Gathering Sunday – September 7 @ 10AM
We are excited to announce that our annual Gathering Day Sunday will be held at Lakewood Park as we kick off a new program year. The park is located at the intersection of Lake and Belle Avenues, two blocks north of the church.
OUTDOOR WORSHIP SERVICE WITH HOLY COMMUNION
A simple and joyful outdoor worship service is planned for 10 a.m. under the oak trees overlooking beautiful Lake Erie. Hymns and special music will be accompanied by our enthusiastic guitarists. Pastor Butler’s sermon will reflect on God’s command to “have dominion over the earth” based on the first creation story, Genesis 1:26–30. Holy Communion will be served to the congregation while seated. Because park bench seating is limited, everyone is strongly encouraged to bring a portable chair or blanket. We will have some chairs available for those who have mobility issues.
POTLUCK PICNIC
Following the worship service, everyone is invited to enjoy picnic food in the air-conditioned Woman’s Pavilion at the north end of the main parking area. The Pavilion has restrooms. Please bring a side dish, casserole, salad or dessert to share that will serve 8–10 people. Food can be held in a refrigerator or warming oven during the service. Table service and beverages will be provided.
In the event of rain, the service will be held inside the pavilion.
A Message from the Pastor
by The Rev. Dr. James Butler
As I write this, it is hot and early August. A group of us just got back from a four-day trip to the Presbyterian Youth Triennium in Louisville. It was my first and probably my last Triennium, but I am so glad I went and helped our kids have a great spiritual experience with two thousand other youth from all over the country. Hats off to Aliyah Kennedy, who organized the trip for the entire Presbytery, and to Kaori Hongo who also went as an adult advisor.
As much as I love spring and summer, I always look forward to fall with cooler temperatures and a return to more normal rhythms of life. We have a lot planned for September beginning with our Gathering Sunday kickoff back in Lakewood Park this year. Please come, and bring something yummy to share with the rest of us.
Some of you have asked how the Presbyterian Church (USA) is addressing the monumental changes to long-standing norms of the U.S federal government, particularly ignoring court orders, deportation of undocumented people to foreign prisons, DOGE cuts to government workers at Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Administration, national parks, etc. On June 23, 2025 the Office of Public Witness of the PCUSA issued a statement addressing some of the actions that have been taken by the Trump administration with support from both houses of Congress. “Presbyterians are called to a response given our history of speaking against government overreach. We have a long history of calling for resistance to any laws or commands that contradict God’s word… For centuries we have maintained the belief in being lawful citizens but have acknowledged that there comes a time for resistance against tyranny.” Presbyterians have always been resistant to creeping authoritarianism, whether in its manifestations in Christ’s church or in secular governments. I am convinced tyranny is now the order of the day with respect to the current administration. The raw abuse of power and cruelty to the poor and powerless among us is heart-breaking. I am relieved to learn that more and more evangelicals are falling out of love with the current administration with its ICE raids, ending of USAID, tax cuts to the richest Americans, and planned cutbacks of Medicaid and possibly Medicare. Jesus would not bless this mess. So, in the name of Jesus Christ and God’s just and merciful kingdom, let’s keep speaking up and speaking out in love before the tyrannical ones “come for us…”
The Music Corner with Dr. Kaori Hongo
Starting this month our Children’s Music Activities class will be studying Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi’s (1678–1741) The Four Seasons. Composed between the years 1718–1723, these four violin concerti stand as one of the earliest examples of “program music.” This form of composition is a type of instrumental music that attempts to express an extramusical narrative or description through musical expression. Many times, composers would use sonnets/poems to guide the listener to their world that they are trying to create. The term “Program Music” was invented in the 19th century by Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist, conductor and teacher, Franz Liszt (1811–1886), who also composed a large number of programmatic music. But the form was used centuries before Liszt. For his four seasons, Vivaldi also included sonnets to go with each season. We do not know for sure if these were written by the composer, but scholars argue that the closeness of the descriptions in the sonnets with the musical expressions lead them to think that the composer was also the author of the sonnets. The children will learn what a “concerto” is and will read the sonnets connected with each season. We will explore the different ways Vivaldi expresses how a creek flows, how a bird sings, and how a dog barks! (And many more fun sounds created by the Master!) We will start with Spring and work through the four seasons over the next year. As we start the new program year, it is fitting to learn how the “Spring” season can also be a reminder of a new beginning. (In Japan the school year starts in the spring; April.) We will be starting our Handbell and Chancel Choir rehearsal this month with our Children’s Music Activities class!
“There is a time for everything,
And a season for every activity under the heavens.”
–Ecclesiastes 3:1
CHOIR START-UP!
Save the date for Thursday, September 11. Handbell rehearsal from 6:15–7:15 p.m. and Chancel Choir rehearsal from 7:30–8:45 p.m. Please come and join us and experience fellowship through music. Contact Kaori in the church office if you have any questions. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Exploring Origins Series Recap
Learning Together – Feeding our Souls, Minds and Bodies
The first three Sundays in August, 50 to 60 participants of all ages from Lakewood Presbyterian and Grace Presbyterian Churches gathered in Lawther Hall following worship. In addition to enjoying good fellowship and wonderful themed lunches, we learned together about the joyful, sophisticated culture of Ndongo in Western Africa before 1619 and discovered something about each other’s family histories. We tried to imagine the great hardships abducted African people faced in the middle passage and slavery in America. Finally, we explored together the struggles and ongoing legacy of the African American experience in the modern era.
WHY LPC’S MISSION, OUTREACH AND JUSTICE MINISTRY SPONSORED THE SERIES
The Race Action Network (RAN) of the Presbytery of the Western Reserve (PWR) challenged every PWR congregation to create Exploring Origins programs using themes in the children’s book Born on the Water; The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson.
PWR is a Matthew 25 presbytery, and LPC is a Matthew 25 congregation. The principles of our denomination’s Matthew 25 movement include learning and working together to dismantle structural racism, inspired by Jesus’s words in the 25th chapter of Matthew’s gospel. RAN’s challenge encourages congregations like LPC to grow in their understanding of the past and present African American experience and then to act together in combating continuing racism in our country.
GOALS AND OUTCOMES
To put the challenge into action, during each Exploring Origins gathering at LPC, participants had the opportunity to write what they were feeling, thinking and discovering. During the final program, participants also wrote their answers to questions including, “If you could turn your thoughts and feelings into actions right now, what could our church do OR what could our two churches (i.e., LPC and GPC) do together?”
As this Open Door issue goes to press, the Mission, Outreach and Justice Ministry (MOJ) has a meeting scheduled to review participants’ responses and formulate ideas for actions and next steps we can and should take as a church to address continuing racism. Please watch future Open Door issues, Sunday bulletins and weekly “This Sunday” emails for more specific outcomes and opportunities for each of us.
In the meantime, check out the Born on the Water banner we made during the last gathering, hanging above the receptionist window in the atrium! It celebrates historical and current African American resilience and societal contributions.
MANY, MANY THANKS!
Cinda Gorman, Cindy Dugan and Bette Case spent many hours designing and presenting the three Sundays’ programs, largely from scratch. Martha Noyes provided the materials and designs for the first program’s musical instrument craft activity. Sandy Shaw provided her crafting expertise for the third gathering’s banner craft. Abraham Roos led us in a closing song coordinated with each session’s themes.
Hannah and Dennis Otu prepared the first meal of delicious Ghanaian cuisine. Steve Gorman prepared the second amazing lunch of jambalaya and foods typical of the slavery period, including collard greens grown and cooked by Tedd Roos. Woody McWilliams was the chef for the last gathering meal, which featured mouthwatering macaroni and cheese and other soul food.
Finally, MOJ members Terry Dugan (chair), Sarah Burdette, Brian Case, David Ekpe and Martha Noyes provided both visible and behind-the-scenes support as sponsors of the Exploring Origins series.
September Adult Faith Formation
“What Did Jesus Do?” – presented by Jim Butler
During our new 2025/2026 program year, our ministry of faith formation will focus on following the example and pathway of Jesus. Many are aware of the so-called “WWJD” question — “what would Jesus do?” It can help inform a person who wants to do the right thing — respond in a Christ-like way. Before we start looking at the implications of that question for us, it is important to understand what Jesus actually did — who he was, what he taught, the religious role(s) he assumed, and the theological basis of his ministry of healing and wholeness.
On Sundays, September 14 and 21, Jim Butler will lead presentations that will help us to rediscover the Jesus of the Gospels and what he did as distinct from the theology that developed about him hundreds of years later. The two presentations will be held in Wright Chapel at 11:20 a.m.
Women’s Bible Study begins September 3
2025-2026 PW/Horizons Bible Study
Finding Resilience, Joy and Our identity in Jesus Christ
The Horizons Bible study guides for 2025–26 are available at LPC by the office. All women (members or not) are welcome to join us the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. We have shifted to an evening time slot to accommodate those who are employed in the daytime or care for kids at home. We will meet in the Parker Conference Room (behind the offices). Our first gathering is Wednesday, September 3.
- In this Bible study, we will explore resilience. This is modeled for us by several biblical characters, gospel and epistle writers, as well as Jesus. So, what exactly is resilience? Resilience is the ability to spring back into shape and to adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or stress — such as from family, relationships, health, workplace, and financial stressors.
- The Bible study is also about joy. How do we find joy in a chaotic world? Christian joy may be different from how a lot of people define joy.
- We will also seek to rediscover our identity. Identity is more than who we are or who we show ourselves to be. At its core, it points to our humanity.
If night driving is a no-no for you, please reach out for transportation. We have group members who can drive safely in quite a wide area.
Men’s Bible Study Returns on September 2
The LPC Men’s Bible Study, led by Steve Gorman, will meet weekly on Tuesdays beginning September 2 at 8 a.m. in the Parker Conference Room. We’ll start by walking through Paul’s two letters to the Thessalonians. His central message — “to strengthen and encourage you for the sake of your faith” (I Thessalonians 3:2). Join us for coffee, donuts, good conversation, and the application of the scriptures for our daily lives among growing friendships. All men are welcome!
Faith Formation News & Volunteer Opportunities
SHARING DREAMS: YOUTH TRIENNIUM RECAP
Nineteen youth and five adults spent five days in Kentucky this summer at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium. They worshipped and dreamed with over 2,000 other teens from around the country. They also worked hard to benefit the surrounding community by preparing lunches and organizing a food and supply pantry for the needy at Wayside Christian Ministry. On Sunday, September 28 at 11:20 a.m., the youth and volunteers will have the opportunity to share some of their favorite parts of the experience, and we will show a brief video from the conference. Please join us as we continue to support the youth.
A WEE BIT OF HELP
Do you like working with children? We could use your help! Our WeeKirk class for K–5th grade meets each Sunday after the children’s message. There is a simple curriculum, and we rotate leaders during the school year. We are looking for a few more volunteers who could help once a month or a few times a year. If you are interested, please contact Aliyah Kennedy.
We have other opportunities to help! In the fall, we will have a Feed the Youth program for members of the congregation to cook dinner for the youth group. We hope that this will help the youth connect more with the congregation and help to make meals healthier and more cost efficient. Contact Aliyah Kennedy in the church office if you are able to help or sign up here on SignUpGenius.
CHAPEL DRAMA CLUB: A MACABRE CABARET
Mark your calendars! On October 11 and 12, the Chapel Drama Club will present a Macabre Cabaret. Leaning into the spooky fall season, the youth will present a one-act play and various small performances looking at the afterlife and allowing the youth to question what comes next. Rehearsals are 4–5 p.m. on Sundays. All 6th–12th graders are welcome to audition. If you have an interest in theater or have a child or youth who would like to audition, please contact Aliyah Kennedy.
Hand in Hand Program in September
Hand in Hand will meet on Friday, September 12, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Wright Chapel to learn about AI (artificial intelligence). Sean Evans, computer specialist, will speak on “AI Facts vs. Myths” and answer questions. Because this subject is so vast, Sean has asked for questions ahead of time. Please submit your questions to Peg Limkemann. Sean is an IT consultant/solution architect and for 30+ years has been working with businesses large and small to help create solutions and migrate to new computing platforms. After his explanations, we hope to feel more comfortable with the AI phenomenon. All are welcome to come and learn.
LPC Library Begins Series on Sanctuary Windows
The windows of Lakewood Presbyterian Church are done in the mosaic approach. Where a change of color is wanted, a different piece of glass is used. The glass itself is called antique since it is made by the method used during the middle ages. This method produces the refraction of light seen in the windows. The glass is hand blown and comes from France and Germany.
The designs of these windows are unique for Lakewood Presbyterian Church in their interpretation and significance and are truly works of art never to be duplicated.
DESIGNER
Douglas Phillips was an American stained glass artist who founded the Phillips Stained Glass Studio in 1952. He is believed to be the only African American artist to run his own stained glass studio between the years of 1952 and 1995.
THE CREATION WINDOW
With a burst of color, the Creation Window suggests the awesome power of God. Red, the color associated with the Holy Spirit, dominates the window. In the center of the window are symbols representing the Creation; the sun and the moon, the stars and the planets, the blue waters of the seas, the animal life and the green vegetation of the earth.
The dove descending from above represents the Holy Spirit whose divine creativity brought forth a universe and whose divine inspiration sparks the creativity in man as he seeks to explore and endeavors to understand that which surrounds him.
We will explore more windows in upcoming issues of the Open Door. To learn more about all of our stained glass windows, click here.
–Kathryn Hack
Appreciation for Our Church Staff
The Personnel Committee is deeply appreciative of our dedicated and faithful staff team members. As we begin a new 2025-26 program year, we must give a hearty thanks for a very successful 2024-25 year with our programmatic leaders — Jim Butler, Aliyah Kennedy and Kaori Hongo, and our support staff team — Sara Gresh, Kim Hook, Carolyn Fordosi and Scott Schreibman. You gave it 110%! God’s blessings to all of you.