“Discipleship & Service”
Sundays, April 21 & 28 at 11:20am
Aliyah Kennedy will lead a two-part series: Discipleship, Relationship and Serving Others. Lifelong discipleship requires an awakened and engaged commitment to God and to all people whom Christ loves. It is about the call to daily take up our cross and follow Christ. It is about striving to see all people the way Christ sees them, not from judgments or preconceived perceptions. It is about helping walk with others, responding to their needs, desiring their well-being. The way of discipleship and service helps us to create deeper personal relationships with those around us.
“Report on the Southern Border”
Sunday, April 14 at 11:20am
LPC member Marie Andrews will report on her recent Pilgrimage to the Southern Border with a PowerPoint slide show. All are welcome! Come and hear what’s going on in another part of the country and the people providing assistance. Marie’s experiences included a drive to the wall, worship, music, art, lectures and building fellowship with like-minded Christians.
“Dances of Universal Peace”
Sunday, April 7 at 11:20am
An important part of congregational vitality is supporting each other’s God-given gifts and empowering one another to use those gifts for God’s good purposes. Another part is congregational and self-care. On April 7, LPC member Subhana Graf will share her gift to bring peace and unity with Dances of Universal Peace. This tradition uses sacred phrases, chants, movements, and music from the world’s wisdom traditions. Everyone is welcome to this joyous group moving meditation. No experience needed. All is taught in the moment.
“The Pathway to Grief is Love”
Sundays, March 3 & 10 at 11:20am – In-person class
“The way we deal with grief in our culture is broken.” –Megan Devine, author of It’s OK That You’re Not OK
How we understand and address grief in our culture is in need of a complete and total makeover. Rev. Sue Pray, UCC Minister and Director of Spiritual Care at hospice will join us on March 3 and 10 at 11:20 a.m. to reflect on self-care and caring for each other during the difficult, but inevitable journey of grief. In this two-session workshop, we will explore how we understand grief, the myths our culture imposes on grief, and the reality of grief. Because if we have loved and lost, we have grief. Join us for this difficult but necessary discussion about our end-of-life experiences and how we might better prepare and manage our journey of grief.
“Answers to Job: Coping with An Imperfect World”
Sundays, January 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 11:20am – In-person class
“There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. He was blameless and upright, revered God, and turned from evil…” And yet, Job’s life came apart at the seams. Foreign raiders stole his animals and murdered his servants; his children died together in a windstorm; and then he came down with a nasty, chronic skin disease. Job lost everything except for his unsympathetic wife and three friends who said it was all his fault — he sinned, and God was punishing him.
The ancient Hebrew story of Job deals with the question of why otherwise decent, good, God-fearing people suffer and experience loss. Many people ask the same question Job asked: “What did I do to deserve this?”
Beginning Sunday, January 7 at 11:20 a.m. and continuing for three more Sundays, LPC Pastor Jim Butler will explore how people of faith have coped with suffering, loss and disappointment.
“Women in the Bible: Good, Bad and Fearsome”
Sundays, October 1, 8, 15 & 22 at 11:20am – In-person class
Most of us are familiar with Sarah (aka Sarai) the wife of Abraham, and of course, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and perhaps Mary and Martha, the famous bickering sisters of Lazarus. But few of us know much of anything about the other women whose lives and activities were important enough to be recorded in scripture. Some were sneaky, cruel and murderous, but many more were good and faithful to God, to their loved ones, and to their communities. But all of them were human, played significant roles in God’s saving work, and they are part of our sacred library. On Sundays, October 1, 8, 15 and 22 at 11:20 a.m., LPC Pastor Jim Butler will present a four-part series introducing some of these less familiar but so very remarkable women.
“The Church: ‘We’re Not in Kansas Anymore…’”
Sundays, September 17 & 24 at 11:20am – In-person class
On Sunday, September 17 and 24, LPC Pastor Jim Butler will lead presentations on the evolving nature of the church as an institution. It began as small groups of Jesus’ mostly Jewish followers, centered in the Jerusalem Temple, who worshipped in local synagogues and also met for prayer, study and fellowship in homes. Three centuries later, the imperial church emerged, centered in Rome, which eventually fractured into three major categories — Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and thousands of Protestant traditions. North American Christians in all three categories are wondering, sometimes in fear and trembling, what is happening to the church/denomination/tradition to which I belong? What is next for my local church, our denomination and Christianity as a whole? Are we headed toward a majority atheistic or agnostic culture in which institutional religion passes away? Will only mega churches and evangelicals survive?
Come and get a bigger perspective on these issues. Hear the wisdom of astute observers of these trends in North American churches and rekindle hope, not in sustaining ineffective institutions, but in resurrection of life in the Spirit within gathered communities.
“In Touch with Titus”
Sundays, May 14, 21 & 28 at 11:20am – In-person class
–Class is led by the Rev. Dr. Steve Gorman
We walked in front of a large cathedral in Heraklion, the capital of Crete, the largest of the Greek islands, entering this beautiful church named for St. Titus, one of Paul’s best-loved companions. Titus was one of the early Greek converts. He did not succumb to the complaints of the Judaizers to “first become a Jew before you can be a Christian.” Boldly, he moved through that early controversy to be an evangelist, church planter and church leader of Christianity. Yes, in Crete.
What did he face among these “Cretans (who) are always liars, vicious brutes, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12) struggling among people “who cause divisions?” (3:10) Which of “God’s stewards” (1:7) would he select across the island to lead these fledgling churches? In what ways would Titus, himself, “my loyal child in the faith we share” (1:4) be encouraged by Paul, who ultimately became the patron Saint Titus of Crete? Finally, how do the answers to these questions (and more) speak to us today, which they certainly do!
This is not Paul’s shortest letter — flip the page in your New Testament to Philemon — yet in three short chapters, we will not only get in touch with Titus but with the challenges and hopes for our church and lives as well. Beginning Sunday, May 14, join Dr. Gorman at 11:20 a.m. in Wright Chapel for a Bible study full of insights into the past and instructions for the present and future.
“Mission Malawi Update”
Sunday, April 30 at 11:20am – In-person class
Karen Byrne will return to give an update on the Malawi Prison Well that she spoke about at LPC last September. The well for the largest prison in Malawi was completed in January. Karen will give updates on the blessings that your gifts have provided for these impoverished inmates and their community.
Unfortunately, this area was hit especially hard by the ongoing tropical cyclone Freddy. The homes and buildings in this area are built from sun-dried clay bricks. Due to massive flooding, entire villages have been wiped out and hundreds have perished. The need is great. Families typically live on dried corn from the year’s crop. All of this has been lost and the farmland devastated. Our contact, the prison chaplain Rev. Stanley, is currently safe, but his daughter lost her home. The kitchen wall of one of the prisons collapsed and killed four inmates. Rev. Stanley has provided their coffins so that they may be buried. Commissioned Pastor Karen Byrne will have pictures of the completed well and celebrations and the current devastation. Please join her on April 30 to see how we can be of service to our neighbors 8,000 miles away.
“Speakers from Project Noelle”
Sunday, April 23 at 11:20am – In-person class
Project Noelle was founded by Kelli Clark to address the needs of the thousands of children who have suffered because of the opioid epidemic. Kelli Clark, along with the Cuyahoga County director, Sue Derov, will provide details about their work.
“And He Appeared…”
Sunday, April 16 at 11:20am – In-person class
LPC Pastor Jim Butler will lead a discussion on the nine stories in the four Gospels in which Jesus “appears” to his disciples followed by the major historic theories concerning the crucified physical body of the Lord.
“Allies for Justice – Part II”
Sundays, March 5, 12, 19 & 26 at 11:20am – In-person class
After her impactful November series on recognizing racial injustice in American culture, we welcome back Patricia Wellborn to lead a four-part Sunday morning series on how each of us can support and work for racial justice in our ordinary lives. The series begins at 11:20 a.m. on Sunday, March 5 and continues the following three Sundays. Patricia is a graduate of John Carroll University and the president of Lakewood Black Caucus. By agreement with the Healthy Lakewood Foundation, LPC is their fiscal agent. In February, the Caucus celebrated Black History month in Lawther Hall with a program on Marion Motley, the first African American member of the Cleveland Browns.
“Bible Basics for Non-Thumpers”
Sundays, February 12, 19 & 26 at 11:15am – In-person class
Do you really have to believe that every word and sentence in the entire Bible is the “word of God” in order to be a faithful Christian? Must one assume all 66 documents in the Christian Bible must be free of errors of fact and completely consistent in what is reported or else it just cannot be trusted to reveal God and to guide us into faithful living? How did Jesus interpret the Hebrew Bible? Why did Jesus say, “You have heard it said, but I say…?” Is there an intellectually honest and consistent way to read and interpret scripture if the Bible is not “inerrant and infallible” as fundamentalists and many evangelicals claim?
LPC Pastor Jim Butler will explore these and other questions regarding scripture and its role and authority in a three-part series in Wright Chapel following the 10 a.m. worship service. The series begins Sunday, February 12 and continues on February 19 and 26.
“I Was a Stranger, and You Took Me In…”
Sundays, January 8, 15, 22 & 29 at 11:15am – In-person class
Sunday, January 8 – “What Do the Scriptures Say?”
The Rev. Dr. Steve Gorman will begin the series with a look at the most famous refugee family in history. Matthew’s Gospel reports that following an angelic warning, Joseph fled with Mary and baby Jesus to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod. Upon meeting astrologers “from the East” who came to Jerusalem looking for a newly-born “King of the Jews,” King Herod made plans to eliminate this future threat to his throne by massacring every boy in or around Bethlehem under two years old. Dr. Gorman will share some of the ancient legends about the Holy Family’s life in Egypt as refugees. He will also highlight other scriptures that command people of faith to show kindness and help to strangers from other lands.
Sunday, January 15 – “Saving Lives”
Representatives from “Refugee Response” will speak to us about the work they do focused on the more immediate and life-saving needs of people who are forced out of their countries seeking refuge in foreign lands.
Sunday, January 22 – “Rebuilding Lives”
“Building Hope in the City” is a faith-based ministry that helps welcome and settle refugees into Cleveland and Northeast Ohio communities. Representatives from “The Hope Center” on Berea Road will share with us the long-term, multi-faceted and focused support needed to follow Jesus’ command to help “strangers in our midst” rebuild their lives.
Sunday, January 29 – Group Service Project
Building upon our first highly successful congregational service project in October, we will gather in the Chapel and work on a service project to bless and help the “stranger in our midst.”
“A Back Stage Look at the Christmas Characters ”
Sundays, December 4 & 11 at 11:15am – In-person class
Most everyone knows something about the main characters in the Christmas story — Mary, Joseph, and of course, the baby Jesus. On Sundays, December 4 and 11 at 11:15 a.m. in Wright Chapel, LPC Pastor Jim Butler will help us explore the lives and thoughts of the other figures sprinkled across the two Christmas stories in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Come and consider Gabriel, the “Archangel.” What is all this business about angels and archangels? And then there is Zachariah the Priest and his wife, Elizabeth, who welcomed a very pregnant Mary into their home while they were waiting for their own miracle baby, who grew up to be John the baptizer/prophet. Three political figures step onto the stage and one doesn’t go away until after he’s killed hundreds of young boys in his maniacal pursuit of Mary and Joseph’s son. And finally, two senior citizens make their Christmas stage debut when the infant Jesus was “presented” to the Lord in the Jerusalem Temple. Come get some fresh perspectives on this familiar annual drama that turned the world upside down.
“Allies for Justice”
Sundays in November at 11:15am – In-person class
As part of our new “three-pronged” Matthew 25 mission strategy, Lakewood Presbyterian Church has entered a partnership with the Lakewood Black Caucus (LBC) as a first step in our congregation’s commitment to stand against bigotry, especially racism and the marginalization of sexual minorities. As announced in last month’s edition of Open Door, LPC will be the fiscal sponsor of a grant to the Caucus from the Healthy Lakewood Foundation. During the last several months, we have been cultivating a warm and supportive relationship with the LBC.
We have invited the Caucus’ president, Patricia Wellborn, to lead a four-part Sunday Faith Formation series on November 6, 13, 20 and 27. The series will help broaden our understanding of the complex challenges of racism in our culture, and how we can become allies with people of color in the struggle for equity and justice. The series will also help us become more comfortable discussing race and racial issues using videos, journaling and discussion as we look at the lingering impact of historical events.
Patricia is a resident of the Westerly, and is an effective public speaker and educator. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from John Carroll University. The public is being invited to participate, and we hope to welcome some of our neighbors to LPC each Sunday.
“Opening Our Hearts to Those in Need”
Sundays in October at 11:15am – In-person class
As the weather turns cooler and long summer days turn to dark autumn evenings, let us turn our hearts and minds to those who may feel that chill a little more than others. In October, the Faith Formation Ministry invites you to learn how we can support those in poverty within our community. Four local organizations will share stories of faith and service to those who are most in need. Programs begin at 11:15 a.m. in Wright Chapel.
October 2 – Renee Brickman from The Metanoia Project will discuss her work with the un-sheltered homeless. These individuals often live under bridges, in alleyways and on park benches. The Metanoia Project focuses on building authentic relationships and trust while providing hot meals, services, showers, clothing, hygiene and trauma-informed overnight hospitality during the cold winter months.
October 9 – Trish Rooney, Executive Director of the Lakewood Community Services Center (LCSC), will discuss her experience helping individuals and families with food and housing assistance in Lakewood. LCSC was founded in 1982 by twelve Lakewood churches with the purpose of providing food assistance to Lakewood residents in need. Today, they provide food services, housing assistance, mental health services, senior services and programs for youth.
October 16 – Anthony Baratta will represent The City Mission.
October 23 – Kim Hook, LPC’s childcare provider, will discuss her work with children through the early learning program for a Health and Human Services agency in Cleveland. The early learning program is a Head Start/Early Head Start program geared to help meet the needs of low-income families in Cuyahoga County. They work to meet the children’s educational needs, but also work with the entire family to help them meet their needs. Kim believes that her life as a Christian is best served by being of service to others. She feels her faith is best shown when working to help others in big and small ways every day.
October 30 – Faith formation will be a little less academic on the final Sunday in October. The fifth Sundays of the month will become Faith in Practice Days for hands-on engagement. Please join us on this day for intergenerational mini service projects — make sanitation kits, sign a card, or join one of the activities geared toward helping the great organizations described above. Together we can live out our Matthew 25 commitment to help “the least of these.”
“When I Was Thirsty: A Matthew 25 Mission in Malawi”
Sunday, September 25, 2022 at 11:15am – In-person class
As our church begins to identify as a Matthew 25 church, the Faith Formation Ministry will begin the program year by offering a glimpse into how Matthew 25 can be lived and practiced. During the lockdown, our youth raised money for prisoners in Malawi. On September 25 we will hear news about this mission from Karen Byrne, the Commissioned Pastor (C.P.) of Concord Presbyterian Church in Centerville, Ohio, a part of the Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery. This summer she spent several weeks in Malawi visiting prisoners, local church groups, and seeing the well that she helped to fund in Domasi Prison.
Malawi is a very dry and poor country. Water is scarce and rationed year-round. Prison facilities prepay for their water, which must be carried in buckets. When the quota runs out, there is no more water. Sometimes people go without for four or five days before more can be bought. Trapped behind prison walls, sometimes for lack of being able to pay for release, prisoners die from lack of basic needs. With a well, the water can flow, bringing health and well-being in many ways. A solar-powered well lasts 20 years. Karen works with the Chaplain for Malawi prisons, Rev. Stanley Chimesya, to bring extra food, water, and supplies to these desperate men, women and children. She is currently raising funds to build another well for the Zomba Prison, the largest in the region with over 2000 inmates.
Karen was the wife of a Presbyterian minister, mother of four, including our own Aliyah Kennedy, teacher for children with severe behavioral issues, and now C.P. She did not seek out the prison ministry or travel to Africa, but found herself called into God’s service. On September 25 stay after worship to hear about her mission and about how we all can follow where God leads us and see Jesus in the sick, the hungry, the thirsty, and the imprisoned, even when it seems beyond our abilities or wildest imaginations.
“Becoming a Faith Community that Cares for Neighbors”
Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 11:15am – In-person class
As LPC adopts the Matthew 25 model for mission, Pastor Jim Butler will lead a presentation and discussion about the possibilities for LPC to become more intentional about responding to the emotional and spiritual needs of our neighbors.
“What is a Matthew 25 Congregation?”
Sundays, May 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2022 – In-person class
This past January our church Session approved a plan to become a “Matthew 25” church. What does this mean? What are the implications? These questions will be explored during a four-part faith formation series following worship on May 1, 8, 15 and 22. The series will be led by our Matthew 25 exploratory task force — Brian Case, Cindy Dugan, Cinda Gorman, Jeff Ritter and Tedd Roos.
In the past two years, hundreds of PCUSA congregations have made the same decision. Simply stated, a Matthew 25 congregation is one that prioritizes mission and outreach ministries based on a parable of Jesus located in the 25th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. The parable was a means for Jesus to explain to the people of his day what a life dedicated to the good purposes of God looks like. What pleases God? What do kindness and generosity look like? The story includes a fictitious king standing before a crowd of people thanking and praising and “rewarding” some of his subjects because they “fed him, clothed him, cared for him, and visited him in prison…” The people are perplexed because they had never done any of those things for their king. The king explains that as far as he was concerned, when they had cared for “one of the least of his brothers and sisters,” it was as if they had cared for him. Jesus’ point is that the people should not be pitied but seen as people who are deeply loved by God. Caring for people in need is an act of loving service that pleases God and recognizes and honors the image of God in all people.
The tenets of Matthew 25 are also embedded in the confessional documents of our denomination. For example, the Confession of 1967 condemns the evil of systemic poverty. The Confession of Belhar challenges us to confront racism in church and society. The Brief Statement of Faith imagines congregations fully alive in the glory of God. Thus, Matthew 25 calls us to address poverty and oppression, racism and congregational vitality.
Jeff Ritter, Brian Case, Tedd Roos and Cindy Dugan will share their personal testimonies and reasons for being involved in the Matthew 25 concept and the many possibilities for our church to be engaged in these issues. The task force encourages us to write our own faith statements for why we are committed to the Matthew 25 vision. There will be time during each session to share statements.