Sonbeams January 2026 Message
FROM PASTOR JAY
Dear Family in Christ,
The new year has dawned! I’m sitting at Parma Lutheran’s pastor’s big oak desk, meditating and praying on our future, and pondering our past. The thought strikes me; this is probably the same desk Reverend Willmann sat at during his 30-year tenure as our pastor. That would make this the same desk all the pastors who came after him, including me, sat to pray, meditate, write sermons and newsletter articles. That’s a powerful legacy of leadership, and a humbling thought. Then the thought occurs to me, I wonder if maybe this beautiful old desk was here since our founding pastor, Reverend Weiss, was installed on Sunday, January 22, 1933. Imagine all the sermons that would have been written on this old desk, and all the heartfelt prayers prayed over it by all the pastors who sat here?
On January 22, we celebrate our 93nd year as a church family. Many of you can remember Reverend Willmann, our longest serving pastor. Bill Hamey was the only person I was aware of who could remember back the farthest. Bill told me he remembered Reverend Schmidt, who preceded Rev. Willmann. Of course, it doesn’t matter if we have been a member of this church family since the 30s, or we’re just now prayerfully considering becoming a member. When a new member comes into a family they are as important as any other member. So too, as I sit at this old desk, I ponder that I’m merely one pastor of many who served here. Like a U.S. president, pastors, past and present, occupy the office of pastor. In these 93 years there have been lots of ministries and people who worked hard to make those ministries come to life in service to God and God’s people of Parma and beyond.
So, in looking at the new year and our future, we begin by reflecting upon our past. As we are about to turn 93, I believe, we are only just beginning! As great as the ministries of our past were, even greater ministries are ahead of us! Our shared goals remain as when you first called me to serve as your shepherd: to assist you in facing the challenges of a changing community, to be a leader and innovator, bring joy and excitement to ministry, to focus on worship, youth ministry and education, and to prepare ourselves to celebrate our 100th Birthday and get ready for the ministries of the next 100 years and beyond! In looking ahead, we recognize that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us with Jesus as our head.
Our goal today and tomorrow is singular, to remain faithful to Christ by following him as our Good Shepherd. Our job as church is to be faithful. It’s the Holy Spirit’s job, as God, to bless us. It is my prayer as your pastor as I sit at this big old desk that I, as your shepherd, and we, as the body of Christ at this place at this time, remain faithful to our King and Lord, Jesus Christ. May God bless us and the people of Parma and beyond through our worship and ministries this year and in the years that follow. Amen.
Journeying with you in Christ into the new year and beyond,
Pastor Jay
ABOUT OUR
WORSHIP SERVICES
CHRISTIAN
EDUCATION
WHAT'S HAPPENING
AT PLC
NEW TIME FOR 2026:
Youth Education
(Pre-School through
Middle School) on the second Sunday of each month from 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the Community Room. A light lunch is offered during that time.
We invite you to be involved in our many church activities! Check out what's upcoming on our church calendar and events list for more details.
FELLOWSHIP IN ACTION
2025 Youth Pasta Dinner Fundraiser
In May, attendees enjoyed a homemade meal, fun-filled raffle baskets and door prizes with proceeds going toward the purchase of life-saving AEDs (automated external defibrillators) for PLC and dinner for the families at The Journey for Safe Healing in Cuyahoga County.
2025 PLC Chili Cook-off Extravaganza!
On Reformation Sunday in October, we celebrated our newly confirmed youth and after worship service, held a chili cook-off in the Fellowship Hall. It was a HUGE success with 16 chili entries and almost 100 people in attendance!
2025 Fourth of July Parade
