August 2013 Page 1 First Lutheran Church · August 2013 Page 1 First Lutheran Church 1212...
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August 2013 Page 1
First Lutheran Church 1212 Minneapolis Ave.
Gladstone, MI 49837
906-428-4565
www.firstlutheran-gladstone.org
or find us on facebook.com
Peggy A. Rose, Pastor
Lisa Bouche, Family & Discipleship Ministry
Lisa Zuehlke, Office Manager
Donna Caron, Administrative Assistant
Musician: Kris McDonald
Choir Accompanist: Mary Bastian
Chancel Choir Director: Kris McDonald
Junior Choir Directors: Marie Hirn and Kris McDonald
Handbell Choir Director: Kris McDonald
Custodian: Chris Creten
A congregation of the Northern Great Lakes Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
August 2013 Page 2
What’s Inside ...
Pastor’s Page Page 3 Ministry Message Page 5 Fortune Lake News Page 6 Sunday School Page 7 Confirmation Page 7 Sunday Adult Education Page 7 Summer Sewing Page 8 Youth News Page 9 World Hunger Page 9 Adopt-a-Grandparent Page 10 3Fs Page 11 River Tubing Party Page 12 Church Picnic Recap Page 13 EyeSee & Cartridges for Kids Page 14 Book Club Page 15 UP State Fair Page 15 Circle News Page 16 Salvation Army Lunch Page 16 WELCA Page 17 Farewell Potluck Page 17 Lutheran World Relief Page 18 Christ Care Corner Page 18 Something New Page 19 Tried ‘n True Page 20 Seminary News Page 21 Worship Celebration Page 23 Stewardship Corner Page 24 Thank Yous Page 26 Memorials Page 30 Congregation Council Highlights Page 31
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I will listen to what the LORD God is saying; For you speak peace to your faithful people,
And to those who turn their hearts to you. ~ Psalm 85:8 ~
Dear Friends in Christ: I consider it a great privilege to be invited to pray and journey with you through these interim times of change and challenge. Through the years parishioners have asked me how to discern God’s will in their lives. As one who also seeks God’s direction in discerning next steps in my life (especially with moving about so much in the role of intentional interim pastor), I have often referred to and recommended a book by Debra K. Farrington, Learning To Hear With The Heart: Meditations for Discerning God’s Will. In the introduction to her book Farrington outlines these steps in the discernment process:
Pray Pay Attention Study Balance Reason & Imagination Balance Patience & Action
Her chapters go on to encourage a 30-day process of prayer & discernment. Some of the highlights include:
Ask the right question Read your Bible again Resting in the Word Hearing your heart’s desire Seeing yourself as God sees you Practicing the presence of God Play & Pray Small steps
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At First Lutheran Church, we are looking forward to next steps in the interim process:
Leadership – Choosing & equipping a Transition Team – Winter/Spring 2013
Heritage – I Love To Tell the Story Event & Timeline – Summer 2013
Mission – defining & redefining sense of purpose & direction
Connections – discovering all the relationships we build within & outside
Future – vision, mission, goals, & developing our ministry profile
At our meetings the Transition Team does some discerning together – prayer, appreciative inquiry, sharing our lives, and our journey of faith. Whenever we do this, it’s amazing how God shows up and we get creative. So here’s where we’re headed:
Mission – Cottage Meetings – Fall 2013 (We’ll need your help here to serve as hosts, facilitators, follow-up phone callers, & scribes as well as participants.)
Connections – membership letter (reconnecting with those we’ve missed) – 2013 125th Anniversary – 2014
I encourage you continue to participate in this process of prayerful discernment. Interim time is, by nature, a time of discernment – a time to listen for God’s direction for First Lutheran Church and its members. I want to thank all of you who have prayed, played, and stayed – who serve on the Transition Team, have participated in congregational events, and who pray, worship, and serve faithfully. It is helpful to have such delightful companions on this journey of discernment, so thank you again for your continued prayers and participation. Living in God’s Amazing Grace, Pastor Peggy
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Ministry Message I CAN’T WAIT! Remember that feeling when you were a kid? That feeling of
excitement – the feeling of, “I can’t wait till….?” Christmas Eve
was always a biggie for me, or the scary excitement of some big
new thing that was going to happen – the first day of the new
school year, being next in line for the roller coaster, folding little
tiny, freshly washed baby things, waiting…
That is the feeling that I have this summer…maybe it’s the
coffee… the parents in our 3F Playgroup can relate (our
devotional book is entitled, The Coffee Mom’s Devotional.)
Things are growing, changing, and blooming, and I don’t just
mean outdoors.
I have been in this position for over a year and a half now, and
things that were just little sparks of ideas are happening in full
force. Slowly but surely (like a garden) things have been taking
root. Like our 3Fs group, Confirmation Camp at Fortune Lake,
a growing relationship with our ecumenical partners (the other
churches here in Gladstone), a new Christian Ed segment –
“Adult Christian Learning,” and so much more… I can’t wait!
The River Tubing Party that was thought up by accident (thank
you, Pat!), is actually happening on Aug. 3 – (after calls to the
DNR for safety and logistical reasons, property owners along the
river, etc.)
A new time for our confirmation classes - to be held at the same
time as Sunday School - has met with such positive response from
both parents and prospective teachers, I was amazed! That, plus
the addition of an Adult Christian Ed time – God’s house is gonna
be rockin’ on Sunday mornings this year! (Not to mention that
this also opens up time on a weekday for an awesome Youth
Group Night!)
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Dear Lord, THANK YOU for all of the gifts you give us, but most
especially for this wonderful church family, for ideas, for opening doors,
for excitement, for this ministry. THANK YOU for making me your
child, so that I can be part of your church!
In Jesus’ name~ AMEN!
Blessings!
Lisa Bouche
Christian Ed Appreciation & Planning Cook-Out If you were involved in any way with our Christian Ed last school
year (teacher, helper, etc.), and/or plan to be involved this year,
YOU ARE INVITED!! (@ Lisa & Neil’s house in Danforth.)
August, date TBD.
SUMMER CAMP!! Theme: “Faith Alive”
In God we live, move, and exist Acts 17:28
7/ 28 – 8/2 ~ Family Camp, Night Owls (completed gr. 5- 8)
8/4 – 8/9 ~ Victory Camp, Night Owls (completed gr 9 -12)
For more information on any of the above information,
see the Fortune Lake bulletin board in the fellowship hall,
or go to www.fortunelake.org.
Also, you can check out Fortune Lake on facebook!
FORTUNE LAKE NEWS
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Sunday School News…
Save the date!!
Rally Day –
Sunday, September 8th at 9am!
CONFIRMATION NEWS
Join us on Rally Day ~
Sunday, September 8th at 9am
For the kick-off of our exciting new format!
Watch for more information to come.
More Education News: Sunday Adult Educational Hour to begin this fall! Terry Frankenstein & Pastor Peggy will co-lead a learning
opportunity for adults in our congregation & those who are
interested in learning more about First Lutheran Church &
what it means to be a Lutheran Christian.
Baptized, We Live: Lutheranism as a Way of Life … is a four week short course on Lutheran Christianity as a way of
seeing, hearing, teaching & following. Mark your calendars now
for September 8th – 29th at 9:15 A.M. to be part of this exploration.
August 2013 Page 8
Summer Sewing Circle (for youth & family)… continues!
Ever wonder what happens here at
First on Tuesdays from 9am-12pm?
Find out this summer!
* Trace/cut quilt squares
* Help lay out a quilt
* Tie knots
* Make your own quilt to send to third-world nations,
or auction it off this fall!
Come on Tuesday mornings at 9 AM, through August 13th , with
a parent or caregiver (a must if you are under 10), a friend, or just
yourself! For more info., contact Lisa
Summer Worship Times
continue through
Labor Day Weekend (September 1)
8:00 AM and 10:00 AM
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*FIRST! Youth *
Summer is winding down, but there is still plenty to do!
Summer Sewing- Ever wonder what happens here on
Tuesday mornings? Now is your chance to find out! Thru
August 13th. Check out the “Summer Sewing Section” of
this newsletter.
Fortune Lake Summer Camp- check out the Fortune Lake
section;
River Tubing Party – check out the River Tubing section;
UP State Fair- want to get in free? Sign up to help at our
booth! (August);
NEW! Youth Group! Stay tuned for more information –
coming soon!
WORLD HUNGER Thank you to all who bought fair trade coffee for World Hunger.
I was sold out within 5 minutes!!! I would like to get feedback
from those of you who purchased the coffee or if you would have
liked to have purchased some. Did you like the coffee? Would
you buy it on a continuous basis? I am
trying to see if it would be feasible to
sell it on an ongoing basis. You can
email me at annchristiansen9130@
yahoo.com or call me at 906-280-1302.
Thanks again!!!!
Ann Christiansen
August 2013 Page 10
Adopt-A-Grandparent
Our homebound members are our “elders…”
Here is just a little of what the Bible has to say about “elders” :
Genesis 50:7 ~
a person clothed with authority, and entitled to respect and reverence;
Exodus 24:1 ~
the elders attended Moses on all important occasions;
Numbers 11 ~
were selected from the Israelites to bear the burden of the people
w/Moses;
1 Samuel 30:26-31 ~
were men of extensive influence…
Contact Lisa with any questions. (PS- More than one person can
sign up for the same shut-in ... share a grandparent!!)
What is Adopting-a-Grandparent?
* Visit the grandparent 1to 2x/mo.;
* Send your new grandpa a birthday card;
* Bring your new grandma cookies, etc.
They NEED us!
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3 Fs
~ Family, Fun & Faith
More than just a playgroup!
This is a group for parents & their
young* children, specifically designed
to promote family, fun & faith.
Our June and July meetings included Father’s Day, Bubbles,
Communion, and David & Goliath. We made hand prints,
homemade bubbles, and communion bread! As always, there
were faith-based stories, songs & movement activities to go with
the themes. Join us in August for more kid-friendly, faith-based
fun!
* Are your kids all school age? Meet us in the Youth Room at
11am for the parent devotional – June and July included
“Humor,” “Support,” “Self-control,” and “Satisfaction” – one of
the favorite parts being the iced-coffee and French silk pie…
Mmmm!
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(1st Ever) River Tubing Party 2013 This is a MULTI-CONGREGATION EVENT!
When: Sat., August 3rd, 2013 @ 1:30pm (aprx 3hr)
Who: Everyone is invited! Families, singles, friends, etc.
Bring: 1 snack to share*; Swimming gear; River shoes;
Tube/kayak/float of choice; Life vest (if you are in a boat- It’s the law!)
*We will stop at the halfway point for snacks. There will also be lemonade & hotdogs.
August Meeting Schedule:
Fri., Aug. 23rd
@ 10am
(Note: Normally 3Fs is always on
the 2nd & 4th Fridays, but during
the summer months, the dates
will vary.)
Where: The Ford River LAUNCH: US2 & 41 (across from Highland Golf Course)
EXIT: Ford River Boat Launch on M35. Each vehicle will need a person responsible for moving it from the launch to the exit point. (Cty Rd 521 is the quickest route.)
THE RIVER: This is a 6 mile river trip. According to the DNR, the Ford River is shallow with few to no rapids – easy enough to walk. SAFETY: Each person will sign in prior to entering the river
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First Lutheran – Picnic 2013 Thank you to everyone that helped to make our church picnic a
success! Many hands were involved in the planning, prep, and
running of this event! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
According to our ushers, 130 attended to enjoy the worship, food,
and games!
Our judges for our 2nd annual pie baking contest were: Cooper
Koski, Emma Bouche, Emily Vester, Gabe Kloet, Mike Salmi, and
Miko Salmi. Thank you all for your hard work! ;)
AND the winners were…
Best Looking Pie – White Chocolate Raspberry (Ann Christiansen)
Flakiest Crust – Strawberry Rhubarb (Nora Smith)
Most Original Pie – Multi-Berry Hand Pies (Connie Salmi)
Best Overall Taste – Strawberry (Geri George)
Best Texture – Heath Pie (Autumn Tall)
Most Impressive – French Silk (Sally Pouliot)
Most Memorable – Pumpkin (Sally Pouliot)
Most Artistic – Cherry (Geri George)
Biggest Pie – Apple (Terry & Stacey Frankenstein)
Grand Prize– Strawberry Rhubarb (Dolly Salmi)
Our pie auction raised $50 for Miriam’s Scholarship Fund!
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The most popular games
included the bounce house, a
bird seed treasure hunt, and
new this year, a water piñata,
and pie eating contest!
Harry was the big winner, there!
A big “THANK YOU!” goes to
the Delta Pub for their donation of two $10 prize gift cards!
Cartridges for Kids!
Help us earn cash for old electronics!
We are working on raising money for our Youth here at First Lutheran by recycling
your old electronics!
Do you have old: cell phones * laser & inkjet cartridges * laptops * iPods * digital cameras * DVDs * GPS devices * PDAs video games &
consoles * scientific & graphing calculators * iPads/tablets/eReaders … ?
PLEASE NOTE: CFK ONLY ACCEPTS ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE ABOVE LIST.
The CFK collection box is on the shelf near the nursery & kitchen door in the Fellowship Hall.
+ + + + + + + + +
EYESEE
139 pairs of glasses were blessed at our
July 14th Church Picnic and sent off to the
EYEsee Headquarters in Chicago. They
will be sorted and sent around the world to
people that would not be able to purchase
glasses on their own!
~Bless YOU for your donation!
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Cooper Koski
Charlotte Strom
Matt Swanson
Want to donate toward our next shipment? Look for the EYEsee box in the narthex to deposit your old & unneeded glasses.
For more info.: eyeseemission.org.
Thank you for your support of our work in the name of Jesus!
BOOK CLUB The Book Club will meet on Sunday,
August 4th, at Connie Salmi's home from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. We will be discussing
the book Ask, Thank, Tell by Charles Lane.
Please feel free to join us if you are
interested and have read the book.
The next book has not been selected yet,
suggestions are welcome. For more
information, please contact Pam Durbin
at 428-4429.
Help Wanted: Members to serve on a Wedding Committee or to act as Wedding Coordinators. Please see Pastor Peggy for details.
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UP STATE FAIR First Lutheran will once again
be helping out with the Delta
Conference booth at the UP
State Fair this year. We will be
manning the booth on Tuesday, Aug. 13th, 2013. Sign-up now-
the slots are going fast!
Grace Circle … Grace Circle will meet at 2:00 pm on Thursday,
August 8th , at Fairview Manor. Pastor Peggy Rose
will share a message and the celebration of Holy
Communion. Nora Smith will lead the Bible study by Max
Lucado from Psalms 128:1 - 6 "The Happy Home". Audrey Ansell
and Delores Kivekas will serve as hostesses. Guests are always
welcomed. If you need a ride, please call the church office.
+ + + + + + + + +
NEEDED......a piano for Fairview Manor Grace Circle meets at Fairview Manor every other month for
worship, Holy Communion and Bible study. Those who gather
enjoy singing hymns during the worship time. The piano there is
sadly 'out of tune' and cannot be repaired. If anyone has a piano
to give to Fairview, please contact Nora Smith or Mike Lindahl at
the Gladstone Housing Authority at 428-2215. The piano needs to
be in good working condition.
+ + + + + + + + +
August 2013 Page 17
Salvation Army Luncheon First Lutheran Church will serve lunch at the Salvation Army
On Saturday, August 24 at noon. Please check the sheet on the
bulletin board in the narthex for ways to help. Talk to Nora Smith
if you have questions.
Women of the E.L.C.A. The WELCA executive board will meet on Monday, August 12 at
6:30 pm to plan programming for 2013-14. All newly elected
officers and circle leaders and others with ideas for programming
are encouraged to attend. The WELCA is looking for someone to
fill the treasurer’s position for the coming year. Please contact
Sally Strom or Connie Salmi if you are willing to serve in this way.
+ + + + + + + + +
Farewell and Godspeed Faith Circle will be hosting a pot luck dinner to wish God speed
and a fond farewell to Brecken Gries and her family. She and Jim
will begin a new chapter of their family adventure in Bemidji,
Minnesota later this month. All are welcome to share in dinner
and stay for Bible study if you are
interested. The study will be looking
at the miracle feeding of many
followers of Jesus according to the
gospel of Luke. An offering of non-
perishable food items will be collected
August 2013 Page 18
for a local food pantry; monetary offerings will go to World
Hunger. Please consider joining us on Thursday, August 8th for
the pot luck (bring a dish to pass) starting at 5:30 p.m. Bible study
will begin at 6:30.
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF SCHOOL KITS Sixty-five school kits have already been assembled for shipment
to Lutheran World Relief in October. As back to school sales
begin, please consider helping us reach the goal of sending over
100 school kits this fall. A list of items needed can be found on the
bulletin board in the narthex.
+ + + + + + + + + LOOKING AHEAD … In 2014 First Lutheran will celebrate our 125th anniversary.
We’d like to plan ahead, so if you have any ideas or are willing to
help out please call Cindy Sjoquist at 428-9103.
+ + + + + + + + + CHRIST CARE CORNER: Hospital Devotions & Visits Did you know that Pastor Peggy has written a devotional to take
along to the hospital? She would be happy to share this resource,
visit, & pray with you.
August 2013 Page 19
Whether it’s an emergency, outpatient surgery, a hospital stay, or
move to a care facility; please remember to contact the office or
Pastor Peggy: 906-428-4565. Also, remember that HIPPA
guidelines do NOT allow hospitals, nursing homes, or other care
facilities to contact the church or pastor, or give out any
information. So, if you would like a pastoral visit –
YOU NEED TO CONTACT US – THANK YOU!
SOMETHING NEW … Would you like to receive your Messenger via e-mail?
In an effort to improve communication, save paper and cut costs
we would like to e-mail the newsletter to those who “opt-in”.
We will do a trial run in September, sending both a paper and
electronic copy to those we have e-mail addresses for. After
that we will ask you to choose how you would like it delivered.
If you would like to receive the electronic version please make
sure we have your current e-
mail address by sending it to
office@firstlutheran-
gladstone.org. Thank you!
+ + + + + + + + + SOMETHING ELSE NEW … Beginning in August you’ll notice a new addition to the pews.
Instead of Communion Cards council has decided to try using
“Welcome Sheets.” There will be a clipboard stocked with
Welcome Sheets at the end of each pew. Please print your name
and complete the form (there will be a box to check if you receive
August 2013 Page 20
Holy Communion), and then pass it to the next person. Once the
clipboard reaches the end of the pew pass it back. Then, during
the Peace or after worship, please take time to greet any visitors
sitting near you.
The Congregation Council is working on putting together an
accurate congregational roll – active, inactive, lapsed. This is
determined by keeping a record of those who commune or make a
contribution of record each year. Thank you for your help.
All seniors, those 55 years young and older, are invited to a
-- Tried-n-True –
Program and Luncheon
“Christianity in China”
Friday, August 16 at Noon
Dave and Mary Lou Blomquist from Messiah Lutheran in
Marquette and friends of Dale and Jo Skogman will present the Tried ‘n True program on Friday, August 16th. The Blomquists taught English as a second language in China and were pleased and surprised to find large and vibrant Christian congregations in China, which has been perceived as strongly communistic and atheistic. Dave and Mary Lou will not only speak about their worship experiences, they will share the challenges of living in an environment where customs and life styles are very different. Sign up for lunch and join us for an interesting
program.
August 2013 Page 21
Please sign the sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex or call the church office (428-4565) to RSVP by Wednesday, August 14th.
COMING UP … September 20: “Russia Part II: St. Petersburg and Environs” by Dale and Jo Skogman October 18: “Australia and New Zealand” by Dale and Donna Schlemmer
Seminarian Support Tuition: Then and Now!
I graduated from college in 1961 and
from seminary in 1965. I came from a home where I was very
well cared for, but it was also a home with very modest financial
resources. My father agonized, wondering where the money
would come from to pay for my tuition. It was a succession of
summer and part-time employment that made the difference. In
those days we called it "Working your way through college and
seminary."
Included in my work experience were the following: laborer
and expeditor at the Iron Fireman Manufacturing Plant and
dishwasher at the Newberry Store in Portland, OR. In Rock Island,
IL I worked in the college cafeteria, served as an assistant
seminary archivist and night custodian at the Missman, Stanley
and Farmer drafting firm. In Upper Michigan I worked as a
laborer for the Groveland Mining Company, Dickinson County
Road Commission and as a pulpwood piece cutter.
August 2013 Page 22
As a result of my efforts and, with some support from my
parents, I was absolutely thrilled and grateful to complete my
education DEBT FREE!
Today it's not uncommon for our college and seminary
students to graduate with staggering debt, often reaching $50,000.
and more. What made the difference between then and now?
Today's students are as energetic and resourceful as in the past.
There are major hurdles, however, to graduating debt free today.
Number one: With an economy in recession, part-time and
summer jobs are not as available as they were in the past. Number
two: An even bigger obstacle to graduating debt free these days is
the DIMINISHING CONGREGATIONAL SUPPORT!
When I went to a church college and seminary, local
congregations were far more generous with benevolent support of
the larger church which meant that our schools could keep their
tuition and fees much lower. Today this is not the case. An ever
larger portion of a college and seminary education has been
shifted to the students in the form of much higher tuition!
What does this mean for us at First Lutheran and our seminary
students? It means that the financial support we give to our
seminary students is far more crucial than it was in the past! By
your support and mine we help to offset the diminishing support
provided by the larger church.
On behalf of our seminarians, past, present and future,
THANK YOU for your financial support. While today's students
may not graduate "debt free", we can do our part to ease their
financial burden. Enclosed in this newsletter is an envelope for
you contribution.
August 2013 Page 23
Dale Skogman,
on behalf of your Seminary Support Committee
PS: Who will be our next seminary student from First Lutheran?
Let’s Celebrate! Sunday, August 25th 8:00 A.M. Worship Service Congratulations to Terry Frankenstein on her acceptance to
Wartburg Seminary! She will begin work on a Master of Divinity in Distributive
Learning this September. So…let’s affirm her in her call to the
Ministry of Word & Sacrament & bless her as she begins her
studies. As part of our 8:00 A.M. Worship on August 25th we’ll
join in a Blessing & Affirmation of Vocation for Terry. Please join
us as we celebrate with Terry & John the beginning of this new
faith venture.
We continue to pray for our other seminarians & their families:
+ Tera Lowe; & her husband Roy, & children Isha, Daniel, &
Antwaine; as she begins her internship year at South West
Iowa Ministries, a six-point cooperative parish in SW Iowa
& Nebraska. Check it out at:
http://swimwebsite.weebly.com/index.html
+ Ben Durbin, & his wife Ruth, as he completes his senior
year classes at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN following
internship.
August 2013 Page 24
+ Diane Srutowski, & her husband John, as she continues
Theological Education for Emerging Ministries & serves as
a Licensed Lay Minister at Trinity in Stonington, MI.
+ + + + + + + + + Keeping in Touch We recently heard from David Hopp (his letter is posted on the
bulletin board) and he’d love to hear back from us. His address
is: 833 Clark St. Apt B
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Stewardship Corner WHAT, ALREADY?
It's not too soon to start thinking about how
much money you plan to give in 2014 to
support the various ministries of which we, at
First Lutheran, are privileged to be a part. Yet
it seems like we just got through talking about
estimates of giving--can it be that time again
already?
Just like the "back to school" sales that seem to start showing up
WAY too early, planning your giving for next year may be the last
thing on your radar screen. It's never too early to take a hard look
at how much money you typically give to the work of the church
each year, ask whether you need to give more and challenge
yourself to grow in your giving. Notice the wording, "NEED to
give, not how much you CAN give".
It really needs to be a conscious, well thought out and prayerful
process. If you are like a lot of us, we have to resist the temptation
August 2013 Page 25
to let things go until the last minute and settle for giving what we
gave the year before. God deserves better and so do we!
We have been blessed, abundantly, with many, many generous
givers at First and lots of good people willing to estimate their
future giving. Wonderful gifts for which we give great thanks.
At the risk of repeating challenges you’ve heard me talk about
before, PRAY about becoming:
--a tither
--a giver of an ever increasing percentage of your income
--someone who uses, or continues to use, electronic giving
(simply giving)
--committed to supporting "special ministries" like seminary
support, world hunger, mission+
There continue to be lots of worthy ministries that need your
support, those that call for enhancements to better fulfill our
missional focus and new ones as we seek to "love our neighbors"
in our community, Synod, nation and world-wide. 2014 will be an
exciting year! We earnestly pray for and are excited about the new
pastor whom God will send us and, together, look forward to
being the "hands" that do His work.
Seizing these opportunities requires resources. It requires each of
us to renew our commitment to give generously of our energy,
time, abilities and money. It's good to be reminded that all of
these resources are "on loan" to us from a gracious and generous
Savior. Thanks be to God that we have the chance to be good
stewards and share the love.
In Christ,
Dirk Manson, Stewardship Chair
August 2013 Page 26
+ + + + + + + + +
Mid Year Giving Statements … are available on the table in the narthex.
Please pick yours up. Thank you!
Thank you …
… to those who helped with the June/July
Messenger –Donna Caron, Dionna Fritz,
Virginia Johnson, Gayla Louis, Connie
Salmi, and Carole Wedell.
And to Patt Shampo, Sally Strom and
Nora Smith, Donna Caron, Henrietta Cox,
Dionna Fritz, Sally Pouliot, Connie Salmi, and Cindy Sjoquist for
the June and July Tried ‘N True programs and meals.
~ Thank you so much for the use of the room for piano lessons.
My parents really appreciate how close we are to the school. You
are so generous to let us come here. Thank you for a great year.
Lori Anderson
~
August 2013 Page 27
Thank you to everyone for your birthday wishes – especially to
the staff for lunch & gifts. Also, for your kindness & support at
the death of my cousin Debby Bietila Olsen. You are truly the
living body of Christ “rejoicing, weeping, & harmonizing” our
shared lives.
God’s Grace & Peace & Blessings, Pastor Peggy
Thanks to the following persons who gave of their time and
energy to "spruce up" the church grounds and provide
nourishment for the hard workers on Saturday, May 18th: Chuck
Strom, Charlie George, Walt Kanerva, Andy Nelson, Pat Shampo,
Connie Salmi, Cindy Sjoquist, Lisa Bouche, Vicki Marshall, Wayne
Marshall, Dave Ottensman, Dale Schlemmer, Rob Salmi, Russ
McClinchy, Doug Hewitt and Geri George. In addition to a lot of
raking, trimming, edging mulching, etc., a new light was installed
on the south parking lot and some cleaning was also done inside
the church. Thanks to everyone for their hard work which
prepared our grounds for summer and your efforts are deeply
appreciated!
~
For help with Vacation Bible School 2013 –
Thank you to… Kris McDonald, Amber, Claire & Sarah Soderman,
Charlotte Strom, Emma & Harry Bouche, Jane Coyne-Smith,
Hunter & Riley Starnes, Cooper Koski, Donna Caron, Jackie
Sinnaeve, Jenna & Jared Larsen, Tami Aderman, Wendy,
August 2013 Page 28
Makenna, & Hunter Taavola, Peggy Austin, Annabelle & Hannah
Christie, Autumn Tall, Karleen Thorbahn, Nora Smith, Natalie
Hansen, Sally Pouliot, Vickie Marshall, Matt Swanson, Dirk
Manson, and everyone else that helped to make VBS a success this
year! We had many comments on how much fun the kids had
and that they will be back next year! Also, a big thanks goes to all
of the parents for bringing your kids to share the week with us,
and to the kids – thanks for being awesome!!
Lisa Bouche
Thank you for the Prayer Shawl for Toni Dell.
Sincerely, Lynn Brockway
~
Thank you to Robert and Sarah Yu (son-in-law and daughter of Al
& Dolly Salmi), for driving our EYEsee glasses to the EYEsee
Headquarters in Chicago.
The First Lutheran EYEsee Team
~
Thanks so much to everyone who helped out with the “I Love to
Tell the Story Event” by providing food or money or by helping in
the kitchen:
Joan Anderson Gail McEachern
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Barbara Ball Lois McPherson
Helen Belongie Bev Martin
Avis Fairchild Allie Rajala
Geri George Dolly Salmi
Judy Hammond Sophie Scholer
Sally Hillman Pat Soderman
Debbie Koski Anita Stockham
Judy Larson Lillian Strom
Kris MacDonald Sally Strom
Chris Ziems
Your contributions are greatly appreciated!
First Lutheran Bell Ringers Do It Again!! For the second year, the Salvation Army volunteer ringers
manned the kettles the weekend of Saturday, June 29th – all
proceeds went to support their summer day camp program.
The Army had ringers at four locations in Esky and at SuperValu
in Gladstone. Major Hansen said that Supervalu raised the most
money of any of the locations.
With help from a couple of Lions Club members (Dave
Nemacheck and Rick Jones) and two of our lifelong friends, Nan
and Bill Adams, the following good people of First Lutheran
outdid themselves and deserve a HUGE thanks:
Ruth & John Skellenger
The Gries Family
Jack & Pat Soderman
Sherri & Dewayne Ide
Cindy Sjoquist
Dirk & Sue Manson
Hope no one was missed – the names were taken from the master
sign-up sheet.
By the way, the take was $380.62!! God bless everyone for gifting
the kids and their families. God’s work, our hands!!
In Christ,
Dirk Manson
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Thank you to all who helped make the Saturday lunch at the
Salvation Army on June 29th a success.
Food prep on Friday----Geri George, Sue Manson and Nora Smith
(Thank you VBS workers for sharing the kitchen!)
Monetary donations----Pat Hewitt, Connie Salmi and Jane
Coyne-Smith, and a very nice donation from an anonymous
someone
Workers on Saturday----Sue Manson, Anita Stockham, Dewey
Fairchild, Pastor Peggy Rose and Nora Smith
We served 37 guests plus kitchen crew a luncheon of pulled pork
sandwiches, potato salad, raw veggies and dip, watermelon and
grapes, strawberry and chocolate cupcakes, milk, lemonade and
coffee. First Lutheran Church will serve again on August 24th.
~
Memorial Gifts
Gifts have been given to First Lutheran Church in memory of …
William Tuskan
for Seminarian Support from: Lloyd and Mary Tuskan
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Yoko Ingebrigtsen
for Kitchen Supplies from: Pamela Gould
Steve Helgemo
for Camperships from: Pat Hewitt
Congregation Council Highlights The Congregation Council met on Monday,
June 17th and on Monday, July 15th with President
Cindy Sjoquist presiding. At these meetings the
council:
Heard that Pastor Peggy attended two excellent continuing
education conferences and that she brought back some ideas to
use here at First. We also heard that she is planning a new
member class in the fall.
Heard that Lisa Bouche attended Confirmation Camp at Fortune
Lake with six of our young people and that the group had a
wonderful time (except for the giant mosquitoes!). We also heard
that she is planning a river tubing party in August and an Adult
Education class for the fall.
Decided that we will look for input from parents who use the
nursery as we revise the Nursery Policy.
Learned that Vacation Bible School went well and was attended
by 22 children.
Heard that plans are proceeding for “Hope at the Inn,” a homeless
August 2013 Page 32
shelter serving Delta County, that will revolve between churches
on a weekly basis.
Decided to look for volunteers to serve as planning coordinators
for First’s 125th Anniversary next year.
Approved the purchase of 132 new folding chairs to replace
some of the older ones. Old chairs will be offered for sale to the
congregation.
First Lutheran Church ...
“Christ’s people, called to worship, learn, witness, serve and share in love.”
Guiding Principles:
Jesus is Lord!
God’s Word reveals his love in Jesus.
Prayer makes the difference.
God welcomes all with open arms.
August 2013 Page 33
All have God given gifts to share.
We have something the world needs.