FIRST FRUITS WE GIVE OUR FIRST FRUITS BECAUSE HE GAVE US HIS ONLY SON

March 2014 Volume 17 No. 3

First Fruits – March

Dear First Lutheran Church Family,

I am excited to begin serving as your Interim pastor at First Lutheran, El Campo. I look forward to

walking with you through this next part of your congregational life.

Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us for everything there is a season, and these are exciting times! Times of new

beginnings and renewal abound! While our time together will consist of reflection, forward-looking, and

discerning what God is up to in your lives and ministry here, it will be done in the midst of great excitement

and optimism.

I am enjoying the daily progress of the interior work taking place in the sanctuary as the church receives a

facelift. I also enjoyed getting to know and beginning work with your newly elected congregational council.

And I have enjoyed beginning my visitation ministry and getting to know the members and the community.

I've enjoyed getting to meet the children, parents and staff of the preschool. I know the Lord has blessed the

beginnings of our work together.

As I write this letter, I look forward to attending your Annual Scandinavian Pancake Supper. Did you

know that the tradition of Pancake Day stems from the need to clear out the larder of eggs, butter and milk

before Lent – a time in which to examine our lives and experience a new springtime of hope? Hints of spring

are in the air, and we move closer to beginning our Lenten journey which leads toward complete renewal

found in Christ's Resurrection! I am excited about our celebration and worship of Easter together this year.

Faith Formation This is a never-ending process and we are to support one another in our ongoing study of God's Word and

in the reception of the Sacraments. I would like to hear your ideas for initiating Bible Study Groups here at

First Lutheran. Likewise, if you are, or know family members ready to prepare for First Communion, please

let me know. Those of you wishing to complete, or begin, Confirmation classes please phone for an

appointment so that we can make plans to begin.

A bit about me: Rodney and I have been married for 12 years. We have been blessed with 5 children, 4

grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. We enjoy serving God throughout our church and into the larger

community. We also enjoy maintaining a small cattle herd and a trio of hens.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree from the University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio and Master’s

degree in Education from Texas State University (then Southwest Teas State, San Marcos). I spent 8 years

teaching in the Seguin ISD at the Juan Seguin Prekindergarten (now Ball Early Childhood Center) and then

part-time at University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio College, Texas Lutheran University and The

University of Texas at San Antonio preparing teachers for the profession.

In answering God’s call to ministry, I began Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and will graduate this

December. I did my chaplaincy training at Baptist Health Systems, in San Antonio and at Guadalupe

Regional Medical Center Hospital and Hospice in Seguin. I have supplied at several small congregations

around South Texas including, Martin Luther, Coletoville, St. Peter's Lutheran, Prairie Valley, and Trinity

Lutheran, Luling.

So for now, I look forward to our visits together and to follow with you wherever the Spirit may lead. I

am anxious to hear your thoughts, prayers, wishes and dreams for this congregation as we begin our time

together.

Please plan to stop by and visit over a cup of coffee, or phone or email and I will plan a visit to your

home. Remember, I'm just a call, text, or email away! Presently, the best days to catch me in the office are

Tuesday through Thursday.

In the event of a pastoral emergency, please phone the number below. I look forward to meeting each of

you and getting to the work of serving God with you through the ministry here at First Lutheran, El Campo.

In Christ,

Donna Lou Zipp

Interim Pastor

(979) 332-2938

email: pastorfirstlutheran@yahoo.com

We welcome Pastor Donna Zipp and her husband, Rodney to our church family at First Lutheran! Pastor Zipp is serving as our Interim Pastor through April 30th.

First School

And Day Care News

We are beginning our Spring cookie dough

fundraiser and we are hoping for good sales!

Order forms are available in the church office

and are due by March 10th.

If anyone would like to donate, we are having

a food drive the week of March 17th – 21st.

We have five new teachers on our team:

Essie Richardson, Jennifer Miller, and Monica

Vasquez are in the nurseries; Lupe Olvera is in

the 4 year old afternoon class and Ashley

Herald is in the 3 year old afternoon class. We

have a couple spots open for infants, but they

are filling fast.

God Bless Everyone, Diane

. God Bless,

Diane

3/02 Psalm 2:6-13; Exodus 24:12, 15-18, 2 Peter 1:16-19, Matthew 17:1-9

3/09 Psalm 130; Genesis 2:7-9,15-17,3:1-7, Romans 5:12, 17-19, Matthew 4:1-11

3/16 Psalm 105:4-11; Genesis 12:1-8, Romans 4:1-5,3-17 John 4:5-26

3/23 Psalm 142; Isaiah 42:14-21,Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41

3/30 Psalm 43; Hosea 5:15-6:2, Romans 8:1-10, Matthew 20:17-28

We welcome Pastor Donna Zipp and her husband, Rodney to our church family at First Lutheran! Pastor Zipp is serving as our Interim Pastor through April 30th.

Meridian - Henrietta Bram, room 402

WE’RE HERE WHEN YOU NEED US

OR

Office hours: Tues & Thurs: 8:00am - 4:30pm

Wed: 8:00am – 12:00pm

Phone: 979-543-5847 Email: office@firstlutheranec.com

3/03 Elenora Hadash

3/16 Shirley Chatel

3/16 James Herrington

3/17 Elizabeth Flota

3/21 Mary Lou Thane

3/22 Kathee Labay

3/31 Vernell Bard

3/1 Elsie Overstreet

3/6 Jacqueline Lundy

3/6 Cathy Schoenfield

3/11 Bill Englund

3/17 Andrew Nelson

3/20 Elaine Wiggington

3/23 Sheila Miller

3/26 Nora Hollingsworth

3/26 Madie Mathews

3/09 Dorothy Atchetee & George Jalowy

3/09 Forrest & Norma Newton

3/18 Kirk & Nerrisa House

3/19 Saby & Lynette Hernandez

3/30 Doug & Cindy Mathews

COUNCIL MEETING Thursday, March 13

6:00 p.m.

Teddy Ash Shanelle Henson Lloyd Nelson

Dorothy Atchetee Nora Hollingsworth Forrest & Norma Newton

Evon & Linda Atchetee Robert Hollingsworth Odis & Lorraine Newton

Charles & Vernell Bard Jewel-Deen House Sharon Nielsen

Lorene Bard Cindy Howell Joe Novak

Lois Barosh Debbie Hubenak Elsie Overstreet

Donald Berglund Michael Hughes Debbie Reeves

Buck & Judy Bezdek George Jalowy Dave Schoelman

Diane Boyd Bonnie Jones Gloria Schoenfield

Kristine Mock Carroll Marie Kight Jaki Smith

Joan Carter Justin Lormand Ed Spradlin

Mary Carter Connie Martin Ann Strarup

Kate Eldridge Jack McDonald Esther Swamson

Bill Englund Mary & Frank Medina Andy Talbert

Eddie Graeter Joyce Mendez Mary Lou Thanet

Elnora Hadash David Moore Jeff Thigpen

Ashlyn Hanna George Morris J. P. Watson

Anitra Haynes Nancy Mozicek

Anitra Haynes

Pray for our

loved ones In the Military

Jake Barosh Justin Cerny

Sarah Langston Michael Monreal

Pastor Donna Zipp:

Email: pastorfirstlutheran@yahoo.com Phone: 979-332-2938

Our Sympathy

We extend our Christian sympathy to

the family of Lisa Ann Englund. Her

funeral was held at First Lutheran on

Wednesday, February 5th

.

Newly Elected Council Officers – 2014: President – Doug Mathews Vice-President/Property Chair – Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 9

th.

Don Al Middlebrook Set your clocks ahead one hour – ‘Spring Forward’.

Secretary – Daniel Wilfert

Treasurer – Billie Jean Bram Installation of Church Council members and Interim Pastor, Donna Zipp, will be on Sunday, March 9,2014.

WOMEN OF THE WORD

MEETING

Monday, March 10th

6 PM

WOW Food Drive

Sunday, March 2

Benevolence for Fourth Quarter, 2013 Blessing Cup $200. Murray Greenwood 100. Jesus Well 200. Kenya Project 200. Bridges International 100. Crisis Center 200. Alliance Defense Fund 148. LCMC Texas District 200. Victory in Jesus, Wharton 100. Salvation Army 200. The Chosen People 100. Manna Meals 100. Friends of the Americas 100. Friends of Madagascar 300. American Bible Society 200. Total $2448.

The Sundays March 9th and 23rd are open dates on the flower chart. Please let the church office

know if you can provide flowers for these dates.

Prayer Meetings

March 4th & 18th

6 PM

Everyone is invited!

A Prayer for Lent

Jesus, Son of God, the Church Year has turned to Lent, and our hearts are set with Yours toward Golgatha. For our sins which were the cause of Your torture and pain; for our misdeeds, which nailed You to the cross; for our wrongs, which caused Your death, we ask Your forgiveness. And as You have gone to be by Your Father’s side, draw us also there in eternal joy and rest. In Your name. Amen. ---Portals of Prayer (January-March, 2014) p.108

Lenten Worship Schedule

Ash Wednesday March 5th

Wednesday Services March 12th, 19th, 26th

Soup Supper will be served at 6 p.m. (Sandwich supper on Ash Wednesday)

Lenten Services will begin at 7 p.m.

First Lutheran Church

304 Oscar

El Campo, TX 77437

979-543-5847

Email: office@firstlutheranec.com

ESTABLISHED FEB 1893

Worshipping Christ and Sharing the Word for over a century.

Helen Marie Kight, Organist Christine Richter, Office Manager

Diane Garcia, Director of First School

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

2 Sunday School

9:30 AM Worship Service w/Communion

10:45 AM WOW Food Drive

4 4 Prayer Meeting 6PM

5 Ash Wednesday Sandwich Supper

6PM Worship Service

7PM

6

7

1/8

9 Sunday School

9:30 AM Worship Service

10:45 AM Installation of Council members and Interim

Pastor

10 WOW Meeting 6PM

11 orn

-

12

Soup Supper

6PM

Worship Service

7PM

13 Church Council Meeting

6PM

14

15

16 Sunday School 9:30 AM Worship Service w/Communion 10:45 AM

17

18 Prayer Meeting 6PM

19 Soup Supper

6PM Worship Service

7PM

20

21

22

23 Sunday School 9:30 AM Worship Service 10:45 AM

24 25 Newsletter Items Due

26 Soup Supper

6PM Worship Service

7PM

27 28

29

30 Sunday School 9:30 AM Worship Service 10:45 AM

31

March Responsibilities

ASSISTING MINISTER: Jimmy Nielsen

SEXTON: Doug Mathews

USHERS: Doug Mathews, Jimmy Nielsen

ALTAR GUILD: Cindy Mathews, Helen Johnson

ACOLYTE READER

2nd

Ty Schoenfield Don Al Middlebrook 9

th Sawyer Schoenfield Jaki Smith

16th

Ty Schoenfield Ted Schoenfield 23

rd Sawyer Schoenfield Sheila Herrington

30th

Ty Schoenfield Cathy Schoenfield

If you are unable to serve on your date, please find someone to take your place.

March FLOWER

CALENDAR

March 2014

2nd

Elaine Wiggington

9th

Open

16th

Sarah Barosh & Jake Herrrington

23rd

Open

30th

Doug & Cindy Mathews

First Lutheran Church

304 Oscar

El Campo, TX 77437

979-543-5847

Email: office@firstlutheranec.com

ESTABLISHED FEB 1893

Worshipping Christ and Sharing the Word for over a century.

Donna Zipp, Interim Pastor Helen Marie Kight, Organist

Christine Richter, Office Manager Diane Garcia, Director of First School

Join us on FACEBOOK or check us out at

www.FIRSTLUTHERANEC.COM

CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS: Calvin Borak, Billie Jean Bram, Nerissa House, Doug Mathews,

Don Al Middlebrook, Ted Schoenfield, & Daniel Wilfert.

Our Newsletter

can be found on

our website at www.firstlutheranec.com