Revelations. August 2018

Transcription

1 Revelations of First Evangelical Lutheran Church Royalton Road Strongsville Ohio August 2018 Houston was hot, humid, and filled with an unbelievable volume of traffic. It was the unexpected city when it was first announced back in Many questioned its need, its ability to host 32,000 people, and what the draw might be. But believe me those questions were all answered during the 2018 Youth Gathering. Just four weeks ago, thousands of Lutheran s invaded hotels, eateries, malls, highways, airports, communities in and around the Houston area, as well as the entire NRG Complex. Together we accomplished way more than any one congregation or even Synod could do on its own. Together there were 437 hair donations, 1,248 units of blood collected, 40,000 books donated, 200 grace bags assembled, $260,000 donated toward the ELCA s Global Farm Challenge, and $261, given as a part of Sunday s closing worship service which will be used to support Prison Congregations of America, Inc., Global new starts, and the Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA. But this gathering was about more than all that we collected. It was about more than the service opportunities that we had or the opportunities we had to help our neighbor. For me the heart of our time together came as we were seated and listening to those who took the main stage. Sitting there in the midst of thousands our eyes and our hearts were opened as we were exposed to the personal stories of those who have been faced with the realities of living on the outside, those our society has labeled as different, unacceptable, ugly, addicted, self-mutilated, and even fat ; those who are looked upon as unable to fit in or belong. Together we heard the personal accounts of what labels can do and what alienation accomplishes. We heard of the destruction, struggles, and pains; as well as the realities of what only our God could accomplish and do in broken and empty lives. And let me tell you it is amazing; our God s love truly does change everything. I wonder sometimes if we really understand the magnitude of that reality in our everyday lives. Do we truly get just how deeply God s love can alter and change the very conditions of the lives people find themselves in the midst of? Do we give God that kind of credit or acknowledge that kind of power in and around us? Do you personally understand His love, His grace, and His hope in that light? I wish that we could have taken our entire congregation to Houston. I wish each and every one of you could have walked that journey with us. That you could have been right there alongside of us as we worked to improve an impoverished school building; that your hearts could have heard the stories of lives that have been changed; that you could have felt the impact of what people coming together in the name of God can do; that you could have danced, sang, laughed, cried, and experienced God s love as we did. But the reality is we don t need to travel to Houston to experience all of those things; not when the need for God s love surrounds us every day. Continued on next page

2 There are people all around us with stories to tell, people who feel like the outsider, the unwanted; people who need to be heard and loved. What might we do to offer God s love to them? There are people in need, people struggling to survive and put food on their table. Is there more that we can do to help our community and to provide for those who need that kind of assistance? And what about those who need to feel the strength of the community of believers? Are there more opportunities that we could and should be taking advantage of; opportunities to share the strength of our faith? The 26 of us who traveled to Houston encourage you to explore the possibilities that surround you. Think about how you/we might continue to serve our God and to share His love with others. We believe that God s love, His hope, His grace changes everything, and we are excited to see where that reality of our faith takes us in our journey together. In Christ, Pastor Kathy NEW ORGANIST Beginning September 1st we are excited to welcome to our First Church staff and family Mr. David Gooding. David comes to us with a rich background in musical leadership. Most recently he served as the Director of Music at Messiah Lutheran Church in Fairview Park. Among other positions, David has been the organist for the Cleveland Orchestra, chorusmaster for the Cleveland Opera, organist and choirmaster for Fairmount Temple, and resident music director for the Cleveland Playhouse. He is also an Emmy winner for his work on NBC-TV s Hickory Hideout. In addition to his many accomplishments and accolades, David is a successful voice instructor whose primary focus has become retraining and rehabbing the injured, abused, or difficult voice. He maintains a close relationship with the Voice Center of the Cleveland Clinic. David possesses a very engaging personality, is a person of deep and ever evolving faith, and is eager to get started. Please take time as you are able to give David a warm First Church welcome.the Cleveland Clinic

3 Worship Notes for Pentecost 11 Sunday, August 5 9:00 AM Contemporary Worship, Eucharist 10:30 AM ELW Setting 1, Eucharist Pentecost 12 Sunday, August 12 9:00 AM Contemporary Worship 10:30 AM ELW Setting 1 Pentecost 13 Sunday, August 19 9:00 AM Contemporary Worship, Eucharist 10:30 AM ELW Setting 1, Eucharist Pentecost 14 ONE TRADITIONAL SERVICE Sunday, August 26 10:00 AM ELW Setting 1 Our summer worship schedule continues through September 2.

4 UPCOMING EVENTS OVER 50 S GROUP will meet on Tuesday, August 14 at 12:15 PM. Bring your bag lunch and join us! MISSION OPPORTUNITY AT NEW COVENANT The members of New Covenant Lutheran Church in East Cleveland provide fresh produce to needy families in their neighborhood. If you are interested in assisting on Saturday, August 25, please contact Bruce Holderead at vancepack@wowway.com. SUNDAY SCHOOL We are seeking a few teachers and helpers for Sunday School this year. Schedules are flexible, all positions are shared to make sure you are only obligated to teach half of the lessons. No experience required, as you are given lessons to teach. You simply need to be excited to share your joy for Christ with our kiddos! If you bring that, we can take it from there! Please talk with Stacey McNamara at staceymac104@gmail.com or Pastor Kathy if you would like to learn more! RALLY DAY 2018 Sunday, September 9 will be fun for all. Join us as we welcome a new Sunday School Year. Registration and an opportunity to meet your teachers, a ONE blended service at 10:30 AM following with our annual God s Work Our Hands service project. Watch for more details on this very special Sunday.

5 KIDS HOPE USA When the schoolyear begins later this month, we will begin our tenth year of mentoring. It is hard to believe that ten years have flown by as mentors from our congregation, supported by their prayer partners, have been making a positive difference in the lives of children in our community. We will continue our mentoring at both Whitney and Surrarrer Elementary Schools as we celebrate this tenth anniversary year. Whitney will continue to be our home school. Whitney s theme for this upcoming year will be Whitney Elementary Greatest School on Earth! and will have a circus theme. Sounds like fun! If you would like to become a mentor or prayer partner and become involved in this amazing organization, please contact me at or g.reichert68@gmail.com. We would love to have you, and I am sure you will enjoy your involvement. For the kids, Gloria Reichert Director KIDS HOPE USA

6 AUGUST VOLUNTEERS Acolytes Ellen Kolman 9:00 & 10:30 AM 9:00 & 10:30 AM 9:00 & 10:30 AM 10:00 AM August 5 August 12 August 19 August 26 Communion Communion ONE WORSHIP Dylan Bresnahan Tori Kakos Skylar Horn Hannah Carrossellia 10:00/10:30 Madelyn Fox Samantha Hoffman Ushers Maureen Shorts 9:00 Dave Chaya Bob Strong Al Hoffman Renee Chaya Maureen Shorts Shelley Hoffman Dawn Evangelista Al Hoffman Mary Barnes Kurt Blankenship Shelley Hoffman Alice Treiber Joy Blankenship 10:00/10:30 Alan Evangelista Jim Zakrajsek Ron Warzel Wayne Mosley Dawn Evangelista June Zakrajsek Mary Jane Warzel Steve Harris Eddie Forse Reiner Mueller Chuck Kaskey John Brinzo Lori Forse Rolf Gaab Sandy Kaskey Alfonso Hinojosa Readers & CA 9:00 Paul Worsencroft RCA Jonathan Paine - R Mike Mcnamara RCA Barb Krueger Comm Assts: Kelly Worsencroft Mike Thellman Don Nielsen Jeanine Kowalewski Connie Nielsen Gail Landfried Jan Kappus Melina Rugar 10:00/10:30 Mike Magons RCA Alan Evangelista - R Maryann Tower RCA Megan Uline - R Comm Assts: Ben Blake Alfonso Hinojosa Debbie Dudas Kerry Mclemore Janet Kaiser Jacquie McLemore Nursery 9:00/10:00 Jennifer Paine Gayle Kovach Gerri Sagan Bonnie Bailey Bonnie Bailey Kelly Worsencroft Sandy Treudler Barb Krueger Ellen Kolman Counting Teams Gayle Kovach Sam Reichert Terri Mosley Wade Zwingler Terri Mosley Rita Ross Rolf Gaab Bob Jacob Mary Whitecar Christ Hamel Jackie Wojciehowski Bob Snyder Pat Sauernheimer Carol Paulini John Brinzo Heather Snyder Daphne Leon Altar Guild Pat Sauernheimer Dawn Evangelista Janice Hentosh Barb Krueger Beth David Janet Kaiser Marsha Stephens Ellen Kolman Lynn Stenger Sandy Kaskey Sheri Gist Beth David Shelley Hoffman Tricia Nolder Jacquie McLemore

7 August 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :00 Prayer & Care :00 Praise Band Rehearsal :00 Crossroad Stitchers 14 7:00 WOW Board Meeting :30 Strongsville Food Bank 8:00 Praise Band Rehearsal :15 Over 50 s Group 7:00 Celebration Meeting 7:00 Cabinet Meeting 21 10:00 Lydia Circle :00 Praise Band Rehearsal One Worship Service 10:00 AM SPARK Event?? Pastor Charles Knerem Pastorchuck1@gmail.com First Evangelical Lutheran Church Royalton Road Strongsville OH Pastor Kathleen Kluck Office hours: Monday & Friday 8-2, revklk@gmail.com Tuesday Thursday 9-2 firstchurchalive@hotmail.com