|
The
following are church events and fellowship opportunities
at First Church. A complete listing of all of the
Church Events can be downloaded by clicking on the
"Weekly Revelations" located in the box
to the left.
2010
Offering Envelopes are available in the lobby. (There
are many left and waiting for pick-up.)
 We
use a variety of communication methods to keep members
up to date. Communicating using email is a method
that allows the church to communicate in a timely
and inexpensive manner. If you have a new email
address, please contact the church office with the
change.
The
South Cuyahoga Chapter of Thrivent Financial
for Lutherans has a vacancy on their board.
They are looking for someone to serve as the Communication
Director for the Chapter. Your role as a Communication
Director is to support community service teams and
the chapter as they communicate with the public
about activities being done through Care Abounds
in Communities programs. This is a great opportunity
to be a part of your local Thrivent chapter. The
group meets once a month to discuss local projects
and events and was able to distribute over $28,000
to 31 worthwhile projects in our area in 2009. Please
contact Gary Walters (440/230-0739) if you have
an interest. He can provide additional information
and a more detailed summary of the Director’s
role.
 First’s
Aid Is Temporary Help (FAITH) – Church
members recovering from injuries or surgeries could
use our help in their daily activities – rides
to the doctor or to church, pick up prescriptions
or groceries, etc. Our goal is to provide these valuable
services in rotating 1 or 2-hour time slots by our
healthier members who can select preferred days and
times – or – choose to volunteer as a
substitute only. Help will then be just a phone call
away for 2 or 4 hours each day for up to 4 weeks,
as determined by the number of available volunteers
and the requestor’s individual needs. Both will
be provided with schedules. Please call or email Yvonne
(440/846-8055 or bookofjohn1414@juno.com)
for details, questions, or suggestions – or
– sign up in the lobby and I will contact you
at your convenience. We’re anxious to get this
group of FAITH organized. Thanks!
 Capital
University Chapel Choir 2010 Mini-Tour
– Sunday, February 7, 4 PM
at Fairlawn Lutheran Church (3415 W Market St, Akron,
330/836-7286).
 JOY
Group Tuesday, February 9,
12:15 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a “brown
bag” lunch – dessert & beverage
will be provided. We are delighted to have Sandy
Kaskey & Paul Runevitch presenting a dramatic
reading entitled “Love Letters.” The
play chronicles the lives of two good friends as
they correspond through letters beginning with a
child’s birthday party invitation. Please
join us for this entertaining program. Hosting:
Eleanor Preston (440/572-5257) and Bonnie Newling
(440/465-6125).
 JobSearch
- Lets Talk Resumes - Thursday, February
11
7 to 8:30 PM
- For
more information contact:
Dawn Zima, 440-821-6545, dzima@cox.net
We
will be cleaning the kitchen, storage, and
hall closet on Friday, February
12. We hope you will help us and come at
9 AM. We need men and women. We’ll have the
coffee on!
The Strongsville Food Bank
will be open Saturday, February 13,
9:30 – 11:30 AM. Picture ID and proof of Strongsville
residency required.
 Transformation
Team Update!
Here is another invitation from the Transformation
Team to join in open conversation. The discussion
sessions are going to be held onSaturday,
February 13 after 5 PM worship (Tom Serdar
will facilitate) and on Sunday, February
14 at 9:45 & 10:45 AM (Rae Alexander
and Stacey McNamara will facilitate). The dialogue
will be focused on the future for mission projects,
both locally and globally, at First Lutheran Church.
Please take time to be a part of this important
process. Your involvement will help shape the future
of our church family.
 Ash
Wednesday Services - Begin the Lenten journey
to the cross of Christ withworship on Ash Wednesday,
February 17. There will be two
brief services of prayer and imposition of ashes
at 6:30 and 7 AM, and then a service of Eucharist
and imposition of ashes at 7:30 PM.
 Acolyte
Training - is scheduled for Saturday, February
20 at noon. The training is open to all
current 5th graders and above.No sign up necessary.
Just show up!
IHN needs your help during the week of February
28 at Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Brecksville.
Help withdinner,
evening hosting, or overnight hosting. If you have
any questions, or want to help out, call Pat Sauernheimer
(440/891-1505) or
Dennis Beckman (440/238-0176). We’re looking
forward to a fun and rewarding week – come
join us!
 Volunteer
Tax Preparers needed – No experience
necessary. People skills and basic computer knowledge
is all you need. Training provided attending class
or on the web – sites and times vary, accommodating
your schedule. Sites run from February thru
April 15. Located in libraries, community
centers, churches, etc. Desire to help low income
families and seniors. To register or get more information
– online or call: Earned Income Tax
Coalition: volunteer@refundohio.org.
First Call for Help: telephone 211. The IRS: sharon.flynn@irs.gov
(Sharon Flynn).
Youth
Events: |
 (K-5
grade) – Sunday, February 7, 2-4
PM – Movie “Hotel for Dogs”
& popcorn/snacks at church. |
 (6-8
grade) - Sunday, February 14
– Laser Tag/Mystery Dinner. Cost $20.
|
|  (9-12
grade) -
Friday/Saturday, February 5/6 – World
Hunger Awareness Lock-in, 7 PM – 2 PM.
Wednesday, February 24 – Drop In Night,
6:30 – 9 PM
Mark your calendars for the Youth Service
– February 13/14.
“Hang
Out” time. “Drop
in Night” – Mark your
calendars for the last Wednesday of every
month where the high school students are welcome
to come and hang out. During this time we
will be exploring what it means to be daily
living our faith. We will be doing Bible study,
watching movies, having discussions, and generally
just being together in the body of Christ.
Next event: TBA
|
Youth
are selling bracelets for $10 each. They would
be great gifts for upcoming graduations, birthdays,
etc. See a youth in the lobby.
FUEL, our High School youth,
are selling Giant Eagle Gift Cards.
Your purchase will help fund their trip to the
next National Youth Gathering. You will still
receive credit for the Giant Eagle Fuel
Perks Program. Cards can be purchased
at the youth table in the lobby. |
General
Information & "Stuff"
Do
you have a prayer request? Please use the bulletin
board over the water fountain to make your prayer
concerns known.
Stop
by the Welcome Center, in the lobby,
for additional information on our activities and
ministries.
Celebrations,
parties, or just everyday living ... if you shop
at GFS - don’t
forget to mention First Lutheran when checking out
and help First earn credit to supply future church
functions.
We
go every Tuesday evening to feed the homeless.
If you are interested in helping, please contact
Steve or Peg Gall (440/238-3019).
Donate
your altar flowers to local nursing homes
or our own church shut-ins. If anyone is interested
in assisting with delivering these flowers, please
contact Dave Potter (440/572-2675) or Reiner Mueller
(440/846-0532).
Cleaning
for a Reason - If you know any woman currently
undergoing Chemo, please pass the word to her that
there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning
– 1 time per month for 4 months while she
is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and
have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment.
Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating
maid service in her zip code area arrange for the
service. http://www.cleaningforareason.org.
We
need choir members! Come and experience
the joy of proclaiming God’s word in song.
We’ll be looking for you. All of our choirs
welcome new members.
Chancel Choir (9th – adult) – Wednesdays,
7:30 PM
Cherub Choir (K-2nd gr) – Wednesdays, 6:30
PM
Chapel Choir (3-8th gr) – Wednesdays, 6:30
PM
Bell Choir – Sundays, 7 PM
Brass Choir - Sundays, 8 PM
MHS’
new supported employment program is asking
for donations of men’s dress clothes
in good condition. Dress shirts, sweaters,
slacks, dress shoes, belts, ties, blazers, and suits
are needed by clients going on job interviews. Larger
sizes are especially needed, but all sizes are appreciated.
Please place any donations in the bin in the Fellowship
Hall entrance or hang the clothing in the closet
area by the Fellowship Hall. Thank you for your
support.
Strongsville
Emergency Food Bank - The Food Bank is
open to Strongsville residents year-round: Monday
thru Friday, 9:30 – 11:30 AM and including
the 2nd Saturday of every month. Call 440/846-0197
for more information. Nonperishable
food items can be placed in the shopping carts by
the side and Fellowship Hall entrances. This is
taken to the Strongsville Food Bank.
Prayer & Care – our group
will be meeting on the first Thursday of the month.
We address and send out cards, share concerns, and
pray for members and friends at First Lutheran.
Please join us at 1 PM. We usually meet about 1
hour. Questions? Call Sue Kalwasinski (440/238-5164).
Stop
by the Welcome Center, in the lobby, for additional
information on our activities and ministries. The
2009 Altar Flower & Bulletin chart is up in
the lobby. Sign up today!
Both
pastors offer open office hours for anyone who wants
to stop by to shareconcerns. It is helpful to call
in advance for an appointment. Drop-in visitors
are received on a first come, first served basis.
Pastor Chuck’s hours are 10 -
noon on Tuesday.
Pastor Kathy’s hours are 10 – noon on
Wednesday
CWWV/MHS are in need
of furniture donations. If you have
items to donate, please contact Susan Elioff .
Celebrations,
parties, or just everyday living ... if you shop
at GFS - don’t
forget to mention First Lutheran when checking out
and help First earn credit to supply future church
functions.
Click
Here for Channel 5 news footage from
the first U2charist at First Lutheran Church!!
| Web
Site Stats |
| Month |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
Jan |
NA |
369 |
349 |
539 |
Feb |
NA |
397 |
394 |
84 |
Mar |
NA |
596 |
347 |
|
Apr |
NA |
372 |
441 |
|
May |
NA |
390 |
336 |
|
Jun |
NA |
329 |
379 |
|
Jul |
NA |
371 |
415 |
|
Aug |
NA |
316 |
486 |
|
Sep |
206 |
338 |
501 |
|
Oct |
390 |
343 |
454 |
|
Nov |
319 |
343 |
548 |
|
Dec |
398 |
462 |
553 |
|
Totals |
1,313 |
4,626 |
5,023 |
623 |
|
Grand
Total Hits
as
of January 23, 2010 |
11,765 |
|
DESIRE!
I
want to be like Mike. Not the tongue-wagging, basketball-slamming,
hall-of-fame-highlight-reel Mike. The other Mike. The guy that’s
my personal trainer. And, not because he’s ripped or sculpted
or has extraordinary athletic abilities (though I know I can
ride faster on a bike than he can). Rather, because he’s
disciplined. He does what he says. He’s able to motivate.
He inspires. He’s a great teacher. I need that in my life.
Because
I tend to look at almost everything through a theological lens,
I found it pretty easy to draw some parallels between my training
sessions and the Christian faith. Being in relationship with
Jesus is a lot like working with Mike. Jesus doesn’t let
things slide, or allow us to sit on our laurels. Isn’t
it true that Jesus is always challenging us to become something
greater than what we are at the moment? Keep forgiving, Jesus
prods. I know it’s hard, but you’ll be free. Love
your enemy, he chides. It’s not easy, but you have much
to gain. Real power is revealed in serving. Allow the old person
to die so a new person may arise. True glory is achieved at
the cross. Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.
Store up treasure in heaven where moth and rust can’t
destroy. Humble yourselves. Admittedly, that’s tough stuff,
but when we follow where Jesus leads we find ourselves constantly
renewed, restored, and resurrected.
Another
parallel has something to do with life in the Christian community.
If we want to be healthy we have to actually exercise our “spiritual
muscles.” We can’t just sit on the sideline and
let others do the work for us. If we don’t participate,
if we don’t jump in and do something, if we aren’t
active, then we can be sure that our spiritual lives with shrivel
up and eventually die. 
It
would be easy to sit on the couch or sleep in or eat an extra
donut instead of working with Mike. But, what would that accomplish
other than to create a more slippery slope toward sickness and
disease? Think about that in terms of life in the church. It
takes work, dedication, commitment, and a willingness to experience
some discomfort in order to build up the body of Christ (the
church). If you’re being lazy, it’s
time to get moving! We need you!
For
a few hours every week I pretty much let Mike take over my life.
I just do what he tells me and trust that he’s going to
make me a stronger, healthier person. Imagine what would happen
if we allowed Jesus the same luxury.
Volunteer
at First Church! 
