2021 UALC Lent Ministry Guide by (UALC) Upper Arlington Lutheran Church

L E NT – E A ST E R 2 0 2 1

Ministry Guide WORSHIP | GROW | SERVE

In our preaching and worship during Lent this year, we are going to focus on “focus.” We will be challenging ourselves, with God’s help, to take our eyes off of distractions and to fix our eyes on Jesus. If you choose to give something up for Lent, we suggest that you give up a distraction. If you need help knowing what distractions you are dealing with, consider these questions. You may even want to keep coming back to this list throughout the season of Lent:

• • • •

Where are you turning for comfort or joy during hardship? What are your ultimate goals, hopes, and dreams?

What are you carrying that you should lay down at the cross? Is there a particular sin that you just can’t shake?

We will be asking God to lift our eyes from the distractions of this world and to fix our eyes only on Jesus. But let’s be honest here you will still experience distraction, doubt, fear and temptation. God knows that we will practice Lent imperfectly – and that we will fall short of this calling to fix our eyes on Jesus. This is the Good News – Lent leads us to the cross where Jesus died for our sin and our sinfulness. So let’s embrace the opportunity of this powerful season of Lent. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to expose our distractions and to draw us closer to Jesus. Let’s remember our need for the Savior, and throw ourselves at the feet of Jesus when we fall short. As we enter into these 40 days, I pray that you will enter into it with prayer, and faithful expectation. In Christ, Aaron Thompson Minister for Teaching & Worship

[ WORSHIP ]

We gather in-person and online to worship God and encourage one another in the faith. We hear from God’s Word and participate in the sacraments of communion and baptism. Updates and access worship online: ualc.org/worship

FEBRUARY-APRIL SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE: Registration required R for in-person services.

MODERN MILL RUN

TRADITIONAL LYTHAM ROAD

In-person R Fellowship Hall and Lobby 9am 11am

In-person R Sanctuary 9am 11am

Online 9am Live online 11am Video on-demand

Sunday Morning for Kids ualc.org/worship

Sign-up kids for the nursery and Kids’ Church when you register for the Mill Run, 9am or 11am worship service. Lytham Road nursery opens on Feb. 21. Space is limited to maintain safety and social distancing. Su Su Su

Kids’ Church & Nursery Nursery Kids’ Church on Zoom

9 & 11am MR 9 & 11am LR 10am Online

Contact: Andrea Taphorn, ataphorn@ualc.org

Kids’ Church in a Box ualc.org/kidschurch

For families with kids age 3 years through 5th grade. Boxes will continue monthly regardless of whether you worship in-person or at home. Contact: Andrea Taphorn, ataphorn@ualc.org

LR: Lytham Road MR: Mill Run

[ WORSHIP] THE SEASON OF LENT What is Lent? Lent is the six-weeks (40 days) from Ash Wednesday to Easter (not counting Sundays). Where did it come from? Lent is especially connected to the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert (Mark 1). In the history of the church, it was a season of preparation for those who were going to be baptized on Easter. Over time, the whole church began to embrace the 40 days of Lent as a time for preparing to remember Good Friday and to celebrate Easter. What do we do during Lent? Lent is a season of self-reflection, repentance, and dependence on Jesus, and is often a time when we “give things up” as a sacrifice to remind us of this reflection. Or we might give up a vice or habit as an act of repentance. In church, we give up the word “hallelujah” and hold back some of our usual celebration of Jesus’ victory, so that when Easter arrives, the joyousness of the day will be all the greater! Do I have to give something up for Lent? Fasting can become a distraction from the point of Lent. Instead of learning to trust in Jesus, it can lead to a lot of selfdiscipline and effort. It can actually take your eyes off of Jesus and place them on yourself. Lent is not a time for doubling down on self-discipline. It isn’t a time for diet programs, workout plans, and self-improvement. It’s not about what we can do to fix ourselves, but about recognizing how much we need Jesus to forgive our sin and to heal what is broken in us. It’s best to pray over this decision before you decide to give something up. Be sure that God is calling you to offer something up, and as you journey through Lent, don’t allow the practice to become a legalistic thing for you.

LENT & EASTER SCHEDULE:

Registration required R for in-person services. Find the schedule at ualc.org/Lent. Updates and access worship online: ualc.org/worship

ASH WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 17

LENTEN MIDWEEK

Online only | Facebook Live or ualc.org/live

HOLY WEEK

EASTER SUNDAY | APRIL 4

IN-PERSON

ONLINE

Mill Run | Modern: 9am, 11am Outdoors R

Sunrise Service 7am Modern Service 9am, 11am

Lytham Road | Traditional: 7am, 9am, 11am, 1pm Sanctuary R

LR: Lytham Road MR: Mill Run

Traditional Service 9am, 11am

[ GROW ] SMALL GROUPS

Small Groups – Community | Care | Growth ualc.org/smallgroups

A small group is a band of brothers and sisters in Christ where you can know and be known, love and be loved, care and be cared for, and grow in Christ together. Small groups meet 3-4 times per month all across town and new groups are always forming. If you have interest in joining a group or facilitating a new one, sign up online or contact a director. LR Director: Tammy Schuster, tschuster@ualc.org MR Director: Peggy Bronson, pbronson@ualc.org

UNITED IN A COMMON LOVE

My small group is filled with extraordinary people. Even after a hard day at work, when I would normally just want to sit and veg out in front of the TV, I find myself excited to see my friends in small group. We share the Bible, questions, and insights about what it means to follow Jesus. I would probably have never met them had we not been brought together, and never know what I was missing without them. We are a diverse group of folks united in our common love and sense of gratitude for Christ and each other. Each one of them contributes something new and thought provoking every time we get together. We can be vulnerable with each and know we are among friends who care and truly support us. I am genuinely fond of each person. We have shared real triumphs and tragedies during our time together. We truly laugh and cry together, I do not bother to put them on my prayer list anymore because I find myself thinking about them every day and raising a prayer to God for them. It is relationships such as these that enrich our lives and church experience. Our times together are moments of grace. –Rick Hodges 5

GROWTH WORKSHOPS

For a full list of workshops and to register, visit ualc.org/growth.

Following Jesus in the Second Half (of Life)

Explore God’s call in your second-half phase of life. Discover biblical resources that address the challenges and the opportunities. 2/27

8:45-11:30am

Online

Contact: Jeff Morlock, adults@ualc.org

Baptism Workshop

For those interested in being baptized or baptizing their children. Adults, teens, and children of any age are welcome. Second Sunday/month

1-2pm

Online (or by appointment)

Contact: David White, dwhite@ualc.org

New Member Workshop

For those who want to learn more about UALC and join our community. Led by our campus pastors. 4/25, 5/2 5/16

Su Su

Location and Time TBD Worship Service MR or LR

Contact: David White, dwhite@ualc.org

Ten Commandments Workshop

For middle school students and parents. Learn the meaning of each of the Ten Commandments and their value for life today. 4/11-5/2 Su 4-5:30pm Location TBD $15 Contact: Kelsey Bacon, kbacon@ualc.org

Confirmation Capstone (HSM) Workshop

High schoolers delve deeper into the foundations of the Christian faith and learn practical ways to be a daily follower of Jesus. Begins 4/11

Location TBD

No cost

Contact: Dan Kidd, dkidd@ualc.org LR: Lytham Road MR: Mill Run

YOUTH MINISTRIES Kids’ Church ualc.org/kidschurch

Kids’ Church in a Box continues. In-person continues at Mill Run. Contact: Andrea Taphorn, ataphorn@ualc.org

Middle School Ministry (MSM) Group and Mini Retreat ualc.org/middleschool R

At MSM Group we have small group hangouts, faith-building teachings, and lots of fun and games with friends and leaders. Attend the “Submerge Mini-Retreat” where we’ll take a deeper dive into scripture, prayer, and worship. Grow your faith, spend time with the Lord, and create deeper relationships. MSM Group Mini Retreat

Weekly 3/5 Fr

Su 7-9pm,

In Person, 4-5:30pm MR 3/6 Sa 9am-12pm

Zoom, 6-6:45pm MR

Contact: Kelsey Bacon, kbacon@ualc.org

High School Ministry (HSM) Group ualc.org/highschool R

Join other teens in a discipling community, where we check in on each other, study the Bible, pray, and serve others together. Join our 5-week study “My Bible Intermediate” from Feb. 14-Mar. 21, where students will discover some tools for reading and interpreting the library of books we call the Bible; how it is organized, what it shows us about God and ourselves, and how it can deepen our faith and discipleship. Weekly

In-person, 4-5:30pm MR

Zoom, 7-8:30pm

Contact: Dan Kidd, dkidd@ualc.org

O2 Conference

www.o2conference.org R

For students in grades 6-12 who have an idea to help Columbus thrive. Students submit an application, present their idea at the conference and are paired with UALC mentors to accomplish their vision. Applications due: 3/21

Event date: 5/2

Contact: David White, dwhite@ualc.org 7

[ SERVE ] GENEROSITY How does God provide the financial resources necessary to operate our church? He provides through the sacrificial generosity of His people. Usually, that sacrificial generosity is expressed in regular giving throughout the year. However, sometimes sacrificial generosity is revealed in surprising ways. In the past year, UALC has received significant gifts from the estates of members who have passed on to heaven. These donors were faithful members of the church who served in quiet and unassuming ways during their lifetimes. They valued their relationships with the Lord and with UALC and therefore made plans to extend their sacrificial generosity beyond their lifetimes by naming UALC in their wills. They lived modest lives for many decades in order to be able to provide for our needs now. Through their generosity, we were able to complete several very important projects this year to expand our ministry and maintain our buildings—resurfacing our parking lots, equipping our excellent online worship capability—and to set aside funds for other significant projects to be done soon. We were also able to bless our mission partners with additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic when other donors had to cut back. Please consider how your sacrificial generosity might benefit God’s work now at UALC and in the future.

Advance the Mission of UALC ualc.org/give

Giving to the general fund makes ministry possible at UALC. 20% of the general fund goes directly to supporting our mission partners. The other 80% supports preaching the gospel and the ongoing work of this church. Go online for information on financial participation at UALC. Contact: Dave Bowersox, finance@ualc.org LR: Lytham Road MR: Mill Run

Get Involved with Missions at UALC ualc.org/serve

Find out more about our mission partners, contact leaders, and find local serving opportunities. Contact: Dave Mann, dmann@ualc.org

GOD’S HYGIENE HELP CENTER A story of care from our mission partner.

Two days before Christmas Tammy Jewell, President and Founder of GHHC, was driving down the road and noticed a house had been burned out. Tammy heard a voice, “Stop!” She thought to herself, “You’re so busy. Don’t stop. You have enough on your plate.” So she drove home. That afternoon Tammy drove past the house and again heard the voice, “Stop!” “I’m too busy. I’m going to grocery store,” she thought. As she turned on their street on her way home, she clearly heard, “Stop Tammy and help that family!” She parked her SUV, took a deep breath. The Blair family was there working, tearing out the burned items from their home. Tammy talked to the father, mother and four daughters and found out their names, their needs and where they were staying. She referred the family to GHHC. There, Jamie, the mother, received all the hygiene and cleaning items she needed plus more—hats, gloves, blankets, sheets, dishes, and silverware. Jamie then asked if she could volunteer at GHHC! Tammy also called Dale Cory with the Bed Brigade, and they will make new beds for the daughters. She also contacted our advisor Jim Andracki who delivered food and gift cards to them. Jamie cried through her tears, “We lost everything, but I knew God would send help!” To get involved with this mission partner, contact Terry Starr, godshygieneED@gmail.com or visit www.godshygiene.org.

CARE AND SUPPORT Prayer

ualc.org/prayer

Need prayer or want to pray for others? Reach out and share your requests on the website, and our prayer ministers begin praying on your behalf. Contact: Becki Bork, bbork@ualc.org

Celebrate Recovery® ualc.org/care R

Christian, 12-step program dealing with all sorts of hurts, habits and hang-ups. Weekly Th 7-8:30pm

LR and Online

Contact: cr@ualc.org

OTHER RESOURCES Women of the Word (WOW) Bible Study ualc.org/adults R

Study “Elijah: Faith and Fire,” by Priscilla Shirer, seven-session, online study with small group discussion and prayer. Weekly beginning 2/28

Four sessions

Online via Zoom

Contact: Christie Masheter, wow@ualc.org

Facebook

Facebook.com/UAlutheran

Stay connected to the church, and join one of our Community Groups. Mill Run Community Group: Facebook.com/groups/millruncommunity Lytham Road Community Group: Facebook.com/groups/lythamcommunity

LR: Lytham Road MR: Mill Run

OUR MISSION:

To be and to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Hilliard

3500 Mill Run Drive Hilliard, OH 43026

Upper Arlington

2300 Lytham Road Columbus, OH 43220

614-451-3736 | www.ualc.org