PLEASE JOIN US FOR STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, AFTER WORSHIP
for homemade buttermilk pancakes, sausage, eggs and fruit in Wesley Hall. If you’d like to help serve, please let Diana Leitch know. There is no charge; however, donations will be accepted. God is good all the time, all the time God is good!
WHAT IS UNITED METHODIST STUDENT DAY? (UMC Fund 9211)
This Special Sunday is a denomination-wide celebration focused on the value of education. Your gift is a practical expression of care, equipping students to shape a hopeful future. One-hundred percent of the funds collected on United Methodist Student Day are used to fund over 70 scholarships. The scholarship program awards members of the church who are pursuing higher education, from incoming college freshmen through doctoral level students. Together, we can achieve much more than we could alone. Your generosity shows the church’s confidence in our students and their ability to share the love of Jesus Christ as the next generation of leaders. Envelopes are available by the treasure chest in the narthex.
BOOK CLUB:
Join us December 4th at 6:00pm at Lisa Kay’s house, 2045 Salem Pkwy., Westlake, for a Christmas gathering. Bring a dish to share and we will collect money for Edna House during the December Book Club. The Edna House gives women an opportunity to recover from alcohol and drug addiction by providing a safe, sober place to live. The quick read for Decembers gathering is “The Christmas Sweater” by Glenn Beck. “Like the sweater that stars in this new holiday treat, Beck’s story will keep you warm even after you’ve closed the book.” All are welcome to come enjoy this Christmas gathering! Also, save the date, Jan 29th, 7:00pm in the church parlor, for the following book club. Book TBD!
ROCKPORT RENOVATORS MISSION ACTIVITY:
Milagro, a single elderly immigrant woman who is taking care of her special needs son, had several nagging issues with her house. The garage door would sometimes not open so we took apart the latch and then adjusted the rail. Also, we replaced the front storm door, which would not shut properly, along with the kitchen faucet and several ceiling tiles. In return, Milagro served us a yummy batch of tamales, based on a recipe passed down from her family in Guatemala that was different from any other tamale we had eaten. Rockport Renovators helping included Dennis Kay, Dennis O’Neil, Mike Wilkenson and Dave Plachta
Our mission is to assist neighbors who may have outlived their life savings yet remain in a house with little means to properly maintain it. Perhaps they face tough life choices in order to make certain they can pay their bills.
John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
Galations 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
DON’T FORGET YOUR PLEDGE!
As we approach the end of the year, don’t forget your commitment to Rockport. If you are unsure of where you are with your pledge, please call the church office. Also, your advanced pledge for 2025 helps leadership set budgets and plan for next year. Please remember all money received goes toward operating budget, as well as, paying our apportionments! Thank you, The Finance Committee
THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED
Nov. 28 & 29th in observance of Thanksgiving, as well as, Monday, Dec. 2nd for a vacation day for Sara. Messages will be checked daily. Have a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving with family and friends!
HANGING OF THE GREENS:
Come and Decorate and prepare the Lord’s House for Christmas Guests on Saturday, November 30, 2024 from 10am to 2pm. Rockport is rich in tradition, united in mission and blessed with love. As we serve together in ministry, mission, and a tradition rich with 200 + years of history, we come together in fellowship and service to God this Advent season. We are a historical church family! All are welcome to this important Rockport Tradition!
ADVENT STUDY:
All are welcome for a one-night devotion and study about Advent on Wednesday, December 11th from 6 to 8 p.m. Dinner (provided) fellowship, & devotions together as we prepare for Christ to be born!
Childcare provided.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR GUIDESTONE’S KIDS:
Ohio Guidestone has asked Rockport to help bring a smile to a child this Christmas. In mid-December, Guidestone social workers shop for their clients from items donated by corporations and local churches. You can help by selecting a Gift Tag from the Christmas tree in the back of the sanctuary. Unwrapped gifts should be brought to church with the gift tag and placed under the tree any time before December 10th. If you would like someone to shop for you, just note on your check “Guidestone Christmas Shopping”. All donated gifts will be delivered to Guidestone in time for their shopping day and will end up in the hands of a deserving child. Thanks for your help. Questions: Diana Leitch, 440-749-5980.
CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR OUR STAFF:
Our Staff does such a wonderful job throughout the year. On Sunday, December 15th, we will be having a special collection to say “thank you” and “Merry Christmas” on behalf of Rockport Church. A special box will be placed in the back of the church. For those that attend on-line you can send your donation to the church office. Please designate on the payment Staff Appreciation. Thank you on behalf of the Staff Parish Relations Committee – Beverly Cavanah, Debbie Bryant, Dan Newman, Juanita Pariano, Dave Stephan. Lynn Wilkenson and Jim Leitch
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:3
SONG OF CELEBRATION CHRISTMAS CONCERT:
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.!
December 16th - Christmas Chat
January & FEBRUARY - NO MEETING
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES:
lt’s time for the LCAC Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive!
For more than 30 years, the Lakewood Charitable Assistance Corporation (LCAC) has provided food baskets for hundreds of Lakewood families and senior citizens at both Thanksgiving and at Christmas. This neighborhood tradition is only possible with the support of the entire community.
We'd love for you to come join us!
There are several opportunities for you to come and volunteer with us throughout Friday and Saturday. We'd be happy to see you at one, two or all three of our events to serve the Lakewood community.
All three events of the LCAC Thanksgiving Food Drive will take place at the Lakewood Masonic Temple, 15300 Detroit Ave. Please come in the doors directly off the parking lot, located on Andrews Avenue.
- On Friday (Nov. 22) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers will sort out the non-perishable food donations that will be collected by LCAC board members from the collection drives throughout Lakewood (schools, fire stations, etc.)
- On Friday (Nov. 22) from 6 to 7:30 p.m., LCAC members and volunteers will gather to bag the previously sorted non-perishable food. People of all ages are welcome to join – it's not only a great opportunity to volunteer, but is also a fun time!
- Finally, on Saturday (Nov. 23) from 9 a.m. to noon, LCAC members and volunteers will meet outside and bag the perishable food like a turkey, butter, potatoes and of course, dessert. Once everything is bagged, everyone will hand deliver non-perishable and perishable bags filled with Thanksgiving fixings to community members.***
***We will need plenty of volunteers (especially people willing to drive!) on Saturday as we put everything together and then deliver the food to community members. As people go out into the community, it's truly a unique opportunity to go knock on a door and give someone the joy of a complete Thanksgiving dinner for their entire family. The event will be held regardless of the weather, so dress accordingly to stay warm and dry. Volunteers are welcome to join as little or as much as they’d like… better yet, bring friends, family and neighbors!
Be sure to mark your calendars for December 13 and December 14, when LCAC does it all over again at its Christmas Food Drive! We hope to see you there!
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For more information, call (216) 532-5222. To learn more about LCAC or to make a monetary donation, visit www.LCAC.info. You can also find us on Facebook under Lakewood Charitable Assistance Corporation or on Instagram @lcacfooddrives.
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 will be sent out in the Rockport updates. We will be collecting until JANUARY! Thank you!
The link for information…
https://www.greentreeplastics.com/abc-program/
PROJECT FEED:
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:
October 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
Bishop Jung to Host All-Ohio Day of Thanksgiving and Unity on November 23
This Saturday, November 23, Bishop Hee-Soo Jung is hosting a Day of Thanksgiving and Unity for laity and clergy of the Ohio Episcopal Area, which consists of the East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church.
The theme for the inspiring day of prayer, worship, and learning is “Hearts Strangely Warmed,” and the keynote speaker is Rev. Dr. Paul Chilcote, a renowned scholar in Wesleyan theology and Christian discipleship.
You may view the livestream of the Day of Thanksgiving and Unity on the East Ohio Conference website. Here is the schedule for the day that will be hosted at Worthington UMC:
| 9:30 a.m. |
Arrival |
| 10:00 a.m. |
Opening Worship |
| 11:00 a.m. |
Presentation by Rev. Dr. Paul Chilcote |
| 12:00 p.m. |
Lunch break |
| 1:00 p.m. |
Presentation by Rev. Dr. Paul Chilcote |
| 2:30 p.m. |
Closing Worship and Communion |
| 3:30 p.m. |
Dismissal |
Learn more and view the Day of Unity livestream.
