Welcome to Parma Lutheran Church
5280 Broadview Rd Parma OH 44134
216-351-6373
​[email protected]

​Pastor Jeffrey "Jay" Plummer

Parma Lutheran Church is rooted in Christ.
Christ is Love, so we are Love.
We worship, pray, share, feel, help, fellowship, mourn, and celebrate together.
​Please view the many offerings, classes and activities we have available.

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Come worship with us!
Sunday 10:30 am
NEW Wednesday 5:30 pm
Holy Communion is celebrated at both services.

All baptized believers are invited by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to come to His Table to receive Holy Communion.
Non-communing children and adults may come forward to receive a blessing.

We offer Sunday worship via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 819 8177 9713
Passcode: 362022

​​216-351-6376
CHURCH HOURS
Monday- Thursday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
[email protected]
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Parma Lutheran Church

Prayer Requests:

Parma Lutheran Church supports a Prayer Chain ministry.  Please make sure you have the person's permission to share any confidential information.  To add your prayer requests to our list, please fill out the form below or send an email to us at [email protected].

    Prayer Requests


Parma Lutheran Church
“The Church on the Corner Doing Good Things”
Pastor Jeffrey “Jay” Plummer
5280 Broadview Road, Parma, Ohio 44134
Pastor’s Cell: 440. 502.1192
Church Office: 216.351.6376     Church Office Email:  www.plcparma.org
Son Beams Newsletter
March 2025

 
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.  
Galatians 6:2
 
According to God’s word there is “a time for every matter under heaven.”  With all the stuff going on in our world and with all the busyness and complications of our lives, let’s declare it among us within our Parma Lutheran Church family that it’s time to laugh, dance, love, and by our faith and fellowship seek to enjoy inner peace! It’s easy to get caught-up in negativity and sour grapes.  As the weather warms up with a new springtime, let’s laugh & dance! Let’s declare this as our time to love all people and ourselves, despite our differences and imperfections! Now is the time to seek peace and happiness within ourselves and then to share that peace, happiness, love and joy with the world and with everyone we meet!
 
As you may have heard me mention before, my grandmother used to often say, “life is meant to be enjoyed.” Maybe when she told me that she may have noticed that when I concentrate, I tend to crunch up my face and look angry, or upset, or unhappy. It’s not that I was angry or upset.  Over the years, people have come up to me and asked me if I was okay. I suppose they saw that crunched up look when I was concentrating, or nervous, or had beans for lunch. Sometimes my wife will even remind me to smile.
 
With all the negative stuff going on in our world today, it’s time we embrace the blessings of our faith granted us in Christ Jesus!  Remember, the word “beatitude” means “a state of great happiness or joy, especially when it comes from being blessed by God.” Jesus gives us a series of blessings in his Sermon on the Mount, which begins with 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). We are blessed by our faith in Christ! And if “blessed” means “happy” then my grandmother got it right!  The blessings of our faith are indeed meant to be enjoyed, to make us happy!  As a people of faith, we have every reason to be happy! By faith in Christ the powers of sin and death are defeated. By faith, the greatest obstacles to our happiness are crushed, and we are left standing on the firm foundation of Christ. The troubles of the world and the complexities of our lives may seem to overwhelm us. In response, we stand on our faith in Christ, upon the unmovable rock and foundation of the blessings we have received, the happiness we enjoy, no matter what is going on in our world or in our lives. Blessed are you, happy are you, people of Parma Lutheran Church. Amen.
    
Journeying with you in faith, life, and happiness,
Pastor Jay
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Beloved Family in Christ,
 
Believe it or not, this is my fourth winter with you. It's become an annual thing that early every winter I write a letter discussing the dangers of driving or being out in winter weather, like driving in snow and being exposed to extreme cold.  Parma Lutheran Church used to have a policy of cancelling church events if the local authorities broadcast closures on radio and/or tv.  Instead of figuring out whether we may have cancelled a worship service, fellowship or youth event, due to weather, my advice is to practice caution, and if in doubt, error on the side of caution.  Coming to a worship service or church event is not something we ought to risk our lives to attend. If we know ahead of time that the weather looks bad and that we might have to cancel an event, we will get the word out about the cancelation via MailChimp or phone chain.  Like tomorrow, we know it will be very cold.  It might be best for our seniors to stay home and stay warm and not attend Bible study.  But I'll be here, Lord willing.  So, I'm not going to say it's cancelled.  Instead, I advise that we each assess the situation according to our own sensibilities. If you feel it might be too cold to go out, then, please, don't go out.  If the weather is bad on a Sunday morning, I am not going to risk my life coming in, and neither should you.  We'll do our best to get the word out about possible cancelations either by MailChimp or phone chain. But if you don't hear anything, again, my advice to you is that you do not risk exposing yourself to the dangers of extreme weather conditions.  

Please take care of yourselves, and may God bless us in our travels and keep us safe.  Amen. 
 
Journeying with you in Christ, 
Pastor Jay  
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Here’s a new feature in the Son Beams Newsletter!
It’s the Q & A page!
 
If you have a question about worship, administration, or leadership at Parma Lutheran Church, send your question or questions to [email protected]
 
Why does Parma Lutheran Church have two congregation meetings per year?
 
According to our congregation’s bylaws (C10.01.01), “Semi-annual meetings of this congregation will be held in the first and fourth quarter of the year.  The first quarter meeting is defined as the annual meeting.  The fourth quarter meeting is defined as the meeting for the presentation of the budget, for election of officers and Congregation Council positions, and other business”.  At the annual meeting held during the first quarter, we receive reports from the pastor and council members.  
 
Who may attend and who may speak and vote at a congregation meeting?
 
There are no restrictions as to who may attend a congregation meeting, or any of our council or committee meetings.  However, according to our constitution, only members of the congregation have (C10.10) “full rights of voice and vote.”   
 
Who may be considered a voting member of the congregation with voice and vote?
 
According to our constitution (C8.02.C.) “Voting members are confirmed members.  Such confirmed members, during the current or preceding calendar year, shall have communed in this congregation and shall have made a contribution of record to this congregation. Members of this congregation who have satisfied these basic standards shall have the privilege of voice and vote at every regular and special meetings of this congregation as well as the other rights and privileges ascribed to voting members by the provisions of this constitution and its bylaws.  They shall not have voted as a seasonal member of another congregation of this church in the precious two calendar months.”  
 
Will we vote on anything at the upcoming annual meeting?  
 
The only scheduled vote on the agenda of which I, Pastor Jay, am aware will be a vote to accept the minutes of the semi-annual meeting that was held in November of last year.  However, during the course of the meeting something from old or new business might come up for discussion and possibly a vote.
 
Please keep in mind, we as members of this congregation are this congregation’s stewards.  As members we are responsible for this congregation’s faithfulness to the proclamation of the gospel and the administration of the sacraments; teaching Christian doctrine to our youth and adults; planning and engaging in fellowship events; conducting outreach ministries, such as the hunger center, community garden, rummage sale, etc.; being good stewards of this congregation’s administration, such as paying our bills, answering the phones; and the upkeep of our church building. It’s up to each of us as members to provide effort in planning our future and working to make that future possible.  
How can I get more involved in the business and ministries of this congregation?
 
Scripture declares that God has graciously bestowed gifts upon each of us to use for God’s purpose. (See 1 Peter 4:10) Talk to the pastor who can help you discern and then apply your gifts for ministry here at Parma Lutheran Church.
 
JENNIFER TEMPLE TALK FEBRUARY 23RD
Fear as a verb is defined as being afraid of someone or something that is likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening.  How I view fear is that it’s a thought that I have created in my mind of a future or outcome that hasn’t happened yet. Fear is created from the natural feeling of being anxious.  Anxiety can help us focus & give us clarity. Fear can be a powerful deterrent and prevent us from learning or trying something new that may make us feel uncomfortable.  Thinking that we can’t do something, that we aren’t good enough to do it or would embarrass ourselves.
 As a Chief Compliance Officer, I am required to speak in front of numerous people often. In the beginning, I was terrified. I would shake horribly, sweat profusely, get dizzy & feel nauseous. Now in this example I didn’t have a choice. I had to do it as part of my role. So, I just felt through the fear, said a prayer to myself, asked God for help to see me through it, took a deep breath & began. I could have bungled up my speech, forgotten what I was going to say. Sometimes I am sure I did. I could have gotten sick right on that stage. Thank goodness I didn’t. It didn’t matter because I did it and I was proud of myself for trying. It got easier as time went on and I became more comfortable. Now I welcome & enjoy the opportunity.
 If I had given into the fear, I would not have had the experience of presenting to my agents & peers who needed my help. Fear would have also prevented me from trying new things, some I have enjoyed & some not (zip lining). Fear would have prevented me from getting on a plane to take my dream vacation in Ireland. I would have lost the opportunity to connect with others and help make a difference.
The reason that I am speaking to you all about this today is that Pastor Jay, Kim, council & myself can’t do it all and we need your help. There are roles within the church that everyone can help with in their own way. There are ministries that need a representative & a need for those with a passion for service.
One of these needs is that we would like to have more assisting ministers on our roster. Some of you may be hesitant because of a fear of speaking in front of a crowd, singing the Kyrie, distributing the elements, or just standing up front. I felt the same way when I originally volunteered back in 2018. In the beginning I spoke the Kyrie. I didn’t sing it until Pastor Jay’s encouragement, kind words & prayer. Each Sunday before I step up, I take a moment, feel the anxiety that I still experience from time to time & allow the holy spirit to flow through me.
 We can work with you on each step to make you more comfortable & to build upon it. If need be, the Kyrie can be sung by Pastor Jay, Dan or the choir. What our ask is, to think about this, consider & approach Pastor, Kim, or myself that you would be willing to try. Consider taking a different approach to your involvement in the church. Take a chance. Volunteer. Use talents you have or skills that you want to have to help the growth of our congregation & spiritual fulfillment. Thank you.