First Communion Learning Ready to Go
Heather will be leading our First Communion learning mini-retreat on Saturday morning from 9:00 - 11:30 am. I'll be present to assist and lead some of the activities. We are expecting nine children, mostly 2nd graders for this year's program. First Communion will be on Palm Sunday, April 2 at the 10:00 service. If you want to learn more about the program, you can see the schedule HERE.
Directory Coming Together
I spent some hours this week on the new picture directory, using the online software that we have subscribed to. We have uploaded names, contact info, and photographs to the website instantchurchdirectory.com, and the software puts it all together. In addition to the photographs, there will be staff and activity pages, and pages at the end with names and phone numbers. The directory will initially be posted online in a password protected pdf, and once we know to the best of our abilities that all the information is correct, we will have hard copies printed from the pdf. An initial check with a website that offers booklet publishing, it will cost $10-11 dollars for each copy of the book that we print. We could save a few dollars per book if we have it printed locally at, say, the UPS store, and then bind it ourselves with a plastic or wire binding system.
Eastern Conference Pastors Met
The Eastern Conference Pastors met for our monthly meeting on Thursday, this time at Faith in Fremont. It was interesting to see the improvements that Faith has made in their building, notably a complete remodel of the fellowship hall, which now looks very nice. Pastor Katie from Grace Castalia explained some of the building woes at Grace, including a leaky roof that needs to be replaced, along with asbestos abatement. Very expensive. Pastor Matt also reminded us of the roof repairs happening at St. John's, with costs covered by a recent capital campaign.
Constitution Meeting
John Avers, Linda Baumer, and I had our first meeting on Wednesday of a task force to review the Grace Constitution and suggest both required and discretionary changes to the constitution. This is a big job, so it will take some time. We will be using the following documents in our work:
- ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations, 2022 edition
- 2022 Amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations
- 2018 version of the Grace Constitution
Midweek Lent Series "Amazing Grace" Concludes Wednesday
Join us for our Amazing Grace Lenten series based on the beloved song that celebrates its 250th anniversary this year. In the final service in this Lenten midweek series, "we marvel at the story of amazing grace in the life of Paul, who turned from persecutor of Christ to proclaimer of our Lord through the mighty power of the Holy Spirit. In the same way, cross of Christ changes us all from enemy to friend." Supper is served beginning at 5:30 pm, and worship begins at 6:30 pm.
Gearing Up for Holy Week
Staff is getting ready for what is often the busiest week of the year with extra bulletins, music and sermons to prepare for. Here is a quick summary of our services that Linda printed in the newsletter:
- Palm Sunday
We will reenact the first Palm Sunday as we wave palms and enter the sanctuary in celebration as Christ comes into our midst, and we follow as his path leads to death on the cross.- Maundy Thursday - 6:30 pm
In this service we remember Christ’s last meal with his disciples, but the central focus is his commandment that we live out the promise embodied in this meal. Departing worship in solemn silence, we anticipate the coming days.- Good Friday - 6:30 pm
We will hear John’s passion account as Jesus is put on trial and sentenced to death. Standing with the disciples at the foot of the cross, we pray for the whole world in the bidding prayer, and repeat the solemn reproaches as we are reminded of our own guilt in the death of Christ. We depart silently, and we anticipate the hope and victory that will be revealed on Easter Sunday.- Easter Sunday
Christ is risen, and through him all creation is made new! We sing hymns of praise, gather around sacred words, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and love in the feast of holy communion. We depart with joy to proclaim the good news of God’s endless love.
Good Friday Fish Fry is Back
The Good Friday Fish Fry will once again be serving up yummy Lake Erie perch on Good Friday beginning at 5:00 pm with both dine in and carry out options available. The cost of $20 for adults, and child meals will also be available. All profit from the dinner will benefit the Grace Soup Kitchen, which needs some financial help right now.
Some have noted the high price, and wondered why. I found this info on the web from last year, but I'm guessing the reason hasn't changed:
There’s a surprising reason behind the price hike that has more to do with natural life cycles in Lake Erie and less to do with supply chain issues during the pandemic or high gas prices after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
A local fishery says the main factor in the rising wholesale prices of fish is because the population of perch has been down – for 2-3 years actually.
Clark Stinson at Port Clinton Fish Company says the population of perch is down because the population of walleye is up. That’s bad news for perch because walleye like to eat perch for dinner – but so do many Northeast Ohioans, especially on Fridays during lent.
The company says the Ohio Division of Wildlife cut their quota for the amount of perch they are allowed to catch based on below average hatches. Pair that with the lack of perch actually swimming around in the lake, and they can’t even keep up with that lower quota.
Thankfully, the company says this cycle won’t last and Lake Erie perch will once again be abundant in years to come.
The Osterholm Update - Covid-19
March 23, 2023 - Episode 127 - "A Tough Two Weeks"
In "A Tough Two Weeks," Dr. Osterholm shares why the past two weeks have been among the most challenging of the pandemic for him. He also provides an update on global and national COVID trends, examines the latest data on the possible source of the pandemic, and answers a COVID query on booster shots following COVID infection. ou can stream or download the episode HERE.
No comments:
Post a Comment