THE CORNERSTONE Newsletter DECEMBER 2, 2018-JANUARY 12, 2019 The Cornerstone is your guide to ministry opportunities at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church. Look inside for ways to take next steps in your faith journey, grow deeper through service opportunities, and be encouraged through stories of God at work! If you d like more information about our church, please stop by the Connect Center in the lobby. Upper Arlington Lutheran Church web www.ualc.org email ualc@ualc.org phone 614-451-3736
WELCOME TO UPPER ARLINGTON LUTHERAN CHURCH I grew up in a small town in Indiana. Like most small towns, ours didn t have much for teenagers to do. In the face of that simplicity, we learned creativity. I spent many nights exploring back roads, throwing stones off old bridges, and drinking coffee while trading stories and laughter with friends. It was a simple kind of teenage life. In our little town, with little to do, we had big dreams. Many of my classmates and I shared one of those dreams to play music, create, and share what we had created. By the time I was a junior in high school there were four different rock bands in our little town. We soon discovered that nearby towns had kids forming bands as well. Before long, I was part of an organic network of teens across the state of Indiana that loved music. Each weekend I traveled across the state, playing songs I had helped to write in churches, basements and anywhere else that would let us take over a room for a few, incredibly loud, hours. Coming up this month: In our town, we started organizing and hosting local concerts. Bands would come to play in front of 100 teenagers from my high school. We had bands in from California, New Jersey and Florida. A 16-year-old organized all of this, made the money-side of things work, and advertised regionally to make the concerts economically viable. We turned our passion for music and our need for something to do into a small industry and a tight-knit community. Being a part of that community was life-changing for me. It s how I made friends, how I spent my time, how I made (a very small amount of) money and even how I met my wife. It s also how I came to learn just how much teenagers are capable of when they have a passion and put their energy toward meeting a real need. God has been at work at UALC to teach our congregation a similar lesson. Through the O 2 movement that started in our church last year, we are helping teenagers find a passion, discover their gifts and begin meeting real needs in our community. We are using mission trips, Bible studies and the O 2 Conference to discover the passions of teens and needs of our communities. We are connecting those teens to mentors in our church that can help them see what I didn t see in my high school experience that their talents and passions can be used for the mission of God! Already many projects have begun, and we are beginning to see what God is doing through this work. Join me in lifting up this movement and encouraging the next generation to join God s mission to meet real needs in our community! Blessings, Aaron Thompson Director of High School Ministry
Advent Season and Christmas Advent Midweek Services Come worship the Lord, hear reflections on the book of Isaiah, sing Christmas songs and celebrate Holy Communion. An oasis amid the season s hustle and bustle. Light lunch following. Lytham Road: Thursdays, Dec. 6, 13, 20 at 12:00 pm Joy to the World Children s Choirs Christmas Concert Bring family and friends to hear the Carol Choir and the Joyful Angels choir sing, and see a Nativity scene by the kids. After the concert, grab a Christmas cookie and visit with new friends. Lytham Road: Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2:00 pm Christmas Celebration with UALC Choirs Join us for the music of the season and the message of wonder and awe! Christmas music from traditional to contemporary will fill the church. The choir, worship band, handbell choir and instrumentalists will lead us in song. Lytham Road: Sunday, Dec. 9 at 9:00/10:30 am Mill Run: Sunday, Dec. 16 at 9:00/10:30 am Christmas Eve Services Monday, December 24 Lytham Road 4:00 Family Service 4:00 Family Service* Mill Run 5:00 Family Service 5:00 Family Service* 7:30 Contemporary Service 7:30 Contemporary Service 9:00 Traditional Service 9:00 Contemporary Service with Communion 10:30 Traditional Service with Communion *Nursery Open Christmas Day Service Celebrate the birth of our King on Christmas morning. Tuesday, December 25 Lytham Road: 10:00 am Traditional Service with Communion New Year s Eve Jazz Concert and Worship End one year and bring in the next with cool music and hot coffee. Monday, December 31 Mill Run: 5:30 pm Jazz Concert. 6:00 pm Jazz Worship Service with Communion
COMING UP The Nativity at UALC Visit the near life-size displays of figures, handcrafted by the Fontanini family of Italy, depicting the familiar account of the first Christmas. MR and LR during church hours Contact: Larry Weaver, 614-595-6268 Advent Devotions and Lunch Longing for More will be our theme as we gather in the Sanctuary for a service of the Word and Communion. Learn from the prophet Isaiah how God has promised to meet the deepest longings of our hearts and world. Thursdays, Dec. 6-20, 12:00-12:45 pm, LR. Advent Devotions will be followed by a free lunch in the Fellowship Hall, donations accepted. LSS Food Pantry Serve persons in need by assisting them with gathering food and hygiene items along with fresh produce and meat items. Monday, Dec. 17, 11:30 am-2:30 pm 1430 South Champion Ave Contact: Tom Andres, 614-457-9070 International Fellowship Volunteers Trained IFI Volunteers are needed to host international students for Christmas. Details and register: ualc.org/ifi Contact: Jerry Cale, jerry66.cable@gmail.com Thursday Bible Study During the season of Advent, which means coming, we ll be exploring the book of Revelation to discover the events surrounding Jesus second coming, and how believers can be prepared for the day of His appearing. Thursdays, Dec. 6, 13, 20, 11:00-11:50 am, LR Thursdays, Dec. 27, Jan. 3 - no study Thursday, Jan. 10, 10:30-11:30 am, LR Women s Winter Bible Study Where did everything come from? Why is the world so broken? Why do you exist? Join Women of the Word (WOW) as we search for answers in the first eleven chapters of Genesis in God of Creation, a 10-week study by Jen Wilkin. Starts the week of Jan. 8, various times, $16 fee Details and registration: ualc.org/adults Contact: Christie Masheter, wow@ulac.org Mill Run Sunday Services 9:00 am Sanctuary 10:30 am Xalt WORSHIP SCHEDULE Lytham Road Sunday Services 9:00 am Traditional 10:30 am Xalt and Celebration
MORE OPPORTUNITIES Grands Group Join other grandparents as we encourage and pray for one another in our role as grandparents and study the book Courageous Grandparenting. Wednesdays, starting Jan. 2, 9:30-11:00 am, LR, $16 fee Contact: Christine Thompson, 614-488-4634 Alpha This is the perfect setting to explore the meaning of life and enhance your Christian faith! We share a meal, listen to a video teaching and participate in a small group discussion. Mondays, beginning Jan. 14, 6:15-8:45 pm, MR, No fee to attend, nursery available Details and registration: ualc.org/alpha Contact: alpha@ualc.org Monthly Lunch and Program Enjoy a catered lunch (donations accepted) and good conversation followed by a brief program. January program TBD Thursday, Jan. 10, 11:45 am- 1:00 pm, LR Contact: adults@ualc.org, 614-451-3736 ext. 4652 In-Town Mission Trip Join the Bed Brigade and help build beds for people in need in the Hilltop. All skill levels welcome. Sunday, Jan. 13, 2:30-4:30 pm, MR adults@ualc.org, 614-451-3736 ext. 4652 Ladies of the Club Enjoy lunch and fellowship with other mature single women. Join us for the December Christmas lunch. Friday, Dec. 14, LaScala s Italian Bistro, 4199 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., Dublin RSVP: Charlene, 614-226-8480 Getting Close to Jesus After sharing the Christmas story, each child was given a piece of the nativity to add to the stable during Praise time at UALC Preschool and Kindergarten. As you can see by the photo, the children all put their piece as close to baby Jesus as they could get it. Oh, this can make a grown ups heart burst as we can all learn from these precious children, to get as close to Jesus as we can! - UALC Preschool and Kindergarten staff SERVING OPPORTUNITIES Serving Our Neighbors (SON) Ministries Opportunities Family ESL Program Volunteer Choose when and how often you serve based on your schedule! Tuesday/Thursday Evenings, MR Orientations available in January and February Snack Angels Provide a light meal once or monthly for the hungry children who attend our Family ESL Program. Office Support Help us with administrative duties during regular business hours. Details: ualc.org/service Contact: Kathleen Turvy, 614-586-7939, kturvy@son-ministries.org
FAMILY, YOUTH & CHILDREN Children s Ministry Next Step Workshops - Following Jesus with Your Baby For babies through two years old and parents Sunday, Dec. 2, 9:00 am, LR Sunday, Dec. 9, 9:00 or 10:30 am, MR Living in a Digital Age For third graders and their parents Sunday, Dec. 2, 10:30 am, LR Sunday, Dec. 9, 9:00 or 10:30 am, MR Details and registration: ualc.org/prek Contact: Andrea Taphorn, ataphorn@ualc.org Middle School Ministry (MSM) Group Christmas Party Come hang out with us at the last MSM of 2018 as we celebrate Christmas! There will be friends, food, games, and lots of Christmas music. You don t want to miss it! Sunday, Dec. 16, 4:30-6:30 pm, MR Next Step Workshop - Apostles Creed Join us for this workshop where we learn about believing in God through the Apostles Creed! It will be a blend of workshop style and MSM Group activities, meant for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Parents attend with students. Sundays, Jan. 6-27, 4:30-6:30 pm, MR, $15 MSM details and registration: ualc.org/middleschool Contact: Kelsey Payne, kpayne@ualc.org High School Ministry (HSM) Tetélestai This original musical was created for UALC youth ministries and has impacted lives for the last 40 years. All singing abilities welcome. Rehearsals: Sundays, Feb. 10-April, 12:30-5:00 pm, LR, additional rehearsals tbd Performances: Nashville, April 5-7 Columbus, April 12-14 Next Step Workshop - My Bible Intermediate A next step for students that have already completed Confirmation Capstone. This workshop will focus on giving students the knowledge and skills to read and interpret scripture on their own. These skills will last a lifetime! Free Sundays Jan. 6-Feb. 10, 9:00, LR or 10:30 am, MR Next Step Workshop - Confirmation Capstone UALC celebrates the important phase when students begin the adult life of following Jesus. Delve deeper into the foundations of the Christian faith and learn practical ways to be a daily follower of Jesus. Open to all high schoolers. Jan. 20 - Feb. 10, MR Retreat weekend Feb. 1-3 $50 fee, scholarships available HSM details: ualc.org/highschool Contact: 614-451-3736, Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org or Jon Zawodny, jzawodny@ualc.org
O2 Conference 2019 Get Involved O 2 is a church-wide movement that we own together. Here s what you can do to impact a student s life and meet the needs of our community. 1. Encourage students grades 6-12 to apply before Dec. 31 2. Become an O 2 Ambassador 3. Read up on the event and share with others 4. Attend the event on Feb. 23, 5:02-8:00 pm Mill Run Details and registration: o2conference.org Contact: David White, dwhite@ualc.org, 614-451-3736 Senior Prom Senior Prom is Elizabeth Weller s O 2 Conference project - an intergenerational event for students and senior citizens to interact in a comfortable setting. Food, dancing, and the talents of volunteers make for a night of fun, and meaningful conversation. Sunday, Dec. 9, 4:00-6:00 pm Off-site at Hilliard Davidson High School, 5100 Davidson Rd., Hilliard adults@ualc.org, 614-451-3736 ext. 4652 CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES 168 Film Project Mini-Fest The 168 Film Project is an incubator for filmmakers worldwide to explore faith-based film making. See the best films from the 2018 festival and learn how you can support this mission. Sunday, Dec. 30, 7:00-9:00 pm, MR Details: ualc.org/announcements New Sacred Art Corner Visit the Joy to the World sacred art exhibit featuring 16 works of art from around the world. Now in the Library Lane, MR Visual Arts Ministry (VAM) Show Now on display at both campuses, the art of the late Gordon Keith, a long time member of UALC. All artwork is for sale with a portion of proceeds going to UALC. MR and LR during church hours Contact: visualarts@ualc.org, 614-451-3736 Calling All Artists! The UALC Visual Arts Ministry (VAM) invites artists to take the Seven-Day Bible Art Challenge. You ll have one week (in February) to create an original artwork based on an assigned Bible verse. Youth and adult artists are welcome to enter. Cash prizes are awarded to first, second and third place winners in each division. Register by Wednesday, Feb. 13 7-day creation period: Feb. 20-27 Registration and details: ualc.org/7dayart Crafting Group Join us for fellowship while knitting, crocheting and fiber crafting. With a mission of giving, emphasis will be on crafts to be donated, though personal projects are welcome. All skill levels we come, come prepared with their own supplies. First and third Saturdays starting Jan. 5, 9:15-11:15 am, LR Contact: Dena Schnupp, 614-747-5126 or Gena White 614-745-6520 Quilt Ministry Show View quilts created by UALC members that will be donated to the charity of their choice. Jan. 13-Feb. 26, MR during church hours
Sermon Series Have you ever been left speechless by something awesome and wonderful? Maybe it was a majestic view, maybe unexpected good news? Perhaps it was the gift of new life. In Luke 1 and 2, this kind of awe and wonder surrounds the news of Christ s birth. The coming of Christ is a cause for worship and celebration! This Advent season, we ll enter into that story, and join the characters of the first Christmas in their awe, wonder and worship. We ll wonder, discover, sing, praise, pray and share as we proclaim the Good News and welcome Jesus into our lives like Zechariah, Mary, Elizabeth, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna and the magi did 2,000 years ago. Come, let us worship Jesus In Awe. SUNDAY SERMON SERIES TOPICS FOR DECEMBER 2-JANUARY 6: Zechariah s Prayer December 2 Scripture: Luke 1:5-25 Elizabeth s Confessions December 9 and 16 (alternating LR/MR) Scripture: Luke 1:39-45 Mary s Song December 9 and 16 (alternating LR/MR) Scripture: Luke 1:46-55 Zechariah s Praise December 23 Scripture: Luke 1:67-79 Simeon and Anna s Worship December 30 Scripture: Luke 2:22-38 The Magi s Visit January 6 Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 Find the worship schedule and weekly topics at ualc.org/stylesandtimes.