September 2019

What’s Inside ... Congregational Meeting Page 2 From the Pastor Page 3 Up Coming Scriptures Page 5 Christian Ed News Page 5 Sunday School Page 6 School Kits Page 8 Salvation Army Lunch Page 8 Technology Upgrade Page 9 Circle News Page 12 Women’s Bible Study Page 12 Fortune Lake Page 13 WELCA/ WELCA Mystery Trip Page 14 Special Giving Page 15 Mission Endowment Fund Grant Page 15 Stewardship Page 16 Thank You Page 17 Hope at the Inn Page 19 Birthdays and Anniversaries Page 20 Gifts to Our Congregation Page 21 Council Highlights Page 22 Contact Us Page 23

Our Mission Statement ... First Lutheran Church is God’s people inviting, involving equipping and empowering to serve, that all may know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

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Official Notification of A Special

Congregational Meeting September 8, 2019

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. For the purpose of approving

the resources for a Sound and Video Technical

Upgrade

The meeting will be called to order at the end of the 8:00 a.m. service. The motion will be placed before those present. There will be discussion and the distrubution of a written ballot which will be collected as the meeting is called to recess. The Meeting will be called back to order at 10:15 a.m. for the review of the motion and dicussion by second service attendees. Ballots will be distributed and collected before the call for ajournment at 10:30 a.m. More about the Technology Upgrade later in this newsletter.

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More than Talk

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING 90 DAYS AT A TIME

God has given us a great opportunity. Can we be faithful? Can we hear God calling? Can we grow together?

YES!! IF WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO RESPOND.

I love when people get excited, when they get a vision for how the future can be better, when they know they can make a difference. The director of our Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District, Doug Leisening, had such an experience last year. He saw a way forward. Last November, A group of over 100 professionals from all disciplines gathered to make a plan. We had Doctors and Teachers, Law enforcement and Pastors, Counselors and Administrators, Service Agencies and more. Our task was very easy to explain. It is not as easy to do.

First, Clearly identify our current situation, What does NOW look like. Second, Dream and envision the possibilities for our Community, our Schools, our Families . What would that future look like. Third, Cluster common ideas together. Build work groups around what we can do to get from NOW to the FUTURE. (Each person then joined a group based on what they were good at or what problem they had the most desire to solve.) Fourth, in each group, make a comprehensive list of all the things that we need to do to make that future a reality. Finally, each group make a 90 day plan to get some things done that move us in the right direction. We can’t do it all right now. Some things will take five or more years to accomplish. But we ask, “What can we do in the next 90 days to build toward that future?” Then we each take a part, put our name next to one of the small goals and get the promise of the others in our group that they will help if we need it.

Less than a year later, we are already seeing successes. We discovered that the keys to our rapid early success for Delta County have been THREE things. Getting together every 90 days:

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1.) To share what we have accomplished, 2.) To ask for help from other groups, and 3.) the most important has been to have a leader, a Facilitator, who keeps us honest.

IT IS WORKING!!!

We can use this same process to make our Lutheran Ministries in Delta County stronger and more effective.

I will be introducing you to Jodi Pfarr of J. Pfarr Consulting. Jodi is an excellent leader and has an excellent program for doing the plan. She is currently working with representatives of all of our agencies in Delta County to develop a variety of plans for Mental Health and the wellbeing of our youth. With council’s blessing, I have invited her to join us on Sepetmber 29th to develop a stradegy for the Church as well.

AGAIN,

God has given us an opportunity. Can we be faithful? Can we hear God calling? Can we grow together? When we grow together you will find that your own faith will also grow stronger. As you join together investing in God, you will grow closer to God. How do we know if we are using these resources most effectively? We will see ministry to people increase. We will see our church grow in ministry.

How do we get there? Make a plan. How do you make a plan? It requires knowing where we start. It asks God to help us dream a future. It requires making a plan. It requires a way to keep ourselves faithful to that plan. .

Jodi has a plan. Your Friend in Christ, Pastor Tom

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Join us with Jodi Sepetmber 29th from 3:00 to 7:30. Dinner will be provided. Every member of the congregatin is welcome. Together we will put good news into our community.

Upcoming Scripture Readings September 1 – Twelth Sunday after Pentecost Proverbs 25:6-7; Psalm 112; Hebrews 13:1-8; Luke 14: 1, 7-14

September 8 – Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Deuteronomy 30: 15-20; Psalm 1; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33

September 15 - Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 32:7-14; Psalm 51:1-10; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10

September 22 – Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13 September 29 - Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Psalm 14; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31

Christian Ed News

Confirmation Class Schedule is as follows

September 8th, October 13th, November 10th, December 1st 4:00 – 7:30pm Meal included

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Sunday School Rally Night!

September 14th

5:00 – 7:00pm

Hello Families of First Lutheran! We would like to invite the entire congregation to our Sunday School Rally Night on September 14, from 5pm-7pm! There will be fellowship, food, games, and tie-dying! If your children (pre-k through high school) would like to tie dye a shirt, it is very important that you please contact the church office with their shirt size ASAP.

First Lutheran Christian Education will be providing the shirts for all of our youth, pre-k through high school. If any adults would like to join in our tie dye fun, shirts will be $6, and must be prepaid.

We hope to see you all there! The First Lutheran Christian Education Team 906.428.4565 office@firstlutheran-gladstone.org

Attention First Lutheran Families! As we begin a new school year, all children planning to participate in the various youth activities of First Lutheran Church during the 2019-2020 school year (Sunday School, Youth Activities, Confirmation, VBS, etc.) must have a current Registration. Medical Release, and Permission Form on file. Forms are available on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. If you completed a form for your child for the 2019 VBS program, you do not need to complete a new form for your child. Please return completed forms to the church office.

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Beginning Wednesday, September 25th and continuing through November 6h

The Wednesday Afterschool Bible Experience

3:45 – 5:00 PM for kids in Kindergarten

through 5th grade (your child will ride the DATA bus from Cameron or be

walked over from Jones by an adult volunteer)

Join us for sharing, songs, skits, snacks, games and FUN!.

Pick up a registration form from the church office or call 428-4565 to register your child.

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School Kits Can you believe it? School supplies are already on sale! For each Lutheran World Relief backpack, we need ...

5 - Pencils (unsharpened #2) 1 - Pencil sharpener 4 - Notebooks (lined, 70-80 sheets) 5 - Blue or black ball point pens (no gel ink) 1 - 30 cm ruler 1 - Crayons (box of 16 or 24) 1 - Eraser (2½ inch size) 1 - Blunt tip scissors

LWR requests no religious or patriotic symbols or camouflage colors. Please drop your donation in the box labeled school supplies in the narthex. Monetary donations will also be accepted. Thank you! Salvation Army Luncheon First Lutheran Church will serve a luncheon to guests at the Salvation Army on Saturday, September 21st at noon. Please check the bulletin board in the narthex for ways to help.

Food prep on Friday, September 20th at 10:00 am

Monetary donations

Workers on Saturday, September 21st from 11:00 am until about 1:30 pm

If you have questions please speak to Nora Smith (786-5231).

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Technology Upgrade

There will be a special congregational meeting between services on Sunday, September 8th to approve the Technology upgrade project we introduced last month. Since the money would come from the Lamberg Fund and the special giving of members, it would not technically require a congregational vote. Because it is a large expenditure and because we may want you all to be a part of this step forward, we would like your vote of confidence. It will also give us some flexibility to use undesignated funds to start. The work began over two years ago with the addition of the projection screen and monitors. The screen was added to make worship more accessible. We have been surprised by the number of people who have appreciated the screen. Three things will improve with the upgrade. First, the ability to make sure the video screen updates more reliably. Second, with the new system, the video screen with words, will be visible on all the monitors, including the cry room and upper nursery, as well as monitors that will be visible to the choir and those who help lead worhsip. Monitors were added to the family rooms so that parents with small children could utilize the “cry room” and still be a part of the service. These monitors are currently using an inexpensive security camera system that has not always been reliable. The new system would incorportate the new camera and much more reliable video feed. New video camera system. The new system will be a computer controlled system so that with the touch of the screen the camera will zoom and focus on the lecturn, the pulpit, the altar or the choir. It will also switch to the images coming from the screens so that what is seen on the monitors in the cry room are much easier to view.

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This new video capability will also be recordable. That way we can make the services available online, either as a live interaction, or as a recorded pod-cast. Included in this package is training and orientation. As a part of the plan we will be thankful for the offer by Cooper Koski to help others feel confident in “running the board”. Our sound system, mixer and service recording equipment are aging and occasionally fail. They are also vulnerable to being bumped or changed by unauthorized persons. The new system will have settings for 8:00 service, 10:30 service, midweek service, Wedding, Funeral etc. This means it can be easily turned on and set. Only trained volunteers will be able to change volumes or settings to balance the system. This will help us have a more consistant presentation. The sound system will also be integrated with the video for transmisson and recording purposes. All of the wireless microphone antennas will now be out of sight in the room behind the piano. The control table will be a lockable roll top desk where few wires will show. We will be able to record the service and make it available on our church web site. This means that our communion visitors can bring their iPad or Tablet with them on a visit and watch the service with our members. Families that are out of town for sports activities or members wintering in Florida, Texas or Arizona can tune in on worship and see what is going on. Perhaps the most significant use is that funerals or weddings that members were not able to attend are available for them to watch. Even new residents to the community can click on our church and check us out. As time goes on we can add special messages, council members who are away for the winter can join a meeting, or confirmation students who are sick can tune in on class or watch a class they missed. Technology Upgrade. In an age when life is more complicated these additions are important. It recognizes that our world is

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changing. It recognizes that there are members who are very committed to our church, but who can’t be here every week. This upgrade is going to cost in the neighborhood of $40,000, We need your help. Fund raising has already begun and we will match your gift with money from the Lamberg fund. We are well on our way. We would like your vote of confidence. The meeting will be called to order on September 8th at 9:00 a.m. the motion to go forward with this technology upgrade will be placed on the floor for questions and discussion. First service people will be given an opportunity to fill out a ballot. There will be a recess and the meeting will reconvene at 10:15 for second service people to discuss and fill out their ballots. Think of this as an outreach to those who can’t come to church. Think of it as an evangelism tool. Think of it as an opportunity for you to be a part of a wedding or funeral that you were unable to attend. I really hope you will see this as a valuable ministry and join us.

Your Friend in Christ, Pastor Tom

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Tried -n-True Tried-n-True will resume Friday, September 20th at noon. Bible Study will begin on September 4th at 9:30am.

Grace Circle Grace Circle will meet at Bayview Manor on September 12th at 2:00 pm Pastor Tom will join us for a message and Holy Communion. Nora Smith will lead the Bible study from John 1 by Max Lucado titled "Truth and Love". Pat Hewitt will be the hostess.

Guests are always welcome. Thank you, Intern Kelly, for sharing your gift of music, messages and the celebration of Holy Communion with us over the summer months. Love Circle Will again meet on the third Thursday of each month, 9:30 at First Lutheran Church. Study material will be in the narthex. Every woman is invited. Please call 428-1696 if you need a ride or more information.

Faith Circle Will meet on the third Thursday of each month, at 7:00 in the evening. They also meet at church. Bay College Meal The college meal at Bay College with be on Monday, October 7th. Sign up sheet, for help, is in the narthex on the bulletin board.

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Fortune Lake News Women’s Fall Retreat September 20-22, 2019 FALL Fest Saturday, October 5, 2019

Quilt & Fine Arts Auction Events start at 9:00 a.m. CT

To view the full schedule of events, go to www.nglsynod.org, scroll down to Upcoming Events and click the link.

Faith, Fun, & Fellowship Retreat The Christian Education Team at First Lutheran invites you to attend an Overnight retreat at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp Crystal Falls, MI on October 18-19, 2019

All ages are invited. Children who will be in Grade 3 and up for the 2019-2020 school year may attend without a parent. More information and sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. Cost is $10 per person and a snack to share.

WELCA

Retreat at Fortune Lake

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There will not be a program in September. The four circles will be meeting for Bible study, Christian fellowship and a treat. Please watch the bulletin for times and places. The Women of the ELCA may look a little different in the coming year. A planning meeting will take place, time and date to be determined, in September. A team of leaders (planning committee) will be chosen and programs will be selected. All women of First Lutheran are a part of the Women of the ELCA and your input is very important as we look at ways to keep our ministry alive and growing. Come be a part of our woman's mission and ministry.

WELCA MYSTERY TRIP

On Thursday, July 25th, sixteen curious women piled into four vehicles at First Lutheran Church and were off for the semi-annual WELCA Mystery Trip. The weather was gorgeous and the conversations were abundant. We started our morning heading west at 9:45 am with the four drivers as the only people knowing the days agenda. Our first stop, on a list of many, was Our Savior Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain for devotions, cardamom bread, fruit and coffee. There we were met with open arms by Pastor Paul Strom and his wife Gretchen (son-in-law and daughter of Dora Jane Swanson). After a wonderful visit, we were off to Rainbows End Alpaca Farm and gift shop in Norway. What a fantastic experience for all to see and learn. The alpacas were happy to see us and the gift shop was very delightful. From there we drove back into downtown Norway to a quilt and antique shop and enjoyed all the old and new items they had to offer. Our next stop before lunch was down the road to the Swedish Passport gift shop. To our wonderful surprise, they were having a sale!! Great shopping just before lunch. Lunch took place east of Norway in

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Hermansville, at the Wildwood restaurant where great food and fellowship was had by all 16 women. After all that shopping and visiting, we were all very hungry. After lunch, we drove across the highway to the IXL museum in downtown Hermansville. We took a step back in time to see the way life used to be generations ago. What a wonderful ending to a beautiful day. We then headed east to our waiting vehicles at First Lutheran Church. We had just spent 8 hours together laughing, meeting new friends, shopping, eating and most of all looking forward to where the 2021 Mystery Trip will bring us. Special thanks to Nora Smith, Pam Chouinard and Connie Salmi from First Lutheran Church for organizing this wonderful WELCA event and inviting the Calvary women. Sincerely, Sherri Makowski, Calvary Lutheran, Rapid River

Special Giving Envelope This month’s Special Giving will go towards Hope at The Inn

Mission Endowment Fund Grants A reminder that requests to the Mission Endowment Fund for the 2020

disbursement are due at the office no later than Monday, September 30th.

Guidelines for the disbursement are available in the office, as are NEW request forms. The final disbursement plan will be approved by the

congregation at the Annual Meeting in January or February. Ove the years, this fund has made a real difference in the lives of people

from Gladstone to Escanaba and across the world by distributing over $300,00 to a variety of organizations.

Stewardship

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YOU DEFY THE ODDS! The good people of First Lutheran are a defiant bunch! I MEAN THIS IN A GOOD WAY! The meaning of the word “defiant” that I’m using here is someone who behaves the opposite of what’s expected. Let me explain----- the books I have read on stewardship, especially when it comes to asking for money, pretty much agree that the least effective way to ask people is to do it by mail. The conventional wisdom is that people should be asked face-to-face and up close and personal. While I can’t really argue with the fact that, in an ideal world, such advice is sound, person power and will power challenges make such approaches very, very difficult. So the stewardship gurus contend that mail campaigns are the least productive and, if we continue with this method, expectations should be lowered. Yet, you have consistently defied the odds. Over the years you’ve responded faithfully and generously when we have asked for estimates of giving via mail. So, if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it!!

We plan, once again, to send out our annual “ask” letter asking you to make an estimate of giving for 2020, probably around mid-September. Watch for it. In the meantime, please pray about your financial commitment for next year. When the opportunity comes please fill out an estimate of giving card and consider growing your giving so we can enhance our mission and ministries.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS GIVING. We, at First Lutheran, are blessed with our own “cloud of witnesses” who continue to defy the odds by witnessing as a response to God’s love and grace.

With gratitude and in Christ, Dirk Manson, Stewardship Chair

… to those who helped with the

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August Messenger;

Carol Ebbesen, Judy

Hammond, Judy Haulotte, Gloria Kanerva,

Mary Tuskan Thank you all, so much! We want to thank Thrivent Financial for the money to buy the food, Dolly and Connie Salmi for preparing the meal and buying the food. Also, on the day of the meal, we would like to thank Al and Rob Salmi, Charlie and Geri George, Nora Smith, Jodi Tianen and family, plus the Lakeview Assisted Living Crew for their help with set-up and clean up. We especially would like to thank the people who came to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Fundraiser. Thanks to their generous donations, we raised $441.00. Jay and I would like to thank our church family. The walk is September 14th in Marquette. Jay and Monica Bostwich

Dear Pastor Otis, Thank you for your support of Hope at the Inn. Without volunteers and churches like yours, we could not run a homeless shelter. We truly appreciate you! Lisa Myers

Thank you so much for the money! Fortune Lake is so much fun! One of my favorite parts of camp was the art session. I love singing the songs and being with my friends. Love, Ashlyn

Dear First Lutheran, Thank you so much for the camp scholarship money! Both our girls had amazing weeks at Fortune Lake and the money really helped to get them there. It’s such a special place!! We truly appreciate your kindness. Love, Lisa & Brad Jones

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(Paula & Rick LaCrosse’s Neice)

Dear Pastor Otis, Your ministry and message of comfort will always be held in grateful remembrance. The Family of Violet Christiansen Dear Pastor Otis, It’s hard to find words to express our gratitude for your caring support during a very difficult time. Our family felt comforted and encouraged by the words spoken at the service – and want you to know how truly blessed we were having you by our side! Your kind expression of sympathy is deeply appreciated and gratefully acknowledged by the family of Bill Sundling. Love In Christ, Dolly Menche First Lutheran Church and Tom Otis, The family of Duane Rajala thanks you for your kind expression of sympathy.

First Lutheran Church, Thank you so much for signing up to volunteer at the Mission of Hope event and to those who supplied items for the event. The Mission of Hope Team First Lutheran Church, Thank you for opening your doors for our community health screening in your community. It is because of your generosity that Life Line Screening continues to be able to ring these health screenings into your area and for that, we are very appreciative… Sincerely, Deb Welch

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Hope At The Inn

And… A Rummage Sale

September 7th Located at Willow Creek Apartments 2

Interested in becoming a Volunteer? There will be a training at:

Nacho Saturday September 7

5pm-7pm At the

Salvation Army

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Covenant Church in Gladstone September 22nd

at 12:00pm Happy Birthday to ... 9/2 Patricia Shampo 9/20 Al Salmi 9/2 Brandon Waldrop 9/20 Kelsey Cowen 9/4 Scott Smith 9/20 Charlotte Strom 9/4 Donna Caron 9/21 Darla Pardon 9/6 Dolly Salmi 9/21 Zachary Fairchild 9/8 Helen Belongie 9/21 Spencer Husbye 9/8 Geri George 9/21 John Soderman 9/8 Carol Kocsis 9/22 Joan Anderson 9/8 Cali Kossow 9/22 Charles George 9/10 Carter Menard 9/23 Kerstin Tuskan 9/11 Londyn Koski 9/24 Henrietta Miller 9/12 George Botbyl 9/24 Thomas Ford 9/14 Billy Ray Rodriquez 9/24 John Kloet 9/16 Jolane Nelson 9/26 Lori Shea 9/18 Connie Salmi 9/27 Barbara Filizetti 9/18 Nicole Gobert 9/28 Dewey Fairchild 9/18 Marshall Seawright 9/28 Tina Erickson 9/18 Neal Johnson 9/29 Alexis Hongisto 9/19 Elvira Rajala 9/30 Bambi Johnson 9/30 Joshua Cowen Happy Anniversary to ... 9/4 Dewayne & Sharon Ide 9/6 A. Lee & Bonnie Anderson 9/12 Donald & Patricia Castell 9/15 Daniel & Kayla Verbeek 9/18 Chuck & Sally Strom 9/21 Paul & Pamela Bialik 9/23 Raymond & Trudy Brandt 9/26 John & Kimberly Roman Jr. 9/28 Daniel & Gail Brazeau

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9/28 Kari & Joel Nordin 9/29 David & Vickie Ottensman

(If we’ve missed your birthday or anniversary please let us know)

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Gifts to our congregation have been given ...

In loving memory of William Sundling for Technological Upgrade by ...

Dolly Menche Rosalie Menche for Choir by… Nora Smith In loving memory of Gordon Medendorp

(Ann Tuskan’s Father) for Technology Upgrade by… Lloyd & Mary Tuskan In loving memory of Violet Christiansen for the Kitchen by ... The Christiansen Family for Sewing by… Gary & Judith Larson for Technology Upgrade… Lloyd & Mary Tuskan Gary & Judith Larson for Technology Upgrade… Paul Wedell Duane Bovin Stephen Bolek & Ann Christiansen Nora Smith Dirk & Sue Manson Dave & Vicki Ottensman Pat Hewitt Kristine Ert Other donations received… for the Kitchen Fund by… The Dart Ball League Duane Rajala Family

[Cite your source here.]

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Council Highlights The Congregation Council met on August 8th with Vice President George Botbyl presiding. At this meeting the council: Talked about the core values of First Lutheran. The council decided the most important values to be; Sewing, Children & Learning, Missions & Outreach, Accepting Support, Worship, Belonging, and Community Decided to have a congregational meeting on September 8th to approve the Tech Upgrade costs. Approved shredding of old financial reports every 2 years.

The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be on Thursday, August 8th at 7:00 pm.

The Bay de Noc Choral Society is beginning rehearsals for its December 1st Christmas concert from 7-9pm on Tuesday, September 10 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba. We sing four-part music and there are no auditions. Rehearsals are each Tuesday from 7-9pm. Singer may miss some rehearsals. Come join us. For more information, contact Mike at 241-7731.

Contact Us:

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First Lutheran Church 1212 Minneapolis Ave. Gladstone, MI 49837 906-428-4565 www.firstlutheran-gladstone.org or find us on facebook.com Rev. Tom Otis, Pastor

pastor@firstlutheran-gladstone.org Office: 428-4565 Cell Phone: 280-9997

Pastoral Intern Kelly Ylitalo intern@firstlutheran-gladstone.org

Office Manager: Rhonda Husbye office@firstlutheran-gladstone.org

Secretary: Reyna Rose office@firstlutheran-gladstone.org

Director of Music: Kris McDonald Musicians: Kris McDonald, Oliva Wery Chancel and Handbell Choir Director: Kris McDonald Christian Ed Coordinators: Amelia Seawright and Reyna Rose Custodian: Dave Strom

Congregation Council: Amber Hess-Soderman, President George Botbyl, Vice President Doris Sundstrom, Secretary Bill Ehrhardt, Treasurer Steve Bolek Dotti Ford Ken Groh Jeff Gudwer Judy Haulotte Cooper Koski Dirk Manson Marshall Seawright

A congregation of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America