As the summer unfolds, our church has been buzzing with activities and ministries. A deep thank you for supporting and praying for Vacation Bible School. It was a beautiful gift to see the body of Christ serve together and the children soaking up God’s Word.
This season, I’ve been reflecting on the encouraging words from Colossians 3:23-24:
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
So many of you are serving in lots of ways on Sunday mornings too. Did you know it takes over 160 volunteers each week? That’s amazing! It is truly the Lord we are serving. And there’s always room for more!
For the month of July, we’re in a sermon series called “Sabbath.” What a beautiful topic to learn from and apply to our summer days. In August, we’ll start up with the “Us” series and have another series journal.
Let’s continue to lean into our vision, to be an Oasis of God’s kingdom for a dry and thirsty world. As you read through the pages of this Ministry Guide, please join in the life of the church and be praying that God would continue to work in and through us. Please let our staff know if you need help getting plugged in.
In His Service,
Kirsten Svendsen Communications Director
Cover photos: Laughter and sunshine were abundant at the Comedy Community Cookout! Please join us for the next Mill Run Summer Fun Series event on July 12. More information can be found on page 6.
Worship
We gather to worship God and encourage one another in the faith. We hear from God’s Word and participate in the sacraments of communion and baptism.
Find updates and access to worship online at www.ualc.org/worship
Sermon Series
Sabbath
JULY 7–28
“Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.” Of all the Ten Commandments, this may be the one we are proudest to break. We are nonstop. We are busy. We are productive. And sometimes, we can’t even help it; this is just what life requires of us. But is it what God requires or wants of us? Is it what God wants for us? Or for the people we love? What if Sabbath isn’t just something God requires but something God gives us, and something God does for us? Join us for this series as we explore the Biblical gift of Sabbath.
Us
AUGUST 4–SEPTEMBER 8
What do you think of feel when you hear the word “us”? Does anyone specific come to mind? Do you feel included? Or excluded? Glad for company or ready for alone time? Did your church family come to mind? In August and September we’re going to learn how Jesus creates his people to be the best kind of “us.” And we’re going to focus on Jesus’ work in this specific community called UALC. Join us each week to grow in faith and love, in Christ together.
Daily Worship Resources
BLOG & BOOKMARK
Read Scripture, learn prayer practices, and read a devotion by one of our members or staff.
www.ualc.org/dailyworship
Sunday Schedule
MILL RUN CAMPUS
9:00 am (L, I) — Modern 11:00 am — Modern
LYTHAM ROAD CAMPUS
9:00 am (L) — Traditional 11:00 am — Modern
(L)=Livestream available at www.ualc.org/worship
(I)=ASL Interpreting available
Kids’ Church and Nursery
During the summer months, children who have not yet started Kindergarten are welcome in the nursery. Kids K-5th grade will join their families in worship. Kids’ Church begins again in August. Nursery is available for all services year round.
www.ualc.org/kidschurch
MILL RUN CAMPUS
9:00 am
Nursery
PreK (Ages 4—5) 11:00 am Nursery
Tonya Riedel triedel@ualc.org
LYTHAM ROAD CAMPUS
9:00 am Nursery 11:00 am
Nursery
PreK (Ages 4—5)
Melissa Davis mdavis@ualc.org
Belonging
Connect in small groups and with prayer, care, and support resources.
Group Opportunities
Small Group Ministry
At UALC, small groups are central to the relational life of our church. Within these groups we can know and be known, love and be loved, and care and be cared for. In small groups we walk together in the way of the Holy Spirit.
UALC small groups are three or more individuals who meet routinely in homes and rooms across the city.
www.ualc.org/smallgroups ∙ Dan Kidd — dkidd@ualc.org
Save the Date: Women’s Breakfast
SEPTEMBER 7 ∙ 10:00 AM-12:00 PM ∙ MILL RUN
Start the school year off connecting with women and resources specific to women around the church. Breakfast, worship, and crafting. Cost: $15. Registration coming soon.
Melissa Davis: mdavis@ualc.org
Friendship Bible Class
FIRST & THIRD WEDNESDAYS 6:00-7:30 PM ∙ MILL RUN
An opportunity for individuals who are differently-abled to participate in fellowship, worship, and Bible study. Register online.
Community, friendship, laughter, and Bible Study are overflowing at Friendship Bible Class (FBC). We meet on first and third Wednesdays, delving into a Scripture lesson, time of prayer, crafts, snacks, and worship.
Once you come to FBC, you are a part of the family. Molly Martin is one of our FBC friends. She loves attending, as it is a safe place where she is loved unconditionally and has fellowship with her friends. Molly brings her guitar and loves to play for the class during worship time. Her friends find this to be a real treat. Josh Valentino’s warm personality is inviting to others as soon as they arrive in the room. There is never a lack of laughter when he is there. Josh is a man of prayer. His friends regularly ask that he lead our prayer time. Bethany Wilson is our class encourager. When she isn’t sharing about sports, she is complimenting, sharing a hug or shouting a “good job” to her friends.
Our volunteers, Barb Winter, Kristi Rose, Brynna Rose, Nancy Walton, and Rachel Sutton love sharing their time with our class. They didn’t all feel like they were “equipped” to serve our friends with disabilities, but quickly found that God equips those he calls. Barb shared that she feels we are all “differently-abled” in our own ways, and once we realize that we are all created just as God wanted us to be, we find purpose and meaning as well as our place in God’s family.
The genuine love, care, and acceptance in the room is like none other. Each person is part of God’s plan; he created each of us in a unique way, and together, we are his masterpieces who come together to make a whole family, God’s family. Come find out why Friendship Bible Class is an oasis and you will be refreshed and feel the presence of the Lord each and every week.
Care & Support
Open Door to Connect
Your pastors and staff have an open door for encouragement, prayer, and growth in all seasons of life.
Pastor Joe Valentino: jvalentino@ualc.org, 614-643-4690
Pastor David White: dwhite@ualc.org, 614-643-4691
Tammy Schuster: tschuster@ualc.org, 614-643-4692
Stacy Schad: sschad@ualc.org, 614-643-4664
Becki Bork: bbork@ualc.org, 614-643-4634
Celebrate Recovery
THURSDAYS ∙ 7:00 – 8:30 PM ∙ MILL RUN CAMPUS
A Christian, 12-step program helping with all sorts of hurts, habits, and hang-ups.
www.ualc.org/celebraterecovery ∙ cr@ualc.org
Prayer Ministry
Do you need prayer? Share your requests and our prayer ministers will begin praying on your behalf. Would you like to pray for others? We welcome our UALC family to join the weekly prayer email, to pray for the concerns of our people, our church, and our world.
www.ualc.org/prayer
LIFEwalk Ministry
When someone is facing a difficult or challenging situation, they can request a LIFEwalk team — two trained lay prayer ministers — who will confidentially meet with the person regularly for prayer and support.
Join an in-depth Bible study led by Pastor Joe and other teachers.
www.ualc.org/education ∙ Joe Valentino: jvalentino@ualc.org
Baptism Class
SECOND SUNDAYS ∙ 1:00 PM OR BY APPT
For those interested in being baptized or baptizing their children. Adults, teens, and children of any age are welcome. Visit www.ualc.org/education
Mill Run ∙ David White: dwhite@ualc.org
Lytham Road ∙ Joe Valentino: jvalentino@ualc.org
Next Generation
Kids and teens are formed by foundational Christian teaching in age-appropriate ways. We also equip and support families for prayer and spiritual conversation together.
Next Gen Summer Ministry Guide
Pick up your copy of the Next Gen Summer Ministry Guide in the Connect Centers or find it online at ualc.org/nextgen. Includes opportunities for kids PreK through 12th grade.
Kids Ministry
Kids’ Church
AUGUST–MAY
See page 2 or go online for more information.
www.ualc.org/kidschurch
Kids Connect
ONCE/MONTH ∙ 6:00-7:30 PM
Our last summer Kids Connect is July 8. Register online. Fall Kids Connect resumes September 9.
www.ualc.org/elementary
AWANA
WEDNESDAYS, BEGINNING SEPT. 4 ∙ 6:15-7:45 PM
AWANA Clubs build faith foundations, friendships, foster growth through Bible memorization and games for kids ages 3 to 6th grade.
www.ualc.org/awana ∙ awana@ualc.org
Carol Choir
WEDNESDAYS, BEGINNING AUG. 28 ∙ 4:00-5:30 PM
For children in grades 3-6. Sing, look into the Bible, and play highenergy games. Registration coming soon.
Come experience our, caring, hands-on approach to learning and faith building. School begins the week of September 2. Register online or email for more information.
www.ualc.org/preschool
preschool@ualc.org
Open Positions
We are seeking individuals with a passion to encourage learning and growth of young children in a Christ-centered environment.
www.ualc.org/jobs
preschool@ualc.org
Middle School Ministry (MSM)
Summer Fellowship
SUNDAYS ∙ 4 :00–5:30 PM
MARY KATE’S HOUSE
This summer we are diving into the book of John. Friends welcome!
www.ualc.org/middleschool
mhipp@ualc.org
End of Summer Party
AUGUST 9 ∙ 6:00-8:00 PM
Join us at our end-of-summer celebratory pool party! Come swim, hang out, and eat snacks with us. Invite friends! Location is TBA, check the website for details.
www.ualc.org/middleschool
Fall Kick Off & MSM Sunday Nights
SUNDAYS, BEGINNING AUGUST 18 ∙ MILL RUN CAMPUS
Join a fun, welcoming community where middle schoolers can grow, connect, play games with friends, eat dinner, and have faith building experiences. We will kick off the school year and the ministry year on August 18. Come check it out, and bring a friend along too!
www.ualc.org/middleschool ∙ Mary Kate Hipp: mhipp@ualc.org
Teen Connect | Grades 6–12
Teens, come hang out with leaders and each other in the lobby at Mill Run, and on the patio at Lytham Road, every Sunday morning after each service. Free donuts!
High School Ministry (HSM)
Cedar Point
JULY 12-13
We leave Mill Run at 7:30 am on Friday, and return Saturday at 3:00 pm. Cost: $80, includes park admission, all meals from Friday lunch through Saturday lunch, overnight stay and travel. Evenings at Cedar Point can get chilly, so bring a sweatshirt along with your overnight clothes. Register online.
www.ualc.org/highschool ∙ salmquist@ualc.org
Muck Olympic
JULY 26 ∙ 6:30-9:30 PM
MILL RUN CAMPUS
Students of all abilities compete in the arena of mess for the title of Muck Champion. Come ready to compete, have a great time, and get messy!
www.ualc.org/highschool
salmquist@ualc.org
Kayaking
AUGUST 4 ∙ 12:30-5:00 PM
High School students and incoming ninth graders, sign up now to go Kayaking at Trapper John’s! Meet at Mill Run Campus. Cost: $15. (Please bring a lunch or eat before.)
www.ualc.org/highschool
salmquist@ualc.org
Fall Kick Off & HSM Sunday Night
SUNDAYS ∙ MILL RUN CAMPUS
Don’t miss the kick off of another awesome year on August 18! Each week the focus will be on connection, going deeper in God’s Word in small groups, sharing dinner, and having fun doing it all.
www.ualc.org/highschool ∙ Steve Almquist: salmquist@ualc.org
Partnership & Mobilization
We serve locally in our church, community, and all around the world.
Serve at UALC
Volunteer opportunities (just to name a few) include, Kids’ Church, MSM and HSM small group leaders, greeters, ushers, coffee, worship techs, camera, music/worship, building and grounds, shuttle drivers, care ministry, and photography.
www.ualc.org/serve ∙ Jonathan Nasby: jnasby@ualc.org
4th of July Clean Up
9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Outreach to the community by helping to clean up after the Upper Arlington parade. Contact Tammy Schuster for more information.
tschuster@ualc.org
Festa Summer Lunch Camp
Visual Arts Ministry
Be Part of the Art! We need volunteers to help manage the art installations at UALC campuses.
visualarts@ualc.org
Join us at summer camp for lunch and fun summer activitiesadults, elementary, middle and high school volunteers welcome!
Ways to help:
• Donate non-perishable food items.*
• Teen internship program - high school students looking for a meaningful volunteer experience are welcome!
• Volunteer to serve lunch or play games.
*Learn more about Festa and find a complete food list and instructions at www.ualc.org/festa
Join us for brunch or lunch at the restaurants inside Festa’s Free Summer Lunch Camp, run by children in grades 3-8.
Make your reservation at: ualc.org/festa.
International Friendships, Inc. (IFI)
BY PAUL AND PEGGY NORDMAN
“Where else can we go and talk about Jesus to those who are coming to hear about Jesus?” Peggy and I occasionally marvel together. Participating in the IFI Friday night Bible study has given us a front-row seat to the impact of love and the power of the Word — through them, the Spirit of God changes the lives of international students pursuing their education here in Central Ohio, many of whom are hearing the gospel for the first time.
There are several other helpful ways to serve internationals, as well. In fact, one of the great things about IFI is that volunteers can serve in ways that match their availability and Spiritual gifts. Giving students a ride from the airport to their apartment or dormitory doesn’t take long, yet it makes a difference to those stepping into our culture for the first time. Another example, hosting students in one’s home for up to four nights while they await their campus living space to become available creates warm, lasting friendships. And there is a steady stream of students desiring an English-speaking partner.
Have you ever felt the desire to serve others in Jesus’ name but felt overwhelmed or ill-equipped to do so? Another wonderful thing about IFI is that it provides the ministerial structure, support, and training for those of us who wish to serve in the Kingdom of God but don’t know how. IFI makes it easy to engage in meaningful ministry. Step up as servants; end up as friends.
Please pray for IFI:
• That students and hosts will find one another at the airport. For a warm welcome and meaningful conversations.
• For strong connections with OSU International student group leaders so that new students will hear about IFI before they arrive.
• That every student who desires will have a friendship with a follower of Jesus while in the U.S. and that students will experience the love of God through the body of Christ.
Information and Resources
Red Cross Blood Drive
JULY 20 ∙ 8:30 AM-12:45 PM ∙ MILL RUN
Blood drives are held every other month on Saturdays. Register online or check your donation time at the Red Cross national site. Sponsor Code is UALC.
blooddrive@ualc.org ∙ redcrossblood.org/give
Connect with us!
myUALC
Do you know about myUALC? myUALC provides ways to connect with others and access to great resources. Visit ualc.org/stayconnected and click on “myUALC Directory” to login, create, or update your profile.
Facebook & Instagram
Stay connected to the church, follow our Facebook and Instagram pages, or join one of our Community Groups for each campus.
www.facebook.com/ualutheran
www.instagram.com/ualutheran
Watch a Sermon
Other Resources
UALC Library
MILL RUN CAMPUS
Find Bibles, non-fiction and fiction books, studies, and materials for kids and teens at the Mill Run Library. Online catalog available.
www.ualc.org/library
Gail Crosser bac54gac55@gmail.com
UALC Mobile App
Use our app to find resources like our Daily Worship Blog, sermons and media, and manage financial giving.
www.ualc.org/app
Did you miss a sermon or want to share one with a friend? Find sermons, or the entire worship service, on YouTube.
www.youtube.com/@UALCvideo
The mission of UALC is to be and to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We believe that God has called us to be an Oasis of His kingdom for a dry and thirsty world. We envision a future where we are so wellwatered in the love and truth and Spirit of Christ that it transforms our life together, and people who encounter our church community would say, “see how they love one another,” to the glory of God.
