4 • The Beacon March 13 , 2025
Volunteers play a big role in annual luncheons
By Josie Sellers For The Beacon
Many volunteers make the annual Lenten Luncheons happen each year . For the second year in a row , some of them are coming from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes .
Lauren Sommers , Grace Brigham , Emma Evans and Makayla Gingerich are part of the FCA organization at the Coshocton Christian School . They greeted those who attended the March 5 Lenten Luncheon and helped serve soup . Each of the young ladies were looking forward to helping .
“ I want to make someone ’ s day in some small way ,” said Gingerich , who is a junior at CCS .
Brigham , who also is a junior , said , “ Hopefully , I can interact with someone and make an impact on them in a way they didn ’ t know they needed .”
Their classmate Sommers said , “ I want to learn from people who have more life experience than me , and maybe I can be helpful to someone who impacts me .”
Evans , who is a freshman at CCS , said this was a good opportunity .
“ I ’ m able to help people in the community in ways I never thought of ,” she said .
John Strasser , FCA Coshocton area representative , said this was a good teaching experience for the students .
“ On the way here , we talked about them coming in and finding the person God tells them they need to talk to ,” he said . “ Even I ’ m meeting up with all sorts of people today . I just talked to my boss from 40 years ago ’ s wife .”
The Lenten Luncheons are held each Wednesday during the Lenten season at The Presbyterian Church , 142 N . Fourth St ., across from Court Square . The luncheons begin at 11:45 a . m . and end at 12:45 p . m .
The theme for this year ’ s luncheons is “ Connecting to a Higher Power .” The first message , “ Connecting to God Through Confession ,” was delivered by the Rev . Jeff Chapin , pastor of Conesville , New Moscow and Trinway United Methodist Churches . He encouraged attendees to confess their sins to God and not try to hide them .
“ In our culture today , we have a tendency to try and avoid conflict in relationships ,” Chapin said . “ God doesn ’ t want us to hide our sins . We need to confess and speak the truth to God .”
He reminded everyone there are consequences to our sins , and we need to try and practice selfcontrol when Satin attacks .
“ If we practice fasting and
Cristy Bower
The theme for this year ’ s luncheons is “ Connecting to a Higher Power .” The first message , “ Connecting to God Through Confession ,” was delivered by the Rev . Jeff Chapin .
confession before something happens , then it will become second nature for us during spiritual battles ,” Chapin said .
Soups and pies for the luncheon were provided by members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Grace United Methodist Church . A minimum donation of $ 5 is asked for the meal . Proceeds help Church Women United provide school clothing and shoes for children in need in Coshocton County .
“ We raised a record amount of money last year ,” Christa Ciotola from Church Women United said . “ We provided clothing and shoes for children from over 100 families , and we hope to be able to continue to do that .”
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We raised a record amount of money last year . We provided clothing and shoes for children from over 100 families , and we hope to be able to continue to do that .”
Christa Ciotola , Church Women United
Members of Scared Heart and Grace UMC donated pies and soups for the March 5 Lenten Luncheon .
Cristy Bower
Cristy Bower The Lenten Luncheons include a warm bowl of soup and spiritual message .