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Introducing Our New Pastor, Rev. Don Kraps

 
(Brief Bio)

  • My family consists of my parents Bob and Sally Kraps, deceased.

  • My sister Betsy lives outside of Philadelphia and has two sons and three grandchildren

  • My brother John and his wife Rachel split their time between Champaign Ill. & Venice Fla. They have three children and one grandchild.

  • I've never been married. I was engaged to be married but we both called it off.

  • I grew up and went to school in Wickliffe and N. Olmsted.

  • I was a wandering Aramean in college for 7 years. I finally graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz with a bachelor's in Aesthetic Studies.

  • I was a social worker in Chicago until I answered my call to the ministry.

  • I attended Garrett/Evangelical Theological Seminary. I was recruited by the Iowa annual conference when I graduated. I spent 5 years there then I transferred to East Ohio in1990.

  • I retired in 2017 and moved to Cleveland. I played in several community bands and The Symphony West. I enjoy playing music, recreational sports, biking and kayaking.

  • My theology is about knowing and showing God's love in Christ through the Holy Spirit.

  • I feel my call to serve Rockport UMC in that capacity involves discerning where we are being led by the Holy Spirit to be Christ's ambassadors of love and service.

  • I look forward to journeying with you on the road to a higher love and service in Christ.

    Don Kraps

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BIKE AND PRAYER

Meet in the church parking lot on July 14th @ 6:30pm.  Don't want to bike, still come for prayer and walk the labyrinth or around the church neighborhood.  Hope to see you!

 

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MESSAGE FROM REV. LAURIE

I want to thank all of you who welcomed and worked with me the past three months as I served as your Interim minister! I especially want to thank the staff - Sara, Kira and Susan for working so well together as a team, Scott, our tech guy, and all the leaders as we navigated the important issues of the church. Thanks also to all who welcomed me so well! It has been my honor and joy to serve God and the people of Rockport the past three months as your interim minister! I pray God's blessings on each and every one of you!

 

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BOOK CLUB

Please join us on Tuesday, Aug. 3rd at 7pm outside on the church patio.  We will be reading The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave.  This is a mystery/domestic suspense about a man living a lie and his wife and daughter who struggle to discover who he really is.  When Hannah Hall receives a note from her husband stating nothing more than “Protect her,” one random afternoon, her whole world shatters. Her husband Owen has disappeared without a trace, and she soon learns that he was not the man she thought he was. Charged with taking care of her contentious stepdaughter, Bailey, she and Bailey slowly begin to investigate Owen leading them to danger and a startling revelation.  Hope to see you all on Aug. 3rd for fellowship and discussion!

 

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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

All are welcome to join the knitters this summer
on the following nights:
July 7th & 21st 
Aug. 4th & 18th
7:00pm on the church patio.
Hope to see you there!

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EARLY MORNING SERVICE (EMS) IS BACK!
On July 25th, Rockport's EMS will resume.
 More details to come!

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We will plan to eat at Noon.
Please bring sides & desserts
July 18th after 10am service!
Enjoy fellowship & activities
Come meet the new pastor, Rev. Don!

Paper products & drinks provided along with
grilled hot dogs, hamburgers & chicken.

 

We will have games for big & small.
Questions or to help
Diana Leitch, 440-759-5980

 

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GOOGLE DRIVE REMINDER:  
Rockport All Church Information
and  Financial Reports are accessible here. 

 

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REV. DON'S contact information:
sparknod@yahoo.com
440-391-9823

 
 

ROCKPORT HAPPENINGS!
 

 

Calendar of Events:

Wednesday, June 30, 2021
       7-8:30pm - Youth Mission Planning & Hanging out!

Friday, July 2, 2021
       9:45am - Al-Anon

Sunday, July 4, 2021
      10:00am - In Person Outdoor Worship & live streamed

Tuesday, July 6, 2021
        6:30-7:30pm - Words of Life Bible Study

Wednesday, July 7, 2021
        7:00pm - Prayer Shawl Ministry
       
Friday, July 9, 2021
       9:45am - Al-Anon

Sunday, July 11, 2021
      10:00am - In Person Outdoor Worship & live streamed

Tuesday, July 13, 2021
        6:30-7:30pm - Words of Life Bible Study

Wednesday, July 14, 2021
       6:30pm - Bike & Prayer

Friday, July 16, 2021
       9:45am - Al-Anon

Sunday, July 18, 2021
      10:00am - In Person Outdoor Worship & live streamed
     11:15-1:30pm - All Church Picnic

Wednesday, July 21, 2021
        7:00pm - Prayer Shawl Ministry

Thursday, July 22, 2021
       7-8:30pm - Youth Group

Friday, July 23, 2021
       9:45am - Al-Anon
 
Prayer List: 

NEW THIS WEEK
Gail Stephan, home from the hospital recovering

ONGOING PRAYERS
Rev. Joe Santomen, passed into life eternal on June 17th.  Former Associate Pastor of Rockport UMC
Belinda St. Leger, health concerns
Barb Michael, health concerns.  Sister of Dianne Hall
Geri Middleton, passed into life eternal.  Long-time Michigan friend of Nancy Geyer
Tony Arlia, recovering from brain surgery.  Son-in-law of Beverly Cavanah
Shirley Davidson, health concerns.  Friend of David Rice
Norma Golladay, medical concerns
Joyce, in need of prayers.  Sister of Nancy Geyer
Stan P, cancer treatment.  Requested by Rev. Davis
Lynn Burris, after 3 back surgeries still living in extreme pain.  Brother-in-law of Beverly Cavanah
Prayers for revival for Rockport to wholeness, for America, the world, and the whole church.  Requested by Nancy Geyer
Mary Mainwaring, health concerns.
Douglas MacMillan, member, prayers for recovery from a fall and surgery on his spine and his recuperation at home will be extensive.  Requested by his sister, Gail Stephan
Vicki Moenich, shoulder surgery and healing
Bill Bowers-Health concerns
Donny Nally, recovering from heart & kidney transplants.  Son of Diana Nally
Katie Patton, single mom of 3 with stage 4 liver cancer. Requested by the Wilkenson Family
Betty Jones, medical concerns
Erna Guia, prayers for healing
Dennis, healing and guidance.  Nephew of Elsie Gaewsky
Jan Tietje, medical concerns
 
MILITARY SERVING OUR COUNTRY
Jacob Gasiewski-Serving our country.  Grandson of Carole Heppner
Sarah Bungard-Serving our country, Chief Warrant Officer 2 USMC. Requested by the Kopko family
Mariah White-Pray for safety for her & her unit who are in Kuwait.  Friend of Dan Newman
Lt. Chandler Freeman-In Kuwait. Grandson of Marge Freeman
 

News from our Youth and Children's Ministries

Youth & UMKids!

SUMMER PLANS & MISSION STUFF!
PLEASE BE WATCHING Children and Youth Updates & Emails for Summer plans! We will be adding dates ALL SUMMER as things become available! Don’t worry, next summer I will go back to having the schedule alllll out at a crazy early time haha but I am happy to be able to meet together! So we will add as we go!
YOUTH!
Date ONE: Mission Planning and Hanging out! JUNE 30th from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Backyard.
Date TWO: Youth Group July 22nd from 7 – 8:30
Date THREE: YAC recording Hang out, To Be Determined Soon!

 
ALL HANDS ON DECK!
WE NEED volunteers for our ONE DAY VBS towards the end of the summer. Please let me know if you are interested in volunteering in some capacity! As soon as a date is planned, we will get it out to you! (Youth AND Adults!)
*Teachers
*”Classroom” helpers
*Bakers (we will need Homemade cookies) 
*Set-up and tear down (SMALL SCALE, not my normal crazy haha) 
*Craft Helpers 
*Outdoor Games Helpers 
 

July Children and Youth Birthdays:
July 5    Nathan Kopko
July 20    Abigail & Kayla Omslaer
July 24    Grace Lowmiller
July 25    Bodway Elama

July Wedding Anniversaries:
July 1    Austin & Amanda Hover, 16 years
July 7    Debbie & Bob Ogle, 37 years
July 10    John & Rose Cresante, 48 years
John & Barb Catavolos, 28 years
July 18    Nick & Tina Berardi, 34 years
July 20    Earl & Susan Shick, 47 years
July 24    Gregg & Sarah Field, 17 years
July 27    Richard & Janine Exner, 36 years