Category Archives: Uncategorized

Church Information…Please remember that you can obtain church information from the monthly Lamplighter Newsletter, the Constant Contact emails you receive, on the church website (www.lllc.org), on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Living-Lord-Lutheran-Church-493806727349110/), and postings on the church bulletin board.  Church Council Meeting minutes are posted on the bulletin board and sent out via Constant Contact.  We would like to see a better “open rate” when we send information to you via Constant Contact so that we know you are being informed of the activities that are occurring at the church.  If you have any other suggestions on how best to reach out to our parishioners, please see a Council member.

The 60^th Anniversary Luncheon for Living Lord Lutheran Church on April 14, 2024, was full of grace and fellowship at Ciminero’s Banquet Hall in Niles, Ohio.  Sixty some persons were in attendance and enjoyed good food, generous benefactors, bright decorations, Rich Baringer as MC, speaker Rev. Beth Giller, the hard work of committee members Darlene Altiere, Co-Chairperson Pam Gerbetz, Joyce L’Amoureaux, Judy Shaffer, Co-Chairperson Barb Wright, and God’s presence with us throughout the afternoon.  Our theme was “Keep the Bell Ringing” in keeping with the theme of our 50^th Anniversary ten years ago.  Pastor Beth Giller’s message centered around GRACE, GRIT, GUIDANCE, GENERATION, and GRATITUDE using letters and ideas from former pastors at Living Lord.  Who has modeled GRACE for you at LLLC?  When has GRIT been shown in times LLLC has had to show perseverance?  JESUS has always been with us to GUIDE us.  GENERATIONS of Apostles have served to spread the Gospel.  LLLC has given GRATITUDE to GOD and our members.  Thanks be to God!  “Keep the Bell Ringing”!

Many thanks to the 60^th Anniversary Committee for their hard work.  It was a very nice event to commemorate our 60 years of service to the Lord.  Keep the Bell Ringing!

Fellowship…May Fellowship will be on May 19 following our service.  We will celebrate spring and the start of summer.  Please plan on joining us for a treat or two.

Monthly Women’s Breakfast…Please join us at our monthly breakfast at Vasilio’s in Cortland on the second Thursday (May 9) of every month at 10:00 am.  All are welcome!

Prayer Chain…The Prayer Chain of Living Lord Lutheran Church includes seven volunteer members.  A Prayer Chain is simply a request that people join in prayer for others which deepens the power of prayer.  If you would like to pray for others in our congregation and community who are ill, hospitalized, homebound, or have health issues, please contact Bonnie Sanzenbacher for more information.  The group could always use another “link”.  The group includes:  Camille Allen, Karen Bandy, Pam Boothe, Karin McKinney, Kitty Thompson, and Rosemarie Zavatsky.

Adult Forum…The Adult Forum begins at 8:45 am each Sunday.  We are studying Acts.  Please join us to receive your Acts study guide.  May 26 will be the last class for summer break.

Sunday School…We have Sunday School for all ages every Sunday at 9:30 am.  May 26 will be the last class for summer break.

I just finished my article about 15 minutes ago and after spell check (I need spell check), I must have pushed a wrong button because all of my article disappeared into thin air.  Now I have to try to remember what I wrote, as it was very good.  Let me start by saying I am very passionate about Living Lord Lutheran Church and our problems.  Karin and I always say we love all of you as you are our extended family…and we really mean that.  Sometimes when I am talking to you, I get very passionate and a little carried away.  Well, I did that last Sunday at Fellowship, and I want to apologize about that.  I will try hard not to do that again, but I might.  So, you will have to bear with me about all this, so if I get carried away again, just throw something at me and I will stop!

On to another project I am passionate about and that is our membership drive that I am spearheading for this year.  It will be tied in with our 60^th Anniversary this year.  I will have a meeting shortly with other church members to discuss some plans for the year.  We are looking to work outside the box doing things we have not tried before.  These are a few things I am looking at:  Advertising – I have talked with a sales representative down at the Tribune and received prices to work with them throughout the year for print advertising.  I would like to recommend to the Council to create an advertising fund to draw from when we do print advertising.  Direct Bulk Mailing – Direct bulk mailing of a full color postcard to 3,000 homes in our area introducing ourselves and also included in my talks with them would be mailing to new people moving into our area each month.  (What a great idea and not very expensive.)  Picnic – Having a free function in our yard for area neighbors this summer.  Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, etc., and maybe it would be fun to tie in a flea market that same day as a draw.  Maybe have an open house also that day.  Pumpkin Patch – I am looking into this.  It’s not a bad idea.  There is no upfront money involved.  It is a company that is 20-25 years old, and they work mostly with churches.  This would be more of a fundraiser.  They deliver the pumpkins, they set the prices, and take a percentage of the sales.  We sit on one of the busiest roads in the area and should have no trouble selling many pumpkins.  This is more labor intensive, and we would have to figure that out.  What a different idea and I cannot remember any church in our area doing something like this.  Enough on this subject.

Another project I was involved in and very passionate about was our new digital sign that will be installed soon.  This will allow us to talk to the world and tell everyone about Living Lord Lutheran Church and what we have to offer as a church.  This was a Fuchs funded project, and it was recommended by our Property Committee to the Council.  I cannot tell you how excited I am about this, and it is another step into the digital world.  Way to go Council!

Well, you know I cannot stop without saying something about our possibly leaving the ELCA.  I will say the Synod and the Bishop have been very helpful sending us information that we need.  We have gathered other information that will help the process go smoother and that is what we want.  But I want the congregation to know you have the final say in all of this.  And let me tell you one of our biggest concerns was what will happen to our property and buildings.  Now this is from the Synod and Bishop Barbins that the Synod will not have claim to said property.  Now everybody can take a breath about that.  OK I am going to stop and take a breath myself.

One more thing, if you get this before Easter, please plan to attend our Holy Week services:  Maundy Thursday Service and Good Friday Service at 4:00 pm and Easter Sunday Service at 9:30 am.  May God be with you and have a blessed Easter!

Church Information…Please remember that you can obtain church information from the monthly Lamplighter Newsletter, the Constant Contact emails you receive, on the church website (www.lllc.org), on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Living-Lord-Lutheran-Church-493806727349110/), and postings on the church bulletin board.  Church Council Meeting minutes are posted on the bulletin board and sent out via Constant Contact.  We would like to see a better “open rate” when we send information to you via Constant Contact so that we know you are being informed of the activities that are occurring at the church.  If you have any other suggestions on how best to reach out to our parishioners, please see a Council member.

Keep the Bell Ringing…Living Lord Lutheran Church’s 60^th Anniversary Celebration luncheon at Ciminero’s Banquet Center in Niles, Ohio, at 1:00 pm on April 14, 2024.  Please see Barb Wright or Pam Gerbetz if you forgot to turn in your RSVP but would like to attend.

Plans for the 60^th Anniversary Celebration are coming together nicely and all of us are looking forward to Sunday, April 14, at Ciminero’s in Niles.  It should be a nice luncheon and program to commemorate our milestone as a church.  The 60^th Anniversary Celebration will be our Fellowship for April, so there will not be Fellowship after our service on April 21.  Mark the third Sunday in May (May 19) on your calendar as our next gathering.  Once again, my thanks for all the well wishes for my recovery.  It is nice to have such wonderful people in my life.  A few more months of therapy and I should be ready for summer and all of its challenges.

Monthly Women’s Breakfast…Please join us at our monthly breakfast at Vasilio’s in Cortland on the second Thursday (April 11) of every month at 10:00 am.  All are welcome!

Prayer Chain…The Prayer Chain of Living Lord Lutheran Church includes seven volunteer members.  A Prayer Chain is simply a request that people join in prayer for others which deepens the power of prayer.  If you would like to pray for others in our congregation and community who are ill, hospitalized, homebound, or have health issues, please contact Bonnie Sanzenbacher for more information.  The group could always use another “link”.  The group includes:  Camille Allen, Karen Bandy, Pam Boothe, Karin McKinney, Kitty Thompson, and Rosemarie Zavatsky.

Easter Food Baskets Update…Thanks so much for your help!  Because of your generosity, Living Lord Lutheran Church was able to provide 17 Easter Food Baskets this year.  Our usual 15 was quickly met, so we raised our quota by a few more.  God led the way, and you are appreciated!