Welcome to The Community Church of Stow
1567 Pilgrim Drive
Stow, Ohio 44224
330-688-8927
(also called
Stow Community Church)
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) update for The Community Church of Stow
September, 2021
Dear Church Family and Friends,
Our barriers have come down! It is no longer necessary to mask and social distance yourself! Hymnals, Bibles, and pew cushions have been replaced in the pews. Masks and sanitizer are available if you wish to use them and we will continue to sanitize the sanctuary following worship.
- Worship begins at 10:30 AM.
- We share Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month.
- Please call Pat Pierce for prayer requests # 330-688-7936.
In other church news:
- The Stow Community Farmers Market is now open in our parking lot on Saturdays from June 5 - October 9, 9 AM - 12:30 PM.
Worry is a conversation you have with yourself about things you cannot change, prayer is a conversation you have with God about things He can change.
CHURCH MOTTO
In Essentials, Unity. In Non-Essentials, Liberty.
In Diversity, Charity. In All Things, Christ First.
Join us on Sunday Morning!
Adult Sunday School is held at 9 AM on Sundays. It is led by Carol Zeh and will be held outdoors, weather permitting. Bring a lawn chair and your own coffee.
The Worship Service with Rev. Bonnie Montgomery begins at 10:30 AM.
Holy Communion is served on the first Sunday of each month and on Easter and other special occasions throughout the year.
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About Us
Who we are
The United Church of Christ was formed when the Congregational Christian Church, and the Evangelical and Reformed Church, merged in 1957. Both denominations grew out of the Protestant Reformation. The rich insights of our Calvinist and Lutheran heritage still shape and nourish our faith today. The Community Church of Stow, founded in 1917, voted to join the United Church of Christ in 1961.
Each congregation of the United Church of Christ is autonomous and self-governing. The national bodies of our denomination speak to our churches, but cannot speak for them.
Statement of Faith
We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to his deeds we testify:
God calls the worlds into being,
creates humanity in his own image
and sets before us the ways of life and death.
God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
God judges all humanity by his righteous will
declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord,
God has come to us
and shared our common lot,
conquering sin and death
and reconciling the world to himself.
God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit,
creating and renewing the Church of Jesus Christ,
binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
God calls us into the Church
to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,
to be his servants in the service of others,
to proclaim the Gospel to all the world
and resist the powers of evil,
to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table,
to join him in his passion and victory.
God promises to all who trust him
forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace,
courage in the struggle for justice and peace,
his presence in trial and rejoicing,
and eternal life in his Kingdom which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto him. Amen.
MEET OUR STAFF
Rev. Bonnie Montgomery, Pastor
Ruth Caler, Chimes Director and Choir Mistress
Rev. Bonnie Montgomery, Pastor
Judy Faris, Office Administrator
Ruth Caler, Chimes Director and Choir Mistress
Rev. Bonnie Montgomery, Pastor
Ruth Caler, Chimes Director and Choir Mistress
Ruth Caler, Chimes Director and Choir Mistress
Ruth Caler, Chimes Director and Choir Mistress
Simon Hunt, Instrumental Accompanist
Barb Paugh, Independent Custodial Contractor
Ruth Caler, Chimes Director and Choir Mistress
Barb Paugh, Independent Custodial Contractor
Barb Paugh, Independent Custodial Contractor
Barb Paugh, Independent Custodial Contractor
PASTOR'S PAGE
Hello Everyone,
Many years ago, I had the gift (and I do say gift) of studying Greek with a man by the name of Dr. William Orr. He was one of the most knowledgeable Greek scholars of his time and one of his students was the well known and loved Mr. Rogers. Yes, Mr. Rogers was extremely well known for his work with children in the United States, but he was also a wonderful man, dynamic scholar and much-loved man who changed the course of history with public tv as evidenced in the relatively recent film about him played by Tom Hanks.
I too had the wonderful opportunity to know both Dr. Orr and Mr. Rogers and they changed my life. Many years ago, when I was a seminary student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, I took an unbelievable step and asked Dr. Orr if I could study Greek with him each week. Now that I look back at it, I realized that it was pretty bold to ask this because he was so sought after and had a very busy schedule. I offered to pay him, but he wouldn't think of it (I was working at the same church as their Minister of Christian Education and their Child Care Center) and he was the Scholar in Residence at that church. So, with his distinguished and loving way, we began digging into the original Greek scriptures. I must admit that I was initially very intimidated but grew to cherish and love these times of learning with Dr. Bill Orr.
Greek is not an easy language to learn, and I remember asking him how we would learn. He simply said, "Bonnie, bring your original Greek Bible with you and we will begin.” Oh, I was so nervous that first session. I remember him saying, "Go to the Gospel of John and begin reading in Greek for me.” That was the beginning of a learning that I will honor and cherish forever.
I remember one day asking him about Transformational Bible Reading and he said that many are fearful of it. It can be frightening, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Dr. Orr challenged me to let the Spirit of God work with me while I read the Bible. It worked! I was initially pessimistic, but it was real. I gave my faith to God and let God do the work of transforming me.
I will never tell you that I know EVERYTHING about the Bible. I am comfortable telling you that I am on a lifetime journey to learn and to grow. I write new sermons each Sunday for this one main reason. I want God to continue to lead me and teach me into an ever-closer relationship with the Word of God. I will spend the rest of my life learning and seeking out the meaning of the scriptures as an eager student. I want nothing more than to follow my Lord in all the ways of my life and learning is one of them.
Don't get discouraged if you can't pronounce all the words, fall asleep reading some genealogies and get lost in various places.
Just remember, we have some excellent scholars at Stow Community Church who are willing to help you. Our own Carol teaches one of the best Bible studies I have seen in years. I want to attend her class each week. I am also available to answer your questions. I love being a detective when it comes to searching out the scriptures.
Don't be afraid...don't back down...open the pages.... let God transform you! One word at a time. It happens! Sometimes, when I get a little overwhelmed with my learning, I simply remember these words, "Be Still and Know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
A special thank you to Judy for sharing the Lectionary Readings with all of us. Here we go...Enjoy, Relax, Open Yourself up to God and you will begin to find a peace and tranquility unknown to you before.
If you run into questions, please feel free to e-mail me at jeanmontgomery37@yahoo.com. I 'll write you back.
ENJOY!!!!! Let the peace of God's word touch you and heal your spirit!
Pastor Bonnie
LECTIONARY READINGS
10-Oct
Psalm 22:1-15; Mark 10:17-31
17-Oct
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35; Mark 10:35-45
24-Oct
Psalm 34:1-8; Mark 10:46-52
31-Oct
Psalm 146; Mark 12:28-34
7-Nov
Psalm 127; Mark 12:38-44
14-Nov
1 Samuel 1:4-20; Mark 13-2-8
21-Nov
Psalm 132; John 18:33-37
HAPPENING HERE
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Our Lay Associate,
Carol Zeh, leads the Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class.
Meets Sunday morning
in the parlor or outdoors, weather permitting,
at 9 AM, September - May.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS BEEN
TEMPORARILY POSTPONED
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Sunday School for children age 4 through young adult, is held during the worship service following the anthem, September - May.
Nursery care is always available.
PRAYER SHAWL KNITTERS
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY
PRAYER SHAWL KNITTERS
The Prayer Shawl Knitters meet on the second Friday of the month at 10 AM in the parlor.
Completed shawls are prayed over and freely given to those in need of comfort and prayer.
SPAGHETTI SUPPER
THE STOW COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKET
THE STOW COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKET
Don't miss out!
Serving the public
for over 20 years!
Join us on the third Friday of each month (except December) for the best Spaghetti in town!
From 4 - 7 PM
Dinner includes spaghetti (meatless sauce available), salad, bread, beverage and dessert.
Adults: $8.50;
Children ages 4 - 12: $3.50
THE STOW COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKET
THE STOW COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKET
THE STOW COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKET
Hosted by the Church and founded in 2011, The Stow Community Farmers Market continues to grow!
Find your friends there and enjoy some great shopping.
Saturdays, 9 AM - 12:30 PM
June 5 - October 2
The Senior Fellowship Group
THE STOW COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKET
The Senior Fellowship Group
Join us for breakfast at the Stow Cafe on Darrow Road.
We meet the third Thursday of the month at 9 AM.
BREAKFAST MEETINGS HAVE BEEN TEMPORARILY POSTPONED.
WE HOPE TO RESUME SOON!
DARROW STREET GRANGE
The Joshua Stow Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution
The Senior Fellowship Group
The Darrow Street Grange meets here on the second Tuesday of the month at 1 PM in
Fellowship Hall.
The Joshua Stow Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution
The Joshua Stow Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution
The Joshua Stow Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution
The Joshua Stow Chapter of the DAR meets on the second Saturday of the month at
9:15 AM,
September - April.
PLAY AND LEARN PRESCHOOL
Play & Learn Preschool is a privately owned preschool located in The Community Church of Stow, United Church of Christ.
It has served the communities of Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Munroe Falls, and Kent since 1968.
Karen Blankenship, Director
330-688-7872