celebrationoffice Care of Creation, outreach, Pet Blessing and Care Fair

Who blessed who?! Pet Blessing and Care Fair 2025

Photo of Tato, courtesy of Lake Humane volunteer, Brandon Ott

Thank you to everyone – human and nonhuman! – who attended or assisted with our 4th annual Pet Blessing and Care Fair. Pastor blessed 25 dogs and a brave cat in “person,” and several others in absentia via phone photos and even beloved toys. But we receive a lot of blessings from our furry guests and their people, too!

Our visiting friends from Geauga Mama Dogs and Pups, Lake Humane Society, Ohio Paws with Purpose, Rescue Village, and The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs always make the day extra special. The News-Herald ran a nice story about the event (with lots of pictures) on October 6. We also included lots of photos in our Facebook post.

celebrationoffice outreach, polka worship, Worship

Polka Worship 2025

This year’s Polka Worship, July 27, raised $1808 for the Geauga Hunger Task Force! Special thanks, as always, to the Chardon Polka Band for making this annual event so energetic and fun. Our worship planners put together a wonderful service, in which the Gospel was shared in a thought-provoking skit about The Good Samaritan. (Jake and the band might be able to pick up some acting gigs if this music business doesn’t work out. 😉 )

And it’s safe to say that no one went away hungry from our free picnic!

celebrationoffice Easter, Ecumenical friendships

Ecumenical Easter Vigil

We were delighted to host this year’s ecumenical Easter Vigil, which we celebrated with our brothers and sisters from Advent Lutheran (Mentor), Messiah Lutheran (Lyndhurst), and St. Andrew’s Episcopal (Mentor). Each congregation planned a creative interpretation of scripture, or a musical offering. Afterward, we enjoyed fellowship time together. This was our second year together and we look forward to next year’s celebration!

celebrationoffice Beer and Hymns, hospitality, outreach

It’s that time again… Beer & Hymns with the Chardon Polka Band!

Join the Chardon Polka Band at Celebration Lutheran Church, 10621 Auburn Rd., Chardon, Ohio for Beer & Hymns on Sunday, March 23, 2025 from 3:00 -5:30 p.m. As always, this free, fun-filled musical event will benefit the SubZero Mission organization which provides gloves, hats, coats, boots, sleeping bags, and other warming items to the homeless in northeast Ohio.

Light refreshments and soft drinks will be provided by Celebration Lutheran Church and attendees age 21 and older are encouraged to bring a beverage of their choice. Attendees are also encouraged to bring monetary donations for SubZero Mission and/or any of the warming items listed above (new or lightly used, please!).

Come and enjoy gospel hymns and other assorted music performed as only the Chardon Polka Band can do. For additional information, contact Paul Gochnour at (440) 897-0121. Spread the word by sharing this flyer!

celebrationoffice retreat, Spirituality

Everyday Spirituality – a one-day retreat

Join us at Celebration on Saturday, February 1, for an all-day (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) retreat on “Everyday Spirituality,” led by pastor, author, and spiritual director James Hazelwood. This retreat will include sessions on understanding Everyday Spirituality, practicing spirituality everywhere, reading the Bible as prayer, and the spirituality of dreaming.

Registration for this event is $10. Lunch, and morning and afternoon refreshments are included. Please register at this link (which will also direct you to a prepay link): https://forms.gle/qWBq9rZbuMNSkjF36

Pastor Hazelwood (former bishop of the New England Synod of the ELCA) is the author of “Ordinary Mysteries: Faith, Doubt, & Meaning” and “Everyday Spirituality: Weird Wisdom for the Second Half of Life.” He is also a storyteller, leadership coach, and spiritual director. You can read more about him at his website: https://www.jameshazelwood.net/

celebrationoffice Advent, Spirituality, The Longest Night, Worship

(Almost) The Longest Night

The seasons of Advent and Christmas can be difficult for some. For those who feel alone after the death of a loved one, a broken relationship, the inability to have a child, the loss of a job or health, or for many other reasons, the outward happiness of the season can make it sad or painful.

As we approach the winter solstice – the longest night of the year – we invite you to gather reverently and hopefully before God for “The Longest Night,” a service of healing and hope, to share the Word that shines light into the darkness of despair, grief, and loneliness. This service will take place Wednesday, December 18, at 7 p.m., here at Celebration.

There will be time for fellowship and light refreshments after the service. The service will be livestreamed on Celebration’s Facebook page. Here is the program (PDF).