PLEASE JOIN US
for the David Rice-Ohio Guidestone Valentine Luncheon, Sat. Feb. 15th. Volunteers and bakers are needed. The address is 202 East Bagley Road, Berea, OH 44017. We will meet there at 11 a.m. to set up the room and help Nick Berardi prepare a spaghetti lunch. We will treat the kids to face painting, crafts, basketball, bingo, & costumes to try on with a photo op option. Activities will end at approximately 2pm. Homemade desserts are appreciated, but please note that the dessert items cannot contain nuts or peanut butter. A sign-up sheet is posted for Volunteers and Bakers. Please drop off bakery items at the church on Friday the 14th or bring with you. You must be 18 yrs. old to attend. Questions, contact Dave Plachta, Outreach Chair, 440-829-3184.
JOIN US FOR DINNER & A MOVIE:
Sat., Feb 15 & 17 - Sound of Freedom
Sat., March 15 & 17 - Sound of Hope
RSVP requested but not required
Everyone welcome!
PASTOR’S VACATION:
Rev. Don will be on vacation from February 17th- February 27th and Rev. Dan Bryant will be leading us in worship on February 23rd. If there is a pastoral emergency, please call Rev. Barbara Davis at 440-774-1660.
A NOTE OF JOY FROM YOUR FINANCE COMMITTEE:
2024 was a good year financially for Rockport. We ended the year with a profit of $64,700. I would love to say it was all from pledges but actually we were blessed to receive $55,358 from the federal government for a program put in place during COVID called the Employee Retention Credit. These funds will come in handy when the Trustees decide what kind of roof they will put on our sanctuary (currently we have a leak). I have heard a quote of $60,000 for the roof… so easy come, easy go. Thanks to you all for your financial support during 2024 and with our pledge drive for 2025. The pledges came in at $142,000 so we have a break even budget for 2025. At year end, operating cash on hand was $180,000 and our Endowment balance was $861,500. The detailed financial statements are posted online and always feel free to ask me any questions that you may have. Respectfully submitted, Diana Leitch, Finance Chair and Treasurer.
THANK YOU! We sold every cupcake and every container of chili! Wooo! We could not have done it without your generosity! Thank you again!!! We appreciate our church family!
THE ROCKPORT MEN’S GROUP
will meet on Thursday, March 13th at 6:30 pm at the church for a potluck dinner. There will be a great meal and time for fellowship. Bill Eyman will make a presentation titled Understanding Ableism: A Christian Perspective. Ableism is a deeply ingrained prejudice that marginalizes and discriminates against individuals with disabilities. It’s based on the idea that people with disabilities are less valuable than people without disabilities. Ableism manifests in many different ways, from subtle comments to open hostility. Ableism is rooted in the assumption that disabled people require fixing and defines people by their disability. Like racism and sexism, ableism classifies entire groups of people as “less than” and includes harmful stereotypes, misconceptions, and generalizations of people with disabilities. Everyone is invited to come and hear this informative presentation by Bill. Come and enjoy this special time together.
BIBLE STUDY!
Our next study is a Disciple short-term study on GENESIS. It is an 11-week study. We will begin March 12, with a break during Holy Week, and finish May 28. Jim Spallino will be teaching. We will meet in Rm. 22/meeting room at 7pm. A limited number of slightly used books will be available soon. Sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board.
BOOK CLUB:
Please join us February 26th, 7:00pm in the church parlor for our next book club. We will be reading All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. “1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Mohammed Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing. When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges—Patch, a local boy with one eye, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake. Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another. A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession, and the blinding light of hope.” Hope to see everyone on February 26th for food, fun, fellowship, and discussion.
ROMANTIC GARDEN FLOWERS FOR ALL OCCASSIONS:
Rockport’s member, Stella Thomas, does flowers for our altar, for Valentines Day, for weddings, for holidays, etc. If you are looking for flowers for any occasion, please call Stella on her cell; 440-364-2466.
JOIN US FOR EARLY MORNING SERVICE (EMS):
Start your Sunday with a quiet and contemplative time of worship. Our Early Morning Service meets every Sunday at 8:30 a.m., and communion is offered as part of this special time together.
If you feel called to lead this worship, we encourage you to prayerfully consider signing up. A sign-up sheet is available on the bulletin board. Additionally, a written and video tutorial is being prepared to guide and support those interested in leading.
We ask for your continued prayers for this ministry and for those considering leadership roles in this worship experience.
If you have any questions or need more information, please reach out to Pastor Don or Dan Newman.
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE ROCKPORT FAMILY:
Are you ready to take the next step in your faith journey and join the Rockport family of faith? We would love to welcome you into our community!
If you're interested in becoming a member, please contact the church office or speak directly with Pastor Don for more information.
We look forward to growing together in faith and fellowship!
CHAT & CHEW! Lunch & Chat Adult Discussion Group!
Come and join us! Bring your lunch and enjoy your food AND a great discussion! We will explore various topics in the church and Bible. 12 to 2 p.m.!
Winter/Spring Dates:
February - NO MEETING! Winter break
March 17th - We will see you at noon!
April - NO MEETING (it is the day after Easter)
May 19th - We will see you at noon!
Summer Dates:
June - NO MEETING
July 21st - We will see you at noon!
August 18th - We will see you at noon!
BOTTLE CAPS!
The Youth Group are collecting bottle caps for a mission project. The plastic kind - for example, 2 liter and 16/20/24 oz bottles.
During these past weeks we have been asking you, the congregation, to collect bottle caps, and we are providing the boxes to collect them with to make it easier. (courtesy of Dave Stephan! THANK YOU!) You can grab one on your way out of the church on the Christian Ed table in the hallway… We have been asking to collect these caps in order to create our own bench, fully from the caps we have collected. This bench will signify how recycling can be seen and the process. This bench will be placed in a chosen location on the church grounds. Along with these recycled caps, we will also accept donations to use towards the processing of the caps to the bench. Through our collective efforts we will eventually have a product that can be enjoyed by everyone.
You can find the acceptable caps and lids list posted on the table with the boxes, and also above. We will be collecting UNTIL EASTER! Thank you!
The link for information…
https://www.greentreeplastics.com/abc-program/
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:
Year-end 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: www.eocumc.com/northernwaters
CONFERENCE NEWS: https://www.eocumc.com
