Side-by-Side Ministry

sidebysideminstry.com

April 2013 `

St. Paul Lutheran and St. John Lutheran, Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio Our vision: To be a vibrant, Spirit-filled people, participating in Gods work in the world Our mission: Loving God and loving neighbor, we witness to Christs saving grace, that others may believe and find life.

From Pastor Chris

Redemption says that love has the last say. At a recent visit to see our 4 grandchildren, our grandson, Jacob, became overly exuberant in a game of hiding the Easter eggs, and plastic eggs went flying. Being the only adult in the house at that moment, I decided it might be good to intervene and regain some order. Jacob did not agree, and a few more eggs went flying. He was ready to play a game of you cant catch me- I knew who would win that game. Instead, I turned around and with an increasingly firm but hopefully loving voice, I said, Jacob, come with me. (I prayed he would follow). Redemption says that love has the last say. The day before, Jacob and I had played together, shared hugs, and read stories. I let him play Angry Birds on my cell phone, and he let me sing him lullabies and tuck him in bed with a kiss good night. That mutual love made a way for the redemption of our mini-meltdown the next morning. Love helped me keep my cool, love helped him respond by following me. There was a consequence of 6 minutes of time out (1 minute for each year old). Loves redeeming gift allowed us both to h ave a fresh start, and perhaps allowed us to see something bigger than both of us at work. There are times when we become the overly exuberant child in this game of life, and like those Easter eggs, things can go flying careless words, a quick temper, an ultimatum, self-will. When the God in us steps in to intervene and help us regain order, we want to run the other way, rather than face ourselves or the consequences. With a voice of love, Jesus says, Come, follow me. (And prays we will follow) Redemption says that love has the last say. Thats the message of Easter - sin, chaos, and death no longer have the last say! Loves redeeming gift allows us to have a fresh start. Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

Special Events
Easter Sunday
Sunday, March 31st 7:00 a.m. Sunrise Service at St. Paul 8:00 10:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast for all, at St. Paul 8:45 a.m. Worship at St. John 10:30 a.m. Worship at St. Paul

The Story Whole Church Book Study

Beginning the Sunday after Easter!
One of our newer members texted me with Hey, I started reading that bookThe Storyits really goodit really explains the Bible in a story. I guess I just wanted to say thank you! Please read along with us, 1 chapter each week for 31 weeks. April 7, Chpt. 1 (Creation); April 14, Chpt. 2 (Abraham); April 21, Chpt. 3 (Joseph); April 28, Chpt. 4 (Moses) Want more? Come to Sundays Worship at both churches as we explore the scriptures behind the reading Sunday Mornings Adult Class at St. Paul as they have discussion over coffee at 9:00 a.m. Mens Breakfast & Bible Study on the 2nd and 4th Saturday at 7:30 a.m., April 13 @ St. Paul, April 27 @ St. John If you are interested in forming a discussion group at another time, please talk to Pastor Chris. Those who ordered books will be able to pick them up at the church office, soon. Others may purchase them in bookstores or on-line through Zondervan Publishing. It is also available for Kindle.

Class (for any age) - Tuesday, April 16, 4:306:00 p.m. at St. Paul with Pastor Chris First Communion, Sunday, April 21st, 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Please sign up on the Events Board or call the church office, 419-734-1662.

First Communion

Community Garden
Volunteers are needed to help with the Community Garden. If you would like to know how you can help, please see Pastor Chris. If you would like to have a plot to plant, please sign up on the Events Board. We hope to offer plots to the community, as well, with planting times beginning late April.

Bible & Discipleship Studies

Mens Breakfast & Bible Study - 2nd & 4th Saturdays at 7:30 a.m., Apr. 13 @ St. Paul & Apr. 27 @ St. John Womens Bible Studies (WELCA Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America)
All women are invited to participate! St. John Women usually meet on second Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. Next. Meeting is Wed. April 10th. St. Paul WELCA will meet 3rd Thursdays at 1:00. Next date is April 18th.

Monthly Small Group Bible Study

Contacts are: 419-341-9811 (Paul Lee) and 419-341-9144 (Patrice Lee). Weekly Wednesday Bible Study Wednesday Bible Study is studying The Names of God. Come Wednesdays to St. Paul at 11:00 am. All are welcome we are a very welcoming group join us whenever you can. Sandra Reep 419-732-7846.

Serving Others
Celebration Chorus with voices from both congregations meets Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul for
practice and sings the 2nd Sunday of each month. Come join us! Noisy Offering for April is the ELCA Malaria Campaign. Join us as together we work to save lives!

Food Pantry! Cloth bags with the list of monthly donations are available at both churches to help us
remember to bring your items to church for the 3rd Saturday of each month. For April, St. John is to bring canned fruit and St. Paul is to bring cereal. Quarterly Joint Council Night at St. John Thursday, April 18th, 5:45 is Joint Parish Board; 6:45 all council worship and Pastors report; 7:00 individual councils Team Grandparents Influencing Faith (TGIF) - Thanks to Fran and our TGIF group for sponsoring the Lunch with the Easter Bunny! Despite the cold and rain, over 100 kids and families enjoyed the day! Internship We are excited to announce that we have been selected to receive an intern from Trinity Lutheran Seminary this fall! We look forward to this adventure together More information will come after the official assignments on April 1st. Many thanks to our internship committee for their hard work and for not giving up! Many thanks to our two churches for their votes of support. Many thanks to all who are making this possible through their generosity! If you or your group have a fund-raising idea you will be planning, please keep your council presidents informed thank you! If you would like to make a donation, please designate it for the Seminary Fund. Prayer Chain If you have someone to put on the prayer chain, you may call Joan Harris at 419-734-3971 or 419-341-6373 for St. Pauls prayer chain. The St. John prayer chain contact is Myra Prokop at 419-798-5101. God promises that our prayers are heard! You may also contact Joan or Myra to be added to our group who pray. Prayer Shawl Plus Ministry - Meets Wednesdays after Bible Study at St. Paul, around noon. Thank you to this group for their Red, White and Blue shawls for our armed forced families! Also needed are White shawls for Baptism; Misc. shawls for our Church family and outreaches. Contact Sandra Reep at 419-732-7846 for patterns and yarn. PSM will take any donations of yarn, hooks, and needles. Lutheran World Relief Project Please bring 8x10-70 sheet ruled tablets and sturdy combs Mission Sundays for Northwest Ohio Synod - The third Sunday of each month is Mission Sunday and an offering basket is set out for donations to assist the ministries of our Synod, which includeTrinity Lutheran Seminary, Lutheran Outdoor Ministry of Ohio, Lutheran Disaster Relief, Global Mission, ELCA World Hunger, and others. Volunteer Opportunities -See www.sidebysideministry.com for more opportunities for serving.

Building Friendships
Dartball 4/1 Tournament at Zion; 4/15 Banquet with the Racing Rev., Pastor Dale Schaefer, as speaker By Still Waters - Care for the Caregiver
Tuesday, April 9th, 6:30 p.m. at the home of Kay and Jack Tibbels, 6965 East Harbor Road If you are a caregiver of another (or one who wants to offer support), we want to create a safe place for you to come and take a break by still waters. An hour of restoration through conversation, sharing, support, and maybe even a little pampering will greet you, as we encounter a God who cares for the caregivers. Any questions? Please contact Kay Tibbels at 419-656-5093.

Not Older, Just Better - This singles group will meet Monday, April 8th at Pattaya in Port Clinton for
lunch at 11:30. Call Marge at 419-798-8816 if you have questions, or need a ride.

Hospitality Lunch Sunday, April 28th, at St. Paul. Both churches are invited! Tuesdays at the Danbury Senior Center
Come Tuesdays at 5:00. Call in your reservation in to Paula by the Friday before at 419-798-4101.

Picture Directory Updates - One of our goals is to keep updating this directory with contact information
on new members and changes or corrections on existing members. It is so important that you report any change in the present information to Margaret Stellhorn at St. John or Louise Rogers at St. Paul.

Youth
Senior High B&B - Bible Study and Breakfast First Sundays at 9:00 p.m.; Come April 7th! Confirmation, Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and
Sunday, March 31 Easter; Help with 7:00 Sunrise Service; Help with Easter Breakfast (8-10:30) Weds. at 6:00 p.m. April 3, 10, 17, 24 Continue in The Greatest Story Curriculum (Chpts. 13, 14, 15, 16) Looking ahead May 9th, confirmands attend council mtg.; Sun. May 16, 10:30 is Confirmation

DYO (Danbury Youth Organization), Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul

Sunday, March 31 Easter; Help with 7:00 Sunrise Service; Help with Easter Breakfast (8-10:30) April 3 Bake Cookies for Otterbein; Preparation for Vespers (Scripture, prayer, Songs) April 10 Vespers at Otterbein and Serving Cookies and Punch to residents April 17 Dartball games at St. Paul (Coney Dogs) April 24 Community Garden planting seeds - beans, squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, corn (Veggies/dip) May 1 Cinco de Mayo Casa Los Palmos May 8 Kickball game at St. Paul (Nachos) last regular DYO; watch for special events this summer May 15 Confirmation Party at Pizza Hut, no DYO Any questions, please contact Chrissy French, chrissy.french74@gmail.com or 419-341-4653 (cell)

Sunday School 9:00 every Sunday at St. Paul

Sunday School Opening in the Church for Preschool through 6th grade. 7th & 8th grade meet in basement in Youth area. Senior High meets the first Sunday of each month in Pastors office for Breakfast and Bible Study. Adults meet in fellowship hall at 9:00 over coffee.

Thank Yous
Thank you to our extra Easter musicians at St. Paul! Seth
clarinet, Nathan Ahrens on French Horn, and Heather Lambert on alto sax. on tenor sax , Liz Bush on

Misc. Stuff
Vacation Bible School at Tall Timbers Campground
Mark your calendars for the week of July 22nd. Watch for more information and planning meetings.

Facebook - If you are on Facebook, please friend us at John-Paul Lutheran and get the lastest updates
and reminders. If you have information or pictures to share, please contact Jenna Sandvick at Jennasandvick@gmail.com

Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio

Register now for 2013 Summer and Retreat Programs at www.lomocamps.org