Churches

The churches and ministers of Bluffton invite you to the annual Community Thanksgiving worship service at 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 21, at First United Methodist Church, corner of Church and Jackson streets.

The theme for this year's service is "A Ten-Fold Thanksgiving," drawn from the story of Jesus' healing of the 10 lepers in Luke chapter 17.

John Foster of Bluffton Trinity United Methodist Church will bring the message, and those in attendance will have the opportunity to place "leaves of thanksgiving" on a "thanksgiving tree" throughout the service.

A new pastor for St. John's United Church of Christ (UCC) preached in this Bluffton congregation for the first time on Sunday, Oct. 10.

Rev. Carol Clements, a graduate of the denomination's Lancaster (Pa.) Seminary, has long been active in heeding Jesus Christ's call for service to suffering humanity, even before her entering the Christian ministry as a second vocation.

All are welcome to attend the third annual Cabaret at Bluffton First United Methodist Church on Sunday, Nov. 7, at 3 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Bluffton Food Pantry and the Bluffton First UMC Scholarship Fund.

Scheduled to appear are:

The Northernaires (a vocal jazz ensemble from Ohio Northern University) - members are Elizabeth Betts, Miriam Stoner, Janet Pacanowski, Jennifer Taylor, Eric Smith, Kyle Roby, Timothy Smith, Todd Daquino, A. Lewis Jones (drums), and Dennis Kratzer (Director and Piano);

The 47th Annual Missions Festival at Ebenezer Mennonite Church, Bluffton, will feature Dr. David E. Draper as speaker for both Sundays.

The conference will be held Nov. 14 through Nov. 21. Dr. Draper is president of Winebrenner Theological Seminary, Findlay. He is an ordained pastor with the Eastern Regional Conference of the Churches of God and served as pastor of Mt. Pleasant Church of God (Ohio) and Pleasantville Church of God (Maryland).