SPAGHETTI DINNER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Spaghetti Dinner will be MAY 18TH from 4-8:00pm. We will need drivers to deliver meals to homebound, bakers, servers, set-up, clean-up, cashiers, to-go meal leader, marketing and kitchen help. Please sign-up if you are willing/able to help in any way.
OUT OF OFFICE:
Sara Chapman will be taking a vacation day on Friday, April 26th and the office will be closed. Messages will be checked throughout the day and if there is a pastoral emergency, please call Pastor Don on his cell, 440-391-9823.
DS LEWIS AND DS HITCHCOCK WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
A series of Listening Posts is scheduled throughout the district during April and May. All clergy, church leaders, and other church members are encouraged to come and share with the DSs how you are present in and reaching out to your communities.
To start the discussion, consider the questions:
- How are you loving your neighbor?
- How are you inviting people to Christ and the church?
- In what ways are you partnering with other UMCs or churches in your community?
- How are you taking the Gospel to your community?
- How can the district come alongside you in ministry?
- What do you need from us?
- What kind of training would be helpful for your church?
- You may attend any Listening Post that is convenient for you.
April 6 - complete
April 14 - complete
April 16 - complete
April 21 - complete
Thursday, May 16, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Akron: First UMC
Sunday, May 19, 4:00-5:30 p.m. at Chardon UMC
Tuesday, May 28, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Jefferson UMC
Thursday, May 30, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Ravenna UMC
Again, you are encouraged to participate in any of the Listening Posts that will work for your schedule.
I'd be glad to go with anybody able to attend one.
Rev. Don Kraps
BOOK CLUB:
West with Giraffes, by Lynda Rutledge is “a wonderful novel based on the true story of the cross-country road trip America’s first giraffes took in 1938. It’s also a coming-of-age story that demonstrates the positive influence caring friends and gentle animals can have on a young man’s life”. We will discuss this book on Monday, May 6th @ 7:00pm in the church parlor. Hope to see everyone on May 6th for food, fun, fellowship and discussion.
THE ROCKPORT MEN’S GROUP
will meet on Thursday, May 9th at 6:30 pm at the church for a potluck dinner. There will be a great meal and time for fellowship. We will have a presentation by Wade Steen on the Cleveland Metroparks. Wade leads and manages all aspects of Cleveland Metroparks finance department including short- and long-term budgeting, accounting, auditing and payroll. As CFO, Steen serves as an ex officio officer of the Board of Park Commissioners and advises the Board on financial requirements. Wade has over 35 years of experience in not for profit and government management including in financial reporting, budgeting and auditing. Most recently, Wade was President and Founder of Steen & Company LLC in Columbus, Ohio, as well as Commissioner of the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority and Board Member of the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio. He previously served as the Fiscal Officer for Cuyahoga County from 2011 to 2013.This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Cleveland Metroparks. Everyone is invited to come and hear this informative presentation by Wade. Come and enjoy this special time together!
GRADUATES!
If you have a graduate from high school, college, or trade school, please let us know! We will be recognizing all graduates at our Youth Sunday Worship on July 28th, as the Youth conduct the service.
BOTTLE CAPS!
The Youth Group are collecting bottle caps for a mission project. The plastic kind from 2 liter and 16/20/24 oz bottles. The Youth Group will explain it all soon! There will be a container on the Christian Ed table to dump your caps in! Thank you!
ROCKPORT MUSIC MINISTRY:
Choir will be on break after May 5th and during the summer and will return after Labor Day. There are special music opportunities for anyone for Summer 10:00am Sunday worship services. Please sign-up on the bulletin board for any Sunday this summer to do special music. Contact Susan Shick, Music Director/Organist at home, 440-331-5718, cell,440-364-9672, or the church, 440-331-9433 with any questions.
CHAT AND CHEW ADULT DISCUSSION GROUP!
Come and join us at 12 noon, bring your lunch and enjoy your food AND a great discussion! We will explore various topics in the church and Bible.
SUMMER DATES:
May 20th, June 17th-break, no chat and chew, July 15th
Volunteers needed for community VBS!!! Please see Kira!
Community VBS offered by Rocky River Presbyterian Church, St. Christopher Church, and Rockport UMC!
Presenting Gone Fishin’!
Monday, June 10 – Friday, June 14, 2024, at RRPC
More info available!
BIBLE STUDY-GOSPEL OF MARK:
This study will be Wednesday Nights April 3rd through May 15th at 7:00pm led by Jim Spallino. Walk through the Bible’s earliest source for the life of Jesus with scholar Amy-Jill Levine as she examines John the Baptizer, the Little Apocalypse, the Transfiguration, and several of Jesus’s most notable stories and parables.
The Good News of the gospel message comes alive in this book, The Gospel of Mark a Beginner’s Guide to the Good News” by Amy-Jill Levine, as readers see Jesus as divine and human, powerful and weak, approachable yet mysterious. The book features an in-depth study of select passages and illuminates the Gospel in its historical context and as a source for the other gospels.
SUMMER STUDY:
What something fun to do this summer and also learn more about Jesus?
CHOSEN SEASON 1
The Chosen is a groundbreaking historical television drama based on the life of Jesus, seen through the eyes of those who knew him. Set against the backdrop of Roman oppression in first-century Israel, the seven-season show shares an authentic and intimate look at Jesus’ revolutionary life and teachings. With over 200 million viewers, The Chosen is one of the most watched shows in the world!
Please join us Tuesdays from 6 – 7:30 pm, we will have dinner, viewing the Chosen Season 1 (outside on the patio, weather permitting), prayer and discussion. Starting June 4 – July 23. An organizational meeting is scheduled on May 5th at 11:00am in the meeting room if you are interested in helping with this study.
COFFEE HOUR:
Please consider hosting coffee hour and sign-up on the bulletin board. Fellowship is so important to the life of the church and why not have a little snack at the same time!
GOOGLE DRIVE REMINDER:
February 2024 Church financials can be found here.
Go to the Rockport All Church Information folder, Financial Reports folder, 2024 Financials folder, or get a hard copy in the church office.
REMINDER:
Office hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00 - 2:00pm and Fridays from 8:00 - 1:00pm.
Rev. Don's office hours are Tuesday and Thursdays from 11:00 - 1:00pm
DISTRICT NEWS: http://www.eocumc.com/northcoast/
CONFERENCE NEWS: https://www.eocumc.com
General Conference 2020
April 23 - May 3, Charlotte, North Carolina
The General Conference of The United Methodist Church meets April 23 through May 3, 2024, in Charlotte, NC.
Stay up to date with the latest news, decisions and celebrations from this global gathering. Access the General Conference website.
The General Conference Guide includes lots of information, explainers, schedules, and maps of the conference site.
To watch General Conference, access the Live Stream site.
STORYBOARD EPISODE 33
Episode 33 is titled “Influence, Connection & Impact: Just Action”. The episode features an ecumenical panel of clergy and laity discussing ways that churches and faith communities can respond to the ongoing negative legacy of redlining that, generations since its inception, continues to impact who can live where in communities throughout the East Ohio Conference.
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April is Second Chance Month in the United States
“April is Second Chance Month, which began in 2017. We are in a season that we’ve just finished of Lent, and redemption, and lament, and forgiveness, and repentance, and doing a new thing, and new life. We all as Christ’s followers claim that for ourselves and for every single person who God created. Second Chance Month is an opportunity for this work of All in Community to be lifted up and highlighted and carried out,” said Rev. Kathy Dickriede, Connectional Ministries office Missions & Community Engagement director.
April 28 is Second Chance Sunday in Ohio
Bishop Tracy S. Malone encourages clergy to include information about All In Community Ministry in services on Sunday, April 28. Additional downloadable resources will be made available in the April 15 E-News
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