RESPONDING TO HURRICANE HELENE:
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is working with disaster coordinators and Early Response Teams (ERT) in annual conferences to assist local churches impacted by the deadly Hurricane Helene. “Thank you for your continued prayers for the people of Florida who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene. Approximately 50 of our United Methodist churches have been impacted in some way, but more importantly, our communities have been impacted in every way,” said Bishop Tom Berlin of the Florida Conference in a video message shared across the denomination.
In his prayer for the people of Western North Carolina Bishop Ken Carter stated, “O God, we place our trust in you. In the aftermath of ravaging wind and surging flood, inspire those who give themselves for others. Let that work be done justly, wisely, safely, generously. Help us to turn toward one another in our need. Strengthen our bonds of connection and love for each other.”
As we pray for those impacted, please remember
· Do not “self-deploy” into a region until invited.
· Do not send supplies and clothes.
· Do pray.
· Do support UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response Fund 1327.
· Do support UMCOR distribution center the Midwest Mission Fund 9944.
· Do support UMCOR distribution center the Mission Barn Fund 9918.
· Do support the Gay Street UMC UMCOR collection site.
Learn more about EOC Disaster Response.
Read the UM News article on the relief efforts after Helene.
Follow UMCOR on Facebook for the latest updates.
SPAGHETTI DINNER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Spaghetti Dinner will be Nov. 2nd 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. All proceeds from this event will go to Community Service Alliance which rebuilds, and fosters men’s lives through housing, jobs and personal and faith development.
BOOK CLUB:
Join us on Monday, November 18th at 7:00pm in the church parlor. Written by Luis Alberto Urrea in 2023, Good Night, Irene is a historical fiction novel that follows the experiences of Red Cross volunteers Irene Woodward and Dorothy Dunford, who operate a Clubmobile to provide coffee, doughnuts, and companionship to American troops on the front lines during World War II. Hope to see everyone on Nov. 18th for food, fellowship and discussion.
Love Your Neighbor and Strive to be Agents of Transformation in Your Community
We are Christians called to love our neighbors, and United Methodists on a mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
We invite you to be part of the Love Your Neighbor movement begun at Garfield Memorial Church. Join United Methodists across the State of Ohio in modeling the love of Christ and making a difference in your community. Show the world you love your neighbor by downloading these files to post to social media or print to display as a yard sign.
Download PDF file (for sign printing)
Download JPG image (for social media)
CALLING ALL SINGERS:
Michael W Smith Benefit Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 15, at Strongsville United Methodist Church to benefit Fostering Future Ministries a mission supporting foster kids. This concert features the original Christmas music of Michael W Smith, who is the elder statesman of today’s “Contemporary Christian music”. Similar to a Michael W Smith concert at the Palace,
this concert has lots of audience participation. This includes the “Kid’s Choir” which will help lead the Christmas sing-along.
**We’re asking singers to:
1. Purchase the $15 Songbook w/sheet music (if you’re new)
2. Attend 5-6 of the 9 Sunday afternoon 4:00-6:00 rehearsals
3. Attend the “Concert Day” warm-up/sound check/meal
4. Invite friends and family to sing with us
5. Invite others to attend this extraordinary event (FACEBOOK & flyers)
5. FYI - The “free-will offering” collected will help support
The Out-reach Ministries of Strongsville UMC.
CHOIR REHEARSAL SCHEDULE @STRONGSVILLE UMC - 13500 Royalton Rd, Strongsville, OH
SUNDAY’s OCT 13, 20, 27 4:00-6:00
SUNDAY’s NOV 3, 10, 17, 24 4:00-6:00
SUNDAY DEC 1 ??? 4:00-6:00 ????
SUNDAY DEC 8 4:00-7:00 DRESS REHEARSAL
CONCERT- SUNDAY DECEMBER 15 - *6:30PM
4:00-5:30 RUN-THRU - 5:30 LIGHT MEAL
*ORCHESTRA REHEARSALS - TBA
**OPTIONAL REHEARSALS in Canton – TBA
If interested, please email Lee & Laurel at lbrennan001@neo.rr.com Questions, ask Katie Berardi
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.!
FALL DATES:
October 21st
November 18th
December 16th
SINCE CHOSEN SEASON 3 WAS SO POPULAR!! DINNER AND VIEWING THE CHOSEN SEASON 4! MONDAYS, OCT. 7, 14, 21, AND 28 FROM 5:30 – 8:30 PM. ALL ARE WELCOME! The Chosen is a show that everyone can watch, and it does not need to be viewed consecutively. The Chosen is all about Jesus and his Chosen Followers (Disciples).We are just finishing viewing season 3 and have had between 15 – 25 people for each dinner and show.
Please join us (STARTING MONDAY OCTOBER 7 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm), we will have dinner, view back-to-back episodes of the Chosen Season 4 and pray. All are welcome. JESUS CAME FOR EVERYONE!
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. The show teaches the human side of Jesus and his Chosen followers! With over 200 million viewers, The Chosen is one of the most watched shows in the world!
TREE PLANTING CAMPAIGN:
The Trustees have proposed buying ten trees to fill in around the church property to help maintain and fill in our tree canopy, primarily around the outdoor chapel and playground area.
This will cost an average of $500 per tree. We thought this would be a great opportunity for members and friends of Rockport to donate the cost of a tree (or part of a tree) in memory of or to honor a loved one, or simply to help beautify our church property. Names of those who contribute $100 or more will be listed in Rockport’s Abiding Memorials book (in the narthex).
We would like to have the trees planted by the end of October, 2024, and thus would greatly appreciate receiving donations by October 31, 2024.
What do you say, Rockport family? Let’s plan(t) for the future and fill in our canopy! Any questions, please contact Mike Wilkenson or a Trustee.
INVITATION TO JOHN BIBLE STUDY:
The invitation from Christ is: "Come and see, Follow me". Experience the magnificent passages in John including the I am statements (I am the truth, the life and the way, I am the living water and more). Revisit stories only told in John's gospel including Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene and the raising of Lazarus.
This study is 11 weeks, every Wednesday, through November 20th. Class will begin at 7:00 PM.
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 Thanksgiving! 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:
August 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
Installation Service for Bishop Hee-Soo Jung – October 19
Laity and clergy of the East Ohio Conference are invited and encouraged to attend The Service of Installation for Bishop Hee-Soo Jung on Saturday, October 19 at 11:00 a.m. at Wooster UMC, 243 N Market St., Wooster, OH 44691.
The service will be followed by a reception at the church. This is your opportunity to greet Bishop Jung and his wife Im-Hyon and welcome them to the East Ohio Conference and the new Ohio Episcopal Area.
CONFERENCE NEWS: https://www.eocumc.com
Storyboard Episode 45
Episode 45 is titled “Belonging & Inclusion: Creating Space for Everyone in the Room”. Our East Ohio Conference vision for how we will make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world calls for us to be courageous leaders in reaching new, young, and more diverse people. In this episode we explore ways our congregations can welcome, include and be in ministry with individuals who are differently abled.
Listen to archived episodes of Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation.
