Loving and Learning in Lodi Sunday - August 30, 2020

We complete our look this August at the power of prayer to transform those who pray by taking time with The Lord's Prayer. Many of us may have memorized these life-giving words as little children, others may have had these words "engraved upon their hearts" as adults. Whenever the prayer Jesus taught us came into our lives, it is central to our lives as people who follow the way of the Lord. It is a prayer of deep connection from the first disciples through centuries of Christian faith across the Earth to us today. It is a prayer that connects us to all people and to our Creator: Our Father, and it is a prayer that connects who we are today with who God calls us to become—as individuals and as a faith community. I encourage all of us to sit with The Lord's Prayer this week and to  listen for the small, still voice of God calling us to live more deeply into the words our Savior gave us.      ~Pastor Pam 

Scripture:     Matthew 6:9-13

⁹ “Pray then in this way:  Our Father in heaven,
    hallowed be your name.
¹⁰     Your kingdom come.
    Your will be done,
        on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹     Give us this day our daily bread.^[a]
12     And forgive us our debts,
        as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³     And do not bring us to the time of trial,^[b]
        but rescue us from the evil one.^[c]

The Word of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

Hymns:  “Blessed Assurance”           #369            “Take Time to Be Holy”      #395  verses 1 and 2

  “Trust and Obey”                 #467  verses 1 and 3

**Come as You Are in the Family Car       Sunday Worship   10 a.m.**

Come with your mask, bring a lawn chair, a cup of coffee  ...or a friend !

School My Sheep:

We had fewer than expected at the actual event, but still sent 91 kids back to school with book bags and supplies!  That's a huge success.  We aren't sure if the low turn-out was due to Covid-19. virtual schooling or just a strange 2020. However, we are not deterred! 

We are in contact with principals from Cloverleaf, Black River and North Western School districts and will be dropping off supplies this week. We will also make supplies and book bags available at our clothing give-away scheduled for October 15th.  That date is closer to the students returning to school in-person, and anticipate supplies being more popular at that time. 

Thank you for your support of this important community outreach program. Please keep it in your thoughts and prayers as we figure out how to move forward. 

Lodi United Methodist Church on Facebook:

Did you know we have a Facebook page?  If not please check us out. In this ever changing world, we've upped our presence on Facebook and are including more pictures and even a live video feed of our church services on Sunday.  Many are not comfortable meeting in-person yet. Facebook offers an opportunity to still be involved in our church and see many of the faces you love and miss!  If not on Facebook, the church is still offering the audio of our service. 

Be patient, as we are new to much of this and are constantly tweaking and upgrading.  

PS  63 people “watched” our service on Facebook this past Sunday!!  The Word and Love of God is far-reaching!

“I Pray” Wednesday – there will be no “I Pray” this week.  (A late summer vacation)

 We Celebrate and Give Thanks!

~We celebrate the wonderful School My Sheep Event held on Saturday August 22; many children will learn a bit easier because of our Love in Lodi! Thanks to Katrina Morgan and all of our volunteers and donors.

~We celebrate Lodi Hospital for Feeding My Sheep with a “Grab and Go” dinner on August 20! We look forward to resuming our dinner ministry.

~We celebrate our Trustees for all of their work on the church building.

Coming soon: THE RAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Frank Nehls Masonry has begun our ramp project!  All the permits have cleared the county.  Thank you to the trustees for all their work to help make this happen.

Offering:  Remember to mail your offerings to Lodi UMC, PO Box 3, Lodi, OH 44254 

During these trying times of uncertainty, the ministries of the church continue daily, even though the physical doors are closed.  We need to remain mindful of the church’s financial obligations.  Please keep the church in your continued prayers and with your financial support, remembering, also, your pledge to “Celebrate 100”.  Thank you,      

 Jeff Van Loon   Finance Chairman  

Offering:   Celebrate “100”  $1170    Capital  $50   General    $1045  

Balances in the church accounts:  Capital  $6513.43      Celebrate “100”  $15,060.40  (the down payment was made to begin the ramp)   General  $206.32      Memorial  $863.40       Youth  $1070.17      Youth Work Missions   $1633.32

Rev. Pamela Buzalka       (216)-704-0307        pamelab23@hotmail.com

BIRTHDAY DRIVE BY:    

****SHHHHHH – it’s Ruth Anderson’s 92^nd birthday, September 2.  So, let’s do a birthday drive-by!

Wednesday, September 2 between 6-6:30pm  (Nurse Pam – our nurse from Feed My Sheep – shares dinner with Ruth at 5:00pm, Pam will sit outside, in the driveway, with Ruth at 6:00pm.)  Please remember to stay in your cars.  135 Grove Street, Lodi ******SHHHHHHHH – it’s a surprise!******

PS  Ruth did not get this copy of the e-mail :)