Loving and Learning in Lodi May 31 2020

           Last week’s service was richly blessed with Missy Laughlin’s, Larry Scott’s and Jane Corbus’ music along with Gene Barnhart and Irene Scoot sharing about joys God had sent their way last week! A big THANK YOU for their ministries to us!

           Being generous in giving and gracious in receiving are hallmarks of ways to honor God’s generosity and graciousness to us! As a generous congregation, you’ll see some additional ways in this email that we can help others during this pandemic while staying close to our homes. As individuals, we can daily…humbly receive anew the love and grace of God as given to us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus!

                                                      Missing you all…but grateful to carry you all in my heart,

                                                                 Pastor Diane

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Hymns:         O Spirit of the Living God                                           verses 1 - 3                                #539
                      Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying                                 sing once                                TFWS #2193

                      Where Charity & Love Prevail                                           verses 1, 3 & 6                    #549

                      Freely, Freely                                                        verses 1 & 2                                #389

Scripture                                       Philippians 4:10 - 23                    Common English Bible

           I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

           Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

           Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen

Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.               People:  Thanks be to God.

THE CHURCH IN ACTION

Lodi United Methodist Church YouTube Channel: For your viewing pleasure…all the videos we’ve done together these past 4 years are now posted on a YouTube channel. Simply go to YouTube and search for ‘Lodi United Methodist Church.’ A few ads pop up first, but if you scroll down a bit, you’ll see a picture of our church. Click on it and you’re on your way! If you have any problems, let Pastor Diane know, and she’ll help you.

FYI—On Monday, June 1^st at 7pm, our staff, leadership, and Trustees will be meeting by Zoom, phone, and in social distancing to begin discussing how and when we will proceed with any re-opening. Our Conference has been giving us guidelines and suggestions. The link to that information is at the end of this announcement. Please keep our leaders in your prayers as they discern what our next steps are. https://www.eocumc.com/coronavirus/_pdf/ChurchBuildingGuidelines.pdf.

COVID-19 Response: The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is receiving donations to help those is need during this pandemic. 100% of your gifts will go to this project, Sheltering in Love. Donations will be disbursed quickly and efficiently to address health concerns, food insecurity, water and hygiene limitations and other pressing needs. If you want to give, please put COVID-19 in the memo line of your check.

School My Sheep 2020:  Donations needed are listed below. Thank you for all you do in our community!

For all grades: We need book bags small, medium, and large for boys and girls.

For Elementary: We need zippered pencil pouches.

The schools have asked for over-ear headphones, and wireless mouse sets again. If members would like to contribute monetarily, we’ve found companies that sell those products with bulk pricing.  We’ll do the best we can. It’s been a tough year for us as well.

Middle School and High School Supplies:

College ruled filler paper                             College ruled 1-subject notebooks                      Highlighters

Post-it notes                                               Colored pencils                                           Index cards

2-pocket folders with prongs                       1” binders

Feeding Medina County food pick up for all county residents (no forms or income requirements) on Thursdays going forward at 7:30 a.m. at the County fairgrounds. www.feedingmedinacounty.org/

Please save your plastic caps & lids for a “buddy bench” at Sylvia Anderson’s great nephew, Braden’s school.

Contact Information for Pastor Diane: Phone/Text:  719-648-9065 ~ Email:  dianebell7@msn.com ~

118 Evergreen Dr., Lodi, OH 44254

Loving and Learning in Lodi

           Last week’s service was richly blessed with Missy Laughlin’s and Grace Harvey’s music along with Bob Heitkamp’s sharing about he has continued following Christ through the years. A big THANK YOU for their ministries to us!

           I can hardly believe that this weekend is Memorial Day weekend! We will all be altering how we commemorate…how we remember those who have given their very lives in service to our country. Usually, the weekend is a mix of somber remembrance and glad anticipation for the summer months. And, actually, we will still have both…just done differently this year. I’ll be sending us a short video as a way to remember our service men and women since we won’t be gathering together for the Liberty Concert.

           Life is always in flux. We usually think we can control most of what happens to us and around us. But, really, we don’t. Life is fragile. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul encourages them to continue to stand strong in their faith and to rejoice in the gift of grace and salvation in Christ. We give thanks for those words that encourage us still today!!

                                                      Missing you all…but grateful to carry you all in my heart,

                                                                 Pastor Diane

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Hymns:         Rejoice the Lord Is King                                           verses 1 - 3                                #715
                      Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying                                 sing once                                TFWS #2193

                      He Has Made Me Glad                                            sing twice                                TFWS #2270

                      Lord, I Want to be a Christian                               verses 1, 4 & own                #402  

Scripture                                       Philippians 4:1 - 9                        Common English Bible

           Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

           I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

           Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

           Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.               People:  Thanks be to God.

THE CHURCH IN ACTION

Thank you to the congregation from Bryce Betts: I would like to thank my church family for all the love and support I have received during my graduation, and over my years as a member of the church. I have attended this church all of my life, and I have experienced nothing but love and support from the congregation. I'm so thankful for my church family always being there for me. I really appreciate all the cards and the drive though graduation at the church. I have missed seeing everybody every Sunday, and it was so enjoyable to see and talk to everyone after two months. I'd just like to thank everyone for all the love and support over my past eighteen years at Lodi UMC, and I will always love and remember my church family.

School My Sheep 2020 from Katrina Morgan:  Good news! Due to donations already received and a few items from last year, we are already in position to send twenty children back to school!

           We’ve spoken to the Cloverleaf School Board and learned they will still be providing school supplies to elementary students this year, despite Covid-19, and budget cuts.  This means our role remains much the same as it has been in past years—fill in with a few elementary supply items not provided by the district and concentrate our efforts on Middle School and High School students. Over the last few years, we’ve also been able to help families from surrounding districts such as Black River, Brunswick, and Norwayne. We anticipate that need to be greater than ever this year. 

For all grades: We need book bags small, medium, and large for boys and girls.

For Elementary: We need zippered pencil pouches.

The schools have asked for over-ear headphones, and wireless mouse sets again. If members would like to contribute monetarily, we’ve found companies that sell those products with bulk pricing.  We’ll do the best we can. It’s been a tough year for us as well.

Middle School and High School Supplies:      College ruled filler paper            Index cards

College ruled 1-subject notebooks                           Highlighters                          Post-it notes

2-pocket folders with prongs                                  Colored pencils                     1” binders

Thank you for all you do in our community! Miss you!

Feeding Medina County food pick up for all county residents (no forms or income requirements) on Thursdays going forward at 7:30 a.m. at the County fairgrounds. www.feedingmedinacounty.org/

Please save your plastic caps & lids for a “buddy bench” at Sylvia Anderson’s great nephew, Braden’s school.

Contact Information for Pastor Diane: Phone/Text:  719-648-9065 ~ Email:  dianebell7@msn.com ~

118 Evergreen Dr., Lodi, OH 44254

Loving and Learning in Lodi May 17 2020

           Last week’s service was richly blessed with Missy Laughlin’s music along with Colette Laughlin’s and Cheryl Bett’s sharing about the lessons they learned from the women who raised them! A big THANK YOU for their ministries to us!

           Fellowship and community are two hallmarks of our Christian faith. During these weeks of social distancing, I think we’ve all realized how much we depend on each other’s’ support and encouragement as we seek to stay strong and faithful in our walk with Christ.

           Paul, being so far away from the Philippians, encouraged them to stay strong and faithful as they walked with Christ. He can’t be physically present with them, but he knows the power of Christ to ‘hold on to them’ as they seek to ‘hold on to Christ’ in their hearts and lives.

           Sometimes I’ve written in this email or spoken these words in the audio worship message: “Hang in there!” Today I change it to “Hang onto Christ!”

                                                      Missing you all…but grateful to carry you all in my heart,

                                                                 Pastor Diane

  

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Hymns:         Praise to the Lord, the Almighty                               verses 1 - 5                                #139
                      Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying                                 sing once                                TFWS #2193

                      O How I Love Jesus                                               verses 1 & 3                                #170

                      O Jesus I Have Promised                                           verses 1 – 4                                #396  

Scripture                                       Philippians 3:7 – 14                                Common English Bible

           But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

           Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.               People:  Thanks be to God.

THE CHURCH IN ACTION

 celebration: This Saturday, May 16^th,  at 1:00 p.m. in the church’s parking lot, we will have a graduation ‘party’ drive-by for Bryce. There will be a basket for cards. Be sure to come out and wish him well! He plans on attending the University of Toledo and majoring in mechanical engineering. If you can't make the drive by party and want to send a card, his address is 8954 Harris Road, Lodi, OH 44254.

School My Sheep Update from Katrina Morgan:  Hello!  Missing you and hoping everyone is well! It’s hard to believe, but we're only 2 months away from really gearing up and getting ourselves organized for School My Sheep. Luckily, because so many people were self-isolating at home, many cleaned out closets and drawers.  As a result, we've had 12 bags of clothes donated as well as several boxes of school supplies. How nice that this wonderful community event has a life of its own and has been rumbling along in the background. Look for a list of needed supplies as we will be inventorying soon!

Feeding Medina County food pick up for all county residents (no forms or income requirements) on Thursdays going forward at 7:30 a.m. at the County fairgrounds. www.feedingmedinacounty.org/

Please save your plastic caps & lids for a “buddy bench” at Sylvia Anderson’s great nephew, Braden’s school.

Loving and Learning in Lodi May 10 2020

           Last week’s service was richly blessed with Missy Laughlin’s and Larry Scott’s music. A big THANK YOU for their ministries to us!

           As Mother’s Day approaches, we start remembering how women have influenced our lives for good. We remember our mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, nieces, and all the other incredible women in our lives who have helped to shape us and encouraged us through the years. These women shine in our lives like the stars in the night sky! We thank God for each of them and pray for God’s greatest blessings to come their way this week!

                                                      Missing you all…but grateful to carry you all in my heart,

                                                                 Pastor Diane

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Hymns:         Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise                             verses 1 - 4                                #103
                      Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying                                 sing once                                TFWS #2193

                      Majesty, Worship His Majesty                                           sing once                          #176

                      This Little Light of Mine                                                               

Scripture                                       Philippians 2:12 - 18                    Common English Bible

           Therefore, my loved ones, just as you always obey me, not just when I am present but now even more while I am away, carry out your own salvation with fear and trembling. God is the one who enables you both to want and to actually live out his good purposes.

           Do everything without grumbling and arguing so that you may be blameless and pure, innocent children of God surrounded by people who are crooked and corrupt. Among these people you shine like stars in the world because you hold on to the word of life. This will allow me to say on the day of Christ that I haven’t run for nothing or worked for nothing. But even if I am poured out like a drink offering upon the altar of service for your faith, I am glad. I’m glad with all of you. You should be glad about this in the same way. Be glad with me!

Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.               People:  Thanks be to God.

THE CHURCH IN ACTION

School My Sheep Update from Katrina Morgan:  Hello!  Missing you and hoping everyone is well! It’s hard to believe, but  we're only 2 months away from really gearing up and getting ourselves organized for School My Sheep. Luckily, because so many people were self-isolating at home, many cleaned out closets and drawers.  As a result, we've had 12 bags of clothes donated as well as several boxes of school supplies. How nice that this wonderful community event has a life of its own and has been rumbling along in the background. Look for a list of needed supplies as we will be inventorying soon!

From Elva Dunham: There is a new Christian radio station “Heartfelt Radio” (WKJA, P. O. Box 442, Barberton, OH) at 91.9 FM. All day news, weather, Scripture, messages/Bible Stories…grace, mercy, peace from God. Elva has been enjoying and being blessed by the station’s ministries and hopes you will be too!

Feeding Medina County food pick up for all county residents (no forms or income requirements) on Thursdays going forward at 7:30 a.m. at the County fairgrounds. www.feedingmedinacounty.org/

Please save your plastic caps & lids for a “buddy bench” at Sylvia Anderson’s great nephew, Braden’s school.

Contact Information for Pastor Diane: Phone/Text:  719-648-9065 ~ Email:  dianebell7@msn.com ~

118 Evergreen Dr., Lodi, OH 44254