TALLMADGE LUTHERAN CHURCH | MAY 2018 | MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

In Every Issue

Message from the Pastor (p 1-2)

Children & Family Ministry (p 3)

Music Ministry (p 4)

Preschool/King’s Kids News (p 5)

Youth Group Corner (p 6)

Ministry Spotlight (p 6)

Monthly Calendar (p 7)

Be Transformed

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and

perfect will. Romans 12:2

Did you ever watch any episodes from the reality show “The Biggest Loser”? In this show, participants battle to lose the most weight. The premise of this show is that people want to change, but often lack the knowledge or persistence to make the change, so personal trainers push the participants to make changes they normally wouldn’t make. Have you ever felt that way? Desiring to change but not sure how to do it? God has a plan for change—God wants to change us from the inside out.

God uses the waters of baptism to help us change from the inside out. From the outside, Baptism seems like an insignificant event. We cannot see any notable difference on appearance after a baptism, but something has changed! Baptism creates life and gives us a

new identity as the old sinful nature dies and a new spiritual being emerges. This is truly a miracle! As Baptized Children of God, we are growing into the name and identity that God has given us in our baptism. Picture in your mind an infant who is given a huge adult-size white robe of righteousness. And this infant becomes a child, and a youth, and an adult, that child grows into the robe of faith. Basically we grow into the name God has given us “I am God’s Child!” Our response to this new identity is to allow God to work transformation in our lives. Transformation occurs when we GROW as disciples of Jesus, CARE for one another and SHARE the love of Jesus with others. Following Jesus changes us to become more and more like Him! This summer, our youth will have the opportunity to be transformed by participating in a mission trip to Michigan. On this trip, they will depend on the Lord greatly as the students encounter new situations and a foreign culture (It is Michigan you know!). And yet, they will be working with and helping fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to transform a small piece of this world. As a congregation, we will serve in Tallmadge on T.O.O.L. Day – June 9th. 1

Tallmadge Lutheran Church 759 East Avenue, Tallmadge OH 44278 Office Phone 330-633-4775 www.tlcoh.org

Transformations also occur on a daily basis at our homes as children learn from their parents how to apply their faith in many different situations. Transformation occurs in our fellowship times as members support and encourage one another. Transformation occurs in our worship services as we hear God’s Word preached and receive the Sacraments. We are truly blessed at Tallmadge Lutheran Church to have a God who is faithful in continually transforming us from sinners into saints. May the Lord pour out his grace in your heart and life that you may experience his transforming power each and every day!

Pastor Andy

The Living Light Sunday Worship Services:

8:00 & 10:30 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM

2 2

Celebrating Relationships Tables for 8

Smoke was rising from the grill as the smell of sizzling ribs filled the air. Cheesy potatoes, a carefully prepared salad, coleslaw and steaming corn bread sat next to a stack of plates waiting to be filled. Each chair sat ready to be claimed around our table and we waited with anticipation for the celebration to begin. It wasn’t long before the most important part of the celebration happened. People showed up. Relationships were kindled. We ate,

laughed, talked, shared, and celebrated. It was just an ordinary weeknight, nothing more than an opportunity to be together. And yet just being together made this time was priceless and created a joy-filled moment in the midst of chaotic and stress-filled days. Change the menu. Find a different location. Mix up the people. It doesn’t matter what it looks or tastes like. I’m absolutely convinced that in our fast-paced, over-committed, and often isolating culture, we need sacred moments of celebration where we connect in authentic relationship over food and conversation. In his little book, Happy Hour: Etiquette and Advice on Holy Merriment, Hugh Halter speaks to the significance of being invited into moments of celebration, conversation, and community: “Celebration has never been just a part of life – it is the framework wherein God’s story is told to people in every culture. Many old rhythms of life have become separating, often creating barriers for human interaction. But celebration remains the one rhythm that can transcend culture and connect disparate cultures together. The table, the home, the food, and the practice of hospitality remain to this day the best way to bring people together and God into the room.” (p. 7) I see that reality in the life of Jesus. From celebrating at a wedding in Cana (Jn. 2), to sitting down for a feast with Levi and his friends (Lk. 5), to enjoying fish for breakfast over a campfire on the Sea of Galilee with his disciples (Jn. 21), Jesus lived out the value of connection in authentic relationships through hospitality and celebration. All this makes me wonder – what we are missing in our fast-paced, over-committed, and isolating culture? Are we seeing the opportunities to celebrate with others in our everyday life, whether the celebrations are big or small? Could it be that Jesus is inviting us to slow down the pace, to gather around the table? Because relationships matter, they are worth celebrating!

I think it’s time to plan a celebration, be it big or little, and enjoy a few grace-filled hours of eating, talking, and laughing with others. Time to plan a table for 8! From now through the summer, our TLC family will be leaning into opportunities for connecting in authentic relationships. Tables for 8 is one of those opportunities you might choose to take a next step with us. Tables for 8 is a great way to meet other adults from TLC and make meaningful, authentic connections. Each group will plan their own settings and meals, gathering for one meal during the summer months of June, July and August.

Some groups will meet in a private home, while others will be more comfortable gathering in a restaurant. Whether a weeknight dinner or a weekend brunch, fine china or paper plates, fondue or fried chicken (or somewhere in between), your group will make the plans that work for you! Whatever the experience, Tables for 8 is most importantly about celebrating and connecting in relationship as we seek each other’s stories and share in Jesus’ story. Sign up by the church mailboxes to be part of Tables for 8. After registering, you’ll be contacted by a Tables for 8 host who will invite you to gather around their table and give you all the details you need to take your next step. If you love hospitality and would like to host a table for 8, make sure to indicate that when you sign up. Over the next six months, we’ll lean into the practice of connecting in authentic relationships at TLC. It’s going to be a great time to enjoy a few hours of grace-filled connection in our homes. It seems like time to set the table again because life is too fast-paced, over-committed, and isolating. It seems like a good time for a celebration.

Emma & Isaiah Alberts; Kaleb & Kaitlyn Wendland and Eli & Anya Toepke

Sunday School 3

Sunday School in the Preschool / Kindergarten classroom!

processing in during the 8:00 am worship service with their palms.

4

Music Ministry

TLC Summer 2018 Anthem Sign-up

Summertime is upon us, and good music doesn’t rest in the summer! The Music

Ministry is looking for individuals to sing or play anthems throughout the summer. We would

love to have your musical talents be part of both worship services. Adults and youth alike

are all welcome – vocal solos, piano songs, duets or small groups, solo instruments with

piano, bell arrangements and more are all encouraged! You will be asked to offer your

anthem at both the 8:00 am and 10:30 am services on Sunday morning.

Please talk to Bryon Black II (music@tlcoh.org) to sign up for a Sunday this summer,

from June 3 through September 2. If your song needs piano accompaniment, please

coordinate with Sadie Fellows, and provide her with your sheet music at least two weeks in

advance (with your name and date of the service you are singing written on the music). Be

sure to rehearse with her prior to the Sunday you sing. You will have 15 minutes to run your

song before service (7:30-7:45 am).

TLC would like to welcome Clive Moggridge to the

TLC staff. Clive has been hired as the Facilities

Director Coordinator and Maintenance Technician

at KB BioEnergy in Akron. Clive and his wife

Jessica have two girls, Morgan (2nd

Grade) and

Courtney (Pre-School). As you are able, be sure to

congratulate and welcome Clive in this new role.

Welcome!

Preschool and King’s Kids News

Tallmadge Christian Preschool enjoying fun & educational field trips last month!

Check back next month to see what King’s Kids were up to in May!

5

TLC’s Pre-K class at the

Akron Art Museum.

TLC’s 3’s class at the Akron

Children’s Museum

TLC 4’s class at the

Metropolis Popcorn

Upcoming Youth Events

May 5 Confirmation

May 6 Memorial Day Banners Sales

May 13 Mother’s Day No Youth Group

May 24 Banner Making Party

May 27 Youth Group

Youth Group Corner Kyle Lang, Director of Youth and Outreach Ministries

A big shout out and thanks to the Wahl family who

s

Second Saturday Serve. They worked on organizing

the storage room in the gym, and helped trim the

Putting on The Hits

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A Word of Thanks

We have had a busy and fun filled month, we

brought back Putting on the Hits, we hosted the

Easter Egg Hunt and the Easter Breakfast. I want to

give a huge thank you to all the youth and the

parents that have given time and resources this past

month to make TLC an awesome place to worship

and gather as a family. Please make sure to check

out all of our social media sites for many pictures

and videos of all the fun youth events this past

month!

A big thankyou to John and Mary Huck for the

amazing donation of a popcorn machine. This will

be an awesome tool for ministry, and bring lots of

fun and join to TLC and all that use it!

Operation Christmas Child

Last year TLC packing parties made 114 shoeboxes to send to children in need through Operation Christmas

Child! The shoeboxes traveled hundreds of miles into the hands of children in Ukraine and Ecuador. That

means we, as a church, were able to touch the lives of 114 children and their families, and share the love of

Jesus with them! We are already collecting items for the 2018 shoeboxes so keep an eye out for sales and

clearances. School supplies, small toys, clothing and hygiene products are just some examples of items we

like include in each shoebox. A donation bin is by the mailboxes or you can give your items to Christy Wahl.

No foods or liquids please. Any questions about how you can help, or what items can be included, contact

Christy Wahl! Thanks in advance for your help in this ministry opportunity.

TOOL Day

Saturday, June 9 We’re looking for teams of

volunteers to serve on home projects for our own

church members. Please consider signing up to be

either a Home Leader (project manager for a

home), a general volunteer, or a prayer warrior.

Volunteer applications are available by the

mailboxes.

Nic, Robert &

Andy Wahl

setting up the

stage.

Jon Vanaman, The Sound Guy

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The Living Light is a monthly publication of

Tallmadge Lutheran Church, 759 East Avenue, Tallmadge OH 44278

Phone: 330-633-4775 Website: www.tlcoh.org

Rev. Andy Alberts, Pastor

PastorAndy@tlcoh.org

Clive Moggridge, Facilities Manager

facilities@tlcoh.org

Lindsay Snyder, Administrative Assistant

secretary@tlcoh.org

Pastor Doug Riley, Pastoral Assistant

PastorRiley@tlcoh.org

Kyle Lang, Director of Youth and Outreach Ministries

kylelang@tlcoh.org

Hannah Lang, Director of

Children’s and Family Ministries

hannahlang@tlcoh.org

Katie Bungard, King's Kids & Preschool Director

kbungard@tlcoh.org

Bryon Black, Music Director

music@tlcoh.org

May 2018