1

First Hand First Lutheran Church

August 2020

First Lutheran Church

208 West Sandusky Avenue

Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311

937-592-7699

Fax: 1-888-471-1970

Website: www.flcbellefontaine.org

Email: info@flcbellefontaine.org

Pastor Larry Novak– lnovak@flcbellefontaine.org

Office Manager, Joyce Martin— jmartin@flcbellefontaine.org

Director of Music, Judy Vassar- jandlv321@gmail.com

Bell Choir Director, Larry Walker- lwcw70@centurylink.net

Inside this issue:

From the Pastor’s Desk 2 -3

Director of Music 4

Park Clean-up 5

August Events 6

Women’s Events 7

Getting Ready for Sunday School 8

Attendance 9

Car Cruise Inn 10

Prayer Concerns 11

Thank yous 12

August Birthdays/Anniversaries 13

Serving in Worship 14

August Calendar 15

The deadline

for

newsletter

articles for

September is

August 16th.

Mission Statement:

Sharing God’s grace through prayer, witness, and service.

All about Joyce…..thank you for the warm welcoming. I have

three grown children, Austin, Kaitlyn, and Amber. I also have

three grandchildren, Jacob 4, Emma 2, and Jonah 1. I was born

and raised in Bellefontaine, but lived in Columbus for 11 years

and came back to Bellefontaine to raise my kids. I am engaged

to my best friend, Dennis, and plan to be married in the next

year or so. I look forward to learning and growing in this new

job opportunity.

Pastor Larry has a new phone number # 937-707-0687

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FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Well…last March, when we shut things down and went to on-line worship only, did you ever think that

things would still be this crazy in August? I certainly did not. In March, I had thought that perhaps by June, this

virus would have run its course, and everything would be back to normal. Who knew in March that baseball,

basketball, and golf would return without spectators; and who knows what will happen with football? That

schools would be scrambling over how best to teach our children? That the movie theatre in Bellefontaine

would still be closed? That masks would be required to go shopping? Who knew back then that even now we

would need to wear masks in church, avoid choirs, limited singing, and tape off every other pew? I can live

with the changes to the service. But it is other matters that cause me to grieve. We cannot have our out to

lunch bunch, or faith and friends outings. I was not allowed for the longest time to visit our members at Logan

Acres, Homestead, Green Hills, or Belle Springs. And even though it had not been scheduled until June of

2021, I just received notice that the ELCA National Youth Gathering has been postponed to 2022. That makes

sense. Even if the virus has run its course by then, the fundraising for the trip would have to start now. But I

grieve that we have five students who will be starting their senior year in high school this year, who could

have gone in summer of 2021 but who will be too old to attend as a student in 2022! (although they can still

go as a team leader).

One hundred twenty-five (125) nanometers…1/8 of a micron, or to say it another way, 1/8 of one mil-

lionth of a meter…that’s the average diameter of a corona virus. Think about how small that is. In inches, 125

nanometers is 0.000004875 inches. And yet, such a tiny virus wreaks so much havoc in the world.

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Fortunately, Jesus tells us that something else can be incredibly small yet lead to tremendous good in the

world; our faith. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this

mountain, ‘move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you”.

The mustard seed came up again when Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed.

It’s the tiniest seed (not really, but for the people in the first century it was the smallest seed they knew

about), yet it grows so large that birds can nest in the branches. Our faith allows us to proclaim the kingdom

of God even during a global pandemic. Even if our efforts seem small, we have no idea how large the seeds

we plant will grow and influence the world. Who could foresee that a small group of disciples in Jerusalem

would grow into a religion practiced by over 2 billion people around the world? That is why I have the utmost

confidence that despite everything that’s happened, the church will continue to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus

Christ and be a beacon of hope for the world. And to paraphrase Paul’s wonderful ending to the 8th chapter

of his letter to the Romans; neither life nor death nor angels nor demons nor viruses nor violence in Portland

nor corruption in the statehouse nor anything else will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ

Jesus our Lord.

In the abiding hope of the empty tomb,

Pastor Larry

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Report of Director of Music

We are looking for some individuals willing to share

musical talents and present special music. Friends and

family are welcome.

I do appreciate Dave, Chris, Chris, Kris, Kris, Linda, Jen-

nifer, Cindy, Brenda, Barb, Carolyn, and Pastor Larry for

participating so far this summer.

September might bring more group singing I hope.

You are invited to join

the 2:30 pm worship

service at Green Hills

Care Center-

Foundation Hall on

Sunday, August

23rd

This service will be led by Pastor Larry .

5

Park Clean-up

Oakland Square Park Christian Action Ministry Team has adopted taking care of Oakland Square Park as a

community outreach project. The team members would like to ask the congregation

to help them with various jobs such as: cleaning, painting, raking, planting flowers,

and mulching. The next date that is scheduled for clean-up is:

Saturday, August 8th

9:00 pm

If you have your own hand tools, please bring them with you.

Won’t you help us take care of Oakland Square Park and do God’s work with

OUR hands!

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Monday, August 17th Is

our turn to help with

Our Daily Bread. The

meals are grab and go

for this summer so only assigned

helpers are needed currently. Let the

office know if you want assigned please.

On Sunday, August 30th, we will have a

special Blessing of the Backpacks for kids

and teachers getting ready to head back

to school. Bring your backpacks to

church during our outdoor service this

year!

August 9,

2020

10:00 AM

Join us Sunday morning,

August 11th for a Service in the Park. We will gather for

worship in Oakland Square Park at 10:00 AM.

Wear causal clothes and bring your favorite lawn chair.

Fellowship Time will begin at 9 am in Oakland Square

Park. Join us for donuts and beverages.

(If it rains, all activities will be moved back to the church)

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WELCA is for all women of the church. Just for fun

and fellowship.

TUESDAYS IN THE PARK!

Tuesday August 4th

and Tuesday August 18th

12:00 Noon

Ladies of First Lutheran,

We will continue picnics in the park in August

Bring your lunch and a lawn chair to Oakland Square Park on Tuesday

August 4 and August 18 at 12:00 Noon.

We will “socially distance”, chat, catch up with one another and enjoy

fellowship with one another.

All women of First Lutheran & Friends are invited

(In case of inclement weather, we will move to Rice Hall.)

.

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It’s almost time for Sunday

school!

The Sunday school year for our youth

and adults begins on Sunday, September 20th. Classes will

start at 9 am.

We look forward to another great year of

learning and fun!

Adult Sunday School in the Lounge will resume September 20th. We will be studying

"The Screwtape Letters", by C. S. Lewis. This classic is a sly and ironic portrayal of human life and foibles from the vantage point of Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to satan. Screwtape shares his expertise to his nephew, and devil-in-training, Wormwood, through a series of 31 letters. In

each letter, Screwtape advises Wormwood, a novice demon who is in charge of securing the damnation of an ordinary young man. The Screwtape Letters is an engaging account of temptation

and triumph over it.

Each week we will read and discuss a different letter. Carolyn will be using a biblically-based study guide to lead discussion. You do not have to read ahead, and each week will be self-

contained. All are welcome; come when you can. We are looking forward to exploring this book!

Sunday School Teachers

First Lutheran Church has been

blessed with many adults who faithfully

lead our Sunday school classes. The

Learning Ministry Team would like to

thank them for being an example of

God’s unending love to our youth, as

well as our adult SS classes. Teacher

Installation will take place on Sunday,

September 13thduring the worship

service.

As a way to continue to support our families of our congregation, the

following youth will receive bibles during the worship service on

September 13, 2020.

Third Grade: Brooks Bodin and Eden Smith

Confirmation: Sophia Porter

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August Ministry Team Meeting

Date:

8/3 7:00 pm Council

8/10 7:00 pm Christian Action Team

8/18 7:00 pm F.L.I.R.T. Ministry Team

8/24 7:00 pm Worship Ministry Team

Ministry Team Highlights

Christian Action Ministry Team

• Park Clean-up

• Neighborhood Outreach

Learning Ministry Team

• Upcoming Sunday School

Worship Ministry Team

• Upcoming season

Property Ministry Team

• Building maintenance

• Parking lot

Finance Ministry Team

• Review Finances

Copies of reports from the monthly

meetings of each ministry team is

available for you to view in the

Partners In Ministry Book located

in the lower narthex. Sunday Attendance for July 2020

June average 54

June Average

July 5 45

July 12 38

July 19

On August 16th, We will be taking a special offering for

Weekly Religious Education.

WRE has been teaching our community kids of the

importance of God’s love in their lives. They serve 800 students on average a year!

2020 Church Council

President– Gail Keck

Vice-President– Cheri Comstock

Secretary– Carolyn Novak

Members- Ray Swisher, Chris Tillman, TJ Weikart, Susan

Wyckoff, Ben Zoldak, Chris Hildreth-Blair, Kris Shannon

Open dates in August & September for altar flowers:

August 16 , 23& 30 (one vase)

If you are interested in any of these

dates, please contact the church office.

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It’s time for the Youth sponsored Cruise-IN Car Show!

On Sunday, September 13

th from 12 pm—4 pm we will enjoy an afternoon of good food, great oldies music and

classic cars from around Logan County and beyond. The Youth choose their Top 10 winners

and Pastor Larry will be picking his choice for the Pastor’s Trophy. We have had a great

time in years past and invite you to join us this year for all the fun! The Youth Group is

asking for the congregation’s help to donate items for the show from trophies to food and

door prizes. Look for sign-up sheets in the lower narthex for things you might consider

donating. Proceeds from the car show will go to the Youth Fund to help with upcoming

Cruise-In **SUNDAY– September 13, 2020 **

REGISTRATION:

12:00 – 3:00 pm

AWARDS:

4:00 pm

REGISTRATION FEE:

VISIT US AT -

www.flcbellefontaine.org

PHONE (937) 592-7699

GOOD FOOD

D.J. WITH GREAT OLDIES MUSIC

50/50 RAFFLE

SPECTATOR PARKING AT THE CITY LOT

Proceeds go to the

Youth Group of First

Lutheran Church

208 West Sandusky Ave; Bellefontaine, OH

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES PERMITTED

Photo by: Rebecca Crisler

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During the past month we have remembered many in prayer. We remember in prayer all who are in need of

God’s presence and care … especially:

Max Bixler surgery

Ted Hoy surgery

Brittanny Porter surgery

Tori Geib surgery

Pam Pulfer surgery

Pastor Jon Schriber surgery

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Morgan Fultz would like to thank the congregation for all of their love and support for the last 21 years! A special thank you for always donating to the CHEF fund

that helps her pay for part of her college education at Heidelberg University. Because of this congregation, she is able to put more toward her student loans and books. -Morgan Fultz

Thank you for all the prayers, visits, and flowers! They are all greatly appreciated! I am feeling so much better and am truly fortunate for such a great church family!

-Becky Longbrake

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8/1 Rachel Gillespie

8/5 Adam Smith

8/5 Samantha Starkey

8/5 Sarah Starkey

8/6 Julie Zoldak

8/11 Jim Sebring

8/11 April Fultz

8/12 Joy Badenhop

8/14 Walt Stephan

8/14 Ray Kramer

8/14 Steve Heath

8/16 Dan Fultz

8/16 Peggy Dishop

8/18 Margie Anderson

8/18 Nicole Clifton

8/18 Jeanne Gamble

8/21 Alexza Clifton

8/26 Maddox Keith

8/28 Terry Lunz

8/29 Libby Zoldak

8/31 Rita Iiams

8/22/2014 Dave & Diane Anderson

8/26/1961 Ron & Judy Hadley

8/16/1964 Paul & Joann Karn

8/11/2012 Doug & Alaina Kauffman

8/09/1957 Keith & Barb Krueger

8/24/1973 Ed & Deb Pulfer

8/18/1973 Bob & Pat Taylor

8/17/1968 Dave & Judy Vassar

Greeting Cards

Do you have Christmas, birthday or any other

greeting cards that you have received and don’t

know what to do with them? Don’t throw them

away … bring them in and we will recycle them

for you. Place them in the receptacle located in

the lower narthex. You can bring your cards in

all year long.

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Serving in Worship AUGUST 2019

Ushers

Walt Stephen and Ray Kramer

Aug. 30 Josalyn and Sophia Porter

Acolytes

8/2 Winnie Bodin

8/9 in the park

8/16 Alexza Clifton

8/23 Sarah Starkey

8/30 Samantha Starkey

Readers

8/2 Margie Bixler

8/9 Chris Tillman

8/16 John Gensemer

8/23 Jean Wright

8/30 Jacob McKenrick

Special Music

8/2 Georgia Voorhies

8/9

8/16 Cindy Weikart

8/23

8/30 Youth

Communion Assistant

8/2 Jinny Fergus

Greeters

8/2 Ed and Deb Pulfer

8/9 Susan Wyckoff

8/16 Dan and Brenda Shively

8/23 Georgia Voorhies

8/30 Bodin Youth

Worship Assistants

8/2 Kris Shannon

8/9 Brenda Shively

8/16 Kris Swisher

8/23 Cindy Weikart

8/30 Lucas McKenrick

Altar Guild

Cheri Comstock and Sally Stephen

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