St. Paul's

Evangelical Lutheran Church

127 Cherry Rd. NE, Massillon, OH 44646

330 832-7409

June 2026 Newsletter

The church calendar is always available on every page of the church website on the right side, along with the church address, phone number, email address, and Youtube link for the online services. The online calendar contains the most up-to-date listing of events. 

Scholarship Application/Renewal Deadline:  June 1st

Directory Photo Due:  June 12th

Impact Massillon:  June 13th

Wednesday: Snip-N-Stitch, 9:00 am

Wednesday: Steelband practice: 6:00- 6:45 pm

Thursday: Chair Yoga, 11:00 am

Thursday Mornings at 10 am Starting in July

Over the past several months, many people have asked an important question: What is a faithful Christian response to the times in which we live? Others have wondered how we can speak with family members, friends, neighbors, and fellow Christians who may see the world very differently than we do.

This summer, I invite those who are interested to read the book The Separation of Church and Hate together. The book explores the intersection of faith, politics, culture, and Christian witness in today’s world. It raises challenging questions about how followers of Jesus are called to live with both conviction and compassion.

This conversation will not be for everyone, and that is perfectly okay. The goal is not political agreement, nor is it to debate winners and losers. Rather, the hope is to create space for thoughtful reflection, respectful conversation, and faithful listening.

As Christians, we are called to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). That means we can hold differing opinions while still treating one another with dignity, grace, and respect. Our congregation will continue to be a place where questions may be asked honestly and where people are valued as brothers and sisters in Christ, even when perspectives differ.

2026 Blood Drives 12-6 pm
Monday, August 24, 2026       

Click on or copy and paste the link below to schedule an appointment for our next blood drive.

https://www.redcrossblood.org/

Beginning June 7, the adult Sunday School class will take some time away from meeting and will reconvene with another series of lessons on September 6. God's blessings to you for a delightful summer.

--Patty Long

It's time to apply for, or renew, scholarship applications for the 2026 fall semester. 

All renewal applications are sent via email to the recipients from the previous semester.

New applicants can request an application starting April 1st, 2026 by emailing the church office

officeadmin@stpaulsmassillon.org for the application.

DEADLINE to be considered for the scholarship is June 1st, 2026.  Scholarship recipients will then be voted upon by the Scholarship Committee.   Recipients will be notified and rewards will be sent via postal mail to the address on the application.

There’s still time to submit your favorite selfie or family picture for the Church Directory. 

Photos may be formal, casual, or anything in between.  I can do some slight touch ups in the office if you need someone/something cropped out, the background altered, etc.  If you previously submitted a photo, but have another you’d rather use for the directory, I can easily swap it out.

Please submit your photo to officeadmin@StPaulsMassillon.org by June 12th, with names and any additional instructions.

Impact Massillon is June 13th!

Join us as we spruce up an area of Massillon.  If you are able to help this year, please contact Scott Larson or John Stanko.

Join us July 3rd, on the West Lawn at dusk to watch Massillon's fireworks!

Bring your family, friends, neighbors, strangers, a lawn chair or blanket.

We will provide snacks and drinks.

Pastor Mark updated council on members who are ill, have had surgery, or are in nursing homes.

The Synod Assembly will be held at the beginning of June with Craig and Jennifer Maurer attending as St. Paul's representatives.  

On August 15th, a Fun Fest will be held in Massillon. Area churches have an opportunity to have a table at this event.

Impact Massillon will be held on June 13th. Anyone interested in helping are to contact Scott Larson or John Stanko. Our church has participated in this worthy event the past few years and will continue to do so this year.

Property reported that the new heating and cooling system for the Parish Hall will begin installation within the next 2 weeks.

Discussion was held concerning the sale of various cemetery lots that the  church owns. Dan Farrar will soon have details on this matter. 

The congregational meeting will be held on May 17th. Everything is in order and all necessary matters have been approved by council.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathryn Myers

With joy and gratitude, we continue to celebrate the completion of our new entrance and bathrooms. For the past nine months, these improvements have already been a blessing—offering a warm welcome and greater accessibility to all who enter. Thank you for the generosity and faith that made this possible.

Yet our work of caring for God’s house continues.

As we look ahead, several significant needs have emerged:

Parish Hall Window Wells Repair – Estimated cost: $169,000
Addressing these issues is essential to protect the integrity of the building and prevent further damage.

Completion of the Heating & Cooling Conversion (Parish Hall) – Estimated cost: $150,000
Finishing this project will ensure a comfortable, efficient, and usable space for ministry year-round.

Organ Maintenance and Restoration – Estimated cost: $100,000–$200,000
Our organ plays a vital role in worship, and necessary maintenance will preserve its voice for future generations.

These are substantial projects, but they are also opportunities—opportunities to care for the spaces where ministry happens, where lives are touched, and where the Gospel is proclaimed.

Through your continued generosity, we can preserve and strengthen this place of welcome, safety, and worship. Together, we are ensuring that our church remains a living witness to God’s grace for generations to come.

Thank you for your faithfulness and your partnership in this shared ministry.

We continue to be blessed with musical talent during Worship at St. Paul's.

Thomas Haake

Ethan & Jarrett Deuble

We had a very special Mother's Day Service.

Thomas Haake played violin for the prelude: Humoresque,  Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904).

Ethan & Jarrett Deuble sang the anthem:  Great Is Thy Faithfulness, arr. Lloyd Larson (b. 1954)
 

Jackie Pritchett is The Bridge editor starting with the May, 2026 issue. Send all contributions to her at officeadmin@stpaulsmassillon.org.

Deadline will still be the 21st of each month.

Report from Kim Oberlin:

May’s Friendship Circle was a “Celebration of Life” dedicated to Brenda Brown. Brenda was a longtime member  who was involved in many different activities of the church, thus, it only seemed appropriate to remember her.

Sue Ambrosic, her longtime friend, organized the get together. Sue provided some of Brenda’s favorite foods, and some of her prized possessions for us to see. Sue even had two of Brenda’s closest friends to reminisce about Brenda’s life. The evening also included Pastor Mark sharing meditations and scriptures.

Thank you Sue, for remembering our friend.

We’d love to see more of our lady friends at our next get together. We meet on the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm, in the lounge,  from April-December.

Shopping is so easy in the clothing closet.  Our guests see something they like, it is bagged, and sent home free of charge.  Our donations to the clothing closet are critical.  Cindy Lash and her crew will tell you that there are months when the closet is nearly empty.  It’s a wonderful service of compassion provided by our members. 

In addition to clothing, we are in need of small household items/appliances and men's shoes.

If you or anyone you know are planning a garage sale, we will happily relieve you of unsold items.

We have been, and continue to be, so blessed by your support.

We usually work in the closet on Saturday afternoons. In addition to sorting clothes, we can use volunteers to help keep our floors swept and mopped, shelves dusted, and a variety of cleaning needs.

We are open to the public the second Friday of each month, 3:30 to 6pm. Please feel free to join us and experience the great joy of helping those in need.

Thank you St. Paul’s family for your generous support.

Feel free to contact us for information about our ministry.

Tracie Schmolt, Carol Stoner and Cindy Lash

Are you needing some island vibes this summer?

Come join the St. Paul's Steelband as we learn about the music and culture of Trinidad!

We meet on Wednesdays from 6-7pm in the education building. No music experience is required and those of all ages are welcome.

Nervous about your first rehearsal or just curious but can't come to class?  See Eleanor before or after service to set up a free demo lesson!

Our Bell Choir rang beautifully during the May 17th Worship Service.  We are so thankful to those who share their time and talent.

We are excited to give you a preview of the 26-27 Cathedral Concert Series.  Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details.

CONCERTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO ALL. YOUR FREEWILL OFFERING IS GRACIOUSLY RECEIVED.

Favorite hymns and verses: 

Shane Jackson, June 10
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."                 (John 13:34)

David Stoner, June 25:
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

Has your birthday or anniversary been missing from the published lists? If so, please contact the office so we can add it to our database. Thank you!

Congratulations!

 Thomas & Marcia Wright, Jun 5

Robert & Joyce Mitcheal, Jun 7

Rev. Lynn & LaShell Williamson, Jun 10

Craig & Jennifer Maurer, Jun 12

Grant & Lucinda Lash, Jun 14

Michael & Lisa Skelly, Jun 15

Daniel & Nancy Lint, Jun 22

We have many youth and young adults that are very active in a variety of areas, and we want to spotlight them.  If you know of someone you'd like to feature, or someone who recently graduated, please submit the information to the church office:  Officeadmin@stpaulsmassillon.org

Congratulations to Sydney Johnson & family!

Sydney graduated on May 18th from Tuslaw High School.  She plans to further her education at Bowling Green State University in the fall where she has been accepted into the honors music program.

Please keep Sydney and her family in your prayers as she begins this next awesome adventure.

If you are interested in serving for a future month, click on the contact person's email link.

To take advantage of all the app’s features, you must create an account. Get notifications and reminders of upcoming events, access our live stream worship and worship bulletins, send prayer requests, see the church calendar, and give electronically. 

Cathedral Concerts Facebook Page

St. Paul's Facebook Page

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church

127 Cherry Rd. NE, Massillon, OH 44646

330 832-7409

Office Hours: T, W, F 9am-1pm

ELCA Vision: A world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation..