University Evangelical Lutheran Church
and Campus Ministry

The Lampstand - July 2021
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
Pastor's Corner

Doubt helps us see more clearly!

This month, on the 3rd of July, the Church remembers Thomas the Apostle. For most people, even outside the Church, the name Thomas is associated with doubt. The expression “doubting Thomas” in often used to describe anyone who has doubts, even outside of spiritual or faith-based contexts.

The context of Thomas’s apparent doubt is during the disciples’ deep grief and loss. Jesus had been crucified, died and now the tomb was empty, with no sign of Jesus anywhere. He was not present when Jesus appeared to the disciples, so his reaction is understandable. This is recorded in John 20:

24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Interestingly, in the modern world we have more doubters than ever before. More and more people doubt, not just the existence and divinity of Jesus and the truth of the Christian faith, but the very concept of God. The number of people who are not subscribing or unsubscribing to religion is at an all-time low. Sadly, millennials (people born 1981-1996) are wrongfully blamed for this. (Seems all modern-day problems are wrongfully and maliciously blamed on millennials – sic). It’s really people of all generations that are “losing” their faith. This is either by doubting the existence of God or doubting their own faith system.

Apostle Thomas, on the other hand, affords us the opportunity to hear the words of Jesus come to us in the world today: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Thomas declared Jesus as his Lord and his God. Later in scripture, and in verified church history, we see the effect of that declaration in his life and in the witness of his faith in the world. It is commonly held that it was Thomas who took the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the East. His life was so lived that when later missionaries went to India telling the story of Jesus the locals told these missionaries that they knew “this Jesus”, as He was being described! They took the new missionaries to the grave where “Jesus” was buried – it was the grave of Thomas!

So this July, let’s move beyond doubt to embracing faith in Jesus and living as Christ in the world. Perhaps the doubt will decrease if people of faith really live out their faith so eyes will be opened to see. That is what millennials – really the whole world – wants and needs to SEE.

Peace, Pastor Terrance
Council President's Report

Dear UELC Congregational Family,

It is finally time- we will return to in-person worship on Sunday July 11th at 10:30 AM!

As a reminder, the council has recommended that we still practice social distancing and will kindly request worshipers wear masks for in-person worship. These measures will be taken for the benefit of those attending service who may not be eligible for vaccination either due to a young age or a medical condition where vaccination is not recommended.
 
Also, please remember there will be several logistical hurdles we will also need to navigate and council requests your patience as well as your ideas/input on the best way to move forward as we move forward into a new era!   

I cannot wait to see everyone on July 11th!

Best regards,
Becky Borgert 
Ventilation in the Sanctuary and COVID-19 particles

A review of the CDC website on Ventilation and Covid-19 particles is outlined here.
Research shows that the particle size of the Covid-19 virus is ~ 0.1 micrometer (µm). The virus is however usually trapped on respiratory droplets which are about 5 µm in size. Therefore heating and air conditioning filters which can trap 5 µm particles without negatively impacting HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system performance are the most desirable.

A tradeoff is necessary between filtration efficiency and HVAC performance. Increased filtration efficiency increases the pressure drop across the filter (due to the denser filter material) and leads to increased fan energy and possible motor overheating plus reduced air flow rates.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) sets the standards for filter efficiency and uses a rating unit called MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value). A MERV 13 filter must be at least 50% efficient at capturing particles in the 0.3 to 1.0 µm range and 85% efficient in the 1 to 3 µm range. The latter size particles are capable of remaining airborne for hours and are most associated with deep lung penetration.
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are even more efficient than MERV 13 filters but “are rarely used in central HVAC systems” (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/ventilation.html) presumably because of the increased electrical load demand on the HVAC system and greatly decreased air flow (and subsequent decreased heating or cooling in the affected space).
The company Filterbuy.com states that its MERV 13 filters trap 98% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 µm. They should therefore be very effective in trapping any respiratory or other particles in the sanctuary air. We have purchased and installed MERV 13 filters for the heating/AC units in the sanctuary. (We were using MERV 8 filters.) They should provide a good balance between enhanced filtration and satisfactory air flow.

-- Martin Vala


This provides a link to register for COVID-19 vaccination if you are 18 years or older:

Church Announcements

Wednesday Midday Prayer will resume on June 16.
UELC People






JULY Birthdays 

7/2       Sherrie Kirk       
7/3       Jesse Noss
7/7       Richard Brill
7/14     Anders Ryerson
7/16     Moses Choi
7/16     Caroline Yale
7/18     Kem Jacob
7/21     Mary Lou Schirmer
7/23     Sam Borgert
7/24     Daniel Norford
7/26     Emily Fourman
7/27     Scott Matthew Bauldree
7/29     Pat Dasler
7/31     Roger Springfels

Continued Prayer Concerns

Prayers for healing: Lois Wilkowske, Schirmer family, Ron and Beverly Gronwall, Les O'Brien, Cecilia Noss, Hal Noss
Worship Committee



Crystal Jacob, Minister of Music for UELC Worship Committee
Offering Direct Deposits

It is Sunday morning and you are on your way to church. Part way there you remember you have not written a check for the offering plate.
 
It is another Sunday morning and you are sitting in the sanctuary you write a check and slowly you attempt to remove your check from your check book as quietly as possible.
 
It is another Sunday at church and you realize that your offering check and envelope remain at home on your dresser.
 
These are some of the ways that the use of direct deposit helps UELC to receive consistent income to pay its bills.
 
If you wish to learn more about the use of direct deposit, contact Jim Yale to get set up. 
Family Promise Update

We’re on schedule to cater families with warm meals and messages during the week of Aug 15. Let me know if you’d like to provide or assist with one evening’s meal -- home made or take away from a local restaurant -- for the 3-4 families needing meals in shelter. 

"Fore the kids" Fall Fundraiser Golf Tournament at Ironwood Golf Club is on Oct. 1. There are two fun ways we can kick in to the success of the event: 
  • Gather a team of 4 golfers -- UELC members and/or friends -- to compete in the 'scramble'. 
  • Provide a gift basket to be auctioned off. Each basket should have a theme -- golf, movie night, Disney baskets -- are a few ideas, and contain a minimum of $100 worth of merchandise and/or vouchers. 
 
Please contact me with any ideas or questions:
Amy Schirmer - amy_schirmer@yahoo.com
LIFTvT

LIFTvT will continue for two more months. During July and August there will be a devotion each Thursday taken from the July 1977 issue of Christ in Our Home. Although written 44 years ago, you will find the messages still relevant in today’s world.
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.

For inquiries contact Krissi and Dan Norford (keb.dan@gmail.com).
The Bee has Been Busy!

The Story BEEhind the Hymns will end now that in person worship is beginning at UELC. During the pandemic a total of 46 hymn stories were shared virtually on Tuesday mornings. The website, Hymnary.org was the source for most of them and anyone can log on to discover the story behind a hymn.
Adult Forum

Adult Forum is not meeting for now.

Contact Dan Norford for more information: keb.dan@gmail.com
Village of Hope

Lazarus Project Sponsorships
 
Sponsorships for a student at Village of Hope in Haiti can begin at any time during the year. Currently UELC is sponsoring 15 students.
 
The cost to sponsor one child is still $480 a year. This can be paid annually, quarterly, or monthly at $40 a month. Checks should be made out to University Lutheran Church and put in your offering envelope with the notation “Lazarus Project” on the special gift line and also on the memo line of your check. Your contribution will be reflected on your UELC statement of giving.
 
You can designate Village of Hope as your charity of choice on Amazon Prime. Since this program began, Village of Hope has earned $1,760.94 from this program. 
 
For additional information contact Janet Janke, Lazarus Project Coordinator at University Lutheran Church, at jrjanke147@gmail.com or 372-8610.
Our Pastor and Staff

Pastor Terrance Jacob
Pastor, Congregation and Campus Ministry
pastor@ulcgainesville.com

Crystal Jacob
Minister of Music (Direct Choir and music-related ministries)

Moses Choi
Pianist

Evelyn Simmons
Administrative Assistant
info@ulcgainesville.com