University Evangelical Lutheran Church
and Campus Ministry
The Lampstand - January 2021
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Our Mission
UELC's Mission:
To Embrace and Share the Love of God in Jesus Christ, as the Holy Spirit Empowers us.
UELC's Guiding Principles:
Jesus is our Lord and Saviour; therefore, we are to:
- Worship God in inspiring, diverse, and creative ways
- Be a community engaged in spiritual practices that attune us to the Holy Spirit's guidance for our living
- Welcome all people in their diversity to worship, learn, and serve with us
- Be a safe place to learn, explore, and debate
- Be generous stewards of the gifts God has given each of us to bless others and care for the natural world
- Continue outreach to, and further develop connections with, the academic communities of Alachua County
- Affirm human rights and work for social justice
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Council President's Report
Dear UELC Congregational Family,
I hope that each of you had a very Merry Christmas! I enjoyed participating in the “live streaming” of the Christmas Eve service on YouTube. It brought tears to my eyes to see the videos from the 2019 Christmas Eve service and it truly made me miss everything even more acutely!!
As I have tried to adapt to being the council president this past year, I have undoubtedly let many things slip through the cracks. One of the items I neglected was to extend an invitation to the congregation for our annual staff gift collection that we take up and give to the staff each Christmas. Jim Yale informed me that at least one person did proactively send a donation for the Christmas staff gift. After consultation with Jim, we decided the best approach would be send out a belated request via this message in January to all UELC members and friends who would like to contribute to the staff gift. The UELC staff have done a tremendous job in 2020 to put together and offer such a meaningful online worship experience each week and of all years, it seems especially important to express our gratitude through a contribution to the annual staff gift.
Thanks to all who attended the virtual congregational meeting in December. The council and the Financial Action Team are currently hard at work to put together the 2020 Annual Report and the 2021 Spending Plan. Please mark your calendars for Sunday February 14th, 2021 at 11:00 AM when we will hold the Annual congregational meeting (via Zoom) to review these items.
Stay well!!!
Best regards,
Becky Borgert
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COVID-19 Vaccination Registration - Alachua County Residents 65+
This provides a link to register for COVID-19 vaccination if you are 65 years or older:
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Wednesday Noon Prayer and Connection by Zoom |
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JANUARY Birthdays
1/2 Patricia Simpson
1/6 Benjamin Brander
1/7 George Chappell
1/8 Gene Ryerson
1/8 Lauren Samuels
1/11 Agnes Martinsen
1/13 Beverly Ryerson
1/14 Ronald Bauldree
1/16 Benjamin Borgert
1/16 Barbara Dalsheimer
1/18 Evangeline Norford
1/19 Dutch Schirmer
1/26 Crystal Jacob
1/28 Scott Simpson
1/31 Diamond Stutzman
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We isolate now
So when we gather again
No one is missing
Continued Prayer Concerns
Prayers for healing: Lois Wilkowske, Schirmer family, Ron and Beverly Gronwall, Les O'Brien, Cecilia Noss
Welcome to Noah George Jahn
Noah George Jahn was born at 4:13pm on December 17th, at 9lbs, 2 oz and 21 inches. He's been growing well in his first two weeks, and he, Stephan, and I are all doing well. We're getting into the rhythm of parenting and love seeing Noah grow already!
Hope everyone at ULC is doing well!
Warmest wishes for the new year,
Stephani and Stephen
Just before leaving the hospital Noah's first Christmas (1 week old)
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Around the year 2000, Dutch Schirmer presented me with two paper cups, each containing a citrus plant he had started from a seed. He told me one was from a grapefruit, the other from a tangerine. Knowing my passion for propagating and growing plants of various sorts, he entrusted them to me to give them a permanent home. I do not remember what happened to the young grapefruit tree but, by the grace of God, the tangerine tree survived and flourished. It managed to survive the hurricane season of 2004, in part because the massive red oak tree whose base it was planted near toppled in the opposite direction as I watched from the house. It took awhile, 7 or 8 years as I recall, to produce fruit. But of course we know that there is a time for everything. The tree has had it's ups and downs. Bumper crops and the consequences of amateur pruning (I confess my sin) that led to disease which in the last several years it is just now recovering from. But (most of) the fruit is still juicy and sweet on the inside if not perfect on the outside. We also know that a good tree bears good fruit. Dutch Schirmer was as kind, gentle, and thoughtful a soul as God ever created. I'm sure He is pleased, though surely not surprised that Dutch's tree produced good fruit! A small portion of Dutch's legacy. Thanks be to God!
I will try to make samples of the fruit from Dutch's tree available at the church office on a regular basis in the next few weeks as it ripens and provide updates as to availability at Wednesday Zoom prayer meeting. We will try to make arrangements for those who would like some fruit but are not able to get to the church office to receive some.
Scott Simpson
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Music Ministry Update
Our complex production of music and song continues, thanks to the dedication of the team. For the past month, besides the weekly online service music, we have all been working on the Advent and Christmas music. This flexible and committed team ministers to the Glory of God. We thank all those who have sent us messages of appreciation and encouragement. Please spend this Advent season in reflection and waiting on God. We trust the music and worship will help you do that.
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Finances Update
Members that wish to submit their offerings may do so in a
couple of ways. You may send your check to either UELC office or mail them to me at 8520 SW 99th Place, 32608. Either way I will get them to the bank. Since there is no cash to be counted, it is appropriate that we don't need two counters, as we normally have. In addition to the deposit book entries, each check is photocopied for our records and accountability.
Jim Yale.
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Family Promise Update
Family Promise of Gainesville starts the new year with a new case manager (Mary) and title to four-apartment block to house current or former FP families temporarily. The number of ways that Family Promise assists families during the pandemic continues to grow; ownership of apartments provides more flexibility to meet the fluid needs of families in our community, especially during this time.
Later this month is our next hosting as a congregation! Between Jan. 31 and Feb. 5, we’re asked to provide 4-5 meals for 15 people. These can be home cooked and brought to the day center, or ordered as a take away from your favorite restaurant or fast food locale. Gift cards for groceries or gas are also needed. Please email me if you’d like to ‘sign up’ or visit the re-designed sign up genius directly which describes the process and the families requesting meals.
We can also connect with the families through the Sunday Zoom call leading us into the week, at 2:00 pm. on Sunday, Jan. 31. I hope all of you feel welcome to join us whether you’re providing meals/gift cards or not!
And remember that during that week, we can engage the families in a remote activity (artistic, culinary, literary). A couple of ideas are being bandied about (thank you, Jeanne!). It’s all a bit experimental, aimed simply to provide physically- or emotionally-nutritious fun. See December’s Lampstand article for more detailed ideas.
Blessings, joy, peace and love to you all in this new year!
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LIFT
LIFT has gone virtual during this time when we cannot have the usual Monthly meetings at UELC.
Check your in-box each Thursday for LIFTvT [LIFTviaTechnology] programs].
The program during the month of January will be Epiphany.
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Young Adult Ministry
Campus/Young Adult Ministry weekly meetings on Thursdays, 5:30-7:00.
Young Adult and Student Ministry continues to meet by Zoom and are studying the Bible.
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The Bee - What's Happening
During this time of not being able to meet in person, The Bee is virtually sharing twice during the month The Story BEEhind the Hymn.
Articles are written by Janet Janke and researched from different sources and people.
Blessings,
The Bee
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Adult Forum
Adult Forum is not meeting for now.
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Village of Hope
The children at Village of Hope in Haiti were excited when they received their Christmas gifts this year. Each child in Kindergarten through Grade 7 received a cloth drawstring bag with age appropriate gifts. [dolls, balls, matchbox cars, puzzles, coloring books, etc.] Also included was a sweet treat and snack.
Students in Grade 8 through 13 and the Teachers and Staff received a gift card with Haitian gourdes which will enable them to purchase a gift of their own choosing. They also received a sweet treat and snack. These gift cards, purchased in Haiti, will help the Haitian economy.
Remember your donation for 2020 to Village of Hope will appear on the end of the year statement you will receive from UELC.
If you have any questions please contact Janet Janke, UELC’s Lazarus Project coordinator.
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Our Pastor and Staff
Pastor Terrance Jacob
Pastor, Congregation and Campus Ministry
Crystal Jacob
Minister of Music (Direct Choir and music-related ministries)
Moses Choi
Pianist
Evelyn Simmons
Administrative Assistant
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