Text Box: Chocolate Boutique—Women’s Retreat Saturday, February 2, 2008 10:00-4:00 P.M. Join us …. “to taste and see that the Lord is good.” The retreat isn’t really about chocolate, although we’ll be enjoying some of that, too. It’s about connecting chocolate to the lavish and knowing the extravagant grace of God. During the Chocolate Boutique Getaway, participants will take part in four sessions, beginning with “chocolate for the Heart.” The other sessions include the Chocolate Tasting Boutique, the Chocolate Laughter Boutique, and the Chocolate Prayer Boutique. Cost for the retreat is $20.00, but you can save by registering before January 6, 2008 for only $15.00. Lunch will be provided. For registration, contact Melissa Folk at 458-8275 or folk1010@aol.com. Checks payable to NECC. Mail to NECC—Christian Education 35895 Royalton Rd. Grafton, Ohio 44044 Text Box: Dear God, I don't make New year resolutions! Many years ago I did, but at the end of the year so many were high expectations that were never met. How long can a person resolve to lose weight? I read that it was the most made resolution in the world. Maybe some day I will do that one again. This year I am going to try to make a resolution that will last for a long time. Marie Ternes gave me a book last year called, "Grandmother's Memories to Her Grandchildren." It starts with a message to the grandchild of why I want them to know of my background and growing up. When I have completed it, the book should let all 6 grandkids know everything about my early years and my faith journey. The first part of the book asks about the things happening when I was born. That is a hard question, so I went to the internet to check my birth and early years in that time frame. What an eye opener! In the first 10 years of my life the population was 132,122,000 and the minimum wage was $.43. Penicillin was discovered and World War II was happening. Men were drafted and women went to work. Food was rationed and victory gardens were being planted to supply fresh vegetables. It was the start of Rhythm and Blues music, the songs of Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, and Perry Como. Doctor Spock wrote his famous baby book on "How to Raise Your Child”, still the handbook for many generations then and now. Aluminum foil was invented, and frozen dinners were becoming popular. Tupperware became the new fad for storing food. The most amazing fact I found was that at the end of the war there were 5000 TV's in homes. By 1951 there were 17 million. Last week I watched my 8 year old grandson, Joseph, as he turned on my computer and went to a web site he was looking for. How things have changed. This past week I poured over and the book that was included in my digital camera, trying to figure out how to connect it to the computer and print the Christmas pictures. Thank goodness for 15 year old Lonna, who hooked it up and got me started. I am going to try hard to keep writing in my Grandmother's book. It will be a learning experience for me and the grandkids for years to come. I can hardly wait for the chapter on "My Faith, and Spiritual Lessons." Psalm 78:1-4 " My people, listen to my teaching. Listen to what I say. I will speak using stories. I will tell things that have been secret since long ago. We have heard them and know them. Our Fathers told them to us. We will not keep them from our children. We will tell those who come later about the praises of the Lord. We will tell about His power and the miracles He has done for us." Love, Judy Text Box: Our Church Family Christmas Tree Ornaments were purchased and hung on the Christmas Tree in the Narthex during the holiday season. IN HONOR OF: PURCHASED BY: Nancy Linda Rodak Edith Linda Rodak Jaden Piper Mom & Dad Paul & Sandra Gruendler Paula Krasnevich IN MEMORY OF: PURCHASED BY: Jenny Kuhn Randy Kuhn Ann Shaffstall Amy Stafford & Karen Vilevac Our thanks and appreciation to KATHY CARPENTER for taking on this project and engraving the ornaments. Text Box: SANTA BREAKFAST...Thank You for a wonderful day! Thank You to everyone who helped with the “Breakfast with Santa!” With your donations of food, juice, money and precious time, we were able to donate over $200 to Cornerstone Pregnancy Center, plus the gifts that our guests brought for baby Jesus. The breakfast was a huge success with 50 smiling children and 60 mature kids (parents) that were just as excited! Thank you again and see you next year on December 6th!