Revelations. June Dear Friends,

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1 Revelations of First Evangelical Lutheran Church Royalton Road Strongsville Ohio June 2018 Dear Friends, Recently I had the opportunity to take a week off. Amazingly, the weather cooperated and I was able to spend a good deal of time outside. I racked up a couple hundred miles on my bike(s), went to a college softball tournament, mowed the lawn and did some yard work, enjoyed early morning walks with Rocket, marveled at how Lebron James plays the game of basketball, binged a little Netflix, and spent some time reading. By the way, I would recommend Our Father, Reflections on the Lord s Prayer by Pope Francis if you re looking for something to use for your personal devotional time. Please don t take this personally, but I also worked hard at disengaging from church stuff. I tried to set aside worries and concerns. I didn t answer s or text messages. The laptop stayed in its case. That doesn t mean I neglected my spiritual life. Barb and I worshiped together at a neighboring Lutheran church, something we only get to do a few times a year. (We even went out to breakfast afterward!) It was wonderful to be on the receiving end of things, to be renewed by Word and Sacrament, to share the peace with people we didn t know but are connected to through the body of Christ, and to be inspired by good music and preaching. With summer upon us there will be many opportunities to take leave with family or friends. I pray that whatever your summer plans they may provide refreshment, reenergizing, and quality time with people you love and cherish. Make the most of this time God provides; you can t get it back. But I hope you will also remember to come to church and fulfill your stewardship promises. Summer is a great time to be in worship. The atmosphere is a bit different, maybe a bit more casual, and the lectionary takes us on an exciting journey of Jesus earthly ministry. Please take note of our summer worship schedule and plan to join your friends and family: Beginning June 17 we will worship at 9:00 (contemporary) and 10:30 (traditional). However, on the fourth Sunday of each month there will be only one service at 10:00 (traditional) as a way to give our praise band members a bit of a summertime break. Don t worry if you think you ll have a hard time remembering. We ll continue to send the weekly blasts, and we ll post the schedule on our website. Also, summer is a great time to invite friends and neighbors to church. Who do you know that might need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ? Why not invite them to come with you to church? Have a great summer everyone, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning! In Christ, Pastor Chuck

2 WORSHIP NOTES FOR Pentecost 2 Sunday, June 3 8:30 AM Contemporary Worship, Eucharist 11:00 AM ELW Setting 1, Eucharist Pub Church Tuesday, June 5 6:30 PM TGI Friday s in Strongsville Pentecost 3 Confirmation Sunday! Sunday, June 10 10:30 AM Blended Service, Eucharist Pentecost 4 Summer Schedule Begins! Sunday, June 17 9:00 AM Contemporary Worship, Eucharist 10:30 AM ELW Setting 1, Eucharist Recognition of Graduates Pentecost 5 One Service Only Sunday, June 24 10:00 AM ELW Setting 1

3 Congratulations to our 2018 Confirmands who will affirm their baptisms on Sunday, June 10 at the 10:30 AM blended service: Emily Brewer Giulia Fornaro Ethan Forse Lance Fowler Sidney Hoffman Zak Kakos Andrew Magons Meghan Sawitzke Megan Uline Your prayers are encouraged for these young Christians as they continue their journey of faith in our midst. ARE YOU GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL? We would like for you to send, or bring into the church office, a senior picture, along with a summary of your future plans. We will be putting a picture board together and it would not be complete without your smile. So, please try to respond as soon as possible; it is our hope that all information will be received by June 3. On Sunday, June 17, we will be formally recognizing our graduates both within our worship service, and at a reception following. We certainly hope that you and your family will consider joining us, at our 10:30 AM service that day, so that we might share in the celebration and joy of this important accomplishment.

4 PUB CHURCH Tuesday, June 5, 6:30 PM at TGI Friday s in Strongsville. All are welcome! OHIO SYNOD ASSEMBLY This year s Northeastern Ohio Synod Assembly meets June 8-9 under the theme Ambassadors for Christ. First Church will be represented by the pastors, along with Amy Kuntz and Bruce Holderead. Your prayers for the continued good work of the synod, Bishop Allende and his staff, and the ministries supported by the synod are welcomed and encouraged. LIFE LINE SCREENING Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems on Tuesday, June 12. All five screenings take minutes to complete. Register for a Wellness Package from $ There are three ways to register for this event and to receive a $10.00 discount off any package priced above $129.00, please call , visit cle or text the word circle to OVER 50 S GROUP Over 50 s Group will meet Tuesday, June 12 at 12:15 PM. Bring your bag lunch and join us! THANK YOU The Youth would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the Congregation, family and friends who helped make our Silent Auction a huge success! Thank you for helping our youth get to the Youth Gathering in June. We can t wait to make a difference in Houston. We encourage you to keep us in your prayers as we embark on this unforgettable opportunity of service, travel, interaction, worship, and Bible Study. PIERSTORF MEMORIAL LOAN FUND Provides interest-free loans to Lutheran students who are or will be enrolled full time in a four-year undergraduate program at any accredited college or university. This year, the maximum interest-free loan is $3,000 for the school year. For information, Complete the application by visiting the website. The deadline for all applications is Saturday, June 30, MISSION OPPORTUNITY AT NEW COVENANT On the fourth Saturday of each month through September 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, please contact Bruce Holderead at vancepack@wowway.com.

5 ORGANIST JOB OPPORTUNITY First Church is seeking a proficient organist. One traditional service on Sunday morning. Accompany chancel choir and ensembles. Special services including funerals and weddings. Willingness to work in a team ministry setting. For more information and a detailed job description please contact Pastor Chuck Knerem at pastorchuck1@gmail.com. Please share with anyone who may be interested, or anyone who may have contacts. COUNCIL LEADERSHIP POSITIONS Congratulations to the following who were elected to leadership positions at the last congregational meeting: Mike Magons Vice President Jim Horn Treasurer Darren Whitford At-Large Pat Sauernheimer Cabinet Liaison Terri Mosley Endowment Kris Krems - Endowment VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Thank you to everyone that completed the Vacation Bible School survey. After compiling the data and talking to many people, the Youth and Adult Enrichment Committee has concluded that we do not have enough available volunteers to host a VBS this summer. While we are saddened by this realization, we look forward to bringing back our VBS in future years. Please contact Jennifer Paine, Pastor Kathy or Stacey McNamara with any questions.

6 KIDS HOPE USA ENDING ANOTHER WONDERFUL YEAR! By the time you read this article, we will have completed our ninth year of mentoring. During the schoolyear, we mentored twenty-nine (29) students twenty-three (23) at Whitney and six (6) at Surrarrer. Watching the students grow and thrive made me feel so grateful to this congregation for supporting this amazing ministry. Mentors shared all sorts of talents and abilities with their mentees. They taught them to throw a football, make doll clothes, and look someone in the eye and greet them. They met academic, social, and emotional needs. Most importantly, they cared about their students and had fun, which was reflected in all that they did. This program would not be nearly as successful without the support of our prayer partners, who hold the mentors and their students up in prayer. Their prayers have made miracles of all sorts and sizes happen. Their behind the scenes caring remains a vital part of the program, and I am grateful for their support. I personally always feel better after having shared my mentoring joys and concerns with my prayer partner and go forth expecting great things to happen in my mentee s life. The students faces always brighten and huge smiles appear when they see their mentors arrive. They depend on them to show up for that one special hour each week. As one fifth grader told her mentor recently, I will always remember that you helped make me who I am. What a wonderful testimony to what mentors do! Thanks to the Church Council and to the congregation for the continued support of this mentoring program. If you are interested in becoming a mentor or a prayer partner for the next school year, please contact me at g.reichert68@gmail.com or YOU could be the one to make a difference in a child s life. For the kids, Gloria Reichert Director KIDS HOPE USA ONE child ONE hour ONE church ONE school

7 JUNE VOLUNTEERS 8:30 & 11:00 AM 10:30 AM 9:00 & 10:30 AM 10:00 AM June 3 June 10 June 17 June 24 Communion Communion Communion ONE WORSHIP Confirmation Sunday Summer Schedule ONE WORSHIP Acolytes Ellen Kolman 10:00/10:30/11:00 Skylar Horn Caroline Haggett Eva Hinojosa Brielle Rugar Samantha Hoffman Ushers Maureen Shorts 8:30/9:00 Maureen Shorts Ron Shorts Dave Bewie Maureen Shorts Dawn Evangelista Margaret Bewie Kurt Blankenship Joy Blankenship 10:00/10:30/11:00 Jerry Krueger Michelle Arula Bob Jacob Alan Evangelista Barb Krueger Linda Browning Brenda Jacob Dawn Evangelist Eddie Forse Hank Pekkola Dennis Beckman Eddie Forse Lori Forse Gayle Pekkola Jim Gist Lori Forse Readers & CA 8:30/9:00 Tony Rugar RCA Stacey McNamara RCA Barb Krueger Comm Assts: Melina Rugar Kurt Blankenship Judy Peach Joy Blankenship Chuck Whitecar Don Nielsen Gayle Kovach Connie Nielsen 10:00/10:30/11:00 Megan Uline R Renee Sadler RCA Comm Assts: Ben Blake Wayne Mosley Janet Kaiser Terri Mosley Greg Rath Laurie Uline Sandy Rath Nursery 8:30/9:00 Barb Krueger Bonnie Bailey Sandy Treudler Barb Krueger 10:00/10:30 Bonnie Bailey Ellen Kolman Erin Edwards Counting Teams Wade Zwingler Jim Gist Reiner Mueller Gayle Kovach Terri Mosley Mary Whitecar Sheri Gist Shelley Hoffman Rita Ross Pat Sauernheimer Gary Walters Al Hoffman Chris Hamel Daphne Leon Mary Walters Pierre David Carol Paulini Dick Kiplinger Altar Guild Dawn Evangelista Janice Hentosh Barb Krueger Sandy Rath Beth David Marsha Stephens Ellen Kolman Lynn Stenger Billie Hoffman Sheri Gist Beth David Shelley Hoffman Karen McFarland Tricia Nolder Jacquie McLemore

8 June 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :00 Prayer & Care 3 9:45 Sunday School 12:00 Bell Choir 4 7:00 - AA 5 6:00 Crossroad Stitchers 6:30 Pub Church 7:00 Toastmaster s 7:30 Al-Anon 6 7:00 WOW Board 7 6:30 Praise Band 8 Synod Assembly 9 9:00 Confirmation Rehearsal 9:30 Strongsville Food Bank One Worship Service Confirmation Sunday 10:30 AM 17 7:00 - AA 18 9:00 Life Line Screening 12:15 Over 50 s Group 7:00 Celebration 7:00 Toastmaster s 7:30 Al-Anon :30 Praise Band :50 WOW Nautica Queen (carpool) 11:00 1:00 PM 8:00 Praise Band Summer Worship Begins 9:00 & 10:30 AM 24 7:00 - AA 25 7:00 - Council 7:00 Toastmaster s 7:30 Al-Anon 26 10:00 Lydia Circle ONE Worship 10:00 AM Youth Gathering Youth Gathering Youth Gathering Youth Gathering 11:30 Youth Gathering Meeting 7:00 - AA 7:00 Toastmaster s 7:30 Al-Anon 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