Advent Lutheran Church - Mentor, OH

I come before you with a plea for your action in light of the surpassing freedom of the gospel of Jesus Christ, a gospel grounded in love and peace.    For we are indeed saved by grace through faith not by our works, lest we boast, yet, it is our very response to this free gift of God's love that defines our very lives.   These times truly try our hearts, souls, and minds, and it is our duty to gird up our lives in the way of praying and studying the scriptures.   I call all of us to a deeper, more committed walk with God for the living of these days.    No amount of effort on our part to grow, strengthen, empower, and equip our church will amount to anything until we freely commit to deepen our relationship with God and others.   This is a call to arms and hands and feet, to voices, ears, eyes, knees and backs (in other words: our minds, bodies, and souls) as we seek to live our mission of knowing Christ and making Him known.   Here is how the call is taking shape among us here at Advent:

1. We have made the commitment of becoming a Book of Faith Community, meaning we have joined the rest of the ELCA in a more intentional journey and learning of scripture.

2. These commitments have already begun and continue to take shape:

    a. Wednesday Morning Augsburg Bible Study at 9:30 AM
        (to continue in the fall)
    b. Grand Sweep Bible Journey each Wednesday at 7:00 PM
    c. Praying with the Psalms through the summer
        Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings at 9:00 AM
        (with Holy Communion on Wednesday)
        Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM.
    d. Christ in Prayer (coming this fall)
    e. Conversation each Tuesday at Barnes and Noble at 7:00 PM
        regarding living the Word in our daily lives
    f. Worship with the Bible each weekend during all services
    g. Introduction to the Book of Faith classes
        (coming this fall)
    h. Retreats on various scripture themes (TBD)

Come just as you are - liberal, moderate, or conservative, Republican or Democrat, young or older, happy or sad, male or female, left handed or right handed, 6 PM Saturday Evening, 8 AM, 9:30 AM, or 11:30 AM Sunday morning worshipers, organized or disorganized, you get the picture.    Let us all join together for a closer walk with our God!

In His steps,

Pastor Kovitch
(July 2008)

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

A great big THANK YOU and appreciation to all those of Advent who supported our move; prayerfully, physically, and emotionally.

The opportunity to have a home that is 100% accessible is a blessing. We thank God for everything that has blessed our lives, including our Advent family. Let us look forward to how we can use the “yellow house next door" to further our mission and ministry.

Pastor Kovitch
(June 2008)

Dear Advent Family,

Pastor Joe gave me the opportunity to use his spot this month to share some of my plans for the rest of this year, and the coming years.

I am going to take a “sabbatical ” this coming summer.  Beginning in June, I will take the following three months to read, pray, evaluate, and get "caught up" with where I’m at in my life and ministry.   I’m turning the big "60" in May and it’s time to take a look at where I am and where I and God need me to be or to go.   It will be an opportunity to step back and have the time to evaluate what I am able to yet do and then how to best use the gifts God has entrusted to me.

As you all know, I suffered a stroke in July of 2002.   I thank God and the people God has sent my way, who helped me get to where I am today.   Without that help and my wife, Lida’s love and devotion, I wouldn’t be here.   Advent has been part of that gift that God has provided.   You have allowed me to use the gifts that remain, to do ministry among you.

The chronic fatigue syndrome, left by the stroke, limits my ability to work full-time.  I have been able to "plug in" here, for which I am eternally thankful.   But time is needed now to see what would be the best use of my time and talents.   It takes all the energy available to do what I do now.   There are no reserves.   To be assistant or visitation pastor is a joy, but there is little left to do anything else.   To claim time to work or play outside the church always comes across as "cheating" my ministry, because strength and energy have been used up.   Always the dilemma.

Thus, the need for sabbatical!   What is the best way to serve God?    Is there a source yet untouched, that I can mine for more energy?    What do I want to be when I grow up? Now, read this part very carefully!!   I love the community of Advent – the family that it is.  I’m choosing to change my status from paid staff to volunteer staff, beginning now.   It is not an issue of finances or frustrations.   It is simply a time to think and reflect.   I have not been told to quit.   I have not had a fight with Pastor Joe or any one else!    There is no underlying, secret reason other than what I’ve told you here.

I will fill in for Pastor Joe’s vacation in July – otherwise, I’m on sabbatical.    Come September, I’ll share what I ’ve found with you and we’ll continue our journey together.   I humbly ask that you continue to support me in your prayers during this time of reflection.

Shalom!
Pastor Larry
(May, 2008)