Dear Congregants, Friends, and Guests:

Sunday’s worship with the choral cantata, “A New & Glorious Morn,” filled the sanctuary with joy and awe! The choir was amazing and a huge thanks to Bob and Glenn for their gifted leadership as Directors of Music! On Christmas Eve they will lead the choir in some incredibly moving musical selections!

Sunday, December 24 at 10:00 am worship will include a simple retelling of the Christmas story, acted out by some of Lely’s youth! Also, the congregation will celebrate the Baptism of Theodore Jacob Lewis, a child of a seasonal family in the neighborhood from New York!

Christmas Eve Services are scheduled for 5:00, 8:00, and 11:00 pm. The later service will be a quiet candlelight and communion service to welcome in Christmas Day!

Please note that morning worship on Sundays, December 24, and 31 is at 10:00 am only. Regular services of 9:00 and 10:30 am will resume January 7, 2024!

Thanks also to Bonnie Kluttz for her expert photography skills!!! She is the Ansel Adams for Lely Pres! Thank you Bonnie!

The season drips with hope and expectation. In many ways, December is a month of nostalgia from movies to childlike moments ushering in a smile and a tear. For some, the month is full of joy and for others, a time when good-bye’s were said to loved ones.

And in the midst of the nostalgia, we find an incomprehensible joy meant for all people…..God becoming human and dwelling among us…a God on an eternal search for the souls of men and women to make their lives whole!

Wholeness is what each of us want….wholeness when a hole in our hearts takes too much time to close. Wholeness in our lives when hopes fail to meet reality.

In our lives, and by that I mean Jane and me, we are seeking wholeness as well in the health department. Our stay in New York was extended because of tests that came back positive. Malignancy is not the word you want to hear at Christmas or at any time in one’s life. We are fast and furiously making appointments and engaging in medical tests to map out the most effective treatment plan. Jane’s health is my primary focus. Please keep Jane in your prayers.

Welcome to Lely…..Welcome Home….You Belong Here!!

I remain a Servant of Christ….

Sincerely,

Pastor Ed

Click Here to See Pics from Last Week

Elders for Lely Presbyterian Church Click Here to Contact an Elder

 

Class of 2024 Class of 2025 Class of 2026 Cherie Millsom Bonnie Hartley Cyndi Hauck Jeff Witte Open Nancy Copeland Eleanor Fiermonti Alida Helmlinger Bette Decoteau

 

Board of Deacons Lely Presbyterian Church Click Here to Contact a Deacon

 

Class of 2024 Class of 2025 Class 2026 Paula DeLuca Open Dinah Bampoe Jaye DeLaPaz Brenda Orozco Maxine Kilberg Jennifer Kissel Sharon Berke Val Hofman

 

The links above will send a note to the church office and your message will be forwarded to the Elder or Deacon listed!   In addition, Lely Pres is blessed to have Mary Lloyd as Treasurer and Kerry Stallard as Controller.

Dear Congregants, Friends, and Guests:

Zechariah led off the sermon series entitled, “The Characters of Christmas!” As a priest, holy moments and rites were so familiar to him, he believe he owned those moments! As scripture tells us, the holy grasps us….not the other way around in our spiritual journey! The Angel Gabriel also visited Lely Presbyterian Church, complete with a Brooklyn accent and attitude! (I’ll never think of angels in the same way again!). Thanks Epi for bringing a bit of holy humor to the moment!

Praying for God to come into our lives and world is a bold prayer. Jesus came as a child and shook up the world; made the ground tremble under our feet and brings a new day when really people are praying for old ways to be restored!

The second Sunday of Advent will take a look at two teen-agers visited by an Angel with incredible news! They will become parents….and I’m not sure they understood to what they said yes! So many times we say “yes” to requests, not knowing nor comprehending what the end might be.

Saturday, December 9 at 11:00 am Lely Presbyterian Church will give thanks to God for the life of Bob Krauss. Bob joined the Church Triumphant on Saturday, December 2. You may attend in-person or via online By Clicking Here

A Blue Christmas Service will be held on Sunday, December 10 at 2:00 pm. The service is intended to provide comfort for people who are now without a loved one during the Christmas and Holiday season.

The Chancel Choir continues to prepare for the Choral Presentation, “A New & Glorious Morn,” arr. by Lloyd Larson and directed by Bob Morris and Glenn Kinckner. Please join in worship on Sunday, December 17 with one service only at 10:00 am.

Please note the Session Called a Special Congregational Meeting for the purpose of electing a Nominating Committee on Sunday, December 17 following the 10:00 am service.

Please note that morning worship on December 17, 24, and 31 is at 10:00 am only. Regular services of 9:00 and 10:30 am will resume January 7, 2024!

Welcome to Lely…..Welcome Home….You Belong Here!!

I remain a Servant of Christ….

Sincerely,

Pastor Ed

Dear Congregants, Friends, and Guests:

A huge thanks to Cindy Kelley, Nancy Copeland, Jaye DeLaPaz, and Glenn Kinckner for putting the Cornucopia on the Communion Table together! The bounty of fruit and vegetables reminds us of God’s blessings and that all good things come from God Almighty.

To quote the hymn, “We plow the fields and scatter, the good seed on the land; but it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand.” (We Plow the Fields and Scatter, by Mathias Claudius).

Please plan to attend the Community Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday, November 22 at 6:00 pm. The service will be held in the sanctuary and the message will focus on “Being Satisfied in the Midst of Turmoil.”

Thanksgiving is a national holiday and thanksgiving is embedded in the Christian faith. From Psalms of Thanksgiving to weekly prayers in private and public, we are grateful to God for gifts seen and unseen. A generous heart and a gracious spirit can do wonders for a wounded land. A hallmark of a Christian is to have a heart overflowing with generosity!

Thanksgiving tends to be the starting line for the Advent and Christmas season. Already, ropes of lights circle palm trees proclaiming hope. Perhaps its a sign of how deep and empty souls are right now in world that is yearning for a light to pierce the darkness.

To quote Isaiah, “The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light!” (Isaiah 9.2).

The church is a light unto the nations. People are looking for a lighthouse to keep them from wrecking lives on the shores of humanity. People seek a light guide them through the dark times of endless wars, crimes against humanity, and society that seems to fraying further into chaos with every news cycle.

Yet we during this season proclaim a hope that only God can give!

On Sunday, November 26 at 2:00 pm please take time to drape the church campus in lights that make it more than simply beautiful. Lights are biblical and divine…..may our faith in Christ be a light unto the Lely Community and unto the nations! to help decorate the sanctuary and campus for Christmas!!

Several people asked for the three questions found at the end of the sermon. Here they are:

1. What does abundant life look like to you?
2. What have you been putting off that needs to be done?
3. Are you satisfied with yourself at this age?

Welcome to Lely…..Welcome Home….You Belong Here!!

I remain a Servant of Christ….

Sincerely,

Pastor Ed

Dear Congregants, Friends, and Guests:

Sunday started a sermon series entitled, “Being Satisfied in a World of Consumption.” The series is anchored in passages from Ecclesiastes. Please take time to read the twelve brief chapters tucked between Proverbs and the Song of Solomon.

The sermon focused on life. While the writer of Ecclesiastes says all of life is meaningless, Jesus Christ gives each of us a reason to live, through good times and bad! I asked the question, “If a person dies, and no one notices, was that life lived in vain?” Our daily challenge is to live a life that makes a difference and makes the world better, not worse!

We do a lot of activities in the life of Lely. Questions to ask are, “Does the work engage the community for Christ? Does the work deepen our spiritual understanding of life? Does the work build of the body of Christ?

A huge thanks to Bonnie Hartley and the Fellowship Team who made candy available to Lely’s Trick-or-Treaters on October 31! Over 50 children dressed in costume stopped by the table!! A GREAT evening!

These are just a couple of questions to ponder!

Friendlies will meet at Sam Snead’s on Thursday, November 2 @ 12 Noon!! Let Bonnie Kluttz know you plan to attend via text/voice 239-777-8978 if planning to attend!

Blessing of the Animals will be held Saturday, November 4, at 10:00 am on the church campus. Such a joy to see the four legged members of the families turn out for a this special service! Click Here and Listen to a Personal Invite

November 5 is All Saints Sunday! During the 10:30 am worship service, Lely will remember members and friends who Joined the Church Triumphant during the previous year!

November 11 at 9:00 am, Lely Presbyterian Church will honor Veterans during a special service! Please plan to attend this 30 minute service! Click Here to Send names of Veterans to be Included

Giving Tuesday is scheduled for Tuesday, November 28! Click Here to Make a Donation for Giving Tuesday! Your extra gift will support the outreach to Youth in the Lely Community and support the All Day Mini-Vacation Bible School that will be held on Friday, December 22. The plan is for this day to lay the groundwork for a children and youth Christmas Pageant to be held on Sunday, December 24 at the 10:00 am service! You may also send a check to the church or place your gift in the offering plate with a notation for Giving Tuesday.

See you Sunday!

Welcome to Lely…..Welcome Home….You Belong Here!!

I remain a Servant of Christ….

Sincerely,

Pastor Ed

Dear Congregants, Friends, and Guests:

There is one more sermon in the series, “How to be the Best Grandparents Ever!” Last Sunday, the second letter from St. Paul to Timothy underscored the importance of being spiritual leaders. As we grow older and wiser, our spiritual anchor should and foundation should be firmer and sturdier!

The series will conclude with a focus on the Grandparents of Jesus! If you can, please read Matthew 1.12-16 and Luke 3.23-25 in preparation for Sunday. You will see Joseph having two fathers listed…..Interesting!!

On October 29, the new sermon series will focus on “How to be Satisfied” in world that offers so many choices! The sermons will be based on passages from Ecclesiastes. Here is the line up!

Sunday, October 29
When You Are Not Satisfied with Faith
Ecclesiastes 1 & 2 (selected verses)

Sunday, November 5
How to Be Satisfied in the Midst of Loss
Ecclesiastes 3.1-15

Sunday, November 12
Being Satisfied When Bummed Out!
Ecclesiastes 7.1-14

Sunday, November 19
Being Satisfied with our Age!
Ecclesiastes 11.7-10

Sunday, November 26
Being Satisfied in the Moment
Ecclesiastes 11 & 12 (Selected Passages

AND….what a difference live music made in worship! Welcome back Bob & Glenn! Remember, choir practice is Thursday at 4:00 pm! See you then!

Next week I will be out of the office taking Jane on her long awaited Birthday trip. She loves Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and we will leave Monday and return on Saturday, October 28. This has been a life long dream of hers and I am thrilled we can do this.

Blessing of the Animals will be held Saturday, November 4, at 10:00 am on the church campus. Such a joy to see the four legged members of the families turn out for a this special service! Click Here and Listen to a Personal Invite

November 5 is All Saints Sunday! During the 10:30 am worship service, Lely will remember members and friends who Joined the Church Triumphant during the previous year!

November 11 at 9:00 am, Lely Presbyterian Church will honor Veterans during a special service! Please plan to attend this 30 minute service! Click Here to Send names of Veterans to be Included

Finally, I could see and feel the frustration of our IT folks in the Epi Center last week. The sound was not good in the live stream. Consequently, we will not be able to provide clips for the Minute for Mission, Children’s Message, or the Sermon. Instead, you will find a link to the FacebookLive that recorded the entire service.

See you Sunday!

Welcome to Lely…..Welcome Home….You Belong Here!!

I remain a Servant of Christ….

Sincerely,

Pastor Ed