I. Worship this week

Sunday, January 11th, 2009:

• 8:30 am: Worship and Communion in the Chapel. Rev. Louise preaching.
• 11:00 am: Worship, Baptism of the Lord and Remembering our Baptisms. Rev. Louise Westfall preaching "The First Day" based on Mark 1:4-11 (and Genesis 1:1-5) – Sanctuary
• 6:00 pm: NEW VISION - We will be remembering our baptisms. Here's where we need your help. Please send to Rev. Eric (edillenbeck@fairmountchurch.org) a picture of you on the day of your baptism or a picture of a significant baptism. We will be using them throughout the service as a way for all of us to remember the voice of God calling us Beloved.

Worship Schedule

• Sunday, 8:30 am in the Chapel and 11:00 am in the Sanctuary.
• Sunday, 6:00 pm in the Chapel with New Vision contemporary worship.
• Wednesday, January 7th, 7:00 pm Evening Prayer with Music from Taizé in the Chapel, with prayers for wholeness and walking meditation with the Labyrinth.
  

Everyone is a child of God, and deserves to be treated as such.

II. The Fairmount Community

20s and 30s News: Theology on Tap is coming up soon.
As we begin another new year we hope to see you at Theology on Tap on the first Tuesday of January (Jan 6th/Epiphany) for lively conversation in a relaxed setting.  Everyone is invited to come to the table with ideas for conversation starters, anything is game.  In the course of the night we aim to talk about where we see God active in the world and in our lives through the lens of the daily news and our personal experiences.  It's like current events with a theological twist.  The conversation is always fun.  We hope to see you there.  We meet at Jimmy O'Neill's, which is near the corner of Cedar and Lee in Cleveland Heights.   Email Angelia Martin for more details.

FAITHFUL LIVES FILM SERIES
The Theme is Healing and Redemption. Films and discussion leaders for 2009:
Jan.   9, 2009   Star Trek VI- The Undiscovered Country - Brett Seekely
Feb. 13, 2009   Constantine's Sword -  Jim Dakin
Mar. 13, 2009   The Five People You Meet in Heaven -  Dan Reynolds
April 10, 2009   When Did You Last See Your Father - Bryan Seekely
May   8, 2009    The Name of the Rose - Bob Brody
All movies are shown the second Friday of Each month starting @ 6:30 PM in the Upper Room. View trailers, plot synopses and more...

FAITH MATTERS
January will be a time to study comparative religion utilizing the Great Courses DVD presentation taught by Professor Charles Kimball, University of Oklahoma.  Discussion will follow each 30 minute presentation as we undertake understanding other religions. January 11 – “Exploring Similarities and Differences”. See upcoming Faith Matters topics.

BEREAVEMENT GROUP
Have you experienced a significant loss this past year?  "A Time to Heal" is a bereavement support group which offers an opportunity to share with others who are also grieving.  Led by John Vitkus PhD and Pastor Missy Shiverick, this group will meet for six weeks beginning Sunday January 11th from 9:00 am - 10:45 am.  Individuals who participated in this group in the past found that as we talked, listened, cried, laughed, and prayed it was helpful in their healing process.  We will use the book,"Living Through Personal Crisis", as a starting point in our conversations. (books will be available at the church office for $7) Please contact Missy Shiverick if you are interested in being a part of this group.

BOOMERS ANNUAL CHILI COOK OFF
For a fun filled evening, bring your best Chili and the recipe (if you want to share it).  If you do not have a Chili, bring a salad or just come, taste and select your favorite while enjoying the company of other Boomers.  No contest, just good fun.  On Saturday, January 17, 6:30 pm at the home of Joel and Jean Rathbone. Please RSVP 440.446.1720 or Jjrathbone@sbcglobal.net.

NEW BIBLE STUDY
Sunday, January 18, in the Ganson Room at 9:30 am, a group led by Ulrich Hopfer, Hedy Westra, Jerry Parker and Bob Matthias will begin a new Kerygma study called The Bible in Depth.  All are welcome.  No previous knowledge of the Bible is required.

SAVE THE DATE – WOMEN’S RETREAT
The annual Women’s Retreat will be held on January 31 – February 1 at the Red Maple Inn in Burton.  The theme will be “Come to the Well - God Meets Our Needs.”  The story of the woman at the well, found in the fourth chapter of John, is the foundation of our study activities.  We all come to God's well - whether it’s to take something or to bring something.  Whichever it is, God will and does provide.

In addition, the retreat provides a wonderful opportunity to relax and enjoy the company of a variety of Fairmount women, explore the charming town of Burton and get away from the challenges of our daily lives!  Anyone interested in helping with the planning can contact Denice Benton, 216.283.5475 or Debby Elliott, 330.405.4426. The cost will be approximately $100.  Watch for more details in the Flyer and the Sunday bulletin.

Preschool 2009-10 Registration
Its time to register your children for the preschool in the fall of 2009. Classes are available for young 3’s thru Pre-K. Fairmount Church Members have priority in signing up for Fairmount Church Cooperative Nursery School. Open registration begins January 20th but church members can sign up before that date. There will be an “Open House” on Tuesday, January 20th from 7:00-8:30pm, providing a chance to see the classrooms and meet the teachers and fellow parents. Come see our school in action! Hurry, there is limited space available! Fairmount Church Co-operative Nursery School has operated in Fairmount Church since 1972. For more information, or to schedule a tour of our school (while in session), please contact Julie Pecoraro at 408-4670.

Small Group Opportunities at Fairmount!

WAKEFUL FAITH
Sunday Mornings at 9:30 in the church library.  Join a group of lively souls from diverse backgrounds and points of view who support and learn from each other during their "far reaching" discussions.  Using the DVD series "Living the Questions", the group will explore theological thoughts on modern day issues.  This is especially suited for those who don't only want to live the answers, but who are comfortable living the questions.  

THURSDAY EVENING BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
The Thursday Evening Book Discussion Group continues to meet. Come once or come every month.  All are welcome! We meet from 6-7:30 pm in the Ferris Library. Join us for lively discussion, wonderful fellowship and treats!  Want more information on the group or want to be included in our email updates? Contact Ellen Roberts at eroberts7@aol.com. Happy Reading!

WELL SPOUSE
Are you caring for a sick spouse or relative?  We understand the pressures you are under.  Come join the Well Spouse Group as they meet for support and fellowship the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 11:30.  Bring a brown bag lunch and meet us in the church Upper Room.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the various small groups, please contact Rev. Missy Shiverick at the church.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the third Thursday of each month at 12:30.  The group starts in the sanctuary for 15 minutes of silence and knitting/crocheting before going to the Chilcote Room for prayer and support.  Please join us in this wonderful ministry which has provided over 125 Prayer Shawls to individuals as visual and tactile signs of God's presence and our love and concern as a community of faith.

MEN’S BREAKFAST FORUM - New! MBF Web Page
This group is open to all men.  It meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 7:30 am in the Conference Room. A light breakfast is provided for this hour of fellowship and discussion.

BEYOND ACCEPTANCE
This support group for individuals and families dealing with issues of sexual orientation will meet on Tuesday, January 27th at 5:30 pm. In Chilcote North. An atmosphere of safety and confidentiality is established for all who attend. This month we will discuss “coming out” in church and religious institutions and the problems encountered.  For further information contact Rev. Dick Clewell at 216.321.5800, ext. 109.

Members on the Move!
Please let us know if you are moving...whether across the street or across the country. Please contact the church office [information@fairmountchurch.org] with contact information. We want to stay connected with you!

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NEWS

Where are the Children? (01/11)

CHILD CARE for all ages is provided in the Conference Room, 9:30 – 10:45 a.m., staffed by Elisha Hooks.

During 11:00 worship
Infant & Toddler Care: Room 105 (off Andersen Hall) with Elisha Hooks, Julie Callsen and Patrick Pohlman
 
CHILDREN’S WORSHIP (3-year olds – kindergarten) Noah’s Ark meets in Conference Room with Bonnie Lindberg and Cristina Pereira; Rainbow Class in The Ganson Room with Laura Desmond and Tom Bennett. 
CHILDREN’S WORSHIP dismiss at 12:15 p.m.

DOORWAYS (grades 1-6):  gather in class groups in Andersen Hall    when leaving worship after Children’s Message and dismiss at 12:15 from rooms posted on the Children’s & Family Ministries LOCATIONS Board in Andersen Hall.  Shepherds this month are:  1st & 2nd grades:  Caroline Weingart; 3rd & 4th grades: Anne Creed; 5th & 6th grades: Brendan Pham.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY WORK:  Write God’s Word On Your Heart!
Into a new month, it’s time for a new memory verse.  The Presbyterian Church (USA) publishes two annual resources that interpret the mission outreach of the denomination.  This year’s theme for The Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study and The Children’s Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study provides the memory verse for January:

What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? [Micah 6:8b NRSV]

Copies of this newest Write God’s Word card are available in the upper right pocket of the bib-overalls display in Andersen Hall.

Youth News

Schedule for Winter Program:

CONFIRMATION CLASS
As part of the Fairmount confirmation experience, we spend the month of January visiting and participating in worship services at other churches.  It is important for our youth to appreciate, understand, and respect other faiths, and this provides us with an opportunity to learn more about what makes us both different and the same.  Interested in coming along?  Contact Kurt Zitzner, Youth Director.  Jan 4th - Catholic - St. Ann's, Jan. 11th - Greek Orthodox -  Saints Constantine & Helen, Jan. 18th - Presbyterian - Glenville New Life Community Church

MIDDLE SCHOOL SEXUALITY RETREAT
The Role of Sex in Christian Living for Middle Schoolers and their Parents.  This will be a weekend of frank conversation about sex, sexuality and faith.  It might be an uncomfortable conversation for some, but this is an important conversation that we need to be having in order to help our young people make informed decisions and act responsibly.  Unfortunately, most sex education is being postponed until well after young people have begun to experiment sexually.  As with everything else, we are seeing sexual experimentation beginning to happen earlier and earlier.  Understanding this fact, we want to open up the channels of communication so that our young people can get accurate information about sex from caring adults rather than continue to allow distorted images from peers, advertisements, television programs, movies, and music to be the major influence in our young people's sexual development.

YOUTH SKI TRIP
Do you love to ski?  Are you in middle school or high school?  Do you wanna come on our ski trip?  We're heading off to Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville, New York. We will depart Friday night (7:45 PM) January 23rd, and return Sunday afternoon (1:00 PM) January 25th. The cost is just $100 (includes meals, lift tickets, place to stay, etc.) Ski or Snowboard Rentals is extra. RSVP via email KZitzner@FairmountChurch.org by January 6, 2009.

For up to date information on Youth Department happenings... See the recently revised Youth Website and the All Youth Department Calendar.

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III. Responding to the Call

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IV. Stewardship - Vision 100

V. Communications

Out of town last week and wondering what the sermon or music was? Visit our Podcast page for our 126th webisode. The podcasts are also a terrific way to introduce others to Fairmount - let them hear what they're missing! Questions? Contact Shawn Miller via e-mail or call 216.321.5800 x106.