JOIND US RAIN OR SHINE FOR
ROCKPORT'S CHURCH PICNIC THIS 
SUNDAY, AUGUST 18^TH
 
Potluck right after 10:00am worship.
Hot dogs, brats and chicken will be on the grill.
Please bring a side dish to share.
(Sign-up sheet is posted!)
Dessert is already covered so no desserts are needed.
We will be having ice-cream sundaes.
 
All family, friends and co-workers are welcome
so spread the word and invite someone!
 
We will have some games ready so please wear 
casual clothes so you can participate.
 
Questions or to help:  Call Diana Leitch.  440-759-5980




ROCKPORT RENOVATORS:
Due to the tornados/storms that hit the area, Rockport had a few trees fall but luckily no severe damage occurred.  We never lost power and were a place of refuge for people to come to who lost power. Thank you, guys, for keeping our “church” home safe and clear of debris.






ROCKPORT UMC VBS NIGHT SCHOOL THANK YOU!  
I cannot thank everyone enough for all of the help and support and prayers that we received! We had the BESTEST time learning about Bible Festivals and what they were all about! 
    The Jewish festivals were really designed to turn people back to God, and we looked to God a lot during our learning and in our fun… We can’t wait for next year!  Thank you Rockport!  Kira Cimino Holchin 







DINNER AND VIEWING THE CHOSEN SEASON 2! 
Please join us for the last two episodes of the Chosen 2 on Tuesday, Aug. 20^th from 5:30 – 8:15 pm, where we will have dinner, viewing back-to-back episodes of the Chosen Season 2 and prayer (outside on the patio, weather permitting).  All are welcome.  The show teaches the human side of Jesus and his Chosen followers!





TREE PLANTING CAMPAIGN:  
The Trustees have proposed buying ten trees to fill in around the church property to help maintain and fill in our tree canopy, primarily around the outdoor chapel and playground area.
This will cost an average of $500 per tree. We thought this would be a great opportunity for members and friends of Rockport to donate the cost of a tree (or part of a tree) in memory of or to honor a loved one, or simply to help beautify our church property. Names of those who contribute $100 or more will be listed in Rockport’s Abiding Memorials book (in the narthex).
We would like to have the trees planted by the end of October, 2024, and thus would greatly appreciate receiving donations by October 31, 2024.
What do you say, Rockport family? Let’s plan(t) for the future and fill in our canopy! Any questions, please contact Mike Wilkenson or a Trustee.





INVITATION TO JOHN BIBLE STUDY:  
The invitation from Christ is: "Come and see, Follow me". Experience the magnificent passages in John including the I am statements (I am the truth, the life and the way, I am the living water and more). Revisit stories only told in John's gospel including Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene and the raising of Lazarus.
   This study is 11 weeks, every Wednesday, beginning on September 11^th and ending on November 20^th. Class will begin at 7:00 PM.  There will not be an introductory class this time.  We will jump right into Week 1 on September 11^th.  Sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board and books will be available soon!





ROCKPORT CHANCEL CHOIR 
is seeking returning members, new members and welcome all voices!  Rehearsals are on TUESDAYS from 6-7:20pm in the choir room. Contact Susan Shick, Music Director/Organist, at ershick@prodigy.net or 440-331-9433 or come to any of our TUESDAY rehearsals if you are interested in joining our fellowship and music ministry!  See you on TUESDAY, September 10, 2024 from 6-7:20pm.



 

BOTTLE CAPS!  
The Youth Group are collecting bottle caps for a mission project. The plastic kind - for example, 2 liter and 16/20/24 oz bottles. 
   During these past weeks we have been asking you, the congregation, to collect bottle caps, and we are providing the boxes to collect them with to make it easier. (courtesy of Dave Stephan! THANK YOU!) You can grab one on your way out of the church on the Christian Ed table in the hallway…   
   We have been asking to collect these caps in order to create our own bench, fully from the caps we have collected. This bench will signify how recycling can be seen and the process. This bench will be placed in a chosen location on the church grounds.  Along with these recycled caps, we will also accept donations to use towards the processing of the caps to the bench.
   Through our collective efforts we will eventually have a product that can be enjoyed by everyone. You can find the acceptable caps and lids list posted on the table with the boxes, and also will be sent out in the Rockport updates. We will be collecting until Thanksgiving! Thank you!  The link for information… https://www.greentreeplastics.com/abc-program/





BOOK CLUB:  
Join us on Wednesday, August 28^th at 7:00pm in the church parlor.  “First Lies Wins is a 2024 psychological thriller by Ashley Elston. The novel follows Evie Porter, a con artist hired by a mysterious employer to infiltrate the life of a handsome businessman. Evie sinks deeper into this false life, and the job slowly starts to spiral out of her control. As Evie fights to complete the job without ruining her alias, she finds herself pulled into a series of events that threaten to expose her true identity and unmask the organization she works for. First Lie Wins is a tense, female-focused thriller that uses its pacey plot to think about identity, community, and the possibility of redemption.”Hope to see everyone on August 28^th for food, fellowship and discussion




CHAT & CHEW!
Lunch & Chat Adult Discussion Group! 
Come and join us! Bring your lunch and enjoy your food AND a great discussion! We will explore various topics in the church and Bible. 
12 to 2 p.m.! 
SUMMER DATES:
August 19^th

FALL DATES: 
September 16^th
October 21st
November 18^th
December 16th 




Loving and gracious Father,
Surround those who have graduated with your grace. Bless them with hope so that they move into the future with eager and open hearts. Help them to put the knowledge, skills, and insights gained through their education for the good of all mankind. Inspire them to believe in the goodness of life even when faced with challenges and difficulties. As they commence with their lives, may they grow even more grateful and wise. May they always know that not only how much WE love them, but also you, loving Father.  In your glorious name we pray, Amen.




COFFEE HOUR:  
Please consider hosting coffee hour and sign-up on the bulletin board.  Fellowship is so important to the life of the church and why not have a little snack at the same time!




GOOGLE DRIVE REMINDER:
June 2024 Church financials can be found here.
Go to the Rockport All Church Information folder, Financial Reports folder, 2024 Financials folder, or get a hard copy in the church office.




REMINDER:
Office hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00 - 2:00pm and Fridays from 8:00 - 1:00pm.  
Rev. Don's office hours are Tuesday and Thursdays from 11:00 - 1:00pm




DISTRICT NEWS: www.eocumc.com/northernwaters

 

Northern Waters News

Save the Dates!

Charge Conferences will be held in three locations in the Northern Waters District on Saturday, November 2, at Brecksville UMC at 10:00 a.m., and First UMC in Akron at 2:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 3, 2024, at Geneva UMC in the afternoon (time to be finalized soon).   Plan now to have your paperworkcompleted in very early October.  Pastoral and SPRC consultations will begin in August.  Schedule coming Monday.   

 

CONFERENCE NEWS: https://www.eocumc.com

STORMS DAMAGE CHURCH BUILDINGS BUT DON'T DAMPEN THE SPIRIT OR WITNESS OF PARISHIONERS

By EOC News on August 14, 2024

By Rick Wolcott* On Saturday, August 10 Ohio Governor Mike DeWine declared a State of Emergency in eight Northeast Ohio counties because of tornadoes and strong storms that raced through those areas earlier in the week. “Five EF-1 tornadoes and widespread straight-line wind damage occurred across Northeast Ohio. Over 400,000 residents were left without power,” […]

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