:45, I had started the coffee here, put on my own robe and ran up to church. It was still somewhat dark at that time of the morning, and I was a little scared. The Sunday before last I had found a dead mouse in front of the kitchen door at church. I don’t know if that mouse was coming or going when he died and frankly, I didn’t care. If I found someone sleeping in the boiler room, I could handle that. But if I found a mouse, then life as we know it would come to an end. But I was fast, and I found that if you don’t want to see things you can refuse to look. So, I ran to the utility room, grabbed the lever and switched it to on. It started with a roar, and I ran back out, before I had a chance to see anything either scurrying or dead. And I made it home in time to do the morning reading.
I am thinking this morning about fear. Fear is not always rational. Jeff and I have had this discussion numerous times. “Kim, a mouse is not going to hurt you. You are a thousand times bigger than a mouse and they are more scared of you than you are of them.” This is a bold face lie. I might be bigger, but I am definitely more scared of them, than they are of me. He has no idea.
But the answer to fear is always the same. Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” Irrational or sane, God tells us over and over to not be afraid. Sometimes we make choices, not only about what we do, but how we feel. And so I keep reminding myself when I am scared, that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. He does. And He will do this for you, also.
Worship Song: King of Love (I Am They)
The Gospel Alphabet (Take off on a Bible Adventure):
In 2025 we are memorizing scripture together as a congregation. These scriptures are alphabetical meaning the first letter of each one corresponds to the alphabet. You can pick up the new verse to add to your ring from the basket in the narthex. \
G God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16
Our condolences to the family of our former Pastor, William "Bill" Reist, who went home to be with the Lord on March 20. The funeral service will be on Saturday, April 5, at College First Church of God, Findlay, OH at 1:00 pm and will be live-streamed via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@collegefirstchurchofgod4754
Cards can be sent to Judy Reist at 1923 Nicklaus Dr, Findlay OH 45840.
Join What God Is Doing in Malawi, Mozambique & Zambia
Pastor Jack Selcher wrote a devotional, evangelistic, discipleship resource, “His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength” a few years ago and classes using it have been taught in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. As of February 10, 2025, 9,019 people have attended a class. Classes average about 80–90 people. About 80 percent of students do not own a Bible due to the cost of Bibles when compared to their income. The limiting factor in this outreach is the number of Bibles we can send. Pastor Jack's ministry sends at least 500 Bibles monthly and as of February 2025 has provided 6,626 Bibles. The price per Bible is $10.00 each when ordering 500 or more through the American Bible Society.
If you would like to join in this outreach and get this special price (24% discount), write a check to “American Bible Society” for the number of Bibles you want to buy at $10.00 each and include your name, address, telephone number, and email address. These can be placed in the offering plate or given directly to Pastor Jack Selcher.
Pray Luke 10:2 Everyday at 10:02 : He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." The Churches of God General Conference has asked us to pray together each day at 10:02, asking God to raise up more workers and more churches for the Kingdom of God.
Easter Eggstravaganza: Our annual Easter egg hunt and outreach event is planned for Saturday, April 19 from 11:00-1:00. Various hands on stations will tell the story of Jesus and his resurrection. Volunteers are needed to help with this event. If you can help, please see Patty Kuharic or Pastor Kim.
Candy and egg fillers are also needed. Donations of small, wrapped candy can be put in the wooden box in the narthex. If you are able to help fill plastic eggs please see Patty Kuharic or Pam Minckler.
This event is a great outreach opportunity so be sure to invite your friends, grandkids, and neighbors to join us!
Order Easter Flowers! Flowers are available for you to purchase in honor or memory of someone to help decorate the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Choices are lilies, daffodils, hyacinths & tulips - all at a cost of $11.00 each. Order forms are available in the church narthex or you may email your order to mdtcog@comcast.net. Checks should be made payable to "First Church of God, Middletown". Order deadline is Sunday, April 13.
JourneyMEN: Please join us for a COG men's fellowship which will include breakfast, teaching from local pastors, and a time for discussion and prayer. Focusing on topics pertinent to Christian men in contemporary society, we will strive to build each other up and provide support in living out our faith. Our next breakfast will be on April 12th from 8:00-9:30 AM. Featured speaker will be Pastor Logan Ames from Frienship Community.
Camp Yolijwa: It's time to register for camp! Our church offers scholarships for 50% of the registration fee. Just pick up a scholarship form in the narthex, complete it, and return to the church office. Some camps fill up quickly so be sure to get your registration in early. Camp registration forms are also available in the narthex or you can sign up online at https://campyolijwa.org/online-registration.
CALENDAR
Sunday, March 30. Worship services at 8:00 and 10:30 am. We will be studying Luke 15.
Sunday, March 30. 9:30. Lenten study -Max Lucado's "He Chose the Nails". All are welcome to join us in the chapel.
Wednesday, April 2 (Note day change for this week only) 9:00 Exercise Class with Peg Bryant. Triple Room. All welcome.
Wednesday, April 2. Wednesday Night Live. Supper at 5:45, classes at 6:30.
Thursday, April 3. Stitches of Love. 1:00
Saturday, April 12. JourneyMEN. 8:00 All men welcome.
Thursday, April 17. 11:30 Senior's Alive
Thursday, April 17. Maundy Thursday.
Saturday, April 19. 11:00-1:00 Easter Eggstravaganza.
Sunday, April 20 6:00 am. Easter Sunrise Service in the narthex, followed by Easter Breakfast.
Sunday, April 20. Easter Sunday! Worship at 8:00 and 10:30. Bring your flowers to put on the cross or use ours.
Sunday, June 1. Mortgage Burning Celebration! One service, 10:00 am, in Fellowship Hall.
Sunday, June 8. Graduation Sunday.
Monday - Friday, July 7-11 VBS Day Camp.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Jimmy and Cece Abromitis
Sherry Belton
Michael Clave
Jenny Dimeler
Lillian Dehart
Shirley Deitz
Robert Dinteman
John Frisch
Karl Krodel, Jr.
Connie Lacquement
Steven Messick
Rich Sauerwine
If you have a prayer need or would like to be added to the Prayer Chain, please call Ruth Yanek at (717) 944-7585.
Enough. “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13. Thank you, Jesus for your strength. Ours is not enough.
Blessings,
Pastor Kim
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middletowncog/
Our Website: www.middletowncog.org