Church briefs for July 16-17

SANDUSKY • During the month of July, New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, at 1920 Eddy Henry Way, will celebrate its 67th anniversary. The church's schedule of events includes: - July 17 at 10:30 a.m.: Faith Church, located at 1320 E. Strub Road in Sandusky, will be our guests. At 3:30 p.m., Christ Temple MBC of Cleveland will be our guests. - July 24 at 11 a.m.: Pastor Curtis L. Johnson Jr. will deliver the message. - July 31 at 11 a.m.: Rev. Dorothy Kent (church historian and charter member) will deliver the message. We are asking for the community's support and invite everyone to celebrate 67 years of continuous service with us. • First Congregational United Church of Christ, at 1158 Cleveland Road in the Sandusky Plaza, invites you to in-person worship for each Sunday at 10 a.m. Join us this weekend for a special service as we're having an ordination celebration! We have four retired pastors within our congregation who are all celebrating ordination milestones: John Rainey (United Church of Christ), 65 years; Gene Finnegan (United Methodist Church), 53 years; Bob Bottoms (United Church of Christ), 50 years; and Janine Dress (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), 40 years. Rev. Dan Busch of the Northwest Ohio Association will be the guest preacher, offering a sermon entitled "Chosen." Following the service, there will be a reception with light refreshments. At 11:20 a.m., Rev. Lenore welcomes people to join her for devotions. Our Shoreline ministry also continues at the Shoreline Park Pavilion — rain or shine — at 8 a.m. Sundays. Each week, we will have a speaker deliver a message about "how the awesome love of God has impacted my life." We will also take up an offering at each service and the proceeds of such will go to the offering focus of the day. This week, we will hear from Deb Lusher. The Father's Heart Food Outreach will be the offering focus. We are an open and affirming congregation and all are welcome here. Our building is fully accessible. Weekly and upcoming church events include: - On Tuesday, July 19 our Supper Club will meet, and the location is a mystery! Those who wish to participate must sign-up by July 17, either on the sign-up sheet in the back of the sanctuary, or by calling the church office. Everyone will meet at the church at 5:45 p.m. and then carpool to the destination. - An open 11th Step Meditation Alcoholics Anonymous group gathers at the church from noon to 1 p.m. every Tuesday. For more information about the church, worship services and any events/groups taking place, please call the church office at 419-625-8105 or check out our Facebook page (@firstconguccsandusky). • Zion Lutheran Church, at 503 Columbus Ave., will host the following events. In addition to being in-person, the communion services can also be viewed on the church's "Zion Sandusky" YouTube channel. - Saturday, July 16: Worship with Communion - Sunday, July 17: Worship with Communion service at 8 a.m./10:30 a.m.; 9:15 a.m. Faith formation for all - Monday, July 18: 9-11:30 a.m. VBS "Food Truck Party"; Troop 8 Scouts at 7 p.m. - Tuesday, July 19: 9-11:30 a.m. VBS "Food Truck Party"; JOYTime at 6pm; Gazebo Concert Series "Seajamz 7" at 7 &emsp; p.m. at the Gazebo - Wednesday, July 20: 9-11:30 a.m. VBS "Food Truck Party" - Thursday, July 21: 9-11:30 a.m. VBS "Food Truck Party" - Friday, July 22: 9-11:30 a.m. VBS "Food Truck Party" - Saturday, July 23: Worship with Communion at 6 p.m. • St. Stephen United Church of Christ, at 905 E. Perkins Ave., has worship at 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Sundays. Sunday school will resume in the fall. All are welcome. Upcoming events include: - Thursdays: Quilters at 10 a.m. • Emmanuel United Church of Christ, at 334 Columbus Ave., has worship at 10 a.m. Sundays. All are welcome. Masks are optional. • First Presbyterian Church, at 265 Jackson St., worships at 10 a.m. Sundays. • Until July 17, St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church is temporarily worshiping at 10 a.m. Sundays at the American Legion Post #83 at 3615 Hayes Ave. Revs. Philip A. Gardner and Lance N. Franke are assisting the congregation. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to 419-625-6800 by noon on the Wednesday before. • Trinity United Methodist Church, at 214 E. Jefferson St., has in-person worship at 11 a.m. Sundays. The pastor is Rev. Dr. Diane Bell. Masks are optional and social distancing is observed. The worship service is also broadcast live at trinitysandusky.net or on the church's Facebook page. • Grace Episcopal Church, at 315 Wayne St., hosts in-person worship at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m Sundays and 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Everyone is welcome. Grace Episcopal's 10 a.m. Sunday service can also be viewed via live-streaming. To join, go to Grace's website, gracesandusky.org, and click on the teal "Boxcast Sunday Streams" box. The service can also be heard by calling toll-free 888-477-9081 or by visiting Grace Episcopal Church-Sandusky Facebook page. The church will provide free carry-out meals to the community from 4:30-5 p.m. July 23 and 30 at its downtown Sandusky location. • Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, at 502 Bardshar Road, has worship services at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sundays, with children's Sunday school at 9 a.m. The first and third Sundays of the month will have Communion services and the fifth Sunday services will occur at 9 a.m. and are lay led with no Sunday school. • Christian Singles Fellowship is a group that promotes Christian support, social activities and fellowship for all born-again single adults, whether divorced, widowed or single by choice. It provides singles with positive fellowship and interaction with other singles within the context of Christianity and to minister to people's special needs. For questions, call Karson at 419-433-0085. Upcoming events include: - Saturday July 23: Canal boat ride experience; meet at 10:30 a.m. to carpool from North Point Baptist Church. We will travel to Providence, Ohio, near Bowling Green. Bring a sack lunch. Tickets for adults are $7 and $4 for kids. Afterward, we will eat dinner at an area restaurant. Bring the kids to step back in time for a horse-drawn boat ride on the Eric Canal at Lock 44. - Friday July 29: Bike and Bible Night, meet at 6:15 p.m. at Karson's home. Sloppy Joe sandwiches will be provided. Bring a covered dish/dessert, pop. Bring the kids for some physical and spiritual exercise. - July 23-29: Beulah Beach Bible Missionary conference at 601 W. Lake Road, Vermilion. For details, call 440-967-4861 or beulahbeach.org. This is open to the public. • St. Stephen AME Church, at 312 Neil St., hosts worship at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Everyone is welcome. • Father's Heart Family Church, at 2211 Mills St., has worship at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. • Faith Christian Ministries, at 200 Hancock St., is a non-denominational church located that invites you to join us for Sunday worship at 11 a.m. We have Bible study at 11 a.m. Wednesdays, where we study God's Word together. A Wednesday evening Bible study takes place via conference call (617-691-8135) at 6 p.m. All are welcome and please call 419-366-0057 for more information. • Columbus Avenue United Methodist Church, at 2401 Columbus Ave., invites you to join us for worship on Sundays at 9 a.m. Sunday school meets at 10:40 a.m. On every third Saturday of the month from 6-7:30 p.m., join us in our Memorial Hall for a "Come As You Are" alternative worship service, potluck meal and testimonies about recovery and recovery principles. • Faith Church, at 1320 E. Strub Road, will host its "Mega Sports Camp" Vacation Bible School from 6-8:30 p.m. July 19-22. Children four years old through fifth grade are invited to attend. To register, go to myfaithhome.com. NORWALK • St. Paul Episcopal Church, at 87 W. Main St., will share a service of Morning Prayer at 10 a.m. Sunday. This is a lay-led service by a member of the congregation which includes prayers, hymns, psalms and scripture. The readings for Sunday are: • Genesis 18:1-10a • Psalm 15 • Colossians 1:15-28 • Luke 10: 38-42 This is the sixth Sunday of the season of Pentecost and continues the theme of the expansion of the Christian church through the disciples of Jesus (which numbered about 70 at that time). Today, we believe and have received God's love and accepted that gift of His love, and are required by God to give that gift of love to others. We are not to be oppressive, not to judge, not to reject anyone, especially the poor, disenfranchised, marginalized. We are expected to find ways to lift others up, to include them — or, at the very least, to make the offer. We can try to work this into our daily routine, habits and schedule. Look for those among us who did this and follow their example. "Go forth in the name of the Lord ..." is a phrase found often in the Bible. It is the reminder of how to live our one precious life. All are welcome — no exceptions — at St. Paul Episcopal Church. • St. Peter Lutheran Church, at 243 Benedict Ave., invites you to join us for worship on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. and Sundays at 9 a.m. (outdoors) or 10:30 a.m. The 10:30 a.m. worship service is broadcast on WLKR 95.3 and Facebook. We are having an outdoor worship service at 9 a.m. during July and August. Please bring your own chair. Also included will be family activities 15 minutes before and after the outdoor service in our shelter. Chair aerobics is offered for free on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Anyone is welcome to join us, come and bring a friend. We will spend time getting our heart rates up, stretching and doing some body toning. Christian Day Nursery School is having open registration from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Registration forms are available in the church narthex, the preschool office or on the church website, stpeter-elca.org/, click education, then Christian Day Nursery School. • Norwalk First United Methodist Church, at 60 W. Main St., invites you to its annual ice cream social from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday in the church Fellowship Hall. The cost is a free will offering with all proceeds going toward our important local and distant missions. We will have hotdogs, ham sandwiches (with or without cheese), macaroni salad, baked beans, chips, cookies and Toft's ice cream. This month, our Spotlight on Missions highlights the Flat Rock Homes and Care Center. This residential and day-use community facility provides treatment and care for children, adolescents and adults who are developmentally disabled. The church invites you to view its summer movies. On July 21, it's Christmas in July in the chapel at 10 a.m. Bring your favorite movie snack. Child care will be available for up to six children. Please contact the church office before the movie. Love Fund offerings are always welcome. Summer office hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Just for Men Bible study continues at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. A choral concert will take place at 3 p.m. July 31. A free will offering will be taken. We'd like to put together a community choir of many voices to prepare the concert. Please contact the church office for choir rehearsals. Interested singers should call the church office at 419-668-1938. Bible studies continue at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and at 10 a.m. Thursdays. • First Baptist Church, at 67 E. Main St., invites you to join us on Sunday for worship and praise in our sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. We encourage you to join us in person or by live-streaming on YouTube, just search Norwalk First Baptist Church. Our Vacation Bible School this year will be from July 28-30. "Faith Builders — Building Faith One Block At a Time" will be our theme. VBS is open to all kids who would like to attend, whether a member of our church or not. Come and see what we will be making with legos! Pastor Art Conrad will be giving part four for his seven-part series "Jesus, The New Way." This week's message is entitled "Can You Hear Me?" with reading from Luke 6:27-36. Love Norwalk will be on Aug. 13, and we are looking forward to helping our city youth with their needs to return to school. If you any questions about upcoming events, our office is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Our phone number is 419-668-4144. If no one answers the phone, leave a message and we will get back with you as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, Pastor Art is in the office on Wednesdays. You can call and speak with him, make an appointment to see him in person, or request a visit. We have had wonderful success with our "Hangin At The Haven - Part 2" program from 5:30-7 p.m. Mondays for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. Our goal is to introduce the kids of our community to the love of Jesus. This is a nondenominational group meeting. There is a game time, devotion time, and snack time. Children will gather every other Monday until the end of the school year. Parents are welcome to stay. For more information, call the church office. • First Presbyterian Church, at 21 Firelands Boulevard, invites you to join them at 9:30 a.m. We will be live-streaming this Sunday's worship service on our YouTube channel, posting it shortly after the service to our Facebook page and our website. We are also on the radio on 92.9 FM WLKR at 10 a.m. every Sunday. Do you have a youth that might be interested in our church-sponsored Young Life group? All high school youth are invited to a weekly beach party with Young Life on Wednesday evenings. There are "Sports Fridays" as well as movie nights on Saturday evenings. All high school students and their parents interested in Young Life are invited to an informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, at our church. Please contact our youth pastor, Malcolm James, at the church for more information at 419-668-1923. Please save the date for our annual rummage sale happening Aug. 12 and 13. HURON • Christ Episcopal Church, at 120 Ohio St., wants you to join them for Sunday services each week. The rector is Rev. Michael Floyd. The church's Sunday schedule is as follows: - 9 a.m. Lessons in the church library - 9:15 a.m.: "Whom shall I fear" study group - 10 a.m.: Worship service led by Rev. Mike - 5 p.m.: Worship service Free hot dogs will be served in Lakefront Park near the church. Christ Episcopal Church abides by its mission statement: "Christ Church is a praying family of God, speaking to walk in Jesus' love as the Bible guides and the Spirit leads." Contact the church at 419-433-4701. • Zion Lutheran Church, at 930 S. Main St., provides traditional worship service at 9 a.m. every Sunday. Visitors are welcome to join us! • Upcoming events at First Presbyterian Church, at 225 Williams St., include: - Worship begins at 10 a.m. on Sundays. We also livestream our worship service on our Facebook page. - Join us for "The Wired Word" every Sunday as part of fellowship hour. We will rip stories from the headlines each week and explore the Biblical perspective. Pastor Sara will lead, and will email each class member with the weekly topic. Join us for this enriching time of discussion and prayer. - For the summer months, we like to include a variety of "special music" while the choir is on their "official summer break." Therefore, we're looking for soloists, duets, small ensembles, and vocal and instrumental music. If you'd like to volunteer or know someone who needs to share their musical talents with us, please contact Jann or Pastor Sara. This summer, we would also like to feature favorite hymns of members and friends of the church. We can sing the hymn during worship and share whose favorite hymn it is and why. There is no limit to the number of hymns you can suggest. Just contact Jann, and we will get yours in this summer. - The church office has new summer hours. The office will only be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursdays. First Presbyterian continues to serve community meals indoors, however, face masks are required to enter. Lunch is served every Monday at noon, and dinner happens at 5 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday each month at the church. BERLIN HEIGHTS • First Congregational United Church of Christ, at 5 E. Main St., will provide free clothes and more to the community from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. The event will occur at the Berlin Heights Community Center in downtown Berlin Heights. CASTALIA • Grace Lutheran Church, at 203 S. Washington St., hosts worship at 9 a.m. Sundays and adult Sunday school at 10:30 a.m. each week. • Castalia Congregational United Church of Christ, at 205 Main St., hosts weekly worship and Sunday school at 10 a.m. Sundays. Communion occurs on the first Sunday of the month. COLLINS • Collins United Methodist Church at 4290 Hartland Center Road, Collins, offers worship at 8 a.m. or 11 a.m. West Hartland United Methodist Church, at 1401 Zenobia Road, Norwalk, has worship at 9:30 a.m. Summer is moving by quickly. Please take a moment to stop and rejoice with us on Sunday morning. We have an hour service at three different times and two different locations. All are handicapped accessible and open to you. A "junior church" is optional for children at the 11 a.m. service. A nursery is also available. If you have questions, please call 419-668-6203. Both locations are just a few minutes from Norwalk. Hope to see you there. GREENWICH • Shiloh Pentecostal Church of God, at 117 Baseline Road West, invites children and families for Vacation Bible School called "Make a Splash for Jesus." The event occurs from 6-8 p.m. on July 25-29. Children ages 4 to 16 are welcome. A light meal will be provided, and water games, crafts and music are planned. The church's back-to-school supplies giveaway is from noon to 3 p.m. on Aug. 6. The event is first come, first served and free snacks will be available. Later in August, the church will host its "End of Summer Bash" for youth ages 12-18 at 6 p.m. on Aug. 27. Free popcorn, cotton candy and a food truck will be available. Come see a free concert by Rare of Breed. Limited seats are available, so pre-register by emailing spcogchurch@gmail.com. • The Church At Huron County under Gerusalem Order, at 30 Orchard St., has its worship service at 11 a.m. Sundays and Bible study at 7 p.m. Mondays. The phone number is call 419-964-6533. If you need help in knowing who God is, reach out to us. God would love for you to get to know Him personally as an individual in Christ Jesus. To contact the church, write to Box 271, Willard, Ohio 44890 or go to gerusalem.org. The Churches Under Gerusalem Order consist of every temple (individual) of God who is a part of His Spiritual Kingdom. These individuals' hunger and thirst after righteousness and do not desire the traditions of man. But they desire every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the living God, being led by the Holy Ghost in faith, which reveals God's nature to us and in us. WILLARD • Steuben Congregational United Church of Christ, at 1307 Steuben Square, will celebrate 200 years of worship and service in July. On July 3, 1822, the church was founded by Revs. Alvin Coe and Lot B. Sullivan, who were missionaries from Connecticut. This month, the church will have special services at 10 a.m. The celebratory services will take place each Sunday in July and conclude on Sunday, July 31. On July 31, the church will have a picnic in the park for the Steuben community. Each week in July, special events will take place. There will be special music, an old hymn sing and a presentation of old books. A time capsule from 1997 will be opened, and a new time capsule will be filled to be opened in 2047. The church is located in the square in Steuben, at the corner of Ohio 162 and Peru Center Road. The red brick church sits in the northwest corner of the square. The church will open its newly renovated fellowship hall and showcase the history wall. Pastor Ron Jesse will lead services each week, and the church's history will be read each week by the church historian. All services are open to the public. VERMILION • The Vermilion Sit and Stitch quilt guild will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, July 25 in the fellowship hall of Trinity Lutheran Church, 3747 Liberty Ave. We are "celebrating" Christmas in July with a drawing for Christmas quilt blocks made by the members. There will also be time for show and tell and the exchange of birthday blocks. Membership renewals will come due at the August meeting and at that time, new members can also be accepted. For information on the guild, please contact Sandy Neiding at 440-967-4190. NEW LONDON • Fitchville United Methodist Church, at 1593 U.S. 250, New London, hosts worship at 9 a.m. Sundays. Adult Sunday school classes occur at 8 a.m. and children's Sunday school classes take place during the worship service. PORT CLINTON • Trinity United Methodist Church, at 135 Adams St., has resumed outdoor worship at the Sutton Center in Port Clinton. Services are at 9 a.m. and all are welcome to attend the 63rd year of our "come as you are and worship in your car" service. • The congregation at Peace Lutheran Church invites surrounding communities to join them for hybrid services. The church will host hybrid services while the weather permits it to do so. People can choose to be either in the large parking lot outdoors in a car or lawn chair, weather permitting. People are also welcome to come into the sanctuary masks and social distancing required. For questions, call the church office at 419-732-3800. Weekly services are 10:30 a.m. Sundays. MARBLEHEAD • ICSJ Respect Life Ministry presents "A Cheeseburger In Paradise" fundraiser from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, July 28 at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church Hall, located at 505 E. Main St., adjacent to the historic Marblehead Lighthouse. Respect Life is a joint ministry of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Port Clinton and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marblehead. Come help us raise money for life; all of the proceeds will assist in the ICSJ educational mission to celebrate life from the moment of conception to natural death, and every moment in between. Since 2011, the group has traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in the annual March for Life, the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world. Event festivities include live music and dancing, cheeseburger and fries from Berardi's, Parrot Head and Lost Shaker of Salt contests with prizes, raffles, a Wall of Wine and an online auction including three vacation rentals. Go to 32auctions.com/icsj between July 15-25 to make a bid. Tickets are $25 and the deadline is July 18. To purchase tickets, go to respect-life-ministry.ticketleap.com or contact Lori Kiser at 419-708-9826. • Step inside St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church this month to view the Byzantine Icons to help us celebrate the 125th anniversary of the church's founding (1897-2022). The Icons, also known as "Windows into Heaven," tell us the story of Jesus' life and those around Him, as well as the Saints who followed His teachings. The tour will begin at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, July 24 in the church, which is located next to the Marblehead Lighthouse. Please join us to catch a glimpse of heaven on Earth! All are welcome; the tour is free, but donations accepted. Kay's book will be available for purchase for $10. Tour leader Kay Zekany authored a book on these Icons in 2015 to honor her late father, Andy Zekany, who helped to build the onion-domed church and its popular waterfront hall. She is a college professor at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana and a summer resident of Port Clinton. She is also a faithful member of St. Mary Church. • First United Church of Christ-Congregational, at 802 Prairie St., hosts its worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Masks and distancing are of individual choice. A summer Bible study will occur from 4-5:30 p.m. Mondays on July 18; and Aug. 1 and 8. It is based on professor Amy-Jill Levine's book, "The Difficult Words of Jesus." BELLEVUE • Lyme Congregational United Church of Christ, at 5451 Ohio 113, hosts worship at 8:15 a.m. Sundays. The interim pastor is Bryan Niebanck. The worship time is 10:45 a.m. on Sundays.