Side-by-Side Ministry: From Pastor Chris
Side-by-Side Ministry: From Pastor Chris
Side-by-Side Ministry: From Pastor Chris
June, 2013
No matter how many times I see the pictures of the aftermath of the tornado in Oklahoma, the image of a mother finding her child alive and embracing him like she would never let him go, brings tears to my eyes. It is the picture from Jesus parable where the Father runs to embrace his lost son with unbounded joy, saying let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' Sometimes I get lost in worries, in busyness, in pride, in stubbornness, in grief, in frustration, in sadness, in distractions, (or in my car). Sometimes I am lost in things that separate me from my faith. Yet, every time I am lost, God finds me and wraps me in divine arms of forgiveness, unconditional love and acceptance, humility, joy, freedom, and focus on what really matters. God loves finding us, and saying, Lets celebrate! Luke 23 has lots of celebration, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lostRejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lostRejoice with me for I have found my son/daughter that was lost. Luke 19:10 says, For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost." May we who know what it is to be lost and found, become seekers of those who are yet lost. May we help sort through the rubble of this life, listening for sounds of life, for calls for help. May we be Christs first responders, the love that runs to embrace and then calls for celebration. Amen!
Special Events
Graduation Recognition at St. John and St. Paul
Sunday, June 2, 8:45 at St. John, 10:30 at St. Paul
Please let our church offices know of any graduates in your family, including high school, trade school, and university degrees. Newsletter and bulletin deadline is Friday, May 24th. Thank you!
Fri., June 7th Sat. June 8th, 9 a.m. 5 p.m., 4928 Oak Harbor Road, Fremont
Support our SNAP Ministries (Supporting Native African Pastors) and Pastor Claudes ministry Enormous multi-family barn/garage sale - Antiques, baby & children's clothes, games, toys, household items, furniture, sporting equipment and much more. All money goes to educate the children of our African pastors.
Want more? Come to Sundays Worship at both churches as we explore the scriptures behind the reading. Miss a Sunday? Remember sermons are available on our website www.sidebysideministry.com! Sunday Mornings Adult Class at St. Paul as they have discussion over coffee at 9:00 a.m. Mens Breakfast & Bible Study on the 2nd and 4th Saturday at 7:30 a.m., June 8 @ St. Paul, June 22 @ St. John If you are interested in forming a discussion group at another time, please talk to Pastor Chris.
Sundaes on Saturday
Saturday, June 29th, 1-4 p.m. at St. John
St. John invites everyone with a sweet tooth to come have it satisfed! Make your own Sundae with an assortment of ice cream and toppings offered no cost, just our treat.
Womens Bible Studies (WELCA Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America)
All women are invited to participate! St. John Women usually meet on second Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. Next. Meeting is Wed. June 12. St. Paul WELCA will meet 3rd Thursdays at 1:00. Next date is Thurs. June 20th.
Serving Others
Annual Baby Bottle Campaign - Begins Mothers Day and ends on Fathers Day
Heartbeat Pregnancy Center of Ottawa County has been a champion of the sanctity of every human life providing physical, emotional nd most importantly, spiritual support to hundreds of area residents. The funds provided by the Baby Bottle Campaign help continue to grow and serve those who need help. Celebration Chorus is on break for the summer, and will return to practice Sept. on Weds. at 7:30 p.m.. Noisy Offering for June is Lutheran Disaster Response for help with the victims of the tornado in Oklahoma. Food Pantry - For June, St. John is to bring cereal and St. Paul is to bring dish detergent. Next Pantry is June 15th if you know anyone who would benefit or like to volunteer. Lutheran World Relief Projects WELCA is asked to bring hand towels, baby socks, bags for school kits. Council Meetings St. Paul is 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd Thursdays or on June 13th and St. John is 7:00 p.m. on the 3rd Thursdays or on June 20th. Internship Many thanks to all who are making this possible through their generosity! If you or your group have a fund-raising idea you will be planning, please keep your council presidents informed thank you! If you would like to make a donation, please designate it for the Seminary Fund. We still need to raise around $5,000. Aaron Baughman and Sunny will arrive in September for approximately one year. We are still looking for a place to rent, so please keep your ears and eyes open. Thank you!
Prayer Chain If you have someone to put on the prayer chain or would like to be one of the prayers, you
may call Joan Harris at 419-734-3971 or 419-341-6373 for St. Pauls prayer chain. The St. John prayer chain contact is Myra Prokop at 419-798-5101. God promises that our prayers are heard! Prayer Shawl Plus Ministry - Meets Wednesdays after Bible Study at St. Paul, around noon. Thank you to this group for their Red, White and Blue shawls for armed forces families let us know if you know anyone with whom we might share our love and prayers! Also needed are White shawls for Baptism; Misc. shawls for our Church family and outreaches. Contact Sandra Reep at 419-732-7846 for patterns and yarn. PSM will take any donations of yarn, hooks, and needles. Mission Sundays for Northwest Ohio Synod - The third Sunday of each month is Mission Sunday and an offering basket is set out for donations to assist the ministries of our Synod, which includeTrinity Lutheran Seminary, Lutheran Outdoor Ministry of Ohio, Lutheran Disaster Relief, Global Mission, ELCA World Hunger, and others. Volunteer Opportunities -See www.sidebysideministry.com for more opportunities for serving.
Building Friendships
By Still Waters - Care for the Caregiver
Tuesday, June 11th 6:30 p.m. at the home of Jerry and Jo Meyer, 243 Elizabeth Drive If you are a caregiver of another (or one who wants to offer support), we want to create a safe place for you to come and take a break by still waters. An hour of restoration through conversation, sharing, support, and maybe even a little pampering will greet you, as we encounter a God who cares for the caregivers. Any questions? Please contact Kay Tibbels at 419-656-5093. Not Older, Just Better - This singles group will meet Monday, June 10th at Frischs in Port Clinton for lunch at 11:30. Call Marge at 419-798-8816 if you have questions, or need a ride. Hospitality Brunch and Lunch Sunday, June 16th , following each church service as we welcome Pastor Dale, celebrate Fathers Day and Pastor Chriss 10th ordination anniversary.
Youth
Confirmation Congratulations to Heather Lambert, Nathan Ahrens, and Nick Bossetti who completed
their studies and affirmed their baptisms on May 19th. Youth Watch for a mailing about special summer events to come soon. Sunday School - Sunday School for Pre-K through High School is on break until Sept. Adult class continues through the summer at 9:00 a.m. Hope you can come! Play and Pray Group to begin this fall on Sunday mornings for our precious preschoolers; watch for more information soon
Thank Yous
From St. John @ the Bay Thank you for your recent gift to St. John @ the Bay Lutheran Mission. Your
support and prayers are very much appreciatedplease remember to keep us in your prayers as we gather to experience the wonders of Gods amazing love and the bonds of an emerging Christian community!
From Cherish Our Children Thank you for your donation to Cherish our Childrenyour gift continues
your story of commitment to children and the many stories of people getting involved in prevention of child sexual exploitation. Thank you, again.
From LOMO (Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio Thank you for your 2012 gifts. We appreciate
your annual financial and prayerful support, as we continue to bring people together to experience Christ through our natural settings and programs. Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio - Register now for 2013
Summer and Retreat Programs at www.lomocamps.org
Misc. Stuff
Pastor Chriss Vacation times June 17 22; August 22 Sept. 2 Congratulations to former MIC student, Rick Jensen Rick graduated from Trinity Lutheran
Seminary on May 18th!