Liquor Permit for Benchwarmers
This week two members of the Ohio Liquor Control board brought a petition to the church office giving St. John's the option of objecting to a liquor license for the new Benchwarmers sports bar and restaurant. The owner of the new business also stopped by a bit later and asked that, if possible, we could submit the "no objections" form sooner rather than later. ICS had already given the OK. I called Mrs. Lilly, and she said no objection from the Preschool. So I checked "no objection" and Kristen mailed it to Liquor control. For those of you looking forward to a new place to eat in Bellevue, you can learn more about the coming business in a Sandusky Register article which you can find here.
Pastor Paul Bailie Installation
Received this announcement from the Synod Office
We are pleased to announce that on Sunday, February 14, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Rev. Paul A. Bailie will be installed as Pastor of The Lift Parish. The parking lot service will be at:
St. John's Lutheran Church
212 N. Clover St.
Fremont, OH 43420
Due to Covid-19 the service is only open to the congregation and family. Please keep this ministry in your prayers.
Pastor Bailie replaces Pastor Scott in the LIFT ministry, who served you fruitfully for a number of months before I arrived. For more information abouat LIFT, you can go HERE.
Completed Report to Bishop
Every February, roster leaders such as pastors and deacons, submit a report to their synodical bishop. In the report, we respond to questions such as:
- As you relfect on the past year, what were the three (3) most significant developments, events or accomplishments in your personal and professional life?
- As you look forward to this year, what will be the top three (3) emphases of your ministry?
- How are you growing as a disciple and are you discipling others?
We are also asked to report on what we have done for continuing education and what our primary learnings have been. We report our compensation and benefits from the previous and current year. There are are other questions too numerous to mention, but as much as a burden it seems to be, it is a good way to get us to think and reflect on the past and prepare to engage the future.
Don and Marti Miller Thank You
We received a very nice note from Marti and Don. It is reproduced below:
Dear Pastor Mark and Members of St. John's,
Don and I thank you all so very much for the prayers, cards and phone calls --- God does answer prayers. Don is getting stronger a little day at a a time. He is in quarantine l6 months because his immune system is zero. Again, from the bottom of our hearts, Thank You -- adn God Bless you all.
Marti and Don Miller
Lent at St. John's
Lent officially begins on Wednesday, February 17, with Ash Wednesday Worship. This worship will be via our YouTube channel, which I will livestream beginning at noon, and will be available for your participation then or at a later or more convenenient time. I am also planning the following Lenten Season activities:
Midweek Lenten Worship
These services will be offered on Wednesday beginning at noon on YouTube, and available for your viewing any time after that. Our theme this year will be "The Puzzle of the Cross", and focus on the meaning of the central symbol of our faith, the cross of Jesus Christ. Our themes for each of the five weeks will be:- February 24 - "God"
- March 3 - "Humanity"
- March 10 - "Sin"
- March 17 - "Sacrifice"
- March 24 - "Salvation"
Participation in the ELCA Hunger Lenten Program "40 Days of Giving"
The ELCA has provided millions of dollars in support of programs around the world to alleviate world huinger. This emphasis will enable us to participate more fully in this life giving ministry. To do this, I suggest that we do the following:- Commit to giving $1, $2, $3 or more a day for 40 days of Lent. Is a goal of $1,000 realistic? I think so!
- Dowload and use the 40 Days of Giving Lenten Calendar for inspirational ideas for daily reflection and action, as well as prayers and relevant Bible passages. You can download the calendar HERE.
- Dive even deeper into our inspiring 40 Days of Giving content by subscribing to our weekly Lenten email series. You can find the subscription form HERE.
- Weekly videos, stories and information will explain about how our gifts to ELCA World Hunger are at work in the world.
Elevator Inspector here today
The trusty Elevator Inspector stopped by for the 6-month inspection. I found the key for the out outside entrance to the elevator mechanicals. He came back to report that everything checked out A-OK, and that the inspection interval has been extended to 9 months instead of 6. So he'll be back in 9. I didn't have to sign anything, and we should receive a copy of his report in the mail.
Confirmation Zoom
After a two month + hiatus, I resumed learning sessions with Confirmation youth on Wednesday evening in a 6:30 Zoom meeting. We had spent fall weeks, mostly in the parking lot, learning about the Apostles Creed. We had only gotten through the first two Articles, so we picked up where we left off with the Third Article --- I believe in the Holy Spirit. What does this mean? Let's review what the Catechism says:
I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him.
But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith.
In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it united with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.
In this Christian church day after day he fully forgives my sins and the sins of all believers.
On the last day he will raise me and all the dead and give me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true.
Zoom Meetings Continue
Thursday afternoon I joined the Synod "Transitional Leaders" Zoom from 3:00 to 4:30 pm.
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