Have a Listen

This coming Sunday evening, December 3, when we gather for worship on the first night of Advent (scroll down to previous post), our special musical guests will be the talented members of the Mainstreet Brass Quintet.

While Sunday night's repertoire will be filled with Christmas music (of course!), here is a sample of the group playing other-than-Christmas arrangements. Click on the link and enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Mainstreet+Brass

Shine With Us

The Advent Season begins on December 3, and with it, we have the first of many beautiful opportunities to prepare our hearts for encountering Christ at Christmas. Join us!
Advent Communion Service

with Special Musical Guests 

The Mainstreet Brass Quintet

Sunday Evening, December 3                

6:00 p.m.                              

Sharon Moravian Church

On the Outskirts of Tuscarawas, OH

(For GPS directions, enter 4776 Moravian Church Road SE, New Philadelphia)

We gather with Moravian sisters and brothers from across Ohio for this annual worship tradition of celebrating Holy Communion together. The Rev. Ben Lippert (our region’s most recently ordained Moravian minister and the new pastor of Schoenbrunn Community Moravian Church) will preach the Word. Sister Angie Miller will lead a combined choir in offering a beautiful anthem.

And it will be a special treat when Allen Frank and his acclaimed quintet, Mainstreet Brass, fill the beautiful, Moravian Star-lit sanctuary of the Sharon Moravian Church with sound. The American Organist Magazine says Mainstreet Brass is “a well-knit, finely blended ensemble.” And the International Trumpet Guild Journal praises the group for “high-flying virtuosic playing.”

Please invite friends and family for an uplifting, seasonally-tuned, God-honoring evening.

The Putz: A Christmas Tradition at Sharon Moravian Church

Sharon Moravian Church Putz Showings

December 9 from   7 to 9

December 10 from 7 to 9

December 11 from 2 to 4

December 16 from 7 to 9

December 17 from 7 to 9

December 18 from 2 to 4

December 22 from 7 to 9

December 23 from 7 to 9

December 26 from 7 to 9

December 29 from 7 to 9

December 30 from 7 to 9

The story of Jesus' birth is told through the music, lights and figurines of The Putz, an elaborate scene constructed to share the Good News of Christmas. A Moravian custom stretching back to the 18th century, the term "putz" comes from the German word "putzen," meaning "to decorate."

Sharon Moravian Church carries on The Putz tradition and invites you to one or several free showings of its 2016 presentations.

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Advent Communion: A Holy Pause

All-Ohio Moravian

Advent Communion

Sunday Evening, November 27

Sharon Moravian Church

6:00 p.m.

Take a deep breath--a holy breath--as the Advent season begins. 

Worship God.

Find inspiration.

Enjoy the music of a combined vocal choir and the brass ensemble B5.

Spiritually prepare to welcome the living Christ at Christmas.

Family Fitness: Movin' & Groovin Together

Wouldn't it be great if moms and dads and kids and friends and neighbors could just leap around and dance with abandon? It might be exercise, but it would be so much fun, nobody would notice! That's what Darcie Apple has is mind for the upcoming Saturday morning sessions of Family Fitness: Movin' & Groovin' Together, part of our Ohio Moravian Churches' Shared Ministry Opportunities.

The fun begins TOMORROW, OCTOBER 22 at 10:00 a.m. at Sharon Moravian Church (on the edge of Tusky). Everyone is encouraged to join in 45 minutes of friendly, spirited movement followed by a healthy snack. And we'll offer the same format on OCTOBER 29 and NOVEMBER 5, too!

No cost. Walk-ins welcomed.

Darcie Apple is an elementary school physical education teacher in the Claymont School District and mother to 4 exuberant children.

Make It Your Mission to Visit the Mission Festival

It's been a purposeful summer for our Moravian brothers and sisters who have engaged in hands-on mission experiences from The Big Apple to a small village, from a central HUB to Central America, and from a loading zone to outside the comfort zone. Now that they're back home and have reflected on how and where they witnessed God at work in the world, they'd like to tell you about it!

Join us tomorrow afternoon (Sunday, August 14) 

as we gather for a Mission Festival beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Sharon Moravian Church (an air conditioned and accessible facility). Come hear stories of travel and fellowship, service and inspiration! We'll worship together, have time to converse, and even share some light refreshments. 

The Mission Festival is being coordinated through the Ohio Moravian Ministries Commission (OMMC). Please come!

All-Ohio Moravian Advent Communion

The season of Advent is here. Begin your spiritual journey toward Christmas by joining with Moravians from all of our Ohio congregations for

Advent Communion Worship
Sunday, November 29
6:00 p.m.
at Sharon Moravian Church


With special musical guests The TubaFours brass ensemble, a combined vocal choir, the singing of familiar hymns, the hearing of prophetic scripture readings, and, of course, the celebration of Holy Communion, this is a meaningful, beautiful way to prepare your heart for the Savior's birth.

If you'll be using a GPS to find Sharon Moravian Church, type in 4776 Moravian Church Road SE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663. The church is located just outside the village of Tuscarawas.

New Worship Opportunity

Sharon Moravian Church invites you to a new worship experience!  Beginning on 

Tuesday, September 29^th,

 and once a month thereafter, 

we will be engaging in 

Fearless Conversations: 

Why Is Jesus So Radical? 

Join us for “Circle Up” at 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall. We look forward to seeing you there! 

And the next time you're at Sharon, pick up your copy of the brand new 200^th Anniversary Edition of the Sharon Moravian Cookbook.  The cost is $12 per book and they are available in the Sharon Moravian Church office. All proceeds of this project goes to support our Putz.

Cooking Up a Recipe Collection

The Putz Committee of Sharon Moravian Church is selling cookbooks!  The recipes are from members of the Sharon Congregation and it looks like it is going to be a nice collection from some great cooks!  Please reserve your copy today. Call 740-922-5507

Love in a Shoebox

The next 200 for 200 campaign for the Sharon Moravian Church is to raise items for Operation Christmas Child, through Samaritan’s Purse. (Learn more about this wonderful project at http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/.)

We are hoping to be able to send out 100 boxes this year, but we need your help!  Please brings donations to Sharon Moravian Church.  The church building is open to receive your donations Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., and, of course, Sundays! The church is located at 4776 Moravian Church Rd. SE, just outside of the village of Tuscarawas. (If you're using a GPS, please type in New Philadelphia.)

Here are a few suggestions:

Coloring Books, Crayons, Stickers, Pencils, Pencil Sharpeners, Small Notebooks, Pens, Unscented Bar Soap, Toothpaste, T-Shirts (kid sizes) Marbles, Dolls, Hair Scrunchies, Flip Flops, Deodorant, Underwear, Socks, Jacks, Non-Chocolate Candy.  Please do not include: war toys, camouflage items, mirrors or glass, any liquid items, ceramic figures, knives or snakes.  We thank you for your continued support!

This Week in the World of Ohio Moravians...

TODAY, June 22

Join us from noon until 1:30 p.m. at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia for Brown Bags & Big Ideas: A Possibility Exchange. We've been meeting informally for several weeks now, and folks have been reporting that it's a very positive thing. There is no particular agenda, so feel free to bring conversation topics as well as your own lunch. (The park's concession stand will be open in case you need to grab a quick bite.)

Can't find us in the park? Call or text Chris Johnson at 484-894-9077.

THURSDAY,  June 25

It's "Moravian Night" at Trumpet in the Land! Everyone is invited to come to the Trumpet Amphitheater (http://www.trumpetintheland.com/directions.php) beginning at 6:00 p.m. for a POTLUCK PICNIC in the pavilion at 6:30 p.m. Please bring something delicious to eat in a quantity large enough to share. (Plates and utensils and napkins and all that kind of stuff will be provided.) Then...

At 7:15 p.m. we will be treated to a lovely, charming HANDBELL concert given by The Morning Star Ringers, a youth handbell choir from Olivet Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, NC. It will be a fun, interactive, family-friendly happening.

Finally, you will want to attend the 8:30 p.m. performance of Trumpet in the Land, the "thrilling and compassionate story of a peaceful people's influence on the war and the tragic events that encircled the founding of Ohio's first settlement, Schoenbrunn." Who were those peaceful people? The Moravian missionaries and the Native American community they worked among! The Trumpet story is an integral chapter in the Moravian story, and a timely one even as we work through current concerns of how to live together harmoniously in a multi-cultural, sometimes violent world.

Tickets for the Trumpet performance may be purchased at the box office. $15, adults/$8, children.

FRIDAY, June 26

The "I AMs" (In-between Adult Ministries) will be gathering at the home of Christin and James Fouts at 7:00 p.m. for a hotdog roast and family gathering. Everyone in the 20-30Something range is invited for food, fun, fellowship and faith! Please bring a side dish or dessert to share with the group. The "I AMs" is organized through Sharon Moravian Church. To RSVP and to learn the address of the hosts, please call the Sharon Church office (940-92205507), or send a text to Rev. Rebecca Sisley (330-340-8701). This is an event for the whole family; children are included.

FRIDAY, June 26 and Saturday, June 27

·       Schoenbrunn Community Moravian Church, 2200 East High Avenue in New Philadelphia, will hold a Garage Sale. On Friday, the sale will go from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and on Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

      SATURDAY, June 27

     

         Dover Moravian Church and its youth-led ministry Sole Purpose invite you to the 4^th Annual Kickin’ Chicken Barbecue from noon until 6 p.m. Each $8 ticket provides you with a BBQ chicken breast, apple sauce, baked beans, roll, dessert and beverage. Dine in or take-out. To pre-order tickets, contact the church at 330-364-8831. The church is located at 319 N. Walnut Street in Dover. Sole Purpose raises funds to put shoes on the feet of local kids in need. 

Creature Comforts

Pastor Rebecca Sisley from Sharon Moravian Church reminds everyone of the ongoing "200 for 200" campaign in honor of the congregation's 200th year of ministry. Regarding the current collection she says, "We currently have 152 items for the Tuscarawas County Humane Society, and 10 days to raise the next 48 before the Adventure Class takes it all away. I have faith that we can do it, but we need your help! Please continue donating cat and dog food items, toys, towels, leashes, collars, bleach, laundry detergent, etc. Please help us support all of God's creatures!"

The church building is open to receive your donations Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., and, of course, Sundays! The church is located at 4776 Moravian Church Rd. SE, just outside of the village of Tuscarawas. (If you're using a GPS, please type in New Philadelphia.)

A Party Invitation!

Summer calendars are already filling up with fun and exciting events. Be sure to make room for this upcoming celebration:

Trombone Tunes

As part of its bicentennial year festivities, Sharon Moravian Church is planning a

200th Anniversary Concert on June 14 at 4:00 PM. 

The concert will feature the amazing trombone stylings of Erik Salzwedel. From symphonic masterworks to traditional hymn chorals to soulful jazz, Mr. Salzwedel has the chops to entertain all kinds of music enthusiasts.

Erik has been a member of the Greensboro and Winston-Salem symphony, Charlotte symphony, Camel City Jazz Orchestra, the Halcyon Brass (founding member), the Wachovia Brass Collegium (founder) and many other ensembles. He is a prolific composer and arranger, primarily of music for trombone and organ, but also for brass groups and hand bell ensembles. Before joining the staff of the Moravian Music Foundation, where he is business manager, he was Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations of UNC School of the Arts for six years. He also served as Executive Director of Arts United for Davidson County (Lexington) for 6 years.  Other positions included Director of Education for Winston-Salem Symphony and Personnel Manager/Librarian, then Production Mgr./Librarian for Greensboro Symphony Orchestra.

With summer activities about to get underway, please be sure to mark your calendar to include this upcoming special event!

Read and Chat with the Sharon Moravian Church Book Club

The Book Club at Sharon Moravian Church invites you to join in the conversation. Gathering the 3rd Monday of each month,  Gloria Rentsch always leads a stimulating discussion. For the month of May, the book selection is Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson.

In June, the choice is The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffinbaugh.

Each session beings at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Sharon Moravian Church is located just outside of the Village of Tuscarawas. If you're using a GPS, please enter the address as 4776 Moravian Church Road SE, New Philadelphia.

200 for 200 Campaign

Back in 1815, the steam locomotive was a newfangled invention, as was the humble tin can. Ohio itself was pretty newfangled, too, having met the qualifications for statehood only 12 years previously. The state capitol resided in Chillicothe back then. And on the outskirts of the village of Tuscarawas, the Sharon Moravian Church was established. Things certainly change with the passage of 200 years, but Sharon Moravian Church continues in its mission to welcome neighbors and serve the community in Jesus' Name.

Throughout 2015, as the congregation observes its milestone 200th Anniversary, the folks of Sharon Moravian Church are engaging in projects to continue the legacy of mission and service. The "200 for 200" campaign is a clever way to raise awareness and raise needed commodities for local and global causes. To kick the year off, the church sought to collect 200 needed items for the Twin City Food Pantry. And now the church is aiming to collect 200 items needed by the Tuscarawas County Humane Society. 

If you would like to support both the work of the Humane Society and the Sharon Moravian Church, please join in the effort. Your contributions may be delivered to the church during regular operating hours. Phone 740-922-5507.

Here are items you'll want to choose from: 

-Purina dry dog food
-Purina dry cat food
-wet cat food
-dog and cat treats
-bleach
-paper towels
-laundry detergent
-dish soap
-antibacterial hand soap
-garbage bags (40-60 gallons)
-dog and cat dishes
-toys
-leashes
-collars
-floor scrub brushes
-floor squeegees
-dog/cat crates
-buckets
-towels
-blankets
-scoopable cat litter

There's nothing newfangled about mission and service, but it never goes out of fashion.