of First Evangelical Lutheran Church – 19419 Royalton Road – Strongsville Ohio 44149

440.238.7890 – www.firstchurchalive.org

April 2018

Dear Friends: It’s one of those strange coincidences this year that Easter and April Fool’s Day land on the same date. The part of me that appreciates dark humor can’t help but envision one of those old Far Side comics where Jesus is standing at the mouth of the empty tomb proclaiming to an incredulous group of Roman guards, “April Fools!” (Don’t beat yourself up if you laughed at that.) The resurrection must have seemed like foolishness to many people. No one who was crucified - which was one of the cruelest forms of punishment and death - could be alive again. But as all four gospels attest, Jesus was indeed alive and he made himself known to many of his followers. They touched him, embraced him, shared a meal with him. Against all odds, and defying the seemingly finite nature of death, God raised Jesus from the tomb as a sign of the abundant and eternal life that is waiting for all believers. How will you receive the news that Jesus is alive? Will it seem foolish? Will it fill you with doubt as it did for Thomas? Perhaps it will cause you to ponder what is possible with God. Or maybe it will fill you with pure joy. Maybe it will give you renewed hope that life is more powerful than death. My wish for you is that it churns up within you a burning desire to learn more about this God who loves us so much that he would send his only Son - not only to die in our place, but to be resurrected and live forever in our hearts. And I hope that good news becomes such a force in your life that you have no choice but to share it with others. May you have a blessed Easter celebration, assured that Jesus’ resurrection is no April Fool’s joke, but a clear and abiding word from God that He is in absolute control of eternity. Hoping with you, Pastor Chuck

Revelations

Worship Notes for Easter Sunday Sunday, April 1 8:00 AM Cross Planting Devotional 8:15 AM Traditional Festival Worship, Eucharist 9:45 AM Contemporary Celebration, Eucharist 11:15 AM Traditional Festival Worship, Eucharist NO PUB CHURCH ON APRIL 3 Easter 2 Sunday, April 8 8:30 AM Contemporary Worship 11:00 AM With One Voice, Setting 5, Holy Baptism Easter 3 Sunday, April 15 8:30 AM Contemporary Worship, Eucharist 11:00 AM With One Voice, Setting 5 Easter 4 Sunday, April 22 8:30 AM Contemporary Worship 11:00 AM With One Voice, Setting 5, Holy Baptism Easter 5 Sunday, April 29 8:30 AM Contemporary Worship 11:00 AM With One Voice, Setting 5

Pierstorf Memorial Loan Fund

This provides interest-free loans to Lutheran students who are or will be enrolled full time in a four-year undergraduate program at any accredited college or university. This year, the maximum interest-free loan is $3,000 for the school year. For information, go to www.Pierstorf.org. Complete the 2018-2019 application by visiting the website starting April 1, 2018. The deadline for all applications is Saturday, June 30, 2018.

Over 50’s Group

…will meet on Tuesday, April 10 at 12:15 PM. Bring your bag lunch and join us for fellowship.

Caller ID

Our congregation has become a victim of ID Spoofing. "Spoofing" occurs when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally. U.S. law and FCC rules prohibit most types of spoofing. Caller ID lets consumers avoid unwanted phone calls by displaying caller names and phone numbers, but the caller ID feature is sometimes manipulated by spoofers who masquerade as representatives of banks, creditors, insurance companies, or even the government. Several Strongsville residents have received "spoof" calls using the church's phone number. We have contacted the FCC and filed a complaint, but were told there's not much we can do. If you receive a phone call in which your caller ID identifies the church number and someone is trying to obtain your personal information or sell you something, it is not coming from the church. We recommend you hang up and contact the FCC at 1-888-225-5322.

Women’s Bible Study

(DO)N’T QU(IT)

Women’s Bible Study

Facilitator: Pastor Kathy Kluck

Dates: Thursdays, April 12, 19, 26

& May 3rd

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Sign Up at the Welcome Center

Every woman will eventually face it: the temptation to give in and give

up. But something transformative happens when a woman decides to

persevere in the face of difficulty and pain. A woman who refuses to

quit influences her world in ways she could never have imagined. Join

Pastor Kathy as she leads a four week study of Ruth. Sign-up sheets

are located at the Welcome Center.

KIDS HOPE USA

Books! I love books! I especially love picture books. They are small books with BIG messages. One of my

goals is to continue to add books to our small KIDS HOPE library. The following books were recommended

to Directors by LuAnn Kern, a KIDS HOPE Director from Holland, MI. Each is well-crafted, has amazing

illustrations to enhance the story, and is truly fun to read. These books address some of the universal themes

all children face and also open the possibility for discussions, not only between mentor and student but

between parent and child. I thought I would pass the titles on to parents and to others in our congregation

who interact with kids. I hope to have all of these books in our library someday.

THEME: FAMILY AND SIBLINGS.

The Chicken of the Family, written by Mary Amato and illustrated by Delphine Durand,

Penguin Young Readers Group, 2008.

Two older sisters tease their younger sister constantly, and she is beginning to believe what they

tell her. What should Henrietta do? She knows and teaches us a thing or two. Really fun story!

Diva v. Poe, written by Kurt Hassler, illustrated by Spiro, Seven Seas, 2006.

Diva and Poe are twin sisters who are very different from each other and who constantly

compete for their parents’ attention, which often results in hilarious situations. Very catchy

theme line!

THEME: FRIENDSHIP

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, written and illustrated by Dan Santat,

Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2014. Winner of the 2015 Caldecott Award.

On the island of Imaginary Friends someone sits waiting. When he gets tired of waiting, he sets

off on a journey to find his perfect friend. She is just what he imagined. Great story!

Strictly No Elephants, written by Lisa Mantchev, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo, Simon &

Shuster, 2015.

The Pet Club does not understand that pets come in all sizes and shapes, just like friends.

Therefore, a boy and his tiny pet elephant need to show them what true friendship is.

The Way Back Home, written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, Philomel Books, 2007.

A boy and a Martian find themselves stranded on the moon. They join forces to help each

other return home. Eventually, their plan works, and a friendship is born.

continued on next page

THEME: BEING AFRAID

The Dark, by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen, 2013.

Lazlo fears the dark, but the dark does not fear him. This is an excellent book for any student

or child struggling with a fear of any type. Great illustrations too!

THEME: ACCEPTANCE

Princess Pigsty, written by Cornelia Funke, illustrated by Kerstin Meyer, The Chicken

House, 2007.

Princess Cornelia does not like anything royal – fancy dresses, crowns, or curly hair. She

prefers the company of pigs, much to the dismay of the king, who is quite unhappy. He

finally learns that each person has his/her own ideas about happiness.

THEME: PERSEVERANCE

The Most Magnificent Thing, written and illustrated by Ashley Spires, Kids Can Press,

2014.

When a little girl decides to create the Most. Wonderful. Thing. Ever, she finds it is not

quite as easy as she anticipated. This is a clever, funny, and honest story of perseverance.

Watching mentors and kids huddled over a book and reading together is a beautiful sight. When the books

are tailored to helping the kids who are going through a particular struggle, the whole reading session

becomes even more beneficial. I hope you find them to be helpful too.

For the kids,

Gloria Reichert

Director, KIDS HOPE USA

APRIL VOLUNTEERS

April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29 Easter Sunday Communion Communion Acolytes 8:15/8:30 Dylan Bresnahan Lance Fowler Megan Uline Zachary Kakos Andrew Magons Ellen Kolman Abbey Uline

11:15 Ty Worsencroft Maggie Sawitzke

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ushers Maureen Shorts 8:15/8:30 Janice Hentosh Joy Blankenship Ron Shorts Hank Pekkola Maureen Shorts Russ Kalnasy Kurt Blankenship Maureen Shorts Alli Thellman Bob Strong Kelly Kalnasy Gayle Pekkola Al Hoffman Shelley Fetzer Dave Bewie Brianna Kalnasy Gladys Otto Shelley Hoffman Gayle Pekkola Margaret Bewie 9:45 Al Hoffman Shelley Hoffman

Herb Simpson Pam Simpson Dawn Evangelista 11:00/11:15 Jerry Krueger Ron Warzel Wayne Mosley Jerry Krueger Bob Jacob Barb Krueger Mary Jane Warzel Steve Harris Barb Krueger Brenda Jacob John Brinzo Chuck Kaskey John Brinzo Robert Snyder Dennis Beckman Alan Evangelista Sandy Kaskey Alfonso Hinojosa Heather Snyder Jim Gist _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Readers & CA 8:15/ 8:30 Marj Gray - RCA Gail Landfried - R Paul Schlacht – RCA Alli Thellman – R Paul Worsencroft - R Barb Krueger Comm Assts: Steve Gall Jonathan Paine Clark Buckley Maureen Shorts Madge Buckley Mike Thellman Mike McNamara 9:45 Jeanine Kowalewski - RCA Bonnie Bailey Jan Kappus Gayle Kovach 11:00/ 11:15 Mike Magons - RCA Alan Evangelista - R Dennis Beckman – R Dawn Evangelista – R Gloria Reichert - R

Comm Assts: Sam Reichert Bob Jacob Alfonso Hinojosa Laurie Uline Jacquie McLemore Linda Wlaker Maryann Tower _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nursery Bonnie Bailey 8:30/9:45 Gerri Sagan Bonnie Bailey Margaret Bewie Jennifer Paine Gayle Kovach Barb Krueger Ellen Kolman Erin Edwards Kelly Worsencroft Sandy Treudler _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Counting Teams Sam Reichert Terri Mosley Wade Zwingler Jim Gist Terri Mosley Rolf Gaab Curt Dean Mary Whitecar Sherri Gist Jackie Wojciehowski Bob Jacob Pat Sauernheimer Gary Walters John Brinzo Daphne Leon Dick Kiplinger Mary Walters _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Altar Guild Dawn Evangelista Barb Krueger Sandy Rath Pat Sauernheimer Dawn Evangelista Beth David Marsha Stephens Lynn Stenger Billie Hoffman Janet Kaiser Marsha Stephens Sheri Gist Shelley Hoffman Karen McFarland Sandy Kaskey Sheri Gist Tricia Nolder Jacquie McLemore Tricia Nolder Janice Hentosh Carol Paulini Ellen Kolman

April 2018

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 8:00 – Easter Breakfast

Easter Worship

8:00 – Cross Planting

8:15 – Traditional

9:45 – Contemporary

11:15 – Traditional

2

Office Closed!

7:00 - AA

3

6:00 – Cross Stitchers

7:30 – Al-Anon

4

7:00 – WOW Board

7:30 – Chancel Choir

5

6:30 – Praise Band

7:00 – Yoga

7:00 – Education

7:30 – Men’s Basketball

6

10:00 – Prayer & Care

7

8

9:45 – Sunday School

11:00 – Baptism

12:00 – Bell Choir

9

7:00 – Bible Bonanza

7:00 – Mentor Group

7:00 - AA

10

12:15 – Over 50’s Group

7:00 – Toastmaster’s

7:00 - Celebration

7:30 – Al-Anon

11

7:30 – Chancel Choir

12

6:30 – Praise Band

7:00 – WOW Bible Study

7:30 – Men’s Basketbal

13

14

9:30 – Strongsville

Food Bank

15

9:45 – Sunday School

12:00 – Bell Choir

16

7:00 – Bible Bonanza

7:00 – Confirmation

7:00 - AA

17

8:30 – KHUSA

Leadership Team

7:00 – Council

7:30 – Al-Anon

18

10:00 – Lydia Circle

7:30 – Chancel Choir

19

6:30 – Praise Band

7:00 – WOW Bible Study

7:30 – Men’s Basketball

20

21

22

9:45 – Sunday School

11:00 - Baptism

12:00 – Bell Choir

6:00 – Council

Workshop

23

7:00 – Bible Bonanza

7:00 – Confirmation

7:00 – AA

24

7:00 – Toastmaster’s

7:30 – Al-Anon

25

7:30 – Chancel Choir

26

6:30 – Praise Band

7:00 – WOW Bible Study

7:30 – Men’s Basketball

27

28

29

9:45 – Sunday School

12:00 – Bell Choir

30

7:00 – Bible Bonanza

7:00 – Mentors Meet

7:00 - AA

Pastor Charles Knerem First Evangelical Lutheran Church Pastorchuck1@gmail.com 19419 Royalton Road Strongsville OH 44149-4995 Pastor Kathleen Kluck Office hours: Monday & Friday 8-2, revklk@gmail.com Tuesday – Thursday 9-2 Email – firstchurchalive@hotmail.com 440-238-7890