University Evangelical Lutheran Church
and Campus Ministry

The Lampstand - July 2022
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

“Follow Me and Do the Right Thing”
 
Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? Matthew 16:24-26
 

On the last Sunday of June, after we at UELC said farewell to each other as it was my and my family’s last Sunday, I went home overwhelmed with emotion! My family and I thank you, UELC family, for the thoughtful words and cards, the gifts, the refreshments, the blessed service and your open show of affection and love. We will really miss you all and pray for God’s guidance and continued Grace and Love for you.
 
Often on life’s journey we have to make decisions that cause pain, yet we know it’s the right decision to take. I know that all of you had to do that too. I remember walking with some of you when you were deciding to move from your house to a retirement community. It is not easy to leave the familiarity and comfort of one’s house, even if we know it is the right thing to do - for our own well-being.
 
Following Jesus requires some difficult decisions. What usually gets in the way is letting go of the known, the comfortable, the stable, the predictable.... When we follow Jesus the only thing predictable is His unfailing Love. The rest is, as Jesus says, “Not for you to know.” That’s what faith is: the leaning of our entire understanding, our intellect, our wisdom - our very existence - on Jesus. Our faith walk is antithetical to our human nature. 
 
Following Jesus means choosing to lose life as you know it. That is denying oneself! Then Jesus also says, “Take up your cross.” Not only do we deny the familiar and comfortable, but we walk towards trouble and uncertainty in this world. Losing one’s life to the world to Follow Jesus is easier said than done; but God gives Grace and the Holy Spirit leads.
 
During any transition we have to deny the comfortable and the familiar. We may even have to walk towards the uncertain and the risky. We may have to lose our life as we know it, in order to find life that is Christ-driven. The world, including Christians, struggles with choosing between a Christ-driven life and a purpose-driven life; between being purpose-centered rather than Christ-centered. This struggle has been with us since Adam and Eve. Jesus came to set us free from that struggle and to find true life in Him.
 
I am grateful for the ministry I have been able to participate in at UELC. We do ministry together with different roles, and I have found joy in being your pastor. Now, with mixed feelings, I must move on and follow The Lord where He leads, trusting that God is with me as God is with you.
 
Keep following Jesus and be blessed,
Pastor Terrance
President's Notes

As most of you may know, Krissi and I have decided to relocate to Oklahoma to be closer to family. We made this decision as a result of unforeseen professional circumstances, and it makes us sad to be leaving our church family here in Gainesville. Our last Sunday will be July 10. We trust that God is in control of these events, and we will continue to pray for UELC as we relocate. My resignation from Council was effective as of our June 28th council meeting. Becky Borgert was unanimously elected to take over as president. 

Concerning the transition process, Pastor Lynn Fonfara will be our interim from August 1st; the Office of the Bishop will lead UELC through the process of calling a new pastor. Pastor Wayne Kofink will preach and preside at Worship the last four Sundays in July. For any Pastoral emergencies, the Pinelands Conference Chaplain, Pr. Art Wuertz will be available. Contact Pr. Art at [email protected] or 386-453-9432. 

Krissi and I said a tearful goodbye to our students, who have indicated that they are willing to take a more active leadership role as CYAM continues. 

While I have every confidence that UELC is in God's hands, I want to stress that we are more in need of volunteers than ever. In particular, Council will need two new members. As UELC weathers a season of changes, I invite everyone who is in a position to serve in some capacity to prayerfully consider volunteering. 
 
Blessings,
Dan Norford,
Council President
July Servants

Sunday, July 3
Preacher: Krissi Norford
Assisting Minister: Pat Dasler
Altar Guild: Jackie Klein
Lector: Sam Brill
Ushers: Ron Fourman, Andy Noss
Sound Assistant: Melissa Singer
Video Assistant: Dan Norford

Sunday, July 10
Preacher: Pr. Wayne Kofink
Assisting Minister: Ron Bauldree
Altar Guild: Pat Dasler
Lector: Joan Anderson
Ushers: Gene Brandner, Ron Gordon
Sound Assistant: Melissa Singer
Video Assistant: Wilson Matungwa

Sunday, July 17
Preacher: Pr. Wayne Kofink
Assisting Minister: Krissi Norford
Altar Guild: Joan Anderson
Lector: Wilson Matungwa
Ushers: Jeanne Chamberlin, John MontMarquette
Sound Assistant: Melissa Singer
Video Assistant: Dan Norford

Sunday, July 24
Preacher: Pr. Wayne Kofink
Assisting Minister: Sam Borgert
Altar Guild: Elaine Manion
Lector: Sandy Bauldree
Ushers: Roger Springfels, Ron Fourman
Sound Assistant: Melissa Singer
Video Assistant: Wilson Matungwa

Sunday, July 31
Preacher: Pr. Wayne Kofink
Assisting Minister: Pat Dasler
Altar Guild: Jackie Klein
Lector: Sam Brill
Ushers: Gene Brandner, Andy Noss
Sound Assistant: Melissa Singer
Video Assistant: Wilson Matungwa
UELC People






Continued Prayer Concerns

Prayers for healing: Cecilia Noss, Babs Dalsheimer, and Kim Gauthier.
Did you know?

Anyone in the congregation who is experiencing financial difficulties due to the ongoing pandemic, please reach out to Pastor. We have a "discretionary fund" that might be able to be utilized to assist those who find themselves in this situation.

UELC Council
Dutch Schirmer Memorial Service
Music Ministry Updates for Transition
Transition is best handled when there is communication, therefore, I provide some updates that will ensure a smooth handover and continuation of the Music Ministry program, which is central to our Worship at UELC.

Music Ministry Team:
Since Krissi Norford and I are no longer able to serve on this team, we agreed, with Pastor’s input that Amy Schirmer lead the music team as ‘music ministry coordinator’ until the church council appoints a Minister of Music. Melissa Singer and Joan Anderson are the other members of the team.

Music Ministry Coordinator: Amy Schirmer
  • Selects hymns for the Sunday worship service with the Pastors input for special services and Liturgical additions or changes.
  • Works with the Church Secretary on the Music part of the liturgy of the bulletin. Checks the music section of the bulletin. Makes changes and corrections  to the bulletin before it is printed.
  • Sends the monthly music selection schedule to the sound assistant and the pastor when the schedule is finalized by the Pastor, church secretary and coordinator.

Audio Media Coordinator - Melissa Singer
  • Manages the hymn/ song bank which has all the music recorded and used since 2020. (Amy Schirmer and Melissa Singer have a copy of this song bank. There is a copy on the music ministry lap top and a copy on a flash drive in the church safe).
  • Uses the Monthly Hymn Schedule to set up Sunday worship hymn folders with the recorded hymns for each Sunday.
  • Sends this folder to the person serving as sound assistant for Sunday worship.

Joan Anderson has volunteered to play the piano for Sunday worship and she will liaise with Amy Schirmer on this matter. The vacant church pianist position to be advertised again in the new school year.

Visual Media Coordinator remains Joel Beaudry assisted by Wilson Matungwa (CYAM Peer Minsters).

Thank you to UELC for giving me the opportunity to serve as minister of music and for allowing me to express my praise and love for our Lord Jesus Christ thorough music and with the art projects in the Narthex. It was an absolute pleasure and blessing to worship and serve with you. Thank you my church family for the farewell gift. I am going to miss all of you so much!

Crystal Jacob (Minister of Music)
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. 
LIFT

Due to the Covid pandemic LIFT (Lutherans In Fellowship Together) has not met for its monthly potluck luncheons for the past two years. We plan on restarting the luncheons by the summer of this new year. Of course, that depends on a lessening of the impact that Covid-19 and it many variants have on our lives. Let us all be responsible and stay safe. 

Ron Bauldree
LIFT coordinator 
Young Adult Ministry

Campus/Young Adult Ministry weekly meetings are suspended for the summer.

For inquiries contact Krissi and Dan Norford ([email protected]).
Adult Forum

Adult Forum is not meeting for now.

Contact Dan Norford for more information: [email protected]
Family Promise

We continue efforts to assist people with children in our community who are in need of safe shelter. From August 7-14, we'll host two Family Promise families with housing and meals. Please look at your schedule and the sign up sheets here to note when and what you'd like to provide. Email me with your wishes or any questions. As before, we'll need meals, evening and overnight hosts, groceries and gas or supermarket gift cards (for families in FP temporary apartments).

Thank you for your support! Amy: amy_schirmer @yahoo.com

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EVERY CHILD DESERVES A HOME

Fall Luncheon in support of Family Promise Fall of Gainesville
September 22,2022 from noon to 1:00 PM
Gordon Hall at First Presbyterian Church, 300 SW 2nd Ave.

This year we will be joined by special guests from the web-series #IMomSoHard. The comedy duo has millions of followers, sold out tours and a belief that the only way to survive motherhood is through laughter and friendship.

I will be a table captain at this year’s luncheon fundraiser. We are asking each guest to contribute $100. If you would be interested in joining me at my table please send an email to me at [email protected] or call or text me at 352-262-4219. Pat Dasler
Village of Hope

This is the Easter message from VOH in Haiti. 

“Today we rejoice that HOPE and NEW LIFE have been restored to VOH. We have faithfully prayed for peace during this past year and we are now able to rest on Jesus’ promise of new life!
 
We are pleased to share that two of our VOH graduates have completed their medical degrees and returned to serve the VOH Health Center. This is a beautiful image of how the gift of education provides hope and is already making a difference in the future of Haiti.
 
Thank you for your faithfulness through this year! With your continued support we have been able to move forward with our mission to provide hope for the future. Thank you for being a part of our Village of Hope family!”

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At the end of May a check from UELC will be sent to VOH with the donations that have been contributed thus far. Please consider renewing your sponsorship if you haven’t yet or begin a new sponsorship. One time donations can also be made.
 
Just put VOH on the memo line of your check and put it in the offering plate. The cost is still $480 per year or $40 a month.
  
Janet Janke, Lazarus Project [VOH] coordinator at UELC
Our Pastor and Staff

Pastor Terrance Jacob
Pastor, Congregation and Campus Ministry

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

Evelyn Simmons
Administrative Assistant